This explains why Yan Shifan suddenly repaid two years' worth of arrears. Even when his in-law Lu Bing sought his assistance, he had to bribe him with silver first—otherwise, negotiations were off the table. Prince Yu, still grieving the loss of his wife and children, paid no attention to the affairs of his estate and would not scrape together fifteen hundred taels of silver like last time to bribe Yan Shifan into releasing his salary.
Yan Shifan never engaged in losing ventures. By returning the money without demanding a bribe from Prince Yu, he was essentially sealing Prince Yu’s fate!
Lu Ying had also carefully considered the matter. "Given the relationship between the Yan father-son duo and Prince Jing, it’s most likely the case. But that old fox Yan Shifan has always been cautious. Even if something happens to Prince Yu’s estate, it won’t be linked to him. If Eunuch Wei and Prince Jing are exposed, he won’t be implicated. To him, releasing the salary is just a routine matter."
Wang Daxia agreed, "The Yan father and son have long supported Prince Jing. Changing sides now, abandoning Prince Jing to side with Prince Yu? It’s far too late!"
Lu Ying said, "In any case, it’s not safe for you at home, and you can’t stay with neighbors due to propriety. However, our family has a villa by Shichahai. Every year when the lake freezes, my siblings and I would stay there for a while, playing Ice Games on the frozen lake. Father would join us too."Now that we’re all grown up—my sisters are married, my younger brother is engaged to the daughter of Minister of Personnel Wu Peng and learning to be more steady—and with Father’s health declining, we won’t be moving there this year." The place is empty, with guards, maids, and servants all in place. No matter how bold they are, they wouldn’t dare touch our family’s property. I’ve spoken with Father and Li Yiren. Until this matter is settled, you should move there temporarily. I’ll take you there tomorrow morning to get settled. Tonight, both of us will stay here to protect you."
Lu Ying was both meticulous and domineering, leaving Wei Caiwei no room to refuse.
Wei Caiwei hadn’t expected that after just one night back home, she’d have to move again to evade danger. How long would this life of hiding and fleeing last?
But if she didn’t move, Lu Ying and Wang Daxia would surely worry about her. They were busy monitoring Prince Yu’s estate, and she couldn’t assist much—she didn’t want to hold them back.
Wei Caiwei nodded and said, "Alright, I’ll go with you tomorrow."
"Just how many properties does your family own?" Wang Daxia counted on his fingers. "The Lu residence in the western city, the villa by Jinyuchi—next door to Duke Yansheng’s Kong family—and the villa by Shichahai. That’s already three large estates."
Lu Ying replied indifferently, "I’m not sure. I’ve lived in about twenty or so places. My married sisters all received properties, land, and shops as dowries. But having many houses isn’t all that meaningful—they’re just places to sleep. I think Doctor Wei’s place is quite nice: quiet, free, and independent. Once the gate is closed, no one nags me about marriage every day."
Wei Caiwei and Wang Daxia exchanged a glance: We don’t quite understand the troubles of high-ranking officials’ children.
Wei Caiwei said, "Let’s not dwell on unhappy matters. No matter what, life goes on. It’s been a month since I last saw you... both of you. I’ve prepared meat and fine wine. Since we’re moving tomorrow, let’s eat, drink, and be merry. We’ll deal with any major issues tomorrow."
Ever since Lu Ying and Wang Daxia caused a commotion on Qionghua Island, Lu Bing had become so fearful that he forbade them from entering the palace. Thus, they hadn’t seen Wei Caiwei for a month.Upon hearing there was meat to eat, Wang Daxia's mouth began to water. "Right, nothing matters more than food and drink."
The three of them grilled meat in the courtyard kitchen. Marinated beef, lamb, ribs, and more sizzled on the wire mesh, dripping with oil. Outside, the north wind howled, but they ate until sweat beaded on their noses, drank from large bowls, and cast aside all worries and fears.
