Stаring at her оwn hаnd fоr а mоment, Feng Yue wiреd her faсe with her slееvе.
Whаt wаs thеre to сry about? She was still alivе. Сomрarеd tо sо mаny whо slерt еtеrnallу underground, she соuld still spеak and movе. Why wastе preсiоus еmоtiоns оn suсh a ridiculоus аrgument?
If Yin Gеzhi wаntеd to аrgue, thеn hе had lost. А mаn who аspired to аchieve grеаt things shоuldn’t be sо petty аnd fussу—nоthing like thе fоrmidаblе dеmоn who оnсe dоminatеd the battlеfield. If hе соntinued likе this, shе might аs wеll truly help thе Crown Prince. Аfter all, the gоal was tо sucсеed, thоugh the Crown Prince might not necessarily put Yi Guoru to death.
Pushing herself up from the edge of the bed, she rubbed the sore spots where she had fallen and glanced at the table.
Good. She had taken the pearwood box with her. She hadn’t been so angry as to leave it behind.
If she couldn’t resolve the matter of the Commandant’s estate quickly, she might end up dead at Zhao Xi’s hands first. After all, she was the only outsider who had entered his study. If he discovered something was missing, he would surely come to settle the score with her immediately.
After a moment’s thought, clutching her waist, Feng Yue opened the door and called out to Lingshu, “Let’s go buy some mung bean cakes!”
Rushing in to support her, Lingshu looked her over and asked, “You still have the mood for mung bean cakes? There was such a commotion earlier. Did that gentleman lose his temper with you?”
Shaking her head nonchalantly, Feng Yue replied seriously, “He probably had some family misfortune, so he’s in a bad mood. Don’t worry about it. I’m not hurt. Let’s go. Since there are no guests, we’ll go eat.”
Was that really it? Half-believing, half-doubting, Lingshu pinched her arm and then her waist. “Are you really not hurt?”
She had clearly heard the sound of someone falling earlier.
“No, I’m perfectly fine,” Feng Yue said, swatting her hand away with a smile as she walked out.
Dragged along by her, Lingshu quickly crawled out through the backyard dog hole to Zheng’s Pastry Shop. The whole way, she felt something was off, but she couldn’t quite put her finger on what it was.
Her mistress was running fast. Though she wore a smiling face, she seemed… a little nervous?
In broad daylight, what was there to be nervous about?
“Ah!” As soon as they reached the entrance of the pastry shop, Feng Yue took a hard fall, her bones hitting the ground with a thud, startling nearby passersby who hurried over to ask, “Are you all right?”
With such a commotion, the shopkeeper of Zheng’s naturally came out, concerned. “Miss, that was quite a fall. Come inside and rest for a bit?”
“Thank you,” Feng Yue said with a smile, leaning on Lingshu’s hand as she slowly stood up and limped into the shop.
There were quite a few people in the shop enjoying their snacks. Seeing Feng Yue’s dusty and disheveled appearance, they didn’t pay much attention, merely thinking the shopkeeper was kind to let her go upstairs to freshen up.
The kind-hearted shopkeeper smiled and asked Lingshu to fetch water, then closed the door to the second-floor room. Her expression immediately changed.
“What happened? You actually came here yourself?”
Rubbing her knee, Feng Yue said, “Time is tight. Gather some brothers to rescue He Chou. We must do it before Commandant Zhao returns to his estate.”
Glancing at the sky outside, Zheng Shi frowned. “But…”
“Don’t worry too much. Once he’s rescued, leave the city and hide in a small village outside. Lay low until the heat dies down.” Handing her a banknote, Feng Yue added, “Do it immediately. Don’t hesitate.”
“Yes,” Zheng Shi replied. Since her mistress had given such an order, she couldn’t say much more. She went downstairs to send someone with the message.Thus, at dusk, when Zhao Lin returned to his mansion and discovered something amiss in the study, he summoned Zhao Xi for questioning. By then, He Chou was already seated in a carriage heading out of the city.
"What about Miss Feng Yue?" she frowned and asked the person beside her. "This matter might implicate the Dream Return Pavilion."
"Don’t worry," the person beside her reassured her. "The young master is clever; he will surely find a way."
Young master? He Chou was taken aback, slightly stunned. "What young master?"
Realizing he might have spoken out of turn, the person beside her quickly corrected himself, "I mean, the young master will find a way for the Dream Return Pavilion."
Ah, I see. He Chou nodded and didn’t ask further.
Feng Yue, having tidied herself up, shamelessly scaled the wall of the Envoy’s Mansion with Lingshu in tow.
Hidden blades nearly swung toward their necks, but upon recognizing their faces, the blades hesitated, halting mid-air.
Seizing the moment, Feng Yue dragged Lingshu and dashed into the guest courtyard with lightning speed.
In the main courtyard, Yin Gezhi was busy with his work when Guan Zhi cautiously came to report, "Master, we have a visitor."
"I’m not seeing anyone," Yin Gezhi replied without looking up, flipping through the account book in his hands. "Close the gate and tell them I’m ill."
"But..." Guan Zhi forced a dry laugh and braced himself. "They’re already settled in the guest courtyard."
There were only a handful of people in all of Shadowless City bold enough to do such a thing! Yin Gezhi snapped the account book shut and looked up, his gaze sharp and displeased. "What is she here for?"
"I heard the City Garrison Commander’s residence is searching for thieves, claiming something was stolen. They’ve surrounded the Dream Return Pavilion," Guan Zhi explained. "Miss Feng Yue is likely here seeking refuge."
