348: Find out

"The specific details haven't been fully figured out yet, but the core of it is a single cup of Entangling Love Threads wine, a potent aphrodisiac wine." Feng Ming's heart grew heavy. "If you and I drink it at the victory feast and commit even a slight indiscretion, the engagement between the Xun Luoyuan and the Crown Prince will surely be annulled. The Third Prince would be the biggest winner. However, it's also possible that this is the Crown Prince's 'bitter flesh' ruse, using the opportunity to eliminate both of us to prevent future trouble."

Xun Luoyuan Xun Luoyuan's elegant brows furrowed slightly. At the moment their blades crossed, her peripheral vision swept over the two people by the stone table, and she sneered inwardly. "You've seen Crown Prince's intellect for yourself. Even with someone coaching him, he couldn't set up such a foolish trap. He's clearly exposing his own tracks."

"On the other hand, Yue Han seems idle and indifferent to conflict, but in reality, his mind is as deep as an abyss. He is the most suspicious."

"The Xun Luoyuan is absolutely right. Until the endgame, I wouldn't dare make a rash judgment." Feng Ming's thoughts spun rapidly. "If it really is Yue Han's scheme, we might as well beat him at his own game, making him 'try to steal a chicken only to lose the rice'—ending up worse off than before."

"You certainly have a good plan laid out." Xun Luoyuan's voice carried a hint of playfulness, reaching Feng Ming's ears through the wind of the swords. "But I am a mere woman entering the fray. If the Entangling Love Threads truly cloud my mind and you take advantage of me, what then?"

Taking advantage of a gap in their exchange, Feng Ming flicked his finger, and a storage ring landed silently in Xun Luoyuan's palm. He chuckled inwardly. "Rest assured, Xun Luoyuan. There is a cooling pill in the storage ring that can suppress the effects of the Entangling Love Threads and keep your mind clear. There is also a communication stone for short-range contact at any time. If you are still worried, then I have no other way."

Xun Luoyuan gripped the storage ring in her palm, the cool jade texture touching her fingertips. She smiled faintly in her heart. Her longsword swirled, shaking off Feng Ming's Thunder Arc Blade. Her sword momentum suddenly became sharp as she shouted lightly, "Good moves! Take another strike from me!"

Thunder arcs burst and sword light flashed coldly. Under the dim glow, the two figures intertwined and crossed, becoming increasingly blurred.

Crown Prince and Yue Han watched intently from the stone table, yet no one knew that this seemingly hearty sword spar was actually a silent, secret discussion. A layout targeting the victory feast three days later had already quietly unfolded.

Xun Luoyuan remained silent for a long while, her fingertips stroking the storage ring to examine the items inside. She repeatedly weighed the pros and cons of entering the fray. This matter concerned a woman's purity; as the daughter of King Xibei, she could not afford the slightest carelessness.

A moment later, she used the momentum of her sword to lower her voice and speak. "Afterward, how will you protect my purity? Although I don't want to be used as a pawn, I am still King Xibei's daughter. I cannot ignore my father's reputation."

Feng Ming's sword moves slowed slightly as he laughed loudly. "That's easy to handle. Afterward, I will publicly swear a Blood Oath: if I touched the Xun Luoyuan even slightly at the victory feast, I shall be struck by lightning and die a horrible death! Such a Blood Oath is enough to prove the Xun Luoyuan's purity."

Xun Luoyuan fell silent again.

Publicly swearing such a Blood Oath would indeed clear her of suspicion. But if this plan succeeded, what benefit would it bring her? Was it merely to warn the two men nearby not to treat her like a foolish child to be manipulated at will?

No!

Xun Luoyuan's heart stirred, instantly piercing through to the key point.

Feng Ming was the one who discovered this plot. Now that he was seeking her cooperation, although it was a disguised way of saving her from a trap, if there was profit to be made in the situation, Feng Ming would certainly grasp the greatest benefit for himself.

She had grown up following King Xibei and was used to court disputes and power struggles. She was naturally the type who wouldn't 'release the hawk until she saw the rabbit.' After thinking for a moment, she found the turning point in this situation that would be most beneficial to her, though she did not point it out.

