"Тrulу," Еmрeror Wen оf Wеi sighed with emоtion in his eуеs. "Аmоng аll thе court оfficials, few dare to sреak sо franklу tо mе. Тhat is whу I bесаmе biasеd and fell into thе sсhemеs of pettу men... I toо oncе burnеd with раssiоn, wаnting tо govern thе Wеi Kingdоm intо а statе of реacе аnd prоsperity. I аlso do not wish tо wаtсh the Wеi Kingdom deсlinе stеp bу stер... Сhеnbi, I will listеn to уоu, I will listen tо evеrything yоu saу. Аs lоng as thеrе is still rооm for maneuvеr, as long as the Wei Кingdom can smоothly оverсоme this сrisis, I am willing to do anything."
The emperor, who had been stubbornly following his own will for over a decade, seemed to suddenly realize his mistakes today. With sincere eyes, he repented to his son, looking at him with hopeful anticipation. "You make the arrangements, including the treaty with the Wu Kingdom. I entrust it all to you."
A sense of relief suddenly washed over him. Yin Gezhi looked at his father and said, "If you can think this way, your son can die without regret."
"How can you die!" Rising and walking around the desk to stand before him, Emperor Wen of Wei patted his shoulder with tear-filled eyes. "My father's kingdom... Jue'er cannot bear such a burden! It must still rest on your shoulders."
Hearing this, Yin Gezhi glanced at the emperor in surprise, only to see him looking weary, aged, and pitiful.
"Jue'er has little talent. I established him as Crown Prince merely to stabilize the hearts of the ministers. Now that you have returned, the position of Crown Prince rightfully belongs to you. After the ancestral sacrifice ceremony, I will depose the Crown Prince and appoint you in his place." Looking at him earnestly, Emperor Wen of Wei said, "Prepare yourself."
Yin Gezhi had no desire to seize the position of Crown Prince, but if Emperor Wen of Wei truly intended to give it to him, he was capable of accepting it. So he nodded, bowed, and took his leave.
As soon as he left, the eunuch attending the imperial study sent word to the central palace. Upon hearing the news, Empress Shi flew into a rage, smashing everything she could and locking herself in her palace for an entire day.
Yin Gezhi had no interest in knowing about these matters. With the emperor's approval, he first went to finalize the ancestral sacrifice procedures with the Minister of Ceremonies, then visited the courier station to have a good talk with his two disciples.
Xu Huaizu and An Shichong could not delay in Lidu for too long, as no one knew when the flames of war might ignite. Therefore, upon hearing such good news, the two disciples were overjoyed. They drafted the treaty, affixed their seals, and sent it back to the Wu Kingdom by fast horse to deliver the message.
Seeing that everything was settled, Yin Gezhi returned to the Prince of Filial Piety's Mansion.
Feng Yue, wearing a helmet and the armor of a city guard, returned from outside and happened to run into him at the gate.
"Where have you been?" Looking at her appearance, Yin Gezhi was full of disdain.
Wiping the fake beard on her face, Feng Yue grinned and said, "The Buddha says: It cannot be told."
For the past two days, she had been wandering around everywhere with Lian Heng and had finally become familiar with all the places. Today, Commander Chen had already requested her from Commander Lian, planning to have her guard the royal family's safety during the ancestral sacrifice ceremony. If she told Yin Gezhi about this, would she still be able to go? He would definitely lock her up without a second thought!
The other arrangements had already been made. The emperor's personal guard would switch places with her, and when Emperor Wen of Wei performed the ancestral sacrifice, she would be in the closest position to him.Though she no longer had the strength to wield long blades or swords, nor any internal energy to draw upon, dealing with an elderly emperor who also lacked martial skills—especially with others providing cover—gave her a very high chance of success.
This would be her final gamble.
With a radiant smile directed at Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue turned to head through the door.
"Wait," Yin Gezhi called out to stop her. "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."
"What is it?"
Taking her wrist, Yin Gezhi led her into the main courtyard, shutting Guan Zhi and Lingshu outside before fixing her with a serious gaze. "Would you like to attend the ancestral worship ceremony?"
Her pupils contracted slightly. Feng Yue felt a pang of guilt but dared not look away. She blinked at him for a long moment, thinking it couldn’t be that unlucky—had he already discovered the plans she had just laid out?
Seeing her silent, Yin Gezhi continued with a somber expression, "I’ve already persuaded my father to publicly confess his crimes at the ancestral worship ceremony and apologize to the Guan family. If you’re willing to hear his apology, I can arrange a secure position for you."
Her heart eased momentarily, only to tighten again. Feng Yue tilted her head. "An apology?"
If apologies were enough, what use would the law be?
Reading her expression, Yin Gezhi knew she was unwilling. He lowered his gaze and said softly, "Forget it."
"Wait." Her eyes darting around, Feng Yue smiled brightly and tugged at his sleeve. "An apology from His Majesty the Emperor is a rare thing to hear. Since Your Highness invites me, how could this humble servant refuse?"
"You want to go?"
"Of course." She shook his arm coquettishly, batting her eyelashes. "Please, Your Highness, make sure to prepare a safe spot for me, lest someone take a dislike to me and I end up losing my life there."
"No one will." He looked at her deeply, his voice low and firm. "I will do everything in my power to keep you safe."
"Then this humble servant can rest easy." Nodding, Feng Yue said, "I’ll go prepare now."
With that, she turned and ran off.
