Watching Jiang Nan’s cold expression, Jiang Tian couldn’t help but shudder. He truly didn’t want to get involved in this matter, because that girl Li Weiyang always gave him a bone-chilling feeling, as if anyone who crossed her would come to no good end. But his position meant he could only stand together with Jiang Nan—one stroke cannot write two Jiang characters, he couldn’t help outsiders.

“Do this: follow my instructions.” Jiang Nan beckoned him over and lowered his voice, saying, “However, you cannot tell anyone about this matter.”

After hearing him out, Jiang Tian’s expression changed drastically. “This—I’m afraid the two families will completely turn against each other! Uncle originally wanted to turn hostility into friendship, but if something like this happens…”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly. “Don’t be foolish. Who said my father wants to calm things down? He’s merely following Grandmother’s wishes. Grandmother would love nothing more than to see her dead. I’m acting according to Grandmother’s wishes—if she finds out, she won’t blame me!”

But you’re a grown man scheming against a young girl—it’s really disgraceful. Jiang Tian couldn’t help feeling some sympathy. He was naturally different from other Jiang family men. They loved swords, spears, and martial arts, while he preferred medicine. His father had beaten him countless times for this, yet he refused to study the military strategies his cousins learned. In his eyes, those violent pursuits were far less attractive than medical arts. Because of this, he was truly an oddity in the Jiang family. Others didn’t say it outright, but in their hearts they all thought he was an incompetent wastrel, even though he’d gone to great lengths to become Physician Lu’s disciple—the result was still the same. And now, he was being forced to get involved in the conflict between the Jiang family and Li Weiyang. He really felt… “Fourth Brother, Uncle said a man’s mind should be used in court affairs. Competing with a little girl is ultimately an inglorious victory.”

Hearing this, Jiang Nan’s bright eyes stared at him for a long time until his heart grew uneasy. Then he suddenly laughed coldly and said, “Others have already humiliated us at our doorstep, and you’re still nagging like a woman. In terms of ruthlessness, you’re not even as good as Li Weiyang. If you don’t dare do this, I’ll never speak up for you in front of Second Uncle again!” With that, he turned to leave. Jiang Tian quickly pulled him back and said, “Fine! I’ll help you!”

In his heart, he felt extremely uneasy. Li Weiyang was not someone to provoke lightly. Thinking of those eyes as deep as an ancient well, he would feel a creeping sensation rise up his back. When it came to sensing danger, he had a natural instinct.

At this moment, Li Weiyang was playing with her little brother using a rattle drum. Minzhi in his cradle laughed happily, holding the rattle drum his sister had given him. His head tilted, his bright black eyes sparkling. Soon tiring of the rattle drum, he crawled over shakily and reached out his hands toward Li Weiyang. Even infants under one year old can accurately judge people’s attitudes toward them—whether they truly like them, are pretending to like them, or dislike them. This is an instinct of children who cannot yet speak. Li Weiyang poked Minzhi’s chubby little face with her finger, and he immediately giggled delightedly.

Tan Shi’s face bore a gentle smile as she watched Li Weiyang teach Minzhi to babble, her needlework never stopping.

Just then, the window outside suddenly made three sounds. Li Weiyang glanced sideways, then said to Tan Shi, “Mother, I’ll be back in a moment.” With that, she handed Minzhi to Mozhu and walked out.

Tan Shi noticed something was wrong with her expression and felt puzzled.

In the corridor, Zhao Nan was waiting outside. Seeing Li Weiyang emerge, he said in a low voice, “Miss, this servant followed Physician Lu to an alley entrance where he disappeared. Half an hour later, a young master emerged. He didn’t know this servant had secretly marked him, so I still recognized him and followed him to the back door of the Jiang residence, where I actually heard those people call him Fifth Young Master… Unfortunately, the Jiang residence is heavily guarded with seven layers of security just in the courtyard. This servant couldn’t get in and couldn’t find more evidence.”

Li Weiyang listened carefully but smiled, “This is enough.” Just as she thought—Physician Lu was indeed from the Jiang family. However, she hadn’t expected him to be the Jiang family’s Fifth Young Master, the elusive Jiang Tian.

Zhao Yue, who had been following alongside, asked, “Miss, will you still go in five days?”

Li Weiyang’s smile slowly bloomed at the corners of her lips, like a rose suddenly bursting into full bloom, flashing with bright beauty in the dark night. “Go—why wouldn’t I? They’ve specially set a trap for me. Why wouldn’t I go! This play naturally needs many people to be interesting! Zhao Nan, go tell Third Young Master that everything should proceed according to plan.”

