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

Fortunately, she now has the opportunity to leave the palace and find a way to survive in the outside world, while exploring the possibility of returning home.

Qing'er once mentioned the fate of abandoned concubines, but she firmly believed that the barrel cart she designed was enough to impress Xiao Yi.

She planned to ask Xiao Yi to spare her life in exchange for the blueprint of the barrel cart, even at the cost of losing her identity and being expelled from the palace.

Shen Bingning straightened her back and called Qing'er over: "I have exhausted all my energy in drawing these days. I want to take a few days off. Go and inform everyone that no matter who comes to visit, tell them that I am not seeing guests."

Qing'er was hesitant, worried that such an action would cause more misunderstandings, but Shen Bingning had made up her mind: "We can't control other people's opinions. What's important is to live our own lives well."

Although Qing'er felt uneasy, she had no choice but to follow the instructions.

At the same time, outside the Longzhang Palace, Xiao Shengzi handed the brocade box carrying Shen Bingning's feelings to the majestic Eunuch Wei.

Eunuch Wei took the brocade box and looked at it carefully, his eyes full of curiosity.

"Master, guess what exactly did Lady Shen give you this time?"

Xiao Shengzi followed closely behind. It was obvious that the sugar man made last time did not please His Majesty.

Eunuch Wei glared at him and ordered, "Wait here."

Then he walked into the hall holding the brocade box.

Xiao Yi was frowning as he examined the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Revenue. The paper was full of empty words, and there was no feasible solution to the problem of food shortage.

"How dare these rubbish try to fool me with these useless things!"

Xiao Yi was so angry that he threw the memorial to the ground.

Eunuch Wei quickly knelt down and saluted, trying to calm his anger.

Xiao Yi's eyes inadvertently fell on the brocade box in Eunuch Wei's hand, "What is that?"

Eunuch Wei presented the gift respectfully, "This is a gift from Madam Shen to Your Majesty."

Xiao Yi then remembered the news of Shen Bingning's return. During these three days, the palace seemed particularly deserted due to her absence.

Eunuch Wei's nod confirmed his guess.

Xiao Yi unfastened the lock of the brocade box and slowly unfolded the scroll inside.

On the drawing, the structure and function of the drum wheel are clearly visible. Eunuch Wei was confused at first and wondered in his heart, could it be that Empress Shen sent a painting?

As Xiao Yi fully unfolded the drawing, the design of the barrel wheel and the changes it could bring came to life on the paper, and the entire hall fell into a brief silence.

Just when Eunuch Wei was worried that Xiao Yi would get angry...

"Hahaha!" Xiao Yi suddenly laughed out loud, "I like this gift from Shen Bingning very much!"

When Eunuch Wei saw this, he felt an unprecedented excitement in his heart.

In all his years of service, he had never seen Xiao Yi laugh so happily.

Xiao Yi was beaming with joy, "Quickly summon the Minister of Works and the Vice Minister of Works to come to the audience."

As soon as he finished speaking, he immersed himself in the wise drawing again.

When Eunuch Wei left the hall, Xiao Shengzi couldn't wait to ask, "Master, is His Majesty satisfied with Madam Shen's gift?"

He clearly heard Xiao Yi's hearty laughter, and his heart was filled with curiosity and anticipation.

Eunuch Wei tapped Xiao Shengzi's forehead with just the right amount of force, showing both the authority of an elder and the sympathy for a subordinate. "Stop meddling in His Majesty's business! Go and summon the Minister of Works and the Vice Minister to the palace. There must be no mistakes."

"Yes."

Xiao Shengzi covered his forehead, feeling the faint warmth there, and responded hurriedly. He ran away, and his figure quickly disappeared around the corner of the corridor.

---

Since returning to the palace, Shen Bingning has not stepped out of the palace for two consecutive days. Within the palace walls, rumors about her are spreading like weeds in spring, and everyone is discussing her in private, believing that the once glorious Empress Shen is not only physically and mentally exhausted after the sudden disaster, but also suffered unspeakable humiliation.

Qing'er, the loyal personal maid, felt distressed when she saw that although her master ate well, drank well and slept enough, her eyes could not hide the fatigue and worry.

"My lady, why don't you let me accompany you to take a walk in the Imperial Garden? The spring weather is beautiful and it may help you relax."

Shen Bingning was flipping through the thick "Strange Stories" in her hands. The pages of the book recorded all kinds of ghost stories. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her voice was a little lazy, "I'm too lazy to move."

Although the world in the book was bizarre, it did not give her any clues to return home.

She had made up her mind and went to the library again, hoping to find other clues there.

"Also, go check the Buddhist scriptures carefully again to make sure those 100,000 words are accurate."

There was unquestionable firmness in her words.

Tomorrow is the day Xiao Yi is asked to submit the Buddhist scriptures, and she cannot make any mistakes.

Hearing this, Qing'er gently put down a cup of freshly brewed warm tea, the aroma of tea curling up and the warmth cozying up, "I have checked it, it is exactly 100,000 words, not a cent more, not a cent less, your majesty can rest assured."

"Ah."

Shen Bingning knew in her heart that Xiao Yi's temperament was like the summer weather, changing at any time. Even the slightest mistake in the number of words in the Buddhist scriptures could cause his displeasure.

These 100,000 words must strictly meet the standards.

The rumors in the palace have reached a boiling point, and tomorrow, once Xiao Yi arrives, she only needs to perform a play according to the plan and then present the blueprint with deliberate design errors. The way out of the palace seems to be slowly opening up before her eyes.

She gazed out the window. The spring sunshine shone through the carved window lattices onto her face. She secretly felt that the good days of freedom and peace seemed to be just within reach.

Qing'er misunderstood her sigh, thinking that she only looked calm on the surface, but was actually in turmoil on the inside, and quickly comforted her: "His Highness must trust you, Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much."

Shen Bingning smiled bitterly in her heart. She must not let Xiao Yi think that she was innocently insulted and her reputation was damaged! If that happened, her plan would be completely ruined.

She gently closed the book that recorded the strange stories, and a look of determination flashed in her eyes. "Let's go to the library and take a look. Maybe there will be new discoveries there."

---

In the Taiji Hall, Eunuch Wei's voice was high and majestic, resounding throughout the hall, "If you have something to say, please report it. If not, please leave the court."

After a subtle eye contact between the Minister of Revenue and the Censor, the Censor walked out steadily from the crowd of ministers, knelt on the ground, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, I have an urgent matter to report!"

The censor slowly pulled out a memorial from his wide sleeves and presented it with both hands. "Recently, it has been rumored among the people that Empress Shen was unfortunately attacked by bandits when she went out of the palace with Concubine Yu to visit relatives, and... and her reputation was damaged. It is a shame for the country that a member of the royal family has been tarnished like this. I beg Your Majesty to deprive Empress Shen of her title and grant her a white silk to maintain the face of the country."

After the censor's words fell, many officials responded, and their voices gathered into a force that could not be ignored. "Your Highness and I agree!"

The hall suddenly fell into silence, and everyone's eyes were focused on the dragon throne, waiting for the almighty emperor to speak.