Ning Qing found the emperor's fake smiles and insincere concern utterly boring; a real fight would have been far more satisfying.

Fortunately, the emperor wasn't idle either; he left after sitting for a while. Once the emperor was gone, Ning Qing couldn't sit still any longer.

The Empress's green hair was so eye-catching that it was impossible to pretend not to see it. Eyes have their own thoughts and always like to glance in that direction. Not wanting her eyes to be further tortured, Ning Qing could only pull Wu Chenxi away.

Reaching the palace gate, Ning Qing looked at the horse Chun Hong had brought, then at the figure who had boarded the carriage alone, and was dumbfounded. They wouldn't even let her hitch a ride in a carriage.

Ning Qing watched the carriage disappear into the distance, repeatedly pushed away by her own daughter, and muttered, "This girl is hard to get along with!"

System: Hehe, host, I'm finally out.

Ning Qing: Cat, you're out of prison! You didn't escape this time, good job.

The system pouted and said in a coquettish voice: "Host, you're so annoying. I don't like you anymore."

Ning Qing quickly shook off the goosebumps on her body, mounted her horse, raised the whip, and the horse galloped off.

In the following days, Ning Qing started showing off salted fish again and exchanging pleasantries with his beautiful concubine.

Honestly, this is the first time in all this time that I've had my own beautiful concubines. I'm so happy, it would be a shame not to pamper them. Besides, these beauties are not only beautiful but also incredibly talented. Wu Chenxi must have put a lot of thought into choosing them.

How could I possibly betray her kindness? So I spoiled her rotten.

On this day, Ning Qing was lying among the flowers as usual, watching his beautiful concubines perform their talents.

The system arrived quietly, carrying its protection mission.

The system's voice suddenly rang out: "Host, the target you are protecting is in danger. Please prepare to be teleported immediately."

Ning Qing lazily got up, instructed the maid to stand guard outside and not let anyone disturb her, then went into the bedroom and locked the door.

The system eagerly initiated the teleportation, and everything went black as a familiar dizzying sensation washed over me.

When Ning Qing opened her eyes again, she saw a dark mass of people in front of her. Twenty or thirty men in black with their faces covered by black cloths were surrounded by a group of soldiers. The situation was not optimistic.

System: Protect the target among the men in black.

Ning Qing was speechless for a moment, then teased: "You are a beautiful woman, why did you become a thief?"

System: How do you know the target you're protecting is a thief?

Ning Qing took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and covered her face, leaving only her bright eyes showing: Isn't it obvious at a glance? The officers and soldiers are dispatched either to catch thieves or to arrest traitors.

Ning Qing stretched out her hand and called out to the system: "Sword."

The next moment, a black sword appeared in Ning Qing's hand.

When Ning Qing saw it, she greeted it, "Brother Hei, we meet again."

With lightning speed, he appeared behind a fat man in official robes, pinning his little black brother against the man's neck. And sure enough, the man's neck was hard to find.

He lowered his voice and whispered in his ear, "Release those men in black, and I'll release you, okay?"

The obese man in official robes paused for a moment upon hearing the voice, and turned to see which reckless person dared to threaten him.

But as soon as he moved, the pain in his neck made him afraid to make any rash moves.

He was horrified. Surrounded by so many soldiers, how could this person have appeared behind him silently and pressed a sword against his neck? There was only one answer: this person was a master.

He quickly softened his tone and said, "Hero, we can talk this out. Please put this sword away first, or someone could die."