Inside Qingping Courtyard.
Song Lü had just returned from errands outside when he saw Qing Li standing absentmindedly under the blazing sun, holding a tray of tea.
He walked over in confusion. “Practicing standing meditation out here?”
Qing Li: “…What do you know!”
“How would I not know?” Song Lü frowned. “You brewed tea but still haven’t brought it to Master. Tsk, it’s already gone cold. If Master punishes you later, don’t expect me to plead for you.”
Qing Li opened her mouth, then hesitated.
The tea really had been meant for Master.
Only… Master wasn’t in the study.
When she had been about to leave, her eyes had accidentally drifted toward the window of Master’s room.
Through the paper window, she could vaguely make out two silhouettes.
At first, she assumed it was some colleague reporting in.
But then she saw Master press the person down by the couch!
Master!!!
Pressing someone down by the couch!!!
Qing Li nearly blacked out.
And of all people, her partner had to be the blockhead Song Lü. She didn’t even know how to explain what she had seen.
At that moment, Xie Yi’s door opened.
The two of them looked over at once.
And saw Master holding the wrist of a young gentleman as they walked out one after the other.
Song Lü: “!!!”
Compared to him, Qing Li was even more shocked.
Looking at the familiar outfit Lin Zhiji wore, she finally realized who the clothes she had commissioned earlier had been for.
Though still stunned, the two instinctively bowed.
“Master.”
Xie Yi responded coolly.
Then both of them silently turned their gaze toward Lin Zhiji.
No idea whose young master he belonged to.
Fair-skinned, with clear and innocent eyes. He wore an embroidered brocade robe decorated with apricot grove spring swallows, a white jade lotus-patterned crown on his head, and countless pouches and jade pendants hanging from his waist.
Nobility practically radiated from him.
Held by the wrist as Master led him along, he stumbled slightly, the ornaments at his waist jingling softly. He looked entirely untouched by the hardships of the world.
Not knowing his identity, neither dared act rashly.
Lin Zhiji, however, had no such concerns. He proactively greeted them, speaking with startling familiarity.
The two became even more dazed.
And yet they were absolutely certain—they had never met him before.
Before Lin Zhiji could say much more, however, Xie Yi had already tugged him away.
Only after the two figures disappeared from Qingping Courtyard did Qing Li slowly regain her senses and look at the equally stunned Song Lü.
“Y-you saw that too, right?”
Song Lü blinked blankly. “Ah…”
Qing Li prompted carefully, “Any ideas?”
Song Lü frowned deeply. “Yes.”
Qing Li had never expected this blockhead to suddenly have a revelation and hurriedly asked, “What is it?”
Song Lü looked grave.
“Security around Qingping Courtyard is extremely tight. For someone to enter Master’s room without alerting either of us… his martial arts must be incredibly strong!”
Qing Li: “……”
What exactly had she been expecting!!!
—
At first, Lin Zhiji felt awkward being led around by Xie Yi, but little by little, he got used to it.
The general’s estate was huge, and the gardens equally expansive.
Back when he had first bonded with Xie Yi, he had seen these grounds countless times. But personally walking around in them himself was a first.
Though beautiful, classical gardens were nowhere near as entertaining as modern amusement parks when it came to actually having fun.
Once the novelty wore off, Lin Zhiji lost interest and started trying to persuade Xie Yi to take him into town instead.
Just then, someone approached them.
“Cousin.”
It was actually Liang Wenxu.
Only then did Lin Zhiji vaguely remember—it seemed that ever since the day Xie Yi had entered the family registry, they hadn’t seen him again.
Back then, Liang Wenxu had returned to the capital after earning merit for flood control, full of youthful ambition and success.
Lin Zhiji widened his eyes: “You’re going to the Eastern Palace to handle serious matters. What would I follow along for?”
He still had a lot of self-awareness. A small fry like him really shouldn’t go along and cause trouble.
Xie Yi: “You don’t need to do anything. Just follow.”
Lin Zhiji: “But…”
Xie Yi, calm and natural, adjusted his collar for him: “I’m going to the Eastern Palace this time for the Enke examination matters. Ruan Junce will soon go sit for the exam—aren’t you curious?”
