His Majesty is plotting a rebellion? Quickly, summon the Imperial Advisor!

The Imperial Preceptor's residence, inner courtyard, side rooms.

The morning air was chilly. In the dimly lit room, the two women sat facing each other. Ji Yuan's eyes were slightly dark from lack of sleep, and her fatigue was hard to hide.

Exhaled breath condenses rapidly into mist upon encountering a cold air current.

Song Si, though ignorant of medicine, knew that Ji Yuan was probably feeling unwell due to the cold. She frowned slightly, looked him up and down, and asked, "Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"N-nothing...it's nothing." Ji Yuan opened her eyes, exhaling more than inhaling. Since yesterday, she had felt heavy-headed and slightly dizzy. Although she felt uncomfortable, it wasn't a big deal.

"Your Majesty, if you are unwell, it would be best not to push yourself," Song Si said worriedly. "Although Xu Bing is cunning, he will not let you off the hook if you speak up."

"Heh heh, I'd rather die than have this scoundrel treat me!" Ji Yuan perked up at the mention of Xu Bing, and said bitterly.

Upon seeing this, Song Si began to believe it somewhat.

However, there was a lingering worry. If it were just a common cold, it wouldn't be so bad; an ordinary person could recover in a few days with proper care. Ji Yuan, on the other hand, had a stronger constitution. Although he was hindered by his destiny, fortune, and birth, he was unable to cultivate Taoism and had no chance of achieving immortality.

However, his physique must be extraordinary, but how extraordinary is unknown because he has no opportunity to cultivate Taoism and refine Qi. Song Si has always felt it was a pity.

Therefore, Ji Yuan could easily recover from a common cold, but Song Si was worried because Ji Yuan's illness was not a cold, but an epidemic.

Song Si had no concrete evidence. She was knowledgeable in feng shui, astrology, and talismanic practices, and was proficient in all of them. However, she neglected to study medicine.

It's not that I lack ability, but rather that everyone has shortcomings and cannot be proficient in everything.

Song Si had only a superficial understanding of the four diagnostic methods of observation, auscultation, inquiry, and palpation; she could only master two of them, namely observation and auscultation.

As for asking and examining her, Ji Yuan was stubborn and refused to admit that she was unwell. She had her hands tied behind her back and struggled desperately, unable to move at all.

Therefore, only the words "observation" and "smell" remain. First, "observation" refers to observing that the face is flushed and hot, and the spirit is weak. Then, "smell" refers to smelling that the sweat is slightly sour, and it is unclear whether it is his own or His Majesty's. In any case, no conclusion can be drawn.

In previous years, Da Xi City had occasionally experienced one or two outbreaks of plague during the winter, so Song Siyin was secretly worried.

"Your Majesty, are you really alright? Don't lie to me."

A cold wind ruffled her hair as Song Si leaned closer, her words carrying a certain meaning. It was as if she were confirming something, or perhaps making a decision.

"It's nothing." Ji Yuan frowned and replied calmly. The two women exchanged glances, and Ji Yuan understood what was going on.

"Your Majesty, do you remember when I told you about the Realm of Imperial Blessings?" Song Siyan asked.

Ji Yuan's eyes brightened slightly as he listened to Song Si's next words.

Song Si then said, "I have a way to untie His Majesty's ropes."

“If we get close, I will prick my fingertips and draw out my blood essence, which I will then apply to the Golden Rope. This will tarnish its spiritual essence, and then Your Majesty can untie the rope and escape,” Song Si said slowly.

A hint of joy flashed across Ji Yuan's face. "Since you have such a method, why not use it sooner? So that I can be freed from this predicament and avoid the humiliation of being bound in the bitter winter."

"Your Majesty, this method seems simple, but it actually takes a huge toll on Song Si." Song Si said helplessly, "Using this method will cause Song Si to fall into a coma for at least three days and three nights."

"And I can no longer stay in the mortal realm; I need to return to my clan to recuperate."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan's joy vanished, and he said, "Since that's the case, there's no need to rush things. I've been trapped for a long time and am already used to it. My dear minister, there's no need to be impulsive."

Song Si slowly shook her head. "Your Majesty, Song Si has recently figured something out."

"I stayed in Da Xi because I wanted to borrow His Majesty's fortune to refine my dragon-patterned furnace and add the finishing touch to it."

"In exchange for this, I will help Your Majesty strengthen the nation and wish to see a prosperous and thriving Great Xi."

"But Xu's illness made Song Si realize that staying in Da Xi would only be a waste of time."

Ji Yuan frowned, her chest heaving, unable to maintain her composure any longer. "So you're going to leave me?"

