Ye Ziyang looked at him in astonishment, "Are you suggesting…?"

Yan Ge said calmly, "During this period, there have been endless tactics targeting the company, so I surmised that the other party was coming after me. Young Master Ye, please consider this: if something really happened to the little one, Brother Zhang would certainly turn against me. Losing a business partner would undoubtedly slow down the progress of the First Company."

"Who could be so heartless! It's despicable!" Ye Ziyang couldn't contain his anger.

"Boss…" Bai Jushen rushed in, gasping for breath.

Behind him was a tall young man dressed in black. The young man walked in slowly, holding a trembling ruffian in his right hand.

"What's going on?" Yan Ge patted Zongwei in his arms and asked in a soothing tone.

Bai Jushen took a few breaths and said, "I noticed this person acting suspiciously as he ran past Young Master Zong. It seemed like he threw something into the little master's mung bean soup. I suspect it was poison, so I chased after him. This gentleman also noticed and joined me in the pursuit. It was thanks to him that we caught this scoundrel!"

Yan Ge's eyes turned cold as he stared intently at the ruffian. "Did you poison him?"

The ruffian denied repeatedly, "It wasn't me, it wasn't me…"

Yan Ge forcefully pulled his right hand, and everyone present saw a faint purple stain on the pad of his thumb and the tip of his index finger.

"Still not admitting it? Purple Mist has a strong toxicity. Even if it's wrapped in paper, it would definitely leave stains on your hands. This is evidence. Who instructed you to do this?"

The ruffian turned his head and remained silent.

Yan Ge smiled faintly, "It doesn't matter if you don't say. Just wait to be poisoned to death. The other party had no intention of letting you live; otherwise, why wouldn't they tell you to use oil paper to completely isolate the toxicity?"

The ruffian's legs went weak, and he almost wet himself in fear. "It was…the Zhao Family, Zhao Yun!"

"Oh?" Yan Ge showed an incredulous expression. "Is Zhao Yun so foolish as to let you know it was him?"

With tears welling up in his eyes, the ruffian trembled all over. "It's true! The person who gave me the poison had their face covered, but I saw the jade pendant hanging from his waist. I recognize it—it belongs to Zhao Yun."

Yan Ge called Gao Feng over. "Take him to the authorities for thorough interrogation. If it truly is Zhao Yun, I will make the Zhao Family pay the price!"

"Yes!"

"The medicine is here!" Zhang Mo rushed in, holding a medicine package. " Young Master Qin, is there a place here to decoct the medicine?"

"Yes." Yan Ge had someone bring in a stove and directly used his inner energy to fuel the fire, quickly simmering the medicine.

Yan Ge didn't hide the truth about Zongwei's poisoning from Zhang Mo and Zhang Mo couldn't help but feel uncomfortable knowing that it was because of Yan Ge, but before the truth was revealed, Yan Ge had saved his son's life and now, he had personally simmered the medicine with his inner energy. The discomfort gradually dissipated. After all, Yan Ge was also a victim in this matter.

After seeing off Zhang Mo and Ye Ziyang, Yan Ge finally had the time to entertain the young man in black.

The young man in black was also a man of great character. He didn't mind Yan Ge being busy just now and calmly sat on the side, drinking tea. Bai Jushen accompanied him while occasionally glancing at Yan Ge.

"This young master, I have been neglectful. Thank you for lending a hand earlier. May I ask for the young master's name?" Yan Ge stood up and bowed.

The young man in black also stood up, returning the gesture with a bow. "How can I dare? I am Wen Xian."

"Wen Xian?" Yan Ge motioned for him to take a seat. "Could it be the renowned 'First Merchant of the Capital,' Wen Xian?"

Wen Xian, a dignified and composed young man in his mid-twenties, exuded an air of elegance. Since the age of sixteen, Wen Xian had been famous in the capital, with the business of the Wen family encompassing not only grains but also timber and transportation. Yan Ge had heard of his name before, but their businesses were unrelated, so they had never interacted.

"People's praise is misguided. The title of 'First Merchant of the Capital' is now to be handed over to someone more worthy," Wen Xian smiled lightly. "I have heard of the esteemed name of Young Master Qin. I just returned from out of town and, out of curiosity, came to see this new and unique store I heard about. To my surprise, I had the honor of meeting Young Master Qin."

"I am afraid I have become a source of amusement for you, Mr. Wen," Yan Ge said helplessly.

Wen Xian shook his head. "Young Master Qin is too modest. I noticed that during the incident, you also sensed the abnormality of that poisoner, yet you rushed towards the child in trouble without hesitation. It shows your strong sense of loyalty and righteousness."

Yan Ge didn't expect someone to notice this detail. Wen Xian truly deserved the title of the First Merchant of the Capital.

"You overestimate me, Young Master Wen."

Wen Xian surveyed the empty store and sighed. "It's a pity that the store's opening tomorrow will likely be greatly affected."

Yan Ge glanced at the devastated Xiao Chuanzi and idle staff members and smiled faintly. "It doesn't matter. We will find a solution."

Wen Xian raised an eyebrow, curious about how Yan Ge would salvage the current situation.

In the evening, Huangfu Yuchen stood at the entrance of the Tenglong Palace and walked quickly towards Yan Ge when he returned.

"You already know?" Yan Ge leaned on him, putting all his weight on Huangfu Yuchen.

Huangfu Yuchen embraced him, a small smile forming at the corner of his lips. Finally, Yan Ge acknowledged his reliance on him, making him feel needed.

"Don't worry. I have instructed people to investigate the Zhao family, to expose all the dirty deeds they have done and make them fall from grace, leaving them with no place in the capital. As for Zhao Yun, he won't escape the death penalty."

Yan Ge led him inside, his voice cold. "The reason I shared that story with them was to give them a warning. After all, I alone cannot dominate the market in the capital. I don't oppose fair competition and have no qualms about competing with other merchants using honest means. But Zhao Yun's disregard for human life, his willingness to harm even a child, cannot be forgiven. Let's do as you suggested!"

Huangfu Yuchen kissed the corner of Yan Ge's lips and handed him a cup of tea. "I'm glad you let me intervene."

"Didn't you say I should have more confidence in you? You should also have more confidence in me," Yan Ge leaned against him. "No matter how tough or difficult it is outside, I know there is someone waiting for me here, someone I can rely on, so I have no fear."

"Likewise," Huangfu Yuchen said, feeling like he finally touched Yan Ge's heart. He hugged him tighter, lowering his head to capture his lips, gently exploring the mysterious territory.

After their passion subsided, Huangfu Yuchen spoke again.

"The First Company has become an established imperial merchant. I heard that even the palace recently placed orders for jewelry from the Linlang Pavilion. It's better to announce the company's background, so that no one with a lack of foresight will cause trouble in the future."

Yan Ge shook his head, resting on Huangfu Yuchen's shoulder, his fingers toying with his ear. "You've never revealed this matter all along, so you must have had your own plans. Don't disrupt your plans because of this. I can handle things outside. If there's a trouble I can't solve, I'll come to you for advice."

Huangfu Yuchen looked at his beloved with admiration. "Indeed, I have other plans. Since that's the case, let's wait a little longer. How do you plan to resolve the matter with the toy store?"

"Continue with the opening as usual." Yan Ge mysteriously took out a few things and showed them to him. "Look, this is…"

"Great idea!" Huang Fu Yuchen didn't inquire further after hearing about the new toy. "Shall we take a bath first?"

"Yes," Yan Ge held his waist, and the two of them walked towards the bathroom together. "I have medical skills by the way. I will tell you more my in the future."

The next day, the toy store opened as scheduled, but there were no customers. This was the most severe blow Yan Ge had received since he started his business.

Apart from the company's staff, the only ones who came for the opening were Zhang Mo, Ye Ziyang, and Wen Xian. The three of them exchanged glances, feeling quite embarrassed as they looked at Yan Ge.

Yan Ge calmly took out several banners with inscriptions from beneath the counter. The banners read: "Intelligence Toy House, Intellectual Competition. The highest prize is 1000 taels of silver for the winner, age is not a limitation."

"Go. Walk through the city with these banners, shouting as you go."

"Yes, boss!" The embarrassed employees quickly took a banner each and ran outside.

Yan Ge dragged out a large bamboo basket and posted a notice on the wall outside the store:

–Rubik's Cube game. A reward of 10 taels of silver for solving the 2×2 Rubik's Cube; a reward of 100 taels of silver for solving the 3×3 Rubik's Cube; a reward of 1000 taels of silver for solving the 4×4 Rubik's Cube. No restrictions on identity or age. This reward is valid until someone successfully solves the Rubik's Cube.

Below, the rules of the Rubik's Cube were explained.

At the bottom, there was a red "Nan Yi" logo to signify the legitimacy of this announcement.

When Yan Ge, Zhang Mo, Ye Ziyang, and Wen Xian saw the Rubik's Cubes for the first time, they looked at the basket curiously and picked one up.

"So, this is a Rubik's Cube?"

Yan Ge introduced, "This is the prized possession of our store. If you are interested, you can give it a try. The 2×2 Rubik's Cube is 50 coins, the 3×3 Rubik's Cube is 2 taels, and the 4×4 Rubik's Cube is 10 taels."

The three of them felt that the 2×2 and 3×3 Rubik's Cubes lacked challenge and immediately purchased the 4×4 Rubik's Cube.

"How do we play?"

Yan Ge explained, "The objective is to rearrange the colors to form a solid color on each side."

The three of them understood and sat down to give it a try.

Yan Ge calmly sipped tea behind the counter. It didn't take long before a large crowd approached, exclaiming with excitement.

The store quickly became lively. People assumed that solving the Rubik's Cube was easy and after buying one, they didn't leave. Those who managed to grab chairs sat down, while others sat on the floor, eagerly twisting and turning the Rubik's Cubes in their hands.

Yan Ge watched as the Rubik's Cubes in the baskets diminished one by one, and the cash box grew fuller with silver. A smile formed at the corner of his lips.

"I did it!" Suddenly, a young man in coarse clothing exclaimed in delight.

Everyone turned their gaze towards him, and indeed, the 2×2 Rubik's Cube in his hand, which was initially jumbled, had been restored. The six sides displayed white, green, yellow, blue, red, and black colors.

Their attention then shifted to Yan Ge, waiting to see if the store owner would truly reward him.

After Yan Ge inspected the Rubik's Cube, he nodded and handed him ten taels of silver. "May I ask for your name?"

The young man tightly grasped the stack of silver and said excitedly, "Oh, my name is Zhao Dabao."

Yan Ge nodded, filling in the blank space on the prepared congratulatory announcement with his name and had it posted on the wall.

It read:

Congratulations to Zhao Dabao for successfully solving the 2×2 Rubik's Cube, receiving a reward of ten taels of silver. Henceforth, those who solve the 2×2 Rubik's Cube are not eligible for rewards.

Below that was the official seal.

Seeing that the store owner had indeed given the reward, the crowd grew even more delighted. Those who were hesitant before quickly purchased the 3×3 and 4×4 Rubik's Cubes. They also found other interesting toys in the store and couldn't help but buy some to give to the children at home. Although there was a poisoning incident before, as long as they didn't consume the store's drinks, they believed there would be no issues.

An hour passed, then two, yet no one was able to solve the 3×3 and 4×4 Rubik's Cubes.

Some began to grow suspicious. "Boss, can the 3×3 and 4×4 Rubik's Cubes really be solved? Are you trying to deceive us? Otherwise, how is it possible that no one has succeeded?"

"Yes, I find it strange too."

"There's something fishy…"

…people started to question.

Bai Jushen looked at Yan Ge with concern.

Yan Ge smiled calmly, unconcerned, and took out a 3×3 Rubik's Cube. "Pay attention. Are the colors on this one the same as the ones you received, all jumbled up?"

The crowd nodded.

Yan Ge rolled up his sleeves to dispel any suspicion of cheating and skillfully manipulated the Rubik's Cube's small cubes. The onlookers couldn't even follow his movements. After a while, they took a closer look and saw that the Rubik's Cube had been solved!

Everyone was speechless.

"What about the 4×4 Rubik's Cube?" someone challenged, unwilling to believe.

Yan Ge remained calm and retrieved a 4×4 Rubik's Cube, solving it just as effortlessly.

Yan Ge: "How about that?"

The crowd fell silent, their determination strengthened. Unfortunately, until nightfall, no one succeeded. Those with competitive spirits bought more 3×3 and 4×4 Rubik's Cubes, intending to give them to friends and ask for their assistance.

Yan Ge returned to the Tenglong Palace after work and immediately noticed four solved Rubik's Cubes on the royal dining table—a pair of 2×2 cubes, a 3×3 cube, and a 4×4 cube.

"Back already?" said Huangfu Yuchen, wiping his hands.

Yan Ge pointed at the Rubik's Cubes, his hand trembling slightly. "Did you solve these?"

"The 2×2 cube on the right was solved by the Crown Prince, and I solved the other three. Why?" Huangfu Yuchen looked at him with confusion, observing his trembling fingers.

Yan Ge stared at him for a moment, feeling frustrated, and then let his hand down.

Unbelievable.

If it weren't for his knowledge of solving Rubik's Cubes, he wouldn't have been able to solve the 3×3 and 4×4 cubes. But Huangfu Yuchen and Huangfu Yunxi had never been exposed to them. Could it be that the people in the imperial family were not human?

"What's wrong?" Huangfu Yuchen asked, puzzled, as he touched his forehead.

Yan Ge replied, "Tomorrow, I'll bring back a 5×5 cube and a 6×6 cube!"

Huangfu Yuchen instantly understood and chuckled softly. "Okay. By the way, what about the reward for solving the Rubik's Cubes?"

"No, no," Yan Ge waved his hand. "You obtained the cubes before I posted the announcement, so you are suspected of cheating. It doesn't count!"

