Chapter 49 Enemies
Jiang Yinyue returned to the house empty-handed, having not prepared any gifts to present to her elders in the capital.
Even her mother-in-law, Madam Gu, who was not good at social etiquette, couldn't help but remind her not to go back empty-handed, as it would be impolite.
"The souvenir gift isn't urgent; it will take a few more days."
Why is that?
Yesterday we were planning to set off as early as possible so as not to miss meeting my brother. Why did you suddenly change your mind?
Jiang Yinyue's eyes darted around, and a blush appeared on her cheeks.
Du Juan, who was waiting to the side, thought of something and smiled as she waved the handkerchief in her hand, "The second young mistress is about to have her period, so it's inconvenient for her to travel."
Madam Gu quickly stepped forward to support Jiang Yinyue, "Do you experience lower abdominal pain every month?"
"......No."
"That's good! Dujuan is right. It's not too late to continue our journey after our period is over."
When her son returned to the house under the stars and moon, Madam Gu, who was guarding the door, quickly stepped forward and whispered a few words to him.
Wei Qin listened to his mother's words, took the things she gave him, and went straight back to the east wing, ignoring the commotion in the west wing.
Without Jiang Yinyue, the West Chamber couldn't attract his attention.
Jiang Yinyue kept her promise from yesterday and returned to the east wing tonight.
The young woman, having removed her outer garment, got up, still wrapped in her blanket, and blinked her sleepy eyes. "You're back."
In the simple room, a candlelight illuminated the warm-colored curtains, and the woman inside was the only vibrant presence in the desolate night.
Wei Qin washed his hands in front of the washstand, then went behind the screen to change his clothes. "Shall we set off tomorrow?"
Jiang Yinyue stared at the shadowy figures behind the semi-transparent screen and said bluntly, "I'm afraid Wei Yangwan will target you, so let's stay for a few more days."
The man, who lowered his gaze and unbuckled his belt, had a faint smile on his lips.
"Um."
Jiang Yinyue watched as Wei Qin walked to the bedside. The light reflected off his snow-white ramie undergarment, revealing his slender and graceful waist.
She moved over to make room and solemnly reminded Wei Qin to be extra vigilant against Wei Yangwan.
"That rotten apple has been spoiled by Consort Guo. He has come up with all sorts of tricks to play on people. Many guards and palace servants have fallen victim to his evil deeds. The more harmless he appears, the more wicked ideas he harbors. You must not let your guard down."
"Um."
"His trip to Yangzhou is likely to investigate the whereabouts of those assassins on Tao Qian's behalf."
Even Tao Qian's usually composed nature would be shaken if the assassins he sent didn't return to report.
Jiang Yinyue was completely baffled as to why Tao Qian would risk sending someone to assassinate the Crown Prince. But the assassination of Wei Qin was simply an attempt to sow discord between Jiang Song and the Crown Prince.
Do you think Wei Yang knew about Tao Qian sending assassins?
Wei Qin lifted the blanket and placed a medicine packet on Jiang Yinyue's lower abdomen. "She must have known before setting off."
Only those who are in the same boat can trust each other.
The stone was thrown into the water but did not create any ripples, which seemed suspicious and hinted at the risk of backlash.
Tao Qian was overwhelmed with other matters and could only entrust Wei Yangwan with the investigation in secret.
No matter how much they speculated, they could not have imagined that the assassination plan would be turned around by Wei Qin. Otherwise, Wei Yang would never have acted so recklessly, using the emperor's power to punish the crown prince and leaving himself no room for maneuver.
When Wei Qin met Jiang Yinyue's gaze, the darkness in his eyes vanished completely, leaving only the outline of the woman's figure in his pitch-black eyes.
Jiang Yinyue's attention shifted to the medicine packet on her lower abdomen, and she asked in confusion, "What is this?"
"Herbs that can remove blood stasis and relieve pain."
"I don't experience menstrual pain..."
"A mother's sentiment."
Jiang Yinyue looked down at Wei Qin's large hand covering her abdomen. Although it was a bit unnecessary, she couldn't refuse her mother-in-law's offer.
Applying medicine through clothing might reduce its effectiveness.
She pulled the blanket over herself and subtly tugged at the hem of her clothes between her lower abdomen and the medicine packet to make the packet fit her skin more snugly.
Not only the medicine pack can fit snugly against the skin, but also Wei Qin's hands.
The rough fingertips made her feel a little itchy.
Jiang Yinyue sat there blankly, trying to defuse the embarrassment of having her stomach pressed down with silence.
No, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Whenever she catches a cold, Sister Hongmei always warms her lower abdomen like this.
Wei Qin's fingers sank into the woman's soft, white belly. He didn't make any extra movements, just pressed on it, feeling the lingering echoes of the drumming in her heart.
The young woman, with her long, black hair reaching her waist, tucked a few strands behind her ears, revealing a pair of small, delicate ears with red tips. "You were too rough," she said.
Wei Qin found it amusing; he had never thought she was easily shy before, but now he realized she liked to put on a brave face.
She tried to maintain her composure despite her embarrassment, but her red ears betrayed her.
"Then you can cover it yourself."
"good."
Wei Qin withdrew his hand and touched her cheek with his fingers; her ears turned red from the tips to the lobes.
Exquisitely beautiful.
Why are your ears red?
"Hot."
On a sweltering summer night, being wrapped in a quilt would only make things worse. Jiang Yingyue kicked off the quilt, lay back on the bed, held the medicine packet in her hands, crossed her legs, and swung her bare feet, looking completely unconcerned and at ease.
She refused to admit she was shy and forced herself to the extreme.
Wei Qin glanced at the reclining "green hills".
The enchanting green hills came to life in my mind.
Wei Qin got up to take a bath, and when he returned, the woman on the bed was still lying on her back.
He pulled out the medicine packet she was tightly holding and reminded her that the packet had expired.
With nowhere to put her hands, the young woman lay motionless on her back to maintain her composure until Wei Qin tucked her clothes in to cover her white belly.
The string that had been held up snapped instantly.
She forgot to lift the hem of her dress.
The embarrassed person slowly turned over to face inward, his face pale.
**
As the night grew quiet, the air inside Yuxiao Tower was filled with the fragrance of incense. A young man in red stood by the window with his hands behind his back, listening to the report from his personal guard Zou Kai, and lazily twirling his jade-bone folding fan.
"You mean, Wei Qin was the only survivor of the assassination attempt, and he was seriously injured."
"Your Highness, there were many eyewitnesses on the day the deceased was transported back to the city, and their accounts were consistent. Among the yamen runners and prisoners, only Wei Qin survived."
"Do you think Wei Qin alone could kill all the assassins and hide the bodies?"
"No. Perhaps the assassins alerted the Crown Prince before they even acted, and he turned the tables and killed them."
Wei Yangwan spun his folding fan faster and faster. Would the Crown Prince just stand by and watch those innocent yamen runners sacrifice themselves?
"Those assassins were Tao Qian's trained death squads, no different from walking corpses. They would not betray Tao Qian, and most of them have probably lost their lives."
Wei Yangwan pondered. It wasn't that he underestimated Wei Qin, but that the assassins sent by Tao Qian were all brave and fierce, each capable of fighting ten against one. Without a sudden and unexpected attack, Wei Qin would have had no chance of surviving.
If these surprise troops were guards pre-arranged by the Crown Prince, would the Crown Prince allow the assassins to slaughter innocent people?
"I can't figure it out." Wei Yangwan tapped his forehead with the handle of his fan. What exactly went wrong?
Has another group of experts intervened?
Zou Kai reminded him, "Minister Tao's instructions are that the most urgent task is to find those assassins, whether alive or dead, and then destroy the evidence."
Wei Yangwan fanned himself with his folding fan to calm his temper. "Tao Qian can be really stubborn and self-willed at times. He sent out assassins without consulting anyone. Now look what's happened; he's created a hidden danger for himself. If these assassins fall into the hands of the Crown Prince, how will he clear his name? He'll even implicate me!"
Assassination or instigation, either one would be enough for him to atone with his death before the emperor.
"Your Highness, this is not the time to complain."
The young man was so angry he jumped up and down. "Keep sending people to inquire. Also, screen out the guards accompanying the Crown Prince who are related to us and bribe them with a large sum of money. We must find out if the Crown Prince knows about this."
"What about Wei Qin?"
"I, the prince, will personally take charge."
Zou Kai nodded and brought up another matter, "Tomorrow, the largest entertainment venue in Yangzhou will be holding an auction."
Wei Yangwan waved his hand, "No interest, no interest."
He's so annoyed.
"There are two treasures up for grabs that Your Highness should be interested in."
The boy, with his narrow, drooping eyes, sat down on the ground with a thud, his hands on his knees. "Speak!"
"First, it's a masterpiece by the great painter Qin Baohai; second, it's a resurrection pill that several renowned medical practitioners spent three years refining."
