The Minister Behind the Curtain Chapter 17

The consequence of overindulging in drink at night was a splitting headache the next morning.

Fu Zhixian had already left with the private seal. Feng Lezhen sat under the eaves, slumped lazily against a pillar, looking completely drained.

Shen Suifeng hurried past her but doubled back to check her pulse. “Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?”

“I have no money to pay you,” Feng Lezhen withdrew her hand.

“Your Highness, that’s a distant way to speak. I’ve stayed in the Eldest Princess’s residence for so long—helping you with a free consultation is only right.” Shen Suifeng smiled ambiguously and pulled her hand back.

Feng Lezhen gave him a sidelong glance, then closed her eyes and continued sunbathing.

After a moment, Shen Suifeng took out a porcelain bottle from his robe, poured out a pill, and handed it to her. “Take this.”

Feng Lezhen accepted it and swallowed it directly.

“You’re not afraid I’ve poisoned it?” Shen Suifeng was somewhat surprised by how decisively she took it.

Feng Lezhen rubbed her temples. “Why would you bother poisoning me for no reason?”

“Fair enough.” Shen Suifeng nodded.

After a short while, Feng Lezhen indeed felt the headache easing. Only then did she glance at the medicine packet in his hand. “Where are you going?”

“To deliver medicine to the one in the secret prison. Though the poison in him has been cleared, his body is still frail. He’ll need some time to recover with medicine.”

Feng Lezhen lowered her gaze. “Just let Ah Ye handle it. You don’t need to go.”

“It’s just delivering medicine, why trouble Miss Ah Ye? I can just…” Shen Suifeng suddenly realized something, his expression turning cold. “What did you do to my patient?”

“The treatment is finished. He’s no longer your patient.” Feng Lezhen raised her eyes and calmly met his gaze.

The two stared at each other in silence for a long time. Then Shen Suifeng spoke: “Your Highness truly is someone who can achieve great things. Even someone as old and sickly as him—you could still bring yourself to do it.”

“You knew his fate the moment he recovered. That’s why you shamelessly demanded five thousand gold for the treatment. Now you’re here trying to speak up for him? Isn’t that a bit hypocritical?” Feng Lezhen sounded puzzled.

Shen Suifeng’s expression shifted several times, then he gave a light laugh. “Your Highness is right. I overstepped.”

Before his words fully settled, he turned and left, casually tossing the medicine aside.

“Such a bad temper.” Feng Lezhen got up, picked up the discarded medicine, and lazily stretched.

She thought the matter was over, but by evening Shen Suifeng had already packed his bags and came to bid farewell—while also collecting his debt.

“You were living quite comfortably. Why the sudden decision to leave?” Feng Lezhen leaned against the table, lazily resting her chin on her hand.

“All banquets must end eventually. I’ve overstayed for quite some time now,” he laid the IOU on the table, “Your Highness personally promised to repay the debt within a month. It’s about time, isn’t it?”

Feng Lezhen glanced at the IOU, stood up, and walked out. Shen Suifeng frowned, picked up the IOU, and followed her.

Without checking whether he followed, Feng Lezhen walked straight into her study. When he appeared at the door, she gestured toward something on the table.

Following her indication, Shen Suifeng vaguely saw some books but didn’t understand.

“What are you dawdling for? Hurry up.” Feng Lezhen urged.

Shen Suifeng tugged at his lips and walked over casually, but the moment he saw the titles, his pupils contracted, and he quickly grabbed the books.

“I heard from Imperial Physician Cui that you’ve been searching for ancient texts on epidemics. I had some people look into it out of boredom, and to my surprise, they actually found a few fragmented volumes,” Feng Lezhen said, a faint smile tugging at her lips.

Shen Suifeng quickly flipped through a few pages, his eyes bright with barely suppressed excitement, but when his gaze met hers, he forcibly calmed himself. “Your Highness, what is this supposed to mean?”

“What could it mean?” Feng Lezhen countered.

Shen Suifeng was silent for a moment, then held out the IOU to her. “We’re even now.”

