Hearing Wang Zijin speak thus, Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “There’s another matter—from now on, I must ask you to take good care of the Princess.”
Wang Zijin nodded, her expression showing understanding. “From this day forward, the Princess is my sister-in-law. We will naturally care for her wholeheartedly. Please rest assured, Miss Guo!”
Li Weiyang’s expression gradually softened. “In that case, I’ll take my leave first.” As she spoke, she turned to depart.
Wang Zijin suddenly called out to her. “Miss Guo, there’s still a matter we haven’t discussed.”
Li Weiyang halted her steps and turned back, her face carrying a trace of a smile. “Oh, I wonder what else Miss Wang has to say?”
A hint of hesitation flashed across Wang Zijin’s face, but she quickly stepped forward, saying softly, “Last time, the Pei family attempted to provoke conflict between our two families. We haven’t yet settled accounts with Pei Bi over this matter. I wonder what Miss Guo’s view is?”
Was she asking for her opinion or trying to show goodwill? Hearing this, Li Weiyang actually smiled, her tone carrying a trace of nonchalance. “Since they didn’t succeed, let it be. What else can be done?”
Wang Zijin stared at Li Weiyang, almost wanting to see into her heart. From Li Weiyang’s character, she was a persistent person who would never easily let go of those who humiliated her. But why was she acting so indifferent this time? Wang Zijin had originally wanted to incite this Miss Guo to proactively deal with Pei Bi, but seeing her completely indifferent expression, the words she had prepared seemed impossible to say. So she could only smile slightly. “Miss Guo, I have a few words—I don’t know if I should speak them or not?”
Li Weiyang’s lips couldn’t suppress a trace of a smile. “Miss Wang, if you have something to say, speak directly.”
Wang Zijin’s face bore an extremely gentle smile. Those beautiful eyes lingered on Li Weiyang for a moment before she said softly, “I’ve pondered this matter for a long time, not knowing how to bring it up with you. I once studied the art of reading faces. When observing a person, if their face shows a healthy glow, they must be very fortunate, their life smooth. If the healthy glow carries traces of smoke and fire, it portends disaster. If black qi pervades like smoke or fog, it portends violent misfortune. If the face shows pallor, there will surely be mourning in the family. If the face radiates joy, one will encounter sudden fortune. If joyful qi contains black qi, decline and misfortune will arrive amid prosperity. If it carries white qi, there will be mourning garments. If white qi contains color, there will be joyful events amid mourning. Examining Miss Guo’s countenance, your brow seems shrouded in dark clouds, black qi pervading yet fine as silk threads—I cannot see clearly. It seems to say Miss Guo will face violent misfortune. Please be extremely careful.”
Li Weiyang paused slightly before asking, “I wonder from where Miss Wang says this misfortune will come?”
Wang Zijin sighed. “As for from where the misfortune comes, Miss Guo should know most clearly in her heart.”
Li Weiyang smiled, completely unconcerned. “Thank you for Miss Wang’s precious words, but I don’t believe in theories of fate and destiny. If Miss has the inclination, you’d better think carefully about how to care for the Princess. As for me, you needn’t worry. Farewell!” With that, she had already stepped down from the platform and walked away with her maid Zhao Yue without looking back.
Wang Zijin watched her retreating figure and gently shook her head.
Wutong beside her quickly stepped forward to ask, “Miss, why did you read Miss Guo’s face?”
Wang Zijin sighed. “I only wanted to tell her the current situation is ominous. If she wants to protect herself, she should act first.”
Wutong was quite surprised. “Miss means…”
Wang Zijin’s face showed a half-smile, though her expression was very clear. “That Pei Bi is truly too detestable. Scheming against the Guo residence is one thing, but he even schemed against our Wang family. If we could let Miss Guo deal with Pei Bi first, wouldn’t that save us trouble?”
Wutong responded and immediately said, “Miss is truly wise.”
Wang Zijin only shook her head, her voice carrying some regret. “Unfortunately, I see this Miss Guo didn’t take the bait at all. She’s truly a cunning woman.” Having said this, her face showed little concern as she turned to enter. She passed through halls and courtyards, making her way to Wang Qiong’s study, reporting everything she had heard today to Wang Qiong.
Wang Qiong flew into a rage, so when Wang Yan returned home, he immediately summoned him to the study.
Wang Yan’s heart filled with fear. He had always been terrified of Wang Qiong’s severity. Whenever he made a mistake, the first thing that happened was punishment. But now, thinking of turning to leave was too late. He could only feign calmness as he came to the study door. When he finally mustered the courage to push the door open, he saw Wang Qiong sitting with Wang Zijin, speaking in low voices. Seeing him enter, both simultaneously raised their heads.
Wang Qiong’s face was ice-cold. “Kneel down!”
Wang Yan was startled, then his legs went weak and he fell to his knees.
Wang Zijin looked at Wang Yan, her expression extremely indifferent. She sat motionless there without any intention of speaking.
Wang Qiong shouted sternly, “Do you know what wrong you’ve committed?”
