Empеrоr Wеn оf Wеi initially refusеd tо believе in such stubbornnеss. Ноwеvеr, аfter daуs of negotiations with the Wu Кingdоm's envоy dеlеgаtiоn, he rеаlizеd thеу truly shоwed no leniеnсy—nеither bribes of mоney nоr gifts of beаutiеs соuld swау thоse two уоung men. Аs еvеryоne knеw, nеgotiatiоns аlwaуs allowed sоme flexibilitу within thе rulеs, and Еmperor Wеn оf Wеi had hореd tо sесure bеttеr terms rаther thаn simply sеrving as Wu Кingdоm's рawn.
Yеt, аftеr thrеe days оf intense debate, hе found himself at а dead еnd with no furthеr strаtegiеs.
"I've never encountered such unyielding envoys!" Yin Chenjue said angrily. "What exactly do they want?"
Shi Hongwei’s expression was equally grim. "Borrowing Wei’s troops while having Wu provide half the provisions—this was something negotiable. Wu had a bountiful harvest this year, so their grain reserves are plentiful."
"This old official believes Wu Kingdom is simply accustomed to being domineering and doesn’t take us seriously," a nearby censor remarked. "They want to borrow our strength without providing provisions. Rather than being at their mercy, we should seek another path..."
"You make it sound so simple!" Emperor Wen of Wei roared, slamming the table. "What other paths are there? You civil officials always speak so lightly. Only military commanders understand that the battlefield follows no logic—no amount of scheming matters. If you can’t win, you have to submit!"
The outburst was filled with fury, directed more at himself than at the censor.
What could he do? He truly didn’t want to give Yin Chenbi what she desired. Yet, in the face of the kingdom’s survival, the royal family’s pride no longer mattered.
Everyone before him knelt. Emperor Wen of Wei slumped back into the dragon throne, let out a long sigh, and coughed twice. "Enough."
"Prime Minister Shi, find someone to fill the position of Chief Justice. Reopen the Guan family’s case from years ago and investigate it for me!"
Shi Hongwei was shocked, kneeling with a puzzled expression. "Your Majesty?"
"Father?" Yin Chenjue also frowned. "Didn’t you say this case..."
"Investigate!" Emperor Wen of Wei shouted angrily. "I order you to investigate, so investigate! Why so many questions? Are my words no longer heeded?"
"No, but..." Yin Chenjue was troubled. Everyone knew the truth behind that case—it had been settled by mutual understanding, with the higher-ups tacitly agreeing. Now, the highest authority himself wanted to reopen it. How were those below supposed to investigate, and where would the blame fall?
"Scoundrels!" Coughing in anger, Emperor Wen of Wei shifted his gaze guiltily, but his words remained sharp. "I give you half a month. If you can’t uncover the truth in half a month, all of you will be stripped of your positions!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger," Shi Hongwei knelt again. "This case involves many people. Half a month may not be enough..."
"Depart!" Unwilling to argue further, Emperor Wen of Wei leaned on the chief eunuch’s arm, waved his sleeve, and left the imperial study.
The Crown Prince and the others stared in astonishment. After a long while, someone finally asked, "Prime Minister Shi, what do you think His Majesty means by this?"
Shi Hongwei chuckled lightly. "What could it mean? It means there’s no need to investigate seriously. Just give an explanation."
"But the Guan family is gone. Who is this explanation for?" Yin Chenjue was utterly perplexed."Whoever has been trying to overturn the case, this is for them." His eyes darkening, Shi Hongwei brushed his sleeves with the demeanor of a loyal minister: "Our First Prince, even without his princely status, remains formidable indeed!"
Thinking of Yin Chenbi, Yin Chenjue shuddered, speaking somewhat timidly: "Then this matter will trouble the Prime Minister to handle with care."
"Your servant obeys the decree." Nodding toward the Crown Prince, Shi Hongwei's eyes held inscrutable depths. The moment he stepped out of the palace gates, he summoned a shadow guard, whispered instructions for a while, and dispatched the man.
Given that Yin Gezhi had said news regarding the Guan family case would soon arrive from the palace, Feng Yue stayed with him at the courier station.
Yin Gezhi remained in high spirits for some reason, asking her amiably every day: "What would you like to eat? I'll make it."
Feng Yue shook her head vigorously: "Thank you, but this humble one wishes to live a few more days."
In the afternoons, the two would usually watch their two disciples practice in the courtyard. Feng Yue watched with keen interest, but occasionally glancing sideways, she noticed a certain mentor figure not watching his own disciples but instead staring at her.
Her face inexplicably flushed, Feng Yue raised her willow-leaf eyebrows sharply: "What are you looking at?"
"I was thinking," Yin Gezhi said expressionlessly, "how I never noticed before. You are so captivating."
Feng Yue: "..."
An Shichong heard this and thrust his sword straight through Xu Huaizu's robe. Xu Huaizu's reaction was even more startling—the Changhen Blade, which he never parted with, clattered to the ground with a loud clang, startling Feng Yue into looking over.
"Haha." Forcing a dry laugh, Xu Huaizu picked up the blade and hugged it to his chest, glancing at her and then at his master, finally unable to maintain his smile. Lowering his head in thought, he raised the blade and swung it at Yin Gezhi:
"What demon has possessed my master!"
Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow, elegantly sidestepping to dodge, then pinched the blade between two fingers. With a light flick, the spirited blade emitted a pleasant hum.
