Chapter 58: Chapter Fifty-Eight What Is There to Like About the Master

Chapter 58: What's So Special About Me to Deserve My Master's Affection?

The maid jumped, fearfully retracting her hand and apologizing, "This servant was overly concerned about His Highness's condition and acted rashly."

Her eyes reddened slightly, presenting an innocent, pitiful facade. Yet, Ruan Xingji found her utterly repulsive.

The Director of the Imperial Medical Bureau, feeling Ruan Xingji was overreacting, intervened to smooth things over, "Enough, enough. You're old enough—why bicker with a young girl?"

Ruan Xingji snorted coldly, pursed his lips, and fell silent. Seeing this, the Senior Imperial Physician waved at the maid, "Why haven't you withdrawn yet?"

The maid cast a hurt glance at Wei San, seemingly reluctant and waiting for him to ask her to stay. To her surprise, Wei San, oblivious to her hint, ignored her completely and turned to have Zhong Tong push him into the bedchamber.

The maid could only reluctantly bow and withdraw, her resentment palpable.

As she turned, Wei San subtly glanced at her, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of his wheelchair.

Shortly after, a shadow flickered and vanished into the darkness beneath a nearby corner.

"I have a bad feeling about that maid. She has a strange scent about her, but I can't quite place it. Tell your prince to be cautious and guard against her."

Ruan Xingji caught up to him, his expression unusually serious and sincere.

Wei San replied, "I already sent someone to keep an eye on her earlier. Doctor Ruan needn't worry."

Hearing this, Ruan Xingji finally relaxed.

The three brothers pushed Wei San inside but did not follow further. Since Wei San had come to see Wei Zheng at this time, it was likely for an important matter—one they probably shouldn't overhear. Thus, they tacitly withdrew from the bedchamber entrance.

Once inside, Wei San dismissed all attendants and maids. Only after the bedchamber doors were closed again did he rise from the wheelchair.

Having been seated in the wheelchair for the entire journey, Wei San felt a stiffness and numbness in his back and legs. Just as he was stretching out the kinks, the tightly shut inner chamber door was pulled open, as if someone had known he was coming.

Wei Zheng emerged, dressed in plain inner robes with his hair disheveled. Leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, he looked leisurely at Wei San and teased, "You've grown lazier, little assassin. It's only now that you remember to check on your seriously ill master. Do you think just because the master indulges you, you can get cocky and take advantage?"

His words were laced with laughter; though he spoke with mock scolding, there was no real resentment.

Wei San knew he was joking, but the words hit a nerve. Uneasy, he explained, "No, it's just that this subordinate was exhausted from days of travel, so…"

He trailed off, realizing how unconvincing it sounded. As an assassin, such a journey was nothing for him, and it certainly wouldn't have left him so tired that he slept through the night and half the day.

He lowered his head and eyes, quietly accepting Wei Zheng's baseless accusation.

Wei Zheng wasn't actually blaming him and dropped the topic after his jest. In a few strides, he walked over, naturally pulled Wei San into his embrace, and then scooped him up by the waist.

Taken by surprise, Wei San was startled and instinctively wrapped his arms around Wei Zheng's neck.

Wei Zheng seized the opportunity to steal a quick kiss on his lips, looking quite pleased with his successful scheme.

Wei San had never been held like this before. He blushed, flustered, as he whispered, "Master, please put this subordinate down."

Wei Zheng refused without hesitation. "No, this prince insists on holding you."

Ignoring Wei San's struggles, he carried him without question toward the bedroom.

To maintain the pretense of illness, calming incense burned incessantly in Wei Zheng's bedroom, mingled with the faint bitterness of medicinal herbs, creating a surprisingly pleasant aroma.

Wei San had visited the main hall many times but had never entered the bedroom. His first time entering was now, openly and carried by Wei Zheng.

Wei San was finally placed on the daybed. The moment Wei Zheng stepped back, Wei San immediately sat upright, as if leaning back even slightly would be an affront to the daybed.

Wei Zheng found his reaction both annoying and amusing. He teased, "Why such a strong reaction? Are there hidden needles on this prince's daybed pricking you?"

Wei San shook his head in embarrassment, the tips of his ears turning even redder. He wished the ground would split open so he could hide.

Wei Zheng, knowing when to stop, sat beside Wei San, took off his shoes, and lay down sideways, resting his head on Wei San's lap. Instantly, his nostrils were filled with Wei San's faint, unique scent.

Since returning to the capital, Wei Zheng had been tirelessly reviewing affairs that had piled up over half a month, including various reports from the secret guards. He hadn't slept a wink all night and day. Now, lying in Wei San's embrace, his sleepiness hit him hard.

He wrapped his arms around Wei San's waist and closed his eyes to rest. This time, Wei San surprisingly read the moment and, without being taught, gently massaged his aching head.

Wei Zheng let out a contented sigh.

"Aren't you going to ask this prince about the consort appointment?"

He knew Wei San had come for this. Since Wei San hadn't brought it up, he decided to cut to the chase.

Wei San's massaging paused. This was indeed why he had come, but he hadn't found the right moment to ask. Since Wei Zheng offered the opening, he naturally took it.

"This subordinate's status is so lowly. Why would the emperor personally appoint this subordinate as the Secondary Consort?"

Logically, given Wei San's public identity as a male favorite, being elevated to a concubine would already be considered reaching above his station. The position of Secondary Consort was something he never dared to imagine.

The old emperor, wise with age, would never easily allow a man of no status or position, and a male favorite at that, to become the Secondary Consort of the Virtuous Prince.

There must be other factors at play.

Wei San had considered many possibilities but never once thought of Wei Zheng's involvement. So when Wei Zheng said with great pride, "The emperor father deeply believes in deities and Buddhas. This prince bribed the Director of the Imperial Observatory to casually suggest that marriage could ward off misfortune, and the emperor father bought it," Wei San was truly stunned.

For a moment, he didn't know how to react. He stared blankly at Wei Zheng with his peach-blossom eyes and stammered, "Master... wishes to marry this subordinate?"

His tone was full of disbelief. Wei Zheng noticed it, turned over, propped himself up, and fixed a dangerous gaze on Wei San's face. "What? You're unwilling? Does marrying this prince disgrace you?"

Wei San instinctively shook his head. "No, how could this subordinate be unwilling?"

He just couldn't understand. Given the master's methods, there was no need to resort to such a troublesome and thankless act as a marriage to ward off misfortune.

Could it be that the master truly fancied him and sincerely wanted to marry him?

This thought flashed through his mind, but Wei San couldn't help but dismiss it with a bitter smile.

What did someone as dull, uninteresting, and unromantic as him—an assassin with no family background or influence to help the master advance his cause—have to offer to earn the master's favor?