Jiang Yumin felt a little guilty looking at Lin Zijin's loving gaze. Her voice was indeed ruined, but her appearance—hehe…
Avoiding Lin Zijin's pitying gaze, Jiang Yumin swallowed the words she wanted to say. Even if it made Lin Zijin feel guilty, she hoped that Lin Zijin's gaze could linger on her for just a moment longer.
"By the way, Jiang Yumin—is that your real name or—" Lin Zijing asked.
"It's my childhood name, and I haven't used it since I was adopted by my godfather."
"That Jiang Yuyan is—"
"She is a pawn I have found. She wants wealth and glory, and I want Jun Yifeng's life. As long as she can give birth to the crown prince, she will become the empress dowager once Jun Yifeng dies. Our cooperation is very pleasant!"
"Can she be trusted?" Lin Zijin asked anxiously.
“That idiot has no guile whatsoever, she’s easy to control, you don’t need to worry about her,” Jiang Yumin said disdainfully. “However, now that she’s met you, I’m afraid things can’t go according to my original plan. What is your plan? Do you need my cooperation?”
Now that Jiang Yumin's identity has been confirmed, the situation is different, Lin Zijin thought. However, Jiang Yuyan's child still cannot be kept. Although Jiang Yumin made a solemn vow, Lin Zijin has been harmed by women many times and dares not underestimate women. This Consort Jiang is not a trustworthy person and cannot be taken advantage of. However, she cannot touch her now, otherwise Jiang Yumin will be in danger.
Thinking of this, Lin Zijing told Jiang Yumin about her new plan. Jiang Yumin pondered for a long time, nodded, and said, "Let's do it your way!"
"Zijin, move to the Sikong Mansion and live with me!" After finishing the serious business, Jiang Yumin began to act coquettishly, her hoarse voice pleading softly, adding a touch of languor and sexiness.
Lin Zijing felt pity for him, recalling that year when, under the falling peach blossoms, the handsome young man had embraced her, weeping so heartbreakingly and with such unbearable grief… But she really couldn't stay at the Sikong Mansion right now, otherwise she would alert him. Somewhat helpless, yet unable to refuse directly for fear of hurting his feelings, she could only say softly, “It’s much more convenient here. I won’t attract attention here, and besides, I need to see General Ye and the others frequently. It’s not convenient for you.”
Jiang Yumin knew this was the truth, but she was unwilling to give up. She wanted to see Lin Zijin's troubled yet reluctant expression, so she said, "After this is done, you have to come and live with me!"
Lin Zijing felt that he was like a child asking for candy, and she always felt that he was her younger brother. There was nothing wrong with living together, so she coaxed him and said, "Okay, we'll live together from now on!"
Before he could finish speaking, Jun Yilin, who had just pushed the door open, turned pale, said nothing, and walked out.
Lin Zijing looked puzzled and asked, "What's wrong with him?"
Jiang Yumin smiled slyly and said, "Who knows!"
After a while, the two grew tired of talking, and Jiang Yumin insisted that Lin Zijin comb his hair. Lin Zijin reluctantly found a rhinoceros horn comb and began to comb his hair. His long, black, silky hair spread out on Lin Zijin's lap, and she gently combed it from root to tip. Neither of them spoke, each lost in their own thoughts. Slowly, Jiang Yumin's eyes reddened, as if tears were about to spill, but he forced himself to hold them back, revealing no emotion.
Looking at the neatly combed hair, Lin Zijing was very satisfied. She quickly patted Jiang Yumin's shoulder and whispered, "You should go too!"
Having pestered Lin Zijin all day, Jiang Yumin knew she couldn't stay there all night. Her repeated attempts to beg and plead were all just to stay by his side a little longer. Jiang Yumin looked at Lin Zijin with lingering affection and finally left reluctantly.
Lin Zijin watched him leave until she could no longer see his back, then yawned and prepared to go back to sleep.
As I stepped into the courtyard, I heard a mournful zither tune, the one being played was the "Changmen Fu" (a type of classical Chinese poetry).
"I go out in the morning and return in the evening, enjoying food and drink and forgetting others. My heart has changed and I no longer remember the past, but I become close to those I am happy with..."
Lin Zijing knew who it was and thought to herself, "This jealousy is outrageous! Is she blaming me for forgetting my old love now that I have a new one? What's going on?" But she couldn't just ignore it.
Lin Zijing steeled herself and walked to Jun Yilin's door, wanting to knock but not daring to, unsure what to say inside. Just as she hesitated at the door, the music inside stopped, and Jun Yilin said loudly, "Since you're here, come in!"
