Only after unifying the world did I realize that immortals existed in this world.

It's quite rare to hear such a sharp-tongued girl say something like that.

Xie Cangrong, unusually, didn't tease her. Meeting Gong Qiao's sincere gaze, he simply smiled gently, his eyebrows curving slightly, and lightly stroked the top of her head with his palm: "Okay~".

"I know of your sincere and devoted heart, my dear minister."

They simply agreed and remained silent.

Given the relationship between Gong Qiao and Xie Cangrong, there was no need for such words of loyalty. In the heat of the moment, she spoke without thinking, but after regaining her senses, she felt somewhat embarrassed.

Gong Qiao actually hoped Xie Cangrong would say something witty to tease her, so she could retort with a sarcastic retort. But now, meeting his gaze, Gong Qiao couldn't help but look away, her face gradually warming.

The silence wasn't out of unfamiliarity, but rather, this quietness gradually imbued the surrounding atmosphere with a subtle, unsettling quality...

Hey, shut up, say something.

While her brilliant mind was racing, the person beside her bent down, gently placing their hand on her legs as she sat in her wheelchair, and a tender voice reached her ears: "I believe you can achieve my wish, Mr. Qing! So... don't rush, don't be nervous, I will never urge you, nor will I blame you, just take it one step at a time."

Gong Qiao paused upon hearing this…

Therefore, it is not without reason that so many people follow this most wicked person wholeheartedly, going through fire and water for him, and risking their lives for him.

People's hearts are indeed easily won over...

How stupid!

So is she.

Gong Qiao's face remained as calm and composed as ever, but she unconsciously tilted her head slightly: "Your Majesty, the Ordnance Bureau has matters to attend to, I... Your Majesty, I must take my leave."

Her slender, pale hands quietly gripped the armrests of the wheelchair.

Damn wheel, spin faster!!

"Really?"

"Are you leaving already?"

Xie Cangrong looked at Gong Qiao with some concern: "My dear minister, there's always more work to be done! Don't overwork yourself. It's rare for us to meet today, and I was thinking of taking you horseback riding and hunting to relax!"

Gong Qiao: ...

So this guy isn't a good person.

He feigned concern, but was actually teasing. He rarely referred to himself as "朕" (the imperial "I") in private conversations, yet he loved to put on airs when joking.

She couldn't help but roll her eyes at Xie Cangrong, pointing to her leg: "Your Majesty, I'm a cripple!"

What kind of horse does a cripple ride?

"So what if someone is lame? Who says a lame person can't ride a horse?"

Xie Cangrong raised an eyebrow, intrigued: "This year for the New Year, I'll host a grand event for all of you to enjoy together. There will be a poetry gathering and a martial arts competition. Let's form a polo team and see who dares to stop us from winning!"

Gong Qiao: ...

In this whole world, only His Majesty would speak to her like this.

……

As the sun sets, its golden rays cast a warm glow, illuminating the beautiful woman's face.

Gong Qiao finally took her leave, and the maid pushed her wheelchair across the palace path.

Wherever he went, guards, servants, and officials all bowed respectfully. Everyone in the imperial city knew that only one person could appear here in a wheelchair, and that person... deserved their absolute reverence.

Seeing everyone around bowing their heads, the maid pushing Gong Qiao forward couldn't help but raise her eyebrows and exclaim, "His Majesty is so good to his mistress!"

How impressive!

Looking across the world, how many people can enjoy Xie Cangrong's trust and courtesy like Gong Qiao? Even Lord Liu and Lord Qi... they might not be as good as her!

Gong Qiao was lost in thought the whole time, and no one knew what she was thinking.

Hearing the maid's reply, she came to her senses, frowned, and said in a colder tone, "Lingqian, you have followed me for a long time, you should know what I dislike."

This master is beautiful, but unfortunately, she is cold-hearted and intimidating. Fortunately, she is reasonable and won't make things difficult for her servants without reason; in fact, she treats them quite well.

But if you violate her taboos, then you'll be in trouble.

Ling Qian was immediately startled, her mind reeling. She hurriedly apologized and tried to kneel down, saying, "My lady, please forgive me! This servant... this servant did not mean to..."

Before he could finish speaking, Gong Qiao helped him up: "Don't let this happen again."

We're still in the palace!

You are not strict with your subordinates; don't let Xie Cangrong find out.

"Thank you... thank you, Master..."

Lingqian felt as if she had been granted a pardon, thanked him repeatedly, and pushed the wheelchair back up, even more carefully.

Gong Qiao glanced at the palace guards around her and said calmly, "His Majesty treats every loyal subject who upholds the Great Xia well, and I am no exception."

"You're not allowed to say things like that again."

She hasn't gotten cocky yet!

The waitress who was pushing her cart floated up first.

If Xie Cangrong found out, she would lose face big time.

Lingqian lowered her head and replied, "Yes!"

Gong Qiao leaned back in her chair, gazing at the setting sun on the horizon, recalling every detail of her meeting with Xie Cangrong that day, every word she had spoken… Her sharp eyes gradually softened, as if she were somewhat intoxicated, her lips moved slightly, her voice barely audible: “He likes things that are useful…”

Remembering the vow she made to Xie Cangrong, Gong Qiao cleared her mind of all thoughts and threw herself into her work, a jumble of information swirling in her head. Her brain worked, calculating the obstacles the Ordnance Bureau was encountering in its research and inventions, pondering the source of power for cultivators, and devising experiments to uncover the secrets of the destroyed wooden boat…

If anyone could peek into the thoughts in her mind, they would probably be overwhelmed by the vast amount of information and calculations within her.

Just then, as her thoughts drifted, she suddenly felt the distant sunset's light intensify, seemingly filling her entire field of vision. She shuddered, and the vow she made with Xie Cangrong echoed repeatedly in her ears. She felt as if she had stepped into a mysterious and indescribable realm...

My mind wandered, and I seemed to hear a cacophony of sounds in my ears, and bizarre, illusory images appeared before my eyes... This broken body seemed to be gradually being filled with an incomprehensible power.

She gently placed her hands on the armrests of the wheelchair, and at the same time, the entire wheelchair materialized in her mind… Compared to the exquisite creations of the Ordnance Bureau, this wooden and iron wheelchair was undoubtedly extremely simple in structure. She could break it down into its most basic parts in her mind, and even… control it.

"Forehead……"

Lingqian, terrified, dared not speak again, but obediently pushed her mistress forward. Gong Qiao also remained silent, and the atmosphere became somewhat quiet.

Suddenly, Lingqian's arm sank, and the wheelchair came to a sudden stop!

Gong Qiao was not heavy, and usually pushed around very easily, but now she was rooted to the spot and did not move an inch.

Lingqian was terrified and quickly looked at the ground, thinking she was stuck. But this was the imperial palace; the ground was flat, and every bluestone had been carefully repaired, so it was impossible for her to be stuck.

Having just angered Gong Qiao, she looked nervous and said, "Master, this... I..."

Gong Qiao suddenly opened her eyes, without any hint of blame, but her eyes gleamed: "It's alright, you can let go now."

"what?"

Lingqian subconsciously let go of her hand.

Then, the stuck wheel began to slowly turn on its own...