When Zhou Zhenshan saw who led the group, hope suddenly blazed in his eyes. “Your Highness the Crown Prince!”
Feng Yue followed his gaze to see Ye Yuqing approaching with a fan in hand, his expression grave. Behind him, the Imperial Guards had subdued everyone in the courtyard, bringing the bloodshed to an abrupt halt.
“Your Highness.” Reaching Yin Gezhi’s side, Ye Yuqing asked, “What happened here?”
“Can’t you see the carnage in this courtyard?” Yin Gezhi replied calmly. “Though Minister Zhou miscalculated. He didn’t expect the Crown Prince to receive word and arrive so quickly. Even if he had managed to kill Gezhi, his entire clan would still face execution.”
Zhou Zhenshan had no idea how the Crown Prince had come to be here, but with his life hanging by a thread, he had no time for such considerations. He immediately spoke up: “Your Highness, how would your humble servant dare harbor such thoughts! It was His Highness Yin who was on a killing spree and refused to submit to my questioning, attempting to kill your servant instead… Look, his sword is still at my throat!”
Ye Yuqing raised an eyebrow, about to inquire further when Feng Yue beside him let out a contemptuous “Pah!”
“Do all officials lie so shamelessly? Earlier you told His Highness Yin not to interfere with Zhao Lin’s matter. When he refused, you immediately ordered your soldiers to kill, even using hidden weapons! Now that you’ve been exposed, you dare to turn the blame on him?”
Her red dress bounced as she spoke, her anger evident. The sight made Ye Yuqing unable to suppress a light chuckle.
How could the Crown Prince laugh at such a serious moment? Zhou Zhenshan cast him an incredulous glance. “Your Highness, please save your servant!”
“Calm yourself. First, let’s have all these rebels in the courtyard arrested,” Ye Yuqing said, turning back.
The Imperial Guards below responded with a crisp “Yes!” and efficiently led away Zhou Zhenshan’s men.
“There is one thing I don’t understand and hope Minister Zhou can enlighten me,” Ye Yuqing turned to look at him, asking gently. “How did you dare to treat a prince of Wei like this?”
Cold sweat beaded on Zhou Zhenshan’s forehead as his eyes darted about. He stammered, “Your servant…”
“He thought if I died here, no one would discover it,” Yin Gezhi said. “This courier station is isolated. Had I truly fallen for his trap today, my corpse could have been transported out of the city immediately, and no one would have found it.”
Zhou Zhenshan’s face turned pale, and fear finally appeared in his eyes as he looked at Yin Gezhi, his body trembling slightly.
This man… how did he know everything?
“Oh?” Turning to survey the surroundings, Ye Yuqing nodded in understanding. “I see. Quite thoroughly planned.”
Walking to Zhou Zhenshan’s side, he gripped the tip of Yin Gezhi’s sword and smiled. “As expected of a senior court official. Your Highness, please show mercy.”
Feng Yue frowned. “Crown Prince, are you letting the tiger return to its mountain?”
If Zhou Zhenshan escaped today, the next time he encountered Yin Gezhi, he would surely stab him in the heart without hesitation or discussion. Leaving such a threat alive – how could anyone sleep soundly?
Yin Gezhi did not object, slowly withdrawing his sword.
Zhou Zhenshan let out a huge sigh of relief. Standing beside Ye Yuqing, he fearfully watched Yin Gezhi, then said softly, “Your Highness, this man’s martial arts are formidable. Given your noble status, you should be wary of him.”
“Why should I be wary of him?” Smiling as brilliantly as the proud sun, Ye Yuqing opened his fan and looked at him. “I would never want to kill him.”
Zhou Zhenshan laughed awkwardly and lowered his head, thinking that at least his life was saved today…
Before he could finish the thought, his chest went cold.
For a moment, Zhou Zhenshan felt he was in a nightmare. Just as he had awakened from one terrifying dream, he had fallen into another.
He dared not breathe or acknowledge the sensation in his chest, only aware of blood gushing out, staining the brocade robe with its subtle pattern of four-clawed silver dragons beside him.
Feng Yue stared in shock.
Ye Yuqing was still smiling, though his eyes were as cold as ice. The dagger in his hand was buried to the hilt in Zhou Zhenshan’s chest, yet his voice remained gentle: “I don’t want to kill him, so I’ll kill you instead. We can’t let those boxes prepared in the corner go to waste.”
“Crown… Crown Prince…” Eyes full of unwillingness, Zhou Zhenshan struggled to speak. “Your servant… is the Commander of the City Guard!”
He was the Commander! The entire City Guard answered him – wouldn’t his death throw everything into chaos?
“Commander of the City Guard is indeed an important position,” Ye Yuqing smiled. “I will handle the aftermath for you, Minister. No need to worry.”
With that, his hand suddenly exerted force. Feng Yue could hear the sound of flesh tearing. Zhou Zhenshan’s pupils contracted, and then his gaze grew unfocused as he collapsed.
Blood spread everywhere. Yin Gezhi disdainfully pulled her back a step and said, “Your Highness is truly ruthless.”
Feng Yue nodded in agreement, then realized something was amiss. She turned her head tremblingly to look at him.
What right did you have to call someone else ruthless?!
Taking out a handkerchief to wipe his hands and clothes, Ye Yuqing smiled. “I merely returned his methods to him. Since the setup was already prepared, it would be a waste not to use it.”
