Have You Written Your Will Today?
Chapter 172: Warning

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Warning

That night, Duke Wei Mansion was thrown into chaos.

All the servants set out to search together.

Duke Wei himself went to the government office to report to the officials. The missing person was the son of the Duke Mansion, so the officials did not dare to delay and promptly dispatched to seek out clues.

Soon, they reached the First-tier Sky Restaurant.

"Mr. Wei did dine at our First-tier Sky Restaurant. The guests who dined at the restaurant are all notable figures. After I ushered the young master to a private room, I was busy attending to other guests. I really did not pay much attention."

"Besides, after the Eldest Young Master and Second Young Master had their meal and settled the bill, they left. The account book is clearly marked, my lord, please see for yourself."

These were the words given by the shopkeeper.

And at the same time, the diners on the first floor also pointed out.

"I personally saw the Eldest Young Master leave the restaurant with the Second Young Master. There can be no mistake."

"Indeed, I also saw it. When the Eldest Young Master left the restaurant, I happened to be going in to dine. We just met and exchanged greetings."

After a round of searching, it turned out that they vanished out of thin air after leaving the restaurant.

The officials speculated that it must be the work of Duke Wei Mansion’s enemies.

While the government office was at a loss, the housekeeper of Duke Wei Mansion hurried over, breathless with sweat on his forehead, but without the leisure to straighten his clothes, he leaned over and whispered a few words in Duke Wei’s ear.

The anxious expression on Duke Wei’s face suddenly cleared, and he rushed back without even leaving a word.

The residence was brightly lit, and he strode towards the young master’s separate quarters. The servants in the Mansion were trembling with fear, anxious not to irritate him; even their footsteps dared not make a sound.

"What in the world happened?"

Housekeeper: "There’s panic in the Mansion. At the hour of Hai, Madam, with a heart full of sorrow and a collapsing spirit, wanted to wait in the young master’s room. As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw a sack thrown on the ground."

Not to mention Madam, even he was startled.

Feeling something was amiss, he quickly opened it.

"Is the young master still all right?"

"Lord, please be at ease, the young master’s life is not in danger. The Second Young Master has no injuries on his body, but the Eldest Young Master’s face, it seems to have been stung by poisonous bees."

If not for his clothes, who would dare recognize him as Wei Xiheng with his face swollen like a pig’s head?

It was truly ugly.

Ugly to the point of heart-wrenching.

Duke Wei, heavy with worries, had just entered the room when he heard Duchess Wei’s sobbing incessantly, a sound of profound sadness. His wife’s eyes were swollen from knowing their sons had encountered misfortune, and she had not stopped shedding tears.

The old woman by her side tried to comfort her.

"Madam, both young masters are unharmed, so please, don’t worry."

"Unharmed?"

This word clearly agitated Duchess Wei. With a shrill voice, she exclaimed: "My son was disappeared for no reason, and now he is even injured! How can that be called unharmed?"

"I don’t know which villain dares to be so blatant and arrogant! Once I find out, I will certainly flay his skin and pull his tendons, and even that will hardly appease my anger!"

"Zhao is still so young, he must have been frightened out of his wits. And look at Heng, he just recently recovered his health after much difficulty. It’s only been a few days since he went out and he’s already suffered like this!"

Upon hearing the footsteps, she rushed over.

"My Lord, you must seek justice for our two children."

"Bring that malevolent person to justice according to the law!"

Duke Wei, annoyed by her clamor, inquired about the condition of the two from the medical staff.

Medical Staff: "The Second Young Master is without issue, merely in need of some sedative soup medicine. The wounds on the Eldest Young Master’s face may need a month to heal. It’s only swollen like this now, it may be even more swollen tomorrow. We must prevent him from scratching it due to the pain and itch, otherwise, there is a fear that scars would remain."

After giving his detailed instructions, he went down to prepare the medicine.

