Chapter 104: I, Chen Xuannan, never need to explain myself to anyone

“Chen Xuannan! What did you give my horse? Why has it suddenly stopped running!”

Prince Wang’s heir, Li Yang, rebuked Chen Xuannan, who looked like a stablehand.

Under flattery from others, Li Yang had gotten carried away and ridden his horse in circles.

It was just a race with other imperial clan youths.

Of course, no one dared to outrun him—after all, this was his home, and his father held high status among the imperial clan.

After playing for a while, Li Yang grew tired and dismounted to rest.

At that moment, Chen Xuannan fed the horse something; when Li Yang mounted again, the horse refused to move, and he turned his anger toward Chen Xuannan.

Many present were Li Yang’s companions—or rather, his lackeys—and seeing the heir scold Chen Xuannan, they began berating him too.

Some had long held grudges against Chen Xuannan and now spoke even more harshly.

“Hmph, I knew you weren’t that kind. You must’ve done this on purpose to ruin the heir’s fun!” sneered a burly youth, his eyes brimming with hostility toward Chen Xuannan.

“Exactly! Just a stablehand, and you dare play tricks on us? Have the guts to step outside—I’ll teach you a lesson for the heir!” chimed in another, narrow-faced and sly, his face twisted with mockery.

At that moment, the crisp sound of a reined-in horse shattered the surrounding clamor.

A woman dressed in lavish robes rode a tall, powerful steed into the riding grounds.

She was Chen Xuannan’s wife, Princess Li Ling.

Also Li Yang’s younger sister.

With Li Ling’s arrival, several of those who had just mocked Chen Xuannan showed signs of admiration.

After dismounting, Li Ling’s gentle gaze swept over the crowd, finally settling on Chen Xuannan.

She knew his character well—she knew he would never act without reason.

So she stepped forward and spoke softly to Li Yang: “Brother, today is Father’s birthday. Please calm down. These horses have always been under Chen Xuannan’s care—he must have his reasons.”

As she spoke, Li Ling turned to look at Chen Xuannan, her eyes filled with hope, waiting for him to explain something.

Yet Chen Xuannan merely shook his head faintly, too lazy to utter a single word.

He sneered inwardly: “I, Chen Xuannan, have never needed to explain myself to anyone.”

Seeing this, Li Ling sighed helplessly—perhaps she was used to it.

Then she turned back to soothe Li Yang: “Brother, Chen Xuannan has never been good with words, but please believe him—he would never harm a horse or ruin your amusement.”

Moved by his sister’s plea, Li Yang cooled his temper slightly.

In truth, Chen Xuannan had raised horses in the Wang residence for years—he understood them down to the marrow.

He had noticed the horse was injured during its earlier run; if left untreated, it might suffer serious consequences.

This was a horse he had raised for many years.

So during the rest period, Chen Xuannan had fed it medicinal herbs, hoping to aid its recovery.

Having been a son-in-law in the Wang residence for years, he knew his explanations were useless before those who despised him.

What good would explanation do? Those who disliked him would still find reasons to curse him.

Thus, he chose silence—no longer wasting his breath.

Had it not been for Li Ling’s aid years ago, when he lay dying, he would never have come to the Jing’an Prince’s mansion as a son-in-law to help her through hardship.

Chen Xuannan held another secret identity—he was a reincarnated soul.

In his past life, he was Xuan Nan Zunzhe, a mighty cultivator who dominated the continent for a century. When facing the heavenly tribulation, his foundation was unstable, and he failed to ascend, dying in regret.

Chen Xuannan had been able to reincarnate and retain his memories because he once obtained a treasure called the Life Lock.

This treasure preserved a fragment of his soul to enter reincarnation upon death—but once used, the Life Lock shattered.

In this life, Chen Xuannan learned from his past mistakes, steadily cultivating from the Meridian Opening realm—a process that took ten years.

Yet danger struck again during his cultivation: he suppressed his Meridian Opening realm to remain low-level, and his Chen family was attacked by enemies, suffering heavy casualties.

Had Li Ling not hidden him in her palanquin as she passed by the imperial road, he would surely have died.

Afterward, Chen Xuannan lived in the Jing’an Prince’s mansion, tending horses for Li Ling.

Chen Xuannan was a man of loyalty and righteousness. When he heard the Jing’an Prince had publicly held a contest to select a prince consort for the princess,

and knowing Li Ling disliked the candidates, he revealed a small skill, won the contest, and became Li Ling’s husband.

One must admit, the Jing’an Prince kept his word.

Chen Xuannan had a peculiar trait—he was not lustful, and cared only for cultivation.

Thus, after three years as prince consort, he had never touched Li Ling.

This was also the main reason many resented him—he occupied the hearth but never lit the fire.

