The wine from Marquis An’guo’s mansion wasn’t something just anyone could taste. Feng Yue’s eyes lit up, desperately wanting to nod in agreement on Yin Gezhi’s behalf! After all, Marquis An’guo was the Wu Emperor’s closest friend—their relationship was so strong that one word from him carried more weight than ten official memorials. But precisely because of this, the An’guo household rarely socialized with others, and those who visited were forbidden from discussing politics.
Building connections with such people could only benefit and not harm—who knew when it might even save one’s life?
However, Yin Gezhi glanced at An Shichong and shook his head.
The hopeful look in An Shichong’s eyes immediately dimmed. He asked in a low voice, “Does Master have other matters to attend to?”
“Nothing major, but a gentleman keeps his word. I promised to spend all of tomorrow with Feng Yue.” Yin Gezhi lied without batting an eye, “Since I’ve made that promise, I cannot go back on my word.”
After a brief pause, An Shichong’s expression cleared. “Oh, is that all? That’s a minor issue. Master can bring Miss Feng Yue along.”
Feng Yue jumped in shock, quickly shaking her head. “How can you call this minor? What status do I have? How could I possibly enter a marquis’s mansion? Moreover, going in with the Crown Prince would surely lead to people investigating my background. If someone were to reveal my identity to the Marquis, wouldn’t that bring dishonor to Your Highness?”
An Shichong’s expression darkened again, and he frowned in silence for a while.
Xu Huaizu slapped him on the back and laughed, “What’s so difficult about this? Why not have Miss Feng Yue pose as Master’s maid?”
If she were brought in as an equal, her identity would surely be exposed, but as a maid, it wouldn’t matter—who didn’t bring a couple of maids for service?
“Perfect! I mentioned to my family earlier about finding a maid for Master, someone who could at least cook so Official Guanzhi wouldn’t have to work so hard. Having Miss Feng Yue come along now, saying she’s my gift, would make perfect sense.” Xu Huaizu grinned and looked at Yin Gezhi. “What does Master think?”
What else could be done? Feng Yue pursed her lips. She had thought he was just being stubborn about not wanting to go, but who knew he was manipulating these innocent young men? They had laid out such a perfect stepping stone, just waiting for this master to step down—would he still be human if he refused?
“In that case, your master must go.” Yin Gezhi nodded reluctantly. “Feng Yue, prepare yourself as well. This is a marquis’s mansion after all, with strict rules. Don’t embarrass me.”
“Thank you, Your Highness. I understand.” Feng Yue responded with alluring grace, though inwardly puzzled.
Why bring her along? Someone like her, currently powerless, wouldn’t she just be a burden? This was a perfect opportunity for him to discuss life’s ambitions and the great rivers and mountains with the Marquis!
An Shichong was delighted, his eyes bright with joy. Seeing this, Feng Yue couldn’t help but sigh.
Young people these days are so full of passion and pure-hearted goodness. Just because Yin Gezhi had impressive martial arts skills and some remarkable history, they revered him so deeply, without carefully examining what kind of person he was.
However, even careful observation wouldn’t reveal his true nature to most people. They would only see a man of few words with the bearing of a master. Only she could see through his facade to Yin Gezhi’s dark heart.
Leaving the training grounds, Yin Gezhi wordlessly led her toward the envoy’s residence, stopping at clothing shops and jewelry stores along the way to buy various items.
“My lord,” Feng Yue smiled apologetically, “I’m not worthy of such places. Why bring me to these establishments?”
Placing all the items in Guanzhi’s arms, Yin Gezhi beckoned her closer.
“Hmm?” Feng Yue blinked as she moved her face closer to his.
Yin Gezhi spoke seriously in a low voice: “We’re both crafty foxes here—why are you playing the innocent rabbit? You fear nothing in front of me, yet now you worry about handling yourself?”
Her lips twitched as Feng Yue covered her mouth and laughed softly, “How could I not be afraid? A girl of such humble circumstances, with no power or influence, how dare I…”
“Enough nonsense!” Yin Gezhi’s piercing gaze seemed capable of drilling through her into the wall behind. “You don’t want to go to the marquis’s mansion?”
How could she not want to go? Such a prestigious household—given the chance, it would be foolish not to visit. But looking at the man before her, she felt uneasy, like a chess piece in his hand, not knowing where she would be placed.
“If my lord wishes me to go, I shall certainly go.” Feng Yue smiled, hooking her arm through his. “However, I’ve already told you everything. Surely you don’t still distrust me?”
Hearing these words, it was clear the little minx remained wary. Yin Gezhi pressed his lips together and leaned down, looking at her with deep eyes: “Whether I trust you or not, you’ll find out tomorrow.”
She had already shown her hand, but he hadn’t revealed his cards yet. How could a ruler make others willingly follow without sufficient power?
They were already very close, and Feng Yue suddenly lost all thought, watching his thin lips move. Without thinking, she kissed him.
Yin Gezhi’s body stiffened, his pupils contracting.
The bustling street around them seemed to freeze for a moment. Before him were her smiling eyes, warmth on his lips, and a mischievous tongue trying to slip past his teeth.
