Chapter 439: Two Hundred Fourteen: The Wei Clan

Two Hundred Fourteen: The Wei Clan's Division

"The Third Young Master speaks truly."

Inside the carriage, Wang Wang Lixian immediately replied.

"It's only because the Third Young Master wasn't in Jiangzhou before that Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan could ride on others' coattails, act like a monkey in a king's crown, and tyrannize without knowing heaven's height or earth's depth. Now that the Third Young Master has arrived, let's see how he dares to be arrogant…"

Wei Wei Shaoqi waved his hand:

"It's not just about Magistrate Ouyang Magistrate Ouyang Lianghan—what comes after is even more true of the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion."

Wang Wang Lixian asked: "Third Young Master, what do we do now? Haven't we been ordered not to act against the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion, especially from Prince Liang's side…?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi narrowed his eyes and said nothing.

Actually, Prince Liang hadn't been this cautious before.

When the scheme was first set in motion—with the Xiang Wang's messenger and Meng Meng Shouguang spreading false rumors—Prince Liang and Father Prince had been in complete agreement.

That is, the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion need not be exterminated entirely, but all male descendants must die; only female relatives need be spared—for example, the Prince Xunyang Prince's young daughter, Princess Li, could return to the capital as a puppet, marry a Wei clan youth, and become a Wei clan daughter-in-law.

This would preserve a trace of the Prince Xunyang Prince's lineage, symbolically bridging the gap between the Li and Wei families, making it easier to explain to His Majesty and gain his acceptance.

Then, the child born to Li Su Guoer for the Wei clan would carry blood from both families, inheriting part of the Prince Xunyang Prince's legal legitimacy—perhaps even winning His Majesty's approval…

But that carefully laid trap failed.

Subsequent events erupted: Wei Wei Shaoxuan vanished with the Ding Sword, the Jiangzhou Dao Field Army Commander's post was stripped away.

That's when Prince Liang shifted his stance, clashing with Father Prince's views—because there was no longer any guarantee of victory.

Now, not only are we forbidden to touch Li Su Guoer, but even Li Su Xian and Li Su Dalang, father and son, are to be left alone—for now, awaiting His Majesty's next move.

After all, compared to the Xiang Wang clan—our mortal enemies, locked in a fight to the death—the Prince Xunyang Prince's Mansion, far from the storm's center in Shenjing Luoyang and as blank as a fresh sheet of paper, is far more moderate, easier to forge some mutual interest with.

As for that scheme using the fake messenger…

As Prince Liang himself had joked, using the Xiang Wang's official seal, as long as the Prince Xunyang family isn't stupid, their hatred or suspicion won't fall solely on us Wei—they'll turn to the Xiang Wang too.

In truth, Wei Wei Shaoqi didn't fully understand the scheme's origins or consequences—he wasn't in the Shenjing Luoyang Prince's Mansion at the time. Afterward, he only learned Prince Liang had personally orchestrated it, while the Wei Mansion merely carried out orders…

As for whether Prince Liang had reached some unspoken understanding with that white-lotus-like Xiang Wang in court…

Wei Wei Shaoqi had once asked his father. He remembered his father gazing at him with deep, unreadable eyes, then saying with profound meaning: "The nature of politics is that there is no truth—the best thing is how you use it."

Wei Wei Shaoqi's gaze darkened as he pondered; outside the carriage, a clear clatter of hooves approached.

Qin Ying emerged from the maple forest, returning with a full haul of game.

Wei Wei Shaoqi rubbed his face, donned a radiant smile, stepped down from the carriage, and walked to meet her.

…

"Is your hand alright, Young Master Wei?"

"Haha, fine, just a minor wound. This hunt wasn't satisfying enough—next time you want an autumn hunt, be sure to call me."

"We'll see. By the way, I gave you the hedgehog—take it back."

"Yes, yes, thank you."

"Grandpa said the hedgehog's entire body is excellent for medicinal cuisine. Its skin reduces swelling and relieves pain. Young Master Wei can soak its kidney in wine—it boosts alertness and strengthens bones."

"Young Lady Qin is truly… incredibly thoughtful."

"I saw you catch it and thought you looked weak, so I wanted to help you recover. Who knew you'd catch it bare-handed…" Qin Ying muttered.

"…" Wei Wei Shaoqi.

This autumn hunt was a full success.

If only we hadn't encountered that damned hedgehog… Wei Wei Shaoqi thought.

Qin and Wei rode side by side, leading their mounted retinue through the eastern gate of Prince Xunyang City.

Along the way, they chatted casually.

But Wei Wei Shaoqi's expression behind Qin Ying was strangely strained, his smiles occasionally worse than tears.

They passed bustling streets until they reached Jingyi Courtyard.

Wei Wei Shaoqi kept smiling, watching the plump Qin woman in her Hu clothing, bow slung over her shoulder, vanish inside the gate.

Around them, the Xianbei guards glanced sideways at their lord's bandaged, blood-stained hand.

Wei Wei Shaoqi turned away.

His smile vanished.