"You cheapskate," Huangfu Yuchen sighed. "The Crown Prince only solved the 2×2 cube. He said he'll come to see you tomorrow night."

"No problem," Yan Ge said. Solving the 3×3 and 4×4 cubes was challenging for the Crown Prince, but as long as it sparked his interest, it was considered half a success.

Later on, Huangfu Yuchen effortlessly solved the 5×5 and 6×6 cubes, leaving Yan Ge feeling defeated. But that's a tale for another time.

The next day, Yan Ge heard that Zhao Dingshan accidentally killed his concubine and poisoned others under the orders of Zhao Yun. The evidence collected by the authorities was irrefutable. Both father and son were sentenced to death, and their reputations were tarnished. Even their Brush Writing Store went out of business. The Zhao family had no place left in the capital.

At this point, those watching and waiting finally understood that they should absolutely not provoke "Young Master Qin."

Despite all this, Yan Ge remained calm. He purchased a large piece of land in the outskirts of the capital and began working secretly. The merchants watched him closely, noticing the excavation of numerous underground rooms, the felling of many trees, and the construction of identical houses. However, they couldn't figure out his true intentions. Eventually, the area became restricted, with workers residing and eating inside. They couldn't gather any useful information.

Before long, the capital became lively with the arrival of many foreign guests. Emperor Huangfu Yuchen's birthday was approaching, marking his first Longevity Celebration since his ascension to the throne. Surrounding Kingdoms with friendly relations sent their congratulations.

The First Company seized the opportunity to make a fortune. However, Yan Ge believed that Emperor Huangfu Yuchen made even more profit. The cheapest toothbrush now cost 20 coins (previously 4 coins), toothpaste was priced at 100 coins per box (previously 10 coins), and a pen was sold for 100 coins (previously 20 coins).

The foreign guests marveled at these never-before-seen products but found the prices to be extortionate. They contemplated buying only one or two samples and then replicating them once they returned home. However, they soon realized they didn't know how to make toothpaste or the material of the pen nib. Helpless, they had to spend a considerable sum to buy a large quantity. Deep in their hearts, they had one question: Why had the Great Han Empire undergone such significant changes? The new Emperor should not be underestimated!

Although Huangfu Yuchen's birthday had nothing to do with Yan Ge, many envoys had been entering and leaving the palace during this time. In case someone noticed a consort leaving the palace freely, it wouldn't reflect well. To avoid unnecessary complications, Yan Ge hadn't left the palace these past few days. He either stayed in Luoxue Palace, drawing various design sketches that neither Wan Xiang nor Xiao Chuanzi could understand, or spent time with the young Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince had completely changed in front of Yan Ge. He had been captivated by the endless stream of new and fascinating ideas and toys, always wanting to go to the Tenglong Palace. Yan Ge heard from him that the Empress had realized his fondness for the Tenglong Palace was due to Yan Ge's presence, so she intentionally restricted him.

Unfortunately, with the upcoming Longevity Celebration, the Empress was also busy. As a result, the young Crown Prince got a chance to sneak into the Tenglong Palace.

When Huangfu Yuchen returned to his chambers, he found Yan Ge and the Crown Prince playing a battle dice game. Yan Ge had already taught the Crown Prince Arabic numerals. The deck consisted of cards, each displaying a number from 1 to 10 and the two players rolled the dice to determine the card's value.

For example, if Yan Ge rolled a 4 and the Crown Prince rolled a 6, the Crown Prince would draw the sixth card from the top and the sixth card from the bottom, performing addition, subtraction, and multiplication calculations respectively. Only when both calculations were correct could they move forward six spaces on the game board. The first to reach the opponent's territory would win. Yan Ge had adapted this game based on real-world battles specifically for the Crown Prince.

He had already taught the Crown Prince multiplication mnemonics, which would enhance his memory and problem-solving abilities.

The Crown Prince stood up and saluted Huangfu Yuchen promptly. "This son pays respects to Father Emperor and wishes Father Emperor good fortune!"

"No need for formalities," said Huangfu Yuchen, sitting next to Yan Ge, his arm around his waist. He glanced at the board and asked, "Who's winning?"

The Crown Prince spoke up, "Father, it's me!"

Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge disapprovingly.

Yan Ge leaned in and whispered in his ear, "The little one has already lost five times. Let him win occasionally to boost his confidence."

Huangfu Yuchen patted his waist, gesturing for him to move aside, and then looked at the Crown Prince. "Shall I play a game with you?"

The young Crown Prince's face lit up, and he nodded repeatedly. "Yes, thank you, Father Emperor!"

Poor little guy. Yan Ge looked at him sympathetically and grabbed a banana from the fruit bowl. He leaned against Huangfu Yuchen's shoulder, ready to enjoy the show. He was sure Huangfu Yuchen would crush the Crown Prince mercilessly.

The two of them started by rolling the dice to determine who would go first. The Crown Prince got lucky and rolled a five. Huangfu Yuchen rolled a one.

"Hahaha…" Yan Ge burst into laughter.

Huangfu Yuchen turned his head and took a big bite of his banana.

At the next turn, the Crown Prince rolled a three. He drew the third card from the top and the third card from the bottom, which turned out to be eight and two.

The Crown Prince, eager to impress his father, exclaimed, "8 plus 2 equals 10, 8 minus 2 equals 6, 8 multiplied by 2 equals 16!"

"Not bad," nodded Huangfu Yuchen.

The Crown Prince excitedly moved his chess piece forward by three spaces.

In the second round, the Crown Prince rolled a six, and Huangfu Yuchen rolled a two. The Crown Prince drew a nine and an eight from the deck. "Eight, nine… eight, nine…" The Crown Prince struggled to remember.

Impatient, Huangfu Yuchen said, "Taking too long, next round."

"The Emperor is being mean," Yan Ge felt sorry for the young Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince looked at Yan Ge in grievance, and Yan Ge pretended not to notice. The Crown Prince nodded silently, not daring to protest.

This time, Huangfu Yuchen rolled a six and drew a nine and another nine. All calculations were correct…

The game ended with Huangfu Yuchen reaching the finish line while the Crown Prince had only made it halfway. The Crown Prince stared at the chessboard, his eyes turning red.

"Don't make him cry!" Yan Ge coughed lightly. Huangfu Yuchen smiled and looked back at the Crown Prince with indifference.

The young Crown Prince showed his resilience, taking deep breaths to hold back his tears. He picked up the paper with the multiplication table that was placed upside down nearby. "Father Emperor, I will continue to memorize."

The Crown Prince walked to the corner of the curtain, facing away from them, reciting the multiplication table quietly. Yan Ge couldn't help but feel heartbroken at the sight of his small figure. He turned his head to glance at Huangfu Yuchen, ready to say something.

Huangfu Yuchen sealed his lips with a kiss, sealing his words.

The Crown Prince was still there, and Yan Ge felt tense, trying to push Huangfu Yuchen away.

Huangfu Yuchen opened his eyes, teasingly glanced at Yan Ge, and kissed him even more deeply. He continued until Yan Ge had difficulty breathing before releasing him.

"When I was young, Father Emperor was even stricter. There was no 'Yan Ge' around to keep me company."

Yan Ge teased him, "Are you jealous of your son?"

"I'm just a little jealous," Huangfu Yuchen kissed his face and gradually moved to his neck, sucking firmly. When he saw the mark left behind, a satisfied expression appeared on his face.

Yan Ge smiled at him and embraced his shoulder, leaning in for a kiss.

After a moment of hesitation, Huangfu Yuchen said, "I have to appear with the Empress at the grand banquet the day after tomorrow."

The smile faded slightly from Yan Ge's face, but he nodded. When he decided to be with Huangfu Yuchen, he had already anticipated these possible situations. But now that the moment had arrived, he couldn't help but feel a tinge of bitterness.

Huangfu Yuchen held his hand against his chest and said, "The grand banquet starts at the eighth hour of the evening. I will go to the Empress's Yongyi Palace a quarter of an hour earlier. It only takes a moment to go from Yongyi Palace to the Hall, and there won't be any time for anything else to happen." Yan Ge was concerned, but at the same time, he felt relieved. It proved that Huangfu Yuchen cared about him.

Yan Ge made a clicking sound and his eyes curved up again. "Alright. I'll keep an eye on you!"

Huangfu Yuchen smiled and his tone became more relaxed. "If you don't want to attend, you don't have to go." According to etiquette, only the heads of the three palaces and six courtyards were qualified to attend the Emperor's birthday banquet. Of course, there were exceptions: those favored by the Emperor could also attend, even if their status was not sufficient.

"Why wouldn't I go?" Yan Ge replied openly. "I will definitely accompany you on your birthday."

"Why not go?" Yan Ge said calmly. "For your birthday, I will definitely accompany you."

Huangfu Yuchen held him tightly. "In the future, I don't plan to have grand celebrations. We'll celebrate privately."

"Father Emperor, I've memorized it," the young Crown Prince ran over.

"Recite it for us. If it's done well, there will be a generous reward."

Yan Ge looked at the two of them and suddenly remembered: it seems that Song Ruhao is also a palace head?

On the day of the festival, even before dawn, the palace bustled with activity. Everywhere, red lanterns swayed, colorful silks fluttered, and fragrant flowers filled the air, adorning the entire palace with resplendent beauty and a joyous atmosphere. The courtiers arrived early, not for a morning audience, but to participate in the emperor's ceremonies, including the offering to the heavens and the ancestral worship.

Yan Ge felt like he hadn't slept long when Huangfu Yuchen woke up beside him, opening his eyes to see him dressing. The young Crown Prince was also awakened, groggily attended to by palace maids.

Huangfu Yuchen leaned down to kiss Yan Ge, whispering softly, "It's still early, go back to sleep."

As Huangfu Yuchen attempted to withdraw, Yan Ge held onto his neck, taking the initiative to deepen the kiss. Huangfu Yuchen embraced his waist, pulling the parted curtains together, shielding them from the sight of others.

"Happy birthday Huangfu Yuchen!" Seriousness shone more intensely in Yan Ge's eyes than his smile. "From now on, every year, whether it's your birthday or mine, I hope we can celebrate together."

"We will," Huangfu Yuchen gazed at him tenderly. "Time will prove everything. By the way, there may be ministers who have seen the 'Young Master Qin'. Now is not the time to reveal your identity. During the banquet, wear a veil or a mask."

Yan Ge nodded. After Huangfu Yuchen and the young Crown Prince left, he was fully awake. He got up and returned to his palace, practicing swordplay and studying medicine.

It wasn't until the afternoon that Huangfu Yuchen reappeared, accompanying Yan Ge to have some refreshments before finally going to the Empress's Yongyi Palace.

Unable to contain his excitement, Yan Ge couldn't resist changing into even more exquisite and luxurious attire than usual, urged on by the scent of incense and the promptings of attendants.

After getting ready, he went with Qiujiu to the reception hall. Four young eunuchs borrowed from Deng Mande followed behind, carrying the red-clothed birthday gifts.

Inside the reception hall, the decorations were equally festive, with guest tables set up and filled with fruits, pastries, and tea. In the corner, musicians played light and joyous melodies on their instruments.

"Yan Changzai has arrived—"

Before the hour of the Xushi arrived, several palace consorts had arrived early. As soon as they saw him at the entrance, Consort Zhao and the others cast their gazes towards him, observing the mask covering his face from just below his eyes to above his lips. They all covered their mouths and laughed, their mockery evident in their eyes.

They pondered -It was said Yan Changzai was the most favored by the Emperor, but today, despite allowing him to attend such a grand occasion, the Emperor made him wear a mask. It was clear he was afraid of embarrassing him!

Apart from them, there were also ministers and noble families present. Upon seeing Yan Ge's attire, they could tell he was a male consort, but they dared not scrutinize further and quickly averted their gazes.

Only Prince Huangfu Yuhu stared at Yan Ge for a long time before retracting his gaze, a mischievous smile playing at the corner of his mouth, his thoughts unknown.

Yan Ge calmly walked forward, thinking to himself: Huangfu Yuchen, I've made great sacrifices for you. If you dare to betray me in the future, I will make sure you regret it!

Yan Xiaojing, the Minister of Rites, was among the courtiers. He felt distressed for his son but was unable to do anything about it.

After Yan Ge calmly paid his respects to the consorts and received the salutations of the ministers, he followed the guidance of the ceremonial officials and took his seat at the furthest end of the consort's seating area—his designated position.

The consorts' eyes carried a stronger sense of ridicule. They said he was the Emperor's favorite, but for such an important banquet, the Emperor didn't even arrange a prominent seat for him.

—"Master, when your position is higher, you must make them regret it!" Yan Jin defended Yan Ge.

Yan Ge smiled lightly. "Do I have to wait until my position is higher? The better my relationship with Yuchen, the more uncomfortable they will feel. Why should I take separate action?"

—"You are right, Master," Yan Jin said, "You are truly composed."

"Indeed."

How could he not be composed? Even with Huangfu Yuchen protecting him, he believed that if he made the slightest misstep, all the consorts in the palace would pounce on him. There were plenty of people waiting to see him become a laughingstock.

"Song Guiren has arrived— Du Changzai has arrived—"

Yan Ge was taken aback. Why was Du Zhengfeng here too?

Song Ruhao and Du Zhengfeng entered the hall one after the other.

Seeing them both wearing masks on their faces, Yan Ge's lips curved into a sweet smile. It must be that Huangfu Yuchen didn't want him to feel awkward, so he decided to have both male consorts from the Chunfeng Palace attend, and they were also wearing masks, thereby downplaying his presence.

As Song Ruhao walked towards his seat, his gaze remained fixed on Yan Ge.

Yan Ge smiled sincerely and amiably at him, secretly thinking: I wish you would make a move so I have the chance to send you to the cold palace.

