Chapter 32 The honeymoon phase? No, it's more like conjoined twins!

Ever since that thin layer of paper was pierced, Yan Linye seemed to have flipped some strange switch, completely entering "Siamese twin" mode.

Yun Zhan followed him everywhere. The two guards who were originally responsible for "protecting" (monitoring) Yun Zhan were completely unemployed. Now their main job was to help the prince avoid unnecessary disturbances, and... be forced to watch how their prince clung to Young Master Yun.

"System, do you think he's been switched?" Yun Zhan thought to himself as he enjoyed the peeled grapes Yan Linye offered him. "Is this the same calm, dignified, and world-wise Prince Yan from before? This is clearly a large canine!"

[Based on biometric scanning, the target's DNA has not changed. Behavioral pattern mutation analysis: most likely stemming from excessive hormone secretion and territorial marking instincts in males during courtship.] System Xiaoqi analyzed seriously, ["Reminding the host that indulging in romantic love will severely delay the mission's progress. Your skull…"]

"Stop! Hold on!" Yun Zhan quickly shouted in his mind, "Don't mention that spoilsport! Can't you see I'm enjoying romance... uh, I mean, I'm infiltrating enemy territory to gain their trust?"

[Methods for gaining trust include, but are not limited to: being fed fruit, being helped to get dressed, being cuddled while sleeping... This system's database needs to be updated.]

Yun Zhan blushed slightly, selectively ignoring the system's sarcastic remarks. There was no way around it; Yan Linye's gentle offensive was simply too irresistible.

When Yun Zhan woke up in the morning, before he even opened his eyes, he could feel the focused gaze beside him. As soon as he opened his eyes, he would meet Yan Linye's smiling eyes, followed by a gentle good morning kiss.

Getting up and changing clothes? Yun Zhan didn't need to lift a finger; Yan Linye personally served him, his movements so meticulous it was as if he were handling some fragile antique, though he would occasionally use the excuse of tying his belt to hold him a little longer.

Eating? Yun Zhan's bowl was always piled high with dishes, all of which were his favorites. Yan Linye even remembered his picky tastes; he would carefully pick out any scallions, ginger, or garlic that he didn't like.

Handling official business? A soft couch had been added to Yan Linye's study, where Yun Zhan would nestle, reading miscellaneous books, eating snacks, and occasionally looking up to meet Yan Linye's gaze, followed by a smile. Sometimes Yun Zhan would fall asleep while reading, only to wake up to find himself covered with Yan Linye's outer robe, while the man remained intently reviewing documents under the lamp.

"System, I think... I understand a little bit about 'From now on, the emperor will no longer hold court in the morning'." Yun Zhan thought to himself, wrapped in an outer robe that carried the scent of Yan Linye.

【Host, please remember that you are a 'tyrant' and your goal is to 'save yourself,' not to experience the life of a 'tyrant'!】The system had reached its limit.

That day, Chen Feng and several generals came to report on military affairs. Upon entering the study, they saw their wise and powerful prince sitting behind his desk, while Young Master Yun was sitting on a stool next to the prince…? (Actually, Yan Linye had forcibly pulled him to his side.)

Halfway through the report, Yun Zhan felt a little bored and secretly yawned.

Yan Linye noticed immediately, stopped the discussion, and asked in a low voice with concern, "Are you tired? Do you want to go and rest first?"

Yun Zhan quickly shook his head: "No need, no need, you can continue." He didn't want to be seen as a femme fatale who brought ruin to the country, even though he felt pretty good about it.

Chen Feng and the others kept their eyes down, pretending not to see anything, but the twitching muscles at the corners of their mouths betrayed them.

After finally finishing his report, Chen Feng, being the straightforward person he is, couldn't help but sigh in a muffled voice, "Your Highness, you really care about Young Master Yun!" He originally wanted to use "sweet and affectionate," but changed the word at the last minute.

