Spring, when all things grow.
Lin Zhiji rode side by side with Xie Yi, accompanied by more than ten guards.
They traveled lightly toward Jiangnan.
Ten days earlier, the court had issued an edict appointing Xie Yi as Governor of Jiangnan. The decree and official robes were sent together, with no requirement for him to return to the capital, ordering him to take office directly.
It was said that as soon as the imperial decree was issued, the entire court was in an uproar.
Not to mention anything else, Xie Yi was originally in a military post, yet the position of provincial governor was a civil office, and moreover a border-region high official; it was truly against propriety and ritual.
Especially since the Jiangnan region was prosperous—far beyond what a remote place like Qingzhou could compare to.
Several veteran ministers in the court immediately submitted memorials in opposition.
Unfortunately, aside from them raising their voices in earnest persuasion, the rest of the officials remained silent.
After all, the post of Jiangnan provincial governor was now a hot potato; no one wanted to touch it.
The Emperor also felt very helpless in his heart.
If possible, he did not want to use such a “drive the tiger to devour the wolf” method either. But now the court was unstable, and his health was poor. The Crown Prince and Prince Qi only knew how to engage in factional struggle, completely lacking any sense of the bigger picture.
If not for this, he would not have sent people in secret to find that Seventh Prince of his.
Thinking of this, he asked his personal eunuch: “Has there been no news from the people sent to Jiangnan yet?”
The eunuch quickly replied: “Reporting to Your Majesty, not yet.”
The Emperor frowned: “Go summon Lu Boxi.”
Lu Boxi was the Commander of the Red Halberd Guard, also the head of the imperial palace inner guard.
The eunuch received the order and withdrew.
The Emperor suddenly seemed to remember something: “Cen Qing.”
Cen Junce, who had been standing respectfully at the side, bowed and said: “This minister is here.”
This was a recent scholar-bureaucrat transferred to his side.
Compared to those officials who eagerly tried to curry favor with the Crown Prince and Prince Qi, he remained honestly in the Hanlin Academy writing and compiling texts. Even after leaving court, he only followed his teacher, Master Shenzhai, to study.
The Emperor examined him for a while and found his scholarship solid and his writing elegant, so he kept him at his side to handle edicts.
The Emperor lazily waved his hand: “There is nothing for you here right now. You may withdraw first.”
Cen Junce complied and withdrew.
Only after returning home did he immediately write down the information he had heard that day into a secret letter and have it sent out.
Cen Junce and his brother had once been saved by Xie Yi. Later, Xie Yi even blocked retaliation from Prince Qi for him, allowing him to safely take the imperial examinations.
He had always wanted to repay Xie Yi, but before leaving, Xie Yi had told him not to do anything unnecessary, only to focus on studying under Master Shenzhai.
Later, he was appreciated by the Emperor and came to serve at his side.
Although he was not a trusted confidant, he still learned a great deal of information.
For example, the matter where Liang Wenshu incited the Crown Prince to suggest that Xie Yi take over as Jiangnan provincial governor—he was the one who wrote a secret letter informing Xie Yi of it.
That secret letter was soon delivered into Xie Yi’s hands.
At this time, Xie Yi and the others had already entered the Jiangnan region and were resting at a place called Lotus Ferry.
After reading the letter, Xie Yi casually handed it to Lin Zhiji.
Lin Zhiji naturally still remembered the strength of the Red Halberd Guard, especially this Lu Boxi. He recalled that the original book mentioned this person, saying his martial arts were extremely strong and he had once been known as the number one master of his time.
In the original story, he was extremely loyal to the Emperor. But… had he ever come to Jiangnan?
However, ever since they went to Qingzhou, compared with the original plot, many changes had already occurred.
In the original work, although Xie Yi also took control of Qingzhou, the reputation spread about him was cold and brutal.
Unlike now, where the people of Qingzhou lived and worked in peace. When they left, it was spring plowing, a scene full of vitality. Places that were once gathering points for refugees had been transformed into workshops, now bustling with activity.
When they learned Xie Yi and the others were leaving, the people tearfully saw them off, following them all the way out of Qingzhou City without willing to turn back.
Thinking of this, Lin Zhiji’s mood became somewhat low.
But he quickly adjusted his emotions and asked Xie Yi, “The Emperor sending Lu Boxi over… is it aimed at you?”
Xie Yi shook his head: “It should not be.”
Lin Zhiji followed his words and read the letter again, only then realizing something: “Could it be for Liu Muzhi? But…”
He clearly remembered that in the original story, although the Emperor sent people to search, he was not this invested. Otherwise, Liu Muzhi would not have suffered so miserably in the early stages.
Then he heard Xie Yi say, “I revealed the information that there was another group of people pursuing Liu Muzhi to the Emperor’s men.”
Xie Yi had previously also sent people to search for Liu Muzhi in Jiangnan. Although they did not find him, they discovered two groups of people—one group was searching for him, likely the Emperor’s people, while the other group intended to kill him, though it was unknown which faction they belonged to.
Xie Yi said indifferently, “Searching for Liu Muzhi is only one purpose. The main goal is to find out who is behind this other group. Liu Muzhi’s identity is known to very few people, all of whom are the Emperor’s trusted confidants. If he is being hunted now, it means there is a traitor within the Emperor’s inner circle. The Emperor has ruled for many years—how could he tolerate that?”
Lin Zhiji frowned slightly and suddenly felt that Liu Muzhi was somewhat pitiful.
His adoptive parents, who loved him, were exterminated; although he was an imperial prince, the Emperor did not show him much warmth either.
When Xie Yi saw Lin Zhiji’s expression, his eyes narrowed slightly, and he reached out to pinch his chin: “You pity him?”
Lin Zhiji: …
If it were before, he would definitely have felt a little afraid. But after being together for so long, he had already learned how to deal with Xie Yi.