Du Zhengfeng's attitude towards the other three male consorts remained normal from beginning to end, and it was the same now. After he sat down, he nodded slightly at Yan Ge.

Yan Ge secretly admired his acting skills. If it weren't for Huangfu Yuchen's revelation, he would never have guessed that Du Zhengfeng was a skilled shadow guard.

At the end of the hour of the Xushi, a eunuch's sonorous chant resounded from outside the hall: "The Emperor has arrived—The Empress has arrived—"

The festive horns resounded, and the figures of Huangfu Yuchen and Empress Du Mu, and their little prince appeared at the entrance of the hall.

All the people in the hall knelt down, waiting for the Emperor and Empress to take their seats on the throne. They exclaimed, "We, the officials/concubines/servants, respectfully congratulate our Emperor on his birthday. May our Emperor live for ten thousand years…"

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty…"

After the officials and consorts took their seats, the young prince sat on the prince's seat, his eyes searching among the seats of the consorts.

He didn't see Yan Ge, and felt a little disappointed. Suddenly, at the very end, he caught sight of a masked man, and a smile appeared on his small face. Yan Ge grinned in response, revealing his gleaming white teeth, and nodded slightly.

As the young prince was still very young, the Empress worried that he might make a mistake at such a grand banquet so she kept glancing at him, and inadvertently saw the interaction between the young prince and Yan Ge. She clenched the silk in her hands so tightly that she almost tore it apart.

Deng Mande started shouting: "May the envoys of the Mai kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Wei kingdom enter the hall, may the envoys of Min Kingdom enter the hall…"

Envoys from neighboring kingdoms who came to celebrate Emperor Huangfu Yuchen's birthday successively entered the hall. Huangfu Yuchen expressed his gratitude to each of them and invited them to take their seats.

After everyone was seated, it was time for the first performance of the evening: the presentation of congratulatory gifts.

To demonstrate courtesy and friendship, the ceremony of presenting gifts by the envoys was arranged at the beginning. It was followed by the young prince, then the officials, nobles, and special individuals who were invited due to their meritorious services, and finally, the consorts.

The ambassador from the Mai kingdom stepped forward eagerly, "On behalf of His Majesty the King of Mai, this envoy presents a nine-scented lamp as a tribute, congratulating Your Majesty on your birthday. This nine-scented lamp is a precious treasure that, when lit, not only rotates gently by itself but also emits a refreshing fragrance to invigorate the spirit. We hope Your Majesty will like It."

Huangfu Yuchen nodded, "His Majesty of the Mai kingdom is thoughtful. Please convey my gratitude to your king when you return."

"Of course."

"On behalf of His Majesty the King of Wei kingdom…"

From dozens of kingdoms, the envoys offered their gifts one after another, and then it was the young prince's turn.

"May the young prince present his gift."

All eyes turned to the young prince, who was less than six years old. Smiles appeared on everyone's faces, filled with indulgence. After all, he was just a five-year-old child, even if he was of imperial descent, one couldn't have high expectations.

The young prince didn't show stage fright. He held his head high and walked confidently into the hall. With chubby hands, he lifted the hem of his robe and went on one knee, bowing his head, "Your child congratulates Father Emperor on his birthday. May Father Emperor live for ten thousand years!"

"Rise, my child," Huangfu Yuchen said gently.

"Thank you, Father Emperor," the young prince stood up and proudly proclaimed, "Although I am still young, I haven't prepared a gift. But I can calculate the multiplication of any two numbers between 10 and 20."

The Empress's heart almost jumped out of her chest in fright.

What act was this? Didn't they already agree with the young prince to recite a passage from a book for the Emperor during the banquet?

There was a slight commotion among the officials, most of whom were skeptical, waiting to see the young prince's joke. A five-year-old child who claimed to be able to perform multiplication within 20, who would believe it?

Huangfu Yuchen was also surprised. He glanced at Yan Ge imperceptibly, then looked back at the young prince. "You only learned up to 10 the other night. How did you learn up to 20 today?"

The young prince knelt down, his crisp voice full of confidence, "Please forgive me, Father Emperor. Your child wanted to give Father Emperor a surprise, so I kept it a secret. I started learning up to 20 several days ago. The day before yesterday, I lost to Father Emperor in a game because I was too nervous."

Many people smiled kindly.

Huangfu Yuchen said, "You're not nervous today? Since you claim to have learned it, I will test you. If you answer incorrectly, it will be embarrassing."

The young prince showed no fear. With a clear and crisp childlike voice, he confidently replied, "Second Master said, it's not frightening to make mistakes when you're young. If you make many mistakes when you're young, you'll make fewer mistakes when you grow up."

Grand Tutor Song Chaobang stroked his beard curiously, wondering who this 'Second Master' was. How could he be unaware of the existence of this 'Second Master'?

"Hahaha…" Everyone was amused and found this 'Second Master' intriguing.

"Your Majesty…" The Empress broke out in a cold sweat, attempting to smooth things over.

Huangfu Yuchen warned her with a glance, "Enough. I won't personally test you. I'll have the envoys and ministers examine you. Do you dare to answer?"

"I dare!"

"Good!" Huangfu Yuchen addressed the crown prince and others, "You shall represent me in examining the Crown Prince."

The young eunuchs brought a small table into the hall, upon which a pen and a piece of white paper were placed. One of the young eunuchs showed the paper to everyone on both sides before placing it down and stepping back.

The ministers were puzzled, "This… No abacus? How is he supposed to calculate?"

Huangfu Yuchen was also taken aback by the crown prince's unexpected move. He decided to pose the first question himself, choosing smaller numbers to prevent the crown prince from embarrassment.

"Crown Prince, I shall begin by testing you. What is eleven multiplied by eleven?"

Without hesitation, the crown prince replied, "121," his eyes narrowing with a smile. He had already memorized the multiplication table up to 11 times 11, 12 times 12, 13 times 13… He didn't need to calculate; he could draw conclusions effortlessly.

On the side, a young eunuch with an abacus calculated and announced, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is indeed 121."

Huangfu Yuchen was surprised but grew more interested. He then asked, "Twelve multiplied by thirteen."

The crown prince began writing on the paper, and after a moment, he lifted his head and said, "156."

All eyes turned to the young eunuch, who diligently performed calculations with the abacus. After a while, he reported, "Reporting to Your Majesty, 156 is correct."

The Empress breathed a sigh of relief and regained her composure.

The courtiers were amazed.

The envoy from Mai kingdom stood up, not willing to accept defeat. He respectfully bowed to Huangfu Yuchen and asked, "Your Majesty, may this envoy also present a question?"

Huangfu Yuchen nodded.

The Mai kingdom envoy asked, "Nineteen multiplied by nineteen."

Many ministers from the Han Kingdom glared at him in secret.

After calculating, the young prince replied, "361."

The Mai kingdom envoy widened his eyes and asked again, "Twenty multiplied by twenty!"

The young prince laughed and confidently answered, "400."

Finally, the courtiers were impressed, congratulating Huangfu Yuchen on having such an intelligent crown prince.

The Empress had a delighted expression, but she also found it peculiar how the crown prince suddenly became so intelligent.

After the courtiers and nobles presented their gifts, it was the consorts' turn.

The Empress offered a pair of phoenix pendants as a symbol of eternal harmony between the Emperor and Empress.

But everyone's interest was focused on the three male consorts. Especially the envoys, as they knew that the current ruler of the Han kingdom didn't like men. Yet, today's birthday banquet included three male consorts, arousing their curiosity and various speculations.

Among the three male consorts, Song Ruhao held the highest position and presented his gift first. Accompanied by two eunuchs, Song Ruhao went to the bottom of the steps, while the eunuchs jointly held a rolled-up painting.

Song Ruhao knelt and said, "This servant respectfully offer a hundred longevities painting, wishing our Emperor good health and boundless longevity." The two young eunuchs carefully unfolded the painting.

Yan Ge smirked inwardly. The words made it sound as if Huangfu Yuchen was already in his seventies or eighties.

With a slight upward curve of his lips, Huangfu Yuchen understood exactly what Yan Ge was thinking. His seemingly helpless eyes were filled with affection and indulgence that were meant only for Yan Ge.

As Song Ruhao kowtowed, his mask suddenly fell from his face and lightly struck the ground, making a subtle "ding" sound. Song Ruhao quickly raised his head and pleaded, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

The officials saw his appearance and couldn't help but show admiration. They marveled at how the Emperor was truly the Emperor, surrounded by beautiful consorts, even the male ones possessed such remarkable looks—sharp eyebrows, starry eyes, and charming attractiveness.

Song Ruhao gazed at Huangfu Yuchen with deep affection.

Yan Ge clasped his hands together, supporting his chin, and smiled with a teasing glint in his eyes, aimed at Huangfu Yuchen.

Huangfu Yuchen's expression remained unchanged as he calmly said, "There's no offense. Song Guiren, please take your seat." At the same time, he returned a teasing glance to Yan Ge.

Song Ruhao's face slightly stiffened almost imperceptibly. Since the Emperor invited him to the feast, it meant that he cared about him. However, Huangfu Yuchen didn't even ask a single question about the longevity painting that he had painstakingly created.

The Minister of the Ministry of War had a carefree personality and a rough voice, "Your Majesty, please forgive me for being rude. Song Guiren said this is a painting of a hundred years, so why does this minister think it looks like a landscape picture?"

Song Ruhao cheered up and hurriedly replied : "This painting is just an ordinary landscape, but in fact it hides a hundred characters of 'shou' in different fonts."

"So that's how it is. "The Minister of the Ministry of War said in understanding.

"Song Guiren has a heart." Huangfu Yuchen said.

Du Zhengfeng stepped forward before Song Ruhao had the chance to speak again, leaving Song Ruhao no choice but to step back.

"This humble servant has brought a zither to play a piece for Your Majesty, to congratulate Your Majesty on eternal well-being and the prosperous fortune of the Han kingdom!"

The envoys secretly chuckled. This male consort was indeed handsome, but slightly muscular, the Emperor of the Han Kingdom has unique aesthetics.

The crowd patiently listened as Du Zhengfeng played a powerful and passionate congratulatory melody, their hopeful eyes resting on the last male consort, Yan Ge.

Yan Ge stood up and lightly applauded. Four eunuchs carried the congratulatory gift forward.

Huangfu Yuchen, like everyone else, was curious. Yan Ge had intentionally kept it a secret from him, and he had no idea what gift Yan Ge had prepared, but he was certain that it would be extraordinary.

"Your Majesty, the gift I present is one of a kind in the whole world. It can be used for daily life and leisure, as well as for military purposes."

Yan Ge's words surprised the foreign envoys. They put down their wine glasses and exchanged glances. The relaxed expressions on their faces suddenly turned tense.

Used for military purposes?

Could it be some powerful weapon? Perhaps even more formidable than gunpowder. As for Yan Ge referring to himself as "I," they paid no attention to it at all.

Yan Ge had always been tactful. Since he decided to present this gift in the grand hall, it obviously meant there was no fear of others investigating. Huangfu Yuchen directly asked, "Is it a weapon, by any chance?"

Huangfu Yuhu saw that his brother's gaze had become gentle and he looked at Yan Ge a few more times, attaching importance to him based on recent rumors.

Song Chaobang laughed heartily, "Yan Changzai's words have completely piqued my interest. I'm sure my colleagues here feel the same way."

The crowd nodded in agreement.

Huangfu Yuchen smiled faintly and said to Yan Ge, "You don't need to keep us in suspense. Just reveal the answer."

"Your Majesty, please take a look." Yan Ge pulled back the red cloth, revealing a strange object with two wheels. Two young eunuchs worked together to place the gift on the ground.

Everyone's attention was captivated.

"What is this?" Huangfu Yuchen asked curiously.

Yan Ge explained, "This object is called a 'bicycle.' Your Majesty, please allow this young servant to demonstrate its usage."

"Granted."

A small eunuch walked forward and knelt before Huangfu Yuchen. "Please forgive me, Your Majesty," he said before quickly standing up, lifting his robes and strapping them around his waist. He mounted the bicycle, placing his feet on the pedals and smoothly gliding through the open space in the middle of the hall.

Someone couldn't help but exclaim, "What a unique and interesting device!"

Yan Ge continued, "Your Majesty, with your busy political affairs, you rarely have time to exercise so the bicycle is perfect for you. You can exercise by pedaling while still holding your documents. If you feel bored, you can ride the bicycle and enjoy a leisurely stroll within the palace."

Huangfu Yuchen praised, "Excellent! Yan Changzai's gift has truly touched my heart. There will be generous rewards. Yan Changzai, you mentioned that this item can be used for military purposes. How so?"

The foreign envoys eagerly listened, afraid of missing a single word.

"That is correct," Yan Ge replied. "Firstly, bicycles do not require fodder like horses. Secondly, bicycles have a small size. During military marches or battles, if there are narrow passages that horses or carriages can't easily pass through, bicycles can be used to travel swiftly or even transport supplies. Moreover, the sound produced by bicycles in motion is much quieter than the sound of horse hooves, allowing for stealthy approaches to the enemy. Furthermore, Your Majesty, please observe…" Yan Ge signaled to the young eunuch.

The eunuch dismounted the bicycle and, with the help of another young eunuch, folded it up!

"It is convenient to carry! If soldiers undergo weight training, it wouldn't be a problem for each of them to carry one."

The officials looked amazed and were filled with admiration as they listened to Yan Ge's words.

The foreign envoys, on the other hand, wore stunned expressions. Who was this consort? How did he find such a remarkable object?

Luo Wei, the Minister of the Ministry of War, stood up excitedly. "May I ask, Yan Changzai, where did this item come from?"

