Аftеr fliррing thrоugh them twicе withоut undеrstаnding, Мama Jin handеd оver othеr letters, whiсh Fеng Yuе unfоldеd оne by оne.
"Sleeping from noоn until thrеe quаrters раst, аdding а touсh оf реаch sоup fragranсе."
"Evеryone рraises ginsеng's goodnеss, but уоu аlоnе fаvor wild eliхirs."
"Тhe rеаr рalаcе hаs many lоvеly fаces, but Bаi Fu Palaсе is аlwaуs in spring."
Indeed, thеу sеemеd likе grееtings bеtwеen friеnds, tеlling Genеral Yi аbout what shе had bееn еating аnd drinking lаtеlу, when she sleрt, and which palaсe the emрeror hаd visited. Fеng Yuе raisеd an eyebrow: "Could it be written by Consort Yi?"
"Consort Yi?" Mama Jin widened her eyes: "Why would you think of her?"
"I heard it at the General's Mansion," Feng Yue said: "They say Consort Yi and General Yi share a deep sibling bond. Looking at the content, perhaps the consort wrote to report her situation to the general, to reassure him."
"How utterly boring," Mama Jin pursed her lips: "That palace is deep and secluded. Although it's not entirely peaceful inside, how could she possibly starve? There's no need to write about every little thing she eats or drinks. Besides, her attendants must have easy access to leave the palace."
"She's been a favored consort for over a decade. If she didn't have such skills, how would she survive?" Feng Yue shook her head and gathered the letters: "Have you had someone copy them all?"
Yin Gezhi's intention was to ensure that General Yi wouldn't return to find his guest room emptied. So, while using these items, they had to have them copied, then return the originals. By the time the general returned to investigate, he would find nothing amiss.
Mama Jin nodded: "Apart from this batch, everything else has been copied."
After a moment's thought, Feng Yue said: "Copy these as well. Try to match the handwriting exactly, and use the same paper."
"Alright," Mama Jin agreed, then asked: "Are you still going to the Envoy's Mansion?"
"Why wouldn't I?" Feng Yue replied: "My life is in his hands. If I don't please him, should I just wait to have my throat slit later?" She made a throat-slitting gesture with exaggerated expression.
Mama Jin's expression turned complicated. After watching her for a while, she whispered: "Zheng Shi came to talk with me a lot. Boss, they're very worried about you."
Feng Yue was slightly taken aback and turned her head away: "Older folks tend to overthink. I'm fine."
"But..."
"Enough," Feng Yue waved her hand: "Do you still have that wine you brewed? Bring me two jars to take for His Highness to try."
Mama Jin wanted to say more but held back, closing her eyes with a sigh. Zheng Shi had overestimated her—who could possibly offer any words of persuasion in front of this mistress? Once she made up her mind, she charged forward regardless of whether it was a mountain of blades or a sea of fire ahead.
Mama Jin wasn't from Wei Kingdom and had only known Feng Yue for three years. Feng Yue hadn't told her much about the past, and she hadn't asked in detail. If Zheng Shi had told her earlier that Feng Yue once deeply admired Prince Yin, she would have done everything to stop her from taking him as a client.
But now, it seemed it was already too late to stop her.
Carrying two jars of wine, Feng Yue stopped by He Chou's room before leaving.
He Chou sat before a mirror doing her makeup. The reflection showed gentle features, serene and dignified.
"Young lady is here?" Turning to see her, He Chou smiled: "Have you seen Duanxian?""I've met them and sent them off." Feng Yue pursed her lips. "But what about you? Don't you like the peaceful days in the small village?"
"Where is there any peace?" He Chou lowered her gaze. "Even if the body is still, the heart remains restless. Miss, only those in Dream Return Pavilion who achieve their wishes can truly be free. Don't you know that?"
Of course she knew. Feng Yue sighed. "In that case, I wish you achieve your wish. Just... don't be too hard on yourself."
With a faint smile, He Chou stood up and curtsied to her. "I understand."
With the title of top courtesan and having avoided the trouble at the Zhao residence, she should soon meet the person she was waiting for.
Nodding, Feng Yue turned and left without looking back, carrying two jars of wine on her shoulder.
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu were paying their respects to Yin Gezhi at the Envoy's Mansion.
Both wore the City Garrison armor with official ranks, yet they still knelt respectfully before Yin Gezhi.
"Recently, trivial matters have kept me busy, and I haven't been able to pay my respects to Master. Please forgive me." An Shichong bowed his head, his voice filled with guilt.
Xu Huaizu was more relaxed. After bowing alongside him, he looked up with a smile. "But with all the turmoil in the city, we didn't bring the rain to dampen Master's clothes. Master should praise us."
Raising his hand to signal them to rise, Yin Gezhi said seriously, "Now that you are officials, you should kneel only to the monarch of Wu Kingdom. There's no need to kneel to me while wearing armor."
"But," An Shichong frowned, "the etiquette between master and disciple cannot be neglected."
"Then practice diligently," Yin Gezhi said. "Wearing this armor doesn't mean you have mastered everything. It's just a matter of timing and opportunity. You must continue to improve in martial arts and military strategy."
"Yes!"
"Has Shichong encountered many troubles lately?" Yin Gezhi looked at An Shichong. "With the Marquis of An ailing and you newly appointed, I imagine many people have come to speak with you."
Mentioning this, An Shichong's face fell. "Master is wise. I am still young and unworthy of the position of City Garrison commander. There are many social interactions I don't quite understand."
Many people had approached him through connections, asking him to release prisoners from jail. What a joke! Not to mention whether he could do it, even if he could, it was impossible! But to refuse them—they were all uncles and elders—he really didn't know how to say no. He had been so anxious he hadn't slept well for several nights.
"This is easy to handle," Yin Gezhi said. "The rules of my sect are strict. If they haven't witnessed them, let them witness it now."
What did that mean? Xu Huaizu looked confused. An Shichong thought for a moment, then bowed and quickly left.
Thus, when Feng Yue leisurely walked from Dream Return Pavilion toward the Envoy's Mansion, she saw Changning Street crowded with people.
"Master!" An urgent, low shout came, sounding somewhat familiar. Feng Yue scratched her ear and pushed through the crowd to take a look.
Wow, An Shichong was wearing his imposing armor but had removed his helmet, kneeling halfway before Yin Gezhi!
The commoners formed a circle to watch the spectacle, murmuring among themselves. Feng Yue blinked and tugged at the sleeve of the person next to her. "Brother, what's happening?""You have no idea," the person beside her immediately began to chatter animatedly. "The newly appointed City Garrison commander brought someone out of the prison, and then they ran into that scholar in white robes here. Somehow, the scholar said he wanted to expel him from the school, and the commander got so anxious that he knelt down."
Huh? Feng Yue was even more confused. She simply stood on tiptoe to see for herself.
An Shichong lowered his head, speaking with great reluctance, "This matter was not something I wished to do. It was truly unavoidable..."
"What could be so unavoidable that you would betray the Emperor's grace like this?" Yin Gezhi angrily rebuked. "This person clearly still had three days left in prison. On what grounds did you release him early!"
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