Feng Lezhen chuckled. “Who wants to settle with you? I’m the type to keep things clear—debt is debt, books are books. They shouldn’t be mixed.”

Shen Suifeng hesitated. “Then what does Your Highness want?”

Feng Lezhen crossed her arms and leaned against the door, slowly running her gaze over him from head to toe.

Shen Suifeng suddenly had a bad feeling. Just as he was about to break the silence, she leisurely asked, “How about you offer yourself to me?”

Shen Suifeng: “…”

“Why are you looking at me like that? Are you unwilling?” Feng Lezhen asked.

Shen Suifeng: “…Anything but that.”

Feng Lezhen smiled, closing the distance step by step. Shen Suifeng kept retreating until he bumped into the table behind him and leaned back slightly from the momentum. Feng Lezhen easily hooked his collar with her red-lacquered fingertip. “Fine then.”

They were so close that the scent of makeup and medicinal herbs mingled together. Shen Suifeng tightened his grip on the ancient texts, just about to coldly refuse when he suddenly paused. “…Hmm?”

“Before I decide what I want, I’ll have to trouble Mr. Shen to stay for another ten or so days. Oh, and the medical fee—hold off on that for now. I’ve got quite a few things to handle these days, no time to gather money for you,” Feng Lezhen said, her figure already vanishing past the door with a sweep of her robe.

It was only then that Shen Suifeng realized she had done all that just to unsettle him, and what she really wanted was to make him stay—and to get that one promise: “Anything but that.”

“Despicable…” Shen Suifeng looked down at the ancient books in his hands, feeling more than ever that he didn’t belong in this cunning, treacherous palace.

After teasing Shen Suifeng, Feng Lezhen returned to her bedroom. The moment she stepped inside and saw Qin Wan, the smile on her face immediately faded.

“Fu Zhixian has entered the palace?” she asked.

Qin Wan lowered her gaze. “Your Highness predicted it perfectly.”

Feng Lezhen’s lips curved faintly, but she didn’t speak for a long time.

Though Qin Wan’s expression remained calm, she had been secretly watching Feng Lezhen this whole time. Seeing her remain silent for so long, Qin Wan began to grow worried. “Your Highness.”

“Hmm?” Feng Lezhen looked up.

“There are many other fine men in the world,” Qin Wan said seriously.

Feng Lezhen was silent for a long while, then smiled. “You really… Don’t worry. I’m fine. I was just thinking about what I should do next.”

“What will Your Highness do?” Qin Wan quickly asked.

Feng Lezhen walked over and sat at the table. Qin Wan immediately poured her a cup of tea. Feng Lezhen slowly took a few sips before asking lightly, “Has Qing Wangfei been behaving?”

“Her illness has worsened. She’s barely left her house, but she’s not entirely quiet either,” Qin Wan lowered her voice, “She’s recently hired quite a few desperate men. I don’t know what she’s planning.”

It seemed everything was still progressing just as it had in the previous life. Feng Lezhen pondered for a moment and then said, “Tell Ah Ye, enter the palace tonight.”

Qin Wan was momentarily stunned. She had just wanted to ask why they were entering the palace at night, but then she saw Feng Lezhen turn and sit at the table, deep in thought for a moment before picking up a brush. Seeing this, Qin Wan asked no further questions and quietly withdrew.

In the blink of an eye, it was deep night, the moon was dark, and the wind was high.

An unremarkable carriage quietly stopped at a secluded corner by the palace wall. A few shadows flitted by, and the place quickly returned to silence.

Even the imperial palace was not bustling everywhere. Apart from the Longhua Hall where the Emperor resided and the various palaces of the concubines, most palaces were desolate, with only a few necessary palace servants for cleaning. Usually, no one visited.

Feng Lezhen, her face covered with a light veil, led Ah Ye swiftly and familiarly through these cold, lonely palaces, heading straight to Qingshui Pavilion, where Feizhan resided.

Listening to the indecent noises coming from inside the pavilion, Feng Lezhen raised her hand to signal Ah Ye to stay behind. Ah Ye’s eyes were filled with concern, but she still obediently stopped.

