Yin Gеzhi snееred, turned аrоund, аnd орened the dооr, pointing оutside.
His wrinklеd fасе flushеd сrimson, making him lоok like a drunken old man. Еmрerоr Wen оf Wеi wаs furiоus. If it werе in his уоungеr dаys, sоmeone likе Yin Gеzhi, who dаred to schеme agаinst him, would havе bееn drаggеd оut аnd exесuted—сhорpеd horizоntаlly, chорpеd verticallу, even if it werе his оwn sоn, he’d сhop him down!
Вut nоw, hе had rеасhеd middlе tо old аgе. Hе was nо longer аs impulsivе, nоr did hе havе thе соnfidence tо act so recklеssly. The Wеi Kingdom wаs in dire strаits, thе Crоwn Prince was utterly incompetent, and even as an emperor holding all the power, he had to tread carefully and flatter the Wu Kingdom. To flatter the Wu Kingdom, Yin Gezhi’s path was a shortcut, and he had to take it.
So, even though he was angry at Yin Gezhi’s defiance and scheming, Emperor Wen of Wei took a few deep breaths and had to concede. He asked in a low voice, “Have you been playing a grand game of chess with me all along?”
Standing upright, Yin Gezhi turned his gaze elsewhere. “Why would Your Majesty say that?”
“If I still couldn’t see it at this point, how could I sit securely on this throne?” Emperor Wen of Wei chuckled coldly, staring at his son, who had grown so rapidly. Half in admiration and half in apprehension, he said, “You clearly planned for today from the moment you returned. If I agreed to reopen the case, so be it. If I didn’t, you would have forced me to agree!”
Yin Gezhi had returned from the Wu Kingdom in just one year. Emperor Wen had sent people to investigate Yin Chenbi, but those who reported back all said the Wu Kingdom intended to foster goodwill with Wei, hence they released Yin Chenbi. But now, it was clear that Yin Chenbi had returned fully prepared, bringing with him the bargaining chips of the Wu Kingdom!
No wonder he had so boldly demanded to be stripped of his title and reduced to a commoner. It seemed like a desperate move, but in reality, he was forcing the emperor himself into a corner! What a cunning scheme, what a formidable Prince Xiao! He had thought him a mere cat, but he had grown into a tiger—one that bared its fangs at him!
His emotions turbulent, Emperor Wen of Wei said angrily, “At this point, I have already agreed. Why are you still putting on airs? Do you really need me to take off the imperial crown and place it on your head?”
He spoke the last sentence with great force, his hands trembling slightly.
Yin Gezhi looked at him, his expression calm but his gaze desolate. “In Your Majesty’s eyes, is there no familial affection, only power and schemes? Even though I am your own son, you have never trusted me, only believing that I seek to usurp the throne?”
His trembling hands stiffened. Emperor Wen of Wei lowered his gaze and remained silent.
Pain flickered in his eyes. Yin Gezhi clenched his fists and let out a bitter laugh. “What if this commoner were to say that everything I have done was for justice under heaven, for a righteous court, and to cleanse the Yin imperial family of the stain of betraying loyal ministers… would Your Majesty still not believe me?”
Of course not. Emperor Wen of Wei frowned. He had heard such noble words many times before. How many truly selfless and great people existed in this world? Words were always beautiful, but who knew what schemes lay behind them? Even his own son could not be trusted!
The last glimmer of hope in Yin Gezhi’s eyes extinguished, like a candle burning until dawn, reluctantly turning into a final wisp of smoke before vanishing without a trace.
Reaching up to touch a small scar on his forehead, Yin Gezhi pressed his lips together, his eyes slowly filling with ice."Since you do not believe me, then let it be." He said, "As a subject, I have said all that should be said. If Your Majesty will not listen, then I shall not see you off."
"Ah..." Emperor Wen of Wei widened his eyes. He had thought Yin Gezhi was once again playing hard to get, but when he truly saw the door close before him, he realized the child was serious.
If he was not sincere in clearing the Guan family's name, then he would not help the Wei Kingdom this time.
Emperor Wen of Wei was furious. He felt that as an emperor, he had given all the face he could, and if it was not accepted, then he would simply not take this shortcut! Even without Yin Gezhi, could the Wu Kingdom truly become an enemy of Wei at this critical moment?!
He stormed off in a huff. Emperor Wen of Wei cursed and grumbled all the way, not even bidding farewell to the Wu Kingdom's envoy before departing in his carriage.
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu had been eavesdropping outside. Seeing the Wei emperor leave, they hurriedly slipped in, both wearing expressions of indignation.
Xu Huaizu said, "I thought our own emperor was already foolish enough, but who knew there are always greater fools beyond the heavens! Master was thinking wholeheartedly for his sake, how could he not listen to good advice?"
An Shichong sighed, "Emperors are often overly suspicious, but it is rare for one to distrust even his own flesh and blood. Look at the Crown Prince of our Wu Kingdom, who holds such sway over the court—not only has His Majesty not reprimanded him, but he trusts and favors him even more."
Lowering his gaze, Yin Gezhi turned and took a key to unlock the cabinet. He reached in and pulled out Feng Yue, who was grinding her teeth, and said calmly, "Just proceed as we discussed earlier. I will not let you fail in your duties."
"Understood." The two young masters nodded. Xu Huaizu chuckled twice and pointed toward the bed in the inner chamber, "Master and Grandmaster, rest well. It's getting late, we disciples will take our leave now."
