My Years in the Jianghu with the Prince: A Time of Unethical Conduct

Seeing Xie Yan's bewildered expression, Chu Ling chuckled softly and stopped teasing him.

He slowly stirred the porridge in his bowl with a slight smile, finally feeling a little relieved after a night of depression.

Although Xie Yan's clueless and wooden demeanor still made Chu Ling a little grit his teeth, it didn't matter, after all, there was plenty of time in the future.

Sometimes pushing too hard can backfire.

In this eerie atmosphere, the two finished their breakfast.

One wolfed down his food in a fright, while the other leisurely chewed it slowly.

Xie Yan patted her chest, which was choking, and hurriedly took the tea that Chu Ling handed her and drank it down.

Then, in the next second, he realized that this seemed to be Chu Ling's teacup.

Xie Yan: "..."

Chu Ling, seemingly unconcerned, naturally took back the cup, finished the tea inside, and then put it down.

Xie Yan: "…………"

Before Xie Yan could spit out the tea she was holding in her mouth, Shen Yulin walked in first.

"Thank you, Brother Xie and Your Highness. Young Hero Xiang has arrived. Let's go and pay our respects to the old leader now."

Xie Yan: "Gurgle gurgle..."

Shen Yulin: "Huh? Brother Xie, what did you say?"

Xie Yan swallowed the tea, trying her best not to look at Chu Ling's expression, and said expressionlessly, "Okay."

Shen Yulin scratched his head, looking puzzled. He didn't seem to have said anything, so why did Brother Xie seem to be in a bad mood?

Chu Ling, having successfully completed his mission, poured himself another cup of tea, slowly drank it, and then said, "Let's go."

The three of them went out, where Xiang Qingsheng and the Zixiao Manor Lord and others were already waiting at the door.

Upon seeing Xie Yan and the other person, Xiang Qingsheng smiled gently, nodded to them in greeting, and then asked, "Did you two rest well last night?"

Xie Yan didn't answer, but Chu Ling, who hadn't slept all night, wore a warm smile and said, "Very good."

Master Zixiao nodded slightly and said, "Then let's go and pay our respects to the old alliance leader. Nephew Xiang, I'll trouble you to lead the way."

Xiang Qingsheng smiled and agreed, then turned to the side and gestured for them to enter, "Everyone, please."

The group followed behind him, encountering many martial arts practitioners who had come to attend the conference. Each of them wore an indescribable excitement and anticipation.

They look like they're ready to go all out.

The Zixiao Manor Lord and his companions were clearly quite familiar with these people, nodding and greeting them along the way, and occasionally stopping to exchange a few pleasantries.

While listening to these flattering and polite words, Xie Yan subtly observed the surrounding terrain and the people coming and going.

As he looked around, he actually spotted a few familiar faces.

Xie Yan slowed her pace and landed next to Chu Ling. She nudged him with her elbow and whispered, "Look over there, the Five Heroes of Youzhou have arrived too."

Chu Ling glanced in the direction Xie Yan indicated and, sure enough, saw the Five Eccentrics of Youzhou, who had once protected Dong Feng at his home, gathered together and whispering in a secluded corner behind the crowd.

His gaze swept over the five people, and he rested his fan on his chin, saying thoughtfully, "They've also appeared here. Could it be that they're here for the treasure map as well?"

After all, when they were with Dong Feng, they disappeared along with the treasure map. Now that the treasure map has appeared at the martial arts tournament, they have also appeared here.

It's hard not to suspect that they might not know the secret hidden in the treasure map.

Who exactly are these five people?

Before the two could look away, the Five Eccentrics of Youzhou keenly noticed and looked up to look over.

Caught off guard, Xie Yan was suddenly pulled in front of Chu Ling.

With a "whoosh," the gold-flecked jade fan was unfolded and placed behind his head.

The space behind the fan was narrow, and Xie Yan and Chu Ling were almost nose to nose, their pupils reflecting each other's images.

Xie Yan's heart suddenly raced for a moment.

His waist was held tightly in front of him by Chu Ling, leaving him unable to move forward or backward. In his daze, he could only watch as Chu Ling's face drew closer and closer to him—

A soft laugh came, his face brushed against his cheek, and then he leaned on his shoulder.

Chu Ling's chin rested gently on Xie Yan's shoulder, his lips brushing against Xie Yan's earlobe intentionally or unintentionally, his warm breath spraying on Xie Yan's ear, causing the skin there to turn a thin blush.

Chu Ling's hand holding the fan was very steady, without even the slightest tremor. His voice was still tinged with laughter as he whispered in Xie Yan's ear, "Don't move. Don't let them see our faces."

Xie Yan froze, blinked, and after a long while, she finally reacted, "...No, I don't think they've seen my face, have they?"

Why don't you just cover yourself up? Why drag him into it?

"Just in case," Chu Ling chuckled again, his lips brushing against Xie Yan's earlobe as he spoke, sending a shiver down Xie Yan's spine.

"After all, quite a few people should know that you appeared at the Cheng family's birthday banquet. If they see an unfamiliar face next to the Master of Zixiao Manor, they will inevitably guess your identity."

Chu Ling's words made a lot of sense, and Xie Yan was unable to refute them.

He moved his lips, wanting to say something more, but then he noticed that Chu Ling's arms around his waist tightened even more, making it hard for him to breathe.

Their chests were pressed together, and for a moment he couldn't tell whose heartbeat was echoing in his ears.

Xie Yan reached out and placed her hand on Chu Ling's shoulder, took a deep breath, and said, "Then why don't we turn around and leave?"

"Oh, I didn't realize it for a moment."

Chu Ling chuckled softly, his voice a little hoarse. Although he said this, he didn't loosen his grip on Xie Yan's arm.

the other side--

The Five Eccentrics of Youzhou followed the gaze and saw two men leaning intimately together.

A jade fan covered their faces, revealing only their profiles and jawlines.

Five people:"……"

Apart from the man in women's clothing who was still watching with interest, the others felt as if their eyes had been stung, and they all looked away with disgusted expressions.

The burly man in the black coat shouted angrily, "What kind of person is this? How can you be so shameless in broad daylight! It's disgusting!"

"Alright, fourth brother, it's just the young couple's fun, why are you interfering?"

"But they are two men!"

"What's wrong with men?" the man in women's clothing rolled his eyes. "Can't men have genuine feelings for each other?"

"..."

After noticing that the Five Eccentrics of Youzhou had left, Chu Ling smiled and put down his fan, reluctantly releasing his arms from Xie Yan's waist under Xie Yan's reproachful gaze.

"Well, they're gone."

Xie Yan rubbed her waist, which was sore from his tight grip, and could still feel the warmth of Chu Ling's hand there.

He opened his mouth, about to say something, when he suddenly noticed something strange next to him.

Turning around, Shen Yulin and the others stood there, staring at them in disbelief.