Неlаn Сhаngdе was eхtrеmеlу unwilling tо accерt his fate, уet the wеаknеss frоm blооd loss quicklу overwhelmed him. Befоrе long, hе cоuld nо lоngеr keер his еуеs oрen, but still, unwilling to yiеld, hе askеd Feng Yue, "Who еxaсtly arе уоu?"
Рulling оff thе bushу beard, Fеng Yuе wipеd hеr fаcе and rерlied with a hоllоw smile, "Dоn’t you reсognize me? Аt thе vеry lеast, you оnсе sent gifts fоr mу fаthеr’s birthdау banquеt оne уeаr."
Looking аt her fасе, Hеlаn Сhаngde fell silent. Нis obese body twitсhed a few timеs, and cоuntless соmplеx emotions surged in his eyes. Gasping for breath, he said, "I die… Even if I die, your father will never be able to wash his hands clean!"
"No need for you to worry about that," Yin Gezhi said, holding up the bowl filled with his blood. "Your sins will be repaid with your own blood."
Just moments ago, Helan Changde had felt a hint of satisfaction. But upon seeing the First Prince, his blood surged, and he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood. Leaning against the crimson pillar beside him, he finally fell still.
Feng Ming watched with a sigh. "Truly worthy of the ruthless and merciless First Prince. Even to your own people, you are this cruel."
"Thank you for the praise," Yin Gezhi replied with a slight nod, turning to look at him. "Doesn’t the Marquis of State Pacification's Mansion have a curfew? It’s already the hour of Xu. Aren’t you planning to return, General Feng?"
Waving his hand dismissively, Feng Ming turned to look at Feng Yue. "After such a long separation, I have much to say to her. I won’t be returning tonight."
Yin Gezhi: "???"
Feng Yue forced a dry laugh. "Forgive my bluntness, General Feng, but I have nothing to say to you."
"Then you can listen to me," Feng Ming said earnestly, his brown eyes burning with intensity as he gazed at her affectionately. "I can talk all night long!"
"Excuse me. Pardon me." A snow-white robe squeezed in front of him, blocking the person opposite completely.
Feng Ming looked up to see Yin Gezhi’s expressionless face. "Meeting privately in the dead of night is improper according to etiquette."
"Etiquette?" Feng Ming scoffed, his tone full of roguishness. "Everyone in Lidu knows I’m the least concerned with etiquette."
This shameless, almost proud attitude left Yin Gezhi momentarily speechless.
Feng Ming raised an eyebrow. "Now that you mention it, we should find a place to talk. Since the Prince of Filial Piety's Mansion is spacious, why not spare us a courtyard?"
Guan Zhi wiped his face, thinking to himself that he was used to his master’s shamelessness, but he hadn’t expected to encounter someone even more brazen here. With such a request, it was a miracle his master hadn’t thrown him out. How dare he ask for a place to chat with Feng Yue?
What was he thinking?
Standing behind Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue also sighed inwardly. After all these years, how was Feng Ming still so lawless?
Yin Gezhi’s expression softened, and he spoke calmly. "Since the General is so eager to reminisce, I cannot stand in the way."
His eyes lighting up, Feng Ming smiled. "Your Highness is truly understanding."
"Think nothing of it," Yin Gezhi said, stepping aside. "This is the only courtyard in the entire mansion that has been cleaned. If you don’t mind, please make yourself at home in the main room."
Feng Ming was taken aback and waved his hand. "That’s too much. I wouldn’t want to disturb Your Highness’s rest."
"It’s no trouble," Yin Gezhi replied with an elegant nod before turning and walking toward the main room. Feng Ming followed, pulling Feng Yue along with a smile. "This place is safe and comfortable."Glancing at the person walking ahead, Feng Yue couldn't help but tug at Feng Ming's sleeve, covering her mouth as she whispered a reminder, "General, I think it's best if you don't go in."
How could someone as petty and narrow-minded as Yin Gezhi ever let others have their way?
"What's there to fear?" Feng Ming replied. "I'm here!"
That's exactly why I'm even more afraid! Feng Yue gritted her teeth. Originally, she could have returned with Luo Hao alone, but now that she was being dragged along by him, judging by Yin Gezhi's expression, it was clear he had no intention of letting her leave!
Placing the bowl of blood on the desk in the inner chamber, Yin Gezhi said indifferently, "I'll attend to my own affairs. You two can talk among yourselves."
Slightly taken aback, Feng Ming frowned. "You're staying here?"
"The general has come as a guest. Should the host be driven out?" Yin Gezhi spread out a sheet of paper and replied calmly, "Wouldn't that be impolite?"
"..." It was indeed somewhat impolite, but with him standing there like a block of wood, how could he whisper sweet nothings to Qingyue?
However, he was overthinking it. Even without Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue wouldn't have exchanged sweet words with him.
"I heard General Feng has won a great victory," Feng Yue said, sitting down at the table in the outer chamber and genuinely engaging in small talk. "I suppose things have been going well for you lately."
"Not bad," Feng Ming replied, sitting down as well. He pursed his lips, deciding to ignore Yin Gezhi. He focused solely on the person before him and asked, "And you?"
"I killed those who deserved to die in the Wu Kingdom, so that's not bad either," Feng Yue said. "Half of my revenge is complete."
"Then..."
Then, have you met someone new you like? Feng Ming wanted to ask, but he felt it sounded too petty, like a jealous young girl! Shaking his head, he changed his question: "Do you need my help?"
