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

The snowfall wasn't heavy today, and Ji Yuan took the opportunity to learn about the current situation in Da Xi City.

This led Ma Gaoshuang to believe that Ji Yuan was not a native of Daxi City.

Unfortunately, Ma Gaoshuang himself didn't know what Ji Yuan wanted to know.

Ji Yuan brought up the matter of the refugees in the east of the city, seemingly unintentionally, because he was really curious about how Xu Bing planned to deal with them.

However, Ma Gaoshuang hadn't paid any attention to these things; he only knew that a bathing pool seemed to have opened there.

Ji Yuan was speechless for a moment, feeling suffocated. She took long strides, walking with great elegance, her whole body wrapped in a wool cloak, and her face covered by a mask.

Although her face was not visible, she gave off the feeling of a stunning beauty. Ma Gaoshuang blushed, her heart pounded, and she was at a loss for what to do, not knowing what she was thinking.

"Your hair is blonde, it looks so good."

Ma Gaoshuang tried hard to find topics to talk about, hoping to talk to this female knight as much as possible.

Whether he was trying to show off or not, Ji Yuan could easily see through his intentions.

In terms of age, Ji Yuan is already over twenty-eight, and in a few months she will be twenty-nine. She has a firm grasp on what men are thinking.

Aside from Xu Bing, whom she couldn't quite handle, she could resolve many things most of the time simply by virtue of her appearance.

Of course, as an empress, the problems she encountered could either be solved without resorting to sexual favors, or they couldn't be solved even if she did.

"Hmm." She nodded, letting Ma Gaoshuang daydream, while she considered whether there was any chance of escaping if she could make him fall for her.

After this idea came to mind.

Ji Yuan's heart suddenly skipped a beat. Perhaps... it's feasible?

Her biggest problem right now is being cut off from the outside world. Her 10,000 Xuanjia soldiers are stationed in various places, and it will take time and effort to gather them.

Because he was unsure of Ji Yuan's safety, Cui Chen dared not make any major moves. From an omniscient perspective, with the Xuanjia Army surrounding the Imperial Preceptor's residence, everything would be resolved.

Even Xu Bing, that treacherous rebel, has been brought to justice. Although his magical arts are powerful, the mortal army is no pushover either.

A hundred people can subdue an immortal, a thousand people can slay an immortal.

What's more, ten thousand Xuanjia soldiers? Even Qi cultivators at the Bridge-Building Realm would be no match for them.

But it's such a simple thing.

However, she was unable to achieve this goal and was confined to the Imperial Preceptor's residence for nearly a month.

From the time she was devastated on December 23rd, the day of meditation, until January 27th of this year.

During this time, due to various concerns, Cui Chen never dared to act rashly. What seemed like a simple problem was separated by an invisible barrier in the complex situation of Da Xi City.

It's like two people who clearly love each other and secretly adore each other, but in the end, they always miss each other.

For Ji Yuan, it was a near-dead situation. Cui Chen dared not make any moves, and she couldn't contact Cui Chen either.

Everything depends on Song Si.

It goes without saying what kind of miserable life this dignified emperor endured during this time. No matter how handsome Xu Bing was, Ji Yuan hated him to the core.

Although there were occasional moments when I felt that Xu's illness was quite unusual, his overall emotions and attitude remained very consistent.

and so…

Everything.

All that's needed is for Cui Chen to know about her situation and dispel any doubts.

Ji Yuan's mind raced.

“I’ve heard that the current Empress is also naturally blonde and of unparalleled nobility,” Ma Gaoshuang said, his words carrying an air of flattery towards Ji Yuan.

He didn't know that Ji Yuan was the Empress; he only wanted to say that her hair color was very similar to the Empress's, thus praising her hair color as noble.

But Ji Yuan, hidden behind the mask, rolled her eyes.

Excuse me, but I am the Empress.

"Your name is Ma Gaoshuang, right?" Ji Yuan asked. The two of them had unknowingly walked to a pavilion with an artificial pool below.

"Yes, yes." Ma Gaoshuang scratched his head shyly.

"If... I ask you for help, or rather, if I tell you a secret, will you keep it a secret for me?" Ji Yuan asked.

Ma Gaoshuang answered without hesitation, "Yes."

Even though he had never seen Ji Yuan's true face, he felt that he had already fallen in love with this woman.

That's the power of good looks. You don't even need to show your face; just imagine it.

of course.

Ma Gaoshuang does indeed have a natural tendency to be a simp.

"Even when facing your boss, can you keep it a secret?" Ji Yuan's eyes lit up, her tone as alluring as possible.

It was as melodious as the warbling of a nightingale, with a touch of familiar charm, and most importantly, a hint of pleading.

Ma Gaoshuang was only in his early twenties, full of youthful vigor, and could hardly withstand this kind of skill.

However, the thought of Xu Bing instantly suppressed his fervor for Ji Yuan.

“But we can’t harm the boss,” Ma Gaoshuang said.

Ji Yuan's eyes flashed with annoyance. When faced with men, she didn't believe that her allure was inferior to that scoundrel Xu Bing.

"Do you think I'm more beautiful, or your boss more handsome?" she asked sweetly.

Ma Gaoshuang answered truthfully, "Although I haven't seen your face, and you are a woman while the boss is a man, we shouldn't be compared."

"But I really don't believe that anyone can compare to the boss in terms of appearance, regardless of gender. It's just that the boss doesn't like to appear in public, otherwise... tsk tsk tsk."

Hearing this reply, Ji Yuan felt both annoyed and helpless. She had always been extremely confident in her appearance and figure since she was a child.

She has never seen anyone who can rival her, and in her own mind, even Song Si is slightly inferior to her.

As for Zhou Xiaoyou, there's no need to say more. He's just a brat, a troublemaker who always causes problems.

Just mentioning her makes me angry.

And now, she's been outshone by a man? Xu Bing is indeed excessively superior. But... she's a woman, and this charm should have a miraculous effect on men.

For example, if a man and a woman are both good-looking and have good figures, and if outsiders were to evaluate them, the man would definitely think the woman is better, while the woman would mostly think the man is better.

Opposites attract.

Ji Yuan was speechless, but no one noticed.

“Miss, if this is too big of a deal, you should talk to the boss. He has connections everywhere, and he might be able to help you more,” Ma Gaoshuang said truthfully.

Thinking of Xu's illness, his agitated heart instantly calmed down.

The invisible attraction that Ji Yuan exuded to men was instantly overshadowed.

Ma Gaoshuang's feelings towards Xu Bing were one of reverence and fear, while his feelings towards Ji Yuan were one of admiration and curiosity; clearly, the former far surpassed the latter.

Ji Yuan suffered another setback. He skipped breakfast and lunch, and spent the entire day being humiliated.

"Xu Bing..."

"I really..."

Ji Yuan felt a deep sense of powerlessness, as if he were a caged bird, trying various methods but unable to escape Xu Bing's clutches.

His shadow is everywhere.