In the clear morning of May, with the soft breeze whispering and lotus flowers fluttering, the small wooden pavilion, neither cold nor hot, could be described as a heavenly paradise on earth.

Yet the expression on Historian Lin’s face was far from pleasant.

"This servant pays her respects to the Princess."

She bowed deeply at the foot of the pavilion’s steps, her fingers pinched white, with a particularly stiff smile.

"His Majesty should return for his medicine."

In the entire village, only the people from Yangxin Restaurant would address Feng Yun as "Princess."

She glanced sideways, and saw clear fear and dissatisfaction in Historian Lin’s eyes.

She smiled gracefully, "Later on, they will dig out lotus roots from the pond to prepare new dishes, and His Majesty wishes to watch. Please bring the medicine over."

Letting an attendant bring the Emperor’s medicine to drink at the pavilion by the pond wasn’t excessive, but what Historian Lin wanted was to drag the Emperor back to the Yangxin Restaurant...

She sneaked a glance at the monstrous big cat.

When the intimidating gaze of Ao Zai swept over, licking its lips, Historian Lin didn’t dare to meet its eyes and hurriedly lowered her head in fright.

"Replying to the Princess, His Majesty should also study."

The ones accompanying the Young Emperor Tian Shou to recuperate, apart from the servants attending to his daily life, included two lecturers from the Hanlin Academy, mainly responsible for the Young Emperor’s studies.

Feng Yun couldn’t publicly say she wouldn’t allow the Young Emperor to read and instead keep him here to watch lotus root digging.

"Your Majesty," she said, lowering her head with an easy smile.

"Would you like to go back with Historian Lin?"

This very question implied adherence to the Emperor’s wishes and respect, which in return awakened the Young Emperor’s enthusiasm for play.

As expected, Yuan Shangyi pursed his lips.

"I don’t want to. I want to watch them dig out the lotus roots..."

He said this while locking eyes with Feng Yun, and as if suddenly realizing something, he turned around with his hands clasped behind his back, gave Historian Lin a sober glance, his little face stern.

"I must observe the people’s conditions. Today, I shall take a day off."

Historian Lin was momentarily startled.

Feng Yun nearly burst out laughing at this mention of "observing the people’s conditions."

Yuan Shangyi might seem silent and reserved, but he was not the least bit dull.

He knew very well what to say given his status.

A decisive statement.

Historian Lin’s mouth opened and closed several times, torn between advising and not doing so, and awkwardly glanced at Feng Yun. Seeing that the Princess had no intention of urging His Majesty to study, she could only lower her head.

"This servant will go and fetch the medicine."

Back at Yangxin Restaurant, she instructed the maid to fetch the medicine from the kitchen and held onto the letter to be sent to Xijing, utterly hesitant.

Had Empress Dowager been present, a mere mention of the importance of study would have had her immediately sending the Emperor off to read. How could she allow such indulgence in play?

This Princess clearly did not wish for His Majesty to study seriously, right? But if she were to secretly report to Xijing, would that be considered betrayal? Once it reached Alou’s hands, who knew what kind of storm would arise...

-

After sending Historian Lin away, Yuan Shangyi’s eyes shone brightly, as if he had suddenly gained more confidence.

"My lady, did I do the right thing?"

Feng Yun pondered for a moment.

"Once in a while, it’s fine."

Yuan Shangyi’s expression fell.

"Does that mean it’s not right?"

Feng Yun smiled and patted his head, "There’s nothing wrong with it. Playfulness is human nature. Besides, Your Majesty staying to observe is not just about understanding the people’s plight but also learning, right? There are many things you can’t learn from books that you can learn from working in the fields."

Only then did Yuan Shangyi breathe a sigh of relief.

"Then why did my lady say, ’once in a while’?"

Feng Yun’s eyes curved, "Though studying can be dry and dreary, it must be done. If one often looks for excuses not to study, laziness may set in, and that certainly won’t do."

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shangyi grew anxious.

