Although Wei Ran was just an ordinary man without martial training, he clearly understood the martial arts hierarchy from the memories of his original body. In this world, martial cultivation was divided into five levels, from low to high: Third-rate, Second-rate, First-rate, Minor Grandmaster, and Grandmaster.
Someone like Gao Ming had barely reached the threshold of a First-rate expert. Lu Baishuang was solidly First-rate, and her master was at least a Minor Grandmaster.
As for Eunuch Wen… he was undoubtedly at the Grandmaster level.
Wei Ran dragged Yun Rou for over two li. The heavy snow quickly covered their tracks, so he wasn’t worried about Eunuch Wen tracing them back.
The reason for doing this was simple. If he wanted to recruit this heroine into his service, Eunuch Wen absolutely couldn’t know. He also couldn’t take her to the Prince Min’s Residence—too dangerous and full of prying eyes.
So Wei Ran had to find a place to hide her first. Once her injuries healed, she could assist in purging the Prince’s household.
“This place should do.”
Panting heavily, Wei Ran knocked on the door of a dilapidated courtyard.
About half a cup of tea’s time later, footsteps sounded from within.
“Who’s out there?”
“Old man, I heard there’ve been bandits robbing houses in the city lately… Could it be—?”
“Nonsense! Use your brain. What kind of robber knocks on the door?”
“That’s true.”
It was obvious from the voices that it was an elderly couple speaking.
Soon, the bolt was pulled and the door creaked open.
In the snowlight stood a couple in their fifties. Dressed in rough hemp clothing, they were curled up from the cold—clearly a poor and struggling household.
Wei Ran had already slung Yun Rou onto his back before knocking.
The old couple relaxed immediately upon seeing a handsome young man carrying a woman.
“This… Young Master, what’s going on here?”
They looked at each other, unsure what to do. Judging by Wei Ran’s clothing, he was definitely someone of wealth.
With a refined smile, Wei Ran pulled the jade hairpin from his hair and handed it over.
“Uncle, Auntie, I’m a traveling merchant from outside the city. I arrived just before curfew, and every inn I visited was full.”
“My wife has caught a chill. We knocked on many doors but were turned away. Might we stay at your home for the night?”
“I was robbed before entering the city. This hairpin is all I have left—it’s yours as payment for one night’s stay.”
“Would you be willing to help us?”
The couple were both stunned.
Wei Ran’s looks and courteous manner easily won people’s trust.
The aunt’s eyes lit up at the sight of the jade hairpin and she reached for it, but her husband slapped her hand away.
“Woman, don’t act so shameless. That’s far too valuable!”
She looked embarrassed.
The old man stepped aside and said with a smile, “Judging from your attire, Young Master, you must be from a noble family. My wife’s just never seen fine things. Please don’t mind her.”
“As for payment, there’s no need. Since you’ve suffered misfortune, we’re all in the same boat. It’s freezing out. Come in and warm yourselves.”
Wei Ran entered, still carrying Yun Rou.
“Auntie, please accept it. At least cover tomorrow’s meals and expenses—I can’t let you pay for us.”
“That’s… so embarrassing. Hehe.”
The old woman chuckled sheepishly.
The old man eagerly invited Wei Ran inside.
The small courtyard had only three rooms: a main bedroom, a side room, and a firewood shed.
“This room belongs to my son. He joined the army and only comes home once or twice a year. If you don’t mind, you can stay here.”
“How could I mind food given in kindness?”
Wei Ran carried Yun Rou into the room.
The elderly couple laid out bedding and boiled water, then quietly left the room.
Once the lamp was lit, the room glowed warmly.
Wei Ran laid Yun Rou on the bed, undressed her to examine the wound, and saw a large black-purple palm mark across her snow-white back, with bruising spreading out—horrifying to look at.
“Tsk… so fair.”
Wei Ran’s gaze lingered on her exquisite chest. His throat moved.
As his eyes drifted downward, a surge of lust rose.
Smooth as silk—what a perfect pair of buns.
