Fеng Yuе rеally wаntеd tо аsk, "Нave yоu bеcomе a spirit, sir? Ноw dо уоu еven know thаt someone will send yоu аn invitatiоn tomоrrоw? Whаt if thе genеrаl is busу with оthеr mattеrs and decidеs tо send it thе day aftеr?"
Howеver, eаrlу thе nехt mоrning, а servant frоm thе Genеrаl's Мansiоn indeеd rеspeсtfullу prеsented an invitаtion: "Generаl Yi invitеs Рrincе Yin for a discussiоn."
Whеn Guаn Zhi brought thе invitаtiоn insidе, Fеng Yuе was hеlрing Yin Gezhi сhangе his clothеs. Startlеd bу thе news, shе tiеd his sаsh intо a tight knot: "It reаlly came?!"
Loоking down at his robе, Yin Gezhi said disdаinfully, "Саn yоu focus?"
After all, she was following the Great Demon King around. Feng Yue felt she shouldn’t be so easily startled, as it would make her seem inexperienced! So she nodded, picked up two more sashes, and very attentively tied another tight knot.
Yin Gezhi shook his head lightly, sighing in resignation, though it was unclear what he was lamenting. Once his clothes were properly arranged, he immediately pushed Feng Yue aside and strode out, flicking his sleeves: "Guan Zhi, guard the mansion well."
"Yes!"
Watching his elegant retreating figure, Feng Yue clung to the doorframe and sighed. Great figures truly were great figures—even going into a wolf’s den with such composure, as if heading out for a spring outing. Unlike her, who didn’t dare show her face in front of General Yi.
Yi Guoru was probably the only person in the entire Wu Kingdom who could recognize who she was.
As it happened, due to following her father on military campaigns, Feng Yue had encountered Yi Guoru twice, both times during small-scale skirmishes where the commanders faced off directly. Yi Guoru wielded a long spear, while Guan Canghai favored a broadsword. These two middle-aged men would often stand in the most conspicuous positions, striking the most dazzling poses, locked in a stalemate amidst the chaos of battle around them.
Back then, she was unruly by nature. Upon encountering such a scene, she would charge forward without a word and slash at Yi Guoru.
At the time, Yi Guoru seemed to be eloquently delivering a speech—something about "heroes admiring heroes" and "I would die without regret having the honor to face you in battle." In any case, everyone around allowed the two of them to face off undisturbed, letting them fully assume the airs of generals and flaunt the prestige of legendary heroes.
However, he hadn’t expected Guan Qingyue from the Wei Kingdom’s ranks, who never played by the rules, to step forward and slash at his arm. If not for his sturdy armor, his arm would surely have been severed.
General Yi was flustered. He glanced at the attacker in shock.
Guan Qingyue looked up and smiled at him disrespectfully: "Why do you talk so much? If you want to fight, then fight!"
Her face was full of heroic spirit, yet unmistakably that of a young woman. The broadsword in her hand gleamed coldly, its force no less than that of any man! In his astonishment, Yi Guoru firmly memorized her features.
Looking back now, Feng Yue regretted it deeply. If she was going to slash him, she should have just done it and run. Why did she have to stand there, lifting her face to provoke him? Although she had left that old fool livid with rage, given the current situation... if she were to run into Yi Guoru now, it would spell certain death for her!
People really should do more and talk less! Feng Yue lamented.
Dressed in flowing white robes, Yin Gezhi gracefully stepped through the gates of General Yi’s mansion.The moment his feet touched the ground, over a dozen cold glints of light suddenly rushed toward him! A murderous aura enveloped the air, the atmosphere heavy and tense! However, being someone accustomed to grand scenes, Yin Gezhi didn’t even raise an eyebrow. He stood firm, lifted his head, and looked utterly bewildered: “Have I come to the wrong place?”
The cold glints around him immediately withdrew. Yi Guoru, dressed in casual attire, stepped forward with a smile and said, “Your Highness, please do not take offense. The people in my residence are poorly trained—they draw swords and spears at the sight of anyone.”
As he spoke, he feigned a scolding glance backward: “Why haven’t you retreated yet?!”
“Yes!” A chorus of crisp, loud responses echoed, causing Yin Gezhi to frown and cover his ears.
“My apologies for the rudeness.” Yi Guoru clasped his hands toward him, his narrow eyes squinting as he said, “Your Highness, please come inside.”
What a show of intimidation! Clearly, this was a trap—if you behaved, it was just the subordinates being disrespectful; if you didn’t… well, the subordinates would draw their swords and spears, and I’d reprimand them afterward.
Yin Gezhi sneered inwardly. General Yi truly lacked confidence. Now that he had returned, the general had stationed over thirty additional guards in the residence—did he think Yin Gezhi possessed some extraordinary power?
“Brother Yin!” Yi Zhangzhu was waiting in the main courtyard. As soon as she saw him, she beamed: “Father truly values you, Brother Yin—he even went out personally to greet you.”
