Every time Ye Yuqing came to see him, it was because he had run into trouble. But Yin Gezhi had always maintained his distance and rejected him outright, refusing to align himself with Ye’s faction. Ye Yuqing had grown accustomed to this rejection—after all, Yin Gezhi harbored feelings for Yi Zhangzhu, and General Yi’s political stance was hardly aligned with his own.
But today, the man before him held his teacup with an expression of hesitation in his eyes!
He was hesitating!
As if witnessing gold falling from the sky, Ye Yuqing’s entire being lit up with joy. Setting aside his fan, he continued with utmost sincerity, “It’s not a major trouble. It’s just that there are some military matters that I’m not skilled at handling. I can only seek Your Highness’s assistance, hoping you might lend a hand.”
The hesitation in Yin Gezhi’s eyes grew deeper as if he was wrestling with some internal struggle. After a long moment, he sighed and asked, “What is it?”
Has the sun risen from the west? Swallowing hard, Ye Yuqing couldn’t help but glance out the window before turning back with a smile. “His Majesty has instructed me to investigate the City Guard. With the recent increase in refugees and frequent incidents in Yin City, there appears to be negligence within the Guard. However… I’ve always been a civil official. My words carry little weight in military circles, so…”
So why don’t you handle this troublesome task?
Yin Gezhi remained silent, quietly sipping his tea. His expression showed both difficulty and slight impatience.
“Of course, I understand this matter doesn’t concern Your Highness, and there’s no reason to involve you.” Seeing signs of rejection, Ye Yuqing hurriedly added, “But I believe everyone respects Your Highness’s expertise in military strategy and martial arts. If Your Highness would assist, I’ll bear all consequences. You won’t be troubled in the least.”
In other words: Go ahead, I’ll take responsibility if anything goes wrong!
Yin Gezhi lowered his gaze, his index finger gently stroking the small teacup in his hand. Finally, he spoke: “I haven’t been feeling well these past few days.”
Meaning he didn’t want to exert himself.
Ye Yuqing smiled through gritted teeth.
Not feeling well? If you’re not feeling well, why do you keep running to the Menghui Tower? Weren’t you nearly poisoned to death in Fengyue’s chamber? You’ve barely recovered, yet here you are again! Are you asking to be thoroughly poisoned this time?
People always expect something in return, Ye Yuqing understood this. What Yin Gezhi wanted was simple—having said this much, there was no reason not to agree.
“I will thoroughly investigate the poisoning attempt against Your Highness, and the culprit will not be spared,” Ye Yuqing declared righteously. “A life for a life—anyone who dares to move against you, successful or not, must pay with their life. Your Highness need only take this to investigate the City Guard, and I will ensure you receive a satisfactory resolution!”
The Eastern Palace’s seal, a red agate stamp, lay quietly in Ye Yuqing’s palm.
Yin Gezhi seemed not to notice, or perhaps didn’t consider what accepting this object meant, as he casually took it and nodded, “Very well.”
Eyes brightening, Ye Yuqing rose and cupped his hands: “Then I thank Your Highness.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Descending the stairs with high spirits, Ye Yuqing felt even Yin City’s weather seemed especially fine today! He had lost sleep over his desire to recruit Yin Gezhi! Such an unparalleled sword—once allied with him, he could help create an opening in military power, breaking Yi Guoru’s monopoly and adding stability to the Ye imperial clan’s future reign!
In the year since entering Wu, Yin Gezhi had lived in seclusion, avoiding social contact, but all martial artists in Wu knew of his prowess, and many revered him. His awkward status, unable to hold power or office, was actually what Ye valued most, something he had always wanted to utilize… no, to value appropriately.
Thanks to the fools who attempted to poison Yin Gezhi—this poisoning incident finally pushed the previously detached Yin Gezhi to act, willing to emerge from his seclusion.
Bowing to the heavens, Ye Yuqing was about to continue toward Menghui Tower, fan in hand, when the scene he’d witnessed earlier flashed through his mind, causing him to pause.
Oh my, what a coincidence—the lady he fancied, Yin also had his eye on. Now was the time to win people’s hearts, and since he was the superior, he naturally should yield.
Casting a regretful glance toward Menghui Tower, Ye Yuqing thought, no matter—perhaps that lady could become the most important link between him and Yin Gezhi.
The teahouse emptied, and Yin Gezhi’s superfluous expressions vanished as he let out a light snort. He took another sip from his teacup before rising.
Fengyue had awakened and was sitting in her room playing with something when Yin Gezhi entered.
“Where did you go, my lord?” she asked coquettishly. “I thought you weren’t coming today.”
“Just had some morning tea,” Yin Gezhi asked, “Is He Chou already moving her things?”
Several carriages were stopped at the rear courtyard entrance below.
“Yes,” Fengyue nodded. “Young Master Zhao is generous; He Chou shouldn’t want for anything.”
Won’t want for anything? Yin Gezhi sneered. Zhao Xifen was notorious for his profligacy, with countless concubines in his back courtyard. How could a brothel girl like He Chou not suffer there?
