The matter of Xie Yi losing his temper for a little servant quickly reached Prince Qi’s ears.
“Is that true?” Prince Qi’s expression was somewhat strange.
His subordinate replied: “Not only that, it is said he takes that servant everywhere, never going anywhere without him.”
Prince Qi clicked his tongue and sighed: “Xie Yi seems aloof and cold, but I didn’t expect him to be of the same kind!”
Prince Qi had a preference for catamites, which was a point often criticized about him.
But he never felt ashamed of it.
Now hearing that Xie Yi also had such tastes, Prince Qi laughed loudly: “Xie Yi’s temperament is becoming more and more to my liking. I must send him a great gift!”
Soon after, Qing Li carried a gift from Prince Qi’s residence into Xie Yi’s study.
Xie Yi was sitting at the desk reading, while Lin Zhiji stood by the bookshelf, a plate of pastries balanced on his head.
Lin Zhiji was extremely depressed.
All along the way, Xie Yi had remained calm and said nothing. He had thought he was safe.
As a result, as soon as he came back, he was punished.
The key point was that it was done in such an embarrassing way—he hadn’t been made to stand in punishment since he graduated elementary school!!
Did he have no dignity left!!
Lin Zhiji grumbled angrily in his mind and quietly leaned against the pillar.
Xie Yi clearly wasn’t even looking at him, yet it was as if he had eyes on his back: “Stand straight.”
Lin Zhiji: …!
Qing Li kept his gaze forward and presented the gift: “My lord, this is a gift just sent by the Prince Qi’s residence.”
Ever since Xie Yi was injured, Prince Qi often sent gifts. Even after Xie Yi later gained the Crown Prince’s favor, it remained the same.
However, Xie Yi always returned the gifts unopened.
Xie Yi casually flipped a page of the book: “As usual, return it.”
“Yes.” Qing Li was not surprised by this answer, but thinking of what the messenger had said, he hesitated for a moment.
Xie Yi: “Is there anything else?”
Qing Li honestly replied: “The messenger said this gift was personally selected by Prince Qi, and that you must open it yourself, and that you will definitely be satisfied.”
Even as she said this, she inwardly scoffed at it.
The lord returning gifts had nothing to do with what was inside—only with the overall situation.
Moreover, the lord had such a detached temperament that even those serving him daily did not know what he liked.
She didn’t know where Prince Qi got his confidence, thinking the lord would definitely be satisfied.
She didn’t even need to think to know that the lord would definitely—
Xie Yi’s hand paused mid-page, as if thinking of something: “Then leave it.”
Qing Li: “…?”
Wait!
Leave it???
Xie Yi said indifferently: “Didn’t you understand?”
Qing Li quickly came back to herself: “This subordinate has committed a fault.”
The lord definitely was not changing his mind because of Prince Qi’s gift. It must be because the timing had come, and it was time to move to the next stage of the plan.
She convinced herself while carefully placing the gift on the small table by the couch.
After Qing Li left the study, Lin Zhiji looked at the gift on the table and suddenly had an idea: “Host, I think this gift from Prince Qi is malicious. Think about it—he has sent so many gifts before and you always refused them. He must be holding a grudge, and now he says you must open it yourself. Maybe there are poisons or hidden weapons inside…”
“Oh?” Xie Yi seemed a little interested and put down the book, looking at him. “Then what is your opinion?”
Lin Zhiji volunteered eagerly: “I’ll help you open it. If there are hidden weapons I’ll block them for you, if there’s poison I’ll test it for you!”
Xie Yi looked at him for a long moment, then suddenly curved his lips into a smile: “Alright.”
“Since I’m so loyal…” Lin Zhiji blinked, revealing his true motive, “this pastry is so heavy, can I put it down first?”
Xie Yi smiled faintly: “You can.”
Lin Zhiji immediately happily took the pastries off his head.
In truth, everything he said was nonsense, and Xie Yi definitely knew it too.
But, isn’t interpersonal interaction just about giving each other a step down? Maybe Xie Yi leaving that gift was also waiting for him to provide that step.