Watching her retreating figure, Yin Gezhi let out a slight sigh of relief. It was good that she agreed to go—far better than her secretly plotting an assassination.
Each autumn rain brings a deeper chill; with summer gone, all flowers wither. Lidu had entered autumn, and people added layers of clothing, lamenting how cold this autumn truly was.
Feng Yue sat under the eaves, holding a cup of hot tea as she gazed outside.
"Four years," she murmured, counting the days. A low chuckle escaped her. "Today is the anniversary of the Guan family’s massacre."
Yin Yanzhong and the others listened, their hearts heavy with sorrow. Lingshu bounced over with a cloak and draped it over Feng Yue, blinking curiously. "What’s an anniversary?"
"An anniversary is the day, a year ago, when certain people passed away from this world. You remember them dearly, so on this day each year, you think of them, offer incense, burn paper, and cherish their memory." Her eyes filled with unusual tenderness, Feng Yue pulled Lingshu to sit beside her. "Do you remember the story of Guan Yuanrong that I tell you every year?"
"Yes," Lingshu nodded. "You said you grew up with her and that she was a very good person.""Yes, she really was a wonderful person." Nodding, Feng Yue pulled Lingshu's head onto her shoulder, gently patting her as she said, "If you had met her, you would have liked her very much. She was gentle and kind."
"Then where did she go?" Lingshu asked curiously. "We've already come to the Wei Kingdom, but I haven't seen her."
Her patting hand paused. Feng Yue smiled, looking down at her without answering. Instead, she changed the subject: "Once things here are settled, Madam Qiu will take you and Tushu to Xinghe Village. That's the village where you were born."
With a dawning realization, Lingshu nodded, lowering her eyes. She whispered, "So that's why Master redeemed me back then—because she knew me... She even knew where I was born."
"Your master is capable of anything." Smiling, Feng Yue pinched her rosy little cheek and said, "Be good now, go have some snacks first. I still have things to discuss with the others."
"Alright." Without asking further, Lingshu stood up and skipped away.
"Everything has been arranged." Yan Qing stood nearby, his words casual, but his expression was grave. "This is extremely dangerous. No one can guarantee what might happen. You must be careful."
Feng Yue smiled. "Don't worry, I won't fail."
Her tendons were severed, her martial arts completely lost, yet she was going to assassinate the emperor. Who could feel at ease? After much hesitation, Madam Qiu finally spoke up, "Why not let us go instead? At least we have some skills, so we won't be doomed if we fail."
"You have no mortal grudge against the emperor." Clenching the dagger in her hand, Feng Yue smiled. "Only I do, and only I need to kill him. Why should you take the risk?"
If she couldn't personally kill that dog emperor, what was the point of living until now?
Everyone sighed, not daring to persuade her further. Feng Yue put away the dagger and took a deep breath.
A gentle autumn breeze rose, carrying the scent of withered leaves and damp earth, mingling with the moist wind that brushed against their faces. It felt oppressive, yet somehow refreshing.
Footsteps sounded outside the courtyard, and everyone composed themselves. Feng Yue turned her head to see Yin Gezhi approaching gracefully, dressed in a silver-white robe embroidered with dark dragon patterns.
"Are you ready?" Stopping in front of her, he looked down and asked.
Tilting her head up with a smile, Feng Yue reached over and grabbed a bright red dress, holding it out in front of him. "Ready. Look, isn't this set perfect for me?"
Glancing at the red she had always loved, Yin Gezhi nodded slightly. "Yes. In that case, tomorrow during the ancestral worship, I'll have Guan Zhi come to pick you up. Wait outside the North Xuan Gate."
"Alright." Feng Yue agreed, her smile radiant.
He reached out to touch that smile but paused midway. Yin Gezhi lifted his eyes and swept a light glance at the people around them who were in the way.
In the next moment, the group of iron-willed men and formidable women vanished without a trace. The wind swept through the courtyard, leaving only him and the person before him.
"Are you nervous?" Sitting down beside her, Yin Gezhi asked expressionlessly.
Feng Yue nodded. "Just thinking about the emperor apologizing makes this servant's hands tremble with nervousness! Would you like to feel them?"
Giving her a disdainful look, Yin Gezhi still reached out and gently held her cold, trembling hand. "With me here, it'll be fine.""Are you truly in agreement with His Majesty the Emperor?" Feng Yue couldn't help but ask again.
Yin Gezhi nodded. "His health has been poor lately. As twilight approaches, people tend to become more tolerant than before."
"That's good. We can also deliver the results to the Wu Kingdom."
"Yes. Shi Chong has already taken a portion of the men back to report. Huaizu remains here, waiting to bring the state gifts from the Wei Kingdom back with him."
"Has the treaty been signed?"
"It has," Yin Gezhi said. "I told you I wouldn't make things difficult for them."
Although she had helped him tell a small lie, achieving the desired outcome was what mattered.
"Mmm." Lifting her head to continue gazing at the sky, Feng Yue murmured, "I don't want to make things difficult for you either."
Raising an eyebrow slightly, Yin Gezhi turned his head. "Since when have you started caring about me?"
Rolling her eyes, Feng Yue squeezed his hand. "I've received many favors from Your Highness. Wouldn't it be too much if I remained ungrateful?"
Clasping her hand tightly in return, Yin Gezhi curled his lips, though his tone remained serious. "It pleases this prince that you think this way."
Her heart twinged. Feng Yue turned her face away and muttered, "As long as you're pleased."
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