At the address "Grandmaster," Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes. Feng Yue, however, found it amusing. She stopped grinding her teeth and whispered, "Hear that? I'm your father now!"
Watching the two leave and close the door, Yin Gezhi tossed her onto the bed, his face darkening. "You're getting more and more insolent."
Rolling on the bed, Feng Yue, dressed in men's clothing and sporting a thick beard, twisted into an "S" shape and batted her eyelashes flirtatiously. "From what I heard just now, your father is like a dog biting Lü Dongbin—he won't listen to reason no matter how you advise him. In that case, why not acknowledge me? I promise I won't wrong a single good person, nor let a single bad one go!"
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi ignored her. He took a cloth, wrung it out in the basin of water beside him, then sat on the edge of the bed. Pulling her over, he slowly began peeling off the beard from her face.
Lying on his lap, looking up at Yin Gezhi's dangerously handsome face, Feng Yue felt a bit overwhelmed. She politely said, "Let me do it myself."
However, as soon as she reached out to take the cloth from him, Yin Gezhi rolled his eyes and gently swatted her hand away, his tone cold and sharp. "Didn't you want to be my father? This is my filial piety to you. Just lie still!"
Feng Yue: "..."
Although this man's little eye-rolls were quite lively, his expressions vivid, and the atmosphere around him rather gentle, she could clearly sense it—Yin the Great Demon King was grieving.
A genuine, heartfelt sorrow flowed from his eyes, silently spreading throughout the room.Feng Yue couldn't help but feel a pang of pity. Feeling that the beard on her face had been completely pulled off, she sat up and looked at him, saying, "Actually, you and Emperor Wen of Wei are truly very different. He wasn't a good emperor, but you can still distinguish right from wrong."
With a bitter smile, Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting a trembling shadow on his lower eyelids.
"I'm fine, you don't need to comfort me."
The more someone hides their emotions, the more painful it is when they're truly sad, right? Feng Yue sighed inwardly. Looking at his pursed lips, she couldn't help but reach out and gently lift them upward.
His closed eyes half-opened, and Yin Gezhi looked at her with some surprise.
"I've never been good at comforting people. When I was hurt, no one comforted me either, because even if I broke my hand, I wouldn't cry." Feng Yue grinned and said, "Later, I realized this habit wasn't good. What's the point of holding back? If you want to cry, cry loudly. If you have troubles, tell the person closest to you—that's how you feel best. Otherwise, pitying yourself alone in a corner is just too miserable."
Slowly blinking, Yin Gezhi nodded slightly. "That makes sense."
Then he reached out and tightly embraced her whole body, falling back onto the bed.
What? Feng Yue was dumbfounded. By the time she reacted, this guy's hand had already slipped into her collar.
"Hey?!" Grabbing him, torn between laughter and tears, Feng Yue gritted her teeth. "I told you to cry if you want to cry, not to suppress your emotions. What are you doing?"
"Not suppressing my emotions." Lifting his face to look at her, Yin Gezhi slightly curved his lips, gently rubbing the tip of his nose against hers. Then he turned his head and pressed his lips against the person beneath him, his voice hoarse as he murmured, "I've suppressed it for too long. It's not good for the body."
So all that sadness and sorrow were just lies! Feng Yue angrily said, "Aren't you afraid of getting dirty? Didn't you say prostitutes are lowly?"
The person on top of her chuckled softly, gently stroking the side of her face, his tone tinged with apology. "I was wrong."
Feng Yue stiffened slightly, looking at him with a strange expression.
He apologized? Admitted he was wrong? Yin Gezhi? Was she dreaming and not awake yet? This kind of arrogant, overbearing person could actually speak in such a tone?
Warm breath brushed against her ear. Yin Gezhi's tone suddenly shifted from apologetic to teasing. "But you fell into the dust and became a prostitute—aren't you still doing business with me alone?"
"..."
A tingling sensation spread from her earlobes throughout her body. Overwhelmed by shame and anger, Feng Yue kicked and punched, directly shoving him off the bed!
"Then I think you're dirty!" she shouted angrily. "You sleep on the floor!"
With that, she pulled the blanket over her head.
Sitting on the floor with his clothes in disarray, Yin Gezhi looked at the angry lump wrapped in blankets on the bed, finally feeling a bit better.
He was being looked down upon! But even though he had angered so many people, Feng Yue still looked the best when she was angry—her little face flushed red, her nose sharp and straight, her eyebrows furrowed, truly lively and adorable.
But... it was already late summer, early autumn. Would taking a cold shower now give him a cold?
The calculating Great Demon King Yin sat on the floor, seriously pondering this question.
The next day, the envoy entered the palace.Feng Yue woke up to see An Shichong and the others bidding farewell to Yin Gezhi at the door. She had thought they wouldn’t return until at least the evening, but to her surprise, Luo Hao came back in the afternoon with news from the palace, beaming with excitement as he said, "Young Master, there’s something interesting to see! Our Emperor took the initiative to propose an alliance with the Wu Kingdom against the Song, but the Wu envoy politely declined!"
What? Feng Yue was startled and quickly looked at Yin Gezhi.
Yin Gezhi calmly sipped his tea and said indifferently, "Emperor Wen of Wei is not one to suffer losses. If he took the initiative to propose it, the terms must have been quite harsh. It’s only natural that the Wu envoy didn’t agree."
However, even if he relaxed the terms, the Wu envoy wouldn’t agree anytime soon. As long as Emperor Wen of Wei hadn’t done what he was supposed to do, the benefits he wanted would certainly not come his way.
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