The Plan
The Plan
"What are you talking about?"
"My uncle told me that he had to make his move secretly. There are four princes who are eligible to the throne. Those who support the crown prince can act more openly, but my uncle clearly didn't wish anyone to know. It meant that the one he supported should be either the other three princes.
Uncle also in bad relationship with my father, which meant that it was not the fourth prince. There are only two options left and I'm not sure which one. However, I know that the one who will benefit the most from having him killed would be the two princes. Hence, I could guess that the one behind the scene must be either one of the two."
Wei Liuying said everything calmly. It was as if he was merely speaking of the weather and not something heavy such as the next emperor of Han Shi Kingdom. Her voice was filled with certainty as she was merely saying a fact and not what her own speculation based on her analysis.
Manager Xin looked straight at Wei Liuying and closed his eyes. "So you knew."
He never thought that despite staying behind the scene and only received bits and pieces of information, Wei Liuying would still be able to make the connection. Just how her brain worked was truly a big mystery.
"A bit," Wei Liuying replied.
Manager Xin sighed. "The situation of the court is complicated. There are several parties got involved during the purge yesterday. I didn't know the detail yet as Prince Ji Sheng wouldn't be able to get out so easily."
"He's monitored?"
"Yes."
"How about Strategist Yang and Shi Yan?"
"Strategist Yang naturally stays with Prince Ji Sheng. They still have to concoct a plan to make sure the northern border is safe because of the recent attack. As for Shi Yan, he's currently negotiating some terms. You don't have to worry about your request because he had already arranged people to do it."
"That's good," Wei Liuying replied.
Manager Xin watched Wei Liuying's expression. He glanced out and sighed. "This is still early in the morning. You could try other plans that you can think of in this short period of time."
Wei Liuying looked at Manager Xin and closed her eyes for a moment. The plan that she concocted was indeed for the most desperate. Right now, she still had the time if she wanted to try other methods to safe her uncle.
Think…
There must be another way out for her uncle.
"Prepare a scholar robe for me."
"Right now?"
"I believe you have a lot of scholar robes, right?" Wei Liuying asked back. "Let me borrow one."
Manager Xin used to be a scholar, so it was not that weird if he had more than necessary. The only problem was the fact that the size was not as small as Wei Liuying's body. After all, Wei Liuying still looked like a child no matter which direction he chose to look at her.
"This…."
"It's fine if it's a bit too big," Wei Liuying said as she seemed to notice the uneasiness within Manager Xin's eyes.
Manager Xin sighed. "I have one that's a bit too big. However, it shouldn't look too improper for you."
"That's great."
"Please wait for a moment, Miss."
Wei Liuying stayed still on her place and looked around her with serene expression. This would be the very first time she made her own big move. All this time, she always tried to limit the scheme that she planned to be within Wei Family Household. She would be able to limit the effect that way and calculated the consequences carefully.
But this time, she couldn't care less.
Even if this decision of hers would affect the entirety of Han Shi Kingdom's face, she didn't want to lose her uncle. He was the only person who ever showed her warmth among her family and still tried to help her out despite the limitation.
Even her father and mother never cared for her like what he did.
It didn't take long before Manager Xin prepared the necessary robes for Wei Liuying. She simply draped the clothes over her own clothes. That way, the clothes didn't look that much too big for her. However, it was inevitable that she looked a bit plumper compared to before.
"Is there any hairpin for men?" Wei Liuying asked.
"I have, but your hair…"
"It's not that long."
Wei Liuying maintained it at moderate height that was between the height for most men and women. After she took off the decoration on her head, she switched it to a simple bun and inserted the hairpin. This made her look perfectly like a young scholar who had just studied in the academy.
Manager Xin narrowed his eyes. He had visited the academy and felt that Wei Liuying looked like someone there. However, he couldn't recall anyone who had the look the same as her.
"Let's go to the law enforcement building and try to ask them to work," Wei Liuying said with a soft tone.
"This… Are you sure that they're going to respond to your answer?"
"Would they be unwilling to answer Wei Hong Zheng, the future commander from Wei Family?" Wei Liuying's gaze sharpened. Right now, she no longer carried the submissive attitude that usual young girl would have. Rather, what she had was the vigor of a young man who wanted to seek for justice.
Wei Hong Zheng?
It was then Manager Xin recalled that Wei Liuying had a younger brother that looked like her. Scrutinizing her appearance, Manager Xin came to a terrifying conclusion. Even with the age gap of nearly a year, the two siblings were extremely similar to one another.
It was as if they were twins.
And based on the way Wei Liuying dressed herself so quickly, he could guess that this was not the first time. He was not sure how many times Wei Liuying had to act as Wei Hong Zheng in Wei Family Household. For sure, this was not the first time.
'What a rotten residence.'
That was the only thing that Manager Xin could think. Forcing a young girl to impersonate their young master, what in the world they were thinking about? He couldn't help but think that she must be living so miserably all these years.
Unfortunately, he couldn't ask them the reason directly.
Asking Wei Liuying herself would be impossible too as she would be unwilling to answer about the affair in her own home. She was not the type to talk and gossip around about some matters that was supposed to be hidden.
"Are you sure about this, Liuying?"
Wei Liuying nodded. "Even if they find out about this, my Mother will deny that it's me. She'll surely tell that it's only someone who look similar to Wei Hong Zheng and try to make use of his identity."
There was no way Feng Chun would ever want to reveal the fact that Wei Liuying used to be pretending to be Wei Hong Zheng. If she ever admitted that, it would be the end for her.
Lying to the Emperor was a big crime.
With Wei Liuying already acted as Wei Hong Zheng during the hunt, once the matter came out, it would affect her nevertheless. Besides, without Wei Liuying present in the residence, they would have to think of a story to cover it up.
No matter whether Feng Chun and Wei Hong Zheng wanted it or not, they would have to cover up Wei Liuying's next action.
Manager Xin looked at Wei Liuying then shook his head lightly. "I'm glad that I'm not going against you, Liuying."
"Did you say something, Manager Xin?" Wei Liuying turned her head around. She couldn't quite hear what Manager Xin was saying because he was only whispering.
"No, it's nothing."
Wei Liuying looked at Manager Xin once more but didn't try to pry deeper. Her brain was thinking of various scenario that might take place when she came as Wei Hong Zheng to that place. It wouldn't be easy at all.
In silence, the two of them departed.
The distance to the office was not that far. As Wei Liuying got closer, her heart sunk. There were already a lot of people over there, trying to ask for explanation from the officers there. Many of their family members were involved in the case.
And they all sentenced to death sentence all of a sudden.
How can these people accept this result right away?
"Please officer, there's no way that my husband can possibly be so corrupt. Please help us by investigating this matter again."
"Yes, Officer. My father is a just and upright man. He will never try to use what doesn't belong to him."
"Please officer, just investigate this a bit more."
"I beg you…"