C57 Difficulties

Feng Tiange understood what was causing Qin Luoyi's hesitation. In the court, students from humble backgrounds struggled not just to advance but even to maintain their current positions, often at great personal cost.

"If Soong Yu manages to achieve something significant just when Xie Jin makes a mistake, the Crown Prince wouldn't need to bring in another minister for the Ministry of War, right?"

"What mistake could Xie Jin possibly make?" Qin Luoyi asked, puzzled.

Feng Tiange sipped the tea placed before her, "In the second exam at the Martial Academy, Xie Ruxuan has a bye."

Having been a student at the Imperial Academy, Qin Luoyi was familiar with the Martial Academy's rules. "You mean..."

"The Martial Peace Marquis has connections within the Martial Academy, so investigating this isn't difficult. The challenge is giving the Marquis a reason to view Xie Jin unfavorably."

Qin Luoyi chuckled softly, "That reason shouldn't be hard to find."

Whether Soong Yu can seize the opportunity at the right moment is up to fate. However, Feng Tiange believed that sometimes, success depends on human effort...

At the Nether Market, in the Five Coins Iron Shop, the wide entrance displayed an array of iron weapons—swords, spears, halberds, axes, hammers, and small items like throwing stars. The walls also featured slingshots, crossbows, and other common weapons from the martial world. In the southeast corner of the shop stood a half-height forge, its fire illuminating and warming the entire space.

Across from the furnace, a door stood slightly ajar.

Xia Bo sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a somewhat yellowed wool coat, one shoulder exposed, with a black belt tied around his waist. In his hand, he held an intricately crafted long pipe, a brown tobacco pouch hanging from it.

"Master, I'm here to admit my failure. I didn't come out on top in the Martial Academy exam," Gu Ruochen said respectfully, standing humbly beside the bed with his hands clasped.

Xia Bo remained silent, taking two deep drags from his pipe before looking up, as if making a difficult decision. "I have no choice. Though I live in seclusion, my name is known far and wide. I've offended many and owe many favors over my lifetime..."

"I understand," Gu Ruochen interjected quickly. "Even without any mishaps, I couldn't have taken first place. Feng Tiange's inner strength is formidable, surpassing mine. Even if I could have held my ground against her, the outcome wouldn't have changed."

During his match with Feng Tiange, Gu Ruochen had felt his inner strength suddenly drain, realizing something was wrong with his body. Later, he guessed the reason behind it.

Now, he had confirmation.

"Don't try to comfort me," Xia Bo said, feeling ashamed.

"It's true, Master. I really couldn't beat Feng Tiange," Gu Ruochen affirmed.

Xia Bo understood Gu Ruochen's nature; if he said he was outmatched, then he truly was.

"In that case, it eases my mind a bit," Xia Bo said, tapping his pipe. "This was my mistake, and I'll make it up to you someday!"

Gu Ruochen hadn't expected any compensation. Becoming the old man's disciple was a stroke of luck, a twist of fate. He also believed that his master wouldn't have acted this way unless he had no choice.

Later, Gu Ruochen demonstrated the moves from his battle with Tiange Feng, receiving a few pointers from Xia Bo before leaving. Throughout, he never asked a single question about the incident with the drug.

On the streets of the market, Gu Ruochen had barely walked a few steps when a familiar figure caught his eye.

"Eldest Miss Feng?"

Upon hearing her name, Tiange Feng turned around, and Gu Ruochen was delighted.

"What a coincidence," Gu Ruochen said, quickening his pace. "Do you come here often?"

"Sort of," Tiange Feng replied with a gentle smile.

Gu Ruochen thought for a moment. "Actually, I had planned to visit the South Suppressing Marquis Mansion to apologize to you in person."

Tiange Feng looked puzzled, slightly taken aback.

"That day, I didn't mean to lift your veil. In the heat of the moment, I really didn't think it through..." Although Tiange Feng wasn't criticized for her appearance, Gu Ruochen still felt guilty.

"It's okay," Tiange Feng said, though she wouldn't tell Gu Ruochen that if she'd wanted to avoid it, she could have.

On the second floor of the Merchant Alliance, Rong Qi watched as Tiange and Ruochen walked past him, chatting and laughing. He knew Ruochen had come to see Mr. Xia and that Tiange had gone to the Drunken Immortal Tower. But how did those two end up together?

"Something's up..." Rong Qi leaned against the window, his captivating eyes glinting with curiosity.

Beside him, Lei Yi hesitated to speak, but under his master's gaze, he nodded. "Yeah, something's definitely up."

Rong Qi was pleased. "Let's hear it!"

"Tiange is quite the beauty."

Rong Qi froze for a moment, suddenly feeling the urge to see what was inside Lei Yi's head. He twitched his mouth, "You figured that out?"

"No need to figure it out," Lei Yi replied, missing the sarcasm in his master's voice. His expression of 'how did you not see that?' made Rong Qi lose his composure entirely.

Rong Qi waved him off, not wanting to see Lei Yi for a while. He then called for Wen Ci. He needed to see Tiange...

In the palace, inside the Imperial Study Room, Dugu Jin, who had been confined for days, was kneeling before the Dragon Table, filled with anxiety. He had only stayed at the mansion for half a month, yet outside, it seemed like the world had turned upside down. His sister had been made a Vice Consort, Tiange had been admitted to the Imperial Academy, and his dear Yao was reportedly quite ill.

"Is the information reliable?" At the table, Beiming Yuan glanced at the confidential document submitted by Dugu Jin and spoke with indifference.

"Yes, Your Highness, the information came from our contact at the Fish Market, so it's definitely accurate," Dugu Jin quickly responded.

Beiming Yuan folded the note and handed it to Lee Chengrui beside him. "Then have Xie Jin handle it according to protocol."

"Understood." Dugu Jin accepted the order and, seeing that Beiming Yuan had nothing more to say, respectfully exited the Imperial Study Room.

Once Dugu Jin left, Beiming Yuan leaned back in his chair with a long sigh. "It's frustrating to see someone so incompetent being pushed into the position of Commander by Dugu Yan. She really cares for her siblings, but unfortunately..."

Lee Chengrui was taken aback. Since the incident with the corrupt concubine, his master had never mentioned Dugu Yan's name. What was going on?

"What do you think of Feng Tiange?" Beiming Yuan glanced at Lee Chengrui, abruptly changing the subject. "There's no one else here. I want your honest opinion."

Lee Chengrui was nervous. "I'm not sure what Your Highness means..."

"My mother suggested that I consider marrying her as my primary consort," Beiming Yuan said, rubbing his temples. "I wouldn't have considered the old Feng Tiange, but now..."

Lee Chengrui understood. The current Feng Tiange was not only stunning but had also excelled in the entrance exam at the Imperial Academy. Her noble status was something Dugu Rou could never match.

"I feel we shouldn't rush this matter," Lee Chengrui said quietly. "Perhaps the Crown Prince should observe a bit longer. If Feng Tiange truly has the qualities of a Crown Prince Consort, it won't be too late to consider her then." He didn't offer any concrete advice.

It's worth noting that the old eunuch who once strongly recommended the Emperor appoint Dugu Yan as the Crown Prince Consort has already passed away...

Meanwhile, after leaving the Imperial Study Room, Dugu Jin headed straight to the Heaven Obeying Hall. He couldn't understand why the Crown Prince would make his sister a Vice Consort. What happened to her becoming the Crown Prince Consort?

Inside, Dugu Rou had been in seclusion for two or three days, eating very little.