Chapter 37: Chapter Thirty-Seven Is the Master Good in Bed?

Chapter 37: Is the Seventh Master Good in Bed?

"Thank you for your concern, Crown Prince Brother."

Outwardly, the Crown Prince and Wei Zheng maintained a facade of cordiality, as befitted their public roles.

The Crown Prince was about to feign approval and utter a platitude about Wei Zheng being teachable, when he heard Wei Zheng's curious gaze sweep past him, scanning the area behind. As if searching for someone and failing to find them, Wei Zheng's eyes drooped in disappointment. Finally, with a hint of reproach, he asked, "Why haven't I seen my sister-in-law? Brother, you didn't bring her to the Grand Tutor's banquet. Have you two had another quarrel?"

The Crown Prince was instantly flustered, his folding fan wavering awkwardly before snapping shut.

Once, at a palace banquet, the Crown Prince had been smitten by the Crown Princess, who had attended with her father. He immediately petitioned the Emperor for an imperial decree to make her his consort. Little did he know, the Crown Princess was in love with her childhood sweetheart, her cousin. Their families had been on the verge of arranging a marriage when the Crown Prince intervened. Unable to defy the imperial command, the Crown Princess was forced to marry him, harboring deep resentment. Even after more than a decade of marriage and the birth of a son, their relationship remained fraught. Though they maintained a public pretense of mutual respect, everyone knew they were a couple bound by animosity.

Had the matter gone unmentioned, it might have been tolerable. But Wei Zheng, aiming for a cruel blow, not only brought it up but also delivered a sarcastic, veiled jab.

"Brother, you should really learn from me how to dote on your wife. Look at Sui Yun—he used to be so spirited, but now he's utterly docile and sweet under my loving care. Sister-in-law may seem cold, but she has a warm heart. After so many years of marriage, there must be some affection between you. If you just pamper her a little more, I'm sure she'll come to appreciate your good qualities."

As he spoke, Wei Zheng even showed off by kissing Wei San's cheek, leaving the Crown Prince gasping for breath, his chest tightening with anger, almost to the point of collapse.

If the Crown Princess had harbored even a sliver of affection for the Crown Prince, it would have blossomed over so many years. Wei Zheng had mercilessly struck at the Crown Prince's most vulnerable spot.

Forcing a gentle smile, the Crown Prince changed the subject. "My family matters are no concern of yours, Seventh Brother. You should hurry inside with your little companion. Keeping the Grand Tutor waiting will only make the old gentleman irritable."

"You're right, Brother," Wei Zheng said, as if suddenly remembering his purpose there. He immediately took Wei San's hand and turned to leave, not forgetting to wave at the Crown Prince to signal his departure.

The Crown Prince stood enveloped in a heavy atmosphere, clenching his folding fan tightly. It wasn't until their figures vanished behind the mansion gates that he took a deep, gritted breath.

Meanwhile, Wei Zheng and Wei San left the Crown Prince far behind. Before they could even relax, the Grand Tutor's steward approached them.

"Your Highness, Virtuous Prince, the master has been waiting for you both at the Waterside Pavilion for some time. Please follow me."

Wei Zheng nodded noncommittally, and the steward instinctively stepped aside to lead the way.

Wei San felt a knot of anxiety. Although his current identity was that of a scholar, in truth, he was merely literate. He knew nothing of poetry, music, chess, or painting. While he was skilled in archery, horsemanship, and martial arts, these talents were entirely unsuited to his current persona as a delicate scholar.

He thought, surely the Grand Tutor wouldn't notice someone as insignificant as him?

The Grand Tutor indeed paid him no mind, but the young man seated beside the Grand Tutor had been staring at Wei San without a flicker since he entered with Wei Zheng.

The man's gaze was entirely undisguised. Wei San had been focused on how to address the Grand Tutor, but the intense stare instinctively drew his attention to the other man.

With just one glance, Wei San froze, his pupils trembling with unconcealed surprise.

Is it... him?

The other man, caught staring, showed no apology. Instead, he gave Wei San a familiar nod. Wei San pressed his lips together, lowering his eyelids to avoid further eye contact.

"Sui Yun."

Wei Zheng seemed oblivious to the silent exchange between the two. He stepped aside, gently pushing Wei San forward, and addressed the Grand Tutor, who sat with an air of composed dignity. "This is the Grand Tutor."

Wei San was taken aback, not expecting Wei Zheng to introduce him so formally. He thought it entirely unnecessary, but knowing his master, there must be a reason. He respectfully bowed to the Grand Tutor and humbly said, "This student greets the Grand Tutor."

The Grand Tutor responded with an indifferent "hmm" and nothing more.

Though his attitude wasn't particularly warm, he didn't make things difficult either, merely displaying a hint of displeasure. Wei San actually felt a wave of relief.

Wei Zheng knew the Grand Tutor's rigid temperament. For him not to openly mock or challenge a male favorite, whom he clearly disdained, was already a sign of considerable restraint.

He then turned to the young man beside the Grand Tutor, though his tone this time was less enthusiastic, even tinged with subtle disdain.

"This is the newly appointed Zhuangyuan, Cheng Lan."

It was clear to any discerning eye that this new top scholar was aligned with the Crown Prince, so Wei Zheng naturally held no goodwill towards him.

Far from being offended, the Zhuangyuan, Cheng Lan, spoke up warmly before Wei San could even bow.

He said, "Sui Yun and I are old acquaintances. There's no need for such formalities."

