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

The carriage headed towards Tianhua Mountain.

Inside the carriage, there was a moment of complete silence.

There was an unconcealable sadness in Shang Shoucheng's expression.

His Majesty, who was once capable of both military prowess and strategic brilliance, has now become like this.

His face was covered by a mask, and his body was hidden under a cloak.

Aside from her signature long blonde hair, traces of her past are still clearly visible.

Everything else was obscured.

What a humiliation this must be for the emperor, for His Majesty, who was so proud.

Shang Shoucheng seemed to have already imagined what kind of life Ji Yuan had been living for the past month or so.

It was precisely Shang Shoucheng's expression that was the root of Ji Yuan's embarrassment. It constantly reminded Ji Yuan that his awkward situation was being witnessed by his subject.

Xu Bing tapped the wooden board and said to Shang Shoucheng, "Let's make this clear first: I can go and rescue Zhou Xiaoyou, but you have to swear that you'll forget everything you saw in the carriage."

Shang Shoucheng's face was grim. He crouched down, trying to pick up the decapitation sword that had fallen to the ground in his shock.

He couldn't care less about anything else; with such a golden opportunity, he would risk his life to rescue His Majesty.

But how could Shang Shoucheng's little tricks possibly escape Xu Bing's notice?

Xu Bing looked at Ji Yuan and said impatiently, "Your Majesty, aren't you going to discipline your ministers?"

Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness, Ji Yuan said weakly, "Shang Aiqing, just follow Xu Bing's lead and swear an oath."

“But, Your Majesty, then you will…” Shang Shoucheng was taken aback.

"I command you to swear an oath." Ji Yuan seemed to have used all his strength, trying his best to maintain his authority.

She had dealt with Xu Bing the longest and knew his cunning well. Whether Shang Shoucheng swore an oath or not, the outcome would not change.

Shang Shoucheng made an oath.

Xu Binghui will go to rescue Zhou Xiaoyou, and Shang Shoucheng will be safe.

This was the best choice, and also Ji Yuan's compromise and helplessness.

Shang Shoucheng was also disheartened. Following Xu Bing's advice, he made a solemn oath, and swore it with his exquisite heart.

The vow of Linglong Heart is to be kept; if it is broken, Linglong Heart will shatter.

"Tell me more details," Xu Bingping asked calmly. Unlike Shang Shoucheng's grief and Ji Yuan's embarrassment and helplessness, he remained composed and at ease.

He even seemed to enjoy it, watching this dramatic scene of mutual respect between the ruler and his ministers as if he were an observer.

Looking at the aloof Ji Yuan, she seemed completely at a loss.

However, while the show is entertaining, we can't neglect our responsibilities.

“That person is an immortal. He calls himself the Purple Cloud Immortal and comes from the Purple Cloud Cave on Little Qiong Peak,” Shang Shoucheng said.

Ji Yuan frowned and looked at Xu Bing, "They came seeking revenge after slaying the immortal. And they're targeting you."

Shang Shoucheng grasped the key point and asked Ji Yuan, "Does Your Majesty also know about the matter of slaying immortals?"

“Of course.” Ji Yuan nodded. “I was observing from the restaurant that day and saw everything.”

"Damn it, if this old minister had known that His Majesty was nearby, he would have..." Shang Shoucheng punched the carriage in frustration.

Ji Yuan blushed, and a scene inexplicably came to mind.

Shang Shoucheng broke down the door, only to find himself being fed peanuts.

If that were the case, the emperor's majesty would truly be gone.

"Let's not do it. I'd rather be locked up for a few more days than be seen by outsiders," Ji Yuan thought to himself.

"It's not aimed at me, it's aimed at you," Xu Bing corrected seriously after a brief moment of thought.

"Targeting me?" Ji Yuan laughed, feeling that Xu Bing was trying to shift the blame onto him. "You're really funny. You were the one who issued the order to execute immortals, and you were the one who arrested Zhao Qingyun. What does it have to do with me?"

