Swept Out the Door

Early the next morning, Ling Qiyan was summoned to the palace.

The Empress Dowager was hosting a chrysanthemum viewing banquet in the palace today, inviting the young ladies from various manors. She had specifically sent someone to call Ling Qiyan over so he could take a look at his future princess consort.

Led over by the head eunuch from the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, Ling Qiyan smiled after hearing the man's explanation, "Grandmother is very thoughtful."

Before he had even drawn near, he could hear waves of delicate laughter. The Empress Dowager was surrounded by a dozen or so young ladies, enjoying tea and admiring the flowers in the garden.

After being announced, Ling Qiyan walked forward with his gaze fixed ahead and paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned to him, "Yan'er, come here."

Ling Qiyan went to sit beside the Empress Dowager. The grandmother and grandson exchanged a few words, and his gaze inadvertently swept over the young women. The young ladies all shielded half their faces with round fans, yet they seemed very curious about him, peeking at him from behind them.

The one seated in the first position on the left was the young lady from the Lin family, Lin Yulan. When Ling Qiyan's gaze swept past her, the young lady shyly lowered her eyes. Even with the fan covering her face, he could see the tips of her ears turning slightly red.

Ling Qiyan's lips curled into a slight smile.

The imperial edict for the marriage had not yet been issued, but Duke Jing's Manor had already been notified. Duke Jing's Manor might not have been willing to accept this marriage, but since it was arranged by the Empress Dowager and the Emperor had given his tacit approval, they had no choice but to accept. As for this young lady from the Lin Family, she seemed to have a very favorable impression of Ling Qiyan and was likely willing to marry him.

Ling Qiyan, however, was indifferent. To him, it was all the same who he married. If they got along, that would be for the best. If not, they would just live their separate lives.

The Empress Dowager didn't know that they had already met at the princess's manor that day. The purpose of today's chrysanthemum viewing banquet was precisely to let them have a look at each other. Seeing their reactions now, she knew there was a chance and immediately beamed with joy, growing even happier.

Everyone present was a female relative, so it was inappropriate for Ling Qiyan to stay long. After chatting a little more with the Empress Dowager, he was just about to find an excuse to leave when Ling Qiyu suddenly arrived.

He had come uninvited.

After entering, he first glanced at Ling Qiyan. His gaze then fell on Lin Yulan at the side, pausing slightly. A fleeting shadow of gloom crossed his eyes, but it was quickly concealed without anyone noticing.

Ling Qiyu took a step forward and paid his respects to the Empress Dowager.

Ling Qiyan felt annoyed just seeing him and stood up to take his leave directly.

Before he could get far, that scoundrel Ling Qiyu actually followed him out and called out to stop him, "Big Brother, let's talk for a moment."

Ling Qiyan didn't want to pay him any mind, but Ling Qiyu said directly, "If Big Brother doesn't want to speak with me, then I'll have no choice but to go tell Father Emperor and Mother Empress about your affairs."

"You dare!" Ling Qiyan whirled around, glaring furiously.

Ling Qiyu was completely unconcerned, a cold sneer pulling at the corners of his mouth. "There is nothing I dare not do. Big Brother, you know you were wrong now, so why must you continue to do such self-debasing things that disgrace your status?"

Ling Qiyan's anger flared. "What wrong have I done? Since when is it your place to meddle in my affairs? Who do you think you are?!"

"I am merely concerned for Big Brother, is that not allowed?" Ling Qiyu retorted resentfully. "What kind of spell has that person cast on you? He's just a poor scholar from the countryside. Is he really worthy of you treating him so differently, even offering your own body?!"

"You, shut up!"

"Big Brother, you dare to do it but not admit it? Did my words strike a nerve?!"

"What does it have to do with you?"

After reaching the peak of his anger, Ling Qiyan instead grew calm. Facing this so-called blood brother, he felt only a deep-seated, full-blown disgust. "Whatever I have done is my own business. So what if you are the Crown Prince? You can manage heaven and earth, but can you also manage what happens in another person's bed? Not even Father Emperor or Mother Empress can interfere!"

"Is that so?"

Ling Qiyu's face was filled with gloom. His voice deepened as he bit out those three words through clenched teeth, then changed the subject. "And what of that young lady from Duke Jing's Manor? Does Big Brother like her?"

Ling Qiyan's brows tightened. The look in Ling Qiyu's eyes right now was like that of a venomous snake flicking its tongue—somber and chilling, making him extremely uncomfortable. His reply to Ling Qiyu was the same icy phrase: "It has nothing to do with you."

"If the people of Duke Jing's Manor were to find out that the dignified Prince Yu is actually a catamite, I wonder what they would think..."

The anger in his heart instantly flared up again. Ling Qiyan stepped forward, fiercely raising a hand to grab Ling Qiyu's neck, and ruthlessly slammed him against the palace wall behind them. His bloodshot eyes were filled with overwhelming rage. "Try saying that again!"

"Ca-ta-mite. Big Brother is just this kind of trash..."

