Chapter 17: Chapter Seventeen You Have Immunity in This Prince’s Presence

Chapter 17: Seventeen, You Have a Pardon from Me

Wei Zheng’s heart softened the moment the assassin cried. He released his grip, stepped back two paces, and said with a helpless sigh, "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore."

The assassin had already composed himself, but his damp eyes, like dew-kissed peach blossoms, were utterly endearing.

Perhaps feeling embarrassed, the assassin pursed his lips and turned his head away, unwilling to meet Wei Zheng’s gaze.

Wei Zheng felt a stir of desire, but he knew better than to overdo it. He ultimately refrained from pressing Wei San further.

In a rare display of humility, he coaxed softly, "Today, I was reckless, and it was my fault. I'll do whatever you ask, just don't be angry, alright?"

Wei San straightened his disheveled collar, not even bothering to spare him a glance.

"Get lost."

Not only did Wei San reject his insincere apology, but he also coldly ordered him to leave.

The guard, unfazed by the rebuff, merely smirked playfully. "Alright, alright. How could I dare not leave when my sweetheart tells me to?"

Wei San was taken aback, not expecting such obedience. He sensed a trick, yet to his surprise, the guard actually made good on his word.

Wei Zheng exited through the window as he had arrived, but before leaving, he turned back and said, "Next time I come, I'll make a proper apology to my sweetheart."

Wei San gritted his teeth and slammed the window shut, locking it tightly.

With the guard’s departure, the silent farce concluded. The candlelight in the room still flickered, and apart from Wei San’s faint, shaky breaths, it was so quiet one could hear a pin drop.

He clutched his collar, his fingertips trembling uncontrollably.

Even though the guard had long since departed and likely wouldn't reappear tonight, the suffocating fear that had nearly drowned him lingered, refusing to fade.

Having just broken down in tears, Wei San’s eyes remained sore and swollen.

He thought with lingering dread, "Thank goodness… Thank goodness the master has been on medication for several days, his energy and alertness greatly diminished. Otherwise, tonight, along with all the shameful deeds that had happened before, would likely have been impossible to conceal."

He leaned against the wall and slowly slid to the floor, covering his face with his hands and letting out a long sigh, feeling utterly exhausted both mentally and physically.

After calming his emotions for a short while, he had just begun to settle down when he noticed the candlelight in the inner chamber light up.

There was only one person in the inner chamber—the Virtuous Prince, who should have been asleep.

Wei San’s pupils trembled, his mind blank. The worst-case scenario had still occurred. He refused to believe it, but his sharp, martial arts-trained hearing forced him to perceive the faint rustle of fabric and the light footsteps, which now felt like a harbinger of doom.

Countless thoughts flashed through his mind, each one throwing him into further disarray.

Before the door connecting the side room to the inner chamber was pushed open, Wei San instinctively stood up straight, his back rigid, his eyes lowered to the ground. On the surface, he appeared calm, but his gaze was scattered and unfocused.

When Wei Zheng pushed the door open, the first thing he saw was Wei San’s guilty expression, trying too hard to appear innocent—like a misbehaving cat caught by its owner, too ashamed to make a sound.

He raised a fist to his lips and coughed lightly, hiding an amused smile, which caused the guilty Wei San to tremble almost imperceptibly.

It was clear how terrified he was that his master had discovered his clandestine encounter with the guard.

Wei Zheng found it highly amusing, thoroughly entertained by Wei San’s reaction.

Pretending to have just woken up, completely unaware of what had transpired, he asked, feigning confusion, "The night is deep. Why are you still awake?"

Wei San’s face instantly lost all color, his fingertips trembling slightly. Yet, he feigned composure and replied, "This lowly one is merely troubled by thoughts, hence unable to sleep."

Fearing that Wei Zheng might press for details, he didn't give him the chance to ask more questions and directly changed the subject.

"Did I disturb you, Master?"

The assassin spoke tensely with a barely detectable plea. Wei Zheng knew he had been thoroughly frightened tonight and thus played along, replying, "It has nothing to do with you. I’ve just been trapped in nightmares and couldn’t sleep well. Since I’ve already slept long enough during the day, I thought I might as well get up for some fresh air."

Wei San’s heart leaped into his throat. Instead of feeling relieved, he grew paranoid, wondering if his master had overheard something.

He tentatively asked, "Are you truly not disturbed by me?"

Wei Zheng chuckled, "I already said it has nothing to do with you. Why are you so eager to ask for punishment?"

He knew exactly what Wei San was thinking—he was deliberately making him nervous. Once he offered an explanation, the assassin would feel guilty for having doubted him. After that, if he made any further requests, the assassin would hardly refuse outright.

"If not, that’s a relief. I thought—" Wei San finally breathed a sigh of relief but cut himself off mid-sentence, realizing he had almost slipped up.

Wei Zheng pretended not to notice his discomfort, focusing instead on the assassin’s still slightly red nose and eyes. With a meaningful smile, he said, "Tonight is the fifteenth—a full moon night. The moonlight must be quite beautiful. Since you’re also awake, how about joining me for some fresh air?"

