Chapter 53 Is I Going to Run Away? No, the CEO is Setting a Trap!

Life in the Zichen Palace was so peaceful that it made Yun Zhan uneasy.

Yan Linye not only stopped "harassing" him, but he also rarely showed his face. According to the information that Eunuch Gao had inquired about, His Majesty had been busy with state affairs recently, seemingly preparing for some important event, and often summoned people from the Ministry of Works, the Ministry of Revenue, and the Imperial Medical Bureau to discuss matters until late at night.

Yun Zhan was happy to have some peace and quiet. He spent his days either strolling in the small garden or holed up in the hall "meditizing Zen and seeking enlightenment," which was actually just loafing around and taking the opportunity to refine his ultimate plan for "turning the tables in three steps."

"Little Seven, I feel the time is almost ripe." That day, Yun Zhan was picking at the pearl rice in his bowl while plotting with the system in his mind. "Look, Yan Linye is so busy right now that he's probably forgotten all about me. The guards are lax, and Eunuch Gao has returned. If we don't run now, when will we?"

Xiao Qi's light flickered faintly in the sea of ​​consciousness, and the electronic voice carried a hint of barely perceptible tension: [Host, have you really thought this through? It's chaotic outside, nothing compares to the safety and comfort of the palace.]

"Comfortable?" Yun Zhan put down his bowl, heartbroken. "Commander, you've changed! You used to be firmly on the front lines of the escape! How come you're speaking up for Yan Linye now? Have you been manipulated by him?"

[Absolutely not!] Xiao Qi immediately denied it, causing the data stream to become disordered. [This system always prioritizes the host's interests! It's just... just based on risk assessment, it believes that escaping is not the optimal solution at this stage...]

"Risk? What risk?" Yun Zhan said dismissively. "We have money now. He secretly hid some of the gold melon seeds that Yan Linye had given us before. We have people (Eunuch Gao), and we have routes. He had Eunuch Gao figure out the pattern of the guard change at Xihua Gate and the entry and exit of supplies. We also have you as our cheat code! With the right timing, location, and people, we're very safe!"

Xiao Qi: [...] How can it tell its host that the so-called "favorable timing, geographical advantage, and harmonious relationships" were all deliberately orchestrated by your boss? He even knows exactly where you hide the gold seeds, he just wanted to please you because he likes it!

"It's settled then!" Yun Zhan slammed his hand on the table, his eyes resolute. "Three days from now, on a dark and windy night, that's when we'll make our escape! Destination: Jiangnan! I've heard it's a prosperous place, perfect for seclusion!"

Looking at its host's spirited demeanor, as if about to embark on a new life, Xiaoqi felt a mix of electronic tears welling up inside. Host, do you know that you're not heading towards freedom, you're heading towards a carefully prepared...other script by the big boss!

That night, in the Imperial Study.

Yan Linye had just finished approving a pile of memorials concerning reinforcing river embankments and stockpiling medicinal herbs when he rubbed his temples.

"Xiao Qi," he said softly to the air.

A faint wisp of light (visible only to him) trembled and appeared: [Here, Boss!]

"Has anything unusual happened recently?" Yan Linye asked. He was referring not only to Yun Zhan's movements, but also... to the impact on this world after he shared half of his fortune.

Xiao Qi's light flickered a few times, seemingly retrieving data. After a moment, the electronic voice, tinged with solemnity, announced: "[Reporting to the Boss, according to this system's monitoring of the dimensional energy waves and causal lines, because you shared half of your destiny and fortune with the host, it has indeed... indeed had a certain impact on the present world. A portion of the causal link of the host being a 'discarded child of the plane' has been transferred to you and this dynasty.]"

Yan Linye's eyes sharpened: "Specifically?"

Xiao Qi: [Analysis shows that in about two months, a large-scale plague will break out within the Houchen Dynasty, especially in the capital and surrounding areas. Moreover... because of the damage to its fortune, rumors may circulate that this natural disaster is due to your, the new emperor, being 'unworthy of the throne,' thus incurring divine punishment.]

The air froze instantly.

Yan Linye's face was expressionless, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table. The plague…the unrest among the people…this was the first major crisis he had faced since ascending the throne, and to a large extent, it was due to his own selfish motives.

"Boss..." Xiao Qi's voice was even weaker, tinged with probing, "Do you... regret it?" He gave half of the "destiny" to protect the country and its people to a "little liar" who was eager to escape.

Yan Linye stopped tapping his fingers on the table, raised his eyes, and his gaze was deep and calm, without a trace of emotion.

No regrets.

Two words: resolute and decisive.

Xiaoqi's ball of light seemed to freeze for a moment at those two words. As a system, it was once again shocked by this completely illogical and profit-maximizing choice. Moreover, it couldn't see what merits its host possessed that would make the big shot go to such lengths for it.

Yan Linye stopped dwelling on the matter and instead asked, "When exactly will the plague begin? I need to make preparations as soon as possible."

Xiaoqi: [Based on model predictions, the outbreak is highly likely to occur in midsummer, about two months from now.]

Two months… Yan Linye pondered for a moment, his mind racing. Stockpiling medicinal herbs, isolating areas, calming the public… he was already arranging these things. But there was one more important “variable”—Yun Zhan.

