Guanzhi was dumbfounded. He couldn’t disobey his master’s orders, but watching this young miss stuff the hairpins into her bodice, he certainly couldn’t snatch them from her either.
Feng Yue’s movements were lightning-quick. After securing the pins, she stood up, gathered her skirts, and bolted for the door.
Yin Gezhi was descending the stairs with a dark expression when he suddenly sensed something rushing at his back. He swiftly turned and dodged.
“Young Master!” The call contained eighteen different twists in its tone, soft and clingy, making one’s body shiver.
Feng Yue swayed her hips and batted her eyes, completely disregarding the two proper young men nearby. She lifted her leg and pressed against Yin Gezhi’s body, cooing, “This servant knows her mistake~”
Standing straight, allowing her to cling to him, Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes at her. “You know your mistake?”
“This servant didn’t know the gold hairpins were from you.” Smiling ingratiatingly, Feng Yue pulled the pins from her bodice and quickly inserted them in her hair. “Had I known they were from you, how could I bear to remove them? Look, your taste is truly excellent—these pins suit this servant perfectly!”
He glanced at her head—the jade pin was gone, replaced by the two gold ones, which truly did complement her red gauze dress.
Though somewhat appeased inside, the great Prince Yin’s face remained as dark as ever. “Finished? Then get lost!”
“Uwuu~” Facing his murderous glare, Feng Yue stood firm and even boldly stroked his chest. “This servant can’t bear to leave Young Master! This servant wants to stay by Young Master’s side forever!”
She’d have to be crazy to offend Yin Gezhi! While there was still a chance to make amends, she had to win him back quickly!
His black pupils watched her quietly as he stood motionless on the stairs.
More and more courtesans came out to watch the spectacle, pointing and whispering about Feng Yue. She paid them no mind, instead batting her coquettish eyes even more frequently. “If Young Master doesn’t refuse, this servant will just have to stick to you, won’t she?”
“Scram.” Calmly spitting out the word, Yin Gezhi looked at her with eyes full of disdain. “If you don’t feel ashamed, I feel ashamed for you.”
Being a woman, shouldn’t she blush with embarrassment and leave after being spoken to like that? But Feng Yue didn’t. She remained completely unmoved as if she hadn’t heard his words at all. Her face continued to bloom like spring flowers as she pressed against him and swayed. “I forgot to finish—even if Young Master refuses, this servant will still stick to you.”
Yin Gezhi: “…”
He had met many shameless people, but compared to the woman before him, they were nothing! She was still a young lady—how could she have not even a shred of dignity?
“I’m going to the training ground.”
The training ground was no place for someone like her—she would disgrace the military spirit!
Feng Yue still didn’t move, smiling foolishly at him. “Then this servant will serve you tea and water!”
“Not needed!” Finally losing his patience, Yin Gezhi reached out and peeled her off like an octopus, tossing her aside.
With a “thud,” she fell to the ground as laughter erupted around them. Feng Yue rubbed her bottom pitifully, her fox-like eyes blinking, looking miserable.
Yin Gezhi turned and left without sparing her a glance. Feng Yue gritted her teeth and immediately got up to follow. “Young Master!”
Moving quickly, Yin Gezhi mounted his horse as soon as he left and galloped quite a distance before looking back.
That woman hadn’t followed.
Breathing a slight sigh of relief and finding it somewhat amusing, he shook his head. When his two disciples and Guanzhi caught up on horseback, they proceeded together to the training ground.
Though a hostage, likely due to his talent, both the Emperor and Crown Prince of Wu valued him highly. Naturally, others treated him as half a prince of Wu. Combined with his martial prowess and military expertise, places like the training ground always welcomed him warmly. Some dim-witted military officers, after being led on by his questions, would tell him everything, even military secrets.
For instance, right now, while his two disciples were practicing the new footwork he’d taught them, General Song sighed beside him: “With General Yi’s mansion being robbed and his study burglarized, I fear the upcoming battles will be difficult for Wu!”
“It’s not that serious,” Yin Gezhi said calmly. “General Yi has always been cautious. Even if battle tactics or imperial edicts were stolen, he would make adjustments. Nothing too chaotic will occur.”
“That’s true in theory.” Seeing his confident manner and knowing how much General Yi valued him, Song Shangwen assumed he must know inside information, so he lowered his voice. “But the northern campaign is about to begin. By the time the news reaches General Yi’s ears, it might be too late.”
Yin Gezhi shook his head. “The messengers to General Yi have always been swift.”
“You don’t know yet?” Song Shangwen frowned. “That was true before, but this year the roads by Ganhu are all flooded, so messengers can only take the long route. Plus, with Young Miss Yi being somewhat unwise, by the time the news is organized and sent out, it might not be until tomorrow.”
His eyes flickered slightly as Yin Gezhi sighed, then said, “That little Guanzhi has disappeared again. I’ll go look for him. Please stay seated, General.”
“Alright.” The straightforward General Song had no idea what he had revealed—indeed, he hadn’t revealed much if these words had been spoken to anyone else.
