Holding the script, I want to give up.

[I'm sorry, host, although I'm at max level, my abilities are limited.]

[The dragon energy and fortune here are so abundant that I cannot take you away for the time being.]

[Please hold on a little longer, let me go and reason with the will of Heaven.]

[Hmm? That's strange, why can't I smell the aura of the Heavenly Dao?]

The system searched the world within the book, leaving no corner unexplored, attempting to find the Dao of Heaven.

『...』

Shangguan Zitong didn't want to say anything and closed her eyes, trying to numb herself by sleeping. But the more she tried to sleep, the less she could.

"They can't see you, right?"

She asked uncertainly, feeling as if she had lost some important memory. It was a memory of a white-haired boy, fragmented memories that entered her dreams, seemingly not belonging to this world. But she couldn't remember them each time she woke up, as if she had amnesia, only remembering the boy's white hair.

Yes, that's right.

"Someone is coming."

Shangguan Zitong called out to the outside of the palace.

"Crown Princess, what's wrong with you?"

Upon hearing this, Leqi quickly entered the hall and anxiously inquired about her condition.

"Leqi, please stop calling me Crown Princess. I don't like it at all."

Shangguan Zitong stood up, her long black hair cascading down to her waist. She rubbed her eyes and looked at Le Qi.

"Yes, I will go and summon the imperial physician to treat you."

After saying that, Leqi wanted to leave.

"No need, I know my own body condition perfectly well."

"Tell me what's been going on lately?"

"And who changed my clothes?"

Shangguan Zitong lowered her eyes and said coldly.

"Alright. Then I won't go."

"You don't need to worry, it was another maid who changed them. His Majesty saw your clothes..."

Before Le Qi could finish speaking, she was interrupted by Shangguan Zitong's cold snort.

"Ah, Your Majesty? You don't need to say anything, I roughly understand. Could you please fetch me a jar of wine?"

"You don't need to bow to me anymore, nor do you need to call yourself a slave or anything like that. I don't like it either."

Shangguan Zitong looked at her and said calmly.

"Okay, I'll go right away, wait a moment."

After saying that, Leqi ran to the winery to get the wine.

Are you trying to drown your sorrows in alcohol?

The system climbed between her legs and sat down.

"Hmm, I'll try and see if I can get drunk."

Since she couldn't sleep, she decided to get drunk to numb herself. Her hand stroked the fox's back.

"Here comes the wine."

Leqi returned to Cining Palace with two jugs of wine a short while later; it was already midnight.

"Okay, thank you. You can go now."

She still couldn't bring herself to drink with Rachel; she wanted to drink alone.

"Okay, drink less."

Leqi didn't try to persuade her; she closed the door for her and stood guard at the entrance.

"Two jugs of wine, Ahri, can you drink them?"

Shangguan Zitong handed the wine to it, shifted her body, and sat opposite it.

"...I see you're drunk even before you've had a drink."

The system used its front paws to push the wine back in front of Shangguan Zitong.

Okay, I was just curious.

"If you won't drink it, I'll drink it myself."

Shangguan Zitong picked up one of the jars of wine and gulped it down.

Your drinking style is certainly bold!

The system didn't stop her from finishing the whole jar of wine in one go; it just watched quietly from the side.

"Huh? What are you talking about? Why are you seeing double?"

"Am I nearsighted? I can't see you very clearly."

Shangguan Zitong's cheeks were as red as a monkey's bottom. Her ears were ringing, and she couldn't hear what the system was saying. She shook her head and lost her balance, falling directly onto the bed and falling asleep.

The system approached her, confirmed that she was indeed drunk and asleep, then transformed into human form to cover her with a blanket and tuck her in.

"Ah Zi, it's my fault for losing you. Please wait a little longer, okay?"

The white-haired boy brushed her hair aside and gently placed a kiss on her forehead.

"it is good."

Shangguan Zitong muttered softly.

The system instantly transformed into a fox, afraid of waking her. Seeing that she didn't react, it quietly stayed by her side as she fell asleep.

Although the larger humanoid form is powerful, it cannot last long. The smaller fox form is weak, but it can stay by her side. Their memories are not shared, and confusion may occur.

The next day, Shangguan Zitong woke up and saw the person she least wanted to see.

"you've been drinking?"

"Your body is so weak, how can you drink alcohol? How dare you?"

"Who gave you the wine? I'll go and kill her."

Huangfu Hongxi looked at her with displeasure, but her gaze never fell on him.

"...noisy."

"Are you uncomfortable if you don't kill people all the time, fighting and killing each other?"