He looked at Xiao Qi and suddenly asked, "How far has Yun Zhan's escape plan progressed?"

Xiao Qi: [...The host has decided to take Eunuch Gao and a small amount of gold and silver and attempt to sneak out through a side gate of Xihua Gate at midnight three days from now.]

Yan Linye nodded, seemingly unsurprised. He remained silent for a moment, a complex and unfathomable light flashing in his eyes, before making a decision that nearly crashed Xiao Qi's computer:

"Since he wants to leave, then help him leave."

Xiaoqi: 【！！！】

[B-Boss?! What did you say?!] Its electronic voice cracked, "Help him leave"? It couldn't have misheard, could it? This obsessive, domineering CEO has changed his ways? He's letting go? Impossible! There's definitely something fishy going on!

Yan Linye looked at the ball of light in Xiao Qi's eyes, which was almost dissipating in shock, and a faint, calculating smile appeared on his lips: "If he truly cares for me, he will return. If he doesn't care for me..."

He paused, his eyes suddenly turning cold and sharp. He didn't say anything more, but the invisible killing intent made Xiao Qi's ball of light shrink even more.

Xiaoqi instantly understood! This wasn't letting go; it was clearly a sting operation! A classic case of feigned indifference! A sophisticated form of manipulation!

Is the big boss betting that the host won't be able to make it outside, or... that after experiencing the harsh realities of society, he'll remember his kindness and willingly return? Besides, even if the host is determined not to come back, with the big boss's methods, surely he can bring him back? This is clearly a well-intentioned scheme!

"Then, then Eunuch Gao..." Xiao Qi asked weakly.

"Let him come along," Yan Linye said. "I'll feel more at ease knowing he has a reliable person to take care of him."

"Then... what about Lord Li Muyan?" Xiao Qi asked instinctively. It remembered that its host seemed to admire that talented man quite a bit.

As soon as it finished speaking, it felt the temperature of the surrounding air drop sharply!

Yan Linye's eyes instantly turned deep, filled with undisguised coldness and... jealousy?

"Him?" Yan Linye snorted coldly. "He shouldn't even think about it."

Xiaoqi: [...] I understand, this person is a key target for prevention.

Three days later, at midnight.

A dark and windy night is the perfect time for murder and robbery... oh no, it's the perfect time to sneak away and escape.

Inside the Zichen Palace, Yun Zhan changed into an ordinary eunuch's uniform, carrying a small bundle on his back containing all his belongings—golden melon seeds and a few pastries. He was so nervous that his palms were sweating.

Eunuch Gao had also changed into civilian clothes, looking equally nervous. He whispered, "Young master, everything has been taken care of. The person on duty at the side gate of Xihua Gate tonight is an old acquaintance of ours. He took the money and agreed to turn a blind eye."

"Alright! Success or failure hinges on this!" Yun Zhan took a deep breath and mentally cheered on the system, "Little Seven! Give us your moral support! Bless us with immediate success!"

Xiao Qi: 【…Wishing you a safe journey, host.】 Yeah, right, I wish you a speedy "fishing" trip back.

Under the cover of night, the two slipped out of the Zichen Palace like two nimble cats. Following the pre-planned route, they made several turns and avoided several patrolling guards, and actually arrived at the side gate of Xihua Gate with remarkable ease!

The guard who had taken the money was indeed "very savvy." When he saw them, he simply yawned and waved them past.

Even after stepping out of that heavy palace gate and feeling the cool night breeze carrying the scent of cooking fires, Yun Zhan still couldn't quite believe it.

"Just... just like that, we're out?" He looked back at the towering palace walls in the night, feeling like he was dreaming.

Grandpa Gao was so excited that tears streamed down his face: "We're out! Young master, we're really out!"

"Freedom! Hahahaha! I, Yun Hansan, am back!" Yun Zhan couldn't help but exclaim, opening his arms as if he wanted to embrace the entire night sky! Although he had only left the palace and hadn't completely escaped the capital, this was already a historic and enormous step forward!

He felt every cell in his body was cheering and jumping for joy. All the previous emo and frustration were instantly thrown to the winds!

"Yan Linye, Yan Linye, no matter how cunning you are, you still drank my foot bath water!" Yun Zhan said smugly, making a face at the direction of the palace, though the other party couldn't see it. "Just wait! When I've made a name for myself outside, become a wealthy and powerful tycoon, I'll come back driving a BMW... uh, I mean riding a tall horse to show off to you!"

He could almost see himself using modern knowledge to invent, do business, make a fortune, have women on both sides (just kidding), and reach the pinnacle of life!

"Let's go! Eunuch Gao, let's find a place to stay! Tomorrow marks the start of our new life!" Yun Zhan, full of vigor, grabbed Eunuch Gao and plunged into the night of the capital.

Our fighting spirit is higher than ever before!

Meanwhile, the system Xiao Qi in his mind, seeing its host's excited and hopeful expression for the future, and then thinking of the strategist in the imperial study who was waiting for the "fish" to swim back on its own, could only silently light another row of candles for its system.

Host, cherish this brief period of "freedom".

Your domineering CEO is playing a very big game.

And you, the little fish who thought you had escaped the fish tank, had no idea that you had just jumped into a bigger and gentler... pond, and that was the beginning.