Chapter Forty-Three: Sowing Discord

“Were you drinking alone in the wine cellar at Autumn Maple Court?” Wei Spoon's gentle voice suddenly broke the mood.

“Yes,” Feng Jinye nodded, answering softly.

Wei Spoon felt a pang for her beloved Qingfeng’s intoxication—how many bottles were left? She glanced at the shattered white jade bottles on the floor and asked, “How many did you break?”

Feng Jinye shook his head, unsure himself. Wei Spoon silently resolved to replace the wine in Autumn Maple Court’s cellar with cheaper spirits, and to remove the white jade bottles as well.

“Feng Jinye, do you know how much your monthly stipend is now? Do you realize you’re just an idle prince? Do you know how much silver you’ve smashed today?” Wei Spoon’s voice grew stern.

Feng Jinye couldn’t help but smile, his heart sweet—she managed his clothes, his meals, his drinking, and even his extravagance. How wonderful.

“What are you grinning about?” Wei Spoon snapped, annoyed.

“I won’t break jade bottles anymore,” Feng Jinye drew Wei Spoon closer, promising.

Wei Spoon felt puzzled—how had he suddenly turned into a docile puppy? Still, his mood seemed good, so she said, “I have something to discuss with you.”

Feng Jinye frowned; he didn’t want to hear her mention Huangfu Chen. He pulled Wei Spoon’s head into his embrace and said, “We’ll talk another day.”

“Qingxuan, aren’t you going to intervene?” Wei Spoon was unwilling to postpone the conversation; they needed a foolproof plan.

“I know,” Feng Jinye had arrived when the black-clad man fell—he saw Huangfu Chen embrace Wei Spoon, pat her head, and observed their intimate gestures.

“You—” Wei Spoon was speechless. Given Feng Jinye’s jealous nature, this matter would not pass easily.

“Leave it to me. Stay out of it,” Feng Jinye’s voice was cold. “Luo Yanqing—I won’t tolerate her.”

“Don’t be reckless. If we use Luo Yanqing’s attempt against me, we can connect with Huangfu Chen,” Wei Spoon disagreed with Feng Jinye’s intention to target Luo Yanqing; she didn’t want complications.

“I won’t allow it,” Feng Jinye said sharply, full of jealousy. He wouldn’t let Wei Spoon take risks, nor let her connect with Huangfu.

“So what’s your plan?” Wei Spoon knew well Feng Jinye’s stubborn nature.

“I’ll have Yunming place an order at Twilight Pavilion—to kill the Battle Prince!” Feng Jinye voiced his plan.

“Feng Jinye!” Wei Spoon was furious. “You’re insane!”

“Do you know how much harder it is for assassins to target the Battle Prince compared to others?” Wei Spoon shoved Feng Jinye aside in anger.

“I have my ways…” Feng Jinye was dissatisfied at being pushed, but before he could finish, Wei Spoon interrupted, “I don’t agree!”

“Where’s your mind?” Wei Spoon retorted bluntly.

She understood Feng Jinye couldn’t bear to see her in danger, but his method was far from foolproof. “Luo Yanqing’s attempt against me is a clear opportunity we can use. If you instead have Yunming order your assassination, you’re basically telling Twilight Pavilion that something’s amiss at the Battle Prince’s manor—it’s an easy way to expose ourselves!”

“Besides, the assassin sent today to kill me used only some sedative, but if they’re targeting the Battle Prince, it will be a top-tier killer—much more difficult to deal with!” Wei Spoon tried to reason and persuade him.

“No!” Feng Jinye remained obstinate. “Even the best assassin—I can handle them!”

“Fine, let’s fight. Winner decides!” Wei Spoon, out of options, resorted to fighting for her way.

Feng Jinye recalled Wei Spoon’s reckless techniques, suddenly asking, “Who taught you swordsmanship?”

“Uh…” Wei Spoon dodged, “You know, I don’t really remember my childhood!”

Feng Jinye clearly didn’t believe her. Wei Spoon quickly changed the subject, “Feng Jinye, you must listen to me!”

“You’re not invincible. That assassination attempt a year ago proves it—I succeeded!” Wei Spoon had to remind him of her attempt on his life to persuade him.

Feng Jinye was unimpressed. “If it weren’t you, it wouldn’t have succeeded.”

“Feng Jinye!” Wei Spoon was exasperated. “Don’t push me too far! If you won’t listen, I’ll…I’ll…”

Wei Spoon searched for a threat, then a flash of inspiration: “I’ll divorce you!”

“Wei Spoon!” Feng Jinye’s anger was instantly reignited, like an enraged lion.

“You saw through today’s assassin’s methods. You don’t want me to connect with Huangfu Chen. I already said, if you mind, if you don’t trust me, then divorce me!” Wei Spoon was furious—everything was straightforward, but Feng Jinye insisted on complicating matters!

With that, Wei Spoon slammed the door and left, convinced she and Feng Jinye could not communicate.

Feng Jinye, furious, struck the desk twice. “Dingyuan Marquis’s residence—take Luo Yanqing’s life!”

