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When the Imperial Edict arrived in Suliang, it was confirmed that Junwang was now betrothed to the Mo family.

The auspicious date was determined to be the fourth week of autumn.

It was just a tad strange as there were rumors that Junwang's concubines was helping in the making of the wedding dress. However, there was no basis on this and the rumor soon died down.

In the Mo Mansion...

"Has Miss Mo met the concubines?" Feng Yanyan smiled.

Opposite him was the future Junwangfei.

Aiya, she really looked adorable but he also couldn't forget how well she fought. Cute and deadly.

"Zhilan hasn't apologized to Gentleman Feng." Miss Mo ignored her question and said this instead.

He was surprised. "Oh, when you mistook me to be Junwang's concubine? That's alright. It wasn't the first time it happened."

Even when Beauty Feng was shrugging, he looked elegant. Mo Zhilan couldn't help but admire him in her heart.

There was a momentary silence. He didn't care. He was busy flipping through this novel.

The Mo family has a lot of novels compared to the Wangfu. Probably because her Highness didn't like these useless things. But they stave off his boredom.

He also didn't know why Miss Mo liked to hang out in his courtyard but Wangye said he should just stay here and don't wander about so he would just let her be.

After a while, Mo Zhilan parted her lips to speak. "Does... Does Gentleman Feng like Wangye?"

It was a sudden question. The thumb that was about to flip to the next page trembled.

Feng Yanyan gave a magnanimous smile. The kind that he gave the paparazzi a while back.

"Miss Mo's question is inappropriate. No one has the right to 'like' Wangye in that sense."

The young lady frowned. "But you can't help who you like."

He stopped looking at the book in his hand. You can't help who you like?

Feng Yanyan propped his chin up. "That's true. I didn't expect Miss Mo to have a romantic side."

The mei ren glanced at Mo Zhilan. She couldn't help but hold her breath. His eyes were beautiful but they also carried a faint sense of mocking.

"Then I should ask Miss Mo, do you like Junwang?"

He didn't expect an answer but he found the young lady shaking her head. Feng Yanyan laughed.

How could she be brutally honest? "The Prince has someone he likes. This marriage has a clear cut purpose."

Beauty Feng had to wipe the tears of laughter from the corner of his eyes. He didn't have to ask her how she knew. It was obvious when the Prince sent his two concubines here. The care he displayed for Zhang Yunlei was subtle but any sensitive person would perceive it.

"You're correct but you also have to know that in order to survive in the palace, you must have a child or grasp the Prince's heart like no other."

He brought the teacup to his lips and studied her reaction.

Mo Zhilan fiddled with her sleeves.

That was when Feng Yanyan concluded that even though Miss Mo was a great fighter, she was sheltered through and through. He heard that she grew up without a mother and there were no other women in the Mo family's rear court.

That would be troublesome. He didn't know if this adorable girl could fight toe to toe with Zhang Yunlei and Liu Weiwei who were natural predators.

Did it mean that he should protect her?

Ah, forget it. He could barely protect himself. Just tell Wangye to remind Junwang about his wife in case he prioritizes the concubines.

"It's going to be a difficult path for you."

Actually, it's going to be a difficult path for us. Feng Yanyan wanted to say that but refrained from doing so.

---

The next morning, he visited the place where Zhang Yunlei and Liu Weiwei were embroidering but he didn't expect what he arrived at.

"This concubine thinks embroidering a swamp on the lucky handkerchief is a good idea. Don't you think so, brother Yunlei?"

Zhang Yunlei paused what he was doing and seemed to think about it. "A swamp?"

"Yes, a swamp. It suits the future Junwangfei so much. What's your opinion, your Highness?" Liu Weiwei was already calling Miss Mo formally even before the wedding.

Mo Zhilan only watched what the concubine was doing. "It's good."

Concubine Liu gave a melodic laugh. But anyone who grew up in the palace could recognize how fake that was.

There was a slight smile on Zhang Yunlei's face. A swamp represents dirty things. How could Miss Mo not know that? It showed that she didn't even have basic embroidery lessons.

This was the future Princess Ping. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if people knew this?

Feng Yanyan was just crossing the threshold when he heard this conversation. His temper was triggered. As soon as he entered the hall, his pretty mouth started.

"Feng didn't know that the Ping household liked swamps so much. I will ask Wangye to give you a chest of hanfu with swamp embroideries on each."

