Upon hearing these words, Ganjiang’s face instantly changed from white to red, then to an ashen gray. He kept his head lowered, not daring to make a sound.
Yin Gezhi watched her expressionlessly.
Fengyue sighed toward the heavens, making an effort to recall: “It was several months ago when this gentleman came to Menghui Tower for entertainment. He happened to encounter this servant in the back courtyard and was immediately struck by my beauty that could shame the moon and make fish sink. He wished to spend a night of spring pleasure with me.”
Yin Gezhi’s eyebrows twitched slightly. Ganjiang felt a chill down his spine and couldn’t help but protest: “That’s not true!”
“Well, it didn’t come to pass, but you did stay at Menghui Tower,” Fengyue blinked, fabricating seriously: “That night this servant tested you all evening, but you never revealed your identity. However, you did discover this servant’s secrets at Menghui Tower. Afterward, you would occasionally seek this servant’s help when encountering difficult matters.”
Yin Gezhi’s expression remained wooden as he propped his chin with his hand, watching her as if viewing a theatrical performance.
Swallowing hard, Fengyue straightened her back: “This servant isn’t lying. This gentleman only sought help twice. Because I feared he might reveal the secret, this servant complied with his requests. I was initially worried he might be someone dangerous, but it turns out he’s your man! This servant’s admiration for you is like the endless flow of the great river—”
“Silence!” Having heard enough, Yin Gezhi glanced at her before turning to the man still kneeling on the ground: “You speak.”
Ganjiang’s face showed utter despair as he raised his head to look at him: “This servant has nothing to say.”
What else could he say? Ah! Guan Fengyue had already fabricated such an outlandish story. How could he possibly add to its plot?
“You are a brother who has faced death with me,” Yin Gezhi spoke softly. “We’ve fought so many battles together, and you’ve been willing to take sword strikes for me. I truly cannot fathom why you would betray me.”
Fengyue lowered her gaze, quietly standing aside while clutching her handkerchief.
Ganjiang had been the Deputy Commander of Wei’s Vanguard Corps, renowned for his martial prowess and military achievements, which was why Yin Gezhi trusted him. Even after coming to Wei, he brought Ganjiang along as his secret guard.
Had he stayed in Wei, even with some hardships, his position would have been higher than a secret guard. But he voluntarily followed him to Wei, hiding in the shadows, avoiding the spotlight. For such a man, fame and fortune were like floating clouds, but as for feminine charms…
Slightly turning his head to look at Fengyue, Yin Gezhi thought that perhaps her words were true. Ganjiang had visited Menghui Tower and accidentally discovered it was a place for intelligence transfer. After all, that was his current role, and he was more observant than himself.
After discovering this, matters unrelated to him were ignored, only sought help here when faced with difficult tasks. Throughout this past year, Ganjiang knew all his affairs—if he truly meant to betray him, he wouldn’t have waited until now, and wouldn’t have done something potentially beneficial.
Based on his trust in Ganjiang, Yin Gezhi forcefully convinced himself, finding it quite reasonable. It must have been like this; there couldn’t be any other possibility. Ganjiang was loyal only to him; no one could steal his allegiance.
“Very well,” he said. “Next time such matters arise, you should inform me beforehand.”
Ganjiang, who had already given up hope, was stunned upon hearing these words. After consideration, he still composed himself, kowtowed to Yin Gezhi, and then left.
“My lord, please try this,” Having survived the crisis, Fengyue quickly smiled like a blooming flower, bringing desserts to him.
Yin Gezhi quietly observed her, his gaze roaming, not missing even a single strand of her hair. Fengyue maintained her smile, but her body tensed, suddenly feeling the terrifying sensation of being seen through.
However, after examining her, the man before her said nothing and simply took the pastry to eat.
Her heart finally relaxed, Fengyue thought that serving this man for a few more days might shorten her life by several years.
Ganjiang, whose life had already been shortened by several years, left through Menghui Tower’s back door and silently entered Zheng’s Pastry Shop.
Seeing his expression, Madam Zheng maintained her smile, asking the shopkeeper to watch the front before following him upstairs.
“Has something happened?” She handed him a handkerchief and asked with furrowed brows.
Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Ganjiang’s brows were even more tightly knitted than hers. After a long moment, he said: “How did that girl end up encountering His Highness!”
Madam Zheng paused, sighing: “Perhaps it’s fate.”
“What fate! If her identity is discovered, how could she possibly survive?” His eyes reddened as he lowered his voice, his throat tight: “General Guan’s entire family was executed under His Highness’s supervision. In His Highness’s mind, the General was a traitor. His daughter—do you think he would spare her?”
Madam Zheng was also worried, wiping her hands as she sat beside him: “What can we do? They’ve already met, our worrying won’t help. The young miss is clever; she should be fine.”
Would that bit of cleverness work before His Highness? Ganjiang tightly closed his eyes and let out a long sigh: “Just be careful to keep things hidden. Tonight, inform the others—you’re all dead people now. The past should be completely forgotten; don’t show even the slightest crack. I can’t stay long; I must go.”