Zhao Nan bowed his head. “Yes!” Then he disappeared into the darkness and was soon gone.

The next day, Physician Lu indeed took his leave of Li Xiaoran, saying he had matters to attend to at his own residence. Though Li Xiaoran tried repeatedly to make him stay, he still left. When Li Weiyang heard about it, she merely smiled slightly without asking any questions. On the fifth day as previously agreed, Li Weiyang left with only Zhao Yue and Bai Zhi accompanying her.

They traveled simply to Physician Lu’s residence. The boy servant ushered them inside but said Physician Lu had temporarily gone to the medicine hall and asked Li Weiyang to change locations. Li Weiyang deliberately made it difficult, saying, “This… wouldn’t be appropriate.”

The boy servant smiled. “What is Miss afraid of? My master is a physician, not a villain. It’s just changing to the medicine hall where there are more people. Who would dare do anything to Miss?”

Li Weiyang just smiled. “If your master isn’t available, I can come again tomorrow.”

The boy servant stepped forward and said with a smile, “Miss, the carriage has already been prepared separately.”

Li Weiyang raised her eyebrows. “Carriage? Doesn’t the Li family have carriages?”

The boy servant smiled. “Miss, your Li family’s carriages are too conspicuous. Wouldn’t that tell everyone in the capital that you’ve arrived? How inappropriate. My master is also thinking of you! Changing to another carriage to go to the medicine hall—it’s only half an hour altogether. Please move along!”

Li Weiyang glanced at Zhao Yue. Zhao Yue said, “Miss, you needn’t worry. This servant is here!” She looked completely confident.

The boy servant saw this and sneered inwardly, though his face showed an even broader smile. “Miss, please.”

When Li Weiyang reached the back door of the Lu residence, the carriage had been changed to an extremely plain oil-cloth covered cart. The driver glanced at her and saw Li Weiyang wearing a peacock feather cloak with the hood pulled down to cover her face—he couldn’t see her features clearly at all. But this wasn’t strange—young ladies from wealthy households naturally kept a low profile when going out. He quickly jumped down and bowed. “Greetings to Miss. My master ordered me to take Miss there. Please board the carriage.” Li Weiyang lowered her head and made a sound of acknowledgment, stepping onto the stool the driver had prepared and boarding the carriage. The driver was still looking around when Zhao Yue scolded, “Keep your head down, or I’ll gouge out your eyeballs!”

The driver was startled and didn’t dare peek at Li Weiyang’s appearance anymore. With a crack of the whip, the carriage moved forward.

The carriage navigated through streets and alleys with practiced ease. Bai Zhi looked out from inside the carriage and saw the road wasn’t heading toward the market, so she called out loudly, “Why are we going this way?”

The driver replied with a chuckle, “My master’s medicine hall is in this direction. Miss needn’t worry—we’ll arrive shortly.”

Bai Zhi glanced back at Li Weiyang, who quietly made a hand gesture. Bai Zhi nodded in understanding. Zhao Yue focused on leaving markers along the entire route without saying a word.

After about an hour, the carriage slowly stopped. Bai Zhi lifted the curtain and jumped down, then helped Li Weiyang descend. Before them was not a medicine hall at all, but a secluded courtyard compound, half-hidden among surrounding trees.

“Is this the medicine hall? Are you blind—did you take the wrong road?!” Bai Zhi scolded.

The driver smiled apologetically. “This servant merely follows master’s orders and knows nothing else.”

Bai Zhi’s face was full of anger. “This courtyard is indeed very quiet. But what does your master have to say that he can’t say directly—why must he avoid people’s eyes and ears and come all the way here!”

The driver didn’t answer but simply bowed and took his leave. Li Weiyang said calmly, “Forget it, let’s go in and see.” As the three of them reached the entrance, Bai Zhi and Zhao Yue suddenly had long swords placed at their necks. Everything happened so suddenly there wasn’t even time to cry for help. Li Weiyang laughed coldly. “I wonder who wants to invite me here—what kind of hospitality is this?”

The several guards who appeared out of nowhere all remained silent. Only the leader said coldly, “Miss Li, please enter the house. My master has something to say.”

