"Call for help."
Since the old man had spoken, the two young masters of the Wei family dared not be careless and formally greeted their two cousins.
Wei Pingxi smiled and asked, "Cousin Yu and Cousin Qing, how have you been?"
Yan Ruqing was secretly saved by her and admired her for her remarkable inner strength as a woman. Seeing her thin figure sitting alone in a wheelchair, her dissatisfaction with the Wei family increased even more.
“I’m fine,” he said. “My elder brother and I came to see you and your aunt on our grandfather’s orders, and we also have a big gift for you.”
The two brothers glanced at the composed and steady Old Master Wei at the same time, and Yan Ruqing said loudly, "Where's the gift for my cousin? Bring it up!"
As the twelve mahogany chests were carried up one by one, Old Master Wei's eyelids twitched.
"This is a gift from your grandfather, father, and mother, to congratulate your cousin on taking a concubine in advance." Yan Ruyu said, "This young lady is quite beautiful. If I'm not mistaken, is she the one my cousin desires?"
The fourth young lady smiled and held the beauty's hand: "Cousin has good taste."
Looking at the twelve large red wooden chests, Yu Zhi felt apprehensive and had a dreamlike sense of unreality—was this how the famous Grand Tutor's family actually behaved?
Old Master Wei was so angry he gritted his teeth—that old bastard Yan Chun!
The Wei and Yan families were not as harmonious as people imagined. If the current Marquis of Yiyang had not fallen in love with the second daughter of the Yan family when he was young and insisted on marrying her, the in-laws might have become enemies.
Wei Pingxi sent a letter of complaint to the Grand Tutor's mansion, only to learn that Wei the Old Dog had broken his grandson's leg in a fit of rage, and that Grand Tutor Yan had been cursing him for three days straight, even pulling out two hairs from his beard.
A man who never uttered a word of bitterness wrote a page full of bitter tears. One can imagine what the Yan family must have thought. This forced out the two outstanding members of the Yan family, and led to the incident of them going to the door to smash Wei Er's clothes and forcing Wei San to draw his sword.
The Wei family was granted titles through martial prowess, yet they suffered a crushing defeat in the martial arts world, a real slap in the face to Old Master Wei.
Now, we not only want to slap Old Master Wei in the face, but we want to slap him until he's swollen.
Yan Ruyu's fox-like eyes crinkled with a smile, but after a moment her expression turned serious: "Grandfather said that the granddaughters of the Yan family don't care how others live, they only need to do what they want to do, as long as they don't violate the greater good of the world. What does it matter if the world is in chaos? If the sky falls, he will hold it up for you! It's just taking a concubine, who does it bother?"
He glanced sideways at the ashen-faced old man, Wei, and teased, "Grandfather also said, is one concubine enough? Do you want a few more? Only concubines? Do you want male concubines?"
Yu Zhi's fingers tightened suddenly, and she glared at him angrily!
Wei Pingxi didn't miss the beauty's glare, and smiled radiantly: "Grandfather is kind, please thank him for me. But..."
A slight ripple appeared in her bright eyes: "Don't you two cousins find my concubine beautiful?"
"I dare not look, I dare not look."
Yan Ruqing and Yan Ruyu waved their hands and said in unison, "How dare we look at our cousin's woman? Unlike some people... tsk! Shameless! They even covet our cousin's woman!"
This wasn't a reunion trip; if you're going to cause trouble, you have to abide by the basic rules of causing trouble.
The Yan family's twins were quite adept at using veiled insults and sarcastic remarks—Wei Er Gongzi was practically grinding his teeth in frustration.
The Yan family was fearless, relying on the power of the Empress and Grand Tutor Yan, and remained as domineering as ever.
Madam Wei remained as steady as Mount Tai, while Wei Pingxi smiled broadly.
"Grandfather, did you hear that?"
Old Master Wei stared intently at the mother and daughter, swallowing back the blood that had risen to his throat, and forced a smile: "Whatever you say."
Chapter 17 No More Pretense
"Oh dear, what a pity. I didn't make the old man so angry that he vomited blood. How am I going to explain this to my grandfather when I get home?"
Inside the courtyard of Jingzhe, Yan Ruqing crossed his legs, placed his long sword on the table, and as soon as he finished speaking, he received a glare from his aunt. His heart trembled: "Oh dear, that's what Grandfather instructed."
