Chapter 15: Why Didn’t You Dodge?

Chapter 15: Why Didn't You Dodge?

"You're being ridiculous."

Shen Lian quickly retorted, "This is called being cute! Didn't my husband just find A Lian utterly adorable, perfectly candid, gorgeous, lively, and charming?"

Yan Huaixuan: "..."

Seeing that if he didn't stop this, Shen Lian would keep tooting his own horn endlessly, he cleared his throat and said, "Time for lessons."

Shen Lian immediately sat up obediently, but his fingers secretly tugged at the edge of Yan Huaixuan's robe under the table.

Seeing that Yan Huaixuan seemed not to notice, a smile quickly tugged at the corner of Shen Lian's lips.

Little did he know, Yan Huaixuan had seen it all.

His gaze shifted slightly. "Today I'm not teaching you etiquette."

Shen Lian blinked, and saw Yan Huaixuan's long, slender fingers pick up a book titled *Palace Intrigues*.

Shen Lian: "Is Your Highness going to teach me this... and then take me to overthrow the emperor?"

Yan Huaixuan: "...Uttering such treasonous talk—aren't you afraid of having your entire clan executed?"

Shen Lian shot him a look. "Well, that would seem to... include Your Highness too, and you wouldn't dare rat me out."

Yan Huaixuan raised an eyebrow. "The royal family is excluded, even for a commoner."

Shen Lian's eyes went wide, and he opened his mouth, only managing after a long pause, "That's not fair!"

Damn capitalists!

He immediately said, "Your Highness, I want to study now. Please don't say anything unnecessary."

Yan Huaixuan glanced at his serious expression but didn't call him on it.

*Palace Intrigues* wasn't really meant to teach Shen Lian any political strategy—it was more of a collection of random palace anecdotes, almost like gossip.

Being able to hear stories and learn characters at the same time, Shen Lian listened with great enthusiasm, and his studies improved by leaps and bounds.

Yan Huaixuan glanced at the person with his eyes wide and blinking, listening intently. Whenever he heard some juicy gossip, his eyes would immediately light up and dart around with excitement.

"More, more!"

Yan Huaixuan raised an eyebrow. "Are you studying, or just listening to gossip?"

Shen Lian cleared his throat. "This is what they call a thirst for knowledge—I'm doing it to learn!"

Yan Huaixuan shot him a meaningful glance.

Shen Lian didn't even blush or bat an eye.

Yan Huaixuan continued his explanation in a calm, indifferent voice.

Shen Lian, meanwhile, watched him, his heart giving a little flutter.

Actually, the tedious *Book of Etiquette* from yesterday hadn't been finished yet. Technically, once that was done, he'd basically know all the characters. So why did he suddenly switch to this one today?

Even though he knew it was impossible, Shen Lian couldn't help but wonder.

Was it because of that offhand comment he made yesterday?

—"Your Highness, the etiquette book is so boring. I love it when you tell me stories. You read while I follow along—if I'm interested, I learn faster."

But yesterday, Yan Huaixuan hadn't given any indication.

Yet today, the book on the desk was completely new.

Had he gotten it specially for him?

Shen Lian's heart was pounding. He looked up at the man who, in his cool, clear voice, was recounting how the emperor before last had secretly kept a male lover outside the palace, only to discover the lover was actually his thirteenth imperial brother's illegitimate child.

It was hard to imagine that even when telling such scandalous gossip, Yan Huaixuan's tone remained completely calm and unbothered.

Shen Lian suddenly found himself wondering—what would Yan Huaixuan look like when he falls for someone?

In his memory, Yan Huaixuan had always been cold and aloof, like fresh snow.

He had never dared to hope that Yan Huaixuan might like him. He only wished Yan Huaixuan might have a little bit of fondness for him, and, considering how he'd stayed by his side all this time without leaving, take him along to the cultivation world.

But deep down, he couldn't help but wonder—if someone like Yan Huaixuan were to like someone, to love someone, what would he be like?

At such a time, would Yan Huaixuan still remain calm and composed, untainted by the world?

"How did you do today?" Yan Huaixuan put away the book and looked at Shen Lian.