Li Weiyang showed no expression, but her eyes blinked at Zhao Yue. Zhao Yue gave an almost imperceptible nod. Li Weiyang then snorted coldly, as if helpless, reluctantly climbing the steps and pushing open the door to the main room. Due to the backlighting, the entire room was dim and the scenery unclear. Looking to the right, the curtain suddenly moved. Li Weiyang stepped back but saw a well-dressed young master standing before her.

“So it’s you—” Li Weiyang smiled coldly. “When did the Jiang family’s Fourth Young Master start engaging in such activities?”

Jiang Nan’s face looked even more handsome at this moment, though now it wore a mocking smile. “Li Weiyang, I told you long ago—you cannot fly out of my palm.” He had originally imagined countless methods to trick Li Weiyang here, because he’d heard she was naturally suspicious. He feared she would bring many people, so he specially arranged twenty highly skilled guards. But now it seemed he’d overestimated her—she actually trusted Physician Lu so easily. Though this was understandable—after all, Physician Lu had saved her brother’s life. Ordinary people wouldn’t easily suspect their life-saving benefactor, would they? Jiang Nan thought smugly. The key to luring an enemy is using the most unexpected person and method.

Hearing him say this, Li Weiyang’s face showed little surprise. On the contrary, she sat down calmly, even taking the teacup from the table and slowly pouring herself tea. Through the rising mist, her expression showed a trace of mockery. “Fourth Young Master, you impersonated Physician Lu and forcibly abducted me here—are you tired of living?! Don’t you know that forcibly abducting an official’s daughter is punishable by beheading? Or do you think the Jiang family has special privileges and can be exempt from punishment?”

Jiang Nan was momentarily stunned, then smiled. “You’re such a clever person—how can you not figure it out? Right now, it’s not that I forcibly brought you here, but that you obediently came on your own. How should I put it—you walked into the trap yourself.”

Li Weiyang looked up at him. “Oh? Walked into the trap myself?” A faint cold mockery veiled her clear and limpid eyes, but unfortunately the other party didn’t notice. She said slowly, “Then, I wonder what Fourth Young Master means by inviting me here as a guest?”

Jiang Nan laughed coldly. “Naturally, to meet my future concubine!”

Li Weiyang was startled and showed genuine surprise. She looked Jiang Nan up and down several times. “Has Fourth Young Master lost his mind? Why would I want to meet your concubine?”

Jiang Nan burst out laughing, his laughter unbridled. “You are my future concubine! Don’t tell me you think that after coming here to mess around with me for a day, you can still be properly granted a marriage to become my legitimate wife?”

Li Weiyang stared at him dumbfounded. “Don’t tell me you tricked me here to ruin my reputation?”

Jiang Nan’s smile carried a trace of coldness. “I couldn’t possibly have invited you here as a guest.” Kidnapping a noble lady would be a capital offense if publicly tried, but he was certain that if he kidnapped Li Weiyang, the Li family could only swallow it silently and marry Li Weiyang to him as a concubine. Because no matter how strong and arrogant Li Weiyang was, she was still a woman. She absolutely couldn’t sacrifice her own reputation. If word spread that he’d forcibly abducted her, her only solution would be suicide. Compared to suicide, enduring this matter and marrying him as a concubine would be much better. So this gamble—he was certain to win!

Li Weiyang sighed leisurely, her gentle tone like slowly flowing spring water, without a trace of anger. “Fourth Young Master, I really overestimated you. I thought that although you were somewhat hot-tempered and proud, you were at least a hero on the battlefield. I never imagined you could think up such a base method. Ah, I’m truly disappointed!”

Jiang Nan’s heart shook. He hadn’t expected her to be so composed. Soon though, he laughed. Her composure now must be feigned. If she was kept here for one night, regardless of whether he did anything to her, tomorrow morning she couldn’t marry into the Jiang family as a chaste maiden. Of course, by then she also couldn’t marry anyone else—she could only marry him, and as a concubine! This way, both the old lady would be satisfied, and he wouldn’t feel stifled.

Marrying Li Weiyang—he’d never even considered it. Although Li Weiyang interested him greatly, although every time he saw her he felt that desire to conquer that he only experienced on the battlefield, and she was the first person to make him feel this way—but he didn’t believe that just because of this, a lowly-born concubine’s daughter like her qualified to marry him as his legitimate wife! Though his official position was gone, he was still the legitimate son of a first-rank meritorious family! Not to mention she’d tried to pretend illness to avoid the marriage! She didn’t want to marry? Fine—he would force her to marry, and marry down at that!

