The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 5

Wei Lan had practised martial arts since she was a child and was highly skilled in stealth. She followed Xie Zichen all the way without his guards noticing.

However, just because Xie Zichen’s guards didn’t notice, it didn’t mean the young master in the palanquin was unaware. From the moment Wei Lan started following him, Xie Zichen sensed someone was trailing him. He pretended to casually lift the curtain and saw Wei Lan hiding in the shadows, looking at him with affectionate eyes. Startled, his hand shook, and he quickly dropped the curtain.

He took a deep breath, telling himself to stay calm.

Having lived a whole life, he initially thought that the unexpected Wei Lan would be a pleasant surprise, but who would have thought he would be such a fright…

He was a “cut sleeve”
A genuine “cut sleeve”!

Moreover, this cut sleeve inviting him to Linglong Pavilion for a meal was one thing, but now he was even following him all the way! This was simply unbearable. However, even if he couldn’t bear it… he had to endure!

Xie Zichen took a deep breath and once again hated his own incompetence.

He had been reborn too late.

Born a concubine’s son, he had many friends, but without benefits to exchange, he couldn’t trust anyone sincerely. He had no silver in his hands, and couldn’t establish his own secret network, unlike the legitimate sons. Moreover, he had been confined at home, making it difficult to come and go. From when he was twelve years old to now, he had opened a few shops in secret, saved some money, and developed some informants, which was the limit of what he could do. His only backer was his mentor, Xu Qing, but after his rebirth, he clearly knew that Xu Qing would eventually betray him. The more Xu Qing knew of his weaknesses now, the worse the backlash would be when he would defect in the future.

So, after two years of being reborn, at the critical moment, he found himself with no one to use, which was indeed sad.

Xie Zichen sighed, flexing his hands and deciding to rest for a moment before planning in detail after returning home.

After sending Xie Zichen back to his residence, Wei Lan returned to Changxin Marquis Manor. Delighted after sending the beauty back home, Wei Lan couldn’t help but feel a bit lighter. Although she didn’t show it on her face, even Wei Zhong noticed that Wei Lan’s aura seemed much more relaxed.

Having decided on her future husband, Wei Lan had solved a major issue. She immediately ordered the secret unit to gather all information on Xie Zichen and sent someone specifically to inquire about his background at the same time. She also assigned someone from the secret unit to deliver a love poem she wrote to Xie every day.

Although, according to the secret guard, Xie Zichen never read them and just burned them.

Wei Lan felt quite frustrated. After all, her handwriting was beautiful, and her poems were well-written. His behaviour of burning them without even reading them was truly hurtful.

But it was okay; she was strong and kept sending them. Whenever she had free time, she would read Xie Zichen’s biography, brought over by the secret unit.

As a concubine’s son, Xie Zichen indeed had a hard life, but seeing how he managed to open shops and set up informants in such a tough environment, even Wei Lan couldn’t help but admire him. Looking at Xie Zichen’s files, she remarked to Ran Mo, “Ran Mo, my future husband is indeed extraordinary. He’s truly worthy of being my fiancé!”

Ran Mo’s hand which was grinding the ink couldn’t help but tremble, she reminded Wei Lan, “Shizi, show some restraint. Besides, it’s too early to call him your fiancé when nothing is confirmed yet.”

Wei Lan curled her lips meaningfully, “Sooner or later… he’s still mine, isn’t he?”

“Where do you get such confidence from? Young Master Xie doesn’t seem interested at all. Are you sure there’s no problem?”

Of course, there’s no problem.

Wei Lan thought to herself that she had pursued hundreds of noble sons, and those who initially resisted her eventually came around. Although none of them ended up with her in the long run, it didn’t undermine her charm!

Moreover, even after those young masters got married, they often reminisced about her, occasionally writing poems lamenting their lost love of their old days and eccentric romance. With such a stellar track record, how could she not conquer Xie Zichen?

However, Ran Mo’s words did make Wei Lan more cautious. After all, Xie Zichen, this young master seemed to be particularly reserved. Perhaps he didn’t like her direct approach?

Wei Lan thought seriously and finally decided to change her strategy.

She asked Ran Mo to summon the secret guard who delivered love letters to Xie Zichen every night and said earnestly, “Hmm… I’ve decided to change my approach.”

