Li Zhi raised his head and looked at him.
In truth, even counting their clash on the Winter Sword Platform before the New Year, Pei Ye felt this was the first time he had stood so close before this Fourth Highness.
He had indeed been closer when he cut his blade into Li Zhi's neck on the Winter Sword Platform, but his drunken eyes had been bleary then, his spirit drifting. He could not make out Li Zhi's face in his vision; he had seemed only a symbol. After waking, it had felt like a dream.
Only now did Pei Ye look at him: his hair simply tied up, his face excessively clean, his clothes seemingly handed down from the Jin Dynasty, plain and unadorned, and a pair of cloth shoes on his feet, the traces of handwork obvious.
He seemed to take in only the most basic, most necessary sustenance for his body, and beyond that, remained untouched by this world.
"Wild Goose Inspector Pei Ye pays his respects to Your Fourth Highness." Pei Ye cupped his hands and bowed.
Since they had taken their seats, Pei Ye was the first to speak to him. The others were used to it: Li Zhi did not engage in idle conversation, or rather, most of the time, he did not respond to anything said to him.
But this time, very unusually, he spoke. "Be well."
Seeing that his opening words had received an answer, Pei Ye relaxed somewhat. "During our last encounter on the Winter Sword Platform, this subordinate behaved improperly after drinking and lost control of his blade. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."
"No matter." Li Zhi looked at him, his expression impassive but his gaze intent. "What is your business?"
"I heard that the Sage once bestowed the Qilin