After eating only a few bites, Chazi put down her chopsticks and took something from her bosom, placing it properly at the corner of the table, facing Tie Ci directly.

Tie Ci was startled, looking at that round object but couldn’t see clearly, so she asked: “What is it?”

Chi Xue stood to the side with a strange expression.

Chazi said: “I heard Your Majesty has exceptional eyesight – how is it you can’t see clearly now?”

Tie Ci said calmly: “I don’t like using my gifted abilities.”

Chazi made an “oh” sound and said: “Nothing much, just a doll.”

Tie Ci looked toward Chi Xue, who lowered her eyes.

Chazi continued: “It’s a doll portrait of my emperor. His Majesty commanded that when this foreign subject receives the banquet, I should place his doll here. Consider it him dining with Your Majesty as well.”

Tie Ci seemed to pause for a moment, made an “oh” sound, and slowly picked up her chopsticks.

Little Bug, who was serving to the side, saw Tie Ci pick up some bean sprouts she disliked most and chew them mindlessly in her mouth.

Chazi glanced at the doll and casually grabbed a bone to gnaw on, making crackling sounds.

Above and below the hall, the atmosphere was eerie.

After a while, Chazi couldn’t bear it anymore and said: “Why doesn’t Your Majesty ask this foreign subject why my emperor would rather send a doll than come see Your Majesty himself?”

Tie Ci finished chewing the bean sprouts, swallowed, raised her eyebrows, and said indifferently: “What joke is the special envoy telling? No matter how conceited I might be, there’s no reason for another nation’s ruler to come to the capital to see me.”

She thought for a moment and said: “Oh? Could this be your nation’s emperor challenging me?”

Chazi chuckled: “Wasn’t Your Majesty the first to challenge our emperor?”

Tie Ci said: “To call it a challenge is too serious. Whatever Da Qian does to Da Feng is perfectly justified, including seizing territory, including destroying the nation, including killing the ruler.”

“Your Majesty, today’s dialogue in this hall will be repeated word for word to our emperor.”

“Then add another line,” Tie Ci said. “Is he well? Can he live long? Can he survive until I lead troops across Mount Tulan?”

Chazi stared at Tie Ci, as if trying to see whether these words came from her heart.

Unfortunately, she had never been able to see through this person clearly, let alone now when she sat high at the far end of the great hall.

After a moment, she said angrily: “As long as I’m here, he definitely can!”

Above in the hall, Tie Ci’s chopsticks, which had been casually picking up food, paused again.

This time Little Bug watched helplessly as she picked up a piece of goose meat.

Since the night of Chongming, Tie Ci no longer ate goose, but an emperor’s preferences shouldn’t be known to others, so the imperial kitchen’s menu hadn’t removed goose dishes.

Little Bug saw Tie Ci unconsciously stuff that piece of goose meat into her mouth.

She heard her say: “What a pity then.”

Chazi lowered her voice: “Is Your Majesty very regretful? Indeed, that day my emperor was severely wounded and near death, almost losing his life, yet still had to rush through snowy terrain to avenge someone. If not for heaven’s protection, he might have lost his life in the ice and snow of the southern slums.”

Tie Ci’s hand gripping the chopsticks tightened, and she said: “Just some flesh wounds. With your nation’s emperor’s abilities, there’s no need to describe it so tragically. After all, making me cry won’t earn any reward.”

“Would Your Majesty cry?” Chazi snorted. “Flesh wounds? Flesh wounds would be fine, but what nearly killed him was what the former great king and Qiu Wujiu did…”

She suddenly stopped, staring blankly for a while, as if remembering some unbearable past and deeply worrying future, her expression visibly darkening.

Tie Ci looked at her, her lips moving, ultimately keeping those words on her lips.

Because she knew that even if she asked, she wouldn’t get an answer.

Suddenly there was a clear sound of metal clashing outside the hall – the sound of newly replaced wind chimes under the eaves being blown by the wind.

Tie Ci didn’t react much, but Chazi suddenly shuddered all over, jumped up abruptly, looking around in panic. After a moment, she realized what had happened and sat down again awkwardly.

