Was Yin Gezhi the type of person who would attend something precisely because he wasn’t invited?
He was.
In the first-floor corridor, Prince Yin, dressed all in black, leaned gracefully against the wall listening as Mama Jin spoke with deep distress:
“There’s been an incident in our house that requires us to suspend business for reorganization. Feng Yue has returned, and we are innocent, but due to reputation concerns, we all need to grit our teeth and get through this period together.”
Hearing this, Duanxian rolled her eyes at Feng Yue: “Well, this is just great—one person causes trouble, and everyone suffers for it. We depend on this for our livelihood, and our money-making days are already limited. Now we have to waste time for nothing.”
“Exactly! A client in Feng Yue’s room had an incident—what does that have to do with the rest of us? If someone shouldn’t receive clients, just let her stop alone. What’s the point of all of us reorganizing?” Weiyun said angrily. “Does Mama expect people to forget about this after a while? Please—the victim wasn’t some nobody. From now on, whenever people mention this, they’ll remember that Menghui Tower had a poisoning case. With Feng Yue still here, who would dare visit?”
“Miss Weiyun makes sense.” Once this was said, everyone chimed in: “If we’re talking about getting through this, the only way is for Feng Yue to leave Menghui Tower.”
Yin Gezhi paused slightly, glancing outside.
Sitting in the center of the main hall, Feng Yue maintained her usual smile. It seemed as though nothing anyone said could affect her cheerful mood.
Seeing her attitude, those around her spoke even more harshly: “Shameless! Are you proud of harming everyone?”
“Still hoping your patron will save you? Someone was poisoned in your room—you expect them to want you again?” Duanxian sneered, “I don’t know how you can be so at ease!”
“Because I have no shame, of course.” Feng Yue looked at her matter-of-factly.
Everyone: “…”
The person in the shadows pressed his lips together and rubbed his temples.
He had thought she was being bullied, but who would have expected her to come out with such a response? Looking at the genuine anger on the faces of the group of girls, Yin Gezhi realized they probably didn’t know who Feng Yue was or what role she played in Menghui Tower. The only one who knew might be Mama Jin.
“Stop arguing!” Mama Jin spoke up, stepping in front of Feng Yue and glaring at the group of girls. “Anyone who doesn’t want to stay can come to me for redemption. But as long as you’re at Menghui Tower, you’ll listen to me! Talk less, do more, understand?”
The group of girls was somewhat unwilling, but no one dared to contradict Mama Jin’s words. They could only grudgingly agree.
“Mama,” He Chou, who had been silent until now, spoke up and handed her a stack of silver notes. “This is the deposit. Master Zhao said he’ll come to redeem me shortly.”
The main hall went quiet for a moment. Except for Feng Yue, everyone else’s eyes nearly popped out of their heads.
Someone was being redeemed?!
Feng Yue calmly looked at He Chou. This girl was steady and handled matters more reliably than anyone else. Even if she was redeemed, she would surely return.
“Congratulations.”
When they heard Feng Yue speak these words, everyone else finally snapped back to attention, chattering about the situation—some envious, some jealous. For a moment, no one paid attention to Feng Yue.
She quietly retreated to Yin Gezhi’s side, and her face changed as if she had switched masks. She whimpered pitifully to him: “This servant was scolded so harshly, all because of you!”
His mouth twitched as he grabbed her and went upstairs. After closing the door, he said: “He Chou happens to be redeemed by Zhao Xi.”
“Mm.” Resting her hand on his chest, Feng Yue yawned. “Zhao Xi often visits our place. He Chou is quiet and uncontentious, with superior looks. It’s natural for him to fancy her.”
“What do you plan to do?” He looked down at her.
Feeling somewhat drowsy, Feng Yue naturally rested her little head on his chest, murmuring: “No special plans, just completing the task you assigned. About Zhu Laicai’s poisoning, this servant thinks you can pin him down, but I’m worried about the Minister of Justice trying to save him. If he tries, just show him this.”
She handed him a yellow pear wood box and continued: “This matter is simple, but Zhao Lin is the City Guard Commander. His position is high and his power great, his mansion heavily guarded—it’s impossible to get any information. So let’s have He Chou try.”
Opening the box to look, it was an account book. As the Justice Minister’s accountant, Zhu Laicai had pocketed plenty of money during large fund transfers. If the Minister wanted to save him, this book would be enough to make him let go.
Zhu Laicai was greedy, so his greed could be used against him. Self-preservation was something they all knew how to do without being taught.
“Where did you get this?” Yin Gezhi frowned as he flipped through it casually.
“Made it,” Feng Yue said. “He often stays at Menghui Tower. This servant has made copies of all the seals and stamps he carries.”
It was fake? Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes and couldn’t help saying: “You little vixen.”
