Chapter 31: Chapter Thirty-One How Can Something Agreed Upon Under Deception Be Taken Seriously?…

Chapter 31: How could something Wei San was coaxed into agreeing to be taken seriously?

Wei Jiu had no idea that the officials' thoughts had strayed far off track. He lowered his voice and softly called out, "Young Master, we've arrived at the Ministry of Personnel."

Wei San had actually woken up when the carriage stopped, but for some reason, he couldn't muster any energy. Feeling rather lazy and not wanting to move, he delayed until now before slowly opening his eyes.

"Has Your Highness come out yet?"

He still felt drowsy, and his voice carried a slight nasal tone when he spoke, making him sound particularly soft and harmless.

Wei Liu pursed his lips, inexplicably feeling that the person before him was completely different from the taciturn, solitary, and stubborn Wei San he remembered. The old Wei San was like a sharpened blade that only knew how to drink blood, but now he resembled a ceramic doll painted with colored glaze—more lively and human-like.

He was still the same person, but his aura had undergone a dramatic change.

The side hall's meals must be truly nourishing. Wei Liu muttered to himself inwardly, without any stray thoughts.

He nodded and said, "At this hour, it should be about time."

Wei San hummed in acknowledgment and was about to get up and step out of the carriage when he saw Wei Zheng stride out of the government office threshold, heading straight toward the carriage.

As soon as Wei Zheng saw Wei San's attire, he was indeed captivated, just as the maids had said. A flash of amazement crossed his eyes, and he quickened his pace.

"Your Highness."

Wei San nearly blurted out "master" but managed to stop himself in time. He then tried to rise and bow, but Wei Zheng had already reached the carriage, stepping onto the footrest and bending down to enter the carriage.

His eyes were deep and intense, his gaze sweeping over Wei San inch by inch with a predatory air, seeming extremely pleased with his appearance today.

Outside the carriage, subtle and not-so-subtle probing glances floated around. Wei Zheng pursed his lips and chuckled lightly, tapping a folding fan against his palm teasingly. "A day apart, and my Sui Yun has grown even more beautiful. Come, let me have a good look."

Wei Liu and Wei Jiu kept their eyes down, wisely pulling down the carriage curtain and jumping off to stand a short distance away, clearly intending to give the two some private space.

Rarely seeing the Virtuous Prince abandon his usual proper demeanor, the officials who had been secretly watching now outright stopped to observe. Sure enough, they saw the Virtuous Prince eagerly push the beautiful male favorite down. The male favorite only had time to exclaim, "Your Highness, we're still outside... Mm... Ah..."

Before he could finish, something happened—what exactly, no one knew—but the male favorite's originally cool voice rose uncontrollably, tinged with sticky emotion and coquettishness.

Just the sound alone was utterly captivating. Many of the young, vigorous officials were stirred, their bodies reacting.

If only they were the ones pressing the beauty down to indulge in clouds and rain...

The officials let their imaginations run wild. The commotion inside the carriage lasted for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea before suddenly falling silent.

After another moment, the carriage curtain was lifted again.

Wei Zheng stepped out first. As he straightened his slightly wrinkled collar, which had been grabbed and crumpled, he cast cold, sharp glances at the onlookers as if seeing through their filthy fantasies, warning them not to entertain improper thoughts.

The officials snapped back to reality, breaking out in a cold sweat as they remembered that the object of their fantasies was the Virtuous Prince's most cherished male favorite.

The Virtuous Prince actually engaging in indecent acts in broad daylight, causing them to lose face publicly—the young officials seethed with anger but dared not speak out, mentally planning to impeach the Virtuous Prince at the next morning court. For now, they could only awkwardly cover their faces with their sleeves and hurry away.

With no more prying eyes, Wei Zheng tapped the carriage compartment with his knuckle. "Come down."

The compartment was quiet for a moment, followed by the soft rustling of fabric.

After a long while, Wei San leisurely lifted the curtain and stepped out. His moon-white wide-sleeved robe was neatly arranged, and his slightly disheveled hair was meticulously tucked behind his ears. If one ignored his slightly swollen, moist lips and the unsteady steps he took when alighting due to weak legs, he appeared perfectly normal on the surface.

"Come here." Wei Zheng curled his lips meaningfully and reached out to him.

Wei San walked toward him with difficulty, feeling the discomfort and dampness between his legs, a faint blush of embarrassment spreading across his cheeks.

Those few short steps made his forehead damp with sweat, his fingertips trembling faintly as he held back.

Wei Zheng watched his reactions intently, grasping his fingers when he reached him and giving them a rewarding squeeze. "So well-behaved."

As if he had been bullied too much, Wei San's misty peach-blossom eyes looked at him with unspoken words.

Just that one glance nearly made Wei Zheng lose control and agree to anything he wanted, but he swallowed the words at the last moment.

He wrapped his arm around Wei San's waist and pulled him into his embrace.

"The capital is especially lively tonight, and the scenery along the way should be beautiful. How about Sui Yun accompanies me for a stroll?"

Wei San shuddered, looking up in horror. "Your Highness... could we not..."

The Ministry of Personnel was just outside the palace gates, and walking to the residential area would take nearly two hours. Walking all the way? Wouldn't that torture him to death?

