Wen Ninghan’s words made Wen Ningshuang feel a momentary illusion—as if Wen Ninghan might actually know something.
Wen Ningshuang wasn’t confident that her connection with the Fifth Prince was entirely unknown to others.
The current emperor didn’t have many children, with only four princes and two princesses still alive.
The Crown Prince’s health was poor, and over the past two years, it had deteriorated to the point where no one knew how much longer he might live. When he eventually passed, it was uncertain who the throne would go to.
The Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince were of similar age, but their circumstances were worlds apart.
The Fourth Prince’s mother had passed away early, and her family held no real power. Moreover, the Fourth Prince himself lacked any noteworthy talents or achievements.
The Fifth Prince, however, was a different story. His mother, Noble Consort Su, had maintained the emperor’s favor for years, and the Su family, led by the Grand Secretary, was at the height of its influence.
As for the youngest, the Eighth Prince, he was merely a child of five or six year old. His mother, a lowly maid in the imperial gardens, had only been promoted to the rank of Talented Lady after his birth. She lived quietly in the palace, scarcely daring to speak.
Thus, if something were to happen to the Crown Prince, the most logical and favorable choice to inherit the throne of the Great Yan Dynasty would undoubtedly be the Fifth Prince.
Although the Fourth Prince was older, the principle of prioritizing merit over birthright made it entirely reasonable to favor the Fifth Prince.
The Fifth Prince was not only elegant and refined but also intelligent and resourceful, whereas the Fourth Prince came across as timid and incompetent, with no noteworthy talents.
He couldn’t even meet people’s eyes when speaking, lacking entirely the bearing of a prince.
It wasn’t just that everyone considered the Fourth Prince unimpressive—his father, the Emperor, also disdained him, rarely sparing him a glance.
The contrast between the two princes couldn’t be starker. At fifteen, the Fifth Prince had already started handling state affairs, and now, five years later, he had secured a significant voice in court.
In comparison, the Fourth Prince remained dismissed by the Emperor with a casual “keep studying,” effectively sidelining him.
It seemed that no one truly took the Fourth Prince seriously.
However, Wen Ninghan knew something others didn’t. The Fourth Prince’s current state wasn’t due to a lack of ability but rather a deliberate choice to conceal his talents.
His difficult childhood had forced him to bide his time, quietly building his strength in the shadows.
Despite having no influential backing, he had spent over a decade amassing considerable power and, in the end, even became a formidable rival to the Fifth Prince.
Of course, going against the story’s protagonists rarely ended well, and the Fourth Prince was no exception.
When considering potential allies, Wen Ninghan never seriously considered the Fourth Prince—not because he ultimately met a tragic end, but because his character was fundamentally flawed.
Ruthless ambition is one thing, but his willingness to frame loyal officials and harm innocent lives crossed a line Wen Ninghan couldn’t condone.
Although seeking one’s future through any means necessary could be excused as a difference in perspective, a person still needed a baseline of principles.
Princess Hui Ling was a known lover of flowers. It was said that her late mother, the Consort of Prince Cheng, who had fallen out of favor with him, adored flowers.
Before her untimely demise, the consort left Hui Ling little but a garden bursting with vibrant blooms—a treasure the princess couldn’t protect as a child.
Later, Hui Ling was taken into the palace by the Empress Dowager and grew up surrounded by the grandeur of court life.
Her favorite place to spend time had always been the imperial gardens, brimming with flowers in full bloom.
Eventually, when she left the palace to establish her own household, her estate was no exception.
Her residence was renowned for being filled with flowers of every variety, ensuring that her surroundings were never dull, no matter the season.
The Autumn Chrysanthemum Garden was just one corner of the Princess Hui Ling’s estate.
Every autumn, it would bloom with a variety of chrysanthemums, a spectacle that the princess, when in high spirits, celebrated by hosting several flower-viewing banquets during the season.
Wen Ning Shuang genuinely believed that Wen Ning Han, having just returned to the capital, knew little about these traditions.
She spent the entire journey patiently explaining everything in detail.
Although Wen Ning Han didn’t respond and sat in the carriage leaning on her hand as if uninterested, Wen Ning Shuang wasn’t bothered.
She felt that as long as she had done her part, whether Wen Ning Han chose to listen is entirely her business.
“This time, I’ve also heard that Princess Hui Ling invited the Heir of Duke Dingguo to the banquet,” Wen Ning Shuang remarked casually.
Hearing this, Wen Ning Han’s fingers, which had been idly tapping her cheek, paused slightly. “Are you sure?” she asked, her tone still indifferent but her gaze noticeably sharper.
Wen Ning Shuang smiled knowingly. She had been talking the entire journey, and Wen Ning Han barely reacted.
Yet the mention of the Duke’s heir seemed to spark something in her demeanor.
“Not entirely sure,” Wen Ning Shuang admitted, her smile carrying a hint of mystery. “Just something I heard in passing.”
Wen Ning Han mused aloud, “But I’ve heard that the Heir of Duke Dingguo is gravely injured. It doesn’t seem likely that he’d recover so quickly, let alone have the energy or interest to attend a flower banquet.”
Her tone was calm, but a hint of doubt flickered in her eyes. She couldn’t help but suspect that this might be a rumor intentionally spread by Princess Hui Ling.
