He had just been reborn when he was imprisoned by his nemesis, the Empress?

Qingqing lowered her head and replied...

"I... I'm more honest."

Xu Yi was completely exasperated. He sighed helplessly and looked down at Bai Li, who stood tall and proud at his feet.

"Is that what you just mentioned?"

Bai Li nodded emphatically, then rubbed her nose against Xu Yi's pants with a smug look.

"Alas... We are all of the same origin, why are we so eager to harm each other?"

Xu Yi shook his head and reached out to pat Bai Li's head.

"Fine, I won't stop you."

As soon as she finished speaking, Bai Li seemed to have received a pardon, transforming into a streak of white lightning and rushing towards Qingqing with a "whoosh".

Qingqing screamed in fright and quickly shrank to the corner, crouching down with her hands covering her head.

But Bai Li didn't really bite hard. She just stretched out her claws and gently scratched her arm, then gently bit her twice.

The force was just right, leaving only shallow teeth marks.

Seeing Qingqing's aggrieved look, Bai Li's fierce demeanor vanished.

It paused, its paws hovering in mid-air, its tail drooping.

Finally, he just grumbled twice in dissatisfaction, then turned and left the cell.

It trotted back to Xu Yi's side and circled around his legs, making a series of soft, sweet noises.

Qingqing rubbed her arm and then became the microphone again.

"She said she wouldn't throw me away anymore, but would lock me up and bite me a few times whenever she had a chance."

Xu Yi: ......

This little guy, in the end he still softened, didn't he?

Xu Yi sighed, "Whatever, let them do what they want."

He bent down, scooped Bai Li up in his arms, and turned to leave the dungeon, muttering to himself as he did so.

"Sigh, I'm really fed up... Oh well, that's it then."

......

After dealing with official business in his dream for two more days, Xu Yi felt exhausted and was now considering stepping down to become the retired emperor.

He has quite a few capable generals under his command, but he probably uses too few civil officials, and he doesn't want to give important positions to those from the previous dynasty.

The newly established dynasty is often the most difficult time to manage; just appointing officials and bestowing titles can keep the emperor extremely busy.

He could finally understand why Su Qingluan had become a tyrannical ruler in this life.

Xu Yi was dozing off, propping his head up with his hand, when suddenly a eunuch's cautious voice came from outside the hall.

"Your Majesty, there are soldiers outside the palace requesting an audience, saying they have important matters to report."

Xu Yi rubbed his throbbing temples.

"Announce."

A moment later, a lieutenant in full armor strode into the hall, bowed to Xu Yi, and his expression was solemn.

"Your Majesty, General Lü... has fallen ill."

Xu Yi straightened up immediately.

"What? Lü Chu is ill? That's my trusted general, Lü Chu. How could he be sick?"

Xu Yi's heart tightened instantly, and he quickly gave orders.

"Find the best doctor for me, and cure Lü Chu no matter the cost!"

"Your humble servant obeys!"

The lieutenant dared not delay and quickly accepted the order and withdrew.

After the deputy general left, the hall returned to silence.

Xu Yi watched his deputy's retreating figure, then slowly walked back to the dragon throne, sat down heavily, and let out a long sigh.

"Being an emperor is really difficult."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xu Yi suddenly felt something smeared on his lips. It was cool, a little sticky, and had a faint, sweet fragrance.

[Ding! Interference with the host's external body has been detected. Preparing for forced detachment from the current world...]

When I opened my eyes again, the familiar palace dome came into view.

There was also a breathtakingly beautiful face so close to me.

At this moment, Su Qingluan was dressed extremely beautifully. Her carefully drawn eyebrows and eyes made her phoenix eyes even more alluring, and her red lips were luscious and tempting.

She wore a red dress embroidered with gold-threaded cloud patterns, her dark hair was loosely tied up, and she wore a red-gold tassel hairpin.

She looked at him with a lazy smile in her eyes, a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

Xu Yi stared blankly at her carefully dressed appearance for a moment.

After regaining his senses, he suddenly realized what was happening, raised his hand to wipe the corner of his mouth, and spoke with a hint of wariness in his tone.

"What did you put on my lips?!"

Su Qingluan touched her lips with her fingertip, her tone casual.

"Why don't you try it and see?"

Xu Yi subconsciously licked the corner of his mouth. It was sweet and sour with a faint fruity aroma; it was quite delicious.

"It's just jam. What were you thinking about before?"

Su Qingluan reached out and gently traced the corner of his lips with her fingertips.

Xu Yi's eyes flickered, and he quickly turned his head away, feigning composure as he spoke.

"Uh...no, it's nothing."

She walked around to the bedside, looking at Xu Yi, a hint of expectation flashing in her phoenix eyes.

"Today is my birthday, and there's a birthday banquet this afternoon. Are you going?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Yi frowned and instinctively asked a question in return.

"Are all your civil and military officials present?"

Su Qingluan gave a soft "hmm," which was taken as acquiescence.

"Then I won't go."

Xu Yi refused without even thinking.

"If I go, countless people will think I'm your male lover, and more importantly, it will create a negative image for you."

Su Qingluan scoffed and reached out to pinch Xu Yi's chin.

"Tsk tsk, shouldn't the most important part be the first sentence? Are you afraid of being mistaken for a male concubine and losing face?"

Xu Yi's thoughts were exposed, and his face turned red.

"Cough cough..."

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Su Qingluan's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible smile, before she spoke calmly.

"Since you're not going, then we won't do it..."

"Well, it's not like we have to cancel it."

Xu Yi quickly waved his hand, his tone tinged with helplessness.

"It doesn't matter whether I'm there or not, you should go if you want to."

Su Qingluan turned slightly, responded casually, and nodded.

"Yeah, that's true, it's the same whether you're here or not."

"It's just that I don't want to go anymore. We've done it so many times, it's gotten boring."

Xu Yi stood up, looked at Su Qingluan's exquisite profile, and asked...

"Why did your mood worsen?"

Upon hearing this, Su Qingluan could no longer contain herself. A flash of anger crossed her eyes, and she raised her foot to sweep it towards Xu Yi's knee.

Xu Yi was caught off guard and was swept to the ground.

Su Qingluan looked down at him, raised her leg and gently pressed her jade-like foot against Xu Yi's chest to prevent him from getting up, her tone tinged with a hint of gritted teeth.

"You have the nerve to ask? You have to make me happy today..."

Xu Yi was suffocating from being stepped on and couldn't help but protest.

"Please don't step on me with your stinky feet that have been on the floor."

Upon hearing this, Su Qingluan gently ground it.

"It smells good even after you've stepped on it!"

She looked down at Xu Yi's frustrated expression, her gaze gradually darkening, her tone carrying a hint of threat.

"You're still angry with me even now. I'd rather turn you into steamed buns and eat you..."

Seeing Su Qingluan about to turn evil, Xu Yi quickly raised his hand and moved forward.

"Stop, stop, stop! You'll regret it if you do that!"

"I'll make sure you have a happy birthday."