The Zhuang family was overjoyed. Wei Tingyu had just been promoted from Marquis of Jining to Duke of Wei for his service in the southwest, and he was currently the Emperor's favorite. He was also young and handsome. Seeing him, the two women of the Zhuang family had an idea they had never dared to consider before. This was why they had sent their second daughter, Zhuang Yushan, to serve him tea.
Zhuang Yushan, however, had her own suitor in mind and was not interested in Wei Tingyu. She couldn't deny his charm, but her heart belonged to another. She was unhappy with her grandmother and mother's plans, but she couldn't refuse.
"My husband is busy with official business today, so he is not home," Zhou Ruyin, Zhuang Yushan's mother, said with a smile, after her daughter served the tea and failed to say anything to impress the Duke. "Please forgive our poor hospitality."
"Duke, Duke... calling a man so young a Duke, they'll make him sound old," Zhuang Yushan muttered to herself, her rebellious nature showing.
"Yushan!" Zhou Ruyin heard her daughter's remark and quickly scolded her in a low voice.
Zhuang Yushan was startled, but seeing that Wei Tingyu didn't seem angry, she stuck out her tongue, bowed slightly, and retreated behind her mother. This was a deliberate act. She knew that if Wei Tingyu wanted her, her family would happily marry her off to him, even as a concubine.
"Please forgive my daughter, Duke," Zhou Ruyin said to Wei Tingyu. "She has been spoiled since childhood and has no manners in front of a nobleman. I will punish her later and make sure she learns her place."
Wei Tingyu found her attempts at selling her daughter amusing. He was tempted to teach this stubborn girl a lesson, but his main focus was Zhuang Hanyan, the true heroine of this story.
"You know, Duke, my family name is also Wei," the Zhuang family matriarch, Madam Wei, interjected, trying to claim a connection. "We might be family from five hundred years ago. Thank the heavens that our Wei family has produced a talent like you, a Duke!"
Zhou Ruyin and Zhuang Yushan rolled their eyes at the matriarch's clumsy attempt.
"What a coincidence," Wei Tingyu said with a smile. "I just happened to be passing your manor and picked up your third daughter. It must be fate."
"Huh?" Madam Wei and Zhou Ruyin were confused. What did he mean? He said he had a connection with Zhuang Hanyan? They couldn't deny it; the coincidence was too great. They never would have suspected it was all a setup by the disgraced third daughter.
"Is he interested in Zhuang Hanyan?" Zhou Ruyin thought, her mind in a panic. If Zhuang Hanyan were to enter the Duke's residence, her life would be over. Zhuang Yushan, too, was upset. She didn't want to marry the Duke, but the thought of Zhuang Hanyan receiving his attention was unbearable. She would be a cut above her.
Just then, a servant announced that Fu Yunxi, the Zhuang family's son-in-law, had arrived. Wei Tingyu checked the time. It had been almost a month since the deaths of Zhang Youcai and his wife. The local authorities in Danzhou had discovered the bodies and reported the case to the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice. As a junior minister in the Dali Temple, Fu Yunxi had to question Zhuang Hanyan, the sole witness—and suspect.
"I greet the Duke of Wei," Fu Yunxi said, bowing to Wei Tingyu first, then to the others. "I greet Grandmother! And Madam Zhou!"
"Brother Yunxi!" Zhuang Yushan's eyes lit up. She ran to him, looking at him with adoration. "Why are you here?"
Wei Tingyu was not surprised. He knew Zhuang Yushan had a crush on Fu Yunxi.
"Yushan!" Zhou Ruyin scolded, looking at Wei Tingyu to see his reaction. "The Duke is here! Don't be rude!" She didn't want Wei Tingyu to see her daughter's affection for Fu Yunxi and lose interest in her. She silently cursed her daughter for being so foolish. Wei Tingyu was a Duke; Fu Yunxi was just a junior minister. The difference in status was immense. Why couldn't her daughter see that?
Zhuang Yushan pouted and reluctantly went back behind her mother, but she couldn't stop herself from glancing at Fu Yunxi.
Wei Tingyu was unfazed. It was normal for a young girl to have a crush on a childhood friend. He was, however, about to embarrass her beloved in front of her.
"What brings you here, Minister Fu?" Wei Tingyu asked.
"I heard that the third miss has returned safely, and I came to see her," Fu Yunxi replied after a moment of hesitation.
Madam Wei and Zhou Ruyin nodded. The reason was plausible. It was reasonable for a family member to visit. But Zhuang Yushan was annoyed. She didn't like him paying attention to another woman.
Wei Tingyu, however, was not convinced. "Are you joking with me, Minister Fu?" he said, his eyes narrowing. "It's snowing outside. You would abandon your official duties just to visit a relative you've never met?"
Fu Yunxi was flustered. "I have something important to ask the third miss..."
"No," Wei Tingyu interrupted, waving his hand. Fu Yunxi, along with the three women, was stunned. Wei Tingyu, not even a family member, had rejected the request.
"The third miss fainted in my arms at your gate," Wei Tingyu said with a faint smile. "I have no other virtues, but I never do things halfway. Since I saved the third miss's life, I will see her through. She has just settled in and has not yet recovered. How can you be so eager to interrogate her? What if her condition worsens?"
Everyone was dumbfounded. They had never heard such a reason for meddling in someone's affairs. But his presence at the Zhuang manor made it seem plausible. Why else would a Duke be here?
Zhuang Hanyan had just finished a hot bath and changed into clean, dry clothes. Her face had regained its natural beauty, though her hands and feet were still red from frostbite.
"Miss..." after she dismissed the other servants, her grandmother's maid, Shu Hong, crept in and whispered in her ear.
"Now what? Should I go see him?" Zhuang Hanyan asked, her eyebrows furrowed. Shu Hong had told her that Fu Yunxi, the junior minister, had arrived.
"No need," Shu Hong said, shaking her head. "The Duke of Wei stopped him, saying you are too weak to be questioned."
"The Duke of Wei..." Zhuang Hanyan thought of the man who had held her in his arms. She couldn't forget the look in his eyes. But why would a Duke be interested in her, a beggar with a dirty face? He could have any woman he wanted. But he was indeed helping her. He had stopped Fu Yunxi's interrogation, which gave her time to prepare her story. She was grateful.
She had a plan. Instead of waiting for him to question her, she would take the initiative. Since the Duke of Wei was on her side, she could use his presence as a shield. She would meet Fu Yunxi now.
"Forgive me, Duke, but I must..." Fu Yunxi said, trying to stand his ground.
"Are you deaf?" Wei Tingyu frowned, his gaze intense. Fu Yunxi, a man who cared too much about his reputation, was not a brave man. He hesitated under the Duke's glare. "I..." he stammered, his resolve crumbling.
Zhuang Yushan, watching her "all-powerful" brother falter, was confused. This man, whom she had admired all her life, was yielding so easily.
Just then, Zhuang Hanyan and Shu Hong walked into the main hall. Zhuang Hanyan walked directly to Madam Wei, ignoring the stares of the others. She knelt down and said, "Granddaughter greets Grandmother." Her steps were weak, and she looked as if she might collapse at any moment. "I greet Madam Zhou! And Elder Sister!" she added, bowing to Zhou Ruyin and Zhuang Yushan.
Everyone in the room was surprised by her dignified demeanor.