Wei Yuzhi lowered his eyes, “If there’s a chance, it would be good to clear my father’s name.”
“Sir, you don’t seem very concerned about your family’s reputation?” Wu Lingyuan asked, puzzled.
“You’ve read many history books, haven’t you?” Wei Yuzhi looked up, his eyes slightly red. “If my father’s case ever makes it into the history books, it will be no more than a brief mention, insignificant compared to any of that scoundrel emperor’s deeds. It’s not worth spending a lifetime plotting for just a few words. Besides, right and wrong, man acts, but Heaven watches.”
He sat with his back to the door. The sunlight outside was too bright, making it difficult for Wu Lingyuan to discern his expression. But he had a feeling that Wei Yuzhi wasn’t just talking big.
“When I first met Yelü Quancang, the Liao nation had no place for him. Over the years, I’ve devoted all my efforts to helping him ascend the throne. Now, before his position is even secure, he can no longer tolerate my presence.” Wei Yuzhi’s fingers lightly tapped the armrest, a hint of a smile on his face. “If I can help you gain power in the Great Song, then my life… won’t have been in vain.”
Wu Lingyuan’s eyesight was still not as good as others after his recovery, so he didn’t notice Wei Yuzhi’s reddened eyes or the rare look of pain that crossed his face.
This entire life, always making wedding clothes for others.
Wei Yuzhi pressed his lips together and stood up to leave.
An old pear tree in the courtyard was in full bloom with white flowers. Wei Yuzhi walked beneath it, petals falling all around but none touching him.
He walked to the center of the courtyard, suddenly stopped, and turned back, looking up at An Jiu sitting on the roof. The falling petals seemed to pause for a moment.
An Jiu had excellent eyesight and could see his reddened eyes even from that distance. Even if she couldn’t see him, it was hard to ignore the dull ache in her heart.
Never had An Jiu felt such an urgent desire to sever these tenuous connections with him.
“You want to kill me,” Wei Yuzhi asked with a smile.
An Jiu was startled. Searching her heart, she realized that she had indeed had such a thought for a moment, but quickly suppressed it when she remembered that Wei Yuzhi was her savior. It happened so fast that she hadn’t even been aware of it.
He looked at An Jiu’s face, his smile growing wider. But it appeared resolute and cold, his powerful spiritual force instantly tearing the surrounding pear blossoms into powder.
A chill ran through An Jiu’s heart.
After a long while, she detected a hint of desolation in it.
Although Wei Yuzhi had spent his whole life giving to others, he wasn’t the type to give without expecting anything in return. He had sacrificed himself twice to save An Jiu because of an indescribable feeling, yet he had never received any response. He was angry because he saw everything, clearly didn’t want to keep giving like this, yet couldn’t stop.
An Jiu leaped down from the roof, following the path he had taken to the pavilion.
“Let me be alone for a while,” Wei Yuzhi said softly. “Since you have Chu Dingjiang now, you should avoid me. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do.”
“I chose Wu Lingyuan, and you also chose Wu Lingyuan. You and I can’t possibly be on parallel paths,” An Jiu frowned and said, “Should I understand this as you wanting me to give up? You saved my life. If you want me to repay you this way, I’ll leave.”
Wei Yuzhi’s face darkened.
Fate was too cruel, not giving him even a small chance to escape.
“Ask Lord Wu to request an imperial decree for you to command the troops stationed outside the city,” Wei Yuzhi said.
This was exactly what An Jiu had hoped for. She nodded, hesitated for a moment, then asked, “How about I introduce you to a girl?”
Even the usually composed Wei Yuzhi couldn’t help but laugh, “Like Xu Humei?”
“What kind of girl do you like?” An Jiu asked seriously. She didn’t like owing favors and was eager to repay him. Finally finding something she could do for him, she naturally paid more attention.
Wei Yuzhi was silent for a moment before speaking, “She must be as beautiful as you. She should be intelligent but must have a pure heart and never deceive me. Her heart should only belong to me. She should be caring, and understand music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. She should be gentle and kind, with a resilient spirit.”
Although finding a woman who met all these requirements would be difficult, it was still a way to repay his kindness. An Jiu immediately agreed, “Alright.”
Wei Yuzhi watched her figure disappear among the lush flowers and trees, then withdrew his gaze.
When one hasn’t met that person, there’s a list of requirements in their heart. But once the heart is moved, all requirements cease to be requirements. Wei Yuzhi had never imagined the appearance of a partner in his heart. All the requirements he mentioned today were just casual words. Even if such a woman appeared before him, he might not necessarily be moved.
An Jiu returned and immediately found paper and brush, intending to write a letter to Chu Dingjiang.
Sitting at the desk, biting the brush, An Jiu suddenly felt a heaviness in her heart. She wanted to see him.
After pondering for a long time, An Jiu sighed and began to write: I miss you. Then, can you find a wife for Wei Yuzhi? The requirements are as follows…
As night fell, in a certain courtyard in Xijin Prefecture, lush ancient trees completely shielded the entire yard. Lanterns hung from every branch, illuminating the courtyard as bright as day, yet from the outside, only a faint glow could be seen.
On a low couch placed in the corridor, a small table was set in the middle. On one side sat Yelü Jingli, dressed in plain robes, and on the other side sat a woman in blue clothes wearing a half-mask.
Yelü Jingli slowly took a sip of tea and smiled, “Ning is becoming more and more capable.”
“You flatter me,” Ning Yanli lowered her head.
“I’ve said before, you don’t need to be so respectful in front of me. I’m not Huangwu,” Yelü Jingli smiled.
His beauty was rarely seen in the world. Although Ning Yanli understood that this man was a vicious character, she still couldn’t resist the allure of his smile.
“What obstacles does Ning think remain in this plan?” Yelü Jingli asked.
Ning Yanli came back to her senses, “Mo Sigui. Where there’s poison, there’s an antidote. Whether it’s the drug to boost power or the drug to trigger the toxin in the Konghe family’s blood, Mo Sigui might be able to neutralize them.”
“I’ve already sent people to kill him. Ning, you can’t feel sorry for him this time,” Yelü Jingli’s style of doing things was to eliminate problems thoroughly, leaving no hidden dangers.
“Actually… I know his weakness. It might be more beneficial than killing him,” Ning Yanli couldn’t tell if she was reluctant, but she indeed didn’t want Mo Sigui to die just like that. “Lou Mingyue.”
“Miss Lou Er?” Yelü Jingli leaned back on the cushion, the soft touch making him slightly narrow his phoenix eyes in comfort. “A strong-willed woman who would rather break than bend.”
Ning Yanli said, “She has been trying to assassinate the princess. If you use the princess to exchange for Mo Sigui, I wonder if she would agree?”
Yelü Jingli looked at her half-covered face, “Oh? You’re willing to give up your princess now?”
“Since Fengzi died, I’ve been having thoughts of leaving,” Ning Yanli gently rubbed the warm teacup with her fingers. “I can see that the princess also likes Fengzi, but she can sacrifice anyone for the sake of Liao’s great cause. However, this is not the reason for my betrayal.”
Yelü Jingli raised an eyebrow, waiting silently for her to continue.