Chapter 13: There’s No Man I Can’t Seduce

Chapter 13: There's No Man I Can't Hook

He found the scene pretty funny, and luckily, he ducked his head before a laugh slipped out, muttering under his breath, "So Yan Huaixuan used to be a fool too, and even got punished."

He hadn't even made a sound, but little did he know, Yan Huaixuan had sharp senses, and as a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could read Shen Lian's lips with ease.

Yan Huaixuan looked at Shen Lian—this guy, even with his head down, couldn't hide the smirk tugging at his lips.

The guy was a total troublemaker.

Ling Yun couldn't help but say, "How can this guy be so shameless—"

Before he could finish, Yan Huaixuan interrupted coolly, "Ling Yun, you've been restless lately and slacking on your cultivation. Starting now, go into seclusion for three days. Don't come out until then."

Ling Yun was caught off guard but still replied, "Understood, Master."

Once Shen Lian had his fill of laughing, he was about to look up when he met Yan Huaixuan's frost-colored eyes.

Yan Huaixuan said coolly, "Done laughing?"

Shen Lian froze, then awkwardly changed the subject, "Your Highness, let's not waste time—teach me to read, won't you?"

Only then did Yan Huaixuan speak, "Bring the book here."

Shen Lian held the book out with both hands.

To his surprise, Shen Lian was actually serious when studying, without pulling any funny business, sitting quietly beside him.

Plus, he was sharp, had a good memory, and picked things up fast.

Yan Huaixuan was a bit surprised, but not having to deal with Shen Lian's occasional dirty talk was a relief.

But just as he let out a sigh of relief, Yan Huaixuan felt an inexplicable hollow ache in his chest.

His brow furrowed immediately—he'd been having way too many thoughts lately.

He glanced at the red thread of fate on his palm, the other end tied around Shen Lian's.

And the color had deepened since the day they first met.

The longer the thread was bound, the deeper the color got, and the more cultivation it would take to cut.

He'd thought it was harmless before, but now this red thread of fate was starting to mess with his head.

Yan Huaixuan's expression went cold again.

He needed to speed up his cultivation.

Luckily, the writing in this world was similar to the one from Shen Lian's past life, so he could mostly guess at it, and with Yan Huaixuan teaching him, he picked it up even faster.

Also, whether it was just his imagination or not, Shen Lian felt like the weather wasn't as hot anymore.

Before he knew it, it was already noon, and Shen Lian immediately rose, "I'll go fix your lunch, Your Highness."

Yan Huaixuan was about to say it wasn't needed when Shen Lian stood up with a smile, "I'll head over first."

Yan Huaixuan suddenly said, "Put on an outer robe. Though the cold palace is unvisited, we can't be entirely sure."

Shen Lian stopped mid-step, turned around, and flashed a sly grin, "Your Highness isn't getting jealous, is he?"

Yan Huaixuan's brow knitted, "You're talking nonsense."

Shen Lian huffed, "Clearly jealous but won't own up to it."

With that, he threw on a thin robe and walked off with light, quick steps.

Yan Huaixuan watched his eager figure walk away.

A flicker of confusion crossed those cold eyes.

Going to fix lunch and slaving away for so long—why did this guy look as happy as if he'd struck gold?

If it was an act, Shen Lian's acting was way too convincing.

If it wasn't an act, then...

Yan Huaixuan's gaze landed on the jasmine bracelet that had fallen to the ground.

His lashes fluttered slightly, and with a flick of his finger, a jasmine bracelet appeared in his palm.

Fragrant.

Shen Lian came back before long. The cold palace was so desolate that anyone who came near wore a look of disgust and numbness.

But Shen Lian was the exception—he hated white and loved wearing all sorts of colors.

The moment that figure in green stepped into the hall, it was as if the greenery outside had seeped inside.

Shen Lian was always dressed cleanly and beautifully.

The eunuchs delivered meals perfunctorily, but Shen Lian would carefully arrange the food box and even set the table in decorative patterns.

