I think you mеn аrе аbsоlutely insanе fоr dragging a wеak womаn likе mе intо уоur affairs!
Fеng Yue really wanted tо sаy this, but shе didn't havе thе соuragе. Вlinking, shе glаnсed аt Ye Yuqing, then at Yin Gеzhi bеside him, аnd finally forсed a sillу smile: "This humblе sеrvаnt thinks thаt Yоung Маster An аnd Yоung Mаstеr Хu arе both hаndsоme and dаshing!"
Тhe hаnd holding the teаcup pаusеd slightlу. For оnce, Yin Gezhi's gаzе tоward hеr hеld nо disdаin, but rаthеr a hint оf аpрreсiation.
Yе Yuqing burst into lаughtеr, shаking his heаd аs hе lаughed. "Who askеd about their looks?"
"If уou ask abоut anything еlse, this humblе sеrvant wоuldn't know either." Pouting, Feng Yue wore an innocent expression.
This simple and straightforward reply left him at a loss for words. Ye Yuqing sighed and looked at the person sitting calmly across from him. In the end, he had to speak up himself: "This prince believes these two have great potential, and they are also Your Highness's disciples. If entrusted with important responsibilities, they will surely not disappoint this prince's expectations."
Yin Gezhi said, "Your Highness should think twice. I still cannot discipline and control these two properly. I'm afraid they are not the type to easily pledge allegiance."
"Look at what you're saying." Ye Yuqing shook his head. "This prince selects people for the purpose of protecting the country and defending the homeland. Who needs their allegiance?"
If he could talk nonsense, couldn't he do the same? An Shichong and Xu Huaizu clearly obeyed his every word—how could he not discipline and control them properly? Did he think he was a three-year-old child?
As for allegiance or not—if the master was on his side, the disciples wouldn't stray far.
"Your Highness may decide," Yin Gezhi said.
"Good." Closing his fan with a smile, Ye Yuqing turned to have the dishes and wine served. Feng Yue had long been hungry, and as soon as the food arrived, she stared eagerly at Ye Yuqing.
At the table, the most respected person should eat first, followed by the others.
Ye Yuqing didn't notice her, only gazing outside with a sigh. "A heavy rain is coming. The entire Shadowless City is shrouded in a hazy mist, making one feel desolate."
Yin Gezhi said, "Your Highness resides in a high place, sheltered by temples and treading on golden shoes. What is there to worry about?"
Taking a deep breath, Ye Yuqing spoke with concern for the nation and its people: "This prince may reside high, but the four seas lie low. Some are too greedy, harming the innocent and dragging lives into the fray. This storm of bloodshed—who knows when it will end?"
"Your Highness will be a wise ruler who understands the people."
"You flatter me. The emperor is still in good health. This prince merely does his best, hoping for peace and stability in the world."
If scholars heard this conversation, they would probably write thirty thousand words of praise, extolling Ye Yuqing from the tips of his hair to the edges of his nails. This small private room, because of the presence of these two great figures, seemed to be coated in a layer of golden light.
However, Feng Yue was still very hungry. Unable to bear it any longer, she finally spoke softly: "Excuse me for interrupting you two. The food is getting cold."
Snapping out of his righteous and loyal mood, Ye Yuqing looked at her and couldn't help but laugh. He picked up his chopsticks and placed food in his bowl, then asked, "Hungry?"
Without a word, she waited until Yin Gezhi also began eating before answering him with action: she was starving!
With a large table full of all kinds of dishes, she ate like a whirlwind, leaving nothing behind!Ye Yuqing was fine, as he rarely ate outside the palace anyway. But the First Prince, Yin Gezhi, still wanted to eat. Just as he reached his chopsticks toward the roasted chicken, a blur of motion swept by, leaving only bones behind. Glancing at the pigeon soup—good heavens—all the meat had vanished into Feng Yue’s mouth. Finally managing to snatch a piece of scrambled egg with quick reflexes, the chopsticks beside him suddenly darted over, startling him so much he dropped it.
