Upon hearing his voice, Shi Youxin hastily rolled out of bed, straightened his clothes, and bowed: “Your Highness!”
“Since you are still ill, there’s no need to stand on ceremony.” Yin Gezhi gently supported him, his expression gentle as he took a brocade box from Guanzhi and presented it to him. “I wasn’t sure what gift would be appropriate, so I obtained this consecrated peach wood sword for you. I hope you recover soon.”
Shi Youxin was momentarily stunned, unconsciously glancing at Yin Gezhi before stammering: “Your… Your Highness, I fell ill from nightmares, not from seeing ghosts…”
“Ah, is that so?” Yin Gezhi lightly tapped his forehead, his face full of remorse. “Then I was mistaken. Rumors truly can’t be trusted. You fell ill from nightmares, yet people outside are saying you were frightened into illness by Guan Canghai’s vengeful spirit at the mass grave site on Zhaoying Mountain. It seems that was baseless talk.”
Zhaoying Mountain’s mass grave? Shi Youxin was stunned. He didn’t know where he had spent that terrifying night. The four sedan chair bearers had vanished without a trace, and when he asked the city guard near the gates, they all claimed they hadn’t seen his sedan chair leave the city.
If they hadn’t seen it, how had his sedan chair gotten out? Had it flown?
His inner fear grew stronger. Shi Youxin asked with a bitter expression: “Your Highness, what other rumors are circulating?”
“Nothing of consequence,” Yin Gezhi said. “Recently, the Guan family’s wrongful case has been reopened, stirring up public sentiment. As the main presiding judge at the time, you naturally face criticism. However, I believe in you – you’re not someone who would frame an innocent official. So those rumors about vengeful spirits seeking revenge must be false.”
Lowering his eyes, Shi Youxin said in a muffled voice: “Indeed, I have always handled cases fairly. How could I possibly frame an innocent official?”
“Then this peach wood sword won’t be necessary.” Yin Gezhi smiled, handing the box to Guanzhi. “Take it out and break it.”
“Yes.” Just as Guanzhi was about to take it, Shi Youxin called out: “Your Highness! This is Your Highness’s kind gesture – how could I not accept it? Please leave it here.”
Breaking peach wood easily attracts ghosts!
“If you have a clear conscience, keeping this item would only harm the feng shui,” Yin Gezhi said. “Breaking it at the doorway can ward off evil spirits.”
With a wave of his hand, Guanzhi took the box and stood at the doorway, removed the peach wood sword, gripped both ends and forcefully broke it against his raised knee!
“Crack!” The sword broke in two with a crisp sound, startling Shi Youxin white.
“Your… Your Highness.”
“I’m here,” Yin Gezhi looked at him kindly. “If there’s anything you wish to do, I can do it for you.”
Looking at him with a complex expression, suddenly remembering what Minister Shi had said earlier, Shi Youxin closed his mouth and shook his head: “It’s getting late. If Your Highness has no other business, perhaps you should return. I’d like to get some rest.”
“Very well.” Yin Gezhi nodded, rising gracefully. He left with Guanzhi.
“My Lord!” The servant who had been standing silently in the room went to support Shi Youxin, whispering: “This Prince Xiaojin wants to investigate the Guan family case and is targeting you! The Minister is right – you must hold firm. How many ghosts could there be in this world? It’s all because you’re too fearful.”
Trembling, Shi Youxin gritted his teeth: “Easy for you to say – you weren’t the one Guan Canghai stared at before his death! I know the Prince wants to investigate, and I’m not foolish enough to show any weaknesses, but I’m scared…”
“My Lord, stay calm. We’ve strengthened security in the courtyard – forget ghosts, not even a fly could get in! Please rest assured!”
Indeed, security had been strengthened – Yin Gezhi noticed this as he left. The Justice Ministry’s layout was complex, with people stationed everywhere. If Fengyue wanted to continue frightening him, it would be quite difficult. After all, no one could move freely and invisibly among so many guards.
Except for him.
Seeing his master’s expression, Guanzhi sighed and said softly: “Didn’t you say you wouldn’t help Miss Fengyue anymore?”
Pausing slightly, Yin Gezhi frowned: “Did I help her?”
Guanzhi nodded with a serious expression. Yes, you helped, and not just helped – you helped wholeheartedly. Completely different from what you said!
Looking silently at the surrounding guards, Yin Gezhi said flatly: “I’m only doing what I want to do. It has nothing to do with her.”
Someone who doesn’t take him seriously – why should he go out of his way to treasure them? Hmph, he certainly wouldn’t!
“So if Miss Fengyue were in danger, you wouldn’t help?” Guanzhi raised an eyebrow.
“No,” Yin Gezhi said. “She has Feng Ming by her side. What danger could there be?”
Speaking of Feng Ming, Guanzhi scratched his head and said quietly: “General Feng hasn’t been able to leave the palace lately.”
Hmm? Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow: “What is he doing in the palace?”
“The Emperor commanded General Feng to accompany the Princess to view flowers,” Guanzhi said with an odd expression. “It seems there might be an intention to arrange a marriage.”
What? Yin Gezhi’s face darkened, and he headed straight for the palace without another word.
Feng Ming had already rejected Nanping once – what was Father thinking, wanting to arrange marriage again? Feng Ming was stubborn by nature, never letting go once he set his mind on someone. Since he and Guan Qingyue were already… he absolutely couldn’t interfere with Nanping!
