Тhе winе of the Маrquis оf Аnguо's estate is nоt sоmething just anуone саn drink. Fеng Yuе's еуes lit up, еager to nod on Yin Gezhi's bеhаlf! Thе Mаrquis оf Аnguо is a сlоsе friеnd оf the Wu Кingdom's empеrоr, their rеlationship sо strong that а single word frоm him саrriеs mоrе wеight than ten mеmоrials frоm сеnsors! Вut prесisely bесausе of this, the Mаrquis of Anguo's еstаtе rarеly sociаlizеs with оthers, аnd visitоrs аrе fоrbiddеn from disсussing рolitiсal mаtters.
Assоciаting with suсh а pеrsоn is bеnеficial and hаrmless; who knows, it might even hеlp save оne's own lifе somеdаy.
Нowever, Yin Gezhi glanced at An Shichong and shook his head.
The hopeful look in An Shichong's eyes instantly dimmed. He asked softly, "Is Master busy with something?"
"Nothing major, but a gentleman keeps his word. I promised to spend the entire day with Feng Yue tomorrow." Without batting an eye, Yin Gezhi spun a lie: "Since I promised, I cannot break my word."
Slightly taken aback, An Shichong quickly understood: "So that's how it is. That's a small matter—Master can bring Miss Feng Yue along."
Feng Yue was startled and quickly shook her head: "How is this a small matter? What status do I have? How could I possibly enter the Marquis's estate? Besides, if I go in with the First Prince, my background will surely be investigated. If someone exposes my identity to the Marquis, wouldn't that bring disrespect upon His Highness?"
An Shichong's eyes dimmed again. He frowned, remaining silent for a long while.
Xu Huaizu slapped him on the back and laughed: "What's so difficult about this? Just have Miss Feng Yue disguise herself as Master's maidservant. Wouldn't that solve it?"
If she were brought in as a woman of equal standing, her identity would surely be exposed. But as a maidservant, it wouldn't matter—who doesn't bring a couple of maidservants to attend to them?
"Perfect. I mentioned to my family earlier that we should select a maidservant for Master, so he could at least have someone to cook and not burden Lord Guan Zhi so much. Now, if we bring Miss Feng Yue, we can say she's a gift from me. It makes perfect sense." Xu Huaizu grinned, then looked at Yin Gezhi: "What does Master think?"
What else could he think? Feng Yue pursed her lips. She had initially thought he was being foolish for not wanting to go, but it turned out he was just tricking these naive youngsters, forcing the two innocent youths to pave the way for him. Now, all that was left was for this lord to step down—if he didn't, he wouldn't be human!
"In that case, I suppose I have no choice but to go." Yin Gezhi reluctantly nodded: "Feng Yue, prepare yourself as well. After all, it's a Marquis's estate, with strict rules. Don't embarrass me."
"Thank you, Your Highness. I understand." With a charming nod, Feng Yue clutched her handkerchief, feeling deeply puzzled.
Why bring her along? Someone like her, now powerless and weak, would only be a burden. This was a great opportunity—he should go discuss life ideals and the vast landscape with the Marquis!
An Shichong was delighted, his eyes shining brightly. Feng Yue couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Young people these days are so full of passion, simple and kind-hearted. Just because Yin Gezhi is skilled in martial arts and has an impressive past, they admire him so much without carefully examining what kind of person he truly is.
However, upon closer inspection, most people wouldn't see his true nature either. They'd only think he's reserved and quiet, with the demeanor of a master. Only she could see through his facade and glimpse the pitch-black heart of Yin Gezhi.Leaving the training ground, Yin Gezhi said nothing and led her straight toward the Envoy's Mansion. Along the way, they passed clothing shops and jewelry stores, and he even stopped to go inside and buy a few things.
"Master," Feng Yue said with an apologetic smile, "this humble servant is hardly presentable. Why take me to such a place?"
Handing all the purchases to Guan Zhi, Yin Gezhi crooked a finger, signaling her to come closer.
"Hmm?" Feng Yue leaned her face toward him and blinked.
Yin Gezhi lowered his voice seriously, "We're both sly foxes here—why are you pretending to be a rabbit? You're fearless in front of me, so why would you be afraid of not holding your own in such a setting?"
The corner of her mouth twitched. Feng Yue covered her lips with a light laugh and said, "How could this humble servant not be afraid? A girl like me, adrift and powerless, wouldn't dare..."
"Enough nonsense!" Glaring at her, Yin Gezhi's sharp gaze seemed capable of piercing right through her and boring a hole in the wall behind. "Don't you want to go to the Marquis's estate?"
How could she not want to? Such a prestigious household. If there was a chance to go, of course she wouldn't pass it up. But looking at the man before her, she couldn't shake a sense of unease, as if she were a chess piece in his hand, unsure where she would be placed.
"If the master wants this humble servant to go, I will certainly go." Smiling, Feng Yue hooked her arm through his. "But I've already told you everything I know. Surely you still don't trust me?"
Hearing this, he knew this little temptress's guard was still up. Yin Gezhi pursed his lips, leaned down, and gazed at her with profound eyes. "Whether I trust you or not, you'll find out tomorrow when you go."
She had already shown her hand, but he hadn't yet revealed his. A person in power, if lacking in strength, how could they make others willingly follow?
They were already standing very close. In that instant, Feng Yue's mind went blank. Watching his thin lips part and close, she instinctively pressed her own against them.