Wang Yan’s heart jumped as he quickly said, “Father, your son doesn’t know what fault he’s committed. Please speak plainly, Father.”
Wang Qiong snorted coldly. “Now your wings have hardened—I can’t control you anymore, and I don’t want to! Who knew you’d become increasingly confused? Even if I don’t want to manage you, I must intervene, otherwise the whole family will be implicated by you! These days, why haven’t you been caring for the Princess in her chamber but instead have been outside accompanying that woman? Have you forgotten your identity? You actually proposed to the Princess that you want to bring that woman into the household! What do you think you are, and what do you think the Wang family is!”
Having spoken these words, Wang Yan first froze, then his face filled with fury. “That woman told you what! I had thought she was reasonable and understanding, never expecting Her Highness the Princess would also act like a gossiping shrew, complaining behind my back! Simply shameless!”
Hearing this, Wang Qiong’s expression couldn’t help but change drastically. He slammed the table and shouted angrily, “Unfilial beast! What are you saying? How dare you slander Her Highness the Princess!”
Wang Yan was completely unconcerned, laughing coldly. “Father, what kind of princess is she? She’s nothing but a constantly neglected daughter. The Emperor doesn’t even look at her once. He threw this object of grievance into our Wang family—who knows what his intention was! You think this matter can be hidden from anyone! Moreover, that day she was kidnapped for so long—even if something happened, we’d just have to swallow our grievances and say nothing!” Before he finished speaking, Wang Qiong had already strode forward and slapped him hard across the face. His face filled with shock as he said incredulously, “Father, you actually hit me!”
Wang Qiong’s face was already full of fury, his fingers trembling, almost unable to speak.
Wang Zijin quickly said softly in persuasion, “Father, please don’t be angry. Let’s speak calmly.”
Wang Yan glared viciously at this sister, thinking: It’s you again causing trouble behind my back, running to Father to speak ill of me, now playing the good person!
Wang Qiong held back for a long time before finally releasing a long breath, laughing instead of showing anger. “I didn’t know you had such a mind. Good, truly my good son!”
This frightened Wang Yan. He quickly knelt on the ground, saying in a trembling voice, “Father, please calm your anger!” Yet his face showed not a trace of remorse—clearly he didn’t think he was wrong at all.
Wang Qiong only felt his heart turn cold. This son was the most reckless and willful of all his children. Though he had learned both civil and martial arts well, his mind was extremely dull, always unable to see reality clearly. If such a person were born into an ordinary family, that would be one thing, but he was born into the Wang family. Their clan had always been at the center of the court, coveted by various forces. Now, with himself and his elder brother’s protection, this child could still remain safe. In the future, if they were gone, who knew how much trouble he would cause? Today, even though he had spoken so clearly, he still wore that ignorant expression of not knowing his fault—clearly a complete fool. Had he known this day would come, he would never have taught him to read and write. He should have sent him deep into the mountains early on to fend for himself. He restrained his anger and said, “You stupid thing! Her Highness the Princess is of noble imperial blood. Even if His Majesty doesn’t favor her, her bloodline is supremely noble and absolutely cannot be defiled! You dare say such words—even if you don’t want your own life, don’t you care about our Wang family’s reputation built over so many years? Your father has worked so hard, been so forbearing to reach this position. Do you want to destroy the Wang family with your own hands?”
Wang Yan was somewhat intimidated by Wang Qiong’s rare fury, yet mumbled, “Father, I just don’t want to marry such a withered flower and wilted willow. What’s wrong with that? Now I just want to bring a girl I like into the household as a concubine. In other families, this wouldn’t be anything worth mentioning, yet she’s so petty!”
Before he finished speaking, Wang Qiong interrupted him. “Other families are other families. You are a Prince Consort—this identity will never change! What you need to do is take good care of the Princess, comply with her in everything, never go against her wishes. Only then will our Wang family not be criticized for lacking proper upbringing and producing a son who doesn’t respect the imperial family! Get rid of that woman immediately. If I hear even a single word about her next time, I’ll break your legs and send you back to your teacher’s school, have you stay in the deep mountains for the rest of your life, so our Wang family won’t bring catastrophe upon itself because of you!”
Hearing this, Wang Yan was completely stunned. He cried out, “But Father, Lüyao is already pregnant—that’s also Wang family blood!”
Wang Qiong’s expression completely changed.
This time, even Wang Zijin couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh. She hadn’t expected the Wang family would produce someone of Wang Yan’s character—not only extremely dull but unrepentant. What was Her Highness the Princess’s status? It was one thing for him to humiliate her this way, but now, despite Father’s repeated admonitions, he still wanted to bring that woman into the household! If interested parties stirred things up, even Prince Jing and Noble Consort Guo Hui would resent them, thinking the Wang family deliberately wanted to make things difficult for Noble Consort Hui and the imperial family… Thinking further of the previous disputes with the Guo family, the Wang family was truly being forced onto the Pei family’s boat.
She heard Wang Qiong shout angrily, “Worthless thing! How did I give birth to such an unfilial son like you!” As he spoke, he stumbled backward two steps.
