Hearing this, Feng Jiang’s hand beneath the table twitched slightly.

Even Noble Consort Ya could hardly believe such words could come from Feng Jin’s own mouth.

Back when the plan to poison Feng Yan and frame Feng Jiu’er and the others had been proposed, it was she who had suggested it—Feng Jin hadn’t agreed to it at first.

She hadn’t expected… “Good!”

After her initial shock, Noble Consort Ya smiled with relief.

No wonder he was the man she had chosen.

“A-Jin, is there anything else you need me to do?”

Noble Consort Ya asked.

Feng Jin raised his eyes and looked at Chen Hong. “Send her thirty thousand of the Gao family’s troops.”

“Thirty thousand, to her?”

Noble Consort Ya’s brows knitted tightly. “Just who exactly is she?”

“Feng Jiang died by her sword. She’s one of us.”

Feng Jin replied flatly.

Noble Consort Ya withdrew her gaze and studied the side of Feng Jin’s face.

“Is Feng Jiang really dead? Are you certain?”

“Certain.”

Feng Jin replied.

“Good!”

Noble Consort Ya nodded. “My father already handed the military authority over to me long ago.”

“As long as you promise that if you become king one day, I shall be your Empress, then I’ll agree to everything you’ve said.”

“As long as Feng Qiongcang is still alive, this prince has no say in such matters.”

Feng Jin took a light sip of his tea and set the cup down.

“In truth, all of us are nothing more than pawns of his.”

Noble Consort Ya clenched her fists, glanced at Chen Hong and Feng Jiang, then leaned closer to Feng Jin and lowered her voice. “What does A-Jin plan to do?”

Feng Jin exerted force and crushed his teacup.

“A-Jin!”

Noble Consort Ya grabbed his injured hand and immediately pulled out a handkerchief to wipe it.

“How is it? Does it hurt terribly?”

“Your task is to eliminate Feng Qiongcang.”

Feng Jin knit his brows, paying no attention at all to his injured hand.

Noble Consort Ya froze, her hands stopping mid-motion.

But to everyone’s surprise, Chen Hong burst out laughing.

“Excellent!”

She stood, cupped her hands. “First Prince, may our cooperation be a pleasant one!”

Feng Jin cupped his hands toward her and said, “The guest quarters are already prepared. Please, this way.”

“After you.”

Chen Hong strode out.

Feng Jiang rose and followed after her.

Before nightfall, Chen Hong led thirty thousand of the Gao family’s troops westward.

Noble Consort Ya returned to the palace and knelt before the Feng Luan Hall, remaining there the entire night.

At dawn, An’bao carried in the morning meal and walked into the great hall.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

He knelt in the hall.

Feng Qiongcang, seated at the head of the hall, waved a hand, closed the memorial he had been holding, and rubbed his brow.

An’bao rose and walked slowly over.

“Your Majesty, please eat first.”

He picked up the porridge and knelt beside Feng Qiongcang.

Feng Qiongcang took the bowl, ate several mouthfuls in quick succession, and set it down.

“Is Noble Consort Ya still outside the hall?”

He asked flatly.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

An’bao looked up while still kneeling. “She’s already been kneeling there the whole night.”

“Let her in.”

Feng Qiongcang waved his hand.

“Yes.”

An’bao rose, stepped back a few paces, turned, and descended the steps.

When Noble Consort Ya was helped in through the door, her face was pale, her whole body looking frail and weak.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

The moment she knelt, her legs gave way and she nearly fell over.

Fortunately, An’bao caught her in time, keeping her from collapsing.

“Rise.”

Feng Qiongcang glanced at her, his hand braced on the table, and rubbed his brow again.

“What made you think of this old man today?”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Noble Consort Ya rose, bowed slightly, and walked slowly forward.

She came to Feng Qiongcang’s side, knelt down, and looked at the bowl of porridge, still mostly full.

“Your Majesty, have you no appetite?”

Feng Qiongcang lowered his head and closed his eyes.

“What appetite could this old man have at a time like this?”

“All this while, you and the Empress were the concubines I favored most. I never expected the two of you would, at a time like this…” “It seems… this old man hasn’t done well enough!”