Feizhan didn’t return until late into the night. When he walked in and saw Feng Lezhen still awake, he was visibly surprised. “Why aren’t you asleep?”
“Waiting for you,” Feng Lezhen said, lifting her gaze to meet his.
She wore a thin sleep robe, her jet-black hair draped over her shoulders, not a single pin in place. The soft candlelight cast a warm glow on her features, giving her a rare air of gentleness.
Feizhan was silent for a moment, then curled his lips into a smile. “Waiting for me to do what?”
“Drink tea,” Feng Lezhen said, pushing a cup toward him.
“So thoughtful?” Feizhan picked up the cup and downed it in one go without hesitation.
Feng Lezhen asked, “What does it taste like?”
“Taste? What taste?” Feizhan looked puzzled.
Feng Lezhen stared at him for a moment, then seemed to realize, “Looks like it’s colorless and tasteless.”
Feizhan: “…”
After a brief silence, he dragged a chair over and sat down in front of her with a half-smile. “Princess, aren’t you going to explain?”
“The Eldest Consort gave me a packet of medicine. Said it could cure your… impotence. So I added some to your tea,” Feng Lezhen explained frankly.
Feizhan laughed. “You dare give me anything to drink? Aren’t you afraid of poisoning me?”
“She probably isn’t that stupid,” Feng Lezhen glanced at him. “Besides, she doesn’t completely trust me yet.”
Without full trust, the Eldest Consort couldn’t be sure whether Feng Lezhen would sneak the medicine into Feizhan’s food as instructed or hand the medicine over to him directly. So the medicine couldn’t be anything harmful.
Feizhan fell into an even longer silence. When he finally spoke again, his gaze had darkened. “After today, she’ll probably start trusting you.”
“Still not certain,” Feng Lezhen replied, glancing at him and noticing the growing flush on his face. She asked, “The medicine’s taking effect? How do you feel?”
Feizhan curled his lip and turned toward the window, letting out a sharp whistle.
Soon after, a black-clad man slipped silently into the room. He was momentarily stunned when he saw Feng Lezhen, then quickly lowered his gaze, no longer daring to look.
“I’ve taken some medicine—see what it is,” Feizhan said.
Hearing this, Feng Lezhen placed the remaining half of the powder packet on the table.
The man said nothing, taking the powder and examining it closely. After a moment, he reported respectfully, “It’s a common aphrodisiac.”
“Nothing else?” Feizhan asked.
“Nothing else.”
“Got it. You may go.”
“Yes.”
The black-clad man withdrew, leaving just the two of them in the room.
“Didn’t expect Prince Feizhan to have such a capable subordinate—able to identify medicine by sight and scent alone,” Feng Lezhen said slowly.
Feizhan shot her a sidelong glance, looking thoroughly unfazed. “You tricked me into drinking the medicine just to see how much power I have in the palace and how I’d respond to unexpected situations, didn’t you?”
As he spoke, the smile on his lips gradually faded. His grey-blue eyes darkened like the deep sea. “We’re on the same boat now. If there’s anything you want to know, just ask—I’ll tell you everything. But all these tests are really starting to get tiresome.”
“Angry?” Feng Lezhen looked at him with clear, calm eyes.
Feizhan choked for a second. “Not really. Just… a little irritated.”
“I think you’re not irritated because I tricked you,” Feng Lezhen said, watching the increasing redness in his face. Her tone, for once, carried some genuine concern. “You’re annoyed because of the aphrodisiac. Do you need a doctor?”
Feizhan dismissed it. “It’s not an aphrodisiac like those love potions. No need for a doctor.”
“But you did have venison hotpot tonight.”
Feizhan: “…”
“And did you drink deer bone wine?”
Feizhan: “…”
Feng Lezhen gave a knowing nod. “You’d better call that man back.”
Feizhan said nothing for a long time, but in the end, he still called the man back.
The black-clad man, who was usually assigned to guard the Rinuan Pavilion from the shadows, was not supposed to show himself unless absolutely necessary. Yet in just a short span, he had already been summoned twice—for seemingly trivial matters.
“Venison is naturally heating. Combine it with an aphrodisiac, and it’s like adding fire to fire. Master… just release the excess heat and it’ll be fine,” he said quickly, then fled.