Clearing his throat, Young Master Yan stroked his beard, then suddenly slammed his hand on the table, startling Yu Zhi. Miss Wei smiled and gently touched the beautiful woman's slender wrist, soothing her sudden fright like a gentle spring breeze.
Then the young man said in a mature tone, "That old dog Wei! The mountains are high and the roads are far, and he dares to bully my precious Xixi just because I'm not here. My Yan family hasn't fallen yet!"
Grand Tutor Yan was 65 years old, strong and healthy, with a fiery temper. He was more fierce than others when he cursed, and he was an unconventional old man who was also wise and at peace with the world.
In Wei Pingxi's memory, his maternal grandfather was not tall, but when he cursed, who cared how tall he was? He didn't speak, but when he did, few could bear his curses.
His Majesty is young and rarely acts out, and no one in the court dares to speak out. Only Grand Tutor Yan, her maternal grandfather, risked his life to berate His Majesty in the Golden Palace, and managed to wake His Majesty up. After this incident, His Majesty respected Grand Tutor Yan even more, and all the civil and military officials admired Grand Tutor Yan for his fearlessness in the face of death for the country and the people.
The maternal grandfather cursed the paternal grandfather as "Old Dog Wei," while Wei Pingxi sat in a wheelchair, smiling but saying nothing.
Well said.
She gently stroked her legs, which were unable to move easily.
Yu Zhi wasn't as bold as her; the words went in one ear and out the other.
Yan Ruqing's demeanor was a true inheritance from his father, and as they were grandfather and grandson, Madam Wei saw her father's shadow in him, so she couldn't bear to be harsh on her nephew.
Since everyone in the Jingzhe Courtyard was one of her own, she handled it gently, saying, "You're just being cheeky."
The outrageous behavior was met with only one word from her: "talkative." This shows that her aunt and Grandpa Wei did not get along well.
The two brothers, Yan Ruyu and Yan Ruyu, quickly exchanged glances. Madam Wei laughed at their wild thoughts and scolded them, "What else is there to worry about? You've already come, done what you were supposed to do, and said what you were supposed to say. Aren't you paving the way for us, mother and son, in this Wei family?"
That's true.
The Yan family's twins came here to offer support. They gave them twelve mahogany chests, slapped them in the face, and made their words clear. Unless the Wei family truly wanted to oppose the Yan family and the Empress, they wouldn't act the same way as before, even if they had eight times the courage.
Yan Ruyu knew better than her second brother Yan Ruqing that her aunt was no pushover, so after a laugh, the matter was naturally dropped.
"How is Father's health?"
“Grandfather has always been in good health, but he was so angry this time that he has a headache. A mental illness requires a mental cure, so Aunt and Cousin will have to comfort him on the way back.” Yan Ruyu said, “Grandfather misses you very much.”
Madam Wei sighed, "Having been away from the capital for many years and become someone else's wife, freedom has become a luxury."
The Yan brothers didn't know how to respond to this, so Wei Pingxi instructed Emerald: "Go to the study and get the portraits of me and my mother."
"Yes, Miss."
Jade went away and then returned, carrying two scrolls in her arms.
As the scroll unfurled, Yan Ruqing praised, "I've long heard that my cousin is skilled in painting. This brushwork is enough to comfort my grandfather's longing for his daughter and grandson."
"Cousin, please take it."
Madam Wei watched the younger generation chatting animatedly with a smile, and suddenly realized that she hadn't seen such a scene in a long time.
During this time, she asked her elder brother who was at home. The Yan brothers answered her in detail. After learning that her brother was well and had a bright future, Madam Wei was relieved that they were maintaining their relationship and left with her people.
As soon as Madam Wei left Jingzhe Courtyard, Yan Ruqing couldn't contain herself any longer: "Cousin's leg—"
"No problem. Rest for two months and I guarantee you'll be back to your old self."
Not wanting to stare at her legs for too long, he looked away, his voice tinged with complaint: "The family was furious when they received your letter. Ruxiu and Ruying wanted to come too, but they were no match for me and my elder brother. Besides, when it comes to backing someone up, quality is more important than quantity. Too many people would just make us look like we're bullying the weak. Before my elder brother and I came, Father told us to make sure things were done perfectly. In my opinion, cousin, I think you've done a good job?"
"Very good."
"If you're willing, how about my cousin sparring with us? Wasn't she the one who saved me with the golden leaf before?"
