Lin Zhiji froze when he heard Xie Yi’s words.
He wiped away his tears. The salty sting hit his already reddened palm.
There was still a faint mark left by Xie Yi’s fingers.
It felt like it was still there—like it hadn’t left at all.
Lin Zhiji felt both frustrated and embarrassed, rubbing his palm against his clothes hard before climbing down from the couch and walking toward the door.
By the time he reached it, Xie Yi was already gone.
He peeked out through the door and met Qing Li and Song Lü’s gaze.
The first thing he checked was Song Lü’s hands—ten fingers still intact. He finally breathed out in relief.
Qing Li looked at his tear-stained face and his reddened hands and sharply inhaled.
What on earth happened in the study just now?!
Song Lü looked at him gratefully. “Young Master Lin, thank you for saving my hand.”
Lin Zhiji waved his hands awkwardly. “No, no—it’s my fault you were dragged into this.”
Song Lü immediately declared, “From now on, this arm is yours!”
Lin Zhiji: “…That’s really not necessary.”
After a pause, he asked, “So… everything’s over now?”
“Yes,” Qing Li answered. “My lord is always strict with reward and punishment. Once Song Lü has been punished, the matter is over.”
Only then did Lin Zhiji fully relax.
But Qing Li added, “However…”
Lin Zhiji tensed again. “However what?”
Qing Li said, “My lord has always been decisive and never swayed by others. You are the first person who has ever made him change his decision.”
Lin Zhiji paused.
His emotions became a little complicated.
But it was true—Xie Yi really did let the matter go.
He didn’t even ask what Lin Zhiji had done when he went out that day.
Not having to lie in front of Xie Yi made Lin Zhiji feel far lighter.
Then he remembered Qing Li’s words again.
Thinking this way… Xie Yi really was quite indulgent toward him.
Except for not allowing him to leave his side.
But that was understandable.
Rumors in the capital already said Xie Yi had “lost his temper for a servant,” and Xie Yi hadn’t denied it. Instead, he let the rumors spread.
It was likely intentional—showing a “weak point” to lower others’ guard.
Especially in front of Prince Qi.
Prince Qi seemed frivolous and lustful, but he was far more careful than he appeared.
The death of Du Tianrui from the Marquis of Zhaode household—although outwardly an accident—was almost certainly orchestrated, and it conveniently directed suspicion toward Xie Yi.
On the surface, it looked like Prince Qi was helping Xie Yi.
But in reality, it was a test, and also a pressure tactic—forcing Xie Yi to choose sides.
With the Crown Prince and Prince Qi competing, Xie Yi was being placed into a position where any misstep would leave a lasting mark on his future.
Prince Qi, meanwhile, was clearly showing his ambition and determination.
Even if his methods were not upright, that was irrelevant.
If Xie Yi truly had ambition in court politics, then compared to the indecisive Crown Prince, Prince Qi would be the only viable choice.
Unfortunately, Prince Qi thought he was the hunter—without realizing he had already stepped into Xie Yi’s trap.
Lin Zhiji recalled how easily Xie Yi had dismantled Prince Qi’s schemes, calculating everything with precision.
And bringing him to the Eastern Palace and Lan Yue Tower—those were all part of the act.
Not letting him leave his side was probably also because Prince Qi was suspicious and might try to test him.
Thinking of “tests,” Lin Zhiji suddenly remembered that box of explicit toys Prince Qi had sent, and his expression darkened instantly.
So ancient people weren’t conservative at all—they were terrifyingly bold.
After understanding this, Lin Zhiji no longer resisted staying by Xie Yi’s side so much.
After all, they were cooperating.
Xie Yi helped him complete missions; he helped act the part.
That was all.
He easily convinced himself.
—
Soon it was the day of the final imperial examination.
Ruan Junce did not disappoint—he took first place in the palace examination and became the top scholar of this Enke examination.
Unless something unexpected happened, his position as a jinshi was secured, and he had already stepped into officialdom.
But Lin Zhiji had no time to care about that, because another message from Prince Qi arrived.
This time, the emperor, due to illness, only briefly attended the palace examination before leaving the rest to the Crown Prince.
Normally, the emperor personally presided over the palace examination—it symbolized imperial authority itself.
Now that this authority had been handed to the Crown Prince, the meaning behind it was obvious.
No wonder Prince Qi was becoming restless.
And this was exactly as Xie Yi had predicted.
He arranged everything step by step, until his gaze finally landed on Lin Zhiji.
Lin Zhiji raised his hand immediately: “I promise I’ll stay obediently in the side room and won’t let Prince Qi suspect anything!”
Xie Yi: “…”
At Lan Yue Tower, Lin Zhiji naturally headed toward the adjacent room, but Xie Yi stopped him.