In this game, although she and Feng Ming were partners, they were also in a relationship of mutual utilization and competition. They used each other to escape and counter-attack, but they competed for the ultimate benefit once the matter was settled.

Thinking of this, Xun Luoyuan flicked her sword and said indifferently, "Your plan is quite ingenious. You enter the fray protected by a Medicinal Pill, yet you drag me in with my purity at risk. Don't you think I'm getting the short end of the stick?"

Feng Ming was unfazed by her words, meeting her sword moves. "The Xun Luoyuan is mistaken. The Entangling Love Threads aren't only effective against you. If we're talking about entering the fray with purity on the line, does my purity not count?"

"To be honest, my wife is pregnant at home, and I didn't want to stay in the Imperial Capital for a single moment. Breaking this plot is just a last resort. If I truly fall for their scheme and get entangled with the Xun Luoyuan, I'm afraid I'll never be able to go back."

Xun Luoyuan's sword momentum paused; she was clearly stunned for a moment. Then she said, "Then aren't you afraid that in the end, this game won't go according to your expectations?"

"Man proposes, but God disposes." Feng Ming's voice was steady. "I believe I've done my best. No matter the result, I can accept it."

"In that case, I accept this cooperation." Xun Luoyuan's sword momentum became sharp again as her gaze swept over the two by the stone table. "But I'll say it again: the human heart is the most unpredictable. This game might not turn out the way you want."

"Take these two princes, for example. The Third Prince seems to have a smile on his face, but his fingertips have been mimicking our sword moves. If there's even a slight mistake, it won't escape his eyes. Don't be fooled by his constant pleasantness; his mind is deep, far beyond what the Second Prince can compare to."

"Then look at the Second Prince. We've been sparring until now, facing dangerous moves and even having close physical contact, yet he hasn't paid the slightest bit of attention to us."

"Everyone in the Imperial Capital says he is fond of me, but only I know that what he schemes for is nothing more than the Xibei military power in my father's hands."

Feng Ming laughed heartily, his sword moves becoming even more agile. "The Xun Luoyuan always says the human heart is unpredictable and the game might not go as I wish. Then I'd like to ask: in this game, I seek an early return home. What do you seek?"

The corners of Xun Luoyuan's lips curled up, a flash of cunning in her eyes. Her longsword flicked, forcing Feng Ming back half a step. "I seek something else from your game. You will find out in the future."

The cooperation between Feng Ming and Xun Luoyuan was finally settled without any mishaps.

After Feng Ming took his leave, the two princes by the stone table didn't stay long either, leaving one after another. As soon as the Moon Enthalpy, Yue Han, left, the Second Prince immediately withdrew, showing not a hint of lingering affection.

Xun Luoyuan felt stifled. Her father's serious illness already made her uneasy, yet she was constantly surrounded by such a person with ill intentions—someone who spoke of affection but only had eyes for military power.

Moreover, she couldn't easily offend him and couldn't even drive him away. Anyone in her position would find it hard to endure.

On the way back to the Inn, Feng Ming asked in a deep voice, "How much longer until the people from the other provinces arrive at the Imperial Capital?"

Feng Da bowed and replied, "According to the intelligence, two days at most."

"Two days. We still have to wait two more days to enter the court and receive the titles. All in all, there are still four days left." Feng Ming sighed lightly. "I hope everything goes smoothly."

After saying that, he asked again, "How is the progress on the Cultivation Techniques, Secret Manuals, divine weapons, armor, Spiritual Plants, and medicinal materials I asked you to find for Shuwan, Big Brother, and the others?"

"Everything is going smoothly," Feng Da said. "With the assistance of Madam An, we have established a dedicated communication network within the Hua Clan Merchant House. After learning of your requirements, the Madam arranged for people to prepare overnight. By my calculations, everything can be transported to the Imperial Capital by tomorrow morning."

"However, the Madam said your stay in the Imperial Capital is too short, so she could only mobilize resources from the capital and surrounding areas. Anything further away won't make it in time."

Feng Ming nodded. With Lu An'an arranging things, he was naturally at ease. "Then tomorrow I will go to the Hua Clan Merchant House with you. In any case, there is nothing particularly important to do over the next few days."

"Yes," Feng Da replied.