Wen Ying stood outside Ling Qiyan's room for the entire night. His Highness, Prince Yu, had told him to scram, but didn't specify where to. The others didn't dare to make a decision on their own, so since he wanted to stand outside, they just let him be.

On this summer night in the mountains, the moonlight was like white silk and the night air was damp like water. Only the sparse chirping of cicadas could be heard, and occasionally, fireflies lingered on the flower paths. The night was quiet and long.

Wen Ying watched the night scenery from under the corridor for the entire night, never once leaving.

It wasn't until the first light of dawn, when the plantain leaves outside the corridor were covered in dew, that there was a slight stirring from within the room.

The servants went in and out, busily helping Ling Qiyan get up.

Wen Ying entered the room to greet Ling Qiyan.

Ling Qiyan, sipping his tea, casually asked him, "You didn't sleep at all last night? Stood outside the whole time?"

Wen Ying lowered his eyes and replied calmly, "Your Highness did not tell this student to sleep, so this student dared not sleep."

The corner of Ling Qiyan's mouth twitched. 'This person is really something… He said he dared not do this and that, but in reality, his indifferent expression held not a shred of fear towards me. He clearly has a favor to ask, yet he maintained such an aloof and stubborn appearance. I really don't know where he gets this confidence from.'

In all his years, this was the first time he had met someone who dared to act this way towards him.

"If this prince doesn't tell you to sleep, you won't sleep? If this prince told you to die, would you go?"

Wen Ying didn't respond.

Ling Qiyan waved his hand. "Forget it, go and get some rest. This prince has no intention of treating you harshly."

"Thank you, Your Highness. This student has come to bid you farewell. The ten-day break is over, and this student must hurry back to the academy to study."

Ling Qiyan glanced at the sky outside the window. It wasn't even the Hour of Chen yet. He had gone to bed early last night, so he had woken up early as well. And yet this person was already in a hurry to leave. Then, thinking of the crowd of others still at his villa, likely still deep in sweet dreams, he suddenly felt a bit irked.

Though they were all students of the Imperial Academy, the difference between them was truly like heaven and earth.

"You may go." Ling Qiyan exchanged a look with Jiang Lin, who understood immediately. He went out to instruct someone to arrange a carriage to take Wen Ying back to the Imperial Academy.

Wen Ying thanked Ling Qiyan. Before leaving, he hesitated and asked, "Is Your Highness willing to take this student into your service?"

Ling Qiyan was instantly amused. "This prince told you to submit to me, and you refused. Now you insist on pestering me to become a retainer. Are you trying to be funny?"

"I still hope Your Highness will grant my wish," Wen Ying said, his expression composed.

Ling Qiyan squinted at him. He thought of the desire he had felt for the first time last night and felt it wasn't enough. After this person had scrammed, he'd tried to pleasure himself for a long time but found no enjoyment.

'No matter how I think about it, it would be a pity not to lure this person into my bed and truly have a taste of him. This game of playing hard to get seems rather interesting...'

So he said, "Go back for now. The next time this prince is free, I'll summon you again."

Wen Ying nodded and finally withdrew.

Watching the tall and resolute figure gradually walk away outside the window, Ling Qiyan rested his chin on one hand, unconsciously tapping his lips as a slight smile played on them.

Wen Ying didn't have to wait long. Only four or five days later, someone came from Prince Yu's Manor, saying that Prince Yu was willing to recruit him. He was told to pack his belongings at once and move into Prince Yu's Manor.

Wen Ying went to check out of his dormitory at the academy, then returned to his room to pack his things.

Seeing this, his roommate Pan You'an said sourly, "You're really lucky. To be noticed by His Highness, Prince Yu, just like that, and you even get to move into Prince Yu's Manor. Why bother studying or taking exams anymore? You can just have His Highness ask for an official position for you."

Wen Ying focused on packing his bags, ignoring him.

The man grew angry and pushed his arm. "I'm talking to you! Just because you've been noticed by His Highness, Prince Yu, you've gotten so arrogant you're ignoring people now?"

In truth, Wen Ying had always paid him little mind. This man had also been at Prince Yu's private villa that day and had even hooked up with a young master from a count's manor. However, he wasn't as lucky as Wen Ying to be noticed by His Highness, Prince Yu, and recruited into his manor.

From the day he entered the Imperial Academy, Wen Ying had always been taciturn and distant from the crowds. He was only close to one other person in their dormitory, a tribute student from his hometown named Zhao Xi. No one else could ever get a word in with him. Yet, he was just a poor scholar with no family background. Having gained the appreciation of the academy officials, he seemed to look down on everyone else, which inevitably made others resentful.

Pan You'an was one of those who resented Wen Ying the most. Although Pan You'an's family wasn't made up of nobles or high officials, they had been merchants for generations and were a wealthy family from the south. He had gained admission into the Imperial Academy as a special student by donating money. The scions of noble families looked down on his merchant background, and he, in turn, looked down on poor scholars like Wen Ying. But this Wen Ying was luckier than anyone; the academy officials liked him, the Heir of Duke Wei took an interest in him, and now he had even caught the favorable eye of His Highness, Prince Yu.

What did he do to deserve any of it?

Seeing Wen Ying's usual deadpan expression, Pan You'an's anger flared, and he sneered, "What are you so proud of? Do you really think that entering Prince Yu's Manor means your future is smooth sailing? In the end, you're just serving someone with your looks. If you do become an official one day, you'll surely be criticized for it. Not to mention, His Highness, Prince Yu might get tired of you in a few days. When you're kicked out like a stray dog, don't you dare ruin the Imperial Academy's reputation."