It must be said that Jiang Nan’s method was very base, very despicable, extremely cruel toward an unmarried young lady, and simple and brutal—but it was effective. So effective that Li Weiyang couldn’t help laughing.

“What are you laughing at?!” The more Jiang Nan looked at Li Weiyang, the more abnormal she seemed. To still be able to laugh at this point—”Do you think your guards can save you? I might as well tell you, those guards were long ago diverted away by my methods. They have no way to come save you! If you’re smart, just stay here obediently until tomorrow morning. Then at least I can give you the status of a concubine. But if you play tricks trying to escape, then tomorrow we might only see the naked Princess Anping in a beggars’ den.” Jiang Nan said coldly.

Li Weiyang laughed while shaking her head, finally almost coughing from laughing. The more Jiang Nan watched, the more he thought she’d gone mad. His heart grew increasingly uneasy from her laughter, and he couldn’t help shouting angrily, “What are you doing?!”

Li Weiyang finally stopped laughing. “Fourth Young Master, your behavior is nothing like that of a noble family’s son—there’s really no difference between you and the street thugs and ruffians outside. Look, after all these years the Jiang family has educated someone like you. I truly pity Uncle—if he knew about your actions today, he’d surely be disappointed!”

The education Jiang Nan received on the battlefield was truly different from that of ordinary noble sons. Things like propriety, righteousness, integrity, and shame meant nothing to him. What he valued most was his pride, and Li Weiyang had trampled on his dignity. Why should he show mercy to such a woman? He laughed coldly and said, “Perhaps I should consider consummating the marriage tonight.”

But at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out: “Your thoughts are truly beautiful, but unfortunately, reality is always cruel.”

Jiang Nan was startled and whipped his head around. His face was suddenly struck by a heavy object. He staggered, then his head was struck several more times from behind. Several streams of blood immediately flowed out, covering his eyes. In just that moment of hesitation, several black-clothed men had already pounced on him, strangling his neck tightly. He struggled desperately but became dizzy from the severe pain in his head!

Li Minde said coldly, “Tie him up tightly! Throw him in the corner!”

Jiang Nan couldn’t believe it, but he was already bound immobile and thrown in the corner. Li Minde walked up to him and looked down at him from above, saying, “I told you long ago—reality is very cruel. You shouldn’t have, absolutely shouldn’t have, targeted her. This daydream started too early!”

Jiang Nan was a martial arts expert. Just now he was merely caught off guard, plus the other side had superior numbers, which allowed them to temporarily subdue him. By rights, he should be able to break free from these ropes, but the more he struggled, the more the bindings seemed to dig into his flesh. He couldn’t break free no matter what. As he grew anxious, the blood on his head flowed even more fiercely, looking even more shockingly red.

He shouted angrily, “Li Weiyang! You crazy girl, what are you doing?!”

Li Weiyang examined his wretched state, her thin lips pressed tightly together, containing a trace of cold smile. “You’re not crazy, but when kidnapping someone, you should carefully choose your target—if you abducted an ordinary young lady, people would merely praise you as romantic—but you actively came to provoke me. That’s really not too good!”

Jiang Nan was dumbfounded. From these words, he suddenly realized something. For a moment his mouth gaped open unable to close. After a long while he finally reacted, “Li Weiyang, you despicable thing—you set a trap!”

“What did I do?!” Li Weiyang’s smile became exceptionally gentle. “I merely turned the tables on you. If you’d obediently stayed home reflecting on your mistakes, that would have been fine. But now didn’t you deliver yourself to my doorstep? Ah, right—using your own words, this is called walking into the trap yourself.”

Jiang Nan looked at her in disbelief. “What did you say?”

Li Weiyang said calmly, “Fourth Young Master, better to offend a gentleman than offend a woman. You must remember this phrase well, remember it firmly. Otherwise, even the Jade Emperor himself can’t help you!”

On the battlefield with open swords and spears, stratagems and military tactics were completely useless here. Actually this wasn’t strange—when it came to underhanded methods, Li Weiyang had seen plenty. Jiang Nan’s strategies might work on the battlefield, but in the inner chambers they were completely useless. Yet he didn’t understand this and dared to play tricks in front of her. If he were smart, he should have realized she wouldn’t fall for it so unprepared. He could only blame himself for being too arrogant, seeing her Li Weiyang as too low and too stupid! Clever people often have this problem—they always like to underestimate their opponents!

