The Trick to Teasing a Noble Family's Son - Chapter 8

As soon as her words came out, there were only two or three men left standing in front.

Wei Lan picked the most innocent-looking one. Most of the men here were reasonably good-looking, and she picked this one for his gentle and refined appearance, which was unique.

The man timidly knelt beside her. Wei Lan glanced at Xie Jie, who hadn’t picked anyone, and couldn’t help but ask, “A’ Jie brought me here, but you don’t enjoy this yourself?”

Xie Jie chuckled, silently wiping sweat from his brow.

Although he had guessed that Wei Lan was inclined towards nán fēng¹, confirming it made him a bit scared. Fortunately, Wei Lan wasn’t interested in him.

Thinking about it, Xie Jie for the first time felt lucky to not be as good-looking as Xie Zichen.

Although in her past life, Wei Lan remained pure as jade until her death, she often frequented such places and was quite adept at handling these situations. As the men played musical instruments and danced, she drank and played dice with the young man, occasionally chatting with Xie Jie. The scene was very lively.

The liveliness lasted until midnight and Xie Jie couldn’t drink anymore. Wei Lan waved her hand, and the men dispersed, leaving just her and Xie Jie in the room. As he blinked his bleary eyes, he saw Wei Lan walking towards him, and since there was no one around, so he quickly sobered up, and said, “A’ Lan, I’m not someone into this!”

Wei Lan was about to assist him but then paused, then laughed heartily. “Don’t worry, I don’t pursue just anyone. Brothers and lovers”, Wei Lan sat down crossing her legs and looked at Xie Jie, “I can distinguish between them clearly.”

“That’s good… That’s good,” Xie Jie said, half sober and feeling embarrassed. “Brother Wei surely looks down on my beauty.”

Wei Lan’s half-hearted smile hinted at understanding the meaning behind Xie Jie’s words. Seeing the other party’s expression, Xie Jie slowly composed himself and said seriously, “Actually, A’ Lan must have already guessed my intentions for inviting you here today.”

Wei Lan remained silent, picking a grape and placing it in her mouth.

Her fair skin and smooth fingertips made her look even more alluring against the purple grape. Watching those fingers put the grapes inside those bright red lips, Xie Jie’s mind began to wander.

Unlike the illegitimate Xie Zichen, Xie Jie, as the legitimate son, had early access to concubines. Looking at Wei Lan, he quickly turned his head he felt that this Wei Lan was too remarkable, even for a man. Realizing that Wei Lan probably felt the same way about Xie Zichen, his confidence grew. “I think my brother means something to Shizi, right?

“Oh?” Wei Lan smiled, not hiding her thoughts. “Is it that obvious?”

“Shizi is not the first person to have such thoughts for my brother,” Xie Jie said with a sly grin. When she heard this, Wei Lan was slightly taken aback and her expression turned cold, and she calmly asked, “I wonder which sir also has such a good taste?”

Who else dared to have such thoughts about the person she likes? They must have a death wish.

Xie Jie coughed and said, “That person is already ruined.”

At that time, a legitimate son of the Lin family once took a liking to Xie Zichen and even harassed him. The next year, he was caught cheating in the Imperial Academy Examination. Coincidentally, the emperor was cracking down on cheating, and he was exiled and branded on his face as an example.

After hearing that person’s fate, Wei Lan’s expression softened. She looked at Xie Jie and said seriously, “To be honest, ever since I saw your brother at my house that day, I’ve been thinking of him day and night, unable to forget him. But your brother doesn’t seem to be inclined in that way. As an illegitimate son of the Xie family, it’s not easy for me to force him…”

With a wistful expression, she continued, “Lan’s unrequited love is so pitiful.”

“A’ Lan, please don’t be sad,” Xie Jie patted her shoulder. The delicate shoulder under his hand made him think how androgynous the Wei siblings were. The sister was fierce like a man, and the brother was slender like a woman. But these trivial thoughts were no longer important so he quickly discarded them and comforted Wei Lan, “As your brother, how could I let you suffer so much?”

“But,” Wei Lan feigned confusion, “you and Fourth Young Master Xie are brothers? How can you help me?”

