The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 4

After making arrangements for them, Wei Lan immediately instructed Wei Zhong to go reserve the top floor of Linglong Pavilion.

The top floor of Linglong Pavilion overlooked the entire capital, and the rooms were uniquely decorated with crystal glass and seasonal flowers, making it unique and highly acclaimed in the capital. It’s just that for a place like this, it was a bit strange when a group of men visited together, so it gradually became a popular dating spot for noble sons looking to impress their crushes.

At first, Xie Zichen didn’t realize this. But when he was waiting to board the carriage, Wei Lan stepped onto the small stool to get in and turned to extend his hand towards him and gently said, “Be careful.” When he remembered the top floor of Linglong Pavilion, his heart grew somewhat uneasy.

He stretched out his hand to block Wei Lan and said calmly, “No need for such courtesy, Wei Shizi¹. You and I are both men; there’s no need for such care.”

Wei Lan curled her lips and smiled, turned around, and entered the carriage. When Xie Zichen came in, she pointed to the seat opposite the small table and said, ” Young Master Xie, please, sit.”

Xie Zichen remained silent and very wary.

The carriage was large, with soft cushions on the seat, and everything that could be seen or touched was exquisite and well-considered. Xie Zichen speculated that under Wei Lan’s management, the Changxin Marquis Manor was indeed vastly different from his previous life.

Wei Lan felt quite delighted seeing Xie Zichen’s serious and sombre expression. Even though Xie Zichen still held onto the notion that as a man, he didn’t need to be taken care of, Wei Lan always felt that men need to be pampered. Who wouldn’t like to be loved and cherished? By subtly pampering him day by day, he would eventually get used to being doted upon, and then he would be hers.

Therefore, Wei Lan didn’t pay attention to Xie Zichen’s minor stubbornness. She took out several food boxes from under the small table, pushed them towards Xie Zichen, and said with a smile, “These are some snacks. Take whatever you like.”

Xie Zichen: “…”

Seeing that he didn’t move, Wei Lan picked up a jujube cake and asked, “Do you like sweet things?”

Xie Zichen felt a bit awkward and replied flatly, “There’s no need for such courtesy, Wei Shizi. I don’t like snacks.”

“Oh, really?” Wei Lan nodded, smiling. “Then, what does Young Master Xie like?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

“Young Master Xie, you are the fourth child in your family, right? Are you the son of Xie Jie, the second master? Do you have any younger brother or sister, or an elder brother?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

“Young Master Xie, do you attend the family academy? Judging from how knowledgeable you seem; you must excel in your studies. I wonder what books do you usually like to read?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

Wei Lan was quite talkative. In fact, she didn’t like to talk much under normal circumstances, but as a woman facing someone she fancied, she had to be more outgoing. In her previous life, she was a famous figure in the capital of Great Liang. Although she had many admirers, she remained untouched by their affections, causing numerous noble sons to fall in love with her.

She still recalled those days, when one could see the handkerchiefs flying in the air as she rode through Chang’an’s Streets. Before her coming-of-age ceremony at twenty, many young masters from noble families postponed their weddings, waiting for her, and many courtesans declared they would wait for her without charging a single coin.

Thinking of those days, Wei Lan raised the corner of her mouth and couldn’t help but sigh, “Young Master Xie is really too reserved.”

Xie Zichen, who had been responding perfunctorily, fell silent upon hearing this.

The word “reserved” is being used to describe him…

What kind of person was this Wei Shizi?!

Xie Zichen reluctantly endured his company all the way to Linglong Pavilion. It seemed Wei Lan was familiar with the owner, who led them to the top floor and then left them alone. Only Wei Lan and Xie Zichen were left in the room.

The top floor of Linglong Pavillion was very spacious, filled with flowers all over the room, their fresh and natural floral fragrance permeating the room. Wei Lan walked into the room and stood in the middle of the flowers. He then picked a peach blossom in full bloom, and handed it to Xie Zichen, who had just arrived, and said with a smile, “Do you like it, Brother Xie?”

