C16 Alliance

Feng Chang'an had to put in her best effort back then. Even though she knew Prince Yue Jingyun was a notorious womanizer, it didn't matter much when it came to the position of empress.

Every now and then, Feng Changge would catch glimpses of Feng Chang'an trying her hardest to please. She smiled faintly, watching the chase unfold—she pursued Yue Jingfeng, Yue Jingfeng pursued Feng Chang'an, and Feng Chang'an pursued Yue Jingyun. No, what Feng Chang'an truly pursued was the throne.

"Biying, come walk with me," Feng Changge said, rising from her seat, while Yue Jingchen's gaze followed her intently.

In early February, the weather was slightly warmer, but it was still cold if you weren't dressed warmly enough. Feng Changge hated the cold, and during her time in the cold palace, she didn't even have proper bedding, just a ragged piece of cloth.

Noticing Feng Changge's troubled expression, Biying softly suggested, "Miss, you should dress up today. With your beauty, you far outshine the Second Miss. If you appear stunning today, you might even capture the prince's heart."

"The palace battles are bloodless, but they devour people without leaving a trace. They drink blood without finding it bitter. Biying, would you really trade a life, or perhaps more than one, for endless glory?"

For Yue Jingfeng, Feng Changge lost too much, and in the end, he betrayed her, taking everything from her. So she resented, she hated, and she wanted everyone to pay with their lives.

As Feng Changge gazed into the distance, a dark figure suddenly caught her eye.

In the pavilion stood a noble gentleman, exuding an innate elegance, untouched by the mundane world, with a commanding presence.

"Is that the Duke of Chen? He's out here too?" Biying wondered aloud.

Just like in her past life, Feng Changge had once crossed paths with Yue Jingchen. His conversation was exceptional, and compared to him, Yue Jingfeng fell far short. But by then, her heart was already deeply entangled, leaving no room for anyone else.

Yue Jingchen, the third prince of the Heaven Moon Country, was known for his wisdom and calm demeanor, earning the title of a war god. He was the only prince to be granted a dukedom. His mother, the Emperor's first wife, passed away shortly after his birth. The Emperor, in his grief, doted on Yue Jingchen, bestowing upon him the title of Chen Duke, placing him above even the Crown Prince in favor.

Feng Changge knew all too well the ruthless nature of Yue Jingfeng, who had methodically eliminated obstacles in his path to power, including the Crown Prince and Yue Jingchen.

As Feng Changge gazed at Yue Jingchen, a thought crossed her mind: aligning with him could provide her with a strong ally. Suddenly, Yue Jingchen's eyes met hers, and he offered a faint smile, as if a celestial being had descended to earth. Feng Changge returned the smile and walked toward him.

"Your Grace, what brings you out here?" she asked.

"Enjoying the snow," he replied.

Feng Changge chuckled at the excuse. It hadn't snowed in three days. "You have quite the disposition, Your Grace."

"And you? Why did you leave the gathering?" Yue Jingchen inquired.

Feng Changge looked at the bleak winter landscape. Why had she left? The promise of spring seemed more enticing than his snowy excuse.

"Avoiding trouble," she answered simply.

"Avoiding trouble? That's quite amusing. The old lady's banquet is lively. Aren't you interested?"

"If I stay, someone will be uneasy. Better if I don't."

Yue Jingchen found her intriguing. Having spent years at war, he often heard tales of the Phoenix Duke Mansion's second daughter, yet no one spoke of the eldest. It was said that the eldest daughter was not favored, her mother from the Murong family having died early, leaving her without her father's attention. Now, seeing her, he realized there was some truth to the rumors.

Feng Changge let out a long sigh, turning slightly to gaze steadily at Yue Jingchen. "Your Grace, do you desire the throne?"

Suddenly, Yue Jingchen's eyes flickered before he spoke, "Do you realize that's a dangerous question? Never speak of it again."

"Don't you want to know the truth about your mother's death? Do you really believe she just passed away from illness?"

Feng Changge's words struck a chord with Yue Jingchen. Of course, he wanted to know. After all these years in the palace, he was well aware of the fierce competition for favor and how many deaths were intricately linked to the palace intrigues.

"I have no means to find out. Do you? What makes you think you can?"

Feng Changge smiled gently, "Because I'm the eldest daughter of the Feng family, a descendant of the Murong family, and I have the ability to foresee the future."

A sudden breeze arose, and Yue Jingchen quietly observed the audacious woman before him. "If you help me uncover the truth, what do you want in return?"

What did she want...

She wanted closure for the long, lonely nights she had endured, for the people who had left her one by one...

For the tragic end she had faced, she wanted an explanation.

"I want you to take me away from the Phoenix Duke Mansion."

He was surprised. This woman had courage and talent, yet the people in the mansion failed to appreciate her. Perhaps it was because she was too clever, choosing to hide her brilliance, leaving others unaware.