At this moment, Lu Ning’s mind went completely blank.
Ji Liuyun’s movement stopped just a hair’s breadth away from Lu Ning’s lips, and she lightly brushed her cheek.
Then, Ji Liuyun slowly straightened up, yet her fingertip still hooked under Lu Ning’s chin, her voice as cold as ten thousand years of ice.
“Tell Us.”
“Has my overbearing, unparalleled Imperial Sister ever touched you like this?”
Lu Ning’s heart sank violently.
This was an even deadlier trap than any before—whether she answered yes or no, it would be the wrong choice.
Lu Ning’s face grew even paler, her body trembling slightly from fear, those watery eyes filled with helplessness and confusion.
In the end, with a tone that sounded almost resigned, she replied in a trembling voice: “R…Replying to Your Majesty…”
“This humble maid…this humble maid is of low status, merely a servant who pours tea at Her Highness’s side…”
“This humble maid…only wishes to do her duty well and serve the Princess Royal, and dares not…dares not harbor any improper thoughts…”
Lu Ning didn’t answer Ji Liuyun’s question directly; instead, she placed herself in the lowest position possible, with an extremely humble posture.
She painted herself as insignificant as a speck of dust, a tool who knew nothing but keeping her head down and working.
How could someone like that ever catch the “interest” of the lofty Princess Royal?
This answer not only avoided the trap, but also subtly satisfied Ji Liuyun’s need for imperial control.
Sure enough, after hearing her reply, a barely noticeable ripple flashed in Ji Liuyun’s sharp phoenix eyes.
She released Lu Ning’s chin.
And secretly, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Though she said that anything her Imperial Sister liked would also belong to her if she wished, deep down she was actually afraid of hearing that answer she didn’t want.
It now seemed that Imperial Sister was only momentarily interested in this little maid, and things hadn’t gone that far.
“Clever little girl.”
Ji Liuyun’s tone softened slightly, but the pressure of her imperial presence did not diminish at all.
She looked at Lu Ning, who was slumped on the floor, with a scrutinizing gaze.
“Since you’re so ‘loyal’ to Imperial Sister, We’ll give you a chance.”
“We’ve already sent the Shadow Guards to search for that fiend’s whereabouts. As long as it’s confirmed he’s been executed, and you have nothing to do with him…”
“We can decide to let you leave the Imperial Palace.”
“But before that…”
A meaningful curve appeared at the corner of Ji Liuyun’s mouth.
“You must stay here properly.”
“You are not allowed to go anywhere.”
Lu Ning was stunned on the spot when she heard this.
She herself was right here—so where would the Shadow Guards find this so-called “fiend”?
Didn’t that mean she would be trapped here forever, until this lie was eventually exposed?
How was this any different from a life sentence?
“What? Are you unwilling?”
Ji Liuyun’s voice turned cold again as she watched Lu Ning’s shifting expression.
“N…no, Your Majesty! This humble maid…this humble maid is willing! This humble maid will obey Your Majesty in all things!”
Lu Ning hurriedly gave thanks, terrified that this unpredictable Empress might change her mind.
“Very good.”
Ji Liuyun nodded in satisfaction.
Then, she took something from a secret compartment beside the dragon throne.
It was a cord woven from golden threads, shimmering with a faint golden glow and exuding a mysterious and powerful binding force.
“This is a replica of the ‘Immortal Binding Cord.’ Though it lacks the true artifact’s divine power, it is more than enough to restrain a little Foundation Establishment girl.”
As she finished speaking, Ji Liuyun casually tossed the golden cord, which flew as if alive, instantly wrapping itself around Lu Ning, binding her wrists and body tightly.
The cord’s method of tying was exceedingly cunning.
It twisted Lu Ning’s hands behind her back, then circled around her several times from the front, outlining her already striking figure—made even more eye-catching by her night-walker’s outfit—in a breathtaking way.
Finally, the end of the cord was tied behind her into a delicate bow.
