Chapter 47: Chapter Forty-Seven If He Loses Even a Single Hair, This Prince Will Hold You Accountable…

Chapter 47: If a single hair on his head is harmed, I will hold you accountable...

Wei San's request was, of course, denied. He couldn't understand why—wasn't he also a sworn assassin? Why could others go, but not him?

That night, after the lights were out, Wei San lay awake, his mind heavy with worry, tossing and turning restlessly.

Wei Zheng naturally sensed Wei San's unusual behavior. He rested his chin on top of Wei San's head and gently nuzzled, "Still awake? What's on your mind?"

Wei San remained silent, seemingly unwilling to respond.

Wei Zheng sighed and pinched his cheek. "If you're still thinking about going to Yangzhou, you can put that thought to rest. I will not agree."

"Does Master no longer need me?"

Wei San felt a pang of sadness. He thought he had become spoiled; his master's indulgence had led him astray, and now he was even beginning to question his master's orders.

"How could you think that?"

Wei Zheng sat up, lit the lantern by the bedside, and forcibly turned the assassin, who had been facing away, towards him.

Wei San was reluctant to confront Wei Zheng at that moment. He avoided eye contact and replied, "This humble subordinate was merely thinking—since I am also Master's sworn assassin, why am I the only one who cannot go?"

The assassin's expression was calm, and his tone was completely normal, but the faint redness at the corners of his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.

The young assassin was naturally reticent, preferring to keep all his emotions bottled up. Without knowing him well, one might not notice anything amiss.

Wei Zheng nearly softened and almost dropped his pretense, almost agreeing outright. But he knew that yielding too easily was absolutely out of the question.

Wei San's thinking was straightforward, but he wasn't foolish. He might not catch on right away, but upon reflection later, he would surely notice something amiss.

If Wei San were to find out that the trip to Yangzhou was a trap he had set from the beginning, Wei Zheng didn't dare bet on whether Wei San—who had clenched his teeth and refused to reveal his secret—would simply hide away.

With the mountains high and the emperor far away, finding someone intentionally hiding would likely prove difficult.

He grumbled inwardly: only Wei San would dare presume on his favor. If anyone else had deliberately deceived him, they would have long been thrown into the water dungeon and tortured. Why would he be here, racking his brains to consider Wei San's feelings?

To be honest, Wei Zheng was somewhat disappointed and angry.

In Wei San's heart, he, as the master, was apparently not trustworthy. How could that not infuriate him?

Rage simmered in Wei Zheng's eyes, but the night provided excellent cover.

He tried to explain as patiently and calmly as possible: "I have many sworn assassins, but only one male favorite. Besides, Zhong Tong said your health is severely compromised and you shouldn’t overexert yourself. How could I feel at ease letting you travel far?"

Wei San moved his lips as if to speak but was cut off by Wei Zheng before he could say anything.

"Don’t think you can sweet-talk me. I said no, and that’s final. Losing one assassin wouldn't grieve me, but if I lose you, who will I demand my Sui Yun from?"

As he spoke, Wei Zheng reached out, cupping Wei San's cheek and gently stroking it. It took immense effort to resist prying open the young assassin's skull to see what exactly went through his mind all day—nothing but ways to infuriate him.

Wei San had never imagined that this was the reason for Wei Zheng's refusal. The near-confession made his heart race uncontrollably. He opened his mouth in confusion, wanting to say something, but found himself speechless.

Wei Zheng treated him too well—so well that it felt unreal. Sometimes, he even harbored the illusion that he truly mattered to Wei Zheng.

Wei San had never received love since childhood. He didn’t know how to handle interpersonal relationships, nor how to reciprocate genuine affection from others. He had never even pondered matters of romance.

When Wei Zheng initially wanted his body, he gave it—but that was solely out of an assassin's absolute obedience to his master's command. He never expected to gain anything from it and had always prepared himself mentally for the day Wei Zheng would grow tired of him and he would return to his former lifeless yet perilous existence as an assassin.

He didn’t understand why Wei Zheng’s words now made it sound as though they were truly mutually in love.

He said, almost bewildered, "But if Master wishes, anyone could be Young Master Sui Yun."

He had never taken any of what he currently possessed seriously. The day his master grew bored of him, taking back his bestowed favor would be a mere whim.

He knew very well—he would not be the special one.

"You’ve always... thought I was just toying with you?"

Wei Zheng’s tone was cold, yet tinged with a trace of flustered exasperation he himself hadn’t noticed.

He suddenly realized that an insurmountable chasm lay between him and Wei San. So, Wei San didn’t believe he had genuine feelings.

He thought such a direct question would elicit an urgent explanation from the assassin, but instead, the other replied with remarkable composure: "This humble subordinate has never thought that. I am Master’s sworn assassin. Whatever Master does to me is only natural."

Because it was the master, no matter how excessive the demand, Wei San would obey unconditionally. Thus, the question of sincerity or pretense didn’t even arise.

Wei San’s way of thinking wasn’t wrong. Wei Zheng didn’t even know how to refute it, because he himself couldn't be sure how much sincerity lay within his own actions.

