The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 31

Upon hearing Xie Zichen’s words, Huan Heng spat on the ground and angrily exclaimed, “I’ll fight you, even if I die, I won’t run to my father. Don’t think of me as a coward like you!”

Xie Zichen’s previous words were merely to provoke Huan Heng. In his previous life, Huan Heng had never entered the capital as a youth; he had always followed his father, Huan Song, on the northern border. When his father, Huan Song, died, Huan Heng was only nineteen and directly inherited his father’s position as the general, remaining in the north. At the age of twenty, he sailed up the river and conquered the Chen Kingdom, accumulating countless military achievements and becoming a prominent figure that even the then emperor Su Cheng grew wary. He dominated the court for seven years until his third northern campaign failed, and he died in battle on the sandy field.

After his death, Xie Zichen’s era began. Climbing from an advisor to a regent, Xie Zichen’s journey was arduous, especially during the years of outwitting Huan Heng. In fact, he probably understood Huan Heng better than Huan Heng himself.

Huan Heng always hated when people said he got his position because of his father, Huan Song, even though it was partly true. Huan Heng always found it shameful. Now, as a young man and the general’s son, Huan Heng clashed with Xie Zichen, who was merely an illegitimate son. A direct clash would disadvantage Xie Zichen, so he provoked Huan Heng first. When Huan Heng took the bait, Xie Zichen said, “Come outside.”

Sensing trouble, Wei Lan quickly stepped forward, “Gentlemen, you’ve just met. There’s no need for a fight. How about we prepare some wine and enjoy a drink together in the courtyard?”

Xie Zichen didn’t respond, silently watching Huan Heng. He wouldn’t fight others, but Huan Heng was someone he wouldn’t mind fighting.

Huan Heng noticed Xie Zichen’s calm gaze, seemingly looking at him yet appearing indifferent. How could Huan Heng tolerate this? He pushed Wei Lan aside and seriously said, “I’ll fight you. Any consequences are on me!”

“A’Heng!” Wei Lan said helplessly, “This is the palace, not the border. You can’t always think with your fists- you’ll be the one at a loss.”

“But I want to live with you.” Huan Heng found Wei Lan’s words reasonable, and slowly sheathed his knife. His temper was always quick to rise and quick to fall. Xie Zichen watched silently and then casually said, “Coward.”

“You son of a…” Huan Heng got agitated again and was about to strike when Wei Lan quickly hugged him, trying to calm him down, “A-Heng, don’t be rash. I’m worried about you!”

“I know you’re worried, but I must kill him today…”

“A’Heng, don’t be impulsive!”

As Huan Heng and Wei Lan talked and struggled, Xie Zichen quietly walked away. At the courtyard, he met Wang Xi, who was leading people with their belongings. Seeing Xie Zichen, Wang Xi greeted him, “Fourth Young Master Xie.”

“Seventh Young Master Wang,” Xie Zichen returned the greeting, glancing around, “Have you just arrived?”

“My mother was concerned and talked for a long time,” Wang Xi smiled, turning towards the inner courtyard, “I heard we all had to share rooms. Do you know your roommate?”

“It’s Wei Lan.” Xie Zichen replied blandly. Wang Xi was a bit surprised, tapping his fan against his hand in regret, “What a pity! I was hoping to room with Wei Lan. It seems you’ve got the first pick!”

Hearing this, Xie Zichen glanced towards the courtyard, saying, “Not necessarily. Just now, Huan Heng wanted to switch rooms with me. I wonder what Eunuch Zhang will decide.”

“Switch rooms?” Wang Xi’s eyes sparkled, laughing loudly, “If there’s a switch, it should be with me! I’ll go have a look.”

With that, Wang Xi stepped through the main door. He directed his servants to his room and then headed towards Wei Lan’s room. As he entered, he heard Wei Lan coaxing Huan Heng, “You’re living right next to me. There’s no need to switch. How about this? If you miss me, I’ll talk to Ji Shao and switch rooms for a night. How about that?”

“If I miss A’Lan, will A’Lan come?” Wang Xi stepped in, fanning himself, while Huan Heng jumped up, pointing angrily at Wang Xi, “Who is this now?!”

“I’m Wang Xi,” Wang Xi, ever quick to answer, looked Huan Heng up and down with admiration, “You must be Young Master Huan Heng.”

