Lin Zili saw the little Emperor’s staunch support and could not help but curl his lips in a smile, his eyes filled with self-satisfaction. However, on the surface, he continued to persuade him in a gentle voice: “This servant understands Your Majesty’s intentions, but there are many eyes in this palace. If word of this gets out, those old ministers will surely start presenting memorials and nagging again. My reputation is already poor enough. If anything else were to spread, I would truly become the sinner who brings ruin upon the country.”
The little Emperor let out a cold snort: “Those ministers spend every day presenting nonsensical memorials. They are always impeaching one person or remonstrating against another. I am sick of it! I will have their heads sooner or later!”
Lin Zili smiled and flattered him, but internally he thought: This little Emperor is becoming more and more like a tyrant. I wonder how much suffering he will endure if he clashes with the Great Villain. Or perhaps not; the Great Villain is also a tyrannical person. If this uncle and nephew get together, will there be anyone left in the court?
Lin Zili waited for the little Emperor to vent his anger before asking, “Why are you so upset? Who has angered Your Majesty?”
“It is that Zhao Gongxian! He actually colluded with various ministers to submit a request for me to select a consort! That shameless old thing!”
Yan Jingzhi grabbed the memorial from the desk and handed it to Lin Zili: “Banban, look at this. This old thing actually wants his seven-year-old daughter to enter the palace. It is truly a disgrace to fatherhood!”
Lin Zili took it. He had no regard for the rule that eunuchs should not interfere in politics, and Yan Jingzhi handing a memorial to a eunuch so casually clearly was not the first time they had done so. Lin Zili glanced at it, and a flash of displeasure crossed his eyes. That old thing has a clever plan, he thought. Does he think that sacrificing his own daughter to enter the palace and diverting the little Emperor’s attention will distance the Emperor from me?
Lin Zili set the memorial down, masking the cold malice in his eyes with a look of concern: “Your Majesty, Minister Zhao’s move is indeed full of ulterior motives. Your Majesty is still young, and this is a critical time to focus on your studies and familiarize yourself with state affairs. They are in such a rush to have you choose a consort because they want to plant their own influence in the harem early.”
Lin Zili sighed: “It is also this servant’s fault for forgetting that Your Majesty is only eight or nine years old, a time meant for play, yet you have no companions of your own age. It is understandable that others would use this as an excuse to win you over.”
His words were incredibly bold. For a eunuch to speak about high-ranking court officials in such a manner before the Emperor showed just how much power and favor Yan Jingzhi had granted him.
Yan Jingzhi quickly grabbed his hand, panicked: “Banban, I do not need any companions. I only need you to stay by my side.”
Lin Zili crouched down and laughed: “Of course, this servant will always accompany Your Majesty. However, even though Your Majesty is the supreme ruler, you should indeed have contact with young masters and ladies from noble families of your own age. Since Minister Zhao is acting with good intentions, Your Majesty should issue an imperial decree allowing the sons and daughters of officials of the third rank and above to enter the palace to keep you company. If you find any young lady you like, you can keep her in mind; perhaps she can be selected as a consort when you are older.”
Yan Jingzhi’s delicate little face crumpled: “But I do not like them, and I do not want a consort.”
Lin Zili was nonchalant: “Your Majesty is still too young. When you grow up, you will understand. As the sovereign, you will certainly need to expand your harem in the future. There is no harm in having contact with them early. Alright, Your Majesty, go and draft the decree. We shall announce it at tomorrow’s morning court.”
Yan Jingzhi was unhappy, but he did not refuse.
By the time the system returned, Yan Jingzhi had already finished drafting the imperial decree. The system was perplexed: “Why did you have the little Emperor draft a decree to summon the children of ministers into the palace? That part was not in the plot, was it?”
Lin Zili sat to the side, sipping his tea comfortably—not like a eunuch, but like the master of the house: “My character does not have a plot. Haven’t I been improvising based on my persona for the past few years?”
System: “Then why take the extra trouble?”
Lin Zili: “Because, according to my persona, I am a man who seeks revenge for the smallest grievance. If Minister Zhao wants to trip me up, I must give him something to deal with. Isn’t he trying to pave his own way by sending his daughter into the palace? I will grant him his wish. I will give him a path; it just depends on whether he can climb it. I remember that his youngest daughter was raised to be arrogant and domineering. I heard that she has already killed and abused many servants at a young age. There are so many rules in the palace. If she accidentally causes trouble, do you think her father can escape the consequences?”
Lin Zili shook his head and sighed: “Tsk tsk, to spoil a child is to kill a child. It is truly terrifying. By the way, you have been gone for so long; did you find out?”
System: “Of course. The Regent will likely return next week. You need to cause a scene during the morning court to provoke him. Once he kills you with one sword strike, we will have completed the mission.”
Lin Zili breathed a sigh of relief: “It is finally coming to an end. Let’s make a deal: next time, do not let me arrive so early. It is too draining.”
The system rolled its eyes: “That is not something I can control. If it were not difficult, why do you think the Villain Group offers such high points?”
Just then, Yan Jingzhi walked over to Lin Zili with the finished decree, his eyes wide with expectation: “Banban, I have finished writing it.”
Lin Zili regained his composure, stood up, and took it to inspect. It was written exactly as he had instructed. Seeing the anticipation in the little Emperor’s eyes, he smiled and praised him: “Your Majesty’s handwriting has improved significantly. You must have been practicing quite a bit during this time, haven’t you?”
Yan Jingzhi’s eyes brightened: “Yes, I practiced for half an hour more every night than usual.”
Lin Zili bent down to tidy the little Emperor’s collar, his voice soft and gentle: “Your Majesty does not need to push yourself so hard. You must rest when you need to rest.”
Feeling Lin Zili gently smoothing his clothes and smelling the unique fragrance on him, the adoration in Yan Jingzhi’s eyes deepened. He looked at Lin Zili not like a servant, but like an elder.
“Yes, I will listen to Banban.” A moment later, Yan Jingzhi fidgeted: “Banban, can you stay and rest with me tonight?”
Lin Zili shook his head: “Your Majesty, that is against the rules.”
Yan Jingzhi looked disappointed, but then heard him add: “However, this servant can guard the bedside until Your Majesty falls asleep.”
He was delighted, quickly telling the young eunuch nearby to help him undress. After being served while washing up, he climbed obediently into bed.
Once the little Emperor was tucked in, Lin Zili moved a small stool to the bedside, took the round fan from the young eunuch’s hand, and began to fan him gently. Yan Jingzhi stared at Lin Zili with his round eyes, unable to look away. Drowsy, he murmured: “Banban, tell me a story, just like you used to when I was little.”