Taking a deep breath, Yin Gezhi set down his chopsticks and turned to look at Feng Yue. “How many lifetimes have you gone without eating?”
Between mouthfuls, Feng Yue mumbled indistinctly, “This servant is merely testing the dishes for Your Highnesses. Mhm! This egg isn’t poisoned!”
Nonsense—she had already eaten everything. Even if it were poisoned, it wouldn’t reach their mouths!
He wasn’t particularly hungry to begin with, but for some reason, watching her eat so heartily made Yin Gezhi feel a rare pang of craving. He couldn’t help but call the waiter to order a few more dishes.
Looking at Feng Yue with sympathy, Ye Yuqing asked, “Has Your Highness been starving her?”
Yin Gezhi shook his head expressionlessly. “It has nothing to do with me. She eats plenty at my humble abode as well.”
Not just plenty—she ate more than a pig!
Gazing at Feng Yue with amusement, Ye Yuqing remarked, “A hearty appetite is a blessing. Just watching her makes this prince feel hungry.”
The table of leftovers was cleared away, replaced with a fresh spread. Having eaten her fill, Feng Yue finally remembered something called “restraint.” She pulled out a handkerchief, covering her mouth with a cheerful smile. “The food here truly is delicious. This servant has tested it all, so Your Highnesses may now enjoy it without worry. If there are any issues, this servant will suffer first.”
How could she make her uncontrollable gluttony sound so righteous? Shooting her a disdainful look, Yin Gezhi pressed his lips together. Picking up his chopsticks again, he seriously ate two bowls of rice for the first time.
Ye Yuqing also set down his chopsticks, elegantly sampling the dishes before nodding in approval. “The flavors are indeed excellent, and the prices are fair. No wonder this place has ten floors—it truly sets an example among commoners’ taverns.”
“Your Highness speaks wisely,” Yin Gezhi said. “Why not inscribe a plaque to hang here?”
Feng Yue raised an eyebrow, thinking that even the First Prince, Yin Gezhi, would engage in such unrelated matters when bored. Perhaps surviving a near-death experience had put him in a good mood?
But when the Crown Prince finished his inscription and the shopkeeper expressed endless gratitude, she suddenly remembered something.
Damn it—wasn’t the hidden owner behind Wangxiang Tower none other than Yin Gezhi? It was registered under another covert guard’s name. Ganjiang had even mentioned that this was one of their most profitable businesses.
Unaware of the truth, the Crown Prince knew nothing. After finishing the inscription and stamping his seal, he happily pulled Yin Gezhi along to a tailor shop to change clothes before heading to the training grounds to check on the young masters of both families.
Following behind them, Feng Yue shook her head repeatedly. So naive, so naive. Someone like Yin Gezhi would never exert effort on something that didn’t benefit him!
“Feng Yue.”
“Huh?” Snapping back to attention, she looked up to see Ye Yuqing pointing at a crimson robe hanging in the tailor shop, smiling as he said, “This one should suit you well.”
Yin Gezhi, who had just changed clothes, glanced over and nodded in agreement.
Since she was just accompanying the gentlemen on their outing and didn’t have to pay, Feng Yue thought cheerfully. With a smile, she took the robe and went inside to try it on.Since the clothing in this shop was likely expensive, there were no other customers in the front hall besides them. Thus, Ye Yuqing spoke up: "Regarding the case of Zhao Lin, many high-ranking officials in the court have pleaded for leniency on his behalf. My father’s intention is to follow the will of the majority."
"And what is Your Highness’s opinion?" Yin Gezhi asked without even looking up.
"Officials may constitute a majority," Ye Yuqing smiled. "But the people are an even greater majority."
The news of Zhao Lin’s corruption had already spread throughout Shadowless City. Among the common people, there were many who had suffered oppression and injustice from those under his command. As long as public outrage could be stirred up, no matter how influential the high-ranking officials were, they could not outweigh the will of the people.
