Chapter 26 Wei Qin hugged her from behind

The rain subsided at night, and the newly sprouted green leaves swayed in the wind, sending a cool breeze that sent shivers down one's spine.

Wei Qin, who was still awake, lay on his back on the outside of the four-poster bed, his arm as a pillow, his fingertips twirling the note he had hidden in his sleeve.

The painting above depicts a scene of a large amount of gold, silver, and jade being buried in the Yan family garden. Several small figures helping to shovel soil have their names marked on their heads; they are seven salt merchants who have been making waves in recent years.

The four chief merchants held the highest position among the salt merchants, while the other three market merchants were second only to the chief merchants.

If evidence of bribery by the seven individuals to Yan Hongchang can be collected, and a search warrant can be obtained to unearth the gold, silver, and jade, then Yan Hongchang will be proven guilty of accepting bribes and abusing his power for personal gain, and his entire family will be implicated and punished.

As Wei Qin pondered how to approach one or two of the seven salt merchants, a small foot pressed down on his chest.

Wei Qin turned his head, his arm as a pillow, and his thin lips curled slightly.

The sleeping young woman lost her sleeping posture and put one leg across his chest.

It has good flexibility.

Wei Qin grasped the woman's ankle with his other hand, his fingertips touching the slender ankle bone, lingering on the smooth, soft flesh, until he reached her jade-like foot.

It was very cold.

Caused by getting caught in the rain and catching a chill.

He slowly lifted that snow-white foot and gently kissed it.

**

In the veranda of the Yan residence, Yan Hongchang was exchanging words with several guests, occasionally stroking his beard. “I don’t want anything to go wrong during His Highness’s stay in Yangzhou. You need to make up for the missing accounts as soon as possible, so as not to make things difficult for me.”

Several guests looked troubled. One of them stepped forward, bowed deeply, and wore a brocade robe with double peaches and auspicious symbols, exuding wealth and power. "It's not that we don't want to make up for it for you, sir, but the accounts are seriously incomplete, and we are unable to help you."

"The transport commissioner appointed by the imperial court has been in office for some time and will surely demand an explanation in return. You few are the heads of the Yangzhou salt merchants, and you were all promoted by me. You should understand the principle of mutual dependence."

The man sighed and dared not disobey again.

After waving the men away, Yan Hongchang sighed. "Human greed is like a snake trying to swallow an elephant. One wrong step leads to another. If we don't take remedial measures soon, I'm afraid I'll lose my official position."

The Crown Prince would not collude with him. If he confessed, the Crown Prince might use this opportunity to clear his name before the Emperor.

By then, they won't even be able to keep their heads.

Yan Hongchang touched his neck.

Tao Qian, the Minister of Revenue, is a confidant of the Third Prince. It is said that Wei Qin was appointed this time on Tao Qian's recommendation. That old scoundrel wants to bring him down to damage the Crown Prince's reputation, and also to pave the way for the Third Prince to seize the throne.

The fact that the court sent Wei Qin here had already alerted the enemy, but it did remind him to fix the accounts as soon as possible, find another official to audit the accounts and make sure that there were no loopholes in the salt transport office's accounts, and that the person who did the accounting was just careless.

At that point, the Crown Prince, to preserve his reputation for integrity, would likely help him cover it up. However, for now, he hoped that the Crown Prince had only come to reward the salt merchants and had nothing to do with Wei Qin.

Let's hope so.

The only option now is to threaten the merchants to cover the losses, and then secretly make up the rest ourselves.

It really hurts to eat it and then vomit it up.

Yan Hongchang was clenching his fists, feeling melancholy, when he suddenly saw a figure walking towards him from one end of the corridor.

"Zhu Yi, why aren't you asleep yet? Why didn't you let Han Yan and the others come with you?"

Yan Zhuyi walked over step by step, giving him a cold glance. "What were Father and those salt merchants plotting just now?"

"nothing......"

The Ministry of Revenue's investigation into the irregularities in Yangzhou's salt administration accounts was a secret, and Yan Zhuyi was unaware of it. However, she knew her father's character well, saying, "Father, you have earned your position today through my efforts with the royal family. Father should cherish this blessing."

Although she hated her father, she believed in keeping the wealth within the family. If she didn't support her own family, she would inevitably be alone and helpless in the future.

"Zhuyu will be taking the imperial examination soon. Father should focus his attention on his eldest son. If Zhuyu can pass the exam with flying colors next spring and successfully enter the Hanlin Academy, it will also help solidify my position."

If a family produces three top scholars, it will earn them the respect of the royal family.

"Yes, yes, Father understands."

It wasn't easy to climb to where she is today. Yan Zhuyi vaguely sensed something was wrong. She wanted to warn him but felt powerless. She wouldn't stay in Yangzhou forever and couldn't keep an eye on her father's words and actions. "I hope Father will be cautious in his words and actions."