“Yes.” Responding with a worried face, Madam Zheng followed him downstairs, immediately changing her expression in public as she handed Ganjiang a package of pastries: “Please come again, honored guest~”
Ganjiang nodded and left without looking back.
He had sworn to serve only the Crown Prince for life, but General Guan had saved his life.
As Deputy Commander of the Vanguard Corps, he had fought under the Crown Prince’s command, and naturally under Guan Canghai’s as well. Back then, he was just a minor officer who had charged too far ahead during a confrontation. Surrounded by enemy soldiers, he fought desperately. When he was exhausted and about to fall to enemy blades, it was that bearded General Guan who rode through on horseback, sweeping his blade across to save him.
He still remembered how the man pulled him onto his horse, praising him in his gruff voice: “Good lad! Such bravery!”
Those who have fought together on the battlefield share a special bond and trust, which was why when everyone believed General Guan had truly turned traitor, he didn’t.
He secretly maintained General Guan’s memorial tablet at home, offering incense daily, because he knew that of the entire loyal Guan family, not one remained. If he didn’t make offerings, their heroic spirits would have nowhere to rest. He had thought about speaking to the Crown Prince, but war broke out again, and His Highness had no time for other matters. Moreover, he was just a rough warrior, incapable of presenting a clear, logical argument. So he thought the Guan family might bear this wrongful accusation for all time.
However, when they first arrived in Wu with the Crown Prince, Guan Qingyue contacted him.
Or rather, it was Guan Fengyue.
That female general from the rumors, known for her passionate and unrestrained nature, wore a red gauze robe topped with pearls and jade, smiling as she asked him: “General, may I have my father’s memorial tablet? It’s inconvenient for you to keep it.”
Thinking back now, Fengyue probably knew she would eventually encounter the Crown Prince, which was why she sought him out. But how did she know he was keeping General Guan’s memorial tablet?
Regardless, of all this, it was clear that Guan Fengyue was a clever girl who had planned ahead. His worrying was useless—if she was willing to expose herself before the Crown Prince, he had no way to help conceal anything.
His mind in chaos, Ganjiang sighed and decided to stop thinking about it, quickening his pace to return to where he needed to be.
After eating and drinking his fill, Yin Gezhi was in good spirits and took Fengyue along to the training grounds.
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu had arrived early to practice sword and saber techniques, and their movements showed both diligence and natural talent.
“Your Highness has always been fortunate,” Fengyue couldn’t help saying: “Even the disciples you casually accept have exceptional potential.”
Who told her he had accepted them casually? Yin Gezhi smiled lightly, looking toward An Shichong.
“Master!” The two young men noticed them and immediately put away their weapons, hurrying over to bow.
“Well practiced,” Yin Gezhi nodded. “Shichong has made great progress.”
“Thank you for the praise, Master.” An Shichong smiled happily, while beside him, Xu Huaizu became unhappy, pouting: “Master, this disciple has also improved.”
“No one said you haven’t improved, just that Shichong has practiced longer, so his stance is more stable.” Yin Gezhi reached out and tapped the back of his hand. The Changhenge saber immediately left his grip, landing in Yin’s palm.
“Watch.”
Xu Huaizu froze, looking down at his hand in bewilderment, muttering: “I thought I would never let go of this blade!”
Fengyue chuckled softly: “That was your master’s empty-handed blade-catching technique. No matter how tightly you hold it, you can’t keep it.”
An Shichong nodded: “Even Miss Fengyue understands. Look at yourself.”
Rubbing his wrist, Xu Huaizu frowned, reluctantly looking at his master.
The sight stunned him anew.
Yin Gezhi was demonstrating saber techniques, each move exactly as illustrated in his manual. Yet why did the same techniques look like street performances when he did them, while in his master’s hands, they became supreme martial arts?
The strong wind blew as Fengyue watched Yin Gezhi with admiring eyes. His frame wasn’t particularly muscular—in white robes, he could even pass for a frail scholar. But touch revealed that every inch of his body was taut, capable of unleashing terrifying power.
For instance, now as he swept the saber horizontally—a simple motion—he could wield it with perfect stability, not a single tremor, generating powerful winds that kicked up sand, covering Fengyue in the dust.
Wiping her face, Fengyue clapped: “My lord truly possesses both literary and martial talents, capable of anything under heaven! These saber techniques are exquisite, and in my lord’s hands, they become invincible!”
An Shichong and Xu Huaizu had intended to offer compliments, but they hadn’t expected Fengyue to use every possible praise. Their innocent young faces stared at her in amazement.
Sheathing the blade, Yin Gezhi gave Fengyue another disapproving look before walking back to return the saber to Xu Huaizu.
“Master!” Coming to his senses, An Shichong said: “Tomorrow is my father’s fiftieth birthday. Would Master honor us by visiting our humble home for a simple drink?”