Two days later, Wen Ying finished his first examination session and was brought back to the manor. After bathing and changing, he went to the main courtyard to pay his respects to Ling Qiyan. Ling Qiyan had just finished his evening meal and was drinking tea to aid digestion.

Wen Ying entered and offered his greetings.

Seeing him, Ling Qiyan felt a peculiar awkwardness. His gaze swept over Wen Ying's face.

This poor scholar had spent three days in the examination hall, yet he remained calm and composed. Although his face showed signs of fatigue, his spirits were not flagging in the least, entirely unlike those other candidates who emerged from the examination hall looking half-dead.

It was Ling Qiyan himself who hadn't slept well these past two days. At this hour, he was already yawning incessantly, his eyelids heavy.

He rubbed his eyes and casually asked Wen Ying, "Did the exam go well?"

"It was acceptable."

Seeing his expression, Ling Qiyan knew he must have done well. The provincial examination had three sessions in total, with the first being the most important. If one did well in this session, as long as they could complete the next two smoothly, their ranking would not be poor.

Ling Qiyan thought distractedly that this poor scholar would soon no longer be a mere scholar.

He asked a few more questions about the examination hall, which Wen Ying answered one by one. Ling Qiyan waved a hand. "You should go rest. There are still two sessions left. Conserve your energy, you have to enter the examination hall again tomorrow."

Wen Ying studied his expression and asked, "Is Your Highness ill? Why are you so listless?"

Ling Qiyan's face stiffened. The feelings of shame and indignation instantly surged up within him, and he desperately wanted to kick Wen Ying. Unfortunately, he currently felt that even lifting his foot was too much effort... Forget it.

He couldn't possibly say that for the past two nights, he had been pleasuring himself from behind, and then lying awake until dawn, unable to sleep...

Not only did he not have the face to say it, he couldn't even accept this fact himself!

Wen Ying did not know what Ling Qiyan was struggling with; he only thought he was unwell. He moved closer, raising a hand to feel his forehead.

Ling Qiyan subconsciously turned his head away, saying with displeasure, "What are you doing?"

Wen Ying's hand paused, then he withdrew it. His face cooled as he reminded him, "If Your Highness is truly ill, you should summon an imperial physician."

"I know my own body best. I don't need you meddling. Just mind your own business. Go on, get out."

Ling Qiyan waved his hand impatiently, shooing him away.

Wen Ying did not move. Ling Qiyan knitted his brows. "Leave, now."

After a moment of stalemate, Wen Ying rose and took his leave.

Once he was gone, Ling Qiyan's displeasure only grew. He had clearly sensed that the poor scholar was angry with him just now. What right did he have to be angry? The bastard was becoming more and more unruly.

Hearing the sound of something being thrown behind him, Wen Ying paused under the corridor, his brows slightly furrowed.

The teacup shattered on the floor. Jiang Lin quickly ordered people to clean up the mess and softly advised Ling Qiyan, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. Be careful not to burn your hand."

Ling Qiyan felt bored. He instructed, "This prince is tired. Help this prince change."

The next day, Wen Ying entered the examination hall again. Ling Qiyan was so bored he could hardly stand it. Tossing aside all thoughts of self-cultivation, he summoned Zhang Yuan and his group of friends to the manor to keep him company.

Since Liu Qingxi's incident, this group of profligates had been well-behaved for a period of time, but they couldn't sit still for long. As soon as Prince Yu's Manor sent out invitations, they all came over, overjoyed.

The profligates drank and made merry in the manor, having a wonderful time. Ling Qiyan, who had been cooped up for so long, finally felt at ease today. Without that ice-cold, coffin-faced man nagging by his side, even drinking felt much more liberating.

Zhang Yuan had also brought someone with him, a handsome and beautiful young man who he kept wrapped in his arms, cuddling intimately from time to time as if he doted on him immensely.

Ling Qiyan found it amusing and asked casually, "Where did you find such a treasure? You seem to be quite fond of him."

Zhang Yuan seemed to be drunk. He pinched the young man's chin and slurred as he boasted to Ling Qiyan, "This little thing is from Xiulan Courtyard. He was still a virgin when he came to me. Though he was a virgin, his skills are incredible. Xiulan Courtyard trains them well. This little thing knows more tricks than the ladies and is much more open. It's a pity Your Highness isn't interested, otherwise I'd give him to you for a taste."

Ling Qiyan poured a mouthful of wine into his mouth. His muddled mind wasn't very clear, but he understood the meaning behind Zhang Yuan's words. He licked his lips subconsciously and asked, "...What taste?"