Seeing his expression was wrong, appearing unsteady, Wang Zijin became extremely anxious. She quickly supported him, saying, “Father, please calm your anger! Third Brother is just momentarily confused. If we counsel him well, he’ll surely understand.”
Wang Qiong collapsed weakly into his chair. “Get out! Get out!”
Before Wang Yan could react, a teacup had already been hurled at him. Wang Yan quickly retreated several steps and rapidly left the study.
Wang Qiong looked up and sighed deeply. “How did Yan’er become like this? Is it that I failed to teach my son properly, or is heaven trying to destroy our Wang family!”
Wang Zijin disagreed. No other Wang family child had turned out as unreasonable as Wang Yan. Father had spoken so clearly and explained all the stakes, yet he remained so obtuse! She thought for a moment, then quickly instructed the guards outside the study, “Go watch Third Brother. Don’t let him cause any more trouble!” The guard quickly left.
Shortly after Li Weiyang returned to the Guo residence, she suddenly heard someone outside reporting, “Miss, there’s been an incident outside.”
Li Weiyang raised her head, her expression showing a trace of surprise. “Oh, what incident?”
Zhao Yue immediately said, “I heard it’s that Wang family young master, Princess Nankang’s Prince Consort. He ran to our residence gate to cause trouble, insisting on seeing the master of the household.”
Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Wang Yan? He’s truly bold. We haven’t even settled accounts with him yet, and he’s come here to cause trouble. Let’s go have a look.” Just as Li Weiyang reached the garden, she saw the other Guo brothers walking toward the gate.
Seeing Li Weiyang, Guo Cheng furrowed his brow slightly. “Jia’er also heard the commotion outside? Come on, let’s go see this dog that’s come barking at our door.” Saying this, the group proceeded to the residence gate.
Sure enough, Wang Yan had gathered over ten guards around him. His face full of fury, he pointed at Guo Dao, who had arrived first, and said, “Tell Madam Guo to come out!”
Guo Dao’s expression turned cold, his gaze gaining a trace of darkness. “What kind of person are you to dare demand to see my mother! The dignified Prince Consort running to Duke Qi’s residence gate to cause such a commotion—don’t you want any face at all?”
Wang Yan became even more furious. “Today, Madam Guo and this cheap girl…” He paused here, glancing viciously at Li Weiyang before continuing coldly, “The two of them spoke all sorts of nonsense, causing my father to become extremely angry. Now he’s fallen ill from rage! I demand to ask—what right do you have to point fingers at my residence?”
Li Weiyang smiled faintly, her expression composed. “Prince Consort, you’ve got that wrong! We went to visit the Princess. Don’t we even have the right to visit her without your permission? Or are you saying your Wang family wants to imprison the Princess and not allow her to contact the outside world?”
Hearing this, Wang Yan’s expression became even uglier as he shouted angrily, “Miss Guo, what are you saying?”
Li Weiyang’s expression showed not the slightest fear, her voice carrying a trace of coldness. “You made mistakes yourself yet don’t know to repent. Instead, you run to other people’s gates to cause trouble, caring nothing for face. I truly want to know how General Wang taught you! Didn’t he tell you to be cautious and think thrice before acting, not to do things you’ll regret or that will shame your family?”
Hearing Li Weiyang speak thus, Wang Yan became even more certain it was this woman who had gossiped to his father. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have learned about keeping a mistress outside. He grew even more furious. “All of this is my family business—you don’t need to interfere! Miss Guo, listen well—if you go to the Wang residence again to spread nonsense, don’t blame me for being impolite!”
Guo Dao’s expression was usually gentle, but he couldn’t stand anyone being disrespectful to Li Weiyang. At this moment, he laughed coldly. “Oh, impolite? How exactly will you be impolite?”
Wang Yan’s smile was sinister. “Whoever dares to be unreasonable at my residence, I’ll break her legs so she’ll never dare spread nonsense again!” Before he finished speaking, Guo Dun had already drawn the blade at his waist, laughing coldly. “I didn’t participate in the last competition. This time, I’d like to test whether you have the ability to break my sister’s limbs!” As he spoke, he had already leaped forward, his momentum like thunder as he attacked Wang Yan. Wang Yan was unprepared and took a hard blow from his blade. Though he had been practicing martial arts and wore arm guards, he still inevitably got injured. Wang Yan was extremely humiliated, his face unbearably cold. “Good, Guo Dun, you struck first!”
Guo Dun’s smile was extremely cold. “Yes, I struck first. So what?”
Wang Yan laughed coldly and also drew his twin swords, directly launching an attack on Guo Dun. The two actually began fighting right at the Guo residence gate, back and forth, flashing blades and swords. Every move was a ruthless technique aimed at putting the other to death, showing not the slightest mercy. Because both were highly skilled martial artists with noble status and extraordinary positions, they immediately attracted countless onlookers.
Guo Cheng sighed and was the first to enter the residence. Guo Dao watched coldly and also ascended the steps, turning to Li Weiyang. “Let’s go back and play a game of chess. We’ll let them fight it out.”