Without waiting for Wei San’s agreement, he strode toward the outer chamber, confident that Wei San would follow.

Wei San was taken aback for a moment. Seeing his master’s figure already passing through the door of the side room, he hurriedly collected himself, slipped on an outer robe, and quickly followed.

The estate was silent at night. Maids and servants had retired after dark, and the guards on duty wouldn’t venture into the side hall. The assassins and hidden sentinels in the shadows knew better than to disrupt the prince’s mood. The courtyard of the side hall held only the two of them.

The moonlight tonight was exceptionally bright, bright enough to see without lanterns. It stretched their shadows long, overlapping one behind the other.

Wei San tread on the cobblestone path, following closely behind Wei Zheng, on high alert as he keenly observed their surroundings.

Even though he knew assassins and hidden sentinels were lurking in the shadows, his instinctive reaction was to prioritize his master’s safety.

Wei Zheng found the assassin too wound up but was inwardly pleased.

Since his mother’s passing, no one aside from Wei San had ever worried about him so deeply.

He had mixed feelings about Wei San’s unwavering loyalty—he loved how the assassin always put him first, yet hated how rigidly he adhered to rules, oblivious to romance. And he himself seemed bewitched, clearly drawn to his looks and physique, yet whenever he went too far, the assassin would act as if deeply offended, making him relent time and again, never daring to truly force him.

Wei Zheng couldn’t help but praise himself—it turned out he was also a gentleman who knew how to cherish beauty and show tenderness.

Under the wutong tree in the courtyard stood a set of stone table and chairs. The two stopped here and took a seat. Wei San initially intended to stand behind Wei Zheng but was unceremoniously pulled by the wrist and guided firmly to sit beside him.

Wei San felt deeply uneasy. Whether it was his imagination or not, he felt as though he had been stripped of all pretense, utterly exposed before his master.

"There’s one thing I don’t quite understand. Would you be willing to clear it up for me?"

Wei Zheng leaned to the side, propping his chin with one hand, his gaze drifting casually over Wei San’s face. His demeanor was lazy and relaxed, as if his question were merely small talk, brought up on a whim.

Unaware that this was a trap waiting for him, Wei San respectfully replied, "I will hold nothing back."

Wei Zheng raised an eyebrow slowly—he had been waiting for those very words. He asked leisurely, "Tonight, why have you been avoiding me at every turn? Have I been too harsh on you usually, making you afraid of me?"

After what had happened earlier, Wei Zheng had confirmed one thing: Wei San was a spitting wildcat to everyone else, but only obedient and docile toward him, his master. Rather than expending effort on roundabout tricks, it was better to straightforwardly obtain the answers he wanted by leveraging his position as master.

Sure enough, the assassin only struggled internally for a moment before honestly voicing his thoughts.

He said, "Master, you are approachable and considerate toward your subordinates. But I privately believe that rules are rules. I cannot take advantage of your good nature and become a disrespectful subordinate."

"So... you want to keep your distance from me?"

Wei Zheng never expected the reason to be so simple—far less complicated than he had imagined.

He couldn't help but find it amusing and reminded Wei San, "But you must understand, publicly, you are now this prince’s Young Master Sui Yun. If you don’t stay close to me, wouldn’t it be easy to blow our cover?"

"But tonight is private, with no outsiders watching. The master is the master, and I must never overstep the rules."

Wei San argued softly, clearly not thinking he was in the wrong.

Wei Zheng was both annoyed and amused, but upon second thought, it made sense that Wei San would cling to such beliefs. He was too insecure, viewing himself as lowly as an ant, living his life for his master rather than himself. Changing an assassin’s mindset wasn’t something that could be done overnight.

He sighed but didn’t correct Wei San’s thinking. Instead, he spoke with absolute certainty, telling Wei San, "Rules are made by people, and changing them is as simple as a word from me. And you have carte blanche with me—just relax, do as you wish, and don’t worry too much."

A beautiful and obedient male favorite of mine—he was more than happy to indulge.

Wei Zheng all but told him to act freely, to be even more spoiled and willful, with occasional tantrums adding to the fun. He had expected the assassin to express heartfelt thanks, giving him a chance to savor some sweetness, but instead, Wei San misunderstood.

After listening, Wei San only grew more resolute in his beliefs, bowing respectfully and saying, "The master is so kind and benevolent; this humble subordinate must adhere to his duties even more, so as not to betray the master’s trust."

Wei Zheng was so angry he gritted his teeth, but he couldn’t lash out at him. He could only swallow his frustration and endure it.

The assassin, as always, was clueless as ever, making Wei Zheng feel the moonlight lost its charm.

He pouted and said, "This prince is tired. Let’s go back."

He hid his irritation well; Wei San didn’t notice a thing and simply rose obediently, once again becoming the shadow following behind Wei Zheng.

On their way back to the room, Wei San instinctively headed for the side chamber to sleep, but Wei Zheng’s long arm reached out, pulling him by the shoulder and dragging him into the inner chamber.

Wei San watched as the door bolt was fastened, completely confused.

So… the master was going to sleep, but why had he dragged him into the inner chamber?