Your Majesty, this palace only has a small amount of money... I, your humble servant, am getting old.

  Just as she was feeling depressed, several guards passed by, and Su Jinping quickly hid behind a tree. Then, her strange figure flashed and quickly ran towards the Jingren Palace.

  The guard's eyes widened as he looked over there and asked the person next to him, "Did you just see a black shadow?"

  "What kind of dark shadow is this! Are you seeing ghosts!" He spat and looked around, continuing to search for the assassin.

  The guard rubbed his eyes and looked over there, as if someone was really there!

  ……

  As soon as Su Jinping returned to the gate of Jingren Palace, he heard a shout from the west: "Caught it, the assassin was caught!"

  Her eyebrows furrowed, just about to look over there, a hand wrapped around her waist. Her conditioned reflex was to raise her hand to hit, but then she heard the charming voice of Huangfu Ye: "Little Jinjin, it's me!"

  In an instant, Huangfu Ye had brought her to the east side of Jingren Palace.

  Some reluctantly let go of her waist, shook the fan in his hand: "Xiao Jinjin, your courage is really big!"

  With her hands clasped around her chest, she gazed at his devilishly handsome face with a smile that wasn't quite a smile: "You've got some nerve!" Unexpectedly, it was not the usual punching bag, Huangfu Ye, who had been beaten by her time and again until his nose was blue and his face was swollen. He actually had such good skills, and was able to sneak up behind her and wrap his arms around her waist without her noticing.

  The hand holding the fan paused, and he naturally knew she was referring to how he had just wrapped his arms around her waist. He rubbed his nose, coughing awkwardly: "Cough, that wasn't for your sake!"

  "How did you know it was me who did it?" Leaning against the wall, with a relaxed and self-satisfied expression.

  "With skills like yours, and having offended the queen, you'll be gone by dawn. Who else could it be but you?" He leaned against the wall, his voice smooth and elegant, with a hint of amusement.

  "Hmm, okay, you're clever!" He carelessly rolled his eyes.

  Huang Pu smiled lightly and turned his head to say: "Xiao Jinjin, aren't you afraid that I will tell the Emperor about what happened tonight?"

  "What did you tell him? Did you tell him that you found someone to impersonate an assassin and take my place?" Smiling brightly at him, the assassin who was caught earlier must have been sent by this guy.

  Huang Pu heard this and smiled: "Xiao Jin, I really want to say that the substitute assassin was sent by me to help you out as a heroic rescue, but unfortunately, I have to tell the truth, it's not me."

  "Is this true?" His expression suddenly turned serious. If it wasn't him who sent someone to help her, then who was it? Did she know other people in ancient times?

  Her eyes flashed with a faint purple light, and she turned around to gaze at her tightly: "Xiao Jinjin, do you really not know who sent me?" Her eyes were filled with inquiry and scrutiny.

  Spread out his hands and smiled: "I don't know."

  A flash of light flickered in her pale purple eyes. "Pa!" She put away the fan: "Since you don't know, forget it."

  "Do you believe me?" This guy actually believed it so easily, and didn't even interrogate her further?

  "I trust you... no lies!" She said with a faint smile, her innate pride was so obvious, how could she possibly tell lies.

  Su Jinping just smiled and didn't say anything. If Huangfu Huichen wanted her life, to save herself, she could tell any lie, whether or not to tell a lie depends on the situation! She's not like those arrogant and stubborn assassins who always play with their own lives!

  After a commotion, the "assassin" had been taken away.

  The whole place fell silent.

  Roll up your sleeves and look at the person next to you: "Speak up, what brings you to me?"

  "Hehe, I originally wanted to take you to get revenge, but who knew, you went with him instead." The tone was tinged with a hint of fake sadness, while the face still smiled seductively.

  Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly, and she spoke in a cold voice: "How did you know I was looking for him?" She could confirm that no one had discovered her.

  "You have no grudge against Rong Le." He shook his fan and the smile on his face slowly became less sustainable.

  Seeing him lower his smile, her expression also cooled down: "Then you, with this attitude, are thinking of avenging your sister?"

  As soon as he spoke, he brought that demon-like face closer to hers, their noses almost touching, even closer than that day. His pale purple eyes locked tightly onto hers, his thin lips curled up, with a low and faintly wounded tone: "Little Jinjin, I just don't like the way you speak of him."

