Chapter 98: Winning Her Back
"A Yuan, don’t leave me."
The proud Wei Crown Prince lowered his status and dignity to beg her, yet A Yuan’s heart stayed cold.
"Wei Xun, it’s too late."
She turned away without looking back, unwilling to give him even a sliver of hope.
As her figure faded into the plum grove, Wei Xun’s vision darkened, and his body swayed unsteadily.
"My lord!"
Zhang Feng rushed out from hiding and quickly steadied him.
"Even if Mistress Xie rejects you, you must take care of your health!"
He was never one to mince words, speaking his mind without filter, unaware that his blunt honesty dug the knife deeper in Wei Xun’s heart.
"If you’ve got nothing useful to say, shut it."
"But it’s the truth! You’ve gotta be strong to win her back."
Zhang Feng scratched his head, grumbling. He wasn’t wrong—so why was his master scolding him?
"Is there really a way to get her back?"
Wei Xun stared at him intently, as if grasping at a lifeline. As long as A Yuan would return, he would do anything.
Unnerved by the raw hope in his lord’s gaze, Zhang Feng took a few steps back.
"Uh... sure...?"
He’d never even had a woman to coax—how could he help the Crown Prince?
"Maybe you should ask Chang Yuan?"
......
Meanwhile, Chang Yuan was also pleading with Chun Tao. They were practically still newlyweds, but being separated for months had left Chang Yuan miserable.
"The Crown Prince messed up, but you can’t take it out on me! You’re not really ditching your own man, are you?"
Chang Yuan tugged at his wife’s sleeve, his face a picture of misery. It had been nearly half a year since he last held her to sleep.
"Don’t talk crazy."
Chun Tao shook off his hand somewhat awkwardly, her tone stiff. "I never said I was leaving you. It’s just that I can’t leave Mistress Xie’s side right now."
Chang Yuan knew all too well the bond between Chun Tao and A Yuan. If forced to choose between him and Mistress Xie, she would undoubtedly pick her mistress without hesitation.
Biting back his frustration, Chang Yuan ignored his wife’s resistance and firmly grasped her hand, coaxing, "Then stop avoiding me. You’ve got no idea how scared I get when you disappear."
"Peach, I can’t go through that hell again."
When Chun Tao was almost beaten to death that time, Chang Yuan felt as if the sky had collapsed. That kind of terror was something he never wanted to go through again.
He was usually all jokes and nonsense, but this was the first time he spoke so earnestly. Chun Tao bit her lip guiltily. "Don’t you dare help the Young Master scheme against Mistress Xie!"
She had promised her mistress to remain loyal only to her.
"Alright, alright, I won’t. I’ll do whatever my wife says."
Chang Yuan had finally managed to win his wife back—no way was he gonna try anything sneaky now.
Besides, a man’s gotta take care of his own wife. Let’s be real—the Young Master had this coming after how he had treated Mistress Xie before.
"Ugh! You silver-tongued devil!"
Chun Tao shot him a fake glare, though there was no real threat in her eyes. "Well, I’ll head home in a few days. There’s something I need to discuss with my mother."
A Yuan wanted to train embroiderers, and since Granny Zhu knew many people, she could help with the selection.
Chang Yuan grinned like an idiot. "Then I’ll prepare pastries from Defangzhai and fruits from Suqinglou for you."
"I’m not some kid!"
Chun Tao sulked. Whether before or after marriage, this guy always bribed her with treats.
Chang Yuan squeezed her palm gently and whispered, "Even if you’re not some kid, you can still eat. I just wanna pamper you."
Chun Tao’s face flushed crimson. She snatched her hand back, not daring to look at him. "Who taught you to sweet-talk like that? I’m leaving now. Remember what I said—if you don’t keep your word, you’re dead to me!"
She couldn’t let herself be the reason her mistress suffered.
Chang Yuan blurted out, "I’ll remember, I’ll remember. You must come back the day after tomorrow!"
The world could wait—his wife came first. A happy life depended on listening to her.
"Yeah, yeah!"
Though Chun Tao’s tone still carried a hint of impatience, her heart was sweet with warmth.
Such a dummy!
The flustered maid scampered off. A Yuan glanced at her teasingly. "Go on home with him today."
She had already made things clear with Wei Xun and wouldn’t force Chun Tao to choose anymore. Otherwise, she’d feel guilty for keeping the young couple apart because of herself.
"No way I’m leaving with him! I’m staying with you, Mistress."
A Yuan laughed. "Alright, alright, don’t go. But don’t leave Chang Yuan hanging, or he’ll start resenting me."
Chun Tao having someone to dote on her was a good thing. She shouldn’t—and couldn’t—stand in the way.
"Mmm, I told him I’d go back the day after tomorrow. I’ll also ask my mother to help you select embroiderers."
"Good."
...
After the banquet ended, the noble ladies departed one after another. A Yuan and her two maids boarded the Xie family’s carriage. Wei Xun watched as the carriage drove away, his chest heavy and sore. Who knew when he’d see her again?
"Did Chun Tao say anything to you?"
Chang Yuan hid behind him like a quail, his face drooping. "My lord, please don’t ask. I promised Little Peach I wouldn’t help you."
"Otherwise, I’ll take the punishment myself. I’ll go back and receive twenty floggings!"
He’d rather be punished than assist him.
Wei Xun’s expression darkened. "Scram!"
"Yes, sir!"
Chang Yuan scurried away, running as if afraid Wei Xun might call him back.
Zhang Feng watched from the side, couldn’t help feeling sorry for his master.
"Maybe you should read some storybooks. They have tricks to charm women."
Wei Xun glared at him coldly, making Zhang Feng’s back prickle.
He must have lost his mind to suggest such a terrible idea.
"I was talking nonsense. Just pretend you didn’t hear—"
Before he could finish, his master spoke in a low voice, "Buy all the storybooks from every bookstore in the capital... and from nearby towns too."
"Huh?"
Zhang Feng’s jaw dropped in shock, nearly choking on the cold dusty wind. "Y-you’re serious?"
"Get moving!" Wei Xun’s stern expression left no room for doubt.
Zhang Feng shut his mouth silently. Madness. His master had truly gone mad.
"Right away, I’ll go right away!"
Zhang Feng gathered piles of storybooks until the study outside the marquis’ residence was overflowing.
Wei Xun locked himself in the study, burying himself in them for three days and nights. He didn’t find any foolproof methods to win a woman over, but he did memorize a basketful of flowery phrases.
Facing the study window, he clasped his hands behind his back and recited solemnly:
"After beholding the world’s myriad splendors, none compare to your thousand charms."
"One glance from you, and I’d long for you day and night."
"..."
"Zhang Feng, where did you buy these storybooks? Are you sure Mistress Xie would be pleased hearing this?"
Chang Yuan and Zhang Feng crouched outside the study, listening to their master’s stiff, awkward declarations of romantic lines. Chang Yuan silently rubbed the goosebumps off his arms.
What if, instead of winning her back, he only made her even angrier?
Zhang Feng said sheepishly. "Well, the maidens in the capital seem to like this stuff... Mistress Xie should too, right?"
Worse yet, the young master couldn’t even see Mistress Xie now.
After the banquet, A Yuan’s identity became the talk of the capital. To everyone's shock, General of the Valiant Cavalry Xie Zheng’s sister was none other than Wei Xun’s concubine. Especially in the Anning Marquis' estate—it sent shockwaves through.