Holding the script, I want to give up.

"You should rest for a few days first, and I'll take you out of the palace to play after you've recovered."

"Don't worry, I'll find a way to save you."

Liu Yunwan made a solemn vow to her.

Why is it so difficult to live to be a hundred?

Shangguan Zitong gave a bitter laugh, then closed her eyes to sleep. She could finally get a good night's rest. The system had inexplicably dragged her into an assassination attempt in the middle of the night, almost costing her her life.

Although she was afraid of death, she seemed to take it all in stride when she was actually facing it. Since she couldn't kill or win over Huangfu Hongxi, she could only die.

A few days later, after Shangguan Zitong was able to walk, Yue Ai helped her stroll around the garden.

"System? Where have you gone again?"

Are you still there? If you are, just say so.

[Squeak~]

I'm truly impressed!

Shangguan Zitong was speechless. What's wrong? Is the system going to switch to minimalist mode? Is it so hard to reply? She thought she should have died a long time ago. Luckily, the system extended her life by a month. Judging from her condition, she doesn't look like she died at all!

What good would it do you if I killed him?

"...I'll figure something out."

"Sigh, I know my own body."

"Actually, it doesn't have to be that complicated."

"After I'm gone, you can continue searching for the next host."

【…】

The boy wanted to explain and meet her, but there was always an invisible shackle binding her.

"Yue'ai, when did lotus flowers and fish appear in this garden? I've never seen them before."

Shangguan Zitong looked at the suddenly appearing artificial bridge and the lotus flowers and koi in the ditch. Although they were beautiful, there was a strange sense of incongruity about them. She leaned against the bridge, squinting lazily at the creatures in the pond.

"The Empress once took you to see lotus flowers, and seeing that you liked them, she built a lotus pond for you."

Yue Ai said calmly, indicating that no one could fathom the thoughts of their empress.

"...That's quite a thankless task!"

"Oh, I misspoke. Um, do you have any fish food? I want to tease the fish."

Shangguan Zitong said that if she could have a fishing rod, she would try fishing, but her stubborn personality wouldn't allow her to sit still all day staring at the fish in the pond.

"Then you stay here and don't move. I'll go look for it now."

After Yue Ai finished speaking, she bowed and then made a move to leave.

"Hey, wait a minute, you don't actually need to bow to me, and you don't need to do so in the future."

"Anyway, I won't live much longer, so just do as I please."

Shangguan Zitong turned around and smiled at her.

"it is good."

Yue Ai went to find fish food. She stood on the bridge admiring the scenery, pulling her cloak tighter around herself. Despite it being the height of summer, she was wrapped up like a dumpling. She could hardly feel the temperature outside anymore, only that she felt a little cold.

"Zitong, I heard you're looking for fish food?"

"Guess what I have in my hand?"

Liu Yunwan clenched her fists in front of her, gesturing for her to guess.

"Fish feed? How did you know? Didn't I send Yue'ai to find some?"

Shangguan Zitong pointed to her left hand, and Liu Yunwan opened her palm, revealing a packet of fish feed.

"I was just guessing, I was just kidding!"

"Actually, it was Yue Ai who came to tell me."

Liu Yunwan spread out her other hand, which also contained feed. She gave one packet to Shangguan Zitong and sprinkled some for herself as well.

"Okay, I'm going to fatten up all these koi!"

After Shangguan Zitong finished speaking, she threw a handful of feed into the air. The koi carp all swarmed around to snatch the food. Liu Yunwan also threw some in, watching the fish fight over the food.

Where else do you want to go?

Seeing the determination in her eyes, as if she were about to join the Party, Liu Yunwan said she could spend the whole day with her.

"How about we take a stroll in the Cold Palace?"

Shangguan Zitong wanted to see just how beautiful those former emperor's favorite concubines were, and why there were so many of them! Unfortunately, she wasn't born a man, and she didn't understand the emperor's pleasures!

"Okay, I'll take you there."

"You want to go see those concubines, don't you!"

As if she had guessed her thoughts, Liu Yunwan saw right through her.

"Yeah, who doesn't love looking at beautiful women?"

Shangguan Zitong took Liu Yunwan's hand and leaned slightly against her shoulder.

......

Inside the Cold Palace, the Eastern Emperor, unable to endure the water torture any longer, collapsed after a mental breakdown. The unknown concubines had long been dismissed by Mu Rongyi, and the few remaining concubines only desired a life of comfort and ease.