  Her eyes narrowed, as if something had crashed into her heart. Was it the words that defended him? Why didn't she realize it earlier? Slowly, a doubt grew in her mind. Yes, she clearly disliked meddling in other people's business, yet repeatedly provoked him. She was clearly afraid of trouble, yet knowingly brought danger upon herself by being with him everywhere, was all this really because of what she said back then - the closer to danger, the more it can temper oneself?

  For a moment, she was stunned, and he suddenly covered her lips, rolling over and plundering, with some fierce and reluctant meaning!

  "Ha!" With a loud cry, she pushed him away with force and punched his nose mercilessly.

  Blood splattered everywhere! He covered his nose and laughed bitterly: "Xiao Jinjin, you're really ruthless!"

  Her curved eyebrows rose, and her red lips still reflected the water light. She gritted her teeth and opened her mouth: "If there's a next time, it won't be just one punch!" If she hadn't seen that he had saved her several times, she would have killed him!

  "Hehe, it's your temper. Little Jinjin, you like him." It's a statement, not a question.

  She looked at him as if he was crazy: "Huangfu Ye, did you get your head pinched by the door today? Doing some inexplicable things and saying some nonsense! Like? Like that boring guy? No mistake?"

  He just smiled and said nothing. Those who are in the midst of it are confused, while those who observe from the side can see clearly. That hundred-mile flying goose, wasn't she also desperately denying it like him?

  "Fine, I'm done messing around with you! I'm going back to sleep!" She rolled her eyes and walked impatiently towards the house, but he caught her by the wrist.

  Su Jinping's footsteps came to a halt, and she also let out a faint sigh in her heart.

  "Xiao Jinjin, I think... I've fallen for you." A deeply magnetic voice came over, overflowing with evil intentions.

  It's indeed like that. Last time, she had suspected it was because of this reason, but felt that thinking so would be too narcissistic, so she didn't investigate further. "I understand now."

  "I understand?" "Is... this your answer?" The voice trembled slightly, a fact that even he himself had not noticed.

  Silence, no words.

  He suddenly smiled: "In vain, I've been wandering in the flower cluster for decades, and I never thought that one day, I would also be moved. Hehe... Little Jinjin, put him down, okay? It was clearly me who met you first!" Moreover, he could give her many things, while that person could only bring her endless trouble! Originally, he thought it was just a liking, but at this moment, he realized how deeply he had unknowingly fallen.

  Turning her head, she gazed into his pale purple eyes. At this moment, those eerie eyes held a faint sorrow, like a melancholy violet: "Huangfu Ye, it's not about whether we knew each other before or not, but that we're just not suitable for each other."

  "Who says we don't match? I'll prove it to you, we're a perfect match!" He said, dragging her away.

  "What are you doing?" Damn it, what's wrong with you, going crazy in the middle of the night!

  In a red dress, she was still enchanting in the moonlight. Turning her head, on that face more beautiful than any woman's, hung a sly smile: "I'll take you to get revenge, I'll prove it to you, I'm Huangfu Ye, and I can give you everything you want. I'll also prove it to you, no one can bully you! Because... I'm here!" Also because... I think I've already fallen in love with you.

  "My enemy has..."

  "And De Fei and Rong Bin!" Laughing reminder, a face smiled more beautifully than the Manjusaka placed on the other side, "Xiao Jinjin, you forgot, I still remember."

  You forgot, but I still remember?

  Su Jinping was also stunned, and this sentence touched her, making her no longer resist, letting him drag her away. In fact, she still hadn't forgotten, if she had forgotten the grudge, it wouldn't be her Su Jinping anymore! Following him, there was another reason, which was that she also wanted to prove to him that they were really not suitable for each other.

  ……

  "Your Majesty, the assassin has been captured. We found him when he had already taken his own life!" The commander of the Imperial Guard said, throwing the black-clad man into the grand hall of the Jade Screen Palace, and then knelt in the center of the hall waiting for punishment. Although the assassin was caught, such a big thing happened to the Empress and the Princess, he could not escape blame!

  Huangfu Rongle had long been in so much pain that she fainted, and the imperial physician was by her side applying medicine.

