Chapter 60: Chapter Sixty He Has Never Understood Love

Chapter 60: He Was Never Well-Versed in Matters of Love

At the Virtuous Prince's residence, Wei Zheng, with a beauty in his arms, was lost in a world of tenderness, while Cheng Lan, burdened with a task, found his mood far from pleasant.

Before his shift ended, he dispatched someone to deliver a visiting card to the Grand Tutor's residence. Just as he was finishing his duties, his attendant returned with the Grand Tutor's reply. Cheng Lan took the reply, went back to his residence to retrieve two jars of aged fine wine, and then, in a rattling carriage, leisurely made his way to the Grand Tutor's estate.

The servant, after a glance at the reply, granted him passage, and the steward led him to the banquet hall.

"What brings the Top Scholar to visit this old man?"

The Grand Tutor was already waiting in the hall, standing before a painted screen. One hand rested behind his back, the other held a brush, adding the final touches to the stamens of a half-painted winter plum.

Cheng Lan bowed respectfully and, with a cheerful laugh, said, "A few days ago, I acquired two jars of excellent Nu'er Hong wine. I thought it would be a shame to drink such fine wine alone, and hearing that the Grand Tutor has a fondness for good wine, I took the liberty of sending my card to impose upon you."

"Oh?" The Grand Tutor's interest was piqued at the mention of good wine. "Fine wine brought by the Top Scholar? That certainly warrants a proper tasting."

He motioned for Cheng Lan to quickly take a seat, allowing the servants to attend to him, and instructed the steward to serve the meal. Soon, maids brought forth fish, meat, wine, and various dishes, laying them out on the table in a steady stream.

The sealed mud at the mouth of the aged Nu'er Hong jars was removed, and the rich, mellow aroma of wine instantly permeated the air, making one's mouth water.

The Grand Tutor's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but exclaim, "Indeed, this is a rare fine wine!"

Cheng Lan smiled without speaking and personally filled the Grand Tutor's wine cup.

"Come, I toast you."

Holding the wine bowl with both hands, he didn't wait for the Grand Tutor's response but tilted his head back and drained the bowl in one gulp.

The Grand Tutor most enjoyed drinking with straightforward people. After Cheng Lan downed a bowl, he returned the toast.

The two drank bowl after bowl, finishing both jars of Nu'er Hong, yet still felt unsatisfied. The thoroughly drunk Grand Tutor immediately summoned the steward, instructing him to dig up the good wine he had buried under a tree years ago.

Both were thoroughly enjoying themselves, and the inevitable result was that they ended up heavily inebriated.

The Grand Tutor, drinking heartily, grew even more enthusiastic toward Cheng Lan. When sober, he was tight-lipped, but once drunk, he began to chatter and ramble about everything under the sun.

They discussed everything from poetry and classics to unofficial histories and rumors, and from street gossip to matters of state.

"Teacher, to be frank, I have been quite troubled lately."

Seeing the timing was right, Cheng Lan began to bait the hook, waiting for the Grand Tutor to take it. The Grand Tutor, his mind muddled by alcohol, indeed fell for it.

He asked, slurring his words, "What's got you so troubled? Tell me, and perhaps I can offer some advice."

Hearing this, Cheng Lan opened up. He sighed with a worried expression and said, "Lately, both the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince have been trying to win me over. The Crown Prince is kind-hearted and an exceptionally enlightened heir, while the Fifth Prince is brave, resourceful, and comes from a powerful family. It's not impossible for him to surpass the Crown Prince and ascend the throne."

"With both the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince extending olive branches, this official truly doesn't know whose side to take."

He sighed as if genuinely deeply troubled. The Grand Tutor chuckled and muttered, "You, don't rush to pick a side. For now, you don't need to choose either. Neither of them will amount to much. You just need to ensure your own safety; the rest doesn't matter."

Cheng Lan caught the loophole in his words. Delighted inwardly, he showed no sign of it outwardly. Feigning surprise, he asked, "What does the Grand Tutor mean by this? Does the Grand Tutor favor the Virtuous Prince instead?"

The Grand Tutor took a sip of wine and waved his hand. "He won't make it either. Don't ask more; I won't reveal anything else beyond this."

Though the Grand Tutor refused to disclose more, Cheng Lan had already guessed seventy or eighty percent.

If the Crown Prince and the Fifth Prince were unlikely, and the Virtuous Prince couldn't ascend the throne either, the Eighth Prince was too young and inexperienced to be a contender, while the Ninth Prince, born from a palace maid who climbed into the emperor's bed, had an awkward status and was even less likely.

With almost all the princes eliminated one by one, Cheng Lan couldn't immediately guess whom the old emperor intended to inherit the throne.

***

By the time he left the Grand Tutor's residence, it was already 10:45 at night. Cheng Lan, thoroughly drunk, was helped into the carriage by servants. The clip-clop of horse hooves echoed through the quiet streets.

As soon as the carriage left the street where the Grand Tutor's residence was located, Cheng Lan slowly opened his eyes, clear and sober, without a trace of drunkenness. He lifted the carriage curtain to look around, and after confirming no one was nearby, he lowered his voice and said to the coachman, "Drive the carriage back to the residence on your own. I have other matters to attend to. Remember, don’t let anyone detect anything amiss."

The coachman nodded almost imperceptibly and signaled that he understood.

When the carriage reached a dark corner of the street, the curtain was lifted by the night breeze, and after a moment, it slowly fell back into place.