“Is Young Master praising this servant’s cleverness, or praising this servant’s alluring looks?” Looking up with a smile, Feng Yue hooked his belt and led him toward the bed. She took the account book from his hand and tossed it aside, then lay down on the bed and held Yin Gezhi securely.
“Even if it’s fake, it can be used. The mighty Minister of Justice has stood unshaken for so many years—his heart must naturally be ruthless. Getting such an account book, he’ll only check the seals for authenticity. He won’t confront Zhu Laicai who’s already entangled in legal troubles. He might even send him on his way early.”
That’s right, Yin Gezhi nodded, then glanced sideways at the person beside him: “If you want to sleep, then sleep. Why hold onto me?”
If she didn’t hold on, what if he abandoned her while she was sleeping and she woke up in prison? How would that work? Holding him gave her more sense of security!
With eyes closed, Feng Yue sighed as she spoke: “This servant has never seen anyone in the world with a more magnificent form than Young Master! Holding you gives this servant an especially secure feeling. Even if the sky falls, you’ll surely be beside this servant to hold it up! So, this servant can’t bear to let you go!”
Half his face darkened as Yin Gezhi rarely shuddered, his hair standing on end, his disgust obvious in his expression.
However, despite his disgust, he still allowed her to hold him, not moving away.
“Were all the girls in the house deceived by you?” he asked. “Otherwise why would they willingly help you gather information?”
Hearing this, Feng Yue half-opened her eyes.
Nine out of ten girls in the house knew what they were doing, from the silent He Chou to the sharp-tongued Duanxian. Every one of them helped her pass along information in the dead of night. They could have lived comfortable lives, like getting married and settling down to raise children properly, but not one of them left.
No one deceived them. They had all experienced the pain of losing everything—family and home—in a great war, experienced the despair of having loved ones and flesh and blood forcibly torn away.
People with obsession and hatred in their hearts couldn’t live peaceful lives—like her, like them.
The people in the house had come scattered over three years ago, initially just a few girls, then more and more. Mama Jin controlled the intake, only accepting refugees from the war, and refusing all others. Girls who entered would know their task after a month and would know there was a leader.
But they didn’t know it was her.
“Just assume they were deceived by this servant,” Feng Yue answered him.
Yin Gezhi turned to his side displeased, lying facing her, reaching out to pinch her cheek: “Then why don’t they recognize you? Why do you need to pretend even in front of your people? What’s your purpose?”
“Purpose?” Feng Yue grinned: “These girls are all quite desperate, not even caring about their chastity anymore, living only for revenge. I’m the one leading them to revenge. If I showed that easily bullied courtesan appearance in front of them, Young Master, don’t you think they’d be even more desperate?”
His heart inexplicably twinged, and Yin Gezhi almost blurted out: What about you?
Aren’t you desperate?
But he didn’t ask. The person before him yawned like a little cat, smacking her lips, and fell asleep against his chest.
For some reason, this woman always liked to stick close to him, either against his back curled up in his arms, or firmly hooking his hand with her finger.
Worse still, when she did this, he felt very at ease. Having someone against his back gave him an inexplicable sense of safety. Having someone nestled in his arms gave him an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
She had so many, many secrets. Who knew if those bundled things contained knives or what else—holding her like this, wouldn’t he get stabbed?
However, though he thought this, he still held her, closing his eyes and peacefully taking a nap.
When Ye Yuqin stood at the door, he saw two people like conjoined twins, clothes properly worn but sleeping in an embrace.
Drawing in a sharp breath, he was somewhat confused and was about to move closer to look when the person lying facing him quietly opened his eyes.
When their pitch-black eyes met, Ye Yuqin stopped in his tracks, his heart jumping. After a moment of stiffness, he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting.
Glancing at the still-sleeping person beside him, Yin Gezhi got up, silently stepping over her and leaving the bed.
At the teahouse next to Menghui Tower.
Ye Yuqin reached out to pour tea for the person opposite him, smiling: “I thought it would take several days to recover, unexpectedly Your Highness recovered very quickly.”
Not just quickly, it was abnormal, and he even went to Feng Yue’s room while he wasn’t around!
“Thank you for Your Highness’s concern.” Taking the tea without looking and drinking it, Yin Gezhi said: “Does Your Highness have business?”
What business would I have? Feng Yue is currently kept by him, it’s normal for him to come to check!
Suppressing his displeasure, the Crown Prince waved his fan gracefully and said: “Seeing that Your Highness seems to like Feng Yue very much, you truly agree with Yuqin, even falling for the same girl.”
Looking at him, Yin Gezhi wanted to say your taste isn’t great but then realized he would be insulting himself too, so he remained silent.
The second floor of the teahouse was empty. Ye Yuqin felt there was no point in beating around the bush with this person anymore, so he got straight to the point: “Yuqin has encountered some troubles recently, would Your Highness be willing to help?”