Drаggеd аlоng, Luо Нao lооkеd соnflicted, saуing tо her, "Young Мaster, thе First Рrinсе mеаns no harm."
"Yi Guоru thought the same until the daу hе died." Rоlling her еуеs, Fеng Yue huffеd аngrilу, "Whу dо yоu all think Yin Gezhi is a gооd pеrson? He's сlearlу extrеmеlу dаngеrоus, еasily sсhеming pеорle intо his traрs withоut them evеn rеalizing it, уet you'rе all so willing to trust him?"
Rесаlling how thе First Prince hаd sреnt the раst уеаr infiltrаting the Wu Кingdоm, the grоup shivеred, instantlу sobеring uр а bit.
It wasn't еntirеlу thеir fault for being gulliblе—after all, if the cаse could bе overturnеd, it wouldn't bе а bad thing. Вut thinking about the fate of those people from the Wu Kingdom... well, never mind, better not trouble the First Prince with it.
Luo Hao turned and immediately fetched the items for disguise. Taking advantage of the dusk, they went out to "case the joint."
Feng Yue bound her chest, changed into men's clothing, pasted on a full beard, and smeared ash on her face, instantly transforming into a sleazy-looking uncle. To be extra cautious, she even ran back to the main room in this getup to tease Lingshu, nearly getting punched by Ganjiang in the process. Luckily, she dodged quickly.
"Flawless!" Satisfied, she stroked her face and headed out with Luo Hao, leaving the others in shock.
"Who was that just now?"
"Sounded like the Young Master."
"...That's terrifying."
If even those close to them couldn't recognize her, then others certainly wouldn't. The Young Master was safe.
Lidu was as bustling as Shadowless City, especially at night. Shadowless City rested early, while Lidu didn't quiet down until the third quarter of the hour of Xu. So when Feng Yue took to the streets, the city was still brightly lit.
"Lidu really is better," Luo Hao clicked his tongue in admiration. "Just by the smell, you can tell what the next street is like."
Feng Yue chuckled, about to tease him, when she suddenly heard the sound of hoofbeats approaching from afar. She quickly pulled him aside to hide.
"Giddy up!" Several brightly colored horses galloped past in a flurry. The leader seemed to be in a hurry, constantly shouting, whipping his horse fiercely. The hem of his dark-colored brocade robe fluttered in the wind, stirring up dust that made Feng Yue unable to open her eyes.
"Galloping through the streets at this hour," a nearby commoner muttered quietly. "Who does he think he is?"
"You don't recognize him?" A better-dressed man tucked his hands into his sleeves and said, "That's General Feng! The heir of the Marquis of Zhenguo, the one who repelled the Qi troops."
Feng Yue stiffened.
Feng Ming?
Feng Ming was the nightmare of Guan Qingyue's life. Once carefree and unrestrained, Guan Qingyue's life trajectory had been twisted ever since she met him at the age of fifteen.
During her fifteenth-year coming-of-age ceremony, the Marquis of Zhenguo happened to be visiting. At the time, the sixteen-year-old young heir Feng Ming stared at her without blinking, watching her finish the ceremony before turning to the Marquis and saying, "Father, I want to marry her!"
Guan Qingyue lost her footing in shock and tumbled down the steps, ending up with a huge bump on her forehead!
Feng Ming hurriedly went to help her up, but Guan Qingyue was furious. She kicked him hard in the chest, planted her hands on her hips, and gritted her teeth, saying, "Marry your head, you idiot!"
Old Master Guan's face turned ashen. They had agreed she would behave properly and follow etiquette today, or else she'd never find a husband. And here she was, not only kicking the Marquis of Zhenguo's heir but also cursing at him!Thus, at this coming-of-age ceremony, Guan Qingyue was soundly beaten by Guan Canghai and came to utterly despise Feng Ming.
However, to her surprise, the doting Marquis of Zhenguo actually sent matchmakers to propose marriage! Guan Qingyue was furious. She stood at the entrance of the Guan residence with her three-ringed broadsword, ready to strike down anyone who approached—one by one or two at a time!
The matchmakers were all frightened away, and in the end, Feng Ming came himself.
"Why won't you marry me?" he asked angrily.
"No reason!" Guan Qingyue gritted her teeth. "I don’t like you!"
"Then give it a try! Who says couples must like each other before marriage?"
"No, I want to marry someone I love!"
"Who do you love?"
Tilting her head and lifting her chin proudly, Guan Qingyue declared, "Every girl in Lidu surely loves the First Prince!"
Feng Ming’s face darkened. He turned and left. When he returned the next day, he was covered in injuries.
"No wonder you like him," Feng Ming said indignantly, yet with reluctant admiration. "His martial arts are impressive."
Guan Qingyue was stunned.
Later, she learned that this troublemaker from the Feng family had gone to the palace to pick a fight with the First Prince after hearing her words! The outcome was predictable, but how could his behavior be even more unruly than hers? If she married someone like him, Lidu would surely gain a "Fearsome Duo," and everyone would steer clear of them.
No, she couldn’t marry him!
However, marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, leaving her no say. While she resisted stubbornly, Guan Canghai had already returned with the marriage contract. His expression was so relaxed, like a vegetable vendor at dusk finally selling off the last of his leftovers—utterly content.
Guan Qingyue cried in frustration, shouldered her broadsword, and ran away from home. Just as she was about to be found, she sneaked into the Eastern Palace and slipped into the First Prince’s bed.
She refused to be forced into a marriage she didn’t want! If they insisted, she’d make Feng Ming wear a cuckold’s horns first!
