This unpredictable temperament is truly irritating.

Feng Yun sighed in her heart and slowly walked over.

There was only Chunyu Yan in the room.

A solitary lamp.

The dim and misty light fell upon Chunyu Yan’s face, pure to the point of being almost flawless. At a glance, it was breathtaking.

"The Princely Heir indeed isn’t wearing a mask."

Chunyu Yan was stunned for a moment, then he laughed.

"You are willing to come in just to confirm that?"

Feng Yun didn’t dare to admit it, but she definitely had that intention.

Everyone has the desire to be beautiful, and when it comes to good looks and skin, none can surpass the Crown Prince of Yunchuan who wears a mask all day.

"It wasn’t until today that I understood why the Princely Heir always covers his face."

Her unexpected statement took Chunyu Yan by surprise.

"Oh, and what are your thoughts?"

Feng Yun smiled, "Where there is light, it’s hard to maintain one’s skin. Isn’t that how the Princely Heir’s delicate skin was nurtured?"

Chunyu Yan silently watched her.

He wished he could grab her by the neck and drag her over to give her a good talking to.

"Sit down." He gestured slightly with his hand, sat down first on the bamboo mat, and reached out to pour tea.

Feng Yun didn’t sit. "Soon, Mr. Yang from my estate will arrive to discuss the locust problem, so Princely Heir, keep it short."

What a way to put it, ’keep it short.’

Chunyu Yan couldn’t help but grow cold.

Warm and gentle to everyone else.

But towards him, as if he were her sworn enemy?

"Princely Heir?" Feng Yun furrowed her brows, her eyes full of confusion.

Chunyu Yan was not himself today.

She glanced at the wine pot on the wooden table.

"What happened on the way to Xinyi?"

Chunyu Yan let out a scoffing laugh, narrowed his eyes, "A Nanqi imperial censor sent me two beauties from the Western Regions."

Feng Yun was startled for a moment, then broke into laughter.

"Then I must congratulate the Princely Heir. I’ve heard the Western Regions produce stunning beauties, capable of mesmerizing men at a glance, and no man could resist being captivated..."

Chunyu Yan almost burst out laughing.

"Where did you hear such things?"

"From books." Feng Yun said excitedly, "I’ve been curious about the Western Regions beauties for a long time, tall and graceful, with charming glances. The Princely Heir’s favored beauties must be the finest among them. If I’m fortunate enough to meet them, I’d be delighted."

Chunyu Yan was about to explode with irritation.

"I refused them."

Feng Yun: "Why?"

Disappointment was written all over her face.

She had hoped to catch a glimpse of the exotic charm herself...

This damn Princely Heir was wasting such a treasure.

As Chunyu Yan watched the regret on her face, he slowly rose and walked towards her. Feng Yun frowned at the sight of him and stepped back twice...

"What are you doing?"

With every step Chunyu Yan took forward, she took one back.

Chunyu Yan’s hand suddenly stretched out, forcefully closed the door, and stared into Feng Yun’s eyes.

"Feng Twelve, do you really not know why?"

Feng Yun couldn’t help but raise her head, her eyes, black as lacquer, full of doubt.

"Still pretending?" Chunyu Yan stared at her, brushed away her falling hair, gritted his teeth, and gripped her shoulders fiercely, his voice venomous, like a whisper.

"Did I not tell you that I..."

"Madam!"

Alou and Xiaoman, sensing something wrong when the door closed, hesitated and then shouted.

"There are sounds of hooves outside, has the king sent a message?"

Xiaoman also excitedly called out.

"The maidservant heard it too. Yes, there are hoofbeats. Madam, do you want to go back to the estate to check?"

The hoofbeats, clip-clop.

They grew louder as they approached.

Chunyu Yan was interrupted, not angry, but he became sober.

What’s the use of saying those things?

She wouldn’t take it to heart.

It wasn’t Mr. Pei, it was Xiao Lang; she had long forgotten his words without a trace.

Besides, it’s hardly a matter of pride for a man to fail to perform in the presence of another woman. On the contrary, it boosted her morale, allowing her to act recklessly and manipulate herself in the future.

Chunyu Yan smiled coolly, the hand on Feng Yun’s shoulder tightened, then slowly relaxed, and he forced a sentence out from between his clenched teeth.

"With my unparalleled beauty, how could I cheapen myself for a woman from the Western Regions?"

He then gazed at Feng Yun, with a light, mocking laugh.

"If Feng Twelve is willing to be infatuated with me, I could offer myself to you right now."

Feng Yun remained silent.

Chunyu Yan looked at the person before him.

Even though she had done nothing, the fervent heat in his chest burned uncontrollably, refusing to subside.

It was a desire suppressed over countless nights...

Fierce as a wolf.

His gaze grew deeper.

Forehead, the tip of his nose, both covered in a fine sweat.

"Feng Twelve, can you not control me..."

As Chunyu Yan leaned closer, Feng Yun had no room to retreat.

If he wished, he could simply reach out, pull her into his arms, clip her wings, drag her into a sea of desire, entwined until death...

In this world, no one could restrain him.

But even as he was intoxicated, there seemed to be a miraculous power that bound his hands, preventing him from making any improper move.

He didn’t dare.

He feared that he might lose even this proximity in the future.

"Feng Twelve."

He called softly, his voice low and enchantingly persuasive.

"Would you touch me, please?"

He made as if to pull Feng Yun’s hand.

Feng Yun evaded.

She stared at him coldly, without reproach or a word.

As their eyes locked, Chunyu Yan felt a suffocating sensation.

"Truly not interested? To pass up a bargain like this, are you still Feng Twelve?"

"Thank you." Feng Yun glanced at him coldly and once more swept her gaze over the wine jar on the wooden stand.

Suddenly, she spoke.

"Is Jiang Ji not an option either?"

Chunyu Yan hadn’t expected her to suddenly ask this.

So, she remembered...

Those sharp, beautiful eyes put him in a place where he couldn’t hide. He didn’t know whether to be ashamed or to go mad, his ink-black eyes filled with malice.

He bowed his head slightly, embarrassed, with a hint of malice.

"Why don’t you try and see if I am capable?"

Feng Yun sighed thoughtfully, "Temperamental. It seems you visited Mingquan and saw Jiang Ji. Did she refuse you? Or did she give you a cold shoulder?"

Chunyu Yan’s pupils narrowed slightly, his handsome face turning pale and frightening.

"Are you insane, Feng Twelve, she dares to show me a cold face?"

Feng Yun hummed, "Princely Heir, drink less. Speaking such incoherent words, no wonder Jiang Ji refuses to be with you..."

As she spoke, she bowed to Chunyu Yan.

"Feng Yun takes her leave, Princely Heir. Please rest early. In a few days, when Jiang Ji returns from Mingquan, you can have a proper talk."

She left.

Chunyu Yan’s eyes were heavy as he stood quietly by the door, watching her leave with her servants in tow.

The night wind was cool, having dispelled the day’s heat, but every inch of Chunyu Yan’s skin seemed to be soaked with Feng Yun’s gaze...

This woman...

She had humiliated him so, and now she completely ignored him, making him fall into such a state, thinking that finding him a concubine would make amends?

Wishful thinking!

He slowly seated himself by the window, watching Feng Yun’s figure appear on the path, and suddenly flicked his sleeve, extinguishing all the lights in the room.

He tore off his light robe forcefully.

The moonlight shone brightly, coming through the window and landing on his fair skin.

His fingertips were ice cold, unable to find a single trace of warmth.

After a long moment, he sighed and gave up.