Now she understood why none of these officials and nobles visited the Menghui Tower anymore. With Yin Gezhi looking to make disciples, everyone wanted to squeeze their way into the envoy’s mansion—even if they didn’t want to become his student, they at least wanted to witness the excitement.
When Yin Gezhi first arrived in Wu, the Emperor had intended for him to tutor the young princes in the palace. Yin Gezhi had declined, citing his “awkward position.” Why was he suddenly taking disciples now?
Whatever his reasons, being his disciple would make it much easier to secure an official position, and perhaps even gain the Emperor’s favor. For this reason, the assembled officials were falling over themselves, bringing numerous gifts in hopes of gaining his attention.
Feng Yue observed coldly from the sidelines, thinking that the man in the seat of honor was in no enviable position—with a room full of officials and nobles, refusing any of them would be inappropriate.
Why would Yin Gezhi do something so self-defeating?
“I am honored by everyone’s kindness,” the man in the seat of honor finally spoke when the clamor subsided. “Your enthusiasm puts me in a difficult position. I will only take three disciples, as I cannot properly guide more. If you all wish to compete for these positions, I will await your arrival at the western training grounds at dusk tomorrow.”
A test? Everyone fell silent, weighing their options with uncertain expressions. However, the blue-robed youth who had announced his name earlier stepped forward without hesitation, clasping his hands: “Shichong will certainly attend. I look forward to Your Highness’s guidance!”
Feng Yue gave him an extra glance, noting his appearance as that of a noble family’s son, but paid him no further mind.
After he spoke up, the others also began to agree and then dispersed to take their seats at the banquet. Looking at the arrangement of seats, Feng Yue cursed silently.
They claimed only three invitations were sent, yet there were many seats arranged—clearly, they had anticipated this many people would come.
Shameless!
“Though Your Highness’s residence is serene, it seems a bit cold without the company of beauties,” the fat man who had just sat down spoke up again, smiling at Yin Gezhi. “This humble official’s household has many dancing girls who could add some liveliness to Your Highness’s home.”
The three main approaches in official circles: are dining, gift-giving, and offering women. While others were still contemplating their moves, he had already made his play.
Picking up his wine cup, Yin Gezhi calmly replied, “I have been remiss. The dancing girls of my household are standing around enjoying the excitement, forgetting their duties.”
Dancing girls in his household? Feng Yue raised an eyebrow, looking around, wondering where these supposedly forgetful dancing girls were. When she looked up again, she met a pair of crystal-clear eyes from the seat of honor.
“Why are you still standing there?” As if he had noticed her all along, Yin Gezhi spoke with composure. “With so many guests, shouldn’t you welcome them with a dance?”
What? Feng Yue was stunned.
Setting aside the fact that she wasn’t his dancing girl and he hadn’t paid her, even if she was, her hands were currently as stiff as wooden blocks—they hurt when touched and would hurt more with vigorous movement. How could she possibly dance?
“Your Highness,” Feng Yue forced a laugh and slowly raised her bandaged hands. “I cannot dance.”
As if he hadn’t known this fact, Yin Gezhi’s face immediately darkened. He thundered, “Completely lacking in discipline! Guanzhi, take her to the woodshed to reflect. We’ll deal with her after the banquet.”
“Yes,” Guanzhi responded, coming forward with a quiet apology before picking up Feng Yue like a chicken and pushing her toward the exit.
“Hey, hey?” Feng Yue panicked. “I’m not even—”
She wanted to say she wasn’t even part of his household, what right did he have to lock her in the woodshed? But before she could finish, Guanzhi’s swift hands struck her pressure points, causing her throat to ache and preventing her from speaking further.
Yin Gezhi sipped his wine, expressionlessly watching as she was led away.
Feng Yue was furious. She had only come to watch the excitement, why single her out among everyone? Did they think she was easy to bully?
Looking down at herself, both hands wrapped in bandages, her small frame draped in red gauze looking delicate—indeed, she did look easy to bully.
Ah, well.
Resigned to her fate, she entered the woodshed and found a relatively clean corner to sit in. Feng Yue looked at Guanzhi and blinked.
Guanzhi apologetically said, “These are master’s orders, I’m just following them.”
She shook her head and blinked again, raising her chin to show her neck.
Don’t misunderstand—she wasn’t trying to seduce him. Now that they were in the woodshed, shouldn’t he release the pressure point that was keeping her mute?
Guanzhi suddenly understood and quickly released her pressure point, then went out and returned with water to help her drink.
“You people just love bullying weak women like me,” as soon as she could speak, Feng Yue’s tears began flowing. She lay down beside the woodpile, looking truly pitiful. “I was just passing by and saw the crowd, so I came to look. How could you treat me like this…”
Crystal tears rolled down her alluring face in large drops, making Guanzhi feel somewhat guilty. He crouched down and said, “I don’t know why master wanted to confine you but don’t cry. Once the banquet is over, you should be free to go.”
After whimpering for a while, during which she used her hands to shield her eyes while observing her surroundings, Feng Yue finally stopped crying with a sigh. “It’s so dark here. Don’t you have any maids who could keep me company?”
