Chapter 44 - A Dilemma (2/2)

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.