Once the incident was addressed, the young Emperor shouted, “Guards!”
Several guards immediately hurried over from a distance, knelt on one knee, and asked in unison, “What are Your Majesty’s orders?”
The young Emperor pointed at Zhao Wanying and said sternly, “Escort Miss Zhao back to her manor and tell Minister Zhao to discipline her well. Her reckless behavior in the palace today, pushing someone into the lake and attempting violence, is utterly unacceptable!”
“A father is responsible for his child’s lack of discipline. Minister Zhao is also at fault; he is hereby ordered to reflect behind closed doors for one month.”
The young Emperor had learned this trick recently: whenever someone committed an offense and he did not know how to punish them, he would order them to reflect behind closed doors. He found that these officials would rather take a beating than spend time in isolation.
The guards acknowledged the order and moved toward Zhao Wanying to escort her away.
Zhao Wanying was now thoroughly panicked. Realizing she had caused a catastrophe that implicated her father, she pleaded, “Your Majesty, Wanying knows she was wrong! I will reflect properly when I return, I promise! Please, do not punish my father!”
The young Emperor remained firm and did not grant her leniency.
Seeing the Emperor move toward the Liu family’s concubine-born daughter, Yan Jingxuan stepped forward to block his path. “Your Majesty, Miss Liu is soaked through. Let someone take her to change clothes.”
“After she is changed, have someone escort Miss Liu home. She has a timid temperament and is not well-suited to staying in the palace.”
The young Emperor looked at Liu Yunyao with a touch of reluctance but finally agreed. “Very well.”
Liu Yunyao was helped away by her maid, never having spoken a single word to the Emperor.
Yan Jingxuan blocked the Emperor’s line of sight and took his hand. “Do you still wish to stroll? If not, I shall escort you back to your sleeping quarters.”
The young Emperor blinked, feeling the warmth and roughness of his uncle’s hand. It triggered a strange sensation. His uncle’s hands felt completely different from Lin Zili’s; Lin Zili’s hands were slender and gentle whenever he held him. His uncle’s hands, however, were broad, thick, and calloused. They were not particularly pleasant to touch, yet when he was held, he felt a distinct strength. It was as if, following these hands, he had nothing to fear.
“Very well.”
Lin Zili followed behind, watching the pair walking hand-in-hand. The sight soured his mood. He glared bitterly at Yan Jingxuan’s back, his hands clenched into tight fists. The Emperor used to only hold his hand; since the Regent returned, everything had changed.
Yan Jingxuan seemed to sense something. He stopped and looked back. Ignoring the suppressed emotion in Lin Zili’s eyes, he provocatively extended his hand.
“What is it? Does the Eunuch also wish for me to hold his hand? As long as you speak the word, my hand is always open for you.”
Ye Ping, standing nearby, stiffened. A sudden, terrifying thought flashed through his mind. He looked up at the Regent in disbelief. When he saw the expression in Yan Jingxuan’s eyes, it felt like a thunderbolt striking him. He clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms until his knuckles turned white.
The Regent actually covets Zili? Does Zili know?
He suddenly recalled Lin Zili’s flustered and pale appearance when he first returned from the Regent’s manor. It was obvious to any observer that something had happened, yet Lin Zili had glossed over it.
Something must have happened at the Regent’s manor. Did he do something to him?
He dared not dwell on the thought. However, judging by Lin Zili’s current state, it seemed nothing irreparable had happened yet, which brought him a sliver of relief.
Lin Zili looked at the hand in front of him and recoiled in resistance. “Your Highness is joking.”
Yan Jingxuan raised an eyebrow, retracted his hand, and led the young Emperor back to the sleeping quarters.
Once back, the young Emperor was no longer sleepy. Yan Jingxuan tested him on his studies for a while and then looked over the reports on the desk. The style and substance were far beyond what a mere child could write.
Yan Jingxuan asked, “Did you write these yourself, Your Majesty?”
The young Emperor froze, a flash of panic in his eyes, but he quickly composed himself. “Naturally, I wrote them. Does Imperial Uncle doubt my abilities?”
Yan Jingxuan arched a brow, his gaze scrutinizing. He paced forward, picked up several reports, and flipped through them carefully. “You are still quite young, Your Majesty. To have such insight and command of drafting at your age, I am quite surprised.”
The young Emperor felt his heart racing, but he kept his posture steady, hiding his hands behind his back.
Yan Jingxuan curled his lips into a faint, cryptic smile as he glanced at Lin Zili. He chose not to press the issue. Placing the reports back, he turned to the Emperor. “Your diligence is a good thing, but if you encounter anything you are unsure of in the future, you may discuss it with me.”
The young Emperor nodded guiltily. “I understand, Imperial Uncle. I am suddenly sleepy; I will not accompany you further.” He pretended to yawn and rubbed his eyes with his small hands, looking utterly exhausted.
Yan Jingxuan did not expose his little act. He bowed and replied, “In that case, I will not disturb you further. However, as I have been away for so long, I wish to spend time fostering our bond. I shall stay in the palace for these next few days.”
“Let Eunuch Lin arrange my quarters. He has always been meticulous; I trust he will ensure my stay is comfortable.” Yan Jingxuan glanced meaningfully at Lin Zili.
The young Emperor, oblivious to the underlying tension, just wanted to get rid of Yan Jingxuan. “Very well. Banban, go help Imperial Uncle make arrangements.”
Lin Zili was unwilling to the core, but he had to comply respectfully. “I obey the imperial decree. I will certainly do my utmost to satisfy the Regent.”
As they left, Ye Ping grabbed Lin Zili’s sleeve in concern. Lin Zili bit his lip and shook his head at him.
Ye Ping clenched his other fist, then let it go in frustration.
Yan Jingxuan looked at them with an unreadable expression. “Eunuch Lin, do not dawdle. Lead the way.”
Lin Zili hurriedly acknowledged him, bowed his head, and walked forward to lead the Regent toward his assigned quarters.
Throughout the walk, Lin Zili remained silent, hoping only to complete the journey quickly and settle this great Buddha away.
Yan Jingxuan followed at a leisurely pace, his eyes fixed on Lin Zili, as if he could see right through him.
Before long, they arrived at an elegant side hall. Lin Zili stopped and turned to bow. “Your Highness, this place is quiet and secluded. All necessities are provided. You may rest here for the next few days. If you find anything lacking, please instruct the servants to obtain it for you.”
As Lin Zili turned to leave, Yan Jingxuan grabbed his wrist. “Will the Eunuch not come inside to sit for a moment? Stay and have a cup of tea before you go.”