Liang Wenxu was the son of Xie Pingyue’s younger sister. His mother had married far away but suffered mistreatment. After divorcing, she brought Liang Wenxu back to the Xie family.
Liang Wenxu had been intelligent since childhood. Though he experienced hardship, his personality remained cheerful and kind.
He treated others well and did not discriminate based on status. Almost no one in the Xie household spoke ill of him.
Two years ago, Liang Wenxu passed the imperial examination and was appointed to a local post. Due to outstanding performance, he was exceptionally promoted back to the capital ahead of schedule.
Hearing his uncle ask, Liang Wenxu smiled and replied: “I returned two days ago and just settled in. I already knew it was uncle and cousin Xie Yi’s joyous occasion—I should have prepared gifts and come to congratulate you…”
Upon hearing this, Xie Pingyue’s expression became somewhat awkward.
This was clearly not a joyous occasion.
But he also knew Liang Wenxu’s nature—he was very proper in official matters, but when it came to family, he became somewhat absent-minded. He did not mean to offend; he truly thought this was a happy event.
So Xie Pingyue could only give a vague response and quickly leave under the excuse of official duties.
Once Xie Pingyue left, Xie Cheng’an could no longer hold back and swung his fist toward Xie Yi: “You—”
But the next moment, his fist was stopped by Liang Wenxu.
Though Liang Wenxu looked thin, he was quite strong. His expression was serious as he lectured Xie Cheng’an: “You are the elder brother. How can you bully your younger brother without reason?”
Xie Cheng’an’s eyes turned red with anger: “It was clearly him—he…”
He wanted to say Xie Yi was the one bullying him, but Liang Wenxu was always strict and upright. If he knew Xie Yi had used the disciplinary whip in the ancestral hall, he might even side with him.
Seeing him hesitate, Liang Wenxu’s expression grew even sterner: “Since you cannot explain the reason, then it is unprovoked bullying of your younger brother, an added offense. You are brothers connected by blood…”
Xie Cheng’an was nearly suffocated with frustration.
But he did not dare retort. Years ago, when he disliked Xie Yi, he had gathered a group of collateral relatives from the clan school to beat him up. Liang Wenxu found out, scolded them all, and even reported it to his father, eventually arranging for him to be sent to Mingzhang Academy, allowing him to return home only two or three times a year.
Because of that, he only learned about his mother’s situation long after it happened.
Now Liang Wenxu held an official position, and their father trusted him greatly.
If he were reported again, he might not even get to see his mother before being sent back overnight.
So Xie Cheng’an could only swallow his anger and, under Liang Wenxu’s insistence, apologize to Xie Yi.
After speaking, he could no longer endure it and stormed away in rage.
“Ah.” Liang Wenxu watched his back and frowned slightly, then said to Xie Yi, “Cousin Yi, do not take it to heart. Cheng’an is just spoiled. His nature is not bad…”
Xie Yi interrupted him lightly: “Cousin, did you return to the capital because of merit in water control?”
“You know about it too?” Liang Wenxu said in surprise. Facing family, he did not hide anything and began enthusiastically discussing his experiences in water management.
After obtaining the information he wanted, Xie Yi interrupted again: “Thank you for your guidance, cousin.”
Liang Wenxu still seemed not finished: “If cousin is interested in water control, I still have some notes and diagrams, and also…”
Xie Yi directly refused: “No need. I am not interested.”
Liang Wenxu seemed not to notice the coldness and only said with some disappointment: “Alright. If you ever become interested, you may come find me anytime.”
After parting with Liang Wenxu, Xie Yi walked toward Qingping Courtyard.
Lin Zhiji had not yet figured out how to bring up Liang Wenxu when he suddenly heard Xie Yi ask: 【He is dead?】
Lin Zhiji:！！！
Xie Yi continued calmly: 【I killed him.】
Lin Zhiji:！！！！！！
He was so shocked he could not speak.
How… how did he guess that?!
Xie Yi gave a soft, mocking laugh.
This outcome did not surprise him.
