Lin Zhiji soon understood what Xie Yi meant by “making things bigger.”
Xie Yi submitted a memorial stating that remnants of the Kou clan had been found in Jiangnan.
It caused an immediate uproar in the court.
The Kou clan had previously attempted to restore a former dynasty, shaking the court deeply.
Xie Yi knew very well that the Emperor could tolerate corruption, factional struggles, even tacit political maneuvering—but he could not tolerate any threat to legitimacy or the throne itself.
The Kou clan struck exactly that nerve.
Although they were nearly exterminated afterward, the word “Kou” still carried weight in the Emperor’s mind.
Especially now, with rebellions everywhere.
Rebellions could be crushed by force, but matters involving former imperial bloodlines were far more complicated.
Xie Yi never mentioned the assassination attempt, only that Kou clan members had been found in Qingxi City.
Since Danzhou was not far from Qingxi, who could guarantee the Kou clan had not hidden members there?
He then stepped back and requested imperial instructions, saying he would remain in Qingxi City for now.
This move nearly made Prince Qi grind his teeth to dust.
By invoking the Kou clan, Xie Yi effectively became untouchable.
If he were assassinated now, everyone would assume it was Kou clan retaliation.
And in the Emperor’s mind, if the Kou clan still had remnants capable of revenge, the threat was even more alarming.
Prince Qi could not even speak openly.
If he explained too much, it would expose his connections with Jiangnan officials.
Thus, he had no choice but to instruct Jiangnan officials not only to stop targeting Xie Yi—but to protect him.
The officials cursed in private but had no choice but to comply.
Xie Yi had turned the situation completely in his favor with a single move.
Liu Muzhi stared in shock. “Brother Xie… truly incredible…”
Lin Zhiji comforted him, though somewhat awkwardly. “You also have your strengths.”
But he could not help feeling a bit conflicted.
Liu Muzhi truly treated him as a friend, yet he could not be fully honest with him.
After all, their positions were inherently opposed.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiji felt even more uneasy and tried to make up for it.
“Since it’s Qingming soon… even if you cannot return to Jiangcheng to pay respects, at least in Jiangnan, you can offer a distant memorial.”
Liu Muzhi’s heart jolted.
Although he usually acted cheerful and seemed optimistic every day, he had simply buried the pain of his family’s destruction deep inside his heart.
Moreover, after his parents’ incident, those so-called “friends” who used to surround him all day eating, drinking, and having fun with him disappeared instantly. Even his truly sincere friends, because of their families’ fear of being implicated, were ordered not to associate with him anymore.
Not to mention those uncles from the business world who used to be warm and friendly—before his parents were even buried, they had already moved to seize his family’s business.
Liu Muzhi had experienced the coldness and warmth of human relationships and was no longer the innocent and naive person he once was.
But Lin Zhiji considering him so thoughtfully, and even thinking for him like this, still made his eyes instantly turn red.
Lin Zhiji: …
He felt even more like a terrible person.
Because he had originally prepared that for Xie Yi, but only casually mentioned it, and didn’t expect it would move Liu Muzhi so much.
Liu Muzhi sniffed and wrapped an arm around Lin Zhiji’s shoulder: “Lin brother, from now on you’re my sworn brother—”
However, before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
Immediately after, Xie Yi’s cold voice came from behind: “I didn’t expect you two to get along quite well.”
Liu Muzhi felt his gaze stabbing painfully and subconsciously pulled his hand back from Lin Zhiji’s shoulder.
Although Xie Yi had kept him, he had not given him any special treatment.
Liu Muzhi had quickly run out of money, and fortunately with Xie Yi’s support, he was now basically living off others.
Lin Zhiji sighed helplessly.
Xie Yi was no longer just a vinegar jar—he was a vinegar vat.
He walked forward and gently held Xie Yi’s hand in comfort. Before he could even say goodbye to Liu Muzhi, he was already pulled into Xie Yi’s arms and taken away.
Liu Muzhi looked at their backs and scratched his head in confusion.
He wondered: good brothers… would they hug and walk like that?
Very soon it was Qingming Festival.
Every household hung willow branches at their doors, ate cold food; during the day they went out for spring outings, and at night they went by the river to burn paper offerings.
Xie Yi generously gave everyone a day off.
Recently, because the Jiangnan officials were forced to come to Qingxi City to meet Xie Yi, Xie Yi had been busy receiving guests every day.
These old fox officials were difficult to deal with, so Xie Yi was extremely busy, and the two of them had not properly eaten a meal together for a long time.
