Lü Bu grinned, instinctively stepping back. Liu Dai, though unfamiliar with him, knew clearly who this was – another wife of Ye Feng.
"Seeking death in ever more creative ways!" Lü Bu mused inwardly, yet he blocked the path between Yang Yanqi and Liu Dai. "Governor, this is a distinguished guest of Liangzhou. Your actions are surely not proper."
"Do I need you to teach me what this governor does?" Liu Dai snapped, drawing his sword against Lü Bu. "This governor was appointed by His Majesty himself, not by the Prince of Chu!"
"So, Governor is unwilling to heed advice?" Lü Bu asked with a smile. "If something major happens, it has nothing to do with this general?"
"Begone. If this governor cannot handle a matter, you, a mere general, think you can? You think too highly of yourself!" Liu Dai berated. "If you have time, please have the Prince of Chu come out and interrogate this assassin thoroughly. That would be the proper course of action!"
Yang Yanqi caught several signals from his words: Liu Dai and Ye Feng had political disagreements, and the information previously given to her was false. With this, Yang Yanqi no longer felt the urgency to see Ye Feng, deciding instead to play along.
"Though this humble woman wishes to be close to you, sir, I fear you might not welcome it," Yang Yanqi sighed heavily. "Perhaps it is best to forget it, lest I disturb your mood."
"How could that be? As long as the beauty asks, be it other things or even the stars in the sky, this governor will fetch them for you. But I wonder..." Liu Dai began, reaching out to caress Yang Yanqi's hand. Yang Yanqi inwardly scoffed and subtly shook off his hand.
"This humble woman does not even know your esteemed name, sir, and fears you might disappoint me," Yang Yanqi feigned tears. "You must cherish this humble woman dearly."
Yang Yanqi intended to toy with him, and Liu Dai, already lecherous, could not control himself upon seeing the beauty in tears. He quickly coaxed, "Beauty, your tears shatter my heart. Tell me your every wish!"
"This humble woman dares not make any demands. I merely feel a connection with you, sir, and thus spoke a few more words. I implore you, sir, to command them to release that person. It would be an act of great merit for this humble woman," Yang Yanqi said tearfully, seizing the opportunity to clear all obstacles for Ye Feng.
Though lecherous, Liu Dai had not forgotten the main issue. His expression changed, and he said softly, "I should have agreed, my lady, but he is truly infuriating. I fear..."
Yang Yanqi's voice became dejected. She gently tugged at Liu Dai's sleeve and said slowly, "I thought you, sir, were deeply devoted and loving, but it seems it was all a lie. Let it be."
"No, no, no," Liu Dai's face changed. He quickly cupped his chest with his hand. "Your tears break my heart, beauty. Is there anything I cannot agree to?"
"Guards! Release him at once! No one is to bother him!" Liu Dai hastily commanded, with a fawning smile. "My lady, are you satisfied now?"
"Does not the young master fear that this humble woman is not a good person? To ask you to do such things right away!" Yang Yanqi chuckled, covering her mouth. "Perhaps this humble woman will bear a bad reputation!"
"Who dares? Anyone who dares to gossip behind my back, this governor will ensure they die without a burial place!" Liu Dai patted his chest and hastily agreed. "Even my own father would not be spared!"
Besides his retinue, Liu Dai had also brought a strategist to Liangzhou. Seeing Liu Dai's mind clouded by lust, the strategist hastily reminded him, "My lord, if we release him, it might jeopardize our plan..."
"My lord, look at him. How could he have promised me just now?" Yang Yanqi feigned stomping her foot in anger. "He dares to act like this in front of me, who knows what he'll say behind my back!"
"Alright, alright, I will handle it. I will handle it!" Liu Dai straightened his expression. "I will personally handle this matter. You need not say more; leave the rest to me."
"My lord!" the strategist cried out piteously. Had a beauty trap made Liu Dai surrender? No, he couldn't believe it. In that instant, he made up his mind and pleaded earnestly.
"My lord, if the grand plan succeeds, you will have all the beauties you desire. Why humiliate yourself here, my lord!"
"If you agree, this old servant will find beauties for you immediately. I will surely satisfy you, my lord!"
"My lord, that person must not be let go. Otherwise, where will we find a legitimate reason!"
The strategist's cries grew louder and louder. Yang Yanqi's expression gradually turned grim. After a long pause, she spoke tearfully, "Since you, sir, do not trust me, I shall leave. Why embarrass myself here!"
Liu Dai grabbed Yang Yanqi, speaking hurriedly, "Where are you going? The moment I saw you, I felt you were meant to be mine, and nothing could change that!"
Yang Yanqi bowed slightly, with a hint of sadness. "Your love, sir, is deeply appreciated, but I dare not ruin your plan. I shall leave now!"
What cannot be obtained is always craved. Liu Dai, seeing Yang Yanqi in this state, felt his emotions intensify. He sternly berated the strategist, "Look at what you've done, making the beauty weep. Why don't you come out and apologize, to make the beauty change her mind!"
