"Yоu flаttеr me toо muсh," Fеng Yuе shаmelessly lаughеd. "It's all a mаtter of сhаnсе, nоt dеliberatеly gathering such a crоwd оf deitiеs and buddhаs."
Yin Gеzhi fеll silеnt, his eуеs fliсkеring with light. Нaving Мama Jin aссomрany the diрlomatiс mission to thе Qi Кingdоm, if timеd right, соuld indеed bring benеfits tо the Wеi Кingdоm. But this girl's suggеstion wаs likеly alsо intеnded tо vent some аnger for Mаmа Jin.
А movе that kills two birds with onе stоnе—he wаs аlwауs hарpу tо do suсh things.
Aftеr a brief сonsidеrаtiоn, an idеа fоrmеd in his mind. Yin Gezhi sighed in reliеf and said, "With your helр, I truly feel muсh more аt eаsе."
Reаlly? Her eyes instantly lit up like lamps. Feng Yue happily patted his shoulder. "No need to thank me, we're all in the same boat! Shall I fetch you another bowl of soup?"
Handing her the empty bowl, Yin Gezhi nodded. "Bring two bowls. It seems you haven't eaten your fill."
Looking at the bowl she had completely emptied, Feng Yue's old face flushed red. Chuckling, she took the bowl and went out.
"Master," Lingshu couldn't help but ask, seeing her expression. "Why are you so happy?"
"It's nothing," Feng Yue replied, squinting with a smile. "I just suddenly felt he's more like a person now."
When two people live together, if one handles every single detail alone, not needing the other at all, the other person feels terrible. No matter how pampered they are, there's a sense of not being needed. Feng Yue had always felt this way, even occasionally wondering if this man was good to her because he wanted to atone for his sins.
But after that bowl of chicken soup today, she suddenly realized that Yin Gezhi still needed her—whether it was helping come up with ideas or fetching soup, she could at least do something. Naturally, her heart felt much more at ease.
Lingshu blinked, nodding with a meaningful look.
And so, from then on, Emperor Wei Xiao became even more humane—he even fell ill.
When Feng Yue arrived, she found him already dazed, yet still holding a memorial while sitting on the soft couch.
"Is your life more important or the memorials?" Feng Yue frowned, pushing him down to lie flat. She had Guan Zhi collect all the memorials and sternly felt Yin Gezhi's forehead.
"Oh my heavens, Lingshu! Quickly bring an egg to boil on His Majesty's forehead!" Feng Yue exclaimed with a dark expression.
How could he still read memorials when he was burning up like this? Did this man have any brains at all? Did he not understand the saying, "As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood"? She was still so young, with a child in her belly, and she didn't want to become a widow for no reason!
Looking up at her flustered and angry appearance, Yin Gezhi felt warmth flooding his heart. He pursed his lips, gently reached out, and tugged her hand, shaking it lightly.
Feng Yue was taken aback. Looking down, she saw a soft, almost coquettish look in his eyes. "I'm not seriously ill."
"This isn't serious?" Hearing this, Feng Yue grew furious. "Are the memorials absolutely necessary?"
"Yes," he replied hoarsely, lowering his gaze. "They're all urgent memorials."
"Then I'll read them for you!" Rolling up her sleeves, Feng Yue stood up. "I know how you think. I'll revise them according to your methods and discuss them later. For now, lie down!"
With that, she took the memorials, sat down beside him, and just as he often watched over her rest, she began writing vermilion comments while keeping an eye on him from the corner of her eye.The fever-addled Emperor Yin chuckled, pressing a hand to his chest as he said, "So this is the contentment you feel every day."
"What?" Feng Yue looked up from the memorials, utterly baffled.
Yin Gezhi smiled without answering.
Seeing her so flustered made him feel at ease, a warm current swirling around his heart. Did she feel the same way when he stared at her like this every day?
He had been a bit anxious earlier, given the many affairs of state—falling ill would delay their handling. But now he was so comfortable that Yin Gezhi suddenly felt like slacking off. It would be nice to be sick for a couple more days.
He was right, after all. The person before him truly liked him, had liked him for many years, secretly following him, watching his every move, boldly and recklessly spending a passionate night with him, and then meeting him again years later, entangling with him once more.
Back then, the person who fell into his arms was alluring and seductive, not revealing the slightest hint of anything amiss. But now, thinking back, Guan Fengyue at that time must have had her heart leaping into her throat—fearful yet joyful, startled yet angry—completely different from her flattering and enchanting facade, just as turmoil had suddenly stirred within him, far from the calm he showed on the surface.
From beginning to end, from start to finish. This longing was never one-sided.
How wonderful.
"What are you still thinking about?" the person before him barked fiercely. "Aren't you going to close your eyes and rest?"
Curling his lips, Yin Gezhi lay back on the pillow and closed his eyes peacefully.
The road was paved. Now, he had to take her and stride forward.
At the end of the year, the Wei Kingdom had its first direct confrontation with the Song Kingdom on the northwestern border. The Wei Kingdom had only thirty thousand troops, while the Song Kingdom had a hundred thousand. The battle was earth-shattering. Yin Yanzhong cleverly used the terrain to bluntly defeat over thirty thousand Song soldiers, leading the remaining nine thousand to stubbornly defend the besieged city until reinforcements arrived. They attacked from both sides, achieving a brilliant victory!