Yan Ge glanced at him but remained silent. He handed a piece of paper to Deng Mande, saying, "Your Majesty, this is the design blueprint of the bicycle. I humbly wish you longevity and the eternal prosperity of the Han Kingdom!"

Huangfu Yuchen looked deeply at him and burst into laughter. "Excellent! Yan Changzai has made outstanding contributions. He shall be promoted to "Shiren" today and rewarded with ten thousand taels of silver!"

*Ranks among male consorts from bottom to top–Daying, Changzai, Shirén (scholar), Cairen, Guiren, Shiqing, Caiqing (honorable official), Guiqing(Noble Consort), to Huang Guiqing (Imperial Noble Consort/Empress)

Song Ruhao nearly crushed the cup in his hand.

Du Zhengfeng glanced at him with concern and discreetly patted his hand. The Emperor was in a good mood today, and Song Ruhao shouldn't spoil the atmosphere.

—"Ding. Congratulations on completing Main Mission 5 and being promoted to Shiren/Scholar by the Emperor. Reward: 500 taels of silver and 8 Foundation Building Pills. Main Mission 6—To be promoted to Cairen by the Emperor. Mission success rewards include: 1,000 taels of silver, the book 'Fengyun Immortal Record' for cultivating up to the Late Enlightenment Stage. Mission failure: Deduction of 1,000 taels of silver. Please choose 'Yes' to accept the mission or 'No' to refuse."

The unexpected rewards caused Yan Ge's knees to weaken momentarily, but he quickly composed himself and said to the system, "Little Jin, select 'Yes' for me."

–"Yes, Master," Yan Jin excitedly replied. "Master, the system can be upgraded now! After the upgrade, I will explain everything to you."

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!" Yan Ge expressed his gratitude.

Huangfu Yuchen surveyed the area and said with a loud laugh, "Let the feast begin. May all the honored envoys and ministers enjoy the grand banquet to their heart's content!"

"Thank you, Your Majesty—"

The sound of music and dancing resumed as the dancers gracefully entered the central hall, swaying and twirling.

Envoys, ministers, and consorts raised their glasses to toast the Emperor. However, their expressions were somewhat complex. The foreign envoys felt restless and had lost interest in the banquet, eager to return and discuss important matters. This trip to the Han kingdom was indeed well-timed. If they hadn't come, how would they have learned such crucial news on time?

After three rounds of wine, Yan Ge quietly left.

Huangfu Yuchen, claiming to be unable to handle the alcohol, allowed everyone to leave their seats at will.

The consorts watched as the two figures left one after another.

Yan Ge waited outside the hall with a beaming smile, feeling extremely delighted.

–Yan Jin said, "Master, you've waited so long for the Foundation Building Pill. Now that you have it, can you resist the temptation to consume it immediately?"

Yan Ge smiled and said, "Today is his birthday, so I should accompany him well. Since we already have the treasure, there's no need to worry about it running away."

Huangfu Yuchen arrived quickly and took Yan Ge's hand.

"You knew I would follow you?" he asked.

"I guessed."

Huangfu Yuchen embraced Yan Ge's waist and used light footwork to fly towards the Tenglong Palace. As soon as they entered, he dismissed the palace maids and kissed Yan Ge's lips. The faint scent of alcohol filled their mouths, intensifying their senses, while an ambiguous atmosphere enveloped them.

Feeling the warmth emanating from Huangfu Yuchen's body, Yan Ge nervously pushed against his chest. "Why did you suddenly promote me?"

"Didn't I promise to elevate your status when the opportunity arose?" Huangfu Yuchen leaned closer, about to kiss him again.

Yan Ge pushed him away once more. "Do you like the gift I gave you?"

"I do, very much." Huangfu Yuchen complied with his request and refrained from getting closer. However, his arms remained hugging him, and their bodies continued to be intimately close, while his eyes playfully teased the person in his embrace.

"I'm glad you like it. In the future, you must treat me even better." The intense and passionate emotions in Huangfu Yuchen's eyes made Yan Ge's chest tighten, and he felt a sense of pride and joy.

Huangfu Yuchen pushed him towards the dragon bed and pressed him down. "How could I not treat you better? I know I spend too little time with you on usual days but I am already making arrangements for that. At the latest in February, I will embark on a southern expedition and take you with me."

"Really?" Yan Ge was overjoyed.

"Naturally. Would I lie to you?" Huangfu Yuchen said. "The Han Kingdom was governed well by the former emperor. As the current emperor, I cannot remain complacent but must continue to develop. This southern expedition will allow me to inspect the situation in the south. I will set aside three to four months, and by then, you should also have your affairs in order."

"No problem." Yan Ge wrapped his arms around Huangfu Yuchen's neck and pressed his lips against his, gently biting.

Huangfu Yuchen's Adam's apple rolled. "Is today's gift in preparation for when your identity is exposed? Silly fool, there's no need to feel too much pressure. Don't you believe in my ability to protect you?"

"I do," Yan Ge caressed his ear, "but if I have the ability, I can't just sit idle, can I? Besides, these are my hobbies, so I don't feel tired."

Huangfu Yuchen fell silent. Having a capable lover wasn't always a good thing, he felt like he wasn't needed that much.

"Now that we've finished discussing serious matters," Huangfu Yuchen's hand slipped into Yan Ge's robes, "we…"

"Are you eager?" Yan Ge didn't shy away.

"No need for more words." Huangfu Yuchen's hurried breaths landed on Yan Ge's skin, causing shivers to run through his body.

"Not yet." Yan Ge smiled cunningly, flipped over, and pressed Huangfu Yuchen underneath him. He lay on Huangfu Yuchen's chest, looking at his astonished expression mischievously.

He playfully patted his chest and gently caressed his face with his right hand. "If it's too easy to obtain, it won't be cherished. Keep waiting."

"You…" Huangfu Yuchen's face darkened.

Yan Ge chuckled, grabbed his hand, and said, "Come, let's go wash up."

Huangfu Yuchen glanced at him and remained lying there, motionless.

"Let's go," Yan Ge tugged at him again.

Still, Huangfu Yuchen didn't move.

Yan Ge shook his head, let go of his hand, and walked towards the bathroom, unfastening his belt as he went.

Huangfu Yuchen caught up with a few steps, reached out his right arm, and both of them disappeared behind the curtain. The sound of water in the bath was louder than usual.

Inside the banquet hall, the atmosphere had become much more stifling compared to when Huangfu Yuchen hadn't left.

Finally enduring until the end of the banquet, one by one, the guests bid their farewells. Song Chaobang looked around and, seeing no one paying attention, turned into a small path in the woods, hastening towards a distant place illuminated by moonlight.

Beside the secluded and dim garden gate, a figure paced anxiously.

"Haohao?" Song Chaobang called softly.

The figure in the shadow quickly stepped forward. "Father, you've finally come."

Song Chaobang looked around and whispered, "The time for the key release is approaching. We don't have much time. Let's get straight to the point."

Song Ruhao nodded and said in a low voice, "Father, we must take action. Given the current situation, I'm afraid it won't be long before Yan Shiren surpasses me."

"I didn't expect the Emperor to show such favoritism towards him. As we discussed before, nothing will change, and I will make all the necessary arrangements. Don't forget what we agreed on," Song Chaobang said.

Song Ruhao remained silent for a moment, nodded, and softly replied, "I understand, Father."

When Yan Ge woke up, he found himself alone in the bed.

The palace maid heard the movement behind the curtain and said, "I offer my greetings to Yan Shiren."

"No need for formalities. Where is the Emperor?" Yan Ge stretched lazily.

"In response to Yan Shiren, the Emperor is accompanying the envoys in the Imperial Garden, and asked this slave to inform Yan Shiren to rest well," replied the maid.

"I see. When the Emperor returns, tell him I have returned to the Luoxue Palace," Yan Ge said.

"Yes, Yan Shiren."

Yan Ge returned to the Luoxue Palace and freshened up while asking the diligent Yan Jin about the current situation.

–Yan Jin excitedly said, "Master, the system has been upgraded. Not only has the space expanded, but it also has a 'Merchant Shop' function. Master, you can now trade with the system. But, let's put that aside for now. Master, please take the Foundation Building Pill and start building the foundation. Once you successfully build the foundation, I will be able to manifest in human form!"

The space expanded? And there's a new merchant shop? These two unexpected surprises made Yan Ge momentarily lose composure, and it was only with Yan Jin's shout in his mind that he regained his calmness. "Very well, let's build the foundation. I will take the Foundation Building Pill now."

–Yan Jin stopped him in time. "Wait. Master, the time it takes to build the foundation varies depending on individual physique. The better the physique, the longer it takes to build the foundation, and the greater the benefits obtained in the end. You have already cultivated the Flowing Sands Sword Technique, and your physique is good. So, the time to build the foundation will not be short. I estimate at least three days. It's best to find a way to leave the palace first to avoid arousing the Emperor's suspicion."

"No problem. I wonder where Yuchen is now. I'll write him a letter, and then we'll leave the palace," Yan Ge said.

After leaving the palace, Yan Ge didn't inform anyone of his whereabouts. He rented a small house in a remote area of the capital and instructed the landlord not to disturb him. After locking the doors and windows, he lay on the bed and took out a Foundation Building Pill from the system backpack.

The Foundation Building Pill was pitch black, smooth and plump, like a black pearl gleaming with a warm luster in the daylight.

A pungent smell rushed into his nostrils, making him feel nauseous. The smell of the Foundation Building Pill was indeed too unpleasant. However, he was someone who could bear hardship.

Without any hesitation, he threw the Foundation Building Pill into his mouth. After swallowing, the Foundation Building Pill, accompanied by a bitter and hard-to-endure taste, slid down his throat.

Almost simultaneously, a severe pain spread from his stomach to his entire body, sweeping through his limbs and engulfing his whole body.

Yan Ge had never experienced such intense pain before and let out an unexpected scream, falling from the bed and landing on the ground.

–Yan Jin's solemn voice sounded, "Master, you must hold on and try not to faint. Although the Foundation Building Pill will expel impurities from your body even if you faint, it will weaken the strengthening effect on your physical body." Though he felt distressed, Yan Jin couldn't help in any way. Yan Ge could only rely on himself to get through this trial.

Yan Ge trembled all over, feeling alternations of cold and hot, with his sweat freezing and melting under the changing temperatures. His clothes quickly became drenched with sweat, and he managed to force out two words, "I understand…"

Then, he felt a gentle force emerging within his body, soothing his flesh and blood. Yan Jin had told him that building the foundation was a process of pain and pleasure.

The pain was due to the Foundation Building Pill purging impurities from his body and expanding his meridians, while the pleasure came from the spiritual power of the pill strengthening his physical body and nourishing his flesh and blood. However, compared to the intense pain, the sweet moments were incredibly fleeting. Despite the blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, Yan Ge could only grit his teeth, clench his fists, and struggle to remain conscious.

He didn't know how long had passed, but his body and consciousness were numb from the pain. His entire body relaxed, his brain felt heavy and drowsy, and his consciousness sank into a profound darkness…

In a daze, Yan Ge could hear someone talking incessantly. His brows furrowed, and gradually, his awareness returned.

He opened his eyes and saw unfamiliar beams above his head and unfamiliar curtains beside him. He felt a bit confused. Where was this?

He heard someone saying, "Reporting to the Emperor, the water calamity in Jiangnan is becoming increasingly severe. It may require additional funds for disaster relief."

Then came the voice of Huangfu Yuchen, "We have already ordered the Ministry of Works to handle this matter, and funds for disaster relief have been allocated…"

Yan Ge turned his head and looked through the hanging curtain. He saw some ministers dressed in official robes and couldn't help but be stunned.

Was this the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Council Chamber?

–"Master, are you awake?" A familiar childish voice resounded in his mind. Suddenly, a five or six-year-old child bounced into Yan Ge's field of vision, startling him.

The child quickly made a gesture of covering his mouth, looking extremely adorable.

"Are you Little Jin?" Yan Ge asked mentally.

The child nodded repeatedly.

Yan Ge scrutinized him curiously. This child looked good, with well-defined features. At the age of five or six, it was evident that he would grow up to be a handsome young man.

"How did I end up here?" Yan Ge sat up and felt relaxed throughout his body. He lowered his head and examined himself. The clothes he was wearing were different from before. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but it seemed like he had grown taller and stronger.

Yan Jin sat on the edge of the bed, swinging his little legs and shaking his head repeatedly. "Master, you've had a close call this time. You almost scared the Emperor to death."

"Why?" Yan Ge wondered.

Before Yan Jin could answer, Deng Mande shouted, "Court is dismissed."

Immediately, the hanging curtain was lifted with a clamor, and a tall figure appeared before him.

Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen in astonishment.

How could he have changed so much in just a few days? His cheeks were sunken, his eyes hollow, and his cheekbones protruded. Although he still appeared well-groomed, he was noticeably less spirited, as if he had completely transformed.

"Yuchen, what happened to you? Are you ill?" Yan Ge walked over, held his hand, and looked at him with concern.

Huangfu Yuchen silently clung tightly to him, his voice hoarse as he instructed Deng Mande to call the imperial physician.

Deng Mande quickly sent a eunuch to summon the imperial physician and sighed, saying to Yan Ge, "Yan Shiren, you have finally awakened. These past few days, the Emperor has been in great distress…"

Yan Ge suddenly remembered Yan Jin and quickly turned to look. Yan Jin was still sitting on the edge of the bed, but Huangfu Yuchen and the others seemed unaware of his presence. Yan Ge guessed that only he could see Yan Jin.

"Yuchen, I'm fine. But you…" Yan Ge looked at Huangfu Yuchen apologetically, cradling his face with tender affection. He really hadn't expected things to turn out this way. Had it been many days since he took the Foundation Building Pill?

"Is there anything uncomfortable?" he asked.

Huangfu Yuchen shook his head, recalling the scene when he saw Yan Ge, and the pain in his heart and body tore at him.

