Chapter 5

Shi Changyuan's expression practically spelled out: You're being way too conspicuous.

Lin Ling hurriedly nodded, wholeheartedly agreeing.

Yes, exactly. He was a Mushroom Spirit disguised as a human; the more low-key he was, the better. He could not let anyone see through him.

Before long, Shunde brought in a set of clothes.

The monarch had previously claimed to the outside world that Lin Ling was a secret guard, but the way the two interacted seemed far more intimate. The chief eunuch was perceptive enough not to bring an ordinary set of clothes. At the very least, the fabric was of the finest quality.

Lin Ling poked his head out, said, "Thank you," then directly took the lacquered tray holding the clothes.

Shunde was uncertain, but after receiving a look from Shi Changyuan, he went back to standing off to the side like a pillar.

Holding the lacquered tray, Lin Ling skillfully entered the inner chamber of the Imperial Study—the place where Shi Changyuan had rested and slept earlier—planning to change by himself.

Shi Changyuan stood outside the screen. Hearing rustling noises swiftly arise from within, he grew a little curious.

"Do you know how to put them on?"

"I do."

Lin Ling found it perfectly natural. "I often saw that Shunde person dressing you."

Shi Changyuan had never expected that to be the reason and immediately choked up.

Hearing his own name, the chief eunuch continued to minimize his presence as much as possible.

He did not know who this suddenly appearing youth was, nor what his relationship with His Majesty was. But as someone personally promoted by His Majesty, he naturally understood where the line was.

Lin Ling's hands were nimble, and he changed clothes in no time.

It was just that this was his first time wearing human clothes, shoes, and socks, and he suddenly felt rather uncomfortable. The clothes felt heavy and rough, leaving his whole body prickling and itching.

Lin Ling emerged from behind the screen, looking somewhat unhappy.

"So your clothes aren't comfortable at all." Lin Ling's eyes drooped at the corners as he looked at Shi Changyuan.

"Hm?"

Shi Changyuan watched the Mushroom tug here and pull there. Once Lin Ling had pulled his collar crooked, the reddened skin along his neck and collarbone, already chafed raw, became clearly visible.

Shi Changyuan grabbed Lin Ling's hands before he could keep scratching and tugging at himself.

Meeting the Mushroom's puzzled gaze, Shi Changyuan silently sighed. "Shunde."

"This servant deserves death!" The chief eunuch nearly dropped to his knees and pleaded guilty at once.

"It's nothing. Go change the fabric." Shi Changyuan glanced at the chief eunuch on the floor, deliberately saying to the Mushroom, "It's his fault."

Mushroom felt as though he had been scolded. He froze for a moment, just about to confirm whether Shi Changyuan was really talking about him, when he heard him add—

"Picky."

Mushroom, called picky, was unconvinced. Why should mushrooms be blamed just because human clothes were uncomfortable to wear?

As Shunde withdrew, he happened to hear the youth and the emperor arguing back and forth inside the Imperial Study.

He quietly made a note of it, then went to the storehouse and selected the softest, lightest garment. It was practically of the standard reserved for the emperor and empress, an exceedingly precious and rare tribute item. Every bit used meant one bit less.

He agonized over it for a long while before ultimately choosing that bolt of cloth.

In less than three days, Lin Ling received a newly tailored outfit. It was not the elaborate, wide-sleeved style favored by Great Li's aristocratic families, but a fitted, narrow-sleeved garment scarcely different from the nightwear most often worn by secret guards.

It certainly suited his publicly declared identity as a secret guard.

Except...

The fabric was a dazzling silver-white, with flowing hidden patterns besides.

What kind of secret guard dressed so conspicuously?! The design was utterly full of transparent pretense.

But Shunde had gambled correctly. Young Master Lin was delighted, and His Majesty was satisfied as well.

As for the other ministers who had their doubts—

Shunde was brimming with confidence. They would soon understand: this was no secret guard. This was the future empress!

Chapter 5

Lin Ling sat atop a roof beam, swinging his legs as he openly occupied the very place where secret guards ought to be, watching Shi Changyuan lecture his subordinates.

"He's always so fierce."

Lin Ling watched Shi Changyuan swiftly draw the sword hanging from a pillar, pointing it directly at a minister's head. The fat, round-faced minister was so frightened that he burst into tears and repeatedly kowtowed.

A real secret guard was crouching on the beam as well. Lin Ling sidled over beside him, directly asking whenever there was something he did not understand.

The secret guard brother was a man of few words, but he patiently answered every one of Lin Ling's questions, even though some of them were a little... naive.

After all, His Majesty had personally given the order.

"His Majesty is also acting for the sake of the people," the secret guard said.

"Great Li has only been unified for three years. If His Majesty does not use absolute force as a deterrent, some regions, far from the emperor's reach, will inevitably develop other ideas."

"Once those people harbor ill intent, the common people, who have only just escaped a century of conflict, will be plunged back into misery."

"Harbor ill intent? What exactly does that mean?" Lin Ling continued asking.

The secret guard glanced at Lin Ling, his eyes full of surprise that Lin Ling did not even understand that. He even suspected Lin Ling was deliberately making things difficult for him. The word "rebellion" rolled around in his mouth several times, yet he could not bring himself to say it.

"You should ask His Majesty yourself." The secret guard's figure flickered, and he silently moved to a corner far away from Lin Ling.

Seeing that the secret guard did not want to pay attention to him, Lin Ling pursed his lips. He truly intended to wait until Shi Changyuan had finished his day's work before asking what it meant.

Once all the ministers in the Imperial Study had left, Shi Changyuan raised his head and called Lin Ling down.

"Who upset you?" Shi Changyuan casually asked as he looked at Lin Ling, whose face was written all over with unhappiness.

"No one." Lin Ling thought about it. No one had actually upset him, but he simply was not very happy. "I just feel like the secret guard brother I'm paired with dislikes me a little."

Having gained the convenience of a secret guard's identity, Lin Ling had genuinely carried out his duties with great seriousness. He even had his own exclusive rotation, with one day off every five days.