“What do you plan to do?” Ran Mo perked up her ears, feeling that her young lady wouldn’t do anything good.

“I plan,” Wei Lan thought for a moment, “to take it slow. First, get close to him, start as friends, and eliminate all the women around him. That should do it.”

“It seems,” Wei Lan reflected seriously, “my current identity is too eager, and he might be scared?”

Ran Mo: “…”

You just realized this now… Ran Mo silently thought.

Wei Lan propped her chin up, thinking while looking outside the courtyard, and felt much more at ease, believing she had finally pinpointed the problem.

So, Wei Lan stopped sending gifts and harassing Xie Zichen. She took a detour and accepted an invitation from the Wang family to attend a banquet held by them.

In fact, it was purely accidental that the Wang family sent her an invitation as noble families like them rarely interacted with marquis’ families like hers. Families like Wei Lan’s were usually ennobled during the founding of the country, while noble families had spanned several dynasties. No family would dare call themselves a noble family without a hundred years of history. The Wang family invited Wei Lan purely because they had heard she was beautiful.

The love for beauty is universal, especially in Chu State, where even officials were chosen based on looks.

Receiving the Wang family’s invitation, Wei Lan thought that firstly it was a good opportunity to expand her network after being back in the capital for a few months. Secondly, as a woman who appreciated beauty, she naturally couldn’t miss an event gathering noble sons. Thirdly, she figured she might see Xie Zichen there, so she accepted the Wang family’s invitation without hesitation.

On the day of the event, to leave a good impression on the noble sons, Wei Lan put aside her usual jade-coloured long robe and wore a bright red robe with gold thread and cirrus cloud patterns, topped with a black jade crown, which made her skin look better. Fair, thin and gorgeous.

As she stepped out of the carriage in her red robe, there were low gasps from around her. Wei Lan was secretly delighted but maintained a calm and composed smile as she walked into the courtyard with smooth steps.

In the courtyard stood the noble sons in groups of twos and threes. Wei Lan, guided by a servant, greeted the host of the event, Wang Xi, the legitimate son of the Wang family.

Wang Xi was also a beauty, different from Xie Zichen’s delicate and indifferent appearance. Wang Xi’s appearance was more akin to Wei Lan’s temperament—unrestrained and noble, but without being ostentatious.

He wore a jade-coloured robe and held a small fan in his hand. When a servant reported, “Young Master, Wei Lan has arrived,” he turned with a smile, revealing a handsome face.

Wang Xi took a deep breath when he saw her. The person in front of him, smiling gracefully, bowed and said, “Young Master Wang, I am Wei Lan from the Changxin Marquis Manor.”

Wang Xi didn’t respond, staring dazedly at Wei Lan until someone nudged him. He snapped back to reality and exclaimed, “Wei Shizi’s divine appearance stunned this Xi. Xi will punish myself with three cups of wine. I hope you can forgive me, please forgive me!”

With that said, Wang Xi took a wine cup from a servant and drank three cups in quick succession. Wei Lan laughed heartily, “Young Master Wang, you praise me so much and punish yourself with three cups. If Wei Lan doesn’t accompany you, it would be impolite.”

She took a wine cup from Ran Mo, who was holding the wine with an expressionless face and drank three cups in a row.

Cheers erupted from around them, and Wang Xi’s eyes were full of admiration. He pulled Wei Lan along, saying, “I didn’t expect Wei Shizi to be so personable. Come, come, the garden is full of my friends, Shizi can rest assured today. Enjoy yourself; if you get drunk, I will personally carry you back!”

Wei Lan smiled silently, following Wang Xi into the garden.

This was the Wang family’s garden outside the city, and the peach blossoms were in full bloom. Noble sons in spring clothes gathered in groups to drink and looked like a scene of drinking and enjoying the spring scenery.

Wang Xi introduced his friends one by one, and suddenly, Wei Lan spotted someone she was particularly interested in.

He was sitting under a peach tree, playing chess with a young man in a blue robe. Peach blossoms swirled around him, and his expression was calm and serene.

Wei Lan paused and told Wang Xi, “Brother Wang, I see an old friend. I’ll go say hello.”

Wang Xi stopped and asked curiously, “An old friend? Who?”

