First annul the engagement, then sever ties with the empress; the empress reigns supreme.

"Don't be afraid." Xu Decai smiled broadly, his round, chubby face resembling that of Maitreya Buddha. "This old servant knows what you're looking for, and I know where it's hidden. When I was young, I received a favor from the late Empress, and I've always wanted to repay that favor. In the past, when His Highness the Crown Prince suffered, this old servant was unable to help, but this time, this old servant must do his part."

Those who can survive for so many years in the ruthless palace, and remain standing, are all shrewd and capable.

Xu Decai said this to repay the late empress's favor, but more importantly, he saw things more clearly than Emperor Sheng.

I felt that Qingyanzi was indeed too wicked and couldn't last long.

On the contrary, Mu Lingye, after suffering endless torment in the Yan Kingdom, returned to the Sheng Kingdom only to be shunned by the people. Yet, even in such a difficult environment, he forged his own path.

He wanted to gamble that Mu Lingye could escape danger this time.

When they were almost at their wits' end, Xu Decai was still willing to defect, which was like a long-awaited rain for Gu Junxi.

Gu Junxi was overjoyed and didn't even consider whether there was a trap involved. Even if there was a trap, she was willing to give it a try.

Gu Junxi asked directly, "Eunuch Decai, where is that thing? Could you take me to get it?"

"Of course." Xu Decai nodded with a smile and led the way. Gu Junxi never expected that Emperor Sheng, who so despised Mu Lingye, would hide such an important item as the Imperial Seal in the late Empress's palace.

Xu Decai took the jade seal, which had been locked in a secret chamber, from the bedchamber of Fengyi Palace and handed it to Gu Junxi. Then he opened a secret passage for Gu Junxi in Fengyi Palace.

This secret passage leads directly outside the palace.

"Your Highness, please leave here. Take the Imperial Seal and go find His Highness the Crown Prince. This old servant will be waiting for you in the palace."

“Aren’t you coming with us? After we get out, I can arrange for you to live out your days in a safe place.” Gu Junxi hugged the box containing the jade seal tightly and looked at Xu Decai.

Regardless of Xu Decai's motives for handing over the imperial seal to her, she was grateful.

"No." Xu Decai looked out of the palace, lost in thought. He shook his head. "Entering the palace is like entering a deep sea, not just for the ladies, but for us servants as well. This old servant doesn't want to leave the palace."

Then he turned back and waved to Gu Junxi: "Let's go, don't waste time."

Since Xu Decai refused, Gu Junxi did not press the matter further.

"Take care." After saying this, Gu Junxi turned and walked through the secret passage, then activated a mechanism to hide the entrance.

The hidden route was not complicated, and Gu Junxi did not spend much time before successfully reaching the outside of the palace.

It's really strange. Emperor Sheng disliked Mu Lingye so much, yet he not only hid the imperial seal in the late Empress's palace, but also the secret passage that could save his life in critical moments was in the late Empress's palace.

There has been a saying since ancient times that every emperor, when building his palace, would have craftsmen construct a secret passage so that if his family and country were to fall one day, he could escape through the secret passage and leave a trace of his bloodline among the people.

This was the outskirts of the city, unfamiliar, yet not entirely so. Having determined the route, Gu Junxi immediately planned to go to Prince Su's residence to discuss matters with Mu Qingfu.

The moment she took a step, she heard a voice calling to her. Upon hearing this voice, her body began to move uncontrollably.

Gu Junxi immediately realized that Mu Lingxuan or Qingyanzi were controlling her through Gu poison.

My head hurts so much, it feels like it's going to explode.

Gu Junxi knew that she could not maintain her self-awareness for long before she would be completely controlled by the Gu poison.

She forced herself into the city, by which time her consciousness was almost completely fading. This was also because she was fighting against the Gu poison, which was causing blood to flow from her eyes, ears, and nose.

Passersby were all startled when they saw Gu Junxi in this state, and kept their distance, fearing that Gu Junxi had contracted some kind of infectious disease.

"Help me, please help me get this to Princess Mu Qingfu of Prince Su's residence." Gu Junxi grabbed a passerby at random and handed over the item in her hand.

"Sister Xixi, it really is. I've been missing you so much, but I've been going to the Ningyuan Marquis's mansion every day, and I've been kicked out every time. They say you don't receive guests. It's so unfair!" Unexpectedly, the passerby she grabbed was Long Yao. Long Yao was holding a box, her big eyes shining as she stared at Gu Junxi.

It would be even better if it was someone you knew. Gu Junxi grabbed Long Yao tightly: "I'm begging you, you must deliver this to Cousin Qingfu."

"Sister Xixi, you're bleeding. Are you alright? I'll take you to Prince Su's residence." Only then did Long Yao notice that Gu Junxi was bleeding from her eyes, ears, and nose, and the blood was increasing.

"No need." Gu Junxi refused, straightening her body. With her last shred of consciousness under control, she mechanically stepped past Long Yao, obeying the command of the voice in her mind, and walked towards the palace.

"Sister Xixi." Long Yao chased after her for a few steps but couldn't catch up. She frowned, staring at the red sandalwood box in her hand. Finally, unable to resist the temptation, her hand reached for the lid...

When Gu Junxi mechanically walked to the gate of the imperial city, Qingyanzi had already sent people to wait for her. She was brought directly to Qingyanzi.

Inside the vast palace, Qingyanzi was eating meat and drinking wine with a woman in his arms, while watching a group of dancers perform for him. This carefree life was exactly the same as that of Emperor Sheng in the past.

"Gu Junxi, come here and sit next to me. Drink with me." Qingyanzi raised his wine cup and called out to Gu Junxi.

Gu Junxi obediently sat down, picked up her wine glass, and took a sip. This action greatly pleased Qingyanzi and satisfied his vanity.

So what if she's the Crown Princess? So what if she's been chosen by her master as his last disciple?

She's still like a dog, completely under his control.

"Come and pour me some wine," Qingyanzi gave another order. Gu Junxi indeed got up and took the place of the dancer beside her, pouring Qingyanzi a cup of wine.

"Bang!" Just then, Mu Lingxuan kicked open the door to the main hall and barged in.

His eyes were bloodshot when he came in. He first looked at Gu Junxi and saw that she was unharmed. Then he stepped forward and pulled her behind him to protect her. His fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Didn't I tell you not to touch her?"

"I didn't move. I just invited her to drink with me. Would Your Highness Prince Xuan like to join us?" Qingyanzi had completely changed; the dignified immortal of the past was now a playboy in love and drinking.

The reason for such a big change is probably because he was suppressed too much by Mr. Suxin in Medicine King Valley.

It's now purely retaliatory.

Mu Lingxuan realized that Qing Yanzi was deliberately mocking him and disregarding him.

With a clang, Mu Lingxuan drew his sword and pointed it directly at Qing Yanzi: "I told you, you are not allowed to touch her."