But unfortunately, the listener was Yin Gezhi.
Pulling Guanzhi into a room beside the training ground, Yin Gezhi took out a sheepskin map from his sleeve. His long finger traced across it: “For speed, messengers usually travel alone. Without going through Ganhu, the nearest route is from Wanma Slope to Xuanxue Ridge. Tomorrow I’ll visit the General’s mansion. Before Zhangzhu sends the message, have someone wait at Wanma Slope.”
“Yes.” Guanzhi bowed his head in acknowledgment and turned to leave.
Clenching his fist, Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze.
General Yi’s undefeated record was largely due to his intelligence network—swift messaging and covert operations made it nearly impossible for outsiders to intercept his communications.
However, he was now considered an insider in Wu.
In his year in Wu, he had never made any moves, only displaying his martial prowess while appearing quiet and dull. Though tested hundreds of times, he had finally waited for an opportunity.
Just as Wei had once relied on him and General Guan, Wu’s military success largely depended on General Yi. Guan Canghai was dead, he was captured—if Yi Guo continued to succeed and achieve glory, wouldn’t that defy the natural cycle of things?
Looking up at the outside, Yin Gezhi came back to his senses, opened the door, and went out. He looked at An Shichong and Xu Huaizu: “Continue practicing. I’ll return at dusk. If you can touch me within twenty moves, I’ll give you the Buhui Sword and Changhhen Blade.”
The Buhui Sword and Changhhen Blade! Famous weapons listed in the registry of arms, sought after by countless martial artists—to think they were both with their master! The two young men grew excited, bowing in unison before practicing with even greater diligence.
Yin Gezhi waved his hand casually, planning to find a place to rest.
However, just as one foot stepped outside the training ground’s gate, a flash of red suddenly pounced over, hugging his extended leg. Looking up with a pout:
“Young Master made this servant wait so painfully long!”
His throat caught as he looked around—this area was deserted for a mile around, yet she had still followed.
Seeing the yellow dust on her clothes and the dirt on her nose tip, Yin Gezhi pressed his lips together. “You truly have some skill.”
Giggling, Feng Yue said ingratiatingly: “They say, ‘Where there’s true sincerity, even metal and stone will split open.’ With this servant’s sincere apology, Young Master surely won’t be angry with this servant anymore!”
Indeed, he wasn’t angry anymore, but he still looked down on her. How could she keep kneeling and sprawling on the ground? And now shamelessly hugging someone’s leg—was she a proper lady?
Snorting lightly, Yin Gezhi shook her off and said coldly: “I want tea.”
“Already prepared!” Producing a bamboo container from behind her back, she held it up with both hands: “Cold tea, to clear heat and quench thirst! This servant brewed it herself!”
Taking it and opening the lid to smell it, Yin Gezhi took a reluctant sip and said: “Passable.”
People who act so arrogant after getting what they want will surely go to hell! Feng Yue smiled charmingly through gritted teeth. Seeing him about to leave again, she quickly got up to follow.
“Young Master, are you returning to the city? Won’t you ride?”
Glancing at her dust-covered embroidered shoes, Yin Gezhi showed no tender consideration as he said: “Tired of riding, want to walk a bit.”
If he said walk, then walk it was. Feng Yue accepted her fate, following him onto the dirt path. When he walked, she followed with small quick steps.
An incense stick’s time later, they were among the field ridges. Feng Yue rubbed her legs and said softly: “Young Master, won’t you consider taking a cart? There’s an ox cart over there.”
Yin Gezhi’s back was perfectly straight, his tall frame blocking some sunlight for her, but his feet moved like the wind, showing no sign of stopping. “No.”
Fine, it’s just walking, right? She’d walked plenty during military campaigns. She could treat this as exercise.
However, her current body couldn’t compare to before. Half an hour later, Feng Yue collapsed on a large rock, wailing with a pale face: “I’m dying, I’m dying! This servant can’t walk anymore. When Young Master returns, could you send someone to pick this servant up?”
“Dream on.” Yin Gezhi didn’t even turn his head, though his eyes held some wicked pleasure. “If you don’t walk, I won’t care what happens to you.”
Heaven help me! Feng Yue cried to the sky: “Save me—”
Stopping his steps and looking back at her, Yin Gezhi crossed his arms and said: “Save your strength for crying tonight. When it gets dark, there are plenty of wild beasts around here.”
Her whole body shuddered. Feng Yue resignedly stood up and obediently continued following behind him.
What was wrong with these nobles? Why wouldn’t they ride perfectly good horses, preferring to walk instead? She walked until her vision blurred, her back bent, her powerless hands swaying limply—from a distance, she probably looked like a dog being led behind Yin Gezhi.
When she truly couldn’t walk anymore, Feng Yue reached out and grabbed his waist sash, pressing her head against him and whimpering: “This servant… can’t take it anymore… Young Master… have mercy!”
What kind of nonsense was she crying? Yin Gezhi sneered and turned to look at her. “Make a choice.”
“What?”
“Give me the jade hairpin you received today, and I’ll carry you back. Or, you can continue following on foot.”