"You... Unhand me!" He Weifang, finding herself practically nose-to-nose with him, felt her charming face instantly flush a deep crimson, the blush spreading even to the base of her neck and behind her ears! She immediately began to struggle with all her might, desperate to escape his embrace.
Yet, after this burst of effort, He Weifang discovered that his arms were incredibly powerful! It seemed as if he wasn't exerting much strength at all, yet even with her life on the line, she couldn't break free by a single inch! Indeed, because their waists were pressed so tightly together, she couldn't even create the slightest gap between herself and this man!
"Unhand you?" With such a beauty in his arms, how could Wei Tingyu possibly be willing to let go so easily? He looked at He Weifang before him and chuckled aloud. "My dear lady, you are being most unreasonable! Had I not intervened to assist you just moments ago, you would surely be injured by now!"
"I..." He Weifang was momentarily taken aback. She knew that what this man said was indeed the truth. Setting aside everything else, given how she had been toppling straight backward, if he hadn't caught her in time, the fall would have been anything but light. She might very well have cracked her head, and that would have been far more serious than a mere ache or bruise!
However, your assistance just now is one matter, but to be holding me so tightly in your embrace and taking such liberties is an entirely different affair! Moreover, the only reason I nearly got injured was because of you, you scoundrel! He Weifang's quick mind connected these dots in an instant, and her small face flushed an even deeper shade of crimson!
However, finding herself currently pinned in his embrace and unable to move, He Weifang's eyes darted about thoughtfully. She instantly understood that in this situation, brute force would be futile; she could only rely on her wits!
"Let us not dwell on what just transpired!" He Weifang took a deep breath. By now, she was certain that the peculiar fragrance indeed emanated from this very libertine before her. She could only frown and say, "For the present moment, I implore Young Master to release this humble married woman! In broad daylight, it is improper for men and women to engage in such close physical contact..."
Not in broad daylight, eh... so does that mean it's permissible in the dead of night? Hearing He Weifang's words, Wei Tingyu chuckled twice in his heart.
However, seeing that this young woman's face was so flushed it seemed as if moisture might drip from it, he decided not to press her further. After all, a woman like He Weifang was not someone who could be casually seduced into bed with a mere couple of phrases! If he were to act too hastily, or even attempt to force any overly intimate actions upon her here and now, it could very well provoke a rebellious backlash! If that happened, and this young woman came to view him as some sort of demon, his Marquis's Manor would be deprived of such an exquisite beauty! That would be a truly regrettable outcome! And for Wei Tingyu, who possessed something of a collector's inclination, such a loss would be absolutely intolerable!
However, while he would release her, he couldn't just let this feisty young woman off so easily! At this thought, Wei Tingyu impishly reached out and gave He Weifang's pert derriere two light pats. Instantly seeing flames of fury erupt in her eyes, he quickly and voluntarily released his hold on her, then retreated two steps!
"You...!" He Weifang had never imagined this libertine would take one final liberty, copping a feel before releasing her. She was so infuriated she nearly burst out cursing. However, upon seeing his utterly innocent expression, as if nothing untoward had occurred, she began to doubt herself. Could it have been my own misperception just now? Did he merely brush against me accidentally, rather than deliberately patting me twice?
"What ails the young lady?" Wei Tingyu, observing He Weifang's expression of suppressed fury yet inability to voice her grievance, fought back his own amusement and feigned a look of utter bewilderment. "You requested that I release you, and did I not do so? Why then are you so incensed once more? Could it be... that in your heart, you did not truly wish for me to let go...?"
Pah! He Weifang, witnessing Wei Tingyu's incorrigibly rakish demeanor, felt her aversion deepen. She couldn't help but let out a cold scoff. However, she couldn't voice her accusation directly. After all, she couldn't be sure if he was genuinely unaware or merely feigning ignorance. She could hardly make a public spectacle by shouting, "What do you mean by groping my buttocks?"
"Audacious fiend! How dare you engage in such chicanery, playing at gods and ghosts within the sacred hall of the Patriarch Heavenly Master!?" Of course, He Weifang was not one to suffer a silent injustice. She immediately seized upon Wei Tingyu's other transgression and began to interrogate him sharply. By now, she had discerned that this libertine before her was, at most, somewhat lecherous, but harbored no genuine intent to harm her.
