Her guards

Chapter 65 Seeking Help in the Middle of the Night

The capital city became unusually quiet late at night.

The clatter of hooves echoed through the street, as if striking his heart, and Duke Ding'an felt suffocated.

However, when the sound of hooves pounding on one's heart increases and becomes as dense as rain, it becomes irritating.

"Commander of the Guards".

Duke Ding'an turned his head to look at the group of embroidered men following behind him.

The torches blazed fiercely, and the black clothes gleamed with gold. The young man at the very front, in particular, looked even more beautiful in the lamplight, but it was also unsettling.

"Is there anything else you can do?"

Wei Jiao did not answer, but asked curiously, "Does Your Excellency really intend to go to the palace in the middle of the night to knock on the door and beg for forgiveness?"

The newly arrived niece and maid were crying and determined to confess their crimes. The Duke and Duchess of Ding'an stopped them and tried to persuade Liu Changqing to continue impersonating someone else. Liu Changqing refused and cursed the Duke and Duchess of Ding'an. He was so indignant that he wanted to report them to the authorities on the spot. The Duke and Duchess of Ding'an apologized and, with Liu Chan pleading for them, managed to stop them.

The Duke and his wife then asked Liu Changqing for more time so they could explain the situation to the palace: "The princess's companion was arranged by the emperor and empress. Even if it is all my child's fault, the emperor and empress will surely lose face."

Liu Changqing agreed, and was then persuaded by his daughter Liu Chan to rest at the Duke of Ding'an's residence.

After settling the Liu family in, Duke Ding'an didn't care that it was the middle of the night and didn't even bother to take a carriage; he simply rode off on horseback.

Wei Jiao, who had been watching the whole commotion from the Duke of Ding'an's residence, also came out.

Of course, the Duke of Ding'an did not go directly to see the emperor.

“How can we disturb His Majesty in the middle of the night?” he said.

But he couldn't stay silent about where they were going; Wei Jiao's actions clearly indicated that she intended to follow him everywhere.

“I will go see Marquis Yichun first and ask him to inform Her Majesty the Empress and make preparations,” said Duke Ding’an, sighing heavily. “I have no face to see His Majesty for my child doing such a thing.”

Wei Jiao nodded: "Having a child like this in the family is a headache. This is just the beginning. I think the Duke will have a lot more headaches to deal with in the future."

"That's for sure," thought Duke Ding'an, his brows furrowing. But he quickly regained his composure and glared at Wei Jiao.

What does this have to do with him!

To be honest, he was still a little confused. Why did Wei Jiao appear outside his house, then follow him inside, sit and listen to the commotion the whole time, and then follow him out again, seemingly intending to continue following him...

Because things happened so suddenly, and a bunch of unbelievable things came rushing in—the imposter Liu Chan, the sister's daughter, the young lady being a maid, the guard being a young lady—his mind was in complete chaos, while Wei Jiao, caught up in the confusion, overlooked everything.

Looking back now, it seems Wei Jiao was also involved in this? He asked her outside the door whether it was Miss Liu or not.

If he hadn't used the knife, the child wouldn't have revealed his identity.

Also, when Wei Jiao spoke to his niece, who was dressed as a woman, he mentioned Baima Town.

Duke Ding'an shivered.

"The captain already knew them?" he asked in a hoarse voice. "Did he find out... that they were impersonating Miss Liu?"

Wei Jiao smiled and said, "When I met them, they were young ladies from the Yuan family..."

"What an unlucky child! How did I end up running into Wei Jiao?" Duke Ding'an thought to himself, annoyed, as he heard Wei Jiao's voice continuing to ring in his ears.

"...and it's located near Lu County."

Wei Jiao stared at Duke Ding'an, who was not good at hiding his emotions. With these words, he stiffened.

"...Since they like impersonation so much, I wonder who else they've impersonated?"

"...I heard that in Baima Town, Lu County, there is the deceased young master's sister and niece."

I can't listen to this anymore.

"The Commandant is overthinking it!" Duke Ding'an quickly interrupted him. "She said before that she knew about the Yuan family as relatives, so she just borrowed them without thinking too much about it. As for my younger sister's family..."

His voice became hoarse.