This made Lu Ning feel utterly humiliated, yet she was completely unable to break free.
She now looked just like a carefully wrapped gift, waiting to be unwrapped by its master.
Ji Liuyun walked in front of Lu Ning, admiring her “handiwork,” a satisfied gleam flashing in her eyes.
“It’s getting late. We must attend Imperial Sister’s birthday banquet.”
She gently patted Lu Ning’s cheek.
“Little maid, you just stay here quietly.”
“When the banquet is over, We’ll return…and properly ‘interrogate’ you.”
She put extra emphasis on the word “interrogate.”
With that, she did not linger, but turned and walked out of the hall.
The heavy palace doors slowly closed, leaving only Lu Ning inside the entire Zichen Palace.
Lu Ning collapsed onto the carpet, her heart filled with despair.
She had finally escaped from Ji Linglong’s cage, only to fall into an even more terrifying abyss.
Looking at the shameful way she was bound, feeling the true essence within her body suppressed so completely, a sense of utter helplessness overwhelmed her.
A flicker of unyielding fire flashed in Lu Ning’s eyes.
[System! System! Come out here!]
Lu Ning roared in her mind.
[Ding! The system is now at your service.]
A cold mechanical voice rang out in her head.
[Hey, System! Hurry up! Is there any kind of gift pack, hidden mission, lottery draw or whatever? Hurry up and save your dear Host!]
The system went silent for a moment, as if searching.
[Ding! Detected that the Host has survived for more than seven days in the Great Wilderness Imperial Dynasty, fulfilling the advance settlement condition for the main mission: ‘Survive in the Great Wilderness Imperial Dynasty.’]
[Would the Host like to settle the mission rewards early?]
[Note: Early mission settlement will be evaluated based on the Host’s current survival status and mission completion, and the final rating may be significantly reduced.]
Early settlement?
Lu Ning was overjoyed to hear this.
Who cared about a reduced rating—getting the reward now was all that mattered!
[Settle immediately!]
Lu Ning confirmed without hesitation.
[Ding! Mission settlement in progress…]
[Mission evaluation: Grade C (Although Host survived successfully, you remained passively imprisoned and are currently in great danger. Comprehensive evaluation: C grade).]
[Mission rewards being issued…]
Hearing this “C grade” evaluation, Lu Ning couldn’t help but twitch her mouth.
This system really was brutally realistic.
Still, she didn’t care about that now; all her attention was focused on the rewards about to be distributed.
[Congratulations, Host, you have received: ‘Fifty-Fifty Split’ Experience Card (single-use consumable) ×1.]
[Congratulations, Host, you have received: ‘Flawless Disguise’ Mask (special item) ×1.]
With the system’s notification, Lu Ning felt her spirits lift.
Here they come!
Although the rating was low, the rewards seemed decent.
She quickly checked the details of the rewards.
[‘Fifty-Fifty Split’ Experience Card: Upon use, you may lock onto any target within a hundred-meter radius, and your own cultivation will forcibly match the target’s for one minute. Note: This card copies realm only, not skills or magic treasures. Please use cautiously.]
Fifty-Fifty Split Experience Card?
Lu Ning’s eyes immediately brightened at the description.
This was practically a divine skill!
Although the duration was short and the gap between upper and lower limits was huge, if she locked onto someone like Ji Liuyun or Ji Linglong, those Nascent Soul-level powerhouses, wouldn’t she also possess Nascent Soul-level strength for one minute?
This was absolutely her most powerful trump card for breaking free of her predicament!
[‘Flawless Disguise’ Mask: Upon wearing, you may freely change your appearance and figure; only those above the Tribulation Crossing stage can see through it.]
Another divine artifact!
With this mask, she could completely change her identity and never have to worry about this face bringing her unnecessary trouble again.
Staring at the rewards on the system panel, Lu Ning’s heart, which had sunk to the bottom, once again flared up with hope.
Though she was still trapped in a cage, at least now she had a new way to survive.