While she was still bewildered and before she could speak, someone beside her said, “The Late Emperor decreed a mausoleum be built for Master Guan. This will be the General’s tomb. I haven’t had anyone touch the tombstone, waiting for your arrival before engraving it.”
Feng Yue paused briefly, looking down at her hands. Her strength wasn’t what it used to be – what inscription should be carved, and how should it be done?
Confusion filled her eyes as she instinctively looked up at the person before her.
Her gaze, clear and innocent like a young deer’s, carried traces of vulnerability and pity that struck Yin Gezhi’s heart. Ripples disturbed his usually calm lake-like eyes, and he turned away rather awkwardly.
“Follow me.”
He took her hand. Focus returned to Feng Yue’s eyes, and she naturally placed her other hand on his as well. Then, she shamelessly leaned her entire weight against him, walking behind him with a bent posture.
The person ahead turned back to give her a rather disdainful look before heading toward the half-constructed mausoleum. As his eyes moved, a soul-stirring smile quietly emerged.
A stonemason working nearby happened to look up, and upon seeing this face, became transfixed. The hammer in his hand slipped, hitting the ground with a loud clang. This startled his companion, who scolded: “Be careful!”
Hurriedly retrieving his stone hammer, he looked up again, only to see Master Yin’s face now perfectly composed, that moment of breathtaking beauty seemingly just his imagination.
“Do you have paper and brush?” After finding the supervisor and presenting his credentials, Yin Gezhi asked courteously.
The supervisor tremblingly handed him the paper and brush used by stonemasons for engraving, terrified.
Why would Prince Xiaojin personally come to inspect the General’s tomb?
With a slight nod, Yin Gezhi led Feng Yue to sit by the piled square stones, spread out the paper, and said softly, “You write, I’ll engrave.”
Her mouth twitched as Feng Yue glanced at him sideways: “Does Your Highness take me for a fool? How can an outsider engrave this tombstone?”
“Outsider?” His eyebrow quirked as Yin Gezhi replied, “It seems the betrothal gifts were insufficient if you don’t consider me an insider.”
At the mention of those terrifyingly abundant betrothal gifts, Feng Yue’s face paled as she hurriedly shook her head: “No, no, they’re more than enough. Please proceed with the engraving, Your Highness’s craftsmanship must surpass even the master stonemasons.”
“You flatter me.”
Though his words were modest, his expression bore the pride of one who knew “I am indeed the best” as Yin Gezhi turned to select an engraving tool.
Feng Yue gave him a complex look and shook her head in disapproval before composing herself. She focused seriously on the translucent paper and began to write.
The inscription needed to include the deceased’s name, native place, family background, and life experiences. Feng Yue smiled and straightened her back. Her father was the Loyal and Brave General Guan Canghai, a native of Lidu, born into a prestigious military family!
As for his experiences…
She pressed her lips together, glancing at the magnificent mausoleum under construction around them. After a long silence, she finally let out a soft sigh.
Guan Canghai was born to be a general, loyal to his ruler and country, with countless military achievements over ten years on the battlefield. Though he died unjustly in prison, those who harmed him met bad ends. After four years, the wrongful case was cleared, and the loyal bones of the Guan family could finally rest in peace. Future generations would speak of him with sighs and utmost respect!
This ending was better than she had imagined. What she couldn’t accomplish herself, someone else had done for her.
The ink spread slightly on the paper as Feng Yue broke into a smile, writing stroke by stroke about her father’s great achievements, his wrongful conviction, and the injustice he faced. One sheet of paper wasn’t enough, so she added another.
Yin Gezhi returned with the engraving tool, glanced at her expression, but didn’t approach. Instead, he turned to whisper something to the supervisor.
Thus, by the time the ink dried, three tombstones were placed before Feng Yue, adorned with dragon heads and tortoise bases. The middle stone was the tallest, while the two flanking stones were slightly shorter, apparently meant to form a screen-like arrangement.
She blinked and asked, “How did you know one stone wouldn’t be enough?”
Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi replied flatly, “Because you always have much to say.”
Feng Yue: “…”
She had hoped to hear something like “General Guan’s life cannot be contained in a single stone” or “Your literary talent cannot be confined to such a small space” – something that would move her, especially since he had personally come here, showing such sincerity.
However, this man’s words were still so unpleasant!