"Naturally, the taste of ecstasy," Zhang Yuan said with a lewd grin, leaning closer to Ling Qiyan and tempting him, "Your Highness, I guarantee you'll never forget it after one taste. Is Your Highness truly interested?"

Ling Qiyan glanced at the meek and mild-mannered young man and curled his lip slightly.

This shy, demure, and heavily powdered look, what was the difference between him and those young ladies? He wasn't even as good as those young ladies.

The moment Zhang Yuan saw Ling Qiyan's expression, he knew he wasn't interested.

And it was true. His little pet was indeed good-looking, but compared to Prince Yu himself, he was far inferior. If Prince Yu really took the man to dote on, it would be His Highness who was getting the short end of the stick.

Although Ling Qiyan wasn't interested in the person, he seemed quite intrigued by what Zhang Yuan had said, looking as if he wanted to speak but was hesitating.

Zhang Yuan was a shrewd man. Seeing this, he thought for a moment and roughly understood. He said considerately, "Your Highness, are you asking how Xiulan Courtyard trains its people? Do you want to use those methods on that poor scholar?"

Ling Qiyan didn't reply. He took a sip of wine, clutching the cup in his hand tightly.

He did indeed want to use them on Wen Ying. He absolutely had to get back at him for that day's humiliation.

Zhang Yuan winked. "That's easy enough. If Your Highness is willing, why not hand the man over to me? I can take him back to Xiulan Courtyard to be trained properly, then send him back to you."

Ling Qiyan shot him a cold glance and reminded him, "After the results are released next month, that poor scholar will be a Juren. You want to send him to Xiulan Courtyard?"

Zhang Yuan was instantly chagrined. He had just been speaking casually. He immediately dismissed the outlandish idea and asked Ling Qiyan hesitantly, "Your Highness, if that boy really becomes a Juren, will he still be willing to stay here and serve you?"

Ling Qiyan snorted coldly, "He's just a Juren. What does that count for?"

Zhang Yuan laughed heartily. "That's true. It's his good fortune that Your Highness has taken a liking to him. It's not difficult for Your Highness to train someone. Later, I'll have someone send some good things over for Your Highness. Feel free to use them on that boy. There are some for Your Highness's own use as well. I guarantee they will satisfy Your Highness."

"...Really?"

Zhang Yuan slapped his chest. "Satisfaction guaranteed!"

Ling Qiyan asked no more questions, simply giving a solemn "En."

That night, when Ling Qiyan returned to his room, the "good things" Zhang Yuan had sent were placed by his bed. A special note explained to Ling Qiyan that these were all brand new and unused, made from the finest materials, and that His Highness could explore and experiment with them at his leisure.

Ling Qiyan looked straight ahead and gave a reward to the person who delivered the items.

Once everyone had left the room, after a rustling sound, Ling Qiyan climbed into his bedding and, by the dim light of the lamp, began to carefully examine the items.

One part consisted of various "immortal pills." He picked up the small porcelain bottles one by one and looked at the labels on them: "One Smile Powder," "Triple Benefit Pills," "Delicate Voice of the Boudoir," "Dry Seedling Greets the Rain," "Spirit Turtle's Grand Display"—all were just intimidating names. Ling Qiyan looked at them with disdain, feeling a bit repulsed. Would these things really not cause any health problems?

Then there were the various scented creams. He opened them and sniffed each one, feeling strongly that they weren't as good as the ones he had made himself, and his disdain grew.

The other objects, however, were of all shapes and sizes, and each looked quite novel. Ling Qiyan only recognized the jade dildo, which came in single-headed and double-headed versions. As for the hanging jade rings, silver buttresses, horns, fleshy cistanches, and Burmese bells, if Zhang Yuan hadn't thoughtfully had someone label them for him, he wouldn't have recognized a single one.

Ling Qiyan clicked his tongue, thinking to himself that this Zhang Yuan really knew how to have fun, to have so many novel gadgets he had never seen before.

Thus, full of curiosity, he treated these "good things" like toys, touching this and looking at that, taking apart what could be taken apart for a detailed study, enjoying himself immensely.

After a while, he couldn't help but feel a little doubtful. Could these mere gadgets really make that poor scholar obedient?

Was that brat Zhang Yuan trying to fool him?

Ling Qiyan lay prone in his bedding, dazed.

A moment later, his hand moved to his rear.

It wasn't quite satisfying enough, so he switched to an object with a shape that pleased him.

This time, it was comfortable. The drunkenness from earlier came rushing back, and Ling Qiyan closed his eyes and hummed, his mind a complete blank.

