IDWBE -Chapter 483 Playing Tricks

“Cough, cough.”

Lin Yi covered his mouth with a fist, unable to suppress a few coughs.

“Your Highness.”

He suddenly heard Xiao Xizi’s voice, which didn’t surprise him much.

In this palace, his father was the nominal emperor, and his mother the most influential figure—but the real power rested only with a few, like He Jixiang and Liu Kan.

And Xiao Xizi happened to be one of them.

Having entered the palace early in the morning, the palace eunuchs and maids would have delivered the news immediately.

Thinking this over, Lin Yi didn’t know if it was good or bad. He couldn’t help but glance back at Xiao Xizi, who was keeping his head low.

“Your Highness, have you caught a cold? I’ll send for the imperial physician right away.”

Under Lin Yi’s gaze, Xiao Xizi felt completely uneasy, shivering involuntarily.

“It’s nothing,” Lin Yi said, watching the small snowflakes fall from the mouse-gray sky. “Just a dry cough. Probably heat in the body.”

The snow really wouldn’t stop.

This dreary winter only increased the “cost of survival.” Few people could truly cheer for this pristine snow.

“Your Highness, your body is priceless, you must be careful,”

Xiao Xizi said cautiously. “If you catch a cold, I could never atone for it, even with my life.”

“Cut the nonsense,” Lin Yi waved his hand impatiently. “Didn’t you follow the Empress to Baima Temple to offer incense?”

Xiao Xizi hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, it was all on Lord He Jixiang’s orders. I dare not disobey.”

Jiao Zhong frowned.

Does that even make sense? Disobey?

Disobeying means being dissatisfied with a superior!

As a chief eunuch of the Department of Ceremonies, there were few in the palace who could defy him!

But He Jixiang was Lord He’s right-hand man. Both in court and in the palace, he clearly held the position: “Lord He first, myself second.”

Even Xiao Xizi had to follow him.

Factually true—but saying it aloud was wrong!

He Jixiang was technically just a “military marshal,” with no authority over Xiao Xizi.

It made sense for him to manage Xiao Xizi, but it was not reasonable!

So what was Xiao Xizi trying to say? That He Jixiang was overstepping?

This brat was really asking for trouble!

He actually dared to hint criticism at He Jixiang!

“Your courage is growing,” Lin Yi smiled. “Aren’t you afraid He Jixiang will crack open your skull?”

“Your Highness, forgive me!”

Xiao Xizi fell to his knees with a thud, his head banging against the bluestone slabs.

Seeing the blood forming icy patches on the stones, and Xiao Xizi’s bloodied head, Lin Yi couldn’t help but sigh, waving his hand. “Alright, stop putting on airs—who are you trying to impress? You never learn, do you?”

If you truly enjoy struggling with heaven and people, you should still measure your own weight.

Do you even know your limits?

Looking for trouble with He Jixiang—is it necessary?

Moreover, you’re just a palace eunuch. You have no real conflict with He Jixiang, the supreme marshal of the empire’s military!

Why provoke him?

“I know my guilt,” Xiao Xizi said, sniffling and sobbing. “My loyalty to Your Highness is witnessed by the sun and moon!”

“So you mean He Jixiang is disloyal to me?”

Lin Yi’s patience wore thinner.

Not a hint of discernment…

Now he missed Xiao Yingzi even more.

Xiao Yingzi never caused trouble and seemed like a part of his own thoughts—always anticipating things perfectly, never putting him in a difficult position.

“I dare not,” Xiao Xizi’s heart leapt at Lord He’s dark voice. He had served him for years and knew him well.

Clearly, Lord He was angry!

This time, the head-thumping was louder, not daring to stop for a moment.

Lin Yi sighed, speaking calmly, “With your behavior, how could I dare entrust palace affairs to you?”

“Ah!”

Xiao Xizi lifted his head, utterly lost.

“I’ve warned you, yet you insist on repeatedly testing my limits. What’s the point? To show your cleverness, or to show that I’m foolish?”

Lin Yi shook his head. “You really disappoint me.”

Sometimes he wondered if people’s psychological twists came from physiological defects.

Otherwise, why were the palace eunuchs getting so dark in character?

“I’m willing to accept Your Highness’s punishment,” Xiao Xizi cried bitterly.

“Hmph,” Lin Yi snorted, irritated. “First, we’ll visit Consort Tang. I’ll deal with you afterward.”

“Thank you, Your Highness!”

Xiao Xizi got up and, without care, wiped his face with his coat sleeve. Snot, tears, and blood mixed together, making him look even more ridiculous.

The nearby eunuchs were astonished—who would have thought a chief eunuch could look so foolish?

Seeing this, Lin Yi couldn’t help but stifle a laugh, glaring at him. “Damn you.”

“Hehe,” Xiao Xizi still chuckled foolishly.

But his heart was finally at ease.

Lord He scolded him, but he knew he had escaped danger once more.

“Damn it, you schemed again,” Lin Yi brushed snow off his shoulders. “You know I’m soft-hearted and merciful, and I don’t care for killing—but that doesn’t mean I’ll always tolerate your scheming, Xiao Xizi.”

“I’m here, Your Highness.”

“Do not disturb my mind,” Lin Yi spoke word by word. “Or I will break your heart.”

“Yes.”

Xiao Xizi bowed his head.

Straightening his robes, Lin Yi stepped onto the gate of Consort Tang’s residence, hearing a little maid shouting anxiously: “Greetings, Your Highness! Long live Your Highness!”

The kneeling maid froze, seeing Xiao Xizi’s bloodied head glaring at her, trembling.

“You clever little thing, stand up.”

Lin Yi wasn’t blaming her, just whispered to Xiao Xizi, “Don’t be harsh with a little maid—show no skill there.”

Otherwise, Xiao Xizi would definitely throw the loud-mouthed girl into a well.

Sometimes he felt his life was exhausting because no one truly understood him!

No one could understand him!

Sometimes he had to spout useless words that could actually save lives.

“Yes.”

Xiao Xizi stopped, and when they entered the hall, he looked at the trembling little maid. In a stern voice, he said, “You’re spared death, but punishment remains. Bring her down for a spanking.”

“Thank you, Sir Eunuch.”

After kowtowing, the little maid said nothing and allowed two eunuchs to drag her away.