They all want to change my future.

Chapter 26 Money to Buy a Life

This time, my feeling of unworthiness is truly heartfelt.

Ji Baizhi remained silent, maintaining the dignified demeanor of a noble lady from a royal family, and walked steadily and unhurriedly towards the secluded courtyard.

Feeling bored, Lin Yueyin once again retreated into the darkness.

The already cautious and efficient servants dared not slack off at this moment.

Suddenly, I noticed a cold and oppressive gaze sweeping over me.

The servants immediately sped up their work.

Even the eunuchs who were originally there to supervise the work disregarded their dignity and rolled up their sleeves to join in the sweeping, cleaning, and carrying, afraid of being a step behind.

In the darkness, Lin Yueyin's gaze swept over the boxes being carried into the house, revealing pills, incense, several sets of fine everyday clothes, and even a small box of gold and silver jewelry.

He transmitted his voice to Ji Baizhi, who was standing aside supervising the work:

"That's quite a generous gesture. This treatment far exceeds that of ordinary guests; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it's being treated like an honored guest."

Ji Baizhi maintained her aloof demeanor, as if she hadn't heard anything.

But as she watched the items in the box being taken out and placed one by one, her brows began to furrow.

The necessary items for spiritual practice included a carriage, gold and silver valuables, and clothing for all four seasons.

She looked up at the tall mansion wall behind the courtyard, and could vaguely see the eaves of buildings further away beyond the wall.

Lin Yueyin didn't understand, but Ji Baizhi understood very well that this favor was already too heavy.

It was so heavy that it could be considered money to buy one's life, but isn't that what so-called retainers are all about?

You're nurtured normally, but when it's time for you to give your life...

You should go now.

Thinking about this gave Ji Baizhi a headache; she hadn't originally had such thoughts or intentions.

But with the emperor's gift, the young master, being so intelligent, will surely understand its meaning at a glance.

What if the young master misunderstands this and distances himself from me?

Just as Ji Baizhi was troubled.

Those people moved extremely quickly, and under the watchful eye of the Princess herself, they dared not slack off in the slightest.

The so-called tidying up of the yard is nothing more than taking an existing small yard, cleaning it a little, and putting things away.

In less than half an hour, everything was ready.

The young eunuch led his men to Ji Baizhi and respectfully reported back, receiving only a curt "Yes."

As if granted a pardon, he hurriedly led his men away and left Zhaoyang Prefecture.

As for how to explain his failure to "personally witness the arrival of the guest ministers" after returning to the palace, and what kind of punishment he would receive, he already had a plan in mind.

Or rather, he had prepared his excuses—facing such a princess, how could a mere servant like himself dare to disobey his master's wishes?

At worst, I'll get a beating for doing things this way;

If someone recklessly insists on this, I fear there will be another nameless corpse floating in the moat tomorrow.

To betray one's master is a very serious crime.

Especially in the strictly regulated palace.

As the group of people completely disappeared outside the gates, Zhaoyang Mansion returned to its usual tranquility.

Ji Baizhi's imposing aura had receded like the tide, and a faint trace of sorrow appeared between her brows and eyes.

She turned to a deserted, shadowy corner, her voice softening again:

"Miss Lin, what do you think the young master's reaction will be when he finds out about this?"

"What was the reaction?"

Lin Yueyin's voice slowly appeared, a look of confusion flashing in her crimson eyes. She clearly did not understand Ji Baizhi's meaning:

"You mean his reaction when he saw your reaction just now?"

"They'll probably avoid you like the plague," Lin Yueyin confidently replied.

These words put Ji Baizhi at ease. She shook her head and said, "No, young master is just curious and trying to make me laugh so that I'll lose my composure."

The intimacy in their words made Lin Yueyin feel like she shouldn't have responded; she had suddenly been force-fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection).

While the two were bickering in hushed tones, Li Zhi, who was practicing his boxing in the courtyard, had finished his stance and calmed down.

The commotion over here was quite loud just now, and Li Zhi walked over with curiosity.

