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Kapitel 65

I snapped out of my daze and forced a smile, "Brother Han, just call me Lin Yu. I'd be happy to be your friend. The reason I was surprised is that you look seven-tenths like one of my friends, and I lost my composure for a moment."

Han Jingyuan nodded noncommittally, a smile playing on his lips. He put away the brocade box and stood up, saying, "Lin Yu, you are not yet fully recovered, so I will not disturb you any longer. If you need my help in the future, you can go to the Han residence in the south of the city to find the Third Young Master."

I simply nodded and watched him leave. I've gotten a bit of a feel for this guy's personality; once he considers someone a friend, he absolutely dislikes excessive formality, otherwise, he'll look down on him.

"Zi Mo." I lay in bed with my eyes closed, silently thinking, "Does Yang Yi actually know I'm a woman? Or is he just suspicious? What do you think his decree will be?"

Zi Mo's voice also carried a hint of seriousness: "It should just be suspicion. His unusual behavior towards you today was more of a test than a flirtation. As for that imperial decree, I can't say for sure, but I hope... it's not what I think."

I rubbed my temples, coughed lightly twice, then turned the water chain and said, "I'm going back to the modern world tonight, and I'll have my brother look up some information about the power struggles between ministers and emperors in ancient times... All this intrigue is really annoying." After saying that, I fell into a deep sleep.

Three more days passed, and I was finally fully recovered. That day, wrapped in a thick cloak and clutching a small hand warmer, I strolled through the garden pavilion, enjoying the scenery. Winter's flowers were withered, the trees rustled, but within the Crimson Pavilion, a different scene unfolded. A dozen plum trees stood in the garden, half-open and half-closed, their subtle fragrance wafting in the gentle breeze. Ahead lay an artificial lake, neither large nor deep, but fed by fresh water drawn from the city's moat, its waters remaining clear year-round.

At this moment, a thin layer of ice has formed on the lake surface due to the cold weather. Looking out from here, pavilions and towers stretch out in a winding, meandering fashion. Under the setting sun, the frozen lake is a vast expanse of snow. If a few days pass, and the weather gets even colder, and a heavy snow falls, then the fragrant snowflakes will stretch endlessly, creating an indescribable, colorful, and magnificent spectacle.

A brazier burned in the pavilion, and the three sides and roof were covered with warm, gauze-like fabric, so sitting inside felt perfectly warm. Yunyan sat to my left, lazily admiring the garden scenery, occasionally exchanging a few words. To my right sat Yihan, expressionlessly brewing tea. Speaking of which, Yihan's tea was truly exceptional—perfectly hot or cold, refreshing and delicious. Moreover, he would choose different flavors depending on the season and his mood. After drinking it, one felt a lingering fragrance in their mouth, a pleasant mood, and an unforgettable aftertaste.

According to Yihan, it was because his master was a great tea connoisseur and a master of tea ceremony. However, he himself was too lazy to brew tea, so he taught his master to do it instead of the hard work.

Just as she was thinking about how funny it was, she suddenly heard a shout outside the door. Yunyan was about to get up and ask when she saw the main gate of the mansion open wide, and a young man dressed as a eunuch strode in, surrounded by dozens of guards.

I recognized this eunuch; his name was Xiao Guizi. I'd heard he was Yang Yi's most favored servant, having become the chief steward at a young age. He walked through the gate with a solemn expression, holding a bright yellow scroll, and announced in a high-pitched voice, "Imperial edict has arrived—"

I felt my eyelids twitch several times before I finally rose with Yi Han's help and knelt down in the pavilion. Everyone in the Chiyu Tower knelt, and the once cheerful garden fell into a deathly silence. My voice, ringing out at that moment, was loud and piercing: "Your subject Qin Luo receives the imperial decree!"

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees..." Xiao Guizi paused, his icy gaze sweeping over me and Yi Han kneeling in the pavilion, before continuing, "Feng Yi Han, as a guard of the Prime Minister's residence, has always been dutiful and loyal, protecting my beloved minister from danger on numerous occasions. He even saved my life during the Battle of Chixia Valley. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon him the title of Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, a special promotion to the third rank, and betroth him to Princess Yongle Jianing, to be held on the eighth day of next month. He is hereby ordered to assume office immediately. This is the imperial decree!"

The tranquility of Chiyu Tower was suddenly shattered. Everyone was whispering and gossiping, looking at me with pity and at Yihan with resentment. I felt a bang in my head, as if a pot had exploded. If Yihan hadn't been supporting me, I might have collapsed.

