Chapter 78 Meeting.
Upon hearing this, Wen Yunqin's expression changed.
Is this really true?
Although He Xun was dressed in night clothes, he sat calmly and composed, looking more like a guest than someone who had come to deliver a message.
He answered irrelevantly, "Brother Yunqin, you've been harassed by the Prefect these past few days. Haven't you noticed anything unusual?"
Wen Yunqin did notice something amiss, but he couldn't act rashly because the governor of Youzhou was a member of the Ji family, and it wouldn't be appropriate to report it to the court, not to mention the marriage between the Ji and Wen families.
He then explained his own selfish reasons, saying that he didn't want to do anything to harm Ji Wanyuan.
Therefore, Wen Yunqin chose to turn a blind eye to the harassment from the Prefect of Youzhou.
In addition, he also sensed that Ji Lingyue had secretly sent people to monitor him, and he had already clearly realized it.
Since that gathering in Youzhou, my elder brother has disappeared without a trace, and we don't know where he went, but wherever he went, it must be for the Ji family's mining operations.
He couldn't interfere in this matter because the people the court had sent to deal with were still around him. Keeping these people alive was just a way to reassure the emperor.
Moreover, his father had written a letter some time ago, telling him not to be too clever for his own good and to follow his elder brother's lead.
His father's letter arrived suspiciously, and although he didn't understand it, he did as he was told.
Even though he disliked his older brother and there was already a rift between them, he was clear-headed when it came to matters of principle.
He originally planned to remain inactive, but he didn't expect... He Xun would come to him first.
"Isn't he my sister-in-law's brother?" Wen Yunqin asked, controlling his expression. "How could he imprison my sister-in-law?"
Wasn't it to protect my sister-in-law and take good care of her? After all, she was in her late pregnancy and shouldn't be moved. How did it become imprisonment?
What is He Xun up to?
Although he had contact and brief "cooperation" with He Xun, he remained wary of He Xun, who did not seem so simple.
Wen Yunqin didn't quite believe what he said and was trying to figure out his purpose.
"He's not even my biological brother." He Xun said with a half-smile, "Brother Yunqin, don't you understand what I mean?"
Wen Yunqin's mind hadn't quite processed what was going on. He wondered if Ji Lingyue was up to something behind Prime Minister Ji's back, by making so many moves, including imprisoning Ji Wanyuan. Did the Ji family know about it?
In the past two days, the people he sent out discovered that many experts were entrenched in Youzhou, and there were also signs of military garrisons in the surrounding area. Were these all people trained by the Ji family? Were they under the responsibility of Ji Lingyue?
The Ji family wants to contend with the imperial court. Relying on mining, they must have already amassed troops. How can they fight without troops?
"It seems Brother Yunqin still doesn't understand," He Xun clicked his tongue.
Wen Yunqin frowned and told him not to beat around the bush and to speak plainly.
"Young Master Ji, like Brother Yun Qin, admires Miss Ji, and the years they've been together are probably no shorter than Brother Yun Qin's."
Wen Yunqin's hands and thoughts paused simultaneously, his sharp gaze sweeping over He Xun.
The other person raised an eyebrow and smiled meaningfully.
"What did you say?" Wen Yunqin asked, unsure of what he meant.
He Xun repeated it again.
"You saw it with your own eyes?"
Instead of protecting Ji Wanyuan, Ji Lingyue imprisoned her?
Aren't they siblings? How could he... develop a love for his own sister that defies all moral norms?
Wen Yunqin frowned in thought, completely forgetting his own identity and his feelings for Ji Wanyuan.
He Xun, however, saw through his thoughts and couldn't help but tease, "Brother Yunqin is already thinking about his sister-in-law, why don't you let Young Master Ji like Miss Ji?"
"You know, a beautiful and graceful lady is the object of a gentleman's affections."
Wen Yunqin glared at him with sharp eyes.
He Xun immediately hissed and raised his hand to indicate that what he said was inappropriate, telling Wen Yunqin not to take it to heart and not to hold it against him, as that was not his true intention.
Even so, Wen Yunqin stared at him coldly for a long time.
He Xun smiled apologetically and poured him a cup of tea, which finally calmed his expression.
"How did you find out about this?" Wen Yunqin asked him only after the tea had almost cooled down.
He Xun quickly recounted the whole story.
"You're quite something, trying to please both sides." Wen Yunqin disliked this kind of opportunist who swayed whichever way the wind blew, and immediately mocked him.
