After kеерing thе sеcret bottlеd uр for threе yeаrs аnd finаllу rеvеaling it in front оf others, Feng Yue slept sоundlу for оncе. Неr drеams wеrе nо lоngеr filled with bаttles and slaughtеr, nоr werе they drenсhed in bloоd. Instead, сlustеrs оf wintеr jаsminе blоomed аlоng the раth оf the triumрhant аrmу's return.
Guan Саnghai rоde at the vеry front, while Guаn Qingmu’s аrmоr gleаmed brilliantly. Тhе irrеverеnt dерutу gеnеral, Хu Тianzе, swaуed his heаd as hе rоdе alоngsidе, singing оff-kеy: "When I set оut long ago, the rain аnd snow fell thick. Nоw that I return, thе willows swау gentlу. Once we defeat the enemy, we shall hunger and thirst no more. My heart is joyful, and all know my delight. La-di-da, la-di-da..."
The grating tune made Feng Yue chuckle. She rode at the very back, watching them slowly advance toward the rising sun ahead, which was climbing just right.
Yin Gezhi did not sleep. At first, he could still close his eyes, but later, even that became impossible. He sat up slightly, leaning against the headboard as he gazed at the person beside him.
She was sleeping soundly, a smile lingering at the corners of her lips—she must have been having a pleasant dream.
His eyes gleamed in the darkness. Yin Gezhi reached out as if to touch the corner of her mouth, but his hand froze halfway. Remembering something, he slowly withdrew it.
In his mind, the long-ago Dream Return Pavilion surfaced. Mama Jin had said she would play the role of a general, and he had scolded her, asking how she could possibly be worthy of wearing armor. Yet, she showed no trace of grievance, lifting her face to smile at him with ease.
That red and white armor—it would have looked splendid on her. It was a pity that, in the end, he never knew whether she had worn it or performed the role.
What had she been thinking when she heard those words?
Though they had both served in the Wei Kingdom’s army, it seemed they had never crossed paths. Each time, they were sent to different battlefields. Even when they were both in Lidu, fate never brought them together. The world spoke of the Guan family’s female general as someone who stood tall and unyielding, no less than any man. He knew her martial skills were exceptional and widely praised. A woman like that should have been spirited and bold, daring to stand above men. What had she experienced to become the person she was now?
His chest tightened once more. Yin Gezhi sat up straight, puzzled as he pressed a hand to his chest.
This feeling was too strange, something he had never experienced before.
"Do you know what it means to like someone?" Yi Zhangzhu had asked him.
In the darkness, his face was filled with astonishment. Yin Gezhi clenched his fist, turned his head to look at Feng Yue sleeping soundly beside him, and his expression turned grim.
After a long while, he let out a low, bitter laugh and whispered, "I didn’t know before, but now I do."
Now that he knew, it was of no use anymore.
After the pitch-black night, the sky brightened once more. When Feng Yue awoke, Yin Gezhi was already dressed and seated in the room.
How efficient of him!
Tiptoeing out of bed and tidying herself up, Feng Yue stood beside him. Seeing his expressionless face, she grinned and said, "Good morning, Your Highness."
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi stood up and walked out. "Today, the Crown Prince will personally interrogate Yang Fengpeng."
His attitude made Feng Yue feel as though nothing had happened the day before. She couldn’t help but marvel at how thick-skinned those in the royal family were—truly, a prince’s heart could hold an entire ship!
However, when the door opened and Guan Zhi outside greeted them, he exclaimed in shock, "Master?"
"Prepare the carriage."Staring blankly at his master's expression, then glancing back at the bewildered Feng Yue, Guan Zhi swallowed his words and clasped his hands, saying, "Yes, but just now Lingshu was looking for Miss Feng Yue. Perhaps you should come with me to see her."
Upon hearing that Lingshu was looking for her, Feng Yue immediately nodded. Seeing that Yin Gezhi did not object, she followed Guan Zhi.
Only after winding their way to the stable in the backyard did Guan Zhi lower his voice and speak, "Lingshu isn’t looking for you. She stayed up late last night and is still resting. It’s me—I have something to ask you."
Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Did something major happen yesterday?" Turning to look at her seriously, Guan Zhi’s eyes were filled with concern. "The master doesn’t seem to want to tell me, but... even though he rested all night, he seems utterly exhausted."
Blinking in confusion, Feng Yue said, "Where do you see that he’s exhausted? I don’t notice anything wrong with him."
Shaking his head, Guan Zhi replied, "You might not see it, but I can tell. The master seems particularly distressed... I’ve never seen him this upset before. The last time I saw such an expression was when the Wei Kingdom was defeated and surrendered."
Her heart skipped a beat, and Feng Yue frowned.
Was he distressed? About what?
"Nothing major happened yesterday. I was almost captured by General Yi, and your master forced his way out of the General's Mansion to save me. He probably has a lot to explain to General Yi, so he’s just troubled."
Is that it? Guan Zhi sighed. "Please take care of the master a bit more. Lately, he only likes to keep you by his side, and he won’t tell me anything..."
Hearing the note of grievance in his tone, Feng Yue teased him, "Aren’t you afraid that if I take too much care of him, you’ll lose favor?"
Guan Zhi was taken aback, genuinely pondering the question with a troubled expression before declaring with righteous sincerity, "As long as the master can be a little happier."