Xie Zichen was silent for a moment, then raised his hand to take the flower and his fair, slender fingers brushed with the petals as he said calmly, “Actually, the person coming from the Xie Manor today wasn’t supposed to be me. I covered for my second brother.”

“Oh?” Wei Lan was pouring wine and seemed a bit surprised after hearing this. However, she quickly understood and smiled, “You have something to discuss with me, Young Master Xie.”

“Exactly.” Xie Zichen nodded, his hands now clasped in his sleeves. His normally cold and indifferent face finally showed some emotion, “Wei Shizi has two uncles. Back then, due to the Changxin Marquis being forced to marry Old Madam Wei, their mother hanged herself. After coming of age, they left the Changxin Marquis Manor. First Uncle Wei Yan became the Prime Minister’s Chief Secretary, and Second Uncle Wei Kai became a director in the Department of Granary². During that time, they had the merit of following His Majesty and now they are closely following the Third Prince along with the Prime Minister, receiving the Emperor’s favour. Compared to the Marquis of Changxin at the border, their situation is naturally much better.”

Wei Lan said nothing, sitting on a cushioned chair, looking at Xie Zichen in front of her and said with a half-smile, “And then?”

“Changxin Marquis was on the battlefield the year before last and was shot through the left chest by an enemy arrow; he has been suffering from that old injury. Only after Shizi killed the enemy general and earned the Emperor’s favour was Changxin Marquis moved from the vanguard position.”

“Yes, that’s true.” Wei Lan rested her chin on her hand, admiring Xie Zichen’s handsome face. Xie Zichen’s slight smile, like a blooming spring flower, made Wei Lan pause for a moment. She then heard him say, “With wolves all around, aren’t you afraid, Shizi?”

“Young Master Xie,” Wei Lan smiled, “What do you want?”

Xie Zichen sat down calmly, took the wine Wei Lan had just poured, sipped it, and said lightly, “I am a concubine’s son of the Xie Family, and my mother was a courtesan. I was accidentally conceived and in order to get me into the family, she committed suicide to get me into the family.”

“So, the Young Master’s situation is very difficult,” Wei Lan nodded understandingly and poured him more wine.

“I have a piece of information that can save Wei Shizi from danger. I am willing to tell you this in exchange for Young Master’s friendship. Soon, the Emperor will select companions from noble sons, and only I and the legitimate son of the third branch, Xie Jie, are of the right age. I hope Shizi can help me.”

At this point, Wei Lan understood Xie Zichen’s intention. He wanted to form an alliance with her. He would give her information, and she would help him eliminate someone.

Looking at the cold and indifferent expression of the person before her, Wei Lan smiled nonchalantly. In her family back then, it was also like this; there were many fights. Killing a legitimate son wasn’t a big deal. If she acknowledged Xie Zichen as her future husband, she would kill for this person regardless of whether he provided the information. If she didn’t acknowledge him, it would depend on the importance of the information.

She really couldn’t fathom how a concubine’s son with so few resources could have any significant intelligence about her household. She probably already knew the information he had thanks to her secret spy unit.

She knocked on the table and asked the final question she was interested in, “Are you a ‘good family’³ son?”

“What?” Xie Zichen looked up in surprise, completely unable to understand why the other person would ask such an unexpected question at such a critical moment. Moreover, ‘a good family son’, what did he mean by ‘good family’ son?

Realizing Xie Zichen didn’t understand the term, Wei Lan looked at his confused expression and found it so cute and she couldn’t help but want to get close to him to tease him. However, her usual gentlemanly manners held her back. She looked at him openly and smiled, “Young Master Xie, have you ever been with a woman?”

“Why do you ask?” Xie Zichen frowned, but the tips of his ears turned slightly red. Wei Lan, accustomed to the romance field, immediately understood that this concubine’s son, with no one to care for him and still young, was indeed innocent.

