Chapter 34: A Vision of Heavenly Beauty

Chapter 34: A Vision of Heavenly Beauty

In the inner courtyard, A Yuan listened to the commotion of the search outside, her fingers twisting the handkerchief to shreds.

She had always been meticulous, and Wei Xun's injury last night was suspicious. It was obvious that today's search by the guards was connected to him.

"Mistress Xie, the young lord has instructed you to wear a veil and go to the main hall."

Su Wenxuan had already brought his men over, and the search was unavoidable. However, these people absolutely must not disturb A Yuan.

Chang Yuan handed over a veil and a black cloak, just enough to hide her completely.

As they went out, Su Wenxuan and his men arrived as well.

"Oh-ho! So this is Lord Wei's 'treasure,' huh? Hidden away in the inner courtyard, not wanting anyone to see."

A Yuan was shielded behind Chang Yuan and Chun Tao, her figure and face completely covered, but this did nothing to curb Su Wenxuan's curiosity.

His fleshy face twisted into a lewd grin as he waved for the guards to drag Chang Yuan aside, while he moved to lift A Yuan's veil.

"Lord Su, please conduct yourself with dignity!"

Chang Yuan held his sword across his chest, protecting A Yuan with his life.

"Hmph! It's just a plaything. If I want it, your master will obediently hand it over. How dare you block me!"

Su Wenxuan, used to being arrogant and domineering, did not take Chang Yuan seriously at all.

"Little lady, Wei Xun is cold and unfeeling. Why not come with me? I promise to treat you well."

He rubbed his palms together, his face twisted with lewd intent. Beneath the veil, A Yuan's face turned pale.

She did not know Su Wenxuan's identity, but the estate was filled with his men. Chang Yuan alone couldn't possibly protect her.

As the man's lecherous paw drew closer, suddenly a sharp voice rang out, "Go ahead, make my day!"

"Young master!"

"My lord!"

Chang Yuan and A Yuan spoke in unison. Wei Xun drew the sword from Chang Yuan's grasp, and a cold gleam flashed as the blade rested against Su Wenxuan's neck.

"Searching my manor without evidence, and now harassing the women of my household. Su Wenxuan, do you really think the Wei family is without men?"

Wei Xun looked at A Yuan's frightened appearance, his eyes filled with concern. He had just sent someone to the palace to deliver a message, which delayed him. He never expected that Su Wenxuan would harass A Yuan right in front of him.

The sword was sharp, and Wei Xun's entire being radiated killing intent. Su Wenxuan, a bully who feared the strong, now found his legs weak.

"A misunderstanding, a misunderstanding! Lord Wei, I was just joking with the lady. If you're unhappy, I'll apologize. My lady, I'm sorry..."

A Yuan pursed her lips and hid behind Wei Xun, her fingers clutching the hem of his robe, not wanting to give Su Wenxuan even a glance.

"Lord Wei, can you remove the sword now..."

Su Wenxuan gritted his teeth in anger, but on the surface, he dared not say more.

He had always known Wei Xun was difficult to deal with, and today he had truly experienced it.

"Lord Su, did you find anything?"

Wei Xun kept a cold expression, not lowering his sword.

Large drops of cold sweat fell from Su Wenxuan's forehead. He had initially planned to take the opportunity to slander Wei Xun, but now all such thoughts were gone.

"No... nothing."

"Then get out!"

'Clang!' The sword returned to its sheath, accompanied by a sharp gust of wind that cut off two strands of hair from Su Wenxuan's temples.

He quickly covered his head, fearing that the blade might have taken off his neck instead.

"You... you! Let's go!"

Su Wenxuan pointed at Wei Xun for a long while but ultimately didn't dare to say any harsh words. He waved his hand to dismiss his guards and ordered them to leave, then turned to leave.

Just then, a gust of wind blew aside A Yuan's veil, revealing her stunning beauty.

Though it lasted only a second, Su Wenxuan was completely stunned.

"Beautiful!"

He had been with countless women, but none could compare to A Yuan. No wonder Wei Xun treasured her as if she were a treasure, protecting her fiercely. Su Wenxuan licked his lips, his desire and envy reaching their peak.

He turned back to glance a few more times before reluctantly leaving.

"My lord?"

Chang Yuan seemed worried. Su Wenxuan was truly despicable, relying on the influence of Consort Su and Prime Minister Su to act so arrogantly, even daring to desire his lord's woman.

"Pack up, we're returning to the manor."

Wei Xun coldly ordered. Given what he knew about Su Wenxuan, he was certain that the man would not let this go. Depending only on himself and Chang Yuan was too passive.

"Yes."

"My lord, did I cause you trouble?"

Back in the room, A Yuan finally asked.

Wei Xun took her wrist, pulling her into his embrace. He held her chin, his tone unusually serious.

"Some people are asking for trouble. This has nothing to do with you. Don't worry, he won't have another opportunity to approach you."

A eunuch hurried in, handing a secret letter to the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, it's from Lord Wei. It concerns Prince Jing."

Even though it was spring, he still wore a fox fur cloak due to his frail health. After quickly reading the letter, his thin lips formed a mocking smile.

"My brother is truly audacious."

The eunuch was puzzled. The Crown Prince didn't elaborate, placing the letter into the brazier and watching it turn to ash.

The flickering firelight illuminated his pale face. "What is it that Wei Xun wants?"

The attendant lowered his head. "Lord Wei asked that Your Highness bring justice to the women of the capital after reading the letter."

"Very well, I agree."

The Crown Prince nodded, took the damp towel the attendant had prepared, and cleaned his hands. "Have our people set a fire in the hunting grounds, guard the perimeter, and make sure no one from Prince Jing's camp escapes, especially the women inside. If even one of them is missing, you will be held accountable!"

The attendant's face turned pale, as he had already surmised part of the letter's contents.

Could the perpetrator behind the abuse of the young women in the capital be... Prince Jing?

The Crown Prince glanced at him, threw the towel into the brazier, and sneered. "In this entire capital, who else but that fool would dare to commit such atrocities right under our father's nose?"

Even our father probably knew about it long ago.

But for the sake of court balance, he pretended not to know.

Prince Jing's faction had been tirelessly scheming to seize the throne, but they failed to realize that their true opponent was never him. The one on the throne had never intended to relinquish power.

The balance between Prince Jing and him was exactly what the Emperor wanted to see.

In the past, he had kept a low profile, allowing Prince Jing to overshadow him. But when one remains silent for too long, it not only lulls the opponent into complacency but also breeds discontent among one's own supporters.

The Crown Prince lowered his gaze, watching the ashes of the secret letter in the brazier, a determined glint flashing in his eyes.

Wei Xun's letter was the perfect tool to break the deadlock.

Su Wenxuan returned, still unable to forget about A Yuan. Distracted, he entered Prince Jing's chamber. Seeing the prince's sullen expression, an idea lit up in his eyes.

"Cousin, guess who I saw?"

Prince Jing furrowed his brow. "Who?"

At that moment, he was solely focused on catching the culprit and had no interest in anyone else.

Normally, Su Wenxuan would never bring up such a topic at this time, but he knew Prince Jing was furious with Wei Xun for relentlessly pursuing the case, which had forced them to retreat to the hunting grounds, where they encountered assassins.

"Wei Xun's concubine, she is truly a rare beauty, unmatched in this world. Cousin, you would definitely like her if you saw her!"