Lin Zijing had no choice but to push the door open and go in: "Uh, I just wanted to see if you were asleep. Go to sleep, it's getting late!"
Lin Zijing turned to leave, but Jun Yilin strode over and blocked his way.
"He is my younger brother!" Lin Zijin said weakly, her head lowered.
“But that’s not what he thinks!” Jun Yilin retorted.
How do you know what he's thinking?
"Because I'm a man too, I can't be wrong when I look into the eyes of the person I love!"
"Does 'beloved' refer to me?" Lin Zijing wondered. Then it suddenly dawned on her—what?!
“I’m a man!” Lin Zijing looked up at Jun Yilin.
"So what? You are you!" Jun Yilin said. "He likes you. If you don't like him, don't give him hope."
"But I really treat him like a younger brother. His background is pitiful, and now he has become like this because of me. I really can't bear it!" Lin Zijing didn't notice Jun Yilin's domineering attitude at all and answered seriously.
"A short pain is worse than a long one!" Jun Yilin continued to persuade.
"We've only just met, let's wait a while before talking about it!" Lin Zijing replied, her heart softening.
"There's no point in delaying any longer; we must say it next week!" Jun Yilin said firmly.
Lin Zijing nodded, then it dawned on her: Why should I listen to you so much?
He raised his head to glare at Jun Yilin, but before he could, Jun Yilin's lips pressed down and kissed him. Lin Zijin was caught off guard and was thoroughly ravaged by Jun Yilin before he finally released him with satisfaction.
"Hey! I'm a man! You pervert!" Lin Zijing yelled!
Jun Yilin looked at the furious Lin Zijin and laughed until his stomach hurt: "So what? In my heart, you are you, regardless of gender!"
"You!" Lin Zijing choked, unable to speak.
Taking advantage of his momentary lapse in attention, Jun Yilin hugged him and said, "I won't force you. Once you've thought it through and figured out your own feelings, we can be together again!"
Lin Zijing's face flushed red all the way to her neck. In her shame and indignation, she even forgot to struggle. She just kept thinking to herself that this was impossible. She was a man now. Although there were men in wealthy families who were homosexual, she still had psychological barriers. But the thought of taking a wife was also awkward. Was she destined to live a lonely life, without children? It was all that Xuan Yi's fault for making her like this. When she saw him next time, she would definitely give him a good scolding!
Seeing Lin Zijing's inner struggle, Jun Yilin knew he couldn't push her too hard. When would this Zijing finally acknowledge his feelings? He was suffering from the wait, but he had to keep waiting! When would they finally be able to get married?
With a gentle release, Lin Zijing immediately came to her senses. She broke free and ran out of the room, unaware of the pained expression on Jun Yilin's face as he gazed at her with deep affection.
☆、Seventeen、Crisis
Misfortune may be a blessing in disguise, and a blessing may be a misfortune in disguise.
Lin Zijing was overjoyed to have found Piao Hong, and the undercover agent she had been searching for was none other than him! Where could she find a more suitable candidate? Just as her plan was about to be realized step by step, things took an unexpected turn that far exceeded her expectations.
Because Jiang Yumin kept coming here all day long, she finally caught Jun Yifeng's attention, and Jun Yifeng summoned Jiang Yumin for questioning.
"You've been going to the same place a lot lately. Is there something interesting about it?" Jun Yifeng knew that although Jiang Yumin was capable, she was also too young. It was perfectly normal for a young man to like to play.
"Your Majesty, it's not the things that are interesting, but the people! I've fallen in love with someone!" Jiang Yumin didn't hide anything. He knew he had to lie as little as possible in front of Jun Yifeng to gain his trust. Of course, he wouldn't lie about small things, but he had to think things through about important matters.
"Oh? Whose daughter is she? Tell me, and I will bestow a marriage upon you!" Jun Yifeng showed an interested expression. He liked this sometimes willful young man very much, and sometimes he really wanted to be like him, not caring about anything and just doing what he liked.
"Uh, I've fallen in love with a man, not a woman!" Jiang Yumin said bluntly without any shame.
"Who is it? Fugui Pawnshop? The name sounds familiar! Could it be—" Jun Yifeng recalled that Ye Zhanqing had also blushed and admitted to falling in love with a man here a while ago.
"It's Lin Zijin, the second manager of Fugui Pawnshop!" Jiang Yumin was unaware of Ye Zhanqing's affair and wondered why Jun Yifeng was silent.
“This is a bit difficult. What kind of man is this that you and Ye Zhanqing both fall in love with? I’m quite curious!” Jun Yifeng suddenly spoke up, genuinely curious.