Wei Pingxi looked up.
In the blink of an eye, the Yan family's twin beauties attacked her with their fingers as swords.
Yu Zhi, clinging to the back of the wheelchair, dared not move. The sharpness of the sword energy wrapped around her finger stung her face. Just when she could no longer bear it, Miss Wei made her move.
He used his immense internal force to forcefully shake the two apart.
Yan Ruqing took two steps back.
Yan Ruyu steadied herself, her hair slightly disheveled.
The two were stunned and speechless.
After a long while, Yan Ruqing burst into laughter, a hearty and joyful laugh: "Good! As expected of a member of the Yan family!"
Yan Ruyu, handsome as ever, was also smiling, his smile tinged with a hint of teasing: "Cousin, you're not pretending anymore?"
"I'm not pretending anymore." Wei Pingxi lightly touched her sleeve, the silver-embroidered cuffs were illuminated by the light, but it couldn't brighten her momentarily dark eyes. Her smile didn't reach her eyes, hiding an indescribable sarcasm: "Born to be rebellious, I can't pretend to be obedient. Since I'm not obedient, then I'll be obedient to the end."
"Well done, you're just being disobedient to the end!" Yan Ruyu clapped her hands in praise.
The Wei family was granted titles through martial prowess, and the prejudice of favoring sons over daughters was ingrained in their blood. Women were not allowed to practice martial arts. This family rule had been passed down for hundreds of years, but it was finally broken when Yan Qing married into the Wei family.
Wei Pingxi, thanks to his mother's favoritism, obtained the Wei family's secret martial arts technique from his father, and became the one who learned it the fastest and best among all the descendants in the courtyard.
In the past, I would hide my shortcomings and not want to offend my grandfather, but now that I'm willing to slap him in the face, what am I afraid of offending him for?
Having experienced two lifetimes, she truly possesses the best of everything; otherwise, how could she have the capital to make those martial arts practitioners who do not covet power and wealth owe her favors?
The two Yan brothers were the happiest when he said, "I'm not pretending anymore."
“I could tell when you came to stay with us three years ago. I never expected this…” Yan Ruqing had no airs of a gentleman and winked at me, “I never thought you were even better than I thought. If Grandfather knew this, he would be cured of all his ailments.”
He gave a thumbs up and sighed softly, "Amazing!"
Old Master Wei had hoped that one of his descendants would be a valiant warrior who would live up to the illustrious name of his ancestors, but in the end, none of the young men in the courtyard could defeat his most neglected granddaughter. It was truly a case of Heaven having eyes.
“My grandfather disliked my martial arts training,” Wei Pingxi said calmly, “but I’ve already learned it, and this martial art is ingrained in my bones and blood…”
She spread her hands, her eyes crinkling: "If I accidentally surpass my brothers, there's nothing I can do about it."
"Enough!" Yan Ruqing clutched her chest, clearly hurt. "You should say that to your three older brothers. Telling us is so hurtful!"
“It would be too much of an insult to them to tell them.”
The fourth young lady remained calm and composed, while Yan Ruqing laughed as she lay on the table: From the first time he met her, he had a feeling that his cousin was not a docile sheep. She had been pretending to be a sheep for so long that she stopped pretending and became sharp-tongued and really annoying.
"That's good."
Yes! Very good!
Yan Ruyu earnestly said, "Since you are a tiger, you must never turn back into a sheep."
Let's not even talk about a tiger roaring through the mountains and forests, but a tiger roaring throughout the entire Wei family would be fine, right? Even more powerful would be better, so we won't be bullied.
The cousins chatted and laughed, their words carrying the chill of autumn, like a sword that had been hidden for a long time finally about to be drawn, its sharpness overflowing, only stopping when it sliced off a piece of flesh.
Looking at the indifferent profile of the fourth young lady, Yu Zhi felt that she was both dangerous and formidable.
...
The two Yan brothers ultimately had other important matters to attend to and could not stay long. Their stay of half a month had already displeased Old Master Wei.
The two brothers didn't care what outsiders thought; in short, their time living at the Wei family's house was fantastic.
Having witnessed another side of my cousin, and seeing the subtle, lingering affection between her and Miss Yu, I felt truly embarrassed to disturb the young couple's tender moment.
Their presence here has prevented my cousin from fully enjoying her flirting with beautiful women; it's truly a sin.