What lesson? Gently rubbing her hand, Feng Yue coldly glanced at him. “What wrong has this humble one committed to anger Young Master so?”

“What’s wrong?” Yin Gezhi’s jawline tightened. “I warned you from the start not to get close to the Crown Prince.”

And how well she listened—in the blink of an eye, she’d gotten close enough to share a bed!

His hand tightened around her waist as he spurred the horse forward. The hooves kicked up high, making Feng Yue instinctively grab the horse’s neck to steady herself.

“He came seeking me on his own. I make my living by opening my door to clients—what reason would I have to refuse?” Feng Yue looked ahead at the road with slight irritation. “If Young Master is so capable, you should have stopped the Crown Prince from entering my room. What skill is there in blaming me?”

“…” Sharp-tongued indeed.

Why blame her? Because her manner clearly showed she was eager to serve the Crown Prince, without the slightest hint of reluctance! Ye Yuqing was an incredibly astute person—if he chose to use her, this woman wouldn’t even know how she died, and might even implicate him. If not her, then who should he blame?

“Your Highness.” Someone lifted the carriage curtain behind them, frowning at the galloping horse. “Miss Feng Yue is still injured. Perhaps she should ride in the carriage?”

Yin Gezhi didn’t even turn his head. “No need. She’s willing to ride horseback.”

Willing my foot! Feng Yue gritted her teeth, turning back to cast a pitiful glance filled with desolation, reluctance, helplessness, and resentment.

Ye Yuqing shook his head with a sigh. “Your Highness truly doesn’t know how to cherish delicate flowers.”

“I naturally can’t compare to the Crown Prince’s understanding of women.” Despite his words, Yin Gezhi did show some humanity, slightly pulling the reins as he glanced down at the person in front of him.

She was clever enough to hold the horse’s neck, but her complexion was truly awful—her profile and neck were both pale as snow.

It made him seem less than human.

His thin lips pressed together as Eldest Prince Yin, who held thousands of lives in his hands, rarely felt a twinge of compassion. He pulled back on the reins and asked softly, “Want to ride in the carriage?”

Feng Yue was already half-dead, lying limply on the horse’s back, too exhausted to even grunt. She simply played dead!

People always said Eldest Prince Yin was cold-blooded and heartless, treating people as less than human. She had thought they were maliciously slandering him. Now that she was experiencing it herself, Feng Yue realized he wasn’t just cold-blooded and heartless—he was worse than a beast! What was wrong with being a courtesan? Were courtesans not human? Fortunately, she knew how to ride. If it had been some delicate young lady, wouldn’t she have been jolted right off the horse to meet King Yama?

No wonder he couldn’t find a wife!

Just as she was grumbling to herself, the person behind her seemed to dismount, then grabbed her waist and pulled her down too.

“What are you doing?” She asked irritably, her body as limp as seaweed, hanging from his hands, completely giving up resistance.

It’s not like resistance would do any good anyway.

Yin Gezhi said nothing, holding her as they waited for the carriage to catch up, then helped her board.

This was unexpected. Feng Yue blinked as she was placed on the soft cushions. She flashed a brilliant smile at Ye Yuqing sitting opposite, then asked softly, “Has Young Master taken pity?”

Settling his robes as he sat beside her, Yin Gezhi replied expressionlessly, “No, I just suddenly remembered the law—a life for a life.”

Feng Yue: “…”

Ye Yuqing laughed, fanning himself. “The sun’s out now. It’s cooler in the carriage.”

“Indeed.” Fixing her slightly disheveled hair, Feng Yue smiled faintly. “The carriage is nice.”

Yin Gezhi snorted coldly, turning to look out the window, saying nothing more. Feng Yue kept casting flirtatious glances at Ye Yuqing, who noticed, curving his lips in a meaningful smile.

When her eyes grew tired, Feng Yue finally turned to look at the person beside her.

Yin Gezhi’s dark robes today gave him a heroic air, making him look completely different from when he wore white. Half his black hair was tied up while the other half fell to his shoulders, the wind brushing it against his steel-like features, making him quite heart-stirring.

His appearance was truly heaven’s blessing. No matter how bad his temperament, the girls in the military camp always pursued him enthusiastically, running faster than when attacking the highlands. Naive young ladies always thought a handsome face meant an ideal husband, misplacing their affections only to have their hearts shattered to pieces.

Foolish and pitiful.

Gently fanning himself, Ye Yuqing discreetly observed the two people before him, or rather, focused on Feng Yue.

This lady was extremely beautiful, at least among all the people he had seen, her looks were superior. Her willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes, and nose bridge slightly more pronounced than most women’s gave her an air of heroic spirit, though her heavy makeup emphasized her allure. The gold and red flower ornament on her forehead made her eyes seem even more enchanting.

If she were just a courtesan, he might have taken a liking to her and kept her company for a while. But now, the way she looked at Yin Gezhi contained too many emotions—perhaps she hadn’t even noticed it herself—seeming both love and hate, full of struggle. That misty look was exactly like when she lay beneath him.

Suddenly, he very much wanted to know what story lay behind her.

