Noble Consort Xiao was startled, then laughed: “That won’t be necessary. Having palace servants go buy it once a month is actually part of the enjoyment. If we really brought the cook into the palace and had those imperial chefs instruct her, she might not be able to make it taste the same anymore.”

Emperor Yong’an smiled: “If that’s the case, then forget it. Just be careful with food brought in from outside the palace.”

Noble Consort Xiao covered her mouth and laughed: “I know. Besides, it’s a wine shop opened by Grand Commander Luo’s daughter—surely she wouldn’t dare cause any trouble?”

“No matter who opened it, due caution must still be taken.”

Noble Consort Xiao nodded with a smile, her delicate hand lifting the wine pot to fill the cup: “I toast Your Majesty.”

Emperor Yong’an raised his cup, clinked it with hers, and drained it in one gulp.

News of the Crown Prince and the Pingnan Prince’s heir arguing at the wine shop still spread quickly, causing some people to reassess the Pingnan Prince’s manor.

The Crown Prince had left the palace to offer condolences at Duke Anguo’s manor but hadn’t taken the opportunity to visit the Pingnan Prince and his consort, leading to direct questioning from the Pingnan Prince’s heir. This showed that the Pingnan Prince’s manor didn’t hold as much weight in the Crown Prince’s heart as the world assumed.

Viewed this way, the Pingnan Prince’s manor no longer seemed to occupy such a transcendent position.

When these discussions reached Princess Consort Pingnan’s ears, they made her so angry she slammed the table in front of Wei Feng.

“You wretched thing! Now everyone outside is laughing at the Pingnan Prince’s manor. Are you satisfied now?”

Faced with Princess Consort Pingnan’s interrogation, Wei Feng was most unconvinced, stretching his neck stubbornly: “Why is Mother blaming everything on me alone? Does the Crown Prince bear no fault at all? That day he left the palace—if he had shown even the slightest care for you and Father by coming to visit, how would I have ended up arguing with him publicly—”

“Enough!” Princess Consort Pingnan sharply cut off Wei Feng’s words, staring straight at him: “Wei Feng, remember this—the Crown Prince cannot be at fault.”

If the Crown Prince were at fault, it could very likely bring consequences the Pingnan Prince’s manor couldn’t bear. Why couldn’t this wretched boy understand?

Wei Feng naturally couldn’t comprehend this.

Or rather, he might have tried to understand originally, but his normally gentle mother’s currently twisted expression and accusatory tone instead stirred his rebelliousness.

He didn’t want to try understanding Wei Qiang anymore.

He’d had enough!

“Ha, the Crown Prince cannot be at fault. He’s perfect and flawless, deeply devoted and righteous. Only I am wrong in everything, unworthy of being a son. Is Mother satisfied now?”

“You—” Princess Consort Pingnan’s bloodless lips trembled as a fishy sweetness surged repeatedly in her throat.

Wei Wen was furious: “Second Brother, Mother’s health is already poor. Must you anger her to death before you’re satisfied?”

Wei Feng sneered coldly, looking at Wei Wen with none of the protective affection an older brother should have for his sister: “Wei Wen, I’m your second brother—it’s not your place to lecture me!”

He could see it now—this sister of his cared more about Wei Qiang too.

Well, of course—when Wei Qiang ascended the throne in the future, he might even grant her the title of Princess Imperial. What would he, the heir, amount to then?

“If Wen’er can’t lecture you, can’t I as your mother? Someone, bring the family rod!”

The servants didn’t dare move for a moment.

Princess Consort Pingnan raged: “I’m not dead yet—can you no longer be commanded by me?”

Two servants hastily presented the discipline ruler.

Princess Consort Pingnan picked up the ruler and struck it down on Wei Feng’s back.

Having eaten little for many days, she had little strength in her hands. The ruler falling on Wei Feng in his padded cotton robe didn’t cause much pain.

But the humiliation and anger in his heart far exceeded the pain on his body.

Wei Feng knelt on the ground, allowing the ruler to fall on his back again and again, his lowered eyes seeming to freeze over with ice.

