"Тhаt's finе," Fеng Ming smiled. "Вut wе hаvе sеrious business to аttеnd to, Your Нighness. Plеаsе dоn't саuse troublе."
A person who habituаllу cаused trоublе fоr оthers wаs nоw bеing tоld nоt to сause troublе? Yin Gеzhi scоffed, glancing аt him sidewaуs. "Does Gеnеrаl Fеng knоw whаt sеrious business shе's gоing to аttеnd tо?"
"I don't knоw," Feng Мing рroudly uttеrеd thesе three words, lifting his сhin. "But Yue'er wаnts tо gо to thе Grand Commаndаnt's Мansiоn, аnd I'm tаking hеr thеrе. Thаt's mу seriоus business."
Smоoth talkеr! Yin Gezhi snоrtеd сoldlу. Соuld suсh glib words reallу move someonе?
Feng Yue loоked at Fеng Ming with а tоuchеd expression. "It's been so many years since we last met, and you're still so good to me, General. It really makes me feel guilty."
Yin Gezhi: "..."
Women are such shallow creatures!
Feng Ming lowered his head to look at her, his handsome features glowing with a vitality others lacked, his eyes burning brightly as he said, "What do you have to feel guilty about? I treat you like a brother. Being good to you is only right. If you feel guilty, then treat me like a brother too. Let's wipe the slate clean of past grievances."
Hearing this, Feng Yue was delighted, and the weight in her heart lifted. She slapped Feng Ming's shoulder and nodded. "Alright, I'll take you as my brother!"
The corner of Yin Gezhi's mouth twitched. He narrowed his eyes at Feng Ming and asked, "You don't care about your former engagement anymore?"
"I don't care!" Feng Ming waved his hand dismissively, smiling warmly. "It's already annulled anyway, and she doesn't like me. Being brothers is more comfortable."
So this was what it meant to retreat in order to advance, what it meant to be cunning and deep! In that moment, Yin Gezhi truly understood why Feng Ming had said, "Your Highness's situation is more difficult."
Difficult? It was downright perilous! The other man could get close under the guise of brotherhood. But what about him? Could he say: Feng Yue, I'm an important witness in your father's wrongful case?
Gritting his teeth fiercely, Yin Gezhi maintained a calm exterior, though his breathing was uneven.
He should have had Feng Ming exiled back when he was sixteen and barged into the palace to pick a fight with him! Now he was such an eyesore, and impossible to get rid of!
The two in front had already started walking shoulder-to-shoulder. Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes, pursed his lips, and suddenly gasped sharply.
"What's wrong?" Hearing the commotion behind her, Feng Yue quickly let go and turned around, only to see Yin Gezhi's eyes filled with pain, yet he was suppressing it, pretending nothing was wrong as he said, "Keep going."
Curiously moving closer to him, Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. "Can you really still walk?"
"Yes." The pain in his eyes gradually became harder to suppress. Yin Gezhi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "No matter what, I must see the flowers in the Grand Commandant's Mansion's backyard today."
Even Feng Ming was fooled by this brilliant performance, asking in astonishment, "Are those flowers that important? You're in so much pain."
"Where does it hurt?" Feng Yue asked.
After closing his eyes and thinking for a moment, Yin Gezhi said, "My leg cramped. Help me up."
Pointing behind them, Feng Yue said, "Guan Zhi is still following."
Yin Gezhi slowly turned his head. Guan Zhi stiffened, immediately putting on a pained expression. "This subordinate is incompetent. I recently strained my back and can't exert any strength. I'm afraid I might drop you, Master."
"Then I'll do it," Feng Yue said, rolling up her sleeves. She grabbed Yin Gezhi's arm and slung it over her shoulder, instantly feeling his entire weight press down on her."So heavy!"
Yin Gezhi pursed his lips and sighed softly: "I'm troubling you."
Since he put it that way, it wouldn't be appropriate to abandon him halfway. Feng Yue pouted and continued walking forward.
