Cold sweat broke out on the officials’ foreheads. They were simultaneously furious and terrified. They were furious at Yan Jingxuan’s humiliating mockery, yet terrified by the Regent’s ruthless reputation. They feared that if they ever truly caught his eye, he could find any excuse to destroy them.
For now, they dared not speak a word of protest. They kept their heads low, holding their breath, terrified of provoking him further. Internally, they were already planning to rush home and arrange marriages for their sons, determined not to let this demon king target their own flesh and blood.
Seeing their submission, Yan Jingxuan’s mood improved slightly. “That is enough. Everyone, continue with the morning court. However, I hope you all learn a lesson about what is your business and what is not.” He then swept a meaningful glance toward Lin Zili, as if to say that he had marked this debt down.
The officials felt as though they had been granted an amnesty, frantically wiping away their cold sweat. The court slowly regained a semblance of order as everyone scrambled to shift the topic to other government matters, though the atmosphere remained tense and awkward, refusing to dissipate.
The young Emperor sat on his throne, his eyes unfocused. He had not absorbed a single word of what was said. He grew sleepy and wanted to return to his chamber whenever court was in session. He did not understand the proceedings, and since his Imperial Uncle and his companion, Banban, were both there, he felt he might as well go back to sleep.
When the court finally adjourned, the Emperor expected to return to his quarters, but his Imperial Uncle announced he wanted to stroll through the palace and reminisce.
The young Emperor’s face fell, filled with reluctance, but he dared not refuse directly, given his uncle’s imposing authority. He had no choice but to force a smile and reply obediently, “Since Imperial Uncle wishes to tour the palace, I shall accompany you.”
Yan Jingxuan looked at the young Emperor’s listless demeanor and felt a twinge of helplessness. “Your Majesty, if you are tired, please go rest. Eunuch Lin can accompany me on a tour instead.”
Lin Zili, listening nearby, felt his heart skip a beat. “Your Majesty, I must attend to your rest. If the Regent wishes to stroll, he may summon other eunuchs.”
The young Emperor rubbed his eyes and replied to Yan Jingxuan, “It is fine, Imperial Uncle. I am not sleepy. I will accompany you.”
Since the Emperor was going, Lin Zili naturally had to follow. He cursed his luck internally, wanting nothing more than to avoid further contact with Yan Jingxuan, but he could not say so. He could only follow silently behind them.
Ye Ping, who had been waiting outside, noticed the scene and joined them. Seeing Lin Zili’s resigned expression, he guessed the situation, but for now, he could only tag along to prevent any sudden incidents.
There was not much to see in the palace, so they eventually wandered to the back garden to admire the flowers.
Along the way, Yan Jingxuan spoke incessantly with the young Emperor, inquiring about his diet, daily routines, and studies. As they approached a pavilion to rest, they heard a sudden commotion nearby.
The young Emperor curiously stretched his neck to look. “Why is it so noisy over there? Ye Ping, go see what is happening.”
Ye Ping acknowledged the order and hurried toward the source of the sound. He returned shortly after, looking surprised. “Your Majesty, the sons and daughters of several officials are quarreling. Miss Zhao pushed the third Miss Liu into the lake. Fortunately, she was rescued in time and is unharmed.”
The young Emperor muttered in dissatisfaction, “It is them again. Let us go and see.”
Lin Zili glanced at Ye Ping, silently asking for details with his eyes, but Ye Ping shook his head, signaling he would explain later.
As they reached the scene, they found a crowd surrounding a young girl who was sobbing. Her hair and clothes were soaked, clinging to her in a pathetic state, while a maidservant frantically tried to wipe her down.
Standing before them was another young girl. Though her features were delicate and lively, her expression was filled with such arrogance and mockery that it ruined her beauty.
She glanced at the sobbing girl and scoffed, “You only fell into a lake; you are perfectly fine. Why the weeping? It makes it look as though I committed some heinous crime.”
The sobbing girl cried even harder. Her maidservant glared viciously at the arrogant girl. “Miss Zhao, how can you say such things? The lake is so deep; my mistress almost never returned! Your cold-hearted words are truly excessive.”
Zhao Wanying widened her eyes, hands on her hips. “You lowly servant, who gave you permission to speak? She is just a concubine-born daughter of the Liu family. So what if I pushed her?”
She raised her hand to strike the maid. The young Emperor shouted, “Stop!”
Zhao Wanying shuddered, her hand frozen in mid-air. She turned to look at the Emperor, her arrogance still lingering on her face, but she dared not move further. The surrounding crowd quickly knelt. “Greetings, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor marched forward, his face flushed with anger. “Zhao Wanying, you are too brazen! Even if she were a commoner, you have no right to harm anyone, let alone here in the Imperial Palace! Your lack of regard for the law and your attempt to commit violence will not be forgiven!”
Zhao Wanying fell to her knees in terror, still trying to defend herself. “Your Majesty, it is not Wanying’s fault! It is this Liu Yunyao who is being difficult. I saw her hairpin was beautiful and wanted to buy it, but she not only refused to sell, she even mocked me.”
Lin Zili’s eyes flickered at the name Liu Yunyao. He looked at the soaking wet girl kneeling on the ground.
The female protagonist? We met so quickly. It seems I have already changed the plot.
It made sense. The female lead’s father was a third-rank official, and she was of a similar age to the Emperor. It was only natural for her to be sent to the palace.
Ye Ping leaned in and whispered an explanation: “The one speaking is Zhao Wanying, the second legitimate daughter of Minister Zhao Gongxian. The one in the water is Liu Yunyao, the third concubine-born daughter of Minister Liu Wenzhang. Ever since they entered the palace, they have been at each other’s throats. They have already clashed several times.”
Yan Jingxuan, sensing the two were standing too close, moved to nudge Ye Ping aside without a trace. “Do you know the reason for their conflict?”
Ye Ping frowned and replied respectfully, “Miss Zhao has a spoiled temperament and looks down upon Miss Liu’s origins, so she frequently bullies her.”
Yan Jingxuan remarked, “It is common for the legitimate-born to look down on the concubine-born, but I remember Minister Liu has a legitimate daughter. Why send a concubine-born daughter into the palace as well? It is improper.”
Why else? The Liu family had two daughters near the Emperor’s age. Sending both was a smart bet. If either secured the Emperor’s favor, the Liu family would profit regardless.