All along, he had wanted to possess Wei San, dote on him, and keep him close—simply because he felt like doing so, without ever delving deeper.

Why? Was it necessarily him and no one else?

Wei San was absolutely right—there were countless beauties in the world more attractive than him, and those eager to climb into his bed were beyond number. One small assassin like Wei San made no difference.

"Since you insist on going, then go."

This time, Wei Zheng spoke after careful consideration, setting aside his desire to uncover the secret Wei San was desperately hiding. It also gave him some time to figure out what exactly he truly wanted.

***

The outcome could be considered a parting on bad terms, but Wei San ultimately achieved his goal.

Wei San was always swift and decisive. Having received permission, he began packing the very next day to depart.

Wei Zheng remained silent, appearing indifferent on the surface, but a closer observation would reveal that his peripheral gaze never left Wei San.

The atmosphere between the two was clearly strained. Zhong Tong’s scrutinizing eyes shifted between them, but he ultimately lacked the courage to ask what had happened.

He slipped away, minding his own business, to avoid becoming collateral damage.

Wei San didn’t have many belongings; a small bundle sufficed. Wei Er, who would accompany him, was already waiting in the courtyard.

Before leaving, he hesitated for a long while but eventually stood before Wei Zheng.

"Master, this humble subordinate... is leaving?"

After agreeing the previous night, Wei Zheng had unilaterally given him the cold shoulder. Wei San knew he had likely hurt his master’s heart, but he didn’t know how to make Wei Zheng happy again.

Thus, from last night until now, not a single word had passed between them.

The young assassin took the first step by lowering his head and offering an olive branch. Wei Zheng raised an eyebrow with reserved dignity and crooked a finger at him. The latter approached but stood there dumbly, making no move.

"Yangzhou is so far from the capital. This trip will take at least half a month. Are you really going to leave without any gesture?"

Wei Zheng hated his blockheadedness. Did Wei San not know to coax him proactively without being prompted?

Wei San’s ears flushed red. He actively sat on Wei Zheng’s lap, facing him, and tentatively kissed his lips.

It was a light, fleeting kiss, but Wei Zheng was extremely dissatisfied. He raised his hand, cupped the back of the assassin’s head, and deepened the kiss.

The wet, intimate sound of their kiss was enough to make one blush and set hearts racing. Wei Zheng was as domineering as ever, his fierce advances seeming to steal every last bit of oxygen from Wei San's lungs.

Struggling for air, Wei San hazily wondered if this trip to Yangzhou might not be absolutely necessary after all. What if his master didn’t mind his unusual physical condition?

But this thought only crossed his mind once before he dismissed it. He didn’t dare take that gamble—he couldn’t afford to lose. What would he do if things didn’t turn out as he hoped?

The kiss was long, lingering, and wet, likely carrying a hint of punishment. Wei Zheng showed no tenderness this time, ending it with a sharp bite that broke the skin at the corner of Wei San’s mouth.

"Master?" Wei San covered his numb, bleeding lip, tears welling in his eyes from the pain. He looked completely wronged, enough to make Wei Zheng almost change his mind and not let him go.

Choking back his rising desire and irritation, Wei Zheng said hoarsely, "This time, I’ll let you go for now. When you return from Yangzhou, think carefully about how you’ll compensate me."

He added, "Remember to send letters back."

Wei San lowered his head, his fingers trembling. He murmured a soft "Mm-hmm" in agreement.

Wei San left at noon. Wei Zheng didn't come out to see him off. After releasing him from the kiss, he claimed he hadn’t slept well the night before and retreated indoors to rest.

Wei San felt a pang of disappointment but didn’t voice any protest.

Zhong Tong, knowing he was leaving, pressed several packets of medicine into the hands of Wei Er, who was going on the mission with him. He also handed over the prescription, carefully instructing Wei Er to make sure Wei San didn’t miss any doses. Wei Er committed every detail firmly to memory.

After tucking away the prescription, Wei Er looked around but didn’t see Wei San. Glancing up, he noticed him lingering at the bamboo hut’s entrance, peering back wistfully as if he had something to say but couldn’t bring himself to speak.

Wei Er couldn’t help thinking to himself: If he’s so reluctant to leave, why insist on taking this mission? And the master—clearly unwilling to let him go—yet he agreed to Wei San’s request.

Well, as a lone wolf himself, he couldn’t quite understand what these people in love were thinking.

Wei San stood waiting for a long time, but Wei Zheng never showed up. Seeing that he could delay no longer, he turned away dejectedly and left the bamboo hut with Wei Er.

Not long after they left, Duan Lin arrived. The first thing Wei Zheng asked was, "Are the people I sent following them?"

Duan Lin replied, "They’ve all gone, but they’re keeping their distance."

Getting too close would risk alerting Wei San and backfiring.

Wei Zheng nodded curtly. "Tell them to keep a close watch. If Wei San comes to any harm, I’ll hold you responsible as the commander."

Caught in the crossfire for no reason, Duan Lin: "……"

"Yes, Your Highness."