Duchess Wei could not contain her heartache and kept worrying: "Lady Yan from the Governor Mansion, with the same birth year as Heng and compatible zodiac signs, I intended to bring Heng to propose this month."

With drums and trumpets, prearranged gifts were to be carried in chests, hauled to the Governor Mansion as a declaration to the public that Yan Mi would become a wife of the Wei Family.

Previously, they had exchanged birth information and also sent each other tokens of betrothal, which was good.

But, only when the man has sent a proposal and the woman has sent back a reply of acceptance, this is no longer merely a verbal agreement, but a formal engagement.

Now, let alone proposing marriage, even the wedding feast at Yongchang Marquis Mansion in a few days cannot be attended!

Who would not be angry?

Duke Wei looked at Wei Xiheng, who laid unconscious on the bed, his face swollen and uneven, and was taken aback.

He always felt that there was more to the situation than meets the eye.

Having been an official for many years, he had made quite a few enemies, and now he was aligned with the Crown Prince.

So, was it the Fourth Prince who made the move?

But it really didn’t make sense, as only Wei Xiheng was injured.

Then, who was trying to send him a warning in this manner?

And to what end?

————

Early the next day.

Before the morning court at Jinluan Hall.

The officials awaited Emperor He’s arrival.

During this time, Duke Wen stood beside Duke Wei. They held similar ranks and had interactions on normal occasions. Naturally, he felt compelled to express his concern.

"I also heard about last night’s dangerous incident. Is your nephew all right now?"

"Thank you for your concern, Xiheng is fine, he only suffered some minor injuries," Duke Wei said with a stifled voice.

As they conversed, others who were usually on good terms with Duke Wei also gathered around.

Fourth Prince Ji Wang’s gaze swept past the Crown Prince: "This matter must be thoroughly investigated to find the culprits. How can we allow villains to run rampant under the Emperor’s feet?"

That glance, when caught in Ji Zhui’s eyes, was seen as a provocation.

A breath of sullen air found no outlet for release.

Indeed, he had done many unclean deeds, but as of late, due to Princess Le Jia, he had been extra cautious and low-profile. How could he openly harm a person from Duke Wei’s residence?

Besides, Duke Wei was his man.

Was he out of his mind?

He even suspected that it was Ji Wang who had dealt the malicious blow!

"It must be investigated thoroughly, lest the villains are emboldened and act unchecked," Ji Zhui said with an implication, "What do you think, Fourth Brother?"

Ji Wang didn’t respond but merely smiled enigmatically. He had achieved his goal.

If the Eastern Palace fared poorly, it would only benefit him more.

This commotion was quite interesting to Prince Gong, who viewed it with enjoyment. In his eyes, both Ji Wang and Ji Zhui, who looked down upon his son Ji Huo, were no good.

Even he himself didn’t think much of Ji Huo.

He also felt regret.

He leaned in toward the Duke and said, "What a pity."

The Duke preferred not to listen, figuring nothing good ever came out of Prince Gong’s mouth.

"That Wei boy has vanished, if only he would disappear for three or five years. That way, my son could take the opportunity to marry Lady Yan."

The Duke: ...

Xie Xun by his side couldn’t help but laugh.

Prince Gong then assessed Xie Xun: "You still have the mood to laugh; later on, you may be the one crying."

Xie Xun stood there, his demeanor gentle and refined, not alarmed or anxious upon hearing these words.

Prince Gong couldn’t help but feel jealous again.

All sons, but why was the one from his house the most useless and incompetent? Yet upon further reflection, he couldn’t help but feel a sting of melancholy mixed with a sliver of meager joy.

It was exactly because of his lack of success.

Fools have their own kind of fortune, that might be the only good part, right?

Just then, some commotion from outside caught their attention. They saw Cui Yunrong with a stern face, holding an imperial tablet, his figure in a red robe that made him look as polished as jade.

His expression indifferent and unapproachable, he made a beeline straight for Duke Wei.