Although the Emperor Cangwen and his concubine's antics during their first meeting left Xi Yuan with a bad impression of him, the emperor's subsequent actions were quite commendable, and Xi Yuan no longer felt any dissatisfaction about staying in the capital.

Emperor Cangwen tried to cultivate a good relationship with Xiyuan. He himself had no desire for immortality; he merely hoped that Xiyuan could help protect the country. Unfortunately, Xiyuan was cold-hearted, and Emperor Cangwen's attempts to befriend her and his shameless over-the-top manner failed to soften her. In the end, Emperor Cangwen could only give up, appointing Xiyuan as the Imperial Preceptor and then regretfully releasing her from the palace to establish the Imperial Preceptor's Mansion. However, he would occasionally summon Xiyuan to the palace to discuss important state affairs with her.

Since Xiyuan had promised the nameless old man to protect the country, she would do her best. She did not use her power beyond this world, but only used the divination and star-gazing methods she learned from the nameless old man to predict good fortune and misfortune, and to remind Emperor Cangwen of some things during times of natural disasters. Such behavior earned her the respect of the world, and she was almost regarded as a god. Statues of Xiyuan were erected in many places, and the people worshipped her every day for protection.

In the blink of an eye, Xi Yuan had been in this world for twenty years. Emperor Cangwen was getting old, and the ambitions of several princes were gradually revealed. In order to select a qualified successor, Emperor Cangwen did not stop the princes from vying for power and profit. He only observed the character and ability of his sons and gradually made a decision in his heart.

However, Emperor Cangwen, who had become somewhat negligent in his old age, did not expect that his sixth son was a wolf in sheep's clothing. After learning that he was not the crown prince in Emperor Cangwen's heart, he actually poisoned him. After Emperor Cangwen fell ill and could not get out of bed, he launched a coup and forced the emperor to abdicate, killing all his brothers who were caught off guard.

At that time, Xi Yuan was still peacefully meditating in the Imperial Preceptor's residence. The Imperial Guards, controlled by the Sixth Prince, had already surrounded the Imperial Preceptor's residence, forcing her not to interfere in the matter.

The servants and maids in the Imperial Preceptor's residence showed no fear. After instructing everyone to perform their duties, the head steward, Ji Bo, personally knocked on the door of the meditation room in the West Garden and bowed respectfully, saying, "Imperial Preceptor, the Sixth Prince has made a move against the Emperor."

After a long while, the door opened, and the West Garden, which had remained as cold, majestic and beautiful as ever after twenty years, was now just as stunning. The woman in the palace dress, with her long skirt trailing on the ground, walked out of the door, looking as ethereal as a fairy.

Gilbert's eyes held the piety only a believer would show when seeing their god, and he said with even greater respect, "Grand Preceptor."

Xi Yuan nodded lightly, walked leisurely out of the courtyard, and arrived at the gate in one step. The gate opened, and outside stood a thousand imperial guards in full armor, holding long spears.

The commander of the Imperial Guards, who was guarding outside the gate, watched as the gate opened naturally without any wind, and a girl of otherworldly beauty walked out. When she looked over with her pale yellow vertical pupils, the commander of the Imperial Guards couldn't help but swallow hard, and his whole body was soaked in cold sweat.

"His Majesty has ordered that the Imperial Preceptor must remain." The commander of the Imperial Guards tried to control his trembling and said in a deep voice, but a hint of cowardice still crept in.

Xi Yuan ignored the people in front of him and walked straight ahead. The immense pressure seemed like an invisible hand, pushing the surrounding Imperial Guards to the sides and opening up a wide and straight road.

The commander of the Imperial Guards' pupils contracted. He was about to order an attack when he was horrified to find that he had no control over his body and could only watch helplessly as the woman walked past him, her slender and elegant figure disappearing into the distance.

The Cangwen Emperor, whose body had been ravaged by poison and who looked extremely old, leaned against the bed and calmly looked at his sixth son, whom he had always asserted was unsuitable to be emperor. He slowly said, "I never expected you to go to this extent."

The sixth prince feigned a smile and said, "Father, now no one can stop me. Why don't you write the decree of succession? When will you?"

"No one can stop you?" Emperor Cangwen said with a smile, "The Imperial Advisor will not let someone like you ascend to the throne."

A hint of contempt and greed flashed in the Sixth Prince's eyes as he sneered, "She's just a woman. Once I ascend the throne, I'll make her my empress."

Emperor Cangwen was amused by his ridiculous delusions and burst into laughter. A dull pain came from deep within his body. Emperor Cangwen laughed and then coughed, unable to catch his breath.

A dark glint flashed in the sixth prince's eyes. Enraged, he sneered, "Laugh, Father. You can only laugh for a little while."

Emperor Cangwen, too lazy to conceal his pity, looked at his arrogant, foolish, and ignorant son with a mocking expression and sighed, "Now, even if I wanted to save your life, I couldn't."

"Father is still being stubborn?" The Sixth Prince completely disbelieved that anyone could stop him from ascending the throne, now that he had taken control of the palace.

His brothers have all been beheaded. Unless Emperor Cangwen prefers to hand over the country to outsiders rather than the royal bloodline, the sixth prince will be the sole crown prince, whether he likes it or not.

The sixth prince is ruthless and cunning, but he is too good at scheming, and his temperament is not suited to be an emperor at all.

Even in his old age, the wise Emperor Cangwen couldn't help but sigh inwardly. Even if the Sixth Prince wasn't so stupid and had some talent, he wouldn't have so readily excluded him from the list of heirs.

Just as the atmosphere inside the palace was tense, Xi Yuan walked in as if no one else was there.

She walked lightly and silently, and it wasn't until she passed by the Sixth Prince without looking to the side that the Sixth Prince noticed her.

The Sixth Prince was stunned by her celestial beauty for a long while before he remembered that the Imperial Preceptor should be surrounded by the Imperial Guards at the Imperial Preceptor's residence and should not be here. An ominous premonition welled up in his heart, and he said in a deep voice, "Why did the Imperial Preceptor force his way into the palace without being summoned? Could it be that he is planning a rebellion? Guards! Quickly seize this person with treacherous intentions for Father Emperor!"

The Sixth Prince's voice echoed in the palace, but no one entered.

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