"I will study very diligently."

Feng Yun hummed, "I believe in Ayuan."

Yuan Shangyi happily lowered his head to stroke Ao Zai’s back fur, "Ao Zai, you believe in me too, right?"

He didn’t take the white kitten from Kong Nv’s family but was delighted to have such a large cat. As a young child not even aware of fear, he naturally wrapped his arms around Ao Zai’s neck.

Ao Zai was wary of strangers and especially disliked being approached so closely by them...

However, it was exceptionally tolerant towards Yuan Shangyi.

The cub looked up at Feng Yun.

Upon Feng Yun’s touch to its head, Ao Zai let out a sigh, retracting its ferocity.

In that state, where was the carnivorous beast? It was plainly a domestic cat.

Upon arriving from Yun Village, Chunyu Yan saw this sight, and for some reason, his gums began to itch.

What a fine fellow!

In Yun Village, he doted on Ao Zai with rich food, yet the creature would never let him get so close. That day, he thought he’d tamed the cub, and with an affectionate embrace, barely hugged its neck before it almost sent him off...

Usually as fierce as a tiger or leopard, it would snarl at him as a warning...

How could it turn into a cat in the presence of Feng Twelve?

"Hmph!" Before he reached the pavilion, his voice arrived first.

"Feng Twelve, is this how you repay kindness with ingratitude?"

Feng Yun looked back at him.

Embroidered robes, jade rings on his belt, a green jade crown, he was the image of a fine gentleman flawed by a terrible mask, outrageously arrogant.

She sighed inwardly.

It had been a while since she last saw Crown Prince Yunchuan’s face.

I actually kind of wanted to... admire it a bit.

She flashed a light smile, "Didn’t the Princely Heir go to Xinyi County? When did you come back?"

Chunyu Yan’s eyes slanted, "So, you can just take the young sea turtle away quietly without saying a word, without even a greeting?"

Feng Yun defended herself, "I did tell Mr. Quding."

That old Quding!

Chunyu Yan cursed inwardly with a sneer curling at the corner of his lips.

"Now that I’m back, can I have my godson returned to me?"

Feng Yun gave him a white look, "The Princely Heir should have someone tally up the sea turtle’s food expenses, I’ll have Alou settle it with you."

"Employing people when needed, discarding them when not." Chunyu Yan huffed displeasure, stepping closer to her as if he had only just noticed the Young Emperor and bowed in greeting.

"Is His Majesty also here? Chunyu Yan pays his respects to His Majesty."

Yuan Shangyi returned the greeting with proper decorum, very politely, "Princely Heir, there’s no need for formalities."

That day on the official road during the royal procession, they had only caught a glimpse from afar.

Because of this greeting, Chunyu Yan took a serious look at the six-year-old child...

He was somewhat different from what he had imagined.

He didn’t carry the arrogant extravagance of palace princes, like him and his two illegitimate brothers; paler and frailer than rumors suggested, as if he hadn’t seen the sun for many years, lighter in complexion even than him...

He smiled slightly, having nothing to chitchat about with a child, and turned to Feng Yun to speak about his recent trip to Xinyi.

"The old Yitara Street used to be bustling, gathering merchants from all nations. Right next to my villa, the ferry at Zhu River is building a big bridge. Given time, Mingquan will surely be densely populated, with rows of shops and carriages bustling by like rippling waves, a scene of prosperity... truly every inch is worth its weight in gold. I bought up a large span of land in one go; Feng Twelve, you’ve made a fortune again..."

Feng Yun raised an eyebrow, "Building a big bridge?"

When Dajin was split in two, followed by the campaign against Northern Rong, the Western Capital Dynasty was too preoccupied to have the time, energy, or money to build bridges and mend roads.

"Your Mr. Xiao strongly advocated for this project." Chunyu Yan initially wanted to tease her, but his tone came out oddly sour as he spoke.

