Upon entering the room, Lin Zili saw Ye Ping held captive by guards, kneeling on the floor. His face was bruised, evidence of a brutal beating. Yan Jingxuan sat above, his expression dark and his eyes burning with intense rage.
Seeing Lin Zili enter, Yan Jingxuan’s expression did not soften; his gaze remained icy. “You have arrived, Eunuch Lin.”
Lin Zili felt a surge of tension. He stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Your Highness, may I ask what offense Ye Ping has committed to provoke such anger?”
Yan Jingxuan looked at him coldly. “This eunuch attempted to poison me. I caught him in the act, and he subsequently tried to assassinate me. With such crimes, how do you suggest I handle him?”
Lin Zili’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. He turned to look at Ye Ping, who met his gaze with profound guilt, opening his mouth as if to speak before silently bowing his head.
Lin Zili turned back to Yan Jingxuan. “Your Highness, there must be a misunderstanding. Ye Ping has no grudge against you; why would he ever wish to harm you?”
Seeing Lin Zili defend the eunuch so fervently, a spark of jealousy flared in Yan Jingxuan. “You are indeed deeply devoted to this eunuch.”
“Very well. The tea in this cup is the evidence of his poisoning attempt. If you drink it, I will let the matter go and treat it as a misunderstanding.”
Lin Zili looked at the cup being offered. He was filled with anger and resentment, both at Yan Jingxuan’s cruelty and Ye Ping’s reckless impulsiveness. His hand tightened into a fist, but the realization that Ye Ping’s life hung in the balance forced him to suppress his hatred. He raised his eyes to meet Yan Jingxuan’s. “Your Highness, do you truly keep your word? If I drink this, will you release Ye Ping and never pursue this again?”
Yan Jingxuan stared at him intensely. “Of course. It is not too late to turn back. As long as you state that you do not know this person and have no relationship with him, you will not have to drink this poisoned tea.”
Lin Zili looked at him, his hand trembling as he reached for the cup.
Seeing his stubbornness, Yan Jingxuan’s expression grew darker, a nameless rage rising within him. “Since you are so determined to be loyal, then proceed.”
Ye Ping began to struggle violently, his eyes turning scarlet as he glared at Yan Jingxuan. “Do not drink it! I was the one who poisoned the tea, it has nothing to do with Eunuch Lin! Do whatever you want to me, but do not drink it!”
Lin Zili acted as if he did not hear Ye Ping’s cries. His hand shook as he slowly brought the cup to his lips. As his lips touched the rim, he took a deep breath, an inkling of eager anticipation hidden within his actions as he prepared to drain the contents.
Finally, I can die. I have been delayed for so long. I wonder if the system will deduct my points?
Yan Jingxuan, seeing his resolve, finally reached his limit. He lunged forward and snatched the cup from Lin Zili’s hand. “Enough!”
The cup shattered against the floor, the tea splashing everywhere. The room, which had been silent, was suddenly filled with the sharp, jarring sound of porcelain breaking.
Lin Zili looked at the broken shards with genuine regret. The tea had spilled, soaking the ground. What a waste of good poison.
Yan Jingxuan paced back and forth in a rage, pointing at him through gritted teeth. “Do you think I dare not deal with you? Since you value him so much, today I will make you watch as he is beheaded. Let us see how long you can remain so defiant!”
Yan Jingxuan waved his hand, signaling the guards to drag Ye Ping away. Lin Zili tried to intervene, but Yan Jingxuan grabbed him by the waist, holding him fast. He struggled desperately to break free, but Yan Jingxuan’s strength was overwhelming.
Seeing Ye Ping being dragged toward the door, Lin Zili finally broke. Red-eyed and frantic, he grabbed Yan Jingxuan’s collar. “What do you want? What must I do to make you let him go?”
Yan Jingxuan looked at the tears welling in his eyes, rubbing the reddened corners of them with a strange, obsessive emotion. “Do you not know what I want?”
Lin Zili stiffened. He knew exactly what was in Yan Jingxuan’s heart. “Can you not ask for something else? You are a Prince; how many beauties could you have? Why force me?”
Yan Jingxuan frowned, pulling Lin Zili toward him with a slight tug, bringing them inches apart. He stared into Lin Zili’s eyes. “Eunuch Lin, I have already shown you great restraint. Do not be ungrateful. Ye Ping’s life is in your hands. Whether he lives or dies is entirely up to your choice.”
“You must decide quickly; a moment more and that eunuch will be dragged away.”
Ye Ping heard their exchange and shouted in despair, “No! Do not agree to him! I would rather die than have you endure this!”
Yan Jingxuan shot him a cold glare. “Gag him.”
The guards immediately used a cloth strip to silence Ye Ping. He could only let out muffled cries, his eyes filled with anxiety and desperation, shaking his head violently to plead with Lin Zili to refuse. He regretted everything; he should have listened to Lin Zili. It was his own impulsiveness that had brought this situation upon them.
Looking at Ye Ping’s agony, Lin Zili gritted his teeth, as if summoning the last of his strength, and spoke with great difficulty. “Your Highness, I agree. Just let Ye Ping go. I will do as you say from now on. I only ask that you keep your promise and trouble him no further.”
Yan Jingxuan obtained what he wanted, yet he found no joy in it. Nevertheless, he would not break his word. He gestured to the guards. “Release the eunuch. He will live for today. Eunuch Lin, do not forget your promise, or I have plenty of ways to make you regret it.”
Once released, Ye Ping ripped the gag from his mouth and stumbled to Lin Zili’s side. With bloodshot eyes, he knelt at his feet. “Zili, you should not have! My life is not worth this. I would rather have died.”
Lin Zili struck him hard across the face. The slap was crisp and loud, sending Ye Ping’s face to the side and drawing blood from his lip.
He looked at him with profound disappointment, his words venomous. “Did I not tell you not to be impulsive? Why did you not listen?”
“Who do you think you are? You are a servant. Have you been so pampered that you have lost all sense of self-awareness?”
Ye Ping looked up at him in a daze, his heart feeling as though it had been pierced by a blade. He opened his mouth to explain, but his throat was thick with blood and emotion. After a long moment, he managed a few words. “I only wanted to protect you.”
Lin Zili acted as if he did not hear him. Still red-eyed and filled with anger, he shouted, “Protect me? Look at the mess you have made! Get out! Get out of the Imperial Palace, and never let me see you again!”