She laughed heartily, nodded and said, “All right, I’ll help Young Master Xie with this favour. Moreover, if you ever need urgent help, Wei Lan is willing to go through fire and water for you.”

Xie Zichen frowned, not believing in such easy luck.

Wei Lan raised her eyes and continued, “However, Young Master Xie must promise me one thing…”

Upon hearing those words, Xie Zichen finally relaxed, his face calm and quietly waiting for her next words. Wei Lan looked at him seriously and said solemnly, “If I remain unmarried, Young Master Xie also cannot marry, and you must keep yourself as pure as jade and not touch any woman.”

Upon hearing this, something exploded in Xie Zichen’s mind.

Wei Lan smiled and continued, “Of course, you cannot touch men either.”

With that said, what can’t be understood!

The previous unease and things that felt amiss rushed back, and Xie Zichen suddenly understood. He stood up abruptly and shouted angrily, “Wei Shizi, what do you take me for?!”

The waiter who served the dishes arrived at the door. Hearing the argument inside, he knocked on the door and said, “Wei Shizi, Young Master Xie, may this little one come in?”

“Enter,” Wei Lan said calmly. Xie Zichen didn’t want to make a scene in public, but the words were stuck in his throat, making his face flush. The waiter carried the dishes and set them on the table one by one. Sensing that the two people looked strange, he quickly left.

Only the two of them were left in the room, staring at each other. Xie Zichen finally regained his composure, suppressed the anger in his heart, and said calmly, “I was unaware of Shizi’s inclination. I have acted presumptuously today. I hope the prince will accept my apologies. I will pretend that I have never been here before.”

With that, he rolled his sleeves back and started to leave. Wei Lan propped her head on her hand, watching the beauty’s slender back, and called out, “How far do you want to go, Young Master?”

Her voice was loud, and Xie Zichen didn’t want him to shout, so he crouched down and asked coldly, “What do you mean?”

“Does Young Master Xie want Xie Jie dead, or just to make sure he doesn’t compete this time?”

Xie Zichen frowned, the coldness in his eyes making Wei Lan understand his nature. She nodded and said gently, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

“Wei Shizi,” Xie Zichen raised his head and looked at Wei Lan with a warning in his eyes, “I am not interested in being a cut sleeve⁴. If you have such a preference, there are many places for that in the Nanfenf Pavilion in the northern part of the city. Even if I am a concubine’s son, I am still a member of the Xie family. I hope Shizi will think twice.”

Hearing this, Wei Lan laughed carelessly and shook her head, “You’ve misunderstood. I have some quirks, but they are not enough to be a cut sleeve'”

After all, she was a woman. How could she be a “cut sleeve”?

Wei Lan sighed inwardly, but Xie Zichen’s cold face showed a look of complete disbelief. He cupped his hands and said, “Farewell.”

With that, he strode out. Wei Lan sighed, finding the men in this world much harder to deal with than those in the Great Liang.

“Ran Mo,” Wei Lan called her maid standing outside the door and instructed, “Pay the bill. I’m going to see Young Master Xie off.”

“Master Shizi…” Ran Mo said, her face long, “Why see him off when he’s a grown man?”

“Ran Mo,” Wei Lan sighed, “How you treat men best reflects the demeanour of a noble lady. Settle the bill and wait for me to return home, all right?”

After saying that, Wei Lan placed one hand on the window and leapt out gracefully, drawing gasps from the women in the opposite building.

The handkerchiefs fluttered down, and Wei Lan habitually caught one, looking up at the shy woman at the window. Seeing her face, Wei Lan’s expression froze for a moment before turning and running towards the Xie residence.

Shizi¹: heir apparent of a noble house

Department of Granary²: One of the 4 departments under the Ministry of Revenue during the Tang dynasty

Good family³: refers to a person from a reputable family, often implying purity and proper upbringing, especially in the context of marriage.

Cut sleeve⁴: refers to a historical term for homosexuality. The term originated from a story about Emperor Ai of Han who cut his sleeve rather than disturb his sleeping male lover- Dong Xian.