Chapter 42 Daji (9) Guardian

Inside the Zhaixing Pavilion, dusk was falling.

The glazed palace lanterns lit up one after another, and the soft halo dispelled the darkness in the palace, but it could not dispel the heaviness in Lin Jiaojiao's heart. Li Ji's shrill scream and the glaring bloodstains on the ground were engraved in her mind like a brand. She leaned against the window, looking at the last ray of sunset in the sky, silent.

The palace door was gently pushed open, and Kui Ji walked in. Her steps were steady, and her tanned face looked exceptionally calm under the light. She walked a short distance behind Lin Jiaojiao, stopped, and bowed slightly, "Beauty."

Lin Jiaojiao turned around and looked at her. Kui Ji's eyes still held a wild light, but now there was a hint of indescribable complex emotions - awe, doubt, and a subtle hint of exploration?

"Li Ji..." Lin Jiaojiao asked softly, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue in her voice.

"My lady," Kuiji's voice was clear and distinct, with a hint of an exotic accent. "I, with your token, have sought out the best physician in the palace. Liji's life is saved, but... her sternum is broken, and her internal organs are bruised. Her injuries are quite severe. The physician said she needs several months of rest before she can even walk. Later... there's a risk of developing a persistent illness."

When Lin Jiaojiao heard this, her heart relaxed slightly, but then sank again.

Her life was saved, but such a serious injury, for a once-glorious concubine, was like falling from the clouds into the mire, a fate worse than death. She sighed softly, "I understand. Order the necessary herbs and expenses to be provided from Zhaixing Pavilion. Let her... take good care of herself."

"Yes," Kui Ji replied, but she didn't retreat immediately. She stood there, her eyes fixed on Lin Jiaojiao's calm profile. After hesitating for a moment, she finally couldn't help but speak, her voice filled with a hint of confusion and intense curiosity: "My beauty... there is something I don't understand."

"Hmm?" Lin Jiaojiao looked at her.

"Li Ji, she was rude to the beauty before, filled with jealousy. Today, she is even more audacious and disturbed the beauty. Your Majesty... Your Majesty's punishment of her is understandable." Kui Ji chose her words carefully, her eyes sharp. "Why did the beauty still want to save her? Even... using your token to invite the best doctor?"

Lin Jiaojiao didn't answer immediately. She looked into Kuiji's eyes, which were full of wildness but now filled with confusion, and asked, "Kuiji, if you hadn't entered the palace, if you hadn't been presented to your father...Jiu Hou, and brought before the king, what would you most want to do?"

Kui Ji was stunned. She didn't expect Lin Jiaojiao to ask this suddenly. This question was like a huge rock thrown into a calm lake, which instantly stirred up huge waves in her heart. The wild light in her eyes suddenly became brighter, like a ignited flame. She straightened her back, and her voice was filled with a long-suppressed, almost trembling excitement.

"What?" Kui Ji's voice suddenly rose, carrying an unquestionable firmness and... a hint of unwilling resentment. "My father is the Lord of Jiu, the ruler of nine kingdoms! Although I'm a woman, my brothers are all qualified to compete for the throne. Why?! Why can I only be treated as a gift, a tool to curry favor with the powerful and exchange for benefits?!"

Her chest heaved violently, her tan skin flushed with excitement. "I won't give up! I've practiced martial arts since childhood, am skilled in archery and horseback riding, and am as strong as men. I've read military books and know about tactics. I want... I want to be like General Fu Hao, commanding the three armies, galloping across the battlefield, using my sword and wisdom to achieve great military exploits! Win fiefdoms! Win wealth! Win my own glory and dignity! Not... not like now, trapped in this golden cage, a... plaything at the mercy of others!"

Her words were like a flood bursting through a dam, filled with years of suppressed anger, unwillingness and a desire for freedom. In her bright eyes, there was a blazing fire, which was the wildness that was forcibly restrained and a resistance to the unfairness of fate.

Lin Jiaojiao looked at her quietly and listened to her indignant accusations. Kui Ji's words were like a mirror, reflecting the sad fate of countless women in the deep palace. A strong sense of resonance and appreciation surged in her heart.

"General Fu Hao..." Lin Jiaojiao repeated the name softly, a bright light flashing in her eyes. "The wife of King Wu Ding, a woman who was as brave as any man, commanded the army, expanded the territory, was granted fiefdoms, and her name went down in history... She is truly fascinating."