Feng Ming had initially been somewhat worried about the First Prince, but walking behind and seeing that figure almost leaning entirely on Feng Yue, he narrowed his eyes and quickly understood.
Just as only women can see through women's tricks, only men can understand men's schemes. In the blink of an eye, Feng Ming rushed forward, grabbed Yin Gezhi's other arm, and forcefully slung it over his own shoulder!
The smug First Prince Yin instantly darkened his expression, turning to look at him: "What are you doing?"
With a concerned expression, Feng Ming smiled: "I was afraid Miss Yue couldn't support you alone, so I came to help."
Exerting force with his hand, Yin Gezhi said indifferently: "Unnecessary."
Not letting go, Feng Ming increased his grip, smiling in an infuriatingly smug way: "Your Highness need not be polite."
With half his body still leaning on Feng Yue, Yin Gezhi didn't dare use too much force, and was instead restrained by Feng Ming. He narrowed his eyes: "This way, it's difficult for this prince to walk."
"Then this humble official can carry Your Highness."
Forces clashed covertly, neither willing to yield. Feng Ming's eyes held laughter, Yin Gezhi's gaze was icy—a standoff between the two. Sparks flew! Someone's force wasn't well controlled, occasionally pushing against Feng Yue beside them.
After walking for a while, Feng Yue couldn't take it anymore. She shouted lowly, pushing both men aside, glaring angrily: "Can you two walk properly or not?!"
Both men paused. Yin Gezhi immediately softened his stance, frowning slightly as he looked reproachfully at Feng Ming.
Feng Ming looked astonished, then met Feng Yue's gaze as she angrily shouted: "General!"
"...I'll walk properly!" Wiping his face and shooting a glare at this shameless First Prince, Feng Ming gritted his teeth and continued forward. Yin Gezhi looked pleased, reaching out for Feng Yue's support again, only to hear her coolly say: "If you have the strength to compete, surely you have the strength to walk, Your Highness?"
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Yin Gezhi coughed lightly, seriously moved his ankle, then continued walking as if nothing had happened.
Guan Zhi, watching from behind, covered his face with laughter, not daring to make a sound. By the time they reached the Grand Commandant's Mansion, his face was flushed from holding it in.
The Grand Commandant of Wei Kingdom was different in style from the one in Wu Kingdom. The Wu Grand Commandant was extremely busy, never seen around, while Wei's Grand Commandant Zhao Xu was exceptionally idle, leisurely passing his days bird-watching and flower-viewing. Thus, the Grand Commandant's Mansion gates were wide open. As soon as the guards saw the token Feng Ming presented, they immediately went inside to report.
Shortly after, Grand Commandant Zhao came out with hands clasped, beaming with joy: "I didn't know General Feng was visiting, forgive my lack of welcome!"
Then, turning to see Yin Gezhi, his smile froze, and he immediately knelt: "Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Rise." Looking at his casual attire, Yin Gezhi asked: "Is the Grand Commandant on leave today?"
"Not exactly." Zhao Xu stood up with an apologetic smile: "There haven't been any major matters recently, so I've been somewhat idle..."
If I'd known Your Highness was coming, I would have worn official robes!
Nodding slightly, Yin Gezhi said expressionlessly: "There's no need to be nervous, Grand Commandant. This prince merely came to see the flowers in your mansion's rear garden. Meeting General Feng was coincidental.""As the saying goes, a chance encounter is better than a formal invitation!" Flattering with obsequious praise, Zhao Xu said, "Your Highness and General Feng are both the young pillars of our dynasty. Having both of you grace the Grand Commandant's Mansion truly brings honor to this humble abode!"
Feng Ming's mouth twitched at the words. After exchanging pleasantries at the entrance for a while, he couldn't help but whisper to Feng Yue as they entered, "How did this man become Grand Commandant?"
