After the death of the host: the tyrant cried red eyes

His words were full of humility and respect, his eyes flashed with determination, and he was obviously unwilling to accept this gift that was beyond his status.

Shen Bingning had a warm smile on her lips and her eyes flashed with unquestionable determination. As she spoke, she waved her hand lightly, and the silver coin streaked through the air like a meteor and fell accurately into Hu Zi's bamboo basket.

"I must accept your selfless help before."

Before she finished her words, she had nimbly jumped onto the beautifully decorated carriage, gently lifted the curtain, and left Hu Zi with a resolute back, not allowing him the slightest chance to refuse.

By the time Hu Zi found the heavy piece of silver from among the piles of tea leaves, he looked up and found that the carriage had gone far away, leaving only a dusty track.

He stood there in a daze, tightly holding the silver coin that symbolized Miss Shen's gratitude in his hand, with mixed feelings in his heart.

Then, he turned to the secret guard standing quietly at the side, and said with a hint of helplessness: "Please tell this sir that I appreciate Hu Zi's kindness, but please return the silver to Miss Shen."

The secret guard had a stern face, but his eyes revealed a firmness that could not be refuted. He replied in a deep voice: "This is Miss Shen's gift to you. I have no right to return it on your behalf. Tell me your address, and I can escort you back safely."

What he meant was that they were carrying out Princess Bixia's direct orders and that they must not disobey them.

Upon hearing this, Hu Zi just shook his head slightly, and his intention to refuse was obvious.

He spread out his palm, and the silver coin reflected a dazzling light in the sunlight, as if carrying some unspeakable emotion.

Hu Zi's eyes became profound. He had been learning medicine since he was young and was familiar with the ways of survival in the mountains and forests, especially the herbs for repelling snakes. Most snakes could sense his presence from afar and avoid him.

Not to mention, for him, catching snakes is not only a survival skill, but also a way to collect medicinal materials. The whole body of the snake is a precious treasure bestowed by nature.

In the end, Hu Zi said nothing more, but just held the silver tightly and bowed deeply in the direction where the carriage disappeared, to express his gratitude for Miss Shen's generosity and his awe of fate.

---

The sun gradually rose higher, and the non-stop journey finally arrived at the towering gate of the imperial city near noon.

Shen Bingning walked lightly. As soon as she stepped into the threshold of Qingfeng Palace, she saw Qing'er's tears were still wet. Her eyes were filled with anxiety and joy. She ran out of the palace like a frightened deer. "Miss, you are finally back! I was so worried!"

Her voice trembled slightly, and she was obviously suffering during the time when her master was missing.

"That day you and Princess Bixia disappeared at the same time, and I was so scared that I almost lost my soul. I wanted to go out to look for you, but Eunuch Wei stopped me, saying that the secret guards were already searching outside and told me not to worry. Later, I was sent back to the palace."

Qing'er's words sounded a little strange. His master was missing, but Eunuch Wei, the chief steward of the palace, did not show the necessary anxiety?

Shen Bingning took Qing'er's hand, and they walked into the palace together. She frowned slightly and began to ask carefully: "After we disappeared, did Eunuch Wei really not send anyone to look for us?"

There was a hint of suspicion in her eyes, trying to capture more information from Qing'er's answer.

Qing'er shook her head, looking a little confused, "I can't remember clearly. I was just panicking at the time and didn't pay much attention to Eunuch Wei's specific reaction."

Her answer seemed to hide some unknown clues, making the whole incident even more confusing.

Shen Bingning paced back and forth in the spacious hall, various possibilities spinning rapidly in her mind.

Could it be that the accident of him and Xiao Yi falling off the cliff was actually part of his careful plan?

If this is true, then his injuries, poisoning and even high fever at the bottom of the cliff were all the product of his acting skills!

And those secret guards who appeared in time might also be part of the traps set in advance!

I was so naive that I stepped forward to rescue him and helped him out of the predicament.

Qing'er was naturally ignorant of all this. She followed Shen Bingning's steps closely like a loyal puppy, unaware of the turbulent emotions in her master's heart.

Suddenly, Shen Bingning paused and almost bumped into Qing'er who was following closely behind her.

"Qing'er, this month's salary should have been paid, right?"

She asked suddenly, trying to change her mood.

Qing'er ran to the dressing table and took out two glittering silver coins from the drawer. A hint of pride flashed in her eyes. "As soon as the young lady came back, they sent it here along with last month's."

His tone was full of joy, as if he was sincerely relieved by his master's return.

Shen Bingning nodded slightly and said seriously, "This money must be kept properly."

After experiencing this series of events involving Xiao Yi, she realized that she needed to be more cautious.

Although she is currently trapped in the palace, she is already planning how to find an opportunity to leave the palace again, and she will never swallow this humiliation easily.

At this moment, a plan quietly took shape in Shen Bingning's mind.

"Qing'er, go to the imperial kitchen..." She waved her hand, leaned close to Qing'er's ear, whispered, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on her face.

Qing'er listened to Shen Bingning's instructions, and her face was instantly filled with surprise, "Miss, this...

Is Princess Bixia really weak?"

This news was hard for her to believe, after all, His Majesty was so brave in the eyes of everyone.

Shen Bingning nodded solemnly, her expression sincere, "Well, Princess Bixia suffered a lot during her disappearance, and coupled with the fatigue of the journey, her body naturally has not fully recovered. You should quickly ask the imperial kitchen to prepare a nourishing soup and send it to Longzhang Palace."

There was a glint of deep strategy in her eyes, and it was obvious that this was not just for Princess Bixia's health.

At the same time, outside the Longzhang Palace, the gorgeously dressed Concubine Zheng was politely but firmly stopped by Eunuch Wei, "Princess Bixia is resting and cannot see guests."

Concubine Zheng covered her face with a veil, her eyes full of expectation and unwillingness. She pleaded, "I made this chicken soup myself. It won't be too late for Princess to drink it and then rest."

Xiao Shengzi, who was standing by, was secretly wondering in his heart, His Majesty had just returned to the palace not long ago, and Concubine Zheng made the soup too quickly, was there any ulterior motive?

Eunuch Wei emphasized again: "The princess has instructed no one to disturb her. Please come back later, Concubine Zheng."

Qing'er, holding the carefully prepared nourishing soup in her hand, did not go forward directly when she saw the situation. Instead, she cleverly hid behind a pillar and winked at Xiao Shengzi.

Xiao Shengzi understood what he meant, avoided Zhengpin's expectant eyes, and quietly came to Qing'er, "Why, what are you doing here?"

He lowered his voice, sounding curious and wary.

Qing'er raised the bowl of soup in her hand and explained softly, "My lady asked me to bring this bowl of soup to His Majesty, saying that His Majesty was injured before and was tired from the journey. He is a little weak and needs to be replenished."