Chapter 66. He bit her lips.

Ashina Yuansi left the palace.

The second prince of the Turks, formerly known as Xu Yuansi, looked back at the Forbidden City.

He never imagined he would return one day.

Will Zishu forgive Yunxi this time?

He understood Zishu's personality, but he didn't understand the real Yunxi.

"Your Highness?" He turned around and stood still.

General Mohe, standing beside him, offered a reminder.

Xu Yuansi snapped out of her daze and composed herself. "Let's go back to our lodgings."

Xu Yuansi did not stay at the place Xiao Shenjing had assigned him, but continued to stay at the inn.

To avoid being disturbed, the entire inn was booked out.

On the second floor of the Hu Merchant Inn, a carved wooden window was half-open, and the heat wave, along with the sound of cicadas, collided with the white mist rising from the ice chest.

"Your Highness, since the Han emperor didn't refute us on the spot, does that mean he'll agree to our conditions?" Deputy General Mohe loosened the gold button on his collar. "And he even had those Han officials send over two cartloads of lychees."

"Lychees?" The bamboo curtain by the window suddenly swayed, and Sogdian, waving a peacock feather fan, stepped out from behind the screen, the jade abacus beads at his waist clinking. "From the capital to Lingnan, it's three thousand li. Fast horses can be replaced by riders, but not ice. This isn't a sweet fruit; it's a reminder that we shouldn't forget how far the hooves of the Han people can reach."

Xu Yuansi pushed open the wooden window and said with an unwavering expression, "This Han emperor raised an army in rebellion at the age of nineteen and seized the throne of the Great Jing Dynasty. He ascended the throne at the age of twenty and trampled the bones of all the officials overnight. Do you really think he would swallow his anger like this?"

Deputy General Mohe said arrogantly, "What are you afraid of? We've amassed 50,000 troops. If they don't accept, let my Turkic men slaughter their way through the Forbidden City. In short, I don't plan to go back alive this time."

Kang Fule slammed his fist on the table. “Yes, if they have the guts, let that Han emperor use our heads as a sacrifice to his flag. We Turkic men will definitely avenge us.”

Ashina Yuansi glanced at the group of people, then turned back and slowly looked towards the imperial city without saying a word.

"Please don't rush, everyone. We'll see how things go at tomorrow's banquet," Sogdian said, waving his peacock feather fan.

However, nothing happened at the banquet. There was singing and dancing, but Xiao Shenjing didn't even mention anything about the alliance.

The nine layers of gauze curtains in the Zichen Palace trembled slightly in the gentle breeze, and the flickering flames on the gilded dragon candlesticks cast shimmering light on the silver ornaments on the leather armor of the Turkic delegation.

On the nine-dragon lacquered throne, Xiao Shenjing's fingertips traced the coiled dragon pattern on the jade wine vessel.

The young emperor's eyebrows were like cut ink, and his phoenix eyes had a natural upward curve at the corners, resembling a spring mountain full of affection in the painting.

Yet her pale lips were always pressed together like frost, unable to conceal her sharpness, making her seem unapproachable.

The gaze of the twelve-tiered crown swept over the second Turkic prince below him.

Suddenly, the sound of string and wind instruments rose higher, and twelve dancers dressed in moon-white wide-sleeved skirts swirled into the hall to the sound of the drums.

Deputy General Mohe squinted at the trembling gold hairpin in the lead dancer's hair, then slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

Xiao Shenjing gazed at the restless Turkic delegation below the steps, and gently tapped the dragon pattern on the jade tablet with his fingertip.

The imperial guards on duty gripped their sword hilts in unison, the clanging of their armor startling the night owls perched on the paulownia trees outside the palace.

On Vice General Mohe's table, amber wine splashed onto the brocade carpet, spreading out in dark red patterns.

He suddenly threw his head back and burst into laughter, the wolf teeth on his neck trembling with each laugh. "This kind of soft and melodious singing and dancing is not as fun as watching our grassland men wrestle!"

The iron chain around his waist slammed against the table, causing ripples to spread across the wine in the agate glass.

The Minister of Rites, who was standing to the side, suddenly changed his expression, while the young emperor on the high platform chuckled.

"Turkic liquor burns the throat, envoy. Do you know the old saying in our Central Plains?" The young emperor's hand holding the cup was as steady as a rock, the crimson liquid making his features even more striking. "Extreme rigidity is easily broken, but gentleness can overcome rigidity."