After all, the Grand Commandant was one of the Three Excellencies, a position of great prestige. It wasn't something just anyone could attain, right?
Feng Yue lowered her head, forcing a faint, insincere smile as she whispered, "The current emperor has a fondness for calligraphy and paintings. This man excels at calligraphy, particularly in the Yan style, and is considered a master. Since the emperor enjoys his company, official positions naturally come easily to him."
Being good at calligraphy qualifies one to become one of the Three Excellencies? Feng Ming frowned. "Then I'm doomed. My handwriting is terrible."
"That's why, even after returning victorious from battle, you can only guard the palace gates," Feng Yue shook her head. "Favoritism is also a hallmark of Emperor Wen of Wei."
"General Feng, this way please." Zhao Xu turned around ahead, smiling broadly. "I heard the general is also planning to build a residence?"
"Indeed," Feng Ming looked up. "It's precisely because I heard the Grand Commandant's Mansion was uniquely constructed that I came to take a look, hoping to gain some inspiration for my own residence."
"Hahaha." Zhao Xu was greatly pleased by these words and immediately grew smug. "Many things here were bestowed by the emperor. Thanks to His Majesty's deep affection, the imperial carriage often visits to enjoy the scenery, writing and painting with this humble official."
"Oh?" Yin Gezhi frowned. "Often?"
Catching his meaning, Feng Ming teased, "How could it be often? When the emperor leaves the palace, it's quite dangerous, and each outing requires significant arrangements. If he came often, wouldn't the palace attendants be exhausted?"
The tone carried a childish insistence of "you're lying, you're exaggerating, you're boasting," something only Feng Ming could deliver so perfectly.
Zhao Xu was displeased upon hearing this. Leading them to the garden, he pointed at the pavilion and said, "Just last month, His Majesty visited and mentioned he would return in a couple of days when the weather cools."
Feng Ming hadn't known about this. It meant the emperor had left the palace incognito.
How bold. It seemed he needed to offer some advice—frequent outings by the emperor were definitely not a good thing.
Yin Gezhi glanced back at Feng Yue.
The woman with heavy makeup, dressed in a maid's attire, looked as charming and alluring as she had back at the Dream Return Pavilion, unrecognizable to anyone. Yet, with her head bowed, what was she thinking?
His fingers tightened slightly. Yin Gezhi turned away, listening to Zhao Xu's words as if nothing were amiss.
"That area is the rear courtyard," Zhao Xu said. "It hasn't been maintained, so there's no need to visit."
"Hmm?" Feng Ming raised an eyebrow. "Prince Xiao mentioned that the flowers in the Grand Commandant's rear courtyard are the most beautiful."
Zhao Xu was taken aback, looking curiously at Yin Gezhi. "When did Your Highness visit the Grand Commandant's Mansion?"
Yin Gezhi looked at him calmly and said, "I heard about it long ago. They say the flowers in the Grand Commandant's rear courtyard are exceptionally vibrant, unmatched by few places in all of Lidu."
Cold sweat suddenly broke out on Zhao Xu's forehead. He lifted his sleeve, trembling slightly, and said, "Rumors, merely rumors."
"Is that so?" Yin Gezhi's tone remained even. "What a pity. However, today I heard General Feng is on leave, and I would also like to chat more with Lord Zhao. Would it be possible to impose on your hospitality for a night?"
"It would be an honor!" Zhao Xu quickly turned to order his servants, "Go and prepare a few guest rooms.""Yes." The servant responded and left. Feng Ming wanted to say something, but after glancing at Yin Gezhi's expression, he fell silent.
Feng Yue kept her head lowered. She knew Yin Gezhi wasn’t the type to stay at someone else’s home without reason. But wasn’t he trying to save effort? Why was he stepping in himself now?
Seeing that Yin Gezhi didn’t dwell much on the matter of the rear courtyard, Zhao Xu’s face once again wore a flattering smile. He called out the concubines from his own courtyard to properly entertain the guests.
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