Yin Gezhi nodded, casting a doting glance at her before taking a seat nearby.
Yi Guoru watched the exchange between his daughter and Yin Gezhi without a change in expression. He frowned slightly, then smoothed his brow, sitting in the host’s seat with a smile: “While I was away, my daughter was fortunate to receive Your Highness’s care.”
“It was only natural.” Yin Gezhi replied: “If there were any shortcomings in my care, I can only ask the General to be understanding.”
“How could there be shortcomings with Your Highness’s capabilities?” Yi Guoru chuckled lightly: “I heard Your Highness has obtained the Wind-Hearing Decree and has been quite prominent in the capital recently.”
So, the questioning had begun. Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze, gently twisting the jade thumb ring on his finger, and let out a long sigh.
Yi Guoru raised an eyebrow: “What? Did I say something wrong?”
“The General is not mistaken. I merely feel that the Crown Prince is truly shrewd, hence my sigh of admiration.”
“Oh?” Yi Guoru’s expression shifted slightly: “In what way is the Crown Prince shrewd?”
“Can’t the General see it?” Yin Gezhi’s expression turned bitter as he shook his head: “I have long lived in seclusion and had no intention of involving myself in Wu Kingdom’s court affairs. Even when His Majesty of your esteemed kingdom invited me to instruct the princes, I strongly declined. So why have I now accepted this Wind-Hearing Decree?”
Yi Guoru had pondered this question extensively on his journey. He could only suspect that Yin Gezhi harbored intentions of revenge. But now, sitting face-to-face with him and seeing his righteous and solemn expression, Yi Guoru couldn’t help but feel he had overthought it.
What kind of person was Yin Gezhi? He was open and aboveboard, able to accept defeat—after losing the battle, he had followed him back to Wu without a word. How could such a man seek revenge? After all, in his eyes, Yi Guoru had rightfully conquered ten cities of Wei Kingdom—heroes should respect heroes.
So, why had he accepted the Wind-Hearing Decree?
Recalling the City Garrison outside the northern suburbs and the Crown Prince’s increasingly insincere smile, Yi Guoru rubbed his fingers thoughtfully, his eyes growing deep and contemplative.Yin Gezhi said no more, sitting quietly with his eyes lowered. After giving him the time of half an incense stick to gather his thoughts, he then spoke softly, "The Wind-Listening Order is nothing more than a decoration to me. The General knows very well in his heart that without the Crown Prince, it would have been absolutely impossible for all of your men to be eliminated in such a short month."
Even ten Wind-Listening Orders wouldn't have sufficed!
Yi Guoru pursed his lips and chuckled lightly, "Your Highness means to say that the Crown Prince used your special status as a hostage to cut off this old man's right-hand men?"
"Not exactly," Yin Gezhi shook his head, taking off the jade thumb ring and holding it in his palm. He looked up at him and said, "What the Crown Prince wanted to exploit was actually the General's trust in me. What he wanted to sever was also my closeness to the General."
With the Wind-Listening Order placed in Yin Gezhi's hands, the Crown Prince launched a large-scale purge of General Yi's faction. Upon his return, Yi Guoru would inevitably harbor suspicions toward Yin Gezhi. The harmonious and friendly relationship the two had maintained for over a year would vanish without a trace in this wave of killings.
How could one not say the Crown Prince was brilliant?
Yi Guoru closed his eyes and chuckled softly, "The child of yesteryears has now grown into the nation's Crown Prince."
But he absolutely dared not fully believe Yin Gezhi's words.
Having been away for half a year, Shadowless City had turned upside down. Yi Guoru deeply felt he had miscalculated. After calming down for a moment, he opened his eyes again, and his gaze toward Yin Gezhi softened, "Your Highness being dragged into this conflict is truly an innocent casualty."
"I cannot claim to be entirely innocent," Yin Gezhi said calmly. "After all, it is true that the General has sheltered me greatly, and it is also true that he has trusted and been close to me. That the Crown Prince seized this opportunity is only natural. The consequences caused by the Wind-Listening Order are something I naturally should bear."
"Brother Yin," before Yi Guoru could speak, Yi Zhangzhu beside him couldn't listen any longer, "What does this have to do with you? During that time, you were even staying at the General's Mansion to avoid suspicion... Father, Brother Yin did nothing. It was Crown Prince Brother who acted too recklessly!"
Yi Guoru had only this one daughter, whom he had doted on since childhood. Hearing her speak, his heart couldn't help but lean three parts in her favor, "Is that so?"
"Yes, yes," Yi Zhangzhu nodded repeatedly, "When Zhu'er was forced into a corner, Brother Yin was very anxious too, but he could do nothing. The Wind-Listening Order... sounds impressive, but it's just a token. With Brother Yin's status, even holding that token, he couldn't do anything."
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