As Yan Zhuyi stepped down the stone steps from the corridor, she saw Han Jian approaching from a distance, his face ashen. She stopped, crossed her arms, and asked, "Did you get it back?"

She couldn't let that unscrupulous shopkeeper Xie get away with it; she was determined to get back the extra payment he had made.

Han Jian bowed, "This humble servant has failed in his duty."

"You think it's too difficult to deal with a hunchback? Can't you even handle such a small matter? You've wasted your time eating."

Leaving behind a few casual words, Yan Zhuyi stepped over Han Jian without saying anything harsh, but the contempt in her cold smile was more humiliating to Han Jian than any harsh words.

**

The next day at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM), before dawn, Jiang Yinyue woke up as usual. The Jiang family had a daily ritual of paying respects to their father, and Jiang Yinyue had been waking up at the hour of Yin to greet him since she was a child.

She rubbed her eyelids and was about to sit up when she swayed and fell onto the man's arm.

"Um?"

With her feet planted on the hard object, she curled her toes, her toes brushing against a firm, uneven "heat source".

It was Wei Qin's abdomen.

Could it be that I was sleeping in a daze, and my legs were moving around so much that they got stuck in Wei Qin's clothes?

Realizing this possibility, she bit her lower lip, trying to quietly pull her foot back and pretend nothing had happened, but Wei Qin grabbed her toes.

"I didn't mean to."

She immediately began to explain.

Wei Qin did not open his eyes; his thin eyelids were lightly closed, and his raven-black eyelashes trembled slightly with his breath.

Jiang Yinyue nudged him. "You're awake."

Wei Qin, whose identity had been exposed, glanced sideways at the woman lying on the pillow, her eyes still showing lingering drowsiness.

The warm-colored curtains blended with the woman's aura. She opened her almond-shaped eyes, which were moist and innocent, and her gentle and soft demeanor concealed her sharp edges.

Wei Qin's hand, which was gripping her toes, gradually tightened, taking the "softness" in front of him into his palm.

Her small feet were exceptionally smooth.

The soapberry has a milky scent.

Jiang Yinyue kicked her legs, and after getting what she wanted, she wrapped herself in the blanket and lay on the bed, raising her head to get close to Wei Qin's face, "We still have to clock in, don't be late."

Wei Qin hummed in response, his voice low and hoarse with the characteristic of the morning. He sat up and leaned against the bedpost, looking somewhat relaxed and lazy, a languor that no one else could see.

Lord Wei, who only falls asleep at the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), would press his forehead, and a pair of small hands would do it for him.

Jiang Yinyue tightened her grip, concentrating on relieving his fatigue, unaware that the collar of her nightgown was askew, hanging precariously on one shoulder.

Her shoulders were rounded, and her collarbones were clearly visible.

Fair with a hint of pink.

Didn't you sleep well last night?

She asked earnestly, her raised sleeve falling to her elbow, revealing her forearm, which was the same color as the pinkish-white skin below her collarbone.

Wei Qin didn't rush to get up and wash, letting her massage him. The self-awareness and self-control he had developed when he was young, when he was studying without any external interference, loosened at this moment.

Some people were already engrossed in their warm tents early in the morning, while others were already waiting alone at the end of the street west of the inn.

As Wei Qin walked by in the morning breeze, Cui Shihan, who was leaning against a camphor tree by the roadside, kicked a pebble on the ground. It landed squarely right next to Wei Qin's feet.

"Let's talk in private."

Wei Qin walked towards her, stopped three steps away, glanced at her somewhat sickly face, his jaw twitched slightly, as if he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

After a short while, the two appeared in a deserted alley.

Cui Shihan took out a thick envelope from her cloak and tucked it between her fingers, saying, "To repay Lord Wei for saving my life."

"Silver notes?"

Cui Shihan was taken aback, then smiled and coughed a few times, "It's more valuable than a large denomination banknote, and can help you rise to a high position."

The girl's pale face faced the morning sun; she raised her chin, exuding arrogance and pride.

Wei Qin walked past her, and as they brushed past each other, he reached out and snatched the envelope from between her two fingers.

On the other side, Jiang Yinyue, who was sent to the post station by Wei Qin, did not rush to see Qi Bao. She found a clay craftsman's shop on the street and wanted to ask the craftsman to make a miniature Qi Bao for her.

A man in his mid-twenties, dressed in a silver shirt and white robe, emerged from the nearby clinic. He was elegant and handsome, and brushed past Jiang Yinyue, who was leading the plasterer to the post station.

The two exchanged glances briefly, then looked away just as quickly.

Each went to one end.

Jiang Yinyue led the plasterer to the front of the inn. Unlike usual, she did not enter as if it were empty. She went through three levels of passageways, from the entrance to the spiral staircase and then to the small room.

