The two of them started drinking tea, and the atmosphere surprisingly became quite peaceful for a moment.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager should smile more often. Don't always act like an Empress Dowager. It makes you look too old," the Imperial Advisor said.

"I'm already over forty, do you expect me to still chatter like a little girl?" The Empress Dowager couldn't help but roll her eyes at him.

“Look, isn’t this just right?” the Imperial Advisor said.

The Empress Dowager was momentarily speechless. She had originally intended to say something, but now she lost interest and simply prepared to drink the strong tea that was placed in front of her.

"Hey!" The Imperial Advisor quickly reached out and took the teacup from the Empress Dowager's hand. Tea spilled all over his hand, but luckily it wasn't hot.

"What are you doing now?" the Empress Dowager asked, her face darkening.

“I’ve seen that you’ve already drunk several cups. You don’t sleep well, and drinking so much tea will only make you sleepless again. Besides, this cup of strong tea is too bitter, which is what you dislike the most.” The Imperial Advisor changed the cup and poured the Empress Dowager a cup of water.

"Let's have another cup," the national advisor said.

The Empress Dowager's eyes flickered slightly, but she didn't speak. Instead, she silently picked up the glass of water, took a small sip, and looked somewhat surprised.

"Why is it sweet?" the Empress Dowager asked without thinking.

“I know you find plain water tasteless, so I specially prepared sweet soup, which used to be your favorite,” the Imperial Advisor said.

The Empress Dowager looked at the Imperial Advisor.

"What? Is Your Majesty moved?" the Imperial Advisor asked. The Empress Dowager almost rolled her eyes at him.

"The Emperor is looking for you?" The Empress Dowager didn't want to talk about such trivial matters. So she changed the subject. Upon hearing this, the Grand Preceptor's smile faded considerably.

"The Empress Dowager's information network is always so efficient," the Imperial Advisor said.

"What did you say?" The Empress Dowager did not answer her question.

The expression on the Imperial Advisor's face gradually became indifferent.

"Gu Yin, you know my purpose." The Empress Dowager's eyes showed a hint of urgency.

“Yes, but… I’m not willing.” Gu Yin looked at the Empress Dowager.

"You've already agreed, and things have come to this point. Is there any room for maneuver?" The Empress Dowager's emotions gradually became agitated.

"I am the Imperial Advisor. As long as I want, everything can still be done." When the Imperial Advisor said this, his aura changed somewhat.

"Gu Yin! You shouldn't have gone back on your word! You already promised me!" the Empress Dowager roared.

"I did promise you, but what did I promise you? So you lied to me first, didn't you?" The Grand Preceptor's eyes turned red.

"But what can I do? I have no choice!" The Empress Dowager lost her composure.

The Imperial Advisor fell silent upon seeing the Empress Dowager's current state. The two remained locked in a standoff, neither willing to compromise.

Finally, the Imperial Advisor broke the silence: "Can't you see what I mean? So what reason do you think I have to agree to this?" There was a hint of helplessness in the Imperial Advisor's voice.

The Empress Dowager's eyes darted away: "Gu Yin, just consider it a debt I owe you. Promise me, okay? I have to do this, you know that, so you can understand, right?" The Empress Dowager's tone had lost its previous forcefulness.

"Let me think..." The Imperial Advisor seemed somewhat powerless. He suddenly regretted coming today...