Chapter 14: Chapter Fourteen What I Aim to Be Is a Treacherous Rebel…

Chapter 14: What I intend to do is an act of treason and rebellion...

Wei Zheng was still reeling from the medicine, his head throbbing and his body profoundly weak, yet this didn't deter him from seizing the chance to draw closer to his Assassin.

His initial pretense of taking a male favorite was solely to keep the Assassin by his side. Unexpectedly, after the first day, a cascade of events left him with almost no opportunity to cultivate their bond. Now, having finally found an opening, he was determined to make up for lost time.

With his mind made up, Wei Zheng tightened his arm around the Assassin’s slender waist, murmuring weakly, "My head aches. Rub it for me."

The Assassin never refused him and, of course, readily agreed.

They returned to the bed. Wei San sat on the edge, while Wei Zheng lay stretched out, his head resting on Wei San's lap.

Wei San’s fingers gently massaged Wei Zheng’s temples, careful not to apply too much pressure.

The prescribed medicine was indeed potent. Imperial Physician Liu had suggested reducing the dosage, but to maintain the charade and prevent the old emperor from noticing any discrepancies, Wei Zheng had declined. After two consecutive days, even Wei Zheng, robust as he was, felt utterly drained.

Though physically exhausted, Wei Zheng, having slept for two days, was now wide awake. He kept his eyes open, tracing the delicate features of Wei San’s face.

The Assassin remained quiet and still, his expression stern and unyielding, yet Wei Zheng perceived a subtle tenderness in him. For a moment, Wei Zheng was lost in thought, recalling a childhood memory: a high fever, his mother letting him rest his head on her lap, her expression severe but her touch incredibly gentle.

Suddenly, he felt an urge to confide. He murmured to Wei San, "While I was unconscious from the illness, I dreamed of my mother."

Wei San’s hands paused. He sensed the melancholy in Wei Zheng’s heart. He offered no verbal response, but listened intently and in silence.

He listened as Wei Zheng spoke of the time when Noble Consort Xu was still alive. Back then, Wei San had just joined the ranks, having only seen his master from afar a few times; he had never met Noble Consort Xu. Based on Wei Zheng’s words, he pieced together an image of his master's mother.

She was a stunningly beautiful yet aloof woman, tender-hearted, but destined for a tragic life. She had placed her trust in the wrong person, bringing ruin upon herself and her maternal clan.

Noble Consort Xu and the emperor were childhood sweethearts. After the emperor ascended the throne, he issued an edict, elevating her to noble consort. Initially, they treated each other with respect and lived in harmony. Wei Zheng, favored due to his mother, was deeply doted upon by the emperor.

This harmony lasted until the Duke of Dingguo pacified the Western Rong, returning to court with their surrender, willingly becoming a vassal state.

On the day the Duke of Dingguo returned, the city was deserted as everyone flocked to welcome him. The emperor stood at the city gate, feeling pleased about eliminating the Western Rong threat, when the empress beside him smiled and remarked, "The Duke of Dingguo is a military genius who has never known defeat. He is the Great Yu Dynasty's war god, stabilizing the nation. His prestige among the people is now so high, it almost rivals Your Majesty's."

The empress's words jolted the emperor, and his face immediately turned cold.

The Duke of Dingguo's achievements overshadowed the emperor's, and there was no higher title to bestow upon him. A single careless remark had planted the seed of doubt in the emperor's mind. Once sown, the seed of suspicion is like a stone rolling down a mountain—once it starts, it cannot be stopped.

In less than two months, evidence of the Duke of Dingguo's collusion with the enemy and treasonous intentions was laid before the emperor in the imperial study. Enraged, the emperor stripped the Duke of Dingguo of his military authority and noble title, casting him into the imperial prison. An edict sentencing him to execution after autumn soon followed.

At that time, Noble Consort Xu was heavily pregnant, less than a month from giving birth. Upon hearing the tragic news, she collapsed on the spot.

Noble Consort Xu knew her father had been framed and wronged. Ignoring the palace attendants' pleas and attempts to stop her, she knelt outside the Chengde Hall despite her advanced pregnancy, begging the emperor to reinvestigate the case thoroughly.

But how could the emperor, intent on eliminating the Duke of Dingguo, agree to see her?

Noble Consort Xu knelt for a full day and night until she could no longer endure it and suffered a miscarriage.

Wei Zheng still vividly remembered the scene from that night. His mother, who had always taken great pride in her appearance, lay lifeless in a pool of blood. The crimson blood stained the bed a shocking dark crimson. The baby girl, born lifeless, was so fragile and tiny in his arms, never having had the chance to open her eyes and see the world.

Wei Zheng personally buried his mother and younger sister. Upon returning, he fell gravely ill. It was then that he learned from the imperial physician that even if his mother had not miscarried, she would have inevitably suffered a hemorrhage and difficult labor on the day of delivery, and his sister would not have survived birth.

There were far too many in this palace who wished them ill.

Wei Zheng’s eyes reddened, his hands unconsciously clenching tightly.

He said, "If my mother and younger sister were still alive, my sister would now be a graceful young lady, undoubtedly as bright and beautiful as our mother. As her older brother, I would be worrying about finding her a good marriage. It's just a shame..."

His tone was remarkably calm, but the hatred in his eyes was chilling.

He recalled the old emperor's visit and the words he had overheard in his dazed state, and he couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.

"Wei San, oh Wei San, do you truly believe the emperor has any fatherly affection for me?"

He seemed to be asking Wei San, yet also asking himself.

In truth, he already knew the answer. The emperor was cold-blooded; if he could treat his most beloved woman this way, how could he harbor any genuine feelings? It was merely because Wei Zheng appeared foolish and without support, making him the easiest to control and the least threatening.

Having feigned madness and played the fool for ten years, it was now time to reel in the net.

He grasped Wei San's hand, his gaze fixed intently on those clear, peach-blossom eyes.

"Wei San, what I intend to do is an act of treason and rebellion. Are you still willing to follow me?"

Wei Zheng was certain Wei San would not refuse, but he stubbornly wanted to hear Wei San say it aloud.

He expected the Assassin to respond without hesitation, but Wei San pressed his lips together and remained silent. Wei Zheng’s heart instantly sank into an icy abyss, and a flicker of anger ignited within him.

Just as he was about to rise in frustration, Wei San finally spoke.

Wei San was puzzled, asking in confusion, "But I am my master's Assassin, my master's blade. Wherever the master is, the blade will be. Isn't that how it should be?"

He was bewildered and anxious, not understanding why his master would suddenly ask such a question. Had he done something insufficient, making his master doubt his loyalty? He wanted to explain himself but didn't know where to begin. He truly had no idea what he had done wrong.

Wei Zheng had never seen him so anxious and lost, like a puppy abandoned by its owner, unable to find its way home, pitiful and helpless.

"You're right. That's how it should be."

Wei San would be the blade that fit him perfectly.

Suddenly, he felt an impulse to pull the Assassin into his embrace, and he did just that.

Wei Zheng's embrace came too suddenly. The cool sandalwood scent, as domineering as ever, instantly enveloped the person in his arms like marking territory.

Wei San’s mind went blank. He stiffly raised his hands, unsure where to place them.

He didn't understand why his master... suddenly hugged him.