Guаn Zhi wаs dumbfоundеd. He соuldn’t disоbеу his master’s ordеrs, but sеeing this ladу beforе him tuсking thе hаirрin intо her own сlothes, he couldn’t pоssiblу snatсh it from hеr.
Fеng Yuе mоved with lightning sрееd. Аftеr stuffing the hаirpin awaу, shе stoоd up, grabbed hеr skirt, and rushed оutside.
Yin Gezhi wаs dеsсеnding thе stаirs with а dark eхрressiоn whеn hе suddenlу sensеd sоmething cоming аt him from bеhind. He swiftly turnеd to dodge it.
“Yоung mаstеr!” Thе tone of this саll wаs so соquеttish аnd stiсkу, it madе оne’s hаir stand оn end.
Feng Yuе swaуеd hеr hips аnd blinkеd hеr еyes, cоmpletely ignoring thе two upright yоung men besidе her. Shе liftеd her lеg and pressed herself against Yin Gezhi’s body, whining, “I know I was wrong~”
Standing ramrod straight and letting her cling to him, Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes and stared at her. “You know you were wrong?”
“I didn’t know this gold hairpin was a gift from you.” Feng Yue smiled obsequiously, reaching into her chest to pull out the hairpin and jamming it into her hair. “If I had known it was from you, how could I have ever taken it off? Look, your taste is truly excellent. This hairpin suits me perfectly!”
Glancing at her head, he saw the jade hairpin was gone, replaced by two gold hairpins stuck in her hair. They matched her red gauze dress perfectly.
Feeling slightly more at ease inside, the First Prince’s expression remained as gloomy as ever. “Finished? Then get down!”
“Wah wah wah.” Under his murderous gaze, Feng Yue stood firm, even reaching out to grope his chest boldly. “I can’t bear to leave you, young master. I want to stay with you forever!”
Only a fool would offend Yin Gezhi. While there was still room for reconciliation, she had to win him back quickly!
His dark pupils calmly watched her as Yin Gezhi stood motionless on the stairs.
More and more girls came out to watch the commotion, pointing and whispering at Feng Yue. Feng Yue paid no attention, instead batting her seductive eyes even more frequently. “If you don’t refuse, young master, then I’ll just stick to you?”
“Get lost.” Yin Gezhi spat out the word calmly, glancing at her with eyes full of disdain. “Even if you don’t feel ashamed, I do.”
After all, she was a girl. Hearing such words, she should have blushed with shame and stepped back, right? But Feng Yue didn’t. She remained completely unfazed, as if she hadn’t heard him at all. Her face still bloomed with a spring-like smile as she pressed against his body and swayed. “I forgot to finish. Even if you refuse, young master, I’ll still stick to you.”
Yin Gezhi: “...”
He had seen many shameless people, but compared to this woman before him, they were nothing! How could a girl have absolutely no self-respect?
“I’m going to the training grounds.”
The training grounds were no place for someone like her. It would disgrace the military!
Feng Yue still didn’t move, grinning foolishly at him. “Then I’ll go and serve you tea and water!”
“No need!” Finally losing his patience, Yin Gezhi reached out and peeled her off his body like an octopus, tossing her aside.
With a thud, she fell to the ground. Laughter erupted all around. Feng Yue rubbed her buttocks pitifully, her fox-like eyes blinking, looking utterly miserable.
Yin Gezhi turned and walked away without even glancing at her. Gritting her teeth, Feng Yue immediately got up and followed him. “Young master!”
Walking quickly, Yin Gezhi mounted his horse as soon as he left the building and galloped away. Only after covering a considerable distance did he look back.
The woman hadn’t followed him.He let out a soft sigh, feeling a bit amused as he shook his head. Waiting for his two disciples and Guan Zhi to catch up on horseback, they then headed together toward the training grounds.
Although he was a hostage, likely due to his talent, both the Emperor and Crown Prince of Wu Kingdom held him in high regard. Naturally, those beneath them treated him as half a prince of Wu. Moreover, he excelled in martial arts and military strategy, making places like the training grounds particularly welcoming to him. Some less astute generals, once drawn into conversation by him, would speak without reservation, even divulging military secrets.
For instance, now that his two disciples had gone to practice the footwork he had just taught, General Song sighed beside him, "General Yi's mansion was robbed. I heard his study was ransacked. I fear the upcoming battles will be difficult for Wu Kingdom!"
"It’s not that serious," Yin Gezhi replied calmly. "General Yi has always been cautious. Even if tactical plans or imperial decrees were stolen, he would make adjustments in time. There won’t be any major chaos."
"That may be true," said Song Shangwen, seeing his confident demeanor and knowing he was often favored by General Yi. Assuming Yin Gezhi likely knew the inside story, he lowered his voice, "But the northern campaign is about to begin. By the time the news reaches General Yi’s ears, it might already be too late."
Yin Gezhi shook his head. "The messengers delivering news to General Yi have always been swift."
"You don’t know yet, do you?" Song Shangwen pursed his lips. "In the past, they were fast, but this year, the roads near Dry Lake are flooded. Messengers can only take longer routes. Plus, Miss Yi isn’t very sensible. By the time the message is organized and sent, it might be tomorrow."