Wang Xi’s amiable attitude made it hard for Huan Heng to stay angry. He stiffly nodded and went back to pestering Wei Lan. At this moment, a eunuch in blue palace attire entered, greeting everyone with a bow, “Young Master Wang, Young Master Huan, Young Master Wei.”

“Eunuch Zhang.” Wang Xi and Wei Lan greeted the eunuch. Huan Heng, seeing Wei Lan bow, also reluctantly nodded. The eunuch scanned the three with a smile and asked, “Where is Young Master Xie?”

“Zichen stepped outside,” Wei Lan replied, stepping forward, “What can we do for you, Eunuch Zhang?”

“Well,” Eunuch Zhang smiled, “Young Master Lin came to me today, saying he wanted to switch rooms with Young Master Xie. Since Young Master Lin is shy, I’m here to ask. Now that Young Master Xie is not here, does Wei Shizi know where he went?”

Hearing this, the three had varied expressions. After a moment, Huan Heng spoke first, “No! If there’s a switch, it should be with me and that Xie Zichen!”

“Um…” Eunuch Zhang looked troubled. Wang Xi fanned himself, “Eunuch Zhang, I came here for the same reason.”

“This…” Eunuch Zhang glanced at them, clearly conflicted, “What should we do?”

Eunuch Zhang then looked at Wei Lan, “Perhaps we should let Young Master Xie decide. Whether to switch or with whom should be up to him.”

This threw the responsibility back to Xie Zichen. As an illegitimate son, Xie Zichen would suffer if he got into disputes with these people. Wei Lan understood Eunuch Zhang’s intention and cleared his throat, “Since everyone wants to switch, maybe no one should.”

“A’Lan…” Huan Heng grumbled. Wei Lan’s cold glance made him stop. She indulged men’s small tantrums, but not to the point of ignoring her words entirely.

Knowing Wei Lan’s nature, Huan Heng stepped back, “Then, how about you show me around the capital soon?”

“Of course,” Wei Lan smiled, turning to Wang Qi, “What do you think, A’Xi?”

“Sounds good.” Wang Xi blinked, realizing he had come to Xie Zichen’s rescue. Wei Lan smiled, and Eunuch Zhang nodded, “I’ll inform Young Master Lin. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, Eunuch Zhang left.

After chatting for a while, Wei Lan sent Huan Heng and Wang Qi away. Standing at the door, she sighed.

Ran Mo stood respectfully behind her, puzzled, “What’s Shizi sighing about?”

“Xie Zichen’s path…” Wei Lan looked sympathetic, “It’s not an easy one.”

“Fourth Young Master Xie is an illegitimate son,” Ran Mo agreed, deciding not to argue, “It’s already impressive he’s in the palace. Going against the current is naturally difficult.”

“Such a pity,” Wei Lan turned back inside, her tone filled with regret, “Why must such a beauty walk such a hard road?”

If he were willing to marry her, she would protect him. Why endure such humiliation outside?

Wei Lan shook her head, sat at the desk, and flipped open a book. Ran Mo cleaned, thinking, If the master struggles, the servant probably does too. I’m disguised as a man, but I eat well, drink well, and no one dares bully me. Kinda nice!

As the master and servant had their thoughts, elsewhere, Xie Zichen and Xie Tong sneezed under a tree in the cold wind.

“Young Master,” Xie Tong rubbed his nose, “The wind’s picking up.”

“Hmm.” Xie Zichen nodded, thinking Wei Lan’s place should be quieter now, “Let’s go back.”

Returning to their room, Xie Zichen found it indeed quiet. Just as expected

He slipped off his clogs, stepping inside under Wei Lan’s gaze, kneeling properly before her desk.

His clothes were simple, just plain black fabric, neither good nor bad. Such plain attire might look shabby on others, but Xie Zichen’s striking looks made it hard to notice.

Xie Tong poured tea for both. Wei Lan, sensing he had something to say, smiled gently. “What’s on your mind, Zichen?”

“Who do you wish to room with?” Xie Zichen asked directly, surprising Wei Lan, “What do you mean?”

“Why me?”

Xie Zichen had thought someone would approach Eunuch Zhang. If more than two people did, the decision would fall to him. He wouldn’t engage in disputes over such matters. But once it was up to him, he would offend someone either way. The best solution was for Wei Lan to choose, putting the responsibility on her.

But her question made him realize Wei Lan had already handled it, so he asked.

Wei Lan and Wang Qi were close, and Huan Heng was an old friend. Why him?