Li Weiyang saw Wang Yan’s face was flushed red, his gaze unsteady, seeming to have drunk some wine before coming. Even his steps were somewhat unsteady—presumably he wouldn’t be able to defeat Guo Dun. She nodded slightly and prepared to turn and leave. Having walked just three steps, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Wang Yan, her expression seeming to show amusement.
Seeing her stop, Guo Dao was quite surprised. “What’s wrong?”
Li Weiyang looked at Wang Yan over there, who had been punched by Guo Dun and now had blood on his handsome face. She said with a half-smile, “Master Wang came to our residence to cause trouble. Shouldn’t we give him a gift in return?”
Hearing this, Guo Dao couldn’t help but raise his eyebrows, his peach-blossom eyes gleaming. “Oh, what kind of gift?”
Li Weiyang smiled slightly and turned to instruct Zhao Yue. “Come closer. I have something to tell you.” Hearing this, Zhao Yue immediately stepped forward. Li Weiyang whispered two sentences in her ear. Zhao Yue subconsciously looked back at Wang Yan, her face gaining a trace of a smile as she quickly turned to leave.
On the way back to the residence, Guo Dao kept asking Li Weiyang, “What method are you really going to use to deal with him?”
Li Weiyang smiled. “Not to deal with him, just to teach him a lesson. Incidentally, I’ll use his hand to eliminate Pei Bi!” Hearing this, Guo Dao was even more curious. What did Wang Yan’s troublemaking have to do with Pei Bi? This was truly too surprising. But no matter how he pressed, Li Weiyang refused to explain further.
The result of Wang Yan’s troublemaking was that Guo Dun gave him a thorough beating, and he returned with a bruised and swollen face. Actually, in terms of martial skills, he wasn’t inferior to Guo Dun. It was just that he had drunk too much because of his bad mood, and he didn’t have many guards and attendants with him, so naturally he was at a disadvantage. Guo Dun had a violent temperament and showed no mercy, breaking three of Wang Yan’s ribs. Wang Yan’s leg was also injured. He limped through the Wang family gate, never expecting another great disaster awaited him. As soon as he entered, a cudgel came down hard on him. Wang Yan didn’t react in time and immediately took the blow, his head breaking and bleeding as he collapsed to the ground, barely able to even crawl. The guards behind him had just suffered at the Guo residence—each one bruised and swollen, extremely miserable. Seeing this scene, they quickly moved forward to help the Prince Consort, but unexpectedly heard an angry shout. “Who dares move! Whoever moves even slightly will be immediately expelled from the residence!”
Everyone was shocked, seeing General Who Pacifies the East Wang Qiong now in thundering rage, his face full of dark clouds as he stood at the gate.
Wang Yan struggled to stand, restraining his anger. “Father, what are you doing now? Have I done something wrong again?”
Wang Qiong laughed coldly. “You haven’t just done wrong—you’re beyond salvation!” He had just heard from the guards who followed Wang Yan that he had audaciously run to the Guo residence gate to cause trouble, which was why he was severely beaten. He had originally thought that this time the unfilial son had learned his lesson and didn’t need to pay too much attention. Who knew that an even more shocking piece of news arrived, forcing him to wait here for Wang Yan.
At this moment, Wang Yan still wore that ignorant expression. He stared at his father. “Father, you hit someone without explaining why. What exactly are you doing?”
Wang Zijin saw this scene and stepped forward to persuade. “Father, things have already reached this point. There’s no other way but to bind Third Brother and take him before His Majesty to plead guilty.”
Hearing this, Wang Yan was completely stunned. He couldn’t understand at all why just having a conflict with the Guo family would require going before His Majesty to plead guilty.
Wang Zijin saw he still wore that ignorant expression and couldn’t help but shake her head and sigh. “Third Brother, you’ve truly harmed our Wang family terribly!”
Hearing this, Wang Yan cried out, “I just had a fight with Guo Dun. How is it so serious?”
Wang Zijin’s face showed complete disappointment. “Third Brother, what exactly did you say at the wine house today? Do you know there’s now a storm raging throughout the city?”
Wang Yan was even more shocked. He looked at his sister. “A storm throughout the city? What does that mean?”
Wang Zijin’s face was extremely ugly. She said indifferently, “Right now, everyone outside is saying that after getting drunk, you spoke nonsense outside, saying you absolutely didn’t want to marry the Princess. You said you had long set your sights on another woman and wanted to bring her into the household, but His Majesty insisted on forcing the Princess on you. So you could only outwardly comply while secretly disobeying, secretly keeping her outside. Now you’re just hoping the Princess will die of anger soon so you can quickly bring that woman into the household?”
Wang Yan’s face filled with shock as he looked around. “I—when did I ever say such things?”
Wang Zijin laughed coldly. “Now it’s not about whether you actually said it or not. Someone is spreading this rumor everywhere, saying you’re disrespectful to the Princess, to the imperial family, to His Majesty! How can we bear such accusations?”
