Zhuang Yuchi was about to argue, but Madam Wei glared at him, and he swallowed his words. "Who do you think the Duke of Wei is?!" she bellowed. "His concern for Hanyan is a blessing for her and for the entire Zhuang family! Don't say another word! Go back to your new courtyard now!"
It was the first time in years that Madam Wei had given a direct order, and she was doing so to ensure no one would disturb Wei Tingyu and Zhuang Hanyan's private conversation.
The servants understood. The events of the night were bound to leak, and it would soon be known throughout the capital that the Duke of Wei had visited Zhuang Hanyan late at night. The family would likely face ridicule, but the prospect of a marriage alliance with the Duke's family was well worth it.
Zhou Ruyin was unhappy with the turn of events, but she dared not defy her mother-in-law. She bowed her head and followed Madam Wei out.
Wei Tingyu, with his keen senses, already knew that a person was hiding behind the rockery, waiting for the right moment. The person's breathing pattern told him it was Chai Jing, Zhuang Hanyan's closest friend. According to the original plot, the two were planning a fake assassination. This was the perfect time for it.
Wei Tingyu's earlier display of strength was nothing for a skilled fighter, so Chai Jing would not be intimidated. Her plan would proceed as scheduled.
Zhuang Hanyan knew this was the best time. She couldn't get rid of Wei Tingyu, so she had to move the plan forward. She subtly touched the silver hairpin in her hair, the prearranged signal to Chai Jing.
Chai Jing sprang out from behind the rockery, her sword flashing under the candlelight. She lunged toward Zhuang Hanyan.
"Who's there?" Zhuang Hanyan, who was prepared, shouted. She grabbed a wooden box that Zhuang Yuchi had thrown and used it to block the sword. Their coordination was seamless.
The other people in the courtyard panicked. "Help! An assassin!" the maids screamed.
Zhuang Yuchi and the other servants, though men, were too scared to fight. Zhuang Yuchi was a coward at heart. He was brave enough to bully a girl, but faced with a real threat, he was terrified. The other servants were too timid to risk their lives.
Chai Jing, realizing her sword was blocked, lunged toward Madam Wei and Zhou Ruyin. But Zhuang Hanyan, in a show of bravery, threw the box and leaped in front of her grandmother. The sword slashed her clothes but did not break her skin.
Wei Tingyu had to suppress a laugh. Chai Jing's sword skills were impressive, especially her ability to control the distance. He would have to ask her for a lesson on how to cut clothes without harming the person.
The others in the courtyard were terrified. They believed Zhuang Hanyan had risked her life to protect her grandmother.
Chai Jing, however, was in a tough spot. Her plan called for her to escape, but with no one to fight, it would look too obvious if she just ran.
Just as Zhuang Hanyan wondered what to do, Wei Tingyu stepped in. He extended two fingers and a surge of powerful internal energy shot out, narrowly missing Chai Jing's face and exploding a water jug behind her.
Chai Jing felt a burning sensation on her cheek. The blast had not drawn blood, but it had left a red mark. She was shocked by Wei Tingyu's power. If the blast had hit her head, it would have been shattered. She turned and fled.
Zhuang Hanyan was startled. She exhaled in relief only when Chai Jing was gone and Wei Tingyu made no move to stop her.
"Madam! Madam!" the maids cried out, pulling her back to reality. Her grandmother had fainted. This was not part of the plan.
She glanced at Wei Tingyu, who was looking at her with a knowing expression. His eyes were deep, as if he could see through all her secrets. There was a faint smile on his lips, as if he knew all along.
She realized Wei Tingyu's move was not to stop Chai Jing but to give her an excuse to escape. He knew everything. The thought sent a chill down her spine. She hated the feeling of being in someone's control. She still didn't know what his intentions were. The uncertainty left her feeling suffocated.
A little later, in the main hall, Wei Tingyu, Zhou Ruyin, and Zhuang Hanyan were seated. Wei Tingyu sipped his tea and said, "I came to check on the Third Miss, but I witnessed a real show tonight."
He looked like a satisfied audience member who had just watched a great play. The Zhuang family members were embarrassed. In over a decade, nothing like this had ever happened. Now, it had happened in front of the Duke.
"It's just a family matter, Duke," Zhuang Hanyan said with a tight smile. "No need for you to worry." She was trying to get him to drop the subject.
"Third Miss, do you think it was Zhuang Yuchi who hired the assassin?" Wei Tingyu asked, his eyes fixed on her.
"Duke, there must be a misunderstanding," Zhou Ruyin said, standing up in a panic. She didn't want her son to be involved in this. If the Duke reported it to the authorities, it would bring in the Dali Temple and the emperor's men.
"It is strange," Zhuang Hanyan said calmly. "But my brother is not that cruel. We are blood relatives."
"You've just returned. How can you be so sure?" Wei Tingyu challenged her.
"It's just a guess," Zhuang Hanyan said softly, lowering her gaze.
Zhou Ruyin, surprised that Zhuang Hanyan was defending her son, nodded in agreement.
"Let go! I said let go!" Zhuang Yuchi's voice rang out from the front door. The servants were trying to stop him, but he was determined to get in. He strode in, his right hand bandaged. The doctor had said his hand would heal. This made him feel invincible again.
"It's the Barefoot Ghost who attracts trouble! It has nothing to do with me!" he yelled, glaring at Zhuang Hanyan and then at Wei Tingyu.
"Yuchi!" Zhou Ruyin said, exasperated.
Zhuang Hanyan ignored him, turning her head away. What was the point of arguing with a fool?
"What are you going to do? Put me on trial?" Zhuang Yuchi said, acting tough. "What crime have I committed?"
Wei Tingyu ignored him. He walked to Zhuang Hanyan, looked down at her, and asked the maids, "When the Third Miss and Zhuang Yuchi were arguing, did he threaten to kill her?"
The maids stiffened. They were scared. Zhuang Yuchi was known for abusing his servants.
Zhuang Yuchi, feeling confident, answered for them, "Yes, I did! So what?"
Everyone was dumbfounded. Did he not know who Wei Tingyu was? Did he not know that the Duke could have him arrested? Why was he so stupid?
"Duke," Zhou Ruyin said, "he was just saying it in anger. You can't take it seriously."
"A child?" Wei Tingyu said, raising an eyebrow. It seemed that in every era, parents used the same excuse for their spoiled children.