“Fifth Brother, you look exceptionally refreshed today. Just look at that smile you’re trying so hard not to show. Tsk, tsk—your mouth is practically stretching all the way to your ears!”
At the imperial hunting grounds outside the capital, guards stood at attention on every side. In the center of the grounds, a young man sat proudly upon a tall, magnificent horse, looking valiant and imposing. His dark-red fox-fur cloak snapped sharply in the wind. A golden crown rested upon his head, and a jade hairpin secured his hair. Tall and straight-backed, he was none other than the Eighth Prince, Feng Xuanzhen, who had only recently turned sixteen and been granted the title of Prince Yu.
Feng Xuanzhen urged his horse forward, an ambiguous smile covering his handsome face. “I heard Fifth Brother recently acquired a new beauty and has been doting on him terribly. At first, I assumed rumors passed through outsiders would inevitably contain exaggerations and inventions, but after seeing you today, it appears there really is some truth to them.” He then frowned thoughtfully, pretending to be troubled. “What was his name again?”
The Fifth Prince, Prince Rong, Feng Xuanyi, did not change expression. He continued wearing his customary half-smile, as calm and relaxed as ever. “If you’re interested, I’ll give him to you.”
Yet for some reason, he suddenly recalled the ink-smeared face he had seen earlier when he happened to pass the library. Speaking of cats, those lively, sparkling eyes really did resemble one.
At the thought, Feng Xuanyi’s lips curved with faint indulgence, though it remained concealed beneath his habitual, inscrutable smile.
Feng Xuanzhen hurriedly waved his hands. “Better not. As the saying goes, a gentleman does not take what another man treasures. How could I steal Fifth Brother’s favorite? Besides, when it comes to male love, this younger brother truly has no talent for it. I could never enjoy such a blessing. Never.”
Hearing this, Feng Xuanyi assumed an expression of profound regret. “Tsk, tsk. Just look at this build. What a waste.” As he spoke, he even patted Feng Xuanzhen’s strong frame, unusually robust for a sixteen-year-old. “Besides, only someone who has personally experienced the pleasure involved can understand it. It is by no means inferior to soft, fragrant women. In certain respects, it is even more exciting.”
Feng Xuanzhen’s face filled with invisible black lines, and he became thoroughly embarrassed. One hand tightened upon the reins while the other repeatedly rubbed the bridge of his high nose. “Fifth Brother, stop teasing me. I… I only just turned sixteen and left the palace to receive my princely title. These matters…” As he spoke, his honey-toned face unexpectedly flushed crimson.
Everyone knew that although the imperial palace appeared splendid, exalted, and dignified on the surface, its interior was filthy, corrupt, and steeped in debauchery. Yet the Eighth Prince, Prince Yu, Feng Xuanzhen, who had lived in that environment for sixteen years, witnessed countless methods of fighting for favor and jealous rivalry, and now occupied the lofty position of an imperial prince, was still an entirely inexperienced youth!
Feng Xuanyi’s smile became even more wicked. “Oh? So you’re allowed to tease me, but I’m not permitted to tease you in return?”
Although they were not born to the same mother, the Fifth and Eighth Princes had been exceptionally close among the imperial brothers since childhood. Under the laws of the Hua Dynasty, princes were considered adults upon turning sixteen and could leave the palace to receive noble titles and establish their own residences. Feng Xuanzhen had been granted his title early that very morning and had immediately invited Feng Xuanyi out to celebrate.
“Imperial Father has ordered you to accompany Marquis Dingbei, General Nalan, on the western campaign. What are you planning to do?” Although they were at the hunting grounds and supposedly there to hunt, the two merely rode side by side at a leisurely pace.
“What else could I plan? Naturally, I’ll fight bravely, kill the enemy, and pacify the western frontier.” No imperial prince was more enthusiastic about warfare than Feng Xuanzhen. The dispirited embarrassment caused by Feng Xuanyi’s teasing vanished at once, and his dark eyes gleamed like those of a leopard.
