MLIAM Chapter 13
by VolareChapter 13: Beating the Crown Prince, Unable to Offend That Man
The smile on Yu Shuli’s face vanished instantly. Using the title “Prince An” to highlight his status, and addressing him in that tone, it could only be the Crown Prince, no one else.
He pursed his lips, turned around with a cold face, and saluted, “Your Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, what a coincidence.”
Wei Yan didn’t greet him, his gaze fixed coldly on the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince didn’t care about Wei Yan’s rudeness; after all, he didn’t even need to salute in front of the Emperor.
Zhao Yong reached out and pressed on Yu Shuli’s wrist, raising him slowly with an ambiguous gesture, “Prince An need not stand on ceremony when outside.”
Yu Shuli frowned, looking at the Crown Prince grasping his wrist and refusing to let go, his face dark.
Zhao Yong seemed oblivious to the disgust in Yu Shuli’s eyes, his gaze fixed firmly on Yu Shuli’s face, scrutinizing him for a long time, “Prince An, have you applied makeup today?”
Yu Shuli stiffened, “I have not.”
“Really?” The Crown Prince extended a finger, stroking Yu Shuli’s face, “I find your face truly captivating…”
“Your Highness,” Wei Yan interrupted, bowing and pouring a cup of wine. He grabbed the Crown Prince’s hand and handed it to him, his tone neither humble nor arrogant, “The disaster relief efforts have been arduous for Your Highness.”
Seeing Wei Yan’s interruption, Zhao Yong didn’t make things difficult for Yu Shuli. He chuckled and released Yu Shuli’s hand.
He took the wine from Wei Yan, drank it in one gulp, and tilted the cup downwards to show that he had finished it, “I must also thank Prime Minister Wei for his guidance and hope for more advice in the future.”
“This humble subject dares not,” Wei Yan sneered. “One must savor wine slowly to appreciate its subtleties. Your Highness is drinking too hastily. Remember, a snake tries to swallow an elephant with insatiable greed.”
There wasn’t a hint of humble “dares not” in his demeanor; he exuded a terrifying aura. Although his tone was calm, his words were full of threat.
Zhao Yong was taken aback.
Zhao Yong never wanted to contend with Wei Yan.
This man was skilled in manipulation, full of sly tricks. Sometimes he was obsequious, flattering those useful to him, and sometimes he was overly direct, too lazy to even salute the Crown Prince.
Of course, various factions wanted to win Wei Yan over, but he never sided with any of the princes. It seemed that only the Emperor existed in his heart.
The Emperor trusted him exceptionally, trusting and indulging him to the point of near-imbecility.
But everyone knew that Wei Yan was not an obedient dog. It was just that there were no other capable people around the Emperor, so he had to use him.
Wei Yan was ill, and no one dared to provoke him. After all, he would fall ill and vomit blood at the slightest disagreement. Such a person who couldn’t be touched, moved, or provoked, openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the Crown Prince in front of so many people and embarrassed him.
Zhao Yong was displeased but had to grit his teeth and endure it. “I understand. Thank you for your teachings, Great One.”
The officials had also warned the Crown Prince not to provoke Wei Yan. This man was insidious and ruthless, extremely skilled at using others to achieve his own ends.
With The Censorate in his hands, even the Emperor had to be wary of him.
A man with countless lives on his hands, one should avoid him if one couldn’t fathom his thoughts.
Zhao Yong had always followed this advice, staying far away from Wei Yan and never clashing with him.
But today, perhaps because he had drunk too much, Zhao Yong felt that Wei Yan’s protection of Yu Shuli was unpleasant to his eyes.
A nameless fire burned in his heart, wanting to tear off the hypocritical mask on his face, make him go crazy, and reveal his ugly side.
Wei Yan pulled Yu Shuli behind him, his cold gaze sweeping over the officials behind Zhao Yong, and smiled, “All the esteemed officials are here today, working hard for the sake of disaster relief. Wei Yan toasts to you all.”
He raised his cup and drank it all. The officials found it difficult to refuse, their faces darkened, and they were forced to accompany him with a cup.
The Crown Prince’s gaze fell on Yu Shuli and Wei Yan, and after looking back and forth, he suddenly drank another cup.
After the cup of wine, Zhao Yong, who should have restrained himself, suddenly felt a surge of blood and didn’t hold back any longer.
His eyes fixed on Yu Shuli’s wrist, which was held by Wei Yan. He smiled and said meaningfully, “Prince An, are you and the Prime Minister having a night out on a pleasure boat? Today’s attire… is indeed unique.” The topic was again brought back to Yu Shuli.
Yu Shuli pursed his lips. Just as he was about to speak, Wei Yan gave him a reassuring look. He closed his mouth and simply shrank behind Wei Yan like a quail.
“We are getting married soon, and we are both men, so there are no such taboos. Therefore, it is justifiable to come out and cultivate our relationship,” Wei Yan said bluntly.
