Chapter 58: Lift Up Your Skirt?! He Weifang is Dumbfounded!

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Was it fear? Logically, it ought to be fear! After all, that libertine was so brazenly lecherous, and now, in the dead of night, he had actually pursued her all the way to this manor... What was his purpose in coming? He Weifang naturally understood it perfectly well! Yet, for some reason, she felt that this was not the time to scream in alarm. Her sixth sense was telling her that this man's appearance in her life might very well bring about some kind of turning point!

"Since Your Excellency has arrived, why not reveal yourself?" He Weifang pondered for a moment, then decided to speak out directly. She was taking a gamble! She wanted to understand why this seemingly lecherous man kept appearing by her side like a persistent specter. What exactly did he want from her? And what, in turn, could he offer her? If both parties were genuinely sincere about making a "deal," then it was not entirely out of the question to negotiate!

At this moment, Wei Tingyu was perched upon the rooftop. He hadn't expected this young woman, He Weifang, to actually detect his presence. Indeed, that keen nose of hers was quite effective! At this thought, he made a light leap, drifting down from the roof and landing soundlessly just behind He Weifang.

In an instant, that potent, unforgettable fragrance once again assailed his nostrils! Truly an exquisite creature of this mortal realm! How could that fellow Liu Chang be so utterly blind?! Resisting the potent urge to sweep He Weifang directly into her chamber for some "amorous activities," Wei Tingyu merely waited for her to turn around.

He Weifang, however, frowned slightly. At this moment, her gaze swept across the entire courtyard; every nook and cranny was visible to her, yet there seemed to be no conceivable hiding place. But the fragrance was growing stronger, as if the other person were right beside her. Her mind filled with doubt, she suddenly recalled the incident at Fuyun Guan around dusk. That libertine had appeared silently behind her then... could it be that this time too...

At this thought, a shiver ran down He Weifang's spine, and she instinctively whirled her head around. Sure enough, that face—so etched in her memory, a face she would never forget—appeared within her line of sight. Only, this time, the two of them were so incredibly close that the tips of their noses actually brushed against each other!

"Ah!" He Weifang let out an instinctive cry of alarm. Her entire body recoiled backward, a near-perfect replay of the scene in the Hall of the Patriarch Heavenly Master at dusk. This time, however, He Weifang proactively clapped a hand over her own mouth, so the shriek was suppressed after only a faint sound had escaped.

Wei Tingyu, however, was quick-eyed and swift-handed. He deftly wrapped an arm around her waist from the front, once again pulling her into his embrace. Why is this young woman reacting the same way as before? he wondered. If I hadn't intervened, she would have toppled straight to the ground! Could it be that He Weifang possesses some hidden attribute that causes her to fall over on perfectly flat ground?

"Young Mistress, what's wrong?" Although the cry had been brief, it still alerted Yulu in the adjacent room. The girl's anxious voice called out, followed by the sound of a table and chair scraping, indicating she was about to rush out to see.

"It's nothing! Nothing at all!" He Weifang was suddenly frantic. If Yulu were to see her meeting secretly with a man in the courtyard in the dead of night, and furthermore, being held in such a tight embrace, it would be truly impossible to explain! She wasn't worried that Yulu would betray her and report to the Liu family, but the problem was, how would she ever face this maid—who had been with her since childhood and was like a sister to her—after this? What face would she have left?

"A mouse just scurried past and gave me a fright. It has already run out of the courtyard," He Weifang quickly explained, afraid Yulu wouldn't believe her, and hastily added this plausible reason.

"Oh!" Yulu, upon hearing this, said no more. From the sounds, it seemed she finally rustled back into bed and settled down to sleep.

Seeing this, He Weifang finally let out a heavy sigh of relief. Then, she glanced again at Wei Tingyu's face, so close to her own, and felt a surge of anger. This scoundrel not only showed no sign of tension whatsoever but was instead sporting a profoundly meaningful smile, as if being discovered in this situation held some advantage for him! A libertine, through and through! she thought. My initial impression of him was absolutely correct!

