The eunuch in the cold palace: You get the Nine Yang Divine Skill right from the start!

Upon hearing this, Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and his hand, which was reaching for the jade box, paused for a moment.

Sure enough, the emperor's things are not so easy to take.

What I fear most is that the other party might propose something detrimental to Xiao Yishu.

Chu Chengjing said with some displeasure, "You're unwilling to serve me?"

"I owe my current position entirely to Your Majesty's appreciation. How could I possibly refuse?" Shen Mo said calmly, holding the jade box in his hand. He decided to ignore the emperor's conditions for now and focus on getting the benefits first.

Chu Chengjing waved his hand: "You are where you are today mostly because of the Empress's favor. My judgment is not as good as hers! You don't need to worry, it's just a small matter."

"No matter what, I will do my utmost and go through fire and water without hesitation!" Shen Mo felt relieved, and naturally, he appeared even more loyal.

"Accompany me to the Cold Palace."

Shen Mo was secretly puzzled.

The emperor is actually going to the cold palace?

Chu Chengjing said calmly, "After the Jiang family's demise, someone needs to manage the businesses they owned, otherwise it will cause trouble!"

Shen Mo suddenly realized.

After the Jiang family falls, their businesses will inevitably attract countless people, and who knows what kind of chaos will ensue.

Rather than letting someone else benefit, why not let... Liu Ruyan benefit?

Yes, given the Liu family's status, they are fully capable of taking over the entire Jiang family business. This also shows that the emperor seems to intend to cultivate the Liu family again.

"Your Majesty, I wish to accompany you on this journey. May I ask when we may depart?"

"Now!"

The Cold Palace.

When the imperial carriage appeared outside the gate, all the eunuchs in the Cold Palace were on high alert. Unlike other parts of the palace, the Cold Palace could only see the emperor a handful of times each year.

Having seen him so infrequently, they naturally felt even greater fear of this supreme ruler.

Chu Chengjing stepped down from the imperial carriage, and Xiao Xizi greeted him, kneeling respectfully and saying, "Xiao Xizi, the steward of the Cold Palace, greets Your Majesty!"

"Little Xizi, you've done a good job managing the Cold Palace."

Chu Chengjing looked around and then praised him.

Xiao Xizi lowered his head and said, "I dare not take credit. It was all thanks to Chief Steward Shen who laid the foundation. I am merely a servant who planted the trees for future generations to enjoy the shade."

Shen Mo, standing behind the emperor, nodded inwardly. "Little Xizi, you certainly know how to talk."

However, he was well aware that this was not his achievement alone.

After he left, Xiao Xizi indeed managed the Cold Palace very well. It should be noted that it takes decades to plant a tree, but only a few days to cut it down.

"You don't need to flatter Xiao Mozi; I already know his capabilities."

Chu Chengjing turned to look at Shen Mo and saw that he was neither arrogant nor impatient, so he couldn't help but nod in approval.

Afterwards, the group entered the Cold Palace.

As soon as he entered, a penetrating chill appeared. Even though Chu Chengjing was already at the Blood Core Realm, he still felt a bone-chilling cold.

"The chill of this cold palace is just as strong as ever!"

"Your Majesty, I have never known the origin of this cold air. May I ask Your Majesty to enlighten me?"

Shen Mo raised a question at the opportune moment: the origin of the coldness in the Cold Palace had always been a secret.

If anyone in the entire palace knew the secrets within, it would be none other than the emperor.

Chu Chengjing shook his head and said, "I don't know where this cold air comes from either. I only know that it existed in the time of our ancestors. For hundreds of years, countless people have tried to explore its mysteries, but to no avail."

"I see." Shen Mo frowned inwardly. The origin of the cold atmosphere in the Cold Palace was so mysterious that even the emperor did not know the specifics.

Soon, the group arrived at Hall Number Eighteen.

Liu Ruyan and Ning'er were already waiting at the door.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

The two greeted each other, one in front and one behind.

Chu Chengjing actually stepped forward to help Liu Ruyan up, saying, "My beloved consort, please rise. There is no need for such vulgar formalities in front of me."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Although Liu Ruyan said "thank you," there was no trace of gratitude on her face; her expression was as calm as still water.

"Fragrant Concubine, you've lost weight compared to before."

Chu Chengjing sighed softly, then changed the subject: "I wish to give you something; would you be willing to accept it?"

"If Your Majesty bestows a gift, I dare not refuse!"

Upon hearing this, a hint of displeasure flashed in Chu Chengjing's eyes. The more polite Liu Ruyan was, the more it proved that she wanted to keep her distance from him.

So, too lazy to beat around the bush, he went straight to the point:

"You should know that the entire Jiang family has been imprisoned in the Eastern Depot's death row, and Jiang Ningyue has been banished to the Cold Palace. I intend to let your Liu family take over the Jiang family's business as compensation to you for all these years."

He stared into Liu Ruyan's eyes, hoping to see gratitude, excitement, or goodwill, but he was greatly disappointed.

Liu Ruyan's brows were furrowed, as if she was struggling with something.

Finally, it all turned into a soft sigh.

"Your Majesty, please rescind your decree! Many of the concubines in the harem come from merchant families; the Liu family is not fortunate enough to have such a lineage!"

Everyone held their breath, including Shen Mo.

No one expected that Liu Ruyan would refuse Chu Chengjing's reward. This was tantamount to Liu Ruyan slapping the emperor across the face when he offered his favor with a smile.

Even ordinary people know the principle of not hitting a smiling face, let alone an emperor.

really.

Chu Chengjing's face instantly turned cold, and the surrounding air seemed to drop several degrees.

"Fragrant Concubine, are you still blaming me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not! It's just that the Liu family has experienced many ups and downs over the years, and we've finally managed to catch our breath. We only wish to do some small business to make a living and have no time to take over the Jiang family's business."

A thousand words can be summed up in three: I disagree!

Chu Chengjing took a deep breath and nodded, saying, "This matter can be put aside for now. I have indeed wronged you over the years, and I intend to let you return to the harem!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I have grown accustomed to being in the Cold Palace and do not wish to leave."

Liu Ruyan spoke in the most submissive tone, yet with the most assertive words, her expression remaining calm, as if she were facing not an emperor who held the power of life and death over a country, but an ordinary person.

No one expected her to make this decision.

A concubine who had been banished to the cold palace for many years actually refused to leave.

"Then you'd better watch yourself!"

Chu Chengjing had no more desire to stay, and after uttering a single sentence, he turned and left.

Many eunuchs cast sympathetic glances at Liu Ruyan; she would probably never be able to leave the Cold Palace in her lifetime.

Shen Mo also left with the group, but after returning to his residence, he quietly went back again.

They scaled the wall and entered the cold palace, arriving at courtyard number eighteen.

Shen Mo hugged Liu Ruyan and said worriedly, "Ruyan, I was really worried that the emperor would order your death in a fit of anger."

"I was prepared to die at that time."

Liu Ruyan said with a bitter smile, "All the suffering I've endured over the years, can it all be wiped away with just one sentence from him? And I have to be grateful to him?"

That's not me, Liu Ruyan!

At that time, she was actually prepared to offend the emperor and be sentenced to death.

Even if it meant death, she would rather die than return to the emperor's side and live an unhappy life.

"That's tough!"

Shen Mo couldn't help but give a thumbs up in praise, and Liu Ruyan giggled, "Is it hard? How does it compare to yours?"

The two smiled at each other, and thus began a beautiful night.

That night, she acted unusually wildly and proactively, as if she intended to add another huge hat to the emperor's already green head.