Yin Gezhi graciously complied, holding his teacup as he said, “Thank you for your kind words, Marquis. I dare not claim to be steady—I’m merely a man of few words.”
The Marquis of An’guo laughed heartily, his eyes full of approval as he looked at him: “I feel at ease having entrusted Chong’er to you. However, Your Highness, with recent turmoil brewing in the city, have you found yourself a haven?”
For him to speak so frankly, this was no ordinary, superficial relationship. Feng Yue gripped her hands tightly, staring at her shoetips, her mind in tumult.
The Crown Prince intended to clip General Yi’s wings while he was away from the capital, consolidating his power—many astute observers had noticed this development. Some chose to stay neutral, while others seized the opportunity to support royal authority and pledge loyalty to the Crown Prince.
And now the Marquis of An’guo, that old fox who forbade others from discussing politics in his mansion, was asking Yin Gezhi if he had found a place of refuge.
For a moment, she almost suspected Yin Gezhi might be the Marquis’s illegitimate son. Otherwise, why would the Marquis care so much about a prince from Wei?
“What do the storms of Wu have to do with us people of Wei? Watching waves from the shore, one’s clothes hardly get wet,” Yin Gezhi said coolly. “Rather, it’s the Marquis who, standing on high ground, must face the crashing waves.”
His voice was exceptionally calm, the words coming out slowly and steadily, instantly able to settle one’s mind.
Feng Yue paused, her scattered thoughts vanishing instantly. Something clicked in her mind, and she quickly glanced up at the two men before her.
Yin Gezhi sat properly, a fragrant cup of tea in his hands. The Marquis’s face showed slight annoyance, his eyes betraying embarrassment.
Feng Yue hadn’t paid close attention to their earlier exchange, but seeing the Marquis’s reaction now, she suddenly understood. This wasn’t the Marquis showing concern for Yin Gezhi at all—clearly, the An’guo mansion was in trouble and seeking Yin Gezhi’s help!
Yin Gezhi was a hostage prince from Wei to Wu, holding no official position. To outsiders, apart from his special status and martial prowess that earned the Emperor’s praise, he had little else. But the Marquis was different—his high position and significant influence meant that whenever conflicts arose, people would inevitably try to drag him into taking sides. If he refused to choose, the An’guo mansion would become a target for all.
This was the downside of influencing the Emperor.
To think that the mighty Marquis of An’guo, a senior figure with wrinkles at his eyes, would now try to trap a junior—how undignified!
However, His Highness Yin had dignity to spare. Setting down his teacup, he said with great concern: “Since the Marquis knows storms are coming, why not make preparations early?”
“Does Your Highness have any good suggestions?” The Marquis stared at him, his eyes instantly filling with wariness—someone who had crossed paths with Yin Gezhi many times and knew well his shameless nature.
With gentle and sincere eyes, Yin Gezhi said: “In earlier years, the Marquis made some inappropriate choices, taking sides in the Crown Prince’s struggle. Though you backed the right person, you became involved in factional politics, and others will no longer see you as a marquis who simply wishes to enjoy his golden years in peace. Now that the Crown Prince intends to challenge the tiger, if you aid him, you’ll become more deeply embroiled and offend General Yi. But if you don’t help the Crown Prince, His Highness will inevitably suspect you of harboring treasonous thoughts, creating needless opposition.”
This was exactly what troubled the Marquis most! He was so worried! His hair had recently turned white from anxiety! Helping either side was wrong, helping neither side was also wrong. People outside thought being the Marquis of An’guo was glamorous—who knew the bitterness in his heart?
Wiping away bitter tears, the Marquis lowered his guard again and sighed, asking Yin Gezhi: “Does Your Highness have a way to save this old man once more?”
Once more?
Suddenly understanding, Feng Yue finally knew why Yin Gezhi could walk so boldly even in Wu—he had secretly built quite a network of connections, and even the Marquis of An’guo owed him a favor. Moreover, including An Shichong, they all seemed unaware of this, still thinking he had never met the Marquis.
How deviously cunning!
“This junior originally wished to avoid wading into troubled waters again.” Heaving a long sigh, Yin Gezhi said with worried eyes: “But having taken Shichong as my disciple, I must still help the An’guo mansion.”
What an advantageous discipleship! He really should give him a red envelope for accepting the position! The Marquis’s face filled with smiles as he looked at him expectantly.
Yin Gezhi said: “Since storms rage everywhere, while only I remain safe and secure, why doesn’t the Marquis consider joining me?”
“Join you?” Slightly stunned, the Marquis pondered for a moment: “May I ask Your Highness’s intentions?”
“Shichong will come of age soon, and a young man of age should hold an official position to prove his worth,” Yin Gezhi said. “This junior’s wish is merely to help both disciples establish their careers and achieve their goals, unrelated to political storms and factional divisions. The Marquis is advanced in years—if you could retire in peace, gradually transferring power to Shichong, this junior can ensure the An’guo mansion remains safe and worry-free.”
