Chapter 21: Chapter Twenty-One Little Death Warrior, Your Kiss Is Too Casual…

Chapter 21: Little Assassin, that kiss was far too perfunctory...

Wei Zheng shared Wei San's sentiment, but with the Old Emperor's verbal decree, Wei San had no choice but to attend the palace banquet.

He narrowed his eyes, twirling his fingers, wondering what new drama the Old Emperor was orchestrating. Regardless, he would play along.

"Alright, I understand. You may return now."

He waved dismissively at the court lady, still peeved that she had interrupted his private moment with Wei San.

The court lady, sensing her ill timing, delivered her message and promptly departed.

With the obstruction gone, Wei Zheng boldly seized Wei San's arm, pulling him along for a stroll by the lakeshore.

Wei San instinctively flinched at first, but then, as if remembering something, he settled down, allowing Wei Zheng to hold him.

The sun rose over the mountain peaks, its myriad orange-red rays piercing through the clouds, lifting the veil of mist from the lake, and scattering shimmering reflections across the water's surface.

The assassin was overly obedient; he wouldn't utter a word unless Wei Zheng initiated conversation.

Wei Zheng cherished his obedience but resented his dullness and lack of initiative.

It had been over a month since he last touched the assassin. Ever since that first taste, he had been left in tantalizing suspense—able to look but not touch—and his desire had long since become unbearable.

Wei Zheng was no gentleman; he would stop at nothing to achieve his desires.

He hadn't brought Wei San to this secluded, tranquil spot early in the morning merely for sightseeing. He needed to create an opportunity to deepen their bond.

He wasn't in a hurry to do anything, pretending instead to simply take a leisurely stroll. Yet, during their walk, his grip on the assassin's arm had subtly shifted to holding his hand.

Wei San glanced down several times, his lips parting as if to speak, but in the end, he merely furrowed his brows, allowing the contact.

Seizing the moment, Wei Zheng explained, "Tomorrow, you must accompany me to the palace banquet. We need to become comfortable with physical contact as soon as possible. Otherwise, appearing distant under the watchful eyes of those cunning nobles will only invite suspicion."

"Your Highness is right," Wei San believed his explanation without a hint of doubt, even consciously clasping Wei Zheng's hand in return.

Wei Zheng adored this small act of initiative and, without any guilt, took it a step further by interlacing their fingers and tightening his grip.

Clearly uncomfortable, Wei San's fingers trembled slightly, but after a moment of hesitation, he firmly curled his fingers, locking them with Wei Zheng's.

The assassin's reaction was utterly endearing. Wei Zheng raised an eyebrow, a sudden thought flashing through his mind: If he were to directly confess his desire for the assassin’s body, would the obedient assassin unquestioningly clean up and deliver himself to Wei Zheng’s bed?

The thought merely crossed his mind; he didn't dwell on it, unaware that he had just missed a golden opportunity.

Merely holding hands couldn't satisfy Wei Zheng's escalating desires. He subtly glanced at the submissive assassin, a mischievous idea taking root.

He stopped walking, frowned in thought for a moment, and said, "To the outside world, you are my male favorite. Just holding hands is too simple—people might not believe our relationship."

Wei San, who had been wondering how long his Master intended to hold his hand, was momentarily confused and looked up with a puzzled "Hmm?" "What does Master mean?"

The innocent assassin had no idea Wei Zheng was plotting. Wei Zheng’s predatory gaze fell on Wei San’s moist, red lips before shifting to his slightly flushed cheeks. He pointed to his own face and said with a sly smile, "Little Assassin, practice kissing me now. Get used to it so we don’t mess up tomorrow’s performance."

"Wh-what?"

Wei San thought he had misheard. But when he met Wei Zheng’s dead serious eyes, which showed no hint of jest, a wave of embarrassment shot through him, making his scalp tingle.

"Master, please don’t joke. This subordinate… this subordinate wouldn’t dare."

Kiss his Master? How could that be allowed? Wouldn’t that sully Master's honor?

Flustered, he tried to pull his hand away and kneel to apologize, but Wei Zheng, quick to react, grabbed his arm and stopped him.

Wei Zheng had expected this reaction. Instead of being annoyed, he watched with amusement as the assassin turned red from head to toe.

"Why are you so nervous? It’s just a peck on the cheek—what’s the big deal? Besides, we’re both men. What could possibly be lost?"

His tone was utterly casual, as if the request were the most ordinary thing in the world. Like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, he coaxed his prey to willingly deliver itself into his jaws.

Wei San was so flustered he couldn’t even meet his eyes.

"But…"

Wei San was never one for words and couldn’t argue, but he knew deep down that this was wrong.

"Such matters… aren’t they only for married couples? It’s improper."

His Master would eventually marry. Already, because of Wei San, he bore the bad reputation of keeping a male favorite. If it remained unconfirmed, it would just be gossip, its truth unknown. But if those conservative officials saw the Master intimately involved with a male favorite, they would likely report it to the Emperor, writing hundreds of condemnations that would spread throughout the capital, turning the Master into a laughingstock.

