The next day, the monarch of that small southwestern kingdom indeed came to visit, paying his respects to Ling Qiyan and bringing many fine gifts. Ling Qiyan seemed to greatly appreciate this person and went out to have fun with him for the entire day, only returning happily in the evening.

Wen Ying finished his studies and came over to pay his respects to Ling Qiyan. Seeing Ling Qiyan in high spirits, he asked in a low voice, "Where did Your Highness go to have fun today? Why are you so happy?"

Ling Qiyan was drinking tea and said casually, "That small southwestern kingdom presented several elephants as tribute and choreographed an elephant dance. It is to be performed before His Majesty on the day of the Longevity Festival Banquet, and they let this prince see it in advance."

"Was it good to watch?"

Ling Qiyan smiled, "The beautiful dancers performing on the elephants were all enchanting and captivating. Naturally, it was good to watch."

"Was Your Highness watching the people or the elephants?"

The smile on Ling Qiyan's lips froze. He raised his eyes to look at Wen Ying. "Whether this prince was watching the people or the elephants, do I need to explain it to you?"

Their eyes met. Wen Ying saw the gaze in Ling Qiyan's eyes gradually turn cold and lowered his head. "This student spoke out of turn."

Ling Qiyan kicked him. "Remember your own status. Don't meddle in things that aren't your concern."

Wen Ying remained silent and did not reply.

Ling Qiyan waved his hand in annoyance, telling him to get lost. Everything else about Wen Ying was fine, but sometimes his actions did overstep his bounds a bit. Ling Qiyan thought that it was about time he taught him a lesson or two, otherwise, this boy would really start taking advantage.

Before the evening meal, the gatekeeper came in to report that someone was outside seeking an audience, claiming to be an envoy from the Mobei Cilie Tribe, specifically here to pay a visit to Prince Yu.

Ling Qiyan had the person let in. It was the young prince named Jiang Rong. After paying his respects, he stated his purpose and presented the item he had specially brought: two night-luminescent pearls that were more than twice the size of the ones sent to Ling Qiyan the day before yesterday.

"I heard that Your Highness enjoys collecting such items, so I have specially brought these for you. It is a small token and by no means a proper show of respect. I hope Your Highness will accept them with a smile."

He must have heard it from the official who came to Prince Yu's Manor to report that day. Ling Qiyan's gaze swept over the two night-luminescent pearls, and he asked, "Weren't these meant to be tribute for His Majesty and gifts for the Eastern Palace? Why have you brought them here to this prince?"

"The list of tributes has not yet been submitted. I can simply cross this off and add something else. The original plan was to offer them all to His Majesty; there was no mention of sending them to the Eastern Palace. Since Your Highness likes them, I believe you will not let these two precious pearls gather dust. It is only right to present them to Your Highness."

Although Jiang Rong's words carried the intention of flattering Ling Qiyan, he didn't display a fawning attitude on his face like the other envoys. Because his dashing and handsome face was quite good-looking, he wasn't displeasing.

Ling Qiyan picked up a pearl to examine it closely, the corners of his lips curving up. He didn't believe this person's claim of not intending to send the items to the Eastern Palace. Although he didn't know why the young prince had changed his mind and brought the pearls here, it would be a waste not to take them for free. So he would accept them with a smile.

"How can this prince be so bold as to accept such a valuable item?"

"These are just small trinkets, not worth mentioning. If there is anything else Your Highness desires, as long as I have it, I am willing to give it to Your Highness." Jiang Rong looked at Ling Qiyan, his words exceptionally sincere and ardent.

Ling Qiyan, however, seemed not to have heard him, his entire attention focused on the two pearls. He held one in each hand, examining them closely against the light.

Wen Ying, who had been standing to the side listening to the entire exchange, swept a faint glance at Jiang Rong. The other man was also looking at him, a hint of appraisal in his eyes. Wen Ying averted his gaze, not meeting his eyes.

Ling Qiyan examined the two pearls with great interest for a while, extremely pleased. Seeing him beaming with joy, Jiang Rong took the opportunity to ask, "Has Your Highness ever tried the wine of my Cilie Tribe? The wine of my Cilie Tribe tastes different from the wine of this Great Cheng Dynasty, and it's also different from that of other places in Mobei. If Your Highness enjoys drinking, you will surely like it. I had my men bring a few jars over; they are just outside. Your Highness can have a taste. If it suits your palate, I will send some more over in a couple of days."

Hearing there was wine, Ling Qiyan was even happier. He clapped his hands. "Excellent!"

The other man looked at him with a burning gaze and asked again, "For the next month, I will be staying here in the capital. I wonder if I might have the honor of inviting Your Highness to a banquet?"

Ling Qiyan smiled and said, "As long as this prince is free, certainly."

After the man left, Ling Qiyan was still looking at the two night-luminescent pearls, clicking his tongue in wonder. Wen Ying asked him in a mild tone, "Does Your Highness like these things that much?"

Ling Qiyan snorted with a laugh. "Night-luminescent pearls that are so big, bright, and purely translucent are very rare. You, a poor scholar, are inexperienced and naturally wouldn't know how good these things are."

"No matter how good they are, they are still just two pearls."

Ling Qiyan heard the disdain in his words, frowned, and looked up at him. "Look at how everyone else tries to please this prince. You are the only one who can't utter a single pleasant word."

"Does Your Highness like it when others please you like this?" Wen Ying asked him impassively.

Ling Qiyan said irritably, "Being pleased and flattered naturally feels comfortable. Who would want to face a coffin-like face like yours every day?"