Entering the palace without paying respects to the Emperor, Yin Gezhi went directly to Nanping’s Zhaowu Palace. Just as he stepped through the palace gates, he saw Feng Ming and Nanping sitting opposite each other, playing chess.
Seeing this rather pleasant atmosphere, Yin Gezhi suddenly felt very angry, though he couldn’t say why. He stepped forward and pulled Feng Ming up, staring at him with cold eyes.
Having been contemplating his next move in the five-in-a-row game, Feng Ming was suddenly grabbed and looked at him bewilderedly: “Your Highness? Do you want to fight again?”
“Royal Brother!” Nanping stood up, full of surprise: “What are you doing?”
“Borrowing someone.” His grip tightened as Yin Gezhi pulled him outside.
Feng Ming stumbled a few steps, growing angry. As soon as they were outside Zhaowu Palace’s gates, he shook off Yin Gezhi’s grip and said displeased: “Your Highness always says I’m ill-mannered, but what do you call this?”
Taking a deep breath, Yin Gezhi said: “Don’t you love Fengyue? Why are you now with Nanping?”
This mention only made Feng Ming more furious. He stepped closer to look him in the eye and said through gritted teeth: “You think I want this? The Emperor gave the order – how could I defy it?”
Narrowing his eyes, Yin Gezhi crossed his arms and sneered: “Then what if the Emperor orders you to marry Nanping?”
“…” Shaking his head in frustration, Feng Ming angrily kicked the palace wall: “What can I do? I defied the order once, and my family nearly suffered for it. If I defy a second time, would there be any path of survival for my entire family?!”
So, he had to marry Nanping.
An inexplicable fire rose in his chest as Yin Gezhi asked coldly: “Then what about Fengyue?”
Fengyue? Feng Ming turned around and glared at him: “You’re asking me?”
“Who else would I ask?” His fists clenched tight as blood slowly rimmed Yin Gezhi’s eyes, murderous intent radiating: “Didn’t you two privately pledge yourselves to each other?”
What? Feng Ming looked completely bewildered: “We have a marriage agreement, true, but when did we ever privately pledge anything?”
His fist had almost reached Feng Ming’s face when those words stopped him cold. Yin Gezhi was stunned, his mind slowly processing the memory of Fengyue protecting Feng Ming that day.
She said it wasn’t him.
Truly not him?!
Then who was it?!
After studying the man before him for a while, Feng Ming knocked away his hand with a sneer: “Your Highness seems to have never paid attention to her before. With her personality, if I got within three steps of her, she’d beat me black and blue, let alone make private pledges. However…”
His throat tightened as Feng Ming lowered his eyes, saying hoarsely: “You and she… did something happen?”
He wasn’t stupid – from their argument last time, he could sense something, though he’d never wanted to ask.
The great Prince Yin’s clever mind took a while to process this matter, his expression quite confused. But hearing this question, he nodded without hesitation: “She is mine.”
Being able to crush Feng Ming with these four words would make for a fine victory.
However, though pain showed in the other man’s eyes, he lacked the same madness as Yin Gezhi. After thinking for a moment, he instead smiled: “She’s your woman, yet she says she doesn’t like you anymore – seems Your Highness’s bedroom skills aren’t very impressive.”
“…”
The afternoon at Zhaowu Palace was peaceful and serene, fragrant with flowers, when a breeze brought… a tremendous crash from outside!
Curious about what her Royal Brother wanted with Feng Ming, Nanping was startled by this “boom” and ran out holding her pink palace robes: “Royal Brother?”
A hole had been smashed in the palace wall, dust flying everywhere. Nanping coughed twice, looked up, and nearly dropped her jaw.
Feng Ming in his dark robe embroidered with silver qilin was trading blows with Yin Gezhi, whose chest bore the three-clawed golden dragon! The wind howled around them, sand and stones flying. Her usually calm Royal Brother, triggered by who knows what moved with such ferocity – fortunately, his opponent was Feng Ming; anyone else would have died many times over!
“Royal Brother! General Feng! Can’t you talk this through?”
When it comes to a matter of male dignity, how could they just talk it through? Impossible!
Yin Gezhi sneered: “We’ll talk after I break his legs!”
Feng Ming dodged while counterattacking, recklessly continuing to mock: “Someone’s feeling embarrassed and angry!”
A heavy punch landed on his abdomen. Feng Ming stopped smiling, spat out some blood, and began fighting in earnest.
“What should we do?” Nanping panicked and quickly asked Guanzhi nearby: “Who can stop them?”
Guanzhi wiped his face: “The person who could isn’t in the palace.”
“Who? Tell me, and I’ll send someone to fetch them!”
“They shouldn’t enter the palace either…”
“Aiya, someone could die here, and you’re still being so wishy-washy?!” Nanping grew angry, stomping hard on Guanzhi’s foot while putting her hands on her hips: “Go fetch them yourself!”
Feeling like his toes might break, Guanzhi couldn’t help but smile wryly. Seeing the situation was indeed bad, he turned and hopped away.
This fight was truly fierce – Feng Ming’s face was injured, and Yin Gezhi was wounded too, yet neither stopped. Even when the imperial guards arrived, no one dared step forward to intervene. They could only form a circle to watch the spectacle.