Tie Ci was certain she had seen her eyes show alarm and her lips move to say “Your Majesty.”

Naturally not calling her, this emperor.

After sitting down, Chazi stared blankly for a while, then suddenly lowered her head and covered her face with both hands.

This was losing composure before the sovereign, and uncontrollable grief and indignation.

Tie Ci didn’t speak, waiting for the subtle shaking of her shoulders to subside before slowly descending the steps.

After a while, Chazi felt somewhat better, pressed her eyes against her arms, raised her head, and saw the Da Qian emperor standing before her, looking down at her.

Chazi was startled and instinctively stepped back.

Tie Ci said: “You cried.”

Chazi was silent for a moment, then raised her eyebrows: “Moved to see Your Majesty finally condescend to come down and look at me.”

Tie Ci smiled slightly and said: “How is it, is Murong Yi not doing well?”

A period of silence, then after a moment, Chazi said: “You finally asked this question. I don’t know whether I should feel fortunate or sad for my emperor.”

Tie Ci looked at her quietly.

Meeting her gaze, even Chazi, who had never liked her, felt somewhat unable to withstand it. After a long while, she sighed: “It’s better now. Before, it was human purgatory.”

Tie Ci’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

But Chazi suddenly raised her hand to feel her pulse.

Tie Ci moved very quickly, flicking her hand and retreating several feet away.

A figure flashed, and Little Bug, the only one remaining in the hall, was already nearby, her joints crackling ominously.

Tie Ci: “Stand down.”

The crackling sound stopped, and Little Bug remained before Chazi.

Chazi withdrew her hand, looked up at Tie Ci, and after a long while said: “Quick reaction, not many guards left – you still have confidence in yourself. It seems my emperor’s worry was unnecessary; your martial arts haven’t been lost.”

Tie Ci smiled and said: “What are you thinking? Everything’s fine – how could I lose my martial arts?”

Chazi looked at her carefully again, said nothing, stood up and said: “This foreign subject is full. Thank Your Majesty for the banquet. This foreign subject will take leave now.”

Tie Ci glanced at the untouched banquet on her table.

Chazi took out a small bundle from behind her back, presented it with both hands, saying: “My emperor said that earlier was a state gift, presented in the hall. Now this is a private gift, presented at this moment.”

Tie Ci neither accepted nor refused, so Chazi placed the bundle on the table, bowed, and left the hall on her own.

Before stepping over the threshold, she glanced at the high sky without stars or moon.

The night was already deep.

Her mission was also complete.

Before parting, that person had said:

Remember, you must arrive on New Year’s Eve and have a meal with her.

Don’t let her spend New Year’s Eve alone facing the vast palace.

Chazi didn’t want to dine with Tie Ci, but this was His Majesty’s wish.

She lifted her robe and stepped over the threshold. The night on the heavenly steps was cool as water. This vast plaza and white marble steps seemed endless, as if one could walk straight into the depths of the firmament.

At this moment, it was also New Year’s Eve in Da Feng.

Before the great hall were also jade steps extending thousands of layers, under the high sky equally without starlight or moonbeams.

You made me travel a thousand li to Da Qian, you made me, a woman, become an envoy, all so I could accompany her for a New Year’s Eve dinner on this holiday night.

But how could you forget.

You too face the cold palace alone, on this silent New Year’s night, under this desolate long sky.

…

Chazi’s figure disappeared.

Tie Ci’s gaze slowly fell on that bundle.

A bit of shining black fur tip showed through the bundle, slightly tinged with purple, looking familiar.

It was that supreme quality fur coat he had once publicly given her.

After the Chongming incident, she had ordered Little Bug to pack all the gifts he had given and attach them to that carriage, returning them to him.

Now, he had sent that fur coat back again.

Beside the bundle was also that doll, which Chazi had forgotten to take, whether intentionally or accidentally.

It wasn’t an emperor version of the doll, but actually had high-piled hair and wide sleeves.

It was Feiyu’s attire.