"It was me who wanted to drink, why are you blaming others?"

"Why don't you kill me? Then no one will die, okay?"

Shangguan Zitong looked at him with a mocking expression.

"I'm sorry, I overreacted."

"Imperial physician, why aren't you going to come forward and treat her?"

Huangfu Hongxi vented his anger on the imperial physician.

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will take your pulse and examine your health immediately."

The unfortunate imperial physician placed a handkerchief on Shangguan Zitong's wrist before taking her pulse. He then examined her eyelids, made her open her mouth, and examined her tongue, thus completing the basic diagnosis. Although doctors don't distinguish between men and women, this was, after all, the imperial palace, and he couldn't continue watching. If he did, he believed His Majesty would chop off his head.

After a brief examination to get a general understanding, the imperial physician got up and reported.

"Your Majesty, I can only keep her alive with medicine for two or three years. That's all I can say..."

The imperial physician's hand trembled slightly as he bowed.

"Yes, I understand."

"Go and prepare the medicine."

Huangfu Hongxi waved his hand, and the imperial physician left.

"I know you don't want to see me. I'm leaving now. Don't hurt yourself."

"Take good care of yourself. I have important matters to attend to, so I'm leaving now."

After Huangfu Hongxi finished speaking, he left. Shangguan Zitong watched him leave with a cold smile, saying nothing.

......

Inside Yikun Palace.

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has gone to Cining Palace to see that little slut."

"You can't just sit here and wait to die."

An old woman with a snobbish eye encouraged Song Yao.

"Ha! I am not blind."

"Besides, I am the Empress Dowager, and I don't need you to make decisions for me."

Song Yao patted the table and said.

"Your Majesty, you are innocent! This old servant only wanted to stand up for you."

"This old servant's heart is utterly devoted to you, heaven and earth can bear witness."

The old woman put three fingers together and swore an oath to the heavens.

"Oh, is it so?"

"Since you are so loyal, then go and help me kill that person in Cining Palace, and let me see your sincerity."

Song Yao jokingly probed, saying that she wasn't that stupid to be used as a pawn; she just needed to act like an empress.

"This old servant wouldn't dare, Your Majesty. You're playing with my life!"

The old woman knelt down and kowtowed in greeting.

"Oh? Is that so? Then get up."

"It would be better if you said less of these heartfelt words to me in the future."

"Otherwise, what if one day I actually take it seriously?"

"I am tired, you may leave."

Song Yao dismissed everyone and lay down on the bed for a short rest. The symptoms of her pregnancy made her miserable, and she vowed never to get pregnant again.

Inside Cining Palace, Shangguan Zitong went berserk, smashing everything in her path. She wouldn't touch the medicine or food brought in, only drinking water in an attempt to starve herself. She couldn't bear this miserable confinement. Three days passed, and she was on the verge of fainting from hunger when Huangfu Hongxi finally arrived.

What are you doing?

Are you really going to treat your body like this?

Huangfu Hongxi opened the door, and a ray of sunlight shone through into the Cining Palace. Shangguan Zitong thought the colorful light was beautiful, but it was too dazzling. And then there was Huangfu Hongxi's figure; instantly, it didn't seem beautiful at all.

Shangguan Zitong huddled in the corner, blocking the light with one hand. Huangfu Hongxi didn't dare to get too close, so he blocked the light for her when he saw her like this.

"Let me go."

"I need to go to the bathroom."

Without batting an eye, Shangguan Zitong spouted a string of nonsense.

"Impossible, what if you run away?"

"Isn't it good to just stay here?"

"Someone, bring the chamber pot into the hall."

As soon as Huangfu Hongxi finished speaking, a maid went out and returned shortly afterward with a bucket.

"...You're insane! What good does this do you?"

"Knowing I hate you, you still leave me in this dark palace."

Shangguan Zitong felt that Huangfu Hongxi was going crazy, if not insane.

"Then hate me!"

"At least I have a place in your heart."

Huangfu Hongxi said, keeping a certain distance from her.

"...I didn't realize you were such a complete madman."

Shangguan Zitong looked up at him, her eyes filled with speechlessness. Her amber eyes no longer sparkled with tiny sparks of light, but were now dull and lifeless.

"Please, I'm begging you, just eat something, okay? Don't do this to yourself."

That was not my intention.

Huangfu Hongxi squatted down to be level with her and coaxed her softly.

"Heh! It depends on my mood. If you let me go out and play for a while, I'll think about it."

Seeing that no one was blocking the light, Shangguan Zitong squinted and raised her hand to block the light.

......