Feng Yun was not idle either.
She was unwilling to argue with ordinary people and certainly wouldnât seek revenge for small slights against villagers, but what if this person wasnât an ordinary villager?
Recently, Yecheng had been very quiet.
Li Zongxun had been busy with reforming the imperial government, preparing defense against attacks from Xijing, and gathering emergency suppliesâthese were bits of information she had gleaned from various sources.
However, knowing the Li father and daughter as she did, even if the father wanted to keep a low profile and hide his edge, Li Sangruo was not one to stay still.
And there was Tang Shaogong, who always gave people the creeps...
He wouldnât rest until he turned the world upside down.
"Has she found that body double, Mister Pei?"
That was what she asked Jin Ge when she saw him at Kong Yunâeâs place.
Jin Ge often provided her with news from Yecheng, but he seldom spoke of Tai City.
Feng Yun knew very well that aside from thinking Xiao Gou had quite a way with people, she never pressed him.
Upon hearing her query, Jin Ge shook his head.
"Where in the world can you find someone that resembles him so closely? The Empress Dowager Li knows itâs impossible to find that person. Itâs just an excuse to disgust others and amuse herself," he said.
Feng Yun chuckled. "I didnât expect you to see her so clearly."
Jin Ge also smiled faintly.
"Yecheng is in a mess right now, too busy to take care of itself. In my opinion, Lu Guiquanâs just petty-minded, loving to take advantage. What he says and does should have nothing to do with Yecheng."
After a pause, as though a thought suddenly struck him, he then asked Feng Yun,
"Speaking of Puyang Zong, are you really at ease with him teaching in the village?"
Feng Yun dropped her eyelids, replying with a lazy smile, "If I can tolerate Mister Ren, why couldnât I tolerate a Puyang Zong?"
The meaning behind Jin Geâs words was clear.
Compared to a small fry like Lu Guiquan, Puyang Zong was the real trouble and danger.
He had deep connections with Yuan Kang and Qu Feng and was very likely to be infiltrated by Yecheng...
Yet with that one sentence, Feng Yun shut Jin Ge up.
He too was a spy for Nanqi.
Feng Yun could chat and laugh with him, talk without any grudges, as if she had never doubted him at all.
And she probably felt the same about Puyang Zong...
Play the long game to catch the big fish.
Make full use of them while possible...
She was like an angler who had laid out enticing bait, looking down at them all while calculating an end for every single one of them in the dark...
Jin Geâs eyes narrowed, and the corners of his mouth twitched slightly.
"I have another piece of news that you might not like to hear..."
Feng Yunâs eyebrows lifted slightly, "Is there any unpleasant news that I havenât heard yet? Go ahead."
Jin Ge hesitated, "The assassination attempt at Xiufeng Mountain, it was Yechengâs doing as well. This must have been clarified when Hou Zhun defected to the Prince of Yonghuai..."
In other words, Hou Zhun had informed the Prince of Yonghuai.
But the Prince of Yonghuai had not told her the truthâwas he keeping a secret for Li Sangruo?
Feng Yun said, "Are you trying to make excuses for Xiao Cheng? Are you using a double agent trick on me?"
Jin Ge was startled and, meeting Feng Yunâs icy gaze, he quickly bowed and saluted.
"I wouldnât dare."
Kong Yunâe, too, became tense at the sight.
She stealthily tugged on Jin Geâs sleeve and said with a touch of worry, "Itâs no wonder Lady Yun suspects you... you keep so tight-lipped about Tai City matters. Lady Yun opens her heart to you, yet you guard Xiao Cheng against her. If I were in her shoes, Iâd be upset too..."
Feng Yun glanced at Kong Yunâe, "Itâs okay. Loyalty is a virtue. Yunâe, a man like that is worth your trust."
Jin Ge was left feeling ashamed by the words of the two women, sweating on his back. After a thoughtful moment, he suddenly spoke up.
"Recently, His Majesty has indeed been sending frequent letters to Mister Ren."
He rarely took the initiative to speak of Xiao Cheng, but Feng Yun raised her eyebrows, smilingly inquiring,
"What about?"
Jin Ge hesitated, "The letters are inquiring about Lady Yun and the Prince of Yonghuai."
"Is that so?" Feng Yunâs tone was light, filled with scorn.
Jin Ge looked at her earnestly, "Perhaps Mister Ren has been misleading the Emperor too much. His Majestyâs affections for Lady Yun... are greater than before."
Feng Yun felt a slight tension.
"Greater than before, in what sense?"
Jin Ge replied, "Determined to have you, with no change."
"Oh." Feng Yunâs fingers tapped gently on the edge of the table, lips curving into a slight smile. However, her dark, beautiful eyes were filled with shadows...
"Coincidentally, my feelings towards him have also never changed."
Jin Ge recoiled in surprise.
Looking at Kong Yunâe, they both fell silent.
Deep down, they felt sympathy for Xiao Cheng.
Feng Shi Er Niang had clearly never had any affection for him.
She had already moved beyond the confines of Tai City, no longer yearning for it. Only His Majesty was left alone in the misty rain of Yueya Alley.
-
The irrigation channels in Huaxi Village had been connected, drawing attention from all over Andu County.