There's a kind of smile, the kind you give to appease your boss, and that's the kind of smile Qin Zhaoyue is wearing right now.

Polite, but with a businesslike air about it.

Ah, the royal family, indeed, has very little affection for family.

I must have had a brain fart. I was in the Imperial Study thinking I could solve this once and for all. How naive of me.

Giving people random advice is pointless; being honest with them resulted in a business trip of more than two months.

Although he was a bit lazy, he didn't shirk his responsibilities when he needed to. He deserves a lot of credit for flood control, disaster relief, and the two cases. And what was the result?

Good grief, no reward when you get back? It's like you're interrogating a criminal. I owe you one!

If I say I want a prescription, then it's mine.

I don't care about that position. Why should I ask for it so readily?

They keep bringing up exile to the frontier and deceiving the emperor. Damn it, I should just give up. With my abilities, I can make a living anywhere.

Besides, now that I have... what am I afraid of? I'm not going to serve you anymore!

Qin Minghuang remained outwardly calm, but quietly clenched her fists.

Family affection... I haven't thought of that word in a long time.

They are all her children, and the heir to the throne is still undecided. Even though she heard Xiao Liu's thoughts before, she doesn't believe that she really has no thoughts at all.

Since he had the ability, he gave Suimo a secret decree, which was both a measure of his talent and a favor.

The person in charge of disaster relief is granted the imperial sword and, below the rank of governor, can execute without prior approval.

Xiao Liu had never had such power before, and wielding power can be addictive.

What Qin Minghuang didn't expect was that Zhao Yue, having tasted the sweetness, would so easily give it up.

Considering what she just said, she really had no ideas at all?

If he's incompetent, fine, but with sisterly affection, he'll eventually become a leisurely prince, a wealthy idler.

But she was also very capable, with all sorts of ideas coming out one after another.

This wasn't the first or second time that Zhaoqiong had been sent on errands, but this time she made such good progress, which was inseparable from Xiao Liu's help.

The Qingluan Guard who had been by her side for over ten years was willing to die to protect her secret after only two months of interaction.

Add to that the sudden appearance of true energy, the terrifyingly powerful formula, the healing methods from unknown ancient texts, and the extraordinary abilities of true energy...

What's there now? But at the most crucial moment, they couldn't hear anything.

All of this shows that Xiao Liu is not someone to be trifled with, yet he lacks any ambition.

Having previously been too negligent, Qin Minghuang realized that she had used the wrong method.

She's been pushing us too far; if this continues, we're afraid we'll completely drift apart.

"Fine, since you are unwilling to speak, I do not wish to force you."

Zhao Qiong has already informed you that you have made many contributions this time, but you cannot express them verbally.

As she spoke, Qin Minghuang took out a token, placed it on the desk, and pushed it over.

The token is entirely coated with mithril cloud patterns, and the front is embossed with a five-clawed dragon.

The dragon's spine and reverse scales are outlined with broken diamonds, and the twenty-eight constellations are hidden among its whiskers and hair.

The reverse side is engraved with the four seal characters “兵燹不破” (meaning “unbreakable by war”), with gilding and cinnabar seeping into the deep lines of the characters, resembling solidified blood.

"I heard you've cultivated true qi. This is a token from the Imperial Armory, which allows you to enter and choose any cultivation technique, regardless of its grade."

Qin Zhaoyue raised an eyebrow, not expecting to pass so easily, and not even being asked further about the true qi ability.

She had heard Sui Mo say that seven or eight out of ten martial arts techniques in the world were in the imperial palace's armory.

In particular, top-level cultivation techniques that can be cultivated to the Divine Martial Realm are something that ordinary people can never hope to come across in their entire lives, except for a few long-established martial arts sects.

Moreover, since you can choose freely, you're bound to find a cultivation method that best suits you.

However, given all she's done on this trip, it's only natural that she'd be rewarded with some kind of cultivation technique.

Qin Zhaoyue felt no gratitude whatsoever; she deserved it.

He strode forward, picked up the token from the desk, and put it away, saying, "Thank you for your great kindness, Your Majesty."

He bowed properly and spoke with utmost respect, leaving no room for criticism.

A slight bittersweet feeling welled up in Qin Minghuang's chest, but it was fleeting and quickly suppressed.

She sensed the distance in Xiao Liu's tone; his usual playful demeanor was gone.

"Your subject, your subject," at this point only "subject" is used, not "child."

Knowing that this matter couldn't be rushed, Qin Minghuang glanced at the figure kneeling on the ground to the side.

"Scrap ink".

"Your subordinate is here." Sui Mo secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his tone casual.

It's finally time for a decision. It's better than leaving it unresolved forever. It's better to settle it quickly.

"Your crime of deceiving the emperor is aggravated by your status as a palace guard..."

"Your Majesty!" Qin Zhaoyue took a step forward.

"I relied heavily on Suimo's protection on this trip. She also made many contributions in disaster relief and investigation. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth."

Sui Mo pursed her lips tightly and remained silent.

Regardless of merit or not, she was a member of the Azure Phoenix Guard and was simply doing her duty.

Concealing the truth from His Majesty is tantamount to deceiving the emperor, an unforgivable crime, and she was already mentally prepared for it.

However, since the two princes spoke up for her, her trip was worthwhile.

Qin Minghuang looked at Xiao Liu, and their eyes met.

Even for a royal heir, staring so directly at the emperor's face would be improper, yet she did not yield an inch.

Being sentimental, coupled with the "family ties" mentioned in her previous remarks, is a good thing for a princess or even a prince.

But if it were the position of heir apparent… never mind, Qin Minghuang cut off her thoughts. At least for now, Xiao Liu didn’t have that in mind, and thinking about it too much would be pointless.

"Do you know what the crime of deceiving the emperor is?"

"Your Majesty, as far as I know, any imperial heir who practices martial arts can enter the armory to select a technique."

"Zhaoyue!" Qin Zhaoqiong quickly interrupted her sixth sister.

What does this mean? Doesn't it mean that the Empress's reward is not a favor?

Saying that "every little bit is a favor from the emperor" is already a taboo.

But Qin Zhaoyue's stubbornness had truly kicked in. Ignoring her elder sister's stern warning gaze, she continued loudly:

"I cleaned up water, rescued people, and dredged water in Mingyan County; I supervised the opening of canals in Chiyan County; and I presided over disaster relief and treated my elder sister's wounds and detoxified her when the dike broke in Longmen County."

In the cases of privately minting ironware and producing inferior currency, I was able to offer my advice and suggestions.

She spread the idea of ​​women's self-reliance and twice thwarted the sorcerer's plot to wreak havoc on the world.

Are these achievements enough to save Sui Mo's life?

Sui Mo's breath hitched suddenly, and his whole body stiffened like an iron statue.

Having always been by the Sixth Prince's side, how could he not know how great his contribution was on this trip?

In truth, he might not be inferior to the Crown Prince, yet now this merit must be exchanged for her life...

Qin Minghuang stared intently, a hint of dread in his gaze. "Are you threatening me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not presume, but I humbly request that Your Majesty bestow upon me your grace."

The words imply submission, but the knees are anything but!

Sui Mo let out a long sigh. Given His Majesty's temper, if he had pleaded for mercy gently, that would have been fine, but this head-on confrontation... sigh...

The air in the imperial study seemed stagnant, and the mother and daughter stared at each other.

Qin Zhaoyue felt the suffocating pressure of being swallowed by the flood, but she stubbornly resisted without any intention of backing down.

"OK……"