"What kind of woman do you like then?" Princess Huazhen’s cheeks flushed pink. Though she asked confidently, there was inevitably a hint of maidenly shyness.
Fengyu, who liked Feng Shu, didn’t think much and raised an eyebrow slightly, flashing a mischievous smile. "This Lord prefers a bold and valiant woman, skilled in every art—music, chess, calligraphy, painting; unmatched in archery and horsemanship—and, of course, beautiful and tall."
Princess Huazhen froze; wasn’t he describing her?
Xie Xun tightly gripped the railing, blue veins bulging. What kind of ss are you dragging into?
Prince Kang burst into laughter out of anger and mocked, "You’re describing the Crown Princess, aren’t you? Then why reject the marriage proposal? Such hypocritical theatrics."
Fengyu, wearing the face of the Little Marquis, wasn’t afraid to offend anyone. Having been enough of a scoundrel earlier, now they indulged further, "The Princess isn’t tall enough, nor pretty enough!"
Princess Huazhen was enraged, "Are you seriously saying this Palace isn’t good-looking enough for you?"
Xie Xun: "..."
Prince Kang, struck by sudden inspiration, pointed at Fengyu with a shattered expression, "You like Feng Shu, and now you’re competing with your elder brother for a woman? That’s unthinkable, utterly audacious."
Xie Xun: "..."
Fengyu: "?"
"What’s going on here?" The Crown Prince and Feng Shu had just stepped onto the viewing platform when they overheard the commotion, sounding like an argunt. Fengyu stood at the stairs to the platform, her soul inhabiting Xie Xun’s body, holding herself tall in easily recognizable court attire. Seeing Xie Xun there too, she feared a fight might break out between Xie Xun and Prince Kang again, so the pair also approached.
Fengyu almost blurted out "Sister" but rembered she was currently in Xie Xun’s body and swallowed the word back down forcefully. Stunned by Prince Kang’s insinuation about fighting her elder brother for a woman, her heart raced with guilt. After saluting the Crown Prince, she kept her eyes fixed, silent, pretending to be mute.
Xie Xun could hardly believe it. The Crown Prince was at Wangjiang Restaurant? Why would he be at Wangjiang Restaurant?
Princess Huazhen, Prince Kang, Fengyu, and Xie Xun all fell silent. The atmosphere was eerily pin-drop quiet, save for the sharp wind whipping through, flickering the palace lanterns and adding an oddly ghostly vibe.
anwhile, Fengyu’s thoughts churned with frustration. There are two viewing platforms on the third floor; why did you all have to crowd this one?
Why!!
One twist after another—all utterly maddening scenarios.
"Ayu, what’s wrong?" Feng Shu noticed her younger sister’s evident anger and, worried she had sohow been wronged, hurried over. In her heart, Ayu rarely displayed such unraveled fury.
She instinctively reached for her sister’s hand, but Xie Xun recoiled as though electrocuted, taking a step back with a visible flinch as though avoiding a venomous snake. Fengyu’s eyes widened in astonishnt. What are you doing?
You’re supposed to cling to Sister, sulk, and complain!
Why are you backing away?
That kind of reaction deeply hurts Sister!
Feng Shu, too, was utterly baffled. What was wrong with her little sister?
The Crown Prince rely found the entire group endlessly intriguing, noting how their expressions were full of layered mysteries. Neither Prince Kang nor Princess Huazhen dared utter what had just transpired—after all, it was truly shocking, mostly due to Prince Kang’s wild accusations, which might not even be true.
Princess Huazhen furrowed her brow, glancing at Feng Shu. Skilled in every art—music, chess, calligraphy, painting; unmatched in archery and horsemanship; tall and beautiful... Every single attribute pointed directly at Feng Shu.
Could Xie Xun truly harbor feelings for Feng Shu? Had he lost his mind?
"Can soone explain to what just happened?" the Crown Prince’s gentle voice broke the eerie silence. He had originally wanted to discuss important matters with Feng Shu and specifically brought her here. Who would have thought they’d run into this peculiar group, all caught in a strange argunt, each seemingly harboring so secret they didn’t wish to share?
Xie Xun took a deep breath and, through gritted teeth, said, "It’s nothing. The Little Marquis is drunk, spouting absurdity and nonsense."