Fu Zhongcai personally went downstairs to inform her, "His Highness only allows the lady to enter."

Qi Bao's barking came from the spiral staircase, indicating that it had sensed her arrival.

Jiang Yinyue asked the plasterer to wait outside the door, and then followed Fu Zhongcai into the small room alone.

Dressed in white, Wei Xichen sat at the table, holding a cup of fragrant tea, his eyes lowered over the tea, and asked indifferently, "Why do you want to sculpt a clay figure?"

Fu Zhongcai quietly withdrew, vaguely sensing that His Highness was in a bad mood.

As Jiang Yinyue stroked the approaching Qi Bao, she explained, "After today, I will no longer bother you. If Your Highness is so kind as to grant my request, you may leave Qi Bao with me. If not, I would like to ask a craftsman to sculpt a clay sculpture of Qi Bao as a keepsake."

Qi Bao's injuries were no longer serious, only needing to heal. The veterinarian had received his reward and "retired successfully." Jiang Yinyue thought it was time for her to avoid suspicion as well.

Having gone their separate ways, they should never cross paths again.

Since the younger sister-in-law in the family cannot touch Qi Bao's fur, Jiang Yinyue plans to temporarily place Qi Bao in the care of Cui Shihan's residence and bring her along when she returns to the capital.

Qi Bao, whimpering as it clung to the woman's skirt, was eager to go out and play. Jiang Yin Yue stood still, waiting for Wei Xi Chen's reply.

It's not a question of whether or not she should avoid suspicion, but rather whether or not it's possible to help her achieve her goal.

Wei Xichen's fingertips, which were gripping the purple clay teacup, turned white. He looked up amidst the rising steam and said calmly, "Qi Bao was also raised by me."

"Understood."

"stop."

Wei Xichen stopped Jiang Yinyue, who was trying to take Qibao away, and slowly stood up. "If I don't grant your wish, you will never come to visit Qibao again, is that right?"

"Um."

Jiang Yinyue stared at the grinning Qi Bao, her eyes suddenly reddening, but she didn't cry, forcing herself not to let the past hold her back.

If one day Qi Bao needs her, she will not hesitate, but that's a matter for later.

Wei Xichen, with a sip of unfinished tea still between his fingers, took another step closer, his tall figure looming over the woman with furrowed brows. "Qibao is fourteen. Do you think it can live to be a hundred?"

Jiang Yinyue had never seen Wei Xichen angry, not even a slight anger, and had never personally felt it. She took a step back, avoiding the scent of ambergris on his body, unwilling to discuss Qi Bao's life or death with him.

Since that's a matter for later, why worry unnecessarily?

She was leading Qi Bao out when Wei Xichen, who was looking straight ahead, grabbed her wrist and gently pulled her back.

"Answer me."

"Your Highness, respect yourself!"

With a crisp "crack", Wei Xichen crushed the teacup in his hand.

The shards cut his skin, and beads of blood dripped down the lines of his palm.

"Woof! Woof woof!"

Qi Bao was quite frightened and made a move to lick Wei Xichen's wound, but Wei Xichen raised his hand to avoid it.

He closed his eyes, trying his best to suppress the anger that suddenly arose or that had been suppressed for a long time.

Qi Bao was extremely anxious, nudging his legs with her nose and turning her head to look at Jiang Yin Yue, whimpering in a panic.

Jiang Yinyue glanced sideways at the man's bleeding hand, her eyes empty, then turned and left.

He was the one who killed her innocent and naive self. Now, facing him, her heart is cold and her words are empty.

"Woof woof woof!"

Behind her came Qi Bao's cry and the sound of Fu Zhongcai pulling Qi Bao back. Jiang Yinyue did not turn around, but apologized to the plasterer outside the door and paid the errand fee.

Walking aimlessly through the market with "Chasing the Wind" on her leash, the shouts and bargaining drowned out the barking that lingered in her ears. She thought that since she had made a decision, she shouldn't hesitate.

She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. She turned her horse around, intending to go to the Huaijin County Princess's residence to visit Cui Shihan.

Suddenly, a clear, cheerful laugh came from a stall on the side: "Would you like your painting done, madam? You can pay after you're satisfied."

The one who spoke was a young man sitting in front of the Xuan paper, dressed in a silver shirt and white robe, with bright eyes, holding a paintbrush in his hand, his sleeves stained with ink.

Jiang Yinyue remembered that she first met him outside the mud maker's shop. She didn't expect to run into him again. "Can I see the finished product?"

"certainly."

The man spread out several portraits, all of them depicting ordinary people working in the city, drawn with exquisite detail and lifelike realism.

Jiang Yinyue became interested, led her horse forward, and without asking the price, began to describe Qi Bao's features directly.

