Chapter 64: Chapter Sixty-Four In the Future, I Will Marry You Properly with All the Ceremonies…

Chapter 64: Six. Four days later, with the formal betrothal rites, he will be wed as the principal wife...

"Of course there is."

Wei Liu didn't conceal the information. Logically, such confidential matters shouldn't be revealed to outsiders, but he trusted Wei San implicitly. He merely found the inquiry a bit odd.

"Why do you ask?"

Wei San smiled calmly, "Yesterday, in the master's room, I saw a human-skin mask crafted in your likeness. I was simply curious."

Wei Liu didn't dwell on it, casually explaining, "The master and I have similar builds. When he needs to conduct covert operations, he has me stay in the residence to impersonate him."

Wei San understood immediately. If Wei Liu was the one remaining in the residence, then the master must have been wearing Wei Liu's mask when he ventured out.

His suspicion was thoroughly confirmed, and he found the whole situation utterly absurd and laughable.

He still couldn't forget the suffocating fear and profound humiliation he experienced when Wei Zheng feigned illness after falling into the water—how his revered master slept soundly in the main chamber while he was pinned down and violated by the hidden guard in the side room. Nor could he erase the memory of the breakdown following that drunken indiscretion with the master.

From beginning to end, he had been a pawn in Wei Zheng's game, manipulated through shifting identities.

The master must have found it amusing; otherwise, he wouldn't have sustained the charade for so long. Wei San wondered if the master ever grew weary of feigning affection day after day, facing his own clueless and rigid demeanor.

Wei San suddenly slumped, leaning back on the soft couch. He tiredly pinched the bridge of his nose and closed his eyes. "I'm exhausted and need to rest. You and Wei Jiu should also take a break. Tomorrow promises to be a fierce battle."

Wei Liu detected a subtle shift in atmosphere. Though slow-witted, he wasn't entirely oblivious to social cues. He looked at Wei San, wanting to say something to lighten the mood, but Wei San truly seemed spent. He swallowed his words, managing only a dry "Mm."

Wei Liu exited the room, glancing back repeatedly, but Wei San didn't open his eyes again, as if genuinely asleep. Full of doubt, Wei Liu closed the door.

"What did Third Brother tell you?"

Wei Jiu had been keeping watch outside for so long that his curiosity was almost unbearable. The moment he saw Wei Liu emerge, he dropped the jade ornament he was idly turning in his hands and rushed over.

Wei Liu shot him a glare. "Children shouldn't meddle in adult affairs."

"Hmph! Fine, don't tell me. I'll find out sooner or later anyway!"

Wei Jiu glared, baring his teeth in a mock threat, but Wei Liu paid him no mind, lost in thought with a furrowed brow.

The wedding day arrived as scheduled. At the first hint of dawn, the makeup maids and wedding helpers arrived, bustling around Wei San as he performed the incense bath ritual and changed into his wedding attire. They styled his hair into a formal crown, applied light makeup according to wedding customs, and adorned his hair with a few auspicious red flowers.

This elaborate preparation consumed most of the day. Wei San hadn't eaten a single bite until Wei Jiu secretly slipped him a plate of pastries, of which he managed only two to quell his hunger.

The Imperial Astronomer had calculated the auspicious time for the ceremony to be at the hour of You (5-7 PM). Given the considerable distance from the Minister of War's residence to the Virtuous Prince's mansion, they needed to depart in the wedding sedan by the hour of Shen (3-5 PM).

Even before the hour of Shen, a crowd of curious onlookers had already gathered outside the Minister of War's residence, whispering among themselves and occasionally pointing at the magnificent horse adorned with a large, festive red flower.

"Why hasn't he come out yet?"

Wei Zheng, his face ashen as if a gust of wind could fell him, held the reins of the black horse. He coughed intermittently, one hand covering his mouth.

Logically, he needn't personally fetch a secondary consort, but since it was Wei San he was marrying, he couldn't bear to let him feel even the slightest slight.

His heart swelled with joy and impatience as he fixed his gaze on the mansion gate. Li Dan, his smile unconcealed, teased, "He should be out by a quarter past the hour of Shen at the latest. Your Highness, such eagerness might invite ridicule."

Wei Zheng raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over the crowd of onlookers before he smiled. "Let them laugh. No one would dare gossip to my face anyway."

Wei Zheng didn't have to wait long. Precisely at the hour of Shen, Wei San emerged from the mansion, surrounded by maids and wedding helpers.

As he was a man, he wore the groom's attire. The peach-red wedding robes made his exposed skin appear snow-white, and a black belt cinched his slender waist, accentuating his lean figure. A symbolic red veil covered his head, representing the bride's departure.

Even without seeing his face, merely standing there in his wedding robes, Wei San exuded an aura of rare beauty.

The onlookers marveled inwardly—no wonder the Virtuous Prince was so hopelessly infatuated with him.

At first sight of Wei San in this attire, Wei Zheng's eyes lit up. But then he remembered that Wei San couldn't wear the bright red reserved for the principal wife, and his heart ached. He felt a renewed resentment toward the old emperor and the crown prince.

If not for these obstacles, why would he need to resort to such circuitous tactics to achieve his desires?

Quietly, he made a decision: once this matter was settled, he would surely prepare a grand dowry and formally remarry Wei San as his principal wife.

The wedding procedures were intricate, but since Wei Zheng was still "ailing," everything was simplified.

