Chapter 8, The Unmatched Traitor

The sound of hooves echoed as sunlight filtered through the forest. On the horse, Du Xinyan, clad in a flowing blue robe, exuded a vibrant and spirited aura, radiating clarity without a hint of gloom. Wushuang could only wish that the road would never end, gazing at him with longing, when suddenly she thought of Gao Rui. Did she still deserve him? A shadow crossed her heart as she softly said, "I will go ahead to avoid raising her suspicions"

Gao Xi put down his pen, glanced at him with a smile and said, "How did it end up like this? Did you roll around in the gutter?"

Du Xinyan tapped his head and said: "There is one more piece of news, Ding Fengnian has been rescued by Gao Rui"

To ruin her father is to ruin her own identity and status. Xiaofei thought sadly that unless she died, she truly had no way to escape this person. Gao Rui needed this civil official from a prestigious lineage, whether it was to conspire with a tiger or to take risks with military action, she had no other choice. However, the hatred and frustration tangled in her heart made her feel as if she could not breathe.

Du Xinyan took a sip of tea, pondered for a moment, and said: "Please ask Empress De to petition the Emperor for a marriage decree!"

What he implied was that Xiao Fei wanted to accuse him of having treated her lightly, yet there was no one to witness and provide evidence.

He closed his eyes and no longer looked at the dancing light on the water. The clear and sweet fragrance of lotus filled his nostrils in an instant, dispelling the heat. The surroundings were so quiet that only the distant chirping of cicadas on the shore could be heard. It was only then that Du Xinyan calmed his mind and carefully recalled every detail of his meeting with Shen Xiaofei

Gao Rui's prestige in the military is rising rapidly.

The sunlight shines on the Qiujiang River, the lotus leaves are a clear green, and the willows by the bank sway gently. A small boat is moored by the riverbank, and Shen Xiaofei sits in the boat, lost in thought, reminiscing about the scene from that clear morning.

The sudden action took Xiaofei by surprise; she stared at him blankly, her right hand tightly protecting her exposed left arm, like a mother shielding her child. The torn sleeve lay on the ground like a pitifully weak woman. It made her feel as if she had been torn apart and abandoned in the cold dust by Du Xinyan.

He did not close his eyes, nor did she. It was as if there was no skin-to-skin contact, merely that the distance had been reduced.

Wushuang is the guard that Third Prince sent to Fei'er. Fei'er has no other requests, just the freedom to leave the residence. I am accustomed to the luxurious life of a noble lady, and if I were to become a village girl, Fei'er would not be able to endure that hardship either

Shen Xiang chuckled and said, "It has been a long time since I heard Fei'er play the zither. What has prompted her interest today?"

It is rare for the surroundings to be so quiet, and even the chirping of the weary birds returning to their nests cannot stir the environment into noise

Xiao Fei picked up the dress on the table and replied with satisfaction: "Of course I am happy. I want to turn him into a frog"

The arm wrapped around her waist made Xiaofei feel as if she were entangled by a snake, and this snake was none other than her biological father! Tears welled up in her eyes as she cautiously said, "Yanyan, quickly bring the tea, let go of me!"

Although he is her father, she hates him to the core. Xiaofei replied sarcastically, "Father, rest assured, I have no interest in the Third Prince. I am merely using him to negotiate for a more comfortable life with you."

Ding Qianhe's eyes were red and swollen as she pointed a gun at Du Xinyan and said, "Do not stop me! I must go."

Wushuang emerged from the shade of the trees, silently boarded the boat, and began to row away

In the room. The father does not like Wushuang; whenever the father comes to see Fei'er, Fei'er always makes her stay in the room

Du Xinyan cannot help but admire

Xiao Fei did not explain the principle of boiling frogs in warm water to her, but let out a cold laugh and said to Yan Ran: "This matter must not be told to Wu Shuang, we cannot let Gao Rui know"

Laughter rang out clearly across the river, and Du Xinyan shouted with determination: "Shen Xiaofei, remember this well. A gentleman does not let such a grudge go unavenged"

Du Xinyan thought for a moment, then leaped into the air, heading straight into the back garden of the Xiang residence. Standing in front of Shen Xiaofei, he deliberately put on a cold expression.

Gao Xi glanced and simply smiled: "Xiao Du, are you worried that Qian He might be in danger amidst the chaos of battle? I will write to Third Brother to intercept her at Daming Prefecture and escort her back, ensuring that not a single hair on her head will be harmed"

He thought that by finishing the Huanglian porridge and praising its sweetness, he could earn a smile from Shen Xiaofei. To his surprise, her expression darkened as she shouted: "Get off the boat!"

It is now too late to put away the piano. Xiaofei glared at the piano in front of her, her fingers pressed down, producing a gentle and harmonious melody.