  He glanced at the person lying in the center of the grand hall, and his dark purple eyes flashed with deep meaning. If he wasn't mistaken, this matter must be related to that woman, and the wound on Rong Le's face could only have been inflicted by a master of the highest order. Could it be...? His cold eyes narrowed, and an icy aura spread out.

  "The Imperial Forest Army Commander, failing to protect the Emperor, is stripped of his position and exiled to the border!" Although he knew that as the Imperial Forest Army Commander, he couldn't handle those two men, but clear punishment was always the style of Huangfu Huachen.

  "Thanks to Your Majesty for sparing my life! Long live the Emperor, forever and ever!" With a grateful expression, he finished speaking and backed out.

  "Can the princess's face and eyes be saved?" asked coldly. Huangfu Rongle was ruthless and cruel, and he didn't care much about her life or death since they weren't born of the same mother.

  "The imperial physician trembled as he spoke: 'Your Majesty, I am incompetent. The princess and the empress are both severely injured, their eyes and faces destroyed!'"

  He coldly responded with a single word and then stepped out of the Jade Pavilion. A princess who had lost her beauty and sight was no longer worth half a cent to him in Dongling.

  As soon as they left the Jade Cage Palace, Xiao Linzi immediately took the lead with a lantern in hand. Looking at the emperor's tense face, he opened his mouth to comfort him: "Your Majesty, don't worry, since the assassin has already been caught, you can..."

  Her cold eyes flashed: "Do you think the assassin has been caught?"

  Kobayakawa was suddenly speechless. If it were really that easy to catch, the assassin wouldn't have been able to make the empress and princess look like this in such a short time.

  Looking around at the emperor's trusted followers behind him, he plucked up his courage and spoke again: "Your Majesty, will you continue to investigate this matter?"

  "Hmph." With a cold snort, Su Jinping had not only ruined a marriage tool but also helped him out greatly! He Lianrong was already in poor health and absolutely could no longer occupy the position of empress dowager, giving him an excellent reason to strip her of her title.

  After he was gone, Helian's family threat to him naturally also reduced.

  He didn't answer when he saw him, and Xiao Linzi didn't dare ask again. As soon as he stepped into the main hall, he saw the leader of the Imperial Guard waiting for him in the hall: "Withdraw!"

  "Yes sir!" Little Linzi led the servants out together.

  After everyone had retreated and gone out, he strode several big steps onto the throne, his voice cold as he opened his mouth: "What's going on?"

  "Your Majesty, Night King has entered the palace!" The leader of the Imperial Guard seemed somewhat hesitant to say whether it was true or not.

  "Then?" Tonight, he entered the palace, why didn't he come here himself?

  Then he went to Jingren Palace and took Su Jinping to Rong Yu's residence, the two of them looked like they were quite intimate. Hui Wei reported quickly.

  As expected, as soon as the words fell, he felt a clear anger on the emperor's body! Slowly, it returned to calmness, and at night, he still had confidence in him! "Where did Su Jinping go tonight?"

  The moment the words came out, the leader of the Imperial Guard's expression turned solemn: "Your Majesty, a subordinate has come to report that after she woke up, she left the palace and cleverly shook off her pursuers. It wasn't until Night King met her at the entrance of Jingren Palace that we saw her."

  The face under the handkerchief was tinged with shame.

  It was indeed her doing. "Alright, continue to watch them and don't stop them from doing anything, just come back and report to me!" he coldly instructed.

  "Understood!" The leader of the Imperial Guards, Ying Wai, responded and then retreated.

  A powerful hand slammed on the dragon case, with a cold and majestic aura and deep thought between his eyebrows...

  ……

  Arriving at Rong Yu's palace, Huang Fu Ye grabbed Su Jin Ping's hand and jumped onto the rooftop. A sly smile spread across his lips: "Little Jin Jin, what do you think I will do to her?"

  He looked at his mysterious appearance and rolled his eyes impatiently: "Dig out the heart, scoop out the lungs, deep-fry?"

  As soon as the words came out, Huangfu was stunned, staring at her blankly, and spat out that sentence again: "I sometimes really suspect that you are not a woman!" Wouldn't a normal woman be scared to hear such words and scream? She could actually say these few words with an unchanged face!

