"It's not that I look down on you, it's just that we're destined to be on different sides, so why should we be together? Back in Shangyang City, you took an arrow for me, and I was touched and grateful at the time. But you disregarded my wishes and insisted on bringing me to the capital. Did you ever care about my feelings?"

Cen Xi was deeply moved by his single tear, so she is now analyzing her own feelings. Even if she is somewhat moved, what can she do? In the end, they can only separate.

“I just don’t want you to leave me. Cen Xi, we have different positions, and you are even a member of the Yan family, but we are already married and will stay together for the rest of our lives. Why do you keep thinking that we can’t go on? I, Shen Jinchen, swear that you will be the only woman in my life. This is my most solemn promise to you. Isn’t that enough?”

Shen Jinchen stared intently at Yan Shang and asked.

"It's not enough, because you're going to rebel and take back the throne that the Yan family seized from your ancestors, while I have to protect the Great Yan and prevent it from suffering any loss of life. So we're destined to be adversaries. Even if I want to accept your feelings, are you willing to give up the plan you've been plotting for so many years?"

“From the moment Wen Qihe started acting strangely, I had a vague idea of ​​what was going on. If you don’t bring me to the capital, I can’t control what you do. I just need to complete the task of killing Emperor Taizu. Unfortunately, you insist on bringing me to the capital. I don’t want to enter the palace, so this is the only way.”

Cen Xi looked at Shen Jinchen very seriously. Our relationship is really awkward. She can't give up her principles, and Shen Jinchen can't give up his responsibilities. So what's the point of them talking?

"Why? You don't want to stay in the capital. Why do you hate it here?"

Shen Jinchen sensed Cen Xi's sincerity and asked earnestly.

“There’s a sense of confinement here, like a caged bird. I don’t like it here, especially the palace. And if you succeed, you’ll definitely go in. So how am I supposed to cope?” Shen Jinchen put aside everything else, this is our biggest obstacle. You have your responsibilities, and I have my principles. So this child came at the worst possible time. If she’s born, she’ll only face separation from her parents. Let’s get rid of her!”

Cen Xi gave Shen Jinchen a deep look and said solemnly.

“You’re still thinking about leaving me. If you don’t want to live in the palace, we can move out. And why do you always think we should be on opposite sides? You’ve seen it yourself, there are very few people in the Great Banquet royal family who can support the entire Great Banquet now. Even if I don’t take over, the Great Banquet will still perish. Why are you doing this?”

Shen Jinchen found it hard to understand Cen Xi's thinking. The Empress was such a supreme position, something that so many women dreamed of, so why did she see it as nothing?

"You still don't understand what I mean. Why did we bring this child into the world? We're not on the same wavelength, so let's end this here. There's no need to talk anymore. Leave!"

Cen Xi was a little angry. Shen Jinchen was completely unable to understand her, so there was no need to continue the conversation.

"What do you mean? Just say it."

Shen Jinchen got angry when he heard Cen Xi's words.

"Alright, alright, let me be more blunt. I'm just sad. I want a free and unrestrained life, to wake up whenever I want, to go wherever I want today, and to be wherever I am tomorrow. I don't want to be involved in the imperial power, nor do I want to manage the harem all day long. I don't want to be criticized by the ministers, nor do I want to be forced by the ministers to bring concubines into the palace one day. I don't want to share a husband with anyone, and I don't want any trouble."

"How about it? Are these reasons enough? If not, I can find more."

Cen Xi stared coldly at Shen Jinchen, waiting for him to continue.

"That's what you've always thought?"

Shen Jinchen's eyes were a little red.

"Yes, I've always thought that way. I know I'm unconventional, so I've never thought about getting married. The reason we're in this situation is because you forced me step by step. You never gave me any choice. Shen Jinchen has always said he loves me and spoils me, but you've never asked for my wishes or what kind of life I want. Is that love?"

Cen Xi felt that this was the most serious moment of her life, and she was truly analyzing the problems between them from an objective perspective.

Actually, she wanted the baby in her belly, but unfortunately, she couldn't have it.

"If I give up the fight for the throne and the restoration of the country, what will you do? Will you consider giving birth to the child in your belly and living with me, and never thinking of leaving again?"

Shen Jinchen realized that Cen Xi would never compromise, and the only way to maintain the relationship was for him to let go.

Are you really going to give up?

Shen Jinchen's answer was unexpected by Cen Xi. Based on her understanding of Shen Jinchen, restoring the country was his obsession, so why should she give up now?

“I can give up, but the Great Banquet will still lead to the downfall of the country. Only our children can inherit the throne. This is my bottom line. If you don’t agree to this, Cen Xi, you can run away, but where can you run to? I decide. Don’t underestimate the power of the Boundary Butterfly.”

Shen Jinchen looked at Cen Xi very seriously and said, word by word.

"You mean, even if I die, you'll still chase after me and keep me by your side?"

Cen Xi understood his threat.

"Yes, the matter of seizing the throne can be compromised, but you must give birth to my son and let him sit on the throne, because the Great Qi must be restored to order. This is a vow I made at my grandfather's grave."

Shen Jinchen's expression was solemn, and he spoke in a very serious manner.

"What if our children don't like the palace either?"

Cen Xi knew that in this life, unless she died, she would never have the chance to leave this man, so his offer was something that could tempt her.

"How do you know they won't dislike it? If one doesn't like it, then have another one. If two don't like it, then have two more. Eventually, one of them will like it."

Shen Jinchen immediately refuted Cen Xi's words. He knew that Cen Xi was very opinionated, and only by persuading her could he keep my first child.

Shen Jinchen never imagined that he would use such methods to coerce a woman.

Previously, he had no feelings for women, and even felt somewhat disgusted by the way they looked at him.

Now all he wants is to keep the woman beside him, to tie her down with their child, and to spend the rest of his life with her.

"You...you really have a big heart. Was I a pig back then? If one wasn't enough, I'd have two. If two weren't enough, I'd have two more. You thought you were so clever."

Cen Xi stared blankly at Shen Jinchen for a while before laughing and saying that this man was actually quite cute when he was being silly.

"Your true colors are just wishful thinking; you can't escape them."

Shen Jinchen was momentarily stunned when he saw Cen Xi's smile; he hadn't seen her smile in a long time.