The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 20

After a moment of eye contact with Xie Zichen, Wei Lan shifted her gaze away without a trace. With a heavy heart, Wei Lan walked towards the high platform to ask the Crown Prince for a reward, reflecting on the strategic mistakes she had made this time.

Wei Lan never flirted with two people simultaneously. Such lowly behavior, akin to having a foot in two boats, was something she refrained from. However, she couldn’t control her flirtatious nature. If she didn’t restrain herself, the aforementioned situation would easily occur.

She patted her head, ascended the steps to the Crown Prince, knelt, and heard a voice above, “The tiger gate has no dog son, Shizi today has truly impressed me.”

“This is merely my duty, not worth mentioning,” Wei Lan replied respectfully. The Crown Prince smiled and said warmly, “Here is a dagger that I crafted myself at the age of fourteen. If Shizi does not mind, I will give it as a reward, how about that?”

The Crown Prince was testing her a bit.

To receive something personally made by a prince usually indicated a close relationship with the prince. Wei Lan lowered her eyes; if possible, she did not want to choose sides at this time. The Crown Prince smiled slightly. Wang Xi stood up, personally presented the dagger to Wei Lan, and opened the box.

Inside the box was a simple black dagger, set against a red background, appearing even more ancient and majestic. Wang Xi looked at Wei Lan seriously and said, “This is a fine blade.”

Wei Lan raised her eyes, her beautiful amber eyes looking at the handsome nobleman in front of her.

He still wore a jade-colored robe, but his expression lacked the usual playful demeanor, instead showing seriousness. He clearly demonstrated his stance: he was the Crown Prince’s man.

Wei Lan hadn’t expected Wang Xi to be so bold, openly supporting the Crown Prince, betting on this prince whom everyone else deemed doomed. She observed Wang Xi for a moment longer. Wang Xi smiled, took the dagger from the box, and half-knelt, taking Wei Lan’s hand.

Unlike most men, Wei Lan’s hands were slender and soft, even though her palms were covered with calluses from martial arts practice, they still looked delicate and beautiful.

The moment their hands touched, Wang Xi felt an uncontrollable tingle, as if an electric current, fine and numbing, surged through his heart. He lowered his eyes, suppressed the inexplicable restlessness in his heart, placed the dagger in Wei Lan’s hand, gently stroked the back of her hand when she frowned, and then quickly let go. Seeing that she seemed to be only focusing on the dagger without noticing anything unusual, Wang Xi felt relieved and chuckled, “You can think about it again, consider this dagger a meeting gift.”

With the dagger already in hand, there was no reason to return it. Wei Lan simply smiled openly, bowed, and said, “Then I thank Your Highness in advance.”

“The dagger is yours,” the Crown Prince said, sipping his tea, his handsome face calm, “Whether you use it or not is up to you.”

These words reassured Wei Lan. After exchanging some pleasantries, she took her leave. Watching her walk away, Wang Xi’s eyes lingered on her slender figure for a long time. He subconsciously recalled the smooth touch and his heart’s thrill from earlier, and couldn’t help but smile.

“What’s making you so happy?” the Crown Prince observed Wang Xi’s expression and asked directly. Wang Xi returned to his seat, somewhat regretfully saying, “I was just thinking, if only Wei Shizi were a woman. It’s such a pity.”

“The beauty of such a person is to be admired from afar. Doesn’t Wei Shizi have a sister? Would you really consider marrying her?”

Hearing this, Wang Xi couldn’t help but smile.

The status of the Changxin Marquis Mansion was still too low for someone like Wang Xi. So, even knowing that Wei Lan had a sister, Wang Xi had never considered it.

Seeing that he understood, the Crown Prince said no more. His gaze swept past, just in time to see Wei Lan and Xie Zichen crossing paths.

One beautiful and elegant, the other sharp and cold, their black and white robes intertwined. Wei Lan suddenly stopped. The Crown Prince squinted his eyes, sipping his tea, “What do you think of Xie Zichen?”

“Though born humble,” Wang Xi watched the two conversing, “he is still a talent worth using.”

The Crown Prince nodded, indicating his understanding.

On the other side, Wei Lan originally didn’t intend to talk to Xie Zichen here. However, pretending not to know him while passing by made her feel uneasy. So, she stopped, smiled, and bowed, “Fourth Young Master Xie.”

Xie Zichen raised his eyelids, his eyes full of undisguised displeasure, but he still raised his hand and bowed, “Wei Shizi.”

“About the peach blossom earlier…” Wei Lan lowered her voice, about to say more when Xie Zichen cut her off with an even lower voice, “Leave.”

Then, with a calm expression, he bowed and left. Wei Lan didn’t dare to follow, waving her fan, feeling a bit sad.

What a temper, such jealousy.

She sighed, thinking about how to appease the beauty’s anger after the spring hunt, and walked back to her seat. Shortly after sitting down, she heard the Crown Prince rise and personally enter the field.

Almost everyone was dressed in crisp and neat riding outfits, and the Crown Prince was no exception. His outfit was made of white silk and embroidered with a golden three-clawed dragon, which was not suitable for hunting, making him stand out among the crowd.

The Crown Prince’s entry was like a signal, prompting everyone to follow. Wei Lan remembered Xie Zichen’s initial warning not to participate, smiled at Ran Mo, and waved, “I won’t be going, you can go if you want.”

Ran Mo, who had never been to such an event, was full of excitement. Having Wei Lan’s permission, she nodded and followed the crowd, grabbing a horse from the stable and mounting it.

As the horn sounded, everyone rushed into the forest. Finding it boring, Wei Lan returned to the tent but was soon disturbed by Ran Mo rushing in.

“Shizi, Shizi!” Ran Mo’s voice came as she hurried in. Wei Lan sat up, asking directly, “What happened?!”

Ran Mo wasn’t the type to be reckless. If she was this panicked, something major must have happened.

“Several tigers and bears suddenly appeared in the forest,” Wei Lan got up, grabbed her sword, and strapped on a quiver full of arrows, “Those beasts are chasing the Crown Prince. Right now, only Xie Zichen and Wang Xi are protecting him, and we don’t know where they are!”

Hearing this, Wei Lan’s expression turned cold, “How did Xie Zichen get involved?!”

Reaching the stables, Wei Lan mounted her horse, not waiting for Ran Mo’s answer. She remembered Xie Zichen’s warning for her not to participate. Raising her hand, she said, “No need to answer, I understand.”

Xie Zichen knew.

Xie Zichen got involved on purpose.