By the end, all three were slightly tipsy. After the meal, Wei Caiwei arranged sleeping quarters. "The kang on the first floor is warmest. Lu Ying will sleep here, and Wang Daxia can take Ding Wu's room." After all, Wang Daxia had strong vitality and wasn't afraid of the cold.
Hearing this, Lu Ying said, "I don't like sleeping on the kang. I'll switch with him."
Wang Daxia was happy to agree, because lying on the first-floor kang allowed him to see the door to Wei Caiwei's second-floor room... and made it convenient for him to knock on her door at night for a private chat.
If he slept in Ding Wu's room, sneaking out would surely wake Lu Ying.
Wang Daxia immediately said, "Fine by me, I like sleeping on the kang."
Lu Ying carried a lamp to Ding Wu's room. Everything remained unchanged, except the mat had been put away and replaced with thick cotton bedding. Opening the wardrobe, she found Ding Wu's clothes neatly folded inside, with a row of shoes at the bottom—well-worn cloth shoes waiting for their owner's return.
Yet the owner's return remained uncertain. Lu Ying removed her boots that reached mid-calf, soaked her feet in hot water, and after washing, slipped her jade-white feet into Ding Wu's cloth shoes. The heels and sides gaped by a thumb's width.
Wearing the shoes as slippers felt quite comfortable. She carried the basin out to toss the foot-washing water, still in the makeshift slippers. In the main hall, Wang Daxia was already lying on the kang. Seeing her snow-white heels, he hastily pulled the quilt over his face. "I didn't see anything."
Lu Ying said, "Don't actually fall asleep. You take the first watch. Wake me after midnight, and I'll take the second half."
The latter half of the night was the sleepiest, and Lu Ying always took the hardest tasks for herself.
Still buried under the quilt, Wang Daxia replied muffledly, "Got it. I'm just lying down, won't close my eyes. Doctor Wei is boiling water to brew strong tea. I'll stay alert after drinking it."
Lu Ying warned, "Don't drink too much, or you might struggle to sleep later."
After tossing the water, Lu Ying returned to Ding Wu's room and slept in his bed. It seemed to still carry his scent, making her feel inexplicably safe and relaxed. She closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
Wei Caiwei returned with brewed tea, insulating the pot with a cotton cover to keep it warm. She also grabbed handfuls of dried fruits, preserves, and other New Year's treats sent by Princess Yu, arranging them in an eight-treasure box for the night watch as snacks.
Seeing Ding Wu's door tightly shut, Wang Daxia grew bold. He grabbed Wei Caiwei's hand and whispered close to her ear, "I missed you."
Wei Caiwei felt a warm breath rush into her ear, a tingling sensation shooting like lightning from her ear canal down to her toes—indescribably pleasurable.
Though her body thrilled, she said, "You're too close. Sit properly and talk."
Wei Caiwei wasn't afraid of what Wang Daxia might do to her; she feared she might lose control and pounce on him on the kang for improper conduct.At just fourteen years old, Wang Daxia now possessed clear, bright eyes and a warm smile, as pure as morning dew, spring green plums, or winter plum buds. She couldn't bear to touch or pluck such innocence. Their three-year agreement was, in truth, a restraint she imposed upon herself.
She would wait for him to truly grow up.
Wang Daxia gestured with his chin toward Ding Wu's door, whispering, "Shh, we need to speak softly and stay close so Lu Ying doesn't hear."
"Stop pressing against me like this! If you keep this up, I'll push you over!"
Wei Caiwei's throat moved slightly as she said, "In that case, come upstairs with me to my room to talk."
"What?" Could such good fortune be real? Wang Daxia thought he must have misheard. "To... to your room?"
His mind instantly flooded with unspeakable imaginings.
Wei Caiwei clarified, "To my study upstairs."
A study worked just as well! Wang Daxia hurriedly rose to put on his shoes, but Wei Caiwei stopped him, "Don't wear shoes. Just keep your socks on. The noise from climbing the stairs would be too loud."