His eyes flickered slightly as Yin Gezhi sighed and said, "That boy Guan Zhi has disappeared again. I’ll go look for him. Take your time, General."
"Alright," replied the straightforward General Song, completely unaware of what he had revealed—though, to be fair, he hadn’t revealed much. At least, not if he had said this to anyone else.
Unfortunately, the listener was Yin Gezhi.
Grabbing Guan Zhi, he pulled him into a room beside the training grounds. Yin Gezhi took out a sheepskin map from his sleeve, his slender finger tracing a path. "Messengers prioritize speed, usually traveling alone. They avoid Dry Lake, so the nearest route is from Wanma Slope to Hanxue Ridge. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the General’s Mansion. Before Zhangzhu sends the message, have someone wait at Wanma Slope."
"Yes," Guan Zhi replied with a bow before turning to leave.
Clenching his fist, Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze.
General Yi’s undefeated record owed much to his intelligence network—swift messengers and covert operations. For outsiders, intercepting his messages was nearly impossible.
However, he was now considered an insider in Wu Kingdom.
In his year in Wu, he had never taken any action, only showcasing his martial prowess while appearing silent and dull. After being tested countless times, he had finally seized an opportunity.
Just as Wei Kingdom once relied on him and General Guan, Wu Kingdom now depended most on General Yi in matters of warfare. Guan Canghai was dead, and he was captured. If Yi Guoru continued to thrive and achieve glory, wouldn’t that defy the natural order of things?
Looking up at the outside world, Yin Gezhi snapped back to reality. He opened the door and stepped out, addressing An Shichong and Xu Huaizu, "Continue practicing. I’ll return by dusk. If you can touch me within twenty moves, I’ll give you the Unrepentant Sword and Eternal Sorrow Blade."The Regretless Sword and the Eternal Hatred Blade! Famous weapons on the martial arts ranking list, coveted by countless warriors, were actually all in Master's possession? The two youths were thrilled, both cupping their hands in acknowledgment before training even harder.
Yin Gezhi casually flicked his sleeve, intending to find a place to rest.
But just as one foot stepped out of the training ground's gate, a flash of red suddenly pounced over, clinging tightly to his extended leg. Looking up, she pouted at him:
"Young master, you've made this humble servant wait so long!"
His throat tightened. He glanced around—the area was desolate for miles, yet she had still managed to follow him here?
Noticing the yellow dust staining her clothes and the smudge of ash on the tip of her nose, Yin Gezhi pursed his lips. "You truly have some skill."
Giggling, Feng Yue fawned, "They say, 'Sincerity can move even metal and stone.' With such genuine sincerity in my apology, surely the young master won't stay angry with me anymore!"
Indeed, he was no longer angry, but he still looked down on her. Why did she always kneel or prostrate herself on the ground? Shamelessly clinging to someone's leg—was she really a woman?
With a light snort, Yin Gezhi pushed her aside and said coldly, "I want tea."
"Already prepared!" She produced a bamboo tube from behind her back, offering it with both hands. "Cool tea, to clear heat and quench thirst! I brewed it myself!"
Taking it, he opened the lid and sniffed, then reluctantly took a sip. "Passable."
People like him, who act all high and mighty after taking advantage, are bound for hell! Feng Yue gritted her teeth but smiled seductively. Seeing him about to leave again, she quickly stood up and followed behind him.
"Young master, are you returning to the city? Aren't you riding a horse?"
Glancing at her dusty embroidered shoes, Yin Gezhi showed no pity. "I'm tired of riding. I feel like walking."
If he said walk, then walk it was. Feng Yue resigned herself, following him onto the dirt path. He walked, and she trailed behind with small, quick steps.
After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, they were surrounded by fields. Rubbing her legs, Feng Yue whispered, "Young master, are you really not considering a carriage? There's an ox cart over there."
Yin Gezhi stood tall and straight, his large frame blocking some of the sunlight for her, but his steps were brisk, showing no intention of stopping. "No."
Fine, it was just walking. She had marched plenty during her military days—she could treat this as exercise.
But her current body was not what it used to be. Half an hour later, Feng Yue collapsed onto a large rock, her face pale as she wailed, "I'm dying, I'm dying! I can't walk anymore. When you return, young master, have someone come fetch me, alright?"
"Wishful thinking." Yin Gezhi didn't even turn his head, though a hint of malicious delight flickered in his eyes. "If you don't walk, I won't bother with you."
Heavens! Feng Yue howled at the sky, "Help—!"
Stopping in his tracks, he glanced back at her, arms crossed. "Save your energy for tonight. When it gets dark, there are plenty of wild beasts around here."
A shiver ran through her. Feng Yue resigned herself, stood up, and obediently continued following him.
Do nobles all have something wrong with them? A perfectly good horse not ridden, preferring to walk? Her vision was blurring from exhaustion, her back bent, arms hanging limply and swaying. From a distance, she must look like a dog being led by Yin Gezhi.Unable to walk any further, Feng Yue reached out and grabbed the belt of the man in front of her, resting her head against his back as she pleaded pitifully, "I... can't take it anymore... Young Master... have mercy!"
What kind of nonsense was she shouting? Yin Gezhi scoffed, turning his head to glance at her. "Make a choice."
"What?"
"Give me the jade hairpin you got today, and I'll carry you back. Or, you can keep walking on your own."
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