"You've all traveled a long way and must be tired." Deputy General Mo He was about to speak with a displeased expression when Xiao Shenjing interrupted him directly, "Today is just to welcome you all and wash away the dust of your journey."

After those resounding words, no one dared to utter another word.

Deputy General Mohe wanted to say something, but Su Tie stopped him.

Under the emperor's imposing presence, the second prince spoke up and asked, "Since we will not discuss state affairs tonight, has His Majesty of Jing found my wife?"

He smiled slightly at Xiao Shenjing and said, "I haven't seen her for far too long, and I miss her terribly."

A sudden silence fell over the main hall.

"Second Prince, do not be impatient. What is meant to be yours will be yours, and what is not meant to be yours, do not yearn for it. Otherwise, it will only be a mirage and cause you unnecessary trouble."

As the resounding words fell, the young emperor, seated on the golden throne adorned with nine dragons, raised his cup.

All the officials below the stage raised their cups, bowed, and rose.

Before the battle, which had ended without the clash of swords, ended, the young emperor lowered his eyes and stared at Ashina Yuansi below the stage, saying, "It just so happens that the Imperial Music Bureau has composed a new 'Willow Branch Song.' Would the Second Prince like to come to the palace tomorrow night to enjoy it with me?"

The last two words were inexplicably pronounced with extreme emphasis.

Ashina Yuansi narrowed his eyes, stood up, and said, "It is difficult to refuse Your Majesty's invitation. Since Your Majesty has invited me, I will certainly accompany you."

Even though his expression was normal, he felt an unusual heaviness in his heart.

Willow song.

Who is this Liu?

The twilight was gradually swallowed by the night.

Yunxi was taken to the Zhaoren Hall, the east side hall of the Qianqing Palace.

The gate opened, and twelve layers of silk curtains fluttered gently in the wind.

She glanced at the shadowy figure behind the tent, but Yunxi stood at the door and refused to go in.

Xiao Shenjing tapped the bronze ice vessel with his finger, causing the broken ice inside to clang like metal clashing.

"Come here." The emperor's voice mingled with the white mist rising from the ice chest, condensing into fine water droplets on the silk.

Yunxi stood still, asking with disgust, "Why did you call me here?"

In the deep palace, the gauze curtains suddenly fluttered, revealing half of Xiao Shenjing's face that was swallowed by shadow.

"As expected, you'll never learn to obey." He stared at her intently, chuckled, and said, "Bring the person up to me."

As soon as the cold voice fell, a familiar voice rang out from the other end of the corridor: "Let me go! Let me go!"

"Onions?" Yunxi's eyes widened.

"Boss." Onion Head was forced to kneel on the spot and said angrily, "Boss, don't worry about me. I, Onion Head, am not afraid of being killed or tortured."

Amidst the fluttering gauze curtains, the young emperor sat regally on his golden nanmu throne, his expression hidden in the shadows. He watched her struggle without moving, watching the anger ignite in her eyes.

Yunxi was furious. She took a deep breath and slowly turned her head to look at Xiao Shenjing in the main hall.

Their eyes met.

Yunxi's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

The killing intent in Xiao Shenjing's eyes was like a sudden snowstorm accompanied by a violent storm, rushing towards her.

When an emperor is enraged, corpses float for miles.

"What exactly do you want to do?" Yun Xi faced his murderous intent head-on but did not retreat but advanced, walking step by step towards the tomb-like hall, towards Xiao Shenjing who was sitting on the dragon throne.

“One scallion probably won’t be enough.” Xiao Shenjing leaned back on the dragon throne, his fingertips slowly tracing the crackle pattern on a teacup. “How about we add Fan Zishi as well?”

Yunxi's heart skipped a beat, and she asked incredulously, "What on earth are you doing?"

Xiao Shenjing looked at her and asked, "Perhaps it's your entire clan?"

Yunxi clenched her fist tightly.

A halo partially obscured the emperor's face; his phoenix eyes were like abysses, black with an intent to devour everything.

"As my subject, how dare I assist you in escaping the palace?" Xiao Shenjing stared at Yun Xi and suddenly chuckled, slamming his teacup down on the table. The gold-threaded kui patterns on his dragon robe suddenly tightened, like a lurking beast suddenly arching its back. "Treason and disloyalty to the emperor is the most heinous crime, the most serious of the ten evils." He stared at Yun Xi and slowly asked, "Guess, Fan Zishi committed such an unforgivable crime. As the principal offender, should he be subjected to slow slicing or torn apart by five horses?"