After all, the Duke’s heir was no ordinary figure—his reputation alone was enough to stir the hearts of many young women in the capital, all eager to secure a promising match.
However, with the news of his injury circulating, no one could be sure of its severity or what the future held for him.
If he truly intended to attend Princess Hui Ling’s banquet, it was unlikely to be as simple as it appeared on the surface.
Wen Ning Han’s interest in the Heir of Duke Dingguo was unmistakable, though it was primarily tied to the future of the crown prince.
Wen Ning Shuang also had a thoughtful expression, showing she was following the same line of thought. “Sister… Are you very interested in the Heir of Duke Dingguo?”
Wen Ning Han raised an eyebrow. “Is that surprising? It’s the Heir of Duke Dingguo—his family has guarded the frontier for generations, ensuring the peace of Great Yan. And this Heir of Duke Dingguo was personally appointed by the old Duke, bypassing his own son. Anyone would be interested in that.”
“Don’t you think,” Wén Ning Shuang said, “that the Heir of Duke Dingguo, who grew up on the battlefield and whose sword has claimed so many heads, its blade stained black with blood, more closely resembles a ruthless Asura? Ordinary people would be too afraid to meet his gaze…”
Of course, when it comes to the Heir of the Duke of the State, people don’t often comment on his appearance.
After all, during his youth, the Heir of the Duke of the State lived in the capital and had a reputation for being carefree and unrestrained, often seen on the streets of the capital.
Many people had witnessed his striking and handsome appearance firsthand, and no one could deny that he was exceptionally handsome.
However, after spending so many years on the border, no one is confident about what this once radiant youth looks like now. The winds and sands of the border have also taken their toll.1refers to the harsh conditions of life at the border affecting a person’s appearance or character. It suggests that the time spent in such a place has changed or aged someone, likely making them rougher, harder, or less recognizable as they were before.
Wen Ninghan’s calm voice interrupted Wen Ningshuang’s ongoing complaints. “Without these bloodthirsty warriors, how could we enjoy the prosperity of the capital? Doesn’t he want to continue his carefree life here, dressed in snow-white robes, indulging in flowers when idle and admiring rainbows after the rain?”
Wen Ningshuang fell silent.
In truth, Wen Ninghan didn’t care about Wen Ningshuang and the others’ opinions. She merely responded casually since the topic had come up.
The voices of the two women were not loud. Amid the clatter of carriages and horses, they passed another carriage without considering that their words might be overheard.
Feng Shu remained composed, but once the other carriage had moved away, he lowered his voice and called out, “Your Highness…”
Inside the carriage, Qi Yunchi coughed lightly and then chuckled. Despite the barrier of the carriage walls and the distance, his sharp hearing had instantly picked up on the voices.
Among them was one he recognized, it belonged to the Qin family lady he had briefly encountered at the relay station not long ago.
Because of that brief encounter, during which she even lent him a hand, Qi Yunchi had looked into the background of this Qin family lady.
He naturally discovered that she was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Yong’an Marquis household, a figure who had never appeared in public, was rarely mentioned, and whose existence was so inconspicuous that many people were unaware of her at all.
Hearing her words and recalling her boldness at the inn—how she had recognized the flame insignia on his sword at a glance, dared to engage with him, and even treated a stranger without hesitation—Qi Yunchi found this young lady rather intriguing.
“Feng Shu, you should be more mindful. Eavesdropping on young ladies’ conversations like this is quite improper,” he said with a teasing tone.
Feng Shu: “…”
What did he even say? All he did was notice that when the young lady mentioned his lord, her tone and choice of words were quite favorable, and he felt moved on his lord’s behalf for a brief moment. But what did the lord mean by that?
How was it eavesdropping? He had clearly overheard it in the open! Besides, didn’t the lord also hear it? Was he going to blame Feng Shu for having excellent hearing?
Of course, Feng Shu only grumbled about these things in his heart. On the surface, he remained perfectly composed.
That was the carriage from the Yong’an Marquis household. Feng Shu recognized it at a glance—after all, he was personally responsible for investigating Wen Ninghan, so he was naturally well-informed.
He hadn’t expected this legitimate young lady, raised in the Jiangnan region, to possess such insight and understanding.
As for why his lord was attending the flower appreciation banquet at the residence of Princess Huiling, Feng Shu had a general idea.
During the recent war with Beiliang, the lord had indeed suffered severe injuries and spent a long time recovering.
Later, due to poisoning, his condition repeatedly worsened. Although it wasn’t as dire as rumors claimed, there were several moments when his life hung by a thread.
Fu Ling, that old rascal, had been utterly exasperated, cursing and grumbling the whole time while running around tirelessly to pull the young lord back from the brink of death.
As for now, the young lord’s attendance at Princess Huiling’s flower appreciation banquet was entirely deliberate—to firmly etch the image of himself as frail and barely capable of self-care into everyone’s perception.
With a stern face, Feng Shu likewise worked to solidify his own reputation as someone difficult to approach.
In his youth, Qi Yunchi was quite the troublemaker in the capital, and he naturally knew many people. Among them, his closest connection was with the young heir of the Changning Marquis household.
After so many years away from the capital, the former young heir had now become the young marquis, while the once valiant Northern General, who had stood tall with spear in hand, had turned into a frail figure coughing up blood in the wind.
