Chapter 328

Chapter 328: Eye Contact is a No-Go

Wei Yu was unusually diligent today, bringing Bai Feiyu along to the Newspaper Agency. One reason was that Bai Feiyu wanted to come, and the other was because the first issue of the newspaper was about to be published, so he brought Bai Feiyu along to broaden his horizons.

Such a grown young man — although his body was a bit weak, that didn’t mean he couldn’t work!

Just staying at the manor, eating and drinking for free — how could that be right?

If he were the same childlike age as Liu Erya and Liu Chenyi from the estate, fine, but Bai Feiyu was not like that!

Wei Yu hadn’t yet figured out where to assign him, so all he could do was take him around for a look. If Bai Feiyu was interested and willing to work, that would be great. Otherwise… well, he could start by doing odd jobs!

In any case, no one who could work should be idle.

The weather was getting hotter these days. Inside, one could wear something cool and have ice basins and drinks, but once outside, Wei Yu could only imitate his Fifth Brother’s flamboyant style.

Fanning vigorously with his folding fan, Wei Yu squinted, feeling the hot wind it stirred, and sighed.

Even the breeze fanned on the carriage was cool, but stepping down, it was scorching hot — after all, home was best.

At home, you could dress coolly without anyone caring, have food and drink and someone to fan you — so why on earth did he decide to come out today?

Wei Yu had been fanning all along until his hand ached, yet the little sister beside him kept urging him to fan her too.

“Ninth Brother, fan a little over here, the wind’s light on my side~”

Sigh!

Wei Yu rolled his eyes and glared at the short “youngster” beside him. “I told you to bring a folding fan when you went out, but you wouldn’t, now you’re ordering your Ninth Brother around!”

He turned to find her real brother to claim compensation!

The short “youngster” looked back with a bright smile. Although dressed in men’s clothes, because she didn’t particularly conceal some features, on closer inspection it was obvious she was a girl.

Third Princess Wei Jing’an looked at her Ninth Brother with a flattering, eager smile. “Ninth Brother, I know you’re the best. Look, my makeup’s all smudged! Ninth Brother, see how hot I am, even my temples are wet. Could you really be so heartless?”

Unbearable.

Wei Yu kept nodding expressionlessly, “Ah, right, right, I’m not heartless, not heartless. Hurry and go.”

The sun was burning hot!

It was rare to get out of the palace. Since her Ninth Brother was willing to take her out to play, Third Princess was in a good mood and decided not to quarrel.

The entire Newspaper Agency residence had been renovated and was not unlike a regular official institution.

Because during previous renovations, the Fifth Prince had personally inspected several times and brought Wei Yu along, many in the residence recognized him.

Coincidentally, the Fifth Prince was at the Newspaper Agency today. When he heard the servants say that the Ninth Wise King had come, he immediately rushed out.

“Ninth Brother, what wind blew you here today? Eh? Isn’t this Third Younger Sister?”

The Fifth Prince was genuinely surprised to see Wei Yu since this Ninth Brother would never come unless summoned. But seeing Wei Jing’an beside him surprised him just as much.

The Third Princess greeted him politely, “Fifth Brother, hello.”

“You can raise.”

The Fifth Prince looked the Third Princess over with curiosity then teased Wei Yu, “I don’t even have to ask; I already know Third Younger Sister is here because of you. She actually does look somewhat like our brother.”

Brother my foot — with painted eyebrows and rouge, dressed as a male, but not even close to real.

Wei Yu didn’t want to expose his Fifth Brother’s lie.

Third Princess also knew her disguise was careless but still expressed shy happiness at Fifth Prince’s words.

After some brief catching up, the Fifth Prince led the three inside.

There was an ice basin in the room; Wei Yu immediately collapsed onto the chair closest to it.

Third Princess and Bai Feiyu were more proper, sitting modestly.

After sitting, the Fifth Prince asked, “Did you come here for something?”

Though he said this, his gaze was more focused on Bai Feiyu, scrutinizing him.

Little Ninth bringing someone along definitely meant business. Maybe this was a young talent brought to the Newspaper Agency?

Bai Feiyu received this scrutinizing look, responded with a reserved smile to the Fifth Prince and then kept his gaze lowered silently.

The Fifth Prince raised his brows and with a subtle eye-roll looked at Wei Yu, engaging in a silent exchange.

Fifth Prince: This is the helper you brought me?

Wei Yu: What? What are you trying to say?

Fifth Prince: He looks a bit weak. Where did you find him?

Wei Yu: Hmm? Could you at least say something? I can’t read your silent signals!

Fifth Prince: He has to have some talent. What sort of talent?

Wei Yu: …

He really couldn’t understand this eye-language!

He wasn’t some old man who could read minds, why bother with eye contact nonsense?

Wei Yu had enough and sat upright asking, “Fifth Brother, what exactly do you want to say?”

This numbskull!

The Fifth Prince was speechless but wasn’t afraid to say it in front of Bai Feiyu, looking at him: “Ninth Brother, since you’ve brought someone here, why not introduce him to Fifth Brother?”

Ah—

Seeing the Fifth Prince’s wolfish look, Wei Yu immediately understood what his Fifth Brother meant…

Apparently, he was here to poach talent!

Wei Yu smiled, “Fifth Brother, this is Bai Feiyu. His ancestral home is Qingzhou, he’s nineteen this year and is a scholar.”

After finishing, he turned to Bai Feiyu to introduce the Fifth Prince: “This is my Fifth Brother, the Great Wei Upright King, head of the Guangming Newspaper Office.”

Despite the difference in status, Bai Feiyu recognized the situation after they greeted and respectfully stood up again to salute.

“Your Highness Fifth Prince, Bai Feiyu greets you.”

The Fifth Prince studied him carefully then asked Wei Yu, “You’re not a man who idles around. You brought Young Master Bai here to arrange for him to join the Newspaper Agency, right?”

At such a young age already a scholar, it was inevitable that he might serve the Imperial Court in the future; the Fifth Prince thought this Bai Feiyu had great potential.

Wei Yu quickly interrupted, “Eh? I have no such intention. He came to visit a peer. I appreciate his talent, that’s why I brought him along. Whether he wants to work at the Newspaper Agency, that’s not up to me — you have to ask him.”

He could want whatever he wanted, but Bai Feiyu had to be willing, right?

The Fifth Prince raised his eyebrows, “A peer?”

Wei Yu shrugged, betraying Bai Feiyu in front of him, “Yes, he could have taken the spring imperial exams this year but unfortunately his health is poor, so the peer became a predecessor.”

He looked at Bai Feiyu with a meaning smile, “If it weren’t for his poor health, the Great Wei’s rare sixth-degree graduate might have had someone else’s name on it.”

Fifth Prince: ?

Someone else?

Who?

He couldn’t help but glance at that frail young man sitting there, eyes wide with astonishment.

Bai Feiyu?!