“Move aside!”

Just as the standoff in the hall reached its peak, a woman’s furious voice rang out from outside.

“First Prince, it’s Noble Consort Ya.”

Lei Lixing turned back and looked at Feng Jin with a questioning glance.

Feng Jin rubbed his brow and waved a hand. “Let her in.”

“Yes.”

Lei Lixing cupped his hands, turned, and pulled the great doors open.

Noble Consort Ya shot him a cold glance, then strode in without hesitation.

As she passed by Chen Hong, she didn’t forget to glare fiercely at her.

“Feng Jin, are you planning to kick down the ladder after climbing up?”

Noble Consort Ya walked up the steps, stood beside Feng Jin, and pointed a finger at Chen Hong.

“You’d actually take a fancy to a woman like this?”

Though Chen Hong still wore a veil, her age was easy enough to tell.

Noble Consort Ya stared at her for a moment, then took two steps back, covering her mouth with both hands.

“Her—her face is disgusting!”

Chen Hong’s brow furrowed. She glanced at Feng Jiang beside her, his eyes still hollow and vacant, clenched her fists tightly, and stood up.

“Noble Consort, how am I old? Aren’t I about the same age as you?”

“By the way, you probably don’t know this either, but the First Prince being with you is only because he wants to use the power behind you.”

“If you can help him seize the throne, perhaps you might even get to be Empress. But if you can’t…” Chen Hong was furious—Noble Consort Ya had actually called her disgusting in front of her own man.

After last night, Chen Hong was quite satisfied with Feng Jiang.

Aside from his hollow, lifeless eyes, there was nothing else unusual about him.

Even though she was certain he wouldn’t take Noble Consort Ya’s words to heart, Chen Hong still didn’t want anyone calling her disgusting in front of her kept man.

Feng Jiang had a special medicine on hand, and combined with his naturally commanding bearing, even Chen Hong had been completely fooled.

Noble Consort Ya was stunned and turned to look at Feng Jin.

But to her dismay, Feng Jin simply poured himself tea and drank alone, not even glancing her way.

Noble Consort Ya knelt beside Feng Jin, tugging at his arm.

“Feng Jin, is what she said true? You don’t love me—you just want to use me?”

“I’ve done so much for you, borne such infamy for you, and you’re really going to kick down the ladder now?”

“Feng Jin, if you show me no kindness, don’t blame me for showing no loyalty!”

Feng Jin still gave no reaction, letting her push and pull at him.

Chen Hong sat back down, holding her teacup, the smile on her face growing wider.

Noble Consort Ya, seeing her look back like she was some kind of fool, flew into a rage.

“Feng Jin, I’m talking to you, you—” “Enough with the noise!”

Feng Jin reached out and pulled her to sit beside him.

Noble Consort Ya froze for a moment, then obediently sat down and looked at him.

Feng Jin poured her a cup of tea, picked up his own cup, and drained it in one gulp.

“Right now, the most pressing matter is putting down the rebels.”

“If we lose this battle, what future would you or I have left?”

Seeing his face full of worry, Noble Consort Ya’s anger gradually faded, replaced by tenderness.

“A-Jin.”

She held onto his arm and pressed her cheek against it.

“Is Father Emperor putting pressure on you again?”

Feng Jin continued pouring tea for himself, his expression showing little change.

“You know Father Emperor’s temperament well enough.”

“How much sincerity could there be in him naming me Crown Prince-designate at a time like this?”

“Why do you say that?”

Noble Consort Ya frowned. “There are only three princes in the current court.”

“Now the Third Prince has turned traitor, the Second Prince has gone missing—you’re the only choice left for the throne.”

“Have you still not found my second imperial brother?”

Feng Jin lowered his gaze and looked at her.

Noble Consort Ya let go of his arm and shook her head. “No… not yet.”

“But I will do my best to find him. Once I find him…” “Crash!”

Feng Jin slammed his teacup down. “Find him, and kill him!”