Chapter 63: Chapter Sixty-Three Why… Did You Lie to Him?

Chapter 63

"Why... did he deceive him?"

The human-skin mask itself wasn't unusual; what was strange was that he'd recognize this mask even if it were ground to dust, and it was hidden in his master's wardrobe.

Wei San didn't want to dwell on it, yet he couldn't help but do so.

He clutched the icy mask tightly in his hand, feeling a chill seep from his fingertips through his nerves, freezing him to the core.

He had never understood before why, out of all the assassins and guards, his master had chosen him to play the role of the male favorite. Now he knew.

The master he obeyed unconditionally, for whom he would shed blood without hesitation, was the same person as the fake Wei Liu, whom he detested to the bone and wished to eliminate.

"Why... did he deceive him? If only he had confessed everything, Wei San would have blindly overlooked everything and forgiven him."

After all, his master was the sole obsession keeping him alive.

A long-absent pregnancy symptom suddenly surged fiercely. Wei San pressed a fist to his lips, his stomach cramping uncontrollably with sour nausea.

The corners of his eyes reddened, yet his expression was unnervingly calm.

He carefully smoothed out the fine creases left by his fingers on the mask, placed it back into the box, and returned it exactly as he found it on the floor, making it look as if he had never touched it.

After completing this, he lay back on the bed, pulled the covers over himself, and closed his eyes to rest.

Wei Zheng didn't return from the assassins' camp until nearly dawn. As soon as he entered, he instinctively looked for Wei San.

The bed curtains on both sides of the room billowed slightly in the night breeze. The figure in bed seemed restless in sleep, turned away from the door and curled up against the wall.

Frowning, Wei Zheng assumed Wei San was having a nightmare.

He silently closed the door and locked it. After taking a few steps, his peripheral vision caught the slightly ajar wardrobe door.

He halted and turned to look, his pupils contracting slightly at the sight of a small black box on the floor.

He cast a suspicious glance at the sleeping figure in bed, but there was no reaction—only steady, even breathing, suggesting genuine sleep.

Setting aside his suspicions, he quickly picked up the box. After confirming it was intact with no signs of being opened, he didn't open it again but stashed it guiltily in the leftmost compartment of the wardrobe.

Only after closing the wardrobe door did he slowly let out a sigh of relief, though he still felt uneasy and guilty.

After all, truth will out. Wei San might seem slow, but he was sharper than anyone. The identity of the fake Wei Liu would eventually be discovered. Rather than waiting for Wei San to confront him angrily and risk being unable to placate him, it would be better to find a chance to come clean early.

Having made up his mind, he began planning how to find the right moment.

What the preoccupied Wei Zheng didn't know was that the person he thought was asleep hadn't shut his eyes the entire time.

***

Two days before the wedding banquet for the Virtuous Prince to take the Secondary Consort on the tenth of the ninth month, two joyous events occurred in the capital. First, the Virtuous Prince, who had been unconscious after being poisoned, was revived by an itinerant physician. The Emperor was overjoyed and rewarded the physician with a hundred taels of gold and a hundred bolts of silk, promising him endless wealth and honor if he could completely eradicate the residual poison in the Virtuous Prince.

Second, the mother of the fifth prince was pregnant again. Given that she was already in her forties, this was considered a rare old-age pregnancy. The entire Xiuxian Palace was now taking every precaution.

The old Emperor, delighted to have a child at his age, was beaming with joy even during court sessions.

Meanwhile, in the Virtuous Prince's manor, although Wei Zheng had awakened, he had to maintain the act and couldn't leave his bed or go out freely. Wei San stayed by his side, keeping him company day and night.

On the final day before the wedding banquet, since Wei San was to marry into the prince's residence as the adopted son of the Minister of War, Lord Wang, it was customary for the wedding sedan to start from the prince's residence. Thus, Lord Wang came early to fetch him.

Wei Zheng was naturally reluctant to let him go, but thinking about how he could rightfully marry Wei San the next day, he reluctantly allowed Lord Wang to take him away.

Not wanting Wei San away from his watch, Wei Zheng arranged for several guards to pose as attendants and accompany Wei San to the residence. Assassins were also secretly assigned for protection, which somewhat set his mind at ease.

Lord Wang found the elaborate arrangements absurd, wondering if his residence was some kind of danger zone where something could happen in just a day and night.

Of course, Lord Wang didn't voice these thoughts and simply agreed to the arrangements.

Wei San, the one in question, found it all normal. After having breakfast with Wei Zheng, he left. Before departing, he asked Wei Zheng for Wei Liu and Wei Jiu to serve as his personal attendants.

Wei Zheng couldn't help but recall the box that had accidentally fallen out the previous night. He grew suspicious, but observing Wei San's calm demeanor, it seemed as if he was simply requesting two assassins.

After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Then let them accompany you as well."

"Thank you, Master, for granting this."

A hint of a smile appeared in Wei San's eyes as he leaned down and gave Wei Zheng a long, rare, proactive kiss.

Their lips lingered together for a long time. When they finally parted, Wei Zheng tugged lightly on his collar, forcing him to bend down again until their lips met once more.

"I really don't want to let you go," he murmured, his voice husky with suppressed desire.

Wei San reminded him helplessly, "But tomorrow's wedding must proceed as scheduled. It wouldn't be proper if I didn't go."

"Secondary Consort Yun, the carriage is ready," Lord Wang appeared just then, urging them to stop.

Wei Zheng could only grumble discontentedly, slowly releasing his grip and waving his hand. "Go quickly, and remember to take the people I assigned you."

Wei San obediently agreed and then left the main hall with Lord Wang.

The carriage was already waiting outside the prince's residence gates. Wei San boarded and accompanied Lord Wang into the capital.

Although Wei San was staying at the Minister of War's residence as Lord Wang's adopted son, no one would disrespect him. The steward led him to a quiet yet elegantly furnished courtyard and said respectfully, "There are three maids and cleaning staff in the courtyard. Secondary Consort Yun, feel free to instruct them as needed."

Wei San nodded indifferently and dismissed the steward.

By his side were Wei Liu and Wei Jiu, dressed as attendants and wearing ordinary human-skin masks.

Even with their disguises, as long-time companions who had faced life and death together, Wei San recognized Wei Liu at a glance. He said to the slightly taller one, "Wei Liu, stay. Wei Jiu, guard the guest hall for me. I need to speak with Wei Liu."

"Something to discuss with me?" Wei Liu scratched the back of his head in confusion, unable to imagine what Wei San wanted.

Wei Jiu muttered discontentedly, "What do you two have to say that you need to exclude me?"

To prevent his curiosity from leading to further questions, Wei San handed him a gold ingot. "Third Brother needs to discuss serious matters with Wei Liu. Keep watch for me and make sure no one overhears."

Wei Jiu accepted the money without another word, turned, and left the room, even thoughtfully closing the door behind him.

The room fell silent. Wei Liu waited expectantly for Wei San to bring up the so-called serious matter, but after a long wait, he noticed Wei San seemed lost in thought.

He couldn't help but frown in puzzlement. "What exactly did you want to say?"

Wei San snapped out of his daze as if waking from a dream. Pressing his lips together, he hesitated while staring at Wei Liu, making him increasingly uncomfortable.

Just as Wei Liu thought he would remain silent, he finally spoke.

"Have you ever... posed as the master to deceive subordinates before?"