"You don't believe me, is that it?" Wei Tingyu, however, merely feigned an air of mystery. Instead of answering He Weifang's question, he adopted the pose of a divine charlatan, extending his right hand and making a few muddled, esoteric finger gestures before proclaiming, "This Heavenly Master has made a divination with his fingers. You are indeed the daughter-in-law of the Liu residence! And your father-in-law is none other than Liu Shen, the Adjudicator of the Eastern Capital Garrison!"
He Weifang was momentarily stunned by Wei Tingyu's words. Then, with a flicker of surprise, she scanned him from head to toe. It was only then that she realized with a jolt—hadn't she seen this very person not long ago in the main hall, before the statues of the Three Pure Patriarchs? Yes! It was him! Most notably, his attire, clearly from the Imperial Capital, was entirely different from the prevailing fashions of the Eastern Capital! And those three beautiful young matrons who had been kneeling in prayer alongside her at the time—they were undoubtedly this man's family members! With such distinct characteristics, He Weifang was certain she had not misidentified him. In her earlier fit of shame and anger, she had completely overlooked this crucial detail!
Yet this man is still here, engaging in this charade of gods and ghosts. He is clearly just trying to tease me! I truly feel for those three beautiful ladies! At this thought, He Weifang let out a disdainful, cold laugh. Looking at Wei Tingyu, she said, "The Patriarch Heavenly Master is said to possess the majesty of a dragon and the fierceness of a tiger, awe-inspiring and extraordinary! You, in your current state... are you truly the Heavenly Master?"
"How can one judge a book by its cover?" Wei Tingyu chuckled. "This Heavenly Master has manifested precisely to lend you a helping hand!"
Wei Tingyu was putting on an act, and he knew that He Weifang knew he was putting on an act. Yet, at this moment, the two of them seemed to share a surprisingly tacit understanding, and with considerable amusement, they continued to play out this little drama.
"Oh!" He Weifang, observing Wei Tingyu's earnest yet clearly feigned portrayal of a deity, suddenly felt an urge to laugh. Although she had been a married woman for a full year, she had barely exchanged a few words with her so-called husband, and on the rare occasions they did meet, he always wore an expression of utter distaste for her! It could be said that in her entire life, He Weifang had never encountered such an amusing man! Looked at this way, this libertine before her, when not actively misbehaving, wasn't quite so detestable after all. In fact, he was rather intriguing!
"Then, I wonder, for the Heavenly Master to perform his rites and assist me, what sort of incense offering might be required?" Having come to this thought, He Weifang looked at Wei Tingyu and asked with a direct smile.
"Incense money and such are far too mundane! Monetary gifts and treasures, this Heavenly Master cares not for them in the slightest!" Wei Tingyu, however, let out a roguish chuckle. Looking at He Weifang, he said, "As long as the young lady offers up a fragrant kiss, this Heavenly Master shall exert his divine power to assist you!"
"Heh!" He Weifang was rendered speechless and let out a laugh of pure exasperation, her slender, jade-like fingers twisting fiercely together within her sleeves. A libertine through and through! To think I had just begun to revise my opinion of you slightly, and you reveal your true, base nature so quickly! You desire this lady's fragrant kiss? In your dreams!
With this thought, He Weifang slowly sauntered towards Wei Tingyu's side, murmuring under her breath, "So that's how it is..." No sooner had the words left her lips than she abruptly snatched up another bamboo basket from beside her feet and swung it violently at Wei Tingyu, simultaneously shouting, "Take that, you lecher! You colossal liar!" "Trying to swindle a woman's virtue without even inquiring about the going rate!" "Do you truly believe all women in this world are yours for the taking?!" "Still dreaming of tricking this lady out of a fragrant kiss?!" "There is only one high-ranking official surnamed Liu in the entire Eastern Capital!" "Everyone knows that! Did you really think you needed to 'divine' it with your fingers?!"
...And so, she continued to shout abuses while swinging the basket, attempting to land a blow on Wei Tingyu. However, Wei Tingyu moved with nimble footsteps. Although he had not yet mastered any formal lightness techniques, evading the attacks of a woman who lacked even the strength to truss a chicken was an effortless task for him.
The two of them chased around the statue of the Patriarch Heavenly Master for a good two or three circuits before a breathless and panting He Weifang finally, grudgingly, came to a halt. She realized that throughout this entire charade, she hadn't managed to land a single blow on Wei Tingyu. Every time she felt she was about to succeed, he would evade her with perfect, infuriating ease. At this point, she understood clearly: he was still merely toying with her.