Feizhan was quiet for a while, then turned to Feng Lezhen. “Then I’ll trouble Your Highness…”
“Handle it yourself.” Feng Lezhen shot him a cool glance—she wasn’t about to help.
But the man was utterly shameless. He leaned against the table and began untying his belt. A muffled groan rang out in the room. Feng Lezhen had just sat down on the bed when she turned and locked eyes with him—his gaze fierce and hungry, like a wolf cub.
She paused for a beat and instinctively turned her face away.
Feizhan grinned. His hands moved faster, but his gaze stayed fixed on her. Maybe it was the way he acted so naturally, or perhaps it was just because his looks were far too good—but despite doing something so brazen, he didn’t come across as revolting. The rising sounds in the room instead made the air warm and heavy.
Even after releasing his fire twice, Feizhan still felt overheated and finally went outside to douse himself in cold water.
The room still carried his lingering scent. Feng Lezhen lay alone on the bed, breathing slowly, her body finally beginning to cool.
Human desire… no one is truly free from it.
She closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.
She’d gone to bed early and didn’t know when Feizhan returned. All she knew was that when she opened her eyes the next morning, he was crouched by her bedside, staring straight at her.
That face of his was truly too good-looking—a blend of the deep features of Tayuaren blood and the delicate, refined elegance unique to Great Qian people. If only he weren’t so tall and broad, he might almost be mistaken for either gender. Among those she’d met, the only one who could rival him in appearance was probably Qi Jingqing.
Oh, Fu Zhixian was also quite handsome, but compared to his looks, his cunning and unpredictable nature was what really left an impression.
“Your Highness, are you looking at me while thinking of someone else?” Feizhan asked with a smirk.
Feng Lezhen: “Mm.”
“Thinking of who?”
“I was thinking—”
Before she could finish, he clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Don’t want to hear it,” he said arrogantly.
“Then why ask? Also,” Feng Lezhen pulled his hand away, “why are you crouching there like that?”
“Of course, I wanted Your Highness to notice the changes in me,” Feizhan said with a curl of his lips.
Feng Lezhen: “What cha—wait… are you wearing incense?”
There was a faint fragrance on him—so light it was barely detectable. If her nose hadn’t been especially sensitive, she likely wouldn’t have caught it.
Seeing how quickly she noticed, Feizhan gave a satisfied smile. “If you could pick up on that, it shows that Your Highness does pay attention to me.”
“It’s because of the aphrodisiac, isn’t it?” Feng Lezhen studied his expression and gradually pieced things together.
“This kind of medicine has to leave some trace on the body. Otherwise, how would you prove whether Your Highness actually gave it to me or not?” Feizhan didn’t deny it and gave her a cool glance. “I spent nearly an hour suffering last night—I’m going out more these next few days. The Eldest Consort will surely call you soon. I hope things go smoothly on your end, or all my suffering will have been for nothing.”
Feng Lezhen took out the leftover powder. “If you’re going out, then take some more. Wouldn’t want anyone missing the scent.”
Feizhan: “…”
Having done it once already, Feng Lezhen grew more skilled in her methods with each new dose. The medicine she prepared not only kept a subtle fragrance on his body, but also ensured that once he ‘relieved’ himself at night, he could sleep peacefully. Feizhan would always end up teasing her about her medical precision whenever he caught her mixing the powder.
Her response? Double the dose.
Feizhan, though at the age where he could practically punch a hole through the sky, gradually started to wear down under the constant nightly “heat-clearing.” Fortunately, before they ran out of the medicine, the Eldest Consort finally sent someone to summon Feng Lezhen.
But Feng Lezhen didn’t go.
“I’d really love to see the Eldest Consort,” she said, looking sorrowfully at the servant, “but Feizhan doesn’t want me leaving the house, so…”
The servant quickly passed the message along. Upon hearing it, the Eldest Consort immediately smashed a teacup in rage. Still not satisfied, she raised a flower vase and hurled that too. “Looks like Feizhan is dead set on siding with the Second Consort!”
Feishai was startled and rushed to calm her. “If he’s that ungrateful, then let’s just stop trying to win him over. Why get so worked up, Mother?”