After a brief moment of surprise, the man spread out the paper and quickly sketched, meticulously, which aroused Jiang Yinyue's anticipation.

An extraordinary and refined artistic conception seems to be concentrated at the tip of the brush, making the viewer feel that this painting is from heaven...

"It's finished. Please take a look."

Looking at the scribbles of a fat, pig-like dog on the Xuan paper, Jiang Yinyue's lips twitched. This was probably what a con artist was like.

She led her horse away, leaving the painter male engrossed in his masterpiece.

After the ink dried, he rolled up the Xuan paper and put it into a box, which also contained a walking stick.

**

As dusk falls, bamboo sways and willows sway, hurried travelers pass by, and old men sit idly by the green pond, fishing, all set against the backdrop of the molten gold of the setting sun.

When Jiang Yinyue returned to the Wei residence from the county princess's mansion, it was already dusk. Her mother-in-law told her that Wei Qin had a social engagement that day and would be back late. After having dinner, she took a bath and changed her clothes. She took out the storybook about the young lady and the scholar, turned to a folded page, and continued reading.

Whenever she read a particularly bold passage, she would subconsciously glance at the door.

As night fell and the lights of every household gradually went out, Jiang Yinyue, who had not yet returned to Weiqin, hid her storybook and prepared to go to sleep.

"Knock knock knock".

A knock sounded, and she quickly went to the door. "Wei Qin?"

"Um."

Hearing the familiar, deep voice, she opened the door, welcoming the person outside along with the warm yellow light.

Along with the moonlight, the smell of alcohol emanating from the person outside the door also brushed against my face.

"You're back, come inside quickly."

She pulled the person into the house and gestured for Dujuan to prepare a hangover remedy.

She closed the door, leaned in and sniffed, "You drank quite a bit today."

"I was entertaining some business owners, and those people can't be happy without alcohol."

Jiang Yinyue neither blamed nor tested him. She trusted Wei Qin's character and knew he wouldn't be out there indulging in debauchery.

Wei Qin poured tea from the teapot, took a sip of the cool tea to soothe his throat, and asked, "Is this prepared for me?"

"You don't dislike warmth."

"No, not at all."

"Oh? Tell me about it."

Jiang Yinyue walked around to stand in front of him, more curious about "Wenre," whom he considered an exception, than about who he had socialized with that day.

Drunk, Wei Qin's eyes were flushed with a decadent red, making his phoenix eyes appear even longer. He leaned against the table, shook his head, and a wisp of hair fell between his eyebrows, looking languid and charming.

He didn't answer Jiang Yinyue's expectant question, but instead asked, "What did you do tonight?"

"read."

"The young lady and the book..."

Jiang Yinyue pressed her slender index finger to his lips and said solemnly, "Let's stop here and not say anything more."

They didn't deny it, and they still dared to take responsibility for their actions.

Wei Qin, irritated by the smell of alcohol and intoxicated, grabbed the small hand that couldn't dodge in time, held it tightly, and gently caressed it.

Jiang Yinyue couldn't free her hand and wondered why the hangover soup hadn't been delivered yet.

"You're drunk."

"A little."

"Then tell me, what kind of warmth do you prefer?"

Would someone who wouldn't even sip warm water or warm porridge like warm food?

Wei Qin leaned against the table, his tall frame slightly bent, and did not let go of her hand, which she was secretly trying to pull back.

The answer is not obvious.

He looked at her, and she wrinkled her nose.

"A gentleman should not stare at a virtuous woman."

"I'm not going to be a gentleman anymore."

Jiang Yinyue choked, somewhat unable to handle the drunken Wei Qin. He was mild-mannered, not frivolous or dissolute, but not exactly well-behaved either, at least his hands were not well-behaved.

But Jiang Yinyue didn't feel any repulsion. A scene from a storybook kept flashing through her mind: a scholar grabbing his mistress's hand and pulling her down, and down...

In another scene, the scholar picks up the young lady and holds her in his arms, their shadows rising and falling on a wall to one side.

This is what I read tonight, and it left a deep impression on me.

Unconscious association.

"Let go of my hand."

She spoke in a muffled, slightly spoiled tone, but little did she expect that her wish would come true the next moment.

Wei Qin really let go.

The back of her hand had lost the man's body heat.

"I'll go urge Dujuan on."

To avoid embarrassment, Jiang Yinyue used the same trick again, pretending to be busy and turning around, but as soon as she took a step, she suddenly felt a weight on her back.

Wei Qin hugged her from behind, wrapped his arms around her waist, and lifted her up forcefully as she shrugged in fright.

The crossed forearms were positioned below the woman's chest.

Wei Qin bent down, rested his chin on her neck, closed his eyes and said, "Miss is the answer."

He held that warm, jade-like body tightly in his arms.

-----------------------

Author's Note: A bunch of small red envelopes will be given away.