“This time, you stay with me.”
Lin Zhiji’s eyes widened. “W-wait…”
Xie Yi lowered his head slightly, brushing a loose strand of hair behind his ear.
His fingertips touched Lin Zhiji’s ear, making him flinch instinctively, but Xie Yi held him in place.
A low voice brushed against his ear: “Weren’t you going to help me act?”
Lin Zhiji stiffened.
When Xie Yi pulled back, he rubbed his ear awkwardly, muttering, “Fine.”
He followed him into the private room.
Inside, Prince Qi was watching a dance performance. He frowned when he saw them enter together, then relaxed again.
Lin Zhiji followed Xie Yi and bowed before being pulled to sit beside him.
Prince Qi smiled. “Indeed a beauty. No wonder last time you were so anxious when he ran off.”
Lin Zhiji felt uneasy at the word “beauty,” but froze at the second half.
So last time Xie Yi had actually left mid-meeting to find him.
Before he could think further, Xie Yi spoke: “He is young, playful, and a bit willful. Please forgive him.”
Prince Qi laughed. “No matter. Young Master Lin is candid and honest. A fine match.”
Xie Yi smiled slightly. “Your Highness flatters us.”
Lin Zhiji felt goosebumps rise and kept his head down.
Soon they moved on to official matters.
Lin Zhiji focused on eating.
Lan Yue Tower’s dishes were excellent.
Especially the crystal-braised pork hock—soft, glossy, and richly flavored.
Just as he finished one plate, another untouched one was quietly placed beside him.
He looked up.
Xie Yi was still conversing with Prince Qi as if nothing had happened.
The meal lasted a full hour.
Xie Yi said, “A new pastry shop has opened in the East Market. They say the taste is quite special. I’m taking you to try it.”
Lin Zhiji was startled.
“…Huh?”
He looked at Xie Yi. “You’re going to the East Market to buy pastries?”
Xie Yi glanced at him. “Is there a problem?”
“There’s no problem…” Lin Zhiji muttered, but he still felt something was off.
This kind of thing—no matter how he thought about it—didn’t feel like something Xie Yi would do.
But Xie Yi had already lowered the carriage curtain, signaling the driver to move.
The carriage slowly set off.
Lin Zhiji sat inside, still thinking about the earlier incident in the Eastern Palace and the matter of 03. His thoughts were in chaos, and before he could sort them out, the carriage had already stopped.
The East Market was bustling with noise and life. People came and went, the streets filled with vendors calling out their wares.
Xie Yi got off first, then reached out to him.
Lin Zhiji hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand in Xie Yi’s.
That familiar warmth wrapped around his wrist again, steady and firm, as if it would not let go.
They walked into the pastry shop.
The shop was newly opened, its decoration elegant and clean, the air filled with a sweet fragrance. Many customers were already inside.
The shopkeeper immediately came forward with a smile.
“Sir, what would you like to try?”
Xie Yi said lightly, “Bring out your signature items.”
“Right away.”
Not long after, plates of pastries were brought out one after another. They were exquisite in appearance, each one finely shaped and delicate.
Lin Zhiji’s attention was immediately drawn to them.
He had been bored for a long time, and now his eyes lit up.
He reached out, took one, and carefully took a bite.
The texture was soft. The sweetness was just right. The flavor spread immediately across his tongue.
His eyes widened slightly.
“It’s good…”
He couldn’t help but take another bite.
Xie Yi watched him, then also picked up one, but did not eat it immediately.
Instead, his gaze stayed on Lin Zhiji.
Lin Zhiji quickly ate several pieces in succession, completely forgetting his earlier worries.
Only after eating did he suddenly realize something.
He looked at Xie Yi.
“You don’t like sweets?”
Xie Yi replied, “I don’t.”
Lin Zhiji blinked. “Then why did you bring me here?”
Xie Yi’s expression was calm.
“Because you like it.”
Lin Zhiji froze slightly.
He lowered his head and continued eating, but his ears gradually turned red without him noticing.
After a while, Xie Yi spoke again.
“After we leave the capital for Qingzhou, there will be no time to bring you out like this.”
Lin Zhiji paused.
“…Qingzhou?”
He finally reacted.
Right. Qingzhou.
Xie Yi was going to Qingzhou to suppress bandits.
That meant they would be leaving the capital soon.
Lin Zhiji suddenly felt a little complicated.
He didn’t know why, but the idea of leaving the capital with Xie Yi felt… different from before.
As if something had subtly changed.
At the same time, inside the Eastern Palace.
Several officials were still discussing matters in the main hall.
The East Palace was newly gaining power, and the matter of appointing officials was still unstable. Arguments continued without end.
But Xie Yi was no longer present.
He had already begun preparing for departure.