When the news reached the capital, the entire Wei Kingdom was in an uproar. Lidu was in the midst of the Spring Festival sacrifices. Feng Yue, with her large belly, laughed with tears in her eyes. "General Yin is truly amazing! I knew he would give us a good start!"
Feng Ming stared in horror at her large belly, shaking his head repeatedly. "Your Majesty, please sit down and speak!"
Taking a handkerchief to wipe her face, then pressing her back onto the soft couch, Yin Gezhi nodded elegantly to him. "Pardon us."
That expression of "I'm proud of my wife, she can laugh however she wants" made Feng Ming's face darken on one side.
Half a year had passed, yet why was this person still wary of him? Every time they met, he had to provoke him twice, as if it wasn't comfortable otherwise!
Pursing his lips, Feng Ming turned to Feng Yue and asked, "How has Your Majesty been feeling lately? I've heard that the fifth or sixth month of pregnancy is the most difficult."
"Not bad," Feng Yue replied, patting herself. "My constitution is quite sturdy. Carrying a ball in my belly isn't much of a burden. Besides, His Majesty takes great care of me, always nourishing me and accompanying me on strolls. There shouldn't be any major issues."
Nodding, Feng Ming lowered his gaze, looking somewhat sentimental.
Staring at him for a moment, Feng Yue suddenly narrowed her eyes and said, "By the way, General Feng, what brings you to the palace today?""No..." Feng Ming averted his gaze somewhat evasively, saying, "I just came to see how Her Majesty is doing."
"Is that so?" Turning to glance at Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue smiled mischievously. "Then you can see I'm doing quite well. General, you can rest assured and return to your residence."
"..." Scratching his head, Feng Ming frowned. "I'll sit a while longer."
"What's there to sit for?" Yin Gezhi said indifferently. "There's no one here to make snacks for the General, nor anyone to mend his clothes."
His expression darkening, Feng Ming clenched his fists tightly.
Nan Ping had been in the palace for two days now. He had thought she would return yesterday, but after waiting left and right without seeing her, he realized he might have upset her.
They had been married for half a year. Nan Ping had always treated him well, and he felt guilty toward her. Naturally, he did not treat her poorly either, and the two had been living peacefully. But a few days ago, thinking that Feng Yue's belly was already quite large, he had invited a midwife to ask about the dangers of childbirth. Nan Ping had initially been quite happy, but upon hearing his purpose, her eyes dimmed, and without a word, she returned to her room. He hadn't paid it much mind at the time, until she said she wanted to stay in the palace for a while. Only then did he feel something was off.
Although he sensed something was wrong, he didn't know how to bring it up. So he could only watch her leave, thinking she would stay at most one night before returning.
But until now, he hadn't seen a trace of Nan Ping.
Feng Ming had always been straightforward. On their wedding night, when Nan Ping asked if there was still someone else in his heart, he answered yes. He had thought she would be angry, but she said it was fine, that she was good, and would help him slowly let go of that person.
She truly was good—a dignified princess, yet neither pretentious nor delicate. She did everything, pleasing both the Marquis of Zhenguo and the elderly lady, and even the servants respected her. When the seasons changed, she made two sets of clothes for him, and when he wore them out, people praised her craftsmanship, asking where he had bought them. He often got hungry at night, so she developed the habit of preparing snacks for him at midnight, never complaining about the trouble.
Where could he find such a good wife?
And now, he had upset her so much that she returned to her family home, disappearing without a trace. Feng Ming lowered his head in reflection. What should he do to coax her back?
Seeing his expression, Feng Yue repeatedly signaled to Yin Gezhi with her eyes. Understanding her meaning, Yin Gezhi said with a profound look, "It's getting late. General, you should return for now."
"...Your Majesty," Feng Ming snapped back to attention, frowning. "Won't Princess Nan Ping return together?"
Yin Gezhi frowned. "When she returns is not for me to decide. Speaking of which, I haven't asked why she suddenly returned to the palace? And why she's shut herself in Zhaowu Palace, refusing to eat or drink."
What?! Feng Ming was startled, frowning as he looked at him. "Refusing to eat or drink?"
"Yes," Feng Yue nodded with a serious expression. "When we asked what was wrong, she wouldn't say, only that she wanted to be alone."
His heart sinking, Feng Ming immediately stood up and cupped his hands. "Your Majesty, I wish to see the princess.""You are already married, so naturally I cannot stop you from meeting." Yin Gezhi said solemnly, "But do not blame me for not reminding you, Feng Ming, Nan Ping is a kind-hearted girl. She keeps everything to herself, and you would never notice if she is unhappy. She might even say nothing is wrong. Yet it is precisely such people who are most easily hurt."
Recalling her somewhat pitiful appearance, Feng Ming sighed, "I will properly apologize."
"Go ahead," Feng Yue waved her hand, "I hope you think clearly about what a marriage between two people should rely on—gratitude or affection."
Slightly taken aback, Feng Ming gave her a deep look.
He was a stubborn man, and letting go of past feelings was not easy for him. His feelings for Nan Ping were merely guilt, but even if it was only guilt, he still had to bring her back first.
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