  "As you can see!" He said, then squatted down and lifted up the tile, looking at the scene inside. The lamp had already gone out, it seemed that the dead old woman was asleep.

  Since she had come, she didn't plan to leave without seeing blood. She lifted a few more tiles and prepared to jump down, but Huang Ye grabbed her arm and chuckled: "Little Jinjin, no need for you to go down yourself!"

  As he spoke, with a flick of his sleeve, a small snake darted out from it.

  Su Jinping unconsciously furrowed her brow, the snake's color was bright and vibrant, one glance and you could tell it was highly toxic. However, in her past life as an assassin, she had seen the Red Bamboo Snake, Silver Ring Snake, and Spectacled Cobra, but never a snake like this!

  Knowing her confusion, Huangfu Ye smiled lightly: "Little Jinjin, don't underestimate that snake, it's one of the rare 'Lust Snakes' in the world. I've raised countless snakes and read about countless snakes, but this is the only one that made me search for a long time!"

  As soon as these words came out, Su Jinping swallowed a mouthful of saliva and looked at him with an eerie gaze. Raising a nest of snakes, was this the Ou Yangke of Huangfu's version?

  Seeing her gaze was strange, his complexion also slightly stiffened: "Xiao Jinjin, are you thinking too much?"

  "Haha, no!" He chuckled and turned his head, changing the subject, "What's the use of that snake?"

  "The seductive snake's natural nature is to rely on its proximity to the child, and it's like a high-grade aphrodisiac, making women feel as if they are in a spring dream. After unknowingly entering her body, it devours her internal organs, letting her die in a drunken, dreamy state. It's actually a fitting end for her!" He shook his golden fan and laughed with abandon.

  But these words made Su Jinping turn her head in incredulity: "Isn't she your imperial brother's consort? How can she still be a virgin? Could it be that your imperial brother is impotent?"

  "Cough, cough..." She covered her mouth and started coughing, her face turning bright red. After a long while, she looked up at the woman in disbelief, "You...you really don't seem like a woman!" Would a woman dare to say such bold words as "impotent"?

  "That's because I'm a woman myself!" A sarcastic smile played on her red lips, no wonder that dog emperor always found fault with her, it turned out to be due to impotence leading to psychological distortion, so she couldn't bear others living a comfortable life.

  "You're overthinking, Imperial Brother. It's just a lesson learned from the previous dynasty. Many dynasties have risen and fallen due to the ruler's debauchery and lack of virtue. You are simply restraining yourself." That's what people outside say, but he thinks that the reason the Emperor doesn't touch women is because he hasn't met a woman who can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him yet.

  Su Jinping pouted and shrugged slightly, feeling a bit regretful. What a pity! Let's just forget it and be happy!

  Just then, a low, mournful sigh came from inside the house. The maids at the door were initially startled, but as they listened to their master's increasingly loud gasps, they all froze in surprise, before blushing and covering their ears while standing outside. Lady Rong... is having a spring dream! They'd better not go in and disturb her!

  For a good half an hour, the low moans and gasps inside gradually weakened, it seemed that the person inside was also about to die.

  A red figure flashed by, and Huangfu Ye immediately pulled out Rong Yu's corpse. "Feel better?" His tone was gentle to the point of being unnatural.

  "It's fine." A rather conservative response, in fact, she was delighted to send the cheap person to their death. However, this method of making the cheap person extremely pleased with their own demise didn't quite sit well with her, "What about that snake?"

  "It's only natural that it stays inside her. The thing that ate her internal organs is nauseating, I don't want it anymore." He said, carrying the corpse of Rong Yu and walking away.

  Su Jinping furrowed her brow behind him: "If you don't take out the snake in her body, aren't you afraid..."

  "Haha…… I, the king, raise snakes, and no one in the world knows about it. However, Empress De's love for snakes is indeed known to everyone! Tell me, if Concubine Rong's corpse were to be found in Empress De's bedchamber, what would happen?" The seductive smile grew even more radiant.

  Su Jinping's eyes flashed, but she didn't respond.

  They waited until they threw Rong Yu's body into De Fei's backyard and then returned to Jingren Palace together. The whole way was silent...