Lin Zhiji was no match for him. By the time he returned to Qingping Courtyard, everything Lin Zhiji knew had already been extracted by him.
The book said that after Xie Yi destroyed the general’s mansion, Liang Wenxu, dissatisfied with his cruelty, turned to support Liu Muzhi.
But not long after, he was captured by Xie Yi and subjected to extreme punishment in public.
Lin Zhiji carefully finished speaking, but did not hear any response.
Xie Yi lowered his gaze.
He naturally heard the hesitation in Lin Zhiji’s words, and even when mentioning the “scraping torture,” his voice trembled slightly.
He was afraid.
Yes.
He had always been timid, and afraid of blood.
Just like that small porcelain figure on the table.
Fragile and easily broken, unable to withstand even the slightest impact, needing to be wrapped in soft cloth and placed in a safe, secure place.
Yet he had fallen into the hands of someone whose hands were stained with blood.
Last time with Steward Li had already made him afraid enough to avoid speaking to him for a long time.
Let alone this—he had killed Liang Wenxu, a man regarded by all as refined and righteous.
Not only killed him, but used such a cruel punishment.
Brutal and vicious.
Harming the loyal and righteous.
Facing someone like him, what would Lin Zhiji do?
Would he become even more afraid?
Or, despite fear, still plead for mercy?
Like prisoners in a cell, or those brothers of the Cen family.
If he refused.
Would he beg him?
Would he suppress disgust and fear and say pleasing words?
Or would he distance himself completely, no longer speak to him, or even if he did, do so cautiously and stiffly—boring and lifeless.
He would no longer cling to him for snacks, no longer play messy Gomoku with him, no longer suddenly say strange things and laugh for no reason.
Thinking of this, a tightness rose in Xie Yi’s chest, followed by boundless malice.
He should simply kill Lin Zhiji.
He thought coldly.
Lin Zhiji was his system.
Even in death, he would belong to him.
His pale jade-like fingertips lightly tapped the small porcelain figure.
The porcelain figure smiled foolishly, completely unaware of the malice in his heart.
Lin Zhiji hesitated for a moment, then spoke: 【Host…】
Xie Yi idly pinched the porcelain figure.
Waiting for Lin Zhiji to say those words pleading for Liang Wenxu.
And then he heard Lin Zhiji say: 【Host, I know you are not that kind of person.】
Lin Zhiji’s fingers paused: 【……What?】
The original book was written from Liu Muzhi’s perspective. Regarding Xie Yi’s storyline, much of it was merely glossed over, only describing his brutality and sins in detail.
This matter was the same. In the end, what was presented was that Xie Yi’s cousin—an important court official—publicly denounced his cruelty and even defected to his enemy’s side.
But after being bound to Xie Yi for so long, Lin Zhiji had come to understand his nature to some extent.
Xie Yi was indeed not a good person.
But he would not kill for personal gain.
Lin Zhiji said earnestly: 【Although the book didn’t mention it, I think you must have had a reason for doing it.】
Xie Yi froze.
He had not expected that the timid, blood-fearing Lin Zhiji would actually see through the surface of that cruel punishment and glimpse his true self.
【Also.】Lin Zhiji asked carefully, 【Were you… sad because you were betrayed by someone you trusted?】
The boy’s voice was very soft, trembling slightly as he spoke, as if stepping on thin ice—or perhaps simply afraid of hurting him.
Something like molten lava suddenly surged in Xie Yi’s chest.
So hot it hurt.
He subconsciously tightened his grip on the small porcelain figure.
The cold, smooth porcelain pressed against his burning palm, as if soothing something deep within him.
After a long silence, he finally spoke: 【If I were sad, what would you do?】
Lin Zhiji thought for a moment: 【Then… host, do you need a hug?】
Xie Yi narrowed his eyes and quickly caught on: 【Daily task?】
Lin Zhiji: ?
Not again—how did he remember that after only once?!
But since he had been exposed, he could only play dumb: 【Hehehe…】
Xie Yi gave a soft scoff.
Just as Lin Zhiji thought he would refuse without hesitation—
He lifted his arms slightly and said calmly: 【Alright.】