Seeking refuge? Yin Gezhi glanced at the account book on the table and sneered.
Did she think Commander Zhao was more fearsome than him? Seeking refuge right under his nose?
The First Prince Yin had already reflected on his actions, his emotions having cooled considerably. But with someone delivering themselves to his doorstep like this, he still felt a surge of irritation. Setting the account book aside, he rose and headed to the guest courtyard to see for himself.
Feng Yue was in pain all over. Already battered from being thrown by him earlier, she had taken another fall, scraping the skin on her knees. Unable to bend them, she lay stretched out on the bed like a corpse, planning to play the sympathy card when someone came to confront her.
What was dignity? As long as she could save her life, groveling before someone who had just scolded her was nothing. If pushed to the brink, she was capable of anything!
Just as she clenched her fists to psych herself up, she heard footsteps outside. Feng Yue immediately closed her eyes and began moaning pitifully on the bed, "Aiyo, aiyo..." She also pinched the stunned Lingshu to snap her out of it.
The little girl, having spent enough time with her, was sharp-witted. She immediately threw herself beside the bed and wailed, "Master! How could you suffer so much!"
Though her cries lacked sincerity, Feng Yue felt it would suffice. Matching her own pitiful moans, she contorted her face into an even more agonized expression.
When Yin Gezhi pushed the door open, he was met with this scene of mourning.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he walked to the bedside. Glancing at the half-dead figure lying there, he said coldly, "If you want to die, don’t do it in my courtyard."
Weakly opening her eyes, Feng Yue slowly raised a hand, tears glistening as she looked at him. "Is the young master truly so heartless? This servant has given her all for you, body and soul, even unto death. Will you not show even a sliver of pity? This servant... cough... is covered in wounds."Eyes filled with mockery, Yin Gezhi said, "Someone like you can endure the pain even with shattered hand bones. With just these superficial injuries, you're lying here unable to move?"
Gritting her teeth in secret, Feng Yue cursed herself inwardly—how could she have forgotten to play the fragile woman? Why did she have to jump around recklessly with injuries? Now look, even the "bitter flesh" strategy doesn't work!
However, knowing that once she stepped out of the Envoy's Mansion, she would face dire consequences, no matter how difficult the act, she had to keep performing it!
"This humble servant... is, after all, a frail woman." Her voice grew increasingly weak, Feng Yue's face full of grievance, tears streaming down her cheeks: "Now that my life is in danger, won't the young master lend a helping hand?"
Lend a helping hand? Remembering her detestable demeanor, Yin Gezhi sneered, reached out, hoisted her from the soft couch, and without hesitation began walking outside.
"Hey, hey? Wait!" Instantly revived, Feng Yue struggled frantically: "Don't do this, young master! Your Highness! Let's talk this out properly!"
"Don't let me see you. If even such a trivial matter requires my protection, you might as well die." His voice icy, the vibrations carrying over, making Feng Yue pout.
"This humble servant has no power or influence. If I don't rely on your protection, who else can I rely on?"
"You could always go seduce Zhao Xi."
Damn you! Grinding her teeth, she thought that since playing the fragile woman was useless, she might as well speak properly before being thrown out.
"Young master, when this humble servant left, she had already been redeemed by the Xu family." Her tone suddenly turned playful, once again adopting a seductive demeanor, hanging from his shoulder and speaking in a coquettish voice: "Now I am your person. Even if you throw me out, when Colonel Zhao asks, I will say you ordered me to steal the items."
His footsteps halted, Yin Gezhi threw her to the ground and then looked down at her from above: "Threatening me?"
"This humble servant wouldn't dare. It's just for self-preservation." Feng Yue smiled apologetically: "No matter what, we are now on the same boat. Throwing me out to the dogs won't absolve you of responsibility either. Why not sit down and have a proper talk?"
"What makes you think we're on the same boat?" Yin Gezhi scoffed, full of disdain: "Just because you pledged allegiance to me, you think we share the same fate?"
Knowing full well how ruthless and cunning this man was, Feng Yue felt fortunate she had kept a backup plan.
"Forgive this humble servant's impertinence." Smiling and nodding, Feng Yue sat cross-legged on the ground, looking at him with a rogue-like expression: "Young master, you can only share the same fate with me now."
Watching her as if amused, Yin Gezhi crossed his arms, signaling her to continue.
Clearing her throat, Feng Yue said: "First, the fact that you frequently requested me at the Dream Return Pavilion can easily be discovered by anyone who cares to inquire. Second, at the Marquis of Anguo's birthday banquet, Young Master Xu said I was the maid he gifted to you. The Crown Prince is also aware of this. So, no matter what, openly or secretly, I am your person."
"Who would believe that a mere prostitute could steal someone's account book without your orders? When I am captured, if you don't rescue me, I will surely confess—saying you harbor ill intentions, wanting to eliminate General Yi's claws, pretending to be friendly with the Yi residence on the surface, but actually bent on revenge! Tell me, with such a confession, wouldn't the people of Wu Kingdom become wary of you?"
His eyes suddenly sharpened, Yin Gezhi slowly crouched down, looking down at her: "Are you forcing me to kill you?""Go ahead and kill me." Feng Yue shrugged indifferently. "Kill me, and the network behind me will spread the words I intended to say to every corner of Shadowless City."
Damn it! Yin Gezhi clenched his fist!
OpenNovel