They all want to change my future.

Chapter 42 Climbing the Tower Again

"That's right."

Li Zhi nodded, his tone frank, "I knew Miss Ji would be able to tell."

Ji Baizhi still frowned, her eyes filled with confusion: "But why would you deliberately cause such a misunderstanding, young master?"

That's what she can't understand.

As for the consequences of this misunderstanding, Li Zhi, who was in love with Qu Hongxiao, simply did not believe it.

If even someone as beautiful and charming as herself couldn't win the young master's heart, what makes Qu Hongxiao so special?

Then she remembered that Li Zhi had said Qu Hongxiao was a seventh-realm master, and then she remembered that Li Zhi had said that Lin Yueyin could make fun of her.

I had a guess in my mind.

"So," Ji Baizhi looked up at Li Zhi, "what kind of deal did you make with that Master Qu?"

"You guessed very quickly." Li Zhi smiled and, without hiding anything, slowly recounted his confrontation and agreement with Qu Hongxiao in the boudoir of the Red Silk Pavilion that night.

Ji Baizhi listened quietly, and when he finished speaking, she couldn't help but chuckle.

"I never expected that Master Qu to have such a temperament." Ji Baizhi shook her head and sighed softly. "No wonder the young master had Miss Lin use this matter to make fun of me; it is indeed a bit funny."

After a pause, Ji Baizhi looked up at the sky, somewhat speechless: "I'm fine, but it's a bit hard for me to understand why I've become a source of anxiety for others."

Unable to figure it out, Ji Baizhi didn't dwell on it. She looked at Li Zhi and asked softly:

"So, what kind of cooperation do you need from me for your plan, young master?"

"unnecessary."

Li Zhi waved his hand, "Your best cooperation is to stay out of the spotlight and not offer any explanations, as always. However, there might be some rumors going around."

Upon hearing this, a faint hint of disappointment flashed across Ji Baizhi's eyes, but it quickly transformed into a gentle smile: "Then why did you only tell me this today, young master?"

Li Zhi glanced at her and said calmly, "Because I forgot before."

"You forgot before, so why bring it up again now?" Ji Baizhi persisted in her questioning.

Seeing that he was determined to get a satisfactory answer, Li Zhi shook his head:

"You really want to hear that?"

"I just want to hear it." Ji Baizhi raised her face slightly, her voice carrying an unusually charming naiveté: "Young Master, will you tell me or not?"

The more this happened, the less Li Zhi wanted to cooperate, so he started to play dumb: "I don't quite understand."

Ji Baizhi only pondered this shameless attitude for a moment.

Then, a slight smile curved her lips, revealing a rare hint of girlish smugness: "Is Young Master so afraid that I'll misunderstand?"

What kind of operation is this? I won't tell you, you tell me yourself?

Seeing the surprised look in Li Zhi's eyes, he knew he hadn't misjudged the situation.

"hey-hey."

Ji Baizhi couldn't help but chuckle softly, then straightened her expression and said gently:

"Then young master, please proceed with the plan. As for the rumors outside..." She paused, her brows relaxing, "Anyway, I'm not going out, so I won't hear them."

Just as Li Zhi had predicted, the rumors outside had already spread like wildfire.

Compared to the news that "Li Zhi, a retainer of Zhaoyang Prefecture, set up a challenge in the square and defeated four people in one move,"

The common people were clearly more interested in "why Li Zhi specifically requested that the visiting card be sent to Hongxiaolou".

The things between men and women are always a favorite topic of conversation.

Of course, if Li Zhi hadn't displayed such astonishing strength, this gossip might not have caused much of a stir.

But his strength was strangely remarkable.

Since ordinary people lack the power to challenge the status quo, discussing trivial matters at least gives them a sense of participation.

As a result, the rumors began to spread in increasingly outrageous directions.

Gradually, the topic shifted from "What is the relationship between Li Zhi and Qu Hongxiao?" to "Who is more beautiful, Qu Hongxiao or Ji Baizhi?"

Behind this, of course, there must have been some people stirring things up.

In a teahouse, someone slammed their fist on the table and shouted, "Of course it's Qu Jia Mei! Haven't you seen that even the Princess's retainers are smitten with her?"

Someone in the next seat immediately retorted, "Nonsense! A phoenix reincarnated, a royal noblewoman, how could she be compared to a mere street singer?"

"You talk as if you've ever met the Princess!"

"I haven't met him, but Li Zhi has! He still chose Qu Dajia; isn't that enough to prove anything?"

"Perhaps Li Zhi felt unworthy of the Princess, and thus settled for second best?"

A day later, Qu Hongxiao gritted her teeth as she listened to the report from her subordinates.

That damn phoenix...

Is it really true that I am no better than her?

Li Zhi didn't care how far the rumors had gone distorted.

He said those things that day to promote Qu Hongxiao, and how things would turn out was not his responsibility.

Today is the day he goes upstairs to keep his appointment.

He reached out his hand to Ji Baizhi.

Ji Baizhi rolled her eyes at him, but still took out the purse and put it back in his palm.

They paused slightly as their fingertips touched, and she whispered, "Young master, it's best to spend less."

"Then just give me a little less," Li Zhi said, seemingly unconcerned.

Ji Baizhi pursed her lips and said, "How could I possibly deduct money from yours, young master?"

Li Zhi smiled and put the purse away: "Then I'm going out."

He is going to the Red Silk Pavilion today.

Walking down the street, Li Zhi was no longer the same as before.

Many people along the way recognized him, pointing and whispering among themselves.

Even bolder individuals stepped forward and asked, "Young Master Li, are you going to the Red Silk Pavilion today?"

Li Zhi smiled but did not answer, walking with composure.

The area in front of the Red Silk Building was more lively than usual.

As soon as he reached the door, he saw a familiar figure already waiting there.

It was Xie Shiyi.

When Xie Shi saw him arrive, his eyes lit up, and he quickly went to greet him, cupping his hands in a respectful gesture and saying with a smile, "Brother Li! You are now quite famous, truly admirable!"

His tone was full of sincere admiration, and also revealed a hint of pride.

For a young person, being able to walk alongside such a famous person is something to be proud of.

Li Zhi waved his hand: "It's just an empty reputation."

"Come on, come on," Xie Shiyi said, pulling him into the building. "We agreed last time, this time it's on me!"

Just as the two were about to go inside to buy tickets, the manager of the Red Silk Pavilion came out to greet them with two maids.

The steward, all smiles, bowed and said, "Young Master Li, it's an honor to have you both here. Please come in."

Xie Shiyi was taken aback, and his face immediately turned somewhat embarrassed.

Li Zhi did not refuse; he simply nodded to the steward and stepped inside.

Xie Shiyi hurriedly followed and whispered, "Next time, next time you must let me treat you. Besides the Red Silk Pavilion, there are other good places to go in the capital."

"Okay, let's not talk about that."

As the two walked in, the crowd made way for them, all their eyes fixed on the figure in the blue robe.

As soon as he entered the hall, a maid dressed in a light pink dress gracefully stepped forward and gave Li Zhi a graceful curtsy: "Young Master Li, please follow me."

Just as Xie Shiyi was about to follow, the maid stepped aside to block him and said gently, "Young Master Xie, please wait. The master instructed that only Young Master Li is invited."

Xie Shiyi stood there, stunned, watching as Li Zhi followed the maid upstairs, feeling somewhat bewildered.

What does this mean?

So the two of them are no longer on the same level?