Zhang Zhiyi's remark was tantamount to a direct rebuttal of Eunuch Liu's recent praise of Nangong Xin, while also implicitly denying Liu's claim that Nangong Xin had an "eye for recognizing talent."
One could easily imagine how unsightly Eunuch Liu's complexion became upon hearing these words.
Everyone in Tianqi knew that Prince Dongli had always been at odds with the Emperor. Was Zhang Zhiyi playing dumb on purpose?
Chapter 93