Chapter 21: Falling Deep

Chapter 21: Succumbed

He was about to say something when Shen Lian dried his tears. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that to you."

After crying, Shen Lian felt a bit embarrassed. Why had he suddenly broken down emotionally and said such things to a stranger?

He was probably coming across as delicate, wasn't he?

Shen Lian said softly, "Sorry, so please put me down, benefactor. I need to go back."

Otherwise, Yan Huairong would be looking everywhere for him too.

Yan Huaixuan hummed in acknowledgment, but when he released Shen Lian, his fingertips moved slightly.

The moment Shen Lian stood up, his vision went black, and he fell into darkness.

As he was about to pass out, Shen Lian had only one thought.

Why is this body of mine so fragile?

But when Shen Lian woke up again, he found himself lying in a small room, the space beside him empty, and his head had been bandaged.

Shen Lian suddenly remembered something. "Benefactor?"

But looking around, there was no one in a blue robe and mask.

Shen Lian frowned, pushed open the door, and found the horse still standing outside.

Shen Lian looked at the horse. "System, what happened after I fainted?"

The system stammered, "Uh... I'm synced with your power. When you blacked out, I went dark too."

Shen Lian let out an "oh," then said expressionlessly, "Worthless system."

"You! You're getting more and more audacious!" the system gritted its teeth.

Shen Lian was now past caring, especially since he knew the system couldn't do without him.

"Go ahead and electrocute me if you can. I'm going on strike right now."

Shen Lian smoothed his bangs aside and smiled nonchalantly.

To the system, he looked like he was begging for a beating.

Shen Lian took the Dragon Blood Grass, then, thinking of something, took a stroll around the streets before finally finding Yan Huairong.

God knows Yan Huairong was almost out of his mind by the time he found Shen Lian.

He had no real skills; his greatest passion was beauties, which was why he'd gotten involved with Shen Lian.

But no matter what, Shen Lian was still the deposed Crown Princess, and he'd been impulsive enough to take him out.

It wasn't that he was afraid Shen Lian would die—he was afraid Shen Lian had escaped!

What if Shen Lian couldn't bear the cold palace and had run away on purpose? Then wouldn't he be an accomplice?

Fortunately, Shen Lian came back, and Yan Huairong instantly felt his sky brighten again.

He didn't even wait for Shen Lian to speak before saying, "Quick, quick, quick, my dear ancestor, get back to the palace now."

Seeing how afraid he was of death, Shen Lian was spared the trouble of explaining. He was glad to be at ease.

After using the same trick to sneak back into the palace, Shen Lian removed the bandage from his forehead, tidied himself up, and carefully made his way to Yan Huaixuan's bedchamber.

He pressed his lips together, then knocked on the door. "Your Highness, are you there?"

Unexpectedly, the door opened right away this time.

Shen Lian was still stunned. He looked at his hand. Was he really that strong?

Shen Lian walked in softly and saw Yan Huaixuan seated at the tea table.

Shen Lian managed a smile. "Your Highness."

But this time, Yan Huaixuan lifted his eyes and looked at him. "What is the matter?"

Seeing that Yan Huaixuan was finally willing to pay attention to him, Shen Lian breathed a sigh of relief. However, he didn't directly say he had found the Dragon Blood Orchid. Instead, he gently took out a bowl of chicken soup from his food box.

"Your Highness, I made this chicken soup. Please drink it to strengthen your body."

Ling Yun glanced at it. "Your Highness, it has Dragon Blood Grass in it."

After saying this, it fell silent for a moment. "This Shen Lian... isn't he going to take credit for it?"

Yan Huaixuan hummed in acknowledgment. "Put it down."

At least it was better than last time when he refused to drink! Shen Lian gave a sweet smile but didn't leave.

Yan Huaixuan raised his eyes. "Hm?"

Shen Lian met his eyes and said softly, "Your Highness, did A Lian say something inappropriate that day? Something that displeased you? I'm sorry."

The system: "??? What are you talking about?"

Shen Lian: "Just a slip of the tongue, hehe."

He said this casually, but his eyes were fixed on Yan Huaixuan.

Yet Yan Huaixuan just frowned slightly. "Sou-ri, what does that mean?"

Seeing that the suspicion on Yan Huaixuan's face seemed genuine—clearly not someone who had transmigrated—Shen Lian felt an inexplicable something stir in his heart.

He simply said, "Nothing. I just made a slip of the tongue."

Only then did Yan Huaixuan respond, "Mm."

But Yan Huaixuan didn't answer Shen Lian's earlier question.

But that was fine. Shen Lian was best at playing dumb.

He looked at Yan Huaixuan, his eyes shifting slightly.

When Yan Huaixuan looked up again, he found that Shen Lian had already moved in small steps to his side. Seeing him look up, Shen Lian stood still.

When Yan Huaixuan lowered his head to keep writing, Shen Lian started inching closer again.

Ling Yun coughed. "How childish!"

But somehow, it felt that Shen Lian looked just like a little animal.

Just as Shen Lian was about to shuffle over to Yan Huaixuan's side, the brush in Yan Huaixuan's hand halted mid-stroke.

He was about to ask what trick Shen Lian was up to.

Shen Lian deliberately exclaimed, "I'm going to fall! I'm going to fall!"

He swayed, planning to tumble onto Yan Huaixuan's lap and put on a cute act.

But suddenly, a hand gripped his waist and pulled him down.

Shen Lian found himself sitting on Yan Huaixuan's lap.

Shen Lian was taken aback.

Yet Yan Huaixuan's hand was already on his forehead, his cold brows slightly furrowed, "Headache?"

Yan Huaixuan, recalling Shen Lian's words, thought of the injury on the back of Shen Lian's head.

He made this gesture instinctively, and by the time he snapped back to reality, Shen Lian was already in his arms.

He was soft, a small bundle in his arms.

Shen Lian looked at him uncertainly, "Your Highness, I didn't say my head hurt."

Then why did Yan Huaixuan suddenly touch his head?

Yan Huaixuan seemed to realize something and withdrew his hand, "You were holding your head; what else was I supposed to think was hurting?"

Shen Lian was even more confused, "I was holding my chest just now."

Yan Huaixuan's pale eyes fixed on him, saying nothing.

Shen Lian quickly added, "Okay, okay, I must have misremembered—it was my head."

But no matter where he had been holding, Yan Huaixuan had embraced him.

Shen Lian's eyes lit up, and he suddenly got bolder, tugging at Yan Huaixuan's sleeve, whining, "Your Highness, was it because you were in a bad mood that day that you treated A Lian poorly too?"

"Don't treat me so badly from now on, okay? Don't be hot and cold with me. It makes me so miserable, I feel like my heart meridian is damaged."

Yan Huaixuan actually placed his fingers on Shen Lian's pulse, considering for a moment, "This Prince observes your pulse is steady and vigorous, not at all like someone whose heart meridian is damaged."

Shen Lian: "..."

He hadn't expected Yan Huaixuan to actually know how to read a pulse.

He insisted, "Impossible! A Lian's heart meridian is truly damaged. I cried all night, couldn't eat a thing, couldn't sleep a wink."

Yan Huaixuan looked at him, "Then why did you eat preserved fruit on your way here?"

Shen Lian: "?"

Now Shen Lian really looked like he'd seen a ghost, "You can tell that just from my pulse?"

As he spoke, he caught a flicker of amusement in Yan Huaixuan's eyes.

Yan Huaixuan reached out and brushed his fingertip across the corner of Shen Lian's mouth, "Next time you sneak a snack, make sure you wipe your mouth."

Shen Lian spotted a bit of brown fruit peel on Yan Huaixuan's fingertip.