Chapter 74: Chapter Seventy-Four Little Brat, Just Like Your Father, Always Angering Your Father…

Chapter 74: That Little Brat Is Just Like His Dad, Only Knows How to Infuriate Your Father…

Wei Zheng’s words were harsh, but in reality, he had no intention of acting on them.

The used hot water was carried away by the maids, leaving only the two of them in the bedchamber once more. The atmosphere settled into a profound silence, so quiet that even their individual breaths were distinctly audible.

Wei San didn't know how to face him, while Wei Zheng was too proud to initiate conversation. Normally, Wei Zheng would have stormed out, then sent guards to monitor him, but he couldn't bring himself to leave Wei San alone in the room.

Last time, Wei San had slipped away right under his nose. If he truly intended to escape, no amount of surveillance would be enough to hold him.

Unwilling to take that risk, Wei Zheng decided to keep a personal watch.

"Move over."

Wei Zheng shed his outer robe, leaving only his inner garment. He lifted his chin arrogantly, crossed his arms, and issued the command in a cold voice.

Wei San’s eyes widened in undeniable shock, clearly not expecting Wei Zheng to still be willing to share a bed with him after his betrayal and escape.

He remained motionless for a long time. Wei Zheng, losing patience, scowled and extinguished the candle with a sweep of his sleeve, then climbed into bed and lay down with his back to Wei San.

Wei San’s heart was a tangled mess of emotions, his thoughts chaotic. Several times, he pursed his lips, on the verge of asking what Wei Zheng was truly thinking, but he didn’t dare. His innate obedience took over, and he could only swallow his words, silently lying down as well.

After two months apart, the two shared a bed again, but this time, it lacked the intimacy of the past. Before, Wei Zheng would always insist on holding him close, but now, perhaps truly furious, he closed his eyes and fell asleep as soon as he lay down, showing no intention of turning to embrace him.

Wei San felt a heavy ache in his chest. Though winter hadn't yet arrived, he felt an exceptional chill.

He turned on his side, back to back with Wei Zheng, unconsciously hugging his arms and curling up. He thought he wouldn’t be able to sleep, but in reality, he fell into a deep slumber shortly after closing his eyes.

Only half an arm’s length lay between them, seemingly close, yet separated by an unbridgeable chasm.

After a while, Wei Zheng, who should have been asleep, suddenly opened his eyes, propped himself up, and sat upright.

He glared at the sleeping Wei San and muttered angrily, "Why are you so stubborn? Would it kill you to admit your mistake to me?"

The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. After stewing in his own frustration for a while, he finally couldn’t resist reaching out and pulling Wei San, who seemed intent on clinging to the wall, back into his arms. Like a dragon guarding its treasure, he tightly wrapped his arms around Wei San’s waist, stretched his leg over Wei San’s to pin him down, and rested his chin on the crown of Wei San’s head before he was satisfied.

The long-missed warmth and softness in his arms made him sigh contentedly. He cherished the moment, gently kissing the forehead of the person in his embrace.

Wei Zheng finally felt satisfied after holding him close. Remembering the scene of the little brat kicking Wei San’s belly, he spread his palm and gently laid it over Wei San’s rounded stomach, eagerly waiting. Unfortunately, the little brat gave him no face—after waiting for half an hour, it didn’t move at all.

He snorted in annoyance, "Little brat, just like your dad, always making your father angry."

He was quite disappointed that the little brat refused to move, but then it occurred to him: since he had found Wei San again, wouldn’t he be able to touch him whenever he wanted in the future? Why rush right now?

With his mind eased, Wei Zheng stopped dwelling on it. Exhausted from the night’s events, he closed his eyes and began to drift off when suddenly, something gently stirred under his palm, jolting him awake.

He looked down in amazement as the previously uncooperative little brat lazily kicked once more before settling down.

It was just a light movement, but Wei Zheng couldn’t suppress the smile that tugged at his lips. He rubbed his palm affectionately over the belly.

Now he was too excited to sleep.

Wei Zheng stayed awake until dawn. To avoid being teased by Wei San, he got up early, dark circles under his eyes, before Wei San woke.

He was still preoccupied with the fire from the previous night. He had personally opened Wei San’s door, and the wooden bar in the latch had clearly been deliberately jammed in. The fire had undoubtedly been set intentionally.

Someone had tried to burn Wei San alive.

The thought instantly plunged Wei Zheng’s already barely good mood to rock bottom.

If he hadn't been restless and gone to check on a whim, would Wei San have been burned to death in that small village without him even knowing?

How could he not be furious when someone he couldn’t even bring himself to scold was treated like this?

With pent-up anger and nowhere to vent it, he decided to track down the arsonist and properly avenge Wei San!

He turned and went to the assassin camp, summoning Duan Lin, who was training the assassins in the morning drills on the training ground.

News of Wei San being found by the prince last night had quickly spread through the assassin and shadow guard camps. Duan Lin was already aware. He had planned to go see Wei San after finishing his duties in the morning but didn’t expect Wei Zheng to seek him out first.

Slightly puzzled, Duan Lin clasped his fists and bowed. "Master, what instructions do you have for this subordinate?"