When Liu Weiwei saw him, she almost choked on her own saliva. Zhang Yunlei's smile broke.

"Don't get ahead of yourself, Feng mei ren." Concubine Liu stressed on the last two words.

He wasn't Wangye's consort. He was just a plaything.

"This concubine didn't know that Brother Feng is this close to Wangye. Should Zhang congratulate you in advance?" Unlike normal times when Zhang Yunlei could perfectly perform his saintly attitude, his displeasure was actually leaking from his words.

It seemed like being dragged here to make the future princess' wedding dress took a toll on him. Did the Prince tell them that it was his suggestion?

If his Highness did... then Feng Yanyan would really pull the aggro.

What a good prince.

"Congratulate me? Seems like Feng has no choice but to accept with gratitude. Wait for good news!" He didn't care what their reactions were.

What kind of mei ren didn't pretend to be conservative and shy? He also used to be like that in front of the Empress. But when dealing with shameless people, he had to beat their shamelessness.

He turned to the future princess. "Miss Mo, you promised Feng that you would tour me?"

Mo Zhilan also seemed to only be waking up from shock.

"Ah, alright."

Behind them, Liu Weiwei still grumbled. "After chasing his Highness, his next target is Wangye. As expected of Tanglin's top beauty. I can't even believe Junwang didn't fall for the trap but Wangye did. And this is Suliang's military genius."

The ridicule was too evident as if she was saying Wangye was controlled by her libido as what people of the capital knew. These words implied that she was so used to bad mouthing the King indoors that it came smoothly out of her mouth. Well, it wasn't far off from the truth. Liu Weiwei grew up under Liu momo's wings and loved to please the Empress with similar words.

Something seemed to snap in Feng Yanyan's ears when he heard that. He turned around with a malevolent grin. "What did you say?"

"Brother Feng, calm down first." Zhang Yunlei stood up and raised his hand for fear that Beauty Feng would be violent.

Feng Yanyan laughed in disdain. Did these two think that everything was the same as a few months back?

He guessed it was time to show them.

"Zizi!" He called and the first-ranked palace maid came in.

"The young master called?" Ju Zi displayed the excellent qualities of a top-ranked court lady of the wangfu.

Stately and conscientious.

"Report to the Lord what Concubine Liu said word for word. Wangye should be warned and avoid any honey trap laid in front of her." After saying that, he smiled at the now pale Liu Weiwei.

"Thanking Concubine Liu for this contribution. After all, we all care about her Highness so much."

He turned around and left.

Ju Zi bowed and obeyed the orders, leaving the two concubines in this residence. Liu Weiwei looked like she accidentally swallowed a fly.

Since when did Feng Yanyan have the access to report to Wangye randomly? Who said that her Highness didn't have any affection for Beauty Feng?

Concubine Liu glared at the person next to her.

Zhang Yunlei raised his hand and patted her back as though comforting her. "Don't worry, Sister. Even if Brother Feng sends that report, it didn't mean Wangye will pay attention to it."

Liu Weiwei tugged the hand away. "Shut up, Zhang Yunlei."

Concubine Zhang's eyes flashed with hatred but he lowered his head to hide everything.

Not pay attention? There was an unspoken rule in Suliang. Mention Wangye's name and she might come to your door. Liu Weiwei didn't know what fate awaited her.

As Feng Yanyan was walking back to his courtyard, he realized that Miss Mo was still following him quietly.

He grinned at her. "Good luck dealing with those two."

"En."

Not satisfied, he added. "Sometimes, I just want to strangle people. But I need to be a rational person."

Mo Zhilan looked at him. Was it rational to snitch to someone who was an hour ride away from this place?

If it was her, she would have sewed the other party's mouth directly.

"Then... Did Gentleman Feng really chase the Prince?" She was just curious about that.

Feng Yanyan gave a low unamused laugh. "They're all mistaken. Her Highness captured me even before stepping on Suliang's soil."

Behind the two were the maids and eunuchs who were assigned to accompany Feng Yanyan. All of them heard his words and grew puzzled.

Even before arriving at Suliang?

But Feng Yanyan only had one image in mind. That figure clad in white on horseback.

He performed an ugly dance for her in the middle of the night.

Mo Zhilan didn't speak anymore and sent him to his courtyard. "Tour you in the gardens tomorrow."

Beauty Feng wasn't in the mood to walk around here and there so he agreed. 

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