Chapter 33: Has the Chest Returned Again?

Chu Fenglan looked up at Ji Yin, her eyes brimming with resentment.

Beihua Ning let out a sigh of relief, quietly sizing up Bei Mingyu.

Having dealt with Chu Fenglan, Bei Mingyu turned to Ji Yin. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened.

Ji Yin: ...

What sort of look is that from the emperor? She immediately lowered her head and glanced at her chest, instantly petrified!

Puffed up?! Could it be that her transformation spell had malfunctioned again, and her chest reverted back?!

She quickly reached out and pinched it—still soft to the touch. Cold sweat broke out across her forehead in fear, but soon she realized something was off and recalled the events of the morning...

She hurriedly opened her clothes and pulled out two buns!

In the morning, Shuang’er had stuffed them in from below, but somehow, with all her activity, the buns had shifted upward, perfectly symmetrically placed, one on each side.

It was the buns!

Ji Yin, holding the buns under everyone’s gaze, took a bite.

“I got up too early today. Shuang’er was worried I’d be hungry and tucked two buns in for me. I forgot to eat them,” Ji Yin mumbled, swallowing the mouthful before taking another bite, savoring the flavor.

Though she had eaten plenty at the Ninth Princess’s palace, she still thought the food at the Ji residence was the best.

Bei Mingyu’s expression shifted from a hint of delight to indifference.

For that brief moment, he had thought Ji Yin was a girl.

“Imperial Brother, if you’re going to punish Ji Yin, punish me first! I was the one who brought him in—he knows nothing,” Beihua Ning immediately knelt before Bei Mingyu.

“Ji Yin, since you have awakened, you are now someone I value. In the future, you can serve the nation, serve me. Ignorance is no crime; I will not hold today’s intrusion into the inner palace against you.”

“Thank you, Imperial Brother,” Beihua Ning breathed a sigh of relief.

“Ninth Princess ignored palace rules. From today, she is confined for ten days and must not step out of her palace.”

The smile froze on Beihua Ning’s face. Though indignant, she dared not protest.

Ji Yin looked at Bei Mingyu, feeling that this emperor truly deserved to be the supreme ruler who wielded the power of life and death; though young, his mind was deep and calculating.

“Ji Yin, now that you have awakened, what are your plans?” Bei Mingyu asked as he walked forward.

Ji Yin could only follow behind him. “I’ve only just awakened and understand nothing yet. I need to train diligently and strengthen myself.”

“With the Ji family in Chiyu, I can sleep soundly at night.”

Ji Yin remained silent, speaking as little as possible. She had already grasped the essence of imperial authority—never challenge the emperor’s power.

Bei Mingyu suddenly stopped and looked at Ji Yin. “Why are you so quiet?”

“I don’t know what I should say.”

A hint of amusement flickered in Bei Mingyu’s eyes. “No need to be so restrained. Speak your mind.”

“Then... may I leave now?”

Bei Mingyu: ...

The palace maids and eunuchs nearby: ...

Ji Yin: Didn’t he just say I could speak my mind?

Those nearby broke out in cold sweat—this Seventh Young Master Ji truly knew no fear!

Yet Bei Mingyu did not get angry. Instead, another smile appeared. “Ji Yin, do you realize you are the only one who is so candid before me?”

“Didn’t you say I could speak my mind?”

“How dare you address the emperor so!”

“No matter. From now on, Ji Yin need not be bound by rigid etiquette in my presence,” Bei Mingyu said, clearly enjoying the feeling.

“So... may I leave now?”