Her cries reminded Du Xinyan of the past. Ding Qianhe, born into a prominent family, had a straightforward and stubborn personality. When she was young, she learned to ride horses and would simply dust herself off and get back on after falling, never shedding a single tear. This rare display of vulnerability made Du Xinyan's heart ache; Ding Qianhe had always been a lively and wild girl, not a helpless little rabbit. He gently patted her back, imagining the various possibilities on the battlefield, and felt a sense of melancholy.

"Miss, the master has arrived!" Yanran called out loudly from the entrance of the garden

This is a chess game where a single move can affect the entire situation

Shen Xiang turned back to look, and Xiao Fei was startled, slowly moving her steps away. Shen Xiang snorted and forcefully pulled Xiao Fei into his embrace, lifting her chin and compelling her to gaze up at him: "Want to leave me? Don't even think about it!"

"Not drinking? I have boiled it for nothing. Please, Master Du, go ahead!"

"Miss! The tea has arrived!" The melodious voice awakened this nightmare

Du Xinyan raised her eyebrows and said with malicious intent: "What do you mean by your words? Could it be that you have developed feelings for me? Since you like me, why would you do things that make me hate you? Shouldn't you be trying your utmost to please me and win my favor? Even if I bring you misfortune, you should be willing to accept it with pleasure!"

Just as he was thinking, a servant came in from outside the study with a letter. Gao Xi glanced at it and sighed, "Indeed, it was my third brother who saved Ding Fengnian. At this moment, he is reorganizing and incorporating the defeated soldiers, preparing for a counterattack. He has allowed Ding Fengnian to redeem himself through merit."

Ding Qianhe did not understand; she was resolute about one thing: she wanted to go to Zhen Ding to find her father. She raised her chin and angrily said, "What do you mean by saying that the Khitan people are reluctant to kill me?"

In July, Yelü Congfei indeed led his troops southward, engaging in fierce battles with Ding Fengnian in Zhen Ding. Every day, one could see urgent relay horses galloping through the city. Reports of the battle flew to the capital like snowflakes.

Shen Xiang stopped in his tracks and glanced back, asking, "Where is Wushuang?"

Xiaofei felt as if she had been electrocuted, her whole body trembling, and she felt so nauseated that she nearly vomited out.

"Yes! If Miss has any instructions, just call me. " Yanzhi bowed and then withdrew. Even after passing through the woods, her garments could still be seen.

Xiao Fei wrote only one sentence in the letter: "To know the news of Ding Feng, one must see the river."

She covered her arms to prevent Wushuang and Yanran from seeing, returned to her room to change clothes, placed the torn dress on the table, and a dreamy smile appeared on her face

Du Xinyan repeatedly mulled over Shen Xiaofei's words, her eyes sparkling with brilliance, and the smile at the corners of her lips deepening.

He certainly knows. Those who understand how to enjoy hunting prefer to set traps rather than directly shooting with arrows. Once force is used, one can no longer appreciate the beauty of the prey struggling and dying in the trap.

Shen Xiang knew that Wu Shuang was skilled in martial arts, and he quietly said to Xiao Fei: "If you were not the daughter of the Xiang residence, do you think the Third Prince would still rely on you?"

Ding Qianhe, unaware of the depths of the situation, was escorted by Shen Xiaofei to the military camp. He could almost envision the scene of the father and daughter reunion, filled with gratitude towards Gao Rui.

Du Xinyan was at a loss whether to laugh or cry. Did she really like him? If she liked him, would she treat him as an enemy? He felt it was safer to keep his distance. However, the serene expression on Xiao Fei's face filled him with a sense of defeat; her demeanor resembled a flower blooming alone under a dimming sky, exuding a hint of mystery, a touch of pride, and an air of allure. For the first time in his life, he lost control over the desire to see her lose her composure, as he pulled her closer by the nape of her neck, bringing her face near. Then, under the first hint of darkness that enveloped the night, he captured that delicate, water-colored lip. For the first time in his life, he lost control over the desire to see her lose her composure, as he pulled her closer by the nape of her neck, bringing her face near. Then, under the first hint of darkness that enveloped the night, he captured that delicate, water-colored lip.

Xiao Fei Bu began to laugh, showing no signs of embarrassment or anger. With a light flick of her fingers, a musical note emerged, and she said leisurely: "So, even if I do like you, I will not go out of my way to please you or seek your favor. It is quite normal to do things that might make you hate me, isn't it? When love is unattainable, of course, one can only resort to hatred. I am indeed a petty and vindictive person, and you still owe me seven thousand taels of silver that you have not repaid. The loan agreement is clearly written; once the three-month deadline passes, I will be collecting interest." I am indeed a petty and vindictive person, and you still owe me seven thousand taels of silver that you have not repaid. The loan agreement is clearly written; once the three-month deadline passes, I will be collecting interest.

