Chapter 36: United Efforts

Chapter 36: United Efforts

By the time the carriage arrived at the Marquis’s residence, it was already dark. Wei Xun escorted Ayuan back to the Jade Purity Courtyard, the atmosphere along the way heavy and cold.

Ayuan walked a step behind him, the handkerchief in her hand nearly twisted into a rope.

"Go inside, don’t dwell on what happened today."

How could the man not see through the young attendant's thoughts? She had always been simple, with everything written on her face.

"Will they harm you?"

Ayuan raised her eyes, unable to hold back her question.

The young attendant’s long, thick lashes trembled slightly, making her look pitifully adorable.

Wei Xun reached out and brushed them, his palm gently caressing her cheek, his tone proud, "Don’t worry, they don’t have that capability."

The Wei family used to be pure subjects, but from the moment Prince Jing took an interest in Ayuan, this rule was broken.

Since he had decided to take sides, he would ensure all threats were eliminated!

"Alright, I believe in you."

Ayuan nodded, her obedient demeanor pleasing the man.

Wei Xun pinched the soft flesh of her cheek, "I won’t be in the mansion for a few days. If anything happens, have the maidservants find Changyuan."

"Yes."

A Yuan watched him leave, her clear eyes clouded with a hint of worry.

......

Wei Xun was stopped at the corner of a street in front of Jingzhao Prefecture as he came out of the Eastern Palace.

"Zhou Hanlin?"

Wei Xun looked at the somewhat disheveled Zhou Yan before him, his sword-like eyebrows slightly raised.

He had been busy gathering evidence of Prince Jing's crimes and had lost track of this formidable rival.

Zhou Yan had managed to escape from the Royal Hunting Grounds.

Although Prince Jing was depraved, he was not a complete fool.

Both Zhao Ming and Zhou Yan were present when he ordered the execution of the women.

As for Zhao Ming, he had been an official for decades, with his entire family residing in the capital. For the sake of his family, he should know what to say or keep to himself.

The real concern was Zhou Yan, an overly straightforward and somewhat naive scholar. With no parents or siblings to speak of, nor a wife or children, he had nothing to lose. Additionally, he was highly valued by the Emperor. If he decided to expose the matter, he would surely incur the Emperor's wrath.

Fearing trouble, Prince Jing had Zhou Yan detained at the Royal Hunting Grounds and ordered the guards to keep a close watch on him.

But Zhou Yan had already discovered Prince Jing and Su Wenxuan's vile intentions towards A Yuan. How could he dare delay? He was determined to escape, no matter the cost.

The place where he was held happened to be near a secret tunnel. Due to the fire, the tunnel was exposed, and Zhou Yan took advantage of the guard shift change to quickly escape.

The Royal Hunting Grounds were over a hundred miles from the capital, a half-day journey by carriage. To avoid the guards' search, he circled around the back mountain, braving two days and nights of hardship before finally making his way back to the capital.

Now, standing before Wei Xun in tattered clothes, he put aside his hatred for the man who had taken his wife, his only concern being A Yuan's safety.

"Prince Jing is going to take A Yuan away!"

"How do you know?"

Wei Xun narrowed his eyes. Thinking Wei Xun didn’t believe him, Zhou Yan recounted the conversation between Prince Jing and Su Wenxuan.

A cold glint flashed in Wei Xun's eyes. Sure enough, after he left, Su Wenxuan had brought people to the manor.

"Wei Xun, you might not believe me, but A Yuan is your... woman. Surely, you wouldn’t want her to be taken away, would you?"

Zhou Yan clenched his fists, struggling to force out the words.

Wei Xun’s eyes dimmed slightly. "Of course, she’s mine. No one can take her away."

While he spoke of Prince Jing, his words also served as a reminder to Zhou Yan.

A Yuan could only belong to Wei Xun.