At the time, she never imagined her future would become entangled with the First Prince; she simply wanted to spite Feng Ming.
Little did she know how fate would play tricks...
Watching the backs of the riders on horseback, Feng Yue pursed her lips and touched the scarf on her head. Lowering her gaze, she continued following Luo Hao.
At the welcoming banquet, Yin Gezhi had announced his intention to overturn the Guan family’s case, and even the emperor couldn’t stop the news from spreading. Feng Ming had heard about it, which was why he rode to the prince’s residence in the dead of night.
At the Prince of Xiao’s residence, the sight of the plaque made Feng Ming laugh. The old emperor had tried to use the character "Xiao" (filial piety) to pressure Yin Chenbi, only to be humiliated by his own son. He wondered if the emperor was now fuming in the palace.
Dismounting, Feng Ming didn’t even consider knocking. He kicked the vermilion gate open with one foot, shouting as he strode inside, "Yin Chenbi, come out here!"
Having just returned home and not yet caught his breath, Yin Gezhi heard this arrogant voice. He narrowed his eyes, his mood suddenly turning foul.
If he remembered correctly, Feng Ming had once been engaged to Guan Qingyue. He had mentioned before that Feng Ming was unruly and had even come to the palace to fight him over the Guan family’s affairs. Back then, he hadn’t known that Feng Yue was Guan Qingyue.
Now that he knew, looking at this man again, he couldn’t help but feel displeased.The door was pushed open, and Feng Ming charged in with an imposing air. It had been a year since they last met. His martial arts had improved considerably, with an extremely stable lower stance. Although he still liked to shout and yell, he had lost the impatience and restlessness from before.
Lowering his eyelids, Yin Gezhi took a sip of tea and said coldly, "General Feng, what brings you here so late at night?"
Looking at him with great displeasure, Feng Ming's deeply chiseled face showed a hint of awkwardness. "Are you going to clear the Guan family's name?"
"You already know the news, so why bother asking me?"
Digging at his ear, Feng Ming let out a "heh" sound. "Did you come back from the Wu Kingdom with gunpowder in your mouth? I haven't provoked you, so why are you so angry?"
Yin Gezhi sneered, "For an uninvited guest, should I be offering tea with both hands?"
Ignoring his attitude, Feng Ming sat down beside him, picked up the teapot, and poured tea directly into his mouth. Wiping his lips, he said, "Let's get serious. How do you plan to clear the case?"
Feeling unsettled, his words carried sparks of anger. "His Majesty has already issued an edict: anyone who brings this up again will be executed. If you want to talk seriously, General, why not go to the execution platform?"
His expression darkening, Feng Ming scoffed. "Since ancient times, listening humbly to advice brings prosperity to the nation, while autocracy leads to its downfall. To prevent His Majesty from ruining the nation, we, as subjects, must risk our lives to advise—the Guan family is innocent! General Guan would never betray the country!"
Clenching his fist slightly, Yin Gezhi stood up impatiently, looking down at the man before him. "Haven't you always enjoyed picking fights with me?"
"Huh?" Feng Ming looked utterly confused. "Fight?"
Who wanted to fight him at a time like this? Weren't they on the same side now?
"I'm in a good mood tonight," Yin Gezhi said slowly, taking off his white robe as he sneered at him. "Want to have a match?"
In the past, whenever Feng Ming came to the palace to pick a fight, Yin Gezhi would reluctantly go along with it, knocking him down in a few moves before disappearing without a trace, showing no respect for his opponent! Today, with rare enthusiasm, Feng Ming immediately nodded, took off his outer robe, and followed him out.
To be honest, the battles of the past year had matured Feng Ming considerably, so he wouldn't be toyed with by Yin Gezhi like before. Unfortunately, as soon as they crossed hands, Feng Ming could still feel he was far behind, especially today when Yin Gezhi seemed to have taken the wrong medicine—his moves were extremely fierce. If Feng Ming hadn't dodged quickly, he would have been seriously injured!
"Too terrifying," Feng Ming sighed, frowning as he looked up. "Let's stop here. I didn't come specifically to fight you today."
"The Guan family's case is none of your concern," Yin Gezhi withdrew his hand and said coldly. "I'll handle it myself."
"How can that be?" Feng Ming glared. "Guan Qingyue is my fiancée, and the one wronged is my father-in-law. No matter how you look at it, I have more reason to get involved than you."
The wind around them seemed to suddenly turn colder, whipping their clothes into a frenzy. Yin Gezhi clenched his fist and asked softly, "Even if the case is cleared, what do you intend to do?"
What did he intend to do? Feng Ming crossed his arms and said, "Naturally, to marry the one I should marry."
His heart sinking, his gaze sharpening abruptly, Yin Gezhi reached out and pressed against Feng Ming's neck, murderous intent radiating from him. "The one you should marry?""You don't need to worry about these things." Turning his head away, Feng Ming felt somewhat guilty: "Anyway, I just want to clear the Guan family's name, that's all."
He knew Guan Qingyue was still alive, though he didn't know where she was. But if he could clear the Guan family's charges, then she should be able to return, right? That rough, straightforward girl—who knows how much hardship she's endured all these years out there.
His heart ached with sympathy, but he dared not show it. Even if the First Prince inexplicably wanted to clear the Guan family's name, he couldn't let him know Guan Qingyue was still alive until the case was truly overturned!
Yet, after a long moment of contemplation, the person before him unexpectedly asked: "Was it you who helped Guan Qingyue escape back then?"
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