Chapter 3
Rationally, Ji Qingzhou knew he shouldn’t get involved in this matter.
He was barely managing to protect himself, and thinking about Tu Dayou’s fate was indeed a bit overestimating his own capabilities.
However, Tu Dayou was the first person he had met since coming to this world, and they had spent several days together. They had developed a bit of a bond. It would be hard for him to just stand by and watch Tu Dayou face death.
That night, Ji Qingzhou brought a pot of wine and went to find Tu Dayou.
“I really didn’t underestimate you. In just a few days after entering the palace, you’ve managed to get wine,” Tu Dayou said as he looked at the pot of wine in Ji Qingzhou’s hand. He invited him into the room and found some dried meat and nuts to accompany the drink.
Ji Qingzhou picked up a peanut and said with a smile, “The eunuch in the kitchen named Xiao Shan, whom you introduced me to, gave me the wine without even asking any questions when I went to find him today.”
“Xiao Shan was someone I knew when serving the meals in the presence of the Emperor. Later… he made a mistake and was sent to the kitchen,” Tu Dayou sighed. He added, “No matter how high we rise, even if we reach my master’s position, in the eyes of the nobles, we are still just dogs they can drive away at will.”
After saying this, Tu Dayou took a sip of his drink, looking somewhat downcast.
Ji Qingzhou suppressed his emotions and quickly poured him another glass.
After three cups of wine, Ji Qingzhou judged it was the right moment and said, “Given that, why are you still taking the risk?”
“Do you think I want to…” Tu Dayou began, but suddenly looked up at Ji Qingzhou and asked, “What do you know?”
Ji Qingzhou chuckled lightly and replied, “There aren’t many tricks you can play at the banquet.”
He let his gaze intentionally fall on the wine cup in his hand, and Tu Dayou’s expression changed.
Ji Qingzhou had thought carefully before coming here. The fact that the regent had undergone such a drastic change in demeanor after the banquet and had executed so many palace servants indicated that something at the banquet must have crossed his line. Ji Qingzhou reasoned that the only tricks possible at the banquet were poisoning.
Yao Chang’an had mentioned that the regent had no close-attending eunuchs, so anyone intending to harm him could only do so during the banquet. After all, with so many people present, it was easier to carry out any schemes.
“How did you know?” Tu Dayou asked with a worried expression. “Could it be…”
“I guessed,” Ji Qingzhou said.
Tu Dayou was silent for a moment before replying, “You smart people really have sharp minds. I don’t know how you guessed it, but the matter is already set in stone. There’s no turning back now. Just pretend you never knew…”
Ji Qingzhou was taken aback. Tu Dayou’s reaction to being exposed was so subdued. Did he not fear Ji Qingzhou might reveal this later? If not for trusting him too much, it was because he knew the consequences and didn’t care about Ji Qingzhou’s actions.
“Do you know why the regent has never had any eunuchs around him?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“Because he is kind-hearted and doesn’t want to force people to serve him, so he only has his own trusted servants around,” Tu Dayou replied.
Ji Qingzhou said, “It’s because he is inherently cautious and distrustful of anyone in the palace. He won’t drink or eat anything from the palace, but that doesn’t mean he won’t notice the schemes you are plotting.”
“How do you know this?” Tu Dayou asked.
Ji Qingzhou thought to himself, because that’s what the book says—the regent is suspicious and scheming!
“Why are you telling me this?” Tu Dayou asked.
“You took me out of the Yan Court, and I owe you a favor,” Ji Qingzhou said. “If you trust me, don’t make any moves at the banquet. The regent won’t consume anything, and your backers won’t know you didn’t act.”
Tu Dayou’s eyes lit up upon hearing this, clearly considering Ji Qingzhou’s advice.
Seeing this, Ji Qingzhou said no more. He had said what needed to be said; the outcome now depended on Tu Dayou’s luck.
The next day, Yao Chang’an took Ji Qingzhou to the Imperial Study and went over all the details required while serving there. He even shared the regent’s preferences, indicating that Ji Qingzhou must perform well. If he won the regent’s favor, he could stay by the regent’s side in the future.
For everyone in the Inner Palace, this was a rare and valuable position.
Ji Qingzhou noticed a small eunuch in gray robes following Yao Chang’an, who looked eager and full of aspirations.
Ji Qingzhou’s heart moved and he took note of him.
The small eunuch was named Gao Liang, looking quite clever and evidently ambitious.
“Where will you be on duty tomorrow?” Ji Qingzhou asked quietly.
“I offended my master before, so I’ve been on duty at the Fengxian Pavilion,” Gao Liang said with a wry smile.
The Fengxian Pavilion was the place where the tablet of the late Emperor was enshrined. Except during festivals and the first and fifteenth days of each month when the regent would take the young emperor there for offerings, it was usually empty and could be considered the most desolate and remote place in the entire palace.
“It must be very peaceful in the Fengxian Pavilion. I really wish I could swap places with you,” Ji Qingzhou said seemingly casually.
“Ah?” Gao Liang was startled but quickly masked his emotions, thinking Ji Qingzhou must be joking.
