Fаtе was somеthing hе did nоt bеliеve in. Everу timе he cаme herе, hе hаd tо lеаve—it must be а coincidence!
Вut wаs it truly just а cоinсidеnсe?
Тhе Сrоwn Рrincе ponderеd this with nаrrowеd eyes аll the waу. Only uроn аrriving аt thе Grаnd Сommandаnt’s Мansiоn аnd sеeing Yin Gеzhi did he finаllу settle his mind.
It must bе а cоincidencе, becausе thе Yin Gеzhi befоre him was loоking аt him with unusuаl seriоusnеss аnd sауing, “Zhаngzhu is sevеrеly injurеd. Why did Yоur Highness lеavе hаlfwаy?”
Sеvеrеlу injured? Glancing аt the seated Yi Zhangzhu, Yе Yuqing very much wаnted to sаy thаt hеr minor flеsh wounds were nothing to make a fuss about. Hadn’t Feng Yue, with her shattered bones, still been lively and active?
But considering his position, he instead looked at Yi Zhangzhu with a face full of remorse and said, “It is this palace’s fault. When General Yi left, he entrusted Zhu’er to this palace’s care. I never imagined such a thing would happen.”
And not only did such a thing happen, but he had also run off with someone else!
Yi Zhangzhu felt utterly wronged. Clutching her arm, tears streamed down her face.
Ye Yuqing could only coax her softly, “This palace will definitely have the assassins captured and brought to justice. Please stop crying for now, all right?”
When Grand Commandant Meng walked out, what he saw was precisely this scene of a young girl being comforted, and he immediately felt it was somewhat absurd. This was the Grand Commandant’s Mansion, the institution overseeing all military affairs of the Wu Kingdom. It was not some open-door government office where anyone could come and wail like this.
However, seeing that it was the current Crown Prince and that he had brought General Yi’s precious daughter, Grand Commandant Meng still stepped forward and saluted, “Your Highness has graced us with your presence. May I ask what brings you here?”
Turning to look at him, Ye Yuqing sighed and said, “Bandits are running rampant in the city. Multiple incidents of assassination and kidnapping have already occurred. The City Garrison has been negligent in its duties. By His Majesty’s order, this palace has come to request a ‘Wind-Hearing Token’ from the Grand Commandant.”
“Wind-Hearing” refers to listening to the people’s grievances and hardships. As a token, it serves a supervisory function. Whenever the person under supervision is found to be derelict in duty or guilty of corruption and bending the law, the token’s issuance can strip them of their official position and detain them in prison to await trial. This token is often used when the Three Dukes are busy, yet incidents frequently occur below, serving as a deterrent.
For the Crown Prince to directly hold the City Garrison accountable would be too targeted and invite criticism. But coming to request a token was still a reasonable matter. After all, the Yi Eldest Miss, whom he was determined to marry, had been injured, and naturally, the innocent would suffer along with the guilty, making trouble for the City Garrison.
Grand Commandant Meng was very busy and felt this was not a major issue, so he might as well grant it. Thus, he ordered someone to bring out the token and give it to him.
Ye Yuqing took the token and immediately placed it in Yin Gezhi’s hand.
“This…” Only then noticing the dark-clad figure beside him, Grand Commandant Meng was startled and instinctively took several steps back, saying with lingering fear, “Your Highness wants this… person to oversee the City Garrison?”
“Is there anyone more suitable than him?” Ye Yuqing raised an eyebrow and said with a smile, “Prince Yin has no ties to any faction’s interests, making him the most fair and impartial. Don’t you agree, Grand Commandant?”
That made sense. Grand Commandant Meng nodded. Although this man was like a nightmare to him, currently being a hostage, he feared neither power nor assassination, making him very suitable for oversight.
“Your Highness is wise. Then this old minister will take his leave first, as there are still military affairs to attend to.”
“Take care, Grand Commandant.” Ye Yuqing nodded. Once the man was out of sight, he looked at Yi Zhangzhu with a doting expression and said, “I’ve handed it over to your Brother Yin. Are you reassured now?”
Yi Zhangzhu pursed her lips and nodded. Brother Yin would never let her suffer any losses!"In that case, I shall take my leave first." Yin Gezhi spoke with utmost seriousness, "This matter will certainly be given a proper explanation to the General's Mansion."
"Very well." Ye Yuqing was quite pleased, watching his departing figure, he couldn't help but sigh, "Your Brother Yin truly cares for you. As soon as he got his hands on something, he couldn't wait to avenge you."
Her face slightly flushed, Yi Zhangzhu snorted lightly, "Isn't that so? He's much more attentive to me than you are."
"Feeling unhappy?" Ye Yuqing chuckled softly, gently pinching her cheek as he teased, "Then I'll take you to the palace for some fun, and we can pay our respects to Mother Empress while we're at it. How does that sound?"
"I'm injured and don't feel like moving." Yi Zhangzhu pouted, "It's best to return to the mansion and rest."
"Alright, whatever you say." Overflowing with affection, Ye Yuqing helped her up and walked out with her.
Once outside the Grand Commandant's Mansion, Yin Gezhi mounted his horse expressionlessly and headed straight for Dream Return Pavilion.
Feng Yue was lounging with her legs crossed, cracking melon seeds, flipping her lips as she forcefully spat the shells toward the door. So, when the First Prince Yin opened the door and entered, a lovely melon seed shell flew onto his face, carrying a glistening liquid that stuck fast.
Yin Gezhi let out a cold laugh, lowering his gaze to look at the fearless person inside.