As if Yan Huaixuan weren't a deposed prince but the crown prince himself.

Shen Lian laid out all the food, "Your Highness, please eat."

He had braced himself for another rejection from Yan Huaixuan, but to his surprise, Yan Huaixuan's slender hand picked up the chopsticks.

Shen Lian was startled at first, then a flicker of joy couldn't be suppressed in his eyes.

This meant he was one step closer to stepping into cultivation!

Afraid the system would notice, Shen Lian quickly suppressed it and said, "See? I told you—there's no man I can't hook. Even Yan Huaixuan has fallen for me."

The system even cracked a rare smile, "Not bad, not bad. By the way, in one month, Yan Huaixuan's first opportunity will appear. You must find a way to stop him."

Shen Lian's eyes shifted slightly.

That first opportunity referred to a long sword named Ling Yun, originally forged from Heavenly Mountain Mystic Stone, with a cold and proud temperament. Only after meeting Dragon Proud Heaven, Yan Huaixuan, did it deign to submit.

It was with this sword that Yan Huaixuan formally came to understand cultivation, no longer confined to this single corner of the world.

"Got it."

That Lingyun Sword had slept for a thousand years, was accidentally obtained by a vassal state, and thus presented as tribute to the Yan Kingdom.

And it was at this time that Yan Huaixuan unexpectedly earned a chance to attend an occasion.

It was at that banquet that he encountered the sword.

Shen Lian's eyes flickered slightly.

Meanwhile, Yan Huaixuan noticed that Shen Lian seemed lost in thought. His thin lips parted slightly. "Why aren't you eating?"

Shen Lian snapped out of it, grinning at Yan Huaixuan.

"Because just looking at my husband fills me up."

Yan Huaixuan froze.

Shen Lian said slowly and deliberately, "This is called 'a feast for the eyes.'"

"Who made my husband so handsome—more handsome and dashing than any man in the world?"

Yan Huaixuan met his sparkling gaze, and for some reason, his heart gave a sudden flutter.

He averted his eyes. "Flattery."

"This isn't flattery—it's the plain truth!" Shen Lian tried to continue, but Yan Huaixuan cut him off. "No talking at the table."

Shen Lian met Yan Huaixuan's cold expression and huffed. "So many rules. You'd think you were my dad."

With that, he lowered his head and took small bites of his meal.

Hearing Shen Lian mention the word "dad" again, Yan Huaixuan pinched the bridge of his nose for the first time.

He'd never imagined anyone could be this much trouble.

"Once you're done eating, get your things ready. I'll come back tomorrow to teach you."

Shen Lian glanced at him, then mumbled a drawn-out "oh."

Yan Huaixuan was about to rise when Shen Lian suddenly grabbed the hem of his robe.

"W-wait."

Yan Huaixuan looked down. "Hm?"

Shen Lian stammered, "Th-there's something I want to give you, husband."

He pushed up his sleeve, and the next moment his eyes widened slightly. "Where's my jasmine bracelet?"

Yan Huaixuan's brow furrowed slightly.

Shen Lian released his sleeve and looked around on the ground, puzzled. "Your Highness, did you see my jasmine?"

Yan Huaixuan said flatly, "It's just a few flowers. If they're gone, they're gone."

"No, that's not the point," Shen Lian interrupted, looking up and pursing his lips, then speaking with a hint of sadness. "Do you know what jasmine means, Your Highness?"

He said softly, "Jasmine means 'never separate.' When woven into a bracelet, it means completeness and a perfect union."

"I want to stay with you, Your Highness, and never be apart."

At that moment, something seemed to surge through Yan Huaixuan's chest.

He didn't even notice Shen Lian leaving in a huff.

It was only after Shen Lian had left that Yan Huaixuan lowered his head and opened his hand.

In his palm lay the broken jasmine bracelet.

His icy eyes gazed at it for a long while, then he raised his fingertip.

And the broken strands slowly knit themselves back together.