Chapter 65: Midnight Plea For Help
The Capital City at midnight became unusually quiet.
The clopping of hooves echoed on the street, as if pounding on the heart, and Duke Ding’an only felt suffocated.
However, when the hoofbeats pounding on the heart increased, dense as rain, it made one feel irritated.
“Captain Wei.”
Duke Ding’an turned his head to look at the group of Embroidered Uniform Guards following behind him.
Torches blazed fiercely, black clothes gleaming with golden light, especially the young man at the forefront, whose face under the lamplight appeared even more stunning, yet disturbingly vexing.
“Do you have any more business?”
Wei Jiao did not answer, only asking curiously, “Does the Duke really intend to enter the palace in the middle of the night to knock on the doors and plead guilty?”
That newly arrived niece and maidservant had been crying and resolutely insisting on confessing their guilt, the Duke Ding’an couple tried to stop them, then first persuaded Liu Changqing, attempting to convince Liu Changqing to agree to continue impersonating the identity, but Liu Changqing firmly refused, pointed at the Duke Ding’an couple and cursed them vehemently, righteously indignant and about to report to officials on the spot, the Duke Ding’an couple hurriedly apologized, and with Liu Chan’s pleading, they managed to stop him.
The Duke Ding’an couple then requested Liu Changqing to give them some more time, saying they would go to the Imperial Palace first to explain the situation: “The princess’s companion reader was arranged by the Emperor and Empress, even though it is all the sin of my family’s children, the Empress’s face will inevitably be disgraced.”
Liu Changqing agreed, and was persuaded by his daughter Liu Chan to rest at Duke Ding’an’s Mansion.
After settling the Liu Family, Duke Ding’an did not care that it was the middle of the night, did not even bother with a carriage, and directly set out on horseback.
Wei Jiao, who had been at Duke Ding’an’s Mansion watching the entire spectacle, also followed him out.
Duke Ding’an was of course not going directly to see the Emperor.
“How could we disturb His Majesty in the middle of the night,” he said.
But not saying where he was going wouldn’t do, as Wei Jiao clearly intended to keep following him.
“I’ll go see Marquis Yichun first, ask him to give a heads-up to the Empress, to make preparations,” Duke Ding’an said, sighing heavily, “My family’s children have done such a thing, I have no face to see His Majesty.”
Wei Jiao nodded: “Having such a child in the family is a headache, and this is just the beginning, I think there will be more headaches for the Duke in the future.”
Indeed, who knows how much more headache there will be in the future, Duke Ding’an thought, his brows knitting together, but he quickly came back to his senses and glared at Wei Jiao.
What did this have to do with him!
Speaking of which, he was still a bit confused why Wei Jiao had appeared at the door of his home, then followed inside, sat through the entire spectacle, and after it ended followed him out, looking like he intended to keep following…
Because the events had happened too suddenly, with a pile of bizarre things piling up—impersonating Liu Chan, she was his younger sister’s daughter, the young lady was a maidservant, the guard was the young lady—his mind was a chaotic mess, and he had overlooked Wei Jiao being involved.
Thinking back now, it seemed Wei Jiao had also been involved in this matter? Even at the door, he had asked whether it was really Miss Liu.
If he hadn’t drawn his blade, that child wouldn’t have revealed her identity.
Also, Wei Jiao had spoken to the niece in female clothing and mentioned White Horse Town.
Duke Ding’an shuddered.
“Did the Captain know them long ago?” he asked hoarsely, “Did you investigate… that they were impersonating Miss Liu of the Liu Family?”
Wei Jiao smiled: “When I knew them, they were Miss Yuan…”
These unlucky children, how had they actually encountered Wei Jiao, Duke Ding’an thought annoyedly in his heart, as Wei Jiao’s voice continued from beside his ear.
“…and it was right near Lu County.”
Wei Jiao stared at Duke Ding’an; Duke Ding’an was not someone skilled at hiding his emotions, and with these words, his whole body stiffened.
“…They like impersonating so much, who knows who else they’ve impersonated?”
“…I heard that in White Horse Town of Lu County, the Duke has a younger sister and niece who died.”
He could no longer listen to these words.
“The Captain is overthinking!” Duke Ding’an hurriedly interrupted him, “She said earlier that she knew there was a relative like the Yuan Family, so she borrowed it to use, without thinking too much, as for my younger sister’s family…”
His voice became hoarse.
