Chapter 54: The Wei Clan’s Defiance
The Emperor also knew that the Wei Clan was unconvinced.
When pacifying the world in chaos, he called Wei Cui brother, and after ascension to the throne promised him high nobility, intending to enfeoff Wei Cui as King of a Different Surname, and decreed for Wei Cui to come to the Capital City.
How could Wei Cui possibly come to the Capital City.
The last time he entered the Capital City, Second Master Wei and Third Master Wei, the two brothers, died tragically, and Wei Cui barely escaped with his life back to Longxi; such a lesson was enough once.
But earlier the Wei Clan had missed the chance for the Emperor to ascend the throne, the world in chaos had been settled, Deng Shan had firmly secured the rivers and mountains, and if they truly raised troops again, it would inevitably be a hard-fought battle.
The most infuriating thing was that Wei Cui would bear the reputation of a rebellious minister and traitor.
So the Wei Clan had not fallen out with the Emperor either.
Therefore, although Wei Cui refused to come to the Capital City, he sent his young son into the Capital City to show submission.
This was a well-known matter in Longxi.
It was not strange for Wei Xu to say this.
However, Seventh Master Wei sighed lightly: “At that time, the Great General sent A Jiao into the Capital City precisely to get him treated, desperately seeking any doctor in a panic, with no other choice; before this trip to the Capital City, the Great General even came to see me at midnight and instructed me to check if his condition had improved, his words full of concern for this son.”
Wei Xu, at the side, said with a hint of jealousy: “The Great General is indeed very indulgent with him.”
When he was little, he once had the chance to go with his father to the Wei Family main residence, and that time he saw the majestic Great General abandon a room full of advisors, attendants, and clansmen to go catch crickets for Wei Jiao.
Wei Jiao caused trouble in the clan, disrupting the household, but was never punished.
Wei Xu, who had seen plenty of dandy young masters, knew few were pampered by their fathers like this.
“The Great General feels he owes their mother and son…” Seventh Master Wei said.
“What does it have to do with the Great General!” Wei Xu said discontentedly, “It was that dog thief Zhao Tan who harmed people; Second Master and Third Master lost their lives.”
Besides.
Wei Jiao’s mother had done that kind of thing, yet upon returning to Longxi, the Great General personally welcomed her through the door and still treated her as the main wife; it was simply…
No need to mention past matters.
And now.
“He’s in the Capital City acting as Deng Shan’s lackey, yet flaunting under the banner that my father is Wei Cui.” Wei Xu said angrily, “Many people came to question and curse the General; the General’s reputation has been ruined by him. Now we’re here on orders for court audience, and not only does he not mediate before His Majesty, he even blocks us from seeing; I think he’s taken someone else as his dad again…”
Seventh Master Wei stopped him again: “Enough, say no more.”
After Wei Jiao returned to Longxi, the matter of him calling Zhao Tan father in front of others, though considered childish innocence, was still very embarrassing to mention.
“No matter who he takes as his dad, he is the Great General’s son.” Seventh Master Wei said, waving his hand, “Deng Shan definitely knows we’ve come to the Capital City; knowing is enough. Anyway, even if we meet, it won’t dispel Deng Shan’s wariness; it’s just for show.”
At this point, he glanced at the night outside.
“I’ll go out tonight.”
Wei Xu and the attendants asked nothing, nodded, and went out one after another, “Father, rest early,” “Go to sleep, go to sleep, tomorrow we’ll go wait for that kid,” “See what excuse he has left,” they chattered as they each entered their rooms.
The courtyard returned to quiet, the indoor lamps went out one by one, Seventh Master Wei came out from indoors, climbed onto the roof, moved silently across the rooftops, left the Wei Family Old Residence, avoided the patrolling soldiers, and arrived before a riverside house.
The house still had lights on, with the shadow of someone burning the midnight oil studying projected on the window.
This was a very common sight in the Capital City.
With the world at peace, people living in contentment, scholars could strive for success, seeking fame and future prospects.
Accompanied by a few calls from night birds, the studying shadow stretched lazily and extinguished the lamp.
A light came on in the windowless bedroom inside the house; Seventh Master Wei pushed the door in from the darkness, looking at the middle-aged man sitting at the desk.
The man had refined features, fair complexion, exuding a frail air; seeing Seventh Master Wei enter, he smiled and paid respects: “De’an has seen Seventh Master.”
After speaking, he subconsciously stroked his beard.
