piratefiction Chapter 17 The Doorman
Chapter 17 The Doorman
Nighttime, Zhaoyang Prefecture.
Ji Baizhi sat on a chair in the main room, with few lights on, only a single lamp beside her.
A solitary lamp illuminates a lone figure, creating a somewhat desolate scene.
Ji Baizhi's decision not to have Li Zhi wait there was inappropriate.
According to the original plan, it would have been more reasonable for him to appear later.
Li Zhi simply smiled at this suggestion and let Ji Baizhi do as she pleased.
Ji Baizhi knew in her heart that this person had seen through her idea of making a final effort.
She still wanted to get the plan, which had gone astray, back on track.
The waiting time wasn't long.
As soon as it got dark, footsteps came from the courtyard gate.
It wasn't just one person.
Ji Baizhi was very familiar with this kind of footstep sound; it was a neat and rhythmic sound unique to the palace.
The footsteps grew louder as they approached, finally stopping outside the courtyard gate.
Then, a sharp, yet not harsh, sound rang out.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has decreed that you come out to receive the imperial edict."
Ji Baizhi's heart sank. It wasn't the Empress's people who came, but her own brother, the current emperor's people.
She had a vague feeling that her plan was really going to fail.
Ji Baizhi got up, straightened her clothes that didn't need straightening, and calmed herself down.
She walked to the door and slowly opened it.
There were three people standing outside the door.
The man in the lead was slightly overweight, dressed in a dark purple eunuch's robe, and carrying a whisk in his hand.
The two people behind him were carrying lampshades; they were clearly his attendants.
It was dark, and the candlelight was limited, so the subtle expressions on the leader's face could not be seen; only a clean-shaven, beardless face was visible.
Ji Baizhi was very familiar with this face.
She had seen him when she was a child, by her father's side.
Eunuch Chen.
The most senior eunuch in the palace, who has served three emperors, is also a seventh-realm cultivator.
"Eunuch Chen," Ji Baizhi bowed slightly, her voice calm and revealing neither joy nor anger, "What is His Majesty's decree?"
"It's not exactly an imperial decree, just a few words," Eunuch Chen said with a smile.
"Please speak."
"Then," Eunuch Chen's smile remained unchanged, but his tone shifted slightly, "Your Highness should know why this old servant has come, right?"
"Of course, I brought a man back with me."
Although the plan had changed, Ji Baizhi still didn't want to give up.
"A man, huh?" Eunuch Chen sighed. "It seems His Highness has reached this point."
These words made Ji Baizhi's eyes light up; it seemed that she still had a chance.
"Just as His Majesty guessed." Eunuch Chen's smile vanished, replaced by a serious demeanor.
He was to read out the emperor's decree.
"Princess Zhaoyang, Ji Baizhi, is of noble character, kind and compassionate. When she encountered difficulties on the road, she felt compassion. This is the benevolent spirit of the royal family."
By special permission, Li Zhi, a scholar from Tiannan, shall enter Zhaoyang Prefecture from this day forward and serve as a guest minister under the Princess.
"I hope he will study diligently, so as not to disappoint His Highness's favor or the Emperor's grace."
"A retainer?" Ji Baizhi was slightly taken aback.
"Yes," Eunuch Chen's smile deepened, as if he had accomplished a task that satisfied everyone.
"Her Highness the Princess is kind and compassionate. She could not bear to see such a talented person freeze to death in the snow, so she brought him back to her residence to take care of him. His Majesty was very pleased when he heard about this, hence this favor. This is a wonderful story."
This imperial edict, once issued, set the tone and sealed the deal for Li Zhi's existence and Ji Baizhi's act of taking him in.
He paused, looked into Ji Baizhi's eyes, his tone gentle, yet containing a deeper meaning:
"Your Highness, this was decided by His Majesty himself."
Ji Baizhi looked at Eunuch Chen, at that blurry yet familiar face.
He found it somewhat amusing. Li Zhi, a scholar from the south?
Wasn't this identity given to me by the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect?
So quickly he's on the throne.
It truly lives up to the reputation of the Great Zhou Dynasty and its sects jointly governing the world.
"Didn't she say anything?" Ji Baizhi asked directly.
Although no one was explicitly named, everyone present knew who it referred to.
The attendants following behind Eunuch Chen lowered their heads even further.
Eunuch Chen's smile faded, and he said seriously:
"It's perfectly normal for Your Highness to have some retainers; Her Majesty the Empress wouldn't concern herself with such trivial matters."
He paused, as if suddenly remembering something:
"Besides, he will also participate in the Dragon Gate Examination, so Her Majesty the Empress will not care about this person."
Ji Baizhi stood there, the night wind blowing through her hair and clothes, but she felt no cold.
After all, none of this could compare to the chill that was spreading through her heart.
The identity arranged by the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect is truly ingenious.
For the first time, Ji Baizhi clearly felt just how terrifying the methods and influence of that woman far to the south, who was said to be skilled in prophecy.
Is there really anyone who can understand the secrets of heaven to such an extent?
Or perhaps she saw more of the future, in greater detail, than I did.
Seeing that Ji Baizhi remained silent, Eunuch Chen spoke in a relaxed tone, as if chatting casually.
"Since Your Highness has taken in guests, it would be impolite to have them squeeze into a small courtyard with Your Highness. It would be against etiquette and would not sound good if word got out."
This old servant will arrange for a quiet and spacious courtyard to be prepared within the manor for that young master Li Zhi to reside in.
He glanced at Ji Baizhi's expression and added:
"Your Highness, you can ask him to do things in the future, or have him accompany you for a walk outside. It's better than him being alone and bored."
This is what was given to Ji Baizhi; it was calculated very well, and it was completely within her bottom line.
"Yes," Ji Baizhi nodded again, her voice as soft as a sigh, "I understand."
Having finally completed his mission, Eunuch Chen wore a satisfied smile and bowed deeply.
"Then this old servant will not disturb Your Highness's rest any longer. Your Highness, please rest early."
Accompanied by two attendants, he retreated into the deep night as he had come, his footsteps gradually fading into the distance until they disappeared completely.
The courtyard gate was closed again.
Ji Baizhi stood alone under the eaves, in the dim, fragile candlelight, gazing in the direction they had disappeared, motionless for a long time.
"Looks like we lost badly." Li Zhi's voice came from behind.
"Young master, when did you arrive?" Ji Baizhi asked softly without turning around.
Like flowers battered by a cold wind.
"I just arrived." Li Zhi walked to Ji Baizhi's side and stood beside her. "What's wrong? Are you upset that I'm late?"
"How could that be?" Ji Baizhi shook her head, looked at Li Zhi, and smiled sadly: "It was just my wishful thinking, but the Holy Maiden of the Heavenly Sect is truly a master strategist."
"If it were that powerful, I wouldn't be here now."
"Young master, your words still don't make me happy."
"Really?" Li Zhi shook his head, saying with certainty, "I don't believe it."
"Young master, can't you coax me a little more?" Ji Baizhi said with increasing resentment.
"So what do you want? I'll give you a loving hug."
"That's what the young master said."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ji Baizhi hugged her tightly.
Li Zhi didn't dodge, but hugged Ji Baizhi directly, somewhat surprised: "I didn't expect you to actually hug me."
Ji Baizhi buried her head in Li Zhi's neck, making muffled sounds:
"Don't speak, young master."