Chapter 35: A Restarted Life

Chapter 35: A Restarted Life

Last night, after getting some fresh air by the window, Xiao Yan actually intended to go back to bed.

But as he reached the bedside, he saw that Liu Qingci had already fallen asleep.

He looked peaceful in sleep, lying perfectly still.

Covered in Xiao Yan's quilt, lying in his bed, carrying the same herbal scent as him.

Xiao Yan watched for a moment, then turned around and went back.

He grabbed a blanket and went to lie on the couch.

Xiao K: "You went to bed so late, got up so early, and you're still full of energy. You're really in great shape, Host. ⊙▽⊙"

Xiao Yan: "...Thanks."

This was the first time since arriving in this world that anyone had complimented his health. Even if it wasn't exactly a person.

Xiao K: "Host, isn't it just that you said sorry to Liu Qingci? You don't need to be so awkward. No need to avoid him."

Xiao Yan said with a helpless tone: "I really just came here to learn how to ride a horse."

Xiao K: "Why? The plot doesn't seem to need it."

Xiao Yan: "Since I'm in this world, I have to adapt to how people live here."

Even though the storyline didn't require it, he was truly living in this world. Aside from the necessary plot events, he lived like a normal person the rest of the time.

Xiao Yan tugged at the reins: "In this world, learning to ride a horse is like getting a driver’s license. I may not drive, but I can't be without a license."

After Xiao Yan said that, even Xiao K's electronic brain felt a sense of admiration.

Landing in a foreign world, yet still having such a positive attitude toward life. Truly rare.

"Host..." Xiao K hesitated and asked, "You seem to actually like this world, don't you?"

Xiao Yan urged his horse to speed up, circling the racetrack.

He stayed silent, and Xiao K thought he wasn't going to answer.

After finishing a full lap, Xiao Yan dismounted smoothly.

He walked to the shelter, took the water bottle Fu'an handed him, tilted his head back and took a big drink, then casually wiped the water from his chin.

Sunlight had spread across the land, and Xiao Yan stood in the middle of a waterfall of light.

In his mind, he replied to the system: "This world... just think of it as starting life over again, isn't that great? My greatest wish used to be to restart my life. Now... although the identity card I drew at the start is a bit problematic, and the dungeon difficulty is absurdly high, at least I don’t have to carry over the save file from my previous game."

His eyes swept over the distant mountains bathed in golden sunlight, and he announced loudly, "Return to the manor."

When he got back from the suburban track, it was almost noon.

Xiao Yan went straight back to Lanyue Xuan and, seeing no one in the bedchamber, he called for someone to ask.

The young eunuch gave a detailed report of Liu Qingci's morning activities: "After breakfast, Young Master Liu went to the warm pavilion to read, he read for about an hour, came out and stood in the corridor for a while, then went to the small garden in the back. He should be back any moment now."

Xiao Yan said nothing, just waved his hand to dismiss the servant.

He headed directly toward the garden.

Passing through the corridor, he had just rounded a rockery when he paused slightly.

Ahead was the moon gate that connected the garden to the study.

Liu Qingci stood silently outside the study door, sunlight falling on one side of his face, highlighting his tightly pressed lips and tense expression.

Xiao Yan didn't go forward right away; he stayed at a distance in the shadows of the corridor.

Liu Qingci had been standing outside the study for a long time.

He hadn't intended to come here; he just happened to pass by on his way back from the garden.

Just as Xiao Jing said, Lanyue Xuan was generally relaxed, but the study was heavily guarded, with the door shut tight and two sword-bearing guards standing at the entrance.

Sneaking in quietly wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't completely impossible...

Liu Qingci hesitated, not sure if he should do it.

A cool wind brushed through his wide sleeves, bringing a crisp scent but not dispersing the gloom in his heart.

On one side was Xiao Jing, using his favor to demand repayment, with his mother and sister's safety dependent on his whim; on the other... was the master of this study, who had saved his life.

Xiao Yan had gone to the outskirts of the capital; no one knew when he'd be back. If he were discovered...

Liu Qingci closed his eyes, his fingers curling tighter inside his sleeves.

What came to mind wasn't the rumored cruel punishments of Prince Yu, but the hoarse 'I'm sorry' from last night's darkness, and the clumsy yet careful fingers that had applied the medicine.

He opened his eyes and turned to leave.

But he had only taken a few steps when his gaze met a dark figure coming around the corner of the corridor.

Liu Qingci's heart skipped a beat, and he stopped in his tracks.

As the figure approached, he quickly lowered his eyes and bowed properly: "Your Highness."

Xiao Yan raised a hand, signaling him to rise.

"Are you feeling bored and restless?" he raised an eyebrow and looked toward the study, asking casually. "Looking for some books to read? This prince's study has a rich collection, far more interesting than those random books in the warm pavilion."

Even though Prince Yu doesn't read, the bookshelves in his study are fully stocked for appearance's sake, with everything imaginable.

Liu Qingci steadied himself, saying calmly, "Qingci just happened to wander here; I wasn't looking for any books."

He looked up, his eyes quickly scanning Xiao Yan's riding clothes that he hadn't changed out of yet.

The unfamiliar outfit, the lively energy still lingering on his brow from the exercise, gave Xiao Yan a vibrant, sunny aura.

He lowered his eyes again: "Your Highness went out early this morning, you must be tired. Qingci won't disturb your rest."

After speaking, he bowed and was about to take his leave.

"Hold on," Xiao Yan called out to him.

With that, he actually strode toward the tightly shut carved wooden door.

The two guards at the door immediately bowed and swiftly opened the door.

Xiao Yan walked to the door, turned sideways, and looked at Liu Qingci, who was still standing where he was.

"You'll be staying at Lan Yue Xuan these next few days. Since you'll have nothing to do, you might as well pick a few books you like."

Anyway, as the story goes, Liu Qingci would inevitably enter the study to help Xiao Jing find evidence of General Zhao's crimes.

Even if he couldn't get in now, over the next few days at Lan Yue Xuan, he would find every possible way to sneak in.

Rather than put him through all that hassle, Xiao Yan decided to lend him a hand.

So he just led him in himself.

"Come here." Xiao Yan raised his chin and stepped inside.

Liu Qingci pushed down his sudden doubts and had no choice but to follow, trailing behind Xiao Yan.

Wait.

These next few days at Lan Yue Xuan?!

Did he hear that right? What did Xiao Yan mean by that...

Could it be that he wouldn't be allowed to return to Ting Zhu Yuan not just today, but for the next few days as well?