Feizhan didn’t return until the hour of the rat again. When he came back, he reeked of wine, but his eyes remained sharp and alert.
Usually, if Feng Lezhen waited for him, the room would be lit with over a dozen candles, bright and welcoming. But if she had gone to bed early, she would leave only a single small lamp burning. Tonight was no different. Sensing the dim lighting, he instinctively lightened his steps.
Feng Lezhen had indeed fallen asleep. The blanket was properly pulled up to her chest, her hands neatly folded over her lower abdomen—even in her sleep, her posture was impeccable. Without makeup, her features looked peaceful and serene. Most of her daytime majesty and aloof nobility had faded away, making her look less like a noble princess and more like a pampered daughter of a wealthy household.
But a pampered daughter would never sleep in his bed—and even if she did, she wouldn’t dare kick him to the floor. Feizhan curved his lips into a smile and reached out to touch her face.
Her skin was smooth as jade, every inch soft and refined—like the finest silk, or a bottomless mire.
“Have you touched enough yet?” Feng Lezhen spoke slowly.
Feizhan paused, his smile deepening. “You’re awake?”
Feng Lezhen opened her eyes, irritation clearly written in their depths. “And Prince Feizhan doesn’t know why I’m awake?”
Feizhan felt no guilt. Instead, he ran his hands over her a few more times. Only when Feng Lezhen slapped his hand away in annoyance did he sit by the bed with a roguish air. “No wonder I’m so hopelessly infatuated with you. Turns out, every inch of you suits my tastes perfectly.”
“Don’t worry. Even if I were ugly and plain as saltless soup, you’d still find me to your taste,” Feng Lezhen cast him a glance. At their level of status and power, what did appearance matter? What did youth matter? What truly attracted others was the wealth and influence behind them. As long as those two things remained, even at the age of eighty, even with an unappealing face, there would still be a steady stream of people eager—down to their bones—to become her bedfellow.
Feizhan naturally caught the deeper meaning in her words and clicked his tongue. “Hearing Your Highness speak like that is strangely heartbreaking. Could it be that every man you’ve ever met was drawn to your power, not to you yourself?”
“I carry the blood of the Great Qian imperial family. Power and I have always lived and breathed as one—they can’t be separated,” Feng Lezhen said, brows already knitting together. “You stayed up in the middle of the night just to discuss this with me?”
“Not exactly. I just wanted to take advantage while Your Highness was asleep.” He was straightforward, and once he finished speaking, he quickly returned to his bedding on the floor.
Feng Lezhen curled her lips faintly, lowered her restless hand, and went back to sleep.
—
The night passed without incident.
By evening the next day, Feizhan had tidied up and was ready to attend the banquet in the central court. As he turned, he saw Feng Lezhen leaning against the doorframe, looking at him calmly and unhurriedly. His mood brightened at once.
“Tonight there’s grilled jade-jelly cake—Tayuan’s specialty made from goat milk mixed with fruits and vegetables. It tastes pretty good. I’ll bring you some after the banquet. So don’t eat too much dinner later.”
“If I remember correctly, our relationship isn’t quite that close,” Feng Lezhen reminded him casually.
Feizhan chuckled. “If I don’t say who it’s for, who’s going to know?”
After the fierce clash between the Eldest Consort and the Second Consort, all the servants in the Rinuan Pavilion had been replaced with Feizhan’s people. The two of them no longer needed to act when within their own courtyard.
Hearing him say that, Feng Lezhen said nothing, only made a gesture inviting him to leave.
Feizhan’s lips curled as he turned to go. When he reached the outer gate of the courtyard, he couldn’t help but glance back. Seeing that Feng Lezhen was still standing there, his mood lifted further.
Only after watching his figure disappear completely did Feng Lezhen return inside to change her clothes. Once darkness fell, she quietly slipped out.
—
The central court was already packed with guests. Under the layered shadows of moonlight, music and dance filled the air, and everyone wore smiles on their faces. Feizhan followed Feishi to greet a few people, toasted with the Tayuan King, and when he returned to his seat, Feishai was already there waiting with a cup of wine.
“Third Brother, you’re certainly in the spotlight now. I saw quite a few of those old fossils offering you toasts themselves—seems like you’ve done quite well lately,” Feishai said with a half-smile.
Feizhan smiled along. “You flatter me, Eldest Brother. It’s all thanks to your good example.”
“Oh, come off it. You were sent to Great Qian as a child and only returned in recent years. I never taught you anything. Besides, my mother’s side values bloodline above all—how would they ever let me teach you anything…” As he spoke, he recalled that Feizhan had likely already been poisoned, and his smile deepened. “But never mind all that. It’s not your fault your blood is inferior—I shouldn’t have brought it up. Let’s drink.”
Feizhan lifted the corner of his lips and drained the wine in his hand. His grey-blue eyes were like a deep sea before a storm. But when Feishai looked at him again, he seemed no more than a powerless little wolf cub.
After Feishai left, Feishi came over.
“What did he say to you?” he asked.
Feizhan was silent for a moment, then repeated everything he’d just heard.
Feishi frowned. “Eldest Brother’s mouth is getting more and more insufferable.”
Though he spoke as if standing up for Feizhan, in his heart he was applauding Feishai. The more hateful his mouth was, the more Feizhan would be pushed to side with him.
Feizhan knew exactly what Feishi was thinking. He only turned his face away, looking aggrieved.