Night Eleven received the order and went to Dingyuan Marquis’s residence. Luo Yanqing, barely alive, managed a smile upon seeing Night Eleven. “The Marquis has laid a perfect trap. If I die, all evidence will point to Wei Spoon! Young man, why not take me to see the Battle Prince?”

Luo Yanqing had become crippled, attempting suicide several times, only to be saved each time. The Marquis would always say, “If you must die, at least make your death worthwhile—don’t waste all the Marquis’s years of effort.”

Luo Yanqing had been utterly ruined by Wei Spoon’s revenge, her heart decayed.

In recent days, the Marquis’s wife offered some comfort, but only to use her, urging her to hire assassins from Twilight Pavilion to kill Wei Spoon.

Luo Yanqing knew her parents both hated Wei Spoon. If things went wrong, she would be pushed forward as a scapegoat.

Yet Luo Yanqing was willing to be used—her hatred for Wei Spoon was bone-deep, and she was determined to take revenge. Today, her chance had arrived.

Feng Jinye saw Night Eleven bring Luo Yanqing back and knew she was scheming.

“Speak,” Feng Jinye said coldly from behind the screen, unwilling to see Luo Yanqing’s conniving face.

“Why act so lofty, Battle Prince?” Luo Yanqing taunted, which earned her a kick from Night Eleven, who then gripped her throat. “Watch your tongue!”

Only when Luo Yanqing was gasping for air did Night Eleven release her, and she coughed violently.

Feng Jinye was irritated—he shouldn’t have come to listen to this madwoman’s ramblings. He was about to leave when Luo Yanqing hastily called out, “Battle Prince, you don’t really know Wei Spoon!”

Her words exploded in Feng Jinye’s mind like a bomb.

Luo Yanqing knew what she said would keep the Battle Prince listening, and she continued:

“Did you know how many Xi Yan spies have surfaced in Li Yue these years?”

“From the Duke Lu’s household, Lu Huiyan and Lady Kou.”

“Former Prime Minister’s residence, the Liu couple.”

“Former Defense Camp, the deputy general.”

“I won’t go through them all, but Wei Spoon used to never speak or show herself.”

“Why, five years ago at the poetry gathering, did she suddenly rise in fame, catching Yun Shizi’s attention? Also five years ago, Wei Spoon and the Battle Prince fell in love at Ming Guest Residence, and since then, the Battle Prince has revolved around her.”

“No doubt, Wei Spoon captured the Battle Prince’s heart—something no Xi Yan spy had ever managed!”

“Now, our Battle Princess controls not only the Battle Prince’s estate, but also the Western Marquis’s, even the Diligent Marquis’s!”

“I don’t know why, but rumors about Wei Spoon never gain traction!”

“But two years ago, Wei Spoon was indeed entangled with Lin Yichu. If she hadn’t had ties with Yunming, why would I target her?”

“I often wonder, if Young Lord Huangfu hadn’t fallen into a coma, would our Battle Princess have had a romance with him too?”

Hearing “Huangfu,” Feng Jinye clenched his fists, furious. “Kill her!”

Luo Yanqing’s lips curled in a smile—her revenge was complete; she died without regret.

Night Eleven hesitated. “Master, this madwoman said earlier that the Marquis’s residence has everything prepared—if she dies, the blame will fall on the Princess.”

Feng Jinye replied coldly, “Let her die in a brothel. The Marquis will have to swallow his pride.”

Night Eleven received the order again. Luo Yanqing’s fate was sealed; she died completely.

That night, Feng Jinye could not sleep. Luo Yanqing’s words had affected him—he couldn’t shake the memory of Wei Spoon embracing Huangfu Chen. Wei Spoon had not refused, had even hugged him back, their interaction effortlessly intimate.

Feng Jinye pondered Wei Spoon’s claim that her relationship with Huangfu Chen was sibling-like, just as his with Feng Qingxuan. But had he ever embraced Feng Qingxuan?

He also thought about his own words that day—“I could even kill him.” Would it come to fratricide once Huangfu returned, all for Wei Spoon?

Feng Jinye had long noticed that Wei Spoon could sway his emotions with ease. Tonight, he returned to the Battle Prince’s estate downcast, but upon seeing her, it was as if he were redeemed.

His anger bordered on madness, yet a few words from Wei Spoon made him feel reborn. He wondered, perhaps he truly was bewitched by her and should remain ever vigilant.

In the end, Feng Jinye went to Zhi Yu Pavilion. Seeing her feign sleep on the bed, his heart ached. He gently pulled the quilt over Wei Spoon and whispered, “Listen to me. I’ve killed Luo Yanqing.”

Wei Spoon felt wretched—this was the first time Feng Jinye had acted against her wishes. She turned her back to him and said, “I don’t want to see you. Leave.”

Feng Jinye’s heart tightened; he forced himself not to quarrel with her.

He lingered silently for a long time, then coaxed softly, “I promise you, I’ll be careful and won’t get hurt.”

“Battle Prince, I don’t want to see you. Please go,” Wei Spoon choked back all her grievances, her voice tinged with tears.