In the back garden of the Prince’s Mansion, beside a rockery.
Feng Zeyue sat on a stone table, swinging her legs while holding a piece of osmanthus cake.
The air suddenly distorted.
A figure in crimson official robes appeared out of thin air.
“Holy sh*t!”
The osmanthus cake slipped from her hand and fell to the ground.
【So this is what it’s like coming out of the space!】
【It’s like magic tricks!】
【Wait, will I be seen by others when I go in and out normally?】
【Host, rest assured!】 the system immediately replied.
【The space automatically opens at moments when no one is paying attention. Only those you authorize can see it!】
【Good then.】
Feng Zeyue patted her chest.
【Otherwise I’d probably get burned at the stake.】
Feng Zeye came out and was instantly stunned by the scenery before him.
Pavilions and waterside terraces were built along the terrain, winding corridors leading into hidden depths.
Rock formations rose like peaks, and the sound of flowing water echoed softly.
Flowers and trees were lush, exuding an unmistakable royal grandeur everywhere.
“So this is the Northern Pacification Prince’s Mansion?”
He turned to look at his sister.
“Yep!”
Feng Zeyue jumped down and brushed off the pastry crumbs on her hands.
“What do you think? Pretty impressive, right?”
She pulled another piece of osmanthus cake from her chest and shoved it into her brother’s hand.
“Try it! Eunuch Laifu from the palace just sent it over—it’s delicious!”
【Host, the emperor personally supervised the construction for three months. Of course it’s impressive.】
【Just building this mansion cost 100,000 taels of silver!】
【100,000 taels?】
Feng Zeyue’s eyes lit up instantly.
【My god, that must be a mountain of silver!】
Feng Zeye took a bite. The cake was soft, with a rich osmanthus fragrance.
“Indeed, it’s good.”
He paused and looked at his sister.
“Yue’er, you called me here just to have me eat cake?”
“Of course not!”
Feng Zeyue grabbed his sleeve and pulled him forward.
“I’m taking you on a tour!”
“This mansion is ridiculously big—I walked around for ages and still haven’t seen everything!”
They passed through a covered corridor and turned through a moon gate.
Suddenly, the view opened up into a lush green bamboo grove.
The wind rustled through the bamboo, producing a soft “shasha” sound.
Feng Zeye stopped in his tracks.
He walked closer and gently touched a bamboo stalk, fingers tracing the nodes.
“Sangfei bamboo?”
His voice carried surprise.
“The Emperor actually planted an entire grove of this here.”
“Huh?”
Feng Zeyue scratched her head.
“Sangfei bamboo? Sounds like a nice name.”
【System, is this bamboo expensive?】
【Host! One stalk costs fifty taels of silver!】
【This whole grove has at least a thousand stalks!】
Her eyes immediately changed.
Each bamboo suddenly looked like a growing gold bar.
【The Emperor is really generous…】
【Maybe I should secretly cut a few and sell them…】
“Yue’er.”
Feng Zeye suddenly turned his head, smiling yet not smiling.
“Ah?”
“What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all!”
She waved her hands nervously, eyes darting around.
“I just think… Brother, you must really like this bamboo grove!”
【Damn, did he notice?】
Feng Zeye shook his head with a faint laugh.
This girl’s expression made her thoughts completely transparent.
He withdrew his hand and clasped it behind his back.
“Bamboo has integrity—it bends but does not break.”
After a pause, he added:
“As the ancients said, ‘Better to eat without meat than live without bamboo.’”
Feng Zeyue immediately replied:
“I’d rather live without bamboo than eat without meat!”
Feng Zeye couldn’t help laughing.
“Is there anything in your head besides food?”
“Of course!”
She counted on her fingers.
“Sleep and counting silver!”
Feng Zeye was helpless against her.
They continued walking.
Beyond the bamboo grove, a wide martial training ground made of blue stone appeared.
It was vast—about the size of two football fields.
Weapons racks lined the area: swords, spears, halberds, axes, hooks—everything imaginable.
Nearby stood more than a dozen brand-new wooden training dummies.
Feng Zeyue’s eyes lit up, and she rushed straight toward the weapons rack.
She pulled out a long sword and weighed it in her hand.
“Not bad!”
She stepped back, sword light flashing as she performed a set of sword techniques.
