Chapter 24: Cultivation Base Shaken

Chapter 24: The Dao Heart Begins to Waver

Yan Huaixuan casually looked away. "Let's go."

Shen Lian nodded and followed behind Yan Huaixuan. The Noble Consort's people were already waiting.

As soon as Shen Lian stepped out, all the guards' eyes landed on him.

They were a bit stunned.

They knew the Second Young Master Shen was handsome, but seeing him today, they realized all the praise didn't even come close to describing him.

People might actually believe he was a god who'd descended from heaven.

Not just the guards—passersby couldn't help but stare at Shen Lian.

But Shen Lian didn't notice at all, just glancing around curiously.

Suddenly, Yan Huaixuan, who was walking beside him, stopped.

Shen Lian quickly halted as well. "What's wrong, Your Highness?"

Yan Huaixuan lowered his cold gaze, then reached out and plucked the jasmine.

Shen Lian was startled, then grew a bit anxious. "Your Highness, you can't take back something you already gave me!"

Yan Huaixuan just tucked the flower away behind his back, his tone indifferent. "We just got out of the cold palace; no need to stand out."

Shen Lian was even more puzzled. He felt his head—he wasn't wearing anything, just a plain wooden hairpin. The only jasmine had been taken away. How was that flashy?

Still, whatever Yan Huaixuan said, Shen Lian obeyed.

He couldn't stop thinking about the jasmine Yan Huaixuan had taken. "Your Highness, don't forget to give it back."

Yan Huaixuan didn't agree or refuse, just said, "The banquet is about to begin."

Shen Lian figured he hadn't heard, or just didn't care—but Shen Lian felt this was different.

This was the first gift Yan Huaixuan had ever given him, the first time he'd put a flower in his hair.

Seeing Yan Huaixuan walk off, Shen Lian hurried after him, tugging at his robe.

"Your Highness."

"Your Highness, Your Highness."

In his rush, Shen Lian forgot they were still in the hallway and instinctively started acting cute with Yan Huaixuan.

He didn't notice the disappointed stares from the crowd.

"Thought he was some rich young master."

"Too bad—turns out he's already got a man."

"Clings to his husband like crazy."

"Don't even get me started—a beauty like that, if he flirted with me, I'd hand over my life in a heartbeat."

It was only when Shen Lian suddenly met other people's eyes that he realized he'd crossed a line. His cheeks flushed slightly, and he quickly let go and dropped his head—missing the smile tugging at the corner of Yan Huaixuan's mouth.

Shen Lian tried to act proper, falling half a step behind Yan Huaixuan.

But then, Yan Huaixuan suddenly grabbed his hand, slowed down, and walked alongside Shen Lian.

Shen Lian froze, staring at their clasped hands.

His heart suddenly pounded, beating faster and faster until he couldn't control it.

He lowered his eyes, hiding the smile in them, not wanting the system to see.

But his hand couldn't help squeezing Yan Huaixuan's back.

And Yan Huaixuan, though looking cold and composed, knew the truth only he understood.

That grabbing Shen Lian's hand had been completely unexpected—by the time he realized it, their fingers were already intertwined.

He even felt Shen Lian's cautious, hesitant response.

Yan Huaixuan went quiet, feeling something in his heart begin to sprout and grow.

Dragging him, inch by inch, toward the abyss.

Ling Yun, meanwhile, stared in horror.

It could sense Yan Huaixuan's Dao heart starting to waver.

Ling Yun opened its mouth. "Master."

It wanted to speak, but didn't know what to say.

Master cultivates the Heartless Dao—if he falls in love, it'll be complete ruin.

This time, no matter what, it couldn't bring itself to claim that Master was just pretending to get revenge on Shen Lian.

Shen Lian followed Yan Huaixuan into the banquet.

The first thing he saw was a mountain of delicacies, and Shen Lian's eyes curved into happy crescents.

But the moment Yan Huaixuan walked in, he drew a ton of attention.

People were whispering to each other about why Yan Huaixuan had left the cold palace.

Months ago, someone searched Yan Huaixuan's Eastern Palace and found voodoo dolls and cursed charms meant to harm the Emperor, Empress, and the other princes and princesses.

The Emperor flew into a rage and immediately stripped Yan Huaixuan of his title, demoting him to a commoner. And since Yan Huaixuan had no support, no one thought he could ever make a comeback—yet here he was, showing up at the banquet.

Wasn't that a slap in the face for everyone?

The ones with the ugliest expressions were the Duke Shen household.

After all, the curse plot had been cooked up by them and the Second Prince. They'd thought the Second Prince would be named Crown Prince in one stroke, but who knew the Emperor showed no such intention.

And now, Yan Huaixuan was out again.

Duke Shen kept signaling Shen Lian with his eyes.

Who knew Shen Lian's gaze was fixed entirely on those pastries and delicacies.

His expression turned ugly, and the moment his lips parted, he met a pair of icy eyes.

They were eyes that didn't seem human at all—utterly devoid of emotion, eerily indifferent.

It was the Deposed Crown Prince.

A chill ran down Duke Shen's spine, and he hastily bowed his head.

Before long, the Emperor soon arrived with the Imperial Noble Consort in tow.

He too noticed Yan Huaixuan, but a flicker of complicated emotion crossed his face before he sat down without a word.

The banquet was lively with music and dance, and guests toasted each other with hidden agendas.

Shen Lian, meanwhile, was happily digging in. Whenever he choked, a hand would gently pat his back and hand him a cup of warm water.

Shen Lian's cheeks were rosy, and when he found something delicious, he'd lean in close to Yan Huaixuan's ear to whisper about it.

He thought he was being subtle, but others had noticed.

Duke Shen narrowed his eyes, a calculating glint flashing through them.

Then came the main event.

The vassal states started presenting their gifts.

Shen Lian immediately put down his food, even pushing aside what Yan Huaixuan had given him.

Yan Huaixuan's hand froze mid-air. "What's wrong?"

Shen Lian tugged at him. "Nothing."

Yan Huaixuan noticed his gaze locked on the tribute boxes, and his heart dropped.

He realized Shen Lian might know about Ling Yun.

Yan Huaixuan kept his cool. "You seem excited? Even if it's tribute, it's for the Emperor."

Shen Lian froze, then sat up straight, nibbling at his food.

"No, I've just never seen such a grand occasion. I'm just curious what rare treasures they're bringing."

Yan Huaixuan gave a hum and dropped the subject.

Shen Lian breathed a sigh of relief.

One treasure after another was presented.

Finally, the vassal state of Xianli sent two guards forward. "Your Majesty, this is a sword our kingdom has passed down for generations, named Ling Yun. It was forged from the very essence of heaven and earth, and those who carry it will live long and glow with vitality."

Ling Yun furrowed his brow. "That's not right—I already escaped. Where'd they get a Ling Yun?"

It flew in to take a closer look, then flew back out. "Master, it's just a cheap fake. Maybe they only noticed it was missing when they were leaving, and there was no time to find a replacement."

So they had to use a fake.

But it noticed Yan Huaixuan wasn't looking at it—he was staring at Shen Lian instead.

The air around Yan Huaixuan grew colder by the second.

Because he saw it plainly.

When Shen Lian heard the name Ling Yun, he visibly perked up, leaning forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement.