Chapter Ninety-Two: I'm Coming for You

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After Wang Erlang escorted Wen Jing to the entrance of the Wen residence and said his farewells, he was about to leave.

“Young Master Wang, you’ve reached the door and yet don’t come in to sit for a while. Are you finding our home too humble?” Madam Wen smiled.

Wang Erlang repeatedly waved his hands, his face full of apologies: “Certainly not...”

“Then have dinner with us before leaving. Otherwise, Master Wang might think the Wen family lacks proper etiquette,” Madam Wen continued, smiling.

Wang Erlang nodded and stopped declining. Together, they all entered the Wen estate.

During the meal, Wen Qiran and Wang Erlang chatted and laughed, looking every bit like a father-in-law and son-in-law.

Madam Wen, observing Wen Qiran's enthusiastic demeanor, couldn’t help but recall not long ago, Wen Qiran had likewise laughed and talked with the young lord. Truly, life is unpredictable. She had been envious of Seventh Miss for a long time. Although the Wang family had a good background, she always felt that Wang Erlang was still a far cry from the young lord.

“Seventh sister is truly fortunate; it makes us sisters envious,” whispered Ninth Miss Wen.

“Then how about you marry into that family, Ninth Miss?” Wen Jing smiled slightly as she looked at Ninth Miss Wen.

Ninth Miss’s expression changed, half playful, half shy: “Seventh sister, you can’t joke about that. Even if Ninth Miss wanted to marry in, the Wang family wouldn’t accept me. Master Wang is so fond of Seventh Miss.”

“I think Young Master Wang is quite good—well-educated, gentle by nature. In the future, he’ll certainly listen to Seventh Miss,” Eighth Miss glanced at Wang Erlang not far away.

“You’re restless even during a meal, all of you not yet married off. Recklessly judging men like this—quiet now! If anyone overhears, what kind of propriety is this?” Madam Wen half scolded.

The women immediately bowed their heads and ate silently.

Madam Ping glanced at Madam Wen: “If Eighth Miss can find a family like that one day, I would be satisfied.”

Eighth Miss blushed: “Eighth Miss won’t marry. Eighth Miss will always stay by Mother’s side.”

Madam Ping shot Eighth Miss a sharp look: “Eat your food and keep quiet.”

Concubine Cui looked at Madam Ping and Madam Wen, thinking inwardly that Madam Wen had not obstructed this marriage. She had a feeling this matter was not so simple. If Fifth Miss could find a good family in the future, she would do everything in her power to prevent Lady Liu from causing trouble.

After the wine had been passed around several times, Wang Erlang began to feel slightly intoxicated, and Wen Qiran’s gaze grew somewhat unfocused.

“Erlang, you must treat my Seventh Miss well from now on. She lost her mother young, and as her father, I’m seldom home. If she does anything wrong in the future, you must be understanding and not let her suffer in silence,” Wen Qiran droned on.

Wang Erlang nodded repeatedly, half sober, half dazed.

“I heard you once mentioned a marriage proposal before. Is that true?” Wen Qiran, emboldened by the wine, continued questioning.

Wang Erlang hesitated briefly: “Yes, it was the granddaughter of Grand Tutor Xu, but later...”

Wen Qiran had not intended to ask further but reconsidered. Since this concerned his daughter’s lifelong matter, it was better to clarify: “Why didn’t it work out later?”

“That was years ago. Later, because Grand Tutor Xu and the ancestors had political disagreements, so...” Wang Erlang explained.

Wen Qiran nodded; he seemed to recall something like that. Since it wasn’t Wang Erlang’s fault, he did not press further. In the officialdom, there were no permanent enemies or friends; as long as interests dictated, alliances and enmities frequently changed.

“It’s late. Your nephew will take his leave first.” Wang Erlang staggered to his feet but then plopped back down, feeling dizzy. He was not adept at drinking and had become drunk after only a few sips.

“Why not stay the night here? You can leave in the morning. I’ll send someone to inform the Wang residence,” Wen Qiran suggested. Then he turned to Madam He, “He Ma, prepare a guest room for the young master.”

“Yes, sir.”

Wang Erlang was already somewhat incoherent, so a few servants helped him to the guest room.

...

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Wen Jing was surprised to see Wang Erlang appear early in the courtyard.

Wang Erlang kept rubbing his head and blushed when he saw Wen Jing.

“Good morning, Young Master Wang,” Wen Jing smiled.

“Good morning, Seventh Miss. I’m not much of a drinker... I embarrassed myself last night,” Wang Erlang said awkwardly.

“No worries, it’s all Father’s fault for urging you to drink.”

“Already about to marry out and blaming your father now? Truly, girls grow up and leave; keeping them only breeds resentment,” Wen Qiran suddenly appeared before them.

Wen Jing looked helplessly at her father: “Father...”

Wang Erlang’s face flushed even deeper: “Uncle, please don’t blame Seventh Miss. She didn’t mean it.”

Wen Qiran exchanged a knowing glance with Wang Erlang and Wen Jing, then walked away.

“I’m heading to the Court of Justice first,” Wen Jing said to Wang Erlang.

