Keep your voice down. Are you trying to look glamorous dressed as a forced lover?

Cheng Fei's words not only made Ji Mingzheng's face darken, but also the faces of everyone else.

What do you mean by joining them? He's definitely up to no good!

Wen Sheng frowned. Sure enough, although they were somewhat similar, General Cheng's personality was clearly completely different from Ji Mingzheng's. His Highness probably didn't intentionally find a substitute.

The problem is that General Cheng is even more adept at handling affairs; he's not a simple character and has mastered some domestic skills without any formal training.

If Ji Mingzheng were to encounter him, he would inevitably suffer losses, and might even push His Highness further and further away.

His Highness's relationship with them is already so strained; if it deteriorates further...

Wen Sheng dared not think further, but he knew he couldn't let things continue like this.

Wen Sheng asked directly, "Does Your Highness know General Cheng's meaning?"

"I didn't say it, but I think His Highness knew, and he never refused me."

The moment His Highness appeared at the home of a fallen subordinate, his shoes covered in mud, panting, and handing over the pension money, her image was deeply etched into his mind.

Not to mention their destined encounter later on.

Cheng Fei was lost in his memories, his face still full of reverie, which made Song Qinian and the others' faces turn as black as the bottom of a pot.

To prevent Ji Mingzheng from losing his composure, Wen Sheng, disregarding the fact that Song Qinian and the others recognized them as friends, quickly pushed Ji Mingzheng away.

"General Ji and I have some matters to discuss, so I'll take my leave now."

Song Qinian watched their retreating figures, then looked at Cheng Fei and said, "General Cheng, please."

"Yes, thank you, Consort Song."

As Cheng Fei was being helped away by his entourage, he noticed Qiu Nanzhu in the corner.

He simply couldn't ignore it, not only because of his unique temperament and good looks, but also because Qiu Nanzhu's gaze was unsettling.

Not to mention Qiu Nanzhu rashly stepped forward and actually offered to take a look at his leg.

"Need not."

Cheng Fei immediately refused, his face full of defensiveness: "Men and women are different. Even if he is a doctor, I will only see male doctors from now on."

Now that he is no longer on the battlefield and has entered His Highness's Eastern Palace, he must draw a line between himself and all the women.

"Lord Song, please do not arrange for palace maids; I only need eunuchs."

What a model of male virtue!

Song Qinian's gaze fell on Huai Xu, who had been following Cheng Fei, and he nodded to himself as he looked at her.

Even Song Qinian was amused and exasperated: "That was the arrangement all along, General Cheng. There's no reason for a concubine to have maids serving her."

In short, it's not just you who uphold male virtues; we are also pure and chaste!

Cheng Fei paused for a moment, then said, "I see. I was ignorant of the rules of the Eastern Palace and talked too much. Sister Huai Xu, please explain the rules of the Eastern Palace to me more often in the future, so that I won't make a fool of myself again."

"General Cheng, you are too kind. This is what I should do. There is no need for me to ask for your advice. You are His Highness's honored guest. How could I make a fool of myself?"

She secretly glared at Song Qinian. As his personal maid, she naturally knew the suffering His Highness had endured, so she could only be polite to Song Qinian and the others.

Compared to the three concubines, this newly arrived General Cheng is clearly more sensible!

Song Qinian could clearly see Huai Xu's favoritism. He tightened his grip on the fan. Huai Xu's preferences often followed His Highness's, so was this also His Highness's attitude?

Song Qinian returned to Ninghui Palace without knowing how. Although it was summer, his heart felt cold.

Have things really come to an end for him and His Highness?

This question also came to Ji Mingzheng's mind.

It's no exaggeration to say that Ji Mingzheng's heart was in turmoil at Cheng Fei's appearance.

He was very grateful that Wen Sheng had taken him away from that oppressive environment that made him want to go crazy.

"What delicious food do you have for dinner tonight? Your Highness has returned safely, how about we celebrate with some drinks?"

At this moment, Ji Mingzheng only wanted to get drunk; staying sober was simply too cruel for him.

Wen Sheng naturally knew this, so he nodded and said, "I'll drink with you."

"No need to keep me company. You don't like drinking, so just have a little. It'll be free for some people..." she said, feeling sorry for him.

Ji Mingzheng didn't finish his sentence because the person who wanted to drink for Wen Sheng when he knew Wen Sheng didn't like drinking has now turned around and become considerate of others.

Ji Mingzheng gritted his teeth. He didn't understand why a person's heart could change so quickly.

