“Who?”
Early in the morning, Feng Lezhen was still in bed when she heard Ah Ye’s report. Her brows lifted slightly in apparent surprise.
Not just her—Ah Ye had been utterly stunned herself, only believing it after seeing the person with her own eyes.
“There’s no mistake. It’s definitely Feizhan,” she said again, with difficulty.
Feng Lezhen was silent for a moment before saying, “Understood.”
“He’s in the side hall now. Does Your Highness wish to see him?” Ah Ye frowned. “Though I don’t know what he came for, he doesn’t seem to have good intentions. If worst comes to worst, I’ll just kill him. Once he’s dead, whatever schemes he has will amount to nothing.”
Feng Lezhen was genuinely tempted, but after a moment’s thought, she declined. “Let’s first confirm his purpose.”
“Then allow me to help Your Highness dress,” Ah Ye said promptly.
“No need,” Feng Lezhen lay back down. “I’ll have a nap first.”
Ah Ye blinked in surprise, then burst into laughter. “Then rest well, Your Highness. As for Prince Feizhan, I’ll take care of entertaining him.”
Feng Lezhen waved her hand. Once Ah Ye had left, she really did close her eyes.
She called it sleep, but she never truly fell asleep—hovering in a half-dream until sunlight streamed through the window. Her eyes opened with a calm expression, but there wasn’t a trace of sleep in them.
Ah Ye, who had promised to host Feizhan, had already returned. Seeing her awake, she immediately stepped forward to help her sit up. “Your Highness.”
“What time is it?” Feng Lezhen asked.
Ah Ye replied, “It’s already mid-morning.”
Feng Lezhen’s gaze shifted slightly. “And Feizhan?”
“Still waiting in the side hall.”
“Has he said anything?” Feng Lezhen asked again.
“Nothing much. He just sips tea, snacks a little… flirts with the maids. I couldn’t stand it, so I dismissed all the maids and had Fan Gonggong keep him company.”
Feng Lezhen’s lips curved faintly. “I see.”
Seeing that her mistress was fine, Ah Ye helped her dress and fix her hair.
Dressing a noblewoman was already a complicated affair, and Ah Ye favored elaborate hairstyles for her mistress. By the time everything was neatly done, it was already noon—Feizhan had been waiting nearly two hours.
When Feng Lezhen entered the side hall, the teapot on the table was already empty. Feizhan was lounging lazily in his chair, asking Fan Gonggong whether he remembered how Noble Consort Li once danced in the middle of the night to win favor and ended up catching a fever.
The “Noble Consort Li” he mentioned had been a consort of the former emperor. Fan Gonggong had served her for a time, and it was in fact his idea for her to compete for favor that way. Now that Feizhan brought it up again, even the ever-smooth Fan Gonggong looked awkward. Upon seeing Feng Lezhen enter, he finally let out a breath of relief.
“Your Highness,” he quickly stepped forward to bow.
Feizhan looked up at the sound, his expression somewhere between a smirk and a grin. “Your Highness, it really has been a long time.”
Feng Lezhen ignored him and nodded to Fan Gonggong, who promptly withdrew.
“Fan Gonggong’s an old man. Stop teasing him,” Feng Lezhen said mildly.
Feizhan raised an eyebrow. His gray-blue eyes gleamed like cursed gemstones—beautiful, but dangerous.
“Can’t even catch up with old friends now? Your Highness is far too strict.” His tone was light, without the slightest hint of offense.
Feng Lezhen shot him a glance before moving to sit at the main seat. “Prince Feizhan risked so much to come to Yingguan—was it merely to reminisce with Fan Gonggong?”
“You’re half right, Your Highness. I came to reminisce, but not with Fan Gonggong.” As soon as he finished speaking, Feizhan suddenly stood up. His long, powerful legs brought him directly in front of her, and he reached out to grab her chin.
Feng Lezhen was forced to look up. The moment their eyes met, Ah Ye’s dagger was already pressed to Feizhan’s throat.
“Let go of Her Highness,” she said coldly.
Feizhan acted as though she didn’t exist, ignoring the dagger even as it pierced his skin.
Blood trickled down, but his expression didn’t even flicker. It was as though life and death were meaningless to him.
“Your Highness, you’re injured?” he murmured, his slender fingers slowly brushing the gauze on Feng Lezhen’s neck, stirring a faint ticklish sensation.
