The daughter from the Qi Family requests an audience?
Yuchi was quite puzzled. Only after his father's reminder at the door did Yuchi realize that the person was Qi Yuan'Er.
So why did she come to the Wei Mansion?
Is she like other family heirs, just here to build connections?
If that's the case, Yuchi thought it would be rather dull.
But when the maid mentioned that Qi Yuan'Er explicitly requested to meet him, Yuchi was even more helpless.
He had his own Five-Finger Lady and could visit the brothel; he didn't need to trade the business association for a moment's pleasure.
He understood the difference between being full once and being full all the time.
"Little Ximo, you play here with father, uncle has some business to attend." Yuchi patted little Ximo on the forehead.
No matter what, go and take a look.
At least she's a beauty, give her some face.
"Daddy! Are you going to find that sister who has a butt in the front?"
Little Ximo pouted, speaking innocently.
"Sister's so pretty!"
"Sister's so beautiful!"
"Sister can feed little Ximo and also feed daddy!"
"So nice~"
Out of the mouths of babes.
After speaking, the maid was dumbfounded.
Looking at Yuchi with eyes full of shock.
Was the third young master of their house really this bold, saying such things in front of a little girl?
Yuchi, "?"
I...
Damn!
Seeing the people nearby looking at him with strange eyes, he raised his hands in surrender, "I swear, this wasn't something I taught her."
"I, Wei, use the happiness of the rest of my life to swear!"
"It must be second brother usually talking nonsense and leading little Ximo astray!"
A classic move to blame others.
Yuchi looked very angry, patting little Ximo on the head while casting a sidelong glance at the bewildered Wei Fei.
"Second brother, be careful in the future, don't say such things in front of children." he said righteously.
Wei Fei, caught in the crossfire.
Afterward, little Ximo was carried around the mansion by Wei Fei.
One could still hear little Ximo's "ow ow" cries.
Father Wei Xubing laughed heartily.
He himself couldn't hold on anymore and needed to rest.
Leaving behind elder brother Wei Zhe, who followed his third brother to the meeting hall with the maid.
Watching the gradually rising moon in the distance, Wei Zhe looked at Yuchi in disbelief.
"Third brother, it's so late, why is someone from the Qi Family still coming?" Wei Zhe couldn't understand.
"I don't know." Yuchi smiled, "Hopefully it's not business, otherwise it would be too boring."
...
Inside the meeting hall.
The two almost simultaneously stepped over the threshold and entered, with the lanterns casting a warm glow illuminating the entire hall.
Inside sat a girl wrapped in layers of scarves.
The girl sat with perfect posture on the chair, hands on her knees, appearing both graceful and peculiar.
What.
Is Qi Yuan'Er imitating ladies from the Exotic Realm?
Yuchi was puzzled but took the initiative to speak, "Miss Qi, I've heard you have business with our Wei Mansion?"
After speaking, he had already walked up to her.
With the lanterns illuminating the beams, Yuchi initially marveled at such a maiden like Qi Yuan'Er. If she were married into his family.
The children would at least be well nourished.
However, the playful thoughts didn't last a breath or two before Yuchi noticed something off about Qi Yuan'Er.
Autumn had just begun.
Now he, Yuchi, was in a black single-layer garment, feeling a bit hot, so why wasn't she feeling hot wearing so much?
It's said women are made of water, but they aren't made of ice.
Besides, when Qi Yuan'Er used to visit him, she didn't wear such clothes, they were dresses.
Then Yuchi immediately sensed something was wrong.
He glanced at his elder brother making tea nearby, and the maid not far off, saying, "Brother, leave this to me."
"People from the yamen might come by later."
"It's Xun Xian."
"Help arrange accommodations for her."
"Ah, alright!" Wei Zhe nodded, putting down the teacup.
Proficiently closing the door behind him.
Although he didn't know what was happening, his third brother wasn't someone to make fusses.
Thus, only Yuchi and Qi Yuan'Er were left in the meeting hall.
Yuchi, "Apologies."
His fingers paused on her scarf.
His attention fixed on the blood stains on the scarf for a moment, taking off the loops one by one.
Then.
Under the lantern's light, his brows furrowed tightly.
The firelight danced in his eyes.
Was the person in front of him still Qi Yuan'Er?
Her cheeks were battered by something causing purplish bleeding, her body covered in bruises.
Her joints were a horrific sight.
One leg curled up, looking as if recently tortured.
Her hair was smeared with blood, her head bleeding heavily.
Too horrible to describe, truly harrowing.
Qi Yuan'Er saw Yuchi.
Her blank, confused gaze gradually cleared.
Then.
Suddenly, she knelt painfully, repeatedly kowtowing to him, "Master, I beg you to spare our Qi Family..."
Yuchi was stunned for a moment.
His gaze held a hint of fierceness.
The fierceness vanished instantly.
He didn't respond with words, instead producing an elixir in his hand, parting her bloodied lips as she trembled in terror.
"Be good, eat this."
"Master, I beg you..."
"Eat it."
Yuchi commanded with a note of order.
The elixir entered her body, and Yuchi took the warm teapot, pouring a cup of tea.
Setting the tea on the adjacent table, Yuchi frowned as he gazed at the distressed young woman, truly a lamentable sight.
But the problem wasn't severe, this elixir could even save Qian Wenshi's life, let alone Qi Yuan'Er's mortal body.
Watching her cry while sipping warm tea.
Yuchi fell into deep thought.
Should he ask for specifics?
Some things were evident, asking would be blindness.
Silence lingered in the meeting hall for a while.
As the elixir took effect, Yuchi carefully rewrapped her scarves one by one.
In her trembling fear, he hid her completely.
"Rest assured, besides me, no one in the Wei Mansion knows about your situation."
"Leave the following matters to me."
Yuchi extended his hands to Qi Yuan'Er, squatting on the ground, looking up at the girl sitting on the chair.
Qi Yuan'Er felt a bitter sorrow in her heart.
Amidst trembling fear, she placed her hand in Yuchi's.
"Mm."
Yuchi pursed his lips and smiled gently, then amidst her startled exclamation, directly swept her up.
The door opened.
Yuchi looking at the beautiful Wei Mansion under the moonlight, calmly said, "Wait for me in my room, we'll discuss specifics later."
"Don't worry, the elixir will heal your pain, the effect is strong. An hour later, you'll be completely recovered."
Feeling her despair and fear, Yuchi joked lightly.
"If by then you truly wish to give yourself to me, please greet me in your best state."
"I'm quite strong, you might not withstand my assault."
"Fainting wouldn't be good."
Using shyness to cover her fear, this was Yuchi's current plan.
The expressions on Qi Yuan'Er's face beneath her scarves couldn't be seen, her delicate body curled up like a small kitten in Yuchi's arms.
When her breathing calmed and she collected herself.
Still echoing in Yuchi's ears were Qi Yuan'Er's humble requests.
Essentially very simple.
As long as Yuchi allowed the Qi Family's business to resume normally, she was willing to do anything.
In truth.
If it were usual times, Yuchi might jest a bit, like complimenting Qi Yuan'Er's figure.
But now he had no interest at all.
The reason was straightforward.
"The Qi Family is threatening the business association."
This old man had indeed cornered himself.
Soon.
After settling Qi Yuan'Er, Yuchi closed the door and left.
Instructing the guards to oversee the courtyard, he had to go out.
To the Qi Family!