  At the door, Huangfu Ye shook that golden fan, still with a carefree and uninhibited demeanor. The sadness and deep emotions in his eyes had vanished, replaced by an unscrupulous smile: "Little Jinjin, tomorrow morning, Ronggui's body will be discovered, and De Fei will at least be demoted to the Cold Palace. For that woman who loves her brother as much as her life and loves power as much as her life, being confined in the Cold Palace for just three days will surely drive her mad!"

  "Hmm." He responded coldly, looking at his somewhat forced smile.

  "How do you want to thank me? Hmm?" The smile on his face became more and more mischievous, but as he smiled, a glint of water appeared in his dark purple eyes.

  Su Jinping smiled and patted his shoulder: "Huangfu Ye, don't deceive yourself. You've also discovered the problem, haven't you? You should be grateful that I don't care about anything in the Chancellor's Manor. Otherwise, I wouldn't be thanking you now, but hating you!"

  As soon as he said that, the smile on his face froze. Yes, he also found the problem himself. Although he didn't want to admit it...

  They claimed to be avenging her, but unknowingly aimed their sharp swords at the Chancellor's and Duke Gong's residences. Rong Yu had already died, De Fei was imprisoned in the Cold Palace, and both of them had publicly sympathized with Su Jinping, after all, who would believe that a lady raised in the inner chambers could have such abilities? So naturally, people shifted their suspicious gaze towards Su Nianhua.

  To outsiders, this farce was Su Nianhua taking revenge for her daughter by adopting this approach. The Chancellor's mansion would inevitably clash with the Imperial Concubine De's maternal family, the Gongqinwang Mansion, and successfully stir up trouble between Rongniang's maternal family and the Chancellor's mansion.

  One move gains everything, and the biggest winner is his imperial brother! At that moment, a flash of insight made him think of this place, perhaps it was a habit cultivated over so many years, with the interests of the imperial family always coming first.

  He let out a wry smile: "Xiao Jinjin, I admire your cleverness, but at the same time, I also resent your cleverness!"

  She seemed to have not heard his words, and instead spoke on her own: "Huangfu Ye, what I want, you can't give me. I want freedom, I want a lifetime of being with one person, I want a man who will put me above all else in his heart, where nothing can surpass my position. And you, can't. In your heart, the most important thing is always your royal brother, the throne of the Huangfu family. Maybe you are sincere towards me, but this sincerity is not unique, nor is it the heaviest. I..."

  "It goes without saying, I understand." Gritting his teeth and forcing a smile as he looked at her. Yes, he was royalty, from the day he and his brother took on the weight of the world together, he had long lost the right to say love. He didn't have the right to say love, so how could he ask others to love him?

  "If one day I can... " Can you be put in the first place?

  "You can't do it. We're still friends!" He smiled, then turned around and walked towards his own bedroom, step by step, resolute and decisive, without looking back.

  Clutching his fists, standing behind her, a red dress like fire and blood, just like that bloody heart. Xiao Jinjin, you're right, I couldn't do it, I couldn't! Since that's the case, then let's choose to protect instead, hoping in the future, Huangfu Ye will be a reliable... friend for you!

  He paused for a moment, turned around and headed towards the imperial study...

  ……

  Su Jinping entered the house, and Shallow Memory saw her, rushing forward quickly, overjoyed and tearful: "Miss, you're fine, it's really great, the guards outside are catching people, I thought...I thought..." Those tears flowed like broken pearls, unable to stop.

  Looking at the delicate face full of worry, with sincerity in her eyes, Su Jinping's heart warmed up, stretched out his hand and hugged her: "Qian Yi, it's okay."

  It's been a long time since anyone cared about her life and death like this. Since the death of her foster parents, no one has ever shown such concern for her again.

  "Fleeting memories, it seems like only you are left." She originally thought that this girl would be her burden, but unexpectedly, this gentle and weak little girl gave her the warmth she had been seeking but couldn't get. This kind of pure concern without any impurities was something she hadn't felt in many years.

  "Miss, what are you talking about? Isn't there still the old master, the old master..." As soon as she mentioned the prime minister, she didn't know what to say next. The old master seemed to have never paid attention to Miss before.

  Patted her back: "Alright little girl, go to sleep quickly. You're actually living a happier life than the young lady from your household. Now you've probably become the only one in the palace who doesn't have to do chores. I still have to sweep the floor early tomorrow morning!"

