On the day of the morning court, Yan Jingxuan donned his official robes. The gold thread embroidery shimmered with a cold, hard brilliance under the morning light, highlighting his formidable power.
Lin Zili was desperate to leave and had long been waiting by the carriage, fully packed.
When Yan Jingxuan saw Lin Zili’s figure from afar, his stride faltered for a moment before he regained his composure and walked toward the carriage with a steady gait.
As he approached, he observed Lin Zili’s demeanor, which was both distant and expectant. A surge of irritation rose within him, but he forced himself to remain calm. “You are quite eager, Eunuch.”
Lin Zili quickly bowed. “I have been away from the palace for many days and truly miss His Majesty. That is why I am in such a rush.”
Yan Jingxuan frowned slightly, his lips moving as if to speak, but he swallowed the words back.
“Since that is the case, let us depart.”
Lin Zili glanced at the single carriage before them and asked hesitantly, “Is there only one carriage?”
Yan Jingxuan laughed in anger. “What? Does sharing a carriage with me somehow insult you?”
Lin Zili frowned, hoping to avoid unnecessary trouble. “Your Highness, please forgive me. I have no such intention. It is simply that our stations are different, and I dare not share a carriage with you. I hope you will not misunderstand.”
Yan Jingxuan curled his lips into a sneer. “You shared a carriage with me when we came, and I did not see you worrying about station then.”
Lin Zili fell silent. He had not known what the Prince was plotting back then.
Seeing his hesitation, Yan Jingxuan frowned even deeper. “Do you think I would eat you? Stop stalling and get in!” He then boarded the carriage himself.
Lin Zili stiffened, standing frozen for a long moment. Finally, he sighed, steeled himself, and followed.
Once inside, he deliberately retreated into the corner, putting as much distance between himself and Yan Jingxuan as possible.
Yan Jingxuan glanced at him, his temper still simmering, but he said nothing more and coldly ordered the driver to depart.
The driver acknowledged the order, cracked the whip, and urged the horses forward. The carriage rolled toward the Imperial Palace.
The silence inside the carriage was stifling, broken only by the creaking of wheels and the rhythmic clatter of hooves. Lin Zili kept his head bowed, eyes fixed on his own toes, hoping only to reach the palace as quickly as possible.
As they neared the palace, Yan Jingxuan could no longer hold back. “Are you truly not considering joining me? What future is there with a wet-behind-the-ears Emperor? Can a mere sycophant gain more than what I, as the Regent, can offer you?”
Lin Zili quickly replied, “Your Highness, please watch your words. His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven. Since I have entered the palace to serve, I must be loyal and unwavering. I dare not harbor any two-minded thoughts. I hope you will stop uttering such treasonous words.”
As he spoke, fine beads of sweat formed on his forehead. He was terrified. If Yan Jingxuan’s words were leaked, it would be a capital offense, and he could not afford to be entangled in such a matter.
Seeing his nervousness, Yan Jingxuan frowned, feeling even more frustrated. “You are loyal indeed, but what can that loyalty earn you in those deep palace walls? I genuinely value you and want you by my side. Wealth and glory would naturally be yours. Why must you be so stubborn and insist on following a dead-end path?”
Lin Zili shook his head firmly. “I appreciate your kindness, Your Highness, but I know my status is low. I dare not have such presumptuous thoughts and only wish to fulfill my duties and serve His Majesty.”
He felt a pang of irony. How long does favoring someone based on appearance last?
Serving others was always the same. Serving the young Emperor meant he was above everyone else, while serving a man with ulterior motives was far more complicated than simple service.
The last person who had such thoughts about him was already buried in a grave. If Yan Jingxuan were not the Regent, he would have handled him long ago instead of being so cautious.
After being rejected repeatedly, Yan Jingxuan’s expression grew dark. He reached out, grabbed Lin Zili’s chin, and forced his face upward. “Do you truly think there is nothing I can do to a mere servant? If I really wanted you, who could stop me?”
“I could snatch you once, and I can snatch you twice. Even if I really did something to you, do you think my nephew the Emperor could stand up for you?”
Lin Zili turned pale, his body trembling uncontrollably, yet he held his ground.
“Your Highness, as the Regent, you certainly have that power. But if you were to act in such a way, it would surely damage your noble reputation. I hope you will think twice and not commit such a foolish act out of momentary impulse.”
He was filled with both fear and hatred. He feared that Yan Jingxuan would act without consequence, and he hated his own helplessness in the face of such power, forced to beg for mercy.
Yan Jingxuan did not want to hear his reasoning. He gripped his chin tighter and leaned in.
Lin Zili watched the face approaching him and cried out, “Your Highness!” His voice was filled with terror and resistance. He scrambled backward, but in the confined space of the carriage, there was nowhere to hide.
Just then, the driver announced, “Your Highness, we have arrived at the Imperial Palace.”
Yan Jingxuan paused. Seeing Lin Zili’s pathetic, frightened expression, the nameless fire in his heart subsided slightly. He finally let go, leaving several red finger marks on Lin Zili’s chin.
“You certainly know how to use words to stall me. Now that you are back in the palace, do not regret this decision later. You did not cherish the protection I offered you, so if something happens to you in the future, do not blame me for not warning you.”
Lin Zili gritted his teeth, his eyes red from the fright. “I would never dare trouble Your Highness with any matter.”
Yan Jingxuan glanced at him and waved his hand impatiently. “Fine, get lost.”
Lin Zili felt as if he had been granted an amnesty. He quickly acknowledged the order and hurried out of the carriage. As soon as his feet touched the ground, he strode toward the palace gates, his pace hurried and panicked, as if something terrifying were chasing him.
Yan Jingxuan sat in the carriage, watching Lin Zili’s fleeing back. He remained motionless for a long time. Not until the figure had completely disappeared into the palace did he slowly step out of the carriage, his expression cold and stern as he walked toward the palace himself.
Lin Zili ran directly to the young Emperor’s sleeping quarters. Inside, Ye Ping was helping the Emperor dress. Both were pleasantly surprised to see him return.
The Emperor’s eyes lit up immediately. He called out clearly, “Banban, you are back!”
Ye Ping also walked up quickly. Seeing his pale face, he asked with concern, “What happened? Why is your face so pale? Was the Regent…” Halfway through, he realized there were many people around and swallowed his words, though his eyes remained filled with worry.