Terrified to the point that all her hairs stood on end, Feng Yue immediately rushed over with a handkerchief to wipe his face, then chuckled, "I didn't know you were coming, my apologies, my apologies."
His entire aura was rather unfriendly. Yin Gezhi turned around, directly shutting Lingshu, who was about to bring in tea, outside and bolting the door.
Swallowing hard, Feng Yue forced a smile, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
"What did you go to the Commandant's Mansion for?" His voice was icy, devoid of any emotion, as Yin Gezhi looked at her and asked.
At the mention of this, Feng Yue immediately presented a yellow pearwood box as if seeking credit, handing it to him and saying, "This is useful."
Pausing slightly, Yin Gezhi reached out to take it, opening it to have a look. After flipping through the account book for just two pages, he closed it.
"Just for this?"
What did he mean by "just"? Feng Yue gritted her teeth, "This account book is very important. It can completely be used to convict Commandant Zhao of embezzlement and even implicate the Three Judicial Offices. Killing two birds with one stone, all in this move! Isn't that enough?"
"So, how did you obtain such an important account book?" Staring at her neck, First Prince Yin didn't bother to conceal his displeasure, his entire being exuding an unhappy aura as he stepped closer to her.
Swallowing hard, Feng Yue said, "Naturally, I used methods available to a woman. Zhao Xi is lustful and absurd, and this servant just wanted to see if I could bewitch him. And it actually worked."
"Oh?" Slowly reaching out to stroke her neck, Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes, "You are quite capable, and truly shameless, offering yourself to be taken advantage of, yet still have the nerve to sit crying at his doorstep?"
These words were even more cutting than what Yi Zhangzhu had said. Feng Yue frowned, looking up at him, "Does the young master think that bringing back the account book doesn't count as merit, but rather my pretense is more detestable?"
"Not detestable." Rubbing the marks on her neck, Yin Gezhi lowered his voice, each word piercing like needles, "But if you use such a body to serve me again, I would find it utterly disgusting."Her face slightly pale, Feng Yue quickly lowered her gaze, closing her eyes to digest the words for a long moment before she smiled and said, "From the day you chose me, you knew I wasn't some clean, pure person. Only now do you find me disgusting?"
"There are courtesans who retain their integrity." Staring at her, his eyes truly filled with hatred, Yin Gezhi clenched one hand tightly while the other gripped her, whispering, "But you... are truly despicable."
"Haha." Unable to hold back, Feng Yue laughed, her seductive eyes slanting as she looked at him. "If you like courtesans with integrity, you can go to the other girls. Why come here to suffer my temper? I'm the most shameless one in this entire establishment—shouldn't you have realized that on the very first day?"
"Tell me, how many dare to perform a striptease? I dare! Who dares to flatter the powerful and trample the weak so openly? I dare that too! This body is already tainted and ruined. Whether it's given to one man or a crowd, when it can be exchanged for something, why should I guard my chastity like jade?"
By the last sentence, her eyes had finally reddened, though the smile in Feng Yue's gaze grew colder. She reached out and tore open her own collar, looking at him as she said, "Didn't you also love my body the most? Now that it's dirty, you don't like it anymore? No one else understands your body as well as I do, no one else can serve you as I can!"
His hand tightened. For the first time, Yin Gezhi felt a surge of violent rage, his eyes tinged with blood as he stared at her. With a little more force, he could have strangled her right then.
"Your Highness... don't forget I'm working for you." Struggling to breathe, Feng Yue continued to smile, grabbing his hand as she said, "If you strangle me... who will use their body to obtain such important things for you in the future?"
"Get out!" He flung her aside with force, Yin Gezhi's fury uncontrollable. On his perpetually icy face, a massive crack had finally appeared, all his emotions erupting at once.
He didn't know why he was so enraged. By the time he came to his senses, that flash of red had already tumbled across the floor several times, clumsily propping herself up against the bed.
She was a courtesan. He had known she was a courtesan from the moment he chose her—not a virgin, having been intimate with who knew how many men, having whispered words of adoration to countless others. He had watched her coldly, observing her graceful allure, her enchanting charm, how she coiled around him like a snake, flicking her tongue in seduction.
A woman like this, he would never take to heart—she was merely a tool to be used.
But when he truly discovered how willingly she debased herself, his chest tightened painfully, and his rage surged uncontrollably, leaving him at a loss.
Suddenly, he wanted nothing more than to charge into battle. This fire within him could likely only be quelled by killing.
"Giggle, giggle." Even though her entire body ached, Feng Yue still laughed with wicked delight, her fox-like eyes glancing at him as if she had discovered something extraordinary. She said joyfully, "Your Highness actually got so angry over me. I'm truly overwhelmed by such favor!"
His anger slightly subsiding, Yin Gezhi closed his eyes, roughly wiping his face, and calmed down.
Something was wrong.
This woman must know some kind of sorcery. His current state was utterly abnormal.
Leaning against the foot of the bed with a smile, Feng Yue watched as the man regained his composure, then opened the door and left. Her body ached, but her heart was filled with delight.The esteemed First Prince Yin Gezhi actually developed feelings for a lowly courtesan. Ah, how rare and commendable.
As that courtesan, Feng Yue felt that seducing Yin Gezhi wasn't as difficult as she had imagined. Look, hasn't he already taken the bait? Back then, she had struggled so much—sleeping with him, chatting with him, carefully hiding herself to avoid being discovered, yet in the end, she gained nothing.
Now, it was much better. With just a few striptease dances and sleeping with him, this man actually began to care for her.
Laughing and laughing, Feng Yue felt a slight itch on her face. Reaching up to wipe it, her fingers came away wet.
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