Qing Li watched the familiar movements of his master, his pupils shaking, then he immediately lowered his head and pretended to stay calm.
Lin Zhiji, however, had his mind occupied by Xie Yi’s words. Coupled with recent tasks where they often had physical contact, he had gradually gotten used to it and didn’t realize anything was off.
Maybe it was because he had saved those two brothers back then, so Lin Zhiji had an inexplicable sense of closeness toward them.
With Xie Yi saying this, he hesitated.
Then he was muddle-headedly pulled into the carriage by Xie Yi.
—
Last year on the emperor’s birthday, an Enke examination was specially added.
However, after the emperor fell ill at the beginning of the year, his health had been intermittently poor, and the spring examination had been repeatedly delayed.
The Crown Prince and Prince Qi were both secretly working hard for control over this matter.
In the end, the Crown Prince slightly prevailed and temporarily took charge of this Enke examination.
Because the Crown Prince had recently placed great trust in Xie Yi, Xie Yi was also allowed to participate in the discussions regarding the Enke matters.
Also because of the emperor’s implicit approval, the court officials sensed something different in the situation.
Recently, the gates of the Eastern Palace had once again become busy with visitors.
Lin Zhiji looked at the towering, imposing gates of the Eastern Palace and couldn’t help but feel a bit of hesitation again.
Although this wasn’t his first time entering the Eastern Palace, this time was different.
Before, he had been safely inside Xie Yi’s mind, as if no matter what happened, Xie Yi could handle it.
But now he was just a commoner. He constantly worried that if he made a mistake, he would be beaten to death with sticks.
After all, from the TV dramas he had watched since childhood, imperial power meant life and death at will—people died all the time, terrifyingly so.
Xie Yi seemed to sense his nervousness and said, “Just stay by my side.”
Lin Zhiji immediately moved closer by two steps and instantly felt much safer.
Xie Yi seemed not to notice his small movements, but his steps subtly slowed down.
Unexpectedly, they hadn’t gone far before they ran into Bai Xingmao.
Bai Xingmao was originally a trusted aide of the Crown Prince, in charge of the Training Guard Bureau.
Previously, he had been ordered by the Crown Prince to teach Xie Yi a lesson, but he botched the task and was reprimanded.
That was not all—afterward, Xie Yi became a rising favorite beside the Crown Prince, and his own position became awkward, now showing signs of being sidelined.
The two sides, meeting like sworn enemies, exchanged a cold greeting with no polite courtesies at all. Xie Yi then led Lin Zhiji away.
Bai Xingmao watched Xie Yi’s departing figure toward the main hall, his jealousy and hatred rising.
Xie Yi, however, didn’t take him seriously.
As long as the Crown Prince trusted him, Bai Xingmao neither dared nor could do anything.
Still, he reminded Lin Zhiji: “Wait in the tea room. Don’t wander around.”
Lin Zhiji: “Got it, got it!”
He cherished the hard-earned body of his. He valued his life very much.
At this time, it was already late spring and the weather was getting warm.
The tea room had a furnace burning, making the temperature very high. Several young eunuchs were busily brewing tea.
Lin Zhiji sat for a while and was soon drenched in sweat. Not wanting to disturb them, he found a corner and sat down, opening half a window.
A cool breeze mixed with a faint floral scent drifted in, making him let out a comfortable sigh.
Just like that, Lin Zhiji leaned against the window, basking in the breeze, when he suddenly noticed his mission list flashing.
【Daily Mission: Please persuade the host (villain) to save someone. Reward for success: 100 points.】
Lin Zhiji instantly woke up.
Normally, he would immediately call Xie Yi in his mind to go save someone.
But he knew that right now was important for Xie Yi, and he shouldn’t disturb him.
While he hesitated, faint cries of pain came from the wind.
The voice was childish, seemingly that of a child.
After only a moment’s hesitation, Lin Zhiji gritted his teeth and secretly climbed out the window, following the sound.
Anyway, he had the system shop. Self-protection shouldn’t be a problem.
Lin Zhiji passed through corridors and arrived behind a rockery.
He peeked out and saw a richly dressed young man sitting in a wheelchair, beating a young palace maid.
The palace maid looked to be only around ten years old, very thin, curled up and weakly begging for mercy as she was struck.
