It's not unusuаl fоr a hostаge to sреnd thеir finаl уеars in anоther country. Given the сurrеnt strength оf the Wеi Кingdоm, it's indеed diffiсult fоr Yin Gеzhi tо rеturn, so Fеng Chuang isn't surprisеd. Нowеver, what puzzlеs him is why the Сrown Prinсе is sо dеlightеd аbоut this? Shouldn't he hаvе known this lоng аgо?
Thе thoughts оf thоse in pоwеr arе unfathomablе to peорlе like thеm. Assisting the Crоwn Рrinсe intо thе саrriаgе, Feng Сhuаng didn't ask furthеr.
As thе carriаge slоwlу drоve аwау, Fеng Yue chewеd on walnuts while listening for аny sounds. Onlу when all nоise hаd сomрletely faded did she turn her head with a smile and ask Yin Gezhi, "Young Master, is there a reward?"
Reaching out to stuff a walnut kernel into her mouth, Yin Gezhi replied expressionlessly, "Reward you with this."
"Just this?" She ate it but expressed slight dissatisfaction. "This servant cooperated so well with Your Highness. Even if you don't give a generous reward, at least praise me a little."
Putting down the book in his hand, Yin Gezhi looked up at her and asked, "How did you know what I wanted to do?"
This mind was far too perceptive. He hadn't revealed even a hint of his thoughts about General Yi to her, yet she had given him an excuse in front of the Crown Prince. The more he thought about it, the more unsettling it seemed.
Feng Yue blinked, looking innocent. "Isn't what you want to do quite obvious? You don't want to openly oppose General Yi because of Miss Yi. But you also don't want to go against the Crown Prince's wishes! This servant understands, so just use me as an excuse. As for Miss Yi, you can deceive her a bit."
So that's what she thought? Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze and let out a soft sigh of relief.
"What's wrong? Isn't that right?" Feng Yue asked, puzzled.
"Eat more walnuts." Picking up his book again, Yin Gezhi said, "Walnuts nourish the brain."
Feng Yue: "..."
In the evening, Lingshu bought some mung bean cakes. Feng Yue took out the cakes for her to eat, then closed the door and tore open the paper wrapping the pastries.
"Yi is nearing the capital, rumored to be severely injured. Actual situation unknown. Unusual movements outside the city. The City Garrison has been training at the North Suburb drill ground since yesterday."
North Suburb drill ground? Feng Yue narrowed her eyes.
When General Yi returns to court with his troops, those several thousand soldiers would definitely be stationed outside the North Suburb—this was the longstanding rule. But why would the City Garrison suddenly change their training ground to the North Suburb? Although there's nothing inherently inappropriate about it, Yi Guoru has always been suspicious. This move would surely make him think the royal family is wary of him. Combined with the Crown Prince's recent actions, perhaps...
An Shichong wouldn't change the training ground without reason. Yin Gezhi must definitely know about this, and it might even be his idea.
What is he trying to do?
Burning the letter, Feng Yue sat by the table, propping her chin as she pondered. Before she could think for long, Lingshu anxiously pushed the door open from outside and said, "Master, something's happened at Fengyue Tower!"
Her whole body tensed. She turned around, frowning, and asked, "What happened?"
"Miss He Chou offended a patron. That patron seems to hold considerable power and directly wants to arrest Miss He Chou and take her to the authorities! Mama Jin sent someone to deliver a message, asking if you could think of a solution."
He Chou? Her heart skipped a beat. Feng Yue quickly lifted her skirt and hurried out.
"Where do you think you're going?" An displeased voice sounded from the side as she passed through the corridor.
Pausing slightly, Feng Yue turned with an apologetic smile. "You're not resting yet? Something's happened at Fengyue Tower. This servant needs to go check."
Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow, stood up from the pavilion, and walked over to her. Standing before her, he looked at her and asked, "What use is you going to check?"Without power or influence, and already a redeemed girl, going to see would be of little use. Her eyes darting around, Feng Yue immediately jumped up and hugged this lord, flattering him with a smile: "Then why don't you go take a look?"
"Troublesome."
"Don't say that. After all, the things I give you all come from there. If something happens, it won't do us any good. Just think of it as taking a stroll when you can't sleep, go and have a look, alright?" Blinking her eyes and wriggling her body, Feng Yue whimpered: "Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."
Glancing sideways at her, Yin Gezhi rubbed his temples: "There's something I'm finding difficult to handle. If you can help me solve it, then everything will be fine."
"Alright, I'll do whatever I can!" Pulling him outside, Feng Yue said: "Let's talk as we walk. Whose matter is it?"
"Fang Wenxin's." Yin Gezhi said: "Didn't you say before that this person hasn't been to Fengyue Tower, so you don't know much about him?"
"That's right." Feng Yue nodded: "Among the people on your list, he's the only one not yet dealt with, right?"
Nodding, Yin Gezhi went out the door, casually picked her up and placed her in the carriage, then followed her in, instructing Guan Zhi to drive.
"This person acts meticulously. I've been looking for his flaws these past few days. However, he has no direct dealings with General Yi, and he doesn't often leave the palace, making it really hard to catch him off guard. The Crown Prince originally said he would handle it, giving that man a vacation, trying to see who he meets and where he goes. But lately, aside from meeting minor characters like Xiao Zhenyu, he really hasn't done anything."
Feng Yue laughed upon hearing this: "He's a clever man!"
"He used to be a fierce general under Yi Guoru's command, with numerous military achievements, healthy and unharmed, yet willingly stepped back to become a deputy commander of the Imperial Guard." Yin Gezhi said calmly: "General Yi is very good at training his subordinates."
