Chapter 65: Seeking Help in the Middle of the Night

The capital at midnight became exceptionally quiet.

The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves echoed through the streets, striking like hammer blows against the heart, leaving Duke Ding'an feeling suffocated.

However, as the hoofbeats increased, becoming as dense as falling rain, they turned from a heavy blow into a source of irritation.

"Commander Wei."

Duke Ding'an turned to look at the group of Embroidered Uniform Guards following behind him.

Torches flickered wildly, casting a golden sheen over their black robes. The young man at the very front, in particular, possessed a face that appeared even more beautiful under the lamplight, yet it was deeply unsettling.

"Do you have something else to say?"

Wei Jiao did not answer, asking instead with curiosity, "Does the Duke truly intend to knock on the palace gates in the middle of the night to plead for guilt?"

The newly arrived niece and her maid had been both weeping and resolute in their desire to confess. Duke Ding'an and his wife had tried to stop them, first attempting to persuade Liu Changqing to continue the deception. Liu Changqing had flatly refused, pointing a finger at the Duke and his wife in a tirade of righteous indignation, threatening to report them to the officials on the spot. Only after the Duke and his wife apologized, combined with Liu Chan's pleas, were they managed to be restrained.

The Duke and his wife then begged Liu Changqing for more time, promising to explain the situation to the palace first. "The Princess's attendants were arranged by the Emperor and Empress. Even if it is the fault of my children, it would surely cause the Emperor to lose face."

Liu Changqing had agreed, and at the urging of his daughter, Liu Chan, he remained to rest at the Duke's manor.

Having settled the Liu family, Duke Ding'an ignored the late hour; he didn't even bother with a carriage and rode straight out on horseback.

Wei Jiao, who had watched the entire spectacle from within the Duke's manor, had followed him out as well.

Naturally, Duke Ding'an was not going directly to see the Emperor.

"How can one disturb His Majesty in the middle of the night?" he said.

But he could not avoid saying where he was going, for Wei Jiao clearly intended to follow him incessantly.

"I am going to see the Marquis of Yichun first, to ask him to give the Empress a heads-up so she can prepare," Duke Ding'an said, letting out a heavy sigh. "With my children having done such a thing, I have no face to see His Majesty."

Wei Jiao nodded. "Having children like that in the family is a headache. This is only the beginning; I suspect there will be many more headaches for you in the future."

*Indeed, there is no telling how much more trouble is coming,* Duke Ding'an thought, his brow furrowing deeply, before he snapped back to his senses and glared at Wei Jiao.

What did this have to do with him!

Come to think of it, he was still somewhat confused. Why had Wei Jiao appeared outside his gates, followed him into the house, sat there listening to the drama, and then followed him out, seemingly intending to continue the pursuit...

Because the events had happened so suddenly and a cascade of absurdities had rushed at him—the impersonation of Liu Chan, the claim of being his sister's daughter, the lady being a maid, the guard being the lady—his mind had been a chaotic mess, causing him to overlook Wei Jiao's presence.

Recalling it now, it seemed Wei Jiao had been involved in the matter. Even outside the gates, he had questioned whether the girl was truly Miss Liu.

Had he not drawn his blade, that child might not have revealed her identity.

Furthermore, Wei Jiao had spoken to the niece in her female disguise and mentioned White Horse Town.

A chill ran down Duke Ding'an's spine.

"Did you know them all along?" he asked hoarsely. "Did you find out... that they were impersonating the Miss of the Liu family?"

Wei Jiao smiled. "When I met them, they were the young ladies of the Yuan family..."

*That wretched child, how could she run into Wei Jiao?* Duke Ding'an felt a surge of frustration, only to hear Wei Jiao's voice continue.

"...and they were from near Lu County."

Wei Jiao stared at Duke Ding'an. The Duke was not a man skilled at hiding his emotions; at those words, his entire body went rigid.

"...They enjoy impersonating people so much, I wonder if they have impersonated anyone else?"

"...I heard that in White Horse Town, Lu County, there is a deceased younger sister and a niece of yours."

The Duke could no longer bear to listen.

"You are overthinking it!" Duke Ding'an interrupted hurriedly. "She said before that she knew of the Yuan family connection and simply borrowed it; she didn't think much of it. As for my sister's family..."

