Reborn, the daughter of the Marquisate went crazy

Xie Qingli's cheeks flushed instantly, and his voice was as soft as a mosquito: "Student, I saw that several masters have gone upstairs just now... I heard from my classmates that the night view of Shengjing on the third floor is the most beautiful..."

As she spoke, she shrank her neck, looking like a poor student who had never seen the world. However, when she lowered her head, she glanced at the corner of the stairs inconspicuously, and saw several dark shadows hiding behind the pillars. When they heard the noise, they all cast sharp glances at her.

Her heart tightened, and she secretly cried out in disbelief. Each of these guards had a slightly bulging temple, clearly masters of the internal martial arts. If she rushed in rashly, not only would she alert the enemy, but she'd also be unable to escape unscathed.

The waiter narrowed his eyes and looked at Xie Qingli from head to toe. His gaze lingered for a long time on the washed-out robe. He said with a forced smile, "Young Master, is this your first time in the capital for the imperial examination? The view from the top floor of our Yunshuizhai is indeed beautiful, but... those are private rooms reserved for the nobility."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and casually pointed to a corner on the second floor: "Look, there's still a seat there. Young master, why not order a pot of 'Top Scholar Tea' for good luck? When you really win the top prize next year, you can naturally go upstairs to enjoy the scenery..."

Xie Qingli looked in the direction of his finger and saw that the window was half-hidden by a vermilion lacquer column. The view outside the window was completely blocked, but the entire staircase could be seen clearly. A glint of light flashed in her eyes, but she pretended to be ignorant and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Thank you for your guidance, young man."

After the waiter turned and left, Xie Qingli quickly walked towards the corner. As she sat down, she casually pushed the teacup towards the edge of the table. As she poured the tea, her eyes were fixed on the movement at the third floor staircase.

Feng Zhaoheng and his companions entered the innermost private room on the right side of the third floor. There was no sound from them since they entered. The doors of all the other private rooms on the third floor were tightly shut, utterly dark. Not even the waiter could be seen entering or leaving; it was obvious the room was completely booked. But, who exactly was Feng Zhaoheng meeting?

Xie Qingli tapped his fingertips lightly on the tabletop. Using the pillars as a shield, he slowly raised his gaze towards the fourth floor of Yunshuizhai—a place whose doors and windows were always closed year-round, never open to the public. Yet, at this moment, a faint ray of light shone through...

Inside the private room on the third floor, candlelight flickered. As Feng Zhaoheng entered, he saw a man in gray standing quietly inside. Upon seeing them enter, the man's gaze fell directly on Feng Zhaoheng, who was standing in the middle. He bowed and said, "Fifth Prince, the master has been waiting for you. Please follow me."

The man in gray turned and walked to the corner, stroking the celadon vase with his fingers. With the sound of the mechanism turning, the wall slowly moved away, revealing a deep secret passage.

Feng Zhaoheng casually took off his mask and tossed it to his attendant. He took the silk handkerchief offered and slowly wiped his fingers. Seeing this, he couldn't help but sneer: "Third Aunt is so cautious. It's just a meeting, but she made so many mysteries."

He was about to take a step forward when the gray-robed man stopped his followers with his arms crossed: "Please stay."

Feng Zhaoheng glanced back, his cynical smile still plastered on his face, but a hint of gloom flashed in his eyes. He tapped his folding fan lightly with his fingertips and finally said calmly, "Wait," before stepping into the secret passage alone.

The dark passage was narrow and cramped, winding upwards. The dim light danced on the walls, stretching his figure outward and outward. Although it was only a dozen steps, he found it incredibly difficult to walk up. The cramped space made his breathing slightly stagnant, and beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

He sneered in his heart. His third aunt had indeed investigated him thoroughly and even knew his weakness of being timid. This secret passage was clearly a warning to him.

