The Emperor System sneered at Zhao Yunqi, "You told me not to provoke her over trivial matters, but this time you've brought this upon yourself. You knew she would never agree, and look at you now, in front of so many people, you're even losing your imperial dignity."

Zhao Yunqi said calmly, "At least let them see with their own eyes her disrespect for elders, and that I, the emperor, will be forced to tolerate her in every way. Only then will the people's hearts be with me when I deal with her."

The Emperor System scoffed, "Then I must remind you, don't overdo it. You can only run rampant after the Crown Prince is chosen and the world is at peace."

"Why are you now asking me to back down?" Zhao Yun asked curiously.

The Emperor System stiffly replied, "I understand now. Xiao Zhixing is impervious to both soft and hard tactics. We really can't do anything about her right now. Even if we frame her and take her down, she can still break out and even provide her with an excuse to rebel. You're right. At this time, we can only show her kindness and patience to keep her in check. There's no other way."

It considered poisoning and assassination, but ultimately shelved these ideas because it wasn't entirely confident it would succeed.

Fortunately, she revealed her Heavenly Rank strength, letting them know her true capabilities and preventing some unexpected incidents from happening in advance.

Zhao Yunqi: "It's good that you think that way. I am also unwilling to be controlled and want to annoy her occasionally so that I can feel a little better. Otherwise, I will go crazy sooner or later."

He used to tolerate Xiao Yan and the old Yin family, and now he has to tolerate Xiao Zhixing. He hasn't gone crazy; he has already pushed his self-control to the extreme.

"Whatever you want," the Emperor System said calmly, sensing his thoughts.

After the conversation ended, Zhao Yunqi, facing the ambiguous gazes of everyone in the hall, gave a helpless smile. "How could Yuansheng presume to know me like that? Marriage is a joyous occasion that lasts a hundred years. Since neither of you has this intention, I will naturally not play the villain."

Some people couldn't help but frown, looking at Xiao Zhixing with extreme vigilance. How could His Majesty be so tolerant of her?

Some people felt a pang of sorrow; how could a monarch maintain his dignity when he was being so oppressed by his subjects?

Most people remained calm and expressionless, revealing no thoughts whatsoever.

Xiao Yuanshan, however, felt a deep sense of fear.

The emperor's leniency towards his daughter did not make him feel proud; instead, it filled him with a wild, wary vigilance.

Throughout history, the most formidable rulers have always been those who could endure hardship.

He looked at Xiao Zhixing with concern.

Xiao Zhixing smiled and said, "Your Majesty is wise and understanding of your subject's good intentions."

She could hear the conversation between the emperor and the imperial system, but she didn't quite believe their conversation; both sides were definitely deceiving and hiding things from each other.

This is intuition.

She wanted to see when they would turn against each other in the future.

Now that things have gone as she predicted, all she needs to do is stride confidently toward her goal.

As for a rollover, that's impossible.

Zhao Yunqi is so patient; she will put in even more effort to help him cultivate into the ultimate Ninja Turtle.

Xiong Chumo and the other two immediately shouted "Long live the Emperor!" and quickly retreated, fearing that if they were too slow, the Emperor would drag them out again to arrange marriages haphazardly.

Zhao Yunqi turned to Feng Liyan, as if nothing had just happened, and laughed, "Feng Qing, I'll find a more capable wife for your fifth son?"

Feng Liyan should reply, "Your Majesty, please grant us a marriage!"

“The second daughter of Zhao Shaofu’s family is quite feisty, and also beautiful and intelligent. She will surely be able to guide your fifth son onto the right path.”

Feng Liyan was overjoyed, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Zhao Zhong, who had remained silent, rose with his wife to express their gratitude. They must have known about the emperor's arrangement beforehand, as there was no surprise on their faces.

Xiao Zhixing glanced at them with his hands in his sleeves. Several eunuchs quickly swept the floor clean and swiftly prepared a new mat for her.

Zhao Shaofu, Zhao Zhong? Zhao Yunqi's cousin within four degrees of kinship.

The other party is still the current deputy patriarch of the Zhao family, the one who failed to be sent out last time, and a staunch supporter of Zhao Yunqi.

Zhao Yunqi was compensating the Feng family for their previous great victory and also trying to win them over.

Xiao Zhixing had no objections. As long as it wasn't a leopard tally, she wouldn't object to whatever reward the emperor wanted to bestow upon her family.

Some people might say, "If you're so capable, why don't you just completely crush the Feng and Zhang families?"

You don't understand, do you?

In this court, there must be voices opposing you. You must always make the emperor feel that you are not all-powerful and have absolute control over everything. Otherwise, you are forcing the emperor to fight you to the death.

She hasn't yet rightfully secured the position of Crown Prince, so she can't completely break ties with the Emperor and is enduring it.

Both sides are holding back.

The subtleties, tensions, balances, games, showdowns, probing, and advances and retreats within this are endlessly fascinating.

Many viewers in the live stream were also analyzing this kind of thing, and she occasionally caught a glimpse of it and even gained some insights.

All I can say is that everything is a teacher, and I am a teacher to everything!

The banquet returned to normal, and the Empress Dowager, who had been silent all along, suddenly beckoned to Xiao Zhixing, "Yuansheng, come here, this is your New Year's money."

Xiao Zhixing was slightly taken aback, then reluctantly got up and walked over to accept the thick, exquisite purse with both hands. "Thank you, Your Majesty. I am already an official in the court, why would I need a New Year's gift?"

The Empress Dowager patted her hand with a smile, "Yuansheng is only fifteen years old. In my eyes, even if you are sixty, you still need to receive New Year's money."

Xiao Zhixing sighed inwardly, solemnly placed the purse in his bosom, and smiled amiably, "This humble subject thanks you for your blessing."

"Hehe, yes, yes, I wish you good fortune and prosperity in the new year, and that everything goes smoothly."

The old man and the young boy chatted and laughed freely, which made Xiao Yuanshan turn his head frequently.

Others would occasionally glance at him, glancing at Xiao Yuanshan, glancing at the Emperor.

Everyone was watching the two people's true reactions.

At this moment, a strained Dasheng Mandarin voice rang out, "Xiahou Gong, the Left Chancellor of the Southern Barbarians, greets His Majesty the Great Sheng. May His Majesty the Great Sheng enjoy boundless blessings and good health."

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