“Might as well do something while we’re idle,” Feng Yue said. “Let’s get some things.”

Get things? Lingshui blinked: “How? We didn’t bring any money with us.”

Looking at her with exasperation, Feng Yue dragged her out of the envoy’s residence and pointed at the signboard: “Isn’t this money right here?”

Thus, an hour later, as darkness fell, just as Yin Gezhi had finished demonstrating techniques and was about to give his two disciples further instruction, Guanzhi came running in, covered in sweat, making urgent gestures.

Turning his head casually, Yin Gezhi said, “You two practice these moves a few more times. Your master is going to have some tea.”

“Yes,” An Shichong and Xu Huaizu were extremely obedient, taking their stances in the courtyard to continue practicing.

Walking over to Guanzhi, Yin Gezhi looked at him and heard him say, “Master, Miss Feng Yue just went to the market and bought many things.”

Buying things? Yin Gezhi said, “She certainly has free time on her hands.”

“But all the bills were sent to us! And the amount isn’t small. If we don’t pay, it won’t look good. But if we do pay, this servant fears people will use it against us.”

A hostage prince’s monthly allowance came from the court. It wasn’t small, but not enough for extravagance. If his household suddenly had increased expenses, especially while investigating others for corruption, it would surely be seized upon as leverage by others.

After some thought, Yin Gezhi turned and called out gently: “Huaizu.”

Xu Huaizu, who was in the middle of practicing with his sword, immediately ran over with a smile and asked, “What is it?”

“There’s someone at the door collecting payment. Take these banknotes and pay them for me. Guanzhi has other matters to attend to.”

Guanzhi started, glanced at his master, and immediately pretended to be busy, stretching his muscles on the side.

Without suspecting anything, Xu Huaizu took the bank notes and went to the door, paid the bills, and then returned to practice his sword forms.

“Mistress.”

In the guest courtyard, Lingshui ran back and said, “How amazing! How did you know Guanzhi wouldn’t go pay? It was that young master with the sword who went to pay.”

Feng Yue, busy arranging things, didn’t look up: “Because while the envoy’s residence could afford these bills, they wouldn’t pay them. Someone that cunning would use his disciples as cover.”

She hadn’t held back while shopping, since Yin Gezhi could afford it. Others might not know, but she was well aware that since entering Buyin City, he hadn’t been idle. Lying low for a year, he had been busy with business and nurturing his followers. Many shops near Anju Street were under Ganjiang’s name. According to Ganjiang, Yin Gezhi owned quite a few businesses, all registered under various guards’ names. Anyone investigating would find nothing suspicious, but most of the money went into his pocket.

With such business acumen, why bother being a crown prince? With some effort, in a few years, he might become Wu’s richest man.

Seeing her busy, Lingshui stopped asking questions. She crouched down to help while feeling her mistress’s forehead.

The fever had mostly subsided. She really shouldn’t be working so hard and should continue resting, but although her face was pale, she was full of energy, making it impossible to worry about her.

The wrappings on her hands had been removed. The physician said they had healed well enough, just that she shouldn’t use force. So Feng Yue pointed with her fingers, directing Lingshui: “Put this here, and the others, we’ll arrange outside later.”

The residence had too few stone lanterns – only two in the main courtyard, two along the entrance path, and none elsewhere. So besides flowers and plants, Feng Yue ordered more than ten lanterns from the stone mason. They were delivered early the next morning and helped placed around the courtyards.

Yin Gezhi watched coldly and asked with an unpleasant expression: “What are you trying to do?”

Turning to smile at him, Feng Yue said, “This humble one just saw how empty and cold your courtyard was, so I brought back some things to arrange. It’ll be more pleasing to your eyes.”

How could all these messy things be pleasing to the eye? Yin Gezhi said unhappily: “Don’t act on your own.”

“Oh my, just wait and see,” Feng Yue said. “Come help first. The residence has too few servants, just Guanzhi and Lingshui. It’ll take forever.”

Reluctantly pulled along by her, Yin Gezhi turned his head to see his courtyard already planted with flowers, plants, and trees in a circle. It was late spring, and the winter jasmine, camellias, and daphne were blooming in brilliant colors, set off by water-green leaves, giving everything a particularly vibrant feeling. The cold buildings seemed to come alive, making his headache.

It was cleaner when there was nothing at all.

Four stone lanterns were placed along both sides of the main courtyard path, looking very cumbersome, but the madwoman in front was still happy, pulling him to watch Guanzhi and Lingshui arrange the other stone lanterns.

Or rather, Lingshui cheered from the side while Guanzhi carried the stone lanterns alone.

These stone lanterns all had four-cornered flying eaves, with gauze covering four hollow sides. They looked quite nice, true, but was it necessary to have so many?

“Master!” With a suffering face, Guanzhi said: “This servant can barely carry anymore!”

Feng Yue smiled, holding Yin Gezhi’s arm: “As a warrior, one should exercise more. Consider it training.”

Who the hell wants to train like this? Guanzhi wanted to cry. Looking up to see the expression on Feng Yue’s face that matched his master’s when tormenting people, he couldn’t even wail out loud.

