33 Ten Years Not Too Late

Yan Qiu Heng waited in the side hall for quite some time. He quietly drained two or three cups of tea and every so often, the eunuch at the door would bow to him while apologizing. "The young master will be out shortly!" was repeated over and over.

In normal times, the youngest member of the Yan family was hardly the patient type. Now, when his beloved sister was so obviously unhappy and headed for disaster, it was even harder for him to keep calm. Earlier, the servant who had led him here had said that this side hall was adjacent to Wei Tian Ao's living quarters. Yan Qiu Heng eyed the doorway that the eunuch guarded. After downing one more cup of tea, he suddenly rose and walked through that doorway, which alarmed the eunuch.

"S-sir! You cannot--"

"Don't worry, I can find the way on my own." Yan Qiu Heng smiled brightly, purposely misinterpreting the servant's actions. His own servants followed behind him, with one staying to subdue the eunuch.

His intuition had been spot on. After walking merely a short while, he arrived at Wei Tian Ao's room. When he peered into the room from a distance, he saw a young man sitting at a table with shriveled, dejected posture. The young man was staring out the window at the bleak scenery outside; both he and it were devoid of life.

Anger coursed through Yan Qiu Heng. His sister was still fighting, was still trying to make the best of her current situation, but what was her husband-to-be doing at this crucial time?

It had to be said that Yan Qiu Heng was a scholarly young man. Duke Ning's household was a lineage of court officials. While the men in the family were all healthy, they were not fighters. As such, they were the type to solve problems with brilliant words, not violence. So it quite shocked Yan Qiu Heng's servants to see him go right up to Wei Tian Ao and grab the other young man by the collar of his robes, pulling him to his feet.

"Just what do you think you are doing right now!?" Yan Qiu Heng roared, his face just a palm's width or two from Wei Tian Ao's.

Wei Tian Ao's expression did not change. He hung from Yan Qiu Heng's arms like a lifeless doll.

"At this time, when so many eyes are upon her, when so many are plotting for our family's direct misfortune, you are sitting here...a useless lump! How can she count on you to support her? What kind of husband are you!?"

The "her" he mentioned did not have to be directly named. Something flickered in Wei Tian Ao's eyes, but still he said nothing. Disgusted, Yan Qiu Heng loosened his grip. Wei Tian Ao fell to the floor in a sprawling heap.

What official's second son ever dared to treat a prince-shizi this way? What brother ever did and said such things for a mere sister?

But who was Yan Qiu Heng? He was never one to care about such things. And the person whom this young man was defending...

Slowly, ever so slowly, Wei Tian Ao lifted his gaze to look at this young man who'd intruded upon his quiet, sterile living space. He remembered that grinning young man who'd triumphed over Yi Cheng Rui at the bookstore. "Yan Qiu Heng and Yan Qiu Yue are twins." his friend had said. Wei Tian Ao thought back to that banquet that felt like it had been forever ago--thought back to that young woman who appeared in his life like a beautiful sea fairy. He had tried to forget her, to give up on that tiny bit of feeling he had.

"Oh..." Tian Ao suddenly recalled it. He was to marry that fairy-like girl. She was not marrying Wei Hong Sheng any longer, but him. Just a few days earlier, he'd chosen a few things to send her family, but his mind had been in a daze. Only now did Tian Ao fully recognize that those had been betrothal gifts.

"How can I support her?" Wei Tian Ao croaked, his voice cracked from disuse.

Yan Qiu Heng froze; his eyes widened. Had he actually gotten through to him? Yan Qiu Heng suddenly felt some pity for this Wei Tian Ao. He well knew what this young man had gone through since arriving in Yinchuan. It could be expected that Wei Tian Ao would be down and depressed. However, Yan Qiu Heng had to harden his heart for his sister. Wei Tian Ao could not be depressed and useless right now, or he would be swept away in others' schemes.

Yan Qiu Heng looked up, suddenly mindful of the eyes and ears in the room. Sensing his unease, Wei Tian Ao quickly dismissed the servants. "Leave us."

"But, shizi..."

"It's all right. This is my future bride's younger brother. I would have some words with him."

"...Understood."

The servants finally all withdrew. Letting out a little sigh, Yan Qiu Heng helped Tian Ao to his feet. "You are no longer a foreign merchant's son," Yan Qiu Heng said to him softly. "Whatever happened, whoever is at fault, you must make your moves quietly. Only when the tree is tall and strong can the fawn find shelter beneath its shade."

Wei Tian Ao squeezed his eyes shut, feeling pained when he recalled Tian Ren's death. He had been conflicted about things for too long, but deep down in his bones, he knew the truth. Tian Ren had been a good man. He wasn't a kidnapper. The person behind his father's death... Was it the emperor? Or was it...

Wei Tian Ao's eyes flashed. "There is...much that I don't understand." He laughed darkly. "I've always disdained officials and noble sons. How can I become one now?"

Yan Qiu Heng smiled. "Don't you have your good friend to rely upon?"

Wei Tian Ao had not seen Yi Cheng Rui in a long time. The young man had sent him several letters, but each one remained on his desk unanswered. Here was a good friend. Here was someone who had not yet given up on him. Wei Tian Ao slowly nodded.

"Do not rush." Yan Qiu Heng interjected. "Never rush. For a nobleman to take revenge, ten years is not too late. I trust you understand."

"...Yes." Some color had finally returned to Wei Tian Ao's face.

"This is all I wanted to say to you. If you understand, then that is naturally good. I apologize if I gave you any offense." Yan Qiu Heng bowed, finally showing Wei Tian Ao some respect.

"No... It's my fault that Sir Yan had to come and say such things. Many thanks to you for opening my eyes." Wei Tian Ao smiled wryly. "It seems that I forgot myself." He had been so distressed over his own helplessness. Unable to do anything to immediately alleviate the situation, he had just completely shut down instead. "You're right. Ten years is not too late..."

No more words had to be said to him, it seemed. Yan Qiu Heng, while still somewhat skeptical about this whole situation, was comforted knowing that at least Wei Tian Ao now better grasped the situation. His sister would not be entirely without support once she married in. A little relieved, Yan Qiu Heng turned to depart and had just walked through the doorway when suddenly Wei Tian Ao called out to him with one more question.

"If... If she was still marrying Wei Hong Sheng... Would you be giving this advice and showing this concern to him, too?"

Yan Qiu Heng sighed, instantly able to read the underlying intent of such a question. What was it about his sister that captivated the young men of Prince Rui's household so? He did not turn around, so Wei Tian Ao had no way of knowing what sort of expression was on the young man's face. "If Wei Hong Sheng was still my sister's fiance...... He most likely would not require any advice from this humble one in the first place." Such honest, cutting words stunned Wei Tian Ao. He could not reply as Yan Qiu Heng strode away.