Chapter 489: Extra 5 (Wei Family): Ducks Are No Worse Than Mandarin Ducks

Chapter 489: Chapter 486: Extra 5 (Wei Family): Ducks Are No Worse Than Mandarin Ducks

Upon returning to Lin’an, Wei Ting was appointed as the Empress’s ceremonial officer, a clear sign of the deep trust the Emperor and Empress placed in him.

Shortly after, he was also appointed Grand Marshal, instantly becoming the most sought-after bachelor in the eyes of every noble lady in the Imperial City.

But Madam Wei no longer dared to play matchmaker carelessly.

The old woman could sense a change in her grandson. Wei Ting had grown increasingly silent and reserved, and it seemed nothing could stir his emotions. Even the smile he wore was faint.

Madam Wei asked, “He didn’t go to the Imperial City Envoy’s wedding banquet today?”

The old woman had heard that all the prominent figures in the Imperial City had gone to join the festivities, even the Emperor and Empress. Yet, Wei Ting was the only one who hadn’t.

Nanny Cao replied, “I heard from a servant boy that the young master is drinking in Xinyuan Hall.”

Madam Wei fiddled with her Buddha Beads and sighed. After a moment of contemplation, she seemed to come to a decision.

Her face grew stern. “Tell Liru to go see him.”

Nanny Cao was startled. ‘In the past, Madam Wei did everything she could to prevent those two from meeting in private. Has she had a change of heart and decided to try and matchmake them? But given the current situation, even if she relents, neither of them is in the right state of mind for that.’

Nanny Cao hesitated. “Madam, the young miss hasn’t left her courtyard since returning from the palace.”

Madam Wei said, “What a shame. Both of them, so young, yet so listless. They have less energy than an old woman like me.”

“Just tell her I’ve ordered her to bring him some sobering soup. She won’t be so tactless as to refuse.”

When Nanny Cao found Wei Liru, she was holding an embroidery hoop and stitching a design of mallards.

Never mind that young ladies from other families embroidered mandarin ducks; even if they chose a different subject, they would only stitch them in pairs. Two would be enough.

But Wei Liru was embroidering a whole flock—at least twenty of them.

A single curious glance from Nanny Cao was enough to find the scene visually jarring.

Wei Liru asked, “Nanny, what do you think of my embroidery?”

Nanny Cao said, “Young Miss, your needlework is famous throughout Lin’an. Your threadwork, stitching, and technique are all exceptional. This mallard embroidery is so lifelike.”

Wei Liru pointed to the green-headed mallard leading the flock. “This one is me.”

“In a certain someone’s eyes, we were all just mallards to begin with.”

Nanny Cao didn’t dare respond, her lips trembling. It would be disastrous if such words reached the palace.

Wei Liru, however, let out a cheerful laugh.

She had chosen not to remain a female official because she didn’t want to see the Emperor again, which would only bring more heartache.

The day after the imperial wedding, every word Ji Qingwu had spoken felt chiseled into her heart.

Then, a few days later, the Emperor dismissed his entire harem for Qingwu. Even the former princess of Anhua Palace, whom Liru had always considered her greatest rival, was swept out without a second thought.

Wei Liru had no desire to play the fool any longer. But she wasn’t so proud that she’d cling to her title as a concubine, only to be sent to a Royal Temple to pray for the rest of her lonely life.

She just needed some time to come to terms with everything.

Embroidering mallards was surprisingly therapeutic.

Wei Liru unfastened the handkerchief from the hoop and held it in her hand. “Nanny, did you have something to tell me?”

Nanny Cao said, “The young master is drinking alone to drown his sorrows. Madam Wei isn’t feeling well, so she’d like to ask you to take him some sobering soup and perhaps offer a word of comfort.”

Wei Liru frowned. In her memory, her older brother had never been troubled enough by anything to drink himself into a stupor.

Because it concerned Wei Ting, she went, albeit dubiously.

When she arrived at Xinyuan Hall, she found Wei Ting at a stone table outside, cup in hand, drinking merrily with someone sitting across from him.

The two men didn’t notice her until she was quite close.

Wei Ting caught a glimpse of her in his peripheral vision. “Liru, you’re here.”

He turned to the man across from him and began an introduction. “This is my younger sister. Not only is she strikingly beautiful, but she’s been clever and multi-talented since childhood. No one can help but like her. And what’s truly rare is her generous nature…”

Wei Liru’s brow furrowed. “Brother, you’re really drunk.”

She set down the soup. “This is for you. Drink it.”

Wei Ting, slurring slightly, grabbed the other man’s arm. “See how considerate and gentle my sister is? She came all this way just to bring me sobering soup. Isn’t that right?”

The man could only nod along in agreement.

After drinking the soup, Wei Ting stood and started walking toward the house. After a few steps, he turned back. “Liru, be a dear and see my guest out for me.”

Wei Liru watched Wei Ting’s staggering figure with a complicated expression, then turned to look at the man still sitting on the stone stool.

She asked, “Why are you still here?”

The man replied, “Your brother said you would see me out.”

‘Is this man an idiot?’ she thought. ‘Can’t he tell when someone’s just being polite?’

Besides, she could tell what he was thinking from a single glance at his eyes. She remembered seeing plenty of men like him before she had entered the palace.

But back then, her brother had always been there to fend off such unwanted suitors for her.

As Wei Liru recalled the past, she sat down, picked up a clean cup, poured herself a drink, and downed it in one gulp.

‘The wine is strong, but not strong enough to get Wei Ting drunk.’

‘He left on purpose, leaving me here to deal with this man.’

Wei Liru set down her cup, a smirk playing on her lips. She had no intention of playing dumb along with him. “You’re not too drunk to walk. If you don’t know the way out, just ask a servant.”

This man was none other than Chi Rui.

He had come over from Mr. Duan’s wedding banquet. The Emperor had been present there, so no one dared to drink too freely for fear of embarrassing themselves.

When Chi Rui heard that General Wei was at his estate, he bought two jugs of wine and slipped away to join him.

He didn’t know if Wei Ting was truly drunk, but he himself was starting to feel it. He was flushed and warm all over. Gazing at the ethereal beauty of Wei Liru before him, he spoke without thinking.

“General Wei was right.”

Wei Liru took out her handkerchief and dabbed her lips. “About what?”

Chi Rui said, “No one could help but like you.”

Wei Liru clutched her handkerchief, her voice sharp. “Do you dare say such things to me just because I am a deposed concubine?”

She had, after all, spent three years in the palace as the mistress of her own residence. The way she looked when angered was vastly different from that of an ordinary young woman, and it made Chi Rui’s limbs tingle with fear.

But the more his limbs tingled, the less his brain worked. He blurted out, “If you were still an imperial concubine, of course I wouldn’t dare.”

Wei Liru had to restrain herself from throwing her cup in his face.

Chi Rui continued, “But you’re not anymore.”

Wei Liru struggled to suppress her anger. ‘Don’t argue with a drunk.’ She stood up and delivered an ultimatum before leaving.

“Leave the Wei Family estate right now, and don’t let me see you again.”

Chi Rui asked blankly, “Is it bad to be well-liked?”

His gaze fell upon the handkerchief she had left on the table. His eyes lit up. “Your embroidery on this handkerchief is incredible.”

Frowning, Wei Liru turned back to retrieve her handkerchief, but Chi Rui snatched it up before she could.

He examined it closely, admiring it. “At first glance, they look like mandarin ducks, but on closer inspection, they’re just ducks. Especially this one in the lead! It looks so valiant and proud. It’s definitely the Great General of ducks—an invincible one at that.”

As he spoke, he looked at her with a gaze full of fervent admiration.