Chapter 16 Marquis, Save Our Young Master!

Chapter 16: Marquis, Please Save Our Young Master!

Cui Shao, Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, arrived at Yaotai early that morning and waited outside the palace gates.

After breakfast, Yan Weichu summoned him and got straight to business: "Regarding the disaster relief efforts in Ji and Yu provinces, have the local Embroidered Uniform Guard monitor the situation closely for me. Ensure the relief funds and grain don't end up in the pockets of corrupt officials again. Execute any dishonest ones immediately."

Cui Shao bowed in acknowledgment.

"Furthermore," Yan Weichu's voice turned cold, "you are to personally lead a team, along with the Eastern Depot, to thoroughly investigate the accounts of the imperial estates and shops over the past ten years, as well as all expenditures from the inner treasury. Find out where all the money has gone."

Cui Shao felt a chill, realizing the emperor intended to use this as an opportunity to move against the capital's nobility. He immediately raised his voice: "Your will shall be done!"

Yan Weichu was thoroughly exasperated. He had inherited a complete mess—not only was the national treasury empty, but the imperial privy purse was also completely drained.

Logically, the annual income from the imperial estates and shops should have been substantial, but the privy purse had previously been controlled by the regent prince. It was unclear where his imperial uncle had siphoned off the money, leaving only a few hundred thousand taels of silver when it was finally returned to him.

It was only recently, after he personally orchestrated a treason case and confiscated the properties of several officials, that he managed to recover barely a million taels.

It was no joke—nearly every high-ranking official in the court was wealthier than him, the emperor.

Even when he wanted to reward his cousin with something nice, he had to scrimp and save, unable to find anything truly presentable... It was infuriating!

After Yan Weichu finished discussing official matters, Cui Shao reported another issue.

"Recently, suspicious individuals have been lurking around the Count of Anding’s residence. I sent people to investigate, and they were arranged by Xie Shi from the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence. They are all local hoodlums and troublemakers. It seems he still intends to cause you trouble."

Yan Weichu had almost forgotten that reckless idiot. After returning from Zhanyun Garden that day, the group of good-for-nothings led by Xie Shi had suffered one misfortune after another—some drunkenly fell into water after visiting brothels, others were nearly beaten to death for cheating at gambling dens, and one even lost an ear after being robbed by bandits during an outing. As for Xie Shi himself, his carriage horses went mad while he was showing off in the streets. He was thrown from the carriage and dragged by the frenzied horses, almost dying.

"He's still alive?" Yan Weichu said with disgust. "I thought he'd be bedridden for at least a month. How is he already back on his feet again so soon?"

Xie Shi was utterly useless, but his life was stubbornly resilient—truly, the bad ones always linger.

Cui Shao lowered his head, aware that they had failed in their duty and not daring to make excuses.

Yan Weichu asked, "What is that brat planning by having a bunch of thugs watch the Count of Anding’s residence?"

Cui Shao hesitated before speaking: "...It seems he plans to abduct Your Majesty when you leave the residence."

Though they were just a group of ruffians, the guards could dispatch them easily. However, Yan Weichu had ordered them not to cause trouble near the Count of Anding’s residence. Without the emperor’s command, they didn't dare make a move.

Yan Weichu’s gaze shifted, and he suddenly smiled. "Good, very good."

He had been worrying about how to get closer to Xie Xiao—this was the perfect opportunity, delivered right to his doorstep!

*

That afternoon, an inconspicuous carriage quietly entered the Count of Anding’s residence through a side gate. Count of Anding Bian Shen stood waiting there with his men to welcome the emperor.

Yan Weichu stepped down from the carriage and gave a casual pat on Bian Shen’s shoulder as he approached to pay respects. "No need for such formality. Since when does a father bow to his son? Go about your business—just assign a few clever servants to wait on me."

Bian Shen: "..." He was not comfortable with being addressed like that.

Yan Weichu paid no mind to his thoughts and marched inside.

Bian Shen had a quiet courtyard prepared for him to rest and have some tea.

After Yan Weichu expressed his intention to assume an identity, Bian Shen followed his wishes and adopted him as a son from a collateral branch of the family. He then submitted a request to have Yan Weichu granted the title of heir, which Yan Weichu quickly approved. The Count of Anding’s residence had always maintained a low profile, so even with a new young master, few in the capital took notice. Who would have guessed that this so-called young master was actually the emperor himself?

Two quarters of an hour later, Yan Weichu boldly exited through the main gate of the residence with his attendants, got into the carriage, and set off.

As before, he only brought Shun Xi and two Embroidered Uniform Guard captains disguised as guards, heading toward the eastern part of the city.

The carriage moved at an unhurried pace, with the thugs following behind the entire way. Yan Weichu turned a blind eye and instructed Shun Xi, "Do you remember what I said about what to do next?"

Shun Xi pounded his chest emphatically. "Your Majesty, set your mind at ease! This servant has committed it all to memory and will surely carry out the task properly!"

After reaching the eastern part of the city, the carriage circled around for another quarter of an hour until it arrived at a remote alley. The guard driving the carriage suddenly reined in the horses, scanning the surroundings warily.

Shadows flickered in the dark alleys around them, and faint footsteps could be heard.