Jiang Nan completely couldn’t believe he’d actually been trapped by the other party. He glared viciously at Li Weiyang and threatened, “If you don’t release me—”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Fourth Young Master, do you still not understand your situation? It should be you begging me, then I might consider being lenient with you.”

Jiang Nan stared at her, then looked at Li Minde’s cold face, and suddenly burst out laughing. “I don’t believe you dare do anything to me!”

Li Minde’s lips curved upward. He looked dashingly handsome, so handsome one didn’t dare look directly at him. He said lightly, “We naturally don’t dare do anything to you. It’s just that since we went to such trouble to invite you here, naturally we can’t have invited you for nothing, right?” His expression carried a hidden trace of coldness.

Jiang Nan couldn’t help watching him warily, instinctively feeling that this person seemed to harbor deep hostility toward him. He glanced at Li Weiyang, then looked at Li Minde, and suddenly showed a cold sneer. “No wonder you looked down on me—turns out you’ve long had an illicit affair with this pretty boy! You’re cousins—tsk tsk, how filthy!”

Li Minde stepped forward and suddenly grabbed his collar, landing a direct punch square on Jiang Nan’s nose!

“What are you doing?!” Jiang Nan only felt intense pain, as if his nose bridge had been broken by the other party. Unable to struggle, he could only glare at him furiously. He’d never been hit by anyone in his life! How dare this Li Minde!

Li Minde didn’t hesitate to throw another heavy punch. “I’m telling you—if you say one more disrespectful word about her, I’ll give you two more punches until all your teeth fall out! And you must remember, today’s outcome is your own doing! You deserve this suffering!” As he spoke, he’d already thrown three consecutive punches. The last one made Jiang Nan see stars and nearly unable to breathe.

“You—you madman! Stop!” Jiang Nan had always considered himself noble. This time in extreme fury he cursed. Li Minde sneered, “Who do you think you are to act so high and mighty? Without the Jiang family’s prestige, where would you have won your reputation as an ever-victorious general on the battlefield?! It’s nothing more than predecessors planting trees for descendants to enjoy the shade, yet you think you’re so great!”

Indeed, without the Jiang family’s reputation, Jiang Nan wouldn’t even have had the chance to hold power! However, these words struck at Jiang Nan’s sore spot. He reacted as if someone had lit a powder keg. No one had ever dared expose this shortcoming in front of him! He exploded in fury, roaring, “Shut up! How dare you slander me—how dare you smear me! I earned my military merits through my own real abilities! What do you have, you pretty boy?! Good looks?!”

Being called a pretty boy wasn’t pleasant, especially since Li Minde most hated people noticing his appearance. His smile grew even colder. “Who cares about smearing you?! Narrow-minded, arrogant, vindictive—isn’t it just because she looked down on you?! You have a guilty conscience! That’s why you won’t rest until you’ve driven her to ruin!”

“Bullshit!” Regardless of his pain, Jiang Nan said hoarsely, “I’m an upright descendant of a military family—what do I have to feel guilty about? And what is Li Weiyang?! She’s not even worthy of carrying my shoes!”

Li Minde’s expression showed extreme anger, but Li Weiyang stopped him. “Why bother getting angry with this kind of person? He was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. Everyone treated him differently because his surname contains the character Jiang—even if he established military merits on the battlefield, so what? Without the Jiang family, could he have been made a third-rank military officer in just three years based solely on fighting a few battles? Jiang Nan, you completed in three years what others can’t complete even by age forty. Was that solely through your own abilities? Are you deceiving us or deceiving yourself?!”

Jiang Nan’s angry curses came to an abrupt halt, only his shoulders trembling slightly. He couldn’t deny what Li Weiyang said, because what she said was all true. Even with equivalent military merits, without such family background, one would have to climb up slowly from the bottom. Even climbing to age forty, one might not necessarily catch the emperor’s eye. He couldn’t even speak words of rebuttal. His heart grew even more resentful, and he couldn’t help saying hatefully, “Li Weiyang, you lowborn—”

“That’s enough.” Li Weiyang spoke coldly. “Look at yourself now—who’s the lowly one?! Does it matter who your birth mother is? Jiang Nan, a person’s future must be fought for and killed for by themselves. Success, and you’re the respected General Wuwei; failure, and you’re a nameless wastrel! What does this have to do with your birth! That’s right, I was indeed born to a foot-washing maid. So what? Right now I’m standing and you’re kneeling! I’m speaking and you’re listening! If your skills are inferior, you should obediently kneel there. Don’t keep saying ‘lowly person’ over and over—you’re only humiliating yourself!”