Once Feishi left, the grilled jade-jelly cake was brought out. Feizhan scanned the surroundings and, seeing no one paying attention, took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and began carefully wrapping the pastries one by one.
The process for making this pastry was extremely complex. From preparing ingredients to final product, it took nearly three months. Few people knew how to make it anymore. Even within the palace, it was reserved for very special occasions. Since his return, he’d only eaten it seven or eight times at most.
Feizhan wrapped the pastries carefully, then resumed mingling and small talk. Amid the chatting, he suddenly realized Feishai had vanished. He frowned, looked around, and discovered Feishi was gone as well.
His instincts told him something was off, but before he could think further, the Tayuan King summoned him forward with a question.
—
The territory of Tayuan was barely a tenth the size of Great Qian. Small in scale, the royal palace was modest as well. In Feng Lezhen’s eyes, the living quarters for the princes and consorts were barely on par with the homes of well-off commoners in Great Qian.
Qingshui Pavilion was an exception.
Built atop a lake, the pavilion wasn’t large, but it was surrounded by water on all sides and had an air of quiet elegance.
Feng Lezhen arrived by boat. As she disembarked and turned back, her gaze met that of the servant who had brought her.
“W-What is it?” the servant asked cautiously.
Feng Lezhen caught the alertness hidden in his eyes and suddenly smiled.
To play the pitiful, bitter figure convincingly, she had worn a stony face ever since entering the Tayuan palace. But now, this unexpected smile bloomed like spring rain melting snow, like lotus blooming at the heart of the lake.
The servant was stunned, dazed for a moment before blushing furiously. “…The Eldest Consort is waiting inside. T-Third Prince Consort, should you not go in?”
“I’ll go in now. But you—will you be waiting here, or returning to shore?” Feng Lezhen asked.
The servant hesitated a moment, then seemed to think it harmless to tell her. He answered honestly, “I’ll wait here.”
Feng Lezhen nodded, then suddenly beckoned him closer. “Come here a moment.”
“…What are your instructions, Third Prince Consort?” the servant asked nervously, stepping forward.
Before he could finish speaking, Feng Lezhen raised her hand and adjusted the collar of his robe for him. A light fragrance wafted over. By the time he regained his senses, her hand was already at his collar. His mind spun, and he stammered, “Th-Thank you, Third Prince Consort.”
“It’s still early. Go rest on the boat,” Feng Lezhen said with a smile, then turned and pushed open the door of the pavilion.
The servant watched her open the door, watched her walk inside. Once he came back to his senses, a trace of regret surfaced—but he never made a move to call her back.
Click.
The door closed completely. The small pavilion stood quietly atop the water, as though floating in emptiness.
“Eldest Consort? Eldest Consort?”
Inside the pavilion, layer upon layer of sheer curtains hung down. She parted them one by one, finally reaching the center of the building.
But waiting there was not the Eldest Consort—it was the Eldest Prince, Feishai.
Seeing him, Feng Lezhen looked uneasy. “Your Highness… where is the Eldest Consort?”
“She had something come up and couldn’t make it. She sent me to keep you company instead,” Feishai replied, eyes flickering with greed as he gazed at her lovely face.
Feng Lezhen frowned. “If something came up, why not simply send word to the Rinuan Pavilion? No need to trouble Your Highness like this.”
“No trouble at all. I had nothing to do today, so I came,” Feishai said, taking two casual steps closer. “The medicine my mother gave you yesterday—did you use it on Feizhan?”
Feng Lezhen was momentarily stunned, and answered with some difficulty, “Why is Your Highness asking about that?”
Seeing her hesitation, Feishai’s heart warmed. “Because I care about you. You’re in your prime, stuck with a useless man—must be terribly lonely.”
As he spoke, he suddenly grabbed Feng Lezhen’s hand.
Startled, she yanked it back and quickly stepped away. “Your Highness, what are you doing?! I am your sister-in-law!”
“What sister-in-law? You and Feizhan haven’t even shared a bed—how can you call yourself that?” Feishai closed in step by step, clearly enjoying the sight of a beautiful woman in panic. “Don’t be scared, Ah Tao. I’ll treat you well. From now on, just follow me…”
“I don’t want to, I don’t want to…” Feng Lezhen choked out a sob of resistance.
Feishai stared at the red rims of her eyes, his breath growing heavier. Finally, unable to hold back, he lunged.
But Feng Lezhen suddenly raised her head. Within her long, narrow eyes sparked a flash of killing intent.
Feishai paused, thinking he must have imagined it—just as the tightly closed door was kicked open with a bang.
Both of them turned their heads at once—Feizhan had already charged inside.
“Y-You? Why are you here?” Feishai blurted out in shock. But mid-sentence, realizing something was wrong, he cleared his throat and tried to explain, “I, uh, was idle and… thought I heard something in Qingshui Pavilion, so I came to check…”
He hadn’t finished speaking when a dagger plunged cleanly into his waist. It twisted—twice.
Feishai’s eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the man in front of him. After a long moment, he squeezed out two words: “You b*stard…”
His expression turned vicious, as though countless venomous curses were about to spill from his lips—but not a single word escaped. He collapsed straight to the floor.
Feng Lezhen raised a brow slightly and lifted her eyes—meeting Feizhan’s ice-cold gaze.
“Did I come too late to save Your Highness?” he asked coolly, blood still on his face, looking every bit like a dangerous grey wolf.