“Brother Yunqin, you are mistaken. I am merely trying to make a living. How can I be accused of trying to please both sides? Besides…”
"Besides what?" Wen Yunqin listened to his nonsense with annoyance, but she wondered if her brother knew that her sister-in-law had been imprisoned by her brother.
If he knew, why didn't he go to save his sister-in-law? If he didn't know...
How could my brother not know? He always takes good care of my sister-in-law, cherishing her like the apple of his eye. He knows everything about her, so how could he not know?
His brother could see his feelings for his sister-in-law. Didn't his brother know that the eldest son of the Ji family liked his sister-in-law?
He Xun said, "Besides, Young Master Ji belongs to the same camp as us, so how can we be considered enemies?"
"Last time I asked you, 'If the Ji family succeeds in their scheme, who will become emperor?' you beat around the bush." Wen Yunqin said that the internal chaos within the Ji family was truly frightening.
"How can it be called chaos?" He Xun disagreed, saying that he was exaggerating.
"Then answer me, who will be the emperor in the future?" Wen Yunqin stared at him again.
He Xun sighed and said, "The position of ruler of the world should naturally be occupied by the capable."
They're going around in circles again.
Wen Yunqin scoffed, "So, according to you, there's still no result?"
"Although I am a member of the Ji family, I am merely a subordinate, holding the title of a son-in-law of the Ji family. In reality, I have no connection with Miss Ji, so how could I possibly know these inside stories?"
"Didn't you want to be the emperor?" Wen Yunqin asked, arms crossed.
“I would like to, but the current situation doesn’t allow it,” He Xun said with a smile.
It seems we can't get anything out of this person.
Wen Yunqin then asked about something else, "Just who exactly is Ji Lingyue?"
He felt that Ji Lingyue was not as simple as he thought, but he had no way of verifying it.
If he were merely an adopted son of the Ji family, then logically he would be dependent on the Ji family. Even if the "Prime Minister" was far away, how could he dare to outwardly comply but inwardly defy him and imprison Ji Wanyuan behind the Prime Minister's back?
Even if it's out of affection and hard to control one's feelings, this is still too disobedient. You must know that Ji Wanyuan is the apple of Prime Minister Ji's eye and has a strong and delicate personality.
"The Wuhuan people." This time, He Xun answered very decisively.
Wen Yunqin's expression changed again, "Wuhuan people?!"
“Yes, the young master of Wuhuan.” He Xun said directly.
"The Ji family—"
Before he could even finish speaking, He Xun already knew what he was going to ask.
"The Prime Minister only learned of his identity later."
"Does Ji Lingyue have any dealings with the Wuhuan people?" Wen Yunqin asked again, probing.
He Xun raised an eyebrow. "I don't know about that."
“Brother Yunqin asked me, and I’m completely baffled as well.” He Xun picked up his teacup and took a sip.
Wen Yunqin frowned.
If someone were to use Ji Lingyue's identity to impeach the Ji family, and the case were verified, the Ji family would face the death penalty. The current prime minister adopting the young master of the Wuhuan as his godson—this is simply…
He dared not imagine the consequences, only knowing that he absolutely could not let the matter leak out.
"How many people know his identity?" Wen Yunqin asked.
He Xun vaguely sensed his meaning, but still asked again, "Brother Yunqin, are you trying to help the Ji family cover up this?"
Wen Yunqin remained silent, coldly staring at him.
He Xun smiled. "There aren't many people, but your brother should know."
My brother actually found out.
Thinking of this, he felt slightly relieved.
Now that his elder brother has "joined" the Ji family, Ji Lingyue's identity is sensitive. If it were to be revealed, it would surely do more harm than good.
Now that my brother knows this person's identity, he will surely make extra arrangements for the sake of the Ji family and for her sake. Why should he worry about it? He's just asking to be ridiculed by this smiling tiger.
"Where is my brother?" he asked, inquiring about Wen Qiyan's whereabouts.
He Xun answered truthfully, saying that Wen Qiyan had gone to investigate the mining site.
Finally, he added, "Young Master Ji is intolerant of any wrongdoing; I'm afraid the Grand Chancellor is in grave danger."
Wen Yunqin, however, showed no concern whatsoever; instead, he sneered.
He Xun asked him directly if he wasn't worried, since Ji Lingyue was about to make a move against his brother.
Wen Yunqin scoffed, "If my brother can't even protect himself and dies out there, then it's his fault for being incompetent."
He didn't want to get involved in Ji Lingyue's plan to eliminate his brother.
