Chapter 119: An Unexpected Twist Upon an Unexpected Twist (Part II)

"Your Highness, could it be that something has happened to that box?"

Seeing the strange look on Li Xian's face, Yu Jizi could not help but pause. Without waiting for a reply, he quickly pressed the question.

"Of course not. Haha, I was just lost in thought, that is all. Please wait a moment, Daoist, I shall retrieve it now."

Li Chunfeng had been so solemn when he entrusted the mysterious little box to him that Li Xian naturally did not dare to treat it lightly. While he did not carry it with him at all times, he kept it under strict security, so there was no fear of it being lost. It was clear that Li Xian’s odd expression was not due to the box being missing, but rather his surprise that it was Yu Jizi who had come to open it. When Li Chunfeng had handed the box over, Yu Jizi was standing right there; there seemed no reason to make Li Xian wait over two years before opening it. There was likely some hidden meaning here, and that mystery was one of the reasons Li Xian felt puzzled. Furthermore, for Yu Jizi to arrive just as Li Boyao’s master had left felt far too coincidental. It was inevitable that Li Xian would find himself deep in thought.

Speculation aside, regardless of his doubts, since Yu Jizi had asked to see the box, Li Xian would not refuse. After giving a brief, smiling explanation, he stood up and walked to the corner of his study. Without avoiding Yu Jizi’s gaze, he twisted a hidden catch on a bookshelf against the wall. With a creak, the first shelf, which had been perfectly flush, split to the left and right, revealing a hidden compartment. Li Xian reached in, pulled out the small box, held it in his hands, and walked back to his seat. He placed it on the small table in front of him and said with a smile, "Please take a look, Daoist. The box given to me by Master Li is right here."

"Infinite Longevity."

Upon seeing the box, Yu Jizi stood with one hand raised in a gesture of greeting and recited a Daoist title. Only then did he stand up. With a flick of his wrist, an ancient, simple-looking bronze key appeared in his palm. Before Li Xian could even see him move, a shadow flickered, and Yu Jizi was already standing before the table. He did not rush to open the box; instead, he bowed deeply toward it.

*Well, well,* Li Xian thought, *this young Daoist has remarkable skills. Impressive!* Although Li Xian’s own martial arts were nothing special, he had been practicing for years and had a discerning eye. Seeing Yu Jizi’s movement, which was as fast as a ghost, he could not help but gasp in secret admiration.

"Your Highness, please take a look yourself."

After finishing his salute, Yu Jizi ignored the surprise on Li Xian's face. He used the bronze key to open the hidden lock on the box, but he did not lift the lid. Instead, he stepped back a half-pace, bowed to Li Xian, and said respectfully.

"I am indebted to you."

Li Xian was naturally very curious about what was inside the box and did not stand on ceremony. After thanking him, he reached out, pulled the box toward him, and gently flipped the lid open. Inside, he saw only a single letter. He was stunned for a moment, but without hesitation, he picked up the letter, tore it open, and took out the folded paper inside. He unfolded it and saw only two lines of prophecy: "Black clouds gloomily arrive from the west; the Emperor's son builds a golden terrace by the river." There was no other explanation. Li Xian was left bewildered, turning the paper over and over, completely unable to fathom what these two lines meant.

"Daoist, did Master Li leave any other instructions regarding this box?"

Li Xian frowned and pondered for a moment, but he could not grasp the secret hidden within the seemingly simple prophecy. Helpless, he set the letter aside and looked at the solemn-faced Yu Jizi, asking hesitantly.

"My late master only said, 'When the time comes, you will naturally know.' There were no other words." Yu Jizi clearly did not know what was in the letter either and was somewhat curious himself, but he did not press for details, simply shaking his head slightly in explanation.

*When the time comes, I will naturally know? What does that mean? And the old master once said that if I encountered danger, I should go north. What was the meaning of that?* Seeing that he could not get an answer from Yu Jizi, Li Xian had to sink into deep thought once more. After racking his brain for a long while with no success, he had no choice but to set the matter aside for the time being.

"Daoist, I am deeply grateful that you have traveled so far to deliver this message. Please, allow yourself to stay at my residence; let me fulfill the duties of a host." If he could not understand the prophecy, he would not give up on courting Li Chunfeng's final disciple. Especially after witnessing that superb agility, Li Xian’s desire to win him over grew stronger. He stood up with a smile and issued an invitation without the slightest hesitation.

"Infinite Longevity. This Daoist shall accept your kindness without pretense."

Yu Jizi was clearly a straightforward man; he did not play any games of feigned refusal. He thanked him directly.