Ling Qiyu's face turned red from being choked, yet he was still deliberately provoking him.

The servants waiting nearby were aghast and rushed forward to pull Ling Qiyan away. Ling Qiyan was like a madman, pressing down with both hands, looking as if he intended to choke him to death.

Ling Qiyu forcefully gripped Ling Qiyan's hands, already struggling to breathe, but his eyes, full of venomous hatred, remained fixed on him.

Seven or eight eunuchs scrambled in a panic. It took all their effort to finally pull Ling Qiyan off, desperately holding him back to prevent him from lunging forward again. Ling Qiyu leaned against the palace wall, gasping for air, a sinister smile that made one's hair stand on end gradually creeping back into his eyes.

Ling Qiyan kicked aside an Eastern Palace eunuch blocking his way and warned Ling Qiyu through gritted teeth, "If you insist on making my life difficult, I won't let you have an easy time either. We'll see about that."

Ling Qiyu parted his lips, his voice hoarse, and uttered with a wicked smile, "I look forward to it."

Ling Qiyan had completely lost interest in dealing with him. He averted his gaze coldly and was about to leave when a servant from the Palace of Phoenix Grace came over, saying that Her Majesty the Empress summoned them.

Palace of Phoenix Grace.

Just as Ling Qiyan stepped through the door, Lady Shen's sharp reprimand followed: "Kneel!"

Ling Qiyan didn't move, asking coldly, "What has your son done wrong again? Is Mother Empress punishing your son without reason again?"

"Without reason? You dare say without reason? What were you just doing outside?! Were you trying to choke Yu'er to death?"

The palace was filled with spies. Under the watchful eyes of many, he had pinned the Crown Prince against a wall on a palace path and tried to choke him to death. The news had likely spread throughout the entire palace by now.

In front of Lady Shen, Ling Qiyu had reverted to his guise as a respectful and sensible good son. He advised her, "Mother Empress, please calm your anger. Big Brother didn't mean it. We were just fooling around."

"You're still speaking up for him!" Lady Shen scolded him. "Only a fool like you would think that. Do you think he was just fooling around with you? He wishes he could strangle you to death so he can take your place as Crown Prince! That beast doesn't see you as his brother at all!"

"It's a wonder Mother Empress still remembers that the Crown Prince is your son's brother," Ling Qiyan sneered. "Your son thought Mother Empress had long forgotten you had a son like me."

"Insolent!"

Ling Qiyan said disdainfully, "Why must Mother Empress be so angry? Isn't he standing here perfectly fine? He's not dead or injured. Is it worth such a display of fury from Mother Empress?"

"Kneel before me!"

Ling Qiyan then yawned. "Apologies, Mother Empress. Your son is unfilial and has no interest in listening to you and the Crown Prince sing the same tune. If you wish to punish your son, you'll have to ask if Grandmother agrees."

Hearing Ling Qiyan mention the Empress Dowager, Lady Shen became enraged. "I am the mistress of the inner palace! You were born from me, why can't I punish you?! Don't you dare use the Empress Dowager to intimidate me!"

The person she hated most in her life was that old hag who refused to die, yet her own son only knew how to side with an outsider and anger her!

Ling Qiyan's eyes were full of indifference. "If Mother Empress wants to punish your son, you must have a reason. Your son has done nothing wrong. It was Mother Empress's precious son who provoked me time and again. The fact that I didn't choke him to death was already giving you face. Since Mother Empress knows you are the mistress of the central palace, why must you make such a fuss over every little thing? How is that any different from a common shrew, just making a laughingstock of yourself for others to see."

Lady Shen nearly fainted from anger at his words. "You unfilial and disrespectful beast! You dare to insult me! You actually dare to insult me! To think I gave birth to a beast like you! What sins did I commit in my past life to have given birth to a beast like you to torment me!"

Lady Shen was already hysterical. Ling Qiyu's face also darkened as he rebuked Ling Qiyan, "Big Brother, how can you speak to Mother Empress like this?"

Ling Qiyan gave a contemptuous sneer, took a step back, and turned to leave.

The sound of things crashing and shattering came from behind him, mixed with Lady Shen's sharp, piercing curses. Ling Qiyan couldn't be bothered to deal with it anymore and strode out of the Palace of Phoenix Grace.

He returned to the manor before noon. Just as he had finished changing his clothes, Jiang Lin came to report that the provincial graduate Xia Zhixing had come to pay his respects early in the morning. Upon hearing that His Highness had gone to the palace, he left. Now that he heard he was back, he had come again to request an audience and was waiting outside.

Ling Qiyan's brows furrowed. Only then did he remember this Graduate Xia, Xia Zhixing. He was the person he had taken into his manor last night while drunk.

So he casually ordered, "Let him in."

Xia Zhixing entered the room, bowed properly, and then thanked him for his grace.

Ling Qiyan sat on the couch drinking tea. He glanced at him a couple of times and asked, "Have you packed your things and moved in yet?"

"Thanks to Your Highness's blessing, I had everything packed and ready early this morning. The courtyard Your Highness had arranged for this student is excellent. Following Your Highness is truly a blessing for this student."

