Media: Zhang Yunlei https://pin.it/63PWl1Q

Junwang's thoughts were hidden from most people but not Zhang Yunlei.

He grew up in a big estate with deep waters and then he was thrusted into the palace when he was 13. Even if he didn't want to, he was exposed to plots and schemes. He was forced to adapt and in worse cases, forced to retaliate.

Zhang Yunlei was supposed to be a man from the front yard and should have had nothing to do with these. But when his eldest uncle's di wife schemed for his portrait to be shown to the palace official in charge of the Beauty Selection, everything went downhill.

That year, he knew that his life wasn't his. His family wouldn't care about his life or death inside the Great Palace. His father was the youngest son of the Duke. Zhang Yunlei was the fourth branch's only son. Among the male cousins, he was the most talented in literature.

Their family was dignified and could afford to let all their sons enter the Imperial Academy for Scholars. But his cousins' aptitudes were so-so and wouldn't have an illustrious career based on their wit and merit.

Meanwhile, Zhang Yunlei only entered the academy and the instructors all kept praising him already. He was even once graded top among his age group in poetry-making by the Emperor's Imperial Tutor.

The Eldest Aunt of Duke Zhang household couldn't take this. She felt that her own son's position in the family was being threatened by Zhang Yunlei.

In the end, she maliciously made rumors about illicit relations of this nephew of hers and a certain young eunuch in the academy. Zhang Yunlei was unreconciled but he had no choice except to drop out and let the rumors die down on its own.

He was set to have private tutorship at home until he could enter the Preliminary exams in a few years. But the Madam wouldn't let this happen as long as she was alive.

Up until now, the old Duke didn't name a proper heir. Even though they were the eldest branch, the Duke showed goodwill to the fourth branch from time to time. And if the fourth son wasn't suppressed by his brothers or if he wasn't so weak-willed, his talents alone could make him above fourth ranked official.

Of course, the apple wouldn't fall far from the tree and Zhang Yunlei was even better than his father. From looks to his study habits, all were in order as though he was already a little adult.

So what the Eldest Madam did was secretly send his portrait and documents to the palace for the Selection.

When the news came, the fourth branch of Zhang estate was thunderstruck. They only had this one son and now he was going to be taken away. But the announcement was as good as an Imperial Edict. Even if the old Duke was reluctant, he wouldn't disobey.

And so, the young Zhang Yunlei entered the Great Palace. From then on, he learned to hide himself. Hide his potential but show proper prospects at the right time.

Five years later, he may not be called top Mei Ren but he was acknowledged as a reliable leader. He was also at the place he wanted to be, beside a person that he wanted to get to know more.

He just let Feng Yanyan dazzle everyone. The higher the tree, the stronger the wind that wanted to topple it down.

All eyes were on Feng Yanyan but with it, most scheming was targeted at him too.

That was the young Zhang Yunlei's strategy. Let Brother Feng shoulder all the attention, both good and bad.

It was just that he didn't know where it went wrong. He witnessed Feng Yanyan being schemed at by eunuchs, court ladies and fellow beauties. But he always came out unscathed.

Zhang Yunlei saw this over and over again. When his aunt plotted against him, he fell to the abyss in a single swoop. But nothing happened to Feng Yanyan.

It was like the heavens itself protected him. Even now, as Zhang Yunlei indirectly instigated Junwang to think bad about Feng Yanyan.

Zhang Yunlei could see that Beauty Feng didn't have any idea about the bad intentions of the people around him.

How come he could remain pure and ignorant of the evil of the world? As opposed to him, Zhang Yunlei who always portrayed himself to be righteous saw the ugliness of the human core at a young age.

No one knew of Beauty Zhang's envy and he carefully hid it under his upright mask.

Junzhu admired Feng Yanyan's calligraphy and ordered him to be by her side as she practiced in the palace library every day.

Helpless, Beauty Feng could only agree.

Long Sangyu didn't like this development. His niece was a young lady, easily persuaded. If she soaked in this man's presence everyday, wouldn't she inevitably fall in love?