Jiang Nan raised his eyes. Though blood already obscured his vision, he still stared fixedly at the person he’d just scorned so much. He saw that Li Weiyang’s lively phoenix eyes still flowed with brilliance, causing those who saw them to be amazed and envious. A strange heat surged through his heart—he truly had never seen such a woman. Domineering, forceful, cunning, ruthless—what kind of person was she exactly?!

Li Weiyang no longer looked at him but turned to Li Minde instead. “Have you brought the person?”

Li Minde raised his eyebrows. “Bring her in.”

Jiang Nan watched coldly as they helped in someone wrapped in a coral-red cloak. Just as they crossed the threshold, the hood accidentally fell off, revealing the girl’s bright eyes, white teeth, almond eyes, and peach cheeks beneath the cloak. However, her face was coated with thick powder, and on her cheeks were cross-shaped scars that couldn’t be concealed, utterly destroying that face. Moreover, her eyes showed a fierce glare, as if she wanted to devour someone. He involuntarily shivered. “Li Weiyang, what exactly are you trying to do?!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Fourth Young Master, didn’t you want me to be your concubine? Then I must give you a suitable gift in return.” As she spoke, she waved her hand. The black-clothed men immediately delivered the young lady to Jiang Nan’s side. Anxiety rose in Jiang Nan’s heart. “What do you mean by this?!”

Li Weiyang didn’t answer him but said coldly instead, “Alright, everyone withdraw. Calculating the time, it should be about right.”

At her words, everyone withdrew.

Mozhu, who had entered with Li Minde, handed a bundle to Li Weiyang, then removed the coral-red cloak from Li Changxi’s body and wrapped the peacock feather cloak around her instead. Li Changxi’s eyes had been staring at everything in terror the entire time. Li Weiyang smiled slightly, returned to the inner room, changed all her outer garments, fastened the coral-red cloak, and only then returned to her seat, leisurely sitting and drinking tea. Jiang Nan had no mind to watch her, because that crazed young lady was now staring at him with beautiful eyes, as if trying to figure out where to bite first. He involuntarily felt a chill through his entire body. Having seen countless people’s eyes on the battlefield, he’d never seen this kind of gaze that seemed to want to tear someone apart. A thought suddenly flashed through his mind. He raised his voice, “Li Weiyang, you vicious woman, you’re planning to—”

Just then, the main door outside made a loud bang—a group of people had broken in.

The man leading them had a stern expression and wore official robes. He appeared no more than twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, a dignified appearance. Wearing proper official robes and black-faced bull-fighting boots, he appeared even more imposing with an ape’s back and wasp’s waist, a tall and trim figure. Jiang Nan recognized him at a glance—this was the newly appointed Capital Magistrate Yao Changqing.

This Magistrate Yao looked young, but was actually a famous hard-headed man—hard temper, hard principles, and even a hard life. In official circles, he was excessively upright in his dealings, not even buying the emperor’s account. Five years ago, he’d already served as Capital Magistrate. When the emperor’s third princess’s consort got drunk and caused trouble in the street, this Magistrate Yao arrested him and, regardless of the third princess’s pleas, stripped the consort’s pants and beat him severely. The third princess cried rivers of tears before the emperor, who called Yao in and angrily rebuked him. Who knew he wouldn’t buy any face, and actually beat the consort again on grounds of disrupting legal proceedings. This time the consort lay in bed for half a year before recovering. The emperor, angry at his disrespect, banished him far away to a remote small county. Who knew this man relied on his official reputation to work his way back up step by step. Last time when the emperor was attacked, after much thought he felt the capital was most peaceful when this black-faced fellow served as Capital Magistrate—even imperial family members had to give him some respect, and street thugs and rogues didn’t dare approach. So he simply promoted him again to continue as Capital Magistrate. This was the first time such a strange occurrence had happened since the founding of the Dali dynasty.

Of course, compared to Magistrate Yao’s reputation for being a wife-killer, this was nothing. This man at thirty-four years old had already killed three wives. His first wife was his childhood sweetheart, in perfect health, but died within three years of marrying him. The second one lasted even shorter—only one year. The third… only three months. A fortune teller specifically calculated his fate and said he was born with an evil star, destined to kill three wives before finding one who could suppress it. But what family would be willing to make their daughter the fourth? So no one was willing to marry their daughter to him anymore, even though he could barely be considered a decent man.