"Because of the family's misfortune, he was not mentioned for many years, and the younger generation in the family did not even know that he existed."

When people hear of misfortune in their family, they will naturally know to avoid the situation.

But Wei Jiao is clearly no ordinary person.

"What family misfortune is it?" he asked curiously, his eyes full of interest. He urged his horse forward, looking as if he wanted to hear the Duke of Ding'an explain in detail.

Duke Ding'an cursed inwardly. "We'll talk about this later," he said, pointing ahead. "I'd better see Marquis Yichun as soon as possible so he can go to the palace to see the Empress before the morning court session."

Having said that, he urged his horse to gallop.

Wei Jiao didn't stop him, and urged his horse to catch up, saying warmly and considerately, "I'll knock on the door for you, sir. It's not easy to knock on the door of the Marquis of Yichun's family, lest they look down on you and refuse to open the door."

This man surnamed Wei is indeed a madman. Every word he says is unpleasant. Duke Ding'an was holding his breath, wondering who was looking down on him and how they were so sure that he was being looked down upon and wouldn't be allowed to open the door.

But we can't afford any more complications now. If we anger Wei Jiao, he could arrest us and bring us directly to the emperor...

He couldn't imagine what kind of chaos it would be.

Although the child seemed to know nothing, that jade pendant…

The Duke of Ding'an was in a state of panic. He ignored Wei Jiao who was following him and spurred his horse straight to the Marquis of Yichun's residence.

.......
.......
The Yichun Marquis's residence was brightly lit, and servants gathered in the courtyard.

Chai Yuan, the third son of the Marquis of Yichun, with disheveled hair and wearing a nightgown, held a sword in his hand and looked at Wei Jiao with an unfriendly expression.

"Wei Jiao, are you here to confiscate my property by imperial decree?" he shouted.

Other families might be terrified of Wei Jiao, but the Chai family wouldn't be.

Even if it's done by imperial decree...

The Chai family isn't something that can be raided.

Wei Jiao showed none of the ferocious and menacing demeanor he had displayed when he banged on the door earlier, and instead pushed the Duke of Ding'an out.

“Third Master Chai has misunderstood,” he said. “I was knocking on the door on behalf of Lord Ding’an.”

He then made faces and winked.

"Something terrible has happened to the Duke of Ding'an."

Chai Yuan took a deep breath and temporarily shifted his gaze to the Duke of Ding'an.

The Duke of Ding'an said urgently, "I need to see the old Marquis about the important matter of the princess's companion."

What kind of big deal is this?!

Chai Yuan almost choked on his breath.

"Yang Bin, don't push your luck. Your daughter's little troubles just keep going on and on." he shouted.

The Duke of Ding'an was not afraid of his reprimand by name. His face turned red and he stomped his feet, saying, "My daughter is a princess's companion. Her affairs are the princess's affairs. Let me see the old marquis immediately. We can't delay."

Just as Chai Yuan was about to say something, a servant rushed in and said that the old Marquis wanted the Duke of Ding'an to come in and speak.

Without waiting for Chai Yuan's permission, Duke Ding'an hurriedly went inside, with Wei Jiao following closely behind, but was stopped by the servant.

"Commander Wei, the Marquis said to ask you to wait a moment. Since this is a matter concerning the Duke of Ding'an, let him speak first."

Wei Jiao nodded with a smile, "Okay." She looked around and sat down on a set of steps in the courtyard. "I'll wait a moment."

……

.......
Only one lamp was lit in the Marquis of Yichun's bedroom.

Marquis Yichun was also wearing his nightgown, standing in the room, dazed and confused.

After listening to the incoherent and rambling account of the Duke of Ding'an, he took a sip of tea before speaking slowly.

"So, the child didn't die and came to the capital?"

His slightly cloudy eyes looked at Duke Ding'an in the dim light.

"What are you planning to do about it?"

Duke Ding'an raised his head and gritted his teeth, saying, "I came directly to see you to hear your orders. We will do whatever you say we should do."

Marquis Yichun put down his teacup. Although his face was not visible in the dim light, his voice was filled with laughter.

“You are much more sensible than your father. With you here, the future of the Ding’an Duke’s Mansion is secure.”

(End of this chapter)