Wang Yan said angrily, “Who exactly is spreading these rumors behind the scenes?” A thought suddenly flashed through his mind as he said subconsciously, “It’s her, it must be her!”
Wang Zijin looked at her brother helplessly. “Naturally it’s her! You ran to their gate to cause trouble—Miss Guo naturally had to teach you a lesson. It’s just that this move was too vicious. She deliberately had people spread this matter throughout the city, completely disregarding our Wang family’s face!”
Wang Qiong snorted coldly. “He was shameless first—why should others give him face! What face does he have! It’s just… what should we do now?”
Wang Zijin glanced at Wang Qiong and shook her head. “As I said just now, Father should take Third Brother to plead guilty. As for the rest, I’ll discuss with my brothers how to handle it.”
Wang Yan still stood there, completely not knowing what to do.
Wang Qiong kicked him again and suddenly shouted angrily, “Someone! Give this unfilial son thirty military cudgel strikes!”
Wang Yan looked at his father in fear. “Father, I… I…”
Wang Qiong snorted coldly. “Since we’re going to plead guilty to His Majesty, we naturally must give him a way to step down. If you’re not gasping for breath with your life hanging by a thread, how will he forgive the Wang family’s disrespectful crime? Unfilial beast! The time has come for you to repay the Wang family!” With that, he waved his hand, and guards immediately came forward, binding Wang Yan and dragging him to the rear courtyard for punishment.
Wang Yan never expected his father would be so cold and heartless. Just as he was about to plead for mercy, his mouth was gagged. Helpless, he was forcibly dragged away. Wang Qiong sighed and looked at Wang Zijin. “It seems we two must divide our forces. I’ll take this unfilial son into the palace while you make a trip to the Guo residence to apologize to them personally.”
Wang Zijin nodded. At this moment, she heard someone not far behind say, “Sister, I’ll accompany you.”
The night was deep when the Guo residence gate was knocked upon. The visitors were precisely Miss and a young master from the Wang family. They were invited to the main hall where maidservants served tea and refreshments, but they had no heart to touch anything and merely sat rigidly. After an hour passed, Li Weiyang still had not arrived. Even Wang Ji, who could usually maintain his composure, began to feel anxious and uneasy.
Wang Zijin glanced at him and said slowly, “Elder Brother needn’t worry excessively. I’ll find a way to make her relent in this matter.”
Wang Ji shook his head. “It’s all Third Brother causing trouble. Originally, if he hadn’t deliberately provoked her, things wouldn’t have become so serious!”
Wang Zijin truly didn’t want to mention Wang Yan again. She only felt this brother was more trouble than he was worth—unable to accomplish anything yet capable of ruining everything. Just as she was about to say something, she saw Li Weiyang wearing a light green dress, her face bearing a gentle smile, entering the hall with composed steps. Behind her followed Guo Dao and Guo Dun. These two men’s expressions differed—Guo Dao wore a beaming smile while Guo Dun’s face was full of fury. One joyful, one angry—like a gentle spring breeze and an wrathful guardian deity, they resembled two bodhisattvas standing behind Li Weiyang.
From the moment she saw Guo Dao’s face full of mocking amusement, Wang Zijin’s blood began to boil. However, now wasn’t the time to quarrel with this person. She stood up and curtsied toward Li Weiyang, saying softly, “Miss Guo, this time I’ve come on behalf of my brother Wang Yan to apologize.” With that, she waved her hand and someone immediately carried in two large chests.
Without looking, Li Weiyang knew they must be filled with jewels. She smiled faintly. “Miss Wang, you’re too kind. This afternoon’s incident was just a misunderstanding.”
A misunderstanding? Wang Zijin laughed coldly in her heart, thinking if it were truly a misunderstanding, why did you make it so absolute? You spread this matter until everyone knew, forcing my father to beat my brother half to death and send him to the palace to plead guilty. Who knows how the Emperor will punish him? After all, insulting the imperial family’s dignity—this matter could be major or minor. If the Emperor flew into a rage, even Wang Yan’s head might not be saved.
In fact, Li Weiyang originally hadn’t wanted to be so absolute about this matter. The fault lay with Wang Yan’s lack of understanding and unwillingness to repent! Since that was the case, sending him a grand gift was only natural. In her view, thirty military cudgel strikes were still light—she hadn’t taken his life, which already showed consideration for the Wang family. Moreover, keeping such a troublemaker in the Wang family was like a bomb that could explode at any time. Having a hidden danger was equivalent to having a weakness. Li Weiyang understood this principle too well, which was why she kept Wang Yan alive. At this moment, hearing Wang Zijin speak thus, Li Weiyang’s smile deepened. “Did Miss Wang come so late just to deliver these gifts?”
Wang Zijin’s smile became even more gentle. She had never bowed her head to anyone before, but now she knew she must bow her head. This was for the Wang family, for her incompetent brother. She bowed and said, “Miss Guo, please show magnanimity and spare my third brother. I guarantee from now on he will treat the Princess like a bodhisattva, absolutely not daring to show the slightest disrespect.”
