33: Chapter 33 The Tragic Little Prince's Nobleman 15

In the bustling center of the Imperial Capital, a grand and sprawling residence stood.

The words "State Preceptors Residence" hung on the gate, with Imperial Guards standing at the entrance, and two majestic stone lions placed on the left and right.

As far as the eye could see, there were endless white walls and dark tiles, with pavilions and towers arranged in a picturesque manner.

Lush flowering trees reached over the walls, revealing sparse branches, and a faint floral fragrance drifted about, intoxicating the senses.

Passersby, whether officials or commoners, all wore expressions of reverence, their eyes filled with respect.

Simply because State Preceptor Xuanchen resided in this mansion, the entire estate had become a sacred place.

Inside the residence, in a main room, Lu Zhan, dressed in white robes, sat cross-legged on the arhat bed by the window, twisting prayer beads in his left hand and holding a scroll of scriptures in his right, his eyes slightly lowered as he read.

His handsome face and indifferent eyes made him appear as aloof and proud as a deity, with an intense aura of asceticism surrounding him, naturally carrying a sense of detachment.

Sunlight streamed in through the open window, shining upon the young man, as if draping him in a layer of golden light, adding a touch of divine radiance.

The scenery outside the window was fresh and elegant; as far as the eye could see, there was a lotus pond, a pebble path, and pavilions...

A breeze blew past, carrying the faint fragrance of lotus flowers into the room, refreshing the heart and mind.

...

The young emperor had rushed all the way back just to have lunch with his master.

When he pushed the door open and entered, this was the scene that met his eyes.

The elegant window view, the floral fragrance in the air, the young man sitting cross-legged, appearing like a deity.

Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan was instantly mesmerized, losing himself in the sight.

Having not heard the footsteps of the Little Madman for a long time, Lu Zhan felt a bit strange; why was the person who usually wished he could stick to him so calm today?

His indifferent eyes slightly shifted away from the scriptures in his hand, and he looked up; seeing the situation, a sense of amusement rose in Lu Zhan's heart.

The Little Madman was dazed from looking at him, his eyes filled with obsession; he liked him that much, huh.

"Nickname, since you're here, why are you just standing there? Come over."

A cold, clear voice reached his ears, jolting Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan out of his trance.

Having been too obsessed and then caught red-handed by his master, Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's face flushed slightly with embarrassment.

However, he grumbled in a tsundere manner.

"It's not my fault, it's just that Master is too good-looking and dazzled Nickname's eyes."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan's expression became a bit more stern, his tone flat and indifferent, revealing no emotion.

"Listening to what Nickname says, is it still Master's fault?"

As the words reached his ears, Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan shuddered instantly and carefully looked up at his master.

He wasn't sure if he was unhappy, but he didn't dare to speak carelessly, so he hurriedly admitted his mistake in an eager tone.

"No, of course not. It is Nickname's fault; it is because Nickname's own cultivation is not enough, and my willpower is insufficient, causing me to be bewitched by Master."

Watching the young man's small actions, Lu Zhan smiled rarely upon hearing this, a hint of amusement appearing in his indifferent eyes.

"Nickname, why are you so cute? Ha... ha..."

A low chuckle reached him, and Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan knew he had been teased by his master again.

He walked up to Lu Zhan with a puffed-up face, his expression seemingly saying, "Master, I am angry; hurry up and coax me."

Seeing this, Lu Zhan's heart softened a bit more.

The young emperor, who wore the domineering and majestic Dragon robe and sat upright on the Dragon throne, pointing out the fate of the country.

Yet, he made such a puffed-up and pitiful expression; it was truly pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at it.

Lu Zhan couldn't help it; following his heart, he raised his hand and pinched the other's exquisite and pretty cheeks, and the porcelain-white skin instantly turned a little red.

"Alright, Nickname, don't be angry anymore."

Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's mind was completely filled with the fact that Master had just pinched his face; how could he remember what he was angry about?

He nodded lightly, his bright, shining Phoenix eyes staring straight at his master. It was as if no matter what Master said, he would only say yes, looking silly.

Lu Zhan watched him, but didn't tease Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan anymore, letting him daze off while he continued to lower his eyes and read his scriptures.

When Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan finally came back to his senses, he wished he were the scroll of scriptures in his master's hands.

To be held in Master's hands, carefully observed and studied—just thinking about it made him feel so stimulated and excited.

Before long, the old steward of the State Preceptors Residence, Steward Fang, brought several servants in, carrying food.

Steward Fang led the servants and knelt down.

"This commoner greets Your Majesty."

Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan waved his hand to signal them to rise, not saying a word, just sitting quietly opposite Lu Zhan, watching his master; no matter how much he looked, it was never enough.

Steward Fang and the servants stood up, bowing their bodies as they stood to one side, and respectfully asked.

"State Preceptor, shall we serve the meal now, or wait a while?"

"Serve it."

Saying this, Lu Zhan put down the scriptures and stood up.

Over there, Steward Fang had already directed the servants to arrange all the dishes on the dining table, and then led the people away.

It wasn't that they didn't want to stay and serve, but after this period, they knew that when Your Majesty was present, there was no need for them to be tactless and stay to be an eyesore.

Lu Zhan and Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan sat down at the dining table one after the other, sitting close together. It was always like this, and Lu Zhan had gotten used to it.

Throughout the whole process, Lu Zhan didn't need to speak; he just focused on eating by himself.

Whenever he looked at something for a second too long, it would appear in his bowl; if he took one bite and didn't touch it again, it would immediately be moved far away; and whatever he ate a little more of would basically be moved right in front of him.

Only when Lu Zhan had eaten enough did Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan start to withdraw all his attention and finish his own meal quickly yet elegantly.

It was basically like this every time; Lu Zhan was taken care of very well, served very well, the kind where you couldn't even find fault if you wanted to.

Lu Zhan sat back on the arhat bed by the window, picked up the teapot on the tea table, poured a cup of clear tea, and held it in his hand.

He watched quietly as Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan finished eating, then called the servants in to clean up. Only then did he walk over and sit opposite him.

Lu Zhan pondered for a moment; he didn't want to drag this out any longer. It was better to complete the mission early and leave early, lest in time, more softness and reluctance would arise.

"Nickname, there is something Master would like to tell you. I still don't quite like the bustle of the Imperial Capital; I'm thinking of returning to that small courtyard in the Sacred Sect."

Upon hearing this, Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's expression changed instantly, his eyes becoming frighteningly paranoid and dark, flickering with cold light.

"Master, haven't things been fine this whole time? If you really like that small courtyard in the Sacred Sect so much, I can just move it here to the State Preceptors Residence exactly as it is."

Lu Zhan's mouth twitched upon hearing this.

"Nickname, there's no need for that. I just like the environment there; it's naturally tranquil."

Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's heart ached severely, and malice crept onto his face bit by bit. His lips curled into an evil arc, his whole person becoming so perverse that it was alarming, yet he only stubbornly looked at Lu Zhan.

"Nickname, the scriptures say, 'All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows; like dew and like lightning, thus should they be viewed.' You really shouldn't be too obsessed."

The cold, magnetic, and slightly hoarse voice reached his ears.

Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan's whole body was in agony, screaming for him to rush up, tear him apart, and thoroughly turn him into his own possession.

However, having already learned his lesson once, Fifth Prince Qi Yuxuan did not want to hurt his master again due to a moment of impulsiveness.

He could only suppress and endure, forcing himself to calm down bit by bit, and as if afraid of scaring him, he tried his best to soften his voice.