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

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Yi's lips, and the wolf-hair brush in her hand leapt on the rice paper again, reproducing the "Appreciating Peonies" that she had recited a few days ago.

The fragrance of ink and the delicate touch of paper are intertwined, and the handwriting is as smooth as flowing water, fully demonstrating his calligraphy skills.

"If my beloved concubine really wants to thank me, please write a few more poems for me to enjoy."

There was a hint of joking in his words, but also a hint of expectation.

Shen Bingning gently rolled up the rice paper that contained the calligraphy, a sincere look appeared on her face and a cunning light flashed in her eyes.

"Poetry can only be written with inspiration, not just by wanting to write it."

There was a hint of helplessness in her words, but she also cleverly avoided making a direct promise.

"That's true."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi gently put down his pen, with a hint of amusement flashing across his brows.

"Then wait until inspiration strikes and listen to my beloved recite poetry."

His voice is deep and magnetic, as if it can penetrate people's hearts and make them hard to refuse.

---

The palace of Prince Yong in the capital city is magnificent with carved beams and painted buildings.

Holding the widely circulated "Appreciating Peonies" in Yan State, Yan Qi walked up to his wife Fan Yun'er, with a hint of deep meaning in his eyes.

"Yu Meiren is going to hold a birthday party soon. Go and find out more about Shen Bingning."

There was unquestionable authority in his words.

"Yes."

Fan Yun'er responded softly. She came from a prominent family and had been immersed in poetry and books since childhood. She had long heard of Shen Bingning's talent. Even without Yan Qi's instructions, she was full of curiosity and admiration for the queen.

Yan Qi caught the subtle admiration on his wife's face, and felt slightly displeased. He casually threw the rice paper in front of her, and said with a bit of coldness in his tone: "This prince wants you to find out more about Shen Bingning, not to drink tea and talk about poetry with her."

Upon hearing this, Fan Yun'er frowned slightly, a trace of sadness flashed across her lowered eyes, and she replied softly, "I understand."

Seeing her serious and uninteresting look, Yan Qi was impatient and said, "Let's go now."

There was a sense of expulsion in his words.

As soon as they left the courtyard, the sun shone on the bluestone road. The maid Zi Tao looked at Fan Yun'er with a worried look on her face: "Madam, did the prince scold you again?"

"It doesn't matter."

Fan Yun'er gently shook the piece of rice paper in her hand that she had used to fan herself, and spoke in a calm tone.

"Zitao, prepare some gifts. We will go to the palace to attend Concubine Yu's birthday banquet in a few days."

Seeing that his master was unwilling to talk, Zi Tao stopped asking questions to avoid embarrassing his master, and replied respectfully, "Okay, I'll get ready right away."

After a moment, Fan Yun'er remembered something else and ordered, "Prepare an extra portion for the Queen."

"Yes, I will do it immediately."

Zitao responded by retreating with brisk steps.

---

The next day, Xiao Yi's promise was as effective as spring rain. Shen Bingning, together with her personal maid Qing'er, set out for the library.

The library is located on the west side of the Longzhang Hall. The seven-story building is majestic and magnificent, like a pagoda of knowledge. When Shen Bingning saw it for the first time, she was filled with awe.

The guards at the pavilion had obviously received the order and did not stop them, allowing Shen Bingning and her servant to walk in leisurely.

Qing'er stepped into this palace of knowledge for the first time. Looking at the vast sea of ​​books, her eyes sparkled with childlike surprise: "Miss, there are so many books here."

Shen Bingning seemed calmer. To her, this library was like a modern library, except that it had a bit more simplicity and mystery.

She walked slowly between the bookshelves, and finally her eyes fixed on an ancient book called "Strange Stories".

As a time traveler, she longed to find a clue to her way back home.

In order not to arouse Xiao Yi's suspicion, Shen Bingning randomly selected a few miscellaneous notes and travel notes, and then left the library with satisfaction.

On the way back to Fengqing Palace, you must pass through the Imperial Garden.

Shen Bingning saw several beautiful women sitting together in the garden, admiring the flowers and chatting.

When the women saw her, they stood up lazily, bowed perfunctorily, and then immersed themselves in the sea of ​​flowers again.

"Who are they?" Shen Bingning asked Qing'er beside her.

"Miss, these are Lady Bixia's concubines. Normally they don't dare to come to the Imperial Garden, but now that Lady Zheng is under house arrest, they dare to come here to enjoy the flowers."

There was dissatisfaction in Qing'er's tone, and she was obviously quite disdainful of these snobbish behaviors.

Shen Bingning thought to herself that although Xiao Yi often came to Fengqing Palace, he never stayed overnight. It seemed that he was not a person who was obsessed with women.

In the harem of Prince Yan's mansion, apart from three beauties, there were only a handful of concubines, which was rare compared with the emperors in history who had three thousand beauties in their harems.

"What are the family backgrounds of these concubines?" Shen Bingning's curiosity was aroused.

"They are similar to Concubine Zheng, both are daughters of important officials in the court, but their fathers do not hold the same official positions as Concubine Zheng's father."

Qing'er explained.

Shen Bingning suddenly realized that it was no wonder that even though the distance was so far, she could still feel that subtle contempt.

But she didn't take it to heart. The most urgent thing was to find the way home.

Back at Fengqing Palace, Xiao Shengzi was standing respectfully outside the door. Shen Bingning had already guessed that Xiao Yi was here again.

Xiao Shengzi hurried forward to report: "Queen, Lady Bixia has been waiting for a long time."

Shen Bingning was used to this, so she turned around and told Qing'er, "Go check if lunch is ready."

"Yes, miss. Then these books..."

Qing'er wanted to hand over the book, but Shen Bingning gently stopped her by waving her hand.

"Put it in your room first."

She said this, and then walked into the hall, only to see Xiao Yi carefully examining her copy of the Buddhist scripture at the table.

Xiao Yi looked up and noticed her empty hands. "Where did my beloved concubine go?"

"Library Pavilion."

Shen Bingning answered frankly.

"Since you like reading, why don't you bring back a few books?"

Xiao Yi asked.

"I brought it. Qing'er has it with her."

In fact, Xiao Yi had already heard everything outside the door, and Shen Bingning's move was obviously intentional.

"What book did you choose?" Xiao Yi turned to Eunuch Wei who was standing beside him, "Go and get the book."

Shen Bingning knew in her heart that this emperor could not be easily fooled. "Just some miscellaneous notes."

She responded lightly.

Eunuch Wei presented the book and placed it in front of Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi flipped through the books casually, and finally his eyes stopped on a book of strange stories. He picked up the book and asked with interest: "Don't you say my beloved concubine doesn't read banned books?"

"I thought all the books in the library were readable."

Shen Bingning argued that there was no "forbidden" mark in the book, so how could she know.

She reluctantly turned her eyes away from the book, secretly regretting not having read it earlier, fearing that she would never have the chance again in the future.

Xiao Yi gently threw the scroll in his hand, letting it draw an elegant arc in the air and finally land on the table piled with documents, making a dull sound.

"But if my beloved concubine really wants to see it, I will allow it, but the prerequisite is that my beloved concubine needs to do me a small favor."

There was a subtle hint of amusement in his words, as if he had already anticipated the subsequent negotiations.

Shen Bingning's brows furrowed slightly, she felt it keenly.