The figure in the blue shirt swiftly swept across the lotus leaves, cutting through Shen Xiaofei's heart like a knife. ... He drank the bitter herb porridge for Ding Qianhe, and he went to great lengths to please himself for her sake ... ... Shen Xiaofei stood up, tore off her veil, and proudly shouted: "It’s a lie that I get prickly heat and a high fever from sun exposure, I was just fooling you! You fell for it!"

Gao Xi smiled and said, "This method is good. You and Qian He have been childhood friends and your feelings for each other are already strong. If you marry her, it will also serve to cut off the root of the problem. Even if San Di tries to win over Ding Fengnian, he will be in a difficult position, as one side is his son-in-law and the other is his lifesaver. However, as long as he remains neutral and does not assist either side, that will suffice. Even if Ding Fengnian wishes to marry off his daughter and San Di wishes to marry her, it cannot be counted without the approval of the Emperor. I will go to the palace now to ask Mother to speak to Father about this, taking the initiative."

Isn't Master Du skilled in lightness skills? Do you really expect me to escort you to the shore? Don't keep Miss Ding waiting anxiously. There is a war in the north; if we delay, who knows if Miss Ding is in danger

He is almost certain that this is the purpose for which Shen Xiaofei let Ye Luchong go

Du Xinyan was momentarily taken aback, almost blurting out his agreement. He stared into the clear eyes of Xiao Fei, feeling a sense of being toyed with. She effortlessly stirred up chaos between the two factions, forcing him to propose the idea of a marriage alliance to stabilize the situation. Now, with a light and playful remark, she seemed to think it was all settled? Du Xinyan forcibly swallowed the word 'good' that had surged to his throat.

Du Xinyan sighed, held his breath, and drank the porridge until it was completely gone. A wave of nausea surged in his stomach, and his mouth was so bitter that it had lost all taste. Yet a smile spread across his face: "How sweet! Miss Shen's porridge is not made with Huanglian water; it is clearly brewed from jade liquid and fine nectar. Its fragrance is refreshing and its taste delightful, a true marvel of the human world!"

The frog? Yanran does not understand

Shen Xiang chuckled lightly, released Xiao Fei, and leisurely walked up to the pavilion

But how long can this peace last

Xiao Fei saw only a trace of her own reflection in those shimmering eyes. The touch of his lips was warm and soft, and she couldn't help but recall the secret kiss she had stolen from him on the black stone beach, which had left her dizzy. This time, it was he who took the initiative! A proud smile appeared on her face.

At this time, the sun had already set. The orange-yellow light enveloped the back garden of the Xiang residence across the way, and occasionally the tired chirping of birds could be heard. Du Xinyan sat silently on the large cypress tree, drinking wine and gazing across, feeling an impulse to go over. He could only suppress it.

Why would he utter such reckless words? With her thoughts twisting in countless directions, Xiao Fei gazed at him without blinking and said calmly: "I have feelings for you, Master Du. Do you like me?"

Du Xinyan also saw himself in her eyes. He noticed that there was actually a hint of laughter in her gaze. He immediately understood that she was mocking his impulsiveness, his foolishness

A face as pale as a flower was instantly drenched with tears, causing the wind and clouds to change color. Du Xinyan stepped forward two paces, gently embracing her and softly comforting her: "My father has already dispatched reinforcements to the northwest. The Third Prince's army from Hebei East Road has set out from Daming Prefecture towards Zhen Ding. It is common to become separated on the battlefield. Your father has fought for many years; he will be fine."

Having reached the shore, he patted his bundle, turned the horse's head, and returned to the city, heading straight for the Grand Prince's residence in his wet clothes

The bitter taste of the Coptis chinensis lingered on the tip of Du Xinyan's tongue. She squinted her eyes slightly, leaned in closer, and said word by word: "I have a habit. Whenever I want someone to have bad luck, my eyes always tend to squint a little. You see clearly now, just like this."

Du Xinyan, feeling helpless, thought that if he didn't drink, he would have come for nothing. He picked up the bowl of porridge and asked in confusion, "Could it be poison that runs through the intestines? I certainly do not wish to die too early"

However, Du Xinyan forgot that Ding Qianhe was always stubborn and would definitely do what she was determined to do. After crying and venting, she still left a letter and secretly left the capital, heading north to search for her father

Shen Xiang paid no attention, his fingers gently caressing her cheek, the tips conveying a sensation as smooth as silk satin. He clicked his tongue twice and said, "Outsiders all say that Yanran and Wushuang are more beautiful than you. Only I can appreciate the unparalleled elegance of Fei'er." As he spoke, he lowered his head and placed a kiss on her cheek

She raised the bronze mirror to admire herself, and she truly was not beautiful; her small face and small eyes could not compare to the unparalleled cold elegance or the charming grace of others. Yet her eyes were so bright, and in her own gaze, she saw determination. There was nothing that could stand in the way of what she intended to do

Xiao Fei gritted her teeth and said: "If you dare to marry Yanran, I will take my own life"

"Are you moved?" Du Xinyan murmured, "This concerns the lives of my Du family, and I cannot afford to be sentimental about it."

