Chapter 29: Chapter Twenty-Nine Are You Trying to Seduce This Prince?

Chapter 29: Are You Trying to Seduce Me?

"What? You're unwilling?"

Wei Zheng narrowed his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade, as if he would bundle him up and devour him whole should he shake his head or utter a word of refusal.

"Your humble subordinate..."

Wei San opened his mouth but only managed two words before falling silent, as if struck dumb. Impatient, Wei Zheng gave him no chance to speak further, directly capturing those thin lips that were provocative without realizing it and often spoke infuriating words.

It was a lingering kiss. Though not a novice, Wei San still hadn't learned how to kiss properly. Just as he was flushed and on the verge of suffocation, Wei Zheng finally returned his right to breathe.

The assassin's alluring eyes looked as if drenched by a storm—shattered yet beautiful.

"Do you dislike it when I kiss you?"

Wei Zheng pressed against his moist lips, rubbing them back and forth, his possessiveness unconcealed in his eyes.

Wei San's outlook on life had been straightforward for nearly twenty years. Before entering the prince's residence, he only needed to think about how to survive his father's violence. After entering, his life revolved solely around survival and becoming his master's lethal blade. What was happening now far exceeded his understanding.

He could understand each word his master said individually, but when combined, it felt like complete gibberish.

He didn't know what love was, but dislike... he truly didn't dislike it.

Instinctively, he shook his head. "I don't dislike it."

How could he possibly dislike the master he regarded as his faith and deity?

"Since you don't dislike it, are you simply unwilling to take responsibility?"

Wei Zheng's face instantly darkened, as if he were an innocent maiden abandoned after being sullied. He glared resentfully, gritting his teeth. "I've stayed chaste for years, and now you've taken my innocence, only to turn your back and deny it after getting what you wanted. What do you take me for?"

"Someone you can summon and dismiss at will?"

Wei San's heart clenched, nearly terrified to death by these words. He struggled to rise and apologize, but pinned down firmly, he could only shake his head and wave his hands helplessly, explaining repeatedly, "No, no! This humble subordinate merely believes my lowly status is unworthy of the Master."

The Master was, after all, the Virtuous Prince, someone who might one day ascend the throne. His status was immensely noble. How could a mere assassin like him, uncertain of tomorrow, ever be deserving?

Even being a male favorite would be beyond his station.

Wei Zheng had been observing the changes in his expression all along, clearly seeing the confusion and unease in his eyes—but, as expected, there was no sign of disgust.

He felt somewhat displeased inwardly, recalling his past interactions with the assassin. Aside from admiration and absolute obedience, the assassin showed no trace of desire, let alone affection.

Human nature is base and greedy. Having obtained the body, he now desired the heart as well. Even if he was merely craving the assassin's body for now, he arrogantly wanted the assassin's heart and eyes to be filled with him alone.

Wei Zheng knew that haste made waste. He decided to quit while he was ahead, deliberately speaking unreasonably, "I decide who is worthy. Since you're not unwilling to take responsibility, then it's settled."

"From now on, without my orders, there's no need to return to the assassin camp. Just stay in the side hall and serve me."

It didn’t matter if he didn’t love him now—feelings could be cultivated over time. He refused to believe that with his skills, he couldn’t crack open this blockhead!

Wei Zheng was brimming with confidence, while Wei San, the other party involved, was utterly bewildered by his rash actions. Something felt very wrong, everywhere, but years of professional discipline made it impossible for him to defy his master's orders. Before he knew it, he had gone from a pretend male favorite to a real one.

The thoroughly duped little assassin was once again coaxed into bed by the big bad wolf, subjected to passionate kisses that left him dazed and disoriented. He was fed dinner in a haze and held all night as a human-shaped pillow.

Perhaps to give Wei San time to adjust to his new identity, Wei Zheng didn’t make a direct move these past few days. However, kissing and intimacy became increasingly brazen, with no attempt to hide it from the servants or hidden guard assassins in the residence.

Rumors that Wei San had caught the Master’s eye and soared to prominence spread through the assassin and hidden guard camps in less than a day.

He felt like a monkey in a street performer’s act, with former colleagues taking turns to visit and tease him when the Master was on duty. Even Commander Duan sought him out once, hesitantly handing him a box of Golden Wind and Jade Dew ointment and advising him to take care and protect himself. This left Wei San blushing fiercely, a mix of embarrassment, anger, and helplessness as he holed up in his bedroom questioning his life.

Holding a small bronze mirror, he looked left and right but couldn’t figure out what about him, aside from his face, had captured his Master’s interest.

He sighed and mused aloud, "What do you think the Master sees in me?"

"Third Brother, you’re so good-looking. Isn’t it normal for the Master to like you? Everyone knows the Master has a fondness for beauties."

Wei Jiu, hanging upside down from the beam, chimed in abruptly. The next second, a silver needle gleaming with a faint green light shot toward his face. Forced to react, he arched his back, grabbed the beam, and flipped down nimbly to land on the floor.