Blowing her bangs in frustration, Feng Yue turned away to wait and watch him engrave the stones.
Today, Yin Gezhi wore white autumn brocade, slightly thick with subtle dragon patterns, cinched with a jade-inlaid belt – truly a gentleman of gold and jade. Even as he bent over the tombstone, his black hair sliding along his robes, his features remained stunningly beautiful.
Lost in thought as she rested her chin in her hand, Feng Yue wondered why he seemed increasingly handsome lately. She had always known he was striking, but his previously overwhelming presence had been like a steel blade, carrying a murderous aura that made people afraid to look directly at him. Now that aura seemed to have vanished, his whole being softened like some family’s pure and gentle youth, unstained by any impurity.
Yin Gezhi looked up, catching her gaze by chance. He slightly lifted his eyelids, a flash of light appearing and disappearing instantly. Then he lowered his head, focusing even more intently on engraving the inscription.
One person falling for another doesn’t necessarily depend on looks, but when a face reaches a certain level of beauty, it can indeed be used to entice. Three years ago, he and Feng Yue had barely interacted. If asked why she had climbed into his bed, it must have had something to do with this face.
Since she liked it, he would let her look more.
How times change – Yin Chenbi, who once viewed women as playthings, was now going to great lengths to seduce a woman.
The high-hanging sun gradually moved westward. The inscription was finished but not yet polished. Wind had picked up on the mountain, and Yin Gezhi frowned, saying, “Let’s head back.”
Looking around somewhat reluctantly, Feng Yue asked, “How long until this is completed?”
As he helped her fasten her cloak, Yin Gezhi said calmly, “When you come back after your child is born, it will be finished.”
Inexplicably blushing, Feng Yue gritted her teeth: “You needn’t do this, my hands aren’t broken.”
“Your hands are occupied.”
“How are they occupied?” Defiantly waving her left hand in front of him, Feng Yue glared.
Yin Gezhi looked down at her. Suddenly smiling, he took her hand and tucked it into his wide sleeve, then turned to walk forward.
“Now, they’re occupied.”
Feng Yue: “…”
What experience from seducing how many proper ladies had produced this skill? Looking at the path ahead, Feng Yue thought, no wonder so many young ladies lined up to sleep with him. With such sweet talk, even she couldn’t resist.
Shuddering, she pursed her lips. Following his pace to the carriage, which was lined with thick, soft blankets, he sat down and directly pulled her into his lap.
The wind outside was somewhat cold but couldn’t penetrate the heavy carriage curtains. Feng Yue narrowed her eyes, suddenly feeling very secure.
She couldn’t explain why she felt secure, just that in this place, the wind couldn’t reach her, the rain couldn’t touch her. Someone would protect her from behind, sparing her from wandering homeless, giving her a branch to perch upon.
However, these feelings were something she would never tell Yin Gezhi!
Everything from Prince Xiaojin’s mansion had been moved into the palace. The group in the courtyard was discussing where they would go next.
Madam Qiu said, “I don’t want to sell lanterns anymore. How about opening an inn? The inn that Your Highness asked me to help oversee is quite good. If I open one following that model, business should be good.”
Yin Yanzhong nodded: “An inn works, I’ll be the chef.”
“I’ll wait tables!” Luo Hao raised his hand.
“Then what should I do?” Shi Chong looked worried: “Continue blacksmithing?”
Everyone burst into laughter. As they were thinking up ways to tease him, they suddenly heard Yin Gezhi’s voice: “Master Shi’s talent is extraordinary, he’s better suited for battlefield combat.”
At these words, everyone in the courtyard was startled, searching everywhere for Yin Gezhi. They even lifted their low stools to look.
Feng Yue shook her head in dismay: “With skills like yours, you want to run an inn? Too unreliable!”
Madam Qiu started, turned toward the door, and saw Yin Gezhi and their young mistress standing there gracefully, both wearing traveling cloaks.
“Hey, what technique is this?” Shi Chong was very curious: “I heard His Highness’s voice coming from the ground!”
“I heard it from the water vat!”
“Enough!” Feng Yue wiped her face: “You all lost your bearings over simple ventriloquism, aren’t you ashamed? And you’re all supposed to be decorated veterans!”
Yin Gezhi stood to the side, saying graciously: “It was merely my sudden whim to play a trick, please pay it no mind.”