Zhou!

After Wenzhong departed on his expedition, the thousand-pound shackles weighing on Di Xin's head vanished completely.

With no one to restrain him, admonish him, or hold him back, Di Xin sank utterly into sensual pleasures, nearly forgetting the way home in his delight.

For a full half month, he did not hold court. Day after day, he lingered in the inner palace, feasting and making merry with Daji, casting the realm and court affairs entirely to the back of his mind.

Just as Morning Song's administration had ground to a complete halt and both court and populace were gripped by unease, Shen Gongbao, the State Preceptor who had always remained aloof from worldly matters, unexpectedly took the initiative to enter the palace and request an audience.

At the time, Di Xin was embracing Daji in pleasure, thoroughly engrossed in the moment. When he saw Shen Gongbao barge in with hurried steps, impatience and irritation instantly surged within him. He felt only that this man had ruined his elegant amusement for no reason.

Yet the instant Daji, nestled against his chest, saw Shen Gongbao, an extreme wariness and dread flashed through her eyes.

Shen Gongbao had seen through the truth of her demon body and knew all her secrets. Moreover, his background was unfathomable and his patron immensely powerful; he was someone she absolutely dared not offend lightly.

Noticing Di Xin's displeasure, Daji quickly coaxed him in a gentle voice, timely restraining his temper. "Your Majesty, the State Preceptor has always kept himself apart from the mundane affairs of court. For him to seek an audience in such haste today, he must surely have some matter of tremendous importance to report. I beg Your Majesty to hear him out patiently."

After Daji's persuasion, Di Xin barely suppressed the irritation in his