Wei Yangwan then straightened his attitude. The painter Qin Baohai was a grand master who lived in seclusion in Yangzhou. He was elusive and had produced many famous figures under his tutelage. If he could befriend this man, it would be beneficial to him, who was eager to find talented people.
What is the Resurrection Pill used for?
Zou Kai squatted down beside the boy and said, "Your Highness, don't forget that Grand Secretary Dong is terminally ill and urgently needs a miraculous medicine. The news has spread throughout the city that Your Highness will bid for a resurrection pill for your grandfather to fulfill your filial duty."
"Filial piety? A single pill can bring the dead back to life? What a charade. If the Crown Prince really goes, he'll only be trying to gain a reputation for filial piety. Zou Kai, should we try to steal his reputation?"
"Please make yourself at home, Your Highness."
The boy rested his chin on his hand and hummed, then lay sprawled on the ground and fell fast asleep.
Let's leave the worries that can't be resolved for tomorrow.
The next morning, Jiang Yinyue accompanied Wei Ying to the clinic as usual, and on the way they encountered a boy in red hanging upside down on a weeping willow by the roadside.
"You spoiled brat, can I ask you something?"
With Hong Mei by her side, Jiang Yinyue gently nudged Wei Ying, signaling her and Miao Die to go first.
"What do you want to know?"
How did Wei Yunpan manage to escape death?
"You have the nerve to ask?"
Wei Yangwan jumped down from the tree branch, looking completely innocent and confused. "What does this have to do with me? I was just asking around, and now I'm an accomplice?"
"Your Highness knows who sent the assassin to kill Wei Qin."
Wei Yangwan picked at his ear, rolling his eyes high. "You know, I hate killing the most."
"Your Highness came with an imperial decree to urge the marriage, but the mission has failed. You should return home as soon as possible. Why are you lingering here?"
"The scenery of Yangzhou is so beautiful, I haven't even seen it yet!" Wei Yangwan pointed at her from afar, "Marrying a rigid man has made you lose your sense of romance."
Jiang Yinyue was too lazy to deal with him and just wanted him to stop trying to take advantage of Wei Qin.
"Sister Hongmei, let's go."
As the two girls walked past him, Wei Yangwan subconsciously reached for Jiang Yinyue's hair. Just like when he was a child, the mischievous and unruly Third Prince always intentionally or unintentionally provoked the little shadow beside the Crown Prince.
"You little tagalong, all you ever do is follow your elder brother, the Crown Prince."
"Mind your own business, don't pull my hair!"
The two little dumplings were wrestling together.
Before long, Qi Bao appeared by Jiang Niannian's side, and the guard dog chased the dog-fearing little prince all over the harem.
After that, they were practically strangers, if not at each other's throats.
Jiang Yinyue, who was almost grabbed by the hair, instinctively dodged the hand before Hong Mei could make a move, and kicked the other party instead.
Wei Yangwan hopped on one foot, clutching his knee that had been kicked so hard. "Spoiled brat, tagalong, little shadow!"
Jiang Yinyue ignored her and left with Hong Mei.
The boy landed, his grimacing expression turning into one of gloomy disposition.
Why not learn from our father, if soft methods don't work, try hard ones?
To force a confession from Wei Qin?
**
Wei Qin was surrounded by people in the alley he usually walked through Xiazhi.
The unfamiliar thugs forced Wei Qin to back away.
The tall, handsome man in the blue robe half-raised his hands, smiled, and stepped back. "The assassin's corpse? I wonder what you gentlemen are talking about."
"Stop playing dumb. If Judge Wei doesn't give us an explanation today, don't blame us for showing no mercy."
As soon as he finished speaking, several more thugs appeared at the other end of the alley, each one burly and strong.
"A wise man knows when to yield, and Wei Yunpan is a man of principle; he probably doesn't want to end things in an undignified way."
Caught between two attackers, Wei Qin said helplessly, "I was unaware of this. You gentlemen should..."
A thug swung his fist and punched Wei Qin in the corner of his mouth.
“We are all rough men, and we cannot stand your sophistry.”
Wei Qin touched his bleeding lips, a metallic taste oozing from between his teeth.
A ruffian behind him bent his elbow and jabbed it at Wei Qin's left shoulder.
Wei Qin clutched his shoulder, wincing in pain.
"A little something, Wei Yunpan will gladly accept."
Another person rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward, but Wei Qin blocked him with his hand, his smile unwavering, "No problem, no problem."
"You scholars, you don't know your place until you use force! Come on! Hurry up!"
Wei Qin was shoved forward by several people behind him, accompanied by fierce shouts.
"Still hungry? Let's go!"