Inside the carriage, Yan Weichu, who had been resting with his eyes closed, peeked open and lazily yawned.

Figures rushed out from all sides, surrounding the carriage.

They were indeed a bunch of common thugs—seven or eight of them, all fierce-looking and armed with knives. The leader shouted breathlessly, "If anyone in the carriage values their life, come out now!"

The two guards also drew their swords, facing off against the thugs. Soon, the sounds of fighting erupted outside the carriage.

Yan Weichu lifted the curtain to look outside just as someone leaped onto the carriage shaft, smashing a knife against the door.

These men relied solely on brute force, swinging their blades wildly like butchers’ cleavers. Even if there were twice as many, they would be no match for the two guards outside. However, Yan Weichu had ordered the guards to hold back.

Before long, the two guards pretended to be overwhelmed, falling to the ground in a disheveled state.

The carriage door was forced open. Shun Xi spread his arms protectively in front of Yan Weichu, trembling. "Who... who are you people?"

The thugs didn’t dare actually kill anyone in broad daylight. They seized Shun Xi and tossed him out despite his cries.

The leader glanced at Yan Weichu, who appeared terrified and pale with fear, and nodded. "That’s him, alright. Let’s go!"

The gang of ruffians drove the carriage away in a cloud of dust.

Shun Xi scrambled up from the ground and immediately ran off.

At the Marquis of Dingbei’s residence, Xie Xiao was reading in his study.

The steward entered and quietly informed him, "Marquis, the gatekeeper said that the Count of Anding’s young master’s personal servant just knocked, claiming urgent business and requesting to see you. I took the liberty of letting him in. Will you see him?"

Xie Xiao’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. "Bring him in."

As soon as Shun Xi entered, he dropped to his knees and cried out, "Marquis, please save our young master!"

Xie Xiao’s voice deepened. "What happened?"

Shun Xi anxiously explained, "Our young master went out earlier intending to visit the flower and bird market in the eastern part of the city. Before he could reach it, a group of armed thugs surrounded him. They... they kidnapped him..."

Xie Xiao’s face instantly turned cold. "Who were the kidnappers? Didn’t you report to the authorities or inform the Count of Anding? Why come here?"

"I didn’t dare report to the authorities," Shun Xi wiped away tears and continued, "Those people seemed to have been watching the young master for a while. The young master suspected they were sent by the third young master of the Duke of Zhenguo’s residence. He said that if anything ever happened to him, only you, Marquis, could help. I didn’t know if reporting to the authorities would do any good, and I didn’t dare return to the residence to tell the Count."

As he spoke, he knelt forward two steps and kowtowed to Xie Xiao. "Marquis, I beg you, please save our young master..."

Xie Xiao had already risen and picked up his sword, cutting him off. "Let’s go."

Yan Weichu was taken to a deserted, dilapidated temple deep within a remote alley.

Now, the kidnappers had withdrawn and were guarding the courtyard outside. Yan Weichu was bound hand and foot, blindfolded, and thrown onto a pile of straw in a corner. The thick, musty dust assaulted his nostrils, making him uncomfortable.

Yan Weichu closed his eyes and sighed mournfully—this emperor was making great sacrifices to win over his cousin.

The temple door creaked open.

Xie Shi's voice came from outside: "Take the money and scram. If anyone dares to speak of what happened today, I'll make sure you regret it."

With that, he stepped inside and slammed the door shut forcefully.

Yan Weichu listened as the footsteps drew closer but remained still, leaning against the wall.

"The Count of Anding's son," Xie Shi stopped in front of him, through gritted teeth, "you've finally fallen into my hands. Let's see who can save you this time! Don’t think I don’t know—everything that happened to me and my brothers after we returned from Zhanyun Garden that day was your doing, wasn’t it? You’re something else. I underestimated you."

"Xie Shi."

Yan Weichu spoke up. Though blindfolded and disheveled, his tone was haughtily condescending, which momentarily stunned Xie Shi.

"If you dare lay a hand on me," Yan Weichu sneered, "you must have a death wish."

Coming back to his senses, Xie Shi flew into a rage and was about to kick him, but seeing Yan Weichu with disheveled hair, untidy clothes, and dust smudging his fair face—yet still strikingly attractive—he forcibly held himself back.

What Xie Shi didn’t know was that every courtyard in this entire alley was under surveillance by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. His smooth entry meant Xie Xiao was also nearing the scene.

Even more unknown to him was that Yan Weichu had already envisioned a hundred different ways for him to die.

As Xie Shi reached for Yan Weichu’s belt, Yan Weichu caught faint sounds from outside the door.

The door swung open again. Suddenly, Yan Weichu began struggling violently, trembling, sobbing pleadingly, "Let me go, don’t touch me, I beg you, release me…"

Too caught up in his excitement, Xie Shi failed to notice the commotion behind him. He tore open Yan Weichu’s belt forcefully, only to be kicked away the next instant by Xie Xiao, who strode forward abruptly.

"Ah—!" Xie Shi screamed in agony.

Xie Xiao had put all his strength into that kick.

Xie Shi was sent flying backward, slamming against the wall before collapsing to the ground, vomiting blood on the spot.

Author's Note:

Third Xie: Damn it!