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

This emperor, who is used to issuing orders, actually proposed exchange conditions today, which is rare. There must be some intention behind this.

A hint of alertness flashed in her eyes, but she did not respond immediately, choosing instead to wait and see.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi sat back on the rosewood chair with dragon and phoenix carvings, casually placed his slender fingers on the armrests, raised his head slightly, and asked with a bit of joking in his deep eyes that seemed to be able to see through people's hearts, "Why, did my beloved change your mind?"

"I wonder what your majesty needs me to do?"

Shen Bingning's voice was calm and rational. She knew very well that in this deep palace, every step had to be taken with caution, especially when facing this moody emperor.

Xiao Yi snorted lightly, and did not answer directly. Instead, he changed the subject: "My beloved concubine, you have been copying Buddhist scriptures recently. Do you have any insights?" This sudden change surprised Shen Bingning. After thinking for a while, she replied: "I think 'form is emptiness, emptiness is form' is quite profound."

The implication is that she seems to have lost interest in worldly affairs, suggesting that Xiao Yi might as well find a new love.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows, seeming to be quite interested in her answer.

"It seems that my beloved concubine has a great affinity with Buddhism. The Queen Mother of Chu's birthday is approaching. My beloved concubine may as well copy a Buddhist scripture of 100,000 words as a gift to me. That is what my beloved concubine needs to do."

"One hundred thousand words!" Shen Bingning was shocked. Her wrists were already aching from practicing calligraphy every day. Wouldn't it take several months to copy one hundred thousand words? She asked quickly, "When does Your Majesty want it?"

"Ten days later."

Xiao Yi's answer was concise and firm, as if it was an easy task.

Shen Bingning secretly groaned in her heart. This was an almost impossible task. If she was delayed, not only would she be unable to return home, she might also be charged with disobeying the emperor's order.

She quickly found an excuse to decline: "I am not very talented and I still need to prepare for Sister Yu's birthday banquet. Time is tight and I am afraid it will be difficult to complete 100,000 words. Moreover, my handwriting is not good. If I use this as a gift, it may hurt Your Majesty's face."

Xiao Yi seemed to realize that his request was a bit excessive, and a look of realization appeared on his face, "I was not thoughtful enough."

Shen Bingning secretly rejoiced in her heart, but on the surface she kept agreeing with him, secretly mocking his carelessness in her heart.

However, Xiao Yi immediately said, "Let Concubine Yu take care of the birthday banquet. You just need to concentrate on copying the Buddhist scriptures."

This seemingly considerate arrangement actually made Shen Bingning feel helpless. Qing'er had almost finished preparing for the birthday banquet, but now she let Yu Meiren take over and asked her to copy a Buddhist scripture of 100,000 words. This arrangement was too harsh.

Shen Bingning refused to give up and tried to make a final struggle: "But my handwriting is really not good enough..."

"Your handwriting..."

Xiao Yi interrupted her, suddenly took her hand, and said with a shameless smile: "Didn't I write a copybook for you? Just copy it."

Shen Bingning was filled with resentment. She was absolutely unwilling to read this 100,000-word Buddhist scripture.

Just as she was about to flatly refuse, Xiao Yi had already stuffed the biography back into her hands and said without question, "It's decided."

Shen Bingning cursed in her heart, why not just say what you want to say directly, why bother to be so mysterious?

At this time, Xiao Shengzi hurried in from outside and reported: "Your Majesty, Concubine Yu wants to see you."

"Let her in."

Xiao Yi gave a calm order, and Xiao Shengzi left. Soon, Concubine Yu walked in and knelt down to pay her respects: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."

While playing with Shen Bingning's fingers, Xiao Yi asked casually, "What's the matter?"

Concubine Yu opened her red lips and pleaded, "Your Majesty, I would like to take this opportunity of my birthday to ask for a favor from Your Majesty. I have been in the palace for many years and have never seen my family. I beg Your Majesty to allow me to go home and visit my relatives."

Xiao Yi looked at the pair of jade-like fingers in his hands and squeezed them unconsciously, saying with a bit of pampering: "Since Concubine Yu is homesick, then stay at home for a few more days."

Shen Bingning clenched her teeth and endured the subtle pain from her fingertips, but then she changed her mind and thought, she was going to copy a 100,000-word Buddhist scripture for this tyrant, so why couldn't she get some benefits for herself?

"Your Majesty, can I also ask for a reward?" she asked tentatively.

Xiao Yi's answer was firm: "No."

Although Shen Bingning was extremely unwilling, she could only suppress her anger and force a smile: "Why not?"

Xiao Yi suddenly stretched out his arms, took her into his arms, and whispered in her ear, neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for those around to hear: "I have already given my beloved concubine all my love, what else do you want to ask for?"

Shen Bingning sneered in her heart. She didn't care about this so-called "favor".

But she knew very well that in this cage of power, a head-on confrontation was not the best strategy. The only way to protect herself and wait for the opportunity was to endure temporarily.

She resisted the urge to explode and said in an almost begging tone: "But I also want to go out of the palace to take a look."

"Oh, so that's it!" Xiao Yi loosened his arms and gently turned the black jade ring with his fingers, as if he was thinking.

Shen Bingning took the opportunity to take a few steps back, breaking away from his control, and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

"Since my beloved concubine has this wish, I will naturally fulfill it."

Xiao Yi stood up, put his hands behind his back, majestic yet gentle, "The Queen is allowed to leave the palace with Concubine Yu!" This decision made Shen Bingning feel a little surprised, and she was also secretly grateful for Concubine Yu's timely appearance.

Before Shen Bingning's face could even show a glimmer of joy, Xiao Yi's cold words came back like a chill wind: "Ten days later, I will come in person to ask for the Buddhist scriptures. My beloved concubine, please take care of me these days."

After he finished speaking, he did not pause for a moment. He turned around and strode out of the palace, leaving the room feeling cold and heavy.

This was an absolutely inhumane order! Xiao Yi was clearly trying to make things difficult for her and exhaust her!

Shen Bingning stood there in shock, a look of astonishment flashed across her eyes, and then she turned her gaze to Yu Meiren beside her, her eyes full of helplessness and a wry smile, and she sighed softly: "Sister Yu, can you let me know before you leave the palace next time?"

Concubine Yu witnessed the subtle interaction between Xiao Yi and Shen Bingning, with a gentle smile on her face, as if she was not affected at all. "My birthday is the day after tomorrow, and I will leave the palace the day after my birthday."

Shen Bingning forced a bitter smile and agreed: "Then I will definitely go to your sister's palace to visit you the day after tomorrow."

With Yu Meiren's departure, Shen Bingning frowned, buried her head in front of her desk with a worried look, and began to copy the vast Buddhist scriptures.

She kept mumbling to herself, her voice full of anxiety: "I have to copy 100,000 words in ten days, which means I have to complete 10,000 words every day on average. Even if I write day and night, it will be difficult to achieve this goal."