He Weifang thought coldly to herself, then, frowning, she said to Wei Tingyu, "Unhand me!"

However, Wei Tingyu did not so simply comply with her demand. Instead, he suddenly bent down and swept He Weifang into a princess carry in his arms. "You... What do you think you're doing?" He Weifang was instantly dumbfounded. She hadn't imagined that here, in the deep courtyards of the Liu residence, this man would dare to so boldly lay hands on her—and in such a manner! Then, seeing him carry her directly into her private boudoir, He Weifang's face turned deathly pale with fright.

This libertine... he isn't actually going to try and force himself upon me, is he?! What should I do then? Should I scream for help? But if I raise an alarm in this secluded inner courtyard, too many people will be disturbed, and they will only accuse me of being unchaste! This man comes and goes like a shadow; he might well vanish before anyone else arrives! In the end, wouldn't I just become the object of ridicule within the Liu Manor? But if I don't scream, what then? She tried to struggle a couple of times, but it was utterly futile. His strength was simply too overwhelming, rendering He Weifang incapable of even mustering the will to resist him.

However, just when her mind was in a turmoil of anxiety, not knowing what to do, Wei Tingyu gently placed her down upon a stool in her boudoir. He then turned and softly closed the door. Initially, seeing that he hadn't carried her to the bed, He Weifang had felt a sliver of relief. But then, watching him turn and shut the door, her face immediately tensed up again!

"Who exactly are you? And what in the blazes do you want~｀?" At this point, He Weifang felt as if she were about to be driven mad by this man before her! Whenever she faced him, she always found herself at a complete loss, while he, on the other hand, seemed like a cat that had caught a mouse—in no hurry to devour its prey, but rather content to toy with it endlessly in its paws! This feeling of utter helplessness was profoundly unsettling for He Weifang. Therefore, she decided to be direct and put her questions to him plainly. In any case, this man appearing in her courtyard now could not possibly be some martial artist who had lost his way while leaping over eaves and walls; he was undoubtedly here specifically for her! Of this, He Weifang was absolutely certain!

"Do you not know who I am?" Wei Tingyu, after closing the door, walked over to the table and sat down on a stool beside He Weifang. He then gently tapped the wine pot on the table with his finger. The rose dew within was wine that He Weifang and Yulu had brewed themselves. To think this libertine has now set his sights on it? He Weifang fumed inwardly. However, seeing that he seemed to merely be requesting a cup of wine, she said nothing further and slowly rose to pour him one.

As she presented the filled wine cup to him, she asked again, "I am but a humble married woman, confined to the inner chambers. How would I possibly know who Young Master is?" Of course, her tone was entirely devoid of courtesy; she was clearly being sarcastic and taking a jab at him! You, Young Master, roam the heavens and the earth freely; how could you possibly comprehend the anguish of a woman trapped like a bird in a cage within these inner chambers?

"Do you not even know when distinguished guests arrive at your husband's family home?" Wei Tingyu downed the cup of rose dew He Weifang had offered in a single gulp. A delightful sweetness immediately spread through his throat. Indeed, this wine of He Weifang's own brewing was truly fragrant and delicious! Just like the woman herself!

"You are... the Marquis of Jining?" He Weifang was instantly dumbstruck. She blinked her eyes, her expression one of utter disbelief as she asked. She had, of course, heard that distinguished guests from the capital had suddenly arrived that evening, which was why her parents-in-law and husband had all gone to the front gate to receive them. However, she had been specifically instructed not to casually show her face.

He Weifang, naturally, had no inclination to join in the fuss of her husband's family; whether they were distinguished guests or not had little to do with her. Furthermore, after returning earlier that day, she had been dragged to the ancestral hall by her mother-in-law to kneel for a considerable time. Her swollen knees truly had no desire to endure any more welcoming and seeing-off ceremonies. Nevertheless, she had still indulged in a bit of "gossip" to ascertain the identity of the visitors. Upon learning that it was the Marquis of Jining from the Imperial Capital, accompanied by his three consorts, she had felt a slight twinge of surprise, not having expected the Liu family to possess such a connection in the capital.