  As soon as she spoke, Shallow Memory's face turned slightly red, and she remembered something: "Miss, have you eaten? I..."

  "I've eaten, next time I'll let you taste the skills of your family's young lady too. Alright, go to sleep!" After finishing speaking, he quickly walked to the bedside and clumsily flopped onto the bed.

  Shallow memories of scratching the back of her head, Miss's craftsmanship? How did she not know?

  ……

  The next day, at the fifth watch, Su Jinping got up honestly. That petty Huang Fu Haichan must have known she woke up from her coma yesterday, and if she was late, who knows how he would scold her!

  Carrying a big broom out the door, yawning all the way, counting on my fingers, it seems like there are still dozens of days before I can get paid. Ah, so happy! Just thinking about it makes my steps much lighter.

  At the entrance of the imperial study, a small palace maid had already started sweeping. Su Jinping yawned and sat on the railing, starting to practice her invincible sleeping skills again! The little palace maid who was sweeping saw her like that, got a big fright, and hurried over: "Hey, get up quickly, if the emperor comes later and sees you, you'll be in trouble!"

  Su Jinping opened her eyes, looked at the little girl, and found that she was a good kid! She stretched out her hand to pull the palace maid to the railing as well. The little palace maid was so scared that her face turned pale, and it took her a while to steady herself. Just as she was about to say something, she heard a lazy voice ringing out: "The emperor gets up early in the morning to attend court, and only comes here after court is over, so he won't see us slacking off! Come on, let's have a good chat!"

  That little palace maid stared with wide eyes, looking at this bold palace maid, and trembled as she opened her mouth to refuse: "No, no more, I..."

  "I said, have you heard of airplanes? Have you heard of ferries? Do you know what tourism means?" Three questions were asked just like that.

  That little palace maid looked at her with a hint of puzzlement and shook her head honestly: "I don't know!"

  "Hey, I've told you all these things, now it's your turn to tell me some things, okay?" Su Jinping stared at her with wide eyes, her phoenix-like eyes full of temptation.

  The little princess couldn't help but nod her head, suppressing the curiosity in her heart.

  The woman began her long speech, leaving the palace maid with a stunned expression, mouth agape and face filled with incredulity. "Ferries are boats bigger than buildings that don't need to be rowed, just steered?" she asked. "Airplanes are bird-like things that can fly in the sky and hold many people inside?" "Tourism is when you have nothing to do and run around everywhere." These were all so novel, how had she never heard of them before?

  "Alright, I've told you the three meanings. Now it's your turn to tell me, how many years have you been sweeping here?" A sly smile spread across the woman's face.

  That little palace maid stared blankly, clutching her head: "It's already been four years!"

  "It's been four years, I've come to ask you, have you ever seen any of the Emperor's weaknesses?" Su Jinping leaned forward slightly, her voice filled with excitement. Although she didn't expect to be able to threaten that dog emperor herself, knowing something unfavorable about him was always a pleasant feeling.

  "What evidence?" The little palace maid was suddenly scared pale, could the emperor's evidence be something she could grasp? If she were to grasp it, wouldn't that mean there would only be one dead end?

  Looking at her terrified face, a certain woman with a witch-like smile leaned in close and whispered: "For example, has the emperor ever secretly picked his nose and been seen by you? Or when he walked to the door, accidentally slipped and fell? And, and, has he ever forgotten to bring toilet paper when going to the bathroom, and then frantically shouted in the outhouse: 'Someone, bring me paper!'"

  That woman laughed more and more lewdly, while the little palace maid was so scared that she didn't dare to open her mouth, but when she heard the last sentence, she couldn't help but burst out laughing. The voice she imitated, "Come on, bring paper!" was really too similar to the emperor's usual tone!

  The guards standing at the gate of the imperial study, with their eyes on their noses and their noses on their hearts, were putting themselves to sleep in their minds. They didn't hear anything; they heard nothing! But why did they want to laugh so badly? Just imagining the stern emperor doing something like this made them feel their faces twitching severely, it was so painful not to laugh!

  "Is there or isn't there?" A certain woman's face was full of expectation, and if she really knew, could she use it to get some hush money?