Even if he is his own brother, so what? Life and death are preordained, and wealth and honor are determined by fate.
Besides, if he can't even protect himself, how can he protect Ji Wanyuan?
Such a useless brother is not worthy of her entrusting her life to.
I might as well die.
"Then why are you asking me about the whereabouts of the Grand Chancellor?" He Xun raised an eyebrow.
"Is my brother aware of her imprisonment?"
He Xun pondered, "The Grand Chancellor is a man of deep cunning. Whether he knows this or not, I really don't know."
Wen Yunqin thought for a moment and then asked him, "Is she really alright?"
When He Xun was explaining the whole story, she said that she was alright, but she was locked up and couldn't move around freely, so she must have been feeling quite bored and depressed.
What do you think, Brother Yunqin?
Wen Yunqin didn't respond for a moment, but just pondered to himself.
She is now nearly seven months pregnant, so even if her brother has ill intentions, he probably wouldn't dare to do anything to her.
As for the rescue, he could do it, but if he confronted Ji Lingyue in a big way, it might arouse suspicion from the court. If her identity were accidentally exposed, it might be detrimental to her.
After much thought, he decided that the only solution was to go to his elder brother.
As Wen Yunqin pondered, he suddenly paused, and slowly realized what he meant.
On the surface, He Xun came to him to rescue Ji Wanyuan, but in reality, he wanted to use this opportunity to ease the tension between him and his brother and unite against Ji Lingyue.
Along the way, He Xun had already realized that he and his brother were not on good terms, but if he wanted to unite with his brother, there was only one possibility: to use Ji Wanyuan as an entanglement.
Because he, like his elder brother, cherished Ji Wanyuan.
This move can be described as using someone else to do the dirty work. By leveraging his and his brother's influence to deal with Ji Lingyue, he can sit back and watch the fight, waiting to reap the benefits.
"Brother He, your strategy is truly brilliant." Wen Yunqin squinted at him.
He Xun knew that he had understood, and simply smiled and said, "Brother Yunqin is too kind."
After that, the two didn't say anything more.
After pondering all night, the next day, Wen Yunqin accompanied the governor of Youzhou for an hour. After sitting down, he asked him if he had seen his elder brother in the past two days.
"The Grand Chancellor?" The Prefect of Youzhou was slightly taken aback, then said, "The Grand Chancellor has gone to inspect the neighboring counties of Youzhou."
The two never mentioned the mining business, even though they both knew it.
"When did my brother leave?" Wen Yunqin said he hadn't seen him for several days.
"The officials gathered in Youzhou that day, and the Vice Minister left the next day."
Wen Yunqin gave a nonchalant "Oh," and asked, "Didn't the Prefect send anyone to follow my brother?"
The Prefect of Youzhou said with a forced smile, "The Censor-in-Chief is my superior, how could I dare to send someone to accompany him? I did ask for his permission beforehand, but he didn't want anyone to serve him, so I didn't dare to act on my own."
"So, Prefect, you still remember that my brother was your superior."
Wen Yunqin sneered, "Youzhou has been plagued by constant storms lately. These mountains are high and the roads are treacherous. If something were to happen to my brother, I wonder if the Prefect could bear the consequences?"
Upon hearing Wen Yunqin's words, the Prefect of Youzhou realized that he was not easy to deal with, so he immediately pretended to send people out to search for him, repeatedly instructing them to stay by Wen Qiyan's side and serve him.
The governor sent out two groups of people: one group went to find the person, and the other group went to deliver a message to Ji Lingyue.
In the inner courtyard, Ji Lingyue listened and a sarcastic smile curled his thin lips, "This Wen Er is indeed concerned about his brother."
After Wen Qiyan fell off the cliff, his body has not yet been found. Whether he is really dead or faked it, if Wen Yunqin is dealt with, he should appear, right? After all, they are brothers.
Anyway, Wen Yunqin was an informant sent by the court, and he had long disliked him. Moreover, if he remembered correctly, Wen Er had been very close to his sister in his early years.
His younger sister shouldn't have any feelings for him, but Wen Er is hard to say.
In his earlier years, his wife had praised Wen Yunqin for his good nature, unlike his father and brothers who were pedantic, solemn, aloof, and dull.
If his younger sister had feelings for him, the Ji and Wen families would probably have been engaged long ago.
Thinking of this, Ji Lingyue didn't waste any more words and issued an order to send people to deal with Wen Yunqin.
His men hesitated and advised, "Sir... this matter is probably not appropriate."