Although the Great Yu Dynasty had liberal customs, cut-sleeve relationships were not mainstream. If the label of "cut-sleeve" were firmly attached to his Master, what noblewoman would dare marry the prince?

He opened his mouth, trying to persuade Wei Zheng, but Wei Zheng just smiled and said, "But you are my male favorite now, aren’t you? In the eyes of outsiders, that’s no different from being a spouse. Hugging and kissing are perfectly normal."

Spouting twisted logic, he confused Wei San, who found himself being led around by the nose in a daze.

"But Master…"

Wei San’s rationality was still intact, and he tried to resist.

Wei Zheng cupped Wei San’s face and coaxed gently, "Wei San, you are my most obedient assassin, aren’t you? Do you want those people to discover you’re not really my male favorite, unravel more secrets, and cause trouble for me?"

"Or is it that you’re unwilling? Do you mind being too close to me?"

His tone softened slightly but still carried a hint of disappointment.

The person in his palm flinched, likely because the words were too harsh. The loyal assassin grew anxious. "This subordinate would never want to ruin Master’s plans. I only fear tarnishing Master’s reputation—it’s not that I’m unwilling."

Wei Zheng was taken aback by the assassin’s heartfelt confession. He knew the assassin was single-minded and valued him above all else, but he hadn't expected him to care so much about protecting his reputation.

He couldn’t help but give his cheek a pinch and a rub, marveling at its silk-like softness. The sensation was so pleasing he couldn’t get enough.

He chuckled teasingly, "Little Assassin, you’re the one doing the dirty work, yet you care more about something as useless as reputation than I do."

Wei Zheng had never cared about reputation. To him, it was just a shackle imposed by others or oneself, restricting one’s every move—something he thoroughly disliked. He never considered himself a good person or a gentleman. What mattered to him was using the most advantageous means to obtain what he desired.

Just like now—all he wanted was a kiss from Wei San. If he wanted it, he would get it, no matter what.

He pointed to his cheek again, tilting his head slightly in an obvious hint. "Since you’re not unwilling, then kiss me quickly."

He feigned distress and sighed, "Tomorrow will be a tough battle. Who knows what tricks Father will use to trouble me?"

Wei San’s heart clenched. Having followed Wei Zheng for so long, though never openly, he knew the Old Emperor doted on his Master only because he was a harmless fool. But now that his Master was no longer foolish, even with the unsavory "cut-sleeve" preference as a shield, the Old Emperor would likely still be wary.

If his Master was already so troubled, how could Wei San make things harder for him?

After a moment of hesitation, Wei San finally let go of his strict rules. He clasped Wei Zheng’s arms, stood on his toes, and quickly pecked his cheek like a dragonfly skimming water, then leaped back several steps as if his eyebrows were on fire.

It was the first time he had ever taken such a bold move, and the target was none other than the Master he revered and admired.

Wei San could no longer hold back from lowering his head, covering his burning hot face, wishing he could vanish into thin air as soon as he thought about what he had done.

"Little assassin, your kiss was far too perfunctory. I didn't feel a thing. That won't do—we'll have to try again."

The soft, warm touch of lips had come and gone in an instant. Wei Zheng had barely registered it before it was gone, leaving him no time to savor it. Though inwardly delighted, he felt even more unsatisfied and was about to pull the man back to have his way with him when two figures, tightly wrapped in all-black outfits, darted out from a distance.

It was Duan Lin and Wei Er, who'd been gone for ages.

The moment Wei San saw Duan Lin, he immediately stiffened like a mouse spotting a cat, forcibly calming his emotions and straightening his posture respectfully, not daring to show any disrespect.

The romantic mood, so carefully set, was shattered just like that. Wei Zheng gritted his teeth, taking a deep breath as he struggled to suppress the urge to tell these clueless assassins to scram.

He glanced sideways at Wei San, who had already shifted his full attention to the two newcomers, and felt that he must have forgotten to check the almanac before going out today, given how interruptions kept popping up one after another to ruin his plans.

In the few brief moments it took for him to restrain his anger, Duan Lin and Wei Er had already stepped forward, removed their masks, and dropped to one knee.

"Greetings, Master."

"Rise," Wei Zheng waved impatiently and then asked, "What's the matter that's so urgent?"

Though annoyed that the two had ruined the moment, Wei Zheng wasn't truly angry.

Duan Lin wouldn't show up suddenly without reason, and Wei Er, who had previously followed the Grand Tutor into the imperial palace, had been disguised and lurking there ever since. Unless it was something critically important, he wouldn't risk exposure by returning without authorization.

For both of them to seek him out at the same time, it could only mean that something major had happened.

Wei Er and Duan Lin exchanged a glance, and at Duan Lin's signal, Wei Er leaned in and whispered a few words into Wei Zheng's ear.

Wei Zheng's eyes snapped open, a sharp, cold glint flashing within them.

He asked Wei Er, "How sure are you about this?"

Wei Er replied, "About sixty percent certain."

Wei Zheng's expression darkened instantly, growing as gloomy as ink. He fell silent for a moment, then suddenly let out a cold laugh.

"Whether it's true or false, this is assistance delivered right to our doorstep. Why wouldn't I take advantage of it?"