Chapter 44 - A Dilemma

Chapter 44 A Dilemma

Wei Yuewu sat down. She lowered her eyes that flowed with dark light. The more she tried to explain, the more difficult it was for such things to be clearly understood. Besides, the attitude of this heir-apparent of Yan State was really suspicious…

The several people present were observing Wei Yuewu. She possessed the look of a thin little girl or just a little young girl who hadn’t grown up yet. Judging by her figure alone, she didn’t look attractive at all. However, her exquisite facial figures, especially that pair of slightly cold yet beautiful eyes were inexplicably attractive.

Such was the opinion of all people present. Their eyes moved to Yan Huaijing again, who was beside Wei Yuewu. He was like jade, and his elegant, handsome eyes gave a sense of tenderness and purity. He had such an air as if he descended from heaven. His eyes were as dark as a deep abyss, yet his gaze was warm and enchanting.

He was the quintessence of natural elegance and remarkable poise as well as loftiness!

Those qualities seemed discordant when found in a person at one time, yet inexplicably congruous at another. They gave an indescribable sense of discord, but somehow people also felt such a combination was plausible.

The Third Princess who was sitting in a corner unconsciously revealed a trace of disgust in her eyes. However, she was an expert in concealing her emotions. She immediately smiled and looked like she didn’t care about the intimacy between Wei Yuewu and Yan Huaijing.

“This is the Third Princess. This is the heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State.” Yan Huaijing gently introduced the other two persons to Wei Yuewu, as if he didn’t notice their gazes shifting between the two of them.

“My greetings to you, Third Princess. My greetings to you, Your Heir-apparent.” Wei Yuewu stood up again and curtsied respectfully to the two persons. They were much nobler than her, whether in terms of identity or status.

The Third Princess nodded with a smile as an indicator for her to sit down. The heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State, Lu Yeli, shifted his eyes from Yan Huaijing to Wei Yuewu. He studied Wei Yuewu carefully with a cold gaze and asked in a deep voice.

“You are the daughter of Marquis Hua Yang?”

“Yes, my father is Marquis Hua Yang.” Wei Yuewu replied softly. However, a trace of deep vigilance flashed in her eyes.

As one of the heirs-apparent of the dukes of the four major vassal states, the heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State was not an ordinary person. It was said that he had led the army since he was a lad and made many battle achievements. He could be considered a person of real power. There were certainly quite many stories about such a figure in the country. However, Wei Yuewu had never heard that he had ever been to the capital.

The border city that was guarded by Marquis Hua Yang also faced Lu State. It was where the territories of Lu State and Yan State met and was a region of extreme importance in the country. It was not unreasonable that the heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State paid attention to her on this occasion.

“When will your father return to the capital? I would like to meet Marquis Hua Yang when I have time.” Lu Yeli’s cold voice did not fluctuate in the slightest, as if it was just a casual remark. However, Wei Yuewu did not dare to take his words as casual remarks. Without showing her thoughts on her face, she gave a faint smile that seemed as fresh as a lotus.

“No problem, Your Heir-apparent. I will definitely deliver your wishes to my father when he comes back.”

She didn’t want to get involved in those state-level issues. She had never thought that these three figures would gather in such a small tea party. Each of them had the power to shake the capital with one stamp.

Anyway, Wei Yuewu felt that she must be careful in case that she should step into this vortex.

However, although she thought in this way, it didn’t mean that others thought so as well. Yan Huaijing’s narrow eyes revealed a rippling smile. He followed her words and asked, “Yuewu, did you tell your father about that matter?”

He said those words in front of so many people and in a voice as clear as a spring in the mountains. His question sounded both affectionate and indifferent, tickling other people’s curiosity. The words “that matter” in particular sounded quite meaningful, and the way he specially addressed her induced more deep thoughts!

Everyone present immediately stopped what they were doing and turned their eyes towards the two of them…

Wei Yuewu was incensed. However, she had no choice but to reply, “Thank you for your concern, Your Heir-apparent.”

She knew that he meant the cancellation of the engagement between her and Mo Huating. However, this was not something that a young lady from an aristocratic family could openly discuss with other people.

In that case, she could only gloss this topic over in vague terms.

“If you can’t solve it, come to me. Don’t make yourself feel aggrieved.” These words sounded even more affectionate, and Yan Huaijing uttered them in so warm and elegant a way. His handsome face even showed such concern and gentleness as was perceptible to everyone.

The Third Princess’s eyes involuntarily fell on Wei Yuewu again. Although she still kept a smile on her face, there was a hint of disgust in the bottom of her eyes.

The heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State was also looking at Wei Yuewu. The previous time when he looked at her, it was because of Marquis Hua Yang. But this time, it was because of Yan Huaijing. He practiced martial arts and had sharper eyes than ordinary people. Naturally, he saw clearly the gentleness and warmth in the eyes of Yan Huaijing. However, he could not judge whether Yan Huaijing really treated the girl in front of him in a different way.

According to his spy reports, Yan Huaijing’s behavior in public had always displayed the image of a gentle and elegant young master. However, he was very clear that under the surface of tenderness and elegance, the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State truly was a ruthless and cold-hearted person!

“Your Heir-apparent, are you very familiar with Sixth Miss Wei?” The Crown Prince Wen Tianyao blinked and asked Yan Huaijing with a smile.