“Because of the family misfortune, it hasn’t been mentioned for many years, and the younger generation in the family doesn’t even know such a person exists.”
Generally, when people hear of family misfortune, they would tactfully avoid it.
But Wei Jiao was clearly not the general type.
“What family misfortune is it?” he asked curiously, his gaze curious, urging his horse forward, looking as if he wanted Duke Ding’an to explain in detail.
Duke Ding’an cursed inwardly.
“We’ll talk about this matter later,” he said, pointing ahead, “I still need to quickly see Marquis Yichun, so he can enter the palace to see the Empress before the morning court.”
With that, he urged his horse to gallop ahead.
Wei Jiao did not stop him, urging his horse to follow enthusiastically and considerately: “I’ll help the Duke knock on the door, the doors of Marquis Yichun’s family are not easy to knock on, to avoid them looking down on people and not opening for you.”
This Wei fellow was indeed mad, his words making one uncomfortable sentence by sentence, Duke Ding’an fumed inwardly—who was looking down on people, how was he so sure he would be looked down upon and refused entry.
But now there could be no more complications; if he angered Wei Jiao and Wei Jiao took the people away directly to the Emperor…
He didn’t dare imagine what kind of chaos that would be.
Although that child seemed to know nothing, that jade pendant…
Duke Ding’an’s heart clenched into a ball, and he no longer paid attention to Wei Jiao following beside him, urging his horse straight to Marquis Yichun’s Mansion.
…..
…..
Marquis Yichun’s Mansion was lit up brightly, servants gathered and standing in the courtyard.
Marquis Yichun’s third son Chai Yuan, disheveled and wearing nightclothes, held a sword in hand, glaring hostilely at Wei Jiao.
“Wei Jiao, have you come by imperial decree to raid the house?” he shouted.
Other families might cower at the sight of Wei Jiao, but not their Chai Clan.
Even if by decree…
Their Chai Clan could not be raided.
Wei Jiao showed none of his earlier ferocious demeanor from smashing the door, pushing Duke Ding’an forward.
“Third Master Chai has misunderstood,” he said, “I’m just calling the door for Duke Ding’an.”
And winked.
“Duke Ding’an’s Family has had a major incident.”
Chai Yuan took a deep breath, temporarily shifting his gaze to Duke Ding’an.
Duke Ding’an hurriedly said: “I need to see the old Marquis, it’s a major matter regarding the princess’s companion reader.”
What kind of damned major matter was this!
Chai Yuan nearly choked on his breath.
“Yang Bin, don’t push your luck, your daughter’s trivial matters dragging on day after day,” he shouted.
Duke Ding’an was not afraid of his direct name-calling rebuke, his face flushing red as he stamped his foot: “My daughter is the princess’s companion reader, her matter is the princess’s matter, quickly let me see the old Marquis, it can’t be delayed.”
Chai Yuan was about to say something when a servant rushed in from inside, saying the old Marquis wanted Duke Ding’an to come in to talk.
Duke Ding’an didn’t wait for Chai Yuan’s permission, hurrying inside, Wei Jiao closely following, but was stopped by that servant.
“Captain Wei, the Marquis says please wait a moment, since it’s Duke Ding’an’s family matter, let him speak first.”
Wei Jiao said “oh,” nodding with a smile: “Alright.” He turned to look around, sitting down on a step in the courtyard, “Then I’ll wait a bit.”
…
….
Marquis Yichun’s bedroom had only one lamp lit.
Marquis Yichun was also wearing nightclothes, standing unsteadily indoors in the dim light.
After hearing Duke Ding’an’s disjointed and chaotic account, he first took a sip of tea before slowly saying.
“So, that child didn’t die, and has come to the Capital City?”
In the dimness, his somewhat cloudy gaze looked at Duke Ding’an.
“How do you plan to dispose of it?”
Duke Ding’an raised his head and said through gritted teeth: “I came directly to see you to hear your instructions; you say how to dispose of it, and we’ll do it that way.”
Marquis Yichun set down the teacup; though his face was unclear in the dimness, his voice carried a hint of amusement.
“You’re much more sensible than your father; with you here, Duke Ding’an’s Mansion’s future prospects are secure.”