“My relationship with Xie Si,” Xie Jie decided to clarify knowing that he was pretending to be stupid, “is more of rivalry than brotherhood. I am from the third branch; he is from the second. I am the legitimate son; he is an illegitimate. Between us, I am the master, he the servant, but sometimes he oversteps and takes his master’s things.”

Wei Lan stayed silent, waiting for Xie Jie to continue. Xie Jie was somewhat drunk; he was trying to stay awake at this moment, but he had actually let his guard down a lot. He said, “Like this time, the palace wants to select companions for the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. A’ Lan knows about this, right?”

“I know,” Wei Lan nodded, pouring wine for Xie Jie. He sighed and said, “It’s frustrating. The Wang family has many children, so His Majesty graciously gave them two spots. Our Xie family has only two of suitable age, so His Majesty gave us one spot. Between Xie Si and me, only one can go.”

“You are the legitimate son, he is illegitimate. Naturally, it will be you, don’t worry, A’ Jie.”

Wei Lan poured more wine for him, but Xie Jie shook his head in distress. “A’ Lan, you don’t know that in noble families, legitimacy matters, but in our family, ability is more important. Legitimacy is only a factor when abilities are equal. I am not afraid of A’ Lan mocking me, but when it comes to academics, I fear no one in the capital can match Xie Si. The family head even praised him recently in front of everyone. If I don’t take some extraordinary measures, this companion position won’t be mine.”

Xie Jie gulped down another glass to relieve his sorrows. Seeing him drunk, Wei Lan didn’t bother to pretend anymore and kept pouring wine and said “So, what do you intend for me to do?”

“This will benefit you too,” Xie Jie hiccupped and said seriously, “A’ Lan, you like him, right? I’ll create an opportunity for you, and you can… consummate with him. I’ll make sure the family head knows about it.”

Wei Lan couldn’t help but laugh and said with a cold look in her eyes. “Are you suggesting I force myself on Fourth Young Master Xie?”

“A’ Lan, please don’t think of it that way,” Xie Jie persuaded, “You’ll just be sharing your feelings with Xie Si… I’ll find a way to make him come without anyone noticing and he’ll willingly… go to Wushan² with you…”

Listening to Xie Jie, Wei Lan’s eyes grew even more colder.

What willingly going to Wūshān together? Isn’t that just kidnapping someone, drugging and forcing him? Wei Lan hadn’t seen such despicable methods in years.

While she didn’t mind using tactics, she loathed the dirty tricks. Xie Jie, oblivious to her anger, continued praising the simplicity the benefits of his plan, and how there would be no problems, not realizing he had touched a nerve.

It’s just that he was clueless to Wei Lan’s thoughts. If she did force Xie Zichen, Xie Jie would immediately bring people to catch Xie Zichen red-handed. At that time, even if she insisted that it was consensual, who would dare send someone with such a hobby to the palace to be the princes’ companion? What would they do if he accidentally made the prince a cut-sleeve?

Xie Jie had brought her to such a far place partly to hide it, and partly to demonstrate to her that he already knew her secret.

But it didn’t matter because this was all part of Wei Lan’s plan. She calmly said, “A’ Jie has thought this through for me, but this humble brother has an idea.”

“A’ Lan, say what you want, I’ll go through fire and water to do it,” Xie Jie said boldly. Wei Lan smiled and turned to look out through the window. “I believe, if Xie Zichen is A’ Jie’s rival, it’s best to eliminate him once and for all.”

Xie Jie suddenly raised his head and looked at the other person in surprise.

It’s not like he hadn’t thought of ways to eliminate the root, but he lacked the necessary means to not leave any trace. His and Xie Zichen’s antagonistic relationship meant that if anything happened to the other party, it would implicate him. So, where would he get the courage to eradicate the root cause? He needed outside help to avoid suspicion. He didn’t have anyone who could kill, and his father was determined to not let him harm his brothers. Apart from finding a suitable ally, he couldn’t think of any other way,

Seeing Xie Jie’s surprised and excited reaction, Wei Lan took a sip of her wine and sighed. “If only I could keep Xie Zichen by my side forever.”