“Since it’s targeting me, why not come directly to the Imperial Preceptor’s residence?” Xu Bing asked rhetorically.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan was speechless and unable to answer, "Then..."

Xu Bing casually added, "Besides, I am your henchman, your sword. Tell me... when a swordsman kills someone, does the enemy blame the sword for being too sharp, or the swordsman for being too ruthless?"

"Bullshit!" Ji Yuan was momentarily agitated upon hearing Xu Bingna's detached and seemingly innocent words. "When did I ever have a lackey like you? You're the one who imprisoned me and humiliated me..."

He was only halfway through his sentence.

Ji Yuan glanced at Shang Shoucheng out of the corner of her eye.

At this moment, Shang Shoucheng looked at the two of them with his mouth slightly open. He had never seen His Majesty so out of control.

Moreover, he was imprisoned and humiliated. What exactly did Xu Bing do to His Majesty? ... Shang Shoucheng's jaw muscles tightened, and his heart was filled with shock.

"Ahem." Ji Yuan calmed himself down. "My dear minister, what happened today must not be told to anyone, understand?"

“Yes…yes, Your Majesty.” Shang Shoucheng was taken aback, then nodded emphatically.

For the emperor himself to reveal that he had been imprisoned and humiliated was truly explosive news.

It directly affects Ji Yuan's reputation in later generations.

Shang Shoucheng couldn't possibly be unaware of this. Therefore, regardless of whether anything happened or not, it can only be said that nothing happened.

"Actually, Xu Bing does have some merits," Ji Yuan said, trying to salvage the situation. "Although he was somewhat disrespectful to me, he never did anything too outrageous."

She said this on purpose because she was afraid that Shang Shoucheng might misunderstand something.

Seeing that Shang Shoucheng's expression gradually calmed down, Ji Yuan breathed a sigh of relief. Although she wouldn't mind killing many people to protect her reputation.

But she truly couldn't bear to kill Shang Shoucheng. Such a minister was a rare find, perhaps only once every few centuries. If it were anyone else, would she waste her breath explaining?

However, at this moment.

"Snapped!"

A voice sounded.

Xu Bing, full of wicked intentions, actually slapped Ji Yuan on the buttocks in front of Shang Shoucheng.

Ji Yuan was startled, then her mind went blank, as if her brain had been completely drained, leaving only one thought.

How could I, the Emperor, be spanked in front of my subjects?

In that instant, Ji Yuan even felt like dying.

Shang Shoucheng was also startled.

As for the culprit, Xu Bing, he simply smiled as he watched the two men's reactions.

It was this slap that left Ji Yuan completely unable to explain himself. He'd been slapped on the backside, and he hadn't crossed the line yet?

Shang Shoucheng turned his head away, looking at the snow scene outside the carriage, a faint sadness lingering in his heart, "The Emperor of Da Xi is no longer clean."

The wind is so cold today.

"Xu Bing! You! Me!"

Once Ji Yuan came to her senses, she was instantly filled with rage. She completely lost her composure and went berserk.

"There are mosquitoes," Xu Bing replied casually.

"Fine! Just you wait, just you wait." Ji Yuan laughed angrily, her teeth chattering, her fists clenched like iron.

After such a slap, any further explanation would be pale and powerless.

Ji Yuan was also well aware that in Shang Shoucheng's heart, she would no longer be considered innocent.

I want to cry without tears.

The only consolation is that Xu Bingci is indeed quite good-looking.

……

(P.S.: Just letting you all know in advance, this book is a semi-management story. First, you build up your own power, and then gradually strengthen Da Xi.)

The characters are conquered step by step, and cultivation levels rise gradually. The progression is as gradual as possible. (Compared to other fast-paced, action-packed novels, the pacing is definitely slower.)

(Regarding updates again, the minimum is two chapters, but we'll continue to focus on three chapters a day for now.)

(Also, I need to prepare for a book quiz soon, so I'm asking for book titles online? (?????)..°?)