Li Weiyang sat down composedly. A maidservant beside her quickly served tea. She gently accepted it, used the tea lid to stir it, took a sip of tea, and then sighed faintly. “Miss Wang, you’re too kind. How am I targeting Master Wang? I’m just discussing the matter as it stands.”
Not targeting him? Wang Yan had already been beaten bloody. You haven’t truly acted yet—just spreading some rumors had such lethal power. If you really did something more, would Wang Yan still have his life? Thinking of this, Wang Ji stepped forward. “Miss Guo, my sister’s words weren’t wrong. It’s better to resolve enmities than to deepen them. If you could show leniency and stop making things difficult for Wang Yan over this matter, from now on, our Wang family will definitely yield three steps and absolutely not make things difficult for the Guo family.” This was a very solemn promise.
Li Weiyang smiled faintly. If she continued to exaggerate, the Wang family would probably have more than they could handle. Previously, she had been considerate of Princess Nankang, but since Wang Yan refused the face given to him, she couldn’t be blamed for being impolite. Her eyes were cold and clear as she looked at him. “Master Wang, why say such serious words? I’ve already said I don’t mind. Everyone in our Guo family is very magnanimous and won’t mind Master Wang’s rudeness this afternoon. Fifth Brother, isn’t that right?”
Hearing this, Guo Dao almost laughed aloud. He coughed lightly and said indifferently, “Yes, my sister is magnanimous, and others in our family are also very kind-hearted. We absolutely won’t haggle with such petty people. Ignorant people should be taken back and properly educated—that’s enough. Of course, we’ll accept these gifts as medical expenses for my fourth brother.”
Hearing this, Wang Ji froze. Even after so many years of reading Buddhist scriptures, he was infuriated by Guo Dao’s sharp tongue. Look—Guo Dun’s face didn’t have a single trace of injury, while their third brother had a broken arm, was limping, had lost two teeth, even had a tuft of hair torn out. His miserable appearance was beyond description. Who exactly needed medical expenses? But he couldn’t say this aloud. He could only smile even more warmly. “Master Guo is right, absolutely right. Everything is Third Brother’s fault. I apologize to you all on his behalf!” At this point, he could only hope the Guo family would show leniency and stop pursuing this matter.
Li Weiyang smiled as she looked at Wang Zijin. “I heard that this afternoon at the wine house, Master Wang mentioned another matter.”
Another matter? Wang Zijin’s heart jumped as she said, “I wonder what Miss Guo means…”
Li Weiyang’s expression was composed, her tone calm. “Oh, Miss Wang needn’t be nervous. I only heard about it—it may not be accurate. Actually, we all understand in our hearts that the person who held the Princess hostage that day was Pei Bi. Master Wang was indignant and said Pei Bi deliberately humiliated the Wang family, intending to ambush him. These words are now known throughout the city. I wonder if Miss Wang has prepared gifts to go to the Pei residence and apologize properly?”
Wang Zijin’s face turned pale. She hadn’t expected there would be this additional twist. Her heart couldn’t help but feel angry. Now it wasn’t a question of whether Wang Yan’s words went through his brain, but rather that the Guo family was clearly deliberately framing him. But what could you do? Wang Yan was someone who easily offended people. With just a little provocation, he would say things he shouldn’t say. This was why Father had always kept him tightly restrained, not allowing him to participate in any banquets or appear before others. But since becoming Prince Consort, he had become increasingly uncontrollable. Today at the wine house, he might not have said anything, but Li Weiyang deliberately bribed wine patrons to spread many rumors, causing a storm throughout the city… Wang Zijin shook her head and couldn’t help but say softly, “Miss Guo, I understand your meaning. What do you need me to do?”
Li Weiyang smiled—not particularly seductive, just looking inexplicably comfortable to the heart. “What would I need you to do for me? I’m just reminding you not to forget to apologize.”
Wang Ji immediately interrupted. “Miss Guo, let’s speak plainly. Whatever you need us to do, we’ll comply. Just please stop holding onto this matter and spare my third brother’s life!”
Li Weiyang smiled faintly. “Insulting the imperial family’s dignity—this matter could be major or minor. If the censors submit a memorial, even if His Majesty wants to show favoritism, he cannot. So your gifts were sent quite timely—that memorial has already been suppressed by my father. Otherwise, tomorrow at the noon gate, another heroic spirit would be added beneath the executioner’s blade.”
Hearing this, Wang Zijin’s brow furrowed tightly. The other party had indeed planned every step carefully, thinking three steps ahead, waiting for them to fall into this trap. She sighed. All these years studying with the grandmaster, learning everything—yet she had neglected understanding human hearts. She couldn’t even guess Li Weiyang’s intentions. Thinking of this made her heart uncomfortable. She truly wished she could grow wings under her ribs and fly as far from this woman as possible. Her original jealousy had now transformed into three parts vigilance. She didn’t retreat, only saying in a low voice, “Miss Guo, don’t you detest Pei Bi? What if I could make him disappear forever before your eyes?”