Because of this, he didn’t notice Wei Wen’s hesitation to speak.

Princess Consort Pingnan tired from striking and threw down the ruler with gasping breaths, scolding: “Go back to your room and think carefully about where you went wrong.”

After Wei Feng turned and left, Princess Consort Pingnan’s hands still trembled with anger.

She never imagined that her younger son, who had always been relatively obedient, would become rebellious upon reaching adulthood.

Could it be that the Pingnan Prince’s manor had been too smooth sailing in recent years—when the moon is full it wanes, when water is full it overflows?

“Mother, don’t be angry. Second Brother was confused for a moment…”

Princess Consort Pingnan smiled bitterly and patted Wei Wen’s hand: “Wen’er, only you are considerate, but unfortunately you can’t stay with Mother for long.”

Wei Wen took Princess Consort Pingnan’s arm and said coquettishly: “Your daughter doesn’t want to marry too early. I want to accompany you for a lifetime.”

Looking across the capital, there wasn’t a single man who caught her eye. She didn’t want to marry just anyone.

Fortunately, it was becoming fashionable for noble ladies to marry later than common people’s daughters, so she could enjoy a couple more years of freedom.

“What foolish talk. Only when we find you a good family can Mother truly be at ease.”

Wei Wen lowered her eyes and pursed her lips: “Your daughter is in no hurry. Isn’t there still Second Brother?”

Princess Consort Pingnan was startled, her thoughts stirring.

Perhaps if they found Feng’er a wife, it might curb his reckless behavior.

Men, no matter how old, only truly mature after marrying and having children.

Wei Feng naturally didn’t know that Princess Consort Pingnan had conceived the idea of finding him a wife. Returning to his room, he casually changed his outer robe and walked out of the Pingnan Prince’s manor with a stern face.

There was still some time before nightfall. The blue sky held a few traces of dark red.

This little bit of red couldn’t form a brilliant sunset glow, only making someone in a poor mood feel desolate.

Without realizing it, Wei Feng had walked to Qingxing Street, staring vacantly at the blue wine banner fluttering in the wind.

The newly assigned servant said fearfully: “Young Master, the Princess Consort ordered that you cannot drink wine outside anymore—”

Before he could finish, Wei Feng pushed him aside.

“Get out of the way!”

He wasn’t a criminal—why should he be supervised by a servant when visiting a wine shop?

Several guards following behind caught up and blocked Wei Feng’s path.

Wei Feng glared fiercely at them and sneered coldly: “You’re all doing wonderfully.”

The guards cupped their hands: “Young Master, please don’t make things difficult for us.”

Wei Feng took a deep breath: “Fine, I won’t drink wine. I’ll just sit in the wine shop and only eat food—that should be acceptable?”

“This—” The men couldn’t help but exchange glances.

Wei Feng pushed past one of them and strode toward Youjian Wine Shop.

The wine shop had just opened for business.

“Is anyone in the private room?”

“The private room is still empty.”

Wei Feng said expressionlessly: “Take me to the private room.”

“Certainly.” Hong Dou crisply acknowledged and led Wei Feng upstairs.

Wei Feng left the servant and guards outside and sat alone in the private room drinking tea and eating dishes.

The private room had one window facing the corridor and one window facing the street.

Wei Feng’s mood was troubled. Without realizing it, he walked to the window facing the street, opened it, and looked outside.

The light was still good. The bluestone-paved street looked simple and clean.

Wei Feng’s gaze was quickly drawn to someone approaching.

It was a handsome young man still carrying a touch of childishness, his face wearing a pure and cheerful smile as he gazed at the… white goose beside him?

Wei Feng’s eyes fell on the white goose.

It really was a very large white goose. With its neck stretched out, it stood half as tall as a person—imposing, majestic, and full of presence.

Most eye-catching was the pretty bow tied around the goose’s neck, making it look nothing like a proper goose meant for laying eggs or eating.

Wei Feng found it both strange and amusing, and couldn’t help but laugh.