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

"Where is the 120,000 taels now?"

She demanded, her voice trembling slightly.

“All have been added to the national treasury.”

Xiao Yi's answer was clear and concise.

"But it includes my 100,000 taels."

Shen Bingning emphasized unwillingly.

"Those are solid evidence of Zheng Yanmin's corruption. They cannot be handed over to my beloved concubine."

Xiao Yi paused, then changed the subject, "However, as my favorite concubine, I can show some mercy and take out 50,000 taels from the national treasury as compensation, which will be regarded as the proceeds from the auction of the Phoenix Seal."

Shen Bingning was stunned, her eyes quickly turned red, and tears silently slid down her cheeks.

A mere fifty thousand taels finally returned to his hands.

Everything seemed to be a carefully planned scheme by him, and she naively walked into it.

The capitalists' calculations are not as cunning as Xiao Yi's. How could she meet such a big devil!

Drops of hot tears fell on the back of his hand, making Xiao Yi's heart tighten inexplicably and an indescribable panic surge up.

Shen Bingning quickly turned around and wiped away her tears, cursing her own fragility in her heart for losing control in front of Xiao Yi just for a mere sum of money.

She sniffed, slowly took out the Phoenix Seal from her sleeve, and said indifferently: "Since Miss Zheng failed to pay the money on time, then Your Majesty, please take back the Phoenix Seal. If there is nothing else, I will respectfully send Your Majesty off."

There was an obvious intention of seeing the guest off in his words.

Xiao Yi looked at her silently for a long time. His inner struggle did not diminish, but instead became more irritable.

"I have decided to donate all the 120,000 taels of gold as military pay. My beloved concubine has also contributed to uncovering Zheng Yanmin's corruption and bribery, so I will naturally reward her..."

Before Xiao Yi finished speaking, Shen Bingning answered first: "No need, I dare not accept the reward."

She knew that even if she accepted it, she would eventually fall into Xiao Yi's control.

How audacious it is to refuse the king's reward.

Shen Bingning's move was undoubtedly a huge provocation to Xiao Yi's authority.

Xiao Yi's face darkened. Since she didn't appreciate his kindness, there was no need for him to make any gesture to consider her feelings.

Xiao Yi strode out of Qingfeng Palace without looking back, leaving the room in silence.

As soon as Xiao Yi left, Qing'er hurried into the hall. Seeing her master's face covered in tears, she couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Madam, does His Majesty blame you?"

Shen Bingning's mood was like a cloudy sky, dull and depressed. She exhaled lightly, her words full of fatigue: "I'm going to rest for a while. Qing'er, you give this Phoenix Seal to Eunuch Wei. Remember, don't let anyone disturb my peace."

After she finished speaking, her eyes swept across the phoenix seal on the table. It once carried her endless hopes, but now it seemed particularly heavy.

Qing'er stared at the Phoenix Seal. The Phoenix totem on it was lifelike, but it also revealed a hint of indescribable sadness. She was confused: "But beauty, shouldn't this Phoenix Seal be given to beauty Zheng? After all, the auction has been decided, how can it be cancelled just like that?"

Although she was puzzled, she was more curious and speculative about Shen Bingning's decision. After all, if Concubine Zheng failed to raise the 100,000 taels of gold, it seemed a good choice to keep the Phoenix Seal with her.

"Ah."

Shen Bingning nodded slightly, her tone revealing an unquestionable determination, "Go to Hanqing Palace on the way and tell Concubine Zheng that if the silver cannot be paid in full on time, the auction of the Phoenix Seal will be cancelled."

There was a firmness in her words that left no room for negotiation. It was obvious that she had given up hope that Miss Zheng could raise the money.

Seeing that her master was in a bad mood, Qing'er nodded wisely, suppressed her doubts, and replied respectfully: "I will do it immediately."

Eunuch Wei trotted closely behind Xiao Yi, muttering to himself, what went wrong in the palace today?

Could it be that Concubine Shen has angered His Majesty again?

But on second thought, even such a big event as the sale of the Phoenix Seal by Concubine Shen did not make His Majesty so unhappy, so what happened today must be extraordinary.

When they arrived at the Longzhang Palace, just as Eunuch Wei was about to follow Xiao Yi into the inner hall, he saw him wave his sleeves, and the door slammed shut with a bang. The speed was so fast that Eunuch Wei was caught off guard, and his forehead hit the hard wooden door frame hard, and he almost cried out in pain.

"Father-in-law!"

Xiao Shengzi was quick to act and quickly supported the staggering Eunuch Wei. This time he learned his lesson and did not ask for details because he saw the fear and worry in Eunuch Wei's eyes.

Eunuch Wei covered his aching nose, his heart beating like a drum. It seemed that His Majesty was quite angry this time and it was by no means a trivial matter.

"Father-in-law, Qing'er is here."

Xiao Shengzi reminded in a low voice, interrupting Eunuch Wei's thoughts.

Eunuch Wei looked up and saw Qing'er walking towards him. Her face looked calm, but she could not hide the worry between her brows.

Qing'er's arrival seems to be related to His Majesty's anger. After all, Concubine Shen is the one who understands His Majesty's thoughts best.

Eunuch Wei took a few steps forward and asked tentatively, "But does Lady Shen have any special instructions?"

Qing'er handed over the Phoenix Seal in her hand, her voice calm but with an unnoticeable heaviness: "My beauty ordered me to deliver this Phoenix Seal here."

"This..." Eunuch Wei took the Phoenix Seal and examined it carefully, but his heart was confused. "Did Lady Shen tell me anything else?"

Qing'er shook her head gently, with a hint of confusion and helplessness in her eyes: "No more."

Eunuch Wei didn't know what to do with the phoenix seal for a moment, and asking His Majesty directly would undoubtedly be asking for trouble.

He hesitated for a moment, and finally decided to find out first: "Xiao Shengzi, go to Fengqing Palace and ask why Lady Shen suddenly sent the Phoenix Seal."

Qing'er stopped Xiao Shengzi and said softly, "My beauty has gone to bed and has told her not to see anyone."

Eunuch Wei was in a dilemma. After thinking it over again and again, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and knock on the door of Longzhang Palace: "Your Majesty, Lady Shen has brought the Phoenix Seal."

Inside the palace, after a moment of silence, His Majesty's cold and majestic voice was heard: "Bring it in."

Eunuch Wei hurriedly bent down, held the phoenix seal in both hands, and carefully handed it into the hall.

Xiao Yi's inner irritability did not diminish with the passage of time. On the contrary, the moment he saw the Phoenix Seal, his anger seemed to have found an outlet. He exerted force, and the precious Phoenix Seal instantly turned into pieces.

"His Majesty!"

Eunuch Wei fell to his knees with a plop in fear, his heart was in turmoil and he could not calm down.

Xiao Yi remained calm, thinking that there was no point in keeping the Phoenix Seal which was not valued.

"Take out 100,000 taels of gold from the Zheng family's confiscated property and donate it in the name of Lady Shen as military expenses."

His orders were calm and decisive.

Eunuch Wei was heartbroken. Concubine Shen had angered His Majesty, but His Majesty still considered her reputation. Concubine Shen really didn't know how to cherish.

As soon as this news came out, it spread throughout the court and even among the people within a day.