Chapter 303: Fend for Yourself
Chapter 303 -174: Fend for Yourself
Wei Dabao’s face instantly turned dark as he grabbed the letter and struggled to tear open the wax seal with his short, stubby fingers.
He squinted his eyes, which had been squeezed into slits by fat, and read word by word.
As his gaze moved downward, his shiny face gradually turned pale, and beads of sweat the size of beans rolled down from his forehead.
“Master, what’s happened?” the butler asked cautiously.
“Bang!”
Wei Dabao slammed the letter onto the table, causing the tea bowl to jump.
“Which damned bastard did this! How dare someone plot to murder Champion Hou’s entire family! This… this… why does the Wei Family have such a deranged person?”
Wei Fu shivered with fear. “Plot against Champion Hou? M-Master, what exactly…”
Wei Dabao grabbed the butler’s collar, spitting as he shouted.
“My uncle says that Champion Hou’s household was wiped out in one night! Now all the clues point to our Wei Family! The Emperor is furious, and demands the entire Wei Family to go to the Capital City for interrogation! Not one person can be missing! Damn it, this is going to ruin me.”
Silence instantly fell upon the courtyard, and several maids fanning themselves trembled with fear.
Murder is already a heinous crime; plotting against imperial relatives, even dying hundreds of times wouldn’t suffice to cleanse such a sin!
Would His Majesty implicate nine generations along with the guilty? Then even the servants of the Wei Family might not escape death.
“Master, what should we do, what should we do?” The butler clenched his fists, stomping his feet in anxiety.
Wei Dabao released the butler, and like a trapped beast, circled around the yard, cursing under his breath.
“Bastards! Go find your own death without dragging the family down with you! If I find out who’s behind this, I’ll skin them alive!”
The butler mustered up his courage to ask again, “Master, then now we…”
“What else can we do?” Wei Dabao kicked over a nearby flower pot, “Pack your things, head to the Capital City immediately! Uncle said not one person can be spared, that means even the infants in swaddling clothes must be taken!”
He suddenly stopped and the anger on his face was gradually replaced by a mysterious expression.
The butler was very familiar with this look; whenever the master thought of a money-making opportunity, he’d show this half-smile.
“Master?”
Wei Dabao stroked his chin, his eyes gleaming.
“Heading to the Capital is not bad… I can personally ask Han Lei about the business of a million. And while I’m there, visit Uncle, maybe even gain some benefits from him…”
The butler secretly shook his head, at such a moment, the master was still thinking about that illusory business deal.
“What are you still standing there for?”
Wei Dabao suddenly raised his voice.
“Go prepare! Take all the gold and silver valuables, and bring out my sable cloak, the Capital is much cooler than here! Prepare a few jars of thirty-year-old aged wine to bring to my uncle!”
“Yes, yes, yes, this servant shall handle it immediately.” The butler promptly responded and turned to make arrangements.
“Wait!” Wei Dabao called him again, “Withdraw a thousand taels of Silver from the account room… no, five thousand! It’s never a bad idea to take more money. And have the kitchen prepare some snacks for the trip, I can’t get used to eating coarse foods outside.”
The butler was about to leave when he was stopped again: “And! Send someone to notify Luo Hai at the county office, tell him I’m headed to the Capital, and have him send news about Han Lei by carrier pigeon to the Prime Minister’s residence immediately!”
“Master, is this… appropriate?” The butler hesitated, “Although the Prime Minister said it was to face interrogation, it’s essentially like you’re going to be put on trial…”
“Nonsense!”
Wei Dabao’s eyes widened so much they seemed to shoot fire.
“I haven’t killed anyone, what should I be afraid of? What’s Champion Hou’s estate anyway? My uncle is also the court Prime Minister! Besides, if there’s really going to be a trial, it will be those damned relatives who committed crimes, what’s it got to do with me!”
The butler dared not say more, nodded his head obediently, and hastily went off to make arrangements.
Wei Dabao sat back in the rocking chair, took out the letter and read it again, muttering under his breath.
“Face interrogation before His Majesty, not one person missing, or bear the consequences… Hmph, who are you trying to scare?”
Suddenly remembering something, he called out, “Chuntao! Go fetch Third Madam!”
Soon, a young woman in a peach-colored gauze dress sauntered into the courtyard: “Master, calling me so urgently, is it…”
“Enough nonsense!” Wei Dabao impatiently interrupted, “Pack your things, you’re coming to the Capital with me tomorrow.”
Third Madam widened her eyes in surprise: “To the Capital? Why suddenly…”
“Why are you asking so much? Just follow along!” Wei Dabao impatiently waved his hand, “By the way, bring my pair of jade bracelets, they might come in handy.”
Third Madam pouted, reluctantly walked away. Wei Dabao summoned a few trusted servants, giving each careful instructions for the journey.