Wasn’t this a win-win situation now!
The more Lin Zhiji thought about it, the more correct it seemed, and he walked toward the table where the gift was placed.
The gift was a lacquered wooden box inlaid with gold and gems, with a gilded lock hanging on it.
Just from the appearance alone, it was impossible to tell what was inside.
Honestly, Lin Zhiji was also quite curious about what Prince Qi had sent.
Thinking this, he used the key to unlock it.
With a “click,” the lid opened, revealing the contents inside.
Long and short, big and small, colorful.
Some made of jade, some of gold, some of leather…
Chains, bells, rings…
Lin Zhiji froze for a moment, then immediately realized what it was. His face instantly turned bright red, and he slammed the lid shut.
“Did you see it?” Xie Yi’s voice came from behind him. “How is it?”
Lin Zhiji stammered: “N-not how…”
Xie Yi stood up and walked over: “It’s fine, let me see.”
“Don’t look!! This… this isn’t anything good, looking at it will give you needle eyes!!” Lin Zhiji panicked and quickly locked the box, stuffing the key into his sleeve. “I-I-I’ll help you put it away first…”
Before he could finish, he saw Xie Yi smiling faintly as he crushed the lock on the box.
Lin Zhiji: “……”
Xie Yi hooked the lid open with one finger, his gaze sweeping across the items inside, then falling on Lin Zhiji’s ears, which were red as if they were bleeding.
With a teasing smile, he said leisurely: “So tell me, what poison is this, and what hidden weapon is this?”
Lin Zhiji: “!!!”
He was wrong, sob sob sob!
If he had known Prince Qi sent something like this, he would rather stand in punishment holding pastries, sob sob sob!!
—
After Xie Yi accepted that gift, Prince Qi’s side suddenly went quiet.
Until half a month later, a piece of news shocked the entire capital—Young Marquis Du Tianrui of the Marquis of Zhaode fell into water while visiting a brothel and drowned in the pond in the back courtyard.
Lin Zhiji was stunned when he heard this news.
Although he disliked this arrogant young marquis, he never expected him to die—and so suddenly.
Moreover, the death was so suspicious that, based on his experience reading detective novels before, it was most likely not an accident.
He curiously asked Xie Yi: “Host, do you know who killed him?”
Xie Yi raised an eyebrow: “Why can’t it be me?”
Lin Zhiji: …
Although from motive perspective, Xie Yi did indeed seem the most suspicious.
But killing Du Tianrui brought him no benefit and would instead cause trouble.
Lin Zhiji didn’t think he would be so irrational.
Yet seeing Xie Yi’s calm demeanor, he still asked suspiciously: “Host, why don’t you seem worried at all?”
Xie Yi said casually: “Because the murderer will personally send me a letter.”
Lin Zhiji: !!!
At that moment, there was a knock on the door.
Qing Li held a letter: “My lord, this is a post sent by Prince Qi’s residence.”
Prince Qi?!
Lin Zhiji froze.
How could it be Prince Qi!
Wasn’t he trying to build a good relationship with Xie Yi? Why would he do something like framing him?
But Xie Yi himself was not surprised at all. He took the post and glanced at it.
Prince Qi invited him to meet at Lan Yue Tower.
Lan Yue Tower was one of the most famous restaurants in the capital. It was said that the power behind it was Prince Qi himself.
Lin Zhiji asked: “Host, are you going?”
“Of course.” Xie Yi put the post down. “Tomorrow, you come with me.”
—
Lin Zhiji followed Xie Yi out of the carriage and looked up at the magnificent restaurant.
The manager had been waiting at the entrance and immediately came forward upon seeing them: “Young Master Xie, Young Master Lin, please follow me. The master has been waiting for a long time.”
Lan Yue Tower, though called a tower, was actually a complex of five separate buildings connected by flying bridges and railings.
The first four were for guests, while the innermost one was the most mysterious, said to be reserved for the owner.
And at this moment, they were being led toward that innermost building.
