"Sinсе wе'rе idle anywау," Feng Yue sаid, "go get sоmе."
Gеt? Lingshu blinkеd: "Ноw do we gеt them? We didn't bring any silver with us."
Giving her а lоok оf eхаsреratiоn, Fеng Yuе grаbbеd her аnd left the Envоу's Mаnsion, pointing аt the plаque: "Isn't this silver?"
Тhus, аn hоur lаtеr, аs dаrkness fell соmplеtеlу, Yin Gezhi hаd just finished his рrаcticе аnd was аbout to give his twо disciples sоmе рointеrs when he saw Guаn Zhi running in, swеаting prоfusеlу аnd gеsturing frаnticаllу.
Turning сalmlу, Yin Gezhi said, "Yоu two рrасticе а fеw mоre times. I'll go hаve some tea."
"Yеs," An Shichong аnd Xu Huаizu reрliеd obеdiently, resuming their practice in the courtyard.
Walking over to Guan Zhi, Yin Gezhi glanced at him and heard him say, "Master, Miss Feng Yue just went out shopping and bought a lot of things."
Shopping? Yin Gezhi remarked, "She certainly has the leisure."
"But all the bills were sent to us! The amount isn't small, and if we don't pay, it might look bad. But if we do pay, I'm worried someone might use it against us."
The monthly allowance for a hostage prince was provided by the court. It was substantial but certainly not enough for extravagance. If his household suddenly incurred large expenses, especially during a time when corruption investigations were underway, it would undoubtedly be seized as leverage.
After a moment's thought, Yin Gezhi turned back and called out gently, "Huaizu."
Xu Huaizu, who was practicing with his sword, immediately ran over and asked with a smile, "What is it?"
"There's someone collecting payment at the door. Take some silver notes and pay him for me. Guan Zhi has other matters to attend to."
Guan Zhi was taken aback. He glanced at his master and immediately pretended to be busy, stretching nearby.
Without suspicion, Xu Huaizu took the silver notes and headed to the door. After settling the bill, he returned to continue practicing his sword techniques.
"Master."
In the guest courtyard, Lingshu ran back and said, "It's amazing. How did you know Guan Zhi wouldn't go out to pay? It was the young master with the sword who paid."
Feng Yue, busy arranging things, didn't even look up: "Because even if the Envoy's Mansion could afford this bill, they wouldn't pay. Someone as cunning as him would surely use his disciple as a cover again."
She hadn't held back while shopping, knowing full well that Yin Gezhi could afford it. Others might not know, but she was aware that ever since entering Shadowless City, he hadn't been idle. After lying low for a year, he had engaged in business to support his followers. Many shops near Anju Street were under Gan Jiang's name. According to Gan Jiang, Yin Gezhi owned quite a few shops, all registered under the names of his guards. No investigation would uncover anything suspicious, but most of the money undoubtedly ended up in his own pockets.
With such a business mind, why bother being the First Prince? With a bit more effort, he might become the wealthiest man in the Wu Kingdom in a few years.
Seeing her busy, Lingshu didn't ask further. She crouched down to help, gently touching her master's forehead.
The fever had mostly subsided, and she really shouldn't be exerting herself like this—she should be resting. Though her face was pale, her spirits were high, making it hard to worry too much.
The bandages on her hands had been removed. The physician said they had healed well, though she still couldn't exert much force. So, Feng Yue extended her hands and directed Lingshu: "Put this here. The rest, take outside and arrange later."The mansion had too few stone lanterns—only two in the main courtyard and two along the path from the entrance, with none elsewhere. So, aside from flowers and plants, Feng Yue ordered over a dozen stone lanterns from a stonemason. They were delivered early the next morning and even helped place them around the courtyard.
Yin Gezhi watched coldly, his expression grim as he asked, "What are you trying to do?"
Turning to him with a smile, Feng Yue replied, "I just thought your courtyard looked too empty and desolate, so I brought in some things to liven it up. Don’t you find it more pleasant to look at?"
With so many random things cluttering the place, how could it be pleasant? Yin Gezhi frowned. "Don’t act on your own."
"Oh, just wait and see," Feng Yue said. "Come help for now. There are too few servants in the mansion—only Guan Zhi and Lingshu. It’ll take forever otherwise."
Reluctantly dragged along by her, Yin Gezhi glanced sideways and saw that his courtyard had already been planted with a circle of flowers and trees. It was late spring, and blossoms like winter jasmine, camellias, and daphne bloomed in vibrant colors, set against fresh green leaves, full of life. The cold, rigid buildings seemed to come alive, giving him a headache.
It would have been cleaner with nothing at all.
Four stone lanterns were placed along the sides of the main courtyard path, looking cumbersome. Yet the madwoman in front of him seemed delighted, pulling him to watch Guan Zhi and Lingshu place the other lanterns.
Or rather, Lingshu was cheering from the sidelines while Guan Zhi carried the lanterns alone.
These stone lanterns had four-cornered, upturned eaves, with hollow centers covered in thin gauze. They were indeed beautiful, but was it really necessary to place so many?
"Master!" Guan Zhi cried with a pained expression. "I can’t carry any more!"
Feng Yue smiled, linking arms with Yin Gezhi. "As a warrior, you should train more. Consider this practice."
