Chapter 14

Shi Liuwan narrowed her fox-like eyes and smiled. "I'll teach you."

When Shi Changyuan learned that the Mushroom he had raised had gone to Shi Liuwan's territory, saying he wanted to learn how to dry fruit, and still had not returned, he realized something was wrong.

He went over to fetch him, only to be told that he had already been sent back.

Watching Shi Changyuan's retreating figure, Shi Liuwan sighed. "I never thought I'd see the day you fell for someone."

Shi Changyuan paused, but before he could speak, Shi Liuwan went on to herself, "If you don't like such a little beauty, there must be something wrong with your head."

As she spoke, Shi Liuwan glanced at Shi Changyuan again. "But I'm guessing he isn't from the palace. He might not even be from the capital."

"Have you figured out how to keep him?"

Though it was phrased as a question, Shi Liuwan's tone carried certainty and left no room for doubt. She believed that the Shi family, stubborn and self-centered to the bone, with no regard for ethics or morality, would obtain whatever they wanted by any means necessary.

Otherwise, the Shi family could not have so calmly sent troops to conquer all four directions and unite the realm for generations.

Shi Changyuan's eyes flickered, and he merely said, "No need to concern yourself."

"Your Majesty, Xiao Fuzi says Young Master Lin has returned to the sleeping quarters." The moment Shi Changyuan stepped outside, Shunde, who had gone to gather news, spoke up.

"Mm." Shi Changyuan nodded.

The group returned to Li'an Hall in a grand procession. Other than Shi Changyuan, everyone tacitly waited outside the courtyard of the side hall.

It was still early, and Mushroom was not resting in his room. Shi Changyuan went around to the back garden and found him by a small lotus pond around a corner.

Mushroom seemed to have changed into another outfit. It did not resemble Central Plains clothing. Sitting beside the pond, he peered into the water as though searching for something.

This outfit resembled the white gauze Mushroom had worn at first, but it appeared even more lavish.

The fabric over his upper body was as light as misty gauze, embroidered all over with jewels. Armlets and anklets woven from gold, silver, and precious ornaments wound around his skin, while a jeweled breast chain draped down to conceal the faintly visible figure beneath the thin gauze.

The ruby on Lin Ling's forehead instantly made his features appear vivid and striking, impossible to look away from.

"What are you doing?"

Lin Ling turned at the sound, his eyes full of delight. "You're here? A bead fell off the necklace around my neck. I wanted to find it."

Lin Ling looked at the pond again, his expression grave. "But I'm not sure whether it fell in there."

Shi Changyuan stared at the person before him, paying no attention to the bead that had vanished who knew where. In a low voice, he asked, "Is this the clothing of a Western Region dancer?"

Lin Ling nodded, and the ruby on his forehead swayed with the motion. "Yes."

"You gave me so much dried fruit, so I wanted to give you something in return. Auntie said you might like this."

Shi Changyuan rubbed his brow. The moment he heard it was that woman's handiwork, he was not surprised in the slightest.

Seeing no reaction from Shi Changyuan, Lin Ling moved closer. Bells jingled as he walked. Looking puzzled, he glanced down at his clothes again and asked, "You don't like it?"

Shi Changyuan had no way to answer that question.

Every inch of Lin Ling's skin suited gemstones, no matter their color.

Such magnificent, dazzling ornaments would not overshadow the youth's features in the slightest. They merely became adornments, making Lin Ling's features appear even more lush and gorgeous.

In that instant, Lin Ling's identity as a spirit seemed infinitely magnified, as captivating as the rumors claimed.

"It looks good."

Shi Changyuan lowered his eyes to look at the youth before him, answering a different question entirely.

But it did not suit him.

Like a Mushroom grown in pearl palaces and golden chambers, it was not suitable.

Shi Changyuan stepped forward, touched the ruby on Lin Ling's forehead, and removed the heavy forehead ornament from his head, restoring Lin Ling's original appearance.

Mushroom shook his head, not noticing anything amiss. He only smiled and said, "As long as you like it."

Then he fiddled with the jewels on his body, muttering complaints that they were "so heavy," while marveling that humans could wear so many things and still dance.

Shi Changyuan smiled, but the smile did not reach his eyes. Taking Lin Ling's hand, he said, "I'll take you to change."

Lin Ling nodded and followed Shi Changyuan back inside.

After changing behind the screen, he casually draped the dance costume he had taken off over a nearby rack. But the skirt seemed too heavy and slipped right down.

The garment, made almost entirely of gemstones, clattered onto the floor and scattered everywhere.

Shi Changyuan bent down behind the screen, picked up a gemstone that had rolled to his feet, and rubbed it between his fingers.

It did not suit him.

But Shi Changyuan did not want to let go.

Shi Changyuan placed the gemstone into Mushroom's little pouch and asked with a smile, "Do you want to learn to read and write?"

Lin Ling had just changed and come out from behind the screen. Not understanding why Shi Changyuan had suddenly brought this up, he asked, "Why would Mushroom learn that?"

"It can make Mushroom a little smarter."

Chapter 14

"Are you saying I used to be stupid?"

After spending this time among humans, Lin Ling had already become much smarter. Not only could he now understand many unfamiliar words by guessing from context, but he could even understand this sort of veiled remark about Mushroom not being smart.

Lin Ling felt like he had practically evolved!

Shi Changyuan smiled. "No."

"I don't believe you." Lin Ling sat down in a chair nearby and firmly retorted, his face written all over with defiance. "If you say that, then I won't learn to read."

Watching Mushroom's rebellious streak gradually emerge, Shi Changyuan reached out in some surprise and pinched him.

Mm, still soft and squishy.

"Fine, it was my fault."

Shi Changyuan's tone did not change in the slightest, still carrying a hint of amusement. "But has Lin Ling considered that to go from here to Kunlun Mountain, you'll have to pass through many places?"