Chapter 56: Chapter Fifty-Six So the Master Doesn’t Like Children

Chapter 56: So the Master Dislikes Children

After digging such a deep pit, Ruan Xingji washed his hands of the matter. Wei San, it seemed, was stubbornly unwilling to speak. Wei Zheng, knowing he couldn't pry anything out of him, was about to turn his attention to Ruan Xingji when the latter remarked meaningfully, "I have professional ethics, Your Highness. If you wish to know, let Wei San tell you himself."

Ruan Xingji narrowed his eyes, a petty glint within them. He still remembered Wei Zheng mistaking him for a love rival; why would he make things easy for him?

Wei Zheng, his curiosity piqued but left utterly unsatisfied: "..."

Wei Zheng had taken a significant risk by leaving the capital on this "affair-catching" mission. Now that he knew it was all a misunderstanding, he spent a day resting and preparing for the return journey. The very next morning, he packed Wei San into a newly purchased carriage.

Wei San had no choice but to go. Ruan Xingji, still keen on studying the child in his belly, voluntarily joined them, bringing along the critically ill patient as well.

Unlike the swift journey there by horseback, the carriage offered a stable but slow pace. By nightfall, they had only just left Yangzhou, still over a hundred *li* from Suizhou City. The group had no option but to camp in the wilderness for the night.

Fireflies flickered among the trees, and a few fearless ones settled on Wei San’s shoulders, their faint glows blinking on and off.

"Are you truly not going to tell him?"

After taking Wei San’s pulse and confirming his good health, Ruan Xingji lowered his head to pack his medicine chest.

Wei San, who had been gazing at the faint glow of the fireflies, visibly stiffened, remaining silent for a long time.

Ruan Xingji then closed his medicine chest, finally able to focus on their conversation. Leaning his elbow on his knee and resting his chin in his palm, he asked with a touch of bewilderment, "I don’t quite understand the dynamics between you two, but I can see he genuinely cares for you. I suspect if you tell him the truth, he should be able to accept this child."

It wasn't that Ruan Xingji was siding with Wei Zheng; he had witnessed firsthand how Wei Zheng treated Wei San these past two days. He handled him with such tenderness, as if afraid he might break if held too tightly or melt if kept too close, his gaze rarely leaving Wei San. It was simply that these two, being so entangled in the situation, couldn't see it clearly themselves.

Wei San pursed his lips, saying nothing. He shrugged his shoulders, and the startled fireflies scattered like birds taking flight.

Near the bonfire, Wei Zheng was carving a roasted chicken with a small dagger. As he neared completion, he looked toward Wei San, a faint smile playing on his lips, and crooked a finger at Wei San, who met his gaze.

As if infected by that smile, Wei San’s captivating eyes shimmered with the firelight, and he unconsciously curved his lips into a smile.

The smile didn’t last long. Realizing his momentary lapse, he quickly composed himself, lowering his eyelids and pinching his fingertips.

"I will consider it."

A sudden breeze swept away most of Wei San’s soft murmur, but Ruan Xingji, with his keen hearing, caught it clearly. He patted Wei San’s shoulder approvingly. "As a couple, you two should talk things out properly. Hiding things will only lead to trouble sooner or later."

Wei San nodded and hummed in agreement, seemingly taking his advice to heart.

Ruan Xingji was about to offer more counsel when he suddenly felt a prickling sensation, as if a hostile, murderous gaze was fixed firmly on the back of his hand resting on Wei San’s shoulder. If looks could be knives, his hand would have been minced to pieces.

Ruan Xingji reluctantly withdrew his hand, muttering unhappily, "Ungrateful! If I help you again, I'm a dog!"

Wei San, too, sensed Wei Zheng’s animosity toward Ruan Xingji. He apologetically soothed Ruan Xingji’s feelings on Wei Zheng’s behalf, then rose and walked toward Wei Zheng.