Had something happened again in the Eastern Palace or the imperial palace?

He ran through several guesses before learning it was unrelated. Wei Zheng briefly explained how Wei San had nearly been burned to death the previous night, then expressionlessly ordered, "Find that person within three days and bring them before me. I will personally interrogate their motive for harming Wei San."

Duan Lin was quite surprised, unaware such convoluted events had occurred.

He had bought Wei San back and raised him himself, acting as both superior and master, even somewhat of a foster father. Naturally, he was angered to hear the child had been bullied like this by outsiders. His expression turned cold and stern as he immediately responded, "This subordinate will see to it at once."

With that, he vanished in a flash, leaving the assassins and shadow guards, who were midway through their morning training, exchanging bewildered looks.

"What are you all standing around for? Get back to your duties!"

Wei Zheng was in no mood to tolerate anyone now and coldly scolded them. The assassins and shadow guards immediately tensed, saluted him, and swiftly scattered from the training ground.

Wei Jiu, always quick-witted, was the fastest to flee. Unfortunately, just as he darted a few meters away, Wei Zheng suddenly called his name from behind.

"Wei Jiu, come with me."

Wei Jiu skidded to an abrupt halt, his features under the mask twisting into an expression of extreme agony. The other assassins and shadow guards who weren’t singled out shot him gleeful looks, infuriating him.

"What are your orders, Master?" he asked, turning his head, his tone ingratiating.

Wei Zheng slightly raised his chin, looking down at the young man half a head shorter than him, and asked with a sarcastic smile, "I heard you were the first to know Wei San was pregnant after taking his pulse. Why didn’t you report it to me truthfully at the time?"

So this was about settling scores.

Wei Jiu’s face fell. Ever since he learned that Third Brother’s betrayal was due to pregnancy, he knew this day would come.

"Master, this subordinate thought he had misdiagnosed due to his inadequate skills. And without confirming the truth of such a matter, how could I dare report it to you recklessly?"

He pleaded his case with a sense of grievance. After all, the idea of a man getting pregnant and giving birth was simply too fantastical. Who would believe it? How could he be blamed for not taking it seriously?

Wei Zheng understood the logic, but the thought that Wei Jiu’s negligence had led to Wei San hiding the truth from him for so long—until his betrayal, when Ruan Xingji accidentally revealed it—infuriated him. During the early stages of pregnancy when intercourse was inadvisable, he had taken advantage of Wei San multiple times. He didn’t know if it had affected Wei San’s health or the fetus.

Would someone as proud as Wei Zheng admit his own fault? Naturally, he wouldn’t shoulder the blame. Wei Jiu, who first discovered Wei San’s possible pregnancy but failed to report it, became the scapegoat for his anger.

"Excuses!" Wei Zheng snorted. "Even if your reason is plausible, failing to report promptly is dereliction of duty. Go to the punishment hall and receive your penalty."

Wei Jiu: "..."

Wei Jiu hung his head, dejected and crestfallen, resignedly accepting this unjust punishment.

Wei Zheng left the assassin camp and headed back to the main hall. Halfway there, he saw the steward, Li Dan, hurrying toward him with urgent steps.

"Your Highness, you've truly been hard to track down."

Before he could catch his breath, he stepped forward and bowed. Wei Zheng frowned slightly: "What matter is so urgent?"

Li Dan said: "Something happened at the palace."

"The young imperial grandson woke up this morning, then vomited a lot of blood and fell unconscious again. Dr. Zhong and the Senior Imperial Physician say he might not pull through."

His expression darkened. After a moment of thought, he ordered: "Prepare the carriage. I am going to the palace."

As he spoke, he turned and hurried toward the main gate.

After taking only a few steps, he suddenly stopped and said: "Go inform the Secondary Consort that I have gone to the palace. Tell him to stay in the main hall and not go anywhere else."

The steward, who had been following closely behind and nearly ran into him, straightened his hat and repeatedly acknowledged the order.

When Wei San woke, the bedchamber was empty except for himself. The side of the bed was cold, indicating that his master had risen and left very early.

He gazed blankly at the canopy overhead, his heart uneasy and filled with a sense of loss.

"Secondary Consort, have you risen? May this servant enter?"

Outside the door was a maid who had been waiting for some time, having heard him stir and rise. Wei San softly replied: "Come in."

Two maids entered with bowed heads, ready to respectfully help him dress, wash up, and tie his hair.

Wei San was not accustomed to being served like this and felt uncomfortable all over. He initially intended to do it himself, but the maids seemed terrified, their eyes reddening and trembling as if denying them the duty would cost them their lives. Wei San had no choice but to give in and let them attend to him.

As he sat before the bronze mirror having his hair tied, Wei San’s mind wandered, his thoughts drifting, and he unconsciously asked: "Where is His Highness?"

The maid combing his hair paused: "When this servant arrived, His Highness had already risen and left. I do not know where he is."

The maids had to wait outside the hall before early morning to attend to their master, yet he had left even before early morning without allowing them to assist with his morning ablutions. It seemed he truly wished to avoid being in the same room with him, hence leaving in such a hurry.

Wei San felt deeply unsettled, yet he also believed that the current situation was entirely his own fault.