"What does my escape from the palace have to do with him?" Yunxi glanced at him sideways and suddenly chuckled. "If you want to find fault, you can always find a reason. Whoever you want to kill, even their breathing is wrong. You just don't want to be branded as cruel, so you're pinning it on me."

After Yunxi finished speaking angrily, the contempt in her eyes deepened.

"Do you think you can save his life by turning black into white, Yunxi?" Xiao Shenjing lazily propped up his chin, staring at Yunxi with an almost gentle smile on his lips. "Whether to kill him or not, or whether to exterminate his entire family, is entirely up to me."

"You don't need to use him to test me." Yunxi smiled faintly. "Anyway, if you want to, there are a thousand ways. I'm just asking you, how will you get the onion out?"

"Then we'll have to see how you perform tonight."

It looks like it's going to rain tonight. The north wind howls past the window, making the candlelight flicker.

Xiao Shenjing's face was completely shrouded in shadow, only his voice fell like a poisoned jade chime: "Come here."

The fluttering gauze curtains resembled wild beasts rushing towards Yunxi.

Her steps felt like lead, and she had no choice but to walk towards him step by step.

Walk towards that enormous, unshakeable shadow.

She walked stiffly behind the imperial desk and to the throne made of golden nanmu wood.

Sitting in the chair, Xiao Shenjing rested his hands on the armrests and stared at her as he slowly said three words: "Sit up."

Yunxi bit her lip tightly as she sat down.

As soon as she sat on his lap, the man's arm, with its veins slightly bulging, grabbed her slender waist and pressed her against his chest.

He forced her into a submissive position, leaning obediently against his chest.

"Yunxi, do you know who's coming tonight?" he asked slowly, his iron-like arms holding her waist.

"Who wants to come?" Yunxi asked, pursing her lips.

For some reason, I already had a vague answer in my heart.

It was just so inexplicable that she didn't want to think about it anymore.

But even in death, she wanted to die knowing the truth.

Xiao Shenjing didn't rush to answer her. Instead, he raised his hand and brushed away the slightly messy strands of hair on her cheek. He even slowly brushed her long black hair behind her shoulder until a section of her fair neck was revealed.

He stared at the red line on her neck, his heavily suppressed gaze becoming even more sinister.

"What are you doing?" Feeling his fingertips roaming over her neck, Yunxi tensed up and resisted even more fiercely.

Xiao Shenjing didn't speak, but his slender hand pulled hard along the red line on her neck.

Yunxi felt a sharp pain in the back of her neck for a moment because of his strong grip.

She subconsciously lowered her eyes and watched as Xiao Shenjing picked up the jade flute pendant.

His soft, shallow breaths brushed against her earlobe, as if he were carefully examining the pendant. This close proximity made Yunxi extremely uncomfortable.

She gritted her teeth and forcefully suppressed the urge to strike.

The next instant, Xiao Shenjing sneered, curled his five fingers and yanked hard, tearing the red thread apart.

Ignoring the pain, Yunxi watched helplessly as the emerald green pendant rolled away in front of her and crashed heavily to the ground.

It immediately shattered into pieces.

"How could you, my woman, be carrying a love token from another man?"

The jade's clear, cold sound was so eerie and terrifying, like a venomous snake spitting its tongue.

Yunxi stared intently at the shards at her feet, absolutely certain that Xu Yuansi had appeared.

So what if it happens?

I just got used to wearing this jade flute and forgot to take it off.

But she could never tell Xiao Shenjing.

Therefore, silence is the only option.

What Xiao Shenjing saw was nostalgia.

This is undoubtedly adding fuel to the fire.

It reminded him of that night at Hongxiuzhao, when she repeatedly called out Xu Yuansi's name.

Xiao Shenjing frowned deeply, then suddenly reached out and grabbed Yunxi's chin, forcibly pulling her towards him.

"What are you looking at, so reluctant to let go?"

Yunxi let him do as he pleased, gazing at him with her almond-shaped eyes, and asked calmly, "So, what do you want me to do tonight?"

She stopped resisting and appeared to have given in.

Xiao Shenjing remained silent, his thick eyelashes lowered slightly.

The fingers that caressed her lips were as light as those that stroked a wilting crabapple blossom.

The next instant, he suddenly gripped Yunxi's neck tightly, leaned in, and bit her lips.

It really bit.

With a burst of venting force, Yunxi let out a muffled groan of pain, and the force of the punishment suddenly lessened, but he still refused to leave. He even raised his hand and grabbed the back of her head without saying a word, lowered his thick eyelashes, and sucked on her lips.