Yanran looked at Xiaofei in shock and replied with righteous indignation: "Such things can only be done by a flower thief! I see that Young Master Du is a talented individual; once, when I played a prank on him, he even sent his steward to deliver gifts and apologize. I thought he was a scholar and had even placed second in the imperial examination. I am certainly astonished that he would sneak into the back garden like a thief to bully a young lady!"

Yanran recalled Gao Rui's inscrutable and profound gaze, shivering slightly, and quickly nodded in agreement

In the eastern prince's residence, Gao Xi was painting. Upon seeing Du Xinyan enter, he did not stop his brush.

Shen Xiang agreed to allow Xiao Fei to leave the residence freely, but insisted that she must not disclose her acquaintance with Gao Rui to the outside world. Gao Rui usually did not pester her, only seeking Shen Xiang's assistance during critical moments. When the incident in Jiangnan occurred, Gao Rui approached Shen Xiang again. He casually asked Shen Xiang to write a letter for Chen Zhi Shan, which Xiao Fei would deliver.

Wushuang stopped him outside the city and handed him a letter. At the same time, she whispered, "She put yellow lotus in the porridge"

Shen Xiaofei said lightly: "Ding Fengnian was captured alive, not a single hair was lost. A message from the Third Hall has just arrived, stating that he has been rescued. The official report will reach the capital in a couple of days"

She held a half-open pink lotus in her hand, and her white gauze dress billowed in the river breeze, resembling two white lotus petals. Two slender arms were faintly visible. She leisurely tore off a petal from the lotus and placed it in the water, gently nudging it with her hand, causing the petal to drift away like a small boat. She raised her eyebrows and elegantly called out into the woods: "Wushuang!"

He smiled. Being with this woman, he found it increasingly interesting. The smile spread from the corners of his mouth, and his dark pupils sparkled with a shimmering light. He decided to continue competing with her; he did not believe that he would always fall into her hands. He recalled that Wushuang had said that Shen Xiaofei might have developed feelings for him, which sent a chill down Du Xinyan's spine. He looked Xiaofei up and down; in the twilight, her single phoenix eyes revealed an incredibly pure expression, which truly made him admire her acting skills.

Her words pierced like a thorn, suddenly stabbing into Shen Xiang's heart. He fiercely pinched Xiao Fei's cheek and coldly said: " A life of freedom? If I do not agree, you cannot marry anyone. Unless you elope with someone. Even if you elope, I will not be punished or demoted; I can always bring you back. To elope with the daughter of the Prime Minister, one must see if they have the courage to do so. You may also tell the world that the esteemed Prime Minister is deceiving the emperor and committing treason; when I am dismissed and exiled three thousand miles away, my family will be demoted to the status of official slaves. You should weigh this for yourself!"

Du Xinyan was momentarily taken aback, then smiled, her tone filled with delight and admiration: "Shen Xiaofei, it is truly exhilarating to meet a worthy opponent! Once the battle is over, I will request the Emperor to grant us a marriage."

The woman before me, unadorned and pure, played her instrument with increasing urgency, the notes she produced carrying an anger that nearly caused Du Xinyan to take two steps back.

"Xiao Du! Do you dare to insult me?" Ding Qianhe's face turned pale with anger as she swiftly thrust her spear towards Du Xinyan. He merely tilted his head to the side, his hand already gripping the blade of the iron spear. Despite using all her strength, Ding Qianhe could not pull the spear from his grasp. Seeing him still looking at her with a smile, she became so furious that she threw the spear away and burst into tears.

The Khitan army is valiant. In August, news of a calamity arrived; Zhen Ding was breached, and Ding Fengnian's whereabouts are unknown. The army in the western part of Hebei suffered a rout, shocking both the court and the populace.

After a moment, Xiaofei turned her head and said in a mocking tone: "I have brought you the news you wanted. The porridge was drunk by you with a smile, and you even said it was brewed from jade liquid and fine nectar. What dissatisfaction do you have?"

Perhaps this also explains why Gao Rui has come to enjoy horse racing and hunting with Qian He

Du Xinyan's wet clothes had dried under the sun, leaving streaks of water on his blue shirt, making him look quite disheveled. He and Gao Xi were cousins who had played together since childhood, so there were no formalities between them. Without any concern for etiquette, he casually sat down on a chair and gulped down a cup of tea.

