First Phoenix Lady - chapter 7

Chapter 7

Wei Mansion.

Wei Cailing woke from her nightmare once again.

In her dream, Jian’an Marquis Mansion sent people to the gates of Wei Mansion, crying and making a scene. They hung white lanterns at her family’s entrance and draped white cloth all over the lintel. They spread rumors everywhere that the legitimate grandson Shi Yunxing died saving her, and claimed she was no longer a maiden, that her body had already been given to Shi Yunxing.

Shamed and furious, she could only hang herself with several feet of white silk to prove her innocence.

But even in death, the Marquis Mansion would not let her go. They actually invited a Matchmaker, with music and fanfare, to Wei Mansion to propose marriage, intending to hold a Spirit Marriage for her and Shi Yunxing.

In the end, her mother died of grief in front of her coffin.

This dream nearly suffocated her. She sat on her bed, hugging her knees, trembling, her face covered in sweat and tears.

Madam Wei pushed open the door and saw her daughter in such a state. Heart aching, she immediately embraced her, “Ling’er, my good daughter, don’t be afraid! That scoundrel is dead, we don’t have to fear him anymore.”

Wei Cailing nestled in her mother’s warm arms, thinking of how her mother died for her in the dream, sorrow welled up and she burst into tears, “Mother, mother… you’re here, it’s so good that you’re here… wuwuwu… as long as you’re here, I’m not afraid of anything…”

Madam Wei heard her daughter’s incoherent words and thought she’d been frightened silly, her heart melting with pity.

She stroked her daughter’s cold little face, coaxing gently, “Good Ling’er, mother is always here. Don’t be afraid, your father said, at worst we’ll leave the Capital and go somewhere no one knows us.”

“Your mother is right.” The voice of Director of the Ministry of Works, Wei Zhongshi, arrived before he did. “Daughter, don’t be afraid. Under the Emperor’s nose, there must be justice. If it really doesn’t work, we’ll leave the Capital. The world is vast, there will always be a place for our Wei family.”

Following Wei Zhongshi into the room were the eldest son Wei Yuzhi, and in his arms, his little sister Wei Pingting.

Wei Yuzhi had been studying martial arts at Baiyi Mountain, planning to take the Military Examination next year. As soon as he received the family letter, he rushed back.

He had a bad temper and was straightforward. He clenched his fist, joints cracking, “That libertine is finally dead! If he hadn’t died, I would have beaten him to death myself!”

Madam Wei was timid. She had forced herself to be brave to comfort her daughter, but now, hearing her son’s words, her face turned pale as paper, “Zhi’er, don’t speak nonsense. The Marquis Mansion is not something we can provoke.”

Wei Yuzhi, afraid of frightening his mother, could only hold Wei Pingting angrily and remain silent.

Wei Pingting struggled to get down, then rushed into her sister’s arms for a hug. Imitating her mother, she raised her hand to stroke her sister’s hair, coaxing in a childish voice, “Sister, don’t be afraid, Pingping Tingting is here.”

Wei Cailing looked at her neat and complete family, unable to stop her tears.

She thought of the nightmare she’d had repeatedly these past days, how the Marquis Mansion had ruined her family.

She couldn’t help but take a deep breath and made up her mind. If the dream came true, she would no longer foolishly choose death, but would fight the Marquis Mansion to the bitter end.

She would use all her strength, all her power, to make sure the people of the Marquis Mansion met a miserable end, with no descendants left.

Just as she was secretly steeling herself, the gatekeeper came to report: the young lady of Jian’an Marquis Mansion, Shi Anxia, had sent in a calling card and was now waiting at the gates of Wei Mansion.

Wei Cailing froze instantly, her whole body cold, teeth chattering.

The resolve she had just made was instantly replaced by a bone-deep terror.

They’re here! They’re here! The people from the Marquis Mansion have really come!

The whole family was on high alert, everyone gathered in the main hall.

Madam Wei was weak all over, “What exactly does the Marquis Mansion want? Will they only be satisfied if they drag Cailing into this?”
Wei Yuzhi didn’t say a word. He took the long blade from the wall and slammed it onto the table with a loud bang. “Don’t let me spill blood today!”

Wei Cailing fiercely suppressed her inner terror, stepped forward, and knelt straight down before her parents, kowtowing three times. “It’s all my fault. I’ve brought shame to the Wei family!”

She slowly stood up. Though her throat trembled, her voice remained firm. “Brother, please don’t act rashly. Don’t ruin your future because of me. Let me handle everything myself.”

At worst, she would admit it first and then find a way out later… At least, her mother would survive.

Wei Pingting was still young, but she had been raised almost entirely by her elder sister.

She could keenly sense the deathly sorrow and resolve in her sister, and immediately burst into tears. “Sister! Sister! I want my sister!”

Wei Cailing kissed her little sister on the crown of her head and spoke earnestly, “Pingting, be good. I’ll be fine. I promise I’ll be alright, and our whole family will be alright.”

Wei Zhongshi let out a long sigh and closed his eyes deeply. When he opened them again, his gaze was resolute. “Yuzhi, put the blade away! Cailing, don’t try to be brave. The worst that can happen is our whole family leaving the Capital.”

Under the Emperor’s feet, the powerful could end their lives with a mere stomp. Enough, enough.

He shielded his two daughters behind him. “With your father here, it’s not your place to face the storm alone.”

Wei Cailing wanted to say more, but her father’s commanding voice left no room for doubt. “Invite the young lady of the Marquis Mansion in to speak.”

Shi Anxia entered the main hall of the Wei family, accompanied by Nanny Zheng, Nanny Zeng, and two Maids, Nan Yan and Hong Que.

As soon as she stepped inside, she sensed the tense atmosphere. It was as if everyone’s face bore the words: Disaster Approaches.

Her status was noble, and she needn’t have paid respects. But under the angry, grief-stricken stares of the Wei family, she still bowed deeply to Lord Wei as a junior.

Her voice was clear and bright, each word ringing true. “Lord Wei, I apologize for my abrupt visit. I have come to thank the Wei family.”

Shi Anxia’s actions puzzled the Wei family, but did not lower their guard.

After all, a legitimate son of the Marquis Mansion had died-there was bound to be entanglement.

But Shi Anxia had her Maids present generous gifts and spoke gently, “I thank Miss Cailing for her great kindness…”

Here it comes! The entanglement has finally arrived!

The Wei family glared, tense and wary.

Shi Anxia paid them no mind and continued, “Miss Wei and I felt an instant kinship when we first met. That night, I accidentally fell into the water, and Miss Wei, without hesitation, ordered her Maids to jump in and save me. I have nothing to repay her with, so I’ve prepared these small gifts to thank Miss Wei for her help. Please, Miss Wei, reward your Maids with these gifts on my behalf.”

Madam Wei trembled, wanting to speak several times but unable to utter a word.

Wei Zhongshi stepped forward in shock. “Miss Shi, are you saying that it was my daughter’s Maids that night…”

“Exactly,” Shi Anxia replied without the slightest hesitation. “Miss Wei caught a chill that night and rested in the sedan the whole time, never leaving it. She was worried about me, so she sent her Maids to save me. Lord Wei, that is the truth. As for the villagers who helped at the manor, I have also sent people with gifts to thank them and informed them truthfully. Please rest assured, Lord Wei!”

After speaking, she bowed deeply again. “Forgive my abrupt visit, Lord Wei. I shall take my leave now.”

Outside the door, a hearty voice rang out, “Since Miss Shi has come, why not stay a while longer? Old Wei, this is your fault-how can you be so careless in hosting guests?”