“You think it’s that simple?!” the Eldest Consort fumed. “Feizhan hasn’t even been loyal to her for long, and your father has already praised the Second Prince three times! If this keeps up, the throne will end up in their hands!”
“That’s not so easy to pull off,” Feishai said nonchalantly. “Feizhan isn’t that extraordinary. If he were, we’d have seen him making waves long ago. Don’t worry, Mother.”
The Eldest Consort sneered, “Easy for you to say. You think he’s been so quiet these past years just because he’s easy to control? Your mother and I spent so much effort keeping him in check! Now that he’s with the Second Consort and no longer bound by those restraints, he’s like a dragon entering the sea. Even if he can’t claim the throne for himself, helping raise a new king wouldn’t be difficult. Just watch—if this keeps up, you’ll have no chance of contending with the Second Prince.”
Her words finally shook Feishai. “Then… what should we do?”
The Eldest Consort’s eyes turned cold. “If he won’t be used by us, then he must not be used by anyone.”
Feishai frowned. “But now that he’s under the Second Consort’s protection, it won’t be easy to kill him. And even if we succeed, if she insists on a thorough investigation, it might lead back to us.”
“Don’t worry,” the Eldest Consort said, expressionless. “No one will trace it back to us.”
Feishai paused. He could tell she had a plan, so he didn’t press further.
Meanwhile, Feizhan had been working closely with Feishi and was quickly gaining attention. Those who once looked down on him began treating him with a newfound respect. Granted, much of that respect came from fear of the Second Consort and her son, but regardless of the reason, it made his work smoother.
Having tasted the benefits, the Second Consort and her son were all smiles toward Feizhan. Taking the opportunity, Feizhan proposed digging underground storage cellars for the people.
“Our land is bitterly cold, with half the year locked in winter. Most food must be preserved with ice. But if we dig some cellars, maybe the people could eat warm food even in the cold months,” he said respectfully to Feishi, and suggested that Feishi bring the idea to the king.
Feishi frowned, feeling it was too minor to warrant a report. “Father is busy governing the nation. Don’t bother him with trivial matters. If you want to do it, go ahead—but don’t let it interfere with more important tasks.”
By “important tasks,” he meant winning the King of Tayuan’s favor.
Feizhan just smiled and agreed.
While Feizhan kept busy with his rising political profile, Feng Lezhen hadn’t been idle either. After repeatedly refusing the Eldest Consort’s invitations, she finally visited one evening.
“If you hadn’t come today, I’d have forgotten what you look like,” the Eldest Consort said coolly.
Feng Lezhen stared at her for a long time. Only when she noticed a flicker of discomfort on the older woman’s face did her own eyes redden, and two tears rolled down her cheeks.
The Eldest Consort blinked, then quickly asked, “What’s the matter?”
“Feizhan won’t let me leave the house… he won’t let me see you…” Feng Lezhen choked out.
The Eldest Consort paused and spoke gently, “If he doesn’t allow it, then so be it. It’s nothing to cry over.”
“You’ve been like a second mother to me—truly the kindest person in this palace. How could I cut ties with you? It’s just… I haven’t been able to leave these days. Today was the first chance I had.” Feng Lezhen didn’t bother crying for real—she just hung her head and dabbed at her eyes. “I don’t even understand what you did to offend him. He’s been so cruel lately…”
The Eldest Consort sighed repeatedly. “Feizhan is still young. He’s easily led astray… That’s all. Have you been well these days?”
“Not really,” Feng Lezhen wiped at her eyes again. “He hasn’t been sleeping well at night for some reason. Keeps bothering me. Every time, it’s…”
She seemed hesitant to speak. After a moment of silence, she lifted her sleeve slightly, revealing a terrifying red mark.
The Eldest Consort drew in a sharp breath, and somehow found the mark strange. But before she could get a closer look, Feng Lezhen had already pulled her sleeve back down. The Eldest Consort could only give a light cough and say, “How did this happen? He’s far too careless with you.”
“Before, though he tormented me, it was never this frequent,” Feng Lezhen glanced at her cautiously. “I suspect… it might be because of something I gave him to eat.”
What could she possibly give him to eat? The answer was self-evident.
The Eldest Consort smiled. “What I gave you was medicine for impotence. It shouldn’t have anything to do with this. Did you ever tell him about the medicine?”