Li Ling was beautiful, of high status, and the Jing’an Prince’s daughter.

Countless people in the capital longed for this chance to leap from carp to dragon—and yet Chen Xuannan had won her, yet did nothing.

He was now at the mid-stage of the Six Harmonies realm, but had never revealed it.

In Chen Xuannan’s view, once Li Ling found someone she truly loved, he would leave and devote himself to cultivation—nothing held his resolve more than standing guard at the main gate.

Li Yang, restrained by his sister’s plea, did not continue his outburst, but said to Chen Xuannan: “Make this horse run again. I’ll let today’s matter drop.”

Yet Chen Xuannan remained unmoved.

How dare a son-in-law treat me this way?

Today, I’ll give you a lesson so deep even my father can’t stop me!

His father, the Jing’an Prince, had not come—but someone who could stop him had.

Li Chen had no intention of intervening; he and Pang Jin were nearby, watching the spectacle like spectators.

But Li Ling, fearing Chen Xuannan would be punished, spotted Li Chen passing by and immediately knelt to greet him: “Your humble servant pays homage to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!”

Hearing this, Prince Wang’s heir Li Yang was stunned—his anger vanished instantly. He turned and bowed to Li Chen.

This was the reigning emperor. Li Yang only bullied others within his own circle—he meant nothing before Li Chen.

“Rise,” said Li Chen. “Today is the Jing’an Prince’s birthday—no need for such formalities.”

At Li Chen’s gesture, everyone rose.

Li Yang and the others were awestruck—they had heard this new emperor was not only supreme in status but also peerless in power; now seeing him, they confirmed his divine bearing and sovereign majesty!

Especially the unmarried noblewomen present, upon seeing Li Chen, nearly drooled.

They crowded forward, desperate to cling to his legs, hoping even to become an imperial consort.

Li Chen had no time for them—he waved them away to amuse themselves.

His words were imperial decree; they could only leave, disappointed.

Li Yang had already forgotten about Chen Xuannan.

Even if angry, he dared not vent before Li Chen.

At this moment, Princess Li Ling approached Li Chen, expressing her apologies and gratitude.

Her subtle thoughts could not hide from Li Chen; he paid them no mind, instead walking toward the horse.

At his side, Pang Jin began to explain: “Your Majesty, this horse was injured earlier. After taking medicinal herbs, it is recovering—and thus remains still.”

Others might not notice, but Pang Jin understood these things well—he came from a family of hunters.

He knew how to observe where Li Chen’s interest lay and provide answers—that was his duty.

This was the Emperor, a Saint Realm peak cultivator—Pang Jin was among the very few who knew this secret.

Moreover, Li Chen had an excellent reputation among ministers—he never burdened them.

Serving such an emperor, Pang Jin felt honored and gave his utmost.

Li Chen glanced at the imperial clan youths riding and shooting arrows nearby, then asked Li Ling: “Are you dressed for the Spring Hunt?”

Li Ling nodded: “Yes, Your Majesty. The Spring Hunt is near—I wish to achieve something, to repay Your Majesty’s grace!”

She longed to fight on the battlefield, but the Jing’an Prince would never allow his daughter to go.

So Li Ling planned: if she excelled in the Spring Hunt and received Li Chen’s reward, her father could not stop her.

After encouraging Li Ling, Li Chen departed, seeking quieter places to “scrape water.”

Li Ling watched his retreating figure, her gaze burning, until he vanished from sight.

This scene was seen by Chen Xuannan, who asked: “Do you want to be emperor?”

Li Ling’s face turned pale with alarm; she clapped a hand over his mouth: “Are you mad? How can you say such things!”

In his past life, Chen Xuannan had been a Zunzhe—he held little reverence for imperial power.

He had just observed: Li Ling’s gaze toward Li Chen was filled with longing—but not romantic love. It was the longing for power.

If Li Ling wished to become emperor, he could help her—just to repay her kindness.

Who doesn’t want to be emperor? Li Ling had simply thought: if only I could be as free as Li Chen.

Who knew Chen Xuannan had seen through her.

Fortunately, no one else had overheard—if they had, Chen Xuannan would have been in serious trouble.

Li Ling told him never to speak such words again; Chen Xuannan nodded, but already began plotting how to help her obtain what she desired.

In recent years, Chen Xuannan had quietly aided Li Ling—whether she faced cultivation troubles or other difficulties, he had secretly helped, always without credit.

When helping Li Ling, he never cared whether she needed it—he acted only when he thought she did.

To this day, Li Ling did not know Chen Xuannan had been helping her.

She still thought him merely a talented cultivator.

Between them, there was little affection—just a marriage of convenience.

After all, affection grows over time—but they hadn’t even taken the first step.

Meanwhile, Yunlu Academy received a distinguished guest today.

(End of Chapter)