He stepped into the luxurious carriage, his face grim, and spoke to Wang Wang Lixian, who had been waiting behind:

"Let's go home."

"Yes, Third Young Master."

"By the way, where's Seventh Lady?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi asked curiously.

Wang Wang Lixian replied: "Before we left the city to hunt this morning, we heard that Princess Princess Anhui went again to Xingzi Lane to distribute porridge and clothes."

Hearing this, Wei Wei Shaoqi's face grew impatient; he waved his hand:

"Go, pick her up. Tonight, have Seventh Lady invite Qin Ying to dinner—she's a woman too, she'll be more effective."

"Yes, Third Young Master."

Wei Wei Shaoqi turned, gazing out the carriage window, lost in thought.

Soon, the carriage entered Xingzi Lane.

They neared the place where Princess Princess Anhui usually distributed porridge and clothes.

Wei Wei Shaoqi snapped back to attention, leaning forward to peer ahead.

His expression froze:

"Why are there two porridge stalls side by side? Did Seventh Lady set up another one?"

As he spoke, he noticed something odd—he squinted at the banner hanging above the extra stall, murmuring:

"There's a banner too… 'Shelter from Cold'? So literary—when did Seventh Lady have time to name it?"

"Shelter from Cold?"

Wang Wang Lixian, who had been puzzled, suddenly understood:

"Isn't that the charity hall set up by the Prince Xunyang Prince's young princess? I've heard of it—it originally sheltered impoverished scholars and literati, providing food and warmth, then began distributing surplus Prince Xunyang Mansion grain and clothing to the poor of Xingzi Lane to prevent waste, and even holds charitable events for commoners during major festivals…"

Wei Wei Shaoqi frowned:

"The Prince Xunyang Prince's charity hall? Why is it so close to Seventh Lady's? Wait—"

His face changed abruptly.

The next instant, Wang Wang Lixian watched Wei Wei Shaoqi leap from the carriage, abandon them, shove aside the queue, and rush toward the porridge stall.

"Seventh Lady? What are you doing at someone else's porridge stall?"

Amid the crowded crowd, a voice of confusion was instantly followed by Wei Wei Shaoqi's furious roar:

"Li Fu Su! You dare to harass Seventh Lady again? You're asking for death!"

At the front stall, the sly figure standing beside the veiled Princess Princess Anhui, distributing porridge, dropped his bowl and turned to flee.

"You! Stop right there! Have the guts not to run!" Wei Wei Shaoqi locked eyes on the man, shoving through the crowd, chasing him a short distance.

Finally, exhausted from the day's hunt and now further injured, he panted, hands on his knees, glaring with bitter hatred as Li Su Dalang vanished into the distance…

The surrounding onlookers stared oddly. Wei Wei Shaoqi dragged Princess Princess Anhui away, snarling: "What are you staring at? Get lost!"

"Third brother, don't shout at them…"

"Seventh Lady, don't speak!"

The Xianbei guards behind, sensing their lord's fury, began roughly shoving the crowd aside to clear a path.

Wei Wei Shaoqi pulled Princess Princess Anhui into her palanquin.

No sooner had he sat down than he demanded, face flushed with anger:

"Seventh Lady, what were you doing just now?!"

"Distributing porridge," she replied softly.

Wei Wei Shaoqi launched into a furious tirade: "You distributed porridge at someone else's stall? How is that scoundrel even here? Don't you know to avoid him? Haven't you learned from the Yunshui Pavilion incident? Do you trust anyone?

"Didn't I tell you clearly who you were waiting for? Why did you start chatting with a stranger and even brew tea for him?"

Princess Princess Anhui glanced at her furious cousin, then lowered her head to explain:

"Third brother, he said he didn't come with ill intent—he was called by his sister to help distribute porridge, so they just happened to meet. He also said the Yunshui Pavilion incident was a misunderstanding, and he's truly sorry—he never meant to offend."

Before Wei Wei Shaoqi could speak, she added quietly:

"Third brother, he's not a bad person. He didn't do anything improper—just helped distribute porridge and exchanged a few words.

"And I went to him myself—I just returned the robe he'd left behind."

Listening, Wei Wei Shaoqi's temples throbbed with suppressed rage:

"You washed that filthy robe and returned it? Couldn't you just toss it in a latrine?"

"Others' belongings must be returned," Princess Princess Anhui insisted.

Seeing her clear eyes, Wei Wei Shaoqi took a deep breath and lowered his voice:

"Answer me—did his filthy hands touch you?"

"No. He's no lecher."

"Good. If he dares touch a Wei daughter's hair, I'll chop off his hands! Even if his surname is Li!"

Wei Wei Shaoqi flung his sleeve, his face dark with warning:

"Next time you distribute porridge, I'll go with you. Don't speak to him again—do you understand?"

"Third brother…"

"Hm?"

"I… I understand."

Wei Wei Shaoqi prepared to step down from the carriage, but before leaving, he turned back and asked:

"Qiuniang, last time at Yunshui Pavilion, when he wandered into the private booth, why didn't you come over to find Third Brother?"

Wei Princess Anhui lowered her head: "I forgot."