By now, the servants had already served tea and retreated to the side.

“My mother and Miss Wei’s mother had a sisterly relationship.” Yan Huaijing turned around and answered smilingly. He was gentle and graceful as usual, but Wei Yuewu’s heart violently pounded twice at his answer. Another person who had relations with her mother? She stole a glance at Yan Huaijing, but was not sure whether his words were true or not. She subconsciously shrank her hands on her knees.

“I heard that the Duchess of Yan State was from a famous family in Yan State and she had never left the territory of Yan State in her life. But Sixth Miss Wei’s mother, namely the Marquise Hua Yang, was from a remote place. I wonder how they knew each other.” The Third Princess chuckled and pressed the corner of her lips with her handkerchief. She took a brief glance at Yan Huaijing and interrupted with some curiosity.

“My mother became acquainted with Marquise Hua Yang by accident.” Yan Huaijing smiled faintly but did not give further explanation. He turned his handsome eyes to Lu Yeli. “Your Heir-apparent, you came really fast. When I heard about you last time, you were still outside the pass. I didn’t expect that you would arrive at the capital in such a short period of time.”

“I was not as fast as you, Your Heir-apparent. Several small vassal states fell into the hands of the Duke of Yan State. Aren’t you going to explain this matter to His Royal Highness?” Lu Yeli withdrew his gaze from Wei Yuewu and sneered in an unkind tone.

Wei Yuewu sat there quietly while capturing their conversation without missing a single word! She would like to know why Yan Huaijing came to the capital.

“My father has already explained these things in his report. I believe that His Majesty has the report right on his desk by now. His Majesty will make his own judgement. And I also have a number of captives for His Majesty, but they are still being transported on the way. I’m afraid that they won’t reach the capital until the end of the year.” The corners of Yan Huaijing’s lips curled up into a faint smile with a hint of carelessness.

“Your Royal Highness, it is said that some of the captives had kept close contact with some people in the capital. I hope Your Royal Highness can handle this matter fairly.”

“Your Heir-apparent, is there a misunderstanding? Father Emperor never said that he wanted to destroy those small vassal states.” Wen Tianyao’s gaze fell on Yan Huaijing’s face. His eyes narrowed slightly and his expression grew colder.

“Did the Yan State intentionally disobey His Majesty’s order and take the liberty to destroy those small states?” Lu Yeli didn’t seem as good-tempered as the Crown Prince. He slapped the table and snorted coldly.

The air in the room became tense all of a sudden. It seemed that a dispute was about to break out!

Wei Yuewu glanced out of the corner of her eyes at Yan Huaijing, who was sitting next to her, and slightly lowered her head. Now it turned out this was not a well-intended meeting…

“Your Royal Highness, of course there is a reason why this happened. I believe both His Majesty and Your Royal Highness can sense my father’s support for and loyalty towards His Majesty. Those small vassal states had been restless and about to make trouble. My father really couldn’t stand it. And because the situation was very urgent, he had to do so. I hope Your Royal Highness and His Majesty can understand my father’s loyalty.”

Yan Huaijing said leisurely with his uniquely clear voice. He chuckled carelessly when he spoke, as if he was not talking about such a great issue as destroying a few vassal states.

While listening to their conversation, Wei Yuewu connected all their words into a line. Instantly, she was so shocked as if giant violent waves were surging in her heart.

The Duke of Yan Sate destroyed a few vassal states! From what they had said, it seemed the Duke did that directly without the Emperor’s permission. In that case, if this issue was taken seriously, it would be equivalent to rebellion against the Emperor!

However, there hadn’t been any major reactions by the court until now. It was obvious that the Emperor harbored fears for the power of Yan State.

The Yan State was actually so powerful that it was able to overwhelm the imperial power. Could the imperial family really tolerate such an unpleasant act?

And surprisingly, the heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State had come to the capital leisurely as if he was ignorant of the situation.

How audacious! How confident…

Wei Yuewu lowered her head even more without saying one word. She only looked down at the handkerchief in her hand and did not make a sound.

“I believe that Father Emperor will come to a conclusion regarding those small vassal states. Your Heirs-apparent, you two have just arrived at the capital. Let me play the role of a host and entertain you both with my third younger sister.”

Surely, Wen Tianyao was not a simple character. He let out a laugh and threw the tense atmosphere created by Lu Yeli off the track.

The Third Princess, Wen Caidie, also laughed softly and raised the cup of wine in her hand. “Your Heirs-apparent, you were treated by my fourth elder brother last time. I never thought that my eldest brother would entertain you two this time. Indeed I was surprised.”

Wei Yuewu was indeed appreciative of the Third Princess, who was evidently an eloquent speaker. Not only did the princess express the Crown Prince’s respect for the two heirs-apparent, she also chimed in with the Crown Prince. No wonder the Crown Prince was willing to bring her out.

But the current game of chess was in fact very difficult for Yan Huaijing to play!

Should he follow the Crown Prince’s wishes and express his gratitude to him, or follow the words of the heir-apparent of the Duke of Lu State to announce Yan State’s tough attitude? However, no matter which option he chose, it seemed that this was not an appropriate moment to show Yan State’s attitude.

Whether it was a tougher or softer attitude, Yan State would be forced to the passive side in making moves. Wei Yuewu was really curious as to what response this powerful and scheming heir-apparent of the Duke of Yan State would take.