This realization only fueled her indignation further. She glared fiercely at Wei Tingyu, her chest heaving with ragged breaths, but she spoke no more. If looks alone could kill, Wei Tingyu would have been riddled with a thousand arrows by now!
"Easy now, easy now!" Wei Tingyu found this little matron, He Weifang, increasingly amusing. This was far more entertaining than any television drama! Seeing the daggers in her eyes, he couldn't resist teasing her further: "As a married woman, how can you be so... termagant?!"
"A furtive scoundrel! A lecherous degenerate! And you have the audacity to call me termagant?" He Weifang, hearing this, was not about to be outdone verbally and shot back a sharp retort. Then, without another word, she marched forward, seized Wei Tingyu's arm, and began to drag him towards the exit of the grand hall, declaring, "Let's go! I'm taking you to see the magistrate!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Wei Tingyu hadn't had his fill of this playful tussle with the young lady yet. He quickly shook her hand off and said, "How can a dignified Heavenly Master casually depart from his sacred hall? Besides, it is already nearing sunset; it's quite possible the magistrate's office is entirely unmanned at this hour!"
"Consider yourself fortunate today!" He Weifang was taken aback for a moment, then realized that what Wei Tingyu said was true. Moreover, if she were to be seen dragging this man to the magistrate's office, her husband's family would undoubtedly accuse her of impropriety the moment she returned! At this thought, He Weifang could only swallow her bitterness like one eating Coptis root – she had no choice but to concede defeat for the day. She shot Wei Tingyu one last fierce glare, then, lifting her skirts, turned and fled.
Watching this lively, rabbit-like figure flee, Wei Tingyu smiled with profound meaning. This young woman ran as if she wished to put a hundred thousand li between herself and him as quickly as possible. Alas, he suspected things would not quite unfold according to her wishes!
...
"My Lord Marquis!" When Wei Tingyu returned to the main hall of Fuyun Guan, he happened to encounter Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, and Zhao Zhangru just as they were emerging, having completed their prayers. The moment the three ladies saw Wei Tingyu, their faces lit up with joyful smiles, and they eagerly gathered around him.
"Finished with your obeisances?" Wei Tingyu, observing the three ladies' delighted, bird-like expressions, knew they had experienced a spiritual cleansing of sorts. He smiled and playfully pinched their delicate chins.
"Mm!" All three nodded in unison. Then, Dou Zhao blinked her large, expressive eyes at Wei Tingyu and said, "However, we just encountered a rather peculiar matter in the grand hall. We simply must tell My Lord Marquis all about it later!"
"Oh, yes! Let me tell him! Let me!" Zhao Zhangru's eyes instantly lit up, and she eagerly raised her hand, volunteering with gusto... Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu both knew that this elder cousin of theirs was an incorrigible busybody. Now that there was some fresh incident to recount to Wei Tingyu, she would undoubtedly be the first to volunteer, rushing to the forefront!
...
"My Lord Marquis! Wouldn't you say that this Elder Sister Mudan's husband's family is exceptionally despicable?" In the Marquis's carriage, Zhao Zhangru recounted the events she had witnessed in the grand hall between He Weifang and the old woman, pouring out the details like beans spilling from a bamboo tube. She then looked at Wei Tingyu with an indignant expression. In her eagerness to share this piece of gossip with Wei Tingyu, Zhao Zhangru had even forgone riding her horse and had squeezed into the carriage with them.
"Indeed, they are," Wei Tingyu affirmed after listening to Zhao Zhangru's account, glancing at Dou Zhao and Miao Ansu nestled in his embrace on either side of him before nodding. To speak plainly, compared to the lives his own three consorts led, He Weifang's current existence was hardly distinguishable from a living hell.
"Do you think Elder Sister Mudan's in-laws are perhaps addle-brained? And her husband—is he blind?" Miao Ansu chimed in at this point, pouting with dissatisfaction as she spoke up for that beautiful elder sister. "How can they bully someone so cruelly?"
"One can only say that not every woman is blessed with such good fortune as we have," Dou Zhao remarked with a quiet sigh, her expression that of someone with worldly experience who had seen through such matters.