Guanzhi shook his head. “In the entire envoy’s mansion, I’m the only one serving master. There isn’t a single maid.”
Oh? Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. “Not even a cook?”
“No, I prepare all of the master’s meals,” speaking of this, Guanzhi showed some concern. “Though it’s edible, it’s not very good. Master has been eating it for a year now.”
He sometimes worried his master might fall ill from his cooking.
Feng Yue lowered her eyes, thinking that Yin Gezhi was far too cautious—such a large courtyard and all the work was left to Guanzhi. The fact that Guanzhi hadn’t rebelled truly proved he was Yin Gezhi’s most loyal servant.
Being a hostage in a foreign country, enjoying excellent treatment and freedom, it was natural to be wary of potential harm. Feng Yue could understand, but still gave Guanzhi a sympathetic look. “You have it hard.”
Guanzhi paused, then smiled lightly. “Serving master, there’s no such thing as hardship.”
Looking outside, Feng Yue said, “Since you’re the only one serving him, why are you still here with me? Surely your master needs your help at the banquet?”
“Well…” rubbing his nose bridge, Guanzhi looked quite embarrassed. “Master just ordered me to keep a close watch on you.”
Feng Yue: “…” He was being that harsh with her?!
Taking a deep breath, her tears came again as she choked out, “I’m just a weak woman, what is your master doing?”
“I don’t know either,” Guanzhi mumbled. “After returning from Menghui Tower earlier, he had me investigate your background. But since you’re from the pleasure house and have no known acquaintances or relatives, I couldn’t find anything.”
Guanzhi, known for his straightforwardness, once again demonstrated his honest nature by telling her everything! Feng Yue couldn’t cry anymore, breaking out in a cold sweat.
She had been too naive, thinking Yin Gezhi had never suspected her of anything, thinking she could fool him. How could she forget? The great Prince Yin, who had won nine battles out of ten, always acted with meticulous attention to detail. Once he became suspicious, he would investigate thoroughly.
But so what? Everyone who knew her identity was already dead. Let him try searching in the underworld!
“Don’t get upset,” Guanzhi hurriedly tried to comfort her. “Our master is looking for someone, so he’s sensitive about suspicious people. He investigates everyone around him like this, not just you.”
Feng Yue said hoarsely, “You don’t need to comfort me, I’m not upset.”
Looking at her blood-red eyes, Guanzhi shrugged. If she said she wasn’t upset, then she wasn’t upset.
After a moment of silence in the woodshed, Feng Yue remembered to ask, “Who is your master looking for?”
Guanzhi replied, “An old acquaintance. I don’t know exactly who, but the master has been searching for three years.”
Three years? Her heart skipped a beat as Feng Yue asked in surprise, “A man or a woman?”
Thinking carefully, Guanzhi said, “A man, I think. Three years ago, there were many major cases in Wei, and many people were implicated. Master seemed to have a friend who was caught up in it, and his whereabouts are unknown, so he’s been searching ever since.”
A man.
Letting out a breath that made her handbones ache, Feng Yue thought with a pale face, how had she jumped to conclusions again? Three years ago, the woman Yin Gezhi had been with could form a second Menghui Tower—how could she expect him to faithfully search for someone for three years?
It would be more likely for Menghui Tower to become a school one day.
“Why are you so comfortable telling me all this?” Feng Yue suddenly asked Guanzhi.
Guanzhi smiled, “It’s not a secret, and since we have nothing else to do, it’s just conversation.”
“Oh?” Feng Yue became interested. “Then can we talk about your master’s current situation in Wu? I’m very curious about why he’s still so powerful.”
She couldn’t bear to see someone once as noble as a deity fall from grace, but she wasn’t pleased to see Yin Gezhi flourishing either.
Hearing this question, the straightforward Guanzhi immediately closed his mouth, pinching his lips and shaking his head at her.
This couldn’t be discussed.
Rolling her eyes, Feng Yue muttered under her breath, “Even trained his subordinates to be so tight-lipped, what a control freak!”
“Either keep your words in your stomach without making a sound or if you speak, know that I can hear you no matter how quiet you are.”
The light at the door dimmed as a cold wind blew in. Feng Yue’s throat caught as she instinctively shuddered, then looked up.
Yin Gezhi stepped into the woodshed, his white robes immaculate, standing apart from the world like an immortal, looking down at her, a mere mortal in the dust. “Cursing me?”
“No, no!” Quickly shaking her head, Feng Yue said, “This humble one was just praising how sensible your people are, hehe.”
Half-lowering his eyes, Yin Gezhi slowly bent down, drawing close to her face. His eyes held a dark expression as his slender finger lightly tapped her stomach. “Next time you curse, keep it in here. Otherwise, I’ll help you put your tongue in here.”
This person was a bloodthirsty demon king, yet he insisted on wearing pure white robes! Feng Yue laughed coldly inside, but no longer dared to show any impudence. She knelt properly and fawned, “This humble one will never dare again. But may I ask, Your Highness, why have you confined me here?”