This was quite a good idea, the Marquis thought. Shichong was his legitimate son, and he certainly hoped the boy would achieve something. Transferring power to him wasn’t difficult—the “power” was just his network of relationships, which Shichong would inherit eventually anyway. With Yin Gezhi’s protection, the transition would surely be smoother. Yin Gezhi stayed out of court politics, was appreciated by the Crown Prince, and was also on good terms with General Yi. He could find a delicate balance between the two, and hiding behind him would provide absolute security.
So after a moment, he smiled and said: “My unworthy son is unruly—I hope Your Highness will take good care of him.”
Yin Gezhi nodded reluctantly, his expression and manner exactly like a good master willing to endure hardship for his disciple’s sake.
Feng Yue couldn’t help herself and turned her head to quietly spit in contempt.
If she were the Marquis, she might have been fooled by this man’s honeyed words too! How was this about helping An Shichong establish his career? He wanted to use An Shichong to gain the An’guo mansion’s support, making things more convenient for himself! Though he might help Shichong gain a foothold in court along the way, this big bad wolf’s intentions were so impure—how could he accept someone’s gratitude with a straight face?
Thinking of how An Shichong looked at Yin Gezhi with such reverent eyes, Feng Yue felt sorry for him and found the man before her even more shameless!
But she also found him more terrifying.
She had been wondering why he brought her to the An’guo mansion today—she couldn’t gather any intelligence here. But now she understood: Yin Gezhi was here to intimidate her.
Someone who had just surrendered their loyalty would have an unsettled heart, like prisoners of war who struggle to integrate and remain suspicious of their new commanders for some time after capture.
Yin Gezhi, like a veteran general, immediately showed her his trump card, revealing the An’guo mansion connection. The message was clear: follow me, and I have ten thousand ways to help you deceive others; betray me, and I have ten thousand ways to let others destroy you.
The strong only submit to those stronger than themselves.
Feng Yue submitted, standing obediently beside him with her tail between her legs, not daring to make a sound.
The Marquis hadn’t realized at all that the person opposite him harbored ulterior motives, thinking only that Yin Gezhi had solved a huge problem for him. His face wrinkled with smiles, and he even gave her a kind glance, praising: “This servant girl is quite good too. What a fresh face.”
Hearing this, Feng Yue immediately gave him a bright smile and curtsied.
Yin Gezhi glanced at her and said flatly: “Huaizu sent her to me. She seems simple-minded and won’t speak out of turn, so I keep her by my side.”
The Marquis laughed and teased good-naturedly: “Your Highness’s envoy mansion has always been quiet—it should indeed have some new additions. Otherwise, those gossipy fellows at court will always have something improper to say.”
At this topic, Yin Gezhi’s face darkened by half. He merely disliked having women in his mansion—he had plenty of women outside! Yet some still spread rumors that he was impotent or preferred men. People had too much free time.
Looking at Feng Yue, he suddenly felt it very necessary to take her out for a public appearance.
“It’s getting late, and the Marquis should prepare for the birthday banquet. This junior will take his leave and go for a walk with Shichong and the others.”
“Very well,” the Marquis nodded.
So Feng Yue followed Yin Gezhi out with small steps.
When the door opened, two people nearly fell in. Yin Gezhi looked down to see An Shichong and Xu Huaizu both smiling awkwardly: “Ah, Master, you’ve finished talking?”
Maintaining his composure, Yin Gezhi gave a simple “Mm” and walked out. The two young men hurriedly followed, glancing at each other.
Was Master angry?
Probably not—surely he wouldn’t blame them for such a small matter? Besides, they hadn’t heard anything.
After exchanging looks for a while, the two relaxed and looked up, only to see Feng Yue gazing at them sympathetically.
“What is it?” Xu Huaizu asked curiously. “Why does Miss look at us that way?”
Glancing at the man walking ahead, Feng Yue said quietly with a shifty expression: “Young masters should be careful! Your master is very strict about rules. Eavesdropping at walls—if you don’t get caught, that’s your skill, but if you do get caught, you’re in trouble!”
His heart skipped a beat, Xu Huaizu mumbled: “Surely not…”
Before the last word was finished, Yin Gezhi ahead stopped and turned back: “Starting tomorrow, you’ll add an hour of horse stance and spend half an hour more on wooden stakes.”
An Shichong’s face turned green. Xu Huaizu quickly said: “Master, isn’t that too harsh? We didn’t hear anything!”
“Oh?” Yin Gezhi asked with a righteous face: “What didn’t you hear clearly?”
“…Well, isn’t this punishment for eavesdropping?” An Shichong asked carefully.
Yin Gezhi shook his head: “No, this is to make your movements lighter and strengthen your fundamentals.”
A strict master produces excellent disciples! The two lamented their fate while marveling, just thinking that their master’s rules weren’t so strict after all—he wasn’t angry about their eavesdropping. Then they heard their master add quietly:
“With good fundamentals, next time you eavesdrop, you won’t be discovered.”
Feng Yue couldn’t help but burst out laughing.
Xu Huaizu and An Shichong were stunned, unsure whether to beg for mercy—their master wasn’t really angry, but not begging seemed too cruel!
“Master…”
“Be good now, prepare for the birthday feast.” Yin Gezhi turned and continued walking, heading directly to the front courtyard to take his seat.
The two following behind looked as if they’d eaten bitter melon, saying weakly: “Miss Feng Yue, you understand Master too well!”