Lin Feng turned back at the door, flashing the flustered consort his most innocent smile.
"Then I'll take my leave, Your Ladyship. I'll come again another day to… continue tutoring His Ninth Highness, all right?"
The beauty's ears were still crimson. She gave a curt nod. "Very well. No need to see you out."
He followed the emperor and his aunt out of Western Moon Palace, inwardly cursing.
I've got to memorize every face and name around here fast. Can't even flirt properly when I don't know what the hell to call the woman I almost banged.
Lin Tianjiao walked beside him, eyes shining with rare joy.
"Feng'er, I'm truly happy you've finally seen the light. You always loved books and hated martial arts when you were little. Your father doted on you and never forced you, but it never suited a Lin man. Now he and Grandfather can rest easy in the afterlife."
The emperor laughed heartily. "Beloved consort, the boy's just recovered from a major injury. Keep him company for me. I have state matters to attend to."
With that, he strode off surrounded by imperial guards.
Lin Feng immediately wanted distance from his aunt—he had no clue what daily habits the original owner had, and one wrong move could expose him.
"Aunt, my head's still spinning a bit. I'll head back first."
"Wait." Lin Tianjiao stopped him. "Since you've decided to train in martial arts, act like a man. I'll arrange an instructor for you tomorrow."
Lin Feng panicked. "Aunt… my head really hurts. Can I rest a couple more days?"
She wasn't having it. "Once you've made up your mind, no dodging. Even if you start as a common soldier and rise to greatness, carrying the Lin banner will be a long, hard road. I won't let you slack off now."
"…I understand. I won't run away. But my head really does hurt."
"Fine. Rest first. I'll handle the academy side." She softened slightly, seeing the determination in his eyes.
"Academy?" Lin Feng blurted.
"You're not planning to train alone, are you?" Lin Tianjiao frowned.
Holy crap, they have actual military academies here? And not everyone's East Asian—half the palace ladies look Western. That consort I almost nailed had natural blonde waves…
"Yeah… I was thinking of training by myself," he tried.
"Out of the question." Lin Tianjiao's tone left no room for argument. "If you truly want to start from the bottom, you must attend the academy. That's the only way to build a proper foundation."
"But Aunt… I don't want to leave you," he said with the most pitiful expression he could muster.
"You have the privilege of free passage in the palace now. No one will dare touch your residence here." Her voice turned icy at the thought of anyone trying.
Lin Feng inwardly wept. "…Fine. Once my head feels better, I'll go."
"Good. Rest well. I'll let you know when everything's arranged." She turned and left, skirts sweeping like a general's cloak.
Back in his courtyard, Lin Feng slapped himself across the face so hard it echoed.
Why the hell did I open my big mouth about training? I could've just cultivated battle qi in secret! Now I've shot myself in the foot and I'm being shipped off to some damn military academy!
If I'd kept quiet, with my silver tongue and quick thinking I could still seduce every beauty in the palace. That consort today was top-tier, and I was this close! Sure, I didn't get to finish, but man, the way she melted… Next time I sneak in, she's definitely mine.
If I actually take her, will she still dare act high and mighty? Report me? Hah—an adulterous consort gets her entire clan executed. She wouldn't dare breathe a word.
Little Leaf came running the moment he stepped inside.
"Young Master!"
"Little Leaf, go fetch every book we have on the Divine Might Empire—history, geography, customs, notable figures, everything. Actually, just come here and tell me yourself. I can't remember a damn thing after the head injury."
"All the books are at the general's mansion… Should I go get them?"
"No need. Just talk. I'll listen."
So Little Leaf sat beside him and began. Lin Feng absorbed everything: the empire was over ten thousand years old, one of the continent's superpowers; the Lin clan had always been the right arm of the founding Wayne royal family, and so on.
They talked until lanterns were lit.
"Young Master, I'll go prepare dinner. We can continue after you eat."
After dinner he sprawled on the bed like a lazy young master and patted the mattress. "Come on, keep talking."
Little Leaf dragged a stool to the bedside and continued.
Once he had the basics down, he asked, "What's the deal with these academies?"
"They're all state-run. There are branches all over the empire, but the two most famous in the capital are War Tiger Academy for battle-qi and martial techniques, and Sacred Light Academy for magic. Every famous general and mage on the continent came from one of those two."
"Huh…" Lin Feng stroked his chin.
"Young Master, you really don't remember? You've been to War Tiger Academy with His Highness the Crown Prince before."
"Head injury—total blank," he lied smoothly.
Little Leaf nodded solemnly. "Then I'll tell you everything I know."
"Cool. You've been sitting on that hard stool forever—get up on the bed and talk. You'll be more comfortable."
Little Leaf's face exploded scarlet.
Young Master used to be so aloof he barely spoke to me… Now he wants me on his bed?!
Though she had long ago accepted that sooner or later she would belong to him, she hadn't expected "sooner" to be tonight.
Lin Feng genuinely just felt bad for the girl—nothing lewd intended. In his previous life he was a complete bastard, but fiercely loyal to friends. Right now he saw Little Leaf as a true confidante.
Little Leaf hesitated, then made up her mind. Heart pounding, she blew out the lamp, climbed onto the bed in the dark, and began fumbling with the ties of her dress.
Lin Feng sat bolt upright. "Whoa, whoa, what are you doing?!"
"I… I thought…" Her voice was tiny and mortified.
"I meant lie on top of the covers and talk! My god, girl, your young master isn't that much of a beast!" He laughed helplessly.
Little Leaf wished she could dig a hole and die. She'd already stripped halfway—how embarrassing!
She hurriedly dressed again and perched awkwardly on the edge of the bed.
Lin Feng tugged her gently so she sat properly, stuffed a pillow behind her back. "Just lean back and relax. Keep going."
She did, but now both of them were hyper-aware of the other. The air felt thick, charged.
An hour later Lin Feng's willpower was crumbling. Images of the consort's snow-white curves kept flashing behind his eyes; Little Leaf's soft breathing right beside him wasn't helping.
"All right, that's enough for tonight. Go rest," he croaked.
Little Leaf fled like a startled rabbit.
The moment the door closed, Lin Feng shot out of bed, paced three circles, and finally growled at the moon, "F∗∗k this!"