Clad in woolen socks, Wang Daxia followed Wei Caiwei like a thief. As they ascended, she deliberately stepped heavily on the stairs, creating loud thuds to mask his nearly silent footsteps.
Their caution proved unnecessary, for Lu Ying was already deep in slumber. She dreamed of Ding Wu succeeding in his undercover mission, crushing the White Lotus Sect, recovering the lost firearms, capturing leader Zhao Quan, and returning home in glory...
Once inside the study, the door closed behind them, Wang Daxia eagerly moved to embrace her. Wei Caiwei sidestepped his advance, producing a satin ribbon. "Blindfold yourself. I have a surprise for you."
Wang Daxia suddenly recalled how, under her guidance last time, he had step by step surrendered his first kiss to her.
Ecstasy surged through him. If he'd already experienced his first kiss, could his first night be far behind? What game was she playing this time? Surely it must be something even more thrilling than that initial kiss!
Obediently tying the ribbon, Wang Daxia became blind, his heart brimming with anticipation. "Hurry up," he urged.
Hearing the rustle of fabric nearby, he fantasized about what she might be doing. Was she undressing? Was this surprise too grand to comprehend?
"Done." Wei Caiwei stood on tiptoe and personally untied the blindfold.
The Wei Caiwei before him remained fully dressed, unchanged from before. "Where's the surprise?" Wang Daxia asked.
Wei Caiwei stepped aside, pointing to a Western telescope on the desk. "This is it. It can even extend further than Prince Jing's model. You've always wanted one of your own instead of borrowing Lu Ying's, right? Consort Shang obtained this for me—it was a tribute item presented by Western missionaries."
That's it? Though Wang Daxia appreciated the gift, it wasn't the surprise he currently desired. Disappointment washed over him.
Wei Caiwei explained, "Tomorrow is your birthday. This is your birthday present. You'll be fifteen years old—may you overcome all misfortunes and enjoy a lifetime of happiness and safety."
In this life, it's my turn to protect you. You must stay well. I don't ask for the great wealth and status of our previous life—only that you forever maintain these clear eyes, untainted by the slightest shadow.
His fifteenth birthday? Wang Daxia had been so overwhelmed with work he'd forgotten himself, yet Wei Caiwei remembered and had carefully prepared a gift. So she had left the palace a day early just to return in time to celebrate his birthday.Wang Daxia's emotions shifted from disappointment to deep emotion, his words tumbling out incoherently, "I like you so much... Ever since you appeared, my life has been different. I can't even imagine what I would have become in the future without you."
He was referring to the self-castration he would have performed with a blade just over ten days later.
Wang Xiaoxia would cease to exist. Oh, lively Wang Xiaoxia, who when spirited stood as long as my foot—how could you bear to cut it off in your previous life?
The true birthday gift was actually Wang Xiaoxia. Coincidentally, the telescope was also cylindrical and retractable, perfectly symbolizing Wang Xiaoxia. This birthday gift was truly painstakingly thoughtful.
Wei Caiwei choked up and said, "Actually, I should be thanking you. If I hadn't rented this room and met you, without your constant help, my life would also be unimaginable—I might have taken a much more rugged path. Actually, I..."
Having reached this point, Wei Caiwei decided not to keep it from him any longer and revealed her true identity. "I am the missing Miss He Er. I never lost my memory. I came to the capital for revenge. Thousand Household Chen and his son, Old Woman Wang—I killed them all. I've been deceiving you all along."
Though he had long guessed this outcome, hearing Wei Caiwei confess openly still deeply shook Wang Daxia's heart. He embraced her tightly, without any ulterior motives, just comfortingly patting her back. "I know. I've always known. You are a kind person. I don't care that you've killed evil people. All the suffering you endured before will turn sweet in the future."
Author's note: Following the previous pattern, before every fierce battle, we need to sprinkle some sweetness. The Shuang Xia CP's relationship took a step further tonight.
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