“Young Master Xie Si,” Wei Lan replied, using the term others called him. Wang Xi laughed freely, unconcerned about Xie Zichen’s background, unlike the disdain shown by other nobles as given in Wei Lan’s secret files. “Beauty recognizes beauty. Now that Brother Wei has found an old friend, Xi will go back to the front yard to entertain other guests.”

“Brother Wang, please go ahead,” Wei Lan smiled, raised her hand to see Wang Xi off before walking over to Xie Zichen.

Xie Zichen was so focused on playing chess that he didn’t realise that Wei Lan was standing behind him. He only sensed someone observing his game but didn’t turn around.

Wei Lan quietly watched him play. His chess style was aggressive and domineering, contrasting sharply with his opponent’s laxness. His opponent was already losing badly but stubbornly refused to admit defeat. A quarter of an hour later, Wang Ning, who was sitting opposite, finally sighed and said seriously, “Si Lang, if you don’t let me win, I’ll never play chess with you again in this life.”

Xie Zichen didn’t respond, silently putting away the chess pieces. Wang Ning stood up, stretching lazily, and said impatiently, “Fine, fine, don’t let me win. I’ll see who else is willing to play with you.”

“I am,” Wei Lan stood behind Xie Zichen and responded with a smile. Xie Zichen’s hand which was picking up the chess pieces stiffened slightly and then he saw the red-robed youth sitting across from him, her jade-like hand reaching for the chessboard, helping him pick up the pieces.

Xie Zichen slowly looked up, meeting her gentle and affectionate gaze, hearing him say, “Brother Xie, long time no see.”

Xie Zichen’s expression was stiff and he didn’t reply. He put the pieces into the box and stood to leave. Wei Lan also stood up, her hands clasped in her sleeves, smiling, “Brother Xie, when you see me, why do you avoid me like a snake or a scorpion?”

Wei Lan’s voice wasn’t loud, but it still drew attention from people.

Xie Zichen remained silent. He wasn’t sure how to explain in public that the person in front of him was a cut sleeve and was trying to make him one too.

They were at an impasse when Xie Jie came out of the crowd. Seeing Wei Lan and the sullen Xie Zichen, he immediately smiled, stepped forward and respectfully greeted Wei Lan, “My elder brother is shy by nature. I hope you can forgive him.”

Wei Lan looked at the newcomer, who was also a well-endowed man with a handsome face and a dignified appearance. After looking at him intently for a moment, she then smiled and saluted, “I am Wei Lan from the Changxin Marquis Manor, This is my first return to the capital; I am a little unfamiliar with the people. I do not know Young Master Xie’s name, please forgive my ignorance?”

She was naturally beautiful and spoke and behaved gracefully so she instantly won everyone’s favour. Xie Jie smiled and said, “So it turns out to be Wei Shizi. No offence taken. I am Xie Jie, the legitimate son of the third branch of the Xie family. How about a game of chess?”

“Very well,” Wei Lan nodded and sat in her original position. She looked at Xie Jie with a pampering, indulgent gaze, like an adult watching a child. While others didn’t notice, Xie Zichen saw it clearly.

He couldn’t help but walk briskly in the opposite direction. His friend, Wang Ning, shook his folding fan and said, “Young Master Wei is truly a charming person and he looks amazing. I thought no one could look better than you, but now that I’ve seen Wei Shizi, I realize that you are the frog in the well.”

“Don’t get too close to him,” Xie Zichen said lightly out of friendliness, seeing Wang Ning’s admiring look. Wang Ning was stunned for a bit and said with some confusion, “Do you dislike him?”

“Hmm.” Xie Zichen didn’t say much and said seriously, “He is a sick one.”

Wang Ning speak nothing, glancing suspiciously at Wei Lan, who was chatting happily with Xie Jie, and then at his indifferent friend. After a while, he finally said, “Zichen, are you jealous that he looks better than you?”

Xie Zichen: “…”

Wang Ning snapped his fan shut, exclaiming, “You can’t be serious?!”

“You think too much,” Xie Zichen felt a little overwhelmed by his whimsical friend. He glanced at the red-robed youth under the peach blossom tree and said seriously, “She is truly ill.”

A cut sleeve is an incurable disease.