"Forgot?"

Wei Princess Anhui twisted her fingers together.

"Third Brother was in the next booth, meeting Sister Qin—I was afraid I'd disturb him."

"Is that all? Just afraid of disturbing Third Brother? Are you sure it's not something else?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi stared at her for a moment, then his voice softened:

"Qiuniang, Third Brother isn't unreasonable. Why are you afraid of me? Next time anything happens, tell me first—stop being so soft-hearted. The last few times, you were lucky—no bad people showed up."

"This isn't Shenjing Luoyang. Uncle Liang and the others aren't here. There are plenty of dangerous people out there. I'm worried you'll get hurt—you're so young, so naive, you don't understand anything. I'm truly worried about you. Do you understand?"

"I understand, Third Brother. You're looking out for me."

"Exactly. Remember: our Wei clan has many enemies. Many want to harm you. That man just now—Li—might be one of them. These villains have too many tricks. Only family can be trusted. Do you understand? If anything happens, tell me first—I'll protect you!"

"Yes, Third Brother."

Wei Princess Anhui smiled and nodded: "Princess Anhui won't do it again."

"Good girl, Qiuniang."

Having soothed her enough, Wei Wei Shaoqi smiled and left.

He stepped down from the carriage, his smile vanishing, his expression dark as he returned to his own vehicle.

He immediately ordered Wang Wang Lengran:

"Send people to watch her. Don't let this happen again."

"Yes, Third Young Master."

Wang Wang Lengran nodded firmly.

Wei Wei Shaoqi fell silent for a moment, then suddenly said:

"I've thought it over. This isn't a good sign. We must report it to the Wang Fu immediately."

"What sign?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi's sudden remark left Wang Wang Lengran stunned—he didn't understand at first.

He ventured: "Are you referring to Li Su Dalang harassing the Princess again…?"

"No! Does he even deserve that?"

Wei Wei Shaoqi suddenly snapped, then calmed instantly, his face cold as he continued:

"I'm talking about Li Su Dalang and Qin Ying!"

"The Prince Xunyang Wang Fu has long wanted to ally with the family of the Left Martial Guard Grand General!"

Wang Wang Lengran whispered:

"That's normal. The Qin family is hot right now—every faction wants to befriend them."

Wei Wei Shaoqi waved his hand:

"No. I've thought about it—last time's incident at Yunshui Pavilion can't be dismissed so lightly. We must report the full details: that the Prince Xunyang Wang Fu is untrustworthy, its ambitions clear as day. Their attempt to ally with the Qin family, which holds military power, is proof enough. Their intent is obvious."

"This must reach not only our Wei Wang Fu, but also the Liang Wang Fu. Let every member of our Wei clan know. See how Uncle Liang reacts. See if he'll still suppress the Prince Xunyang Wang Fu! We can't let this continue."

Wang Wang Lengran instantly understood: as the third son of the Wei Wang, Wei Wei Shaoqi was firmly aligned with the Wei Wang Fu, despising the Liang Wang Fu's approach as weak and conservative—a voice within the Wei clan obstructing their ambitions.

Uncle Liang is still too lenient; the Wei-Li struggle is a fight to the death—with no retreat.

"Even if he's the Prince Xunyang Wang, tell me: is he closer to the Xiang Wang, or to Father and Uncle Liang? They all share the Li surname—blood is thicker than water. How can you still have hope?"

"Once someone has an escape route, they grow weak and hesitant, accomplishing nothing. A big ship turns slowly—hesitation only drags down our true goals!"

"Inspector Wang, don't you agree?"

"Ah, yes, yes, yes."

In this internal factional struggle, whether Wei Wang or Liang Wang, Wang Wang Lengran dared not offend either. Facing Wei Wei Shaoqi's cold gaze, he had no choice but to bow his head and agree.

Wei Wei Shaoqi's expression eased slightly. He said coolly:

"You'll join me in the report. Be my witness."

"I want to see how Uncle Liang responds. Will he still act on this Li-Qin alliance?"

"Can we let some outsider with the Li surname steal his own nephew's bride?"

"Your words are most wise, Third Young Master."

Wei Wei Shaoqi smiled:

"If we keep tolerating everything, never striking back, we might as well let the Prince Xunyang Wang Fu ride on our Wei clan's heads. Fine—let's just bow down and call them ancestors. Then we can all wait for our heads to roll."

"Third Young Master, you jest."

Wang Wang Lengran seemed to recall something, and asked cautiously:

"Third Young Master, you brought Princess Anhui Princess all this way—was this arranged by Prince Liang? Is this… your third task in Jiangzhou…?"

Wang Wang Lengran fell silent immediately—Wei Wei Shaoqi shot him a icy glance.

"Some things aren't your place to ask."

Wang Wang Lengran froze, silent as a stone.

After a while, Wei Wei Shaoqi exhaled slowly, closing his eyes to rest.

At some moment, as if struck by a thought, he gritted his teeth and spat:

"How could a son of Emperor Taizong produce such a sneaky, shameless worm? What bad luck!"

(End of Chapter)