Shen Lian paused. Actually, he could already read fluently, but if he said that, Yan Huaixuan wouldn't teach him anymore.

Shen Lian pursed his lips, then said with a smile, "I still can't recognize all of them."

As he said this, Shen Lian felt a bit guilty, afraid Yan Huaixuan might see through him.

Fortunately, Yan Huaixuan seemed not to notice anything, and nodded slightly. "Come at the same time tomorrow."

Shen Lian immediately smiled. "Okay."

"I'll go make lunch for Your Highness!"

"Mm."

The system actually sounded approving: "Not bad, not bad. Yan Huaixuan is getting more and more patient with you."

Shen Lian smiled but didn't say anything.

The system added, "The palace banquet is coming up soon. Find a way to steal Ling Yun away."

Shen Lian just said, "Mm."

For two or three days in a row, Shen Lian used this method to come to Yan Huaixuan.

Every time he claimed he couldn't fully recognize the characters. Over time, even Shen Lian felt a bit embarrassed.

If he dragged it out any longer, Yan Huaixuan would probably begin to think he was an idiot.

But what other way was there to get close to Yan Huaixuan?

Talk about thinking of something and it happening. Shen Lian was on his way to fetch the food when the eunuch delivering it, with his nose in the air, tossed the rice, vegetables, and some spoiled meat right onto the ground.

There was nothing to gain in this cold, dreary palace; anyone who came here would hold their nose and consider it bad luck.

The eunuch naturally didn't look too pleased.

Shen Lian looked at the rice and flour on the ground. It had happened before, and he had endured it.

But now, something flickered in Shen Lian's eyes, and he suddenly grabbed the eunuch.

"Stop right there!"

A trace of disgust immediately appeared on the eunuch's brow. "What do you want? Let go!"

Shen Lian bit his lip. "You threw the rice on the ground, and quite a bit spilled out. You have to make it up!"

Yan Huaixuan slowly opened his eyes.

Hearing Shen Lian's words, the eunuch laughed. "I'm just saying, you and that Deposed Crown Prince live worse than dogs now, and you still expect us to respect you? Make it up? I'll make it up to you with a few kicks, how's that?"

With that, the eunuch kicked the bag of rice directly, scattering rice and flour everywhere in an instant.

Something flickered deep in Shen Lian's eyes, then he immediately lunged at the bag in a panic. "What are you doing!"

But the eunuch, seeing Shen Lian pounce, sneered, "I really won't let you eat today, and that's that."

He kicked straight at Shen Lian's head.

But Shen Lian didn't dodge; instead, he held the rice and flour tightly against his chest.

His reasoning was simple: he would use the excuse of being injured to beg Yan Huaixuan to teach him some martial arts for self-defense.

That way, he'd have another chance to get close to Yan Huaixuan.

He glared at the eunuch's foot, and even though he was prepared, his body was still tense.

Shen Lian bit his lip tightly.

But to his surprise, before the foot even reached him, the eunuch let out a shriek and went rolling away.

Shen Lian opened his eyes, and the next moment, he fell into a cool, pine-scented embrace.

Shen Lian froze, then looked up.

Yan Huaixuan held him, his eyes full of coldness.

Shen Lian murmured, "Your Highness."

But Yan Huaixuan remained silent, instead seizing Shen Lian's wrist and raising it.

He saw that Shen Lian's palm had been badly cut open by the sharp stones on the ground, leaving a deep gash. His once-tender flesh was now split open, the wound looking vicious.

The air around Yan Huaixuan grew colder and colder.

He stared at Shen Lian. "Why didn't you get out of the way?"

Shen Lian pursed his lips. "A Lian needs to cook for Your Highness. Your Highness's health is weak; if we lost this food, what would we do?"

As he spoke, he lowered his head, only to find that the rice and flour in his arms had still spilled. Shen Lian froze, his eyes widening slightly, and then tears began to well up uncontrollably.

"Your Highness, I'm sorry, it all spilled, I'm sorry."

Shen Lian struggled to get down, reaching out with his wounded palm to try and gather the rice and flour.

But Yan Huaixuan firmly grabbed his waist and pulled him back.