This Xia Zhixing was full of flattering words, but because he was good-looking, it wasn't annoying. Ling Qiyan clicked his tongue, his eyes darting around for a moment before he asked, "In the academy examination at the Imperial Academy before the clothes-giving holiday, what was your rank?"

The Imperial Academy held academy examinations every month. Wen Ying was first every single time. This Xia Zhixing had just entered the Imperial Academy not long ago, so this should be his first time taking the academy examination. Ling Qiyan was naturally a little curious about his results.

The smile on Xia Zhixing's face froze for a moment. He said, abashed, "This student was incompetent and only managed to place second."

"...Second isn't bad either."

'So he really can't compare to that coffin-face?'

Thinking this, Ling Qiyan felt displeased. He waved his hand, dismissing him.

He finished the cup of tea in his hand absentmindedly, then stood up and went out.

He went to the courtyard where Wen Ying lived. Although Wen Ying had been in his manor for so long, this was the first time he had come here.

Wen Ying was in his room reviewing his books. The window was open, and from the courtyard, one could see the sharp lines of his side profile.

Ling Qiyan didn't have anyone announce him. He stood in place for a moment before lifting his chin and coldly ordering a servant, "Go and call him out."

Wen Ying came out and greeted Ling Qiyan.

Ling Qiyan looked at him with cold eyes. He suddenly remembered what this person had said before—that perhaps before he even became an official, he himself would have grown tired of him. At this moment, Ling Qiyan realized that he had indeed, truly grown tired and weary of him.

From the very beginning, he shouldn't have indulged this boy. Letting Wen Ying top him didn't mean that Wen Ying could truly bully him, defy him, and disregard him. He couldn't stand being humiliated because of this relationship with Wen Ying, being shamed by this reckless thing, and even being shamed by those he despised.

This person would never learn the art of flattery and pleasing him like others did. Now that the novelty had worn off, this kind of Wen Ying made him feel utterly bored.

"This Prince Yu's Manor is too small a temple to keep a new Jieyuan like you. You should leave my place and find a higher branch to perch on."

Ling Qiyan gave the order coldly, leaving no room for negotiation. He had already decided to sweep this person out the door.

Wen Ying looked at him without a word, his face ashen.

Ling Qiyan thought he hadn't understood and decided to be more direct: "Go pack your things and move out of my place today. It's good to make room for others. I am not a petty person. You've been with me, so you can take all the things I've bestowed upon you in the past. Anything in this courtyard that you fancy, you can take that as well."

The vast Prince Yu's Manor could accommodate not just two retainers, but even two hundred. Ling Qiyan was deliberately trying to drive him away.

Wen Ying's gaze gradually darkened. After a long silence, his Adam's apple bobbed, and he said in a hoarse voice, "This student understands."

After saying only this, he turned and went back into the room to pack his bags.

Seeing him act so decisively, Ling Qiyan couldn't help but frown. He felt that his anger had still not dissipated.

Wen Ying didn't have many belongings. Aside from two sets of clothes to change into, the rest were all books.

As for the things Ling Qiyan had given him, whether they were for eating, wearing, or using, he didn't spare them a single glance.

The only thing he took was the Mobei short dagger that had been kept at the bottom of his trunk ever since he received it. He needed something for self-defense.

Just before leaving, Wen Ying took out the jade archer's thumb ring he had always carried close to his body. He caressed it in his hand for a moment, the last trace of warmth fading from his eyes, then placed it on the desk and turned to leave.

Ling Qiyan had grown impatient waiting outside. When he saw him emerge with only two small bundles, his face darkened. "Where are the things I gave you?"

"They are too valuable. Someone of this student's status cannot afford to use such fine things."

Wen Ying's voice was cold and hard. Even at this point, he showed no intention of bowing his head or yielding.

Ling Qiyan sneered. He was about to be kicked out, yet he still put on this pretense of being aloof and noble. Who was he putting on a show for?

"Since you look down on the things in this Prince Yu's Manor, then get out. Just consider me blind for having raised you for so long for nothing."

Wen Ying bowed deeply in a final salute to him. "Thank you for Your Highness's great favor during this time."

"Get out!"

Wen Ying straightened up, indifferently averting his gaze. His shoulders were squared and his back was ramrod straight as he walked out, step by step.

He maintained this attitude until the very end. The anger and resentment in Ling Qiyan's heart were hard to quell, and he kicked the trunk of a nearby tree.

He strode into the room. It was spotless inside, as if no one had ever lived there. Ling Qiyan's gaze swept around. The things he had previously bestowed upon Wen Ying were all displayed in conspicuous places, one by one, which made him feel even more stifled looking at them.

Jiang Lin asked him in a low voice, "Your Highness, what should be done with these things?"

"Throw them all... no, forget it. Send them all to that Graduate Xia. Say they are a gift from me."

Jiang Lin meekly agreed.

Ling Qiyan withdrew his gaze, his expression colder than it could possibly be. He flicked his sleeves and departed.