Wen Wan felt a tremor through her delicate frame, unsure if it was from fear or gratitude as she sensed the warmth on her shoulders. She slowly raised her head to meet Sen Lei's gaze, his eyes gleaming like polished jade. His expression was warm and untainted, free from mockery or ridicule, providing a sense of comfort she had rarely known.
She hadn't experienced such warmth from anyone in years. Most people treated her with superficial respect due to her master's status, but behind her back, they often called her "Clam," likening her to a creature covered in red spots. This constant mockery had deeply ingrained feelings of inferiority within her.
Sen Lei gestured for Wen Wan to sit on a chair and gently inquired, "What's the story behind the mark on your face?"
Wen Wan instinctively wiped her eyes but couldn't bring herself to meet Sen Lei's bright eyes for long. She replied softly, "I've had it since birth." Her tone was resigned, accustomed to such questions. People often inquired, but their tones lacked the empathy found in the Crown Prince's voice, making this interaction feel unexpectedly comforting.
"Don't worry about it," Sen Lei reassured with a smile. "You don't need to remove it. The more you care, the worse you'll feel."
Wen Wan was touched by his words, which contrasted sharply with the usual suggestions to get rid of the mark. Instead, the Crown Prince advised her not to mind it, making her feel understood for the first time in a long while.
Raising her head, Wen Wan met Sen Lei's gaze without evasion. This time, it was Sen Lei who felt slightly embarrassed under her steady gaze.
Sen Lei scrutinized the large birthmark, resembling a heart shape that covered her right eye and upper face, vivid and red. He extended his left hand, channeling his qi, causing it to turn crimson and menacing.
Wen Wan gasped in shock, "Ah!"
Sen Lei chuckled, "See, now I have a mark like yours. Haha!"
Wen Wan hesitated but was curious to touch the crimson arm. She restrained herself at the last moment.
Noticing her hesitation, Sen Lei encouraged, "You see, you didn't laugh at me. You even wanted to touch it. Go ahead, try it."
Blushing, Wen Wan tentatively touched his arm, finding it warm despite its fearsome appearance. She whispered, "It must hurt a lot."
Sen Lei used his right hand to playfully tweak her nose, "So what if it hurts? You're here to heal me, aren't you? No slacking!"
Wen Wan smiled genuinely for the first time in years, "I'll make sure to heal you!"
Sen Lei teased, "What if you can't heal me?"
Wen Wan replied without hesitation, "If I can't, I'll stay with you until I do!"
"Does that mean if it takes a lifetime, you'll stay with me forever?" Sen Lei teased with a mischievous grin.
Wen Wan, realizing the implication of her words, blushed even deeper, feeling embarrassed.
"I've shared my secret with you," Sen Lei said, helping Wen Wan to her feet. "Whenever you think about the mark on your face, think of me."
Wen Wan nodded, feeling a strange warmth in her heart.
"Head back now. Your master might get worried," Sen Lei said, opening the door to find the servants still standing at attention.
"He won't," Wen Wan murmured as she exited.
As she was about to get on her sedan chair, Sen Lei called out, "Wait a moment!" He handed her a pink scarf. "Wear this on your face. It will help. Consider it a thank you for today."
Seeing Wen Wan's surprised expression, Sen Lei quickly added, "My mother gave it to me to wrap medicinal herbs. It still has some of the herbs' fragrance and might feel nice against your skin."
Wen Wan smiled, her third genuine smile of the day, something she hadn't done in years. She got on the sedan chair, waved the scarf at Sen Lei, and mouthed, "Thank you."
Sen Lei watched her leave, feeling a sense of camaraderie. Growing up without parental love, he had faced his share of ridicule, making him empathize with Wen Wan's plight.
With a sigh, Sen Lei thought about his past life on Earth, "Even if I go missing now, no one would know, except maybe my landlord would report me missing."
Returning to his room, Sen Lei focused on training. In this world, strength was paramount, and without it, nothing else mattered.
Meanwhile, a shadowy figure sat atop the roof beams outside, muttering, "To wear the crown, one must bear its weight. Lei, our time is running out. Soon, the upper realm will open, and the academy's prodigies will gather, vying for positions. The entire continent will be in turmoil, and the kingdom's order will be disrupted. It's time to send you to the academy for training." This figure was Sen Lei's father, Emperor Sen Yan, watching over his son with a bottle of wine.
"Bestowed with divine talent, such a fate cannot be easily severed. One day, my son will be the most dazzling existence on the continent, unmatched by anyone, for he is chosen by the heavens," Sen Yan declared before disappearing into the night.
Shortly after, a group of guards arrived, finding corpses on the ground, puzzled. "How is this possible?" They had seen someone enter the area, followed by a gray mist obscuring their vision. They couldn't see what had transpired.
What kind of battle had occurred here? Who were these dead people?
No matter, the lead guard commanded, "Notify the Crown Prince's guard. Investigate thoroughly! How dare someone act within the palace? Check everything! Remember your heads! Understood? Now, move!"
"Yes!" The guards sprang into action.
The commotion outside startled Sen Lei, "What's happening? Someone dared to act within the palace?"
The next day, Sen Lei, dressed in luxurious black robes with golden edges and embroidered dragons, walked into the hall. His wide sleeves featured intricate cloud patterns, his moon-white belt contrasted with his dark attire, and his hair was tied with a plain jade hairpin.
His eyes shone like stars, and his brows were as dark as ink, presenting a commanding and dignified presence as the Crown Prince.
If not for his condition, the officials would have believed that the glory of the Senluo Empire was about to be restored.
Sen Lei knelt, "Long live the Emperor! Father, may you be well!"
Emperor Sen Yan nodded, "How is your health recently?"
"Thanks to Father's concern, I'm much better," Sen Lei replied formally, though everyone knew it was a polite lie since Sen Yan privately monitored his son's health.
"Good, take a seat," Sen Yan ordered, and an official placed a silver seat with a missing golden clawed dragon down for the prince.
Sen Lei sat, facing a general with a dark expression. The general was aggrieved that his son's breakthrough had been sacrificed for the prince's recovery, feeling compensated only with a few spirit stones.
"Your Majesty, I have a question," the general began after saluting Sen Yan.
"Speak," Sen Yan commanded.
"The Crown Prince is of age to enter the academy for training. Besides his physical condition, how is his spiritual power?" the general asked, his eyes fixed on Sen Lei, knowing the prince's spiritual power had been crippled.
The palace fell silent.
This was an opportunity the general could not miss.