Yan Jingxuan observed his submissive yet clearly resistant posture, then contrasted it with the soft, gentle manner in which he spoke to the young Emperor. This comparison only fueled his growing displeasure.
“Have I offended you in some way, Eunuch Lin? Why are you so resistant toward me?”
Lin Zili raised his head, frowning slightly, unable to understand the motive behind such questions. “Your Highness is joking. This servant has never met you before today; how could there be any offense?”
Yan Jingxuan pressed, “Then why have you not shown me a single smile since we met?”
Lin Zili felt a surge of irritation and gave a strained, superficial smile. “You misunderstand, Your Highness. This servant simply is not naturally prone to smiling.”
Yan Jingxuan was relentless. “I saw you smiling quite gently at my nephew just moments ago. Why show such a cold, frosty face to me?”
Yan Jingxuan’s tone was blunt, dropping all formalities of his royal title.
Lin Zili suppressed his anger and forced a smile. “If Your Highness wants something, just say it directly. Let us make this quick.”
Yan Jingxuan faltered. He did not actually know what he wanted. He only knew that the moment he saw Lin Zili, it was as if he had been drugged; he felt an overwhelming urge to keep him by his side, even at the cost of offending the young Emperor at the banquet.
Yan Jingxuan rubbed his temples in frustration. “Forgive me, Eunuch. I lost my temper for a moment. Since I cannot send you back just yet, please stay at my manor for two days. Once those days have passed, I will see you off personally.”
Lin Zili let out a cold huff, his posture remaining rigid and guarded.
Knowing he was in the wrong, Yan Jingxuan fell silent, though he continued to study Lin Zili.
From a distance earlier, he had not seen him clearly. Now, at such close quarters, Yan Jingxuan realized that Lin Zili’s features were strikingly beautiful. His eyes seemed to hide thousands of stars, yet they held a detached, frosty coldness that kept others at a distance. His nose was straight, his lips were naturally reddish, and their slightly pursed expression hinted at a stubborn streak.
Moreover, he lacked the heavy scent of pomade usually used by eunuchs to mask their odors; instead, he emitted a faint, natural fragrance from within. Perhaps due to his incomplete body, his demeanor seemed uniquely delicate and refined.
Eventually, Yan Jingxuan reached a conclusion: he did not look like a eunuch at all, but rather a precious, pampered daughter from a wealthy household.
Lin Zili felt increasingly uncomfortable under such a direct, unwavering gaze. He frowned deeper. “Your Highness, you have been staring at me. Is there something dirty on my face?”
Yan Jingxuan finally regained his senses and coughed slightly to mask his embarrassment. “Do not misunderstand, Eunuch. I only thought you were quite handsome. It was my rudeness.”
“Your Highness is joking. I am but a lowly eunuch in the palace; I am unworthy of your praise. Please, stop teasing me. I only hope Your Highness fulfills the promise to send me back to the palace soon,” Lin Zili said, lowering his eyes, his heart filled with annoyance at the Regent’s volatile nature.
He loathed having his appearance commented upon, and this Regent seemed to hit every one of his triggers.
“Rest assured, Eunuch. Since I have given my word, I will not go back on it. For these next two days, I hope you will not feel constrained and will treat my manor as your own home.” Yan Jingxuan tried to keep his tone gentle, but Lin Zili only thought of it as empty noise.
Seeing that Lin Zili seemed even angrier, Yan Jingxuan wisely fell silent.
This person is so hard to please, he thought. Complimenting him does not work, and not complimenting him does not work either. In fact, the more I speak, the angrier he gets. Why?
Silence descended upon the carriage, broken only by the rhythmic clatter of hooves and the rolling of wheels. After a long while, the carriage slowly pulled to a stop before the gates of the Regent’s manor.
Yan Jingxuan stepped out first and reached out to assist Lin Zili. Lin Zili ignored him completely, lifting his robes to climb out of the carriage on his own, his cold demeanor suggesting that the manor was little more than a den of danger.
Yan Jingxuan retracted his hand and raised an eyebrow.
Upon entering the manor, the steward and servants rushed to greet them. “Your Highness has returned. Who is this?”
Yan Jingxuan replied, “This is Eunuch Lin from the palace. He will be staying with us for a few days. You must serve him well.”
Seeing Lin Zili’s fine attire, the steward assumed he was a person of great importance from the palace. He bowed low to pay his respects and asked, “We have prepared hot water. Would Your Highness like to bathe now?”
Yan Jingxuan nodded. “Yes. I am exhausted from the evening’s events; a bath would be good.”
The steward smiled, “Shall I arrange for the servants to attend to you, Your Highness?”
Yan Jingxuan glanced at Lin Zili, who was looking around the manor with a visible expression of disdain. “No need. Having Eunuch Lin attend to me will suffice.”
Upon hearing this, Lin Zili looked at him in shock. “You actually want me to help you bathe?”
Yan Jingxuan nodded seriously, a hint of amusement in his eyes. “Is there something wrong with that?”
Looking at his smug expression, Lin Zili gritted his teeth. “Your Highness should let someone else do it, lest I be clumsy and displease you.”
Ignoring the refusal, Yan Jingxuan walked toward the inner courtyard, speaking as he went, “You have been in the palace for many years, Eunuch; how could you be incapable of such a small task? I have faith in your abilities.”
Lin Zili clenched his jaw, hating the Regent’s overbearing nature, but he had no choice but to follow.
Inside the bathhouse, steam filled the room. The tub was already filled with hot water, likely infused with spices, emitting a faint, elegant fragrance.
Once inside, Yan Jingxuan dismissed the servants. He stood by the tub, spread his arms, and turned to look at Lin Zili. With a half-smile, he said, “Eunuch, why are you still standing there? Come and help me disrobe. Surely you do not expect me to bathe fully clothed?”
Lin Zili was furious. He had never had to attend to the young Emperor’s bath in the palace, as other eunuchs performed that duty. Yet here, he was being forced to serve a man!
This is outrageous! I will remember this grievance!
However, being under someone else’s roof, he had no choice but to bow his head. He walked forward, gritting his teeth.
With a cold, stiff face, Lin Zili removed Yan Jingxuan’s outer robe, revealing the undergarments beneath. Just as he turned to step back, the accursed man said, “Continue. How am I supposed to bathe wearing these?”
Lin Zili took a deep breath and quickened his movements, untying the sashes of the inner garments. Finally, he removed the clothes entirely, revealing the firm, muscular build beneath.
Lin Zili kept his gaze lowered, his voice sounding as if it were being squeezed through gritted teeth.
“Your Highness, you may enter the bath.”
Seeing the look on Lin Zili’s face—as if he wanted to devour him—Yan Jingxuan found it amusing and intentionally added, “Eunuch, test the water temperature for me. Make sure it is not too hot.”