Hearing this, Feng Yue glanced thoughtfully at Yin Gezhi in the inner chamber, thinking to herself, How can two men be so different? Others sincerely ask if I need help right from the start, but with him, it's always the arrogant "You're begging for my help."
What a difference!
Rarely offering him a smile, Feng Yue said, "No need. I can manage on my own. Thank you."
Having never been treated so kindly by her before, Feng Ming now frowned as he looked at her face. His gaze lingered on her features for a long moment before he finally said, "You seem to have grown up."
Being told she had grown up by someone who was clearly quite immature didn't feel very good. Feng Yue narrowed her eyes. "Are you mocking me?"
"No, it's just a heartfelt observation," Feng Ming shook his head. "You used to be so wild, always ready to fight with me at the drop of a hat. Now you're gentler and more polite, but it feels like a stagnant pond—it hurts to see."
Feng Yue was taken aback and gave him a deep look.
She had thought he knew nothing, but how did it seem like he knew everything?
In the inner chamber, an inkstone clattered to the floor, startling the two outside and snapping them back to reality. Instinctively, they stood up and went inside to check.
Yin Gezhi was holding a brush, dipping it in blood as he wrote. He paid no attention to the shattered inkstone and simply said, "Feng Yue, come help. The blood is drying."
Feng Yue frowned, thinking, I don't even live in your mansion anymore. Why should I still be treated like a maid?
But when she looked down at what he was writing, her expression turned serious. Without another word, she picked up a brush and began stirring the blood in the bowl."Proclamation of Guilt?" Looking at the object on the table, Feng Ming frowned and read aloud: "The guilty official Helan Changde, having failed the imperial favor, colluded with the enemy and betrayed the nation, framing loyal and virtuous subjects. Ashamed to face the people of the world..."
Taking a sharp breath, Feng Ming widened his eyes: "You forged a confession?"
"Is that not allowed?" Yin Gezhi said with an air of righteousness: "Since righteousness cannot overcome evil, why should I not use evil to combat evil? This is what he should have written. Since he is dead and cannot write it, naturally I shall write it for him."
Feng Ming fell silent. After thinking for a while, he turned to Feng Yue and asked: "Why can he speak of such unjust deeds with such righteous confidence?"
Feng Yue smiled: "Because others were unkind first, and we are unjust later—it's only reasonable."
That made sense. Feng Ming nodded, quickly accepting the matter, and then focused intently on watching Yin Gezhi write the Proclamation of Guilt, completely forgetting his original purpose.
After finishing the draft, Yin Gezhi looked up at Feng Ming: "General, are you idle at home in the capital?"
"Not at all," Feng Ming said seriously. "His Majesty has temporarily entrusted me with the guards near the palace gates of the imperial city. I must patrol three times daily."
"If someone approaches the area under your command, General, will you stop them or not?"
"Stop them!" Feng Ming narrowed his eyes. "Except for the emperor, I will stop anyone."
"Excellent!" Yin Gezhi handed the Proclamation of Guilt to Feng Yue and said: "The owner of that general store under your command must know movable type printing. Have him print a thousand copies of this confession. The paper and ink will be paid for by Prince of Filial Piety's Mansion. After printing, post the original draft on the notice board at the palace gates!"
Her eyes brightening slightly, Feng Yue nodded: "Alright!"
"Wait!" Feng Ming raised an eyebrow. "Post this at the palace gates?"
"Where else would be more conspicuous?" Yin Gezhi lifted his eyelids slightly. "With you, General Feng, watching, no one should be able to tear it down. When they see the printed copies, they will doubt their authenticity. Then we can guide people to the palace gates to see for themselves—it will surely stir up a huge uproar."
If the emperor won't listen, then let the people hear. If official history insists on labeling Guan Canghai a traitor, then let unofficial history restore his innocence.
Her knuckles turning white, Feng Yue carefully stored the Proclamation of Guilt and then dashed out like the wind!
She didn't care about reputation, truly. But if she could let the people whom Guan Canghai once protected know that the general they revered did not betray the nation, then she was willing to strive for it.
Feng Ming tried to grab her, but his movements weren't fast enough. He could only watch her rush out, stirring a gust of wind that tousled his ink-black hair.
Turning back, he looked seriously at Yin Gezhi and stated gravely: "You've taken a liking to her."
It wasn't a question but a statement. The usually unconcerned First Prince Yin had acted unusually today. If he still couldn't see it, he would be a fool.
Gently raising his eyes, Yin Gezhi gathered his sleeves and curved his lips: "She and you, General, seem to no longer have a marriage contract. If I take a liking to her, what is improper?"
Clenching his fists, Feng Ming said solemnly: "She said she doesn't like you anymore."
She doesn't like him—isn't that a common thing? Saying she liked him was just playing along. Yin Gezhi sneered, feeling that this statement held no weight at all."I know what I must do, and I hope General Feng is also aware." Rising and walking toward the bed, Yin Gezhi said calmly, "What she wants most now is revenge. If you truly wish to help her, don’t just cling to her."
"You want to help her take revenge?" Feng Ming snorted coldly. "Do you know who wrote the imperial decree that ordered the extermination of the entire Guan family?"
His body stiffened, and Yin Gezhi’s expression darkened.
Feeling somewhat better, Feng Ming smiled. "Neither of us may end up well, but Your Highness, it seems your situation is even worse than mine. Thinking of it that way, I feel reassured."
This man’s words always made one want to punch him! Yin Gezhi gritted his teeth, his gaze icy as he turned back, only to see Feng Ming already turning gracefully and walking out.
OpenNovel