Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

"I was merely reminiscing with Lord Lin about the past," Li Gang said, picking up his teacup and blowing away the foam. "Lord Lin is a wise man; he knows that in this capital, having more friends makes life easier. Especially... those friends who truly care about the country and its people, rather than those who are only concerned with their own selfish interests. Your Highness, you may be visiting Ci'en Temple soon to pray for the Empress Dowager. The vegetarian food there is quite famous."

The point has been made; no further explanation is needed.

Lin Feng stood up and bowed solemnly: "Thank you for your guidance, Prime Minister Li. I will remember it."

It was already afternoon when we left the Prime Minister's residence. The sunlight was a bit too bright.

"Commander, is Prime Minister Li implying that we can contact Princess Pingyang? Or perhaps even borrow her power?" Bai Xiaohe asked.

"More than that," Lin Feng said. "He's telling us that the Emperor might be willing to arrange a marriage, or at least hopes that I can establish some kind of connection with the princess, thus adding a royally recognized 'sheath' to my 'sword,' and balancing my disadvantage of having no foundation in the court. At the same time, the hidden forces behind the princess might also become a force to check and balance Prince Lin."

"Shall we go to Ci'en Temple?"

"Go, why not?" Lin Feng's lips curled up slightly. "His Majesty is hosting a banquet, the princess is 'curious,' and Prime Minister Li is 'talking casually.' All the clues point to one place. Since someone has set up the stage, wouldn't it be a waste of this 'kindness' if we didn't go and see? It's a good opportunity to see just how 'exceptionally intelligent' this Princess Pingyang really is."

He paused, looking at the bustling street: "Besides, I have a feeling that Prince Lin, having suffered a loss yesterday, won't remain silent. This capital may seem calm on the surface, but there are probably undercurrents beneath. Going to see the princess might make some people hiding in the shadows even more anxious."

Only by taking the initiative can one break the deadlock. In this chess game in the capital, he has already made his move; the next step depends on how his opponent responds.

Ci'en Temple, nestled at the foot of Qixia Mountain in the western suburbs of Beijing, boasts a long history and enduring popularity. Ancient trees tower within its grounds, and the air is filled with the sounds of chanting, creating a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the capital.

Lin Feng, still dressed in a low-key indigo cotton robe, and Bai Xiaohe, who was also simply dressed, slowly ascended the bluestone steps. He seemed to be strolling leisurely, but his eyes had already taken in the passing pilgrims, the monks of the temple, and even every blade of grass and tree.

Sure enough, there were some unusual "pilgrims" inside the temple. Although they were followed at a distance by servants and guards, several of them walked with steady steps and sharp eyes, clearly skilled fighters from the palace. Further out, Lin Feng keenly sensed several other hidden spying auras, carrying a hint of coldness—they were probably Prince Lin's men.

Sure enough, once the bait was offered, everyone on the sidelines became restless.

"Guard the southeast corner of the Zen temple; there are palace guards there," Bai Xiaohe whispered.

Lin Feng nodded slightly and strolled deeper into the temple. He didn't head straight for the Southeast Zen Temple, but instead lit incense in the main hall and casually wandered around the release pond, acting as if he were just an ordinary pilgrim.

Just as he walked along a quiet bamboo path, he heard a woman's clear and melodious laughter and a faint, elegant fragrance, like a secluded orchid in a valley.

Surrounded by several maids, Princess Pingyang approached slowly with an elderly nun dressed in a light blue robe, her demeanor ethereal and otherworldly. The princess was not in her palace attire today, but rather a simple, light apricot-colored ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), over which she wore a moon-white gauze robe. Her dark hair was simply tied up with a white jade hairpin. Lacking the imposing grandeur of her palace banquet attire, she possessed a more youthful vivacity and serenity. Holding a newly plucked peach blossom in her hand, she listened intently to the old nun's words, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Lin Feng stopped, stepped aside to let him pass, and bowed slightly.

"Eh?" Princess Pingyang's gaze swept over him, as if she had just noticed him. A hint of surprise flashed in her eyes at just the right moment, then turned into a gentle smile. "General Lin? What a coincidence. General, you've also come to Ci'en Temple to worship Buddha?"

"Greetings, Your Highness." Lin Feng bowed. "I've long heard of the serene beauty of Ci'en Temple, so I came to visit. I apologize for disturbing Your Highness's peace and quiet."

"What disturbance?" Princess Pingyang waved her hand, gesturing for the old nun and her maids to step back a few paces, and then approached alone. The fragrance emanating from her became clearer; it was not the strong incense commonly found in the palace, but rather an extremely light and faint yet lingering cool scent, which, intertwined with the sandalwood incense of the Buddhist temple, created a unique charm.

"General, there's no need for such formality. This isn't the palace; just call me... well, just call me 'Miss Li.'" She winked mischievously, giving her mother's surname, clearly not wanting to reveal her identity and attract more attention. "I often come here to listen to Abbess Jing'an's sermons, but this is the first time I've met you here, General. Are you also interested in Buddhism?"

"I am but a humble soldier, with little knowledge of the profound doctrines of Buddhism. I simply find this place tranquil, a place to cleanse my mind and temporarily escape the hustle and bustle of the world," Lin Feng replied impeccably, his gaze meeting the princess's with unwavering composure.

"A temporary escape from the hustle and bustle?" Princess Pingyang chuckled, twirling the peach blossom branch between her fingers. "General, do you know that the greatest 'hustle and bustle' in the capital often lies in people's hearts, not in the city streets? Sometimes, the quieter a place seems, the more turbulent the undercurrents are. Just like the release pond at Ci'en Temple, the surface may appear calm, but the fish and shrimp below are fiercely competing for food."

Her words were loaded with meaning and implied something.

"Your Highness is very insightful," Lin Feng said, following her lead. "This humble general has been stationed at the border for a long time and only knows about open warfare. I am indeed unfamiliar with the undercurrents beneath the water."

"It doesn't matter if you're unfamiliar with it. Observe more and listen more, and you'll naturally become familiar with it." Princess Pingyang took a step closer, lowering her voice as if sharing a secret. "Like the little trinkets the General found at the secondhand bookstore yesterday, sometimes inconspicuous things often hold great significance. The scenery in the North is ultimately different from that in the capital, isn't it?"

Lin Feng felt a chill run down his spine. She knew! And she pointed it out so directly!

"The princess is well-informed," Lin Feng said calmly.

"I wouldn't call myself well-informed; I've just happened to read some miscellaneous books and am somewhat curious about the customs and scenery of the border regions," Princess Pingyang said with a smile, as if she were genuinely just discussing academic matters.

"I've heard of a tribe in the north called the 'Red Feathers,' skilled in taming eagles and falcons, whose tribal totem is a unique firebird. Deep within their territory, there is said to be a valley where, on the night of the full moon, strange radiance shines forth, which the locals consider a divine miracle, and they dare not approach it lightly. I wonder if the general, while at the border, has heard of such fascinating tales?"

Akabane-bu! Valley! Full moon shines!

Lin Feng instantly connected the princess's words with the fragment of the sheepskin map in his arms! Could the valley that the map pointed to be the "Valley of Miracles" the princess spoke of? This was no coincidence! The princess not only knew about the sheepskin, but she likely knew even more secrets about the Crimson Feather Tribe and that valley! Was she hinting, or exchanging information?

"I am ashamed to say that I have been stationed on the border for many years and have dealt with the Northern Mang royal court. I am not familiar with the secrets of these tribes," Lin Feng replied cautiously, while observing the princess's expression.