The side hall of the imperial study was unnaturally quiet.
Xiao Xuanyin sat behind the long desk, three memorials spread neatly before him. Each bore urgent seals, each concerned matters of state—border provisions, flood relief, court appointments.
Yet not a single word had entered his mind.
For the third time, his gaze drifted toward the black slab resting in Su Wan's hand.
It lay there quietly, its surface dark and unassuming.
No spiritual fluctuations.No inscriptions.No signs of power.
And yet—
To the Emperor's eyes, it felt more dangerous than any artifactand more valuable than a secret manual of immortality.
"Someone will truly deliver items through this?" Xiao Xuanyin asked.
"Yes," Su Wan replied simply.
"How long?"
"Soon."
Almost as if responding to her words, the device vibrated softly.
[Courier has arrived: Eastern Palace Gate]
Su Wan glanced down. "They're here."
"..."
This time, Xiao Xuanyin did not hide his silence.
No formations.No talismans.No flying swords.
Just—
A human.
"Lead the way," he said decisively, already rising to his feet.
"Huh?" Su Wan blinked. "You're going in person?"
"I want to see," Xiao Xuanyin said calmly, his tone leaving no room for debate,"who dares approach the imperial city."
Eastern Palace Gate
The massive gates stood shut.
Thick iron bands reinforced ancient wood, etched with battle scars from forgotten wars. Imperial guards lined the walls in full armor, blades at their waists, eyes sharp as hawks.
Killing intent filled the air.
Outside the gate stood a single young man.
Yellow jacket.Strange helmet.A small electric scooter humming softly beneath him.
He looked utterly lost.
"Uh… brother," the courier said hesitantly, craning his neck to look up at the towering walls. "Is your GPS broken or something? This place looks… kinda extra."
The captain of the guards stared at the glowing vehicle.
Slowly, deliberately, his hand moved to the hilt of his blade.
"This is the imperial city," he said coldly. "Leave at once, or—"
"Wait, wait!" The courier raised both hands in surrender. "I'm just delivering food!"
"…Food?"
"Yeah!" He nodded quickly. "Order number—uh—9527?"
The captain frowned.
Before he could speak again—
A voice echoed from behind the gates.
"Let him in."
Not loud.Not forceful.
Yet every soldier felt their heart seize.
The gates began to open.
Xiao Xuanyin stood within the shadow of the archway, dressed in plain robes. He did not radiate spiritual pressure, yet his presence alone bent the air around him.
The courier blinked.
"…Are you guys filming a historical drama or something?"
No one answered.
"So… who do I hand the food to?"
Su Wan stepped forward. "Me."
Relief flooded the courier's face. He hurriedly handed over the insulated bag.
"Fried chicken, burgers, milk tea—everything's here. Don't forget the five-star review!"
Su Wan reached out—
And at that exact moment, Xiao Xuanyin lifted his hand.
The world seemed to pause.
The wind stopped.The guards froze.Even the courier's breath stalled.
An invisible force swept over the young man from head to toe.
No pain.No pressure.Only absolute scrutiny.
No cultivation.No hidden artifacts.No anomalies.
A completely ordinary mortal.
In that instant, Xiao Xuanyin confirmed something critical:
This delivery system did not rely on spiritual power.
It did not belong to this world.
"From now on," Xiao Xuanyin said calmly, his voice carrying effortlessly across the gate,"all such deliveries stop here."
The courier blinked. "Huh?"
"No entry into the palace."
"…Okay." The courier nodded rapidly. "You guys really commit to the setting."
He mounted his scooter and vanished down the long street moments later.
The gates closed once more.
The guard captain hesitated. "Your Majesty… that man—"
"He is harmless," Xiao Xuanyin said.
But his gaze had already shifted—to the bag in Su Wan's arms.
"This," he asked, "is what you call 'takeout'?"
"Yes."
Su Wan opened the bag.
Instantly—
A brutal, unfamiliar aroma exploded into the air.
Hot oil.Salt.Spices.
The scent struck like a wild beast baring its fangs.
Several guards swallowed instinctively, their stomachs tightening without permission.
Xiao Xuanyin's eyes narrowed.
"There is no spiritual energy," he said slowly, "yet it disrupts the senses."
"Believe me now?" Su Wan grinned.
He did not answer.
Instead, he reached into the bag and took out a piece of fried chicken.
His movements were deliberate—cautious, controlled—like testing an unknown elixir.
He took a bite.
For a fraction of a second—
Nothing.
Then—
His eyes changed.
Not shock.Not delight.
But confirmation.
"High heat. High oil. High salt," he analyzed calmly. "Rapid caloric intake. Immediate stimulation of blood flow."
Su Wan stared. "…You just scientifically analyzed fried chicken."
"If issued to soldiers," Xiao Xuanyin continued evenly, "it would temporarily enhance endurance and suppress fatigue."
Su Wan laughed. "Wow. Even junk food becomes military logistics to you?"
Xiao Xuanyin glanced at her.
"I am an emperor."
He turned to the eunuch standing nearby.
"Remember this process."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
"In the future," Xiao Xuanyin said, his voice steady and final,"all such items are received at the palace gates."
The eunuch trembled with excitement. "This servant obeys!"
Su Wan watched the scene and suddenly realized something.
She had only wanted dinner.
But this man—
Was already calculating how to turn takeoutinto imperial infrastructure.
She glanced down.
The screen lit up again.
[Recommended: Hot Pot / Barbecue / Crayfish]
Her lips twitched.
She looked up.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes?"
"The harem has a lot of people."
"…?"
"I think they'll smell this soon."
Xiao Xuanyin's gaze turned cold.
"Then let them smell."
He paused.
"In this palace," he said calmly,"favor is temporary."
"Control," he added,"is eternal."
Su Wan smiled faintly.
From today onward—
The palace would never be the same again.
And somewhere beyond the imperial walls,an unseen system had already begunto rewrite the rules of the world.