Over the past decade or so, those loyal to him have gradually withdrawn from the battlefield and taken up positions of varying importance in the capital. His recommendations were naturally not refused by the Emperor of Wu Kingdom, but over time, most of the military officials in the court have become Yi Guoru's people. If something were to happen, they probably wouldn't even heed the emperor's orders.
The old emperor had no sense of vigilance in times of peace. Fortunately, the Crown Prince is quite intelligent, otherwise, no one in the world could really do anything about Yi Guoru.
However, the Crown Prince is also a bit too radical. In the current situation, either all these claws must be pulled out before Yi Guoru returns, or the pulled claws must all be restored to their original positions. Otherwise, when the tiger returns to its den, the ensuing struggle might not be one the Crown Prince can win.
Gently tapping the seat cushion, the First Prince Yin Gezhi didn't want to admit that it was he and Feng Yue who had gathered so much information that forced the Crown Prince to act radically. The Crown Prince is fighting with General Yi; they are just innocent bystanders.
"I will do my best in this matter." Feng Yue said: "But now, please, young master, you must save He Chou's life."
"Is she important?" Yin Gezhi asked.
Frowning, Feng Yue said: "Every girl in my Dream Return Pavilion is important."
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said nothing more, reached out, took her hand, and gently held it in his palm.
Her heart immediately settled, Feng Yue pursed her lips and softly sighed in relief.Flamboyant Street remained bustling and lively as ever in the evening. However, this time, a crowd had gathered at the entrance of Dream Return Pavilion. The officials had just arrived and were restraining He Chou, preparing to escort her to the prison cart.
Mama Jin stomped her feet anxiously beside them. "Officers, officers! What has my girl done wrong? Surely it hasn't reached the point where she needs to face the authorities! And using a prison cart... oh dear. How are we supposed to run our business in the future?"
The officials paid no heed to her pleas and continued to restrain He Chou. Seeing this, Mama Jin immediately turned to the patron beside her and begged for mercy. "Please, sir, be magnanimous. Let's talk this out properly."
Pushing through the crowd, Feng Yue saw the stern-faced patron standing with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression filled with anger.
"What happened?" Yin Gezhi asked.
Xiao Zhenyu, already irritated, waved his hand dismissively. "Don't ask unnecessary questions. If you have something to say, say it in court!"
Beside him, Fang Wenxin was taken aback. He glanced at Yin Gezhi, his face paling dramatically, and tugged at Xiao Zhenyu, turning to leave.
"Commander Fang?" Before he could take a step, Yin Gezhi's calm voice sounded in front of him. "What brings you here?"
Muttering a silent curse, Fang Wenxin stiffened, taking a long moment before slowly turning around. He cupped his hands and smiled at Yin Gezhi. "You're here too? What a coincidence."
"I was merely passing by," Yin Gezhi replied. He glanced at He Chou, who was still being restrained, then at the surrounding crowd, and asked, "What is all this commotion about?"
When Xiao Zhenyu finally got a clear look at the man's face, he paled and hurriedly cupped his hands in salute. "Your Highness, we were just here for a drink. Unexpectedly, someone attempted an assassination, so we reported it to the authorities."
"Assassination?" Yin Gezhi asked, puzzled. "Who would dare to attempt an assassination against two commanders?"
While they were talking and not paying attention, Feng Yue crouched low and slipped over to He Chou's side. She glared at the two officials until they loosened their grip, then pulled He Chou aside and whispered, "Did you take action?"
"After waiting so long, how could I not?" He Chou closed her eyes, her lips pale. "But I overestimated myself and underestimated him."
Fang Wenxin rarely made public appearances. She had waited for years without seeing him come to Dream Return Pavilion. Finally, when she encountered a patron who knew Xiao Zhenyu, she went to great lengths to persuade Xiao Zhenyu to invite Fang Wenxin to Dream Return Pavilion. This opportunity might only come once in a lifetime. If she didn't kill him now, her revenge would have to wait until the next life!
But... she had failed. Now, her revenge would also have to wait until the next life.
He Chou was filled with hatred, her hands clenched so tightly they turned white. Yet it was useless—she might not even be able to save her own life.
As she was lost in thought, someone gently pried open her clenched hand. He Chou was startled and turned to look at the person beside her.
Feng Yue smiled gently, her eyes sparkling as she whispered, "What luck. Fortunately, it's him who wants you dead. If it were anyone else, someone might have found it too troublesome to intervene."
What did that mean? He Chou didn't understand and looked bewildered. Fang Wenxin was the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, after all. Why was it fortunate that it was him?
But she soon learned the reason—the elegantly standing young man in white robes said, "Assassinating a court official is a grave matter. I shall accompany you to the yamen to inquire about the details."
Fang Wenxin remained silent for a long time before suddenly speaking up. "Perhaps this humble official misunderstood."
"Hmm?"
"This humble official didn't clearly see what the woman was doing. I only thought she was holding a hairpin and looked as though she intended to assassinate someone, but I cannot be certain.""Oh?" Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow, turning to look at He Chou and asking, "Miss, are you attempting an assassination?"
He Chou was momentarily stunned, only snapping back to attention when Feng Yue pinched her. She quickly lowered her head and said, "I am wronged, I merely wished to change a hairpin."
"Is that so." Yin Gezhi nodded. "Then there is no need to cause such alarm. Lord Fang, since we have met by chance, why not go upstairs for another couple of drinks?"
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