His tongue would occasionally slip into her lips and swirl around, quite forcefully, until Yunxi felt her tongue go numb.

At first, Xiao Shenjing kissed her as a form of punishment.

I didn't intend to do anything else.

But gradually, the kiss changed.

The hand that was holding the back of her head stroked along the back of her neck, noticing Yunxi's resistance with both hands.

As Xiao Shenjing kissed her fiercely, his hand brazenly slipped under the thin collar of Xia Shan's dress along her neck.

Pinch it with your fingertips.

Yunxi suddenly opened her eyes wide.

He slapped Xiao Shenjing across the face with his other hand.

With a "smack," his cheek was slapped and turned slightly to the side.

The young emperor, his jaw clenched, didn't turn around for a long time.

"You're crazy!" Yunxi abruptly pulled his hand away, shaking him off with disgust.

As she stood up, wishing she could get as far away from this madman as possible, Xiao Shenjing slowly turned around and chuckled softly.

The laughter was neither warm nor cold, yet it froze Yunxi in place.

She blinked very slowly, then slowly raised her eyes to look at Xiao Shenjing.

A pair of dark eyes, as deep as an abyss, were staring at her. "Come on, why aren't you moving?"

The voice was perfectly flat, yet it seemed to come from the depths of an abyss.

The next moment will drag everyone off a bottomless cliff.

Yunxi clenched her hands and closed her eyes.

The next moment, she turned around and sat back on Xiao Shenjing's lap, urging, "Hurry up and do what you want to do."

He was holding her clitoris, and she could do nothing but want this torture to end as soon as possible.

Seeing this impatient expression made Xiao Shenjing's anger surge to the top of his head.

"I really should punish you properly!" In the next instant, he grabbed her shoulders with both hands, pinning her between the imperial desk and himself.

It almost brutally burrowed into her mouth.

This kiss was devoid of any tenderness.

Xiao Shenjing didn't even give her a chance to breathe.

As Yunxi groaned in pain and struggled to breathe, the man pressed down on her shoulder, and when she could no longer support herself, he forcefully pushed her down onto the imperial desk behind her.

His kisses grew more and more urgent.

The kisses grew deeper and deeper, yet it still felt insufficient.

Impatiently, he ripped off Yunxi's sash, and the layers of her clothes immediately fell apart.

Before Yunxi could react, Xiaoyi was pushed up.

"Xiao Shenjing, stop right now!" Yun Xi's swollen lips trembled.

"You are my woman, why should I stop?" He breathed heavily and lowered his head.

Yunxi was struck dumb, her mind went completely blank for a moment.

She trembled and shook; the kiss had never been so agonizing.

With trembling hands, she could no longer bear it and suddenly pushed the evil man away.

Xiao Shenjing staggered backward as she pushed him.

Just as she gathered her clothes to run away, Xiao Shenjing pounced on her again and pinned her down.

"Where are you going? Where do you dare to go?" He grabbed her hand and pressed it firmly against the imperial desk.

He exerted so much force that the veins on the back of his hand bulged out.

"Don't touch me!" Yunxi struggled angrily. "So many women in the harem are waiting for you, why don't you go find them?"

The more she struggled, the faster her robes slipped off.

It glides over the shoulder and falls into the crook of the arm.

Pure white, like plum blossoms blooming in the snow.

Xiao Shenjing's throat tightened at the sight, and his eyes, filled with dark, turbulent emotions, surged as he looked at her.

"You think I'll let you go like this? Yunxi, don't even think about it!" He suddenly lowered his head, bent over, and sealed her lips with his.

"Ugh!" Yunxi turned her head, desperately trying to avoid him. "You mad dog, let me go!"

The kicking and striking legs gave Xiao Shenjing an opportunity.

Her long, slender legs forcefully squeezed in.

"I said, even if I die, you must walk with me to the end." The emperor, who was always in control of the situation, was now like a madman, losing his mind and acting recklessly.

period.

Yunxi struggled free for a moment, but Xiao Shenjing pinched her chin, his eyes filled with a sticky lust, "If you run away again, I will immediately issue an edict to slaughter the Jiangyuan Marquis's mansion."

Yunxi was so angry that her eyes turned red.

Xiao Shenjing grabbed her waist and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Just when everything was out of control.

Fu Shun's voice rang out from outside the door.

"Your Majesty, the second prince of the Turks, Ashina Yuansi, requests an audience."

Yunxi clutched her clothes, her whole body trembling violently.

Ashina Yuansi?

Xu Yuansi?