He Lan Changde was deeply unwilling to accept his fate. However, the weakness from blood loss quickly overcame him. Soon, he could barely keep his eyes open, yet he still managed to ask Feng Yue one last reluctant question: “Who exactly are you?”
Pulling off the fake beard, Feng Yue wiped her face and replied with a cold smile: “Don’t you recognize me? After all, you attended my father’s birthday celebration that year and even brought a gift.”
Looking at her face, He Lan Changde fell silent. His corpulent body convulsed several times, his eyes churning with countless complex emotions. Breathing heavily, he gasped: “Even if… even if I die, your father’s name will never be cleared!”
“Don’t trouble yourself about that.” Yin Gezhi picked up the bowl filled with He Lan’s blood and said: “Your sins will be repaid with your blood.”
He Lan Changde had felt a moment of satisfaction, but upon seeing the Crown Prince, blood rushed to his head. He suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, slumped against the vermillion pillar beside him, and finally stopped moving.
Feng Ming watched with a sigh: “Truly worthy of being called the ruthless Crown Prince. So brutal even to your people.”
“You flatter me.” Yin Gezhi nodded slightly, then turned to look at him: “Doesn’t the Marshal’s Manor have a curfew? It’s already the hour of Xu. Doesn’t General Feng plan to return?”
Feng Ming waved dismissively and turned to look at Feng Yue: “After such a long separation, I have much to discuss with her. I won’t return tonight.”
Yin Gezhi: “???”
Feng Yue forced a dry laugh: “Forgive my directness, General Feng, but I have nothing to discuss with you.”
“Then you can listen to me talk.” Feng Ming’s eyes blazed as he grew serious, his brown eyes gazing at her intensely: “I can talk for the entire night!”
“Excuse me.” A figure in white robes squeezed in front of him, completely blocking his view of the person opposite.
Feng Ming looked up to see Yin Gezhi’s expressionless face: “Meeting privately in the dead of night is improper according to etiquette.”
“Etiquette?” Feng Ming sneered and replied roguishly: “I’m the least concerned with etiquette – everyone in Li Du knows that!”
This shameless attitude that turned embarrassment into pride left Yin Gezhi speechless for a long while.
Feng Ming raised an eyebrow: “Speaking of which, we need a place to talk. Since the Prince of Filial Piety’s mansion is so large, why not spare us a courtyard?”
Guan Zhi wiped his face, thinking that while he was used to his master’s shamelessness, he hadn’t expected to meet someone even more brazen. Just saying such things – it was already generous that his master hadn’t thrown him out, yet he dared to ask for a place to chat with Miss Feng Yue?
What was he thinking?
Standing behind Yin Gezhi, Feng Yue also marveled at how Feng Ming could still be so lawless after all these years.
Yin Gezhi’s expression softened, and he spoke in a measured tone: “Since the General is so eager to reminisce, I cannot refuse to accommodate.”
Feng Ming’s eyes lit up, and he smiled: “Your Highness is truly understanding.”
“Think nothing of it.” Stepping slightly aside, Yin Gezhi said: “This is the only courtyard in the entire mansion that’s been cleaned. If the General doesn’t mind, please use the main hall.”
Feng Ming froze, waving his hands: “That would be too presumptuous. I couldn’t disturb Your Highness’s rest.”
“It’s no matter.” Yin Gezhi nodded elegantly and headed toward the main hall. Feng Ming followed, pulling Feng Yue along as he went, smiling: “This place is safe and comfortable.”
Looking at the person walking ahead, Feng Yue couldn’t help but tug at Feng Ming’s sleeve, covering her mouth to whisper: “General, I think you’d better not go in.”
Someone as petty as Yin Gezhi would never let things go as desired.
“What’s there to fear?” Feng Ming said: “I’m here!”
That’s exactly why it’s more frightening! Feng Yue gritted her teeth. Originally, she could have returned with Luo Hao, but being dragged along like this – judging by Yin Gezhi’s expression, he had no intention of letting her leave!
Placing the bowl of blood on the study desk in the inner chamber, Yin Gezhi said flatly: “I’ll attend to my business while you have your conversation.”
Slightly startled, Feng Ming frowned: “You’re staying here?”
“When a guest visits, should the host be driven out?” Laying out paper, Yin Gezhi said coolly: “Wouldn’t that be discourteous?”
“…” It was somewhat discourteous, but with him standing there, how could one exchange sweet nothings with Qing Yue?
However, he was overthinking it. Even without Yin Gezhi present, Feng Yue wouldn’t have exchanged sweet words with him.
“I hear General Feng won a significant victory.” Sitting down at the outer chamber’s table, Feng Yue genuinely made small talk: “It seems things have been going well.”
“Not bad.” Sitting down as well, Feng Ming pressed his lips together, deciding to ignore Yin Gezhi. He focused only on the person before him and asked: “How about you?”
“I killed those who needed killing in Wu Kingdom, so not bad either.” Feng Yue said: “Half my revenge is complete.”
“Then…”
Have you met someone new that you like? Feng Ming wanted to ask, but felt it would seem as petty as a young girl! Shaking his head, he changed his question: “Then do you need my help?”
