The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 25.1

Hearing this, Xie Zichen nodded. “I hope Shizi can truly honour your words.”

“A gentleman’s word, hard for four horses to chase. Though I may not be a gentleman, I aspire to such virtues.”

As she spoke, she helped Xie Zichen sit upright, maintaining a respectful distance with a formal demeanour. Xie Zichen nodded and finally said, “His Majesty has decreed that the Marquis of Changxin return to the capital by the tenth of next month. Your second and third uncles will have people lying in ambush at Yixian Cliff.”

“How do you know this?” Wei Lan’s expression turned cold. Such information had not even been uncovered by her spies, yet a bastard son like Xie Zichen had managed to access the palace’s secrets?

But quickly, she recalled today’s events. He’d anticipated the Crown Prince’s assassination attempt, so it wasn’t impossible for him to know about her father’s too.

However, if Xie Zichen was so capable, why did he need her help to deal with Xie Jie?

This only proved one thing: Xie Zichen had an extensive intelligence network but lacked enough skilled men who could kill.

Understanding Xie Zichen’s situation, Wei Lan said directly, “In the future, you can use my men, but your intelligence must be shared with me.”

“Agreed,” Xie Zichen replied decisively. “Shizi, does that make us allies?”

“Of course,” Wei Lan said earnestly. “I was out of line earlier.”

After saying this, Wei Lan felt a tinge of disappointment.

It was rare to meet someone who was not only beautiful and smart but also easy to manipulate (though mistaken). And now, she had to let him go. She sighed, looking at Xie Zichen with longing. “Fourth Young Master Xie, must our relationship end here?”

As they returned to the hunting grounds, Xie Zichen pushed her away, staggering as he dismounted. “Shizi, there is no relationship between us.”

At that moment, a eunuch hurriedly came over, supporting Xie Zichen. “Oh dear, Fourth Young Master Xie, what happened to you? His Highness the Crown Prince has been worried sick!”

Xie Zichen allowed the eunuch to support him, speaking weakly, “Thank you for your trouble.”

“No time for thanks,” the eunuch said urgently, “Physician! Someone, fetch the physician!”

As the eunuch led Xie Zichen away, Ran Mo handed the horse to a servant and approached Wei Lan, who was standing with her hands folded in her wide sleeves, staring blankly at Xie Zichen’s retreating figure. Ran Mo teased, “Shizi, enjoying the view?”

“Quite a view,” Wei Lan responded dreamily, “A beauty’s allure pierces the bone and the heart. Whether delicate or bold, it is always captivating. To marry a husband, one should marry Xie Zichen. Alas, this gentleman’s ambitions soar far and wide; how could I confine him to my inner chambers? Such a pity…”

“Shizi,” Ran Mo said, noticing the blood soaking through the back of Wei Lan’s black cloak. “Aren’t you in pain?”

Wei Lan’s face stiffened at these words. Her expression paled, and she swayed towards Ran Mo, who immediately caught her. “Ran Mo, my wound has reopened…”

“I know.”

She wasn’t blind. Anyone could see that the wound had reopened.

Xie Zichen, supported by the eunuch, entered a tent. They must have prepared in advance because as soon as they entered, the physician arrived. Xie Zichen urged, “My injury is not severe, quickly inform the Xie residence, my sixth brother…”

“Zichen need not worry.” The Crown Prince’s voice came from outside as he entered with Wang Xi and Xie Yulan, pressing Xie Zichen, who was trying to rise, back down gently. “I already know everything. Unfortunately, my guards arrived too late, and Sixth Young Master was taken by the bandits.”

“No need to worry, Your Highness,” Wang Xi smiled. “The Sixth Young Master was taken by the Black Wind Fortress’ bandits. They usually just want some money. Send the silver, and he should be fine.”

“Bandits have become so brazen at the foot of the Son of Heaven!” Xie Yulan said angrily. It was humiliating that a legitimate son of the Xie family had been kidnapped by a bunch of mountain bandits, especially at such a critical time when he was being considered for palace companions. He couldn’t help but blame Xie Zichen, glaring at him meaningfully as he respectfully told the Crown Prince, “Your Highness, I will report this to my family immediately. As for my fourth brother…”

“No need to worry. After the spring hunt, I will personally escort the Fourth Young Master back,” Wang Xi interjected, and Xie Yulan, relieved, expressed his gratitude and left.

The Crown Prince and Wang Xi sat quietly, watching the physician tend to Xie Zichen’s wounds. Once the physician finished, Wang Xi gave a signal, and the eunuch led everyone out, leaving only the three of them.

Xie Zichen, pale and weak, said, “Forgive me, Your Highness, for not being able to bow properly.”

The Crown Prince laughed and shook his head. “Such minor matters don’t concern me. Just focus on your recovery.”

Xie Zichen nodded, not continuing the conversation. The Crown Prince sipped his tea, glancing at Wang Xi, who broke the silence. “Today, if it weren’t for Fourth Young Master Xie’s bravery, the Crown Prince and I wouldn’t be sitting here peacefully. His Highness and I came to thank and apologize to you.”

“I’m grateful for the opportunity Your Highness has given me. There’s no need for apologies.”

Xie Zichen cut to the chase, meeting the Crown Prince’s gaze. “Your Highness came privately to discuss matters not for others’ ears. You can speak freely; I understand.”

“You knew my guards were nearby?” The Crown Prince was taken aback. Xie Zichen nodded. “Your Highness wishes to recruit me, but hesitated when I was being chased, unsure if I was trying to use you or staging a bitter flesh ploy. You wanted to see if the assassins truly intended to kill me.”

Hearing Xie Zichen speak so plainly, the Crown Prince and Wang Xi’s expressions cooled. After a moment, the Crown Prince smiled. “Since you see it so clearly, why aren’t you angry with me?”

“Your Highness holds a lofty position. If you trusted someone rashly, how could I dare entrust my life to you?”

The Crown Prince and Wang Xi fell silent. After a while, the Crown Prince asked, “Did you know about today’s events in advance?”

“Yes.” Xie Zichen answered directly. The Crown Prince looked angry. “If you knew, why didn’t you inform me?”