Xiao Guizi stepped forward, handed the imperial edict to Yi Han, and said with a smile, "Guard Feng, from now on you are the Imperial Son-in-Law Commandant. Compared to being an unknown guard by the Prime Minister's side, what an honor that is! Hurry up and accept the edict to express your gratitude!"

Yi Han looked up at him coldly. Xiao Guizi's smile froze, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and then he returned to his humble smile.

"Galan! Do not hesitate, accept the decree immediately!" Zi Mo's stern shout came from above.

I shuddered, took a deep breath, and knew that if I didn't speak up, Yi Han would probably explode. Defying the imperial decree in front of so many people would only give Yang Yi an excuse to assassinate him. What was most infuriating was that unless I resigned as Prime Minister of Jin Yao or secretly let Yi Han escape, I had no reason to stop him.

"Your Majesty, I receive this decree on behalf of Feng Yihan." I raised both hands above my head, almost snatching the imperial edict from his hands. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

I stood up and caught a fleeting glimpse of a cold smile on Xiao Gui Zi's lips, while Yi Han's hand supporting me visibly stiffened. I could only pretend not to notice and bowed my head, saying, "Respectfully seeing off, Eunuch."

The messengers finally left one after another. Yunyan looked at me, then at Yihan, and finally snapped: "Linyu, you'd better explain to me what exactly is going on!"

I smiled bitterly at the somewhat bewildered crowd, then at the furious Yun Yan, and finally at the icy Yi Han. In my heart, I cursed that damned Yang Yi a thousand times over.

========================================

I returned to Zhuyuxuan—my study and bedroom—in silence. Zi Mo's deep voice echoed in my ears: "Yang Yi's actions have at least three purposes. First, of course, it's to test your true identity as a woman. It's common knowledge that Lin Yu and Feng Yihan are inseparable. Others only marvel at Lin Yu's outstanding abilities and her courteous manner, which is why a master like Feng Yihan is willing to serve her and follow her wholeheartedly. But they don't know that Lin Yu is actually a woman. Tell me, what do you think they would think if they knew your true identity as a woman?"

I frowned and pondered: "They'll definitely think that Feng Yihan's willingness to lower himself to accompany him is because of a secret affair with Lin Yu. And since Lin Yu and Feng Yihan are always together, making no attempt to avoid suspicion, it's obvious that Lin Yu is also deeply in love with him."

Zi Mo gave me an approving look and continued, "So it's very clear that if you were a woman and truly in love with Feng Yihan, you would definitely lose your composure and even try every means to disobey the decree once Yang Yi issues this imperial edict. Then Yang Yi would be able to confirm his suspicions. However, although you lost your composure a little just now, your overall performance was good, so even Yang Yi cannot make a judgment immediately."

I sighed inwardly. In truth, if Zi Mo hadn't shouted that, I definitely would have lost my composure. I never imagined my feelings for him would become so uncontrollable. But, are they truly mine, or Lin Yu's?

"Secondly, have you noticed the official title Yang Yi bestowed upon Feng Yihan: Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard? This is a seemingly high-ranking but actually powerless position. In this way, if Feng Yihan really accepts the decree, he will have to leave your side to take up the post, but he will be rendered powerless. At that time, in order to protect your safety, he will have to use the power of the Asura Dark Camp or seek help from the emperor. In short, no matter what the outcome, it will be entirely beneficial to Yang Yi. In addition, your relationship with Feng Yihan is known to the whole world, and Yang Yi knows even better that you would not disregard his life and death. So if you are truly a man, and he arranges for Feng Yihan to marry the princess, due to the kinship, even if you really want to rebel and usurp the throne, you will have to think twice."

I sighed, still utterly baffled by this: 'Zimo, you say Lin Yu is such a clever person, and knowing she's a woman, she couldn't possibly be plotting rebellion. Why would she still choose to be so assertive and overshadow the emperor? Even if Yang Yi were to believe her, the ministers in court who uphold traditional imperial authority would not stand for it. She's completely putting herself in danger.'

Zi Mo suddenly fell silent. I looked at him in astonishment, only to see his deep eyes staring into the void, his expression a strange mix of indifference and sorrow. After a long while, he slowly said, "Perhaps she knew her days were numbered, and her future was uncertain, yet she still desperately tried to protect her family and friends..."

My vision blurred, and I seemed to see a familiar scene. A clear, melodious, and extremely familiar voice said in my ear, "Since he was willing to silently wait for death for me, what do all that I have done for him amount to?"

