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

After the family banquet ended, Bai Shangxue left through the back door of the Imperial Preceptor's residence. Xu Bing specifically instructed him not to reveal his identity.

Four maids, representing Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter, skillfully began clearing away the dishes and wiping the table.

"Go ahead and get busy," Xu Bing waved his hand.

Only then did the servants and guards dare to disperse. Although Xu Bing was easygoing, he possessed a powerful aura. The servants' respect for him was genuine.

"Yes."

The crowd dispersed.

After cleaning the banquet tables, Song Si went to the kitchen to get a small bowl, filled it with 100g of cooked rice, added some green vegetables and a few pieces of pork...

This is the food prepared for the current empress.

Before she could eat Jiu Mi, Song Si would feel sorrow every time she went to feed Ji Yuan. She was a dignified ruler of a country, a woman who bore the weight of the nation on her shoulders.

Their daily meals consisted of only a bowl of white rice, a few stalks of green vegetables, and a few pieces of pork...

After eating Jiu Mi, this feeling subsided a lot, but at first glance it still seemed shabby.

"Xiao Qiu, you go ahead with your work. Just leave the food here." Xu Bing leaned back in his armchair, leisurely basking in the sun, his eyes half-open and half-closed.

The sound drifted out slowly and gently.

Song Si remained expressionless, put down the bowl, turned around and left to start cleaning the courtyard.

However, my heart skipped a beat for a split second just now.

What is Xu Bing trying to do?

Her heart was filled with this question, but she dared not observe or ask, for fear of revealing the slightest flaw.

She was very competent as an undercover agent.

Xu Bing basked in the sun for another half an hour before carrying the food to the backyard and arriving at Ji Yuan's room.

"It's him!"

As the door was slowly pushed open, a tall shadow shot into the inner room.

Along with it came gusts of cold wind.

Ji Yuan immediately turned her head to look, her pupils contracted, and her heart began to race.

Snowflakes drifted into the room, and a pair of black boots with cloud patterns stepped into the side room. Ji Yuan knew perfectly well that Xu Bing had arrived.

She perked up, unsure whether it was excitement or fear, but what she was unwilling to admit was that there was also a hint of anticipation in it.

Her gaze slowly moved upwards from the black boots, and she raised her head as high as possible, looking up in such a disheveled posture, so that she could see Xu Bing's face.

Her heart raced a little faster, and to her own dismay, the person she considered her absolute enemy was, visually...quite pleasing.

It gave her a very disconnected feeling.

Xu Bing sat down in front of her, and Ji Yuan caught a whiff of his delicate fragrance. Her tightly furrowed brows and the clenched fists behind her back relaxed slightly.

My emotions gradually calmed down.

What a wonderful smell… Ji Yuan thought to herself. It seemed that the smell enhanced Xu Bing’s charm; she found that Xu Bing’s every move possessed a unique allure.

Their gaze seemed to be fixed on it.

Xu Bing sat down facing Ji Yuan. Although he had rarely come here recently, the Crimson-Eyed Black Crow had been flying around nearby.

Xu Bing's surveillance of Ji Yuan was meticulous, covering both his physical and psychological aspects, and never ceased for a moment.

It was out of caution.

At the same time, it can also be considered a good form of entertainment.

If Ji Yuan knew this, she would probably be plunged into despair.

Xu Bing brought up the King's Panel.

Empress Dae Hee: Ji Yuan

[Status: Dizzy, aroused by lust, yet restrained by reason, bound by many questions, yet harboring hope...]

"Heh." Ji Yuan sneered and turned her head away. From the surface alone, it was impossible to tell that her heart was so complicated at this moment.

She believed that Xu Bing was there to make fun of her again, and she didn't want to reveal her secret.

With a casual wave of his hand, Xu Bing untied most of the ropes binding Ji Yuan.

Ji Yuan was taken aback and looked at Xu Bing.

The latter smiled slightly and pointed to the bowl of food, "What? Do you still need this national teacher to feed you?"

