The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 25.2

“First, as a Xie bastard, I have no direct access to approach Your Highness. I couldn’t know who among your men are truly loyal, so I dared not act rashly, lest I startle the snake by striking the grass. Second, today’s events were just my speculation. If I had informed you and nothing happened, I couldn’t bear the responsibility. So I could only coat my daggers with poison and follow closely, ready to protect Your Highness with my life.”

Xie Zichen spoke calmly. The Crown Prince smirked. “Third, you wished to join my ranks. By achieving merit, I’d remember you, right?”

“Your Highness thinks too little of me,” Xie Zichen said flatly. “I wanted to show you my usefulness.”

The Crown Prince said nothing, so Xie Zichen continued, “My intelligence network can be of great use to Your Highness. I harbor no schemes against you. You hesitated to help me because of your concerns. I understand that. Just as I have my own concerns and ambitions, leading me to not inform you beforehand. In the future, I will serve Your Highness openly. There’s no need for excessive caution.”

The Crown Prince remained silent. Xie Zichen added, “Your Highness, I have something to discuss privately.”

Hearing this, Wang Xi promptly left.

After Wang Xi left, the Crown Prince frowned. “What is it that A’Xi cannot hear?”

“Your Highness,” Xie Zichen looked up seriously, “You’re in need of men. Your allies, like Young Master Wang, are prominent, honourable, and steeped in the ways of gentlemen. But don’t you ever need someone for darker tasks?”

The Crown Prince’s frown deepened.

Xie Zichen’s words struck a chord.

The Crown Prince was an open and upright gentleman, surrounded by men who, even if not truly virtuous, were cautious, unwilling to tarnish their reputations with unsavoury deeds. In this era, reputation was paramount, especially for the sons of noble families.

Xie Zichen observed the Crown Prince and said seriously, “I am willing to be Your Highness’s sword in the shadows, clearing thorns and brambles for you.”

“What do you mean by clearing thorns and brambles?” The Crown Prince was visibly swayed. Xie Zichen watched his expression and continued, “Censor Zhang from the Censorate, does Your Highness wish to move against him or not?”

The Crown Prince’s head shot up.

Censor Zhang was known for his integrity and had a reputation for honesty, his family had been loyal for generations, a paragon in the court. However, due to a longstanding feud with the Crown Prince’s grandfather, Duke Zhenguo he often criticized the Crown Prince.

Did the Crown Prince want to deal with him? Of course!

But how could he move against someone with such a good reputation?

Noticing the Crown Prince’s thoughts, Xie Zichen said calmly, “If his reputation is good, then set him up to ruin it. But Your Highness, how many among your men would devise or execute such a plan? Are there any?”

In his past life, Xie Zichen had served the Third Prince, bringing down this Crown Prince. He knew him too well.

The Crown Prince had always upheld virtuous conduct, surrounded by men like Wang Xi who embodied gentlemanly grace. Wang Xi was noble and skilled in social affairs, but he died during this spring hunt, leaving the Crown Prince with only rigid scholars.

When the Crown Prince was cornered later, he hinted at using unorthodox measures, only to be rebuffed with moral arguments. Having been a gentleman all his life, he ended up driving himself to death.

But was he truly a gentleman?

Xie Zichen sneered inwardly. The Crown Prince had shown he wasn’t above underhanded tactics- just surrounded by defenders of the way.

Listening to Xie Zichen, the Crown Prince’s expression shifted. After a long pause, he looked at him and asked, “Aren’t you afraid to speak so frankly?”

“Why should I be?” Xie Zichen replied calmly. “If Your Highness is a true gentleman, you won’t harm me. I can simply turn to the Third Prince. If you’re not, why not use me?”

The Crown Prince said nothing for a moment, then slowly smiled.

“Xi,” he called, and Wang Xi re-entered. The Crown Prince, smiling, said, “Present the gift to Xie Zichen.”

Wang Xi looked surprised, then adjusted his smile and took a box from his sleeve, handing it to Xie Zichen.

“This is a dagger His Highness forged himself.”

“It seems Wei Lan also received one?” Xie Zichen recalled seeing a similar dagger that morning. Wang Xi smiled. “It’s a matching pair.”

Xie Zichen: “…”

He suddenly didn’t want to accept it.

However, as a token of the Crown Prince’s favour, it couldn’t be refused for any reason. So Xie Zichen accepted it with a bow. “Thank you, Your Highness.”

“Rest well,” the Crown Prince said, then left with Wang Xi.

After they left, Xie Tong hurried in, looking worried. “Master, the Third Prince has gone to see Wei Shizi.”

Whether to recruit or retaliate, it wouldn’t be good. Xie Zichen’s expression hardened, and despite his injuries, he got up and headed out.

When he reached Wei Lan’s tent, the Third Prince, Su Cheng, was already there.

Wei Lan had changed into fresh clothes and taken some painkillers laced with sedatives, so she was quietly sleeping. Su Cheng had subdued Ran Mo and entered the tent.

Inside, he saw Wei Lan lying on the bed, her hair loose, face pale, exuding a rare delicate beauty. Su Cheng sat by the bed, fanning himself, noting her slight frown.

His heart stirred. The sleeping figure seemed less irritating.

Remembering how she had pinned him against the peach tree that morning, he looked at her lying there with cherry-red lips and whispered, “If he won’t kiss you, I’ll do it for him, how’s that?”.”

He swallowed unconsciously.

A carefree, rakish man, he cared little for gender. If he saw something he liked, he acted.

Su Cheng’s lips curved, his voice low and husky. “If Shizi wants to kiss me, that’s not allowed. But me kissing Shizi, that’s fine.”

Wei Lan had been awake, pretending to sleep to see what he would do. Hearing this, she couldn’t help but smile slightly.

As expected, a flirtatious man knows how to play the game.

Her smile was a response, and Su Cheng’s lips curved, and he leaned down.

Xie Zichen, arriving at that moment, heard those words.

“If Shizi wants to kiss me, that’s not allowed. But me kissing Shizi, that’s fine.”

His mind exploded. Ignoring everything, he kicked the guards aside flung open the curtain, and as Su Cheng’s lips neared Wei Lan, he charged in, punching Su Cheng away. Standing protectively before her, he roared, “What are you doing?!”

Wei Lan, pretending to be asleep: “…”

Finally about to be kissed by a beauty, and you, my brother Xie Zichen, barge in for what?!