He held Xie Yi’s hand and, just like that, puckered his lips and kissed him once: “Don’t be jealous!”
However, he still underestimated Xie Yi.
Last time he did this, he had taken advantage of Xie Yi’s momentary daze to escape.
But this time, he was pulled into his arms and kissed until he was completely dazed.
By the time they set off again, Lin Zhiji had to wear a conical hat, hiding his lips that were swollen from kissing.
Through the thin veil, Lin Zhiji looked at the surrounding desolation and was puzzled: “Isn’t Jiangnan supposed to be prosperous? This Lotus Ferry has a dock too, so why does it look even more rundown than our Qingzhou?”
On their way from Qingzhou to Jiangnan, they had passed through several other counties and prefectures, most of which were already dilapidated and declining, making Lin Zhiji, who was used to Qingzhou’s vitality, very uncomfortable.
He had thought things would be better once they reached Jiangnan, but now it seemed there was not much difference.
Behind them, Luo Zhitang sighed: “If it were ten or so years ago, Lotus Ferry really was very prosperous. The waterways in front of the dock were often blocked. It’s just that later on, the administration became corrupt and taxes and levies increased. Many people could not even earn enough to pay taxes, so naturally it declined.”
“In the end, in today’s Great Yu, places like our Qingzhou are actually the minority.”
Lin Zhiji said nothing.
The longer he lived here, the less he could treat himself as an outsider.
Having once lived in such a beautiful era, seeing everything before him made his heart even heavier.
At this moment, a hand reached over from the side and gently held his.
Rough fingertips brushed his hand back and forth, as if comforting him.
Lin Zhiji looked over and saw Xie Yi, eyes forward, saying calmly: “Ahead is Clear Creek City. We will rest in the city tonight.”
Clear Creek City was not originally in their planned route.
However, Song Lü and the others, looking at the two people holding hands in front of them, exchanged glances and smiled: “As you command.”
Lin Zhiji understood the teasing in their words and tried to pull his hand back, but Xie Yi instead held it even tighter, even smiling as he said, “What? Afraid of losing your ‘madam’s’ dignity?”
Lin Zhiji: …!
—
After entering Clear Creek City, they finally saw some of Jiangnan’s prosperity.
Waterways crisscrossed the city, white walls and dark tiles lined the riverside houses, and covered boats drifted like fish through the bridges, carrying the soft sounds of local dialect and street vendors.
The stone-paved streets were only wide enough for two people to walk side by side, yet they were filled with shops—wine houses, tea shops, grain stores, fabric merchants… everything was available, bustling and lively.
Lin Zhiji’s mood improved somewhat.
Relying on his harmless-looking face, Luo Zhitang managed to inquire about the best tavern.
The tavern was located at a crossroads and looked like it was doing very good business.
When they arrived, there were no private rooms left upstairs.
Lin Zhiji did not mind sitting in the main hall, and Xie Yi naturally followed his preference.
Because business was good, the tavern even hired a pair of sisters to sing songs.
Lin Zhiji could not really understand the lyrics, but he still followed the locals, cheering even when he did not understand.
When the younger sister came over with a tea tray asking for tips, he even generously took a silver ingot from Xie Yi’s purse and placed it in her hand.
Xie Yi: …
But at that moment, a piece of gold suddenly flew out from the private room upstairs.
Everyone’s attention was drawn over, and they saw a lecherous young nobleman looking down from above and saying, “That little song is quite good, and the girls are pretty too. If you come upstairs and sing for this young master alone, this piece of gold will be yours.”
The elder sister showed a flash of embarrassment on her face and said softly, “This humble girl and my sister are of shallow talent. We are not worthy of the young master’s reward. Please take it back.”
Who would have thought the young nobleman’s expression would instantly change?
“I tell you to come up because I’m giving you face. What are you pretending to be, some chaste noble lady? Men, bring them up here!”
As soon as the words fell, three or four burly servants came down from upstairs, actually trying to forcefully take the sisters upstairs.
Yet everyone in the tavern just watched silently; no one dared to speak.
Lin Zhiji suddenly stood up.
Xie Yi, however, had already calmly signaled to Song Lü and the others: “Go rescue them.”
But before Song Lü and the others could move, a young man in gray had already rushed out, standing in front of the sisters: “Stop!”
He was tall and slender, broad-shouldered and narrow-waisted, though his face was hidden under a hood and could not be seen. Only his voice was bright and clear.
He looked like a wandering chivalrous hero who steps in to help the weak.
So this is hero saving the beauty!
Lin Zhiji’s eyes lit up instantly.
The servants also felt threatened: “What do you want?”
Then they heard the gray-clothed youth say in that bright voice, “I can sing pretty well too. How about you listen to me instead?”
Lin Zhiji: ???
Everyone: ???
The young nobleman realized he was being mocked and flew into a rage: “Beat him to death!”
The gray-robed youth, while signaling the sisters to hurry and run, nimbly dodged the fists of those servants, and even, in order to escape, crawled under someone’s table.
Lin Zhiji was dumbfounded.
He even vaguely felt that it was somewhat familiar.
At the same time.
Lin Zhiji’s mission list began to flash.
【Main Quest Five loading——】
Lin Zhiji’s heart suddenly tightened.
Fortunately, this time the loading speed was relatively fast, and the mission content quickly appeared.
【Main Quest Five: Please have the host persuade the villain to save the protagonist Liu Muzhi.】
Lin Zhiji: ?!!
Before he could react, he heard the gray-robed youth cry out in pain, getting punched by a servant and left with a black eye.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly, instantly slipping out of their encirclement, while shouting “sorry, sorry,” and diving under Lin Zhiji’s table.
Lin Zhiji: ???
Wait!
Who was he supposed to save?!