"Have your wings hardened, daring to mock even your master?" With a slight sweep of his eyes, Yin Gezhi kicked Xu Huaizu back into the courtyard, holding the Changhen Blade behind him: "If you want the blade, come and take it yourself."
Hearing this, Xu Huaizu was dumbfounded: "Take it myself?"
"Correct." Yin Gezhi said impassively: "If you can't take it back, then I won't return it."
With that, he swept his robe and drifted ethereally into the room.
An Shichong stared in astonishment, then crouched down to pat the shoulder of the man on the ground: "Have you offended Master somewhere again recently?"
"Not at all!" Xu Huaizu was on the verge of tears, turning his head pitifully toward Feng Yue and crying out: "Grandmaster, save me! My blade!"
Feng Yue lifted her skirts and ran! What did this master-disciple conflict have to do with her? She was busy! If he wanted the blade, he should take it himself! Even if ten Xu Huaizus might not match one Yin Gezhi, a person must always have dreams!
"Grandmaster—" A mournful wail echoed throughout the courier station.
After that, Feng Yue felt as if she were haunted by a malevolent spirit. Opening the door, Xu Huaizu knelt outside, tearfully pleading: "Grandmaster, the blade..."
Slamming the door shut with a bang, Feng Yue turned to climb out the window, only to find Xu Huaizu hanging upside down outside, whimpering: "It's my life!"Closing the window once more, Feng Yue crouched on the floor, beginning to consider the possibility of digging a tunnel to escape.
"Miss Feng Yue." An Shichong's voice sounded from outside the door.
For a scoundrel like Xu Huaizu, she felt she couldn't handle him, but a refined gentleman like An Shichong could be reasoned with! Feng Yue thought for a moment, then went to open the door.
An Shichong politely cupped his hands toward her and said, "Whatever Master has in his possession, if he doesn't want to give it, no one can take it. Huaizu can't eat or sleep without his knife, so I beg Miss Feng Yue to lend a hand."
Blinking, Feng Yue replied, "It's really not that I don't want to help. If even you with your excellent skills can't take it, what can I do?"
Shaking his head, An Shichong said, "You are Master's beloved. To take something, you naturally don't need martial arts."
Be... beloved? Swallowing her saliva, Feng Yue curled her lips. "How do you know I'm his beloved?"
"Why must you be so stubborn, Miss? Don't you know it yourself?" An Shichong shook his head, his gaze profound. "If you didn't know of Master's affection, how would you dare to act so recklessly in front of him? Only those held in someone's heart can be so fearless."
Anyone with eyes should see it. Although Master wears a deadpan expression around Miss Feng Yue, his eyes are gentle and tender. He allows her to talk nonsense and cause trouble without ever showing signs of anger. Even when she hits him with a stool, he just smiles instead. If that isn't holding someone in his heart, then what is? As for Miss Feng Yue, she has shed her previous smiling facade, revealing some of her true nature. She no longer regards Master with fear, nor does she hold him in awe as before. Isn't it precisely because she knows he won't do anything to her, can't bear to do anything to her, that she acts so fearlessly?
Although he himself is not yet married, he can still understand these things.
Feng Yue fell silent, scratching her cheek, her eyes darting around. She looked hesitant and somewhat embarrassed.
"As long as Miss agrees to help, I, Shichong, will certainly repay you with a favor. I would go through fire and water without hesitation," An Shichong said earnestly.
With such sincerity laid out before her, Feng Yue was not one to be coy. Clapping her hands, she agreed, "Fine, it's just a knife, isn't it? I'll prepare and think of a way to distract Yin Gezhi. You two go steal it!"
"Thank you, Miss!" An Shichong smiled slightly.
Xu Huaizu, who had been hanging upside down outside, heard this and immediately jumped onto An Shichong's back. "Brother Shichong is reliable after all! Master won't even listen to me!"
"That's because everything you say is nonsense," An Shichong said, rolling his eyes. "And with that address of yours, do you really still not understand why you've offended Master?"
Slapping his mouth, Xu Huaizu suddenly understood. Immediately, he sweetly called out, "Master's wife!"
Feng Yue, who had just been smiling at these two clowns, instantly darkened her expression. She kicked them out and slammed the door shut!
Xu Huaizu was stunned, turning to An Shichong with a wronged look. "What did I do wrong this time?"
Wiping his face, An Shichong decided not to speak with such a fool anymore. He went straight to ambush near his master.
Yin Gezhi was drinking tea in his room.
"Young Master." A soft, coquettish voice sounded from outside, its seductive tone trembling slightly. "This servant just made some pastries. Would you like to try them?"
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Yin Gezhi said, "Come in."The door was pushed open, and a swirl of red skirts swept in, the hem rippling like waves with each step, the waist swaying gently. Looking up further, delicate jade-like hands held a plate of mung bean cakes that were clearly bought from outside. A charming face, now free of the large beard, smiled with vivid allure.
A mouthful of tea caught in his throat, Yin Gezhi coughed twice and frowned slightly. "What are you doing?"
Feng Yue really wanted to keep smiling—she had even planned how to divert this person's attention.
But as soon as she walked in and saw what was behind the seated figure, the mung bean cakes in her hand couldn't help but slam onto the table with a "thud." She shouted angrily, "Why are you carrying a sword on your back while drinking tea?"
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