"Third Brother, you’re getting fiercer. You always attack when someone compliments your beauty."

He stood before Wei San, pointing and complaining, but his body remained alert and defensive, ready to flee at the first sign of Wei San lashing out.

Wei San didn’t want to argue with him. His own chaotic thoughts were getting him nowhere, so since Wei Jiu had offered himself up, he voiced his doubts, hoping for some analysis.

Wei Jiu was the youngest among the assassins, with an eccentric personality and mindset.

After stroking his chin in thought for a moment, he winked and asked, "Have you and the Master... you know... done that?"

The innocent Wei San didn’t catch on, frowning in confusion. "What?"

Wei Jiu phrased it euphemistically, "I mean... have you shared the clouds and rain atop Mount Wu?"

Wei San understood this time, pursing his lips as his face flushed red. He didn’t speak, but Wei Jiu wore an expression of understanding, smiling meaningfully. "The Master is twenty-four this year. Other men his age already have several children by now. He’s just experienced carnal pleasures, and you were his first. Plus, you’re so good-looking. It’s no surprise he’s taken a liking to you."

Wei San frowned slightly. "But..." Why did it have to be him? Those eager to climb into the Master’s bed could form a line from the Virtuous Prince’s residence to the city gates. If the Master wanted someone, wouldn’t it be as simple as crooking his finger?

Wei San was conservative by nature. Though he’d never considered matters of love, he leaned toward the idea of one person for life. Besides, he was no longer pure—hardly worthy of the Master’s attention.

"The Master is like an old house on fire—burning fiercely. You have to cut him some slack, right? Once he gets past this novelty, meets more beauties, or takes a princess consort, you won’t matter anymore."

Wei Jiu didn’t understand his dilemma, but he had a knack for twisted logic that actually managed to persuade Wei San.

Wei San thought it over and found it reasonable. After suppressing his desires for so many years, it was natural for the Master to find this new experience fresh. His role was simply to serve well. Once the Master married, he could return to the assassin camp and resume his duties. Serving the Master by killing was easing his burdens; addressing his physical needs was also easing his burdens. Different paths led to the same end—it was just a change in method, not a big deal.

Under the influence of Wei Jiu’s twisted reasoning, Wei San gradually reasoned with himself, and the gloom that had weighed on him for days dissipated.

He said to Wei Jiu, "You’re right."

Wei Jiu was pleased to see him come around, smugly believing he had once again helped his good Third Brother solve a problem. In high spirits, he swiped a plate of pastries and left.

After Wei Jiu left, Wei San spaced out for a while alone. Whatever crossed his mind made him avert his eyes, his ears turning bright red.

He covered his mouth, calming himself for a long moment before slowly rising and addressing the maid on duty outside the courtyard. "Go and... prepare some hot water for me. I want... to bathe."

.

Wei Zheng, just off duty from the Ministry of Personnel, had no idea what a big surprise awaited him. Wei San’s obedience these past few days, and last night’s activities—everything short of the final step—had put Wei Zheng in exceptionally high spirits.

A secretary from the ministry who left duty with him glanced at him several times. Before he could even ask what had him so cheerful, Wei Zheng, like a peacock spreading its tail, grabbed him and boasted, "Minister Liu, how did you know my little male favorite confessed his feelings to me a couple of days ago?"

The Minister of Personnel: "........" No, I didn’t! I said nothing!

He wasn’t the only one—Wei Zheng boasted to every colleague leaving duty, leaving a group of grown men utterly speechless.

After boasting to everyone, Wei Zheng flicked his sleeves and got into the carriage, leaving the crowd exchanging bewildered glances.

He returned to the prince's manor and went straight to the side hall. After searching around without finding anyone, he asked a maid and learned that the person had gone to bathe.

He glanced at the sky, puzzled—bathing this early?

Though he found it a little strange, Wei Zheng didn’t think too much of it. He simply instructed the maid to have the kitchen prepare dinner so it could be served as soon as Wei San returned.

But instead of dinner, Wei Zheng was first met with a surprise.

While waiting, Wei Zheng habitually picked up a travel journal. He had just sat down and opened it, barely reading a couple of lines, when he heard the soft rustle of fabric brushing against the doorframe, followed by the fresh scent of soap wafting into the room.

"Why did you bathe so early today?"

He knew it was Wei San returning. As he spoke, he set the travel journal aside, but when he looked up, he was stunned.

The assassin, fresh out of the bath, wore only a thin white robe. Perhaps in his haste to return, he hadn’t dried off properly—the moisture had seeped through the light fabric, and his faintly pink skin was faintly visible beneath.

"Master." Wei San had never learned how to serve in the bedroom. His fingers clutched the collar of his robe in embarrassment, and he averted his gaze, not daring to meet the increasingly intense look in Wei Zheng’s eyes.

"Assassin..." Wei Zheng’s Adam’s apple bobbed, his voice dry and slightly hoarse. "Are you trying to seduce me?"