But the tickle vanished in an instant, replaced by pain. His fingers pressed harder against the bandage, as if intent on choking her.
Without even lifting her eyelids, Feng Lezhen slapped him across the face.
A sharp crack echoed in the hall. She spoke indifferently, “What madness is this?”
Feizhan suddenly laughed—first a low chuckle, then louder, until his whole body shook with it. Then he slumped forward into her neck. The dagger at his throat sank deeper with the motion, blood pouring freely, soaking his neck and collar. He seemed completely unaware, lost in laughter.
Ah Ye stared in shock. The more she watched, the more she thought the man was insane. She was just about to drive her blade into him when Feng Lezhen raised her hand and motioned for her to leave.
“Your Highness…” Ah Ye hadn’t forgotten what this man had done in the past and was reluctant to go.
Feng Lezhen curled her lips slightly, about to speak, but Feizhan, still leaning on her shoulder, looked over and said, “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to your mistress.”
“You’d better not,” Ah Ye said flatly and turned to leave.
Feizhan clicked his tongue. “That girl’s even more stubborn than before.”
“Are you done playing?” Feng Lezhen cast him a sidelong glance. “Get away from me. You’re bleeding all over my clothes.”
Feizhan paused. Straightening up, he realized he really had smeared blood on her clothes while leaning against her. Today, she was wearing a warm white gown, the satiny fabric glowing with refinement. Now, stained with blood, it was like pristine jade sullied with grime.
He stared at the stain for a moment, then suddenly wiped more blood from his neck—and smeared it on her face.
Feng Lezhen: “…”
Unsurprisingly, another slap followed.
Not even fifteen minutes into their meeting, Feizhan had already taken two slaps. His right cheek was beginning to swell. Paired with those wolfish eyes, it gave one an uncontrollable urge to finish the job and ruin his face entirely.
Feng Lezhen hadn’t held back with either strike. Feizhan worked his tongue against the inside of his cheek and tsked, “Looks like not just that girl’s gotten wilder—Your Highness too. You’ve even learned how to hit people now.”
Feng Lezhen gave a faint smile at his words. “Not only can I hit people, I can kill them too.”
“That I do believe,” Feizhan said, still half-smiling. “After all, Your Highness has used your methods on me before. Too bad your brother turned out to be a useless fool. You delivered me right into his hands, and he still couldn’t catch me.”
Hearing him bring up the past, Feng Lezhen’s lips curved. “What, after lying low for four years, you finally couldn’t resist coming to take revenge?”
“It’s really been four years?” Feizhan looked at her in surprise, then sighed. “You’re right. You left in early winter of Year 5 of Qianchen, and now it’s summer of Year 9. Four years indeed.”
As he spoke, he suddenly laughed and pulled her into his arms.
Feng Lezhen had been sitting, but when he grabbed her waist, she was forced to stand, stumbling right into his chest. His arms were like iron, locking her firmly in his embrace. Knowing she didn’t have the strength to break free, she simply didn’t struggle.
“Your Highness,” he said, pulling one hand free to gently brush the stray hair by her temple, “it’s been four years. Have you thought of me?”
“Thought of your death?” Feng Lezhen replied calmly.
Feizhan’s smile deepened. “So Your Highness has thought of me.”
Feng Lezhen: “……”
After a brief silence, she decided he was even crazier than four years ago and could no longer be bothered to play along. “Speak. What have you really come for?”
“I already said—I came to catch up,” Feizhan replied with a face full of innocent mischief, despite being well into his twenties, like a mischievous child.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a moment, then turned away. “Ah Ye—”
Feizhan clamped a hand over her mouth. “Why is Your Highness so impatient?”
Feng Lezhen gave him a cold stare.
After a while, Feizhan sighed and reluctantly let her go. “Fine. I came to Yingguan because I have something to discuss with Your Highness.”
Feng Lezhen had long suspected he wouldn’t come for nothing and snorted coldly before sitting back down.
Feizhan smiled and personally poured her a cup of tea, but she wouldn’t even touch the cup, disgusted that his hands were still bloody. “What is it?”
“Word of Your Highness being assassinated has spread throughout the empire,” Feizhan said instead. “So why haven’t you taken your next step?”
Feng Lezhen looked up and glanced at him. “What next step should I take?”