Du Xinyan said irritably: "It is like capsizing in a gutter." As she spoke, she placed Ding Qianhe's letter on the table

She forgot that there is a certain bloodthirsty pleasure in shooting directly. So Du Xinyan merely smiled, reached out and naturally tore at one of her sleeves with a swift motion, tossing it aside. He stood upright, casting a condescending glance over her slender, fair arms, and with a gentle smile, maliciously said: "Men like it this way!"

Shen Xiaofei turned her gaze towards the shore. Before long, she heard the sound of hooves, each echoing as if it were stepping on her heart, splashing up boundless joy. Her eyes fell on the bundle beside Du Xinyan's horse, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Du Xinyan floated away like the night breeze, leaving Xiao Fei standing alone in the garden. She took a deep breath and exhaled, elegantly picking up the sleeve of her robe from the ground, and slowly walked back to the embroidery building. In the darkness of the night, her expression was unclear, but her eyes appeared particularly bright and exceptionally clear.

Oh my! He, he actually dared to be disrespectful to the young lady! Yanran thought it was just a branch of flowers that had been torn, but upon hearing Xiaofei's words, her face showed anger. She said resentfully, "Miss, should we inform the Xiang Ye? With his temperament, he would definitely reprimand him for disrespecting the rules and bullying a respectable young woman! Let the censor take note of him!"

Shen Xiang had taken her hand and led her towards the pavilion. His hand was very cold, and when he held onto Xiao Fei, he gripped a bit tightly. Xiao Fei immediately felt a chill run down her spine, wishing she could take a few steps to the pavilion and shake him off.

She knew that he was worried about Ding Qianhe getting close to Gao Rui, yet she boldly let him know that she was indeed facilitating the relationship between Gao Rui and Ding Qianhe. Perhaps, from the moment she led him to Luoyang City, plotting to incite Ding Qianhe to turn against him, the scheme had already begun.

The Ding family is in deep mourning, and Ding Qianhe donned silver armor, wielded a long spear, and rode her rosy horse, preparing to head north to the battlefield

Du Xinyan stood up and pointed at Shen Xiaofei, saying: "You deceived me just to tease me?" A surge of anger inexplicably ignited in his heart, like a tiny spark flying in the scorching heat of summer, suddenly igniting a raging inferno.

If Du Xinyan had a tail, it would probably be pointing to the sky by now. The expression he wore and the words he spoke made Xiao Fei so furious that her fingertips trembled. She felt an overwhelming urge to kick him to the ground and step on him like a cockroach. Yet, the hint of triumph in his brows and eyes made her adore him even more. She recalled the sound of the xiao from Luofeng Mountain, wondering what it would be like to win his heart. Before she met him, the poetry and prose of the young Du from the capital had made her admire him; upon meeting him, he appeared gentle and refined on the surface, yet his inner emotions were deeply concealed. She thought of the xiao music from Luofeng Mountain again, pondering what it would be like to possess his heart. The ethereal sound of the xiao was untainted by dust, yet the fire that burned down the back garden of the Xiang residence revealed his ruthlessness. He could make the Third Prince Gao Rui wary and earn the trust of the First Prince Gao Xi; Xiao Fei would never underestimate Du Xinyan's every word and action.

Yanran was taken aback. After a long while, she cautiously replied, "Miss, he... he did such a thing and you are still happy?"

The imperial city is divided into inner and outer cities, with the residence of the Crown Prince located to the east and that of the Third Prince to the west

What? Du Xinyan thought she had misheard

Through the gaps in the lotus leaves, he stood with his hands clasped behind his back on the riverbank, a blue robe gently swaying in the morning breeze. His brows were elegant, and his eyes were filled with laughter, a clarity in that moment that stirred Xiao Fei's heart

Du Xinyan looked her up and down, stretched out two fingers to flick her beautiful silver armor, and said with a smile: "Wearing this, young lady, you appear to have a different charm."

Du Xinyan smiled bitterly, sighed, and said: "Do you really think that a woman can become a general just by mastering some martial arts like Hua Mulan? Your flashy moves may impress the ladies in the capital, but if it comes to the battlefield, I fear the Khitan would hesitate to kill you"

Shen Xiaofei had the Crown Prince Xi break the Iron Buddha case in exchange for his agreement not to pursue the matter of Yelv Congfei's escape. This also kept him occupied with solving this case, preventing him from fully committing to the capture of Yelv Congfei

Furthermore, I advise you not to pursue her any longer. As soon as Miss Ding left the city, my people escorted her to the Daming Prefecture! If you insist on chasing her, I will send a message to have her killed!