  But the little palace maid shook her head very frankly under that woman's happy expression: "No!"

  Then, that woman's delicate face instantly turned into a pot bottom! Damn it, what a waste of half a day's talk!

  They chatted and chatted, and after a while, Huangfu Huaihan returned with a group of servants. The little palace maid was so scared that her face turned pale, and she quickly slid to the ground, preparing to kneel down and apologize when the emperor arrived. Su Jinping also jumped down and pulled her up: "Fool, he didn't see us slacking off, why are you kneeling? It's better not to be too honest as a person!"

  The little palace maid was sweating profusely, her back drenched with cold sweat, as she followed Su Jinping to sweep the floor in a pretentious manner.

  The guards at the gate looked at them with a mixture of curiosity and indifference, but the palace maid who had been beaten by Su Jinping that day puffed out her cheeks and glared at them with a sullen expression.

  As Huangfu Huaihan approached with Shangguan Jinrui and a group of palace servants, the majestic palace hall came into view, with its beautifully crafted and exquisite staircase. At the entrance, that woman and a palace maid were sweeping the floor. I had already known she was up to no good yesterday, and I had guessed at those good deeds she had done, so my hatred for her, which had already penetrated to the bone, deepened even further!

  Look at the maple leaves scattered on the stairs, frowning slightly, a cold face with a hint of chill, somewhat impatiently opening his mouth: "Is this what you call cleaning?" After being an emperor for so many years, have you never seen that after finishing court, the entrance to the imperial study can be dirty like this?!

  As soon as this was said, the guards at the gate immediately lowered their heads and pretended to be ignorant. It was precisely this appearance that made Huangfu Huachen even more suspicious!

  Shangguan Jing'er, who was behind him, smiled and raised her sword-like eyebrows. Her voice was still as gentle and elegant as before: "Your Majesty, it's early in the morning, don't quarrel with the palace staff yet!"

  The emperor, Huangfu Huaihan, looked at the gate where the expression was strange and the servant girl who was shaking her body without stopping, as well as Su Jinping's obvious pretended calmness while waving a broom. A huge question mark grew uncontrollably in his heart! Ignoring Shangguan Jinyu's words, he shouted angrily at the two people at the gate: "I'm asking you questions, didn't you hear?"

  "Thud!" Two sounds, Su Jinping and that little palace maid knelt respectfully at the door.

  That little palace maid knelt, trembling with all her might, wondering if she should confess everything they had just done. But thinking that confessing might lead to an even more miserable death, she trembled and didn't dare speak up.

  The woman raised her head and took a stealthy look at the emperor's iron-green face, which was furious. With a bewildered expression, she raised her head again: "Your Majesty, what did you just ask?"

  The emperor pointed angrily at the fallen leaves on the ground: "I'm asking you, is this what you call a clean floor after sweeping all morning?"

  "I, a humble servant, know my fault. I didn't hear the emperor's question, but I also know it's because the emperor's voice is too soft! Moreover, as I'm getting older, my ears aren't very good, so I let the emperor speak again for the second time. I believe in the emperor's magnanimity and shouldn't mind me." Su Jinping spoke sincerely, saying a lot but not bringing up the main topic.

  The emperor closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and asked for the third time: "I'm asking you, why is this gate so dirty?!"

  "Your Majesty, please calm down." The gentle and warm voice of Shangguan Jinrui rose, her ink-like eyes filled with a hint of smile and worry as she gazed at the ghostly girl kneeling on the ground. It had been over a decade since they last met, yet her audacity had grown significantly, even daring to provoke the Emperor himself.

  Upon hearing the four words "Shangguan Jingyu", some of the anger in Huangfu Huachen's heart dissipated. He was also slightly annoyed, having been an emperor for so many years, always calm and composed like Mount Tai crumbling on his head, yet repeatedly being driven to jump with rage by this damned woman - a great taboo! A great taboo!

  Su Jinping raised her head with a matter-of-fact expression: "Your Majesty, don't you think today's wind is unusually strong? We just swept it clean, and the wind blew again, so naturally it flew back!"

  That little palace maid heard this and shuddered, the sweat on her forehead "pattered" onto the ground, not feeling even a hint of wind to alleviate her fear and restlessness. This Su Jinping was really too far-fetched! Today was clearly a sunny day, where was the wind?