"No need, I have hands and feet." Ji Yuan replied coldly, unsure whether to be happy or sad. Only when Xu Bing came in person could she regain a moment of freedom.

Normally, Song Silai would feed her; she never received this kind of treatment.

Ji Yuan sat on the bed, not moving for a moment. She waited for her blood and energy to spread throughout her body and for a long time before slowly walking towards the bowl of rice.

He had just taken a step when he stumbled and nearly fell.

Ji Yuan has been trapped for almost a month now, and she seems to have become much more reserved.

He put a mouthful of rice into his mouth.

"Where did Jiu Mi come from?"

She asked casually, but her heart was far from calm; she had been holding this question in her heart for a long time.

"Guess?" Xu Bing looked at the snow falling outside the window, without even glancing at Ji Yuan, and then replied.

“You…” Ji Yuan’s chest ached with anger. “If I can’t guess, then fine, don’t tell me.”

As he spoke, he quickened his pace.

Xu Bing smiled and said, "Then forget it."

"Xu Bing, don't be so smug." Ji Yuan looked over, gritting her teeth in hatred, yet helpless.

Even now that she has regained her freedom, she is no match for Xu Bing. This man seems to be her nemesis, keeping her completely under his control.

"Have you come here again to mock and humiliate me?"

After finishing his meal and putting down his chopsticks, Ji Yuan asked calmly.

For some reason, she felt a sense of calm when she asked that question.

I had prepared myself mentally long ago.

“No, that’s not it.” Xu Bing said meaningfully, “This time… I have important business to attend to, and I’m also taking you out for a walk.”

Ji Yuan paused, looking at Xu Bing with a puzzled expression.

……

Deep within the imperial prison.

Zhao Qingyun enjoyed the rice cake made from Jiu Mi with gusto.

The rice cake melts in your mouth, transforming into a refreshing stream that replenishes your energy and spirit.

He also cursed Xu Bing from time to time, his manner showing that he didn't take Xu Bing seriously at all.

The three officials smiled obsequiously and echoed each other's sentiments. They even exchanged smug glances.

Their eyes were full of praise. This greenhorn, who hadn't experienced any major setbacks, revealed his true colors as soon as he encountered a problem.

Duke Zhou's plan was truly brilliant, and Zhao Qingyun's performance was exactly as the three of them had predicted.

Duke Zhou's assessment of Zhao Qingyun was that he was a spoiled brat who had mistakenly entered the path of immortality.

That's it.

Tragically, it was precisely this纨绔子弟 (a spoiled, dissolute young man) who required these three powerful officials to go to great lengths to curry favor with him.

"Hahaha."

"Trying to fool me? I, Zhao Qingyun, am blessed with boundless fortune. Would Xu Bing dare to kill me for a few mortals?"

Zhao Qingyun had become arrogant and disdainful of everyone. After the three dukes flattered and echoed him, he really didn't believe that Xu Bing would kill him, a mountain immortal, for the sake of one or two mortals.

How dare he do that?

It's just for show.

"Yes, yes, nephew Zhao, you are blessed with good fortune. Otherwise, even if these three old folks of mine talked until they were hoarse, it would be of no use."

"Nephew Zhao, eat more if you're hungry. There's more here. Don't rush, don't rush."

The three officials smiled kindly.

At this time.

The iron gate at the end of the dungeon opened, and a figure slowly walked in.

It was Shang Shoucheng, clad in armor, his face pale, his injuries not yet fully healed.

Zhou Gong raised an eyebrow, revealing an expression of complete control. "Hahaha, Nephew Zhao, here we are, here we are, releasing the people."

"Haha, congratulations, nephew Zhao! You've emerged from the abyss like a dragon rising from the depths; you'll reach even greater heights in the future."

The three officials each chimed in with their own opinions.

The dark dungeon was filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

Zhao Qingyun's lips curled up, his head tilted slightly back, a hint of arrogance in his smile, as he took the words of the three high-ranking officials of the court to heart.

How could I, Zhao Qingyun, be confined by the mortal realm?