Wei Qin, in his good-natured manner, said, "It's the other side."
The group of men, their fists clenched, exchanged awkward glances. But the one being coerced wouldn't back down, and they turned Wei Qin around.
"Hurry up, don't try anything funny!"
As night falls, the chirping of birds echoes through the dark bamboo forest, far from the bustling markets. Several dilapidated, nearly collapsing two-story bamboo houses stand out against the eerie wind.
The timid dare not go out at night.
Wei Qin led the group to a dry well, pointed downwards, and gave a cryptic hint.
The ruffians tried to probe the depths with their lamps, but found it to be bottomless.
"Hey~"
The echo lingered for a long time.
"That's creepy." After careful observation, one of the hooligans discovered a rope ladder by the well. "Wei Yunpan dares to play tricks on us brothers. This day next year will be your death anniversary."
When Wei Qin, who was usually good-natured, heard the words "anniversary of death," his lowered eyebrows and eyes appeared deep and mysterious in the light of the lanterns.
"I wouldn't dare."
"You take the lead!"
The rogue gave Wei Qin a push, signaling him to climb down first.
Following his advice, Wei Qin climbed down the rope ladder little by little and plunged into the bottomless dry well.
The others followed closely behind, leaving one person to wait outside the well.
The rogue with the lantern yawned, sat idly by the well, occasionally shouting into the well, and after hearing the cursing echoes, he grinned, revealing his gleaming white teeth.
But as he laughed, he couldn't laugh anymore.
One after another, screams of agony came from the well.
The rascal sprang to his feet, bent down, and asked, "What happened?"
"Aaaaaaah!"
His response was a piercing scream, heart-wrenching and terrifying.
The ruffian was so frightened that he dropped the lantern. Just as he was about to pick it up, someone kicked him on the head.
Bleeding from all seven orifices.
Wei Qin, who had climbed out of another well, dusted off his sleeves and suddenly turned toward the nearby bamboo house.
On the second floor, Wei Xichen leaned slowly against the railing, not afraid of it breaking and causing him to fall. He looked down at Wei Qin in the lush green path. It was clearly Wei Qin who had instructed him to turn the tables on Wei Qin, but Wei Qin's ruthless and merciless nature stung his heart.
No wonder they survived the fighting.
A clear, melodious female voice rang out, deliberately lowering her tone, yet unable to conceal its sweet and gentle quality.
"Wei Qin only smiles at two kinds of people: those who are his enemies. With one smile, the fate of the enemy is uncertain."
Wei Xichen turned around, "What about the other one?"
"The other kind is only for court ladies."
Jiang Yinyue deliberately exaggerated, her words filled with pride. She stepped down from the bamboo building and ran towards Wei Qin.
The bamboo forest, where the stars and moon were dim, was suddenly bathed in warm sunlight.
The Crown Prince, who originally intended to tease Wei Yangwan, looked down at the scene in the secluded path. The man put his arm around the woman's shoulder and left without looking back.
The scheme he set up was turned into a scheme within a scheme by a couple downstairs.
Wei Yangwan wasn't the only one who was unhappy tonight.
A line of guards ran towards the young couple and made way for them without prior arrangement.
They had no right to stop it, nor did the one in the bamboo house.
Once they had walked a distance, Jiang Yinyue, whose shoulder was being held, turned her head and reminded her, "You're holding me too tightly."
A faint line appeared on Wei Qin's lips again. "He's still watching."
Jiang Yinyue stopped protesting. See? See? Give up now.
**
The boy, who had been waiting at the agreed location for nearly three hours, was losing patience. "Could Wei Qin have escaped again?"
Zou Kai rubbed his chin. "If he escaped, then he certainly has some skill."
"Whose side are you on?"
"Let's stick to the facts."
The master and servant paced back and forth in the darkness when Wei Yangwan suddenly rubbed his eyelids.
Dozens of glittering glass beads appeared in the secluded alley.
No! They are the eyes of a wild beast!
"Oh no! Run!"
"Woof woof woof!"
The barking of dogs was deafening.
The boy left Zou Kai behind and ran away faster than a rabbit, but a moment later, out of the corner of his eye, Zou Kai caught up with the boy, overtook him, and left him behind.
Speeding like lightning.
It stirred up a cloud of dust.
The boy, his mouth full of dust, was furious. "You've gone too far! How dare you abandon this prince!"
Waaaaah, he's so scared.
Behind the two, more than a dozen hunting dogs barked incessantly, relentlessly pursuing them.
-----------------------
Author's Note: 100 small red envelopes~
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