“No need to play dumb,” Feizhan dragged over a chair and sat directly across from her. “You’ve been planning this for so long, all to one day return to the capital openly. Now such a golden opportunity is before you—are you really going to let it pass?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Feng Lezhen replied blandly.
“Remove the traitors beside the emperor, Your Highness,” Feizhan smiled. “Feng Ji may be emperor, and the emperor may never be wrong, but someone has to take the fall for conspiring to kill his own blood. With that as your banner, you could march into the capital with perfect justification. Not only would you remove threats, you’d also make a name for yourself—two birds with one stone. But you’re hesitating. Is it because the road from Yingguan to the capital is too long, with more than ten cities in between? Even if you lead a great army, you might not be able to break through every gate?”
He went on, “Yes, Feng Ji is foolish, but he has the entire Great Qian empire backing him. You’re smart, but every step is perilous—one mistake, and all is lost. So you’re waiting. One, because you haven’t found the perfect strategy; two, because you want to exhaust Feng Ji, wear him down with fear and paranoia until he has no strength left to oppose you. Am I wrong?”
He laid out her plan and her fears in detail. Feng Lezhen looked at him for a long time, then smiled faintly. “Sounds like you’ve got a way to resolve my concerns.”
“Once Your Highness sets out, I’ll bring the full forces of Tayuan to surround Yingguan,” Feizhan said. “We’ll pretend Tayuan is about to wage war against Great Qian. The world knows the Qi family Army is yours—if you suffer an ‘accident’ on the road, the army’s morale will crumble, and Yingguan will be at great risk. But Yingguan is Great Qian’s most vital stronghold. If it falls, the whole nation will be shaken. In that situation, will your emperor risk blocking your return, or will he obediently open the gates?”
Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze, picked up the teacup, then remembered he had touched the rim with his bloody fingers—and silently set it down again. Feizhan watched her, as if sure she already understood what he was getting at.
Sure enough, Feng Lezhen looked at him and said, “You’re just a powerless third prince, not even of pure blood. How could you mobilize the entire Tayuan army?”
“Exactly,” Feizhan said with a grin. “Before I help Your Highness, I need you to help me first—so that I, a powerless, impure-blooded third prince, can have the power to command the Tayuan army.”
Finally, he revealed his true purpose.
Feng Lezhen gave a silent smile. “So it really is that hard for you to move an inch in Tayuan—otherwise, you wouldn’t be coming to beg me.”
“No choice,” Feizhan spread his hands. “Back then, I had to show off just to stay in Tayuan and not be sent back to Great Qian. I even brought back the head of the Moli King. That only made my two elder brothers fixate on me, leaving me no room to maneuver.”
“I don’t have any power in Tayuan,” Feng Lezhen said thoughtfully. “I doubt I can help. If you insist on asking, I do have a few spies there—but they’re only good for gathering intelligence. If you want, I can hand them over.”
Feizhan chuckled. “I know your influence doesn’t reach Tayuan, and I never expected you to stir up storms there. All I want is you—your mind, your people. I want your direct help.”
Feng Lezhen was genuinely surprised. “You want me to…”
“I want Your Highness to come with me into Tayuan—to face the storm with me,” Feizhan said, locking eyes with her.
The room fell silent.
After a long while, Feng Lezhen laughed. “Feizhan, oh Feizhan… how dare you make such a request? Do you really think I’m that foolish?”
Her gaze turned sharp. “See yourself out. I won’t.”
“Don’t be in such a rush to kick me out, Your Highness,” Feizhan chuckled, clearly expecting her refusal. “The reason you won’t agree is simple: you don’t trust me. You think that once you enter Tayuan, your life and death will be in my hands. But there are thirty thousand troops at Yingguan. Even if I wanted to harm you, wouldn’t I first have to weigh whether Tayuan could handle the consequences?”
“You may be smart enough not to make a move against me—but what about your brothers? What about the King of Tayuan?” Feng Lezhen looked at him mockingly. “If they do something to me, what am I supposed to do? If I lose my life, what good is it even if the Yingguan army flattens Tayuan?”
Feizhan lifted his eyes, those wolf-like pupils locking onto her face. “What if I swear to protect you with my life?”
Feng Lezhen’s gaze flickered.
“This matter is dangerous, yes—but if it succeeds, you gain Great Qian, and I gain Tayuan. Isn’t that truly a win-win?” Feizhan leaned down suddenly, voice low and tempting by her ear.