Guanzhi was dumbfounded too, taking a moment to react before using the pile of items to shield them from passersby’s views, his face red as he said, “Master, we’re on the main street!”
Of course, he knew they were on the street—he wasn’t the one who initiated the kiss! Yin Gezhi grew slightly annoyed, pulling her away sharply as he said coldly, “You may have no shame, but I do.”
Blinking, Feng Yue smiled sweetly, “My lord is simply too delectable, I couldn’t help myself. Please forgive my transgression.”
“…”
Seeing his master at a loss for words for the first time, Guanzhi marveled, moving closer to Yin Gezhi with the boxes and whispered, “Master, don’t be shy. In matters like these, the lady bears the loss, not you!”
“Which eye of yours sees me being shy?” Yin Gezhi said coldly. “I’m not.”
Though reluctant to expose his master’s pretense, seeing such a rare side of him was too precious to resist, and Guanzhi couldn’t help but tease, “Your ears are red.”
Yin Gezhi stopped walking.
Feng Yue was still internally cursing her shamelessness when she noticed the person beside her had stopped.
“What’s wrong?” she asked nervously.
Surely he hadn’t just processed what happened and was now going to hit her?
“Buying something.” Pointing at a nearby shop, Yin Gezhi expressionlessly told Guanzhi, “Come in and carry.”
Looking up, she saw it was a porcelain shop, probably to buy gifts for Marquis An’guo. Feng Yue didn’t look too carefully, continuing to ponder in silence.
Less than the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the great Crown Prince Yin walked out gracefully, followed by an enormous vase that looked incredibly heavy.
“Wow,” Feng Yue blinked, “This shop’s vases are amazing—they can walk by themselves?”
“Miss…” a weak voice came from behind the vase as Guanzhi trembled, “How could vases walk? The one walking is this humble servant…”
What was going on? Before Feng Yue could understand, she saw Yin Gezhi say in quite good spirits, “The shop assistants are busy and don’t deliver. Guanzhi is strong, so he can carry it.”
Looking up at the idle shop assistants watching the scene with interest, Feng Yue laughed dryly, “You’re so considerate.”
“You flatter me.” Nodding slightly, Yin Gezhi strode forward, tossing back a comment, “Don’t let it touch the ground—this is meant to be a gift, it can’t get dusty.”
Guanzhi: “…”
Giving him a sympathetic look, Feng Yue quickly lifted her skirts to catch up with the man ahead, asking eagerly, “What would you like to eat tonight?”
Yin Gezhi replied, “Braised pig’s tongue.”
Feng Yue: “…”
There was a saying that went: Better to offend a gentleman than Crown Prince Yin! This man was narrow-minded and vengeful, with poisonous methods. Once you offended him, misfortune could strike at any time.
Glancing back fearfully at the large vase, Feng Yue decided she’d better properly please this master tonight.
Since Ye Yuqin wasn’t going to Dream Return House anymore, Feng Yue had free time. She spent it at the envoy’s residence, practicing her role as a maid and getting used to the character.
Yin Gezhi truly didn’t hold back, immediately transferring half of Guanzhi’s duties to her.
“Master,” Ling Shu stared at her with curious eyes, “Why aren’t there other servants in this residence?”
Lounging with her legs crossed while sunbathing, Feng Yue replied, “The master is stingy and won’t pay wages, so naturally there are no other servants.”
The stingy master coughed once while standing at the courtyard entrance.
Her swaying foot froze, and Feng Yue tensed up, slowly lowering her leg. Then she stood up and flew to Yin Gezhi’s side, giving him an extremely fawning bow: “My lord, you’re here?”
Glancing at her from the corner of his eye, Yin Gezhi asked, “Is everything cleaned?”
Feng Yue smiled, “Although this guest chamber isn’t occupied, Guanzhi regularly cleans it. It wasn’t very dirty. See, just a bit of tidying and it’s ready to live in.”
Something seemed to flash through her mind, and Feng Yue paused.
Guest room? Dust?
“Since it’s ready to live in, then prepare it well. Tomorrow I want to see a proper maid.” Yin Gezhi’s voice interrupted her thoughts, and seeing her distraction, he glared at her. “Did you hear me?”
“Yes, yes!” The interruption made Feng Yue completely lose that flash of insight, so she simply smiled coyly, “I absolutely won’t embarrass you.”
“It’s ‘this servant.'”
“This servant understands!”
Nodding, Yin Gezhi led her to the dining hall. Ling Shu quickly went to the kitchen to serve dishes, following his master’s instructions to say nothing and simply do his work properly.
“The poisoning at Dream Return House has been filed with the authorities. Word just came that Zhu Laicai has been imprisoned,” Yin Gezhi said. “There’s still no movement from the Three Offices Commissioner.”
“Since when did the authorities act so decisively?” Feng Yue asked while shoveling rice into her mouth. “Theoretically, someone from the Three Offices Commissioner’s household shouldn’t be so easy to arrest.”
Yin Gezhi remained silent.
With Ye Yuqin involved, Shan Wen absolutely wouldn’t dare to interfere, and definitely wouldn’t dare to attempt a rescue.