"If only we could somehow help this elder sister! Otherwise, I feel like I won't even be able to enjoy my meals!" Zhao Zhangru pouted, then, as she spoke, she subtly darted little glances at Wei Tingyu, trying to discern his expression.
"My Lord Marquis... We understand that this is their private family matter... however... might it be possible to..." Miao Ansu began tentatively. They were aware that what they were asking was akin to forcing a duck onto a perch—it was highly probable that Wei Tingyu would also find it a very awkward and difficult request. Yet, witnessing such a kind elder sister suffering such treatment at the hands of her husband's family filled the three women with profound indignation. Just as Zhao Zhangru had said, if they couldn't find a way to help this sister, their food would lose its savor, and their sleep would be troubled!
"It is rare indeed for my three ladies to possess such benevolent hearts!" Wei Tingyu, however, showed no displeasure. Instead, he looked at his three consorts with considerable appreciation and nodded. "But how do you propose we should assist? It is, after all, their private family matter."
"Perhaps we could pay a visit to the Liu family as guests tomorrow? My Lord Marquis, being a personage of high rank from the Imperial Capital, the Liu family would surely have to receive you, no matter what!" Dou Zhao's eyes twinkled as she spoke in a low voice. "At that time, the three of us could have a good, long talk with that Elder Sister Mudan, and perhaps even become sworn sisters with her!"
"Exactly! That way, the Lord Marquis wouldn't even need to intervene directly. Once the Liu family learns that Elder Sister Mudan has connections with high-born noblewomen in the capital, they would surely not dare to treat her as harshly as before!" Miao Ansu nodded in enthusiastic agreement, thinking Dou Zhao's proposal was exceptionally clever.
Wei Tingyu considered it for a moment. Setting aside other options, Dou Zhao's proposed method was likely the most feasible and also the optimal choice for avoiding trouble for himself. One had to admit, she truly possessed the mindset of a "great female lead"—her ideas were swift and highly practical! However, the sole issue was that Dou Zhao and the other two were unaware of the Liu family's true depravity. But Wei Tingyu, having "seen the drama," knew it all too well! After all, if they were audacious enough to commit acts like murder to silence witnesses and seize dowries, why would they be intimidated by He Weifang's supposed sworn sisters, noblewomen hundreds of li away in the distant capital? If he was to help, he had to see it through to the very end! Bringing He Weifang directly back to his own manor—that was the only way to resolve this once and for all!
Having come to this conclusion, Wei Tingyu did not immediately dampen Dou Zhao's enthusiasm. Instead, he nodded and said, "Zhao'er, your method is well conceived! Let's do this: rather than wait until tomorrow, we shall go to the Liu family this very night and request lodging for a single evening!"
"Go this very night?" Dou Zhao and her companions were momentarily stunned. They hadn't expected the Lord Marquis to be even more decisive and swift than they had imagined!
"Oh, and one more thing! Since we've come all the way to the Eastern Capital, how about we procure a few sets of Eastern Capital-style garments for my dear ladies? Before we proceed to the Liu residence, let us first take a stroll through the marketplace. We can pay our visit to the Liu family after sunset!" Wei Tingyu nodded, then planted a light kiss on each of the three ladies' cheeks before continuing with a satisfied air, "The Liu family, as you know, was originally demoted from the Imperial Capital to this Eastern Capital. How could they not yearn to return? Now, with distinguished personages from the capital paying them a visit, they will be overjoyed, to say the least! They will undoubtedly welcome us with open arms and great enthusiasm!"
"Excellent, excellent! My Lord Marquis, that is a splendid idea! Let us go this very night!" Dou Zhao's eyes curved into joyful crescents as she laughed. Of course, apart from the prospect of lending support to that Elder Sister Mudan, what was even more delightful was that their Lord Marquis was willing to take the three of them to browse the marketplaces and purchase new garments!
Shopping for clothes—it was a temptation that women from any era found utterly irresistible! Thus, at this moment, both Miao Ansu and Zhao Zhangru's eyes were also sparkling with unconcealed excitement.
Naturally, for Wei Tingyu, spending such a trifling sum of money was of no concern. Moreover, when he imagined Dou Zhao, Miao Ansu, and Zhao Zhangru all arrayed in Tang-dynasty style dresses, standing side-by-side... the sensation... Waah-sai! And in the end, wouldn't he be the one to fully savor that delightful sight?