He was remarkably good-looking, and his voice—deep and slightly husky—carried a kind of magnetic pull.
Feng Lezhen turned her head to look at his overly handsome profile, and this time, she didn’t refuse outright. After all… the temptation he offered was enormous.
From Yingguan to the capital, even with urgent messengers riding day and night, it would take half a month. And at her slower pace, a full month at least. A month was far too long—long enough for countless things to go wrong. Not every city would be cooperative. If she had to fight her way through, how many soldiers would be lost before she even reached the capital?
But Tayuan… was an entirely unfamiliar land. Too far to control. If her identity was exposed, it would mean certain death.
Yet if it succeeded…
If it succeeded, not only would the road to the capital be clear, but even once there, as long as Yingguan remained unstable, Feng Ji wouldn’t dare act rashly against her.
If Qi Jingren was the sword in her hand, then Feizhan was her talisman—an unpredictable, potentially backstabbing, but immensely powerful talisman.
Her thoughts whirled. Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze. Feizhan smiled as though he already knew she would agree, then slowly straightened up. “I left under the pretense of going on a hunting trip. I can stay in Yingguan for at least three to five days. Your Highness can take your time to consider—I’m in no rush.”
With that, he turned and strolled off, leaving Feng Lezhen sitting there, her expression cold.
Though he had said she could take several days, Feizhan was certain she would agree within twelve hours. There was no helping it—deep down, they were the same kind of people. Always seeking absolute certainty, but if the reward was great enough, they would throw caution to the wind. Just like how he had dared to come to Yingguan alone, she would dare to go to Tayuan alone.
In short, they were both lunatics willing to gamble everything.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Ah Ye kicked open the side chamber’s door, respectfully stepped aside, and gestured for Feng Lezhen to enter.
Feizhan was still in bed. His thin sleepwear lay open, revealing the curves of his chest and the defined ridges of his abs.
“Your Highness, you’re here,” Feizhan stretched lazily, still not bothering to sit up, just turning onto his side to watch her.
With that motion, his robe slipped even further, exposing a glimpse of his navel—and the silver ring he wore above it. The ring had a fine scale pattern, gently swaying against his chest, wild and tantalizing.
He hadn’t had that when he was in the palace.
Feng Lezhen raised a brow, her gaze drifting over his body before stopping on the silver ring.
“Does Your Highness like it?” Feizhan curved his lips. “Want a closer look?”
“Sure.”
To his surprise, Feng Lezhen really did step closer. Feizhan chuckled from his throat, then sat up and swept her into his arms with a long arm.
“Is this close enough?” he tilted his head, playing innocent.
Feng Lezhen said nothing. Her slender fingers pressed against the flesh over his heart, and with a little force, she hooked the silver ring upward—along with a bit of his skin. The area immediately reddened and swelled.
“Hiss… that hurts, Your Highness,” Feizhan complained, though he still lounged against the pillow lazily, making no move to stop her.
“Take it off and it won’t hurt anymore,” Feng Lezhen replied flatly.
Feizhan’s expression turned interesting. “You want to take it off?”
Before she could answer, he grinned. “You’d better be sure—once it’s off, there’s no going back.”
“Hair and skin are gifts from one’s parents,” Feng Lezhen said, uninterested, brushing his hand away as she stood up. “What did you go through to end up wearing something like that?”
Feizhan, still reclined, looked up at her from below. “Ten miles apart, and customs are different. Your Highness can’t expect Tayuan people to follow Great Qian’s rules.”
As he spoke, he finally sat up and loosely gathered his robe.
Feng Lezhen got straight to the point. “I’ll cooperate with you.”
Feizhan looked completely unsurprised. “Then I must thank Your Highness.”
“But since I’ll be risking my life, I want to take precautions,” she said, meeting his eyes.
“Name your condition,” Feizhan replied.
“Send your mother to Yingguan as a hostage,” Feng Lezhen said, her red lips parting with clarity.
Feizhan’s gaze turned cold for a moment before he laughed. “I don’t mind, but she is the consort of the King of Tayuan. If she suddenly disappears, it’ll raise suspicion. That would endanger us both.”
“You expect me to walk into fire and blades for you, but you can’t even meet this condition?” Feng Lezhen countered.
Feizhan spread his hands. “I’m only thinking of both our safety. Why not pick a different condition?”
