Chapter 54: The Wei Clan's Defiance

The Emperor also knew that the Wei clan was unyielding.

During the pacification of the chaos, he had treated Wei Cui as a brother; after ascending the throne, he promised heavy titles, intending to enfeoff Wei and Cui as kings of different surnames, and issued an edict for Wei Cui to enter the capital.

How could Wei Cui possibly enter the capital?

The last time he went to the capital, his two elder brothers, the Second and Third Masters of the Wei family, died tragic deaths, and Wei Cui had only escaped back to Longxi by a hair's breadth. One such lesson was enough.

However, the Wei clan had previously missed the opportunity to claim the throne. Now that the chaos had settled and Deng Shan had firmly secured his rule, any attempt to raise troops again would inevitably result in a bitter struggle.

Most infuriatingly, Wei Cui would be branded a traitor and a rebel.

Thus, the Wei clan did not openly break with the Emperor.

Consequently, although Wei Cui refused to enter the capital, he sent his youngest son there to signal his submission.

This was common knowledge in Longxi.

It was no wonder Wei Xu spoke this way.

However, Seventh Master Wei let out a soft sigh. "When the Great General sent A-Jiao to the capital back then, it truly was to seek medical treatment for him. It was a desperate measure born of necessity. Before entering the capital this time, the Great General came to see me in the middle of the night to instruct me to check if his condition had improved. Every word he spoke was filled with concern for that son."

Wei Xu added with a hint of jealousy, "The Great General does indeed spoil him excessively."

When he was a child, Wei Xu had once had the chance to accompany his father to the main Wei residence. That time, he saw the formidable Great General abandon a room full of aides, attendants, and clansmen just to run off and catch crickets for Wei Jiao.

Wei Jiao caused constant trouble within the clan, disrupting the peace of the household, yet he was never punished.

As a pampered young master, Wei Xu had seen many such people, but few were spoiled by their fathers to such an extent.

"The Great General feels he owes that mother and son..." Seventh Master Wei said.

"What does that have to do with the Great General!" Wei Xu said indignantly. "It was that dog Zhao Tan who caused the harm; the Second and Third Masters lost their lives because of him."

Furthermore.

After the mother of Wei Jiao had committed such acts, upon returning to Longxi, the Great General had personally welcomed her into the house and treated her as the primary wife. It was simply...

Let the past be.

What about now?

"He acts as Deng Shan's lackey in the capital, yet he flaunts his power using my father's name as a banner," Wei Xu said resentfully. "Many people have come to question and curse the General; the General's reputation is being ruined by him. Now that we have come to pay our respects by order, not only does he fail to mediate before His Majesty, but he even blocks us from seeing him. I think he's gone and found another father to serve..."

Seventh Master Wei cut him off again. "Enough, stop talking."

Although Wei Jiao's act of calling Zhao Tan "father" in public after returning to Longxi could be dismissed as the indiscretion of a child, it was still an embarrassing matter to bring up.

"Regardless of who he calls father, he is the Great General's son," Seventh Master Wei said, waving his hand. "Deng Shan will certainly know we have come to the capital. Knowing is enough. Even if we meet him, we cannot allow Deng Shan to lower his guard; we are merely putting on a show."

At this point, he glanced at the night outside.

"I am going out tonight."

Without asking any questions, Wei Xu and the attendants nodded and filed out. "Father, rest early," "Sleep, just sleep; we'll go wait for that brat tomorrow," "Let's see what other excuses he has"—the men muttered amongst themselves as they entered their respective rooms.

Quiet returned to the courtyard, and the lights in the rooms were extinguished one by one. Seventh Master Wei emerged from his room, vaulted onto the eaves, and moved silently across the rooftops. He left the old Wei residence, bypassed the patrolling guards, and arrived before a house facing the river.

The house was still lit, and the silhouette of someone studying late into the night was cast against the window.

This was a common sight in the capital.

With the world at peace and people living in prosperity, scholars could strive for strength, seeking fame and a bright future.

Accompanied by the cries of a few night birds, the studying silhouette stretched and extinguished the lamp.

A lamp lit up in a windowless bedroom within the house. Seventh Master Wei pushed the door open from the darkness and looked at the middle-aged man sitting at the desk.

The man had elegant features and a pale complexion that exuded a sense of frailty. Seeing Seventh Master Wei enter, he smiled and bowed. "De'an greets Seventh Master."

