The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 15

He was acting up again.

Xie Zichen thought to himself.

Now, whenever Wei Lan said something he couldn’t understand, Xie Zichen attributed it all to her “being unwell.”

In her attempts to slander her romantic rival, Wei Lan is utterly lacking in decorum. She even went so far as to say that a woman who doesn’t bring her own man home is trash. This clearly shows just how deeply she despises women.

The world of “cut sleeves” was truly beyond his comprehension.¹ Deep down, Xie Zichen wondered, Do those “cut sleeves” see themselves as fundamentally no different from women?

This was the first time Xie Zichen seriously pondered upon the inner world of “cut sleeves.”

Wei Lan, however, couldn’t be bothered with him and lowered her head to examine her documents.

After a brief silence, Xie Zichen said, “Farewell,” and turned to leave. When he stepped outside, Xie Tong, who had been waiting for him, couldn’t help but express his surprise. “Young Master, isn’t the Wei family’s heir escorting you out this time?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

Seeing Xie Zichen’s silent expression, Xie Tong suddenly felt a pang of inexplicable sadness. Xie Zichen glanced at Xie Tong’s face, which was full of “that heartless man” expression, and impulsively said, “He got jealous when he heard I had a fiancée.”

The moment the words left his lips, Xie Zichen was startled by what he had just said.

Xie Tong also realised the strangeness of his own thoughts. Looking at his master’s contemplative expression, he couldn’t help but recall the kiss that night—and the shock he felt earlier in the study when he saw Ran Mo.

Although Ran Mo didn’t recognise him, Xie Tong had recognised him instantly. After lurking outside the Marquis of Changxin’s residence for so long, Xie Tong had finally calmed his restless heart. However, seeing his master’s conflicted expression now stirred his emotions once again.

And so…

He fell silent as well.

This pair of “cut sleeve” master and servant are cursed, truly.

When the Xie family’s master and servant finally returned home, Wei Lan couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tossing the documents in her hand aside, she propped her chin up and sighed, “Ran Mo, such a beauty, but already betrothed—my heart aches deeply!”

“Aches?” Ran Mo raised her head, seemingly puzzled by her mistress’s distress. “If it hurts so much, just snatch him away! Master, be decisive. If you fancy him, go for it! I’ll rally the brothers to help you steal him back. Fourth Young Master Xie is delicate and frail; he shouldn’t be too hard to abduct.”

Hearing this, Wei Lan gave her a lazy glance. “Ran Mo, we are not mountain bandits. Stealing someone else’s man is unbecoming of a gentleman.” She sighed deeply. “If only the Wang family’s daughter would willingly break off the engagement.”

Upon hearing this, both Ran Mo and the shadow guards felt they understood Wei Lan’s true intentions.

However, Wei Lan genuinely wished to be a gentleman.

All while carrying the weight of her affection for a taken beauty she prepared for the spring hunt.

These spring hunts, attended by noble scions, were typically hosted by the Crown Prince and served two purposes: to show off and developing romantic connections. It was one of the Chu State’s grand “matchmaking festivals,” comparable to the Lantern Festival or the Qixi Festival.³

Though Wei Lan had given up on Xie Zichen, she still had her sights set on other beauties—like Wang Xi or Lin Che. So, she insisted on not wearing a riding outfit and instead donned an elegant cream-coloured wide-sleeved robe embroidered with cranes. She tied her hair back with a simple green ribbon, held a folding fan in hand, and wore wooden clogs—exuding an air of refined sophistication.

Ran Mo, dressed in a riding outfit with a quiver of arrows on her back, silently watched Wei Lan leisurely step into her carriage. “Miss, is it necessary to dress like this?”

Wei Lan lazily rested her chin on her hand, sizing up Ran Mo’s riding suit. Clicking her tongue twice, she remarked, “Dressing that ugly to meet the young gentlemen? Ran Mo, you deserve to be single forever.”

Ran Mo: “…”

Wei Lan’s attire immediately caught everyone’s attention upon her arrival at the spring hunt. While a few young gentlemen were also dressed in wide-sleeved robes, they were generally too frail and didn’t intend to participate in the hunt. Thus, although Wei Lan’s outfit stood out, it merely gave the impression that she, too, was in poor health and not planning to hunt.

However, her striking appearance made people unable to stop looking at her. Countless young girls secretly lamented that such a face was wasted on a sickly person.

Wei Lan ignored the glances from the women’s side. After alighting from the carriage, she stood still, surveying the vast hunting grounds.

Wang Xi and Lin Che approached with their horses in tow. Smiling, they called out, “Brother Lan, you’re late!”

“Brother Lan, did something delay you on the way?” Lin Che, standing beside Wang Xi, stammered slightly, evidently nervous in Wei Lan’s presence. Wang Xi laughed heartily and said to Wei Lan, “Lan’s appearance is so captivating that, even the eldest son of the Lin family couldn’t help but be moved.”

“Wang Xi!” Lin Che protested anxiously. “What nonsense are you spouting?”

Turning to Wei Lan, he added hurriedly, “Lan, please don’t mind him. He’s always so careless with his words.”

“No harm done,” Wei Lan chuckled. Seeing Lin Che’s flushed face, she couldn’t help but feel happy. With a crisp snap, her folding fan opened, obscuring half her face. She leaned closer to Lin Che, lowering her voice. “To earn the admiration of the eldest Young Master of the Lin family—Lan’s heart is truly delighted.”

Her voice, low and husky, carried the faint scent of orchids. Lin Che’s face turned crimson, prompting Wang Xi to burst into laughter. “Oh my, Lin Che, you’re blushing! Brother Lan,” he exclaimed, giving her a thumbs-up, “that was brilliant—truly brilliant!”

“Brother Lin, please don’t blame me,” Wei Lan said with a smile, closing her fan slowly. She looked at Lin Che, her smile softening. “I love to joke around. If I’ve gone too far, please forgive me.”

“Not at all,” Lin Che quickly replied, feigning composure. “I can take a joke.”

“That’s good.” seeing Lin Che’s innocent and shy demeanour, couldn’t resist wrapping an arm around his shoulders. She was about his height, and her gesture seemed casual. “Let’s go brothers, and check out the hunting grounds.”

Lin Che nodded, his face still flushed. Wang Xi handed his horse to an attendant and joined them, the three heading off to greet the Crown Prince.

From a distance, Xie Zichen watched with an indifferent expression. Xie Tong, unable to hold back, muttered under his breath, “That wretched cut sleeve’!”

“Mind your words,” Xie Zichen said coldly, casting a sharp glance at Xie Tong. The latter grunted, his gaze inadvertently landing on Ran Mo, who was mingling with a group of servants nearby.

Ran Mo appeared knowledgeable, attracting a crowd of onlookers. Among them were a few handsome young men who gazed at her with curiosity and admiration. Ran Mo, clearly enjoying the attention, laughed heartily, occasionally grabbing someone’s hand and tracing their palms as if to explain something.

A wave of irritation surged within Xie Tong.

No wonder he kisses a man so effortlessly and without a second thought. He’s just like his master!

A fickle, philandering “cut sleeve” who discards the old and loves the new and flits from flower to flower!

1. “Broken sleeve” (断袖) refers to homosexuality. The term originates from a Chinese historical anecdote about Emperor Ai of Han, who cut off his sleeve rather than wake his sleeping male lover. ↩
2. Qixi Festival, also known as the Chinese Valentine’s Day, is rooted in the legend of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. ↩