“Did you bring your personal seal with you?” Feng Lezhen asked.
“I did,” he answered.
“Then write two official letters. One stating that I left with you—if anything happens to me, the lives of all Tayuan citizens will be taken as compensation. The other stating that once this matter succeeds, you will fully assist my return to the capital. Stamp and sign both—don’t leave out a single detail.”
After Feng Lezhen finished speaking, she clapped her hands twice. Ah Ye, who had been waiting outside the door, immediately entered carrying brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.
As Ah Ye swiftly laid out blank documents on the table, Feizhan narrowed his eyes. “The first document can serve as a declaration for Great Qian to go to war against Tayuan if things go wrong; the second ensures I won’t go back on my word if things succeed. Attack or defend—you’ve covered both. Your Highness really is calculating. I’m guessing from the start you never planned to take my mother as a hostage. Just wanted to test the waters before tearing down the house—Your Highness is certainly practiced in such tactics.”
“Negotiating with a tiger—what choice do I have?” Feng Lezhen replied, imitating the helpless tone he had used earlier.
Feizhan let out a scoff, but didn’t hesitate. He quickly wrote out both official statements as she required. Feng Lezhen glanced at Ah Ye, who immediately took the documents and left. Feng Lezhen followed her out.
“When will you come with me to Tayuan?” Feizhan suddenly asked.
“What’s the rush? I need time to get things in order here,” Feng Lezhen gave him a sideways look and walked off.
Feizhan had sneaked out this time, so the longer he delayed, the riskier it became. But now that Feng Lezhen had agreed, a few extra days didn’t matter.
Feng Lezhen spent two days getting everything in Yingguan settled before setting off with Feizhan.
“Your Highness, do you truly intend to go?” Ah Ye still looked worried before their departure.
Feng Lezhen’s expression was calm. “Do you remember everything I’ve told you these past days?”
“I remember. I wouldn’t dare forget even a word,” Ah Ye’s brows furrowed. “Your Highness, you must take care of yourself. If anything seems wrong, send me a signal at once.”
Feng Lezhen patted her hand in reassurance, then turned to Qi Jingren. “Yingguan is yours to watch over.”
“Rest assured, Your Highness. I will take care of everything,” Qi Jingren said as he gave Feizhan a glance. “If two months pass and Your Highness hasn’t returned, I’ll lead the army and raze Tayuan to the ground.”
“One Ah Ye was already fierce enough, now there’s a General Qi too. Life really isn’t going to be easy for me,” Feizhan said with mock innocence.
Feng Lezhen ignored him and gave Qi Jingren a nod. Qi Jingren returned it silently and watched them ride off.
Each of them mounted a swift horse and galloped across the grasslands at the borders of the three kingdoms. Ever since Moli suffered a heavy blow, the plains had been free of bandits. In just two days and one night, they reached the border of Tayuan.
As their horses crossed the boundary marker, Feizhan pulled Feng Lezhen onto his horse and gave a flick of the reins to her previous steed. With a sharp whinny, the horse turned back the way they had come.
“An old horse knows the road. There’s grass all along the way. I imagine it won’t be long before it returns to Yingguan,” Feizhan watched the retreating horse become a black dot on the horizon, the corners of his mouth lifting.
Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “Why ride together?”
“Have you forgotten?” Feizhan raised an eyebrow. “We agreed—this prince went out hunting, happened to run into a beautiful Great Qian girl, fell in love at first sight, and brought her back. Since she was taken back, naturally we ride the same horse.”
He had originally intended to give her the identity of a delicate young lady, but Her Highness the Eldest Princess was far too stunning, and her bearing far too noble—she didn’t look like someone from a modest background. After thinking it over, he could only label her as the daughter of a southern scholarly family who had come to Yingguan to visit relatives.
He’d mentioned this cover before, and Feng Lezhen had already fleshed out the details accordingly. Even if someone came to investigate in Yingguan, they’d find nothing.
Now reminded, Feng Lezhen said no more. She simply adjusted her posture and leaned comfortably against him. “Let’s go.”
Hearing her order him, Feizhan couldn’t help laughing. “Your Highness, I kidnapped you, remember?”
Feng Lezhen’s eyelids twitched. After a pause, she suddenly pulled out a handkerchief and covered her face, as if she were about to burst into tears.
But under the handkerchief, her expression remained calm and dignified. “Stop wasting time. Go.”
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