In some ways, this Miss Feng Yue matched his master – one treacherous and shameless, the other shameless and treacherous!

Watching this, Yin Gezhi said lightly: “Are you treating this place as your own home?”

Feng Yue shamelessly nodded: “Yes! Wherever you are in this humble one’s home!”

Giving her a sideways glance, Yin Gezhi said: “Fine, as long as you’re useful, this can be your home for one more day.”

But when you’re no longer useful, this might become your burial ground.

Though he didn’t say this out loud, Feng Yue understood his meaning, smiling carelessly. She didn’t take it to heart, only thinking that she had thought his softened attitude meant he had forgiven her. Who knew Prince Yin was also a master actor – the knot she had tied in his heart probably couldn’t be untied just by trying to please him like this.

Such a long road ahead!

“The case of the City Guard Commander’s corruption has implicated the Three Offices. Zhu Laicai has already confessed to extensive financial dealings with Zhao Lin, and the evidence has been submitted to the Crown Prince.” Changing the subject, Yin Gezhi calmly stated what had happened these past few days.

Getting down to business, Feng Yue led him to a nearby pavilion, taking out newly bought tea implements to pour him tea: “So Zhao Lin will soon face justice?”

“No.” Yin Gezhi shook his head: “He has many connections behind him. The Crown Prince’s side should be facing considerable resistance. Not to mention, all the military commanders under the General’s command will plead for him.”

Feng Yue paused, looking at him: “So Zhao Lin is General Yi’s man?”

“Among the military commanders at court, eight out of ten are General Yi’s men,” Yin Gezhi said. “Otherwise, why do you think the Crown Prince is so wary? Why is he so eager to replace people with his forces while the General isn’t in the capital?”

The position of City Guard Commander was a good post. Feng Yue could understand why the Crown Prince wanted this position, but…

“You said eight or nine out of ten military commanders are General Yi’s men. Then who can fill the vacant position? If they put someone without ability there, they won’t be able to command respect. But for someone with the ability… where would the Crown Prince find such a person?”

Looking at her deeply, Yin Gezhi uttered five words: “He doesn’t have any. I do.”

Slightly startled, Feng Yue realized something and slapped her thigh hard, making herself wince in pain: “Your disciples!”

An Shichong and Xu Huaizu were disciples sent to him by the Crown Prince. The words at the training grounds weren’t for nothing – all the great families understood the situation and were secretly resentful of the Crown Prince. Now with a lucrative military position available, of course, An Shichong and Xu Huaizu would take it. Both were of noble birth, quite capable and had Yin Gezhi’s support – it was legitimate from any angle.

They weren’t the Crown Prince’s men – they listened most to Yin Gezhi’s words, but in the current situation, they were the only ones who could be used.

Suddenly she felt this man had laid out quite a grand game, not knowing when he had started placing his pieces. By the time people realized it, they were already on his chessboard.

Swallowing, Feng Yue went over to massage his shoulders ingratiatingly: “Would young master like a drink?”

“No.”

“Then… would you like something to eat?”

Glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said: “You don’t need to deliberately flatter me. You only need to do what you’re supposed to do.”

Seen through? Giving a dry laugh, Feng Yue withdrew her hands and stood straight, asking: “Is there anything this humble one can do to help?”

“I need to create some disturbance to keep these people too busy to help Zhao Lin.”

Placing a list in front of her, Yin Gezhi asked: “Do you know these people?”

Scanning the names on it, Feng Yue pointed at a few: “Zhou Zhenshan, Leng Yan – I know these two, but this last name, this humble one has never seen before.”

Looking at the name she was pointing to, Yin Gezhi said: “Fang Wenxin, Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard. He stays mostly in the palace and rarely goes out, so it’s normal you haven’t met him.”

So, someone she’d never met, and who stays in the palace – how was she supposed to frighten him? Ah! Was she supposed to float into the palace like a ghost?

“Don’t worry about this one. For the other two, do you have any strategies?” Yin Gezhi looked at her and asked.

Strategies? Tapping the table, Feng Yue smiled and said: “For military commanders, their crimes are limited to corruption and leaking secrets. I haven’t heard anything about leaked secrets, but they must have been involved in some buying and selling of positions and taking bribes. If we bluff with this, we’re sure to hit something.”

“Without evidence, you want to bluff these battle-hardened old commanders?” Yin Gezhi sneered: “You’re thinking too simply.”

“Whether I can do it or not is my concern,” Feng Yue smiled. “Young master need not worry about this humble one.”

Who’s worrying about her? He just feared she would ruin things.

Looking away, Yin Gezhi said: “Since you’re so confident, go ahead and handle it.”

“Yes.” Smiling and bowing, Feng Yue turned and left the envoy’s residence with Lingshui.

“Has she had any contact with others while in the residence?” Watching her leave, Yin Gezhi asked.

Beside him, Guanzhi shook his head: “These days, besides arranging decorations in the courtyard, Miss Feng Yue hasn’t done anything else.”