“If he knew, would he have taken it?” Feng Lezhen sighed. “I just wanted things to be a little easier, that’s all.”
“We’re both women—I understand,” the Eldest Consort said as she brought out another pouch of medicine. “This is a new formula. They say it helps improve one’s mood. If his mood lifts, maybe he won’t torment you so much.”
“Does it really work?” Feng Lezhen was skeptical.
The Eldest Consort nodded. “It works. But his pride is strong. Before he fully recovers, you’d best keep hiding it from him. Otherwise, if he thinks you’re disgusted with him, he’ll find new ways to torment you again.”
Feng Lezhen trembled slightly, her face pale. “I understand.”
After chatting for a while longer, Feng Lezhen lowered her head and left. Just as she stepped out of the Eldest Consort’s palace, her foot suddenly slipped. She thought she was about to fall, but a hand reached out just in time to steady her.
“Sister-in-law, are you alright?” The person who caught her asked gently.
Feng Lezhen looked up—and instantly took a panicked step back upon seeing the thin mustache. “Eldest Prince.”
“It’s been a while, Sister-in-law. You’re looking even lovelier these days.” Feishai smiled.
Feng Lezhen gave him a cautious glance, her cheeks faintly flushed.
That one look from her made Feishai’s heart flutter. When he spoke again, even his voice turned soft and syrupy. “You must come visit sometime. You’ll have to teach the Eldest Prince Consort how to do her makeup properly—so she can be half as beautiful as you.”
“…Your Highness really does enjoy teasing,” Feng Lezhen gave him a sidelong glance, her tone weary, then hurriedly lowered her head and ran off.
Feishai’s breath caught. He instinctively wanted to chase after her, but the servant beside him quickly spoke up: “Your Highness, the Eldest Consort is still waiting for you.”
Feishai snapped out of it, gave the servant a displeased look, but turned back nonetheless.
The Eldest Consort was still seated in the main hall. When she saw him return, she frowned. “What were you doing at the door just now?”
“Nothing important. Mother, did you give her the medicine?” Feishai asked.
The Eldest Consort replied, “Mm. And how is the matter I entrusted to you?”
“Rest assured, Mother. Everything’s been arranged. As long as Feizhan dies from the poisoning, the new imperial doctor who just entered the palace will ‘commit suicide out of guilt.’ Everything will be pinned on the Third Prince Consort. No one will suspect us.” As he spoke, Feishai thought of that beautiful face again, and felt a twinge of regret.
The Eldest Consort nodded. “Good. The poison takes five to six days to take effect. I won’t see her again during that time—just enough to clear ourselves of suspicion.”
“Mother, is that woman trustworthy?” Feishai asked again.
The Eldest Consort said, “Feizhan always smells faintly of medicine—it proves he’s been taking what I prescribed. But since he’s already defected to the Second Consort, he wouldn’t dare take anything from me. The only explanation is that the Third Prince Consort has been secretly drugging him. He’s been taking it without realizing.”
In other words, the Third Prince Consort had already been following her instructions.
Feishai frowned. “Still, I don’t feel completely at ease. Even if she can be trusted now, what if she turns on us later? Relying on your emotional persuasion alone may not be enough to keep her quiet.”
“Then what would you suggest?” The Eldest Consort looked at him.
Feishai paused, once again recalling Feng Lezhen’s features.
He gave a soft chuckle. “I have a way.”
Two days later, a servant from the Eldest Consort’s palace came again to the Rinuan Pavilion.
“The Eldest Consort recently acquired a chessboard from Great Qian, and wishes to invite you to Qingshui Pavilion tomorrow evening during the hour of the dog for a game,” the servant said, trying to remain composed, though a hint of unease flashed across his face.
Tomorrow evening, King Tayuan would be hosting a banquet for the court officials. The palace consorts wouldn’t be attending, but the princes were required to.
Feng Lezhen noticed the servant’s nervousness, and suddenly a thought struck her—
If Feishai became the next Tayuan King, then within three years, all of Tayuan would likely belong to Great Qian.
Feng Lezhen was silent for a long moment. Then her red lips curved slightly. “Understood. I will be there on time tomorrow.”