Jiang Yumin was stunned by Ye Zhanqing's unexpected move. Before Jiang Yumin could react, Jun Yifeng said, "I will summon him to see me another day. Go and inform him to wait for my summons."
Jiang Yumin was not expected to have this result and was a little worried. Seeing that he was silent, Jun Yifeng thought that he was afraid that the man would behave improperly in front of the emperor and offend him, so he comforted him and said, "Don't worry, I will not make things difficult for him. If he also has feelings for you, I will bestow him upon you."
Jiang Yumin had no choice but to agree.
When he went back and told Lin Zijing, before Lin Zijing could even speak, Jun Yilin jumped up and said, "Did you do this on purpose?"
Fearing the two would fight, Lin Zijing quickly said, "How could he do it on purpose? It's clearly Jun Yifeng's fault for meddling in other people's business! Last time it was Zhan Qing, this time it's Yu Mian, and this time it probably won't be so easy for him to escape!"
Hearing Lin Zijin's obvious favoritism, Jiang Yumin felt relieved. Seeing Jun Yilin's veins bulging with anger, she felt even more delighted.
"No, you can't go see him!" Jun Yilin objected.
"It is difficult to disobey the emperor's orders!" Lin Zijing said calmly.
“Then—” Jun Yilin was extremely worried.
"Don't worry, I'll be able to adapt to any situation!" Lin Zijing patted Jun Yilin's hand.
Jiang Yumin glared at Jun Yilin's hand with a cruel, almost cruel, look. When she saw Lin Zijin looking at her, she casually looked away.
"Do you think he would really bestow me upon you? Would he disregard Zhan Qing's feelings?" Lin Zijing asked, frowning.
Jiang Yumin didn't know what Jun Yifeng was planning, so she shook her head and said she didn't know.
Since things have come to this, all we can do is play it by ear. Lin Zijin thought.
Jun Yilin suddenly grabbed Lin Zijing's hand and said two words:
A few days later, as expected, a eunuch came to deliver an imperial edict, summoning Lin Zijin to the palace.
As usual, Lin Zijing took a bath and changed into more formal clothes. With mixed feelings, she stepped into that place of heartbreak once again.
"This humble servant, Lin Zijin, greets Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Lin Zijin suppressed the turmoil in his heart and calmly bowed.
"Get up!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Raise your head."
When their eyes met, Lin Zijing felt her blood boiling, but she couldn't show any weakness. She desperately suppressed the urge to rush forward and stab him, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.
With his current martial arts skills, killing him and escaping unscathed would be an easy task. However, he did not want to end his life so easily. He had once sworn to make him suffer a hundred or a thousand times more than he had!
"Just you wait! Jun Yifeng, I'll make you lose what you care about most, make you wish you were dead, and then I'll finish you off!" Lin Zijing thought fiercely, though her face remained expressionless.
Jun Yifeng surveyed the people below. They were so beautiful, even more beautiful than women. No wonder—
"Where are you from? Who else is in your family?" Jun Yifeng asked.
Lin Zijing pretended to be terrified of Tianwei and trembled as she spoke the prepared statement: "I am from Ju County. My parents are both dead, and I have no brothers or sisters. I am the only one left in my family."
"Both General Ye and Minister Jiang have said they are fond of you. What do you think I should do?"
"I am a man!" Lin Zijin said, trembling.
"So what?"
Lin Zijing immediately wanted to roll her eyes. How could everyone be so indifferent!
Who do you have feelings for?
"I am a man!" Lin Zijing replied in the same way, indicating that she did not favor anyone.
Jun Yifeng's eyes sharpened, his expression shifting. After a moment, he said, "Issue a decree: Young Master Lin is well-versed in Buddhism, which I greatly admire. I hereby grant him residence in Changchun Palace, and I wish to discuss Buddhism with Young Master Lin!"
Lin Zijing was stunned. How could this be? When did she become proficient in Buddhism?
Xiazi received the imperial decree and went to deliver it.
Jun Yifeng ignored him and left. Lin Zijing stood there, unsure whether to leave or stay! Just then, a young eunuch stepped forward and said, "Congratulations, Young Master Lin! This is a great favor from the Emperor! Many people would rather die than even see the Emperor, let alone stay in the palace and discuss Buddhism with him. Young Master Lin will surely be rewarded in the future! Let me take you to Changchun Palace!"
Lin Zijing nodded and followed the young eunuch, arriving at Changchun Palace in a daze. Was he testing her, or testing Jiang Yumin and Ye Zhanqing? Lin Zijing wondered.