Wei Lan smiled, her elegant face gentle under the lamp, “You saved my family, the Changxin Marquis Manor. I must repay you. Giving you to someone else doesn’t sit well with me.”

Now, all the room’s residents were high-ranking, and he would likely suffer with any of them.

Refusing everyone was also for this reason.

Xie Zichen paused, unprepared for her thoughtfulness. He’d seen her as an ally—resources shared in a united front, parted when the front dissolved. Yet her sincerity and care stirred gratitude.

Across two lives, he’d walked alone. This was the first time an outsider cared so deeply for him.

He lowered his eyes, silent. A young eunuch appeared, bowing. “Young Masters, His Majesty hosts a banquet at the Waterside Pavilion to welcome you. Please prepare and head there in a quarter-hour.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.” Wei Lan smiled, and Xie Zichen nodded.

Preparation meant changing clothes. Their large room had a bedchamber, an outer study, and a small bath area. Xie Zichen changed behind a screen first, then Wei Lan. As Ran Mo tied her belt, she whispered, “Master, this room setup feels dangerous.”

“Hmm…” Wei Lan tilted her head, feeling the fake Adam’s apple Lin Xia made, moving realistically with her swallowing.

Ran Mo wrapped Wei Lan’s waist with layers of bandages before dressing her. It took longer than Xie Zichen, but he didn’t mind, merely saying, “Everyone’s waiting.”

“My fault.”

Wei Lan smiled, noting Xie Zichen’s attire was just as simple. Still in black, only his belt colour changed.

She sighed, stepped forward, and before he could react, slipped an arm around his waist and brushed his shoulder. His face changed. “What are you doing?!”

Wei Lan waved her fan mysteriously, “You’ll see.”

With that, she walked out.

Everyone indeed awaited them.

All wore lavish clothes, from hair crowns to jade belts, screaming “refinement”—except Huan Heng. Despite his general father, he, like Xie Zichen, wore plain black wide sleeves with a crude jade crown, looking uncomfortable, eyes irritated. Seeing Wei Lan, his eyes lit up, and he rushed forward, tripping on his hem and falling.

Everyone gasped, but Wei Lan quickly caught him, “Why wear such long robes?”

“These clothes are so bothersome,” Huan Heng frowned, “I chose the simplest one. The capital’s clothes are such a hassle.”

He eyed Wei Lan, incredulous. “How do you move so freely in this?”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Wei Lan laughed, apologizing to everyone before following the eunuch to the waterside pavilion.

On the way, unfamiliar with each other, they spoke little, sticking with familiar faces. Wang Xi and Lin Che, socialites, chatted with all. Wei Lan, striking and approachable, was soon flanked by two ornate youths, leaving Huan Heng behind. They circled her, chatting away, while she laughed heartily.

The youths, one in a green robe with white bamboo, the other in a white robe with calligraphy and gauze, wore makeup, enhancing their red lips and fair skin. Wei Lan, though puzzled by the capital’s makeup aesthetic, saw their refined features beneath the powder. The green-robed was Ruan Kangcheng, the white-robed Ji Shao, both famed scholars. Drawn by her looks, they stayed for her charm, squeezing Huan Heng out.

The three walked ahead, laughing. Huan Heng and Xie Zichen trailed behind, their servants sensing a chill.

Finally, Huan Heng asked, “Is he always like this in the capital?”

“Wasn’t he the same at the border?” Xie Zichen replied.

Huan Heng sighed, “Yes, he was.”

“Young Master Wei’s quite consistent,” Xie Zichen said coolly.

Huan Heng frowned. “Consistent?”

“Consistently flirtatious, never changing”

Huan Heng: “…”

Something felt off about Xie Zichen’s words.

Eventually, Huan Heng retorted, “My brother is long-sleeved and sociable. How’s that flirtatious? She’s not like that with women!”

Xie Zichen gave him a pitying look.

Under the moonlight, Huan Heng’s bright, naive eyes made Xie Zichen think, This fool must’ve eaten plenty of tofu by Wei Lan at the border.

Huan Heng, catching the look, felt he’d misspoken but pressed on to avoid guilt. “What’s that look? With her character, looks, and charm, who wouldn’t love her? So what if she has many friends? You’re the one clinging to be her roommate!”

That reignited his anger. Xie Zichen glanced at the fuming Huan Heng, then away. “As long as you’re happy.”

Huan Heng: “…”

Why did this make him so mad?!

A’Lan! One day, I’ll definitely cut him down!