"No, just put it on the table." Xiaofei's voice was soft, and seeing Yanran's confusion, she smiled again, "It was torn by Young Master Du."

In this battle, although the Great Qi army suffered heavy losses, the Khitan ultimately did not achieve a favorable outcome and were expelled from the territory by the Great Qi forces. Emperor Ming rewarded the three armies. Ding Feng, having narrowly escaped death, led his troops to redeem himself and was promoted to the rank of Third-Class Marquis of Wuwei.

Shen Xiaofei tilted her head and gently brushed her hand across the river water, remaining silent

How long has it been since Qu Jiangshang mentioned Shen Xiaofei? Indeed, it has become a treasure that everyone is vying for. Does it even concern him? At such a sensitive time, would Ding Feng be willing to marry his daughter to the faction of the Crown Prince after siding with Gao Rui? Is Gao Rui willing to risk his hard-won support on the battlefield for the sake of a marriage that could be jeopardized?

She held the tea and looked at Shen Xiang with an innocent gaze, eagerly watching him take a sip and praise it.

Ding Qianhe had lived a life of luxury since birth, with her father missing and having lost Zhen Ding due to a military defeat. In recent days, she had faced a great deal of coldness from others; the noble youths who used to play with her had all begun to avoid her, leaving her feeling deeply wronged. With a sudden provocation from Du Xinyan, the pent-up frustration in her heart finally erupted, and she collapsed into his embrace, unable to stop her tears.

Yanyan entered the room in the evening to assist her with removing her makeup and saw Xiaofei staring blankly at a torn dress. She couldn't help but wonder, "How come the sleeves are torn off?" Her hand naturally reached for the dress, intending to take it for mending.

A strand of琴音 flew out from the garden across, the sound sharp and urgent, permeating the air with a sense of impending violence

He is not yet angry, yet she has already lost her temper? Du Xinyan reached out and pressed down on the piano, producing a dull sound of "zheng" from the strings, which abruptly ceased. However, the lingering sound still resonated in his ears.

Shen Xiang took a sip of tea and said with a mocking smile: "What a clever girl, now that she has reached the age for marriage, it is time to arrange a match for her."

Xiao Fei smiled gently: "I cannot forget my father's teachings. If His Highness can break the Iron Buddha altar of Yelü Congfei, it is because I have played a part in it."

The sound of birdsong comes from not far away, serving as an unparalleled signal

This woman calculates three steps for every one she takes, and she will never do herself wrong

A bowl of green and fragrant porridge was poured out from the jar. Du Xinyan smiled wryly, recalling Wushuang's words that there was Huanglian added to the porridge

Du Xinyan was furious: "What do you mean?"

Du Xinyan finally understood Shen Xiaofei's expressions and actions this time. Aware of her own impatience, she deliberately chose to take a roundabout way to make him even more anxious. Cursing Shen Xiaofei in her heart countless times, as she watched the small boat drift into the river, she had no choice but to employ the lightness skill of "Eight Steps to Catch the Cicada" to step lightly on the lotus and gracefully land at the bow of the boat

Yanran walked briskly while holding the tea box, smiling as she said: "Knowing that the master loves to drink melon slices, Yanran hurriedly brewed some to bring over. Master, would you like to try?"

Du Xinyan glanced at the letter and couldn't help but frown: "This woman is truly detestable, always scheming with such despicable tactics. Yet, I have no choice but to drink! Wushuang, Shen Xiaofei is not an ordinary woman; you must not let her suspect that you are leaking information. In the future... I will handle it with discretion"

Gao Xi's expression became serious. Ding Qianhe left a letter to head north in search of her father, which made Du Xinyan worried; he had initially thought it was just the whims of a young girl. However, with the added fact that Ding Fengnian had been rescued, he immediately understood why Du Xinyan rushed over without even changing her clothes

Du Xinyan was rushing forward with her internal energy when she heard this sentence, causing her internal energy to leak out and fall into the river with a thud. She recalled the mockery in Luoyang City, the scene in the back garden of the minister's residence where someone held up their arm to shield her from the sun for an entire hour. Her anger finally surged and erupted, and in a fit of rage, she slapped the water's surface, sending splashes flying.

Xiao Fei's eyes grew brighter as she listened, and she asked again, "Can your young lady provoke him to anger? Does he regard me with a different perspective?"

The sound of footsteps gradually approached, and Shen Xiang stood still behind her

Shen Xiang whispered to Xiao Fei, "Your father does not wish for you to leave the residence, as he wants to protect you. Many men in this world are fickle; the Third Prince is ambitious and has countless concubines in the residence. Fei'er, do not be deceived by him."