Seeing this person, Jiang Nan’s heart immediately sank.

Li Weiyang said coldly, “Magistrate Yao, I’m afraid you won’t dare judge this case!”

Yao Changqing’s brows immediately furrowed. He’d already recognized who the bound person was. He was indeed shocked, but after the shock passed, he coldly rebuked, “What do you mean I won’t dare judge?! There’s no case in this world I won’t dare judge!”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Then good. Today this Jiang Fourth Young Master abducted my younger sister here. If I hadn’t discovered it by chance, my sister’s chastity would have been ruined by him!”

Yao Changqing looked coldly at Fourth Young Master Jiang, who’d been beaten to look like a pig’s head. “Fourth Young Master, is this true?!”

Fourth Young Master Jiang gritted his teeth so hard they nearly shattered. “Li Weiyang, you did this on purpose! Yao Changqing, don’t let her deceive you!”

“Am I deceiving people?” Li Weiyang huffed through her nose. “Are you crying injustice? My younger sister was staying properly at Physician Lu’s medicine hall. If you didn’t coax and deceive her here, would she have run to this desolate wilderness by herself? Magistrate Yao, look—my younger sister was perfectly fine, but now she’s so frightened she can’t even speak clearly!? What well-bred young lady could remain calm after encountering such a thing?”

Yao Changqing waved his hand, and someone immediately went to examine Li Changxi. However, she bit the person hard enough to draw blood. The person was startled and quickly said, “Your Honor, this young lady must have suffered some severe shock!” That bite showed absolutely no mercy. Combined with her disheveled hair and disarrayed clothing, she looked as if she’d just been violated by someone.

Yao Changqing’s brow furrowed. He most detested these wastrel sons of wealthy families bullying innocent young ladies. He said coldly, “Search within a hundred li radius to see if there’s any other evidence!”

“Yes!” The officials immediately left, not daring to raise their heads to look at Li Weiyang. These ladies of great families ordinarily never showed themselves lightly in public. To suddenly see two at once was truly too unexpected.

Yao Changqing turned his head. “This young lady, you are—”

Li Weiyang said slowly, “I am Princess Anping, and this is my fifth younger sister.”

Yao Changqing couldn’t help being greatly shocked. He looked carefully at Li Changxi, who seemed not quite right, and immediately felt this was thorny. On one side was the Prime Minister, on the other the Jiang family—what was going on here? Before long, he saw officials bringing in a trembling person. Upon seeing Yao Changqing, this person shook like a sieve. When questioned, he immediately kowtowed, “It… it was Fourth Young Master who ordered this servant to drive the carriage and trick the person here…”

Only now did Jiang Nan realize he’d been trapped—even his own people had been bought! Thinking more carefully, it was impossible! This driver was his own man. Looking more closely, he was shocked to realize that just now Li Weiyang had been wearing a cloak and no one had seen her appearance clearly. Combined with Li Changxi’s figure being extremely similar to hers, from behind there was no way to tell the difference. This way, others would think the person brought here was Li Changxi! This driver never saw Li Weiyang’s appearance from start to finish. Out of caution, he also hadn’t told him who the other party was. This naturally would create such a misconception!

Li Weiyang looked contemptuously at the driver, now a heap of mud on the ground, and said coldly, “Magistrate Yao, did you hear? Both this driver and I count as witnesses! If you think that’s not enough, outside there are our Li family guards who came with me. They all personally saw me and Third Brother enter. If we hadn’t arrived in time, I’m afraid my younger sister would have suffered violation!”

The entire plan was very simple. Li Weiyang wore a cloak that prevented people from seeing her features. Li Minde followed half a step behind, bringing Li Changxi along the entire way. Then Li Weiyang and Li Changxi exchanged cloaks. This way, in the Jiang family guards’ view, she and the young lady who initially entered the room were two different people. But in the Li family guards’ eyes, Third Miss entered the room together with Third Young Master—it seemed simple, but timing had to be perfect, which wasn’t easy. Especially creating visual confusion in others required some small tricks.

Originally she could have used Li Changxi as a substitute from the start, but that way she would have been easily discovered midway.

Jiang Nan shouted loudly, “Yao Changqing, think clearly—why would I go to the trouble of catching a crazy girl?!”

Li Weiyang said coldly, “Who says my fifth sister is crazy? She’s just temporarily frightened by you! When she comes to her senses, naturally she’ll testify!”