Now it appears this "connection" was most likely not aimed at the Liu family, but rather... at herself?! He Weifang's lips twitched at the thought. She looked at Wei Tingyu, only to see him savoring her rose dew with an expression of pure enjoyment. Is this libertine truly the Marquis? she wondered. Somehow, he doesn't seem like one.

No! It must be true! He Weifang's thoughts flashed back to the events at Fuyun Guan earlier that day. Hadn't her first encounter with Wei Tingyu been in the main hall, where he was accompanying three beautifully coiffed matrons? Combining this with the information she had received about the Marquis of Jining visiting with his three consorts, and most importantly, the fact that they were all dressed in the attire of high-ranking dignitaries from the capital—it all fit. Looked at this way, there could be no mistake; the man before her was indeed the Marquis of Jining!

"To think that a Marquis would trespass into another family's inner residence in the dead of night!" He Weifang's delicate brows furrowed once more as she looked at Wei Tingyu with undisguised contempt. "You are accompanied by three such stunningly beautiful consorts, yet you still harbor improper designs on another man's wife! Your Lordship is truly profligate to the extreme!"

Well, now! Did she really have to be so brutally frank?! Wei Tingyu was momentarily stunned. I've given this young woman too much leeway, it seems! She actually dares to confront me so directly, to unleash her ultimate attack right to my face?! But upon reflection, it was somewhat understandable. After their several encounters, she had likely come to realize that while he enjoyed engaging in some light physical teasing and taking liberties with her, he harbored no genuine intention of harming her. Consequently, her courage had grown!

"Has Madam perhaps forgotten?" Wei Tingyu, however, was not one to be casually berated by a wife without offering a retort—especially since this particular "wife" had not yet officially entered his household. He promptly countered, "Who was it, just moments ago, that bade me reveal myself?"

"I..." He Weifang was momentarily flustered, only then recalling that it had indeed been she who had sensed Wei Tingyu's presence and called for him to appear.

"Then we could have spoken in the courtyard! Why did you... carry... carry me into this room?!" He Weifang, naturally, was not about to concede the point. Her eyes flashed as she recalled another of Wei Tingyu's transgressions. Entering the room was one thing, but to be carried in! Was such an intimate gesture something that could be performed so casually by just anyone?

"Madam, engaging in conversation with an unrelated man in the courtyard—are you not afraid of being seen by members of the Liu household?" Wei Tingyu burst into laughter upon hearing this. "Furthermore, I carried Madam solely because I am fond of Madam!"

Is this... a declaration of affection? He Weifang was utterly stupefied. After several seconds of sheer bewilderment, a deep blush suffused her small face, spreading all the way from her earlobes to her neck. After all, from her childhood until now, this was the very first time a man had so formally declared his fondness for her!

"My Lord Marquis is jesting!" He Weifang took two deep breaths, then lightly patted her own small chest as she said, "I am already a married woman; I am unworthy of His Lordship's profound affection!"

"And can you and that Liu Chang truly be considered husband and wife?" Wei Tingyu, upon hearing her words, simply smiled and blinked, then fixed his gaze intently upon He Weifang's eyes, giving her no avenue for evasion.

He Weifang was momentarily stunned. Only then did she remember that this was Wei Tingyu before her! He had overheard her curses against Liu Chang and her parents-in-law in the Hall of the Patriarch Heavenly Master at Fuyun Guan! He surely understood her current predicament within this Liu residence! Moreover, he was staring at her so intently; if she were to lie or be obstinate, he would undoubtedly see through it. Besides, He Weifang also understood that while her lies might deceive others, they could never deceive herself.

At this thought, she immediately lowered her gaze, her long eyelashes trembling faintly, and the rims of her eyes instantly reddened.

"My Lord Marquis shows great concern," she murmured. To be truthful, since marrying into the Liu family, this was the first time anyone had shown such solicitude for her. She couldn't help but feel a little touched. Although Wei Tingyu's initial impression had been that of a libertine, looking at him now, it seemed that while his conduct might be somewhat unconventional, his heart was fundamentally that of an upright and good person.