A moment of gloom and resentment appeared on Zhao Yong’s face, but it instantly returned to its gentle and amiable appearance, “I heard my imperial father say he was going to bestow a marriage upon you, but I didn’t expect it to be serious.” He sighed, looking very regretful, “You are both men after all. Wouldn’t it be difficult to have children in the future?”
Wei Yan smiled, “How dare this humble subject question His Majesty’s decision?”
Zhao Yong paused, angered by his phrase “His Majesty’s decision.”
He changed his tone, his expression twisted, “That’s right, but you can still take concubines later. Poor Prince An… will have to live alone then…”
“Your Highness… be careful with your words.” Wei Yan’s face changed slightly, and his voice became serious, “His Majesty bestowed the marriage, how dare this subject take concubines? It would not only embarrass Prince An but also offend His Majesty. Besides, there is no distinction between who marries whom between us.”
Zhao Yong knew that his words were excessive, but perhaps he had drunk too much today, or perhaps Yu Shuli was too stunningly beautiful today, he was somewhat incoherent.
Moreover… Yu Shuli obediently following behind Wei Yan made him extremely irritated.
When had Yu Shuli, with his overbearing nature, ever listened to anyone?!
Seeing that Zhao Yong was becoming somewhat reckless in his speech, the officials hurriedly whispered reminders, pulling at him to signal him to stop talking.
Yu Shuli also tugged at Wei Yan’s sleeve, “Wei Yan, I’m tired. Shall we go to a private cabin?”
Both sides gave each other an excuse to back down.
This was an overnight cruise. If the guests were tired, they could go to their respective private cabins to rest.
Wei Yan took the lead and nodded, put his arm around Yu Shuli’s waist, and bowed to the Crown Prince and his party to take his leave.
Zhao Yong’s gaze fell on Yu Shuli’s soft, boneless waist, and then he saw Wei Yan’s hand around Yu Shuli’s waist.
What good could come of the two of them returning to the cabin so early?!
Zhao Yong ran through his conjectures in his mind and was immediately filled with anger.
The wine that had subsided surged to the top of his head again.
“Yu Shuli!” he shouted, “Are you really willing to marry a man as the dignified Prince An?”
The remaining guests in the cabin all looked over, curiously sizing up the two men holding hands – Wei Yan and Yu Shuli.
Yu Shuli was not used to being stared at like this, and subconsciously wanted to shake off Wei Yan’s hand, but Wei Yan held it tightly, unable to break free.
“Prince An, don’t tell me, you’ve really fallen in love with our Prime Minister Wei?” The jealous look on Zhao Yong’s face was almost impossible to hide, “Speaking of which… your military camp must be full of men, right? Wouldn’t that be a great pleasure for you?” He looked suggestively at Wei Yan’s lower body, “Speaking of which… can Prime Minister Wei’s body satisfy you?”
Yu Shuli didn’t answer. But his eyes were lowered, his hand clenched into a fist, his shame was almost overwhelming, and veins were popping out on his neck. He finally couldn’t help but want to hit someone.
He even thought that he still had a Death Exemption Token from his father.
Hitting the Crown Prince, who had said such outrageous things, shouldn’t be a capital offense…
Everyone had drunk a lot of wine. The Emperor, after investigating the matter that arose from the wine, would probably turn a blind eye.
Yu Shuli showed a rather impolite smile: “The Crown Prince’s thoughts are truly filthy to the extreme.”
He let go of Wei Yan’s hand, stretched his fist, and was about to strike when he heard a “smack” sound.
A loud and heavy slap landed on Zhao Yong’s face.
Zhao Yong’s face was red and swollen.
Yu Shuli froze. His fingers trembled, and Wei Yan grabbed them again and held them tightly.
Yu Shuli realized for the first time that Wei Yan’s hands could be so warm.
“You’re so handsome, Wei Yan,” he said, his eyes curved into a smile.
Zhao Yong’s expression almost completely collapsed.
He looked foolishly at the unexpected man who had slapped him, momentarily without reaction.
After a long time, he suddenly let out a sharp cry: “Wei Yan… how dare you hit me?”
Wei Yan’s face was gloomy, “Yes, this subject dares.”
The officials’ expressions were colorful, their whole bodies exuding a faint sense of impending doom.
After such a commotion today, could they still live properly?
One was the Crown Prince… the other was a powerful minister. No one could afford to offend either of them, so who would dare to advise?
Zhao Yong pushed away the officials around him and rushed over, instinctively wanting to punch Wei Yan.
Wei Yan also pushed Yu Shuli away, slightly dodging the blow, and grabbed Zhao Yong’s neck to hold him in place. Then, in an instant, another “smack” landed on the same side of Zhao Yong’s face.
“It’s outrageous!” Zhao Yong was furious, “Someone! Seize Wei Yan for me!”