As he spoke, he subconsciously stroked his beard.

It seemed he was deliberately drawing attention to his beautiful beard.

Seventh Master Wei noticed it as well, his expression showing a hint of disdain. "Qi De'an, you could just stick on some fake beard; this way is even more conspicuous."

De'an smiled and said, "Seventh Master does not understand. The more one lacks something, the less one is willing to be perfunctory about it." He then corrected, "Seventh Master, my surname is no longer Qi; it is Wei."

Seventh Master Wei spat. "If you want to be a Wei, you must see if you are qualified." He sneered, "You boasted so loudly before, and what was the result? Jiang Wangchun's entire family died, and the person wasn't even forced into our hands; instead, you nearly got us discovered."

De'an showed no sign of panic; instead, he looked triumphant. "This only proves that what I said was true. Seventh Master, that is the flesh and blood of the late Emperor, the only little prince of the legitimate previous dynasty, born with the true imperial lineage. Not only is he heavily protected, but he also has the protection of Mandate of Heaven..."

Seventh Master Wei waved his hand impatiently. "Cut the nonsense. What 'Mandate of Heaven'? If there truly were a Mandate, would the world belong to Deng today? Speak quickly, where is the person?"

"The person is in the capital," De'an said. "Although they fled from the Jiang family, I specifically reported them to the authorities at the time. Therefore, besides us, the imperial court is also hunting them. They are caught between two fires and haven't escaped my pursuit. Ah, speaking of which, that Embroidered Uniformed Guard of the imperial court is your family's young master. This matter..."

Before he could finish, Seventh Master Wei interrupted, "Do not let our young master know about this matter."

De'an froze, asking curiously, "When father and son are of one mind, their strength is irresistible. What, is your young master not of one mind with the Great General?" He couldn't help but laugh. "Then again, that young master was raised by someone else. I remember seeing Zhao Tan leading your little..."

Seventh Master Wei slammed his hand onto the table, and the thick desk instantly shattered.

De'an recoiled a step, not daring to speak further.

"You must understand, we do not necessarily need this prince," Seventh Master Wei said coldly, looking at him. "The Great General said he could also send you to the Emperor. You hand the prince to the Emperor, you seek wealth and status, and he shows his loyalty."

De'an gave a bitter smile. "Even if I went before His Majesty, I would only receive a bounty. I have seen too much of such fleeting wealth." He then added with flattery, "Only by following the Great General can I obtain lasting prosperity."

Seventh Master Wei said indifferently, "Then show some sincerity."

De'an reached into his sleeve and pulled out two scrolls, unfurling them.

"The little prince is protected by Old Eunuch Zhang, and combined with the Qi clan's secrecy, he was not allowed to show his face. Not many people have seen the little prince, and I am one of them," he said.

Seventh Master Wei looked at the two scrolls. "Why are there two?"

A smile appeared on De'an's face.

"This is where my value lies," he said. "When I say I have seen the little prince, I mean I have seen not only his true face, but also his disguised face."

Disguise?

Seventh Master Wei understood; it was only natural. With such an important identity, he would certainly need to use disguises.

"Even without me, with these two portraits, your Wei clan has many eyes and ears. No matter how large the capital or the world, you will surely find him."

De'an held the portraits out to Seventh Master Wei with both hands.

"This is my sincerity."

Seventh Master Wei looked at the portraits presented to him, hesitated, and then opened one of them.

This should be the true face.

Because the child in the portrait appeared to be about ten years old.

The child had a thin frame, round eyes, and thin lips, looking at him quietly.

...

...

The hearth fire burned late into the night, dispelling the chill of late autumn and early winter, and making the face of the youth sitting beside it—usually a dusty gray—appear flushed and lively.

"I've made inquiries; Wei Jiao was indeed studying under Wang Zaitian," Zhang Sheng said. "It was a long time ago, before the Imperial Academy existed."

Taohua frowned beside them. "What is the deal with this Wang Zaitian? How can just anyone study under him?"

Mo Zheng, who had been lost in thought, let out a chuckle upon hearing this.

"Indeed, Mr. Wang teaches without discrimination; anyone can study under him," she said. "There are people like Wei Jiao, and there are people like me."

Ling Yu, who was addressed as Senior Brother, did not know her identity, but Wang Zaitian, who was not addressed as Teacher, knew exactly who she was.

(End of Chapter)