Cui Nianmi was wearing a pink and green bamboo brocade dress, which made her look elegant and beautiful.

He smiled and said, "Yes."

Officials from the Ministry of Rites and the chief steward of the Jingshifang came forward and welcomed the two men into the palace.

Cui Nianmi looked behind her. The palace gate was as deep as the sea, and freedom would never return.

Wang Yanran was quite excited. Everywhere she looked, she saw magnificent architecture with carved beams and painted rafters. The imperial palace was the place where one could show off one's talents.

I caught a glimpse of Cui Nianmi's doomed look and felt extremely unlucky.

Wang Yanran once had the good fortune to meet Emperor Xuanwu outside the palace. His demeanor, appearance, and every move were full of charm.

The emperor is handsome and holds the greatest power in the world. If you win his favor, you can be as precious as gold and jade, and help your family share the glory and wealth.

If I could get the love of an emperor again, it would be too worth it.

When they arrived at Chuiliu Gate, two groups of palace maids came.

"Master Wang, I will take you to Zhuixia Palace."

"Master Cui, I will take you to Yaohua Palace."

There is a row of buildings along the south wall of the imperial palace, which is the imperial cabinet. The six ministries (personnel, revenue, rites, military, punishment and work) are all located near the cabinet and are directly responsible to the emperor.

Qi Yan came out of the Ministry of War. He is now serving as the Vice Minister of War, assisting the Minister of War in handling all matters of the Ministry of War across the country.

A guard came up.

"My Lord, the Emperor has ordered you to go to the Jianting training ground."

"I see."

Qi Yan walked and thought that his visit to Guanju Palace the night before might have aroused Emperor Xuanwu's suspicion.

As expected, as soon as he entered the training ground, seven or eight guards came up, tied him up, and hung him on a tall pillar.

A Ferghana horse was galloping across the vast field. Xuan Ling, wearing a black brocade robe with dragon patterns, drew his bow and shot an arrow at the person on the pillar.

Qi Yan closed his eyes, looking like a dying animal in the afterglow of the setting sun.

I heard that animals can foresee their death, and cats will quietly leave home before they die and choose to die peacefully outdoors.

When the elephant beast senses that it is about to die, it will make a mournful sound and walk alone to the family tomb.

From the moment he returned to Beijing, from the moment he knew that Sheng Xiyan had entered the palace as a concubine, Qi Yan was already dead.

The arrow grazed his left arm and pierced his shoulder, and deep red blood seeped onto the vermilion material of his official uniform.

Emperor Xuanwu had a handsome yet sinister face, and his brows revealed an air of supreme authority.

He waved his hand, and the guards came forward with whips and beat Qi Yan hard.

At the gate of Jianting training ground, Hua Xia was brought in by the imperial palace maids.

Eunuch Fu said, "Miss Hua Xia, are you here?

The Emperor has ordered you to observe carefully and report truthfully to the Empress Chen."

Hua Xia nodded and looked inside.

At a glance, I saw a man tied to a pillar, with a long arrow in his body and being whipped.

She was so frightened that she quickly covered her mouth, her legs trembling, and she felt she couldn't stand steadily. She silently said to herself, fortunately it wasn't the empress who came.

Qi Yan was like a dead body, without making a sound. His robe was torn, strips of cloth were flying around, and blood was stained on his body.

After a stick of incense, the emperor shouted, "Stop."

The guards bowed and retreated, and Xuan Ling rode his horse to Qi Yan.

"Qi Yan, do you admit your guilt?"

There was blood at the corner of Qi Yan's mouth and his forehead was covered in sweat.

He opened his eyes, sweat dripping down his sword-like brows, and smiled bitterly.

"Your Majesty, please kill this servant."

The black feather phoenix eyes are twisted with purple pupils,

"On the day I ascended the throne, I told you: Holding the Imperial Seal in hand, with the world in my heart, and commanding might throughout the land, this is the aspiration of an emperor.

Qi Yan, do you still remember how you said it?"

Qi Yan swallowed the blood rising in his throat.

"I, Your Majesty, will always be one with you. I will always have the ambition to be a lofty roc and accompany you in your quest for greatness."

"Qi Yan, I cherish you and have nurtured your talents, and you haven't let me down.

However, regarding matters in the harem, just like today, I don’t need any evidence, nor do I need to ask you whether you really did it?

Because I am the Son of Heaven, if I want to give people a chance to explain, I will give it. If I don’t, that person will have no chance to turn things around.

Don't challenge my authority. I know what you are thinking. Just die. It is a worthy death for that person.

But don't forget, you have the Qi family on your shoulders, and she has the Sheng family on her shoulders.

I am not a generous person when it comes to feelings. This is the last time I am warning you!"

The emperor's face was full of gloom and cruelty.

He is jealous and intolerant.

He was her legal husband, but he did not have her complete heart.

Even so, he wanted to keep Sheng Xiyan by his side and accompany him.

For mortals, love is a moment outside of order in a hundred years.

Love, hate, and foolishness are all sins.

Entanglement and bondage are also love, who says it is not?

Outside the training ground, Eunuch Fu said, "Miss Hua Xia, now that you have seen clearly, go back."

Hua Xia walked away tremblingly, her legs shaking.

She hoped the way back would be longer, as she really didn’t want to tell Sheng Xiyan what had just happened.

But how dare we not follow the imperial decree?

In Guanju Palace, Sheng Xiyan was leaning on the chaise longue and dozed off. The scroll in her hand fell and she suddenly woke up with a start.

I always feel my heart beating fast.

"Mei Xiang, where's Hua Xia?"

"Your Majesty, the imperial servants have called Hua Xia away."

Imperial concubine? Does Xuan Ling have any instructions?

Sheng Xiyan rubbed his chest, feeling extremely uncomfortable. He took his own pulse and found that he was indeed having some palpitations.

Just as I was thinking about it, Shanhu came in with Hua Xia. Her face was pale, as if she was extremely frightened.

Sheng Xiyan poured her a cup of hot tea.

"What's wrong with you? What did the emperor say?"

Hua Xia put down the teacup, pulled her hand, and didn't know how to start.

When Sheng Xiyan saw the seriousness of the situation, she wondered if she would be banished to the cold palace.

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