As if deliberately drawing attention to his fine beard.
Seventh Master Wei noticed it too, his expression somewhat disdainful: “Qi De’an, you could just stick on some fake beard; this way draws even more attention.”
De’an smiled and said: “Seventh Master doesn’t understand; the more you lack something, the less willing you are to skimp on it.” Then he corrected, “Seventh Master, I don’t use the surname Qi now; I use Wei.”
Seventh Master Wei spat: “Whether you can use the surname Wei depends on if you qualify.” At this, he sneered coldly, “Earlier you boasted so much, but in the end, the entire Jiang Wangchun family died, the person wasn’t forced into our hands, and instead we nearly got discovered.”
De’an showed no fear, instead smug: “This proves even more that what I said is true. Seventh Master, that is Emperor Ai’s own flesh and blood, the Previous Dynasty’s sole legitimate little prince, born with the orthodox imperial lineage, not only heavily protected but also guarded by heaven’s mandate.”
Seventh Master Wei waved impatiently: “Enough with the nonsense, what ghost heaven’s mandate; if there really was heaven’s mandate, would the world under heaven bear the surname Deng today? Hurry up and say, where is the person?”
“The person is right in the Capital City.” De’an said, “Though he fled from the Jiang Family, at the time I deliberately reported it to the government, so besides us, the Imperial Court people are also pursuing them; they were attacked from both sides and couldn’t shake my investigation. Sigh, speaking of which, that Embroidered Uniform Guard Captain from the Imperial Court is your clan’s young master; this matter…”
Before he finished, Seventh Master Wei interrupted: “Don’t let our young master know about this matter.”
De’an was stunned, then asked curiously: “When father and son are of one heart, its benefit cuts gold; how is it, isn’t your little young master of one heart with Great General Wei?” He couldn’t help laughing, “Makes sense; this little young master was raised by someone else. Back then I saw Zhao Tan leading your clan’s little one by a rope…”
Seventh Master Wei raised his hand and slammed it on the table; the sturdy desk immediately splintered.
De’an stepped back, not daring to speak again.
“You should be clear, we don’t have to have this prince.” Seventh Master Wei looked at him coldly, “The Great General said we could also send you to the Emperor; hand the prince to the Emperor, you seek wealth and honor, he shows loyalty.”
De’an gave a wry smile: “If I go before His Majesty, I’d get at most a reward; I’ve seen too much of that fleeting wealth and honor.” Then, fawningly, “Only by following the Great General can I obtain lasting wealth and honor.”
Seventh Master Wei said flatly: “Then show some sincerity.”
De’an reached into his sleeve and took out two scrolls, unrolling them.
“The little prince was protected by Zhang the Eunuch, and with the Qi Clan wavering on both sides at the time, he wasn’t allowed to appear; not many have seen the little prince, and I am one of them.” He said.
Seventh Master Wei looked at the two scrolls: “Why two?”
A smile appeared on De’an’s face.
“This is where my value lies.” He said, “By ‘seen the little prince,’ I mean not only his true appearance, but also his disguised one.”
Disguised?
Seventh Master Wei understood; this was normal, such an important identity naturally required concealment.
“Even without me, with these two portraits and your Wei Clan’s many eyes and ears, no matter how big the Capital City or the world under heaven, you will surely find him.”
De’an held the portraits up with both hands before Seventh Master Wei.
“This is my sincerity.”
Seventh Master Wei looked at the portrait held before his eyes, hesitated, then opened one.
This should be the true appearance.
Because the child in the portrait was about ten years old.
This child had a slight build, round eyes and thin lips, quietly looking at him.
……
…….
The midnight stove fire burned, dispelling the chill of late autumn early winter, and also made the youth sitting nearby, whose face was usually dull and ashen, become ruddy, his brows and eyes gaining a bit more liveliness.
“I’ve inquired; Wei Jiao is indeed studying with Wang Zaitian.” Zhang Sheng You said, “It was a long time ago, before there was even the National Academy.”
Tao Hua frowned beside him: “What’s the deal with this Wang Zaitian? How can anyone study with him?”
Mo Zheng, who had been lost in thought, heard this and burst out laughing.
“Indeed, Master Wang teaches without discrimination; anyone can study with him.” She said, “There are people like Wei Jiao, and people like me.”
Ling Yu, called senior brother, didn’t know her identity; Wang Zaitian, not called mister, knew her true identity.