Xie Jie quickly interpreted her intent after listening to her words, but Wei Lan was afraid that he wouldn’t understand so she continued, “To be honest with A’Jie, I’m not into men. I just like beautiful things.”

She twirled her wine cup in her hand, and said with an obsessed look, “The more beautiful something is, the more I want to possess and then destroy it. When I first met Xie Zichen, I thought, how wonderful it would be if he were mine.”

“Such beauty…” Her expression and words made Xie Jie uneasy, yet excited as if the depravity engraved in his bones was finally unleashed. Normally, everyone would act like a gentleman and be extremely upright and reserved when talking about intrigues and conspiracies. This was the first time someone had spoken about their dark desires so candidly, that he felt a little agitated.

“Sometimes, I guess, I can’t help but think,” Wei Lan smiled, “If I lock up Fourth Young Master Xie with iron chains, break his limbs, and keep him forever and ever in a place where no one else can see him, and when his hopelessness would mix with his pain, it would be the most beautiful sight in this world.”

After saying that, Wei Lan frowned and added with some distress, “Oh…I probably drank too much. Why did I say such stupid things?”

Xie Jie sensed that Wei Lan needed him to express his position. “It is normal to say the truth after drinking. There are so many thoughts in people’s hearts that they never let others take a glimpse, but if there are such thoughts then it is okay if one is being honest about them.”

“Does A’Jie not think,” Wei Lan looked hesitant, ” that my thoughts are a bit too extreme?”

“How could that be?” Xie Jie’s eyes were filled with an ‘I support you”. He patted Wei Lan on the shoulder and said seriously. “A’ Lan likes Fourth Brother so much and even though the world doesn’t understand it, this is also love”

“A’ Jie, you truly are my brother!” Wei Lan slapped her fan on the table, startling Xie Jie. When she saw the person before her, she said happily, “Then I thank you, brother! I hope A’Jie will make good arrangements. Let’s see how will bring Fourth Young Master Xie to me secretly. When the time comes, I’ll use my men and will not implicate Brother Jie!”

“It doesn’t matter if I get implicated,” Xie Jie hurriedly served the wine, “Your business is my business. I only hope that Brother Lan’s wish comes true and you’re able to stay with Fourth Brother forever and grow old together. Oh, and to avoid any unnecessary complications, I hope Brother Lan can take good care of Fourth Brother when the time comes…”

“Don’t worry about all this.” Wei Lan hooked up the corners of her mouth, “When I get my hands on Fourth Master, I will break his limbs and lock him in the house forever so that I am the only one he can see from then on.”

Hearing this, Xie Jie was obviously relieved. Showing an expression of joy, he said proudly: “Come on, let’s drink!”

Wei Lan smiled slightly, clinking glasses. “Cheers!”

After three rounds of drinking, there was no need to delay any further as the two sides had already reached an agreement. The two parties walked out of the courtyard arm in arm and each got into their carriage.

As soon as Wei Lan got into her carriage, she sobered up, raised her mouth into a cold smile and cursed angrily “What the hell!”

Meanwhile, Xie Jie climbed into his carriage and kept muttering to his servant, “Such a pervert…such a pervert. Fortunately, I am not good-looking so he didn’t fancy me.”

The servant was a little confused and asked, “What did you say, young master?”

Xie Jie shook his head and waved, “Just hurry back. I want to go back and see some normal people.”

The people in the two carriages departed with different thoughts running through their minds, but Xie Zichen who was reading at the Xie Manor had sneezed all night.

This scene was a bit rare to see and his servant worried, “Young master, are you catching a cold?”

Xie Zichen said nothing and waved his hand, but he silently cursed in his heart. Rather than suffering from a cold…it’s more likely that he was being cursed all night, right?

nán fēng¹: term for male homosexuality

Wūshān²: Clouds and Rain on Mount Wūshān (Wū Shān yún yǔ) is an expression from Gāo Táng Fù’s poem renowned for its explicit description of a romantic encounter. Afterwards, Wūshān in Chinese literature is associated with erotic encounters.