Jiang Rong probably also understood that Prince Yu had likely been set up. He asked with concern, "Will this implicate Your Highness?"

"It's nothing. It's only been delayed for a few days."

Ling Qiyan didn't seem to care much. He just thought that Liu Shang must have something wrong with his brain, using his name to deliberately delay reporting for a few days. At most, he'd get a scolding from his Imperial Father. What more could happen?

Ling Qiyan's expression paused. He remembered something else, and a subtle look entered his eyes as he gazed at the young prince before him. "Your father khan and your elder brother are colluding with Balindun and have rebellious intentions. What about you? You came all the way to the capital to expose them?"

Jiang Rong said frankly, "We people of Mobei do not have the Central Plains' etiquette of 'a son does not report his father' or 'concealing the faults of kin.' Besides, the crime my father and brother have committed is equivalent to treason and rebellion against the court, which cannot be concealed."

"Once His Majesty deals with your father and brother, the position of khan of the Cilie Tribe will fall to you?"

"Yes."

Jiang Rong admitted it freely, not concealing his ambition.

Ling Qiyan laughed heartily and poured the wine into his mouth. "Good. You're an interesting one. This prince admires you."

Although he himself lacked great ambition, he had always admired those who were ambitious and had the means to achieve their goals.

Jiang Rong's gaze upon him was fervent. "To be able to win Your Highness's favor is this boy's greatest honor. In the future, as long as Your Highness asks, I will do everything within my power for you."

Towards the end of the hour of Xu, Jiang Rong saw Ling Qiyan out of the estate. The two chatted and laughed all the way, much more familiar with each other than when they had first arrived.

The carriage from Prince Yu's Manor was parked outside the estate. Wen Ying stood by the carriage, watching with a calm and somber expression as Ling Qiyan walked out with someone.

Seeing Wen Ying, the smile on Ling Qiyan's face vanished. Wen Ying lowered his voice, "This student has come to escort Your Highness back to the manor."

Jiang Rong's gaze shifted between Wen Ying and Ling Qiyan. He narrowed his eyes slightly, then quickly and impassively said to Ling Qiyan, "I respectfully see Your Highness off. Take care, Your Highness."

Ling Qiyan nodded. "On the day you leave the capital, this prince will see you off."

Jiang Rong hurriedly expressed his thanks.

Ling Qiyan got into the carriage. Wen Ying did not follow him in, nor did he spare Jiang Rong a glance. He simply walked along with the carriage as it departed.

Ling Qiyan sat in the carriage. The constant rumbling of the wheels made him feel irritable, and the effects of the alcohol began to rise again, causing a wave of discomfort in his stomach.

The pungent taste of alcohol surged up his throat. Ling Qiyan clutched his stomach and bent over. The eunuch attending him in the carriage frantically brought over a spittoon, and he threw up all the wine he had drunk.

Hearing the commotion from outside, Wen Ying had the carriage stopped. He pulled open the door to see Ling Qiyan hunched over the spittoon, unable to vomit anything more and just dry-heaving.

He got into the carriage, pulled Ling Qiyan over to lean against him, and began to rub his stomach.

Ling Qiyan panted with his eyes closed. It took him a long while to recover. He cursed, "Poor scholar, you're taking advantage of this prince again."

He said that, but he didn't have the strength to push the man away. He lay in Wen Ying's arms, his limbs limp.

Wen Ying's expression was dark. "Your Highness knows you can't handle this much alcohol. Why must you drink it?"

Hearing the lecturing tone in his voice, Ling Qiyan immediately became angry. He sat up straight and raised his hand to slap him, but Wen Ying caught his wrist.

"Does Your Highness still have the strength to hit someone?"

Facing Wen Ying's stiff, cold, coffin-like face, Ling Qiyan was furious. "Get out! What audacity! You dare to lecture this prince."

"Your Highness has so little self-regard and treats your own body so carelessly. This student simply cannot bear to watch."

"Get out!"

Wen Ying released him and got out of the carriage. Ling Qiyan slammed the door shut with force.

At the second quarter of the hour of Hai, they returned to the manor. Wen Ying followed him to the main courtyard to help him change. The moment his hand touched Ling Qiyan's sleeve, it was flung away.

Ling Qiyan's face was cold. "You are not needed here. Get out."

Wen Ying looked up. A faint, hawk-like ferocity, hidden beneath a calm facade, settled in his eyes, just as it had been when Ling Qiyan first met him.

Ling Qiyan frowned. This bastard was angry? What right did he have to be angry?

"This prince told you to get out. Do you not understand?"

Wen Ying looked at him and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, do you detest this student so much?"

Ling Qiyan sounded as if he'd heard a joke. "You are so audacious and reckless, doing things you shouldn't, and you defy this prince at every turn. Do you think this prince shouldn't detest you?"

"Then why don't you punish this student and cast this student out?"

Before Ling Qiyan could speak, he changed the subject. "Your Highness went to the banquet with the young prince of the Cilie Tribe today. Were you happy?"

Ling Qiyan, who had been about to curse him out, was distracted by his question. He sneered, "Of course I was happy. You're the only one who makes this prince unhappy."

"For this student to be remembered by Your Highness in such a way is also this student's honor."

Ling Qiyan lifted his foot and kicked.

Wen Ying, kneeling by the couch, caught Ling Qiyan's ankle and helped him remove his shoes and socks.

Ling Qiyan sat without moving, watching him coldly.

A servant brought hot water. Wen Ying took a cloth and rubbed Ling Qiyan's slender, fair feet, carefully washing them clean.

Ling Qiyan still wanted to curse at him, but Wen Ying looked up and suddenly asked, "That young prince of the Cilie Tribe was so attentive to Your Highness. Do you like him?"

Ling Qiyan said impatiently, "What does that have to do with you?"

"Although the Crown Prince is wary of Your Highness in every way, his treatment of you is ultimately different from how he treats others. Don't you think so, Your Highness?"

"The Crown Prince gives Your Highness silver fox pelts, that young prince gives Your Highness luminous pearls—can those things truly win Your Highness's favor?"

"Does Your Highness value those worldly rare treasures so highly? Will Your Highness accept them no matter who sends them?"

Ling Qiyan's face darkened. First the young prince, then the Crown Prince—what on earth was this kid trying to say?

"Why shouldn't I take good things? If this prince doesn't value those gold and jade treasures, am I supposed to value the snacks you, a poor scholar, bought with a few copper coins?"

Wen Ying squeezed his foot and said no more.

His Highness doesn't understand these things... but it's good that he doesn't understand.

Ling Qiyan became even angrier at this string of inexplicable and incoherent words. He kicked Wen Ying's chest again with his wet foot. "Get out."