Yan Linye remained calm and said frankly, "Of course." He then handed a pastry to Yun Zhan's lips.

Under the knowing gazes of everyone, Yun Zhan forced himself to eat the pastry, his toes awkwardly digging into the ground.

After everyone left, Yun Zhan couldn't help but punch Yan Linye: "Take it easy! Didn't you see the looks they were giving you?"

Yan Linye grabbed his hand, played with it in his palm, and said matter-of-factly, "I love my sweetheart, why should I hold back?" He leaned close to Yun Zhan's ear, lowered his voice, and said with a smile, "They are just envious."

Yun Zhan: "..." Okay, you're handsome, so you're right.

Besides the attention from those around her, Liu Yingying also played a crucial role. She would occasionally send news from the capital, and each time she came, she would "casually" bring some small gifts.

Sometimes it was a few bolts of fine silk in elegant colors, supposedly for making new clothes for Young Master Yun; sometimes it was some exquisite southern pastries, said that Young Master Yun might like them; and once, she even sent a pair of exquisite mutton-fat jade pendants, smiling and saying, "This jade is warm and smooth, just like Young Master Yun's temperament. Your Highness and Young Master Yun each have one, they would be a perfect match."

Yun Zhan held the warm jade pendant, watching Yan Linye tie the other one to his waist without hesitation. He felt a sweet warmth in his heart, mixed with a little embarrassment. This Miss Liu, she's so clever!

Yan Linye clearly appreciated Liu Yingying's "assistance," and his gaze towards her was much gentler than when he looked at Chen Feng and the others.

Surrounded by this overwhelming sweetness, Yun Zhan was completely captivated. The assassination mission and the skull warning were long forgotten. His mind was now consumed by romance, and the system's daily reminders were treated like background noise.

"Host! The target's influence is rapidly expanding! Your living space is being compressed!"

"Oh." Yun Zhan looked at the portrait Yan Linye had drawn for him, feeling quite pleased.

"Host! The course of history has not changed! The three-year period is drawing ever closer!"

"Mmm." Yun Zhan tasted a sip of the soup (which was just so-so) that Yan Linye had made, and found it sweet to his heart.

"Host! Please face your situation!"

"Ugh, you're so noisy!" Yun Zhan replied impatiently in his mind. "Can't you see I'm preparing for the final 'peaceful evolution'? Once I've bewitched him, maybe he won't rebel, and my head will be saved, right? That's the smartest way to save myself!"

System: [...] For the first time, it felt the urge to "format the host".

That afternoon, the sun was warm. Yun Zhan leaned against Yan Linye's chest, basking in the sun on a deck chair in the courtyard, feeling drowsy. Yan Linye had one arm around him and the other holding a book, but he wasn't really reading it; his gaze was mostly fixed on the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms.

"Yun Zhan," Yan Linye called to him softly.

"Hmm?" Yun Zhan responded groggily.

"Once the world is at peace, I'll take you to see Jiangnan, shall we? I've heard the scenery there is picturesque."

"OK……"

"We can also go to the borderlands and ride horses across the grasslands."

"Um……"

"Wherever we go, we're together."

"Mmm...together..."

Yun Zhan's voice grew softer and softer until it became even breathing. He found a more comfortable position in Yan Linye's arms and fell into a deep sleep, a faint smile on his lips.

Looking at his unguarded sleeping face, Yan Linye was filled with immense satisfaction and love. He lowered his head and gently placed a kiss on Yun Zhan's forehead, whispering as if making a vow:

"Yes, together forever."

System Xiaoqi, seeing this peaceful and idyllic scene (too embarrassing to watch), silently turned off the notification sound.

[The system has detected that the host's willingness to save themselves has dropped to an all-time low. The system is entering hibernation/standby mode. Awakening conditions: The host's life is directly threatened or they actively seek help. Best wishes to the host... for a pleasant romance.]

It gave up.

This host is unmanageable, truly unmanageable.