“I’ll escort you,” Wang Erlang hurriedly offered, adding, “I’m going back anyway; it’s on the way.”

Wen Jing nodded.

At the gate of the Court of Justice.

Amid the noisy commotion outside, Wen Jing was surprised to see dozens of burly servants shouting, “Release our young master!”

“Court of Justice is handling a case. Keep quiet, or you’ll all be arrested!” several guards lined up blocking the gate.

Wen Jing tried to pass by, but two servants suddenly stepped back and bumped into her.

She twisted her ankle and stumbled sideways.

“Seventh Miss!” Wang Erlang rushed over and caught her.

The servants glanced at them but pretended not to see and continued pushing forward.

“Please, make way!” Wang Erlang shouted at the crowd.

The group ignored him, not even sparing a glance.

Wen Jing sighed and stepped back a few paces.

Wang Erlang shouted again with no response, growing angry: “You wild ruffians! So rude!”

Wen Jing half-smiled bitterly—truly a scholar meets soldiers; reason cannot prevail.

Just as tensions reached a breaking point, Ji Changge suddenly appeared at the gate, coldly commanding: “One more step forward, and I’ll shoot to kill. If anyone dies, it’s on me!”

The guards drew their swords in unison; the gleaming blades shone menacingly in the rising sun.

All the servants ceased their noise, exchanging looks. They were used to bullying others behind their masters’ backs. Most would flee at the sight of this. Moments like this—where life was at stake—were rare. They only wanted to enjoy the spoils, not risk their lives. Ji Changge’s stern demeanor and his willingness to detain even their young master signaled he meant business. Killing a few servants was nothing...

Ji Changge’s gaze rested briefly on Wen Jing and Wang Erlang before turning and entering.

Seeing the ruffians subdued, Wen Jing took a step but suddenly gasped.

“Seventh Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Looks like I twisted my ankle. It’s nothing serious. My medicine box is inside; I’ll go fetch some herbal wine to rub on it.”

“I’ll help you in,” Wang Erlang said, supporting her arm as they entered together.

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“On what grounds are you arresting me?!”

Wen Jing stared at the furious man, evidently the master of those thugs outside.

Wang Erlang was surprised: “They’ve actually brought him here directly...”

“And who is that man?”

“That’s Lu Yi, the one I mentioned to you last night,” Wang Erlang answered.

Wen Jing studied the man again—tall and burly with a coarse face, now even more menacing in his rage. No wonder He Yunxiu refused to marry him. Perhaps He Ruiguang liked that type, since he himself was similar.

“Just for refusing to cooperate with the Court’s investigation?” Ji Changge asked coldly.

“I told you before, that bitch’s death has nothing to do with me! What more do you want?” Lu Yi shouted furiously.

“Words alone don’t prove anything. We need a detailed statement. Where were you on the 13th of this month?” Ji Changge asked impassively.

Lu Yi struggled to stand but was shoved down by Ding Wu. Though imposing, Lu Yi was no match for Ding Wu’s strength. Begrudgingly, he spat out three words through clenched teeth: “Lan Yue Pavilion.”

Lan Yue Pavilion was the capital’s largest and most famous brothel, known to all present.

“What were you doing at Lan Yue Pavilion? Anyone to vouch for you?” Ji Changge continued.

Lu Yi sneered: “You’re a man too, don’t you know why one goes to a brothel? To enjoy the view?”

“Any witnesses?” Ji Changge ignored the taunt and pressed on.

“The entire Lan Yue Pavilion can vouch for me,” Lu Yi boasted.

“When was the last time you met He Yunxiu?” Ji Changge persisted.

Lu Yi laughed coldly: “I don’t remember. I only met that bitch a few times. She put on this pure and untouchable white lotus act but secretly had an affair with a scholar. Hmph! Even if I never marry, I wouldn’t marry that trash. Don’t know how many cuckold hats she’d bring me.”

Wen Jing looked at Lu Yi with disgust. Thankfully, He Yunxiu never married him; otherwise, life would have been worse than death.

Lu Yi suddenly chuckled, his gaze sly as he looked at Ji Changge: “I heard that Seventh Miss Wen, who used to be desperate to marry the young lord, is to marry that Wang Erlang next month. Tsk tsk.”

Ji Changge’s eyes darkened, a flash of murderous intent shining through.

Lu Yi saw Ji Changge’s sudden change and added: “If there is to be a cuckold, it’ll be Wang Erlang’s hat to wear, haha.”

“Smack!”

Lu Yi felt a burning sting across his face. Looking up, he saw a stern-faced woman standing before him, looking down disdainfully.

“How dare you hit me, you stinky—”

“Smack!” Wen Jing delivered another slap.

“Who are you?” Lu Yi was stunned by the two slaps. Though he’d been hit by women before, this one was a stranger.

Wen Jing sneered: “I am the Seventh Miss Wen you mentioned.”

Lu Yi suffered a humiliating defeat. He had only wanted to provoke Ji Changge but hadn’t expected Seventh Miss Wen to be present. Even more surprising, standing beside her was Wang Erlang, scowling darkly.

“Who dares to arrest my son!”

Suddenly, a cold voice rang out from outside.