It was a likely possibility. One that Junwang didn't want to happen.

"Tang'er practices half a shichen of calligraphy everyday. This prince will trouble Beauty Feng to accompany our family's princess. Worry not, it so happened this prince also needs to polish my writing."

Long Tang's ears perked up as she heard this. She blinked a few times.

"My Imperial Uncle will be here too?"

Long Tangyu smiled. "Yes."

The pair Feng Yanyan and Long Tang were ecstatic for similar reasons. They could see Junwang every day.

One planned to seduce the prince and one was just glad for the attention.

Until Long Sangyu turned to the man behind him and said, "This prince also invites Brother Zhang as a study mate. Troubling Brother Zhang."

Zhang Yunlei's lips parted. "Although Zhang isn't worthy, I will do my best, your Highness."

He lowered his gaze as he cupped his hand. From the corner of his eyes, he saw Feng Yanyan's smile stiffened.

Unlike Feng Yanyan, he knew why Junwang tolerated his presence. Zhang Yunlei was dragged along to balance Beauty Feng's presence.

If the princess got used to depending on Feng Yanyan, it would be bad. So Long Sangyu wanted to use Zhang Yunlei as a sword.

It could be said that underneath Junwang's benevolent facade was also a scheming heart. Of course, this was the Imperial family.

Without a sharp mind, one wouldn't survive long.

For once, Zhang Yunlei didn't mind being used. He looked at Junwang's broad back.

If it means I'll see you...

On the other side, Feng Yanyan saw Beauty Zhang's admiring gaze to Junwang.

Was it possible to fall in love in a matter of a few days? Why did Zhang Yunlei look head over heels just now?

Feng Yanyan was puzzled. Could it be that he was missing some plot details again? What in the world was wrong with him?

When his devil friend told him stories of men and women being reborn to a novel, they all remembered the plot line right after coming out of the womb.  Meanwhile, he only remembered some things when he turned six. 

Maybe they all had high IQs? Photographic memory? Too bad, Feng Yanyan had an average IQ and maybe less than average memory retention.

And he only read the novel reluctantly when he was forced by his devil friend. It was a miracle he could recognize the name of the male lead and this little spoiled brat princess.

Feng Yanyan looked out the window and onto the horizon. Who was he kidding? He could only remember their names when he heard it from other people.

To others, Beauty Feng seemed to be at a loss as he looked outside. Only Junzhu was oblivious to this as he was behind her.

But Junwang and Zhang Yunlei could see his reactions clearly. Both kept their thoughts to themselves.

Now it was still spring in Suliang, the days passed as the flowers bloomed one by one. Every day, Feng Yanyan guided Long Tang in her calligraphy and grinded ink for her. Without speaking, Zhang Yunlei became Junwang's study servant.

Just like this, the other beauties from the Empress were sent here but they were left to rot in the back palace. How else would they exist? The master of the palace didn't want to do anything with them and was often not seen.

---

Long Sangyu was successful in 'protecting' his niece from Beauty Feng thus far. But of course, Junwang was not just an empty title. It came with duties that he needed to strictly adhere.

When Wan Li Wang was away, he would be the officer-in-charge when there were affairs that the magistrate could not decide upon.

Today, he was called again on the local magistrate to preside over a delicate matter of farmers attacking a noblewoman.

When Feng Yanyan heard of this, he was disappointed that he wouldn't see Junwang. But he was also glad that he could hide from Long Tang.

As each day passed, he was getting scared of this spoiled brat. Her eyes toward him was getting more and more fervent.

If he didn't know that she was obsessed with her uncle, he would think that she was harboring bad thoughts about this pretty boy. Himself, Feng Yanyan.

He knew very well about his effects on people's hearts. And he was afraid that the princess would take advantage of him! How could Feng Yanyan face his ancestors if he was jumped on by this little girl?

Especially when his target was Junwang and not her. The ancestors would be disappointed that he didn't reach his goal.

It was obvious Feng Yanyan didn't care that he had a crooked way of honoring his ancestors.

Edited: Feb. 13, 2023