When Li Zhi strolled over slowly, he could only see the backs of the two women in the distance, as well as a newly renovated but quiet and secluded courtyard.

Those people had already left.

"Why do I feel like I've missed something?" Li Zhi paced around Ji Baizhi, his gaze sweeping between the courtyard and her.

"Young Master," Ji Baizhi had completely reverted to her gentle and somewhat frail demeanor, speaking softly, "It's nothing, just some trivial matters."

"I see."

Li Zhi didn't press the matter. More than what had happened, he was now curious about what the emperor had given him.

But Lin Yueyin was eager to watch the show, so she stopped Li Zhi and looked at Ji Baizhi:

"You missed a good show! Tsk tsk, I saw a... completely different Ji Baizhi!"

These words, which seemed designed to stir up trouble, immediately made Ji Baizhi glare at Lin Yueyin, her eyes filled with reproach for her being so talkative.

Li Zhi wasn't particularly curious. He shook his head and said, "Miss Lin, it's not appropriate for you to say that. Everyone has their own privacy."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yueyin was somewhat surprised: "You're not even curious?"

"Curious." Li Zhi nodded. "But what I'm more curious about now is what the emperor gave me."

Oh no! Remembering her worst-case scenario, Ji Baizhi disregarded her shame and quickly asked, "Young Master, do you really not want to know?"

These words made Li Zhi stop. He looked at Ji Baizhi, then at the somewhat confused Lin Yueyin, and then at the small courtyard.

He understood immediately and smiled, "It seems the Emperor's gift is quite valuable."

"I'm sorry, young master." Ji Baizhi lowered her head with some shame.

The actions of these two people left Lin Yueyin, who was standing to the side, somewhat puzzled.

What exactly happened? Didn't Ji Baizhi not want Li Zhi to know?

Why did he ask again? What did Li Zhi understand this time?

Why did Ji Baizhi lower her head again?

"What are you two talking about?" Lin Yueyin couldn't help but ask.

"Let's talk about things that are actually insignificant."

Li Zhi walked into the courtyard: "It's just that Miss Ji is overthinking things. There's nothing to worry about, but people are always troubled."

Speaking in a way that Lin Yueyin couldn't understand even more, Li Zhi entered the room. His gaze swept over the items, and he was quickly drawn to the open box of gold and silver jewelry. He picked up the box:

"So many? It seems I don't need to wait for Miss Lin's sponsorship anymore; I can go to the Red Silk Pavilion tonight."

Having said those inappropriate words, Lin Yueyin didn't bother to think about what had just happened and immediately retorted with sarcasm:

"As soon as you have money, all you think about is going to those kinds of places. I bet you'll die from a woman sooner or later."

"You're absolutely right." Li Zhi nodded in agreement. "Then I won't go tonight. I'll see if it's a woman who comes to kill me."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yueyin suddenly realized: "You mean, someone really will come to kill you tonight?"

"Isn't this normal?" Li Zhi shook the box of gold and silver jewelry: "They've already paid for my life."

"Young master is overthinking it," Ji Baizhi, who was listening in, quickly said, her tone somewhat anxious. "It is common for the royal family to bestow favors and treat talented individuals with great respect."

"Alright, I'm not angry with you, no need to explain like that." Li Zhi carefully put away the box of gold and silver jewelry. "Besides, this is the emperor's decision, it has nothing to do with you. He is him, and you are you, I can tell the difference."

Ji Baizhi felt a warmth in her heart; she had indeed been overthinking things.

But Li Zhi's next words left her both amused and exasperated: "So, it's perfectly reasonable for me to take this money and spend it at the Red Silk Brothel, isn't it?"

"If you wish to spend money, then spend it."

"That's fine then." Li Zhi looked at Lin Yueyin: "I'll trouble Miss Lin to protect me tonight."

"Why me?" Lin Yueyin looked at Ji Baizhi. "Isn't there still this phoenix?"

Li Zhi's gaze towards Lin Yueyin changed; it was as if he were looking at a fool.

"Do you think the person who tried to assassinate me wouldn't know what you already know?"