"Hmm...this isn't quite what I expected? Did I see it wrong?"

Looking at the harmonious scene before her, Shangguan Zitong rubbed her eyes in disbelief, wanting to see it again.

"Where's the palace intrigue? Where's the resentment? We can't even find a single evil sword immortal!"

Shangguan Zitong had lost all interest in visiting the Cold Palace; the harmonious atmosphere was far from what she had imagined!

"Those who want to leave the palace are all young girls. The rest of them are like canaries with broken wings. They will not be able to survive without the palace."

"Besides, they are already used to a life of luxury. If you ask them to wear hemp clothes and experience a simple life, it will be very difficult in itself."

Liu Yunwan said softly to her.

"Since we're already here, let's go in and take a look."

Shangguan Zitong expressed that although she wouldn't witness the scheming and intrigue of the palace, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful. Without Zhen Huan, she always felt something was missing.

"Your Majesty, you have arrived."

"Come in quickly, don't just stand there!"

"Come, come, this Cold Palace has a unique charm! Let me show you around, Your Majesty."

A group of people surrounded Liu Yunwan and her companions as soon as they entered the hall, their enthusiasm burning like fire. Shangguan Zitong felt as if he were a young master who had mistakenly wandered into a brothel.

"Your Majesty, who is this gentleman?"

A beautiful woman dressed in a black dress asked.

"Yeah, it's the middle of summer, aren't you hot wearing such thick clothes? Let me carry them for you."

A woman dressed in a deep purple traditional Chinese jacket and skirt asked. As she spoke, she reached for Shangguan Zitong's cloak, but fortunately Liu Yunwan stopped her.

"She is ill, so I brought her to see you all in the hope that you can comfort her."

After Liu Yunwan explained her purpose, the group immediately surrounded Shangguan Zitong to join in the fun.

"Young lady, what serious illness do you have?"

The woman in the pink stand-up collar gown asked.

"Why don't you look so frail? Or are you about to die and this is just a final burst of energy before death? Pah, pah, pah, look at my mouth!"

The woman in the blue round-neck blouse gently patted her mouth, indicating that she had misspoke.

"Yes, you guessed right, it was a final burst of energy before death."

Shangguan Zitong looked at them and said calmly, and their expressions changed, all showing regret.

"Look at her, what a young and beautiful girl!"

A beautiful woman in a light purple cardigan and dress held her hand, looking rather helpless. The crowd gathered around her, chatting amongst themselves, all trying to cheer her up. They sat around a square table under the grape trellis, discussing the most interesting things they had seen.

"Actually, you don't need to worry about my physical condition. I would be happier if you treated me like a normal person."

Shangguan Zitong smiled knowingly at them, her understanding demeanor heartbreaking.

"Zitong, now is a good time to fly kites."

"Do you want to play? We can take you along."

Liu Yunwan looked at her and said sincerely.

"Emm... I'm probably out of breath after just a couple of steps in this condition, so I'd better give up."

"I think it's nice watching you guys play!"

Shangguan Zitong rested her chin on her hands, gazing at the unknown bird path on the grape trellis.

"Okay, let's go out of the palace and have some fun."

"Let's find an open plain and fly a kite."

Liu Yunwan left without hesitation, pulling Shangguan Zitong and the people from the Cold Palace out of the palace. Mu Rongyi caught up with her on horseback and called her down to speak with her alone.

"Wanwan, things haven't been as peaceful as you'd like lately!"

"I'm afraid there might be thieves who could harm you. Would you please take one guard with you?"

"Or how about I come along?"

Mu Rongyi asked cautiously, afraid that Liu Yunwan would find him too long-winded and ignore him when she returned to the car.

"No, we're a group of women, what are we afraid of?"

"Besides, both Zitong and I have systems!"

"Don't worry, we'll be fine! I'll let you know where I'm going."

Liu Yunwan hugged him and whispered. Mu Rongyi had no choice but to give in.

"Then don't stay out too late, come back early!"

Mu Rongyi Ke was like a petty woman, full of resentment, but unable to vent it. He waited for Liu Yunwan to set off before riding back to the palace to handle state affairs.

"Liu Yunwan, is he here to interrogate me?"

"Why don't we go back? It's the same for me wherever I am now."

Shangguan Zitong didn't want to put Liu Yunwan in a difficult position.

"It's okay, he'll understand."

After Liu Yunwan finished speaking, she told the coachman to speed up, and the two carriages sped through the market and headed out of the city.

......