Imperial Guards entered from outside. At Ye Yuqing’s command, they efficiently packed Zhou Zhenshan’s corpse into the courier station’s boxes and thoroughly cleaned the blood from the ground.
“My, my, this is truly… I thought Feng Yue was just calling for help, who knew she would deliver such a grand gift to me.” Turning to look at Feng Yue, Ye Yuqing fanned himself and smiled. “What a pleasant surprise.”
Her mouth twitched as Feng Yue curtsied to him. “I dare not claim credit. Your servant truly only sought help because I was captured.”
She had already given the token the Crown Prince had previously given her to Madam Jin at Dream Return Pavilion. Madam Jin was clever and would naturally seek help, though the delay meant Ye Yuqing arrived when they were already at the second gate of hell.
If not for Yin Gezhi, she would have died twice over today.
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said coldly, “I was wondering how the Crown Prince came to be here. So it was to play the hero saving the beauty – nothing to do with me.”
“Ah, you can’t say that.” Ye Yuqing walked over to stand before Yin Gezhi. “Sharing life and death creates bonds of fate. Since fate has brought us together, why don’t we share a meal?”
Feng Yue chuckled inwardly, thinking how worthy of royal blood he was – such superior skill at speaking falsehoods with a straight face. He just came to tie up loose ends. They may have shared life, but where was the shared death?
Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes, his thoughts similar to Feng Yue’s, but still replied, “Very well.”
The two men, both with blood on their hands, exchanged courteous bows before heading out together.
Feng Yue very much wanted to avoid going along – wolves meeting tigers, with her fragile life, it was best not to watch. However, after taking two steps, both men turned back to look at her.
What are you staying here for when your client is leaving?
Putting on a fawning smile, Feng Yue lifted her skirts and swayed over gracefully, hanging onto Yin Gezhi’s arm, playing the role of a beautiful ornament.
However, as these two walked without speaking, the atmosphere grew awkward, so the ornament had to speak up to ease the tension: “How did Your Highness know we were here?”
Ye Yuqing smiled. “When I asked around, many people pointed the way, saying they saw a crowd surrounding a man and woman heading toward this courier station. Who else could have caused such a commotion but you two?”
Thinking about it, that was true. With that kind of scene, even taking the most secluded route, there would naturally be many witnesses.
“Where shall we dine?”
“Wangxiang Tower,” Ye Yuqing said. “The tallest building in Bu Yin City. The food and wine up there are excellent.”
Looking at him, Yin Gezhi said, “It seems somewhat inappropriate for someone of Your Highness’s status to wander among the common people so often.”
“Minister Sima has already lectured me about this eight hundred times,” Ye Yuqing touched his temple helplessly and sighed. “But I believe that as one who rules over the people, one cannot stay isolated in the palace without hearing of the people’s hardships. Father Emperor is often ill, so I can only share his burdens by going among the common people more often.”
Feng Yue looked at him curiously and asked, “Bu Yin City is so unsafe, with His Highness Yin frequently facing assassination attempts. Does Your Highness truly not consider your safety?”
Yin Gezhi glanced at her but remained silent.
Ye Yuqing fanned himself, smiling with composure. “Since I dare to come out, naturally I bring sufficient guards.”
Looking at Yin Gezhi’s expression, Feng Yue suddenly understood.
If he could kill him, Yin Gezhi would certainly have tried. But if even he couldn’t make a move, it meant Ye Yuqing’s guards must be terrifying indeed.
Giggling twice, Feng Yue said, “Your servant would like some roast chicken.”
“Very well.” Nodding in agreement, Ye Yuqing led them to the location, entered a private room, ordered dishes, and closed the door.
“The Commander of the City Guard disappears, and the Commandant is condemned,” Ye Yuqing lightly tapped the table. “Your Highness, who do you think would be most suitable for these two positions?”
Fishing for something, Feng Yue thought as she lowered her head to drink tea. It was time for two foxes to sing by the willow, sending a string of schemes to the heavens.
Yin Gezhi remained impassive, maintaining the air of an idle person, and said coolly, “It would be inappropriate for me to interfere in your noble country’s affairs.”
“It’s just advice between friends having a heart-to-heart conversation.”
Who the hell has heart-to-heart talks about state affairs? Feng Yue pursed her lips, picked up a piece of cold appetizer meat, and stuffed it in her mouth to chew silently.
Yin Gezhi said, “Since the Commander is gone, promoting the Deputy Commander would be reasonable and proper. As for the Commandant position, there are many talented young officials at court.”
How frustrating that he wouldn’t take the bait, Ye Yuqing thought with slight annoyance. “Has Your Highness not considered seeking some benefits for your disciples?”
“Being able to accept them as my disciples is already their benefit,” he looked at him with calm eyes. “As for other things, if they have the ability, they can compete for them themselves. If they don’t, then they can keep waiting.”
Back and forth, their words circled indirectly. Feng Yue lowered her head and pursed her lips.
These two at the table – one trying to entice the other to owe him a favor, the other staying aloof and trying to make his opponent fall into his trap – neither was easy to deal with. Would eating with them cause indigestion?
“Feng Yue, what do you think?”
Just as she was thinking this, Ye Yuqing smiled and asked her.
Choking on a mouthful of water, Feng Yue looked up and played dumb. “Ah?”
“You must have met young Master An and young Master Xu,” Ye Yuqing said. “What do you think of them?”