He turned around and saw the room full of people giving him strange looks.

Ji Fengming chuckled politely, though a little embarrassed, and said, "Well, when Xiao Chen and I were trapped in the Yinhe Cave at the bottom of that precipice, we made a pact: we wouldn't ask to be born on the same day, month, and year, but we'd ask to die on the same day, month, and year. I was just worried that if something happened to him, I'd have to... well, you know, haha..."

Everyone: "..."

How unreliable does someone have to be to even spout such nonsense?

What do you mean by sharing life and death? If you two were a man and a woman, we'd probably make you get married right there and then, okay?

Black Owl asked suspiciously: Do we have them?

Ji Fengming gritted her teeth and glared at him: What do you mean, no!

You said it yourself when you fell off the cliff!

Hearing the commotion inside, the three maids outside the door and Wuying also came in.

Lin Shuang, her face slightly flushed, stepped forward carrying several bowls of soup. She shyly lowered her head and distributed a bowl to each person, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, Marquis Anping, Young Master... Xiao, Elder Brother, this is a nourishing soup that I specially instructed the kitchen to prepare for you."

She called out Black Owl's name last, pausing slightly in between, and anyone paying attention would immediately notice the difference.

Bailu and Xique covered their mouths and chuckled silently to themselves.

Black Owl was slightly taken aback, feeling a bit of a headache: This girl, it's been so long, why is she still thinking about this?

Ji Fengming sat next to Hei Xiao and saw Lin Shuang's appearance and demeanor. He couldn't help but feel a little jealous: Oh wow, even Xiao Chen has a girl who likes him!

Even someone as dashing and charming as me has never been treated like this by a young lady.

What a loss! What a huge loss!

Ji Fengming pondered, realizing he was getting on in years and wondering if he should go somewhere and seduce a delicate young woman.

Just then, a maid's voice came from the doorway: "Your Highness, Your Highness, the maid from Huixiang Pavilion requests an audience with Your Highness. She says that the Fifth Madam has something important to give you."

Upon hearing this, Shang Xiye and Ji Fengyao exchanged a glance: Here we go again!

Ji Fengyao beckoned for the maid to bring in the letter.

Shang Xiye took the letter and glanced at it. The letter read:

I know that Marquis Anping has returned, and great calamity will soon befall us;

This matter concerns the safety and survival of the Prince's Mansion. I earnestly request Your Highness to come and speak with me. I only wish for the well-being of the Prince's Mansion and a peaceful life for the rest of my days. That is all.

After reading the note, Shang Xiye handed it to Ji Fengyao.

Ji Fengyao glanced at the note casually, flicked it with her finger, and smiled brightly: "Taking a step back to advance shows that you have no ambition. You've certainly become quite clever."

"What is this?" Ji Fengming snatched it curiously and took a look. He immediately looked puzzled. "Who is this? Did my father and I offend her? We just returned to the capital, and she cursed us with bad luck. Her mouth is so poisonous. I should go and stuff mud into her mouth!"

Shang Xiye smiled and said softly, "Your unauthorized departure from the army is a serious crime; the three men, including the Duke of Chen, will surely take this opportunity to make a big fuss in front of the Emperor; and the Emperor is just worried about not having any leverage to control me, so it is not an exaggeration for him to say that there will be great disaster."

"So what if he makes a big fuss? He, the Duke of Chen, lost the battle. Does he have the nerve to ask the Emperor to chop off our heads?"

Ji Chenhai waved his hand dismissively and said, "At worst, you can just quit being this damn prince who's nobody's favorite. They can go their own way, we'll go our own way, and we'll all go back to Vulture Village and be mountain kings together!"