They were so good to them before, but then they completely forgot about them.

Does she have a heart? How many hearts does she actually have?

Ji Mingzheng had countless things he wanted to say, but he couldn't utter a single word, because he was reaping what he sowed.

Wen Sheng was momentarily stunned by Ji Mingzheng's words and didn't reply. Instead, she asked, "Ji Mingzheng, what do you think? Everything I said before has come true."

"I didn't think about it much."

Ji Mingzheng lowered his eyes, avoiding Wen Sheng's probing gaze. His chest rose and fell slightly, a bellyful of grievances stuck in his heart, with nowhere to vent them, while he still had to maintain a calm appearance on his face.

What could he possibly think? He was just a concubine; what could he possibly say about Li Qingyan?

Even if Cheng Fei's background is less privileged, his leg is only broken and can recover. He's inherently talented and has a bright future ahead of him, unlike his...

Wen Sheng was pressured by one thing after another, and knew that she could not delay any longer, so she wanted to force Ji Mingzheng to make a statement and make him think it through, especially after seeing Cheng Fei appear.

He really didn't want Cheng Fei to replace Ji Mingzheng. If Cheng Fei replaced Ji Mingzheng, what would all his previous efforts and his missed opportunities mean?

But seeing Ji Mingzheng lower his eyes and look at his crippled leg, he could no longer get any answers from Ji Mingzheng.

Knowing that his friend was suffering from pain and low self-esteem, he couldn't bring himself to stab him in the back.

"Drink if you want."

Wen Sheng didn't try to persuade Ji Mingzheng to drink less, thinking that getting drunk and venting his frustrations was a good idea.

In the end, after getting drunk, Ji Mingzheng just quietly huddled in a corner, hugging his knees and shutting himself off.

The worst lapse in composure was just muttering a couple of times that it hurt.

Wen Sheng also sought out many famous doctors for his treatment, and finally gave him a medicinal bath. Ji Mingzheng then curled up in the corner and fell asleep.

Wen Sheng watched his retreating figure, her gaze slowly hardening.

It's okay, I still have him.

The next day, after seeing off Ji Mingzheng, who was used to getting up early to practice his martial arts, Wen Sheng prepared a breakfast that Li Qingyan liked and went to find Li Qingyan.

Unsurprisingly, she ran into Cheng Fei, who wanted to have breakfast with Li Qingyan.

Or perhaps Wen Sheng deliberately came to bump into Cheng Fei.

He knew that Cheng Fei would do everything he could to get close to His Highness. Cheng Fei was an honored guest, and His Highness would definitely see him.

But he was different. His Highness didn't want to see him and would only have Sui Shi deal with him.

So he went with Cheng Fei, and given Her Highness's personality, she wouldn't contradict him in front of Cheng Fei.

Wen Sheng smiled: "General Cheng."

Cheng Fei saw Wen Sheng, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Wen Consort, what brings you here?"

"Your Highness has lost a lot of weight these days, so I've brought her some of her favorite breakfast."

Wen Sheng showed no sign of feeling guilty about seeing Li Qingyan while Cheng Fei was there. Cheng Fei only sensed their familiarity and forced a smile.

When Sui Shi saw the two appear together, he quickly gave the little palace maid a wink.

Soon a palace maid came out: "Your Highness is ready. Consort Wen, General Cheng, please."

Wen Sheng breathed a sigh of relief; as expected.

Li Qingyan was surprised that Wen Sheng would come and even brought breakfast. She originally wanted to cultivate a relationship with Cheng Fei, but Wen Sheng had just donated money, so she couldn't possibly embarrass Cheng Fei in front of him.

And so, the breakfast for the three of them... no, the breakfast of a chaotic battleground began.

The breakfasts at the East Palace were all quite good, but the ones Wen Sheng brought were inexplicably more fragrant and had more soul.

Wen Sheng gently served food to Li Qingyan, using the same old reason: she couldn't possibly embarrass him in front of Cheng Fei.

Li Qingyan did just as he wished.

Li Qingyan almost cried, not because she felt wronged, but because it was too delicious!

How can ordinary porridge taste so delicious!

Seeing Li Qingyan enjoying her meal, Cheng Fei gritted his teeth in secret and finally joined the queue.

Li Qingyan almost cried again. It felt so good to be able to eat properly!

As they fought over it, her bad luck with food disappeared!

She never wants to live a life of choking on every three bites and swallowing every two bites again!

All of this was brought about by Cheng Fei, so it can be tentatively concluded that Cheng Fei is truly qualified.