That night, when he returned to the Tenglong Palace and saw the letter Yan Ge left for him, he learned that Yan Ge had left the palace and would return after three days. But three days passed, and Yan Ge had not appeared. He was filled with worry and asked Wang Xiang, Xiao Chuanzi, and even Bai Jushen outside the palace, but they had no idea where Yan Ge had gone. Yan Ge seemed to have suddenly disappeared.

Worried that something had happened to Yan Ge, he remembered that Yan Ge was carrying the scentless jade pendant with him and immediately sent out a falcon to find him.

It was only then that he found Yan Ge. But when he ordered his men to break down the door, he found Yan Ge lying on the ground, covered in dirt, curled up and motionless. Not only that, there were dried bloodstains at the corners of his mouth.

–Yan Jin also reported to Yan Ge, "When His Majesty saw you in such a sorry state, blood at the corner of your mouth, and missing for several days, his first thought was that you were already dead. He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood and held you tightly. The silent tears falling from his eyes were truly… heart-wrenching to see. It was only when Deng Mande felt your pulse that His Majesty realized you were still alive. After that, he brought you back to the palace. Because the medicine was still refining your body, you didn't wake up. His Majesty was extremely worried and has almost taken you everywhere he went. He even had someone secretly arrange for you to stay behind during court sessions…"

"Please, no more…" Yan Ge's heart ached, hugging Huangfu Yuchen's neck tightly. "Yuchen, I'm fine. I'm sorry for making you worry."

Huangfu Yuchen caressed his hair, but remained silent.

"The imperial physician has arrived."

Huangfu Yuchen said, "Physician Zhang, check on Yan Shiren."

"Yes." Physician Zhang examined Yan Ge's pulse and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, Yan Shirem is not seriously injured. He has already awakened, and I believe there shouldn't be any problems."

With a loud bang, Huangfu Yuchen shattered the table with a palm. Everyone in the hall immediately kneeled down. Physician Zhang was so frightened that he cowered on the ground, not daring to move.

"There shouldn't be any problems? When Yan Shiren hadn't woken up, you said there was no serious injury. And now that he has awakened, it's still not serious. How can I believe you! What is the use of taking care of you wastes!"

Yan Ge grabbed Huangfu Yuchen's hand, which had turned pale from the impact. He covered it with both hands, and he said to the others, "All of you, leave."

The crowd hesitated, but seeing that Huangfu Yuchen didn't object, they hurriedly retreated.

"Yuchen," Yan Ge stood up and stood in front of Huangfu Yuchen, cupping his face, "Look, I'm really fine. Look at me."

Huangfu Yuchen stared at him for a long time, took his hand away, sighed softly, and said, "It's good that you're fine. Your sudden changes were too abrupt. I will have someone send you back to the Tenglong Palace. When you move around normally, remember to disguise yourself." After speaking, he turned and left.

Yan Ge stood there dumbfounded. He left just like that?

When Huangfu Yuchen was out of Yan Ge's sight, he smiled self-mockingly, his eyes filled with sorrow. For four consecutive days, the scene of Yan Ge lying motionless on the ground kept replaying in his mind, causing his heart to ache each time. He thought that Yan Ge had been abducted somewhere, but the doors and windows were locked from the inside, so it was obviously not the case. He had long known that Yan Ge had many secrets, and he was willing to wait for Yan Ge to confess to him voluntarily. But Yan Ge's sudden drastic changes clearly indicated that those secrets were extraordinary. Because he knew nothing about these secrets, he couldn't do anything when Yan Ge was in danger. This made him feel useless and made him feel even more that Yan Ge didn't need him. He thought he had touched Yan Ge's heart, but in reality, he hadn't. They could be together only because of his own pleading.

If he was destined to lose, he would rather never have gained. Otherwise, his heart wouldn't hurt so much.

He was an all-powerful emperor, but he couldn't force that person's heart.

"Yan Shiren, please leave. The Emperor is busy with state affairs and has no time to see you," Deng Mande said apologetically to Yan Ge.

Yan Ge glanced at the closed palace doors. "Is he really that busy? Doesn't he even have a few moments to spare for a conversation?" This was the fifth time and he felt a sense of panic.

What was happening with Huangfu Yuchen? Why wasn't he seeing him? Just a few days ago, he was so worried about him, but now he was avoiding him.

"Well… Yan Shiren, the Emperor is truly occupied. Please come back next time," Deng Mande replied helplessly. The Emperor's condition had been really bad these past few days. He also wanted Yan Ge to persuade him, but the Emperor refused to see Yan Ge, and Deng Mande dared not go against his orders.

Wan Xiang hurriedly approached and whispered, "Young Master, there is an urgent matter outside. Bai Jushen is anxious to see you."

"Whatever urgent matter it is, let him handle it himself," Yan Ge replied impatiently. He was losing his lover, how could he find the time to leave the palace? He looked up at the roof, contemplating the possibility of forcibly entering Huangfu Yuchen's sleeping quarters.

"Understood," Wan Xiang said helplessly and quickly withdrew.

Yan Ge glared at Deng Mande and turned back to Luoxue Palace.

Deng Mande sighed and pushed open the palace doors.

Huangfu Yuchen sat at his desk, holding a memorial, clearly lost in thought.

"Your Majesty."

Huangfu Yuchen put down the memorial and said softly, "He left?"

"Yes."

Huangfu Yuchen fell silent.

Deng Mande sighed deeply. "Your Majesty, please don't be upset with this old servant for speaking out of turn. Both you and Yan Shiren are unhappy, and it pains me to see that. I believe it would be better for you to meet with him and discuss whatever issues you have."

Huangfu Yuchen waved him away. His daily life had already been infiltrated by the poison known as Yan Ge. He wanted to see him, but at the same time, he feared it. If the pain became too intense, he would steal a glance and make sure Yan Ge didn't notice. That way, he could pretend that Yan Ge missed him too.

Yan Ge endured until the middle of the night when the palace was completely silent. Under the cover of darkness, he stealthily flew to Huangfu Yuchen's sleeping quarters. Even with twenty sleeping chambers, he could easily locate the one with the most people by relying on his heightened senses. It was where Huangfu Yuchen was. Quietly, he pushed open the window and entered without making a sound.

In the flickering light, Yan Ge could see Huangfu Yuchen sleeping on the dragon bed. The young eunuch on night duty was sound asleep with his back against the bed.

Yan Ge activated the young eunuch's sleeping acupoint, lifted the curtain, and then realized that Huangfu Yuchen's sleep was far from peaceful. His brows were furrowed, sweat beads dotted his face, and his head shook from side to side as if trying to break free from something.

Was he having a nightmare? Yan Ge sat on the edge of the bed and held his hand, gently calling out, "Yuchen… Yuchen?"

"Yan Ge! I won't allow you to die!" Huangfu Yuchen shouted, suddenly sitting up. His eyes widened, his pupils dilated, and his face reflected despair and sorrow, piercing Yan Ge's heart like sharp arrows.

"Yuchen!" Yan Ge grasped Huangfu Yuchen's shoulders and shook him vigorously. "Yuchen, I'm here!"

The Emperor's self-control and restraint quickly brought Huangfu Yuchen back to reality. He saw Yan Ge, stared at him for a long time, and his expression turned cold. He pushed Yan Ge's hand away, got up from the bed, and grabbed a cloth towel hanging on the frame to wipe his face. "What are you here for?"

Since they decided to be together, Huangfu Yuchen had never been this cold towards him. Yan Ge felt like his heart had been torn apart and was in great discomfort. He asked, "Why are you avoiding me? Do you regret it?"

Huangfu Yuchen turned his back to him, feeling a dull pain in his chest. How could Yan Ge ask such a question? Regret? Even if he was hurt deeply, he would not regret it. The pain in his heart remained, intensifying whenever he saw Yan Ge, but he couldn't bear to let go of this pain. All the memories were too precious to give up.

"When I decided to be with you, I once thought that if you didn't accept, I would lock you up forever. But I couldn't bear to do that. Go, if it's destined to be lost, I'd rather have never had it."

"What do you mean? What do you mean by 'destined to be lost'? Are you talking about me? You won't lose me. Why are you saying this?" Yan Ge was confused by his random words, but he sensed his lack of confidence.

"Go, I need to rest." Huangfu Yuchen lay back down and closed his eyes.

Yan Ge went up to him, tightly embracing him and clasping his hands in front of his chest, holding him tightly. "Yuchen, I know you're angry about what happened a few days ago. But at least give me a chance to explain. Or do you really want me to leave?" He knew he had kept too many secrets from Huangfu Yuchen, and he was afraid to hear a definite answer.

Huangfu Yuchen remained silent. Could he continue like this? Even if he was strong, he couldn't withstand the toxicity of emotions.

Yan Ge's chest was filled with a sour and bitter feeling. He climbed onto Huangfu Yuchen's body, tightly embracing his neck. "Yuchen…" This was the person he loved, the person who loved him, he couldn't lose him.

"I've always known that you have many secrets, and I was willing to wait for the day you would tell me willingly," Huangfu Yuchen said softly. "But if these secrets might endanger your life, you shouldn't hide them from me. It makes me feel like you don't care about me."

"It's not like that!" Yan Ge hurriedly said, "Listen to my explanation."

Huangfu Yuchen remained silent.

Yan Ge didn't blame him. Even the strongest person would have moments of fear when it came to emotions, fear of losing the person they loved. Huangfu Yuchen was like that, and he was too. He had fallen in love with Huangfu Yuchen, and he would never allow Huangfu Yuchen to leave him.

He forcefully pulled Huangfu Yuchen up to a sitting position.

Huangfu Yuchen looked at him, his eyes reddened from anxiety, and his face tense. He gently held him. "What should I do with you? I want to push you away, but I can't bear it. I want to hold you, but I can't reach your heart. Why do you take risks where I can't see? Do you know how it felt when I saw you lying there with blood on your lips? When I thought you were dead, my heart died too. Everything went dark in front of me, and I didn't know where to go. If I hadn't given you the scentless jade pendant, if you really died somewhere unknown to me… Yan Ge, my heart is so greedy. Once I have something, I don't want to lose it. I only ask you this time, can I have you? If not, it's better to have never had you."

"I can! You already have me!" Yan Ge looked into his eyes. "Listen to me first, okay?"

Huangfu Yuchen caressed his cheek, noticing that Yan Ge had become thinner in the past few days.

"Go ahead," he said.

Yan Ge held both of his hands. "I do have two secrets. The reason I didn't tell you is because I was afraid you wouldn't be able to accept them."

"Unless these two secrets require you to leave me, I won't be unable to accept them." Huangfu Yuchen pinched his hand.

Yan Ge said, "Let me tell you the first secret. I am not the real Yan Ge."

Huangfu Yuchen didn't understand. "Not Yan Ge? Then who are you?"

Yan Ge didn't know if Huangfu Yuchen would still be so calm when he finds out that he was actually a reincarnated soul. But he told the truth, "To be precise, I am Yan Ge, but not Yan Xiaojing's son Yan Ge. I am another person, also named Yan Ge, who came back to life by borrowing his body after Yan Xiaojing's son died. It's a case of reincarnation."

Huangfu Yuchen remained silent for a long time.

Yan Ge's heart sank to the bottom. He forced a bitter smile. "I knew you wouldn't be able to accept it…"

His chin was suddenly lifted and he met Huangfu Yuchen's gaze.

"When did you become Yan Xiaojing's son? Are you two different people or the same person after entering the palace?" Huangfu Yuchen asked calmly.

Yan Ge replied softly, "That Yan Ge died when he jumped into the lake. Since then, I became him and I don't know the reason. But the person who entered the palace has always been me."

Huangfu Yuchen tightly embraced him. "If it has always been you, then that's good. He won't come back in the future, right?!"

Yan Ge heard his meaning and hugged him with joy. "Yes, even in the future, it will always be me!"

Huangfu Yuchen finally felt his trembling body relax and he kissed Yan Ge's lips with affection. "Do Yan Xiaojing and the others know about this?"

"They don't know. I dare not tell them. I'm afraid they will see me as a monster and burn me to death," Yan Ge said self-mockingly.

Huangfu Yuchen said, "Aren't you a monster. Since you're not a monster, why were you able to reincarnate in a corpse?"

Yan Ge leaned against his chest, rolled his eyes, and looked at him speechlessly.

This guy! He thought he was a monster, but he wasn't afraid? Admirable, truly admirable! Could it be that there was really dragon energy protecting him, so he wasn't afraid of demons and monsters?

"Of course not. As for why I could reincarnate, it might be because my name and appearance are the same as Yan Ge's, and there exists some mysterious connection between us, so I could occupy his body after he died. It could also be related to my second secret."

"What is it?" Huangfu Yuchen asked calmly.

Yan Ge said, "Don't be afraid. Let me introduce someone to you first."

Huangfu Yuchen nodded.

"Little Jin."

As soon as the words fell, a lovely child appeared out of thin air, sitting cross-legged at the other end of the bed, smiling at the two of them.

"Greetings, Your Majesty."

Huangfu Yuchen was taken aback and stood in front of Yan Ge. They were so close, yet he hadn't sensed the presence of this child!

"Who are you?"

"Yuchen, don't be nervous. He is someone I know," Yan Ge moved to his side and embraced his waist, "He is Yan Jin. You can call him Little Jin. After I died in another world, I coincidentally met him. He attached himself to me and recognized me as his master. I gave him the name Yan Jin. I don't know how to explain his existence to you in a way that you'll understand. But you can perceive him as a 'deity.' Due to the limitations of being a 'deity,' I couldn't reveal my second secret to you. It is closely related to my identity, and revealing it would result in self-destruction."

Huangfu Yuchen was shocked. He held Yan Ge tightly, keeping a vigilant eye on Yan Jin. "You don't have to say anything more. I won't ask."