"Qi Jun’s path to ruling is truly going his way. Now that Qi Country has the loyalty of both civil and military officials and peace throughout the imperial court and common folk, each knowing their place—farmers, craftsmen, traders..."

"Oh," Feng Yun chuckled lightly, "Is that so?"

Chunyu Yan looked at her with downcast eyes, "You might feel upset if I say it, but people in the south are all praising your Mr. Xiao—the golden age is approaching..."

A golden age approaching with Mr. Xiao in charge?

Feng Yun’s gaze grew distant, her smile ambiguous.

Even if there was hatred and grievance, even if Xiao Cheng treated her coldly, she had to admit that in the business of governing a nation, Xiao Cheng had ambition and vision.

In her previous life, Qi Country was far behind Jin in military strength, all because of Pei Jue and the Northern Rong Army...

But in other aspects, in the contentment and wealth of the citizens, in culture and academics, they far surpassed the Jin Court under the control of the Li family father and daughter.

In her previous life, she never had the chance to see the flourishing age that Xiao Cheng brought with all nations coming to court, but she could guess that as long as Xiao Cheng did not die or fall seriously ill, and governed Qi Country well, there would come a day when the Li family’s realm would crumble amidst his ambition...

"Why aren’t you talking?" Chunyu Yan eyed her, with that imposing gaze that seemed indifferent yet pressuring.

"Are you thinking about Mr. Xiao, or Mr. Pei?"

The ripples in Feng Yun’s eyes gradually subsided.

Bowing her head to sip her tea, she laughed softly.

"Building a big bridge at the ferry of Zhu River, expanding the roads—it’s beneficial for the trade between the two countries. Dajin doesn’t spend a penny and only reaps the benefits, what have I got to say about it?"

Chunyu Yan smiled and took over the teacup, pouring himself a cup nonchalantly.

But Yuan Shangyi keenly caught the crux of the matter.

"The master said, ’All hustling and bustling in the world is for profit; all conflicts and strife are for personal gain.’ Why would Qi Jun spend his own money for Jin Country to profit?"

"A good question." Feng Yun looked at him with approval, as if she wasn’t speaking about Xiao Cheng but instead some old friend, her lips curling with an enigmatic smile.

"This is the way of a ruler—to establish oneself by helping others to stand, to reach one’s goals by helping others achieve theirs, to possess a mind as vast as the heavens and earth, mutual benefit and win-win. By rowing the boat for others, one also crosses the river oneself."

Yuan Shangyi seemed to understand, nodding his little head.

"I’ve learned something."

But suddenly, Chunyu Yan felt a constriction in his chest, inexplicably hard to name...

It was one thing to praise Pei Jue.

But now Mr. Xiao was someone with "a mind as vast as the heavens and earth" in her eyes too...

What about him?

She can tally the sea turtle’s food expenses for you.

Chunyu Yan’s teeth ached with sourness.

"Didn’t think Feng Twelve would regard her ex-husband so highly?"

With the word "ex-husband," Feng Yun’s lips curled.

Who said he wasn’t an ex-husband? They had been married in her previous life for many years.

She let out a low sound, a cold laugh.

A faint mist began to swirl within her dark pupils.

In an instant, she pictured the desolate Feng Yun in the Qi Palace, wailing in despair.

She said, "Only the weak tear others down behind their backs, destroying their dignity. I praise him, not out of sentiment, but out of hatred."

Chunyu Yan faltered.

He was speechless.

In this moment, he no longer envied Xiao Cheng, that ex-husband.

The icy coldness in Feng Twelve’s eyes was something he had never encountered.

It wasn’t just hatred, it was the pain a person carried, speaking calmly and smiling faintly, yet trapped in a flaring blaze of vengeance.

He didn’t want to be drawn into it.

"Feng Twelve."

Chunyu Yan was silent for a moment, his mask glowing warmly in the sunlight, his attractive lips brimming with a smile.

"If you treat me to a new dish, I won’t ask for the sea turtle’s food expenses."