Zhao Gongxian and several other officials felt their spirits lift, as if they had finally spotted a turning point.
Having been completely suppressed by Lin Ziliang at the banquet earlier—to the point where they dared not even breathe freely—they were overjoyed to hear Yan Jingxuan demand that Lin Ziliang be sent to serve at the Prince’s residence.
Zhao Gongxian secretly mused that if Lin Ziliang were sent to the Prince’s residence, he would be removed from the Emperor’s side. It would likely become much harder for him to stir up trouble in the imperial court. Perhaps they could even seize this opportunity to kick him while he was down and vent the frustration they had suffered at the banquet today.
The other officials exchanged glances. One of them lowered his voice and whispered to the others, “If this Eunuch Lin is truly transferred away, our work will be much easier from now on. We will not have to live in constant fear of him finding dirt on us.”
“Exactly. The Regent has done us a great favor. I was wondering why the Prince was favoring that eunuch earlier; it turns out he had his own plan.”
“That is right. How could the Prince’s residence possibly lack servants? This must be a calculated plan to take him back and properly torment the wretch.”
Without further delay, the group knelt and argued their case with fervor.
Zhao Gongxian was the first to speak, his face full of feigned sincerity: “Your Majesty, the Prince is absolutely right. Eunuch Lin possesses extraordinary abilities; if he goes to the Prince’s residence, he will surely keep things in perfect order. The Prince exhausts his heart and soul for the court, and he truly needs a capable assistant like Eunuch Lin. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider.”
A nearby official chimed in hastily: “Your Majesty, Eunuch Lin has always been clever. If he could serve the Prince for a period of time, it would be beneficial for both the Prince and the court.”
“The Prince has been away from his residence for many years, and the affairs there are complex. If Eunuch Lin goes, he will not only put the Prince’s mind at ease but also share the burden for Your Majesty. We implore Your Majesty to grant this request.”
The remaining officials followed suit, nodding and echoing each other, as if it were a massive catastrophe if Lin Ziliang did not go to the Prince’s residence.
Lin Ziliang glared at them, his anxiety growing as beads of sweat formed on his forehead. “Your Majesty, this servant only wishes to remain by your side. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider.”
Yan Jingzhi looked at the officials, his brow furrowing deeper. His young face was full of displeasure. “I have already said that I cannot function without my attendant. There is no need for further discussion. You may all withdraw.”
“Royal Uncle, do not bring this up again. If you are lacking staff, I will send two more people to the Prince’s residence to manage things for you.”
However, the group seemed determined, continuing to plead bitterly: “Your Majesty, you have always been wise. I hope you will put the big picture first this time. The Prince is a great hero, and his needs cannot be ignored. If Eunuch Lin goes to the residence, he will be better able to assist the Prince in serving Your Majesty in the future.”
Lin Ziliang listened from the side, feeling a mix of anger and panic. He gritted his teeth, knowing these people were clearly using this opportunity to settle the score from earlier.
Damn that Regent! It is all his fault! If he had not started this, I would not be pressured by this mob.
How could a Regent’s residence lack servants? He must have ulterior motives; he is probably thinking of some way to torture him.
The young Emperor was frightened by the scene. He could not understand why so many people wanted his attendant to leave his side. Helpless, he turned his eyes toward Lin Ziliang, looking for a way out.
Yan Jingxuan frowned, finding his imperial nephew somewhat weak; it seemed someone had protected him too well over the last few years.
He looked at Lin Ziliang beside him. Is it him?
However, seeing how much Lin resisted coming to his side, he felt displeased.
Yan Jingxuan let out a laugh: “Eunuch Lin, I am not a difficult person to serve; you need not worry. Furthermore, my actions are for the sake of the Emperor. Now that His Majesty is growing up, having someone as shrewd as you by his side may lead to over-reliance, which is detrimental to his development.”
Lin Ziliang seethed with hatred. These officials had always opposed him, but today they were even more brazen. It was all because of this damn Regent.
He looked at Yan Jingxuan: “Your Highness, this servant has spent many years in the palace and has never heard of the Prince’s residence lacking help. I wonder why you are so insistent on me going there?”
Yan Jingxuan smiled slightly: “Eunuch Lin, I have my own reasons. You need only obey.”
“Your Majesty, I have never asked for anything. Now that I have this one small request, can you not grant it to me?”
Seeing the pressure from his uncle and the officials, Yan Jingzhi felt extremely angry, but he realized that if he continued to force Lin Ziliang to stay, it might cause a greater uproar.
But he did not want his attendant to leave to serve his uncle. He was torn, nearly on the verge of tears.
The atmosphere remained deadlocked. Lin Ziliang looked around, then suppressed his resentment and compromised: “Your Majesty, the Prince and the officials are correct. Furthermore, the Prince has just returned from the battlefield and is a hero of our nation. Since he only desires one servant, there is no reason for Your Majesty to refuse.”
“It is this servant’s honor to serve the Prince. I am willing to follow the Prince.”
The young Emperor looked up at him with teary eyes, full of reluctance: “Attendant, what will I do if you leave?”
Taking in everyone’s reactions, Lin Ziliang smiled: “It will be fine. Perhaps I will return soon. During this time, let Ye Ping serve Your Majesty.”
The young Emperor had seen Ye Ping by Lin Ziliang’s side and knew he was one of his own men. Even though he was unwilling, he had no choice but to nod in agreement.
Yan Jingxuan was even more irritated by the way the two were acting, as if he were some villain breaking up a pair of lovers. It was fortunate the Emperor was young and Lin Ziliang was a man; otherwise, it truly looked like the behavior of a seductive consort.
Only the officials were overjoyed.
As he left with the Regent, Lin Ziliang turned his head and glared fiercely at them.
The officials ignored him, viewing him as a grasshopper at the end of autumn. With the Regent on their side, he would not be jumping around for much longer.
On the way back, Lin Ziliang and Yan Jingxuan shared a carriage. The carriage was spacious enough for them to sit facing each other.
Lin Ziliang felt a sense of unease. Logically, Yan Jingxuan should think him bold and treacherous, a man who would ruin the country. He should feel disgusted and execute him with a sword in court tomorrow. So why bring him to his residence?
Is he planning to take me back to the residence to kill me?
But why go to such lengths? Since he returned, the high officials have sided with him. Wouldn’t it be easy to kill a mere eunuch?
He even wore a sword at his waist when meeting the young Emperor; he clearly was not a law-abiding sort. Even if he had executed him in front of everyone at the banquet today, no one would have said a word.
They might have even cheered. Why go through all this trouble to take him to the residence?
Lin Ziliang could not understand it, and at this moment, he found the sight of Yan Jingxuan’s face utterly infuriating.