Chapter 149: This humble servant is willing.

Suppressing a smile with great effort, Wei Ziyuan assumed an expression of utter innocence, blinking his starlight-bright eyes and asking in feigned confusion, "Just a moment ago, the General stated that she came to bring this humble servant to justice. May I ask what crime I have committed?"

What crime? Could he possibly be unaware of what he had done? Chu Junhan fixed a bloodthirsty gaze on the youth, remaining utterly silent, as if her very glare could slice him into a thousand pieces.

Instead of shrinking away from the young general's piercing gaze, Wei Ziyuan met it with the warmth of a spring breeze, taking a slight step closer.

In that instant, only a single step remained between them, allowing the faint, soothing fragrance of medicinal herbs that clung to the youth to lightly brush against Chu Junhan's nose, causing her to lose herself in a momentary trance.

Not only was the young man exceptionally handsome, but even the scent he carried was wonderfully pleasing.

Yet...

"If the General refuses to speak, this humble servant can only hazard a wild guess... Ah, if stealing hearts is a crime, then I confess. I should never have stolen the General's heart."

Yet, his words remained as utterly brazen as ever, grindingly infuriating enough to make one wish to tear him to shreds!

As soon as these words fell, every member of the Wei family drew in a sharp breath. Such a blasphemous remark—this rebellious wretch truly had the audacity to utter it.

Chu Junhan felt her ears burn with a scorching heat. Among everyone present, she alone knew that the youth was fully aware of her true identity as a woman, and that he was deliberately teasing her!

No, she must not lose her temper. She could not allow him to lead her by the nose.

Clenching her fists with a slight tremor, the young general drew a deep breath, let out a cold laugh, and retorted, "Young Master Ziyuan certainly knows how to joke. Are you perhaps in such a rush to meet your early demise?"

The matriarch of the Wei family was a woman who had seen her share of the world. Being the first to snap back to her senses, she rushed over to the youth, violently snatched at his garments, and hissed, "Ziyuan, hold your tongue!"

Terror was plastered across the First Madam's face. If this little scoundrel was merely mischievous, his death wouldn't be worth pitying, but she could not allow him to drag the entire Wei family down with him.

With his collar slightly disheveled from the pull, the youth could not help a flash of annoyance. Raising a hand, he brushed away the noblewoman's grip and began to casually straighten his robes. "Does the General truly believe this humble servant is joking? Could it be that the General has forgotten our appointment to meet at the Wangchun Pavilion?"

With those words, he finished adjusting his attire, raised his head to lock eyes with Chu Junhan, and flashed a dissolute, rakish smile. "Why must the General still come searching for me? If the General misses this humble servant so dearly, a simple message would suffice. Why trouble yourself with a personal visit?"

"You..." Chu Junhan gritted her teeth in pure exasperation, longing to strike him right then and there in full view of everyone. Yet, despite priding herself on her sharp tongue, her skin simply was not as thick as the youth's...

Seething, she forced the words out between clenched teeth: "That's right! This general thinks of you so much she loses all appetite and sleep! I can't wait to drag you off to face justice this very instant!"

Wei Ziyuan pressed his lips into a faint, gentle smile and replied indifferently, "Bring me to justice? From start to finish, the General has yet to name a single law I have broken. If the General is fond of this humble servant and wishes to keep me by her side, she only needs to say the word. I am more than willing to serve as the General's kept favorite."

At this, the entire gathering shivered violently. A suffocating sense of impending doom washed over them as they nervously cast furtive glances at the young general, silently praying that she would not vent her wrath upon the Wei family.

Before Chu Junhan could unleash her fury, Yun Yi burst into the courtyard wielding a long spear, glaring murderously at the youth. Thrusting the tip of the spear right against Wei Ziyuan's throat, Yun Yi breathed heavily, his face flushed red with rage, "How dare you slander my pretty brother! I, Yun Yi, will surely take your head!"