  Huangfu Huai let out a cold hum, took several big strides to stand in front of that damned woman, and gritted his teeth as he spoke: "Is it windy today? How come I didn't know it was windy today?"

  "The emperor is busy with state affairs every day, his heart is for the people, worrying about national affairs, how can he notice whether there is wind or not such a small thing? Moreover, just now you were in court, and you couldn't feel the wind outside, it's normal!" The woman retorted.

  Without changing his expression, he ground his teeth and squeezed out a few words: "Even if it's as you said, when I went to court, there was wind, but after leaving the Golden Hall, it was gone. Then I walked over from the side of the Golden Hall, and it took about an incense stick's time, why didn't you clean up?"

  "Your Majesty, I've already said that I'm old and my ears aren't what they used to be. In fact, not only are my ears bad, but my movements have also become slower. Sometimes I even get hallucinations, seeing my deceased grandfather coming to take me away in a daze. That's why I was sweeping the floor absent-mindedly, without noticing this damned wind blowing these annoying fallen leaves here again. That's why I committed such a grave offense! Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" The woman said with her eyes closed, rambling on.

  The people at the door were stunned, looking at her in disbelief, this is also too much.

  Huangfu Huaihan gritted his teeth, looking at this woman who was said to be old, and suddenly remembered something: "Su Jinping, if I'm not mistaken, the old master of the Chengxiang Mansion is still alive, right? How did you see your deceased grandfather?" The three words "deceased" were bitten extremely hard!

  Damn woman, go on talking, you continue talking to me!

  "Hmm, still alive, a certain woman had an idea and continued to ramble: 'So, as I said, I'm getting old and often have hallucinations! Look, I even saw my grandfather die!' She seemed to wipe away non-existent tears from the corner of her eye, then opened her mouth again. 'Therefore, for someone like me who's already so old, Your Majesty should show extra care, take good care of me, and let me live out the rest of my life happily. But instead, you sent me here to sweep the floor... You really are too inconsiderate towards your loyal subject - that is, me!'"

  Huangfu Huichen's footsteps wavered, looking at this woman who was said to be old and unsightly in an unbelievable way, even having a kind of upside-down feeling!

  Shangguan Jinrui stood behind him, silently covering his mouth with his hand, his head bowed and his shoulders shaking...

  The crowd below also wanted to laugh but didn't dare, feeling extremely uncomfortable. The palace maid kneeling with Su Jinping bit her lip tightly, almost bursting out laughing...

  The emperor gritted his teeth and said, "Su Jinping, you're getting old, so according to your idea, should I also send a few more people to sweep the entrance of this imperial study together?"

  This entrance is less than 500 meters long and wide, two people sweeping, should be enough! And this damn woman, if he didn't remember wrong, should be only 28 years old, isn't she?! As a result...

  Su Jinping was moved to tears, looking at him with a face full of emotion: "Your Majesty, you are truly considerate of your subordinates! I am really too moved! There is no need to send many people, ten or eight would be enough. Also, also, I am old and not suitable for traveling, Your Majesty can just let me stay here and watch them sweep the floor, I am willing to be a 'supervisor in charge of overseeing the palace maids' work, urging them to work diligently and serve Your Majesty!' However, if it's like this, Your Majesty might need to give me a raise!"

  "Her!" He swore that in this life, he had never seen a woman more skilled at taking advantage of the situation and getting what she wanted! And yet, as time went on, she became old and disabled? Lazy and still wanting to get promoted and raise her salary? Shameless! This is truly shamelessness taken to the extreme!

  Gritting his teeth, he stared at her for a long time, and suddenly thought of something. He let out a cold hum: "Little Lin!"

  "Yes, I'm here!" Kobayashi immediately stepped forward and stood with a respectful expression.

  "Tell her that there will be wind at the entrance of the imperial study!" He had forgotten that when his ancestors built the imperial study, it was in winter. His ancestors were afraid of the cold and built high walls around the imperial study, also ordering the construction of houses on all four sides to be based on the imperial study and the Palace of Mental Cultivation. Therefore, although the palaces were not densely packed, they blocked the wind tightly. Where did this woman see the wind?

  Digression

  Is it on time today? Hehe...

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