TNIBFT -Chapter 205 The Flattery Isn’t Very Good

Qin Fengyi’s imposing expression began to crack bit by bit.

Handsome?

The people of Great Zhou always described her as brave and battle-hardened. Her royal father said she was born with the bearing of an emperor. The palace maids and eunuchs never dared to gossip about her, and the court officials only ever praised her for being decisive and ruthless.

No one had ever complimented her appearance.

And now, it was coming from a man who had once shared intimate contact with her.

She looked at Ye Tian in surprise, her cheeks warming slightly. Regaining her composure, she quickly adjusted her expression and returned to her usual stern demeanor.

“Appearance is useless to a man. That flattery… wasn’t very good.”

Ye Tian smiled and said nothing more. He wasn’t embarrassed either, simply drinking his wine on his own.

“Father, eat more dishes and drink less!”

Ye Yunting spoke softly, thoughtfully picking food for Ye Tian.

There was both meat and vegetables.

Ye Tian didn’t stand on ceremony—he picked up his chopsticks and started eating.

Watching her son’s obedient and sensible behavior, and how well he took care of Ye Tian, Qin Fengyi came to a conclusion.

Ye Tian was not the useless man described in the letter—someone who couldn’t amount to anything and even abused children for a living.

At least from what she had seen with her own eyes, he didn’t seem like that at all.

Seeing Qin Fengyi fall silent,

Ye Yunting picked up a piece of chicken and placed it into her bowl politely. “Lord Meng, please eat as well.”

Looking at the chicken in her bowl, Qin Fengyi felt a mix of emotions.

She picked it up and placed it back into Ye Yunting’s bowl.

“You eat.”

“I’ve heard children are still growing, so they should eat more.”

Seeing the two of them passing the food back and forth,

Ye Tian shook his head helplessly. He reached out with his chopsticks, took the piece of chicken from Ye Yunting’s bowl, and said: “If neither of you wants it, I’ll eat it. Are all people of Great Zhou this polite?”

Acting carefree, he stuffed it into his mouth in one bite.

Qin Fengyi’s expression darkened.

That was given to her by her son!

“Lord Meng, regarding the peace talks, we’ve already drafted a preliminary agreement. We hope you can review it.”

Tao Lichun seized the moment to speak.

All eyes in the hall turned toward Qin Fengyi.

She slowly put down her chopsticks.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “There’s no rush. After the long journey today, I would like to rest for a few days before discussing it.”

Huh?

Tao Lichun was at a loss, his expression flustered as he glanced at Ye Tian.

Of course, Qin Fengyi understood his concern. These so-called peace talks were nothing more than a decision made privately by the Left Chancellor while she was unconscious, colluding with the people of Great Liang.

When you have strength, why would you let the weak seek peace?

Between nations, what friendship could there be?

Either I am strong and you are weak, or you are strong and I am weak—mutual encroachment, nothing more.

Qin Fengyi said, “Great Liang has waited for so many years. Now it’s just a few more days—don’t tell me you’re unwilling?”

Her teasing tone fell, and the entire hall went silent.

Qin Fengyi stood up, and Nanfeng immediately followed behind her in a protective stance.

The purpose of this trip had been the grand eunuch Gao Defu.

But Qin Fengyi knew that the current Gao Defu was likely no longer the original one, so this trip had already lost its meaning.

Now, her only goal was to take the three children away as soon as possible.

“But the peace talks…”

Tao Lichun grew anxious, wanting to finalize things immediately. The longer it dragged on, the higher the chance their secret would be exposed.

“No rush!”

Qin Fengyi turned her head, looked at Ye Yunting, and smiled slightly.

“For the next few days, let Young Master Ye show me around Sifang City. As for the peace talks, I’ll leave them to Young Master Ye.”

Everyone was shocked.

Ye Tian glanced at his son beside him and said in a low voice, “You’ve got some skills, kid.”

“What’s your secret? How do you make a complete stranger like you so much?”

Ye Yunting’s small, serious face flushed red. He fidgeted with his chopsticks and said softly:

“I didn’t do anything.”

“I really don’t know.”

