“That’s possible,” Feng Ming smiled. “But we have important matters to attend to. Your Highness, please don’t cause any trouble.”

For someone who usually caused trouble for others to turn around and tell him not to make trouble? Yin Gezhi sneered and glanced at him, “Does General Feng know what important matter she needs to attend to?”

“No, I don’t.” Proudly uttering these three words, Feng Ming lifted his chin. “But Yue’er wants to go to the Imperial Censor’s mansion, and I’m taking her there. That’s my important matter.”

Sweet talk! Yin Gezhi snorted coldly. Could he move someone’s heart with just these few words?

Feng Yue looked at Feng Ming with deep emotion: “After so many years apart, General is still so good to me. I feel truly guilty.”

Yin Gezhi: “…”

Women are such shallow creatures!

Feng Ming looked down at her, his handsome features radiating with a unique vitality that others lacked, his eyes burning bright as he said: “What do you have to feel guilty about? I treat you like a brother. Being good to you is only natural. If you feel guilty, then just treat me like a brother too. Let’s put all past grievances behind us.”

Hearing these words, Feng Yue brightened up, and the weight in her heart lifted. She slapped Feng Ming’s shoulder and nodded: “Alright, I’ll accept you as my brother!”

Yin Gezhi’s mouth twitched as he squinted at Feng Ming and asked: “You don’t care about your former engagement anymore?”

“Not at all!” Waving his hand casually, Feng Ming smiled warmly. “It’s already void anyway, and she doesn’t like me, so being brothers is more comfortable.”

This was what you called advancing by retreating, what you called being deeply calculating! In that instant, Yin Gezhi truly understood why Feng Ming had said “Your Highness’s situation is more difficult.”

Difficult wasn’t even the word – it was treacherous! He could use brotherhood as an excuse to get close. But what about himself? Could he say: Feng Yue, I’m a key witness in your father’s wrongful case?

Grinding his teeth fiercely, Yin Gezhi maintained his composure on the surface while his breathing became uneven.

If he had known earlier, when sixteen-year-old Feng Ming had broken into the palace to fight him, he should have had him exiled! Now he was such an eyesore, and he couldn’t even get rid of him!

The two people in front had already started walking arm in arm. Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes, pursed his lips, and suddenly drew in a sharp breath.

“What’s wrong?” Hearing the sound from behind, Feng Yue quickly let go and turned around, only to see Yin Gezhi’s eyes filled with pain, though he was still trying to endure it, pretending nothing was wrong as he said: “Keep walking.”

Coming to his side curiously to look, Feng Yue raised an eyebrow: “Can you still walk?”

“I can.” The pain in his eyes becoming increasingly difficult to suppress, Yin Gezhi closed his eyes and took a deep breath: “I must see the flowers in the Imperial Censor’s back garden today, no matter what.”

Even Feng Ming was stunned by this spectacular performance, asking in bewilderment: “Are those flowers really that important? You’re in so much pain.”

“Where does it hurt?” Feng Yue asked.

After closing his eyes to think for a moment, Yin Gezhi said: “My leg is cramping, help me walk a bit.”

Pointing behind them, Feng Yue said: “Guanzhi is still following us.”

Yin Gezhi slowly turned around, and Guanzhi’s expression suddenly became stern before his face fell as he said: “This servant is useless, my back has been strained recently and I can’t use much strength. I’m afraid I might drop the master.”

“Then I’ll do it.” Rolling up her sleeves, Feng Yue grabbed Yin Gezhi’s arm and put it over her shoulder. She immediately felt him shift his entire weight onto her.

“So heavy!”

Yin Gezhi pursed his lips and sighed softly: “Thank you for your trouble.”

Since he had said that, it wouldn’t be right to dump him halfway. Feng Yue pouted and continued walking forward.

Feng Ming had been worried about the Crown Prince at first, but watching from behind as he practically collapsed onto Feng Yue, he narrowed his eyes and quickly understood.

Just as only women can see through women’s tactics, only men can understand men’s schemes. Quick as lightning, Feng Ming dashed forward and grabbed Yin Gezhi’s other arm, forcefully pulling it over his shoulder!

The previously smug Crown Prince Yin’s face instantly darkened as he turned to look at him: “What are you doing?”

Looking concerned, Feng Ming smiled: “I’m worried Yue’er can’t support you alone, I’m here to help.”

Applying force with his hand, Yin Gezhi said coolly: “Not necessary.”

Not letting go, Feng Ming increased his grip as well, smiling in an extremely irritating way: “Your Highness needn’t be polite.”

With half his body still leaning on Feng Yue, Yin Gezhi didn’t dare use too much force and instead found himself restrained by Feng Ming. He narrowed his eyes: “This way makes it difficult for me to walk.”

“Then this humble servant can carry Your Highness on my back.”

Force quietly exchanged between them, neither willing to yield. Feng Ming’s eyes held a smile while Yin Gezhi’s contained ice as they confronted each other. Thunder and lightning! Someone’s force control slipped, occasionally pushing against Feng Yue beside them.

After walking for quite a while, Feng Yue couldn’t stand it anymore. She pushed both men away with a shout and yelled angrily: “Can’t you two walk properly?!”

Both men paused. Yin Gezhi immediately softened his legs, furrowed his brows, and looked reproachfully at Feng Ming.

Feng Ming looked stunned, then met Feng Yue’s gaze as she angrily called out: “General!”

“…I’ll walk properly!” Wiping his face and glaring at the shameless Crown Prince, Feng Ming gritted his teeth and continued forward. Yin Gezhi looked pleased and reached out for Feng Yue’s support again, but heard her say coolly: “If you have the strength to compete, surely you have the strength to walk, Your Highness?”

