Heading north, the scenery gradually changed.
Gu Anqi and his companions passed through border towns one after another, each town feeling like a completely new territory.
The fourth town was crisscrossed by waterways, with boats coming and going, resembling the water towns of Jiangnan.
The fifth town, however, was built on a steep mountain ridge, where the sound of iron casting never ceased day or night, and the people were known for their fierce nature, with all the men carrying curved swords.
The sixth town was a vast grassland landscape, with yurts dotting the sky, herds of cattle and sheep grazing, and the air filled with the rustic aroma of milk and roasted meat.
Xie Ciyun stared in disbelief, unable to contain his astonishment as he rode his horse, exclaiming repeatedly, “My God, this…
this city is like a completely different world!
The language, the food, the clothing, the houses—no two are the same!
What kind of amazing abilities does Feng Shuai possess that allow her to make all these completely different people so obedient and to govern each city so prosperously and peacefully?” Gu Anqi silently observed the genuine tranquility on the faces of the common people in the city, and the soldiers’ rigorous yet undisturbed patrols at the pass, a deep sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, deep emotion) escaping his lips.
He murmured, “Not forcing uniformity, but allowing for diversity, each to live in their own way and abide by their own customs.
Yet, the laws and orders remain the same.
This Commander Feng deeply understands the principle of ‘harmony in diversity’ in governance; his vision and breadth of mind are extraordinary.” He saw not only prosperity, but also an almost artistic balance and control.
Even the usually aloof Ah Chen’s sharp gaze swept over the diverse yet orderly cities, and the natural reverence that pedestrians displayed when mentioning “Commander Feng.” His tightly pursed lips twitched slightly.
He didn’t understand governance, but he understood “power.” To be able to subdue so many vastly different forces under one banner was itself a terrifyingly powerful force.
Upon entering the Seventh City, which served as the core, the city’s atmosphere changed again, becoming solemn and dignified, subtly exuding an aura of central authority and all-encompassing power.
The three inquired along the way and arrived at Marshal Feng’s residence.
Introduced by a servant, they entered the main hall and witnessed the following scene: Feng Qinghe sat upright in the main seat, not wearing armor, yet exuding an air of authority.
Before her, a general knelt on one knee, his heavy armor soaked with sweat.
“Captain Zhang,” Feng Qinghe’s tone was even somewhat gentle, “at three-quarters past dusk, there were two vacant sentry posts at the northwest corner of the city wall for the entire time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
What is the reason for this?” “Reporting to Commander Feng!
It was my fault for making improper arrangements and for making mistakes in the handover!
I beg Commander Feng to punish me!” Zhang Duwei’s voice trembled.
Feng Qinghe nodded, a knowing smile appearing on her face: “With the year-end approaching, military affairs are complicated, and oversights are inevitable.
This time, I understand.” Upon hearing this, Zhang Duwei breathed a sigh of relief.
But Feng Qinghe continued in that calm tone, “But this is the last time.
If there are any vacancies at sentry posts outside of shifts during the next patrol,” her voice deepened, her gaze sharp as a knife, “I won’t just replace you with a captain.” Commander Zhang kowtowed to the ground, saying, “This subordinate understands!
Thank you for your mercy, Commander Feng!” “Alright, get up, it’s nothing serious.” Feng Qinghe waved her hand casually.
Commandant Zhang thanked the emperor and stood up, thinking the storm had passed.
Unexpectedly, just as he turned around, Feng Qinghe’s voice rang out again, calm yet undeniable: “By the way, Commandant Zhang.” Zhang Duwei froze and turned around.
Feng Qinghe pointed to the bluestone path leading from the hall door to the inner courtyard, with an almost “considerate” smile on her face: “Climb out from here.” Zhang, the captain, was deathly pale, but he dared not hesitate for a moment.
He immediately bent down and, using both hands and feet, crawled out of the hall in a very disheveled manner under the watchful eyes of everyone.
Throughout the entire process, Feng Qinghe’s expression remained unchanged.
Only after the general had climbed far away did she seem to see Gu Anqi and the other two, her face instantly breaking into a warm and sincere smile as she quickly stepped forward to greet them: “Nephew!
Mr.
Gu, Brother Achen!
You’ve finally arrived!
You must be tired from your journey!
