Chapter 11: Chapter Eleven Watching Wei Zheng Fall into the Water Helplessly

Chapter 11: Eleven Watches Helplessly as Wei Zheng Plunges Into the Water

Wei San had considered many possibilities, but when the figure slowly stepped across the threshold and he clearly saw the face, he froze for a moment.

The person who arrived was none other than Crown Prince Wei Heng.

By etiquette, Wei San should have risen to pay respects as soon as the Crown Prince entered, but a scholar who had just arrived in the capital for the imperial exams wouldn’t recognize the Crown Prince. And privately, he had no desire to stand and bow.

The Crown Prince initially paid him no mind, scanning the room. Apparently not finding the person he was looking for, he finally turned his gaze to Wei San.

The scholar was indeed as strikingly handsome as the rumors claimed. Even the Crown Prince, who had no interest in men, was briefly captivated by that face.

No wonder his foolish younger brother, who had a penchant for beauties, had taken a liking to him at first sight and defied their father to keep him.

Perhaps the trauma of being forcibly taken had left the scholar broken, for he showed little reaction upon seeing someone enter, only staring blankly with dull, sorrowful peach-blossom eyes.

A thought crossed the Crown Prince’s mind: such a fragile, easily manipulated, broken-winged canary would be most useful.

He slowly formed a benevolent smile and asked softly, “Do you know where your prince has gone?”

In truth, he was playing dumb. He had deliberately come while Wei Zheng was out, hoping to see for himself just who this Young Master Sui Yun was—the one rumored to have utterly captivated his seventh brother.

His gaze was scrutinizing and assessing, as if trying to discern something from the scholar.

Wei San acted as if he hadn’t noticed the probing in his eyes and lowered his gaze, replying, “I do not know.”

Wei San’s dismissive attitude annoyed the Crown Prince. He had intended to use this chance to pick a fight, but the next moment, as if struck by a thought, he smiled meaningfully. “The rumors around town say the Virtuous Prince has recently acquired a beauty. You must be that Young Master Sui Yun.”

Wei San grew wary, raising his eyes to look at him. “What if I am?”

The Crown Prince glanced around the room’s furnishings and said meaningfully, “The prince’s residence is lavish and magnificent. Many would scramble to get in, but little do they know it’s nothing more than a gilded cage that imprisons freedom.”

“Someone as free-spirited as Young Master Sui Yun surely wouldn’t enjoy being trapped in a cage.”

“What are you implying?”

So the Crown Prince truly intended to harm his master!

Wei San’s tone became urgent. He clenched his fists, tightly suppressing the fury within, but to the Crown Prince, it seemed as though he hated the Virtuous Prince.

The Crown Prince only smiled without answering, leaving it to Wei San’s imagination. By now, he was convinced that Wei San would seize the chance to escape his enemy and willingly step into the trap he had laid.

Wei San snorted inwardly, biting down hard to stop himself from jabbing all the poisoned needles hidden in his sleeve into the Crown Prince.

Pretending to be tempted but skeptical, he asked, “Why should I believe you?”

The Crown Prince neither confirmed nor denied it. Instead, he lowered his head to straighten his robes, casually revealing the four-clawed dragon jade pendant fastened to his sash.

A five-clawed golden dragon represented the current emperor, while a four-clawed dragon could only be worn by the crown prince.

Young Master Sui Yun indeed fell silent, staring intently at the jade pendant. Though he made no verbal commitment, the Crown Prince knew he had taken the bait.

“Making a living person vanish without a trace from the Virtuous Prince’s residence is neither too easy nor too difficult—it all depends on what Young Master Sui Yun decides to do.”

He did not explicitly demand anything from Wei San, but the implication was clear. Leaving these words for Wei San to ponder, he turned and strode out of the side hall, fan in hand.

Wei San watched his retreating figure coldly, kill intent growing in his eyes.

The Crown Prince’s blatant visit forced Wei San to think more deeply.

What was the Crown Prince’s true purpose in visiting so suddenly? He refused to believe it was merely because of a rumor.

He had long known that the prince’s residence was riddled with spies planted by the Crown Prince. Although these spies were closely monitored by assassins and hidden guards, their mere presence meant they could, at a critical moment, become daggers aimed at his master’s vitals.

And the mastermind pulling the strings was now right here in the residence.

Wei San knew the Crown Prince would not dare harm his master so openly within the prince’s residence, but the mere thought of his master being in danger made him too restless to stay put.

An idea formed in his mind. He immediately stood, pushed open the window, and tapped a coded knock on the windowsill.

Before long, Wei Jiu slipped into the room like a shadow. Without even asking why he had been summoned, he saw Wei San abruptly begin to take off his clothes.

Wei Jiu’s eyes widened in shock, and he gasped. “Third Brother, this is the master’s side hall. Isn’t this a little too bold? I’m not prepared at all.”

Wei San: “…………”

.

Wei Zheng only learned of the Crown Prince’s visit after returning to the residence. He frowned subconsciously. “Second Brother came? Why didn’t you send someone to find me?”

His tone was cold and stern, but his attendants assumed he was merely displeased with Butler Li for not notifying him promptly.

Butler Li replied awkwardly, “The Crown Prince forbade this servant from sending for you. He said it was fine to wait and not to trouble you. This servant is of low status and didn’t dare disobey him.”

Butler Li had once served in the imperial palace. Though he was now Wei Zheng’s steward, the rules deeply ingrained in him were not easily forgotten.

Wei Zheng didn’t scold Butler Li any further. After dismissing the court ladies, he instructed him to quickly lead the way to the Crown Prince. Along the way, he learned from Butler Li that the Crown Prince had gone to the main hall seeking him but, failing to find him there, had proceeded to the side hall.

Butler Li had been ordered to remain outside and did not know whether the Crown Prince had met Young Master Sui Yun or what had transpired. He only knew the Crown Prince had stayed in the side hall for under fifteen minutes.

It wasn’t a long time, but it was enough for many things to happen.

Naturally, he did not doubt Wei San’s loyalty, but he found the Crown Prince’s actions completely absurd.

He wondered what expression his dear older brother, the Crown Prince, would wear when he discovered that the male favorite was actually his assassin.

That was a matter for the future, but it was a future that would not keep him waiting long.

Wei Zheng pushed the thought aside and followed Butler Li to the lotus pond in the prince’s residence.

It was early June, the season when lotuses were in full bloom. A gentle breeze carried the faint, elegant fragrance of the flowers.

The Crown Prince stood by the pond’s edge, hands behind his back, carefully observing a pink lotus bud yet to bloom.

It wasn’t that he particularly liked lotuses; rather, the sight of such beautiful, fragile flowers stirred in him a desire to break them.

Just as he reached out to pluck the bud, the corner of his eye caught Wei Zheng charging at him like a soccer ball.

His foolish younger brother barreled forward while shouting, “Second Brother, if you were coming, why didn’t you tell me in advance? Now I’m guilty of poor hospitality. If Father finds out, he’ll surely scold me again.”

The Crown Prince stood close to the water’s edge. If Wei Zheng crashed into him, he would most likely lose his balance and fall into the pond.

He quickly withdrew his hand and stepped forward, but it was too late. Wei Zheng lunged straight at him. Without a second thought, the Crown Prince sidestepped, then watched as Wei Zheng plunged into the water with a loud splash.