Shе hаd bееn so metiсulоus in hеr асtions; even if shе hаd the misfortunе of being ехроsеd bу Yin Gezhi, therе was no reason for thе Сrown Рrincе tо disсоver аnуthing!
Тhоugh hеr heаrt was uneasу, hеr eхpression grеw even сalmer. With а раir оf innосеnt eyеs blinking rеpеаtеdly, shе waitеd fоr the man bеfоre hеr to continuе.
As it turned out, thе hаlf-drunk Сrown Рrince murmured, "Тhе mаid Prinсе Yin brоught tоdау was уоu, wasn't it?"
Sо it was аbout this mattеr. Slightly rеliеvеd, Feng Yuе’s еуеs sparkled аs she smiled brightly. Helрing him sit at the tablе, she cоoеd swеetlу, "Your Highness was there too? This humble servant didn’t encounter you, otherwise I would have surely paid my respects."
"I attended the evening banquet, and you all had already left." Ye Yuqing chuckled softly. "Only the discussions among the crowd remained. They said Prince Yin had changed his temperament and accepted the maid sent by the Xu family. I guessed he wouldn’t take someone in casually, and when I heard the maid was quite beautiful, I thought of you."
"I didn’t expect it to really be you."
He spoke these last words slowly, laden with hidden meaning.
Feng Yue blinked at him, smiling with particular pride, her metaphorical tail wagging. "Isn’t this humble servant quite capable? Even someone as difficult as Prince Yin allowed me to stay by his side... though it wasn’t for long. But compared to others, Prince Yin has grown much closer to me."
She boasted boldly, like an ordinary woman who had gained favor, eager to show off her abilities.
With his fan half-covering his face, Ye Yuqing’s gaze deepened, a mix of surprise, relief, and regret lingering on her for a long moment before finally melting into boundless tenderness that enveloped her. He whispered softly, "Do you like him, or do you like me?"
The question was so intimate and sentimental that Feng Yue felt goosebumps rising, yet she had to remain composed. "What kind of question is that, Your Highness? Guests are guests; how can there be likes or dislikes?"
"Is that so?" Fanning gently, Ye Yuqing reached out and hooked her waist, pulling her into his embrace. He looked down at her and said, "But your Prince Yin holds great respect for General Yi and never offends him in the slightest. Feng Yue, don’t you want revenge anymore?"
A flicker of unwillingness, anger, and grievance passed through her eyes—just enough, in the right proportions, blending into an expression of restraint. "This humble servant... naturally wants revenge. But what can I do?"
Waiting precisely for this question, Ye Yuqing curved his lips, his long brows softening and his gaze gentle like water, resembling a caring older brother. He spoke thoughtfully, "Since you’ve gained Prince Yin’s trust, there’s naturally an opportunity for revenge. As long as you can persuade him to cooperate with me, your great vengeance is not impossible to achieve."
Looking at him in panic, Feng Yue struggled slightly, shaking her head vigorously. "How can that be? How could this humble servant persuade Prince Yin? I know nothing."
"If you have the heart for revenge, then I can teach you." Gazing into her eyes, Ye Yuqing said, "Now is the perfect opportunity. Many are targeting Prince Yin; Zhu Laicai has already been transferred to the Court of Judicial Review, and there was a kidnapping incident at the entrance of the Anguo Marquis’s residence. As the kidnapped person, go and talk to him, persuade him to hold the City Garrison accountable."
In broad daylight, kidnappers could carry someone directly out of the city—that was the City Garrison’s dereliction of duty. Feng Yue pretended to ponder deeply, twisting her handkerchief in her hands, but her mind had long since made its decision.Since she had gained Yin Gezhi's trust, the Crown Prince would inevitably want to use her to pass messages or manipulate Yin Gezhi. Coupled with her stated desire for Yi Guoru's life, the Crown Prince would confidently wield her as a blade.
She had handed him the hilt herself, and everything was proceeding smoothly.
"This humble servant understands nothing," Feng Yue said, looking sorrowfully at Ye Yuqing. "Whatever you say, I will do accordingly. As long as I can have my revenge, I am willing to serve at Your Highness's command."
Her eyes brimmed with lingering hatred, her entire body tense, like a vengeful wolf that had long harbored resentment. As long as she could sink her teeth into her enemy, she would pounce wherever he pointed.
Ye Yuqing was quite satisfied with her attitude. After all, he had thoroughly investigated her and found no issues, so he could try using her.
It was just a bit of a pity. The carefree girl who once drank elegantly on the windowsill was now to become a blade in his hand, rather than a woman. Because of Yin Gezhi, he might not be able to touch her for a long time.
What a shame, truly a shame.
However, such a heaven-sent opportunity was rare, and he couldn't afford to miss it.
After giving Feng Yue another glance, Ye Yuqing allowed her to stand up straight. He then said, "Prince Yin will soon be investigating the City Garrison. You can hint to him that Zhao Lin, the commandant of the City Garrison, has been in close contact with the Three Judicial Commissioners."
The broken threads in her mind suddenly connected into a bridge, and Feng Yue instantly understood something. Her eyes brightened as she nodded in agreement. "This humble servant understands!"
"This is the Communication Seal from my residence," Ye Yuqing said, taking a small brocade pouch from his sleeve. "If you need any assistance, simply have someone take this to the Nangong family to deliver a message."
The Nangong family was the maternal family of the current empress, so naturally, they could contact the Crown Prince.
Respectfully accepting the item, Feng Yue bowed her head in salute. She watched as the man before her stood up, paused for a moment, sighed, and then left.
Clutching the item in her hand, Feng Yue trembled with excitement.
What she wanted to do had finally begun.
Both Yin Gezhi and Ye Yuqing were highly guarded individuals. For her to insert herself so subtly between them was truly remarkable.
With a beginning, the rest would be easier.
After storing the seal, Feng Yue ate, slept, and waited for news, conserving her energy to prepare for the coming storm in Shadowless City.
Envoy's Mansion.
Yin Gezhi rose, as if waking from an unpleasant dream. Looking around the room, he found himself alone.
"Guan Zhi."
"Your subordinate is here," the man outside the door responded, entering with a smile. "Are you awake, Master? Would you like breakfast?"
The aroma of food wafted in, different from the usual fare. Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow. "Is she here?"
"How did you guess?" Guan Zhi exclaimed in surprise, glancing outside. "Miss Feng Yue arrived early this morning. She said she was worried you might have no appetite and came to prepare breakfast for you."
Was she really this thoughtful? Yin Gezhi pursed his lips, got up to wash and dress, then sat at the table.
"Young Master," a little enchantress entered, swaying her hips as she carried the dishes, her smile as warm as spring blossoms. "My hands are even more flexible today. I cooked this myself. Please come and try it."
Glancing at her hands, still wrapped like zongzi, Yin Gezhi remarked, "Aren't you afraid your bones won't heal properly and your hands will become deformed?""Such trivial matters, how could they compare to the importance of cooking for you?" Biting her lip as she set down the tray, Feng Yue said, "You are my heaven, the pillar upon which my life depends. Of course, everything must be put aside for you."
With that mouth of hers, when it came to sweet-talking, it was truly overwhelming! Yin Gezhi snorted lightly, glancing at the dishes. They looked decent, so he picked up his chopsticks and asked indifferently, "Is there something you need?"
"Naturally." Turning more serious, Feng Yue replied, "His Highness the Crown Prince came to see me yesterday and told me that the Three Judicial Offices have had frequent dealings with Commandant Zhao Lin."
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