The wicked imperial concubine is courting death again; the comments section teaches her how to win w

The hall was warm and cozy, with the charcoal fire crackling softly.

Outside the palace, snow began to fall again.

Near the west side of the Hall of Mental Cultivation is a bamboo forest. In winter, the bamboo is dormant, and the bamboo shoots lie quietly underground, waiting to sprout when the spring water flows.

Perhaps because it was too close to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the heat from the earth dragon seeped into the snow and actually melted a small patch of frozen soil.

The cool, slightly sweet snow water flowed slowly down the tiny cracks.

Sensing the moisture, the tender bamboo shoots couldn't help but stir slightly in the depths of winter, reaching towards the ground as if lured by the warmth, wanting to absorb more moisture and warmth.

In order to stretch its roots hidden under the soil in this out-of-season season.

So that it can become more... robust in the coming year.

……

Xie Ling ultimately failed to see things through to the end.

Qi Yitang's physical strength is usually not up to par, let alone after being frightened during a trip. She hasn't eaten or slept well these past two days, and she still has injuries and a low-grade fever.

The imperial physician said that the patient was weak and needed to rest for a while, and that it was not advisable to have sex hastily.

Even the passionate kiss just now left Qi Yitang feeling dizzy and limp, lying weakly in Xie Ling's arms, unable to lift her hands and feet, let alone engage in any real physical activity.

"Go to sleep." Xie Ling lay on her side, facing Qi Yitang, and wrapped her arms around her. "I'll stay with you."

Although she couldn't quite handle it, Qi Yitang finally had a sense of "I'm back, and we'll never be apart again" after all that fooling around.

Her eyelids drooped heavily, and she hummed in response.

Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, she suddenly struggled to open her eyes a crack and groggily hooked her finger around his.

"By the way, Yanzhi," her voice was muffled, "you brought Chizheng back, but what about Yuanshu?"

"He's not dead."

What kind of answer is that?

Qi Yitang frowned. "Actually, this has nothing to do with them, nor with Yunzhu and Yunying. Don't—"

"Tangtang is still alive, but if you plead for them again, I cannot guarantee their safety."

He reached out and covered her eyes with his hand, his palm dry and warm. "Sleep."

Who taught him to be so domineering?

Qi Yitang was a little angry, but she didn't have much strength. She just pinched him lightly, then buried her face in his chest and hmph!

Who cares, we'll talk about it after I wake up!

……

Over the next few days, Qi Yitang finally figured out where she was.

It is the innermost room of the Hall of Mental Cultivation—said to be the place where the emperors of the previous dynasty meditated and worshipped Buddha. It was later abandoned. After Xie Ling ascended the throne, he ordered people to break down the wall connecting it to the sleeping quarters and transform it into a secluded living room.

Apart from the emperor himself and his trusted confidant Li Degui, no other unauthorized personnel will be allowed to enter.

It really is a good place to imprison.

What alarmed Qi Yitang even more was that the arrangement of this hall could not possibly have been prepared in just a few days.

Xie Ling probably had this idea for a long time, but just hadn't taken any action yet.

After being kidnapped and brought back, Xie Ling kept his word and forbade her from leaving the palace, let alone the main hall. Her activities were confined to this small area.

However, apart from this "domineering" aspect, everything else is pretty much the same as before.

If you want to eat something or need something, just say a word, and someone will bring it to you in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

In fact, Xie Ling used to handle government affairs in the Imperial Study, but now she has Li Degui bring all the memorials over and approve them right under her nose.

Even during meals, he insisted on being fed spoonful by spoonful.

"Come on, open your mouth."

"Yanzhi, I'm really all better now," Qi Yitang said helplessly.

When I was feeling a bit weak a few days ago, it was alright; it could barely be considered fun.

Several days have passed, and her limbs are still intact. She carries her everywhere she goes and feeds her right up to her mouth—giving Qi Yitang the illusion that she is in postpartum confinement.

She's been eating so comfortably these past few days that the chickens in the imperial kitchen have suffered. They've been cooked in all sorts of braised, boiled, and stewed dishes; the chickens probably flutter their wings and fly away at the sight of her.

"No, you're not better yet." Xie Ling was incredibly stubborn. "Come on, drink another sip. Only after you drink it will you get better."

Qi Yitang was forced to open her mouth.

Soon, the bowl of chicken soup was finished. Looking at her slightly protruding belly, Xie Ling was finally satisfied, and her expression softened.

"Are you sleepy? Let me carry you to rest."

"Wait—" Qi Yitang shrank back in resistance.

These days, she sleeps until late morning, eats lunch and then sleeps some more. When she opens her eyes, it's already evening. She eats dinner again and then opens her eyes again the next morning.

For a few days he took leave from court and the two of them were having sex. When he woke up, he even found... something hidden inside.

Is this really true?!

Even the strongest pillar in the sky would need a floatation bag!

Qi Yitang felt a sense of wasted time, as if she hadn't done anything and the days had just passed by in a daze. This was really not right at all!

"Yanzhi, sit down, let's have a good talk."

Xie Ling was quite patient. "What does Tangtang want to talk about?"

"I only have minor injuries, they're almost healed now, you don't need to be so paranoid..." Seemingly remembering something, Qi Yitang asked suspiciously, "You're not planning to lock me up for life, are you?"

"Is that not allowed?"

Xie Ling spoke calmly, completely unaware that what she was saying was terrifying.

Qi Yitang's eyes widened: "Of course not! How could you have such a dangerous idea!"

Previously, fearing that Qi Yitang would be bored, Xie Ling took a step back and allowed Yunzhu and Yunying to take turns keeping her company.

But she must have been warned in private. When Yunzhu came to see her, her eyes were red. The girl who used to love to laugh was now just keeping her head down and doing her work, and she spoke much less.

Qi Yitang also heard that her fourth brother and cousin had sent invitations several times to visit her in the palace, but they were turned away each time.

She could only send a message through Chi Zheng, telling her that she was alright and that her family shouldn't worry.

That's all fine.

But—she is the Empress, the head of the harem. Although there aren't many people in the harem, have you ever seen an Empress locked in a room, unable to even leave the house? Wouldn't that make her a caged bird?

She finally got to this position, and she wanted to use her status as empress to hold a few banquets and show off her power.

Now everything's ruined.

"Yanzhi, this is absolutely wrong," Qi Yitang said seriously. "I am your husband, not a maid you bought from outside... Even if I were a maid you bought, you can't do something so heinous. This is completely wrong."

"But," Xie Ling stroked her cheek, "only in this way will you be safe."

Qi Yitang knew that Xie Ling's disappearance had greatly affected her, but she didn't expect it to be this serious.

She originally thought that after returning, she would at most be confined to the palace and not allowed to leave, but who would have thought that she wouldn't even be able to leave the palace gates.

"No, Yanzhi, it really was just an accident last time. I promise I'll try my best not to leave the palace in the future, and that way nothing will happen."

Xie Ling: "Tangtang, no one can guarantee that the people in the palace are 100% loyal. They also have families and weaknesses. If someone uses their families to blackmail you and tricks you out of my life, taking you away from me..."

The deep darkness in his dark eyes sent a shiver down Qi Yitang's spine.

"I would go mad if I did that."