"I have no interest in taking on disciples." Liu Yue shook her head. In her past life, she had two disciples, to whom she taught almost everything she knew, but—one of them betrayed her without hesitation.

Although it didn't have any impact on her.

But ultimately, human nature is unpredictable.

Upon hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed across Sheng Xiaoyao's eyes, and she clenched her hands tightly together.

"However, if you want to pursue the path of alchemy, this might be useful to you." Liu Yue took out a book on alchemy from her spatial storage, the scroll exuding an ancient aura.

"If you can thoroughly understand this book, I might consider taking you as my apprentice."

"Really? Thank you, Miss!" The little demon was overjoyed. She took the scroll and put it in her bosom like a precious treasure. "Thank you, Miss. I will definitely live up to your expectations."

"Alright, go back and take care of your brother." Jun Liuyue waved her hand and turned to leave the courtyard.

"Yes, Miss!" Sheng Xiaoyao exclaimed joyfully, "Miss, I will definitely become your disciple! I will become your apprentice!!!"

=========

Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Ha, she's quite good at winning people's hearts."

Feng Chenlan raised his hand and swept the mirror in front of him, freezing the image on it. It was the scene of Nalan Yao standing on the city tower, enjoying the worship of thousands of people.

“Yes, Your Majesty, I have investigated. The Deng family has intricate connections with the Empress. It’s impossible for the Empress not to know about this!” It was Prince Jin, Feng Jinzhi, who spoke.

He is also Feng Chenlan's younger brother, born of the same mother.

Feng Chenlan also sent Feng Jinzhi to thoroughly investigate the Deng family matter.

The details are absolutely appalling! How many lives did the Deng family take over in those ten years? The victims wanted to expose the true face of the Deng family and seek justice! But all the news was suppressed.

Not a single word got out. How could the Deng family alone have accomplished this?

"Jinzhi, do you have any evidence?"

Feng Chenlan took a sip of tea and said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jinzhi choked. Indeed, all of this was just his speculation, without any substantial evidence.

"She did it so discreetly, putting all the blame on the Deng family!" Feng Jinzhi said through gritted teeth.

"Since that's the case, let's not bring this up again. I have already made my decision."

Upon hearing this, Feng Jinzhi didn't say anything more.

He changed the subject, saying, "However, there really isn't a single clue about the girl that you asked me to investigate, Your Majesty."

Feng Jinzhi stroked his chin, "It's really intriguing that they managed to evade the Imperial Guards and sneak into the palace at night."

What kind of girl is she? She's an extraordinary woman!

“She has a bit of Ali in her.”

Feng Chenlan placed the white chess piece on the board and slowly began to speak.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jinzhi froze, "Could it be..."

“Impossible.” Feng Chenlan shook his head. “She can’t come back. Besides, the girl last night was only in her early twenties. It couldn’t be her.”

Feng Chenlan gave Feng Jinzhi a deep look.

He had thought about what Feng Jinzhi was thinking.

But that's impossible.

"Why!"

Feng Jinzhi sighed, not daring to voice his thoughts, lest his elder brother suffer for a while longer.

"Your Majesty, the Empress requests an audience."

Outside the hall, Eunuch Wu's voice rang out.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jinzhi's expression changed slightly, and he immediately stood up: "Your Majesty, I suddenly remembered that I have something to attend to, so please excuse me."

“Okay, go ahead.” Feng Chenlan nodded.

Feng Jinzhi turned to leave, and as he passed the palace gate, he bumped into Nalan Yao.

Feng Jinzhi walked past Nalan Yao expressionlessly, as if the woman beside him were invisible.

"Your Highness Prince Jin," Nalan Yao said with a smile, "You've finally managed to enter the palace, why not stay a little longer?"

Nalan Yao stopped and looked at Feng Jinzhi with pride.

Feng Jinzhi had no choice but to stop. "No need," he said. "I suddenly remembered that I have something to attend to, so I'll take my leave now."

"When you see me, you don't even address me as 'Imperial Sister-in-law'?" Nalan Yao narrowed her eyes and said.

Upon hearing this, Feng Jinzhi paused slightly, then smiled and said, "May Your Majesty the Empress enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

Nalan Yao's face twisted in disbelief. She was now the Empress! How dare a mere prince be so disrespectful to her!

"Your Highness Prince Jin is now in your thirties and has no concubines in your household. I happen to have a cousin. How about I bestow her upon you as a concubine?"

"Such good fortune is beyond my ability to enjoy. Since she is my cousin, why not be sisters for life? Let her enter the palace and become a Noble Consort. That way, Her Majesty the Empress can see her cousin every day. It's a wonderful sisterly bond."

Feng Jinzhi spoke with a smile, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Nalan Yao was furious. "After all these years, His Highness Prince Jin's tongue is still as sharp as ever!"

"I wouldn't dare accept such praise. I just performed as usual," Feng Jinzhi said with a smile. "Your Majesty's harem is indeed empty. No wonder the Empress is bored. Another day, I will definitely advise Your Majesty to take in a few more concubines so that the Empress can have some company."

Feng Jinzhi said with a smile, but what she said was enough to make anyone furious.

Nalan Yao had prepared a bunch of sarcastic remarks, but when she heard Feng Jinzhi's poisonous words, she swallowed them back.

"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave now." Feng Jinzhi gave a perfunctory bow and turned to leave.

Crack! The Buddhist prayer beads that Nalan Yao was spinning in her hand were shattered by spiritual power, turning into dust that scattered everywhere with the wind.

"Feng Jinzhi!!" Nalan Yao gritted her teeth. If looks could kill, Feng Jinzhi would probably have been torn to pieces by now.

After a while.

Nalan Yao turned and entered the main hall.

"His Majesty."

She gracefully bowed and said, "I have completed all the tasks you entrusted to me. This is chicken soup that I personally prepared, made with spirit beast chicken. Would Your Majesty like to try it?"

Nalan Yao carried the porcelain bowl and walked to Feng Chenlan's side.

"No need, I have already eaten." Feng Chenlan waved his hand.

"Now that the Deng family's affairs have been settled and there is nothing else to do, Your Majesty should go back and rest early."

Feng Chenlan didn't even glance at the woman; his gaze remained fixed on the memorials the entire time.

"Your Majesty, don't you want to see me?" Nalan Yao said, feeling extremely aggrieved.

Feng Chenlan paused slightly, looked at Nalan Yao, and saw that familiar face. But when she thought about how the soul in this body was no longer that person, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her.

"I have said that as long as you behave yourself, you can be the empress for life."

"Why, why! It's clearly the same face, yet you won't even glance at me? It's clearly her...it's her who stole everything from me!!" Nalan Yao clenched her fists: "Why do you all like that bitch so much!"

"Shut up!"

Feng Chenlan grabbed Nalan Yao's chin, "You are not worthy to speak to her like that!"

"You also think I shouldn't take all of this back? I should just let that wandering ghost occupy my body and live out my life freely and unrestrained?" Nalan Yao laughed heartily.