He had never cared for studying. Poetry and prose made his head spin the moment he looked at them, while music and melody might as well have been played for a cow. Yet he could read ten lines of a military text at a glance and remember everything he saw. Since childhood, his body had also been considerably stronger than those of his brothers. Although he had only just reached the young age of sixteen, his physique was extremely robust, hardly inferior to that of a man in his twenties. Furthermore, he had always possessed a powerful interest in martial arts, and their imperial father had assigned the finest instructors to teach him. He had all the makings of an accomplished warrior and capable general who could stand against a hundred men.
Feng Xuanyi frowned. He could not understand how this stubbornly straightforward Eighth Brother had managed to survive until now.
“You are the only one among us who was permitted to lead troops into battle immediately after coming of age and receiving a princely title. Although you are only serving as deputy commander, you should understand Imperial Father’s expectations of you,” Feng Xuanyi said gravely.
“It is precisely because I understand that I must perform well and avoid disappointing Imperial Father’s expectations—” Feng Xuanzhen’s words were abruptly cut off by Feng Xuanyi.
“It is precisely because you understand that you must know when to stop!” Feng Xuanyi reprimanded sharply. Feng Xuanzhen looked confused, understanding only vaguely. “Marquis Dingbei, Nalan Jian, possesses illustrious military achievements. Naturally, he has his own methods of marching and fighting. You need only follow him, study carefully, and observe. After all, you have so far discussed war only on paper and genuinely need practical experience. Furthermore, since Imperial Father appointed you as his deputy, Imperial Father naturally has his own intentions. The bird that sticks its head out is the first to be shot. This is only your first campaign. Do not take anything too far.”
“But he belongs to the Crown Prince’s faction. Although he has never openly declared his support for the Crown Prince, he commands a massive army. He may appear neutral, but he has never favored Eldest Brother’s side. If he earns even more military merit this time, won’t the Crown Prince’s faction become even more powerful?” Feng Xuanzhen asked anxiously.
Feng Xuanyi remained unconcerned. Still perfectly composed, he watched the horse beneath him graze lazily. “That is not something you should concern yourself with. You need only preserve your life, secure your share of the military merit, and learn genuine strategy and warfare from this founding general. There will be plenty of opportunities for you to achieve great things in the future.”
“But—”
“There are no buts.” Feng Xuanyi urged his horse forward and gazed at the azure sky. The wind lifted the loose strands of hair across his forehead. “A subject must observe the proper duties of a subject. Above all, one must avoid achieving such great merit that it threatens the sovereign. We need only watch. It is also time to sound a warning for Imperial Father. Or perhaps Imperial Father’s haste in sending you to gain experience means he has already noticed. After all, it is never entirely appropriate for military authority to remain in the hands of someone outside the imperial clan, is it?”
Watching Feng Xuanyi ride farther and farther away, Feng Xuanzhen finally recovered and shouted, “Fifth Brother, stop saying only half of what you mean! It’s unbearably frustrating trying to understand you! Brother! Don’t leave so quickly!”
With that, he raised his whip and galloped after him.
Ning Xuan never concerned himself with serious affairs—or rather, he had no time to concern himself with them. His endless daily labor already left him groaning in misery. They did not even give him enough food, and his clumsiness constantly caused mistakes that created even more work for him.
After pleading and cajoling for quite some time, he finally obtained ink and brushes from Xiao Tang. Naturally, he could not admit that he had smeared the writing inside several books and wanted to trace the damaged characters again. He could only evade the subject, smile ingratiatingly, and shamelessly claim that he wanted to practice calligraphy. He fawned over Xiao Tang, saying that watching the supervisor personally copy the catalogue and update the book records every month looked terribly exhausting. Ning Xuan wanted to improve his writing so that he could help share the burden.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Tang genuinely became delighted. Copying records was not especially arduous, but for someone like him, who was accustomed to idling all day and doing little more than scolding one person and kicking another, the task was still enough to leave his back aching and his hand cramping. Hearing Ning Xuan’s shamelessly sentimental explanation immediately filled him with enthusiasm. He agreed without a second thought, kindly supplied several extra brushes, and even presented Ning Xuan with a generous stack of rice paper for practice. Before leaving, he repeatedly praised Ning Xuan for his devotion and declared that he would undoubtedly have a promising future.
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