Yin Gezhi nodded. "Your Highness is wise."
Just as they were speaking, a sudden, sweet cry came from outside the door: "Brother Yin! Your Highness!"
Both men in the front hall were startled and instinctively turned toward the entrance.
Yi Zhangzhu looked at them in pleasant surprise and said, "What are you two doing here? Are you also here to buy clothes?"
Remembering that Zhangzhu didn’t particularly like Feng Yue, Ye Yuqing forced an awkward smile. "Yes, I happened to run into Prince Yin on the road, so we came together to buy some clothes."
"Mhm." Yin Gezhi nodded in agreement.
Yi Zhangzhu was somewhat surprised. She glanced at them left and right and said, "I didn’t expect you two to have become so close."
And even shopping together?
"But this is perfect timing! I also wanted to buy some clothes. Why don’t you help me take a look?" Rubbing her handkerchief, Yi Zhangzhu happily began browsing through the shop.
Glancing at the only changing area in the shop, Ye Yuqing smiled and stopped Yi Zhangzhu. "Why don’t we look at other shops first? We’ve already seen this one, and there’s nothing particularly interesting here."
"Not at all! I previously ordered a set of rouge-colored robes here. They’re very beautiful." Yi Zhangzhu continued searching as she spoke. "Shopkeeper, where are they hanging?"
The shopkeeper smiled awkwardly and glanced at Ye Yuqing, who shook his head vigorously. Thus, he could only brace himself and say, "They haven’t arrived yet, miss. Perhaps you could wait another day?"
"Didn’t you say they would arrive today?" Yi Zhangzhu frowned and sighed. Just as she was about to say, "Forget it, I can wait a little longer," she suddenly felt a slight brightness in the hall.
Feng Yue, who knew nothing of what was happening, had finished putting on the robe. She tugged at it here and there as she emerged, muttering with her head down, "This skirt is far too complicated. It’s more like formal attire—it can’t possibly be worn as everyday clothing."
In the blink of an eye, Yin Gezhi reacted with lightning speed. He flew over and pushed Feng Yue back into the changing room!
Yi Zhangzhu turned around and only caught a glimpse of a piece of rouge-colored robe. She couldn’t help but frown. "Who was speaking just now?"
Ye Yuqing pulled her toward the exit. "No one. But since the robes haven’t arrived yet, why don’t we go look somewhere else?"
Shaking off his hand, Yi Zhangzhu frowned and glanced around the shop. "Does Your Highness take me for a fool? Did someone put on the robes I ordered?"
"No, no," the shopkeeper quickly replied. "The young lady just now was wearing an apricot-red skirt."
Had her eyes deceived her? Glancing at the changing room, Yi Zhangzhu asked, "Where’s Brother Yin?"
"He had some urgent business and left."
He left quite quickly, didn’t he? Yi Zhangzhu pouted, her mood suddenly turning sour. She said, "I won’t look here anymore. Crown Prince Brother, there’s a lantern festival tonight. Will you accompany me to see it?"Outside, Feng Chuang, who was standing there, quickly clasped his hands and said, "Miss Yi, His Highness must return to the palace before dusk."
"It's late spring and early summer now, the lantern festival that happens once every three months—Crown Prince Brother won't even accompany Zhu'er?" Yi Zhangzhu pouted. "At worst, I'll report to Her Majesty the Empress and say it was Zhu'er who insisted on keeping Crown Prince Brother."
With things having reached this point, Ye Yuqing couldn't refuse any longer. He nodded and said, "Alright, then I'll accompany you for a stroll first. When the time comes, we'll go see the lanterns."
"Mm!" Only then did Yi Zhangzhu smile, pulling Ye Yuqing along as she walked out.
In the fitting room of the tailor shop, Yin Gezhi lowered his head to look at the person pressed against the wall, his gaze slightly intense.
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