IDWBE -Chapter 484 Return

In the deep palace, the surest way to survive—besides obedience—was to be cautious with words and deeds. Speak only when necessary, act only when necessary.

A moment of panic, like today, could easily end in a flogging or execution—and it would be deserved.

But Consort Tang had been kind to her.

If Lord He entered the palace recklessly without reporting, would it not humiliate the Consort?

For the sake of the Consort’s face, she naturally would not spare her life!

When Consort Tang suddenly heard the little maid’s voice, she was startled. She adjusted her robes and gracefully approached Lin Yi. Only after he stepped over the threshold did she bow slightly and speak softly, “Greetings, Regent Lord.”

“Consort, you are too courteous,” Lin Yi smiled. “I cannot accept such formalities.”

After all, she was his father the emperor’s wife. Respect for hierarchy prevented him from being too bold.

“Please sit, I’ll serve tea,” After Lin Yi seated himself, Consort Tang smiled. “Consort Yuan bestowed some fine tea upon me. Today the Regent Lord visits, so I may offer it to you as a token. Please taste it.”

“Then I won’t be polite.”

Lin Yi looked at the captivating Consort Tang, almost wishing he could pluck his own eyes out.

Though she no longer had the bashfulness of a young girl, being stared at like this made her a bit embarrassed.

“Please.”

Constantly lowering her head wasn’t working. As she lifted the cup, she glanced at Lin Yi, who was still staring blankly at her, and felt increasingly flustered.

Thinking of her clever, monkey-like son, the wise and valiant Prince Yong, and the kind-hearted Prince Xin, how could any of them lose to him?

And back then, this boy had been notorious for his ignorance—not at all the type to achieve greatness, yet here he was, full of unexpected surprises.

“I just heard the Twelfth Prince is here, so I came to see him and talk brotherly matters. Why isn’t he here now?”

Lin Yi deliberately looked around the room.

“The Regent Lord is too indulgent with him. He spends his days idle and cannot help you. I scolded him a little, and he grew impatient and left,” Consort Tang said.

Inside and outside the palace, the Regent Lord ruled all. If he truly wanted to see the Twelfth Prince, how could he not find him?

She knew Lin Yi’s words were a lie, but dared not question them.

She recalled the secluded Emperor Delong in his youth—always staring unabashedly at other women. Truly, the son bore his father’s traits!

“He is my brother, so of course I look after him,” Lin Yi said casually. “To be honest, I’m a bit envious—he has such a good brother.”

Hearing his shameless words, Consort Tang’s lips twitched, but she forced a small smile. “Your Highness is too kind.”

“But as the saying goes, good advice rarely persuades a doomed soul. Even great mercy cannot save the obstinate—he listens only because he must. If it were like the Second Prince or others, refusing advice and narrowing their own path, I as his brother would be powerless. In the end, brothers quarreling would only look laughable to outsiders,”

Lin Yi said, ignoring Consort Tang’s increasingly strained expression.

“The Regent Lord is merciful—I am eternally grateful,” Her smile lingered only briefly.

“Consort, you are too polite. You often pay respects to Buddha. Today my mother went to offer incense—why didn’t you accompany her?”

For women living in the deep palace, entertainment was scarce and freedom limited. Spiritual solace was in high demand, so many practiced religious devotion. Even favored consorts prepared for eventual loss of favor, meditating in advance to pass time and cultivate an image of mercy and virtue.

After blinking repeatedly, Consort Tang finally raised her head, glanced at him, then lowered it and picked up her tea cup. “Yesterday I caught a slight chill and felt unwell. You have my sympathy—I did not send attendants.”

“Did you summon the imperial physician?”

Lin Yi asked with concern. “It’s freezing—better take care of your health.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Consort Tang smiled. “I took two courses of medicine, sweated it out overnight, but still feel a little weak.”

Seeing her cautiousness, Lin Yi found it boring. “Since you’re unwell, rest well. I won’t bother you further.”

Consort Tang stood and personally saw Lin Yi to the door. “Farewell, Regent Lord.”

Lin Yi, in low spirits today, gave no impression of drunken indulgence, which made her sigh in relief.

“Goodbye.”

Seeing her happy, he instantly wrote displeasure on his face.

He left Consort Tang’s quarters and entered the imperial garden.

The paths were covered with snow, crunching under his steps. He brushed a snow-laden plum tree, lifting it to his nose. Casually, he said, “You’ve gotten lazy. Snow covers the paths, yet no one sweeps it. If a consort comes to enjoy the plum blossoms and slips, it won’t be good.”

In the imperial garden, staff swept daily regardless of season.

Especially in winter, when the plum blossoms bloomed, bored palace residents often brewed tea from snow to admire the flowers.

Although Lin Yi held authority in Daliang, he did not reside in this palace, so everyone slackened, leaving the garden eerily quiet.

“You are right, Regent Lord. I’ll have it cleaned immediately,” Xiao Xizi bowed, holding a tea tray. “It’s cold—have some tea to warm yourself.”

Lin Yi did not take the tea. “Remember my words well. Do not act slyly again.”

“Rest assured, Your Highness,” Xiao Xizi said cautiously. “If I offend again, please cut off my head.”

“Also rest assured,” Lin Yi said coldly. “If you offend again, I will show no mercy. You will face the Ten Great Tortures.”

“I dare not.”

Xiao Xizi fell to his knees again, watching Lin Yi and Jiao Zhong depart.

Once they turned into a long corridor, he tried to rise—but suddenly his knees buckled, and he collapsed again.

“Who—!”

Though Tan Xizi was not a Grandmaster, he was a rare Ninth-Rank expert.

A single surge of force could strike his knees so easily, and he had no warning—no chance to defend!

A monk? A blind man? Ye Qiu?

In that brief instant, many possibilities crossed his mind.

“Xiao Xizi!”

Hearing a cold, emotionless voice behind him, Xiao Xizi trembled. He slammed his head repeatedly on the ground, shouting, “Master! I’ve missed you so much!”

Blood gushed, soaking the snow.