Du Xinyan was startled by the words, and finally, she was stopped outside the city gate

Ding Feng, having committed a crime, achieved merit by rallying the scattered troops of the Hebei Western Route Army to join Gao Rui in a victorious pursuit. Yelü Congfei, unable to withstand the assault, retreated from the borders of the Great Qi and returned to Youzhou.

He clasped his hands and said, "Thank you." His body spun around, his garments fluttering like a great bird soaring over the lotus leaves, moving with greater urgency than before. It was as if he could not wait to reach the shore and gallop away in pursuit of his beloved.

She gently brushed her fingers, hovering above the strings of the zither, and a melody flowed smoothly from her heart. Ever since she was confined in the mansion by her father, she had not played the zither again. Even if she wished to, it would only be this empty gesture, producing not a single note of music.

In the back garden of the minister's residence, Xiao Fei brought out the zither

Gao Xi gazed at him for a while, then sighed softly and said: "Xiao Du, it is only today that I truly understand. It turns out you regard Qian He as your sister. You have always been a flirtatious person; have you never had feelings for anyone?"

Xiao Fei naturally understood his meaning. If the matter of Shi Jince were to get out, Shen Xiang would be utterly disgraced. She only told Gao Rui that she could write articles better than Shi Jince, not daring to directly say that Shi Jince was written by her. If she were not the daughter of the Xiang family, how much value would she still hold in Gao Rui's eyes?

He swallowed back the words he wanted to say. In that moment, as Wushuang lowered her head and cast her eyes down, Du Xinyan recalled the night she had come to assassinate him. The emotions Wushuang exposed in front of him were too many and too obvious, leaving him unable to continue speaking

Xiao Fei said with a light smile: "The daughter has borrowed her father's reputation, but she is merely going to Jiangnan to recuperate, while also conveying her father's intentions to Lord Chen"

Du Xinyan felt a bit regretful; he had clearly guessed that it was her who had let Ye Luchongfei go, and he was well aware that there must have been a deal, yet he still overlooked it

The lotus flowers in Xiao Fei's hands had been torn to shreds. She smiled as she watched Du Xinyan throw the flower stems forcefully into the air, then clapped her hands and said: "I made some lotus leaf porridge; it's best for cooling down during this season. Would Young Master Du like to have a bowl?"

She let out a faint sigh

Her concern is a fatal flaw for the intermediary. Human emotions are the most difficult to control, and Du Xinyan did not wish to say more. He secretly decided that once the situation stabilized, he would insist on having Wushuang leave.

Upon thinking of this matter, a look of hatred appeared in Shen Xiang's eyes. He lowered his voice and said: "Don't say that I haven't warned you; leaning too early towards one side and failing to secure the treasure will lead to endless troubles. You must also be perfunctory with the Crown Prince."

This time is different from the Jiangnan Tribute Rice case

In August, news from the imperial court reported that the Third Prince Gao Rui personally led the army of Hebei East Road from Daming Prefecture to the north, launching a counterattack and achieving a great victory at Zhen Ding

Du Xinyan gracefully dismounted and approached the shore. He cupped his hands in salute and said, "I have received a letter from Miss Shen. I am anxious and eager to know the details from Miss Shen."

I went to the Quxiang River to have some fun, the lotus flowers are blooming beautifully, and my mood is also quite good. "Xiaofei replied cleverly, noticing that there seemed to be two flames burning in Shen Xiang's eyes, she quickly stood up and called out to Yanran, "Bring the tea to the pavilion."

The orange light illuminated the dress on the table, and Xiaofei sat there in a daze. She was not indifferent to Du Xinyan's words; she simply understood that if she showed the slightest concern, she would be unable to protect her own heart

Shen Xiang leisurely glanced at the standing Xiao Fei. The wind lifted Xiao Fei's white gauze skirt, and the sun was already tilting to the west. She stood quietly, bathed in sunlight, like a white butterfly about to flutter away. The setting sun, golden in hue, cast its light on Xiao Fei's face, enhancing her delicate features. The expression revealed by her slender, willow-leaf-like single phoenix eyes made him momentarily dazed. He seemed to see the shadow of his wife again and could not help but pull Xiao Fei into his embrace. As she struggled, he whispered in her ear, "Do you want Yanran to see?" The setting sun, golden in hue, cast its light on Xiao Fei's face, enhancing her delicate features. The expression revealed by her slender, willow-leaf-like single phoenix eyes made him momentarily dazed. He seemed to see the shadow of his wife again and could not help but pull Xiao Fei into his embrace. As she struggled, he whispered in her ear, "Do you want Yanran to see?"

On the small boat, Shen Xiaofei removed her veil and placed a lotus leaf on her head, which accentuated her fresh and charming face. She raised her chin proudly and said: "What do you mean by catching up to me? I mean exactly that!"

