Rong Jin turned and walked toward him, his long eyelashes slightly lowered as he gazed lightly at him. “Are you afraid?”
Tong Sui found it hard to imagine how the frail figure before him had just coldly severed a pair of hands without flinching.
“If you follow me, I can guarantee that no one will dare to bully you again,” Rong Jin said, his eyes icy and cold. “But if you betray me in the future, I will take away everything, including your life, just as I did today.”
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Rong Jin: Maximum protection of the weak.
The air was thick with a faint scent of blood, while Rong Jin stood before him as clean as a handful of snow, fragile enough that he seemed like he could melt away at any moment.
He reached out, his bony hand pristine and untainted.
Yet beneath that luxurious, delicate exterior lay countless bones, seemingly dragging others into the same hell he inhabited.
“Have you made your decision?”
“If you have any reservations and are unwilling to agree, I will have someone prepare enough silver to send you out of the palace, ensuring your peace for the rest of your life.”
Rong Jin provided him with ample options.
Perhaps this was one of his rare moments of mercy, giving this solitary child before him a final chance—to choose between a path of irrevocable power or to lead a life as an ordinary person.
Of course, Tong Sui could not leave.
Whether out of duty to this world or his feelings for Rong Jin, he could not simply walk away.
He raised his hand and gently grasped Rong Jin’s slightly cool palm.
“My lord, I will not leave.”
The emotions in Rong Jin’s eyes were hard to decipher, but the corners of his mouth, often pressed into a straight line, arced slightly, dispelling some of the sickness and revealing a hint of a faint smile. “Good, you said this yourself. There will be no room for regret in the future.”
Kun Ning Palace.
The empress lifted the box presented to her, revealing a pair of bloodied severed hands inside.
“Ah—”
The empress’s face turned pale; she accidentally knocked the box over as she recoiled.
The hands spilled out, blood staining the floor.
“Your Majesty, this is a gift from the governor,” Feng Yongchang said. “You are an intelligent person and should understand the governor’s intentions; if you cross the line again, the next time it will not be these extra hands that are cut off.”
After Feng Yongchang left, the palace maids and eunuchs quickly stepped forward to help the empress and dispose of the filthy items.
A palace maid sent out to gather intelligence returned to report: “Your Majesty, I heard that Rong Jin not only ordered the execution of all the officials at the Zhidian Supervisory Directorate but also commanded the Northern Town Escort to investigate the case of corruption in the grain transport.”
“What…?”
The empress sat in shock, her face pale.
It seemed Rong Jin was determined to protect Tong Sui; having missed this opportunity, they no longer had a chance to strike.
The palace maid comforted her, “Your Majesty, that child is merely born of a courtesan, with a low status. Even if Rong Jin wishes to place him on the throne, the officials would likely not agree.”
“Let’s hope so…”
Although Tong Sui had agreed to follow Rong Jin, he had no idea what his response truly entailed, and he followed Rong Jin joyfully.
However, this time they did not go to the front hall of the Ceremony Supervision Bureau but took a detour.
Behind the Ceremony Supervision Bureau was a row of rooms converted into Rong Jin’s exclusive residence.
Though from the outside it appeared ordinary and similar to other rooms, upon entering, one would find everything inside to be of high value.
Over the years, as Rong Jin held power, many had offered gifts, and he’d painstakingly collected various rare treasures to send to this place.
Rong Jin said, “From today on, you will move here to live with me.”
Tong Sui was stunned.
Not just Tong Sui, everyone following Rong Jin nearly dropped their jaws; Rong Jin was naturally cautious and suspicious, and he had never allowed anyone to get close.
Rong Jin glanced sideways at his attendants. “Clean up the side room and have the tailors from the Clothing Bureau send over a few sets of clothes.”
Tong Sui whispered, “My lord, I actually have clothes and a place to stay.”
He felt that just because he had agreed to follow him, Rong Jin was suddenly treating him so well, which seemed somewhat inconsistent with his character and his own identity.
He was just a minor servant, and such treatment left him feeling flustered.
Rong Jin shot him a glance, “What? Do you think I will harm you?”
Tong Sui shook his head. “My lord is just too good to me; I don’t know how to repay you.”
“You should accept what is given to you; this is all you deserve,” Rong Jin said. “As for repayment, there’s nothing you can do right now; we’ll talk when you’re older.”
Tong Sui replied, “Oh, okay.”
It wasn’t long before the tailors from the Clothing Bureau arrived.
They brought a pile of top-quality fabrics and respectfully bowed to Rong Jin. “Governor, these cloud brocade materials are all top-tier—cool in summer, warm in winter, and every stitch of embroidery was crafted by the best embroiderers, worked day and night.”
The tailor presented a finished outfit like a treasure, handing it over to Rong Jin.
Rong Jin pinched the fabric between his fingers. “Hmm, try it on.”
Tong Sui obediently took the clothes to change.
Compared to the scholar’s clothes he had been wearing, the silk was in a completely different league; it was exquisite and smooth, and even someone unacquainted with luxury would know it was expensive.
Tong Sui emerged from behind the curtain.
Rong Jin set down the teacup in his hand and looked over indifferently.
The tailor praised, “This young master has an exceptional bearing, and the fine cloud brocade looks absolutely stunning on him!”
Although his words sounded flattering, they were not exaggerated; the youth before them resembled a gem freed from dust, radiating his own unique light.
The only flaw was that he seemed too frail and needed more nourishment.
Rong Jin remarked, “The size still needs to be adjusted; aside from that, everything else is fine. How long will it take to finish and deliver?”
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