After entering, maidservants guided them upstairs.
Prince Qi was in the largest private room in the center.
Lin Zhiji did not expect that Prince Qi was quite considerate—he even arranged a separate table for him and Song Lü in the room next door.
This was exactly what he wanted. After all, he wouldn’t understand what Xie Yi and Prince Qi were discussing anyway.
He only knew that Xie Yi wouldn’t suffer any loss.
Seeing all the dishes served, he quickly called Song Lü to eat together.
Song Lü repeatedly shook his head: “Young Master Lin, please eat. My lord sent me along to protect you. I cannot neglect my duty.”
Lin Zhiji was confused: “Eating has nothing to do with protecting me. Can’t you protect me while eating?”
Saying this, he shoved chopsticks into Song Lü’s hand: “Alright, stop talking nonsense and sit down.”
Song Lü: “……”
He remembered Qing Li once said that Young Master Lin was very likely their future mistress.
So, the mistress’s words should also be obeyed, right?
Song Lü sat down with peace of mind.
Lin Zhiji ate while sighing in admiration.
As expected of the most famous restaurant in the capital, both the service and the food were top tier.
And from Lan Yue Tower, one could overlook most of the capital’s scenery.
After eating and drinking his fill, Lin Zhiji went to the window, intending to enjoy the view, and saw a flock of wild geese flying in the sky.
They formed a “0” shape for a while, then a “4” shape, then a “7” shape.
047?!
Lin Zhiji’s eyes widened instantly.
It’s 03!!
Damn!!
That system bastard, ever since contacting him last time, had completely disappeared. He had already obtained a body for so long, yet it never appeared again.
Lin Zhiji gritted his teeth in anger, but there was nothing he could do.
He casually walked toward the door, but before he could leave, Song Lü immediately blocked him, still with oil at the corner of his mouth.
“Young Master Lin, my lord said you are not allowed to wander around.”
Lin Zhiji: …
Ever since the incident at the Eastern Palace, whenever Xie Yi went out for serious matters, he would bring Song Lü to watch over Lin Zhiji.
Lin Zhiji coughed lightly: “Song Lü, I just suddenly want candied hawthorn. I promise I’ll come right back after buying it.”
Song Lü looked troubled: “Young Master Lin, don’t make this difficult for me.”
Lin Zhiji inwardly apologized to Song Lü, but outwardly acted unruly and unreasonable: “But I really want it so badly, if I can’t get it I’ll be restless, my heart scratching, unable to sit still…”
Song Lü had no choice but to say, “If Young Master Lin wants to eat it, I can go buy it for you.”
“That won’t do!” Lin Zhiji argued forcefully. “If you go buy candied hawthorn for me, who’s going to protect me here? So I’ll go with you. That way you can protect me at all times and won’t be neglecting your duty.”
Song Lü: “…?”
He felt something was off, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it.
Lin Zhiji continued, “I promise I’ll come right back after buying it! I won’t let Xie Yi find out.”
In the end, Song Lü couldn’t outtalk him and could only follow him out of Lan Yue Tower.
Lin Zhiji kept his gaze fixed on the line of wild geese in the sky. After walking for who knew how long—so long that even Song Lü was starting to get suspicious—he finally heard a familiar voice.
【03!】
【It’s me.】03’s voice sounded steady. Compared to the last time, when it had been intermittent, it was now clear and stable.
Lin Zhiji hurriedly asked, 【Why are you only contacting me now?】
03: 【You were always staying beside the villain. I had no way to contact you.】
Lin Zhiji froze slightly, something flashing through his mind.
But before he could think further, 03 cut him off: 【Time is urgent, listen to me first…】
But the next second, the voice cut off abruptly, as if the connection had suddenly been severed.
Lin Zhiji seemed to realize something and slowly turned around.
He saw Xie Yi standing right behind him.
The early summer sunlight fell on him, too bright to see his face clearly, leaving it mostly in shadow.
Only his left eye, covered in a faint gray haze, flickered coldly like a distant star.