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

Xiaoqiong Peak.

Little Qiong Peak has thirteen caves, each inhabited by an immortal. Each immortal has taken on disciples, some more, some less.

The owner of Ziyun Cave on Xiaoqiong Peak, the Immortal Ziyun, had a prized disciple named Zhao Qingyun, who was blessed by heaven and earth and had abundant good fortune.

As the immortal Ziyun who guided him into the Dao and imparted knowledge to him, he also reaped immense benefits. In the second year after taking Zhao Qingyun as his disciple, he encountered an opportunity and obtained a magic weapon of considerable quality.

Therefore, he doted on this disciple, even spoiling him. If nothing unexpected happens, after his passing, this Purple Cloud Cave will be inherited by Zhao Qingyun.

"My incredibly fortunate disciple..."

Immortal Ziyun often boasted about Zhao Qingyun to his neighbors.

However, with the extinguishing of one of the Taoist lamps, everything changed dramatically.

"Who killed my disciple!"

A roar.

The entire Xiaoqiong Peak is known to everyone, and even birds and beasts are terrified.

……

The waiter brought the dishes: steamed sea bass, stir-fried beef, braised pork ribs, taro with minced meat...

As the dishes were served, Xu Bing gave him fifty coins as a reward and asked him not to disturb him. The waiter, beaming with joy, hurriedly left, afraid of spoiling the enjoyment.

Let's not even mention that this is a beautiful and auspicious time.

But outside the window, snow was falling gently, and inside the house, the fire was warm. A young man and a beautiful woman—it was truly a delightful scene.

Xu Bing took off his mask, placed it on his right, picked up some food, and put it in his mouth to savor it.

The food was rather bland and monotonous, lacking any depth or complexity.

Overall, I wasn't satisfied. But it was still edible. In Da Xi today, there are many people who don't have enough to eat, so Xu Bing had no reason to waste food.

Seeing that Xu Bingyi had taken off his mask and was tasting the food alone, Ji Yuan sat upright, his face showing no change, but it was impossible for him not to feel resentment.

It was already afternoon, and her flesh and blood body was naturally hungry. In addition, she hadn't eaten properly since the Meditation Festival.

Although we've been eating rice for every meal lately, staple food is still staple food and can't replace side dishes.

Such a sumptuous feast is laid out before me, but I can only look at it and not eat it.

The Empress of Da Xi was already craving something delicious, and her saliva was flowing rapidly.

The hands beneath the wool cloak struggled symbolically, then finally exhaled and looked resignedly at Xu Bing.

"If you don't untie me, how am I supposed to eat?"

She tried to plead in a commanding tone, with a hint of shyness in her voice.

The scenery here is so enchanting, who wouldn't be captivated by it?

"I don't understand."

Xu Bing casually declined.

It wasn't that they were oblivious to romance, but rather out of caution. Besides, letting the empress go hungry wouldn't be a problem at all.

As for whether the empress was annoyed, angry, resentful, or hateful, Xu Bing didn't care. He looked at her with a slightly playful expression and saw the woman sitting opposite him gritting her teeth, looking angry, ashamed, and embarrassed. She revealed an expression of not expecting to be rejected even after lowering herself to beg.

It is more worthy of careful savoring than this table full of food.

“Ji Yuan, you’re right, toying with your prey is indeed very interesting,” Xu Bingyan said.

He picked up a peanut with two fingers, flicked it, and said, "Open your mouth."

"What do you take me for?" Ji Yuan roared angrily. How could he, the emperor, lower himself for a mere meal?

Xu Bing smiled and drew out a wisp of primordial essence, attaching it to the peanut he was holding between his two fingers.

In that instant, the aroma of the peanuts filled the air, and the smell immediately made Ji Yuan, who was already starving, feel his stomach growl.

"I…"

"I…"

Ji Yuan thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a reason to open her mouth, so she simply stopped pretending and opened her mouth to wait to be fed.

With a flick of his finger, Xu Bing sent out the peanut containing a trace of primordial essence with pinpoint accuracy.

After tasting the food imbued with primordial essence, Ji Yuan became almost powerless against such dishes. She had never tasted anything like it before.

Moreover, with the added benefits within the territory, the primordial essence of Xu Bing has an even stronger effect than usual.

"That damned Xu Bing, if I gain power in the future, I will repay him tenfold."

"Tread your food under your feet."

Ji Yuan felt humiliated by her current situation, as she was not even free to eat and drink, and was being fed in this way.

The other person's expression, in particular, made her very unhappy, even to the point of being furious.

On the other hand, they are enjoying the satisfaction and pleasure that food brings.

Add to that Xu Bing's sick face. She herself didn't know what was wrong with her.

Xu Bing brought up Ji Yuan's status panel.

[Status: Pleasant]

He paused, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, and carefully examined Ji Yuan's face.

That expression, a mixture of disgust and anger, didn't seem fake at all.

On the surface, it is clear that every cell is resisting.

But how could it be pleasant?

Xu Bing confirmed it again and again, his expression gradually becoming more meaningful.

Something's wrong. This woman is very strange.

"Is there something on my face?" Ji Yuan asked with disgust.

……

in the afternoon.

After finishing the meal, Xu Bing led Ji Yuan downstairs.

Before going downstairs, Xu Bingyi had instructed the waiter to take his carriage to the back door where there were fewer people. So after the two of them went downstairs, they could leave directly through the back door.

Ji Yuan was helpless. Xu Bing was really meticulous in his work. In particular, she noticed that Xu Bing deliberately paid an extra tael of silver when settling the bill.

The implications are self-evident.

After getting into the carriage and leaving.

The shopkeeper and two waiters watched for a long time. Only after the carriage disappeared at the end of the street did the shopkeeper slowly put away his smile and let out a soft breath.

"Manager Liu, this woman... seems a bit strange, it seems..."

The waiter said thoughtfully.

"What do you mean?" the shopkeeper asked.

"She seems to have some difficulty moving around. I've never seen her hands before, so I suspect..."

"Snapped!"

The waiter had only finished speaking halfway through his sentence.

Unexpectedly, the shopkeeper slapped him hard across the face.

With the weather so cold these days, and the slap delivered without any restraint, one can only imagine how painful it must have been.

The shopkeeper was completely stunned by the beating.

The shopkeeper gently patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Today I'll teach you another lesson. In our line of work, you must have sharp eyes, act with discretion, and keep your mouth shut."

The waiter covered his face, still in a daze, and nodded as if he understood but not quite.

"Does it hurt?"

"pain."

"You'll remember the pain."

The shopkeeper turned to another waiter, "And you too."

After saying that, the shopkeeper turned his head and faced the direction the carriage had left, and took out the extra tael of silver that Xu Bing had just paid from his pocket.

Don't underestimate the fact that it's only an extra tael of silver.

But the implications are self-evident: it's hush money, a tip, and a warning.

……

In the carriage.

Xu Bing leaned back and said without warning, "You're not being honest."

In that crowded place, Ji Yuan deliberately made it appear as if he had difficulty moving around.

They weren't very cooperative.

"Anyway, everything is under your control, so what can you do even if I'm not honest?" Ji Yuan sighed softly, speaking frankly. But her words couldn't hide her disappointment and helplessness.

"Hmm?" Ji Yuan looked out the window. "This isn't the way back to the Imperial Preceptor's residence."

"I still have some things to take care of, so you'd better stay with me," Xu Bingyou added leisurely. "If there's a next time, I'll punish you, Your Majesty."