Chapter Forty-Four: Awe

Despite the turmoil churning within her, Wei Baofu’s expression remained unruffled. She was now the pillar for all these people; whatever happened, she had to hold her ground. If even she lost her composure, chaos would descend upon the manor.

Pearl and Linglong, though seasoned by experience outside, had never faced such bloody violence head-on. They, too, were anxious and uneasy, but upon seeing their mistress sitting calm and resolute, a strange tranquility settled over them.

The original maids and matrons serving in the manor lacked such fortitude. The anguished cries outside sent them trembling and weeping, some clutching their companions and sobbing in despair.

Wei Baofu understood their fear, but the noise grated on her nerves. Her brows furrowed unconsciously, prompting Pearl to raise her voice, “Silence! The mistress is unshaken, yet you panic first. Do you believe your lives are more precious than hers? If you continue wailing, you’ll be thrown out at once.”

To be expelled now was as good as a death sentence; the assassins, blinded by bloodlust, would spare neither master nor servant. Wei Baofu, seeing their pitiable state, felt no urge to reprimand.

“Be at ease and wait. My guards are elite; you’ll come to no harm. If you’re frightened, move to the rear courtyard. If the wait makes you anxious, prepare some food—it will be needed soon.”

Her tone was steady and gentle, instilling a mysterious calm among the maids and matrons. Their tears dried, and they respectfully bowed to Wei Baofu before departing together.

With the servants gone, Pearl and Linglong remained steadfast at Wei Baofu’s side. Rong Yanzong watched her composure with a complex expression. Wei Baofu assumed he felt guilty and offered no consolation.

This disaster had indeed been caused by the Marquis of the North’s overconfidence. To say she felt no resentment was a lie, but now was not the time for blame. As she waited, heart pounding, Yushun stumbled in, breathless and alarmed.

“Mistress, the assassins keep coming, as if they won’t stop until their goal is met. Guard Ye still holds them off, but with their numbers ever increasing, our people won’t last much longer.”

Wei Baofu’s face darkened at these words. Rong Yanzong rose, clutching his chest, and declared firmly, “Let me go out and confront them. Mistress, leave through the rear courtyard at once. Their target is me—if I appear, they won’t slaughter everyone.”

His words showed responsibility, but Wei Baofu instinctively refused. Things had reached this point; if she suddenly abandoned him, all her previous goodwill would be wasted.

“Marquis, please don’t say that. For the country and its people, your life is more important than mine. If I die, it’s just one less person; the nation won’t be shaken. If you perish, external enemies will sense weakness, and our realm will face fresh bloodshed. The common folk will suffer most.”

Rong Yanzong hadn’t expected such words from her. Any other young lady would have barred the gates and refused him shelter from the outset.

Seeing him silent, Wei Baofu continued, “Marquis, do not worry. There are heavy guards at the Imperial Mausoleum. If we summon their aid, we might survive this ordeal.” She was deeply grateful for Rulan’s thoughtfulness.

After her discussion with Rulan, the latter, worried that Wei Baofu might face trouble without help, had given her a signal firework. If she set it off, Rulan would come with reinforcements.

Yushun felt reassured and asked urgently, “Mistress, where is the firework? I’ll set it off immediately.” Wei Baofu smiled, “Linglong, fetch it. Yushun, set it off in view of the assassins, and call out to Guard Ye to hold on a bit longer. Soon, troops from the Imperial Mausoleum will come to our aid.”

“Mistress, do you mean to frighten the assassins into retreat?” Yushun asked. Wei Baofu nodded, “I suspect no matter who is behind them, the assassins cannot endlessly reinforce. They want a quick victory. With the Mausoleum’s guards involved, they’ll lack the strength to continue and must abandon their mission.”

Wei Baofu’s confidence dazzled Rong Yanzong. Though he was the marshal commanding armies, now he could only sit weakly and watch her. Even as a frail young woman, she brought him peace.

He had never felt so secure; even if a blade were at his throat, he would not fear. There truly existed a woman who could stand at his side. In that instant, he understood—this was the kind of woman he wanted, one who could keep pace with him.

Yushun grasped her meaning and, receiving the firework, dashed outside. The sooner he acted, the easier it would be for Guard Ye. With the instructions given, Wei Baofu waited quietly. Though she displayed confidence, her heart was still uncertain.

Xiao Zhan finished treating Shanzhu’s wounds and helped him rest before moving to Rong Yanzong’s side, checking his pulse. After a moment, he said with delight, “Marquis, try using your internal energy. The medicine’s effects should be wearing off. Your constitution is better than most; you may recover quickly.”