Feng Lezhen walked in alone. Just as she was about to knock on the door, she changed her mind and kicked it open.

The door slammed open with a loud bang, startling everyone inside, who immediately looked her way. Some, who were slower to react, even began to complain before realizing who it was: “Who… Your Highness?!”

“Greetings, Your Highness. Wishing Your Highness peace.”

“Greetings to Your Highness.”

Everyone inside quickly knelt, including the two women who had just been in Feizhan’s arms. Feizhan, bored, rubbed his nose and looked toward the doorway where the elegant Eldest Princess stood: “At this hour, why has Your Highness come?”

“Of course, I’ve come to see you.” Feng Lezhen smiled and casually glanced at the women, who instinctively looked at Feizhan.

Feizhan waved his hand, and the women quickly lowered their heads and left. The last one out even thoughtfully closed the door behind them.

“You snuck in?” Feizhan looked at her with amusement.

Feng Lezhen lightly brushed her dress and sat in the chair opposite him: “Yes.”

“Bold,” Feizhan chuckled, then stood up, pulled her up from her seat, and with one arm drew her into his embrace. “Those women just now were all gifted to me by your Great Qian Emperor. Do you think they’re on their way to the Longhua Hall to tattle on you right now?”

Ever since she had left the palace and established her own residence, Feng Lezhen hadn’t been here for a long time. As she glanced around, she saw a white porcelain bottle on the desk. She tapped it with her finger, which instantly became covered in a layer of pale dust.

She didn’t pay much attention, only asking: “If I remember right, that bottle has been here for seven or eight years, hasn’t it? You’ve actually kept it all this time.”

“Sentimental,” Feizhan glanced at the bottle indifferently. “Is Your Highness really not afraid they’ll report this?”

“Your people will really tell the Emperor?” Feng Lezhen countered.

“When did they ever become mine?” Feizhan leaned lazily against a soft cushion, his robe open at the chest, revealing his sharp collarbone.

Feng Lezhen didn’t argue: “I came this time to ask the Prince for a favor.”

“A favor from me?” Feizhan toyed with his alcohol cup with amusement. “I’m just a former hostage from Tayuan—powerless, with no influence, utterly isolated. What could I possibly help Her Highness with?”

Feng Lezhen pulled out a stack of letters from her sleeve: “Today, Fu Zhixian delivered a stack of letters to His Majesty. They’re hidden in the Imperial Study. I ask the Prince to swap them out on the ninth day of the eighth month.”

Feizhan paused, then casually opened two of the letters and found that they were so-called ‘evidence’ against her.

But this ‘evidence’ was nothing but trivial matters—quarreling with some official and then spreading rumors behind his back, or being arrogant on the street and bumping into street vendors. Such things wouldn’t even matter to ordinary people, let alone the dignified Eldest Princess.

“I assume the letters you want to exchange must contain much more serious accusations.” Feizhan finished reading all the letters and began organizing them.

Feng Lezhen: “Yes. Treason.”

Feizhan paused and looked at her in surprise: “You’re just going to tell me that directly?”

“Since you’d sneak a look at the letters when swapping them anyway, I might as well tell you now,” Feng Lezhen said with a shrug.

Feizhan clicked his tongue. He wanted to argue that he wasn’t that kind of person, but seeing the pile of letters he had already opened, he realized he had no ground to stand on and simply changed the subject: “Just switching out the letters is enough?”

“He doesn’t have any other evidence.”

“Oh, it’s a frame-up then,” Feizhan said, as if suddenly understanding. “Who set you up? Fu Zhixian? Only he could have gotten his hands on your private seal. Didn’t Her Highness always trust him? What changed?”

Feng Lezhen smiled, realizing she truly preferred speaking with intelligent people.

“It must be on the ninth day of the eighth month?” Feizhan leaned forward.

“It must,” Feng Lezhen nodded.

“Why?”

Because she needed everything to unfold exactly as it had in her previous life up until that day. If the letters were switched too early, it might create new changes. Of course, she wouldn’t tell him the real reason. After a brief pause, she simply said: “That evening, the Emperor will leave the palace, and the guards around the Imperial Study will be at their weakest. That’s when you should act.”