Who the hell practices like this?! Guan Zhi wanted to cry. When he looked up and saw Feng Yue’s expression—identical to his master’s when he was scheming—he couldn’t even muster a groan.
In a way, Miss Feng Yue and his master were a perfect match—one cunning and shameless, the other shameless and cunning!
Yin Gezhi watched and remarked coolly, "Do you think of this place as your own home?"
Feng Yue shamelessly nodded. "Yes! Wherever you are is my home!"
Glancing sideways at her, Yin Gezhi said, "Fine. As long as you’re useful, this can be your home for a day."
But once you’re useless, this might become your burial ground.
He didn’t say it aloud, but Feng Yue understood the implication. She smiled carelessly, brushing it off, though inwardly she thought: I thought his softened attitude meant he’d forgiven me. Who knew the First Prince was also a master of acting? The knot she’d tied in his heart probably wouldn’t be undone by mere flattery.
A long and arduous road lay ahead!
"The corruption case involving the City Garrison captain has implicated the Three Judicial Offices. Zhu Laicai has confessed to frequent financial dealings with Zhao Lin, and the evidence has already been submitted to the Crown Prince," Yin Gezhi calmly recounted the events of the past two days, changing the subject.
When it came to serious matters, Feng Yue led him to the nearby pavilion, brought out the newly purchased tea set, and poured him tea. "So, Zhao Lin will soon be brought to justice?""No." Yin Gezhi shook his head. "He has extensive connections behind him. The Crown Prince likely faces considerable resistance. Not to mention others, just the group of military officers under the General's Mansion would all plead for him."
Feng Yue paused and glanced at him. "So, Zhao Lin is General Yi's man?"
"Among the court's military officers, if you slap a hand down, eight out of ten are General Yi's men." Yin Gezhi said. "Otherwise, why do you think the Crown Prince is so wary? Why is he so eager to replace them with his own forces while General Yi is away from the capital?"
The position of City Garrison commander was a lucrative post. Feng Yue could understand why the Crown Prince had designs on it, but...
"You also said that eight or nine out of ten military officers in the court are General Yi's men. Then who will fill the vacant positions? If they appoint incompetent people, they likely won't command respect. But if they appoint capable ones... where would the Crown Prince find such people?"
Giving her a deep look, Yin Gezhi uttered five words: "He doesn't have them, but I do."
Slightly stunned, Feng Yue caught on and suddenly slapped her thigh, wincing in pain from the impact. "Your disciples!"
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu were, after all, disciples the Crown Prince had sent him. The words spoken at the training ground weren't for nothing—the major noble families understood the situation and secretly resented the Crown Prince for it. Now, with such a lucrative military vacancy, it would undoubtedly go to An Shichong and Xu Huaizu. Both came from prestigious backgrounds, possessed considerable skill, and had Yin Gezhi's backing. By all appearances, it was perfectly justified.
They weren't the Crown Prince's men and listened most to Yin Gezhi, but under the current circumstances, they were the only ones who could be used.
Suddenly, she felt this man had set up an enormous chessboard, and it was unclear when he had started moving the pieces. By the time others realized it, they were already on the board.
Swallowing hard, Feng Yue ingratiatingly went over to massage his shoulders. "Are you thirsty, Young Master?"
"Not thirsty."
"Then... would you like something to eat?"
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said, "You don't need to deliberately flatter me. What you need to do is simply carry out your tasks properly."
Caught off guard, she gave an awkward laugh and withdrew her hands, standing straight as she asked, "Is there anything this servant can do for you?"
"I need to stir up some commotion to keep these people preoccupied so they stop interfering with Zhao Lin."
Placing a list in front of her, Yin Gezhi asked, "Do you recognize these people?"
Scanning the names on the list, Feng Yue pointed at a few. "Zhou Zhenshan and Leng Yan—I recognize these two. But this last name, I've never seen before."
Looking at the name she indicated, Yin Gezhi said, "Fang Wenxin, deputy commander of the Imperial Guard. He's usually in the palace and rarely ventures out, so it's normal you haven't met him."
So, someone she hadn't met, and who was in the palace—how was she supposed to intimidate him? Ah! Could it be she had to pretend to be a ghost and float into the palace?
"You don't need to worry about this person. As for the other two, do you have a plan?" Yin Gezhi asked, glancing at her.
A plan? Tapping the table, Feng Yue smiled. "For military officers, the worst crimes are corruption and leaking secrets. I haven't heard any rumors about leaks, but when it comes to buying and selling official positions or accepting bribes, they've likely dabbled in it to some extent. Using that to trap them is sure to work.""Without evidence, you think you can bluff these battle-hardened veterans?" Yin Gezhi scoffed. "You're being naive."
"Whether I can do it or not is my concern," Feng Yue replied with a smile. "There's no need for you to worry about me."
Who would worry about her? He was only afraid she might ruin things.
Turning away, Yin Gezhi said, "Since you're so confident, go ahead and do it."
"Yes." With a cheerful curtsy, Feng Yue turned and left the Envoy's Mansion with Lingshu.
"Has she had any interactions with others in the mansion?" Yin Gezhi asked, watching her retreating figure.
Guan Zhi, standing nearby, shook his head. "These past few days, Miss Feng Yue has done nothing but arrange decorations in the courtyard."
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