He endured the discomfort, digging his nails deep into his palms, using the pain to stay awake. When he finally stepped out of the secret passage, his vision suddenly opened up. The elegant room on the fourth floor was spacious and bright, filled with the scent of agarwood. A woman dressed in a brocade dress reclined on a gilded chaise longue, her fingertips red like blood. She must be the third aunt he had never met.

Feng Zhaoheng stepped forward quickly and bowed very respectfully: "Nephew pays his respects to aunt. I have heard about your elegance for a long time, and seeing you today, I can see that you are indeed as good as your reputation." A hint of admiration was revealed between his lowered eyebrows.

The woman slowly stood up, her eyes like knives sweeping across his face inch by inch. After a while, she suddenly chuckled: "Xiaowu's eyebrows and eyes are exactly the same as your royal brother's when he was young." Then she reached out and pulled him to sit down.

Feng Zhaoheng suddenly raised his eyes, his voice filled with regret, "My nephew once saw a portrait of my aunt when she was young at my father's place. The stunningly beautiful Third Princess Feng, then, wore this... gentle and indifferent mask, hiding in Dongling for over a decade. My aunt sacrificed herself for the great cause of Feng Qian."

A layer of mist appeared in his eyes, and his tone was sincere: "Now that aunt and nephew are meeting, do we still have to wear this mask?"

Feng Zhaoheng's face was filled with affection, but his words pierced his heart. He sneered inwardly. Wasn't the Third Aunt's biggest concern her stunning beauty from back then? He had just returned the intimidation he had just shown in secret.

The woman clenched her fists fiercely, leaving red marks on her palms from the gilded armor. Her expression darkened, but she managed to speak, "For the sake of Feng Qian's great cause, what is this little sacrifice of mine?"

Her fingertips gently stroked the human skin mask on her face, and her tone turned cold: "Princess Feng San died a long time ago. The one standing before you now is only the eldest daughter of the Qi family, the wife of Prince Zhong of Dongling."

She stared at Feng Zhaoheng intently, then suddenly sneered, "Go back and tell your father that since I've embarked on this path, I will never regret it. Tell him... to rest assured."

After just a few words of exchange, Princess Zhong had already seen through her nephew. He was just as scheming and cold-blooded as her royal brother. He was indeed a good son raised by the Feng family!

A trace of annoyance flashed in her eyes, and she immediately lost interest in dealing with the situation. She flicked her wide sleeves and leaned lazily back on the gilded phoenix couch.

Feng Zhaoheng, however, seemed to find this amusing. He leisurely sat down beside him, a playful smile on his lips: "My nephew heard... that my uncle loves to collect beauties, and his backyard is full of beauties. My aunt has no children, so these years... I'm sure... she must have had a very hard time. Do you want me to help my aunt... vent her anger?"

With a crisp "crack", the teacup in the hands of Princess Zhong shattered, and her eyes suddenly became as sharp as a knife. Why was she infertile? Wasn't it all because of his father?

She slowly raised her eyes, her voice soft but chilling: "Xiao Wu, you are overstepping your bounds! If you don't want to discuss business, I will send you out now..."

Feng Zhaoheng's heart trembled, and he immediately stood up and bowed deeply: "Aunt, please calm down. It was my nephew who spoke out of turn."

His eyes rolled, and the subject suddenly changed: "Before leaving, my father repeatedly reminded me that my aunt had run Dongling well, and that the money she had raised for Feng Qian over the years had been of great use. She was truly Feng Qian's greatest contributor."

He took two steps forward, his voice lowered to a whisper, "My father often said that my aunt was a man of great talent and vision, far superior to that man from Nan Jing... When I accomplish my great cause, I will definitely build a shrine for her, cast a golden statue, and worship her for eternity..."

Princess Zhong lazily rested her forehead on her head, not even bothering to glance at him. She sneered inwardly. She was not Nan Jing's foolish sister, who spent all day vying for favor with her, only to let her brother reap the benefits.

Eternal incense offerings? Her inward sneer deepened. She knew her brother's methods too well. The day he accomplished his great cause would be the day they and their sisters vanished...