The moves were sharp and decisive, filled with killing intent.
Feng Zeye watched from the side, admiration flashing in his eyes.
“Yue’er’s swordsmanship has improved again.”
“That’s right—I am the Northern Pacification Prince!”
Feng Zeyue sheathed her sword and punched and kicked the wooden dummies.
Bang bang bang—
The dummies swayed and creaked.
“I’ll train here every morning from now on!”
She wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“Then go straight to morning court—perfect!”
【Gotta stay fit and keep my martial skills up.】
【In case I get sent to the battlefield someday.】
【Even though I want to be lazy, I still have to train when needed!】
Feng Zeye smiled slightly after hearing her thoughts.
Though she always said she wanted to slack off, she was more disciplined than anyone.
“This place is close to the palace. It is indeed convenient.”
After a pause, he added:
“Yue’er, teach me some self-defense moves when you’re free.”
“In case I run into assassins or something—I can at least save my life.”
“Sure!”
Feng Zeyue nodded immediately.
“Don’t worry, big brother. Leave it to me!”
They then arrived at a three-story library pavilion.
Its eaves were elegantly upturned, windows intricately carved.
Feng Zeye quickened his pace slightly.
“Yue’er, can I take a look inside?”
“Of course!”
She pushed open the heavy wooden door.
A wave of book fragrance filled the air.
Rows upon rows of bookshelves stretched across the room, densely packed with books.
Feng Zeye walked to a shelf and pulled out a volume, flipping through it.
“‘Zizhi Tongjian’… this is a rare original copy!”
He looked up at his sister.
“Yue’er, this is Sima Guang’s masterpiece—there’s no way to buy this on the market!”
【The Emperor even gave me rare originals?】
【How much silver did this cost?!】
He picked up a few more books.
“These are all classics on governance and statecraft… even historical records from previous dynasties.”
His eyes shone brightly.
Feng Zeyue leaned against the doorframe, smiling lazily.
“If you like it, then it’s yours from now on, brother.”
【I don’t really like reading this stuff anyway.】
【I prefer storybooks.】
【Better for it to gather dust than waste it.】
【Besides, my brother is going to become a high-ranking official—reading more won’t hurt!】
Feng Zeye shook his head with a soft laugh.
“You girl…”
“By the way, brother.”
Feng Zeyue suddenly remembered something.
“Something big happened today…”
She briefly told him about Lin Yanchiu’s incident.
Feng Zeye frowned deeply after listening.
“That Lin Yanchiu is utterly despicable.”
“Exactly!”
Feng Zeyue said angrily.
“I already crippled one of his hands. The rest is up to the Emperor.”
“You did the right thing.”
Feng Zeye paused.
“And Lin Mo?”
“I had Eunuch Laifu arrange for him.”
Feng Zeyue sighed.
“Once I accumulate enough system points, I’ll heal his legs.”
Feng Zeye looked at his sister.
Though she usually seemed lazy and carefree, she never hesitated when it mattered.
“Yue’er.”
“Hmm?”
“You did very well.”
He said it seriously.
Feng Zeyue scratched her head awkwardly.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
【Why is brother suddenly so serious?】
【Now I feel embarrassed.】
They then went to the back courtyard.
As soon as they entered, Feng Zeyue smelled a faint sulfur scent.
“Brother, look!”
She pointed ahead.
“A hot spring!”
A steaming hot spring pool was hidden among the rocks, mist rising from its surface.
【Oh my god, I can bathe in a hot spring every day now!】
【This is the life of a god!】
Feng Zeye was also slightly surprised.
Not many residences in the capital had natural hot springs.
The Emperor had truly been thoughtful in this reward.
“Yue’er, you are blessed.”
He smiled.
“Hehe.”
Feng Zeyue grinned proudly.
“Brother can come soak too!”
She paused.
“Oh right, brother, which courtyard do you like? You choose first!”
Feng Zeye shook his head.
“Yue’er, this is the Prince’s Mansion. It was granted to you by the Emperor.”
“So what?”
Feng Zeyue froze.
“You’re my brother—why are we separating yours and mine?”
Discussion
Comments
0 comments so far.
Sign in to join the conversation and keep your activity tied to this account.
No comments yet. Start the conversation.