They all want to change my future.

Chapter 27 Those who eat the king's food bear the king's worries

What he said made a lot of sense, and Lin Yueyin, who was slow to realize it, understood it too.

I understand, but that look of utter disbelief is incredibly frustrating.

Lin Yueyin glared at Li Zhi with her crimson eyes: "You know I'm here to protect you, yet you still look at me like that."

"Miss Lin, are you angry and planning to quit?"

Li Zhi observed carefully and cautiously probed for answers.

"That's right." Lin Yueyin was secretly pleased with herself. "Go out and find out what you need to give up to have someone like me protect you."

Today I'll show you what it means for the dignity of a seventh-realm grandmaster to be inviolable.

"Then how will you protect me?" Li Zhi adopted a humble attitude, even using polite language.

This attitude pleased Lin Yueyin, and a mischievous glint flashed in her eyes: "Beg me."

"Please," Li Zhi said hesitantly, "I feel a little awkward saying this. How about we change the terms?"

Ji Baizhi watched quietly from the side without saying a word to help. She could see very clearly that Li Zhi was deliberately teasing Lin Yueyin.

This change of conditions is likely a trap.

Lin Yueyin was unaware that she was being led by the nose.

Her gaze shifted between Li Zhi and Ji Baizhi, then, as if struck by a sudden inspiration, she pointed at Ji Baizhi and proposed a new condition:

"Alright, let's try another one. Now, tell me honestly why this phoenix was so nervous just now?"

Ji Baizhi, who was suddenly called out, was slightly taken aback, not expecting the topic to turn to her so abruptly.

She looked at Lin Yueyin with some surprise: "Miss Lin, why do you ask that?"

Even Li Zhi was a little surprised: "You're actually curious about Miss Ji? It seems there's something quite interesting between you two."

"What do you mean?" Lin Yueyin didn't understand what he meant.

"My meaning is very simple." Li Zhi's smile held a deeper meaning.

"You've started to care about Miss Ji, you're curious about her every move, and you want to get to know her better. But I remember you used to dislike her, even hate her."

"what?"

Lin Yueyin was somewhat shocked. Why would she ask such a question? She clearly disliked her.

"I...I'm just a little concerned, no, is it wrong for me to be curious? That doesn't seem right either, I..."

Lin Yueyin began to subconsciously defend herself, but she felt awkward saying several words.

"Is it really just curiosity?" Li Zhi seemed to have thought of something, his eyes turned strange, and his smile became mischievous:

"I think Miss Lin, you must have been attracted by Miss Ji's charm without realizing it. After all, she is indeed stunningly beautiful and has an extraordinary temperament. It is perfectly normal for both men and women to feel affection for her."

"Nonsense!" Lin Yueyin immediately retorted loudly, "How could I possibly fall in love with this phoenix?!"

"Isn't that so?" Li Zhi readily admitted his mistake, as if he had just said it casually. "It seems I guessed wrong."

He offered another reasonable inference: "Then I think it must be because Miss Lin is loyal to the emperor and loves her country. After all, your Lin family has been loyal and virtuous for generations, and the whole family is full of heroes."

Therefore, it's understandable that you naturally feel respect and curiosity towards the Ji royal family, especially the eldest princess, and want to find out why you noticed her unusual mood.

"Really?" Lin Yueyin didn't take the bait. She was somewhat skeptical that she was really that loyal.

Impossible, I clearly hate it.

It was all because of the surname Ji that my father and grandfather died.

That's why you'll lose your family and everything.

Thinking of this, Lin Yueyin's face turned cold, flames burned in her crimson eyes, and her entire demeanor changed.

Like a drawn sword, its sharpness is unstoppable.

Ji Baizhi, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines, immediately sensed the dangerous change.

She instinctively took a step forward, subtly shielding Li Zhi behind her, her voice cold and warning:

"Miss Lin, calm down!"

"I am very calm." Lin Yueyin's voice was cold, as cold as ice.

"It seems I've gone too far." Li Zhiruo began to analyze with interest: "I didn't expect that Miss Lin's hatred was even deeper than I imagined."

"You're right." Lin Yueyin looked at Li Zhi, completely ignoring Ji Baizhi: "I should thank you for reminding me that I shouldn't have gotten too close to that Ji woman, and even less should I have tried to understand her."

"I've figured it out, that's good." Li Zhi stepped out from behind Ji Baizhi: "Then we're even."

"No," Lin Yueyin said coldly. "You haven't answered my question yet."

"You really want to know that much?"

Li Zhi was somewhat confused, but seeing Lin Yueyin's persistent attitude of not giving up until she understood, he looked at Ji Baizhi:

"Miss Ji, this matter involves you, may I speak of it?"

Ji Baizhi glanced at the indifferent Lin Yueyin, and a guess formed in her mind. Her voice softened:

"Young master, please speak. This matter was originally just a misunderstanding on my part. I was worrying unnecessarily. Besides, given Miss Lin's situation, I'm afraid it's necessary to clarify things."

"Alright." Li Zhi turned to the indifferent Lin Yueyin and explained succinctly, "That's roughly it. Miss Ji is worried that I might hold a grudge against her because of His Majesty's intention to send me to my death as a retainer. After all, she also has the surname Ji and is a member of the royal family. It's that simple."

"It's that simple." Lin Yueyin remained indifferent: "Then why would she think that way?"

"Because that's how retainers are; they keep you around so you can be of use. As for why Miss Ji thinks this way, I think she probably knows what this generous gift represents."

After thinking for a moment, Li Zhi gave a summary:

"I eat the king's food, I bear the king's worries, and I will die for the king."

"To die for my lord..."

Lin Yueyin slowly closed her eyes, chewing on those four words between her lips and teeth. When she opened them again, the chill in her crimson eyes was almost tangible.

She shouted sternly, "So you say you'd die for your lord!"

Li Zhi felt as if he had said something wrong again, because Ji Baizhi came in front of him again, looking as if she were facing a formidable enemy.

She began to radiate an unapproachable aura, her usual gentle and graceful temperament vanished instantly, replaced by a natural majesty.

Despite wearing only an ordinary palace dress, she appeared as if an empress had arrived.

It is sacred and inviolable, and one dares not look directly at it.

The thought of submitting and kneeling arose in their hearts.

However, this overwhelming power seemed to have no effect on Lin Yueyin.

Beneath her feet, a thick, inky shadow began to spread silently, subtly creating a counterforce against the bright light emanating from Ji Baizhi's body.

One side is light, the other is darkness.

Neither of the two women spoke. Ji Baizhi didn't know what to say to ease the sudden surge of hatred in Lin Yueyin's heart.

Lin Yueyin didn't want to talk about it; she just wanted to fight, especially against this phoenix surnamed Ji.

She wanted to vent her anger.

They wouldn't speak up, but Li Zhi had no choice but to.

"It seems that Miss Ji isn't just overthinking things."

Li Zhi sighed, "So there really are people who hold a grudge against you just because your surname is Ji."

"So what?" Lin Yueyin said, her tone self-righteous.

"Not so good," Li Zhi said. "But you need to figure out who you are. Are you the last surviving member of the Duke's mansion, or a seeker of revenge?"

"What's the difference?"

"Of course," Li Zhi continued. "As an orphan, it's alright for you to fight with Miss Ji, but as an avenger, you must unite all forces against the Demon Queen."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yueyin fell silent, and the darkness ceased its advance. After a long while, she calmly commented:

"You really are a silver tongue."

As soon as she finished speaking, Lin Yueyin disappeared.