Chapter 54: Chapter Fifty-Four What Kind of Heavenly Beauty Dares to Steal This Prince’s Lover…

Chapter 54: What Kind of Celestial Being Dares to Poach My Beloved?

Upon losing track of Wei San, Wei Er exhausted every means to contact the covert guards assigned to him. From them, he learned that Wei San was doing well, albeit behaving overly intimately with a strange man—even cohabiting.

As An Yi described it, the two were sickeningly sweet, a sight that struck him as quite abnormal.

Wei Er merely scoffed, dismissing it as a joke.

If others didn't understand Wei San, how could he not? Wei San was so single-minded he practically revered their master as a deity, never daring to defy an order. How could he possibly commit such an outrageous act as cuckolding his master?

He immediately instructed An Yi to stop overthinking and simply keep a close watch.

After reprimanding An Yi, Wei Er infiltrated the Prince of Huainan's residence. Consequently, he remained unaware that An Yi had already exaggerated and embellished the affair between Wei San and Ruan Xingji, relaying the news back to the capital. Upon receiving the report, Wei Zheng flew into a rage. He ordered Wei Liu, who bore a similar physique, to disguise himself and feign severe illness, closing off the residence to visitors. Meanwhile, Wei Zheng, accompanied by Duan Lin and several assassins, secretly departed the capital that very night, riding at full speed towards Yangzhou.

When Wei Er received Wei Zheng's summons, he was stunned.

“Where is Wei San? Where is he?”

Wei Zheng, having ridden all night, had faint dark circles under his eyes. Coupled with his dark gaze, barely suppressing his fury, his presence was truly intimidating.

Wei Er was bewildered, unable to comprehend his master's sudden appearance in Yangzhou. Even the covert guards had never imagined their master would value Wei San so highly as to personally come and confront him.

The group exchanged uneasy glances, none answering immediately.

“This prince asked you where he is! Have you lost your tongues?”

Wei Zheng glared sharply at them. He had no patience for their prevarications; he only wanted to unearth Wei San and thoroughly interrogate him.

“I've been infiltrating the Prince of Huainan's residence these past few days. An Yi and An Er were the ones following Wei San.”

Wei Er, in a move of self-preservation, exposed the covert guards, effortlessly ignoring their shocked expressions.

Wei Zheng shifted his gaze to An Yi and An Er, who knelt behind Wei Er. “Take this prince to him.”

There was no need to specify who “him” referred to. An Yi, with eyes downcast, rose and assented, then stepped to Wei Zheng’s side to lead the way.

In the forest cabin, Wei San remained oblivious that the master he had been desperately avoiding had already arrived at his doorstep.

Last night, Wei San had been awakened again by the little one and had barely slept afterward, only managing to doze off near dawn.

Ruan Xingji had vanished early that morning. Wei San hastily ate breakfast and then reclined on a wicker chair, eyes closed in rest. It wasn't until noon that Ruan Xingji returned, carrying someone over his shoulder.

Somehow, he had managed to bring someone back, but the person was emaciated, covered in wounds, and barely breathing—hovering on the brink of death.

Hearing the commotion, Wei San got up and went out to meet him. He initially intended to lend a hand, but the combined stench of blood and rotting flesh made him recoil.

Ruan Xingji didn't need his help anyway, waving him away to keep his distance. He carried the person inside, laid them on the bed, then turned to rummage through his medical kit for life-sustaining medicine.

Wei San stood by the bed, highly skeptical that the person clinging to life would survive.

“Water… water…”

The man was delirious from illness, his plea for water a primal instinct for survival.

Wei San poured a cup of water and, with little gentleness, forced open the man’s mouth to administer it.

He felt no particular sympathy; it was simply that finding another person would be troublesome. Feeding water was merely a practical measure.

Once the man stopped crying for water, Wei San turned to Ruan Xingji and asked, “Why did you bring back someone on the verge of death?”

Ruan Xingji said lightly, “I know this man. He was once the personal attendant to the Crown Prince of Huainan. After the Crown Prince fell from his horse and broke his leg, the Prince of Huainan, in his anger, had him beaten fifty strokes with a staff and thrown into prison. I observed that he’d survived for so many days without dying, which indicates a strong will to live. He’s perfect for the procedure, so I brought him out.”

Ruan Xingji made it sound as if it were purely for his experiment, but Wei San knew he had a soft heart beneath his tough exterior. Otherwise, he wouldn't have tirelessly bustled about like a worried mother for his sake. Saving someone along the way wasn't surprising.

Wei San said little, only reminding him, “Given his current condition, it will take at least half a month for him to recover from his injuries. I'm afraid I can't wait that long.”

It had already been six or seven days since Wei Er left Yangzhou. Any longer, and his master would surely press him.

Ruan Xingji’s expression stiffened, and he said somewhat guiltily, “Then we won't use him. I'll go back to the prison and fetch someone else.”

Wei San offered no comment. He raised a hand to gently stroke his abdomen, his eyelids half-lowered, long lashes casting a shadow that obscured his inner emotions.

Seeing this, Ruan Xingji assumed he had acquiesced. He straightened his clothes and was about to head out again when he heard Wei San speak calmly, “There’s no need to find someone to test on. I'll do it myself.”

Ruan Xingji was stunned. Once he understood Wei San’s intention, he disapprovingly refused, “Although the abdominal surgery on animals was successful, the dosage for animals is different from humans. Performing the surgery without human testing involves too many uncertainties. I won't take such a reckless risk.”

Ruan Xingji’s warning stemmed from his concern for Wei San’s life, but once Wei San made a decision, nothing and no one could sway him. He met Ruan Xingji’s gaze firmly, his heart devoid of joy or sorrow. “I take responsibility for my own life and death. Doctor Ruan, please prepare the medicine.”

“You truly are…”

Not even a donkey is as stubborn as you!

Ruan Xingji pointed at him, unable to utter a harsh word. Wei San was set in his ways and stubborn; after spending so much time together, he knew persuasion was futile.

“Do as you wish. If something happens, I won't save you!”

Furious, Ruan Xingji turned and strode out, leaving Wei San alone in the cabin. He shed all his pretense of strength, his hand falling limply from his abdomen, his eyes slightly red.

Ruan Xingji spent over an hour brewing the anesthetic. When he brought the medicine bowl in, his expression was grim.

“Drink this and lie down on the bed. The anesthetic will take effect in fifteen minutes. You…”

He paused mid-sentence, his lips twitching, but ultimately said nothing more to persuade Wei San to reconsider. He simply turned his back, unable to bear the sight.

Wei San thanked him and took the bowl. The medicine smelled as foul as ever, its pungent odor assaulting his nostrils, then descending his windpipe and esophagus into his stomach, causing waves of nausea.

He endured the discomfort, lifting the bowl to his lips several times, almost setting it down each time.

He wondered: Was his choice truly right? Why dismiss all possibilities without even trying? Perhaps his master wouldn't mind the child's existence.

Wei San’s mind was racing. He had to admit he truly couldn't bear it—couldn't bear to personally kill the child who shared blood with him and his master.

Ruan Xingji noticed his hesitation and was about to seize the chance to persuade him again when a loud crash came from behind.

The already flimsy wooden door was violently kicked open from the outside.

The sudden upheaval made both of them turn toward the door. There stood Wei Zheng, his face like ice.

His eyes locked onto Wei San, who held the medicine bowl and looked as if he’d seen a ghost. A cold smile curled his lips as he said, “Let this prince see what kind of celestial being dares to poach my beloved, seducing my treasured concubine into refusing to return home.”