The bonfire blazed brightly, dry wood crackling in the flames. The aroma of roasted chicken mingled with the scent of smoke, filling their nostrils and whetting their appetites.

"What were you discussing with Doctor Ruan for so long?"

Wei Zheng had been watching him intently the entire time. As Wei San approached, he immediately took his hand and, with a gentle tug, pulled him down beside him. Shoulder to shoulder, they sat in an intimate posture, yet Wei Zheng still seemed unsatisfied. He hooked an arm around Wei San’s shoulder, pulling him into a half-embrace—possessive and domineering.

His tone carried a hint of unconscious jealousy as he casually brushed his hand over Wei San’s shoulder, where Ruan Xingji had just patted him, ostensibly to smooth out wrinkles in his clothes.

Wei San found it amusing. Recalling Ruan Xingji’s earlier words, he suddenly understood everything.

He truly couldn’t bear to part with the child. Whether his master wanted it or not, he had already decided to carry it to term. After all, he had nowhere to spend his monthly allowance. He could hire a wet nurse to care for the child and visit whenever he had time—the child would certainly not lack paternal love.

The gloom in his heart dissipated, and Wei San felt inexplicably lighthearted. After a moment’s thought, he replied, "I’ve been overthinking lately, and it’s been weighing on me. Doctor Ruan offered some comfort. Thinking about it now, those things aren’t really such a big deal."

This was a signal for a heart-to-heart conversation. Wei Zheng paused, picked up a pair of bamboo chopsticks, and held a piece of roasted chicken thigh to Wei San’s lips. Casually, he said, "What could trouble my Sui Yun so much? Tell me, perhaps I can help you analyze it."

He was eager but maintained a calm, ordinary facade to coax the truth out of Wei San. However, Wei San, who had sparked his curiosity, fell silent again, focusing on nibbling the roasted chicken from the chopsticks. He then praised, "It’s delicious. Your cooking skills are excellent—even Chef Wang from the imperial kitchen couldn’t make roasted chicken this tasty."

Knowing Wei San was dodging the topic, Wei Zheng gritted his teeth in frustration but could do nothing. He could only laugh helplessly. "You’ve learned to be sly, flattering me to make me happy."

Wei San merely smiled without replying, lowering his head to focus on filling his stomach.

The two finished the entire chicken, and another round of firewood was added to the bonfire, making it burn even brighter than before.

The autumn night sky wasn’t as brilliantly starry as in summer, but it was still magnificent.

After a meal, drowsiness often sets in. Wei Zheng held Wei San as they lay on the grass under the open sky, watching the fireflies flicker and counting the stars.

"If I weren’t the Virtuous Prince, this carefree, rustic life would be quite pleasant."

Wei Zheng rested his chin on the crown of Wei San’s head, half-closing his eyes in relaxation. Wei San, however, fell into deep thought.

"Does the master like children?"

He hadn’t meant to ask, but the words slipped out before he realized it.

Wei Zheng clearly hadn’t expected such a sudden question. Without thinking, he replied, "I don’t like children, and most likely never will."

Wei San’s expression froze instantly. A chill spread through his heart, and he felt cold to the bone because of Wei Zheng’s words.

So the master doesn’t like children...

Wei San’s face turned as pale as paper, and his fingers, resting on his belly, slowly curled into a fist.

He forced a smile and asked, "But the master will eventually marry and have children. How could there be none?"

Wei Zheng replied firmly, "I said there will be no children, and there will be no exceptions."

Ever since he realized he had fallen for Wei San, he had never again considered marriage or children. His Wei San was an ordinary man. Since he had chosen Wei San, he had already prepared to have no heirs. What did it matter whether he had children or not?

"Why are you so fixated on the question of my children?"

Wei Zheng found Wei San’s question strange, but Wei San replied calmly, "It was just a random thought. It doesn’t mean anything else."

Wei Zheng narrowed his eyes slightly, neither agreeing nor disagreeing. It was unclear whether he believed Wei San’s explanation.