Yan Ge smiled and shook his head, "It's alright. I won't hide anything that can be revealed. I can only tell you that I must complete some tasks he gives me, and through these tasks, I can obtain rewards. The reason I fainted a few days ago was because I took the reward he gave me, the Foundation Building Pill."

"He is a 'deity,' wouldn't he be able to easily eliminate you?" Huangfu Yuchen regarded Yan Jin with caution.

Yan Jin helplessly shrugged his shoulders.

Yan Ge said, "No, he won't. Although he is a deity, he has to rely on me to survive and grow, so he will never pose a threat to me. You can trust him."

Only then did Huangfu Yuchen let go of his worries.

Yan Ge continued, "After taking the Foundation Building Pill, one can cultivate into an immortal. Are you willing to cultivate with me?"

Huangfu Yuchen looked at him in astonishment, "Cultivate into an immortal?"

"Yes, are you willing?" Yan Ge earnestly gazed at him, "We can cultivate together and become a divine couple. Once we achieve mastery, we can even leave this mortal world and explore other realms."

"Of course, I am willing." Huangfu Yuchen embraced him tightly, "If I can also cultivate, I won't worry about you running away. No matter where you go, I will capture you and make sure you can never leave me."

Yan Ge proudly smiled at him, "You have to practice the Flowing Sands Sword Technique to lay the foundation. Hehe, I cultivated before you, so my cultivation will surpass yours. If you dare to wrong me, I will teach you a lesson. Hahaha!"

Huangfu Yuchen laughed and contentedly sighed, "Little fool. Anyway, now that I finally have you, I will cherish you with all my heart."

After revealing the two greatest secrets, Yan Ge felt completely at ease. The two of them gazed at each other, feeling a profound atmosphere. It seemed as if their hearts were tightly intertwined, and they unconsciously drew closer to each other, their lips almost touching.

The disregarded Yan Jin couldn't help but protest, "Master, master's husband, I'm still here."

Yan Ge was speechless. What master's husband?

Huangfu Yuchen laughed happily.

"Little Jin," Yan Ge playfully tapped Yan Jin.

Yan Jin covered his head and wiggled, "Master, master's husband, I don't want to remain invisible all the time. Can you arrange an identity for me? I want to play with the little crown prince."

Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Ge.

Yan Ge said, "Yuchen, although Little Jin appears like a child, he actually knows a lot. If he stays with the little crown prince, he can not only protect him but also teach him some things."

Huangfu Yuchen pondered for a moment and reluctantly said, "If we want to keep him in the palace and ensure that no one with ill intentions bothers him, the best way is for him to be my son, a secret child?"

Yan Ge was speechless.

"A prince? Great!" Yan Jin exclaimed happily, "I have never been a prince before."

Yan Ge scratched his head, "Wouldn't that harm your reputation?"

Yan Jin narrowed his eyes at him, "Once married, the water is thrown away."

Yan Ge choked.

Huangfu Yuchen chuckled and kissed his face, reassuring him, "Here's the plan: I will arrange an identity for him outside the palace first, then acknowledge him as my adopted son, and confer him the title of prince. This identity won't threaten the interests of the legitimate prince, and both the court and the harem won't object."

Yan Ge nodded, "Let's do as you say."

Huangfu Yuchen looked at Yan Jin, "Can you leave now?"

"I won't disturb your private moment," Yan Jin obediently disappeared.

Huangfu Yuchen embraced Yan Ge as they lay down together. His heart was fluctuating wildly, he was finally able to fully feel Yan Ge's presence. His gaze and fingers traced from Yan Ge's forehead, slid across his eyebrows, then to his eyes and nose, gliding over his cheeks, and finally resting on his rosy lips. Their heads drew closer, and their lips met, gently sucking.

Unable to resist Huangfu Yuchen's teasing tenderness, Yan Ge actively deepened the kiss.

Huangfu Yuchen's chest heaved rapidly as he suddenly pressed Yan Ge beneath him, panting heavily as he stared at him. His dark eyes were veiled by a mist of passion and their entwined bodies felt each other's heat. "I can't wait any longer."

Yan Ge turned his head and with a wave of his hand, extinguished the lanterns…

Huangfu Yuchen woke up from a dream and saw the person from his dream in his embrace. A profound sense of satisfaction overwhelmed him, and he gently kissed Yan Ge's bare shoulder. The ice in the basin next to the bed had completely melted, but he didn't call for someone to add ice, fearing it would disturb Yan Ge. Reluctant to leave Yan Ge's side, he picked up a fan and gently fanned him.

Yan Ge, perhaps also having a pleasant dream, curled his lips slightly, causing Huangfu Yuchen to do the same.

Yan Ge was awakened by hunger and immediately felt the soreness all over his body, as if he had been crushed. Remembering what happened last night, his face flushed. Both of them were full of passion and had excellent stamina, so they engaged in amorous activities until dawn.

"You're awake," Huangfu Yuchen was sitting by the bedside, fully clothed and reading a book. When he heard movement, he lowered his head and pecked Yan Ge's lips, smiling as he said, "You must be hungry, Deng Mande?"

"This slave is here."

Huangfu Yuchen took the tray from Deng Mande's hand. "This is the meat and vegetable porridge that I asked the kitchen to cook, your favorite. If you're still tired, eat first and then sleep."

Yan Ge sat up and smelled the aroma, hesitating. "I haven't brushed my teeth."

"It's fine to brush after eating," Huangfu Yuchen tucked a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

Yan Ge nodded and took the bowl of porridge. It wasn't scalding hot, obviously Huangfu Yuchen had purposely kept it at this temperature.

Yan Ge realized that his appetite had increased since he built the foundation. It took him four bowls of porridge to feel full.

Huangfu Yuchen chuckled lightly. He patted his stomach, and set the porridge aside, allowing Yan Ge to lean against him. "Go back to sleep, I'll stay here with you."

"I won't sleep anymore." Yan Ge turned his head to look at him and smiled. He couldn't explain why he was smiling, but he felt a pleasant sensation throughout his body and mind. To be in mutual love with someone was the greatest happiness in the world, giving him the confidence to face any difficulties as long as that person was by his side.

Huangfu Yuchen's lips also carried a smile, his eyes fixed on Yan Ge's as he occasionally lightly kissed his eyelids and cheeks.

They didn't speak, yet they both experienced a deep sense of contentment.

Huangfu Yuchen got up and rummaged through the low cabinet at the head of the bed.

"What are you looking for?"

Huangfu Yuchen took out a red jade box and opened it, revealing two rings placed side by side. Each had half a silver heart, and when joined together, formed a complete heart.

"These are the matching rings from Linlang Pavilion. When did you buy them?" Yan Ge's heart felt sweet, and that sweetness bloomed into a slightly silly smile on his face.

Huangfu Yuchen took out the smaller one. "I bought them a long time ago. Do you like it?"

Yan Ge nodded, and Huangfu Yuchen tried to put the ring on his left ring finger, but it wouldn't fit past the joint. Annoyed, he furrowed his brow. "You've grown taller now, so naturally your fingers have also become thicker."

Yan Ge laughed and jumped off the bed. "You didn't mention it, so I forgot. Since I took the Foundation Pill, I haven't seen my current appearance."

"Why?" Huangfu Yuchen followed him.

Yan Ge's face was flushed, and he glanced at him. "How can you ask that? You've been avoiding me all this time, and I've been so troubled, solely focused on how to resolve the deadlock between us. I didn't have the mind to pay attention to the changes in my own body."

He walked up to the mirror, gazing at his reflection with a satisfied smile. Now, he was at least 1.8 meters tall, with a slender but strong body. His appearance hadn't changed much, but his features had lost some of their youthful innocence, revealing a more handsome charm. His body shouldn't undergo any further changes in the short term. Unfortunately, he was still shorter than Huangfu Yuchen, who was at least 1.86 meters tall.

"It's difficult to hide this appearance now," Huangfu Yuchen embraced him from behind.

"Little Jin has a solution," Yan Ge said, "Let me copy the Flowing Sands Sword Technique for you, so you can learn it as soon as possible."

"There's no rush today," Huangfu Yuchen said, biting his earlobe. "We'll be busy in the days to come. Today, nothing else matters."

Yan Ge turned his head and pecked his lips quickly before swiftly leaving. "I haven't brushed my teeth," he said, walking away.

This guy. Huangfu Yuchen shook his head and followed him to the washroom, watching the foam around his mouth, a playful smile forming on his lips.

Yan Ge deliberately approached, wanting to kiss his face, wearing a mischievous smile.

"Don't tease me, be careful not to choke," Huangfu Yuchen patted his buttocks and picked up a towel, soaking it in water.

"En," Yan Ge spat out the foam, "By the way, my elder brother is getting married soon. Will you go?"

Huangfu Yuchen handed him the wet towel. "Of course. It's a formal meeting with my future father-in-law and mother-in-law, it's an occasion not to be missed."

Yan Ge scoffed lightly. "Father-in-law and mother-in-law indeed."

Huangfu Yuchen smiled and used the wet towel to wipe his mouth. Without a word, he kissed him, and soon enough, the two of them ended up back in bed…

The next day, they couldn't indulge any longer. Huangfu Yuchen sent Yan Ge off and went to attend court, while Yan Ge himself got up to prepare for work.

–"Master, now you should have time to hear my report on the system's changes, right?" Yan Jin teased Yan Ge.

Yan Jin cast an illusion on him. In the eyes of others, only the scar on his face had disappeared, and his features looked exactly the same as before. Yan Jin remained invisible, sitting on the floor with crossed legs.

They were on the carriage leaving the palace. Yan Ge's waist was a bit sore, but he didn't want Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi to notice anything unusual, so he endured it.

Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi had been in the palace for a long time and were not dull-witted. They were afraid that their master had a thin skin, so they pretended not to know, feeling happy for him in their hearts.

"Yes, go ahead," Yan Ge said curiously.

–Yan Jin proudly said, "The upgraded system has two main changes. First, the backpack has become larger, now it can hold at least one thousand cubic units. The second change is the addition of a store function to the system."

"Does the store function mean I can buy anything?" Yan Ge asked.

–"You can say that," Yan Jin said. "The store offers a variety of goods in terms of food, clothing, shelter, and transportation. However, currently, the available types of goods are limited. As the system continues to upgrade, the variety of goods will become richer. With these resources, the speed at which the master earns money will be faster, thus accelerating the promotion process."

With interest, Yan Ge opened the system and entered the store. The store had dozens of shelves, neatly arranged with goods in various categories. There were modern packaged seasonings, fruits, and vegetables, as well as traditional ceramic jars filled with pickles and fine wines. In terms of clothing, there were various styles from different eras, dazzling the eyes… The prices ranged from low to high, with some items costing a dozen coins, while others were priced at several hundred taels of silver.

Yan Ge browsed through some of the items, almost overwhelmed by the choices.

"Master, if you're looking for something specific, you can ask me, and I'll help you find it," Yan Jin said. Being one with the system, he knew the location of every item without searching.

Yan Ge remembered something. "Little Jin, see if there's a wine making recipe for me."

"Yes," Yan Jin responded without hesitation. In less than two seconds, several sheets of paper with writing appeared in the "Pre-Order Items" section. Below each item, in a rectangular box, there were descriptions of the taste, value, and price of the brewed wine. At the bottom, there was a prompt: "Are you sure you want to purchase this item?" with two options: Yes and No.

"Master, are you planning to open a winery?" Yan Jin asked.

Yan Ge said, "Indeed. To earn money from women, one relies on clothing and jewelry, while for men, it's undoubtedly through alcohol. This most expensive method costs only 1000 taels, which is a good deal. However, we must postpone the matter of brewing wine and first focus on opening the pharmacy."

"A pharmacy?" Yan Jin asked.

Yan Ge smiled and replied, "Yes. The complete disappearance of the scar on my face is the best advertisement. I will take this opportunity to open a pharmacy."

"That makes sense," Yan Jin nodded.

Yan Ge asked Wan Xiang, "Why was Bai Jushen looking for me last time? Has it been resolved?"

Wan Xiang replied, "Master, Wen Xian heard that you were planning a major project in the outskirts of the capital and expressed interest in joining."

*Wen Xian is the young master Yan Ge met at the toy shop during the poisoning incident. The one dubbed 'First Merchant".

Yan Ge's lips curled up. It was really dozing off and being offered a pillow. He was worried about not having enough manpower, and now someone was offering their help. How fortunate!

"Master, now that you have returned to the company, shall I send a message to Wen Xian?" Xiao Chuanzi observed Yan Ge's expression and asked.

"No need. If Wen Xian truly cares about this matter, he will definitely arrange for someone to keep an eye on our company," Yan Ge replied.

His guess was right on the mark. Shortly after he sat down in his office, a servant came to report that Wen Xian had come to visit. He then had servant take him to the reception room.

Yan Ge straightened his clothes and walked towards the reception room, followed by Yan Jin. Others couldn't see Yan Jin, so he would sometimes walk, sometimes leap, and even fly around, amusing himself and having a happy time.

Yan Ge appeared at the entrance of the reception room, and Wen Xian stood up, bowing with a smile. "Young Master Qin, it's not easy to see you, as you haven't been to the company for quite some time."

The scar on Yan Ge's face had completely disappeared, and Wen Xian couldn't possibly miss that fact, so he looked surprised.

"Apologies for the delay, I had some urgent matters at home," Yan Ge said. "Please have a seat. May I know why Young Master Wen was looking for me in such a hurry? What can I do for you?"

Wen Xian said, "I've heard that Young Master Qin's project in the outskirts of the capital has attracted a lot of attention. I'm interested in joining."

Yan Ge asked, "How much capital are you planning to invest, Young Master Wen?"