I rubbed my eyes. Zhu Yuxuan was right in front of me, with Yi Han and Yun Yan following behind. Zi Mo, as usual, seemed even more radiant because of the many conspiracies surrounding him: "Thirdly, regardless of whether you are a woman or not, if Feng Yihan publicly defies the imperial decree, this is exactly the result Yang Yi wants to see. If you are a woman, Yang Yi clearly has ulterior motives towards you, and Feng Yihan is his biggest thorn in his side. From these few meetings, it's clear that Yang Yi wants to get rid of Feng Yihan immediately, but he's struggling to find a good reason to explain it to you openly. If it's an assassination, Feng Yihan's martial arts are so high, how could he be restrained without a hundred or so experts? Even if Yang Yi later believes you are a man, Feng Yihan is your greatest guarantee for achieving merit. If you can get rid of him, it will be much easier for him to target you in the future."

I shook my head, pushed open the door, and sighed softly, "The world is bustling with people coming and going for profit. But how can one escape the web of life? One must be patient and patient, accept one's fate, and even in this net, one can find a peaceful haven." As soon as I said this, I froze. Yunyan sighed with deep feeling, Yihan remained indifferent and expressionless, while Zimo frowned in deep thought. What…did I just say?

Yunyan sat down beside me, glanced at me sideways, and asked, "Is Yang Yi starting to suspect your female identity?"

I chuckled awkwardly and said, "Yunyan, how did you know?"

"Nonsense!" Yun Yan stood up and smacked my forehead hard, angrily saying, "Only a slow-witted idiot like you can't see that. These past few days when he came to see you, even when he was just peeking through that wooden door, his eyes were extremely ambiguous. Besides, if he hadn't started to suspect your true identity, why wouldn't he have betrothed the princess to you, but instead betrothed her to Yi Han?"

I sat down to her left with a sigh and said helplessly, “I didn’t want to either! That day I took the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill and went to the palace. Who knew that the effect of the pill would wear off in less than twelve hours? I was so weak that I fainted in front of him, and he summoned the imperial physician to treat me. However, I woke up immediately. I thought that the imperial physician would not be able to find out anything.”

Yun Yan frowned and asked, "Are you referring to Physician Lu, the head of the Imperial Hospital?"

I nodded in surprise and asked, "Yunyan, how did you know?"

She gazed at me intently for a long time before saying, "On the very day you returned, Physician Lu was found dead at home, the cause of death unknown."

I shuddered, my face turning deathly pale. So, he really had said something to Yang Yi, and that's why he was silenced. A headache struck me. What should I do now? Yi Han absolutely cannot marry the princess, and naturally, neither can I. But the imperial decree cannot be disobeyed. What other options are there? Wait, we cannot disobey the imperial decree, but the princess can. If… if the princess resolutely refuses to marry, is there anything even Yang Yi can do?

“That’s right!” Zi Mo laughed. “Galan, it seems you’re not stupid after all!”

I felt no joy, and shook my head: "Putting aside the fact that the princess's wishes are beyond our control, even if she truly didn't want to marry Yihan, she might not be willing to defy the imperial decree and break off the engagement for her own sake; after all, there would be a price to pay."

“Others may not be able to influence the princess’s will, but there is one person who certainly can.” Zi Mo looked at me quietly with a smile.

My lips twitched: "You're not going to make me tell her that I've actually been in love with her for a long time, that we're not meant to be in this life, but will continue in the next?"

Zi Mo chuckled, "That's not necessary. You just need to instill three ideas in her. First, your unwavering view of love, loving only one person in your life. Although you will never marry anyone else but Yun Yan, you still have compassion for her and don't want her to be unhappy for the rest of her life; second, Feng Yihan doesn't love her, and if she marries Feng Yihan, the two of you will see each other often, inevitably causing her heartache. It's better to find someone who truly cares for her and entrust her life to them; third, the imperial decree cannot be disobeyed, but she is, after all, the emperor's sister. Even if she resists to the death, Yang Yi will not force her. It's just..."

Zi Mo gazed at me intently, his brown pupils revealing a look of pity and helplessness: "But this method is not guaranteed to lead to a lose-lose situation. If Yang Yi were to act ruthlessly, the princess might perish."

I forced a cold, detached smile: "I know. But I can't worry about that now."

At the time, I naturally had no idea that my plan with Zimo would indirectly lead to my first meeting with Liu Cenfeng, and completely change my life, Zimo's fate, and Yihan's future.