She looked at Kui Ji, her eyes filled with sincere encouragement and affirmation: "Kui Ji, your idea is very good! Very good! Who says women are inferior to men? Who says women can only depend on men and be their vassals? You are brave and ambitious. Why can't you fight for a future for yourself like General Fu Hao did?"

Kui Ji was stunned. She didn't expect that Lin Jiaojiao not only did not laugh at her "wishful thinking", but was so affirmative and supportive. She looked at the sincere admiration in Lin Jiaojiao's clear eyes, and the cold and wary wall in her heart seemed to be gently hit by something, and a crack appeared.

"But...my beauty..." Kui Ji's voice was filled with bitterness and confusion, "In this deep palace...what else can I do? My sword...has long been confiscated, and my warhorse...has become someone else's mount..."

"Who says you can't sharpen your sword in the deep palace?" Lin Jiaojiao smiled slightly, a cunning glint in her eyes, "Opportunities are created by people."

She stood up and walked over to Kui Ji. Her voice was gentle but carried an undeniable strength. "Kui Ji, from today on, you are no longer an ordinary palace maid. I appoint you as the 'female guard leader' of Zhaixing Pavilion."

"Female guard captain?" A hint of doubt flashed in Kui Ji's eyes.

"Yes." Lin Jiaojiao nodded. "The Beast Garden will soon be open. There are many ferocious beasts in the garden. Although there are guards, the security of the inner garden also needs to be strengthened. I will propose to the king that we select a group of strong female slaves from the palace to form a 'female guard' responsible for patrolling the Star Picking Pavilion and the inner garden of the Beast Garden."

Kuiji's eyes lit up instantly, like stars burning in the dark night.

"You, Kui Ji, will be the leader of this female guard!" Lin Jiaojiao's voice was filled with encouragement. "I give you the power to select the personnel! Twenty of them! They must be physically strong, nimble, courageous, and careful. You will train them personally, training them in martial arts, formation, vigilance, and coordination. I want you to train them into... a true force capable of protecting themselves and others!"

"Training... practicing martial arts?" Kui Ji's voice was filled with incredible excitement and trembling.

"Yes!" Lin Jiaojiao affirmed. "We don't have swords yet, but sticks, rattan shields, and ropes can all be used as weapons to train their physical strength, endurance, reaction, and coordination! Let them learn to protect themselves and their companions! And let them... possess a power that's not dependent on anyone else!"

She looked at the flame-like light that had rekindled in Kui Ji's eyes and whispered, "This is your first step. Sharpen your minions and train your troops. Remember, strength is not limited to men or women, and dignity must be earned by oneself. General Fu Hao's road may be long, but... we can continue on, step by step."

Kui Ji's body trembled slightly with excitement. She looked at Lin Jiaojiao, and the wildness, vigilance and alienation in her eyes were completely replaced by an unprecedented, fiery light as if she had found a sense of belonging.

She suddenly knelt on one knee, her right hand on her chest, her voice resonant and powerful, filled with unquestionable loyalty and determination: "I am Kuiji... I obey your command! Thank you for your help! I will live up to your trust! I will train this female guard into... a true force to protect you!"

Lin Jiaojiao looked at the flames burning in her eyes, and a warm feeling surged in her heart. She knew that this might just be a small beginning, a weak spark ignited in the cracks of the deep palace, but a single spark can start a prairie fire.

Perhaps, in this gorgeous cage, she can not only clear herself, but also ignite a possibility of change for Gui Ji and those women who are unwilling to accept their fate.

"Get up." Lin Jiaojiao helped Kui Ji up with a gentle smile on her face. "Tomorrow, we'll go pick people. If you need anything, just tell me."

"Yes!" Kui Ji nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with unprecedented spirit and enthusiasm.

Looking at Kui Ji's departing figure, which looked as straight as if infused with new life, Lin Jiaojiao breathed a sigh of relief. She walked to the window and looked at the night sky. The stars were dotted like diamonds scattered on black velvet.

“Strategy: Build a controllable armed force.

Goal: Improve the host's safety factor, cultivate Kui Ji's loyalty, and accumulate potential power.

Risk Assessment: Low (under the name of 'escort').

Benefit assessment: High.

Emotion Simulation Unit: ...Redundant data (hope, relief) rising." Zero's voice analyzed calmly, but Lin Jiaojiao seemed to catch a tiny hint of happiness?

"Yeah." Lin Jiaojiao responded softly, with a shallow, real curve at the corner of her lips.