Wei Zheng pretended to be angry. "But you promised me this last night."

Wei San was on the verge of tears. How could something coaxed into agreement in the heat of passion be taken seriously?

Not only did Wei Zheng take it seriously, but he also demanded additional favors. Intent on tormenting Wei San, he dismissed Wei Liu and Wei Jiu, not even allowing any attendants to follow, and without another word, he wrapped his arm around Wei San's shoulders and started walking forward.

The only small mercy was that he retrieved the fox mask left in the carriage and placed it on Wei San's face, sparing him some dignity.

The scenery along the capital's streets was indeed different from usual, decorated with lanterns and banners as if for the New Year. Many lantern riddles hung along the riverbank, waiting for interested passersby to solve them.

Along the way, Wei Zheng was in high spirits, but Wei San suffered greatly. The journey, which should have taken less than an hour, dragged on until nightfall. By the time he was brought to a private room in a tavern, his inner clothes were soaked with sweat.

Free from the gazes of strangers, the exhausted Wei San simply let go, leaning against Wei Zheng's shoulder as he panted softly.

He thought recklessly, *I’ve already shown every embarrassing side of myself in front of my master—what’s one more time?*

"How pitiful, completely worn out. It truly makes one's heart ache."

Wei Zheng spoke words of sympathy, but his face was full of smug satisfaction. He helped Wei San onto the soft couch and gestured for him to lie on his side.

"I'll let you off for today. Once we return to the manor, I'll collect the remaining favors."

As he spoke, his fingers untied the strap of the fox mask. The mask fell onto the carpet with a muffled thud. Then, he lifted the hem of Wei San's wrinkled robe.

His long fingers mischievously curled and teased. Wei San furrowed his brow, enduring silently, biting down hard to keep from moaning aloud.

The little assassin was too good at holding back. Wei Zheng felt dissatisfied, but considering the assassin's thin skin and the fact that someone would arrive soon, he refrained from doing more.

He was a jealous man and could not bear the thought of others seeing the little assassin in such a beautiful state.

With a crisp *ding*, a jade phallus, one inch long and as thick as a thumb, was placed on the small table in front of the couch.

The jade phallus was wet and sticky, as if it had been coated in something.

Wei Zheng chuckled. "See, I knew you'd like it. This time was rushed—next time, I'll prepare a bigger one."

Wei San didn't dare look, wishing he could burrow into a crack in the ground and never come out.

The assassin's attempt to act nonchalant was utterly adorable. Wei Zheng couldn't resist lifting his chin and kissing him.

"Mm..."

This time, Wei San could no longer hold back a muffled groan, but with his lips sealed and his mouth being plundered wantonly, he could make no other sound.

The lingering kiss continued until a knock sounded at the door of the private room.

Outside, Wei Jiu and Wei Liu truly didn't dare kill their master’s buzz, but seeing that the person their master had arranged to meet had arrived and was waiting in the adjacent private room, they had no choice but to report. After playing rock-paper-scissors for ages, it ended with Wei Jiu losing.

Wei Jiu bared his teeth in a threat at Wei Liu, who calmly turned his head away and ignored him.

Accepting the outcome of the bet, Wei Jiu could only resign himself to his fate. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door like a man walking to his execution.

"Master, Lord Wang and the others have arrived."

The room was so quiet it seemed as if no one was inside, but both Wei Jiu and Wei Liu were trained in martial arts, with hearing far superior to ordinary people. Suggestive, subtle noises reached their ears, and they couldn't help but press their lips together, uneasy.

Simultaneously, the same thought hit them both: Could the master really be so impatient as to still be getting busy in there at such a critical moment?

Their expressions grew complex, and they felt a twinge of pity for Wei San.

For an assassin to catch the master’s eye—was that really a good thing? If it were them, they probably wouldn’t be able to handle it with such composure.

Before they could ponder further, a voice from inside the room, rougher and deeper than usual, spoke—it was Wei Zheng.

"Go invite them over."

The door to the private room opened from the inside. The one opening it was Wei Zheng himself. The scene inside was far different from what they had imagined—there were no traces of anything suggestive. Neatly dressed, Wei San sat obediently on the soft couch, the fox mask on his face covering most of it, making it impossible to discern his expression.

Superficially, everything appeared perfectly normal, yet little details gave off a weird vibe.

Their eyes flickered around, trying to be subtle, but how could they escape the notice of the shrewd Wei Zheng? With a composed expression, he took out a handkerchief and wiped each finger slowly, his tone indifferent as he said, "What are you still looking at? Get a move on and do your job."

Startled, the two quickly turned and hurried away to the side.

Before long, Wei Jiu’s low murmur could be heard from the adjacent private room, followed by a series of footsteps.

"Master, should I make myself scarce?"

Wei San had regained his composure and felt that since the master was likely to discuss important matters, his presence might be inappropriate, so he voluntarily suggested stepping away.

He made to stand up, but Wei Zheng pressed down on his shoulder, forcing him back into his seat. "No need. You’ve walked a long way and must be tired. Just sit here properly. They won’t dare say anything."

Wei San’s peach-blossom eyes widened slightly, a strange feeling churning in his chest. He lowered his head, glanced down, and softly replied, "Yes, Master."