Wen Ying said indifferently, "When you were throwing yourself at that young master from the count's manor, did you ever think of the Imperial Academy's reputation?"

"—You!" Pan You'an gritted his teeth. "Don't get cocky. I'll just wait and see when you become the second dead Zhao Xi!"

That Zhao Xi had drowned in the lake behind the Imperial Academy a month ago. Bailiffs from the Shangjing Government Office came to take a look, and after a coroner performed an autopsy, the case was hastily closed as an accidental fall. However, rumors persisted in the academy that he had been fancied by a powerful hereditary student, only to be cruelly abandoned later, and that he had jumped into the lake himself, unable to bear it.

Wen Ying's expression darkened. He lifted his gaze to the bed that had been empty for a long time. After a moment, he closed his eyes, turned, and left.

Just as he walked out of the dormitory, an attendant came over and informed him in a low voice that Director Lin wanted to see him.

Wen Ying knew he couldn't avoid it and had planned to go explain the situation to Director Lin himself, so he followed the attendant.

Director Lin was a spirited man in his sixties who had served in the Imperial Academy for decades. He was someone who deeply cherished talent and was a close friend of the Jizhou Education Commissioner who had recommended Wen Ying.

Wen Ying was young, handsome, and highly learned. Though a bit arrogant, he had never faltered in his academic achievements or in showing respect for his teachers. His future was visibly bright, and the academy officials, led by Director Lin, all thought very highly of him. They had never imagined he would suddenly check out of the Imperial Academy's dormitory to move elsewhere. And now, waiting menacingly outside the academy were none other than people from Prince Yu's Manor.

Director Lin was deeply grieved. "You are truly foolish! To go astray at such a young age and follow others down such a crooked path... You have truly, truly disappointed this old man..."

Wen Ying lowered his eyes. "This student is only going to stay at Prince Yu's Manor as a retainer for His Highness, Prince Yu. I am not going to engage in debauchery."

Such words were hardly persuasive. His Highness, Prince Yu's, reputation as a libertine preceded him; everyone knew he was an unscholarly, dissolute rake. What need would such a person have for a proper retainer?

Naturally, Director Lin didn't believe him either. "Who taught you to attach yourself to the powerful? With your level of scholarship, if you just take the examinations properly, success is right before your eyes. Why must you get entangled with those nobles? And even if you must be a retainer, why in Prince Yu's Manor? His Highness, Prince Yu's, status is precarious. How can you only care for immediate benefits and disregard your future?"

In his anxiety to persuade Wen Ying to turn back from this misguided path, Director Lin said things he would never have uttered in front of others.

In truth, even without him mentioning it, everyone knew how precarious the status of Ling Qiyan—the Emperor's eldest legitimate son who was not the Crown Prince—was. His discord with the Crown Prince was common knowledge. Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, how could he possibly tolerate him?

Those useless profligates from noble families who followed Ling Qiyan around to eat and drink were one thing; after all, they weren't the heirs to their family titles, so the Crown Prince wouldn't take action against their manors because of it. But everyone else? They all stayed as far away from Ling Qiyan as possible. Only Wen Ying did the opposite, insisting on getting closer.

It wasn't that Wen Ying didn't understand all this, but he had already made up his mind.

"This student knows his limits. Teacher, this student knows what he is doing."

Director Lin sighed deeply. "Why must you put yourself through this? Before, when that boy from Duke Wei's Manor was pestering you, you were unwilling, and this old man even helped by warning him off. If you are worried about that, this old man will naturally find a way to protect you. Why must you insist on throwing yourself in front of His Highness, Prince Yu?"

Wen Ying refused to explain, only offering a deep bow in apology to Director Lin. "This student will always remember Teacher's kindness. This student has failed to live up to your expectations. Please do not be angry on my account and harm your health."

At the third quarter of the Hour of Shen, Wen Ying entered Prince Yu's Manor through a side gate in one of its carriages. Inside, a courtyard in the west wing, situated by the water, had already been cleaned out for him.

Tall parasol trees grew in the courtyard, which was adorned with summer flowers and a trellis of roses. The shade from the green trees was deep, and the profusion of flowers resembled a rich brocade. Koi swished their tails in a shallow pond, and as the wind stirred the curtains, a faint fragrance filled the air.

The furniture and decorations in the main room were even more exquisite, with intricate carvings everywhere. On an incense table in the corner, a burner emitted wisps of fragrant smoke. Fragments of sunlight filtered through the carved, latticed windows, casting mottled patterns of light and shadow on the floor and lending a lively atmosphere to the room.

Wen Ying kept his eyes straight ahead, not looking around much as he entered the room and set down his bundle.

The eunuch who had led him there told him with a smile, "His Highness has assigned these four people to serve you. If there is anything else you need, please just say so."

Wen Ying glanced up. There were two maidservants and two pageboys, none of whom looked very old. They stood with their heads lowered timidly, not daring to speak.

"That won't be necessary. His Highness is very considerate; this is already more than enough."

After a moment's thought, he asked, "Is His Highness in the manor? I would like to thank him."

Had it been anyone else asking, the eunuch certainly wouldn't have answered. But this person was currently in His Highness's favor, so the eunuch tried to curry favor by replying, "His Highness went to the palace today. He won't be back until after the Dragon Boat Festival."

Wen Ying nodded and asked no more questions.

The eunuch then gave him a suggestive look and handed him a booklet, saying, "This is something His Highness wants you to look at in your spare time. Study it well so you can serve His Highness better in the future."

After everyone had left the room, Wen Ying opened the booklet. It was a collection of homoerotic art, its obscene images unbearable to look at.

Wen Ying was speechless. 'Does this Prince Yu have anything in his head besides this sort of thing?'