The main hall of the Prince of Qi's residence was brightly lit, with the seductive sounds of music lingering in the air. Dancers with veiled faces twirled in graceful movements, the bells on their ankles jingling crisply.

The Prince of Qi, Wei Yan, had two scantily clad concubines nestled against him, one on each side. One held a cup to feed him wine, while the other teased him playfully, laughing coquettishly as she offered him grapes.

A concubine serving wine accidentally spilled it, dousing the concubine opposite her.

Instantly, the aroma of wine filled the air, and the silk robes were half-soaked, revealing tantalizing glimpses of her figure.

The splashed concubine let out a coquettish cry and clung to the Prince of Qi, acting coy.

The Prince of Qi enjoyed the blessings of having multiple beauties, while the Crown Prince of Huainan sat alone without any drinking companions.

He watched the scene like a cold bystander, a faint smile on his lips that didn't reach his eyes, observing the absurdity before him.

The night wore on, but the music showed no sign of stopping. The Crown Prince of Huainan found it dull. The Prince of Qi showed no intention of stopping; instead, he grew increasingly unrestrained, almost putting on a public display of indecency.

The Crown Prince of Huainan curled his lips in mockery and felt compelled to remind him.

"The army has already reached Suizhou Prefecture. When does the Prince of Qi plan to act?"

The Prince of Qi, annoyed at having his fun interrupted, thought he hid it well but didn't realize the Crown Prince of Huainan saw right through him.

He replied dismissively, "There's no need to rush now. We must wait until the day of the Seventh Prince's wedding."

The Virtuous Prince taking a consort was a significant event, especially since the old emperor was personally presiding over the wedding. Officials would have to attend the banquet with gifts, and by then, the military defense would inevitably focus on the Virtuous Prince's residence, leaving the capital vulnerable. It was the perfect opportunity for him to seize the throne.

Hearing this, the Crown Prince of Huainan raised his cup in a toast. "Then I wish Prince of Qi success in achieving his desires."

These words pleased the Prince of Qi immensely. He laughed heartily, as if the throne were already within his grasp.

"When I ascend the throne, I will surely grant you a title equal to my own."

He didn't forget to reassure the Crown Prince of Huainan, who was aiding him, painting grand promises.

The Crown Prince of Huainan smiled without replying, tilting his head back to drain his cup in one go.

On the roof, a black tile was quietly replaced. Cheng Lan, clad in black night attire, slipped into the shadows, moving like a mayfly through the night wind.

No one noticed his arrival or departure. To avoid being tracked unknowingly, he wandered around the capital before heading toward the outskirts.

At the Virtuous Prince's residence, Wei San had spent yet another day resting with Wei Zheng and was now wide awake. The child in his womb seemed to have regained energy and was particularly lively tonight, keeping him restless.

He got up, threw on an outer robe, and walked slowly to where Wei Zheng was reviewing secret documents by lamplight.

"Why are you up?" Wei Zheng noticed his approach, set aside the documents, and rose to meet him.

The early autumn days still held onto the summer's lingering warmth, but the nights were quite cool. Seeing Wei San dressed so lightly, Wei Zheng instinctively furrowed his brow and fetched a cloak to drape over him.

"The night is chilly, why not wear more clothing?"

Wei San felt rather helpless. He wanted to say he wasn’t actually cold, but considering the child in his belly that occasionally stirred, it might be better to have the cloak for cover, so he remained silent and obediently allowed Wei Zheng to tie the fasteners.

Only when Wei San was securely wrapped did Wei Zheng withdraw his hands with satisfaction. He asked Wei San why he had gotten up, and Wei San explained softly, "I slept too much during the day, so I simply couldn’t fall asleep tonight. This subordinate thought of going outside for some fresh air."

His clear, gentle voice carried a hint of pleading. His beautiful peach-blossom eyes reflected Wei Zheng’s figure, as if Wei Zheng were his entire world, and nothing else could capture his attention.

Wei Zheng felt a stir of desire. He cupped Wei San’s face, planted a kiss at the corner of his eye, and whispered tenderly, "Go if you wish. You don’t need Your Highness's permission."

Wei San’s eyes reddened at the corners from the kiss, glistening with moisture, like a budding peach blossom waiting to be picked.

In the past, Wei Zheng would have already pulled him toward the bed, but this time he held back, stepping half a pace back with restraint and self-control.

Since realizing his own feelings, Wei Zheng was no longer as impulsive as before. Previously, his attraction to Wei San had been mere physical attraction, treating him as a male consort who could be discarded at any time. But now it was completely different—Wei San was someone he had decided to spend his life with, and he felt it was wrong to neglect him even slightly.

Shouldn’t one pamper their own beloved properly?

He took Wei San’s hand and gently traced the contours of his fingertips.

"I’ve told you before, you can be as willful as you like in front of me. Do whatever you want without overthinking. Even if you cause trouble, I’ll be here to back you up."

This was an extreme tenderness Wei Zheng had never shown before—restrained and self-controlled. Wei San’s heart secretly skipped a beat, then began racing uncontrollably, as if a wild rabbit was pounding against his ribs.

He lowered his gaze, puzzled by his own reaction.

He had never understood romantic feelings and still didn’t know what it felt like to be moved. He thought he might be suddenly having a heart episode—otherwise, why would his heart beat so fast?

He took a deep breath, slowly suppressing the flutter in his heart, and said to Wei Zheng with a light tone, "It’s not good for Your Highness to spoil this subordinate like this. I might become spoiled."

Wei Zheng, however, replied indifferently with a smile, "Then become spoiled. I’m happy to indulge you."