Now that you’re here, it’s like home, please don’t be shy!” She immediately instructed the butler to arrange the best guest rooms, showing meticulous care and attention.
Xie Ciyun was somewhat bewildered by this stark contrast in treatment, and subconsciously returned the greeting.
Gu Anqi, with a gentle smile, bowed and said, “General Feng, you’re too kind.
Have a safe journey, thank you for your concern.” However, beneath his lowered eyes, extreme caution flashed.
Gu Anqi thought to himself: One moment he can casually humiliate someone, the next he can be as warm and considerate as a spring breeze.
Is this General Feng’s “enthusiasm” genuine, or another, more sophisticated form of “control”?
Achen stood silently a step behind, arms crossed.
His gaze wasn’t on the warmly greeting Feng Qinghe, but rather fixed on the faint traces of sweat left on the polished floor as the general crawled away.
His muscles were slightly tense, not from fear, but from an instinctive reaction to facing an extremely dangerous kin, a mixture of extreme vigilance and an indescribable fighting spirit.
Crawling out…
a fine tactic.
Destroying someone’s self-esteem while chatting is more ruthless than killing them.
This woman has transformed “punishment” into a precise art.
Feng Qinghe seemed completely unaware of the three people’s complicated emotions.
She personally led them to the inner courtyard, introducing the layout of the mansion as they walked.
Her tone was relaxed, as if she were just a kind elder entertaining ordinary juniors.
“The mansion is simple, but it is quite quiet.
The Listening Wind Garden in the east wing has been prepared, and Mr.
Gu and his nephew can stay there.
They can see the garden view as soon as they open the window.
The Shuying Pavilion in the west wing is more independent.
If Brother Achen does not like to be disturbed, it is just right for him to stay there.” She made thoughtful arrangements, even taking into account Achen’s preference for quiet.
Arriving at a small, delicate moon gate, Feng Qinghe paused briefly, seemingly admiring a sprig of early-blooming plum blossom peeking out from within.
Just as Gu Anqi and Achen also stopped, she casually turned her head slightly, her gaze not directed at them, but rather towards the void, whispering in a barely audible whisper, soft enough for Gu Anqi and the powerful Achen to clearly hear: “Mr.
Gu, please rest assured.
Those few ‘little bugs’ that followed you all the way from the capital to the border were cleared out when you entered the territory of the third city.” Her words were calm and even, as if she were saying that the weather was fine today.
“Stay here with me,” she paused slightly, her voice carrying a weighty assurance, “with peace of mind.” Before the subtle changes in their expressions could fully surface, she turned back as if nothing had happened, pointed to a rockery inside the moon gate, and her tone returned to its previous casualness, even with a hint of lighthearted interest: “Look at that rock shape, doesn’t it resemble a guardian auspicious beast?
It was just found in the North Mountain last year.” Gu Anqi’s humble smile remained unchanged; he even nodded in the direction she pointed to show his appreciation.
However, beneath his wide sleeves, his fingers, hanging at his sides, twitched slightly, as if he were silently measuring something.
The third city…
It turned out that their supposedly secretive movements and the supposedly evasive pursuit had already been laid bare before her eyes.
Not only did she know, but she had also silently cleared away any obstacles before they even stepped into the heart of her territory.
These words, seemingly a caring reassurance and a promise of a safe haven, were in reality a subtle yet incredibly sharp demonstration: she was telling them: from the moment you entered my territory, every move you made, every word you uttered, and even the shadows behind you, were under my control.
At the same time, Ah Chen’s eyes suddenly narrowed, as if the most perceptive beast had sensed the absolute control hidden beneath the calm.
He did not look at Feng Qinghe immediately, but his sharp gaze was already locked on her seemingly defenseless back.
His aura froze and became wary for a moment, but he forcibly suppressed it and fell into a deeper silence.
What he felt was not a threat, but a sense of passivity that the chessboard had completely fallen into someone else’s hands, as well as the precision and anticipation brought about by this control itself.
The sun was still warm, the rockery was rugged and interesting, and Feng Qinghe’s introduction remained calm.
But Gu Anqi and Achen already knew perfectly well that the Feng residence was not merely a place to stay.
From the moment they stepped into Feng Qinghe’s “home,” the air around them was filled with invisible manipulations and profound probing.
The real turmoil may never have stopped, but has only just begun in a more secretive and unpredictable way.