Feizhan chuckled and handed the letters back.

Feng Lezhen raised her brows slightly: “What does the Prince mean?”

“Everyone in the palace knows that I, Feizhan, am nothing more than a useless drunk, already blinded by the splendor of the capital—”

Feng Lezhen cut him off: “Speak plainly.”

“Too dangerous. I’m not doing it.” Feizhan’s meaning was very clear.

Feng Lezhen: “Don’t you want to know what reward I’ll give you if you succeed?”

Feizhan snorted, downed the alcohol in his flask, then provocatively raised his gaze as the empty flask fell onto the carpet with a dull thud.

Feng Lezhen smiled: “Farewell.”

She turned and walked toward the door. Just as she reached it, she sighed softly: “Prince Feizhan’s birth mother, Lady Luo, seems to have recently fallen seriously ill. She’s been behind closed doors for several days now. What a pitiful woman—once a noble lady from Jiangnan, but forcibly taken to a foreign land by the king of Tayuan. And now…”

Bang!

A hand suddenly shot out over her shoulder and slammed the door shut.

Feng Lezhen glanced at the veins bulging on the back of his hand, turned around, and met his gaze directly: “Once this is done, I will personally escort you back to Tayuan.”

“Does Your Highness really have this ability?” Feizhan’s expression darkened.

“You don’t have to believe me, but right now, I’m the only one who can help you,” Feng Lezhen smiled. “Perhaps Prince Feizhan has the means to escape on your own, but from the capital of Great Qian to Tayuan, you must pass through seventeen cities, each requiring travel documents. If you try to leave on your own, the price you’ll have to pay will likely be immense, and Madam Luo may not be able to wait that long.”

The room fell into a dead silence. The two of them stared at each other without speaking.

After a long while, Feizhan chuckled, slipping back into his usual cynical demeanor. “If Your Highness had someone else to use, you wouldn’t have come to me, right?”

“So, does Prince Feizhan plan to open his mouth wide and ask for a sky-high price?” Feng Lezhen raised an eyebrow.

They were standing very close—close enough to feel each other’s breath—but there was nothing intimate about it. It was purely a contest, a negotiation.

After a long silence, Feizhan slowly said, “What if I say I want something else?”

“What is it?”

“You.”

Feng Lezhen smiled. “Prince Feizhan certainly has a big appetite.”

“Can’t help it. I fell in love with you at first sight when I was twelve.” Feizhan casually picked up a strand of her hair and played with it.

Feng Lezhen stared at him for a long time before suddenly asking, “Do you know how I guessed those women just now were yours?”

“When you told them to leave, they looked at me first.” Those women were supposed to be part of the Great Qian Palace, but instead of first obeying the Great Qian Eldest Princess, they looked to him—a hostage prince—for instructions. It was natural for Feng Lezhen to figure it out.

“In Great Qian, women are traditionally expected to follow their husbands after marriage. You aren’t their husband, just their man. That alone isn’t enough proof.” Feng Lezhen smiled.

Feizhan was genuinely curious now. “Oh? Then how did you judge it?”

“Naturally, because…” Feng Lezhen raised her hand and gently stroked his face.

Feizhan froze as her hand slowly trailed down, grazing his throat. Her nails unintentionally scraped his skin, making it sting. His pale gray-blue eyes deepened, his breathing suddenly grew heavier, and he stared at her like a wolf eyeing its prey.

Feng Lezhen’s hand traced past his collarbone and slipped into his open neckline, finally resting over his heart. Feizhan’s throat moved, his eyes dangerous, but in the next moment, he felt a sharp pain in his chest.

Her lacquered fingernail, sharp as a blade, pierced his flesh with ease. Blood seeped out along her fingertip, and even the air in the room seemed to burn. Feng Lezhen raised her hand and looked at the crescent-shaped wound, her brow lifting in amusement.

“Too clean,” she said.

Feizhan raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

“You still don’t understand? Prince Feizhan is still a virgin, isn’t he?” This time, Feng Lezhen truly laughed at him.

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