His voice turned raspy.

"Due to a family misfortune, they have not been mentioned for many years. The younger generations of the clan do not even know such a person existed."

An ordinary person, hearing of a "family misfortune," would naturally know to withdraw tactfully.

But Wei Jiao was clearly no ordinary person.

"What kind of misfortune was it?" he asked curiously, his eyes bright with interest as he spurred his horse forward, looking as if he intended to hear the Duke's full account.

Duke Ding'an cursed inwardly.

"We shall discuss this matter another time," he said, pointing ahead. "I must see the Marquis of Yichun quickly so he can enter the palace to see the Empress before the morning court."

With that, he spurred his horse into a gallop.

Wei Jiao did not obstruct him, instead following closely with an enthusiastic and considerate air. "I shall call for the door for you, Duke. The Marquis of Yichun's household is not easy to approach; we wouldn't want them to look down on you and refuse to open the gates."

*This man surnamed Wei is truly a madman; every word he speaks is grating,* Duke Ding'an thought, seething with anger. *Who is looking down on whom? How can he be so certain I will be denied entry?*

But he could not afford any more complications. If he provoked Wei Jiao and the man decided to seize him and drag him directly before the Emperor...

He dared not imagine the chaos that would ensue.

Though that child seemed to know nothing, that jade medallion...

Duke Ding'an's heart tightened into a knot. Ignoring Wei Jiao, he rode straight toward the Marquis of Yichun's manor.

...

...

The Marquis of Yichun's manor was brightly lit, with servants gathered in the courtyard.

The Marquis's third son, Chai Yuan, stood there with disheveled hair and wearing sleepwear, a sword in hand, glaring at Wei Jiao with hostility.

"Wei Jiao, have you come by imperial decree to seize our property?" he shouted.

While others might be terrified by Wei Jiao's presence, the Chai family would not.

Even if it were by imperial decree...

The Chai family was not one to be easily dismantled.

Wei Jiao showed none of the ferocious aura he had displayed while smashing the doors earlier. Instead, he pushed Duke Ding'an forward.

"Third Master Chai misunderstands," he said. "I am here to call for the door on behalf of Duke Ding'an."

He then gave a knowing wink.

"A great matter has occurred in the Duke's house."

Chai Yuan took a deep breath and temporarily shifted his gaze to Duke Ding'an.

Duke Ding'an said urgently, "I must see the Old Marquis regarding a matter of great importance concerning the Princess's attendants."

*What kind of "great matter" is this!*

Chai Yuan nearly choked on his breath.

"Yang Bin, do not push your luck. Your daughter's nonsense never seems to end!" he bellowed.

Duke Ding'an was not intimidated by the personal reprimand. His face flushed red as he stamped his foot. "My daughter is an attendant to the Princess; her affairs are the Princess's affairs! Let me see the Old Marquis at once; there can be no delay!"

Just as Chai Yuan was about to speak, a servant rushed over, announcing that the Old Marquis had permitted Duke Ding'an to enter and speak.

Without waiting for Chai Yuan's permission, Duke Ding'an hurried inside. Wei Jiao followed closely, but was intercepted by the servant.

"Commander Wei, the Marquis asks that you wait. Since this is a matter concerning the Duke's house, let him speak first."

Wei Jiao gave an "oh" and nodded with a smile. "Very well." He turned to look around and sat down on a set of steps in the courtyard. "Then I shall wait."

...

...

Only a single lamp was lit in the Marquis of Yichun's bedchamber.

The Marquis was also in his sleepwear, standing in the room in a daze.

After listening to Duke Ding'an's disjointed and chaotic account, he took a sip of tea before speaking slowly.

"So, that child did not die, but has sought out the capital?"

In the dim light, his somewhat clouded gaze fixed on Duke Ding'an.

"How do you intend to handle this?"

Duke Ding'an raised his head and said through gritted teeth, "I have come directly to you to await your instructions. Whatever you say, we shall do."

The Marquis of Yichun set down his teacup. Though his face was obscured by the darkness, a hint of a smile could be heard in his voice.

"You are far more sensible than your father. With you around, the future of the Duke's manor is secure."

(End of Chapter)