The words were laced with sarcasm, causing Du Xinyan to leap up. Under the blazing sun, that white figure had already reached the opposite bank, not even glancing back. His internal energy was impure, and with a 'thud!', he fell back into the river.

She seemed to have taken a pair of tongs and removed the most fiercely burning log, causing the crackling fire that appeared so vigorous to instantly turn into a pile of feeble ashes. Du Xinyan's anger had not yet had the chance to erupt before it was dispersed by this remark

Shen Xiang walked at a leisurely pace, softly asking, "Chen Zhishan has sent a large number of gifts; you assisted him with the Jiangnan case, and he is very grateful."

Xiao Fei detested recalling Shen Xiang's gaze. When she played the guqin, his eyes held a kind of possessive fervor that made her never want to touch the instrument again. Except for that one time, when the maple trees on Luo Feng Mountain were ablaze with red, and the bamboo forest was lush and green, the ethereal sound of the xiao made her instinctively want to harmonize with the guqin.

Du Xinyan simply relaxed his entire body and floated on the water's surface. Layers of green lotus leaves obscured his figure, and sunlight poured down through the gaps in the leaves, casting mottled patterns on the water's surface. After gazing for a while, his eyes began to blur. It was akin to the current situation, chaotic and intricate, leaving one feeling disturbed.

Du Xinyan was taken aback, and the smile on her face froze. ... How could she be so bold, truly ... . ... Interesting. He straightened up with a stern expression and disdainfully said: "In fact, I do not regret the poem I wrote at the poetry meeting at all. In my heart, you are not even worth a single finger of a shallow lotus. For a woman as cruel, petty, and lacking in self-respect as you, to make me develop feelings for you is as unlikely as getting a pig to climb a tree."

However, Gao Rui married Qian He, what will she do? For the sake of Gao Rui's great cause, she can sacrifice anything

Xiaofei's nails have embedded into the flesh, and she keeps telling herself that it won't be long now

Upon seeing the letter sent by Madam Ding, Du Xinyan felt a headache coming on. He grabbed his bundle and headed north out of the city in pursuit.

Two years ago, Xiao Fei met Gao Rui, and Gao Rui became infatuated with Shen Xiang. Subsequently, he arranged for Wu Shuang to enter the Xiang residence

In this war, she made Gao Rui the savior of Ding Fengnian. This not only granted Gao Xi prestige within the military but also secured the support of Ding Fengnian's army. The Hebei East and West Route Army consists of 200,000 troops, making it the most formidable army of the Great Qi Kingdom. A third prince who has achieved military merit and power will make the path to the crown prince position for the first prince Gao Xi even more difficult.

"Hehe, is it borrowing a knife to kill someone? Shh, keep your voice down, don't let Wushuang hear. How could he admit it? My father wouldn't say anything either; he wouldn't do something as foolish as slapping himself in the face." Xiaofei shook her head, thought for a moment, and asked Yanran, "Are you very surprised? Why?"

Xiao Fei said lightly: "Yanran, you may go down. I have matters to discuss with the master"

The lips parted slightly in a gaze, and with a teasing smile, Fei did not forget to provoke: "Men are nothing more than this!"

Gao Xi and he exchanged glances, both revealing a sense of helplessness in their eyes

Du Xinyan! She called his name fiercely

He suddenly realized that he had guessed Shen Xiaofei's thoughts. He had discerned the intentions behind the news of Ding Fengnian's disappearance and subsequent rescue by Gao Rui.

Du Xinyan shrugged, feeling that the summer night breeze had blown away all his worries from the day, with every pore clamoring to relax. He took a few steps, then turned back, wearing an elegant smile as he said: "Wushuang and Yanran are in the embroidery building. I am currently playing chess with the Crown Prince. You must be seeing things today. Haha!"

Xiaofei took a breath and turned around with a beaming smile: "Father!"

The crisp laughter also came from the distant boat: "It is said that the charming and romantic Xiao Du of the capital is actually only devoted to Miss Qian He of the Ding family. It turns out it is nothing more than this! A marriage proposal? Everyone is vying for the treasure, how could it possibly be your turn!"

Du Xinyan chuckled lightly and said: "The Emperor will not issue an edict. Does the Crown Prince still not understand? Requesting a marriage decree is merely a disruption."

Shen Xiaofei and he stared at each other like this. After Shen Xiang left, Xiaofei felt angry and unconsciously poured her feelings into the qin, not expecting that Du Xinyan would actually come running over.

"Then I will no longer assist His Highness the Third. I admit my mistake; I will no longer tease you, nor will I plot against you. Can I help you? Will you still bring me misfortune?" Xiao Fei asked him with a smile, blinking her eyes.