The outfit from their first formal meeting beneath the Tower of All Beings.

Tie Ci slowly picked up the doll.

Her fingers touching the doll’s hair, she couldn’t help but pause.

Bringing the doll close to examine it, that hair felt smooth as satin to the touch, with lustrous black color.

It was real hair.

Tie Ci’s fingers gently stroked over the doll’s temples.

Then she gave the fur coat to Little Bug to store away, tucked the doll into her sleeve, and returned to Chongming Palace.

The hall was brightly lit with lanterns and decorations, creating a very lively atmosphere.

Chi Xue and the others hadn’t slept, and Dan Shuang had also hurried back from the academy. The dishes in the small kitchen had been reheated repeatedly, all waiting for Tie Ci to eat a New Year’s Eve dinner.

Although the emperor had already sent word that they needn’t wait, Chi Xue always wanted to make the palace more lively, and even more lively.

Though she understood in her heart that the liveliness they could provide couldn’t fill the emptiness in His Majesty’s heart.

Perhaps this false liveliness might even force His Majesty to make herself cooperate with them.

Tie Ci returned without using the imperial carriage or bringing palace attendants. Chi Xue, standing at the palace gate, saw from afar Tie Ci walking silently through the dimly lit corridor wearing a cloak, and tears suddenly filled her eyes.

The high and low black and white silhouettes of palace walls, her solitary approaching figure so alone.

This year winter hadn’t brought snow yet, but the snow in her heart had been falling endlessly.

Tie Ci entered with a calm expression. She always returned from the front court this way – whether things went smoothly or not, she no longer showed any fluctuation.

She stayed in the warm pavilion, sat before that steaming New Year’s Eve dinner, drank wine with all the palace attendants waiting for her, gave everyone red envelopes, finished the dumplings, and even set off firecrackers at the transition between old and new years. She completed all the proper New Year procedures without spoiling the mood before letting everyone disperse.

Returning to her sleeping chamber, she sat on the couch and reached to hook the bed curtain.

The stepped platform slowly opened, revealing an entrance.

She descended the steps.

The underground space was spacious and not gloomy. Oil lamps flickered brightly, illuminating a stone chamber fully furnished, with a plate of steaming dumplings on the table at the moment.

The mad doctor Jingxu sat before the dumplings, eating slowly while shaking his head: “I’m not used to these fennel-filled dumplings. Our Liaodong pork and scallion, pork and sour cabbage, lamb and radish fillings are much better. Or Spanish mackerel and chive dumplings – those are absolutely superb.”

He looked up at Tie Ci and said: “The routine consultation time hasn’t arrived yet. Can’t I rest even on New Year?”

Tie Ci sat across from him and said: “Work some overtime, and I’ll get you Spanish mackerel and chive dumplings later.”

“I want a serving of everything I mentioned.”

“Done.”

Jingxu extended his hand toward her: “Pulse.”

But Tie Ci didn’t extend her hand, saying: “It’s not about me.”

“Hm?”

“You were sent here by Murong Yi, you participated in Prince Da’an’s plan, you should understand Murong Yi’s situation very well,” Tie Ci said. “I want to know about his physical condition.”

Jingxu looked up, staring deeply at her: “What, showing concern for an enemy nation’s ruler’s health – are you planning to sweep through my Liaodong? Then why should I tell you?”

“I can’t tell you’re still loyal to Liaodong,” Tie Ci smiled without mirth. “How I deal with Liaodong is my business, but if you want to show blind loyalty, starting tomorrow your food allowance will be cut in half, and you’ll no longer be allowed to order dishes.”

Jingxu’s face immediately darkened: “Threatening me? Don’t you want treatment anymore? Don’t you want to restore your gifted abilities without any worries?”

“Right, I don’t want to.”

Jingxu was struck speechless.

“I’ve already ascended the throne. Gifted abilities are no longer that important to me,” Tie Ci said coldly. “Have you ever seen any emperor who governed the country relying on personal martial prowess?”

“But you haven’t just lost your gifted abilities. The key is still the reason for losing your gifted abilities. I’ve always suspected your meridians…”

Tie Ci interrupted him.