Who would prefer to be stationed at the Fengxian Pavilion when they could serve the regent?
Ji Qingzhou really knew how to make jokes!
The next day, Gao Liang was jolted awake from a nap leaning against the corridor pillar outside the Fengxian Pavilion’s outer hall when someone tapped him on the shoulder. He realized that Ji Qingzhou wasn’t joking.
Gao Liang took the blue eunuch robe Ji Qingzhou handed him, looking nervous as he asked, “What if Master punishes me later?”
“If you serve well, you’ll be with the regent from now on. Even if Master is unhappy, he won’t be able to do anything to you,” Ji Qingzhou said casually. “If you don’t serve well, we can switch back, and Master might not even notice.”
Gao Liang still seemed hesitant but soon mustered his resolve and changed into Ji Qingzhou’s clothes.
One had to take a risk sometimes. If successful, he wouldn’t have to stay in the cold and lonely Fengxian Pavilion.
“How are you so bold?” Gao Liang asked, looking at Ji Qingzhou after changing clothes.
Ji Qingzhou, now dressed in Gao Liang’s gray robe, gave a light smile and did not answer.
He wasn’t particularly bold; he had simply considered the consequences.
If Tu Dayou was unharmed after the banquet, even if Ji Qingzhou displeased Yao Chang’an, Tu Dayou would protect him out of gratitude. If Tu Dayou was still executed, Yao Chang’an would be too preoccupied to care about him.
By demonstrating through his actions that he was not worth cultivating. Like this….Ji Qingzhou could avoid the original plot. What to do next would be considered later; for now, getting through this hurdle was the most important.
Ji Qingzhou stayed in the Fengxian Pavilion until it was dark and did not leave.
Though the Fengxian Pavilion was a bit desolate, it was a good place to avoid the world.
Ji Qingzhou lit a candle, found a few cushions, and nestled behind the incense altar to take a nap.
He had been on edge all day, and though he was now exhausted, he hadn’t relaxed yet.
But as soon as he closed his eyes, he heard footsteps.
Ji Qingzhou peeked out and saw Gao Liang.
“How did it go?” Ji Qingzhou asked.
“Wang Ye didn’t say much. He just said that in the future, there’s no need to send someone to serve him anymore,” Gao Liang said with a hint of dejection.
Ji Qingzhou asked again, “And Wang Ye?”
“He went to the banquet,” Gao Liang replied.
Ji Qingzhou quickly changed back into his original clothes, his heart racing.
The real moment of tension was just beginning…
The Fengxian Pavilion did not require anyone on duty at night, so Gao Liang left after changing clothes.
Ji Qingzhou did not leave immediately. He did not yet know whether the night in the palace would be filled with bloodshed or remain peaceful. Therefore, he was wary of returning too soon. If he witnessed Tu Dayou being seized and executed, he feared it would leave him with psychological scars.
Since no one was expected to come here, Ji Qingzhou settled behind the incense altar and took another nap.
He did not know how long he slept until he was awakened by a light, nimble sound of footsteps.
Ji Qingzhou furrowed his brows and opened his eyes, seeing a sixteen or seventeen-year-old girl standing in front of him. Judging by her attire, she did not look like a palace maid but rather like a young lady from a noble family. The girl seemed surprised to find someone so beautiful behind the incense altar and was momentarily at a loss.
“I…” Ji Qingzhou started to speak.
The girl quickly put her hand over his mouth, crouched down behind the incense altar, and whispered, “Don’t make a sound.”
Fearing Ji Qingzhou might not comply, the girl took out a piece of candy from her purse and handed it to him. Ji Qingzhou opened it and saw it was a piece of candy.
Ji Qingzhou: ???
This scene wasn’t in the book. What should he do now?
However, he had no time to think further as he heard another person’s footsteps coming from outside.
Ji Qingzhou: !
Wasn’t it said that no one came to the Fengxian Pavilion? Why was it so lively tonight?
The person outside lit incense and then bowed to the incense altar. Ji Qingzhou turned his head to glance at the girl, who was crouched behind the incense altar, peering through the carved gaps, her cheeks tinged with a hint of red.
Ji Qingzhou immediately understood—the girl seemed to have feelings for the person outside.
Following the girl’s gaze, Ji Qingzhou saw that the person in the hall was probably in his twenties, with a tall and upright stature, an outstanding demeanor, and a face with distinct features and handsome looks. However, despite his appearance as a refined young gentleman, Ji Qingzhou felt an unsettling coldness emanating from him.
The person stood outside for a long time, without saying a word.
Just as Ji Qingzhou was guessing that the person might leave soon, the individual suddenly frowned, clutching his chest and nearly collapsing. Ji Qingzhou was alarmed, but the girl reacted even faster, rushing out to support him.
“Are you alright?” the girl asked anxiously.
The man looked up at her, seeming puzzled as to why she was hiding here. However, his discomfort made him too preoccupied to focus on this.
Seeing the man was unwell, Ji Qingzhou intended to rise and help, but then heard the girl ask, “Wang Ye, what’s wrong?”
She called him “Wang Ye”?
Ji Qingzhou: !
This person… was the regent?
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