Empress, please have some self-respect. I am not your husband.

The sudden surge of irritation ruined Lu Feng's mood, so he could only reply, "Alright, I understand, Your Majesty. I'll try to be more restrained in the future, okay?"

"That's good."

Hearing Lu Feng say this, Ye Bingyun finally smiled, her eyes filled with gratitude.

Because she understood better than anyone that with Lu Feng's strength, if she really angered him, it wouldn't be impossible for him to wipe out all the officials in the capital before he died.

Seeing her suddenly change her expression, Lu Feng couldn't help but mutter, "Why is a grown man acting like a girl?"

Ye Bingyun was startled. Had he seen through her? That couldn't be, could it?

If he finds out I'm a girl, I'm doomed!

Fortunately, Lu Feng only muttered that, and she quickly composed herself. After hesitating for a moment, she spoke to the outside, "Bai Yu."

Outside the imperial study, a maid of decent appearance entered and respectfully greeted, "Your Majesty."

"Bring Lord Lu there in half an hour."

The maid named Bai Yu glanced at Lu Feng and said, "Yes, ma'am."

After saying that, Ye Bingyun stood up and said to Lu Feng, "Alright, you should go back to the Imperial Household Department first. Bai Yu will take you there later."

"Where to go?" Lu Feng asked, puzzled.

Ye Bingyun simply said, "You'll find out soon enough."

An hour later, as Lu Feng followed the maid Bai Yu into the inner palace, he felt his heart beating a little fast.

He probably knew who he was going to see.

Arriving at a palace, Lu Feng saw five elegant maids standing before the palace gate. He could tell that these maids were all martial artists.

Their exact cultivation level can only be determined through combat.

"Please, Lord Lu."

Bai Yu stopped in front of the palace gate.

Lu Feng suppressed his emotions and stepped inside, immediately spotting the woman in the center of the main hall.

She was still dressed in that plain white dress, looking like a celestial being descended to earth; perhaps even the fairies of heaven would pale in comparison to her.

Although it wasn't the first time I'd seen it, it still captivated me.

Having changed back to her female appearance, Ye Bingyun smiled slightly: "Should I call you Lord Lu now?"

Lu Feng smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it's been a long time. What brings you here?"

Ye Bingyun said softly, "It's just some questions about cultivation, and I also have some things I'd like to ask Lord Lu. Please have a seat."

As Ye Bingyun recounted her confusion about cultivation, Lu Feng meticulously explained and answered her questions, instantly enlightening Her Majesty the Empress.

In closing, Lu Feng praised, "Your Majesty's martial arts talent is actually quite good. After reaching the third rank, it is possible for her to enter the second rank."

Her Majesty the Empress was somewhat pleased to hear this, and tentatively asked, "Lord Lu, Her Majesty said you know a lot about the Number One City in the World?"

Ever since Lu Feng revealed the information about the First City Under Heaven, she has been very curious about how Lu Feng knew so much.

Lu Feng almost blurted it out, but he stopped himself, and said with a playful tone, "Does Your Majesty perhaps want the Empress to use her beauty to seduce me?"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes. Damn emperor! Are you even human?

She only felt a chill, which came and went in a flash, so quickly that Her Majesty the Empress thought it was an illusion.

Hearing Lu Feng say this, she shook her head: "No, Lord Lu, you misunderstand. I wanted to ask you about it after hearing His Majesty mention it."

Lu Feng frowned: "What's the reason?"

The woman sighed, "Qian Kingdom remains weak, and it is surrounded by treacherous and dangerous countries. If it is truly as Lord Lu says, and I can gain the recognition of the number one city in the world, thereby having the number one city protect Qian Kingdom, it would be a fortunate thing for the people of Qian Kingdom."

With his brows furrowed, Lu Feng felt a sense of unease.

Then the other party said, "So, I would like to inquire about the First City from Lord Lu."

Lu Feng's displeased voice rang out: "Although the Qian Kingdom is small, it still has a million men and a hundred thousand armored soldiers. Why does Your Majesty need to enter the First City? Does the mighty Qian Kingdom, which comprises four states, not even have a man capable of handling things? Must we sacrifice women to achieve peace?"

Her Majesty the Empress looked at Lu Feng with surprise, her brows furrowed. She pursed her lips, her beautiful eyes dimming slightly.

Lu Feng's words struck a chord with her. Now, the Qian Kingdom truly needed her, a woman, to shoulder the burden! A woman whose true identity was unknown to most.

She forced a smile to regain her composure and asked in return, "Why is Lord Lu so serious? Wasn't this something you brought up with His Majesty?"

Lu Feng: ...

Damn it, I forgot about that.

Before he could figure out how to refute her, Ye Bingyun raised an eyebrow and said, "Could it be that my appearance is not enough to gain the approval of the number one city in the world, so going to the number one city is useless?"

"That's not true."

Lu Feng's answer was crisp and clear, requiring absolutely no thought.

Her Majesty the Empress then asked, "Then why is Lord Lu so agitated?"

"Your Majesty misunderstands. I wasn't agitated at all; I was just expressing my feelings."

He quickly changed the subject: "I just said it casually to His Majesty, and besides, I'm still in the Qian Kingdom! I'm not bragging, Your Majesty, but as long as I'm in the Qian Kingdom, the Qian Kingdom will not change."

"But Lord Lu, you're only staying for a year," Ye Bingyun said resentfully. "After you heal my injuries, you're leaving."

Lu Feng rubbed his temples: "That was before. I've recently changed my mind and will be stationed in the capital of Qian Kingdom from now on."

The Qin family were his saviors, and for that reason alone, he had to ensure the safety of the Qian Kingdom.

This was incredibly good news for Ye Bingyun, and her angelic face was filled with undisguised joy: "Really?"

"it is true."

For some reason, Her Majesty the Empress's smile completely faded. Thinking of the lavish gifts Lu Feng had given her that Qin Xinyi had brought, she wondered, "Is it because of the Minister of Revenue's daughter, Qin Xinyi?"

Lu Feng nodded.

"So that's it."

Her Majesty the Empress snorted softly in her heart, thinking that this bastard had seen her body twice, and that he had stayed in the Qian Kingdom for a subject woman who was inferior to her in both appearance and status.

Ye Bingyun felt a surge of inexplicable anger and snorted, "I understand, Lord Lu, please return. I need to cultivate."

Lu Feng: ? ? ?

What's going on? Why has your attitude suddenly become so cold?

I didn't say anything wrong, did I?

"Miss?"

Lu Feng called out, but the Empress, who was in a bad mood for some unknown reason, turned her back and said, "Lord Lu, please go back. I need to cultivate."

It's really crazy.

Even after leaving the inner palace, Lu Feng was still somewhat bewildered, and could only sigh, "Indeed, a woman's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea, impossible to fathom forever, especially the most beautiful women."

Looking up at the sky, Lu Feng noticed that the sun was already setting. He paused for a moment, then quickly looked at the palace maid Bai Yu and asked, "What time is it now?"

"It's almost 7 PM," Bai Yu said calmly.