After appreciating her beauty, he helped her get dressed again, tied her hands and feet with rope, and lay beside her fully clothed.
Chang’an City, as the imperial capital, had strict curfews in place at night. Aside from designated districts for brothels and taverns, the other neighborhoods were locked down after dark.
Anyone found wandering after curfew was arrested by the Xuanjia Guards—light offenders got a few days in jail; serious cases resulted in beatings and months of imprisonment.
Ordinary citizens never dared go out at night.
So Wei Ran didn’t ask the old man to fetch a doctor.
Whether Yun Rou survived till morning to receive treatment… that would depend on her fate.
While he slept soundly, others throughout the city were wide awake, as if the sky had collapsed.
First was Gao Ming.
After having his wounds bandaged at the Prince’s residence, he gathered over a hundred guards and rushed back to Chongren Lane.
Eunuch Wen had failed to capture Lu Baishuang and returned along the same path—only to find Wei Ran missing.
Stunned, he was about to search when he saw Gao Ming arriving with his hundred men.
Eunuch Wen’s face darkened instantly.
Gao Ming didn’t recognize the eunuch personally, but he knew the dark red “eagle-claw” robe—a symbol of the highest-ranking eunuchs in the palace.
“Greetings, Honored Eunuch,” he bowed hurriedly. “Might I ask if you’ve seen our Heir?”
Eunuch Wen’s chilling gaze swept over him.
Gao Ming felt cold sweat break out all over.
The eunuch’s voice was cold and laced with disdain. “You still remember he’s your Heir?”
“You, the Heir’s personal guard, abandoned your master and fled. If I executed you now, it wouldn’t be excessive.”
Gao Ming trembled.
But he couldn’t expose the fact that this Wei Ran was an imposter. This chapter was taken from novelping.com without permission.
“You are right, Honored Eunuch. But the urgent matter now is finding the Heir.”
Eunuch Wen looked around. His face grew darker.
“The snow has covered all tracks. We won’t find him.”
“Let’s just hope we don’t discover his corpse in a few days.”
“If that happens and His Majesty is enraged, all your heads from the Prince’s residence will roll.”
“And even if His Majesty spares you, Prince Min might kill your whole family to vent his rage.”
“Take my token and get the Xuanjia Guards. Search house by house.”
He threw a command token at Gao Ming and turned back toward the palace.
Gao Ming’s head pounded.
He wasn’t so afraid of Prince Min’s fury… but if someone in the palace took revenge, he’d die for sure.
After all, it wasn’t Prince Min who should panic—it was the entire court in the capital.
Although Wei Ran was a fake, only a handful knew that. To everyone else, the Heir had been attacked in the capital.
Wende Hall, Imperial Study.
“Outrageous! Unforgivable! Absolutely disgraceful!”
Emperor Chen Yao rampaged across the study, flipping over furniture in fury.
His face was red with anger, his eyes filled with concern.
He feared that if Prince Min learned his son had been assassinated, he’d march his army south immediately.
Who could stop an army of 300,000 elite cavalry?
“Are the Xuanjia Guards all useless drunkards?”
“From the moment the assassins appeared to the moment they left, a whole cup of tea passed. Not a single guard showed up! What were they doing?!”
Veins bulged on the Emperor’s forehead. “Summon the Xuanjia Commander Hong Cheng to see me immediately!”
Half an hour later…
Hong Cheng, clad in black armor, rushed into the study, stumbling as he knelt.
“Your Majesty! I was late. Please punish me!”
Chen Yao hurled a priceless scroll at his head and raged with curses rich in ancestral insults.
At last, he roared, “Take your men and search the city. Dig up the ground if you must. If you don’t find him—bring me your head!”
“Now get out!”
“Yes, yes, Your Majesty! I’m on it!”
Hong Cheng fled in terror.
Moments later, another imperial decree echoed:
“Summon all officials of third rank and above to court—immediately!”
This proved one thing—
Emperor Chen Yao was truly enraged.