Wen Xian smiled helplessly. He hadn't found out anything yet, and Yan Ge was already testing him. But the First Company had become synonymous with "profit" nowadays, and he was certain that once he got involved in the outskirts project, making a fortune would be an easy task. So he answered Yan Ge's question, "50,000 taels."

Yan Ge shook his folding fan and said, "Young Master Wen is so straightforward, I can't help but show sincerity as well. Recently, I have other matters to attend to and can't spare time for the outskirts project. However, if I could find a collaborator, it would be much appreciated. I plan to establish an amusement park in the outskirts. If Young Master Wen is truly interested in joining, we each contribute 100,000 taels. After the amusement park is built, I will be responsible for developing new attractions, while you will handle management. The profits will be divided in a 40-60 ratio between us. What do you think, Young Master Wen?"

Wen Xian became intrigued and said, "An amusement park? It sounds intriguing. But I'm curious, what kind of attractions will it have?"

Yan Ge shook his head and replied, "To avoid leaking confidential information, I can't reveal too much for now. I can only guarantee that it will be incredibly profitable. Young Master Wen, please take your time to consider. To be honest, even if you don't participate, I am still looking for someone to join. So, Young Master Wen, I'm afraid you need to make a decision quickly."

Wen Xian watched him calmly sipping tea, his heart trembling. He had only heard about Master Qin clean and decisive way of doing things, but today, during their negotiation, he truly realized that there was no room for bargaining with him.

"Young Master Qin will only be responsible for developing new projects, while I will handle the management, which is quite complicated. Despite that, I propose a 50-50 profit split. What do you think?"

Yan Ge shook his head strictly and said, "Young Master Wen, your words are misguided. Although the Wen family's business is substantial, it has only remained stable in recent years without any breakthroughs. If you collaborate with First Company, the Wen family will gain much more from First Company's reputation than First Company gains from the Wen family."

Wen Xian fell into silence.

Both Wan Xiang and Xiao Chuanzi felt that their young master was too direct, and they were afraid that he might have touched a sensitive spot with Wen Xian and prepared themselves for a potential fallout.

Wen Xian sighed and smiled, "Young Master Qin is insightful, and I admire that. Let's go with your proposal. We will each invest 100,000 taels, and the profits will be split 40-60."

"Young Master Wen is straightforward indeed," Yan praised with a smile. "Wan Xiang, bring one of the four papers in the study."

"Yes," Wan Xiang acknowledged.

Yan Ge had already drafted the contract while in the carriage. At this moment, he could write without hesitation. His pen moved smoothly like flowing water as he quickly wrote three pages, finalizing the contract and handing it to Wen Xian for his review.

After carefully reading through it, Wen Xian nodded, "There are no issues. Young Master Qin, you have thoroughly considered all aspects."

"If there are no problems, I will have the contract printed in three copies. Once signed, it will be effective. One copy will be kept by the authorities, and the other two will be given to you and me, respectively."

Wen Qin nodded again.

On that day, Wen Xian had someone bring over 100,000 taels in silver bills, while Yan Ge took out 70,000 taels. He had already invested 30,000 taels in the initial stage, and with the account book at hand, everything was clear. He handed over the account book and the 70,000 taels to Wen Xian. After signing the contract, their collaboration was officially established.

Only then did Yan Ge present the project plan and design drawings of the amusement park, providing a detailed explanation to Wen Xian and entrusting him with the full authority to handle the amusement park affairs.

Wen Xian looked at the design drawings and secretly rejoiced that he hadn't hesitated in his decision.

With the amusement park matters delegated, Yan Ge felt at ease. He called Xiao Chuanzi to his side and asked, "Xiao Chuanzi, now that the Toy House project is on track, have you been idle and growing bored again?"

Xiao Chuanzi replied honestly, "Master, I have indeed been a little… hehe… Master, are you assigning me a new task?"

Yan Ge chuckled, "You are smart. Indeed, the scar on my face have already disappeared. Your task is to open a pharmacy and make the scar removal ointment the flagship product."

Xiao Chuanzi hesitated, "I'm not very knowledgeable about medicinal herbs…"

"I'm assigning you to manage the pharmacy, not to treat patients," Yan Ge clarified. "You'll be responsible for hiring four reputable doctors, and I'll also try to find a retired imperial physician to join us.

Within two days, news of the scar on Young Master Qin's face completely disappearing spread throughout the capital city. People were curious to know what miraculous medicine Young Master Qin had used to eliminate such an unsightly scar.

Shortly after, they learned about the opening of the First Company's pharmacy. On the first day of its opening, Ping'an Pharmacy was crowded with customers, most of whom came to buy scar removal ointment. And as for the prescription for scar removal, it naturally came from the "Pharmacopeia."

However, on the day of the pharmacy's opening, Yan Ge did not attend. He was in the palace.

Huangfu Yuchen had finally arranged Yan Jin's identity. He became the biological son of Prime Minister Wen Jiang, so Yan Jin's name was also changed to Jiang Yanjin. Historical records from later generations stated that Prime Minister Wen was a trusted minister of the emperor and a close friend of Emperor Huangfu Yuchen. One day, he brought his son Jiang Yanjin to the palace. When the emperor saw Jiang Yanjin, he was greatly pleased and immediately announced his intention to adopt him as his godson. The following day, the emperor officially adopted Jiang Yanjin as his adopted son, conferring upon him the title of Prince Jin and recording it in the imperial register. For a while, Jiang Yanjin became the second most famous figure in the palace, following Yan Shiren.

Soon after, Huangfu Yuchen planned for the Crown Prince and Jiang Yanjin to meet.

On the day of their meeting, Jiang Yanjin couldn't help but reach out and pinch the Crown Prince's face. The Crown Prince, out of curiosity, also reached out to pinch his face.

The sight of the two face-to-face, pinching each other's faces, made Yan Ge burst into laughter for quite some time.

Jiang Yanjin was very fond of the Crown Prince. It was not easy for the Crown Prince to meet someone of his age in the palace, and Jiang Yanjin treated him well. How could the Crown Prince not develop a fondness for Jiang Yanjin? The two quickly became inseparable.

Because Jiang Yanjin was only the emperor's adopted son and had no possibility of inheriting the throne, it was advantageous for the Crown Prince to be close to him, as he was the son of Prime Minister Wen. Therefore, the Empress did not oppose the Crown Prince's contact with Jiang Yanjin, which saved Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen a lot of trouble.

However, the system had not yet reached its peak, and even if Jiang Yanjin could transform into human form, he couldn't stray too far from Yan Ge. At most, he could only be a mile away. So during the day, he mostly stayed with Yan Ge, and only spent time with the Crown Prince at night.

With these urgent matters resolved, Yan Ge finally had the time to sit down and calculate the company's accounts, growing more and more pleased as he did so. Wen Xian's participation had saved him a significant amount of money. With 200,000 taels, he finally had enough and didn't need to borrow from Huangfu Yuchen.

Less than an hour after leaving the palace, he had someone prepare a carriage to return.

Huangfu Yuchen was still attending the early morning court session when he heard Deng Mande report that Yan Ge had returned. He felt puzzled and went straight back to the Tenglong Palace after the court session.

"Yuchen." Yan Ge greeted him as soon as he saw him, his steps light as if there was a gust of wind beneath his feet. He leaned against Huangfu Yuchen and kisses his face.

"Why are you so happy?" Huangfu Yuchen extended his arm and wrapped it around Yan Ge's waist. Since being with Yan Ge, he had laughed countless times.

"Yan Jin pays his respects to Father Emperor." Due to Deng Mande's presence, Jiang Yanjin performed his salutations properly and respectfully. Yan Ge's secret was too astonishing, and only Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen knew Jiang Yanjin's true origin.

"No need for formalities."

After Jiang Yanjin expressed his gratitude to Huangfu Yuchen, he obediently sat down on the side.

Jiang Yanjin was well-behaved and sensible, which made Deng Mande very fond of him. Deng Mande busily brought over a fruit tray and peeled a banana for him to eat.

Yan Ge grinned and took out a banknote worth 200,000 taels, looking smug. "Have you forgotten our initial agreement? Hehehe."

Huangfu Yuchen chuckled, shielding Jiang Yanjin and Deng Mande from his view, and hugged him while giving him a kiss. "Rest assured, I haven't forgotten. Deng Mande, prepare…"

—"Ding. Congratulations on successfully completing Main Mission 6—being conferred the title of Cairen by the emperor. Reward: 1,000 taels of silver, and 'Fengyun Immortal Records' with cultivating technique up to the Late Enlightenment stage. Main Mission 7—Get conferred the title of Guiren by the emperor. Reward: 5,000 taels of silver, 'Fengyun Immortal Records' cultivating technique up to the Late Harmonization stage. Failure to complete the mission will result in a deduction of 5,000 taels of silver. To accept the mission, choose 'Yes.' To decline the mission, choose 'No.'"

*Ranks from the bottom -Daying, Changzai, Shirén (scholar), Cairen, Guiren, Shiqing, Caiqing (honorable official), Guiqing(Noble Consort), to Huang Guiqing.

News of Yan Ge being conferred the title of Cairen spread throughout the harem. It didn't take long for everyone to see him walking out of the Tenglong Palace with a smile on his face. They secretly ridiculed him, thinking that after following the emperor for so long, he finally gained his favor. What was there to be proud of?

*The ranks have levels. It was explained at the beginning, forgot which chapter though 😅. Anyway, he has now gone from a low level concubine to mid level.

"Yuchen, I don't plan on leaving the palace for the next few days." Yan Ge winked at Huangfu Yuchen.

Huangfu Yuchen understood that he wanted to cultivate. "Follow me."

He took Yan Ge to the secret chamber inside the Tenglong Palace.

During this upgrade, Yan Ge received a jade scroll from the system. He immersed his spiritual power into it and imprinted the cultivation techniques of the "Fengyun Immortal Records" into his mind, reaching the later stage of the Illumination period. Before his eyes, a man sat cross-legged, guiding the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body. A white line flowed along his meridians.

"The Dao that can be spoken is not the eternal Dao. The name that can be named is not the eternal name. The Dao gives birth to one, one gives birth to two, two gives birth to three, and three gives birth to all things. All things carry yin and embrace yang. The Dao generates the primordial qi from emptiness, and from the primordial qi, yin and yang are produced. Yin and yang merge to form the three bodies, and the three bodies give birth to all things…"

Yan Ge sat cross-legged, with his five hearts facing the sky, expelling all distracting thoughts from his mind. He closed his eyes and focused, imagining that there was a stream of spiritual energy in the air, guiding it into his body through his palms, soles of feet, and crown. Before long, a faint and cool breath penetrated his skin, permeated his flesh and blood, and flowed into his meridians. He had previously studied acupuncture points and quickly guided the spiritual energy to flow through the correct acupoints as shown in the diagram, ultimately gathering it in the Dantian. Then, he guided the spiritual energy from the Dantian to the brow, from the brow to the soles of the feet, back to the Dantian, and then flowing to the brow… repeating this cycle continuously.

As the true qi accumulated more and more within his body, the Dantian grew hotter. After eighty-one cycles, the true qi no longer required his deliberate control and began to circulate automatically. His previous internal energy was also refined and transformed into true qi. His whole body, from the inside out, felt warm and entered a state of selflessness.

Two days passed, and Yan Ge still hadn't left the secret chamber. Huangfu Yuchen knew little about cultivation and was extremely worried. He went in to check on him.

Yan Ge was sitting motionless, enveloped in white mist. Fortunately, his expression was calm, which relieved Huangfu Yuchen. He left the secret chamber and had Deng Mande prepare hot food at any time.

Deng Mande was unaware of the existence of the secret chamber, but he sensed something. However, since Huangfu Yuchen didn't mention it, it meant that he shouldn't know, so he wouldn't inquire. One of the first things to learn as a servant and subordinate is self-awareness.

After an unknown period of time, Yan Ge slowly opened his eyes in the secret chamber. The tiny specks of dust in the air seemed ten times larger, and he could see them clearly. He could even hear the conversations between Huangfu Yuchen and Deng Mande outside the secret chamber, as well as the sound of pouring tea. It felt strange to him, and he shook his head slightly, activating his true perception to suppress his heightened senses.

"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."

"Prepare food for Yan Ge as well, but make it light."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Yan Ge pushed himself up with both hands and effortlessly leaped up, flying two or three meters into the air. He was filled with excitement and subconsciously wanted to test his strength, but then he remembered that he was still in the secret chamber. He quickly retracted his hands and opened the door, walking out.

"Yuchen, I don't want to eat bland food, I want to eat meat."

Huangfu Yuchen heard the sound, went up to him and hugged him, "No. You haven't eaten for a few days, suddenly eating too greasy is not good for your health."

"No." Yan Ge leaned close to his ear and kissed his ear secretly, "You forgot that my body has been modified? Even if it's overly greasy food, it can't harm me, let alone minor illnesses or discomforts."

"Alright." Huangfu Yuchen said helplessly, "Freshen up first."

After freshening up, Deng Mande voluntarily exited.

"I'm starving to death." Yan Ge snatched Huangfu Yuchen's bowl of rice, put two chopsticks of vegetables into the bowl, and ate with a spoon.

Seeing how hungry he was, Huangfu Yuchen felt both distressed and amused. He brought an empty bowl and filled it with rice, then added the dishes, dividing the meat and vegetables equally. After mixing them together, he pushed the bowl towards Yan Ge, then carefully removed the fish bones onto a plate.

Yan Ge ate while watching him, becoming increasingly satisfied. His eyes curved, and he couldn't help but lean over and kiss his cheek.

Huangfu Yuchen wiped his face with a handkerchief in disgust. "It's all greasy."

Yan Ge picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks and brought it close to Huangfu Yuchen's mouth. "As an apology."