"What's wrong with it?" Ji Lingyue looked through the amount of silver cashed out from the private mine, wondering where the Prime Minister's confidants had used this amount.
Ultimately, his father still didn't trust him. Otherwise, why wouldn't he let him take full control of the private mine's silver exchange and the purchase of troops? He didn't even tell him where the trained army was hiding.
He had been in Youzhou for quite some time, but still hadn't found out where the troops were stationed.
The real purpose of Father sending Wen Qiyan over was probably to keep him in check.
“Wen Yunqin is backed by the imperial court. If we act suddenly, it may attract the emperor’s attention.”
"Do I have to teach you how to bury the news after Wen Yunqin's death?"
Ji Lingyue was feeling frustrated as he thought about the troops he couldn't find.
The subordinates dared not say anything more and could only agree.
Ji Wanyuan waited a few more days, and the rain in Youzhou finally stopped, and the sun shone brightly for once.
These past few days, Ji Lingyue has come over to dine with her, but she is unhappy and pretends not to hear anything Ji Lingyue says.
Ji Lingyue was not angry and remained very patient.
For the sake of the child in her womb, Ji Wanyuan never complained or refused to eat.
She ate and slept as usual, but was much quieter than before.
The meal was laid out in the flower hall that day, and Ji Lingyue arrived early.
Seeing that the servants had just set out the food and dishes, and that it wasn't even all laid out yet, she had already started eating and didn't speak to him.
“Yuan’er has a good appetite today.” Ji Lingyue washed his hands and sat down opposite her.
Ji Wanyuan didn't even lift her eyelids, and continued eating her food with her head down.
Ji Lingyue didn't touch his chopsticks either. He just watched her from across the table, observing her cheeks bulging as she chewed.
Ji Wanyuan couldn't stand his direct gaze any longer. She looked up at him, slowed her chewing, and her clear eyes revealed her displeasure.
I don't know if it's because she's pregnant with Wen Jiazi's child, or because she's been with Wen Qiyan for a long time.
Looking at her like this, Ji Lingyue felt that she resembled Wen Qiyan somewhat.
Even upon closer inspection, it does seem somewhat similar.
He actually saw the shadow of Wen Jiazi in his sister's face.
The smile on Ji Lingyue's face faded slightly, then gradually deepened again.
"What are you laughing at?" This was the first thing she had said to him in several days.
"Is your sister curious?" Ji Lingyue picked up her chopsticks, but instead of eating, she put food on her plate.
Unfortunately, Ji Wanyuan refused to eat the food he offered. Not only did she refuse to eat it, she also threw the food into the jade plate next to her, clearly going against him.
"Does your sister dislike her brother that much?" Ji Lingyue wasn't angry.
Ji Wanyuan said sarcastically, "Some people are just annoying themselves."
He laughed as she scolded him.
Watching her slowly poking at the taro in her bowl with her silver chopsticks, he asked, "Little sister, would you like to know Wen Qiyan's whereabouts?"
Ji Wanyuan stopped moving, looked up at her, but didn't say anything.
Even without speaking, the question in his eyes was exceptionally clear.
"My sister is so concerned about him that she even forgot to eat when she heard the news about him."
Ji Wanyuan glared at him, wanting to curse but holding it back.
She must take good care of her health now and not cause trouble for her parents, so she should hold off for now.
But just as she calmed down, Ji Lingyue's words soon shattered her composure.
Because he said Wen Qiyan was dead.
"Impossible!" she instinctively retorted sharply.
She wouldn't believe it unless Wen Qiyan's corpse was placed in front of her.
She told Ji Lingyue to stop lying to her; she wouldn't believe him.
“My brother told you before that I was going to kill him.”
Ji Wanyuan's heart tightened, and she forcefully suppressed the rising impulse.
Whether you kill him or not is none of my business.
"Then why did my sister say it was impossible?"
"You don't want him to die." Ji Lingyue started again.
Ji Wanyuan ignored his words and continued eating, but she ate much slower than before, and her trembling eyelashes betrayed her unease.
Seeing this, Ji Lingyue's expression gradually darkened.
My sister did indeed stir up some ideas for the Wen family.
"Yuan'er really doesn't want him to die?"
"It seems that he has been treating you very well in the six months since you got married."
Ji Wanyuan slammed her chopsticks down. "Ji Lingyue, what exactly do you want to do or say?"
Ji Lingyue stood up and recounted how he had sent men to ambush Wen Qiyan some time ago, causing him to fall off a cliff and remain missing to this day.
