Chapter 129: Such a Brother

"His Highness?" Could it be that opportunistic brother of mine? Wei Wuji wondered, turning his gaze toward the source of the voice.

Sure enough, surrounded by a throng of attendants, a young man was walking slowly toward him.

So, this must be the Fourth Prince of the Great Wei, Wei Jingrong, Wei Wuji mused to himself.

"This is terrible timing!"

Wei Wuji forced a wry smile. With this guy here, how was he supposed to keep boasting? All the attention had just been sucked away.

The people standing near Wei Wuji, seeing Wei Jingrong approach, hurriedly straightened their attire, eager to leave a good impression on the Prince.

"Greetings, Your Highness..."

As Wei Jingrong reached them, the group bowed repeatedly, their fine silk robes rustling as they bent their backs as low as they could.

Wei Jingrong ignored the crowd, walking straight up to Wei Wuji and grabbing his hand. "Fifth Brother, you’ve finally arrived! I thought you wouldn't give me the honor of your presence."

*This brother of mine is a bit too enthusiastic, isn't he?* Wei Wuji thought to himself. He let out a dry laugh and pulled his hand away; he had no desire for such intimate contact with another man.

"Since Fourth Brother sent someone to invite me, how could I refuse?" Wei Wuji took a step back and offered a polite, cupped-hand salute.

"Eh... why bother with such empty formalities between brothers? Come, come... there are a few things I need your counsel on!" Wei Jingrong stepped closer, draping an arm around Wei Wuji’s shoulder.

Wei Wuji offered another wry smile, but finding it difficult to brush the man’s hand off, he could only reply, "I shall follow your lead."

Only then did Wei Jingrong seem to notice the others, offering an apologetic nod. "My apologies to you all, please, dispense with the courtesies. I have been negligent."

"Your Highness is too kind, you shame us..." the group replied in unison.

They were not surprised by Wei Jingrong’s uncharacteristic behavior; rather, it was the identity of the person beside him that truly terrified them.

*This is that notorious Fifth Prince!* The expressions of the crowd shifted as they looked at Wei Wuji.

Setting aside the rumors from the battlefield, the things Wei Wuji had done since returning to Wuan City were enough to make anyone’s heart race. Even though everyone looked down on that fellow Gao Yang, he was the grandson of a Pillar of State General—and yet, he had been beaten into submission by this man before them.

Then there was the incident at the White Tiger Hall a few days ago. Although the generals had kept their mouths shut, there were no airtight walls in this world, and the young nobles of the upper echelons had caught wind of the details. This had only fueled Wei Wuji’s fearsome reputation. What kind of place was the White Tiger Hall? It was a vital military hub, a sacred and inviolable sanctuary...

And yet, what had Wei Wuji done there? He had smashed cups, engaged in a shouting match with the generals, and most outrageously, he had drawn his blade... and the most speechless part was that his target had been a general.

A wild man... an absolute wild man. That was the only thought in the minds of the young nobles.

Recalling how they had been caught lying to his face just moments ago, they felt a wave of awkwardness. *What if he decides to draw his sword right here?*

"Greetings, Your Highness..." One by one, they turned and offered a bow to Wei Wuji. Soon, everyone who had been speaking earlier followed suit, bowing obediently before him.

Seeing this, Wei Jingrong was quite surprised. His brother’s reputation was truly formidable.

Wei Wuji, however, showed a completely different side than his brother. He was in no hurry to tell them to rise; he was, after all, quite petty.

"Tell me, when you chatter away, can you not at least stick to the facts? Who was it just now saying I relied on luck?" Wei Wuji asked in a deep voice, clearly looking to settle the score.

The question caused the group to lower their backs even further. When a member of the Wei family decided to be unreasonable, it was a nightmare for any noble house.

Seeing their silence, Wei Wuji continued, "My military achievements were earned face-to-face with the Qin, paid for with blood..."

"I can tolerate your idle gossip, but I cannot guarantee my brothers-in-arms will be as patient. If you provoke them and they come knocking at your doors to demand an explanation, that wouldn't be very pleasant, would it?"

Though Wei Wuji’s words were light, they fell upon the listeners like a mountain.

*He really is unreasonable!* they cursed inwardly. If Wei Wuji came to their doors personally, they might be able to handle it, but if hundreds of soldiers came to demand an explanation, they would be finished.

Instantly, the young nobles were brought to heel, not daring to even breathe loudly in Wei Wuji's presence.

Beside them, Wei Jingrong’s perception of his brother shifted once more. *Is this really the same timid, spineless boy as before?* he asked himself. As a fellow prince, he knew Wei Wuji well enough from their rare meetings, and the change was nothing short of earth-shattering.

Looking at that face, which was handsome enough to evoke jealousy, a hint of bitterness stirred in Wei Jingrong’s heart.

*It seems... the one people call the most useless prince will soon be me,* he thought, the smile fading from his face.

Wei Wuji noticed the change in his brother but, unaware of the reason, assumed it was just his brother’s sentimental nature.

Just then, Wei Jingrong spoke up. "Alright, you may all rise. Wuji was only teasing you!"

Only then did they slowly straighten their backs, though their eyes drifted nervously elsewhere.

To give his brother face, Wei Wuji did not press the matter further, lest he appear small-minded—though, in truth, he was exactly that.

"Fifth Brother, let us brothers go aside and properly catch up," Wei Jingrong said, patting Wei Wuji on the shoulder and returning to his usual demeanor.

"After you, Fourth Brother," Wei Wuji replied.

Wei Jingrong did not stand on ceremony and headed toward a secluded spot, seemingly prepared for a long, intimate conversation. Wei Wuji composed himself and followed, curious to know the true purpose of his brother's invitation.

Once they left, the group finally exhaled, looking at one another with helpless expressions. They no longer dared to discuss such sensitive topics, and soon, they dispersed. The gathering at Xiangling Hall had no real objective; it was merely a place to bring the young nobles together for amusement.

Though they had moved aside, the two brothers remained the center of everyone's attention.

"Fifth Brother, now that you've returned, I almost didn't recognize you," Wei Jingrong said, sitting down and looking at Wei Wuji.

"Fourth Brother, what are you saying? I haven't changed at all. You, on the other hand, look more radiant than ever," Wei Wuji replied, his face devoid of any shame, playing the game of empty flattery to perfection.

Seeing Wei Wuji act this way, Wei Jingrong’s eyes deepened. *Not changed?*

"Your fame on the battlefield has left me filled with admiration, brother," Wei Jingrong began, praising him.

Just as Wei Wuji was about to offer a humble retort, Wei Jingrong continued, "Every time I think of your heroic posture on the battlefield, I am filled with endless longing."

This time, Wei Wuji cut him off. "Fourth Brother, you flatter me. I have no heroic posture to speak of."

"Eh, don't joke around. Those rumors couldn't possibly be false, could they?" Wei Jingrong feigned displeasure, blocking Wei Wuji’s attempt to deflect. "Come, tell me—what kind of exciting things happened on the battlefield?"

In the time that followed, Wei Wuji had to admire his brother: the primary reason he had invited him here was simply to hear stories.