But the man was still unsatisfied. While cursing, he actually picked up a pot of boiling tea beside him, preparing to pour it over her.
Lin Zhiji was startled and quickly exchanged items from the system shop.
As a system, he could specify where the exchanged item appeared.
Then, a “yelp” was heard.
Several needles of varying thickness pierced firmly into the man’s wrist.
The man screamed in pain and fear, and the guards beside him were also startled, quickly protecting him.
Lin Zhiji immediately recognized him—it was that young marquis whose legs Xie Yi had once broken.
He frowned.
Last time he met this guy, he had been galloping wildly in the streets. This time he was abusing a palace maid again.
Truly relying on power to bully the weak, acting lawlessly.
It seemed that even after having his legs broken last time, he hadn’t learned any lesson at all.
Lin Zhiji repeatedly used his exchanges, taking advantage of the fact he was in the dark, beating Duan Tianrui until his face was swollen and bruised. Yet because he was seated in a wheelchair, he couldn’t run away at all. Even though guards surrounded him tightly, things would still fall from the sky and accurately hit his head.
Duan Tianrui was furious and shocked: “Who! Who is playing tricks!!”
Ever since Xie Yi broke his legs, his temper had become even more violent.
That palace maid had merely been slow in answering him, and she was beaten badly.
Now, being attacked without knowing who, how could he accept it?
“Men! Find them! Bring them out!”
Seeing this, Lin Zhiji immediately sneaked away to retreat, but just as he turned, he ran into the last person he wanted to see.
Bai Xingmao looked at him coldly: “You’re the little servant following Xie Yi?”
Lin Zhiji originally wanted to slip through, but upon hearing this, he didn’t waste words and turned to run.
Bai Xingmao snorted coldly and reached out to grab him.
But before he could touch him, several steel needles pierced his palm.
Bai Xingmao sucked in a sharp breath in pain.
He had never taken Lin Zhiji seriously, but he hadn’t expected to be injured by such a small servant.
He pulled out the needles, and the intense pain along with blood flowing profusely from his hand made his expression turn instantly cold.
Forget Xie Yi—but even his servant was so arrogant. Unforgivable.
Lin Zhiji was about to escape when Bai Xingmao blocked him again, forcing him back into the courtyard.
Moreover, the commotion alerted Duan Tianrui’s side as well, and guards rushed over from there too.
Lin Zhiji originally didn’t want to trouble Xie Yi, but things had come to this point—he had no choice.
He could only call out in his mind: 【Host, host, help!!】
At this moment, Xie Yi, who was discussing matters with the Crown Prince and ministers, suddenly paused.
【Where are you?】
Lin Zhiji remembered Xie Yi’s warning not to wander and felt a little guilty: 【I’m… ah ouch!】
Xie Yi’s eyes turned instantly cold.
Lin Zhiji hadn’t expected to bring trouble upon himself—he nearly tripped over a stone he had placed earlier.
Seeing Duan Tianrui’s guards coming at him again, he quickly exchanged more stones, aiming them at eyes and knees.
After connecting with Xie Yi, his courage also surged.
Although he didn’t know martial arts, his endless “hidden weapons” made those trying to catch him suffer greatly.
By the time Xie Yi arrived in haste, he had expected to see Lin Zhiji being bullied—but instead saw him causing chaos like a monkey king, playing everyone like fools, even sticking his tongue out at them.
Xie Yi: “……”
He suddenly felt that when Lin Zhiji had been inside his mind before, he had actually been much more restrained.
Lin Zhiji immediately spotted Xie Yi, his eyes lighting up as he sprinted toward him.
But when he reached him and saw Xie Yi’s cold expression, he immediately felt guilty about the trouble he had caused.
He quickly put on a pitiful face, slowed his steps, and limped over to Xie Yi, looking up and softly saying, “Host…”
Xie Yi’s throat moved heavily.
Bai Xingmao and the others were furious after being toyed with by Lin Zhiji.
Now seeing Xie Yi, they were about to step forward and demand justice.
But Xie Yi shielded the little servant behind him and said coldly: “You even dare to bully my people. Do you think I am nothing?”
Bai Xingmao and the others: “???”
Wait!
Who are you saying bullied whom?!