Hearing these words, Feng Yue cast a meaningful glance at Yin Gezhi in the inner chamber, thinking how different the two men could be. One sincerely asked if she needed help from the start, while the other turned it into a condescending “You’re asking for my help.”
What a difference!
Giving him a rare smile, Feng Yue said: “No need, I can handle it myself. Thank you.”
Never having received such a pleasant response before, now seeing her small face, Feng Ming frowned, his gaze flowing over her features before finally saying: “You seem to have grown up.”
Being told she had grown up by someone who was quite childish didn’t feel good. Feng Yue narrowed her eyes: “Are you mocking me?”
“No, just a heartfelt observation.” Feng Ming shook his head: “You used to be so wild, ready to fight me at the slightest provocation. Now you’re gentler, more courteous. But it feels like a dead pond, painful to watch.”
Feng Yue froze, giving him a deep look.
She had thought he knew nothing, but somehow, it seemed he knew everything.
An inkstone crashed to the floor in the inner chamber with a “clang,” startling the two outside back to their senses. They instinctively stood up to look.
Yin Gezhi was holding a brush, writing with blood. He ignored the broken inkstone and said: “Feng Yue, come help, the blood is drying.”
Feng Yue frowned, thinking why she still had to be ordered around like a servant when she didn’t even live in his mansion anymore.
But looking down at what he was writing, her expression grew serious. Without a word, she took a brush and stirred the bowl.
“A confession of crimes?” Looking at the document on the table, Feng Ming frowned as he read: “This guilty subject He Lan Changde, having betrayed Imperial grace, conspired with enemies, sold out the country, and framed loyal officials. I cannot face the people of the world…”
Drawing in a sharp breath, Feng Ming stared wide-eyed: “You’re forging a confession?”
“Is that not allowed?” Yin Gezhi replied righteously: “Since righteousness cannot overcome evil, what’s wrong with fighting evil with evil? This is what he should have written. Since he’s dead and cannot write it, naturally I must write on his behalf.”
Feng Ming fell silent. After thinking for a good while, he turned to ask Feng Yue: “How can he make unjust acts sound so justified?”
Feng Yue smiled: “Because others were inhumane first, our subsequent lack of righteousness is only natural.”
That makes sense, Feng Ming nodded. Having quickly accepted this matter, he then focused on watching Yin Gezhi write the confession, completely forgetting his original intentions.
After finishing the draft, Yin Gezhi looked up at Feng Ming: “Is the General idle in the capital?”
“Not at all.” Feng Ming said seriously: “His Majesty has temporarily entrusted the guards near the palace gates to me. I must patrol three times daily.”
“Then when someone approaches the area under your supervision, do you stop them or not?”
“Stop them!” Feng Ming narrowed his eyes: “Everyone except the Emperor.”
“Excellent!” Handing the confession to Feng Yue, Yin Gezhi said: “The owner of that general store under your command surely knows movable type printing. Have him print a thousand copies of this confession. The Prince of Filial Piety’s mansion will pay for paper and ink. After printing, post the original on the notice board at the palace gates!”
Her eyes brightening, Feng Yue nodded: “Understood!”
“Wait!” Feng Ming raised an eyebrow: “Post this at the palace gates?”
“Where else would be more conspicuous?” Yin Gezhi lifted his eyelids slightly: “With General Feng watching, surely no one can tear it down. When they see the printed copies, they’ll question their authenticity. Then we’ll guide people to check the palace gates. It will surely cause an enormous stir.”
If the Emperor won’t listen, then tell the common people. If official history insists on labeling Guan Canghai a traitor, then let unofficial history clear his name.
Her knuckles were white, Feng Yue carefully put away the confession, then ran out as if flying!
She truly didn’t care about reputation, but if she could let the common people whom Guan Canghai had once protected know that their revered general had not betrayed the country, she was willing to make the effort.
Feng Ming tried to grab her but wasn’t fast enough. He could only watch as she rushed out, stirring up a breeze that disheveled his black hair.
Turning his head, he looked seriously at Yin Gezhi and stated gravely: “You’ve taken a liking to her.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement. Crown Prince Yin, who had never concerned himself with mundane matters, showed many unusual behaviors today. If he couldn’t see through this, he would be a fool.
Lifting his eyes slightly, Yin Gezhi gathered his sleeves and curved his lips: “Her engagement to the General seems to be over. If I’ve taken a liking to her, what’s improper about that?”
His fists tightened as Feng Ming said in a deep voice: “She said she doesn’t like you anymore.”
She doesn’t like him – isn’t that perfectly normal? It would be just going through the motions if she said she liked him. Yin Gezhi sneered, feeling this statement had no effect at all.
“I know what I should do. I hope General Feng knows as well.” Walking toward the bed, Yin Gezhi said coolly: “What she wants most now is revenge. If you truly want to help her, stop just pestering her.”
“You want to help her take revenge?” Feng Ming snorted coldly: “Do you know who wrote the imperial edict that executed the entire Guan family?”
His body stiffened as Yin Gezhi’s face darkened.
Feeling somewhat better, Feng Ming smiled: “Neither of us might have a good outcome, but Your Highness, your situation seems worse than mine. Thinking of it this way, I feel more at ease.”
This person’s words always made one want to punch him! Yin Gezhi gritted his teeth, turning back with a cold gaze, only to see Feng Ming already walking out gracefully.