So Lin Zhiji treated this outing as a date and had already picked a place early.
Because of Xie Yi’s strategy, they were now very safe in Jiangnan; the Jiangnan officials were probably even more afraid than Xie Yi himself of something happening to him.
The two of them did not bring guards, and rode horses leisurely.
Liu Muzhi originally wanted to follow, but Song Lü quickly grabbed him: “What are you doing?”
Liu Muzhi was confused: “Going spring outing with Xie brother and Lin brother!”
Song Lü: …
He thought of how Qingli always said he was slow back at Qingping Courtyard, and now he really should let her see Liu Muzhi—this was what truly meant slow.
He patted Liu Muzhi’s shoulder solemnly: “Liu-gongzi, I am saving you. You’ll understand later.”
Liu Muzhi: ?
—
Lin Zhiji rode in front, Xie Yi followed half a horse-length behind.
About half an hour later, they passed through a forest, and the view suddenly opened up—revealing a valley full of small flowers.
Lin Zhiji proudly said: “I specially asked locals to find this good place.”
Xie Yi knew Lin Zhiji was likable.
But right now, he was smiling at him, eyes curved, dimples deep like filled honey.
Even the surrounding scenery lost its color.
Even someone as firm as Xie Yi momentarily lost focus, as if briefly enchanted.
Lin Zhiji tugged his hand: “What’s wrong? Are you tired recently?”
Xie Yi came back to his senses: “Nothing.”
He turned to tie up the horses.
Lin Zhiji didn’t think much and began laying out food on the grass.
Xie Yi looked at his beautiful side profile, fingers slightly curling.
The image that surfaced in his mind earlier—of them growing old together, still holding hands—was so beautiful he didn’t want to break it.
Yet because it was too beautiful, it made him feel a faint unease.
At that moment, Lin Zhiji waved: “What are you standing there for? Come here.”
Xie Yi lowered his eyes, quickly returning to normal, and walked over.
—
They spent a warm day in the valley and returned to the city at sunset, going to a quiet riverside to make offerings.
Lin Zhiji looked at the firelight, a moment of sadness rising in his heart.
Would his parents also make offerings for him after he died?
Or would they forget him after starting a new family?
Xie Yi noticed the fleeting loneliness and fragility on his face, and felt a faint pain in his heart.
He pulled Lin Zhiji into his arms: “What are you thinking about?”
Lin Zhiji shook his head.
Xie Yi looked at him deeply but did not press further. Instead, he said: “I heard from Luo Zhitang that in Jiangnan, there is a custom—if you have something to say to your deceased relatives, you can write it on a river lantern. It will drift downstream and reach their dreams.”
Lin Zhiji was surprised.
Xie Yi actually had such a romantic thought.
Xie Yi took out a river lantern and paper and brush from his horse’s bag.
Lin Zhiji froze.
Xie Yi handed him the paper and brush, looking at him deeply.
“Write whatever you want.”
He turned and stepped aside, leaving space for him.
Lin Zhiji stared blankly at his back, then at the paper and brush, tears suddenly fell from his eyes.
He wiped them away quickly.
At first he wrote stiffly, but later became smoother.
After finishing, he folded the paper and placed it inside the lantern, gently pushing it into the water.
The lantern drifted away, joining others.
And the heavy emotions in his heart also seemed to drift away with it.
He walked back to Xie Yi, eyes red: “Let’s go back.”
Xie Yi wiped away his tears: “Feeling better?”
Lin Zhiji nodded shyly.
At that moment, Xie Yi seemed to sense something and suddenly looked to the side, meeting Liu Muzhi’s stunned gaze behind a tree.
He withdrew his gaze coldly, but turned gentle again toward Lin Zhiji: “Let’s go.”
Lin Zhiji nodded, holding his hand as they left together.
Liu Muzhi stood frozen.
Xie brother and Lin brother… were actually that kind of relationship!!!
—
Lin Zhiji was not ignorant, and had heard of same-sex relationships before, but still felt shocked.
Then he suddenly realized something.
No wonder Xie brother had never treated him warmly before.
He had thought Xie brother disliked him—but now it seemed he was just jealous!
He suddenly felt relieved.
—
Soon it was Qingming.
As Lin Zhiji and Xie Yi left for their outing, Liu Muzhi was stopped by Song Lü.
That night, Liu Muzhi returned to his room and sensed something wrong.
A strange man was sitting at his desk.
He turned to flee, but the door slammed shut.
The man stood up and knelt on one knee.
“Minister Ru Bo Xi greets His Highness, the Seventh Prince.”