C66 Moon

Some say she's inherently wild, clinging to Prince Rong by virtue of her status, with accusations as harsh as "crushing flowers"—it's downright nasty.

"When did Miss ever cling to Prince Rong? Every time, it's the Prince who seeks her out. Are they all blind?" Crescent fumed, stomping her foot in frustration.

Feng Tiange remained unfazed. "Those who slander me can only do so much."

Suddenly, Feng Tiange paused, glancing out the window. "Don't let their words get to you. Go rest."

Once Crescent left, Feng Tiange walked straight to the window, flinging it open. She caught sight of Su Hu peering down.

Anyone caught spying like that would blush, but not Su Hu. "I was just about to call you. Come on, I've got a place to show you!"

Intrigued by Su Hu, Feng Tiange didn't refuse. However, she was skeptical about his idea of a "good place."

On the rooftop, cold as ice, the occasional gust of wind swirled around them. Feng Tiange was grateful she had grabbed a cloak on her way out, but it was still chilly.

They were perched atop a shop at the end of the Fish Market, near the city moat. The city was flanked by mountains on two sides and water on one, making the moat wide. At this stretch by the Fish Market, it was so vast you couldn't see the other side, as it connected to the Jing River, with the waterside architecture forming a water wall.

The Fish Market got its name for a reason.

“Why did you bring me here?” Tiange asked, pulling her coat tighter around her, puzzled.

“To enjoy the moonlight! Don’t you think it’s beautiful tonight?” Su Hu replied casually, lounging on the green-tiled rooftop, hands propped behind him, legs crossed, eyes fixed on the river.

“Aren’t you here to enjoy the moon?” Tiange didn’t believe a word Su Hu said.

Su Hu didn’t deny it. “It’s tiring to look up all the time.”

Tiange stiffened, turning her head slowly.

How are you not too lazy to breathe?

“Tonight’s my birthday.”

“Congrats on getting another y—”

Before Tiange could finish, Su Hu added, “It’s also the day my mom left.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Why say sorry? My mom just left after a fight with my dad, she’s not dead.”

“...”

Can’t you just say everything at once?

Tiange turned back, her gaze following his to the river. “My mom left too, but I believe she’ll come back.”

“Really, what a coincidence!”

Seeing the happy expression on Su Hu’s face, Tiange was speechless.

Is that really something to be happy about?

The river was lined with over a hundred small boats, packed tightly along the shore.

Inside one of the old boats, Rong Qi peered through the worn-out curtain at the two figures on the nearby rooftop.

"Are those two out of their minds?" he thought.

"Prince Rong, did you remember everything I just told you?" Dao Wu asked, pulling the curtain tight with a serious expression.

Rong Qi sighed, turning his gaze, "What did you say again?"

Dao Wu repeated earnestly, "My general said she hopes you won't show up in front of her while she's in the royal city these days, or she won't care about the Noble Consort's reputation."

Rong Qi pondered the message, "Can I ask when I ever offended her?"

"It was when you shipped barrels of peach wine from the Great Qi to the Zhao Country's palace," Dao Wu replied, always the straightforward one.

Rong Qi immediately understood; it seemed his Third Royal Elder Sister often used him as a cover!

After Dao Wu left, Rong Qi lifted the old curtain again, but the two people on the rooftop had already disappeared.

"What is Feng Tiange up to now?" he wondered. "First, she was tangled with Guu Ruochen, and now she's flirting with Su Hu. What happened to her ironclad revenge plan?"

The next day, at the Martial Academy, due to Peng Shi's involvement in the bribery case with Xie Jin, the Imperial Academy had dismissed him from his teaching position, with Feng Xuan taking over the role.

At the training grounds, Feng Tiange and Su Hu were sparring, while the other newcomers paired up for practice. In the distance, Feng Xuan was jotting down notes.

"What are you writing?" Rong Qi, standing next to Feng Xuan, tried to peek but was met with Feng Xuan's icy stare. "Why are you still here?"

Rong Qi chuckled, "So, why am I at the Martial Academy? And who do you think helped you sneak that drink earlier?"

Feng Xuan had a notorious love for alcohol, yet he had a grudge with Shen Ci, known as the 'Liquor Sage' at the Wen Mansion. Whenever Feng Xuan's craving hit, he would seek out Rong Qi.

"Alright, just remember to grab a couple more bottles next time," Feng Xuan replied, dismissing any rules when it came to alcohol.

Rong Qi took Feng Xuan's notes and glanced at the line about Su Hu. "This kid's got some skills, huh?"

"He's not bad. He's got potential. Given time, he might rival Jun Wushang," Feng Xuan said with admiration.

Rong Qi recalled sending someone to investigate Su Hu's background, but all they found was that he came from the southern regions. Beyond that, nothing.

This guy definitely isn't as simple as he seems. Pretending to be innocent to deceive unsuspecting girls is just despicable.

After the Martial Academy session ended, Rong Qi intercepted Feng Tiange.

Feng Tiange, clearly not in the mood, pushed past Rong Qi with a look that said, "I don't want to see you now, and it'd be great if I didn't have to see you for a long time."

"The Crown Prince is hosting a banquet tonight for Bai Yushuang, and your name is on the guest list... Oh, and don't forget what you promised me," Rong Qi whispered, keeping close to Feng Tiange.

"You've got some nerve bringing that up," Tiange snapped, stopping in her tracks. If it weren't for Rong Qi, she wouldn't owe Wen Yu a favor now.

"Lei Yi really left. If I didn't want to help you, why would I have agreed in the first place?" Rong Qi shrugged, unable to defend himself.

By the carriage, Tiange noticed Rong Qi trying to follow her and casually rubbed her wrist. Rong Qi was forced to step back, watching as Tiange departed.

At the palace, in the Heaven Obeying Hall, Beiming Yuan reclined on a couch in a thin shirt, letting Dugu Rou twist and turn in his arms, trying her best to please him. He used to enjoy this about Dugu Rou; she was the epitome of womanhood. But now, he wasn't in the mood. If he wanted, he could have Lee Chengrui find him some beauties.

Dugu Rou ultimately failed to captivate him. Beiming Yuan pushed her away, using the banquet as an excuse. "You'll join me later. You've met Bai Yushuang, right?"

"I have..." Dugu Rou replied, her forehead glistening with sweat, breathing heavily, her face flushed. Her hair, damp with effort, clung to her cheeks.

The Prelude of Incense: She had tried every trick in the book, yet Beiming Yuan remained unmoved by her allure. How could this be?

Watching Beiming Yuan step down from the soft couch to pick up his robe, Dugu Rou masked her disappointment. "She's Dugu Yan's arch-enemy. If I go with you, it might not be appropriate..."

"There's nothing inappropriate about it. You played a key role in the Corrupt Concubine case, and that's no secret," Beiming Yuan remarked as Dugu Rou approached to help him dress. "She might even be grateful to you."

"I don't seek her gratitude. Everything I do is for the Crown Prince," Dugu Rou said, carefully arranging his robe. As she fastened the belt, she wrapped her arms around Beiming Yuan's strong waist, pressing her body against his. "I live only for the Crown Prince..."

Live for him?