Feng Yue couldn’t help but laugh. She thought to herself that he was fortunate to have such a loyal person by his side.
Driving the carriage from the back gate around to the main entrance, she sat on the carriage shaft and saw Yin Gezhi from afar, dressed in white and leaning against a pillar by the door.
It was still the robe she had sewn for him, its sleeves fluttering gracefully in the wind, giving him an ethereal air. Yet his face looked truly awful, his lips pale and bloodless—no wonder Guan Zhi said he seemed utterly exhausted.
"Your Highness—" she shouted from afar, successfully startling him out of his reverie. Waving her arms with a bright smile, she called out, "Hurry and get on the carriage!"
Yin Gezhi was momentarily dazed, then frowned. Just as he began descending the steps, the carriage wheel rolled over a stone, causing the carriage to jolt violently. The fool waving her arms on the shaft tilted dangerously.
Feng Yue was stunned. She reacted quickly, realizing she was about to fall, but her movements couldn’t keep up. Even as she grabbed the edge of the carriage shaft, her body inevitably tumbled toward the ground!
Her pupils contracted. She could even see the dust kicked up by the speeding wheels and imagined her head hitting the ground, perhaps flying just as spectacularly, with brains splattering everywhere.
However, just as her forehead was about to touch the ground, someone yanked her off the carriage. Held tightly in their arms, the unsettling sensation of weightlessness vanished, replaced by a wave of scorching heat enveloping her from all sides.
Feng Yue froze, opening her eyes to look.Yin Gezhi's ink-black hair danced in the wind, its texture appearing exceptionally fine—long and dark. Perhaps because he had just saved her, every strand of his hair seemed like that of a peerless hero in her eyes at that moment.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Feng Yue said with a smile. "But why are you so feverish?"
Ignoring her, Yin Gezhi pushed her away with a stern face, glanced at the carriage waiting ahead, and strode forward.
"Wait," Feng Yue called, sensing something amiss, and quickly caught up to grab his arm.
His palm was scorching hot! He must be running a high fever!
Gasping in shock, she immediately raised her voice and shouted, "Guan Zhi! Your master is sick!"
Just as he was about to shake off her hand, her loud cry made his head throb. Yin Gezhi frowned, glaring at her darkly. "What are you shouting for?"
Shrugging, Feng Yue replied, "You'd probably scold me for meddling, so it's better to call Guan Zhi. You're more likely to listen to him."
As she spoke, Guan Zhi rushed over. Without a word, he reached out to feel Yin Gezhi's forehead, then exclaimed, "This is far too hot! You shouldn't go out today. I'll fetch a physician!"
"But I promised to go today—"
"Go where? Look at your complexion!" Guan Zhi grew anxious, propping up his arm and calling to Feng Yue, "Miss, lend a hand!"
Feng Yue hurried over, and together, they supported Yin Gezhi into the room.
"I'll go fetch the physician. Please watch over him for now."
"Alright."
Guan Zhi rushed off, and the room fell silent in an instant.
Yin Gezhi felt he couldn't possibly be that ill—his mind was still clear, and he could still think. But after glancing at the mirror Feng Yue handed him, he frowned. "Take my seal and attend the trial. Whatever Yang Fengpeng says, come back and report it to me."
Feng Yue sighed. "Your Highness, at this point, Yang Fengpeng can't possibly resist any longer. He'll surely implicate General Yi."
"Precisely because he's about to implicate him, I need to hear what he says." Removing the jade thumb ring from his finger and placing it in her palm, Yin Gezhi said, "Don't try any tricks. Take Gan Jiang with you, and return as soon as possible."
"But..."
She wanted to ask, "What about you?" But then she thought, why should she care about his well-being? He didn't want her to serve him—was she supposed to worry and fuss over him like his own mother?
Forget it! Clutching the thumb ring, Feng Yue turned and left.
Yin Gezhi was a man of conscience, so revealing her identity likely wouldn't be an issue. As long as she could talk her way out of trouble, make him feel guilty, and convince him that the Guan family had been wronged, her path forward might actually become easier.
Rubbing the jade thumb ring in her hand, Feng Yue slipped it onto her thumb, only to find it too large. She simply tied it to her belt instead.
Yang Fengpeng had already met the young master and Yu Hexiang at dawn. Upon learning that they were under the Crown Prince's care, he smiled bitterly, obediently put on his shackles, and entered the courtroom.
Ye Yuqing was waiting for Yin Gezhi, but instead, Feng Yue arrived.
"Prince Yin is ill," she said, bowing to him with a smile. "This servant has come in his stead to listen."His eyes held a trace of shock, yet it seemed a matter of course. Gazing at the jade thumb ring at her waist, Ye Yuqing chuckled softly, "Indeed, since ancient times, heroes have struggled to resist the allure of beauties. Feng Yue, you are truly remarkable."
"Your Highness flatters me," Feng Yue smiled. "It is this servant's honor to be of service to Your Highness."
"Having your assistance is my honor," Ye Yuqing replied with an elegant nod. "I have reviewed everything you sent. Prince Yin also advised me to be cautious of Consort Yi. I am currently investigating discreetly. If it turns out to be true, then..."
Lowering his eyelids, his voice softened. "No matter what, the Wu Kingdom still relies on him for defense. Even if his crimes are unforgivable, there may still be ways to pardon him. I hope you understand this point."
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