Yao Changqing hesitated no longer and decisively ordered, “What are you waiting for?! Such scum is simply the greatest shame of our Great Li! Still not tying him up and sending him for judgment?!” Everyone responded in unison and dragged both Jiang Nan and the driver out. Jiang Nan struggled desperately, but no one showed mercy—no one even glanced at his bloodied head. For this kind of villain who forcibly abducted women, no amount of beating was excessive.

Li Weiyang walked out of the room and bowed to Yao Changqing, who had followed everyone to the courtyard. “Magistrate Yao, I have a request.”

Yao Changqing was startled and couldn’t help stopping.

Li Weiyang said softly, “This matter concerns my fifth sister’s reputation. I wonder if Magistrate Yao could handle it secretly?”

Yao Changqing nodded. “Miss, rest assured. Not one of my subordinates is loose-lipped. However—this matter is of great importance and must be reported to His Majesty for handling.” Jiang Nan wasn’t like the wastrel Third Consort. If handled poorly, it could cause turmoil throughout the court. Yao Changqing didn’t fear the Jiang family, but for the sake of the common people, this matter had to be handled cautiously.

Li Weiyang had already anticipated this situation and couldn’t help saying, “Then I’ll trouble Your Honor.”

Li Weiyang returned to the room. In the vast chamber, only the three of them remained. Li Minde glanced at Li Changxi and shook his head. “It seems her illness hasn’t improved.”

Li Weiyang smiled and took out a handkerchief, wiping away the dirt on Li Changxi’s face. When she wiped to the mouth area, she finally saw deep bloody tooth marks carved into the pale lower lip. A trace of smile appeared at the corners of Li Weiyang’s lips. She paused briefly, then said softly, “Fifth Sister, I know your condition has improved at the estate. At least you understand what we’re doing, yet you were still willing to cooperate. This shows you’re willing to gamble on your future, isn’t that right? As long as you follow my plan entirely, I’ll secure you a good marriage. Or you can still choose to oppose me—I actually welcome that very much.” She didn’t care at all about the Li family’s reputation, so what Jiang Nan mentioned about ordinary women sacrificing personal happiness to preserve their reputation through silent endurance was an extremely laughable act in Li Weiyang’s eyes. This complaint absolutely had to be filed, filed extensively, filed until Jiang Nan lost his life! But naturally, the plaintiff position had to be given to someone else!

Li Changxi glared hatefully at Li Weiyang, then bit her teeth but refused to speak.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “You always opposed me before, but now you should know—besides me, no one can help you leave that hellish place. When you see His Majesty shortly, what should you say?”

Li Changxi lowered her head without saying half a word. Li Minde frowned. “Actually, we could substitute someone else.”

Li Changxi’s head shot up to stare at them, her eyes showing fierce light. Li Weiyang smiled slightly. “Fifth Sister, Fourth Aunt already told you about this matter. You came of your own will. Why put on this reluctant appearance? You saw that Capital Magistrate just now—you must be quite satisfied. We’re each getting what we need. That’s all there is to say. Weigh it yourself.”

Li Changxi stopped talking, only the hatred in her eyes slowly receded, becoming abnormally calm.

Li Weiyang had indeed harmed her, but when she calmed down, this matter had no downside for her! She finally nodded her head.

Outside in the courtyard, Yao Changqing had a head full of troubles, feeling he’d never been so passive. He sighed, “Usually it’s fine, but it had to happen today. Without a resolution, both the Jiang and Li families will tear me to pieces. I have only one life and fear nothing horizontally or vertically, but both families are not easy to provoke. If this blows up, I’m afraid it will become a major incident, disturbing the capital’s citizens and becoming a laughingstock for all under heaven…” Finally, his advisor came up with an idea, saying softly, “This matter is difficult to handle. Your Honor, why not enter the palace and request an imperial decree?”

Yao Changqing finally became sensible for once and immediately submitted a memorial to the emperor. Upon reading it, the emperor immediately flew into a rage. He’d properly ordered Jiang Nan to reflect at home—how could this matter arise again?! Simply eating the heart and guts of a bear and leopard! He immediately summoned everyone into the palace, demanding to get to the bottom of it. Originally Li Weiyang was also expected to be summoned—she waited in the guest room arranged by the Capital Magistrate for the emperor’s summons. But before the emperor, she was first summoned into the palace by the Empress…