Fengyu, feeling the weight of Xie Xun’s stare, guilty to no end, cleared her throat and said, "This Lord was speaking of a female general; it’s Prince Kang who’s fabricating wild tales, deliberately slandering my reputation."
She snorted coldly, waved her hand dismissively, and maintained her brazen persona, "Forget it, I won’t waste my ti with you lot."
She turned and swiftly made her escape. This chaotic scene—let whoever wants to stay deal with it; she was the first to bow out gracefully. And so, everyone saw the usually resolute and graceful Little Marquis daintily lift her robe’s hemline as she moved, betraying none of a man’s deanor—her every motion scread "lady."
Prince Kang’s eyes widened in shock, while Princess Huazhen hesitated to speak.
Xie Xun’s face darkened—ashen as iron!!
And as she turned to glance back at Xie Xun, seemingly reminded of her current role as the Little Marquis, she straightened her posture and gradually disappeared into the night’s shadow.
On the other side of the third floor, Fengyu spotted Feiying and Nuanyang. Like discovering salvation, she hurried over. Feiying and Nuanyang bowed respectfully, but Fengyu waved her hand and placed a bracelet into Feiying’s palm. "Find an opportunity to return this onto my hand."
"Third Miss...?" Feiying was stunned. Fengyu pointed back at the viewing platform, urging Feiying to rush away.
Nuanyang, mindful of eavesdroppers nearby, grinned cheekily and addressed her as "Master."
Fengyu forced an uneasy smile, "What’s... going on here?"
Nuanyang lowered his voice, "Master, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, and the others are drinking not far from here, in that private room. Lin Xiao even ca by earlier to look for you. Perhaps... you’d like to join them for a few drinks?"
"What if the truth cos out?" Fengyu hesitated, nerves eating away at her.
Nuanyang blinked casually, "Just carry yourself with poise and drink silently."
"Fair enough!"
When Fengyu stepped into the private room, Lin Xiao, Zhang Boxin, Zhou Liyu, and Cai Wensen were playing a drinking ga. Fengyu felt her scalp tingle—surely they wouldn’t make her join in.
Cai Wensen saw her arrival and greeted her cheerily, "Little Marquis, why were you gone so long? Co over—it’s not the sa without you."
Stiffly, Fengyu approached. The private room was slightly warm, and they had already removed their outer robes, all rrily tipsy. The table was cluttered with plates and cups, evidence of a hearty feast, and now they’d moved on to leisurely gas.
Their conversation had turned crass; Fengyu, blushing furiously while eavesdropping, realized they were critiquing won. She cursed inwardly—true to their reputations as spoiled rich boys. When gathered, their talk would naturally gravitate toward gossip about won.
"Little Marquis, earlier you ntioned you liked Miss Lan Hua—what is it about her that you like?" Lin Xiao prodded.
Fengyu paused, narrowing her eyes. Did Xie Xun say he liked Lan Hua? She felt an inexplicable spark of irritation. Lan Hua was the most alluring courtesan of Mudan Building—renowned for her peerless talent on the pipa, attracting esteed scholars from far and wide. A virtuoso singer and dancer, she was Wen Shisan’s most accomplished pupil.
Lan Hua...
As she recalled Xie Xun’s burning gaze during their return to the capital, it felt like a tiny ant biting at her heart. The ardor of youthful affection was vivid and unrestrained, like the fleeting bloom of a night flower. Its montary brilliance left only lancholy behind. Who could truly admire beauty that is so transient?
"Miss Lan Hua’s petite and delicate form, voice like a yellow warbler—this Lord likes it all," Fengyu said with a smile, pouring herself a drink. The group erupted in cheers, continuing the discussion of various won.
Just as Fengyu was about to join in, a sudden sensation of dizziness struck her, and the cup fell to the ground. Following a brief void, Fengyu returned to her own body.
The Crown Prince, Prince Duan, and her two elder sisters were nowhere nearby.
Fengyu’s complexion turned frail as she leaned against the window, exuding an air of self-pitying sadness. Princess Huazhen and Prince Kang hadn’t expected her sudden tonal shift.
The Third Miss truly was frighteningly rcurial, having just angrily lashed out at Prince Kang monts ago.
"Third Sister, are you feeling unwell?" Feng Ling asked.
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