Chapter 5

Shi Changyuan's expression practically spelled out: You're being far too high-profile.

Lin Ling hurriedly nodded, fully agreeing.

Yes, exactly. He was a Mushroom Spirit disguised as a human. The more low-key he was, the better—he mustn't be exposed.

Before long, Shunde carried in a set of clothes.

The identity the monarch had announced to the outside world was that of a secret guard, but the way the two interacted seemed far more intimate. The chief eunuch was perceptive enough not to bring ordinary clothing; at the very least, the fabric was of the finest quality.

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

Shunde was uncertain, but after receiving a look from Shi Changyuan, he returned to the side to be a pillar again.

Holding the lacquer tray, Lin Ling skillfully walked into the inner chamber of the Imperial Study—the place where Shi Changyuan rested and slept—planning to change by himself.

Shi Changyuan stood outside the screen. Hearing rustling sounds quickly come from within, he grew a little curious.

"Do you know how to put them on?"

"I do."

Lin Ling replied as if it were only natural, "I often see that Shunde person dressing you."

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

Hearing his name, the chief eunuch continued making his presence as faint as possible.

He did not know who this youth who had appeared from nowhere was, nor what his relationship with His Majesty was. But as someone personally promoted by His Majesty, he naturally understood where the boundaries lay.

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

It was just that this was his first time wearing human clothes, shoes, and socks. He suddenly felt uncomfortable, as though the garments were 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. After he pulled his collar crooked, the reddened skin along his neck and collarbone, already chafed raw, was clearly visible.

Shi Changyuan grabbed Lin Ling's flailing, scratching hands.

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

"This servant deserves death!" The chief eunuch nearly dropped to his knees to beg forgiveness at once.

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

The Mushroom felt as if he had been scolded. He froze for a moment, just about to confirm whether Shi Changyuan truly meant him, when he heard him add—

"Delicate."

The Mushroom, accused of being delicate, was unconvinced. Why was it his fault that human clothes were uncomfortable to wear?

As Shunde withdrew, he heard the youth and the emperor arguing back and forth within the Imperial Study.

He silently took note of it and went to the storeroom to choose the softest, lightest garment. That was practically the standard reserved for the emperor and empress: an exceedingly precious and scarce tribute fabric, one that would be gone once used up.

He hesitated for a long while before finally choosing that bolt of cloth.

In less than three days, Lin Ling received a new garment tailored specifically for him. It was not the elaborate, wide-sleeved style favored by Great Li's noble families, but a fitted, narrow-sleeved outfit no different from the nightwear most commonly worn by secret guards.

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

Except...

The fabric was a glaring silver-white, with subtle patterns flowing across it.

What secret guard dressed so conspicuously?! The style of those clothes reeked of trying to conceal something.

But Shunde had made the right bet. Young Master Lin was delighted, and His Majesty was satisfied as well.

As for those ministers who had their doubts—

Shunde was full of 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 place where secret guards ought to be, watching Shi Changyuan discipline his subordinates.

"He's always so fierce."

Lin Ling watched Shi Changyuan draw the sword hanging from a pillar with a sharp swish and point it directly at a minister's head. The fat, round-faced minister was so frightened that he wept bitterly and repeatedly kowtowed.

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

The secret guard was taciturn by nature, but he patiently answered every one of Lin Ling's questions, even when some of them were a little... innocent.

After all, it was an order personally issued by His Majesty.

"His Majesty is thinking of the people as well," the secret guard said.

"Great Li has only been unified for three years. If His Majesty does not use absolute force to intimidate them, some regions, being far from the capital, will inevitably develop other ideas."

"Once those people harbor ill intent, the people who have only just emerged from a century of conflict will return to misery and suffering."

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

The secret guard glanced at Lin Ling, his eyes full of astonishment at how he could not even understand this. He even felt Lin Ling was deliberately making things difficult for him. The word "rebellion" rolled around in his mouth several times, yet he could not say it.

"You should ask His Majesty yourself." The secret guard vanished in a blur, silently moving 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 planned to wait until Shi Changyuan had finished a full day of work, then ask him 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 did not feel very happy. "I feel like the secret guard brother assigned to work with me dislikes me a little."

Having gained the conveniences that came with the identity of a secret guard, Lin Ling genuinely carried out his duties seriously. He even had his own dedicated schedule, with one day off every five days.