"Sir, you truly need not be so harsh on your elders for my sake. I shall leave," Yang Yanqi said, covering her face with one hand, shaking off Liu Dai's hand, and hurrying away.
Seeing the beauty within his grasp, how could Liu Dai allow Yang Yanqi to leave? He retorted by slapping the strategist across the face. "I told you to release him, so release him! If you want, you can be the governor!"
"My lord!" the strategist's eyes welled up with tears. He had followed Liu Dai for so long, only to receive such an outcome.
"Fine, release him!" the strategist commanded, trembling as he walked towards the city gates. Liu Dai, disregarding everything, eagerly moved to embrace her.
Yang Yanqi slowly pushed Liu Dai away, smiling, "Does the young master not wish to know who this humble woman is?"
"I don't want to know! In this governor's hands, I could even marry the Emperor's own sister!" Liu Dai said excitedly, rushing forward, only to be gently pushed away by Yang Yanqi.
"Even if Governor does not wish to know, this humble woman must clarify, lest you regret it later."
"Even if the King of Heaven himself appeared, I wouldn't fear him! The Emperor must give me some face!" Liu Dai spoke excitedly. "Besides, did I not release that person at your behest? Are you trying to go back on your word?"
"How could that be? This humble woman is, in fact, the wife of the Prince of Chu, Yang Yanqi," Yang Yanqi leaned closer to Liu Dai, smiling sinisterly. "Does Governor still not care, even knowing this? Truly commendable courage!"
Yang Yanqi gave a light clap of her hands. Lü Bu hurried over, respectfully saying, "Madam, everything is prepared. Please come into the manor!"
Liu Dai stood frozen, as if struck by lightning. She was Ye Feng's wife! Even if he had the courage of a bear, he wouldn't dare to flirt with her. He figured the strategist and the limping man were lost causes.
"You bastard, playing tricks on me, believe it or not, this governor..." Liu Dai roared angrily, drawing his sword. "This governor will never forgive you!"
Yang Yanqi ignored him and proceeded into the Prince of Chu's manor, turning back coldly. "Audacious scoundrel! You dared to tease this madam and then try to frame me? Do you truly think this madam is a pushover? If you have the guts, come into the Prince of Chu's manor and settle this."
Someone had already reported everything outside to Ye Feng. Ye Feng was eager for Liu Dai to fall into his trap. Moreover, no matter how serious the matter was today, Ye Feng was in the right.
Liu Dai hesitated, but ultimately, he couldn't swallow his pride. He rushed in recklessly and faced Ye Feng, sitting silently on the head seat in the main hall. After a long pause, he finally spoke, "A governor of a province being toyed with like this. This is not only a disgrace to the court, but what does the Prince of Chu think!"
Ye Feng, with his hands tucked into his robes, said meaningfully, "If it were anyone else, they would surely be arrested and severely interrogated. But this person is a governor, which makes it rather intriguing!"
"Furthermore, how exactly were you toyed with? The governor must explain clearly so that this king can discern the truth. Coming here in such a rage, even if this king wanted to help the governor, it would be impossible!" Ye Feng tapped the table with a finger. "Or has the governor committed some heinous deeds?"
"You! Stop pretending you don't understand!" Liu Dai cursed. At that moment, he suddenly thought clearly. He couldn't possibly tell Ye Feng directly that he had tried to molest his wife and was thus toyed with. That would be suicidal!
Liu Dai chose to completely omit the matter involving Yang Yanqi, only stating that he had been attacked and even showing Ye Feng his wounds clearly.
"Someone dares to assassinate a governor in Liangzhou? How audacious! Lü Bu, order the Embroidered Uniform Guard to immediately apprehend this person. This king will ensure they die a terrible death!" Ye Feng commanded coldly. "Alive or dead, I want them!"
Upon hearing this order, Liu Dai naturally had nothing more to say. He only asked, "How long will it take for the Prince of Chu to apprehend the culprit and deliver justice to this governor?"
Ye Feng picked up his tea, took a sip, and sighed heavily. "It would not take long, but today, my wife was molested upon arriving in Liangzhou. This is intolerable! This king has people apprehending this person, which might take some time!"
Liu Dai's heart pounded. This matter could have been overlooked if Ye Feng had kept silent, but who knew Ye Feng would speak up so directly? Considering the situation, Liu Dai was in the wrong. He said sheepishly, "Perhaps the lady is as beautiful as a celestial being, and someone momentarily had ill intentions. Perhaps the Prince of Chu could be more magnanimous and let it go!"
"Fortunately, the lady suffered no harm. In return, someone might feel grateful for the Prince of Chu's kindness, and unexpected benefits might arise!"
Liu Dai's intention was clear: if Ye Feng dropped the investigation, he would owe Ye Feng a favor and would help him in the future.
Unexpectedly, Ye Feng remained unmoved. He said coldly, "What words are these? Does Ye Feng need help from his wife? This matter is not to be mentioned again. This king will capture that person and tear them to shreds, so everyone can see the consequences of coveting my wife. Let everyone remember this lesson!"