On this day, the Jingwang Mansion was filled with joy. Feng Jin, Mu Beichen, Hua Mancheng, Mu Zixuan and others gathered together, chatting and laughing freely.

Mu Beichen and Feng Jin sat side by side. At first, she simply served him a bite of food out of politeness, and then Mu Beichen immediately served her the food she liked. And so on and so forth, unknowingly making Mu Zixuan and Hua Mancheng so embarrassed that they wanted to disappear.

Mu Zixuan slammed his hand on the table and grumbled irritably, "Royal brother, did you invite us here today to have a meal together, or just to watch you two flaunt your love?"

At this moment, Feng Jin gradually realized that her behavior with Mu Beichen was indeed somewhat unsightly. She quickly moved the food and wine in front of her to Mu Zixuan and said awkwardly with a smile, "He has been like this lately, please don't mind it."

"As expected of my sister-in-law, she knows how to be sensible, unlike some people who always prioritize women over friends." After gaining attention, Mu Zixuan immediately became smug. While he was indirectly complaining about Mu Beichen, he raised his wine cup to toast Feng Jin, "Sister-in-law, this cup is for you alone."

Mu Beichen suddenly stopped Feng Jin's movements, and then, with a gloomy handsome face, said to Mu Zixuan, "I heard that the barbarians on the northern border have started to cause trouble again. Tomorrow I will ask the Emperor for permission to send troops to quell the war. You can also take this opportunity to gain some experience."

Upon hearing this, Mu Zixuan immediately covered her mouth and fell silent.

Hua Mancheng glanced at Mu Zixuan, who was suffering a setback, and smiled unconsciously: "Congratulations, my good brother, on taking on the position of Assistant General of the Northern You Dynasty. I believe that in the near future, you will achieve even more great feats."

His simple words immediately drew laughter and cheers from the room, and even Mu Beichen raised his glass to drink with everyone.

Feng Jin inadvertently turned her gaze to Hua Mancheng and asked, "Young Master Cheng, you've been wandering around for many years, have you ever thought about settling down?"

She paused, her wine glass still in her hand. Hua Mancheng was completely confused by what she had just heard, and didn't reply to her immediately.

Taking advantage of everyone's high spirits, Feng Jin took the initiative to say, "I currently work in the palace and often come into contact with wealthy young ladies. How about I personally choose a marriage for you?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Mancheng immediately stood up from his seat, and he became anxious: "Thank you for your kind offer, Your Highness, but I have no such plans at the moment..."

Just as Hua Mancheng was caught in a dilemma, unsure how to refuse Feng Jin, Mu Zixuan interrupted the topic: "Sister-in-law, it would be best if you didn't worry about his affairs. This great swordsman has always had unique taste, and ordinary girls simply don't catch his eye."

"Really?" Feng Jin cupped her beautiful face and leaned close to Hua Mancheng's eyes. She slightly raised her pink lips and smiled like a gentle breeze: "Young Master Cheng, do you think I'm alright?"

"..."

These words and this face, presented simultaneously before Hua Mancheng, stirred his heart, and a strange light quickly welled up in his long, deep eyes.

In that instant, he pondered this question with utmost seriousness; if she weren't Princess Jing, would he possibly like her? Would he... or not...?

At this moment, everyone was already immersed in laughter, but no one noticed that Hua Mancheng was still blushing because of Feng Jin's joke.

A few days later, Feng Jin was summoned to the palace by Mu Qiye again. From the moment she learned of his feelings for her, she became exceptionally cautious. Whenever Mu Qiye tried to have ulterior motives, she would deliberately lure Feng Yao over to act as a shield, trying her best to prevent Mu Qiye from having any opportunities to be alone with her. She would promptly leave the palace at the appointed time, and for several days in a row, Mu Qiye was unable to get close to her at all.

"Princess Jing, His Majesty has suddenly fallen ill and requests your presence before him."

He's sick but won't see the imperial physician; instead, he summons her to serve him. This lecherous emperor's intentions are all too clear; he's clearly still up to no good. Feng Jin sighed in anguish, and pounded her chest in frustration.

Women who have been favored by emperors throughout history have never escaped their destined misfortune. Moreover, in principle, she had no right to refuse Mu Qiye, regardless of the reason.

She forced a smile and said, "Eunuch Wang, you may leave now. I will be there shortly after I finish what I'm doing."

After watching Eunuch Wang leave, she quickly racked her brains; it seemed that Mu Qiye was determined to take action against her this time, and there was no way to avoid it now. The only way to salvage the situation was to have a witness at the scene, and that person had to be someone who could help her.

With that in mind, she went straight to Fengyi Palace and relayed Eunuch Wang's words to the Empress. Finally, she timed her journey perfectly and rushed to the Emperor's bedchamber.

"I heard that His Majesty is ill. I just consulted with the imperial physicians of the Imperial Hospital, and they will be here soon." Fearing that Mu Qiye might do something out of line to her, Feng Jin made her motives clear as soon as she entered the room.

Upon hearing this, Mu Qiye seemed somewhat disappointed: "Alas! Why bother, Princess Consort Jing? After seeing you, even the most serious illness would be half cured."

Feng Jin froze instantly. She looked up at the sky in despair and sighed. What kind of lewd words were these? If someone didn't know the truth, they would think she had used some kind of bewitching magic while the emperor was ill.

“Actually, I’ve been thinking lately whether we would still have a chance to be together if you weren’t Princess Jing.” As Mu Qiye spoke, he suddenly got out of bed and walked towards her step by step.

Feng Jin, on the other hand, dodged and weaved at every step; she had no other option but to stall for time.

She feigned composure and said, "Your Majesty is truly joking. I am just an ordinary woman, not born with such good fortune. Instead of wasting your time on me, Your Majesty would be better off looking at the concubines in the harem."

"Feng Jin, I have seen countless people in my life, but I have never been so attached to any woman. If possible, I have decided to make you a concubine and keep you in the palace for a long time to come."

In the blink of an eye, she was cornered by Mu Qiye. Panic gripped her heart. Left with no other choice, she overturned the vase by the window. With a "crash," shards of porcelain shattered and scattered all over the floor, immediately slashing her face and leaving a bloody gash!

"Someone come quick! Someone come quick!" Mu Qiye was startled by the sudden situation. Just as he was shouting for help at the door, the Empress happened to push the door open and enter.

"I heard that Your Majesty is ill, so I brought the imperial physician with me..." Before she could finish speaking, the Empress suddenly saw Mu Qiye and Feng Jin's embarrassed and abnormal expressions. With just one glance, she knew what had happened between the two of them a moment ago.