Wen Ying lowered his eyes, not letting Ling Qiyan see the dim light that sunk into their depths. After a long moment, he softly uttered, "...This student truly has nothing."

He did not continue, only giving Ling Qiyan's hand a light squeeze. "Let this student serve Your Highness the evening meal."

For the next few days, Ling Qiyan left early and returned late every day, taking turns to attend the invitations from the foreign envoys. By now, everyone staying in the State Guesthouse knew what kind of temperament this Prince Yu had, and all of them tried to please him with a variety of ingenious methods.

Especially that monarch from the southwest, who suited Ling Qiyan's temperament. They would go out and carouse together all day long. On several occasions when Ling Qiyan returned drunk late at night, Wen Ying could smell the thick fragrance of rouge and powder on him.

Another two days passed. In the evening, while Wen Ying was studying, someone came from the main courtyard to summon him.

Wen Ying went, but the person he saw was not Ling Qiyan, but the Crown Prince, Ling Qiyu, who was standing with his hands behind his back, looking at a painting on the wall.

Hearing footsteps, Ling Qiyu turned around and shot a cold look at Wen Ying. Wen Ying bowed to him in greeting, perfectly proper, without a single flaw. "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Ling Qiyu leaned back and sat down in a square table chair, not telling Wen Ying to rise. He sized him up from head to toe, his gaze filled with lofty disdain. "You are that Minor Triple First Scholar from Jizhou?"

"This student is Wen Ying."

"How long have you been in this Prince Yu's Manor?"

"I arrived in the fifth month."

Wen Ying answered whatever Ling Qiyu asked, saying nothing more.

"That's been over three months, then." A smile played on Ling Qiyu's lips, but his eyes were cold. "Is that elder brother of mine good to you?"

"This student is a retainer of Prince Yu. His Highness is naturally good to this student."

"It's good that you recognize your own status," Ling Qiyu's voice deepened. "There are some people you should not covet. It would be best to get rid of such thoughts early. Otherwise, losing your life would be a small matter; I'm afraid you would die without a burial place and even implicate your family."

Hearing the warning in Ling Qiyu's words, Wen Ying calmly raised his eyes to meet the arrogant Crown Prince's gaze, which held a hidden murderous intent. His thoughts raced, and he suddenly seemed to understand something. He showed no sign of it on his face, but his attitude toward Ling Qiyu became much more respectful. "This student wouldn't dare... This student merely wishes to find a backer. This student comes from a poor background. If no one promotes me, I'm afraid I would have to endure difficult times even after entering officialdom. Prince Yu has given this student an opportunity, for which this student is endlessly grateful."

He spoke, hesitated slightly, then lowered his voice and added, "If Your Highness the Crown Prince is willing to appreciate and promote this student, this student is also willing to serve as a vanguard for Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Ling Qiyu laughed again upon hearing this. "Is that so? Is that what you think?"

He had thought he was so aloof and noble, but it turned out he was just a sycophantic opportunist. He held such a person in even lower regard.

But verbally, he smiled and said, "How could I steal someone from my elder brother?"

Wen Ying maintained a subservient posture with lowered eyes. "Men strive to move upwards. If Your Highness the Crown Prince is willing to use this student, this student is willing to follow Your Highness the Crown Prince."

Ling Qiyu's voice grew even more indifferent. "We can talk about these matters later. It will depend on what kind of results you can achieve in the examinations. A mere scholar is of no value to me."

"This student knows. This student will certainly not disappoint Your Highness's expectations."

Ling Qiyu gave a disdainful smile and was about to say more when Ling Qiyan's chilly voice came from outside the door. "This is my Prince Yu's Manor, is it not? Since when was it the Crown Prince's turn to throw his weight around here and lecture my people?"

Ling Qiyan stepped through the door, his gaze toward Ling Qiyu extremely hostile. "Who gave you permission to come uninvited? What do you take this place for?"

Ling Qiyu calmly stood up. "There's no need for you to be angry, elder brother. It wasn't easy for me to get out of the palace. I happened to be passing by your manor and thought I would come in for a cup of tea. I didn't expect you to be out, so I spoke a few more words with this retainer of yours. Since you don't welcome me, I will just leave."

Ling Qiyan couldn't even be bothered to pretend to ask him to stay. He directly lifted his chin, gesturing for him to get out.

Ling Qiyu glanced at him, saw that Ling Qiyan truly had no intention of keeping him, endured it, and finally left.

After seeing off the god of plague, Ling Qiyan shot a cold glare at Wen Ying. "What did he say to you?"

Wen Ying didn't explain much. "He just lectured this student a little."

"Ignore him from now on," Ling Qiyan said irritably. "If he comes here again, this prince will have people stop him from entering. If he summons you for an audience, ignore him too. This prince will back you up."

If he hadn't known before that the boy Ling Qiyu also dallied with young men, it would be one thing. But now that he knew, he couldn't let his guard down. Who knew if that beast had also set his sights on Wen Ying? He hadn't even gotten his hands on him yet, so on what grounds should he let that beast have him for cheap?

Wen Ying didn't say any more on the matter. Smelling the scent of wine mixed with rouge and powder on Ling Qiyan, he asked, "Did Your Highness go to watch the dance practice again?"

"This prince feels like it." Even if he spent all day rolling around in piles of rouge and powder, no one had the right to control him.

Ling Qiyan had Wen Ying help him change his clothes. His gaze flickered and landed on Wen Ying's face. After looking at him for a moment, he spouted nonsense, "You are even better looking than those beautiful dancers. If only you were a woman, this prince would definitely make you a consort."

Wen Ying did not reply, silently helping him change into a set of casual clothes.