Li Weiyang lightly raised her eyebrows. “That’s not an easy matter! If Miss Wang doesn’t have complete confidence, it’s better not to joke.”
Wang Zijin laughed coldly. “I believe Miss Guo has actually long had a plan—you just want to find someone to carry it out for you.”
Li Weiyang said indifferently, “Then does Miss Wang know what it means once you become involved?”
Wang Zijin replied without hesitation, “It means we can no longer be won over by Empress Pei. She’ll view us as mortal enemies, and the Wang family’s neutral stance will cease to exist. We’ll definitely need to find a side to stand with!”
Li Weiyang nodded, her face showing approval. “Even if you accomplish it without anyone knowing and eliminate Pei Bi, you’ll inevitably make enemies with the Pei family afterward. So why would you still do this?”
Wang Zijin’s expression was composed. “If the Pei family can use my Wang family and the Guo family as enemies, why can’t I bite back? If the situation continues to deteriorate like this, the Wang family will only become Empress Pei’s chess piece. Everything my father has painstakingly built over the years will turn to nothing. In this world, there’s no one who can emerge from mud untainted. The Wang family has persisted until now, but at present, we have no way to continue maintaining our position.”
Li Weiyang smiled faintly. She knew Wang Zijin and Wang Qiong couldn’t sit still anymore. Not only did Empress Pei want to drag them into the water, but even the Emperor had frequently hinted they should immediately make a choice. But would Wang Zijin really agree to her demands so easily? She glanced at her, her expression carrying three parts amusement. “Since that’s the case, when does Miss Wang plan to act?”
Wang Zijin said with a cold expression, “After the Ten Thousand Buddhas Temple is completed, His Majesty will personally visit to hold a heaven-worshiping ceremony. That will be the best time to act.”
Li Weiyang looked thoughtful. “But how does Miss Wang plan to proceed?”
Wang Zijin looked at Li Weiyang’s expression and knew the other didn’t fully trust her. She suppressed a trace of anger in her heart, only saying composedly, “Before the event, we must naturally make some preparations. Director Huo of the Directorate of Astronomy has a connection with me as fellow disciples. I’ll have him report to His Majesty that this year the Dark Star should be positioned at the Twelve Stations constellation, but its actual position has deviated—this is an abnormal celestial sign. The Dark Star belongs to Wood and represents the Azure Dragon, but now it occupies the Snake position. This represents that something unfavorable to the Son of Heaven will occur. With this kind of buildup, if any accident happens during the heaven-worshiping ceremony, His Majesty will naturally believe it completely.”
Li Weiyang glanced at Wang Zijin, her smile becoming even warmer. “It seems Miss Wang has long been prepared.”
Wang Zijin’s eyes were calm. “Since I came to the Guo residence, I must be prepared. Otherwise, how could I move Miss Guo’s heart of stone?”
Heart of stone? Li Weiyang smiled but wasn’t angry. She could see Wang Zijin was currently quite furious. However, she had no inclination to soothe the other’s emotions, merely saying quite indifferently, “If from now on I never see Pei Bi again, I’ll be grateful to Miss Wang.”
Wang Zijin looked coldly at Li Weiyang. “In any case, I’ve delivered both the gifts and the message. I hope Miss Guo will keep her promise and spare my third brother.”
Li Weiyang’s expression became even more gentle. “If Miss Wang can act according to what you said, then Third Young Master will naturally be safe and sound. But if you suddenly go back on your word, that may not be the case.”
Wang Zijin’s expression changed, then she retorted, “Though I’m merely a woman, I’m not someone who goes back on her word. Since I’ve promised you, I’ll definitely accomplish it. However, this time I’m only doing this for Third Brother—it doesn’t involve anything else, nor does it mean the friction between you and me ends here. This is just temporary cooperation, exchanging for my third brother’s life.”
Li Weiyang smiled and nodded. “Then I wish Miss Wang complete success!”
Wang Zijin didn’t look at her again and turned to walk out. Passing by Guo Dao, she glared coldly at him. Guo Dao’s expression showed amusement as he looked at her. “Is Miss Wang’s eye twitching?”
Wang Zijin was extremely angry yet helpless. Involuntarily, her face became even more uncomfortable as she quickly departed. Wang Ji glanced at Guo Dao, shook his head and sighed, then followed his sister to leave together.
Guo Dao stepped forward to look at Li Weiyang. “Jia’er, do you truly trust her?”
Li Weiyang didn’t answer, only smiling faintly. “Zhao Yue, have you completed the task I assigned you?”
Zhao Yue immediately replied, “This servant has already placed Wang Yan’s mistress under surveillance as Miss instructed. If Miss Wang cannot fulfill her promise just now, censors will bring this mistress before His Majesty to accuse Wang Yan. At that time, he’ll naturally be charged with disrespecting the imperial family and humiliating the Princess. The Wang family will inevitably suffer along with him.”
Hearing this, Guo Dao couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. “Indeed, your thinking is still more thorough.”