“Hmph!”

Ye Tian turned his head away, ignoring his son.

Did he think he hadn’t noticed? The eldest’s eyes were clearly filled with barely concealed delight—he obviously liked that Meng Yuquan. They’d only met for less than a day, and he was already developing a good impression of a stranger. This so-called great villain wasn’t all that impressive after all!

“Be careful you don’t get scammed!”

“Haven’t you heard? The better-looking someone is, the better they are at deceiving people.”

Ye Tian muttered quietly to Ye Yunting.

Seeing that her son wasn’t looking at her, Qin Fengyi left with a trace of regret…

As for the peace talks, Meng Yuquan wouldn’t agree so easily. He was probably waiting for sufficient benefits—or perhaps he had other plans.

As long as Meng Yuquan stayed and didn’t leave, Sifang City could buy itself a bit more time.

…

That night, inside the hotpot restaurant.

The hall was brightly lit with candles as everyone gathered, animatedly recounting the day’s events, their words flying along with their spit.

“That pretty boy Meng Yuquan—not only is he good-looking, but he’s also got this kind of presence…” Yuan Heipang said while soaking his feet.

“What kind of presence?”

“Aren’t people from Great Zhou all nine feet tall and ferocious-looking?”

“Brother Yuan, you didn’t get so scared you cried, did you?”

Everyone chimed in noisily.

Yuan Heipang puffed up his neck. “Who cried? Whoever cried is a grandson!”

“At the time, I just stood there, lifted my chin, and stared at Meng Yuquan, saying—‘So you’re that Great Zhou dog, Meng Yuquan?’”

“He didn’t even dare say a word.”

“Really?”

“Wow, Brother Yuan, you’re that amazing?” Everyone looked at him with admiration as Yuan Heipang basked in it smugly.

Ye Tian shook his head speechlessly, lying back in his rocking chair with his eyes closed, pretending to nap.

Meanwhile, Ye Yunting and Ye Shuangxue were practicing their calligraphy.

Bang!
Bang!

A knock came at the door.

The hall instantly fell silent. Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes and looked toward the entrance, the rocking chair gradually coming to a stop.

Ye Shuangxue slid off her chair and ran quickly on her short little legs. “I’ll open the door!”

“I’ll open it!”

Outside, wind and snow raged. Nanfeng stood at the door, lightly dressed yet capable-looking, carrying a huge bundle on his back.

“You are?”

Ye Shuangxue’s big, bright eyes darted around as she curiously looked at the person in front of her.

Nanfeng lowered his head. Seeing the little girl with tiny tied-up tufts of hair—around four or five years old, adorable as jade and snow, and most importantly, strikingly similar to his master—he cupped his hands respectfully.

“I am Nanfeng. My master is Meng Yuquan. I’ve come under his orders to deliver something.”

“Deliver something?” Ye Shuangxue blinked in confusion and turned to look inside.

Inside the room—

The previously boastful Yuan Heipang, upon hearing it was someone sent by Meng Yuquan, was so frightened that—crash!—

His footing slipped, and he kicked over the wooden footbath basin.

Water instantly flooded the room.

Everyone stared in confusion.

Yuan Heipang, panicking, tried to run for his life, but his foot slipped again. He crashed hard under the table, baring his teeth in pain.

As if he had seen a ghost, he scrambled around in terror, trying to hide.

Ye Tian stood up and walked to Ye Shuangxue’s side, sizing up Nanfeng with a frown.

“One does not accept rewards without merit. Sending so many things—don’t you think Lord Meng is being a bit too generous to my son?”

Hearing Meng Yuquan’s name, Ye Yunting also stepped out.

He felt a bit of anticipation, but Ye Tian was right—one should always be wary of others.

Maybe Meng Yuquan was just trying to deceive him.

“I’m only responsible for delivering the items.”

After saying that, Nanfeng dropped the bundle and turned, disappearing into the wind and snow.

Ye Tian looked at the large pile on the ground, feeling troubled.

Meng Yuquan’s intentions were hard to read.

“Oh, right—my master also said he will pay a visit tomorrow.”