Too few people could interest him. This past year, only Yin Gezhi had caught his attention, and by coincidence, this woman who was interested in Yin Gezhi had also piqued his curiosity.

Well then, why not watch together?

The wheels creaked as the carriage stopped. A servant outside placed a small stool by the steps, and Yin Gezhi stepped down directly.

Feng Yue came to her senses and was about to lift her skirts to exit when Ye Yuqing moved first, saying with a gentle smile, “Take your time.”

Huh? Feng Yue looked at him blankly as he descended, closed his fan, and held the curtain open for her. Then he extended his hand, saying with elegant courtesy, “Please.”

Never having received such treatment before, Feng Yue was slightly stunned. After a moment, she placed her hand in his and used his support to step down.

“Thank you.”

Yin Gezhi watched coldly from the side, his eyes full of mockery. Feng Yue awkwardly withdrew her hand and slowly moved to stand beside him.

“This humble one hasn’t had the chance to ask,” Feng Yue said. “Why has Young Master brought me to such a place?”

“You’ll be useful.” Dropping these words as cold as winter iron, Yin Gezhi turned and walked into the training grounds.

Shivering from the cold response, Feng Yue shrugged, lifted her skirts, and followed.

The training grounds were familiar to her. Although these were Wu Kingdom’s grounds, the smell of sand and rust made Feng Yue feel at ease, improving her mood somewhat.

Because of yesterday’s invitation to take disciples, quite a few people had come to the grounds today. Despite the early hour, seven or eight young men were already standing in the field, casually practicing with weapons from the racks.

Yin Gezhi ignored them, not even greeting anyone, and headed straight for the pavilion with Guanzhi.

“Master.” When they were far enough from others, Guanzhi frowned and spoke, “You’re not in a good mood today. Should I fetch some cooling tea?”

Yin Gezhi laughed coldly. “What makes you think I’m not in a good mood?”

Guanzhi pouted. “I’ve served you for ten years. How could I not recognize your moods? Such displeasure is rare—I’m somewhat worried about you.”

This was true. After ten years of loyal service, Guanzhi was the only person who had earned Yin Gezhi’s complete trust. While his master always maintained a stern face and others couldn’t read his emotions, only he could tell whether his master was happy or unhappy.

“I simply hate when people disrupt my plans by barging in.” Looking down as they climbed the stairs, Yin Gezhi said, “She shouldn’t get close to the Crown Prince.”

If not close to the Crown Prince, what about being close to others? Guanzhi wanted to ask but couldn’t, as they had arrived.

“General Song.” Cupping his hands toward the man ahead, Yin Gezhi said, “Thank you for your trouble today.”

The middle-aged man in armor turned around with a hearty laugh. “What trouble? I should thank Your Highness for thinking of the Song army. Please.”

The pavilion’s third floor had a terrace that overlooked the entire training ground below.

For instance, as soon as Yin Gezhi stepped up, he saw Ye Yuqing lifting his sleeve to wipe Feng Yue’s eyes.

“Excuse me,” Feng Yue said awkwardly. “This rouge shop’s powder truly isn’t very good.”

He wiped her makeup!

Chuckling softly, Ye Yuqing looked at her tenderly. “Tomorrow I’ll have someone send you better ones.”

“…No need, I’ll buy my own.”

How could a crown prince be so attentive? At first, Feng Yue had planned to seduce him properly, but now it seemed unnecessary—this man was as warm as spring from the start, so warm that she felt ashamed to harbor ill intentions.

No wonder Yi Zhuangzhu was always criticized. She had rejected such a wonderful crown prince—no surprise the courtesans at Menghuai House gossiped about her daily.

What a waste, what a waste!

Just as she was thinking this, the face before her suddenly drew closer, slowly leaning down as if to kiss her.

What?! Feng Yue was stunned—there were people everywhere, what was he doing?

“Clang!”

Just as their lips were about to touch, a black lacquered sword suddenly flew through the air, fiercely embedding itself five steps away from Ye Yuqing! The blade trembled, its resonating hum unending.

The training grounds fell silent. Ye Yuqing’s movement stopped as he straightened up and turned his head, opening his fan with a smile as he glanced up at the pavilion.

Guanzhi’s expression was shocked, and General Song beside him had turned pale. Only the demon god standing between them showed no change in expression, standing tall and graceful, his gaze calm as if he wasn’t the one who had thrown the sword.

“Crown Prince!” General Song, having recovered his senses, rushed downstairs and knelt before Ye Yuqing. “This humble official didn’t know Your Highness was coming and failed to welcome you properly!”

“No matter.” Ye Yuqing smiled, apparently in a good mood. “I heard there was a competition here and took the liberty of coming to watch. Don’t be alarmed, General.”

How could he not be alarmed? Ah! First seeing Eldest Prince Yin throw a sword was bad enough, but throwing it in the direction of the current Crown Prince—wasn’t this asking for his death?

Feng Yue looked up toward Yin Gezhi, slightly frowning. He gazed back at her calmly, like a god descended from heaven, his eyes full of disdain as he looked down on her, an insignificant insect.