"Come now," However, just as He Weifang was feeling this surge of emotion, Wei Tingyu suddenly smiled, stepped before her, and said, "Lift up your skirt!"

"..." Upon hearing these words, He Weifang was struck completely dumb, as if turned to wood! Heavens above! she thought. Your shift between righteous and wicked is a bit too abrupt, isn't it! One moment you appear so concerned for me, and the next you're telling me to lift my skirt? What on earth is this about?

Even when frequenting the Yihong Brothel to seek out courtesans, one wouldn't be so crassly direct! Wouldn't one at least engage in some conversation, share a few drinks, and cultivate a little rapport first? Moreover, although her own marriage was unhappy, she was, after all, a young lady from a respectable family married into a proper official's household. How could she possibly engage in such illicit acts with him so casually? In He Weifang's eyes, Wei Tingyu's words had just demeaned her to a level even lower than that of a common prostitute! Her cheeks instantly puffed out with indignation!

"My Lord Marquis, please conduct yourself with dignity!" He Weifang, her face a mask of indignation, frowned sharply and glared at Wei Tingyu. "I am not that kind of..."

Before she could finish her sentence, Wei Tingyu could wait no longer! He directly grasped the hem of her skirt and, with a slight upward flick, lifted it to just above her knees. Then, he froze. For in the close proximity of the candlelight, Wei Tingyu clearly saw He Weifang's red, swollen knees. Her calves, as fair and smooth as fine jade, reflected an enticing luster, yet these two injuries in their midst appeared all the more jarring and egregious!

He Weifang, at first, hadn't anticipated that Wei Tingyu would actually lift her skirt so directly and was thoroughly startled. She instinctively tried to cover herself with her hands, but then she noticed that he was not looking at her jade-like legs with a greedy expression. Instead, his gaze was fixed silently upon the injuries on her knees. She instantly understood. Wei Tingyu must have witnessed the scene in the courtyard earlier when Yulu was applying ointment for her! And, of course, that meant her jade-like legs had also been seen by him!

At this moment, He Weifang indeed felt a surge of shame and annoyance; after all, such behavior was profoundly ungentlemanly! However, seeing the pained concern in Wei Tingyu's eyes as he stared at the injuries on her knees, she also felt a little touched. If her own husband could show such tender concern for her, her life would undoubtedly be much more pleasant and comfortable!

"My Lord Marquis..." He Weifang felt a complex emotion stir within her. But with her knees and calves exposed, being scrutinized by an unrelated man, she also felt extremely awkward. She instinctively reached to pull her skirt back down to cover her legs.

"Don't move!" Wei Tingyu, however, uttered a soft command, causing He Weifang's hand, which had been about to move, to freeze in place. Then, under her astonished gaze, he gently placed his own hands upon her swollen knees. Immediately, before He Weifang could react, Wei Tingyu began to circulate his internal energy, activating the Zixia Divine Art within his body! This was originally the supreme internal energy cultivation method of the Huashan Sect, known for its miraculous healing properties! Particularly for redness, swelling, and bruising caused by impact, the Zixia Divine Art could swiftly disperse the stagnant blood!

When He Weifang first saw Wei Tingyu proactively place his hands on her knees, she was overcome with acute embarrassment! Allowing you to see them was already highly improper; now you dare to touch them as well? However, just as she was about to reprimand him, she felt a peculiar warm current emanating from Wei Tingyu's hands! And this warm current instantly made her swollen, slightly aching knees feel incredibly comfortable and soothed! Most astoundingly, the red, swollen injuries—which would normally take a considerable time to subside even with the application of the finest medicinal salves—began to shrink rapidly, visibly, before her very eyes!

And only after Wei Tingyu removed his hands from her knees did He Weifang discover, to her utter amazement, that the previously extensive areas of redness and swelling had now completely vanished! Her fair, jade-like legs were once again flawless! The only remaining trace was a slight flush of pink on the areas of her knees he had just touched. However, she surmised this was not an injury but rather a result of that warm current, and it would surely fade completely within a short time, restoring them to their original state!