"You're not much to look at, but you've got some nerve!"

Chong Ning's voice carried an intense pressure, and his sharp eyes were filled with contempt and coldness.

Looking at the dazzling crown on Yang Shuhuan's head, her memory was pulled back to seven years ago.

That year, beneath the imperial edict, Zhou Yanchi, dressed in a blue robe, held a folding fan, his features gentle and refined.

She was standing not far away when the man turned around and met her gaze.

Zhou Yanchi was respectful and humble, and gave her a warm smile. Chong Ning felt her heart race at just one glance.

The emperor and empress dowager forced her to marry, but she didn't want to marry someone she didn't love.

Therefore, the moment Chongning saw Zhou Yanchi, he had the urge to make him his son-in-law.

Even so, Chongning was completely unaware that Zhou Yanchi had a triumphant smile on his face after turning his head.

After marriage, Zhou Yanchi was diligent and ambitious, and the two treated each other with respect. They had a good reputation as officials, and the man also managed the household affairs very well.

Chongning thought she had met a good man, but little did she know that this scoundrel already had someone he loved.

Marrying oneself is nothing more than wanting to climb up one's own ladder by stepping on one's own shoulders.

If it weren't for her early return that day, she would probably still be kept in the dark by Zhou Yanchi.

While he was out there fighting for his career, he was at home indulging in a loving embrace with his childhood sweetheart, treating her like a fool.

This headdress was the love token that scoundrel gave me. I was young then and was deceived by such a beast in human clothing.

She had come to terms with it after all these years, but this fool actually put the headdress in front of her himself.

Chong Ning suddenly let out a cold laugh, his expression growing even colder. Yang Shuhuan, who was opposite him, didn't understand what was going on and awkwardly smiled along.

"Your Highness, what's wrong? I've only heard of your illustrious reputation and wished to come and witness your magnificence..."

"So, have you finished watching now?"

Yang Shuhuan was interrupted, and she nodded, not knowing why.

She raised her glass, intending to finish the drink, when suddenly, with a slap, her face burned instantly.

"Princess, you..."

"Now that you've finished reading, it's time for me to stretch my muscles."

Chongning slapped him again.

She had practiced martial arts since childhood, and the strength in her hands was many times greater than that of ordinary women.

After a few slaps, Yang Shuhuan felt her head buzzing.

Her makeup and hair were a complete mess; it was an eyesore.

"Your Highness, what have I done wrong? I beg Your Highness to enlighten me."

Yang Shuhuan knelt down pitifully, her face filled with grievance and resentment.

She clearly didn't say anything wrong, so why did Chongning slap her a few times for no reason?

That force was almost as strong as that bastard Ning Yin's before.

If she weren't used to being beaten, she might have fainted from the pain.

"You, a mere daughter of a marquis, when did you acquire such grand manners, daring to come and drink with me?"

"Furthermore, I heard that you used your seductive charm to seduce Shen Yun, driving his wife out of the General's Mansion. Afterwards, you even brought people to humiliate him multiple times. And here you are, pretending to be weak and pitiful for me?"

"Why don't you take a look at yourself in the mirror? Do you even deserve to drink with me?"

Chong Ning's tone was cold, and his whole body was filled with a terrifying aura. Yang Shuhuan lowered her head and did not dare to meet his eyes at all.

"Princess, I am your humble servant, I am your humble servant..."

Yang Shuhuan didn't know how these things had reached Chongning's ears so quickly.

She wanted to fight for herself again, but Chongning's slender fingers ripped off her headdress and threw it away.

Yang Shuhuan frowned, and tears, which she could no longer hold back, streamed down her face.

The headdress, covered in many strands of hair, rolled several times on the ground before finally stopping at Shen Yun's feet.

Shen Yun was so engrossed in drinking with Xiao Ling that he didn't notice what was happening here at all.

He only looked down when his head touched his feet.

He had met Yang Shuhuan once before the palace banquet, and Yang Shuhuan kept showing him this headdress.

No wonder it looked so familiar. He looked in that direction and saw Yang Shuhuan being dragged away from Baohe Hall by Duan Li.

Shen Yun frowned. He was unaware of Shen Jia's situation and assumed his sister was just wandering around the palace.

Therefore, at this moment, a man's protective instincts and sense of dignity suddenly rise to their peak.

No matter what, she would be his future concubine. If Chongning slapped Yang Shuhuan, wasn't he slapping his own face?

He was once a mighty and domineering general of the Great Qi Dynasty, so how come everyone dares to ride roughshod over him now?

Thinking this, Shen Yun clenched his fists, his eyes filled with a bloodthirsty glint as he stared intently at Chong Ning and Xiao Xuan, the siblings.

What's there to be so proud of? Sooner or later, they'll all be brought down. Do they really think they can stay on their high position for long?

Shen Yun was feeling depressed and irritable, and worried about Yang Shuhuan's condition, so he had no more energy. He whispered a few words to Xiao Ling and left.

No sooner had Shen Yun left than Consort Chen started making a ruckus.

It turned out that her grandson had eaten something and was now vomiting and having diarrhea, and his face had turned ashen.

"What's going on!"

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Zhang's expression hardened, and she turned around to see Consort Chen holding her three-year-old grandson, shouting and yelling.

Despite the fact that he was her own great-grandson, she still showed some concern.

"Why aren't you summoning the imperial physician yet! You're all useless; a whole group of people can't even take care of one child."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!