“Minister Song, Xu Bing is indeed a formidable villain, but you need not show favoritism towards him. In my heart, you are no less than him.”

Song Si chuckled twice, shook her head, and said to herself, "Your Majesty, don't you understand? As long as Xu Bing is alive, whether I stay in Da Xi or not is completely meaningless."

"In fact, even without Xu's illness, Song Si would have stayed for at most two more years before leaving on his own, so Your Majesty need not try to keep him."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan knew that Song Si's mind was made up. She lowered her eyes, sighed repeatedly, and did not try to persuade her to stay.

She was an emperor, and to outsiders she seemed cold and heartless. However, this was mostly imposed upon her by her status and position. Her relationship with Song Si was both that of a ruler and his subject, and also that of a mortal and an immortal. They could be considered close friends.

However, she gradually felt the weight of fate, and her friend's departure, though not entirely inevitable, left her with little regret.

"Then what should you do?" Ji Yuan looked at Song Si.

If I leave, and Song Si falls into a coma and ends up in the Imperial Preceptor's residence, what will become of her? Will she still be able to leave?

"This is not something Your Majesty should be concerned with!" Song Si suddenly said urgently, "Your Majesty, hurry up and get closer, or it will be too late!"

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a crow perched on a locust tree in the inner courtyard. Its crimson eyes pierced through the half-open window and landed on the two women.

Song Si saw crows as if he saw Xu Bing.

A sense of crisis arose in their hearts, surged throughout their bodies, and seeped out from their pores. The fear brought about by Xu's illness had, without them even realizing it, taken deep root in the hearts of the two women.

Ji Yuan knew that what's done is done, and once Xu Bing returned and separated the two, Song Si's painstaking efforts would be completely wasted.

She will also completely lose her chance to escape.

With this in mind, the two women's eyes met, a resolute look flashing across their faces. They moved closer to each other, determined to free themselves from their restraints and escape before Xu Bing returned to the mansion.

The two women moved closer to each other, but because they were sitting cross-legged, they could not move easily and moved as slowly as snails. The two women were so anxious that they paced around in circles, their hearts pounding, wishing they could go faster and faster.

The movement was a little too large, pulling on the rope and making a "squeaking" sound.

My heart pounded, as if the next second Xu Bing would push open the door and enter, announcing their defeat.

Ji Yuan understood Xu Bing's condition; he must have already realized that every minute and second at this moment was of utmost importance.

Ultimately, Ji Yuan was more experienced. The two women were originally five steps apart, but Song Si only moved half a step while Ji Yuan moved five steps. Song Si was stunned. It should be noted that when the two women were sitting cross-legged, their legs were not free and it was difficult for them to move.

Ji Yuan moved in front of Song Si, and the two women's fingers touched. Ji Yuan suddenly squeezed hard and broke Song Si's index finger.

Song Si chanted an incantation, forcing out a drop of essence blood, which he placed on Ji Yuan's golden rope. The shimmering golden light subsided, the magic weapon's aura dissipated, and it appeared as an ordinary rope.

However, because the material remains unchanged, it is exceptionally tough.

"Your Majesty, hurry!"

Song Si's eyelids grew heavy, and finally closed completely. What she didn't say was that this blood was not essence blood, but rather a condensation of essence, energy, and spirit.

Ji Yuan tried to struggle, but to no avail. Cold sweat broke out on her forehead. She then turned to feel for the knot in the rope. She gritted her teeth, and her calm and dignified face could no longer hide her urgency.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Faster...faster."

Ji Yuan reached for the knot and tried to untie it. Thanks to his recent struggles, he was able to untie it much faster than he had imagined.

Her eyes were fixed on the door.

Before long, she loosened her grip, her wrists separated, and her face lit up with joy, certain that she was not far from freedom.

With her wrists free, she twisted her waist, wanting to free her legs first. Once her legs were free, she could leave the mansion.

Freedom was within reach, and Ji Yuan used every trick in the book, twisting and turning his body, not caring whether he was disheveled or whether he still maintained his dignity.

It possesses a certain alluring and enchanting beauty.

After a great deal of effort, once her legs were freed and she could walk, freeing herself from her cross-legged position, her eyes flickered slightly. She knew that in terms of strength, she was no match for Xu Bing. Her most urgent task was to escape the Imperial Preceptor's residence.

Thinking of this, she disregarded the ropes still binding her, glanced back at Song Si, and then walked silently to the inner courtyard wall.

"You bastard Xu Bing, you just wait!" Ji Yuan uttered a harsh remark, then lightly leaped over the wall and escaped.