Finding it somewhat awkward, Yin Gezhi coughed lightly, moved his ankle with a serious expression, then continued walking forward as if nothing had happened.

Guanzhi watched from behind, covering his face as he laughed but did not dare to make a sound. By the time they reached the Imperial Censor’s mansion, his face had turned blue from holding it in.

The Imperial Censor of Wei was different from his counterpart in Wu. The Wu Imperial Censor was very busy, rarely seen around, while Wei’s Imperial Censor Zhao Xu was exceptionally leisurely, spending his days bird-watching and flower-viewing, living a carefree life. So the main gate of the Imperial Censor’s mansion was wide open, and as soon as they saw Feng Ming’s token, the guards immediately went in to report.

Soon after, Imperial Censor Zhao came out with clasped hands, beaming as he said: “I didn’t know General Feng was visiting, please forgive my failure to welcome you from afar!”

Then turning his head and seeing Yin Gezhi, the smile on his face froze, and he immediately knelt down: “Greetings, Your Highness!”

“Rise.” Looking at his casual clothes, Yin Gezhi asked: “Is the Imperial Censor on leave today?”

“Not at all.” Zhao Xu got up with an apologetic smile: “There haven’t been any major matters recently, so I’ve been rather free…”

If I had known You were coming, I would certainly have worn my official robes!

Nodding slightly, Yin Gezhi said expressionlessly: “No need to be nervous, Imperial Censor. I’m merely here to see the flowers in your back garden, and meeting General Feng was a coincidence.”

“What a fortunate coincidence indeed!” Flattering shamelessly, Zhao Xu said: “Your Highness and General Feng are both young pillars of our dynasty. Having you both grace the Imperial Censor’s mansion truly brings glory to my humble home!”

Feng Ming’s mouth twitched hearing this, and after exchanging pleasantries at the door and entering, he couldn’t help asking Feng Yue quietly: “How did this person become Imperial Censor?”

The Imperial Censor was one of the Three Excellencies, after all, a position of great prestige. Surely not just anyone could become one?

Feng Yue kept her head down, forcing a smile as she whispered: “The current Emperor loves calligraphy and paintings. This person excels at calligraphy, especially the Yan style. He’s considered a master, so the Emperor enjoys his company. Naturally, official positions come easily.”

You can become one of the Three Excellencies just because you write well. Feng Ming frowned: “Then I’m done for, my handwriting is terrible.”

“That’s why even after returning victorious from battle, you can only guard the palace gates.” Feng Yue shook her head: “Appointing people based on personal favor is Emperor Wei’s specialty.”

“General Feng, this way please.” Zhao Xu turned back, smiling: “I hear the General is going to establish his own residence?”

“Indeed.” Feng Ming looked up: “I heard the Imperial Censor’s mansion has a unique design, so I came to take a look, to get ideas for my residence.”

“Hahaha.” These words pleased Zhao Xu greatly, and he immediately became proud: “Many things here were bestowed by His Majesty. Thanks to the Emperor’s great favor, he often comes here to appreciate art and practice calligraphy with me.”

“Oh?” Yin Gezhi frowned: “Often?”

Feng Ming caught his meaning and said teasingly: “How could it be often? The Emperor leaving the palace is very dangerous, and each time requires quite a procession. If it were frequent, wouldn’t the palace servants be exhausted?”

This tone had a childish “you’re lying, you’re deceiving, you’re boasting” quality to it, and only Feng Ming could deliver it so perfectly.

Hearing this, Zhao Xu became displeased. Leading them to the garden, he pointed at a pavilion and said: “His Majesty was here just last month, and said he would come again in a few days when the weather is cooler.”

Even Feng Ming didn’t know about this. Which meant the Emperor had gone out in disguise.

How bold indeed. This needed to be addressed – the Emperor leaving the palace frequently was not good at all.

Yin Gezhi turned back to look at Feng Yue.

That person wearing thick makeup and maid’s clothing looked as charming and alluring as she had at the Dream Return House. No one could recognize her. But she kept her head down – what was she thinking about?

His fingers tightened slightly before Yin Gezhi looked away, continuing to listen to Zhao Xu as if nothing had happened.

“That’s the back garden,” Zhao Xu said. “It hasn’t been maintained, no need to look there.”

“Oh?” Feng Ming raised an eyebrow: “Prince Xiao said the flowers in the Imperial Censor’s back garden were the most beautiful.”

Zhao Xu was startled and looked curiously at Yin Gezhi: “When has Your Highness visited the Imperial Censor’s mansion?”

Yin Gezhi looked at him and said coolly: “I heard about it before. They say the Imperial Censor’s back garden flowers are so beautiful, few places in Liidu can compare.”

Cold sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead as Zhao Xu lifted his sleeve, trembling as he said: “Just rumors, mere rumors.”

“Is that so.” His tone remained calm as Yin Gezhi said: “That’s a shame then. But since I heard General Feng is on leave today, I’d also like to chat more with Imperial Censor Zhao. Would it be possible to impose on your hospitality for one night?”

“It would be my honor!” Zhao Xu quickly turned and ordered: “Go prepare several guest rooms.”

“Yes.” The servant acknowledged and left. Feng Ming wanted to say something but saw Yin Gezhi’s expression and kept quiet.

Feng Yue kept her head down. She knew Yin Gezhi wasn’t someone who would stay at others’ homes without reason, but hadn’t he wanted to conserve energy? Why was he still taking action himself?

Seeing that Yin Gezhi wasn’t fixating on the back garden issue anymore, Zhao Xu’s face regained its fawning smile as he called for his concubines to come out and properly attend to the guests.