"So what are you going to do? Prince Jing is favored by the Emperor and has Prime Minister Su backing him. If he really wants to forcefully take A Yuan, you won’t be able to stop him unless Marquis Wei comes back to the capital..."

Zhou Yan chose to ignore the implication in Wei Xun's words. With Prince Jing and Su Wenxuan watching them closely, they should be working together.

It’s common for rulers to take their subjects' wives, and in past dynasties, some officials even offered their wives or concubines to gain favor with the emperor or princes.

He trusted in Wei Xun's integrity and believed he wouldn’t offer A Yuan, but as just a fourth-rank official, Wei Xun alone couldn’t stand against Prince Jing and the Su family.

"There’s no need for my father." Wei Xun curled his lips, a flash of murderous intent crossing his refined face.

"The evidence Hanlin Zhou provided is enough."

......

Zhou Yan looked at the frail but noble man before him, his expression tight.

"... Your Highness."

The Crown Prince waved a hand, signaling him to sit. "No need for formalities out here."

He had already heard from Wei Xun about Zhou Yan’s case. The case against Prince Jing had lacked a witness, and Zhou Yan’s appearance changed that. The Crown Prince’s sickly face even brightened a little.

Outside Jing Garden, music and laughter from men and women were kept out by the doors and windows.

Guarded by the Crown Prince’s guards and Chang Yuan, the three of them conspired here to overthrow Prince Jing.

"I have already uncovered the relationship between Qin Sanniang and the Su family. Her sister is the concubine of the Su family’s steward, and Qin Sanniang was introduced by Qin to work for the Su family. The secret room in Jinxiu Pavilion was built three years ago, and the number of victims has reached a hundred."

Previously, Prince Jing had only played with women from the brothels. If it weren't for the families of decent women filing complaints, the case would never have come to light.

Listening to Wei Xun's words, Zhou Yan suddenly understood what he intended to do.

He wasn’t thinking of stopping Prince Jing but wanted him... dead.

The Marquis of Wei's family had remained loyal for a hundred years, but now they were taking sides. If it weren't for A Yuan, Zhou Yan wouldn’t believe it.

But did he have feelings for A Yuan?

"And what about Lord Zhou? Do you have any additional evidence to add?"

The Crown Prince turned to Zhou Yan, who quickly returned to attention.

"Your Highness, I know where Prince Jing has concealed the bodies."

"Excellent!"

The Crown Prince clapped his hands in satisfaction, his usually calm face now filled with determination.

"With both witnesses and evidence prepared, I entrust this matter to the two of you."

"Yes, Your Highness."

Both men received the order and quietly exited.

As they parted ways at Jing Garden, Zhou Yan suddenly called to Wei Xun.

"A Yuan has always been considerate and sensible, unwilling to cause trouble for others, keeping her grievances to herself. But ultimately, she is still a young girl. If Lord Wei cares for her, he should treat her better."

With the matter of Prince Jing pending, there was no need to hide his relationship with A Yuan any longer. Moreover, given Wei Xun's intelligence, perhaps his previous drunkenness was intentional, and his feelings were already clear.

"Lord Zhou, you overstep."

Wei Xun's eyes turned cold. A Yuan was under his protection, and he didn't need Zhou Yan to remind him.

The newly formed alliance ended on a sour note; no man could be cordial with his rival in love.

Zhou Yan watched Wei Xun mount his horse and ride away, his lips pressed tightly together.

He admitted that his earlier words had been intentional. A Yuan's temperament was simply not suited for the high-ranking society of noble families. Even if Wei Xun could protect her now, what will happen in the future?

Prince Jing was an overt threat, but the inner chambers of the Marquis's household held hidden perils. No matter how much Wei Xun cared for her, he could only make her a concubine. Noblewomen wielded invisible knives.

In the heat of July, the capital entered the height of summer, and a piece of news spread like wildfire through the city.

"Have you heard? Last night, at the royal hunting grounds, there was an earthquake that unearthed dozens of women's bodies..."

......