Wei Yuzhi lowered his eyes. "If there's a chance, it would be good to clear one's name."
"You don’t seem very concerned about your family’s reputation?" Wu Lingyuan asked, puzzled.
"You’ve read many history books, haven’t you?" Wei Yuzhi raised his gaze, the skin beneath his eyes slightly red. "The matter concerning my father—even if it leaves a trace in the annals of history, it will be nothing more than a few words. It won’t compare to any of the atrocities committed by that bastard emperor. It’s not worth exhausting a lifetime’s schemes for such a fleeting mention. Besides, right and wrong—what people do, heaven watches."
He sat with his back to the door, the sunlight outside too glaring for Wu Lingyuan to clearly discern the expression on his face. Yet, Wu Lingyuan had a sense that these were not empty words.
"When I first met Yelü Quancang, the Liao Kingdom had no place for him. Over the years, I devoted all my schemes to help him ascend the throne. And now, before his reign has even stabilized, he can no longer tolerate me." Wei Yuzhi tapped the armrest lightly, a faint smile on his lips. "If I can also help you gain power over the Great Song, then this life of mine… would not have been lived in vain."
After Wu Lingyuan’s eye ailment healed, his vision still wasn’t as sharp as an ordinary person’s. Thus, he didn’t see the redness in Wei Yuzhi’s eyes or the rare glimpse of anguish on his face.
This life—spent sewing bridal gowns for others.
Wei Yuzhi pressed his lips together and stood to leave.
An old pear tree in the courtyard was in full bloom, its white flowers cascading as Wei Yuzhi passed beneath it. Yet not a single petal clung to him.
He walked to the center of the courtyard, then suddenly paused and turned, looking up at An Jiu seated on the rooftop. For a moment, the falling petals around them seemed to freeze.
An Jiu’s eyesight was excellent; even from this distance, she could clearly see the flush in his eyes. Even if she couldn’t, the dull ache in her heart would have been hard to ignore.
Never before had An Jiu felt such an urgent desire to sever the lingering ties between them.
"You want to kill me," Wei Yuzhi said with a smile.
An Jiu was momentarily stunned. Searching her heart, she realized that the thought had indeed crossed her mind—but the memory of Wei Yuzhi being her savior had swiftly suppressed it, so quickly that she hadn’t even been aware of it.
His smile deepened as he studied her face, but it carried a decisiveness and coldness so intense that his formidable mental strength tore the surrounding pear blossoms into dust in an instant.
A chill shot up from the depths of An Jiu’s heart.
Long after, she detected a trace of desolation in it.
Though Wei Yuzhi had spent his entire life giving for others, he was not the kind of person who gave without expecting anything in return. He had sacrificed himself twice to save An Jiu because of an indescribable emotion, yet he had received no response in return. His anger stemmed from seeing everything clearly, from no longer wishing to give so selflessly—yet being unable to stop.
An Jiu leaped down from the rooftop and followed the path he had taken to the pavilion.
"Let me be alone for a while," Wei Yuzhi said calmly. "Since you have Chu Dingjiang now, you should avoid me. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee what I might do."
"I chose Wu Lingyuan, and so did you. Our paths cannot be parallel." An Jiu frowned. "Am I to understand that you’re asking me to give up? You saved my life. If you demand repayment in this way, I will leave."
Wei Yuzhi’s expression darkened.
Fate was too cruel. It didn’t give him even the slightest chance to escape.
"Have Minister Wu petition for you to command the troops stationed outside the city," Wei Yuzhi said.This was exactly the outcome An Jiu had hoped for. She nodded, hesitated for a moment, then asked, "How about I introduce you to a girl?"
Even someone as composed as Wei Yuzhi couldn't help but laugh in exasperation. "Someone like Xu Huniu?"
"What kind of girl do you like?" An Jiu asked earnestly. She disliked owing favors and was eager to repay him. Having finally found something she could do for him, she naturally took it to heart.
Wei Yuzhi remained silent for a while before speaking. "She can't be less attractive than you. She must be intelligent but pure-hearted, never deceitful, devoted only to me, caring and attentive, skilled in zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, gentle yet resilient."
Though finding a woman who met all these criteria would be difficult, it was a way to repay his kindness. An Jiu agreed without hesitation, "Alright."
Wei Yuzhi watched her figure disappear among the lush flowers and trees before withdrawing his gaze.
When one hasn't met the right person, they might have a long list of requirements. But once the heart is moved, all those conditions cease to matter. Wei Yuzhi had never envisioned the appearance of a partner in his heart. Today's demands were merely offhand remarks—even if such a woman stood before him, he might not be moved.
Upon returning, An Jiu fetched paper and brush, intending to write a letter to Chu Dingjiang.
Sitting at the desk, nibbling on the brush tip, An Jiu suddenly felt a heaviness in her chest and a strong desire to see him.
After much contemplation, she sighed and began writing: I miss you. Also, could you find a wife for Wei Yuzhi? Requirements as follows...
...
Night fell.
In a mansion within Xijin Prefecture, ancient trees with dense foliage shrouded the entire courtyard. Lanterns hung from every branch, illuminating the space as bright as day, though from the outside, only faint glimmers of light were visible.
On a low couch placed on the veranda, a small table stood between two people: Yelü Jinglie in plain robes on one side and a blue-clad woman wearing a half-mask on the other.
Yelü Jinglie took a slow sip of tea and smiled. "A-Ning, you've become quite capable."
"You flatter me," Ning Yanli replied, bowing her head.
"I've told you, there's no need for such deference in front of me. I'm not Huang Wu," Yelü Jinglie said with a laugh.
His beauty was unparalleled. Though Ning Yanli knew this man was ruthless, she still found herself ensnared by the allure of his smile.
"A-Ning, do you foresee any obstacles to this plan?" Yelü Jinglie asked.
Ning Yanli snapped out of her reverie. "Mo Sigui. Every poison has an antidote. Whether it's the power-enhancing drug or the toxin-inducing drug for the Crane Control Family, Mo Sigui could disrupt them."
"I've already sent someone to kill him. This time, A-Ning, you mustn't be soft-hearted," Yelü Jinglie said. His style was to eliminate all threats, leaving no loose ends.
"Actually... I know one of his weaknesses. Exploiting it might be more effective than killing him," Ning Yanli said, unsure if reluctance played a part—she truly didn't want Mo Sigui to die. "Lou Mingyue."
"Second Miss Lou?" Yelü Jinglie leaned back against the soft cushion, his phoenix eyes narrowing slightly in comfort. "A woman of unyielding spirit."
Ning Yanli continued, "She's been attempting to assassinate the princess. If you were to exchange the princess for Mo Sigui, I wonder if she would comply?"
Yelü Jinglie studied her half-masked face. "Oh? You'd actually sacrifice your princess?""Ever since Madman died, I've been thinking of leaving," Ning Yanli murmured, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of the warm teacup. "I could tell the princess also had feelings for Madman, but she would sacrifice anyone for the sake of Liao's grand cause. Yet that wasn't my reason for betraying her."
Yelü Jinglie raised an eyebrow, waiting silently for her to continue. (To be continued...)
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