Rong Yanzong immediately channeled his strength, and indeed, he felt some improvement. Blood stained his chest from an earlier self-inflicted wound, but it was not serious. He stood up, “I’ll go outside and help Guard Ye. Mistress, wait in peace.”

Wei Baofu finally breathed a true sigh of relief. With the Marquis restored, the assassins would surely hesitate and not linger. “Pearl, go to the kitchen and tell them to boil more water for cleaning wounds soon. Physician Xiao, is there anything else to prepare?”

Xiao Zhan replied, “Gather all the alcohol, medicines, and bandages in the manor. We’ll need everything.” Wei Baofu nodded and sent Pearl and Linglong to handle it. Though the crisis was not yet past, the two maids were reluctant to leave her side. But their mistress’s orders could not be disobeyed, so they hurried to carry them out.

Xiao Zhan truly admired the young mistress; she performed better than most girls, showing real responsibility. Shanzhu, groggy, opened his eyes, having heard Wei Baofu’s words earlier. He thought, if the household had such a mistress in charge, the manor would surely prosper.

Wei Baofu cared little for their opinions, waiting patiently. The firework flared, and soon the assassins began to withdraw. Rong Yanzong, stronger than Guard Ye, though not fully recovered, slew many. When the bulk of the assassins retreated, he searched their bodies for clues; he would not let the mastermind behind this attempt sleep easily.

Guard Ye was wounded, breathing heavily, his tone grim, “Now that this is over, Marquis, please handle matters properly. My mistress is a delicate woman; she cannot endure such storms. Do not draw trouble upon her.”

Rong Yanzong knew he was at fault and took no offense, replying solemnly, “Thank you, Guard Ye. I will see to it.” Guard Ye said no more, and Yushun quickly went to support him.

“Guard Ye, there’s a physician inside. Let me help you treat your wounds. The mistress is worried. I’ll handle things out here.” Guard Ye nodded; though taciturn, he was close with Wei Baofu’s circle. Entrusting matters to Yushun was sensible.

Once Guard Ye departed, Yushun bowed to Rong Yanzong, respectfully saying, “Marquis, perhaps you should rest as well. Leave the aftermath to me; any evidence will be handed directly to you.”

Yushun was angry that the Marquis had brought trouble to his mistress, but as a servant, rash words would only cause her difficulty. He swallowed his temper and patiently urged Rong Yanzong, who did not protest, calling the other wounded guards inside.

They had barely entered when a large contingent of guards from the Imperial Mausoleum arrived. Rulan, pale-faced, rode in, trembling as she saw the corpses, and asked, “How is the mistress? What happened here?”

Rulan could hardly imagine the consequences if Wei Baofu had been harmed. How could she face the prince and princess? Yushun hurried to reassure her, “Aunt, don’t worry. The mistress is safe, sitting inside. The assassins have withdrawn; our mistress is unharmed.”

Rulan relaxed somewhat, but without seeing Wei Baofu herself, she remained uneasy. Disregarding protocol, she hurried toward the house, running into Pearl, who was pouring water.

“Aunt, you’re here? The mistress has returned to her room. The guards are injured; the physician is treating them, so the mistress is avoiding the scene. Let me take you to her.”

Pearl wasted no words and led her in at once.

Wei Baofu, drenched in cold sweat, entered and asked Linglong to help her change clothes. She had not yet fully recovered; a persistent fever would be dangerous. Linglong, holding the discarded garments, said, “Mistress, please rest for a while. I’ll bring you ginger soup—you must be exhausted after such strain.”

Wei Baofu yawned compliantly; it was the fatigue after the tension of crisis. She did not refuse, reclining against the bed, “Rulan will surely come soon. Let’s wait for her.”

No sooner had she spoken than Pearl’s voice announced Rulan’s arrival. She was swift, and as Rulan was family, Wei Baofu did not rise. Rulan entered, bowed respectfully, and, confirming the young mistress was truly unharmed, finally breathed out.

“Mistress, what on earth happened?” Rulan pressed, anxious and flustered. Pearl explained at the right moment, and Rulan’s brows knit tightly as she listened.

With a displeased tone, she said, “Absurd! Does the Marquis not realize how much trouble this brings to the mistress? Such an incident cannot be concealed. If malicious rumors spread, the consequences will be dire. Mistress, you must return to the palace at once, and under no circumstances remain under the same roof as the Marquis.”