Li Weiyang’s expression was cold. “Originally, I hoped he could treat Princess Nankang well. If so, I wouldn’t hold it against him. But this person is too stubbornly ignorant. Since that’s the case, I can only use his head as a stepping stone! If it unfortunately shatters, that’s because his head wasn’t hard enough!”
Guo Dun laughed. “It seems in the future I must be more careful. If I ever offend you, Sister, it would truly be more than I could handle!”
Li Weiyang’s smile was peaceful. “This is also his own fault for not conducting himself properly. If he hadn’t left such a handle in my grasp, how would he be subject to others’ control, even implicating the entire Wang family? This shows that family children should be properly disciplined. Producing such an unfilial person—the Wang family has had quite the misfortune.”
Guo Dao shook his head. “The Wang family produces outstanding individuals in every generation, yet ultimately has Wang Yan as a bad apple. It’s just unfortunate—Princess Shouchun escaped, while Princess Nankang met with disaster.”
Li Weiyang sighed. In Princess Nankang’s matter, the one who truly created the tragedy was the Emperor currently sitting on the dragon throne, not anyone else. He married Princess Nankang to the Wang family—his true purpose was to check and balance the Guo family. However, if the Emperor now knew things had backfired, he would probably jump with rage. Li Weiyang truly wanted to know what the Emperor’s fury would be like when he saw Wang Qiong bringing Wang Yan into the palace to plead guilty. After all, marrying Nankang to Wang Yan was merely to secretly control the Guo residence. He had no intention of bringing everything to the surface. Wang Yan’s behavior was equivalent to publicly slapping the Emperor’s face. This wretched life might not be saved—whether he could keep his life depended on his fortune.
Li Weiyang’s guess wasn’t wrong. Wang Qiong brought Wang Yan into the palace to plead guilty before the Emperor. After Wang Qiong briefly explained the matter, the Emperor immediately flew into a great rage, slamming the imperial desk and shouting loudly, “Rebellion! Wang Yan actually did such a thing, publicly slandering the Princess—truly audacious and reckless!”
Wang Qiong was startled and quickly bowed. “Yes, Your Majesty. This unfilial son is truly audacious and reckless. I’ve already beaten him severely. Merely punishing him is too light. Therefore, I request Your Majesty’s permission to strip him of his Prince Consort position and expel him from the capital, never allowing him to return.”
The Emperor snorted coldly. “You’re quite clever, knowing to maintain the greater principle without indulging private feelings, using this to make me calm my anger.”
Wang Qiong was already drenched in cold sweat. Every time he faced this Emperor, he felt an abnormal terror. Especially seeing his ice-cold gaze always made his heart anxious and uneasy. For a long time, he said nothing, only keeping his head lowered in silence, quietly awaiting the Emperor’s judgment. In fact, if he had pleaded even half a sentence for his son at this moment, the Emperor might have executed Wang Yan on the spot. After all, Wang Yan had publicly spoken disrespectfully about the Princess—this was insulting the imperial family. The Emperor taking his life wouldn’t be strange. But no matter what, he was still Wang family blood. He couldn’t watch this son be executed. That was why he had Wang Zijin go to the Guo residence to stabilize them while he brought his son to plead guilty, hoping to save Wang Yan before news reached the Emperor and all the court officials. But seeing the Emperor’s current state, even he had no confidence.
After a long while, he heard the Emperor say indifferently, “Since you already know your wrong, I’ll temporarily leave Wang Yan as Prince Consort. But if he dares show disrespect to the Princess again, I’ll first execute Wang Yan, then confiscate your Wang family! No matter that you’re some centuries-old great clan or pillar minister—do you understand, Wang Qiong?”
Wang Qiong immediately said, “This subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree! This subject obeys Your Majesty’s decree! Thank Your Majesty for the grace of not executing him!”
After Wang Qiong withdrew from the hall, his heart felt ice-cold. Fortunately, he had acted quickly. If the Guo family had seized the initiative, wouldn’t the entire Wang family be implicated? This son truly harmed their whole family! After returning, he must strictly supervise him.
At this moment, he saw a eunuch from the Emperor’s side come out to relay the decree. “His Majesty says Wang Yan’s death penalty may be forgiven, but he cannot escape punishment for his living crimes! He’s ordered to receive one hundred face slaps as a warning to others.”
One hundred face slaps would leave his mouth full of blood. Wang Qiong’s heart turned cold. “This subject respectfully obeys His Majesty’s words.”
The executioners immediately dragged Wang Yan away. Poor Wang Yan had already been beaten nearly to death by his father. After another hundred slaps, his entire face swelled like a pig’s head, no longer resembling his originally elegant and refined appearance.
Wang Qiong didn’t even glance at him, turning to leave the great hall. Now he must hurry back to discuss with Wang Zijin what to do next. He vaguely felt the current situation was becoming increasingly unstable. He could less and less clearly read His Majesty’s thoughts. Moreover, there was still Empress Pei… Confronting the Guo family was also dangerous. He truly didn’t understand how the perfectly fine Duke Qi could employ such sinister tactics, striking from the shadows with hidden arrows. Alas!