But thinking about what these girls did for a living, he decided not to concern himself further.
“Yesterday you asked this servant many things, now this servant has a question for you,” Fengyue said, clinging to his arm and looking up at him with batting eyes. “How did you notice something was amiss with me?”
Knowing where she went wrong would help her improve—being discovered by him left her a way out, but discovery by others would mean certain death.
Letting out a light snort, Yin Gezhi said, “The silver.”
Slightly stunned, remembering how Lingyu had cried to her about bandits stealing the silver, Fengyue ground her teeth: “So it was you!”
No honorific again? Giving her a sidelong glance, Yin Gezhi said, “Using silver to wrap messages—you’re quite clever.”
Cold sweat began seeping down her back again as Fengyue swallowed hard.
She wasn’t sure if his words were praising her or himself. This method was first invented by Crown Prince Yin to ensure battle reports wouldn’t be compromised during delivery—reports were hidden in knife handles and sword sheaths, so even if the messenger was killed, the enemy wouldn’t find them.
She had adapted the technique, hiding messages in silver pieces for Lingyu to buy Zheng’s mung bean cakes. Others truly wouldn’t have discovered it, but she happened to meet the originator himself.
It wasn’t that her plan was flawed—just bad luck.
“The paper was too light, making the silver’s weight incorrect. You didn’t tell your maid the truth, so every time you gave her silver wrapped around paper, she naturally assumed that was the proper weight for a tael. So when she received silver from me, she felt something was wrong,” Yin Gezhi said leisurely from his seat. “I merely tested if this was possible—after all, the madam could only pass messages through silver when meeting people in broad daylight under many eyes. I didn’t expect to guess correctly.”
Fengyue: “…”
Just looking at his composed expression made her angry. It was as if others’ careful schemes were just old tricks to him, easily solved with random guesses.
Fortunately, she had been prepared—from the moment she met him, she hadn’t harbored much hope of success. Once discovered, she revealed Menghui Tower’s cards and showed sincere loyalty by joining his side.
Even now, Fengyue, a citizen of Wei, still believed following the Crown Prince meant she wouldn’t lose.
She might as well follow him for now.
Turning with a smile, Fengyue reached to massage his shoulders: “My lord is truly brilliant, wise beyond compare. This servant willingly submits and is at your disposal.”
“Mm.” Responding carelessly, Crown Prince Yin pointed to his left shoulder: “Harder.”
Twitching at the corners of her mouth, Fengyue held her hands before him: “My lord, have you forgotten? This servant is still injured. Though I’m recovering well, it’s difficult to apply much force.”
Her still heavily wrapped hands showed only the fingers. Yin Gezhi looked at them and said tightly, “You’re quite capable, managing to do so much with unhealed hands.”
Fengyue giggled: “Well, this servant only knows strip dancing, not playing instruments or painting. Damaged hands don’t matter as long as they can still move.”
With such a carefree attitude, Yin Gezhi narrowed his eyes.
“Master.” As they were talking, Guanzhi entered and, glancing at Fengyue, whispered in Yin Gezhi’s ear: “Ganjiang has been brought.”
Though whispered, it wasn’t that quiet! She heard it! Fengyue bit her lip, her expression turning difficult as she didn’t dare turn around.
A powerfully built man entered and respectfully bowed his head, kneeling before Yin Gezhi: “Master.”
Without turning or dismissing Fengyue, Yin Gezhi spoke directly: “Have I treated you poorly?”
Ganjiang bit his lip and shook his head: “Master’s kindness to this servant is as vast as mountains.”
“Mm, so this is how you repay that kindness?”
Though he didn’t specify what happened, one look at Fengyue beside him had sweat pouring down Ganjiang’s forehead: “I… wouldn’t dare.”
Fengyue tried to remain calm, but seeing Ganjiang, she couldn’t help her hands trembling.
At this tremor, Yin Gezhi reached up to cover her hand on his shoulder, slowly turning to look at Ganjiang: “Then may I know your reason for betraying me?”
Lips pale, Ganjiang repeatedly knocked his head on the ground: “This servant had no intention to harm master. It’s just… Menghui Tower is known for handling matters quickly, and this servant thought it could resolve master’s troubles.”
“Oh?” Glancing sideways at Fengyue, Yin Gezhi’s gaze was gentle: “So Menghui Tower’s efficiency is already famous? How come I didn’t know?”
Her throat tightened, Fengyue bit her lip, her mind racing. She immediately let out a sigh.
It was a sigh of mixed emotions, causing Yin Gezhi to raise an eyebrow and eye her: “Speak if you have something to say.”
“This servant wanted to praise your man,” she said, turning to sit on his lap with a smile. “Menghui Tower has served many guests and kept many of their belongings, but this gentleman alone has visited without revealing his identity or leaving any tokens. If someone wanted to harm you one day, this servant would have nothing to present.”
Ganjiang’s mouth twitched.
“You mean,” turning to look at the man on the ground, Yin Gezhi asked gently, “he also likes visiting Menghui Tower?”
Fengyue replied without blinking: “Yes! He was pursuing this servant even before I officially started receiving guests!”