"Excellent. My residence has no special rules; please feel free to do as you please, Daoist." Li Xian was delighted by the swift acceptance and said with a laugh before raising his voice: "Gao Miao!"

"This servant is here."

Gao Miao had been waiting outside the study. Hearing Li Xian’s call, he did not dare to delay, rushing into the room and bowing in response.

"Daoist Yu Jizi will be staying at the residence for a while. Make arrangements immediately. Whatever the Daoist needs, you must provide. Do you understand?" Li Xian wanted to do a favor for Yu Jizi, so he set the standard of hospitality to the highest level.

"Yes, this servant understands. Daoist, please, this way. I shall prepare your quarters immediately." Gao Miao had served Li Xian for a long time and knew his temperament well. Seeing Li Xian's attitude, he immediately understood that his master intended to recruit this man, and he was eager to please.

"I have troubled you, Official. This Daoist is not picky about food or drink; I have no other needs, just a simple room will suffice."

Yu Jizi returned the gesture with a smile and a polite remark, then bowed to Li Xian and followed Gao Miao out of the study to get settled.

*Black clouds gloomily arrive from the west; the Emperor's son builds a golden terrace by the river? Which river is this, and how is the golden terrace to be built? What does it mean? Tsk, these experts always love to be mysterious—aren't they tired of it?* After Yu Jizi left, Li Xian, still unsatisfied, pulled out the prophecy again. He pondered it over and over, wearing out many brain cells, but still found no clues. Helpless, he could only grumble silently about Li Chunfeng. He rubbed his throbbing temples and stood up, intending to return to his room to rest before considering other plans. However, before he reached the door, he saw Gao Miao hurrying into the room, and he stopped in his tracks.

"Why are you in such a panic?"

Li Xian valued Yu Jizi highly, and seeing Gao Miao rush in, he feared something had gone wrong with the hospitality, so his face darkened with slight annoyance.

"Reporting to Your Highness, that official surnamed Di whom you have been waiting for has arrived. He is waiting outside the gate." Seeing Li Xian's displeasure, Gao Miao did not dare to delay and quickly reported.

*Di Renjie is here?* Li Xian thought. *What is happening today? One thing after another, surprise after surprise. Could the sun be rising from the west?* Hearing that Di Renjie had arrived, Li Xian fell into a murmur, unconsciously looking up at the sky. It was not strange for Di Renjie to visit, as it was Li Xian who had secured his appointment as the Justice of the Supreme Court. Regardless of Li Xian's motives, Di Renjie had to pay a visit to the Prince of Zhou’s residence to thank his benefactor; otherwise, it would invite gossip. Given Di Renjie's shrewd nature, he would never make such a low-level mistake. However, for a newly arrived official like him, under normal circumstances, even if he submitted a name card, he would find it hard to see Li Xian. It was precisely because of this that Li Xian had given specific orders: if Di Renjie visited, he was to be reported immediately. Now that Gao Miao said he had arrived, Li Xian was not surprised by the visit, but merely sighed at how many coincidences were happening today.

"Open the main gate! I will go to greet him personally!"

Li Xian sighed, but he would never forget the important business. After a self-deprecating laugh, he waved his hand and gave the order in a loud voice.

"Your Highness, this... this might be inappropriate, might it not?"

Hearing that Li Xian wanted to open the main gate to greet a small official of the sixth rank, Gao Miao's jaw almost dropped to the ground. He clicked his tongue and carefully reminded him.

The main gate of a prince's residence was not to be opened casually. It was only opened for imperial edicts or the Emperor himself. For other visitors, it was only opened for other princes or high-ranking ministers. Even officials like the heads of the six ministries would only use the side gates. For someone like Di Renjie, a mere official of the lower fifth rank, being able to see Li Xian was already an exception—let alone having the main gate opened for him. Li Xian’s actions were truly shocking. Even though Gao Miao was used to Li Xian's unconventional style, he was still deeply stunned.

"It is fine. Just do as I say."

Seeing Gao Miao's shocked expression, Li Xian knew exactly what he was thinking. However, Li Xian wanted exactly this shocking effect. The reasons were too complex to explain to outsiders, and he did not want to waste his breath, so he laughed and made his stance clear.

"Yes, this servant obeys."

Since Li Xian did not explain, Gao Miao did not dare to ask further. He quickly responded and hurried off to make the necessary arrangements.

"Di Renjie? Heh, you've come at a good time!"

After Gao Miao left, Li Xian smiled to himself, shrugged, and strolled toward the front courtyard.