"Oh? Old acquaintances?"

Cheng Lan's words piqued the curiosity of both the Grand Tutor and Wei Zheng. The Grand Tutor glanced between the two. "You two aren't from the same hometown. How can you be old acquaintances?"

"That's a question only Sui Yun can answer."

Cheng Lan raised the topic but offered no explanation, instead deflecting the question to Wei San.

Wei Zheng looked sideways at Wei San. "Are you truly old acquaintances?"

Wei San replied helplessly, "I traveled to Liangcheng for a year of study some time ago. We were classmates for half a year."

Cheng Lan was indeed from Liangcheng, which made the explanation plausible.

"Since you are old acquaintances, why don't you go and chat, and properly reminisce?"

Before Wei Zheng could respond, the Grand Tutor made the decision for them. His obvious intention to send them away clearly indicated he had private matters to discuss with Wei Zheng.

Wei San vaguely understood. Not wanting to impede Wei Zheng's business, he politely rose.

"Your Highness, I will return shortly. Please wait here for a moment."

Wei Zheng frowned slightly, clearly displeased with their presumption, but ultimately said nothing.

With his master's permission, Wei San turned to Cheng Lan and said, "Brother Cheng, please."

Cheng Lan was more than happy to comply. After excusing themselves to the Grand Tutor and Wei Zheng, he and Wei San walked one after the other towards a nearby courtyard.

They didn't go far. Wei Zheng could see their figures but couldn't hear what they were saying.

Tap, tap...

The crisp sound of knuckles rapping on the stone table drew Wei Zheng's attention back. He turned, meeting the Grand Tutor's gaze, which conveyed a sense of exasperated disappointment.

As if embarrassed, he smiled helplessly and said, "Please forgive me for making you laugh, Grand Tutor. I can't help but worry when they're alone together, two men without supervision."

The Grand Tutor's lips twitched slightly. Fortunately, his composure was excellent, and he refrained from scolding the young man for his youthful passions.

He casually glanced around. Aside from the two in the distance, only the steward stood guard at the courtyard entrance to prevent unwanted intrusions. There was no risk of eavesdropping.

He tapped the stone table again, signaling Wei Zheng to move closer. Wei Zheng understood immediately and sat in the seat previously occupied by Cheng Lan.

"What does the Grand Tutor wish to advise me on?"

He already had an idea but pretended to be a humble student eager to learn, bowing his head respectfully as he waited for instruction.

The Grand Tutor observed his reaction and nodded inwardly.

Lowering his voice to a volume only the two of them could hear, he asked, "Are you aware that His Majesty made a succession decree some time ago?"

Wei Zheng's expression became stern. Pressing his lips together, he replied, "No, I did not."

He had already deduced that the purpose of the Grand Tutor's invitation today was to discuss the matter of the imperial will. Had he been the only one invited, he might have believed the Grand Tutor was genuinely on his side. Unfortunately, apart from him, the Crown Prince was also present, and even officials from the faction of the Fifth Prince, who was not in the capital and unable to attend, had been invited as well.

He found it ironic. His dear old emperor likely did not have much time left, and by instructing the Grand Tutor to spread the news of the imperial will among his sons, his true intention was to have them turn on each other in a struggle for the throne.

The one who emerged victorious in the end would probably be the one he saw as most fit to inherit the throne.

He let out a cold laugh inwardly but maintained a calm expression as he said, "Please, Grand Tutor, enlighten me."

.

In the courtyard, Wei San stopped once he felt they had gone far enough. His eyes swept the surroundings, instinctively making sure no one was watching.

Cheng Lan, standing behind him with his arms crossed, chuckled and said, "Why so nervous? Since both the Grand Tutor and I chose this place to talk, it must have been swept beforehand. If you don't trust the Grand Tutor, do you not trust me either?"

As he spoke, he circled Wei San, clicking his tongue in admiration. "You've filled out nicely and look even better. I suppose you've been well cared for by your master. When Wei Er sent that pigeon message, I thought he was joking. I never expected our master would truly set his sights on you."

He nudged Wei San's arm and asked mischievously, "So, how is he in bed?"

His tone was familiar and intimate, so much so that an outsider might mistake them for brothers.

Wei San turned bright red at the question and replied helplessly, "Stop teasing me. You still haven't told me why you sought me out. We don't have much time, so let's make this quick."

Cheng Lan—or rather, Wei Yi, as it would be more appropriate to call him—smacked his forehead, suddenly remembering the real matter at hand. He reached into his sleeve and rummaged around for a moment before pulling out a small, tightly folded packet.

He placed the packet in Wei San's hand and said, "This is a slow poison. The Crown Prince instructed me to give it to you and have you find an opportunity to slip it into his food."

The Crown Prince's exact words were, of course, different, but Wei Yi couldn't be bothered to repeat them verbatim. The general idea was more or less the same.

"Have me... poison my master?"

Wei San pressed his lips together, struggling for words. He was about to ask why the Crown Prince was so confident that he, as Virtuous Prince's bedmate, would agree to poison him, when he suddenly recalled the Crown Prince's previous visit.

The Crown Prince had been silent since then, and now it made sense—he had been waiting for this moment.

Such impulsiveness was unlike the Crown Prince's usual cautious demeanor. Wei San guessed that his master's influence had grown too rapidly over the past two months, and with the old emperor quietly backing him, the Crown Prince had grown anxious.

Under these circumstances, he naturally had to "help" the Crown Prince properly.