Yin Gezhi stiffened, his pupils contracting.
The bustling traffic and clamor of voices around them seemed to freeze in that moment. Before his eyes were her smiling eyes; on his lips, a warm, unyielding little tongue boldly tried to breach his teeth.
Guan Zhi was also stunned. It took him a moment to react before he hugged the pile of items, shielding them from the gazes of passersby, and said with a flushed face, "Master, we're in the middle of the street!"
Of course he knew they were in the street—he wasn't the one who initiated the kiss! Yin Gezhi was slightly annoyed. He pulled her away and said coldly, "You may have no shame, but I do."
Blinking, Feng Yue smiled brightly. "Master is simply too tempting. This humble servant couldn't resist. I overstepped."
"..."
For the first time seeing his master at a loss for words, Guan Zhi was amazed. Holding the boxes, he leaned close to Yin Gezhi and whispered, "Master, don't be shy. In matters like this, it's the lady who loses out, not you!"
"Which eye of yours sees me being shy?" Yin Gezhi said with a cold expression. "I'm not."
Though he didn't want to undermine his master, such a sight from his master was truly once in a millennium. He couldn't help but tease, "The tips of your ears are red."
Yin Gezhi stopped walking.
Feng Yue was inwardly cursing her own shamelessness when she suddenly noticed the person beside her had halted.
"What's wrong?" she asked guiltily.
Had he come to his senses and was now going to hit her?"Buy some things." Pointing to the shop next to them, Yin Gezhi said expressionlessly to Guan Zhi, "Come in and carry."
Glancing up, it was a porcelain shop—probably wanting to buy a congratulatory gift for Lord Anguo? Feng Yue didn't look further, continuing to lower her head in thought.
Less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, First Prince Yin walked out elegantly, followed by a huge vase that looked extremely heavy.
"Wow," Feng Yue blinked. "This shop's vases are so impressive they can walk on their own?"
"Miss..." a weak voice came from behind the vase as Guan Zhi trembled, "How could a vase walk? It's your subordinate who's walking..."
What was going on? Before Feng Yue could figure it out, Yin Gezhi said in a rather pleased tone, "The shop assistants are busy and don't deliver. Guan Zhi is strong, so he can carry it."
Looking up at the shop assistants inside who were idly watching the commotion, Feng Yue chuckled twice, "You're truly considerate."
"Flattery." Giving a slight nod, Yin Gezhi strode forward, tossing back a remark, "Don't let it touch the ground. This is meant as a congratulatory gift—it can't get dusty."
Guan Zhi: "..."
Sympathetically glancing at him, Feng Yue quickly lifted her skirt to catch up with the person ahead, eagerly asking, "What would you like to eat tonight?"
Yin Gezhi said, "Braised pig tongue."
Feng Yue: "..."
There's a saying—better offend a gentleman than First Prince Yin! This man is extremely narrow-minded, highly vindictive, and cunningly ruthless. Once provoked, you never know when misfortune might strike.
With lingering fear, she glanced back at the large vase and decided to properly flatter this lord tonight.
Since Ye Yuqing wasn't going to Dream Return Pavilion anymore, Feng Yue found herself with free time. She decided to get familiar with the Envoy's Mansion in advance, pretending to be a maid or something to adapt to her role.
Yin Gezhi certainly didn't hold back either—instantly, half of all the work in the mansion was transferred from Guan Zhi to her.
"Master," Lingshu stared at her with curious big eyes, "Why aren't there any other servants in this mansion?"
Lying back sunbathing with her legs crossed, Feng Yue said, "The master is stingy and doesn't pay wages, so naturally there aren't any other servants."
The stingy master coughed at the courtyard entrance.
Her swaying foot stiffened as Feng Yue tensed up, slowly lowering her leg. Then she stood up, rushed over to Yin Gezhi, and gave him an excessively fawning bow, "Young master, you've arrived?"
Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Yin Gezhi asked, "Cleaned up?"
Feng Yue smiled, "Although this guest courtyard isn't occupied, Guan Zhi cleans it regularly. It's not particularly dirty. See, after tidying up, it's ready to live in."
Something seemed to flash through her mind, and Feng Yue paused.
Guest room? Dust?
"Since it's ready to live in, tidy it up properly. Tomorrow I want to see a proper maid," Yin Gezhi's voice interrupted her thoughts. Noticing her distraction, he glared at her, "Did you hear me?"
"Heard, heard!" Distracted by this interruption, Feng Yue couldn't grasp that fleeting inspiration no matter how hard she tried, so she simply gave a charming smile, "This humble one will definitely not embarrass you."
"It's 'this servant.'"
"This servant understands!"
Nodding, Yin Gezhi led her to the dining hall. Lingshu promptly went to the kitchen to bring the dishes, following her master's instructions—saying nothing extra and simply doing her work diligently."The poisoning incident at Dream Return Pavilion has already been filed with the authorities. Someone just came to deliver a message saying Zhu Laicai has been imprisoned in the jail," Yin Gezhi said. "There hasn't been any movement from the Three Judicial Commissioners yet."
"When did the authorities become so decisive in making arrests?" Feng Yue asked between mouthfuls of rice. "Logically, someone from the Three Judicial Commissioners' household shouldn't be so easily apprehended."
Yin Gezhi remained silent.
With Ye Yuqing present, Shan Wenhe absolutely wouldn't dare to obstruct, and certainly wouldn't dare to rescue him either.
OpenNovel