According to the customs of the Great Yu Dynasty, secondary consorts could only enter through the side gate. The wedding procession passed through the side gate and finally stopped in the main courtyard.

Guests were directed to the Chengyu Hall to await the banquet. As it was the taking of a secondary consort, the bowing ceremony was omitted.

Inside the prince's mansion, it was his territory. The wedding helpers were his own trusted people, knowing what to say and what not to say. As for the other servants, the steward had sent them all to move the dowry and betrothal gifts.

Wei Zheng, shedding his previously sickly demeanor, leaped off the horse with effortless grace. He walked to the wedding sedan, lightly kicked the carriage, took the wedding scale from the helper, and lifted the curtain.

The person inside seemed nervous, fingers tightly intertwined, tips turning white from the pressure.

After today, Wei San would be his rightful wife.

"Madam, it's time to step out of the sedan."

Wei Zheng's joy was unmistakable, his smile irrepressible.

The term "Madam," spoken with such deep affection, momentarily stunned Wei San. He couldn't understand how someone could act so convincingly in a charade.

But on second thought, it made sense. After all, the master had played the fool for ten years. If he hadn't acted convincingly, how could he have deceived the Emperor and the Crown Prince for so long?

Wei San felt it was no wonder he had been so thoroughly fooled.

"What's wrong?"

Seeing him unmoving, Wei Zheng seemed to grow impatient. He exhaled slowly, held the sedan door, and bent down to step out.

Wei San replied nonchalantly, "This subordinate is a bit nervous. After all, it's my first time getting married."

His voice was tight, as if genuinely due to nerves. Wei Zheng didn't doubt him and teased affectionately, "You don't have to face the ministers and royal relatives at the banquet. What are you nervous about?"

A secondary consort wasn't entitled to the bowing ceremony—that was reserved for the principal wife. Naturally, Wei San didn't need to show his face at the banquet either. He said, as if suddenly realizing, "The master is right."

With the veil covering his face, Wei San's expression was hidden, but Wei Zheng sensed a hint of grievance in his voice. He held Wei San's hand, wanting to comfort him, to promise that he would surely marry him properly as the principal wife with formal betrothal rites. But before he could speak, Wei San said first, "Master, can we go inside? This subordinate hasn't eaten all day."

In the past, going without food for a day or two during missions was common for Wei San. But now he wasn't alone; even if he didn't eat, the child in his womb needed nourishment.

Wei Zheng frowned and turned to scold the wedding helper, "Why didn't you prepare any food for the secondary consort?"

The wedding helper said awkwardly, "But according to tradition, the bride cannot eat on the wedding day."

Wei Zheng clicked his tongue. "You're not flexible at all. He's not a woman; why adhere to such rigid rules? If he can't eat openly, can't he eat in secret?"

The wedding helper trembled, apologizing repeatedly.

Wei San couldn't bear to see the helper frightened because of him. He held Wei Zheng's hand and shook it, his gesture unmistakably coquettish. Wei Zheng, previously angry, immediately softened.

He waved impatiently at the helper, signaling her to leave and not be a bother, then ordered a servant to fetch some food from the kitchen. Finally, he led Wei San into the side chamber.

Because Wei Zheng had lost his temper, the servants quickly delivered the dishes. In less time than it takes to finish a cup of tea, several light and appetizing dishes were already laid out on the table in the center of the room.

The wedding banquet was set to begin at dusk, and Wei Zheng could not stay in the room for too long. He had intended to accompany Wei San until he finished eating, but the steward, Li Dan, appeared at the door and softly reminded him, "Your Highness, it is almost time. The Emperor and the Crown Prince will arrive in less time than it takes for an incense stick to burn. What do you think…"

"Alright, I understand."

The thought of having to engage in another round of veiled confrontations with those treacherous officials filled Wei Zheng with irritation. He let out a long, heavy sigh, suppressing his displeasure as he gently said to Wei San, "Please eat by yourself for now. Tonight is likely to be anything but peaceful. If any danger arises, just protect yourself. You need not worry about me—Duan Lin will be by my side."

The Fifth Prince and the Prince of Huainan’s plan to stage a coup tonight was all but confirmed. Wei Zheng knew Wei San’s temperament well. It wasn't that he doubted Wei San’s capabilities, but with the chaos and confusion that would inevitably ensue, he might not be able to ensure Wei San’s safety.

The main hall had long been surrounded and protected by hidden guards. As long as Wei San stayed quietly inside, there shouldn't be any problems.

Wei Zheng emphasized each word of his instructions, yet he had a feeling Wei San would not remain so obedient. So he added firmly, "Stay here and don’t wander off, understood?"

Wei San had already removed his wedding veil upon entering the room. He listened attentively to every word Wei Zheng said and nodded obediently. "This subordinate understands. Please go with peace of mind, Master."

Wei Zheng studied him carefully, and seeing no intention of disobedience, he reluctantly pulled Wei San close for a passionate kiss. Then he turned and walked out of the room, instructing Li Dan to lead the way.

Wei San watched quietly as he left, slowly rose to close the door, and the gentle, submissive expression on his face vanished without a trace.

In silence, he took off his wedding robes, turned to the wardrobe, and retrieved the hidden black covert outfit he had prepared earlier. After changing, he covered his face with a mask and a human-skin disguise, then slipped out through the window and melted into the darkness of the night.