The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 18

Xie Zichen almost fled from Wei Lan’s sight.

When he reached the autumn hunting grounds, Xie Tong approached and whispered, “Master, Xie Jie’s men have put the poisoned needles in the horse’s hoof. Should we remove them or not?”

“No,” Xie Zichen replied calmly, “Go find Wang Ning and borrow his horse for me, he won’t be participating. Leave that horse in the stable. Anyone else who wants to ride it can.”

“Understood.” Xie Tong nodded and then asked seriously, “Master, those men have already infiltrated the grounds. When do we act?”

“After the others make their move,” Xie Zichen said, gazing into the distance with a calm expression. “Let them act first.”

“Master,” Xie Tong had finished talking about business and having held back for a long while, he couldn’t resist asking, looking at Xie Zichen’s flushed face, “Why is your face so red?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

A servant who causes embarrassment is not a good servant.

“It’s a bit warm,” he finally said, “Go and do your work.”

Xie Tong wisely kept silent but couldn’t help glancing back at Xie Zichen. Then he saw Wei Lan walking out of the peach grove with a satisfied expression.

Suddenly, he seemed to understand something.

As soon as Wei Lan came out, she watched Xie Zichen walk—no, run away.

She didn’t mind and returned to the Crown Prince’s side, observing the Prince and Wang Xi organize the spring hunt.

There weren’t many people around the Crown Prince, indicating that those who stayed by his side were either of noble status, helping to host the hunt, or were those who wanted to get closer to the Crown Prince.

For instance, Wang Ning.

Wang Ning was on good terms with Xie Zichen, so Wei Lan paid him more attention. As she stood watching the Crown Prince and Wang Xi, Wang Ning, who was standing alone, approached her, “Why did Wei Shizi decide to accompany us here?”

—Are you planning to side with the Crown Prince?

Wei Lan immediately translated Wang Ning’s words in her mind and smiled, “Ah Xi is here. I don’t know many people, so I came over.”

—I don’t know many people. I’m here with Wang Xi, and was just taking a look

Wang Ning nodded, understanding the underlying message.

After a while, it was time. Everyone went off to their respective seats when the Crown Prince announced that everyone should take their places.

On the high platform in the centre sat members of the royal family and legitimate heirs of prominent families. Wei Lan naturally didn’t belong in such a place. The Changxin Marquis Manor’s status was neither high nor low, so she could only sit on a viewing platform next to the high stage. But having a seat was better than nothing. People like Xie Zichen and Wang Ning could only set up tents on the grass below.

After everyone was seated, the Crown Prince stood up and offered a ceremonial drink to the heavens. In the sunlight, the man in his white robe embroidered with dragons, with his jade-like face, looked extremely handsome. Wei Lan sat in her seat, focusing intently on the Crown Prince, Wang Xi and those around him, finding the scene quite pleasing to the eye.

Seeing Wei Lan’s expression, Ran Mo knew her old habits had resurfaced. She nudged Wei Lan and whispered, “Shizi, that’s the Crown Prince. Your gaze is too obvious.”

“Hmm?” Wei Lan looked puzzled. “Is it very obvious?”

Ran Mo nodded seriously, “Very, extremely obvious.”

“Alright,” Wei Lan shifted her gaze to the red-clad man at the table behind the Crown Prince, propping her chin with her hand. “The Crown Prince is too dignified to look at. This one looks a bit shameless. Is that okay?”

Ran Mo: “…”

Can’t you just poke your eyes out and not look?!

Ignoring the Crown Prince, Wei Lan gazed lovingly at the Third Prince, Su Cheng. Su Cheng soon noticed Wei Lan’s gaze. Thinking it was some lady admiring him, he prepared to smile back warmly.

But when he turned his head, what did he see!!

That lunatic!!

Su Cheng took a deep breath, pulled his servant closer to block Wei Lan’s view, and whispered to Lin Che beside him, “Eldest Young Master Lin, do you know who that person over there is?” He pointed at Wei Lan.

Hearing this, Lin Che couldn’t help but laugh and replied softly, “He is the heir of the Changxin Marquis Manor, the one who went to the enemy camp alone and beheaded their commander.”

Su Cheng nodded, thinking that it was true that looks could be deceiving. This pervert turned out to be quite capable.

As they chatted, the Crown Prince finished all the ceremonies and announced the start of the horse race.

This was an event to warm up before entering the hunting grounds. Those who wanted to could participate, and the winner would receive a peach blossom, which was usually given to the most beautiful lady in the audience and can even symbolizing courtship. Thus, most participants were young, unmarried sons of noble families.

Since Xie Zichen had specifically instructed Wei Lan not to participate, she planned to observe. Watching everyone lead their horses into the arena one by one, she suddenly noticed someone and became curious.

“Ran Mo, why do you think the Third Prince participating?”

“He’s always been a flirt. How could he miss such an occasion?”

True, Wei Lan thought. She had a similar nature.

However, she soon noticed something amiss. “That horse which he’s leading… Does it look a little familiar?”?”

Hearing Wei Lan’s words, Ran Mo quickly became serious. Today, Xie Jie planned to tamper with Xie Zichen’s horse, and Wei Lan had taken her to see it. Thus, Ran Mo had herself witnessed the poison needle being placed in the horse’s hoof.

Ran Mo examined the horse carefully. Before she could speak, she saw Wei Lan stand up and say coldly, “That’s Xie Zichen’s horse.”

She got up and quickly walked towards the stables.

As she reached the stables, she saw Xie Zichen arriving in a hurry, preparing to lead his horse. Wei Lan pulled his hand away, saying coldly, “You can’t go.”

Xie Zichen nodded. It was best if he didn’t get involved.

Su Cheng had chosen this horse. If something happened, and the royal family investigated, it wouldn’t be so easy to resolve. If it were discovered that the horse had a poisoned needle placed by the Xie family, and Xie Zichen saved him, it might be suspected as an act staged by the Xie family to earn the Third Prince’s favor.

But if Xie Zichen did nothing and the Third Prince fell off the horse, the investigation would still lead to the Xie family. The family would push someone out to take the blame. Xie Jie, being the legitimate son, was unlikely to be blamed, making Xie Zichen, a bastard son, the most likely scapegoat.

These thoughts flashed through their minds as the race was about to begin. Wei Lan decisively mounted a horse and rushed into the arena, jumping over the fence just before it closed.

Her white robe fluttered like a crane, her face as cold as plum blossoms, capturing everyone’s attention. Even the Third Prince, who had always thought her a pervert, was momentarily stunned. When she landed in the arena and rode towards him, he finally reacted.

That lunatic was not going to disgust him again, was he?!

Su Cheng felt a chill, turned away, and refused to look at Wei Lan. Seeing his annoyed expression, Wei Lan found a good excuse, smiled, and squeezed next to Su Cheng, saying, “Third Prince, we meet again.”

“Get away from me!” Su Cheng said coldly. Wei Lan laughed, sitting gracefully on her horse, flipping her folding fan, “If I stay away from Your Highness, I fear Your Highness will find the spring scenery too cold and your heart chilly.”

“My heart is not cold,” Su Cheng quickly waved his hand. “The women I’ve chased, if not in thousands, were at least in hundreds; don’t try to fool me with this.”

“Perfect.” Wei Lan smiled. “I’m the same.”

The men I have chased, if not in thousands, were at least in hundreds.