The next morning, Ling Qiyan stretched lazily and emerged from his room, feeling refreshed and invigorated. He had finally had a good night's sleep.

Once he had thought it through, it seemed like it wasn't a big deal after all. Who cared? As long as he himself was satisfied.

Zhang Yuan and his group had gotten drunk yesterday and stayed the night at his manor. After carousing for most of the night, they were only just getting up now and came to bid him farewell one by one.

Zhang Yuan was the last to rise, a look of satiation on his face, as if he too had enjoyed himself last night.

Ling Qiyan invited him to have breakfast and mentioned casually, "Those things, if you find any more good ones, send them over to this prince. Forget about those immortal pills and creams, just the other stuff."

Zhang Yuan readily agreed and asked with a grin, "Did Your Highness use them last night? Isn't that poor scholar away for the examination?"

Ling Qiyan said expressionlessly, "Who said this prince has to use them on him? There are plenty of people in this prince's manor who can be used."

"As long as Your Highness finds them useful. I'll have someone search for even better ones for you later."

Zhang Yuan flattered him, secretly finding it strange. Could it be that Prince Yu had truly come to his senses? This was new. He wondered which wicked maid or boy had such good fortune.

Jiang Lin stood to the side, listening to their conversation, and silently averted his eyes.

No one knew better than him that no one had entered His Highness's room at all last night, but those things did look like they had been used. This...

Another three days passed, and Wen Ying returned after finishing the second examination session, once again coming to pay his respects to Ling Qiyan.

The moment Ling Qiyan saw him, he was in a foul mood. He hadn't forgotten how this boy had put on a long face for him a few days ago. His anger hadn't subsided yet.

"You, leave," Ling Qiyan lifted his chin, gesturing towards the door.

Wen Ying refused. There was a hint of fatigue in his expression. "Is Your Highness's body feeling better? Have you had any discomfort these past two days?"

"This prince was never sick to begin with. I'm perfectly fine. As for you," Ling Qiyan's eyes were filled with ridicule, "aren't you so capable? How come you're this tired after only two sessions?"

Wen Ying didn't explain much. He was indeed a little tired. Being cooped up in that narrow examination cell for several days and nights straight, he couldn't sleep well at night at all. Even a man of iron would feel weary.

The only good thing was that there was only one session left.

"If you're tired, then scram and go to sleep. Don't stand here being an eyesore to this prince," Ling Qiyan said, shooing him away.

"Your Highness," Wen Ying called out to him.

Ling Qiyan frowned. This poor scholar was staring at him with his pair of pitch-black eyes, which seemed to hold a thousand unspoken words, yet he remained silent, making Ling Qiyan feel inexplicably awkward.

"What?"

Hearing Ling Qiyan's deliberately fierce tone, the emotion in Wen Ying's eyes settled. He hadn't actually wanted to do anything, he just wanted to hear Ling Qiyan's voice a little more.

So he stepped forward, picked up one of Ling Qiyan's hands, and gently squeezed his palm. "Did Your Highness go out to have fun with anyone these past few days?"

Ling Qiyan sneered, "Where this prince goes and what this prince does, do I need to report it to you?"

"If Your Highness doesn't wish to say, then forget it."

Ling Qiyan glared coldly at the person before him. It seemed that the gloomy feeling surrounding him, which made Ling Qiyan uncomfortable, had resurfaced.

This boy truly wasn't afraid of death, Ling Qiyan thought. It was a good thing his own temper was good and he didn't hold it against him. If it were anyone else, for daring to be so defiant, they would have died eight hundred times over by now.

"Hurry up and go back, don't loiter here. This prince is going to sleep."

Ling Qiyan shooed him away again, in no mood to entertain this poor scholar. Zhang Yuan had sent him more things today. He had given them a cursory glance earlier and was quite eager. If it weren't for this boy refusing to leave, he would already be in bed playing with his treasures.

After a moment of silence, Wen Ying suddenly bent down, took Ling Qiyan's hand, and pressed a kiss into his palm.

The touch of Wen Ying's slightly dry lips on the sensitive spot of his palm made Ling Qiyan's waist go weak. He was almost instantly aroused. When he spoke again, his voice was unconsciously tinged with a pant. "You... let go of this prince..."

After caressing his hand for a moment, Wen Ying finally released him, stood up, and took his leave.

Only after he had gone did Ling Qiyan collapse onto the couch, panting heavily, and chiding himself in secret. Why was his self-control getting worse and worse recently?

...It seemed he really did need to practice self-cultivation.