Huangfu Yuchen opened his mouth and ate it, then put the fish meat into Yan Ge's bowl and continued removing bones. "You eat. I'm still not hungry."

Yan Ge had three bowls of rice in a row, and the burning sensation in his stomach subsided slightly. He slowed down his eating pace, urging Huangfu Yuchen to eat and occasionally arranging the dishes for him.

The attendants noticed Yan Ge's meticulousness, so they consciously avoided intruding on their intimate moments.

"Has your cultivation been going smoothly?" Huangfu Yuchen scooped a bowl of soup and handed it to him. "Have a few sips of soup before eating."

"Mm," Yan Ge nodded. "It's been smooth. The longer the duration of my first meditation, the better my aptitude. However, the secret room is not suitable for seclusion."

Huangfu Yuchen was puzzled. "Huangfu Yuchen was puzzled. "What's unsuitable about it? I can have it rebuilt."

"No," Yan Ge said. "Now I understand why legendary cultivators always practice in remote mountains. On one hand, there are fewer people and more abundant spiritual energy in the deep mountains. On the other hand, after emerging from seclusion, they can't resist testing their skills. A casual strike can cause considerable damage."

Huangfu Yuchen understood. "I see. In that case, we indeed need to find another place for seclusion. There is a suitable mountain called Mingxia in the outskirts of the capital. Although Mingxia Mountain boasts beautiful scenery, its terrain is treacherous, with towering cliffs, and it is rarely visited by people. It's not far from the palace, and with our light skills, we can reach it in the time it takes to burn incense. We can build a secret room there."

Yan Ge said, "To avoid leaks, only the two of us can personally handle it."

"It's not difficult. We can use explosives," Huangfu Yuchen suggested. "But my identity doesn't allow me to be away for too long, so the cultivation speed might not be very fast."

Yan Ge explained, "Only the first cultivation at each level and when approaching a breakthrough will take a longer time and needs several days of meditation. Other times, cultivation only requires daily meditation, and one can wake up at any time. I will guide you when the time comes."

That night, Yan Ge and Huangfu Yuchen quietly left the palace and arrived at Mingxia Mountain. They used explosives to blast a cave, around 100 meters in size, beneath a cliff halfway up the mountain. The dense forest at the entrance perfectly concealed the existence of the cave.

Yan Ge had his own set of techniques for cultivation, and this time he was of great help in establishing the secret room. He set up a simple illusion array at the entrance to prevent anyone from inadvertently entering. From now on, this cave would be their secret place for cultivation, known only to the three of them.

–"Master, let's test your current strength," Yan Jin suggested.

Huangfu Yuchen was also interested.

Yan Ge nodded and said, "Very well."

He mobilized the true qi in his dantian, quickly gathering it in the palms of his hands. With a low shout, he pushed his palm towards the cave wall. With a rumble, the ground trembled slightly, the rocks on the cave wall shattered, and dust filled the air. After the dust settled, everyone saw a large hole in the cave wall big enough for two children to crawl into.

Yan Ge once again mobilized and circulated his true qi. A strand of wind whirled around his fingertips. With a wave of his hand, a gust of wind shot out, sweeping towards a pile of rubble. The gust of wind was as sharp as a blade, slicing the rocks in half with a smooth and mirror-like surface.

Huangfu Yuchen praised, "The 'Fengyun Immortal Record' is truly marvelous!"

"Of course," Yan Jin said proudly, "the one I presented naturally wouldn't be inferior." Whether it was because he was accustomed to acting like a child in front of the Crown Prince or for some other reason, he was becoming more and more childlike himself.

"Yuchen, you should also learn the Flowing Sands Sword Technique as soon as possible, or else you'll be left even further behind," Yan Ge teased Huangfu Yuchen.

Huangfu Yuchen hugged his waist and said helplessly, "Don't get too complacent. Maybe my aptitude will be even better than yours. Shall we go back?"

"Let's go."

Huangfu Yuchen tapped his foot and flew up the cliff with Yan Ge in tow. Yan Ge followed effortlessly, displaying the same agility.

In the blink of an eye, it was the joyous day for Yan Su's marriage ceremony. The entrance of the Yan Mansion was adorned with colorful lights and decorations, and the sound of firecrackers filled the air. The joyous atmosphere was bustling with guests coming and going.

The Ministry of Rites, responsible for the five ceremonial occasions of auspiciousness, joy, military, guests, and funeral, typically played a minor role in managing national school affairs, imperial examinations, and foreign affairs with vassals and other countries.

Their significance was considered the lowest among the six ministries, but Yan Xiaojing, the Minister of Rites, had recently seen a series of promotions for his second son, and he was the most frequently promoted among the new consorts. He was now elevated to the status of Cairen and it was no secret that Yan Ge was highly favored by the emperor. Officials from both within and outside the court would not miss this opportunity to please Yan Xiaojing and arrived at the Yan Mansion with generous gifts.

At the entrance of the Yan Mansion, Yan Xiaojing and Butler Yan Fu were constantly exchanging pleasantries with various dignitaries, instructing the servants to note down the gifts meticulously, busy to the point of being overwhelmed. The higher Yan Ge's status was in the palace, the less Yan Xiaojing dared to relax his demands on his family, including himself. Among all the officials who came to congratulate, those with a lower rank than his own were allowed to give ten taels of silver as a gift, while those of equal or higher rank were to give fifty taels of silver. Not a single bit more. Some officials lacked tact and insisted on giving more, which required Yan Xiaojing to spend some effort to dissuade them. He couldn't offend them on such a joyous occasion.

The guests had already heard that Yan Cairen might personally come to congratulate Yan Su, so they didn't dare to make things difficult for Yan Xiaojing. In short, the atmosphere was relatively harmonious.

For the elder brother's grand wedding, Yan Ge could only attend as a palace consort to make it formal, and he had to have the Ministry of Rites arrange an escort for him. Yan Jin also dressed up and accompanied him.

Originally, Huangfu Yuchen wanted to come with them, but Yan Ge had to persuade him with flattering words. If Huangfu Yuchen really came with him, the Yan family would immediately become the center of attention.

The escort team arrived on time before the ceremony began.

"Prince Jin arrives – Yan Cairen arrives –"

Everyone stood up to welcome both the prince and Yan Cairen.

"Greeting to Prince Jin, greetings to Yan Cairen."

Yan Ge held Yan Jin's hand as they stepped down from the sedan chair and said, "No need for formalities, everyone."

"Thank you, Prince Jin. Thank you, Yan Cairen."

After everyone stood up, they dared to steal glances at Yan Ge and Prince Jin. Prince Jin was dressed like a golden boy, handsome and adorable, while Yan Jin had a mask on his face, just like he did during the emperor's birthday banquet. The distinguished appearance of the empror's consort was not something ordinary commoners could see, even for a male consort. But actually, Yan Ge just couldn't reveal that he was the "Young Master Qin."

Yan Jin ran to Minister Jiang Gan's side, held his hand, and looked at him with a beaming smile, saying, "Father."

"Ah," Jiang Gan patted his head. Although this little guy was not his biological son, he was lively and sensible, and Jiang Gan liked him very much.

Yan Ge approached Yan Xiaojing and Madam Yan and paid his respects to them.

"This son pays respects to Father and Mother."

"No need for such formalities, Yan Cairen," Yan Xiaojing stopped him in time.

Yan Ge then looked at Yan Su and smiled, "Congratulations, big brother!"

Yan Su cupped his hands and replied, "Thank you, Yan Cairen."

Yan Ge didn't like the idea of the whole family having to go through this formal exchange of greetings. He smiled and said, "Let's talk inside."

"Please, please."

Inside the main hall, Yan Xiaojing and Madam Yan took their seats at the head, while Yan Ge sat on the side. The guests surrounded them, smiling and watching the newlyweds.

Huangfu Yuchen had also arrived, dressed in white, and was standing among the crowd. Yan Ge recognized him with just one glance, and they exchanged a meaningful look.

A loud cry of "the auspicious moment has arrived!" was heard, followed by the sound of firecrackers. As the sound faded, the master of ceremonies began to shout, "Kneel and pay respects to heaven and earth—"

Yan Su, wearing a large red flower on his chest, and the bride in her auspicious red attire knelt together, paying respects to the hall outside.

"Kowtow to the parents—"

"Husband and wife exchange bows—"

"Lead to the bridal chamber—"

Cheers and firecrackers erupted simultaneously as the bride and groom drank the ceremonial wine and the bride ate the dumplings, completing the rituals.

Yan Su was pulled away by a group of young masters to drink. Laughter filled the banquet, making it lively. Yan Su had undoubtedly sought advice from experienced individuals beforehand and had invited several friends and colleagues to help him handle the toasts. However, despite his preparations, he still ended up drunk, being supported by the crowd as they led him towards the bridal chamber, ready to play the traditional wedding pranks.

Yan Ge, with great interest, took Qiuju and the newly arrived little eunuch Xiao Fuzi to join in the excitement.

"Young Master, you have a noble status, what if someone offends you?" Xiao Fuzi advised tactfully.

"Let's be careful, and everything will be fine. It's rare to have the opportunity to witness such festivities."

Qiuju hesitated and whispered, "Young Master, the emperor is still waiting for you to return together."

"Go and tell him to wait a little longer. I'll go to him soon."

Qiuju had no choice but to go find Huangfu Yuchen.

Yan Ge led Xiao Fuzi and followed the crowd to the backyard, keeping a distance to prevent others from being too concerned about his identity.

Unexpectedly, at that moment, two dark figures suddenly descended from the sky, swords raised, aiming at Yan Ge!

The two sword lights, like sharp arrows, flashed through the darkness.

"Master!" Xiao Fuzi exclaimed in alarm, rushing forward and using his body to block Yan Ge.

Yan Ge was startled but quickly grew furious. Today was supposed to be a solemn and joyous day, but if blood were to be shed, wouldn't it be a curse on the occasion?

With a cold snort, he pushed Xiao Fuzi aside with his left hand and swiftly shot out two bursts of true qi with his right hand, striking the wrists of the two black-clothed men. These men exuded a strong murderous intent, and Yan Ge concluded that they were assassins. Without mercy, he delivered a palm strike with each hand.

Xiao Fuzi, lying on the ground, quickly regained his senses and, without caring to get up, shouted loudly, "Assassins! Capture the assassins!"

One of the black-clothed men pulled out a hidden weapon and shot it.

Yan Ge's figure flashed, appearing instantly in front of Xiao Fuzi. With a swing of his right hand, he deftly deflected the iron caltrop that he had casually broken off from a bamboo twig, and as if playing golf, hit the knee of the black-clothed man.

"Ah!"

Xiao Fuzi continued to shout, "Capture the assassins!"

The guards of the Yan Mansion were quickly alerted and came running upon hearing the commotion.

A white figure swiftly passed before everyone's eyes, appearing first in the backyard and launching a surprise attack on the two black-clothed men from behind.

The two black-clothed men turned to flee.

"You've arrived?" Yan Ge greeted Huangfu Yuchen with ease. Like an ethereal shadow, he swiftly passed through the gap between the two black-clothed men, spreading his arms and striking their backs simultaneously with both palms. In the next instant, he was calmly standing by Huangfu Yuchen's side.

Huangfu Yuchen embraced his waist and angrily ordered, "Capture them for Us!"

Several hidden guards materialized out of thin air, subduing the two black-clothed men.

The faces of the two black-clothed men turned pale, and they exchanged a glance before a trace of blood suddenly trickled from the corners of their mouths. They had actually chosen to commit suicide!

In the end, blood was shed at Yan Su's wedding, and Yan Ge's face darkened.

Huangfu Yuchen's expression also turned grim.

Only now did the others react. This unfamiliar man turned out to be the emperor in disguise. They quickly knelt down, "We pay our respects to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Investigate this for Us! We want to know who dared to hire assassins to target Us!" Huangfu Yuchen couldn't contain his anger.

Yan Ge patted his chest and said, "Alright, getting angry with others is just tormenting oneself. Don't be angry anymore. The fox will reveal its tail sooner or later."

"Next time, you should still bring guards when you go out," Huangfu Yuchen said with a stern face.

"Understood, let's consider these assassins as a test of our skills. It's just unfortunate that they caused bloodshed at my brother's wedding."

The crowd lowered their heads, their faces showing astonishment. Yan Cairen actually spoke to the emperor in such a casual manner, and the emperor didn't even hold him accountable.

In an inconspicuous corner, there was another person with a gloomy expression—Ning Chaobang. At this moment, he stared at Yan Ge with a serious face, devoid of his usual amiable demeanor.

"I didn't expect him to possess martial arts skills. Fortunately, we hired assassins, so there's no risk of tracing it back to me. It's just a pity to miss such a good opportunity…"

Back in the palace, Huangfu Yuchen still wore a somber expression.

"Still angry?" Yan Ge loosened his belt, dissipating the summer heat.

After instructing the palace maid to prepare an ice basin, Huangfu Yuchen said, "The person behind these assassins is extremely cautious, actually hiring killers to target you. His identity must be extraordinary."

Yan Ge nodded in agreement.

Helplessly, Huangfu Yuchen said, "Are you still laughing? Although your martial arts skills are impressive, it's difficult to guard against hidden arrows."

Yan Ge protested, "I wasn't laughing."

Huangfu Yuchen reached out and pinched his face, then touched the corners of his mouth before solemnly nodding, "Indeed, you weren't laughing. I misjudged."

Suddenly, Yan Ge pounced on him, using him as a cushion. "Don't worry too much. We are prepared now, and if he dares to make another move, we'll surely catch him by the tail."

Huangfu Yuchen shook his head. "The other party is very cautious. Until we have a foolproof plan, they won't easily act. Anyway, listen to me. From now on, when you walk outside the palace, you must be extra careful and not act recklessly."

"As you command. Let's go and bathe."