Chapter 282 – If You Don’t Seek Trouble, Trouble Won’t Come to You (1)
“Wait, how could the heir of the Baron of the North get into trouble…?”
Inside the carriage, Jiang Pengji was bored out of her mind as she scrolled through the live-stream comments to pass the time. Occasionally, she chatted with the audience, but her ears perked up as she overheard passersby outside whispering to each other. Suddenly alert, she quickly pulled back the carriage curtains and jumped out to inquire.
This series of actions startled everyone else in the carriage and even the coachman, who hastily pulled on the reins to stop.
“Lan Ting, how could you act so recklessly? What if you got hurt…?”
Liu Zhi’s heart raced as he was shocked by Jiang Pengji’s sudden move, his back glistening with cold sweat as he snapped back to reality.
With a nonchalant wave, Jiang Pengji reassured everyone there was nothing wrong, then grabbed hold of the gossiping commoner and repeated her earlier question.
“How could the heir of the Baron of the North get into trouble?”
The poor commoner was flustered and nearly forgot how to speak.
Just seeing Jiang Pengji’s attire made him realize she was someone of high status, and he inwardly cursed his bad luck.
Noble people were hard to serve; if he inadvertently angered her, it could cost him his head.
With a nervous smile, the commoner finally managed to stammer, “T-this news has spread all over by last night… They say the heir of the Baron of the North got into a fight while trying to steal the courtesan’s favor, leading to several deaths. That heir is delicate and weak; he couldn’t handle the shock… ended up… dying right on that courtesan’s belly…”
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Yuan Jing and the others, including Liu Zhi, snapped back to attention, realizing why Jiang Pengji was so flustered, their expressions growing serious.
Wei Ci sighed, saying, “Wind Huaiyu’s good intentions were wasted on that heir of the Baron of the North.”
Feng Jin, trying to control the situation, had known that the people from the northern border were looking for trouble with the Baron’s heir. Instead of backing down, he had stepped forward only to get beaten up, injuring his right arm and missing out on the upcoming assessment—a golden opportunity for him to rise to greatness.
That heir of the Baron of the North, ignorant of danger, had spent the night arguing over a courtesan instead of sleeping peacefully.
Lü Zheng glanced at Wei Ci, his expression perplexed as he remarked, “From what Zixiao is saying, it sounds like this incident is being blamed on that heir of the Baron of the North… Is there no trickery from the northern border involved?”
Wei Ci chuckled and said, “You don’t know, Shaoyin. This heir was just a bastard son, not favored at all. However, the lineage of the Baron of the North has dwindled; most of the young men died in battle, and the previously appointed heir died young without leaving an heir. With no one else, the title fell to this bastard.”
A bastard being recognized as the heir was almost unheard of in normal families.
But this particular bastard was the last remnant of the bloodline, leaving the Baron with no choice.
Moreover, this heir had been fragile since birth, often falling sick; the Baron treated him like a fragile porcelain doll, not daring to let him speak loudly, and eventually coddled him into becoming arrogant and reckless.
“Perhaps there are traces of the northern border’s involvement, but it’s undeniable that this heir is simply seeking trouble himself. If he were smarter, when Wind Huaiyu saved him from misfortune, he would have known to keep his head down instead of going after some courtesan!”
Wei Ci’s expression was cold, showing no concern for how the heir’s death might threaten Dongqing.
Meanwhile, Jiang Pengji continued to ask for details, but the commoner, bewildered, could only frown in response.
“This young master, I was just joining the gossip! I only overheard what others were saying; how can I know what happened with those important figures? If you ask me, I simply can’t say!”
Jiang Pengji sized up the commoner, ultimately feeling disappointed as she sighed and turned back to the carriage.
Liu Zhi glanced at Jiang Pengji and whispered, “Don’t worry, once we get to the Feng residence, I’ll send someone to investigate thoroughly. Since this incident has stirred up talk among the common folk, it shouldn’t be too hard to find out more.”
Jiang Pengji nodded, appearing somewhat distracted.
The Liu father and son were temporarily staying at the Feng residence, while Mr. Yuanjing and his student were lodged in another part of the capital.
The two groups would take their separate paths upon entering the city.
Liu Zhi asked about Mr. Yuanjing’s lodging, politely expressing that once the matter settled down, he would bring his “son” over for a formal visit—after all, Mr. Yuanjing would be his daughter’s teacher, and respect was due.
Mr. Yuanjing didn’t mind such formalities and said to Wei Ci, “The current situation is tense; there’s anxiety in the capital, and who knows what the northern bandits might do. Please escort Liu Zhi back; it will help me feel at ease.”
Wei Ci remained expressionless and nodded in agreement, though internally he felt indifferent.
As long as “Liu Xi” was still with Liu Zhi, anyone looking for trouble would be asking for trouble themselves—there was no need for him to escort them.
They quietly drove towards the Feng residence, encountering no unexpected events.
Xu Ke, having received word that Jiang Pengji was returning, had been waiting at the entrance, finally sighing in relief as he spotted the familiar carriage approaching… for some reason, he always felt like he couldn’t let his young master out of his sight; otherwise, trouble was sure to follow!
However, as he moved to greet them, the first one to step out of the carriage was an unfamiliar face.
Wei Ci: “…”
Xu Ke was puzzled, a flash of surprise in his eyes.
If it weren’t for Wei Ci’s scholarly attire and masculine disguise, he might have mistaken him for a young lady!
After Wei Ci stepped down, Jiang Pengji followed, and Xu Ke could even catch a hint of alcohol on her.
“Xiaoyu, I know you didn’t want to go to Jishan, but quite a lot happened last night! You missed out on a lot of good shows.”
Xu Ke looked at her, utterly despondent.
He knew that allowing his young master to run around would lead to all kinds of chaotic situations.
Before he could finish lamenting, a voice that sounded like a jade bead striking a plate sent a shiver down his spine.
“Xu… Xiaoyu?”
Beside him, Wei Ci turned his gaze to Xu Ke, voice soft and filled with curiosity. That mildly teasing tone felt like a feather brushing against sensitive ears, igniting goosebumps and making one instinctively want to blush…
Yep, Xu Ke blushed.
Jiang Pengji: “…”
Who would have thought that Xu Ke had a weakness for voices?
“This young master knows Xu Ke?”
Xu Ke thought for a moment, absolutely sure he had never met Wei Ci before.
