The servant accepted the order and set off. Before long, he arrived at Lin Zili’s quarters. After bowing respectfully, he said, “Eunuch Lin, the Regent requests your presence in the study. He says he has something to discuss with you.”
Lin Zili felt a thud in his chest. He immediately tried to find an excuse to refuse. “I am feeling somewhat unwell, so I will not go to disturb the Prince.”
The servant stood firm, his tone respectful yet resolute. “Please do not make things difficult for me, Eunuch. I dare not disobey the Prince’s orders. If you do not go, I will have to remain here and wait.”
Lin Zili gritted his teeth, inwardly cursing Yan Jingxuan’s overbearing nature. Yet, he knew he could hide for a moment, but not for a lifetime. If he avoided him today, what about tomorrow or the day after? If he angered Yan Jingxuan, would he even be able to return to the Imperial Palace?
Thinking this, Lin Zili chose to compromise and followed the servant.
Throughout the journey, Lin Zili speculated about Yan Jingxuan’s intentions, his steps heavy with apprehension. Upon reaching the study, he took a deep breath, straightened his robes, and stepped inside.
Yan Jingxuan sat behind the desk with a slight frown, appearing lost in thought. Upon hearing movement, he looked up. Seeing Lin Zili, his expression softened slightly. “You have arrived. Please, sit.”
Lin Zili bowed. “Thank you, Your Highness. I prefer to stand. May I ask why you have summoned me?”
Yan Jingxuan stood up and walked slowly toward Lin Zili. He looked at him with complex emotions in his eyes. “I know that you have been avoiding me these past few days. I understand that I frightened you, but your alienation makes me feel truly uneasy.”
Lin Zili lowered his gaze, saying in a low voice, “Your Highness, I have no such intention. I only wish to avoid causing you trouble. After all, I am the Emperor’s servant. If I spend too much time with you, others might spread gossip, which could damage your reputation.”
Watching the trembling of Lin Zili’s lowered lashes, Yan Jingxuan took a step forward, intending to touch him. Lin Zili recoiled violently, his eyes filled with terror and disgust.
“Your Highness, please conduct yourself with dignity!”
Yan Jingxuan’s expression darkened instantly. He was a powerful Regent; when had he ever acted so obsequiously? Yet, when facing Lin Zili, he always lost his usual composure and calmness, becoming cautious, only to be repeatedly rebuffed.
“What if I insist?”
Lin Zili gripped his sleeves tightly, his body trembling slightly. In that instant, he was genuinely frightened, his mind in chaos. Unable to care about Yan Jingxuan’s feelings, he gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness, I have made myself very clear. I hope you will let me go and cease these actions that invite misunderstanding. I cannot bear the burden of such things, nor do I wish to.”
“You are consumed with thoughts of the Emperor and returning to the palace. Am I truly so despicable in your eyes? I genuinely wished to befriend you; I have no ulterior motives. Why will you not believe me?” Yan Jingxuan’s tone was tinged with anger, attempting to convey his sincerity.
I do not believe a word of it, Lin Zili thought. You claim to have no ulterior motives, but the way you look at me says otherwise.
Lin Zili took a deep breath, struggling to remain calm. “Your Highness, our statuses are different. I am merely a lowly eunuch, and you are the noble Regent. We should not have so much interaction. All I desire is a peaceful return to the palace to continue serving the Emperor. I hope you will grant me this wish and stop making things difficult for me.”
Hearing this, Yan Jingxuan’s expression turned even gloomier. He paced back and forth, seemingly suppressing his inner emotions. After a long while, he spoke slowly. “Very well. Since you are so insistent, I will no longer force you. I will grant your wish and send you back to the palace as soon as possible. I only hope that you will not regret this decision in the future.”
Lin Zili felt a sense of relief and quickly bowed. “Thank you for your understanding, Your Highness.”
Yan Jingxuan waved his hand dismissively. “That is enough. Pack your things over the next two days. Once I have made the necessary arrangements, I will have you sent back. You may go; I wish to be alone.”
Lin Zili acknowledged him, turned, and walked quickly out of the room, as if something terrifying were chasing him.
Watching him leave without a hint of hesitation, Yan Jingxuan felt a deeper sense of frustration.
Once Lin Zili returned to his room, the system dared to speak: “What is going on? How did you end up in the Regent’s manor?”
Lin Zili leisurely poured himself a cup of tea. “Oh, you are back? What kind of meeting was it? I have not seen you for two days.”
System: “There was a problem with our group’s main data. Every system was called back for inspection, though nothing was found in the end.”
“You have not answered me. Why are you suddenly in the Regent’s manor? The Regent acted quite strangely toward you earlier. Did you cause trouble again?”
Lin Zili cried foul: “I did not! Do not falsely accuse me. Instead of asking me, why do you not investigate Yan Jingxuan? He was fine at the banquet two days ago, but he insisted on adding his own drama. After it ended, he forced me to come here. Do you not think something is wrong?”
The system was stunned that so much had happened during its two-day absence. Its voice rose in surprise: “He forced you to come here? That should not happen! Even if he did not kill you on the spot, he should not have brought you home!”
Lin Zili: “Who should I ask about that?”
The system was frantic: “But when you had me check before, I found absolutely no issues! How did it turn into this?”
Lin Zili: “That is not my concern. I have not deviated from my role. If you deduct my points later, I will file an appeal.”
System: “Fine, fine. Just hold on. I will go check again. You do not have many days left anyway. When this mission ends, I will report this for you; you might even get some compensation.”
Lin Zili suppressed a smile and replied reluctantly: “That sounds better. Fine, you may go.”
Before leaving, the system reminded him: “You must not deviate from your role. If you do, it will be very difficult for me to report this for you.”
Lin Zili: “I know, you are being repetitive.”
The system departed, and Lin Zili went to sleep in a good mood.
Yan Jingxuan was likely very busy for the next two days and had no time to summon Lin Zili. Freed from burdens, Lin Zili spent his days wandering the manor, enjoying the flattery of the servants and feeling quite at ease.
Another day passed, and it was time for Yan Jingxuan to attend court. Because he had just returned, he had a three-day leave by tradition, so he was in no hurry.
Furthermore, morning court was not held daily. The young Emperor was still too young, so there was rarely a need for formal sessions. Reports were usually submitted by officials every few days, and the remaining days were handled via memorials sent to the young Emperor for his review.