Chapter 29: The Duke and His Son Marvel at Ye Xun's Talent; This Prince Never Lets a Grudge Last Overnight

The night was dark, and the rain poured down in torrents.

At the Manor of the Duke of Zhen, in the front hall, Ye Xun stood drenched, rainwater streaming from his clothes onto the floor. Wei Feng handed him a handkerchief, which Ye Xun accepted with a grateful nod, wiping his face.

Wei Wuji looked at Ye Xun with cold indifference and asked in a low voice, "To what do I owe the honor of the Prince of Qin’s visit at such a late hour?"

Watching the young man in his bedraggled state, Wei Wuji felt not a shred of pity.

Ye Xun bowed slightly and said slowly, "Uncle, I know that in your eyes, I am nothing but a worthless fool. For years, I have disgraced my position as the heir and as the Crown Prince of the Great Xia. I do not wish to offer excuses; all of this is of my own doing."

"But Uncle, you must understand a principle: when the birds are gone, the good bow is put away; when the cunning rabbits are caught, the hunting dog is cooked; when the enemy state is destroyed, the strategist dies."

"In the Great Xia, apart from my Father the Emperor and myself, there is no one else who will allow the Manor of the Duke of Zhen to exist."

Hearing this, Wei Wuji was startled. He set the cup he had been holding back onto the table, his face darkening as he stared at Ye Xun. He could hardly believe that these words had come from Ye Xun.

Yet, this was the current plight of the Duke’s manor. Wei Wuji spent his days by the Emperor’s side and knew all too well that the Emperor’s health was in dire straits. Furthermore, apart from Ye Xun, there were no other princes with ties to the Wei family. While the other princes currently showed him reverence and awe, once the Emperor grew critically ill and another prince ascended the throne—even one he himself had helped install—there was no guarantee they would continue to rely on him; they might even seek to eradicate him. History was replete with such examples. Regardless of their current oaths, guarantees, or flowery promises, there would never again be anyone in the Great Xia who trusted him as Ye Lantian did.

Beside them, Wei Feng was also astonished. A few days ago, Ye Xun had produced four masterpiece poems at the literary competition. Although the Emperor had ultimately dismissed them as plagiarism, the poems were enough to shock the literary world. And today, this statement had shocked him once more. Could it be that Ye Xun had truly experienced an awakening?

However, Ye Xun had truly terrified Wei Wuji in the past; he had been nothing but a liability. Wei Wuji looked at him and asked in a deep voice, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Ye Xun realized that Wei Wuji was wavering. On his way here, he had been considering how best to move his uncle, and he knew the most effective way was to appeal to his self-interest. The future of the Wei family was his greatest anxiety. As long as Ye Lantian was on the throne, the Wei family would enjoy infinite glory, and Wei Wuji would hold supreme authority, for Ye Lantian regarded him as a brother—a brother who had lived and died with him. But if anything were to happen to Ye Lantian, who would tolerate a powerful official of a different surname?

Ye Xun looked at Wei Wuji, his expression resolute and his eyes firm. "One month. I only need one month. If within that month, Uncle still doubts my capabilities or believes I am still mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall, I will never step foot in the Duke’s manor again, and I will never trouble you again."

Seeing him like this, Wei Wuji was struck and rose slowly. From childhood to adulthood, this was the first time he had seen such a firm look in Ye Xun’s eyes. It looked remarkably like the stubborn gaze of his sister, Wei Ruyun. He and Wei Ruyun had been born to a concubine; after their mother died early, the siblings had relied on each other, enduring countless slights, and their bond was extremely deep. If he had not been truly desperate, why would he have ever met with the Prince of Wu, Ye Tao?

Thinking of this, Wei Wuji felt moved. His sister still lay comatose in the palace, and her son had been reduced to such a state. As an uncle, he felt a sting of guilt.

He exhaled deeply. "Very well. Don't say I don't cherish our old ties. I will give you one month. As long as you can meet my requirements, I will remain your uncle and support you with all my might."

Ye Xun felt a wave of relief. He had succeeded.

Wei Wuji continued, "You mentioned earlier that a life was at stake?"

Ye Xun replied, "I have two matters for which I hope for your assistance."

Wei Wuji nodded. "Speak."

Ye Xun said, "First, help me rescue someone from the Shangjing Prefecture office. Second, protect the Prince of Qin’s manor, and do not allow those scoundrels to strike at my people in the shadows again." He then recounted the events of the day.

After hearing him out, Wei Wuji was shocked and slammed his hand against the desk. *Bang!*

"Lawless! Truly lawless! To dare to commit murder within the Shangjing Prefecture office!" Wei Wuji declared. "Rest assured, I agree to both requests." He had originally hoped Ye Xun would suffer a little to learn a lesson, but it seemed the suffering had gone too far.

Ye Xun bowed slightly. "Thank you, Uncle."

Wei Feng exclaimed, "Your Highness, that soap—did it really come from your manor?"

Ye Xun replied, "That is correct."

Wei Wuji frowned, confused by their exchange. Wei Feng turned to his father and explained, "Father, just yesterday you asked why your court robes had a faint floral scent—that was because they were washed with soap. Soap is currently the most sought-after item in the capital." He then looked at Ye Xun. "Your Highness, who developed this soap, and how are the profits?"

Ye Xun replied calmly, "I developed it myself. It is unique to the Great Xia, and the profit margin is thirty-fold." He saw no need to hide this from the two men.

*Hiss!* Both Wei Wuji and Wei Feng gasped. A hot commodity? Unique to the Great Xia? Thirty-fold profits? They finally understood why Ye Xun had been targeted so viciously. Such a profitable treasure in the hands of a "useless" prince—how could it not invite jealousy?

The poetry... the soap... and Ye Xun’s demeanor today. Wei Wuji’s impression of him had changed significantly. He hoped Ye Xun would not disappoint him again. After all, if possible, he certainly wanted to help Ye Xun ascend the throne; he was, after all, his own blood.

Ye Xun said anxiously, "Uncle, Cousin, my subordinate Zheng Qian is still being held at the Prefecture office. I beg you to act quickly; if we are late, I fear..." He was deeply anxious. Although Zheng Qian was not entirely clean, he had been loyal over the past few days, and Ye Xun could not abandon him.

Wei Wuji nodded. "Feng'er, accompany the Prince of Qin to the Prefecture office and rescue the man. Remember, do not cause any deaths."

Wei Feng bowed slightly. "Yes, Father." He then looked at Ye Xun. "Let us go, Your Highness. We shall go to the Prefecture office to save your man."

Ye Xun bowed to Wei Wuji once more. "Thank you, Uncle."

He followed Wei Feng out of the manor. Just as they stepped out, Ye Xun said, "Cousin, my subordinates Cao An and Wang Cai suffered arrow wounds, and I wonder if..."

Wei Feng laughed. "That is easily managed." He then summoned the head steward to bring the manor’s physician, and they headed straight for the Prince of Qin’s residence.