When Ji Wanyuan heard the news of Wen Qiyan falling off the cliff, her eyes widened in shock. Her feigned composure finally crumbled, and she stood frozen in place, stunned.
"You...you really did harm him? What if Father finds out—"
Before she could finish speaking, Ji Lingyue interrupted with a sneer, "So what if you know?"
“A useless dead man is the father of the child in your womb. He’s gone, so be it. Father won’t blame me for him.”
"How could you kill him?" she asked again.
Ji Lingyue, however, gave an irrelevant answer: "I know my sister doesn't believe he's dead."
“It’s alright,” he smiled. “When my men find his body at the bottom of the cliff, I will bring it to you so you can examine it yourself and see if he is truly dead.”
If she doesn't find the man's body, she will always have a thought of him, always thinking of him and believing that he is still alive.
He wanted to completely sever Ji Wanyuan's feelings for Wen Qiyan.
"Alright, you're pregnant, hurry up and eat." Ji Lingyue had someone replace her bowl and chopsticks, but as soon as they were set out, Ji Wanyuan swept them away with her sleeve.
Silver chopsticks and jade bowls were shattered all over the floor, and even a lot of soup and food were overturned, dripping down the table.
She said nothing, gave him a hateful look, and left, lifting her skirt.
Ji Lingyue, who remained behind, completely lost his smile, his expression growing increasingly somber.
"..."
Ji Wanyuan was in a state of agitation and couldn't control herself.
Is Wen Qiyan really dead?
Impossible, he didn't die at all in the storybook.
Her brother must be lying! He's just deceiving her! If Father didn't believe in Chongwen Qiyan, why would he let her brother harm him?
But... the storybook's plot has long since changed, and she can no longer fully trust it, because the development of events is no longer the same as what she knew from the storybook.
For example, Wen Qiyan sided with the Ji family, he was moved by her and fell in love with her... She left the capital before giving birth, and even the Wen family began to support the Ji family.
So now... is he actually in trouble?
Ji Wanyuan felt restless and troubled, perhaps because she was too agitated, and the baby in her belly started kicking her again.
To keep herself calm, she kept taking deep breaths to soothe herself.
He placed his fingers on his abdomen and stroked it, "..."
Wen Qiyan will be fine. He's so powerful, how could he die?
That being said, after a quick shower, Ji Wanyuan, who had only been lying down for a short while, began to have nightmares.
She dreamt of a stormy night where Wen Qiyan was fighting someone, but he was no match for his opponent and was slashed and fell off a cliff. He crashed heavily to the ground and was smashed to pieces.
The sight of the mangled, bloody mess terrified her, causing her to break out in a cold sweat and instantly snap back to reality.
Ji Wanyuan screamed and sat up, clutching her head. Just then, a clap of thunder ripped through the sky, startling her. She looked outside and saw that it had started to wind and rain again.
The weather in Youzhou was suffocatingly bad. The rare clearing didn't last long, just like the thunder and lightning on the night she suffered a postpartum hemorrhage during childbirth.
She hadn't fully woken up from the nightmare when she suddenly noticed the window rattling.
She initially thought it was just the wind, but when she looked up, she was surprised to find a dark shadow approaching from the ground.
Ji Wanyuan's heart, which had not yet settled, jumped up instantly. She was so frightened that her breath caught in her throat, and she unconsciously choked on her own saliva, wanting to lean back.
She reached behind her, trying to find a weapon to defend herself, but the bed was soft and there was nothing she could use to defend herself.
Finally, she gripped the corner of the soft pillow.
Just as the dark figure was completely close to the bed, she grabbed a soft pillow and threw it at the other person. At that moment, her feet couldn't stop her from running forward.
But as soon as he got off the plane, someone grabbed his wrist and pulled him backward.
She landed in a broad, sturdy embrace, and just as she was about to cry out, she heard a long-lost, familiar soft call.
"Ji Wanyuan".
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The author's note: "A fair maiden is the object of a gentleman's affections," a line from the Book of Songs.
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I got really stuck on the ending, I'm so sorry everyone, there won't be an extra chapter today. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have made such a promise. From now on, you can just call me Piece Liu, sob sob T_T
To atone for my sins, 100 lucky red envelopes will randomly drop in this chapter. [hug]
During the final stages, I can only guarantee six chapters a day, and I'll add more depending on the situation. If things go smoothly, I'll add more chapters; if not, it will only be six thousand words, but it will definitely not be less than six thousand.
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