“We’re not talking about me right now.”

Jingxu stopped talking, staring at Tie Ci. After a long while, he sighed and shook his head.

“It seems my disciple still has no fortune.”

Tie Ci didn’t answer, reaching to pull the dumplings in front of him over to herself. She hadn’t eaten much earlier and was a bit hungry.

Jingxu immediately snatched them back, hugging them to his chest, saying coldly: “A dignified emperor shouldn’t steal food.”

“Do you know Murong Yi has excellent culinary skills?” Tie Ci said. “Since you said so, I’ll send you back. He’ll definitely summon you, and you can request that he cook.”

Jingxu was surprised: “Really? He’s skilled at cooking?”

“Extraordinary.”

Jingxu’s eyes rarely lit up: “But how would he cook for me?”

Tie Ci glanced at him, thinking that indeed those with developed limbs must have simple minds – the Three Mad and Five Emperors all had poor brains.

She casually mentioned several dishes Murong Yi had made, and indeed Jingxu’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, he salivated more and more severely, and even the dumplings in his mouth lost their appeal.

Finally he couldn’t stand it and interrupted Tie Ci: “Enough, enough, stop making me crave them.”

Only then did Tie Ci stop, glancing at the dumplings before him, feeling they indeed no longer seemed appealing.

“Before I was sent back, I hadn’t seen Murong Yi, but I know that when the great king imprisoned Zhao San, he had me develop a certain medication.”

Tie Ci stared at him.

“That medication was sourced from a certain small southern nation. There used to be a country there that cultivated a certain fruit whose concentrated paste could make people addicted and unable to extricate themselves. That small nation used this to cause considerable trouble and reap enormous profits. Later, the Eastern Hall Regent personally went to that country, killed the queen of the time, burned the flower fields, and issued a nationwide ban making using or selling it punishable by extermination of three generations, finally eliminating most of it. But as time passed, there were inevitably some remnants. Prince Da’an obtained some by chance, gave it to me, and I added some medicinal components to develop those pills, which were used on Zhao San and thus caused Murong Yi to become addicted.”

Tie Ci fell silent.

The doubts from that day in Chongming Palace were finally resolved today.

Why had Murong Yi suddenly fallen seriously ill?

Even if seriously ill, with his abilities, how could he have been caught off guard in Chongming Palace with no power to resist?

It could be said that Murong Yi’s illness was the origin of all disasters.

Yet it turned out to come from his biological father’s machinations.

She had guessed it was a scheme by Prince Da’an and Qiu Wujiu, since they needed an heir they could control who wouldn’t hand Liaodong over to Da Qian on a silver platter.

But the specific methods, only learned today, were so cruel and cold-blooded.

She suddenly felt a bit cold and pulled her cloak tighter.

“What kind of drug was it? What were its effects? What did you add? How can it be detoxified?”

“I didn’t give that drug a name because I felt it was too harmful to heaven and earth. It was originally a demon locked in the abyss that shouldn’t have been released by humans again. It can make people sink into hell, become its puppet, never able to struggle free until completely drained. Almost no one can withstand that drug’s harm, and what I added was also a formula to deepen the drug’s addictive properties and make people’s mental will even weaker, so that drug would need only one or two pills to make people completely unable to break free, and… there is no antidote.”

Tie Ci’s fingers under her wide sleeves tightened slightly.

After a long while, she said softly: “Jingxu, you and Murong Yao deserve a hundred deaths to atone for your crimes.”

This was the most terrifying demon in human history, with the most far-reaching impact and longest-lasting damage. It shouldn’t have appeared here, much less been used on Murong Yi.

“You weren’t afraid of killing him!”

Jingxu retreated backward. He had been staying underground for most of the year, taking the emperor’s pulse from time to time. What he had always seen was the steady, calm female emperor who showed no emotion, matching everyone’s descriptions and his judgment of Tie Ci.

However, at this moment, he actually saw for the first time in the abyssal female emperor’s eyes blazing explosive sparks and burning fury.