My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

It was the winter solstice, and Lüyun had already prepared the ingredients and was about to go into the kitchen to show off her culinary skills.

When she asked the people outside to order, they would say "Anything is fine," "Whatever you like," and "I'm not picky," which infuriated her.

She's going to put on a really good meal tonight!

Fu Wenshen and his apprentice needed to stay for a few days. Huang San and Huang Si had just come out of the herb garden and went to prepare guest rooms for them. The rooms were located next to Master Lu's small courtyard, making it convenient for them to catch up.

Huang Yi and Huang Er were originally responsible for guarding the gate and patrolling, but now they have been called in to help. They are strong and are very good at chopping vegetables and mincing fillings.

Green Bamboo couldn't help but chuckle as she watched the two big guys busy in the kitchen.

After a busy morning, just as the dumplings were put into the pot to cook, Huang Yi excused himself and left.

A moment later, he returned and whispered to Lü Yun, "The Night Guards just came to deliver a message."

Green Bamboo looked up, asking curiously, "What news?"

It's amazing that even Huang Yi, with his gruff voice, could lower his voice to speak.

Huang Yi repeated in a low voice, "He said that the Jingzhao Prefecture has finished its trial and will publicly execute Chu Wenchen and his wife in front of the palace tomorrow. However, the brother and sister Chu Lin and Chu Wen'er have already fled the capital and are still being pursued."

With a "bang," the rolling pin in Lü Yun's hand slammed onto the cutting board. She hurriedly steadied herself and muttered, "Execution tomorrow?"

The result felt somewhat unreal to her.

Huang Yi was now very interested in human emotions and reactions, and he asked uncertainly, "Lvyun, are you sad?"

"How could that be?" Lü Yun opened her mouth, as if she were laughing, but she didn't seem happy at all. "I was just lamenting that they've come to this... By the way, what about the title of Duke of Zhenguo?"

"The Night Guard said that His Majesty will issue an edict to withdraw it tomorrow," Huang Yi honestly replied.

Green Bamboo was silent for a moment, then said, "Did you tell Miss?"

"Your Majesty is aware of this."

"So... what was her reaction?"

"The Lord said she will go tomorrow."

"Then I'll go too!" Green Bamboo clenched her fist.

……

the other side.

As dusk fell, the emperor's entourage slowly returned to the palace.

Bright yellow flags flitted between the palace walls, their brilliance undiminished even in the dim light.

The Empress sat alone in the Phoenix Palace, the flickering candlelight illuminating her dignified yet slightly weary face.

She had long since lost patience with the noblewomen surrounding her; their hypocritical smiles and hidden shrewdness disgusted her. So she found an excuse to send them away early.

Upon learning of the emperor's return to the palace, she couldn't help but ask, "Did the sacrificial ceremony go smoothly today?"

The palace maid respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, the sacrificial ceremony went smoothly, but... Governor Sun's presentation of auspicious omens along the way seems to have displeased His Majesty."

"Governor Sun presented an auspicious omen?" the Empress asked疑惑地. "What auspicious omen?"

The palace maid answered cautiously, "It's a white turtle."

Upon hearing this, the Empress's expression changed, and she almost cursed out loud.

The tortoise is a symbol of longevity, but even the divine tortoise, though long-lived, has its end. Of all things to give, why a white tortoise? Was he trying to satirize the emperor's advancing age and his failure to establish an heir and abdicate?

The Empress frowned and pondered for a while. Could it be that Governor Sun had secretly pledged allegiance to a certain prince? How could he be so bold as to not be afraid that the Emperor would take away his official hat in a fit of anger?

However... in recent years, there have been droughts and floods, and bandits have been rampant in various places. She remembered that this Governor Sun came from humble beginnings and was initially just a county magistrate in a small county. He was praised by the emperor for his meritorious service in suppressing bandits in the local area and was promoted to his current position.

This makes it inconvenient for the emperor to take immediate action against him, otherwise it would be a slap in his own face and make him appear petty.

Governor Sun rose through the ranks by virtue of the Emperor's grace, so how could he not be grateful and instead do such a thing!

The empress grew increasingly angry, knowing she couldn't stand idly by.

So she immediately ordered the palace maids to prepare the imperial carriage for the journey.

There might be some trouble at today's palace banquet, so she needs to warn those restless individuals beforehand to prevent them from causing further problems and disrupting the court!

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I don't know if everyone likes watching palace intrigue, but the harem (including the empress, concubines, and princes) only has a few minor scenes and no subplots.