Chapter 377: I Can't Save You

At the same time, in Consort Wei's sleeping palace, she looked at Wei Ting before her, disguised as a eunuch, her heart a swirl of mixed feelings.

"So eager to see me, I suppose the Wei family has reached a point of no alternative."

"Tell me what's happening quickly."

Consort Wei sighed, already pondering what to do after this matter became exposed.

"Your Highness, we truly are…," Wei Ting forced a bitter smile, "We didn't expect that boy to be so ruthless, nor did we expect the aristocratic families to unite. Their influence in Chang'an City is enormous and they are extremely ferocious. From yesterday until now, the Wei family has suffered heavy losses; if no one steps in to stop them, the situation will only worsen."

"Never thought, never thought!" Consort Wei scolded, "When you planned to seize Chen Yan's silk‑weaving technique, why didn't you come to me, not even sending a sealed letter? Now you've offended the wrong people and suffered huge losses, yet you finally think of turning to me!"

"What good is it to tell me now that you didn't think of it?"

"Do you know who Chen Yan is?"

"He is His Majesty's son‑in‑law, the Empress and Du Ruhui's savior, the nephew of a host of martial generals—Cheng Yaojin, Yuchi Gong, Qin Qiong—and of the Duke, and a brother deeply loyal to the Crown Prince. I don't believe you are unaware of this!"

"Since you dared to offend him, you naturally must bear the consequences of offending him!"

Wei Ting heard this and found it hard to speak.

He of course knew all that, but as for the silk‑weaving technique, who wouldn't covet it?

Since Chen Yan began massive purchases, building workshops, acquiring raw materials for silk production, and hiring large numbers of civilians as workers, it wasn't just their family keeping an eye on Chen Yan.

From the time span and the quantity of silk sold in Weinan County, they could be certain that Chen Yan's skill was extraordinary, far surpassing ordinary craftsmanship.

The Wei family had indeed worried about the repercussions of offending Chen Yan before, but the same argument persisted: Chen Yan is too young; even with a deep background, what does it matter? If the profit is large enough, they can take reckless risks.

Moreover, as long as they keep it clean, who could discover it was the Wei family who did it?

The only thing they didn't anticipate was that they indeed kept it clean, but they couldn't withstand a more terrifying force investigating, and it was ultimately exposed.

What surprised them even more was that Chen Yan was so ruthless, using methods both cruel and effective.

Consort Wei closed her eyes, "I don't want to hear you speak of this. The long‑standing glory has made you lose your former caution; the arrogance in your bones has led you into danger."

"Even now, I reckon you haven't seen the situation clearly; if you had, you wouldn't be coming to me again!"

"I cannot save you; please return!"

Upon hearing this, Wei Ting instantly panicked and pleaded bitterly, "Your Highness, we truly have no other way, which is why we came to you. I know my coming today is improper, but please, considering our past ties, help the Wei family."

Consort Wei said nothing, her demeanor steadfast.

All the reminders have been given, all the hints have been dropped.

Today Wei Ting came to see her; the news is most likely impossible to conceal.

Of course, it won't spread, but she, along with her son and daughter, will have to live with their heads down from now on.

With the plea fruitless, Wei Ting whispered hoarsely, "Cousin, may I beg you?"

"Second Uncle turned white over half his hair in just one day; the clan elders are old, and now we dare not tell them the news."

"Just tell His Majesty a word, ask him to take a stance; I believe many aristocratic families also wouldn't dare drive us to a dead end completely."

"Even if you don't consider us, at least consider Shen Er…"

"Silence!" Consort Wei snapped her eyes open, murderous glare in her eyes, staring fiercely at Wei Ting.

"Is what I said not clear enough?"

"I can't help you! I can barely protect myself!"

"You beg me, and I beg you—can we agree?!"

"I beg you, think why the Prince of Yue dared to block you immediately, think why the aristocratic families could so recklessly act against the Wei family, I beg you to consider why the palace maid responsible for delivering messages to you has disappeared!"

The speech, like a bolt of thunder, exploded in Wei Ting's mind, completely crushing the faint hope in his heart.

He understood!

He fully understood!

Or rather, at this moment he finally dared to face it!

Wei Ting's gaze became vacant; all his spirit, qi, and vitality seemed instantly drained, collapsing to the ground.

Consort Wei's tone was mournful, "Silk! Silk! If His Majesty did not order it from behind, what gives Chen Yan the audacity to produce silk on such a massive scale?"

"Do you know that the profits from silk mostly go into His Majesty's pocket? You have taken what you shouldn't and reached where you shouldn't; I truly have no way to save you!"

"Return, discard the foundations that should be discarded; this is the price the Wei family must pay."

Wei Ting said nothing, sitting on the ground, lost and despondent.

"Attendants, wake him up, send him out!"

A maid appeared silently and slapped his face hard, so hard that blood trickled from the corner of Wei Ting's mouth—one can imagine how heavy that slap was.

This counted as a form of revenge, for Wei Ting's unauthorized visit could have endangered Consort Wei.

Wei Ting said nothing again, stood up, bowed deeply to Consort Wei, and was led away.

However, an unexpected person was waiting outside the hall.

The Prince of Yue, accompanied by the Princess of Yue, two palace maids, and two eunuchs, smiled as they watched the head‑down Wei Ting follow the other eunuchs and leave.

"Mother Consort Wei, I, Li Tai, bring Yu Er to pay my respects."

"Your Highness the Prince of Yue, Princess of Yue, Consort Wei, please come in!"

The maid who had just slapped Wei Ting stepped forward, respectfully inviting them in.

After Li Tai entered, he first made small talk with Consort Wei, then ordered the gifts in his hands to be set down and expressed his intentions.

There was, of course, nothing much to discuss between him and Consort Wei; after the routine visit, Li Tai stood to take his leave and, in a joking tone, said:

"Mother Consort Wei, strangely enough, just now I saw a eunuch in your hall who resembled a high official in the court; if the two were placed together, people might even believe they were brothers."

"Is that so? This Mother Consort is not very familiar; there are many officials in the court, and I haven't met many of them," she forced a smile.

"Alas!" Li Tai said gravely, "I feel sorry for Mother Consort; I have heard you have not seen your family members at home for a long time, even those serving in the court rarely have a chance to meet."

"Next time, I will certainly speak with Father Emperor; Shen Di and the imperial sister have grown so much, yet we have scarcely seen our maternal relatives."

Consort Wei's composure wavered; the calm and dignity cultivated over years almost slipped away.

Depriving her of any chance to speak, Li Tai, after issuing a quiet warning and threat, smiled and took his leave.

After an indeterminate amount of time, a faint sigh echoed from within the hall.

"......"