The northern You region was vast and rich in resources. Emperor You abandoned the city and fled south to move the capital.
After Yan Beimo sent troops to garrison Dingyuan City, he took Chu Changning back to Libei.
The northern lands are vast and boundless, close to the fiefdoms of the northern lords, and even closer to Beiyou. A few days later, they arrived at Chaoge.
In previous years, after Yan Beimo occupied Libei, he built the Xin Palace in Chaoge and raised a private army.
The majestic Xin Palace, like a ferocious beast lying in wait, was extremely extravagant, with lanterns stretching for miles, their threads shaped like phoenixes and beasts.
The eaves, built in the Wei style, are carved with dragon heads in an unconventional manner. The winding path leads past one red wooden railing after another, where there are carved beams and painted rafters everywhere, and a row of golden decorations and hundreds of lanterns, visible for miles at night.
The palace also kept many rare birds and animals, and many of the ferocious beasts from the north could be seen here.
Chu Changning was amazed by the splendor of Xin Palace. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, who would have known that Xin Palace was even more extravagant than the imperial palace in the capital?
As expected of a scion of a wealthy family raised in the capital, Yandu, he was arrogant, extravagant, and dissolute.
She was arranged to live in Changxin Palace, the residence of Yan Beimo.
Facing the water to the east, a series of magnificent painted screens stretch across the entire ship, creating a beautiful scene.
Yanbei Mo is very busy. Wars are frequent in the north, and kings often come here to discuss matters.
Sometimes when Chu Changning dined with him in the Hall of State Affairs, he would hear many secrets.
For example, the power struggles among the aristocratic families of Yandu, and Yan San's secret mobilization of troops to return to Yandu to start a new undertaking.
Even more shockingly, he secretly dispatched troops to press eastward into the capital. The presence of troops in the eastern part of the capital displeased His Majesty in the capital, who repeatedly summoned him back to the capital. He defied the imperial decree, displaying eccentricity and coldness.
Prince An, who guarded the thirteen capitals of the western capital and the eastern capital, was also one of his men.
His repeated southern expeditions hinted at a plot to usurp the throne.
"Are you full?"
The sudden sound brought Chu Changning back to his senses.
She looked up and saw that the generals outside the screen had already left.
Dissatisfied with her distraction, Yan Beimo scooped her up in his arms and carried her into the inner hall.
"Take a nap?"
Fearing that he would be debauched in broad daylight, she quickly kicked her legs.
"I'm not sleepy."
With a snap, Chu Changning's face turned deathly red.
She said angrily, "Can't you not hit me here?"
Yan Bei Mo rarely saw her embarrassed or angry; a barely perceptible smile flashed in his eyes.
Chu Changning paused, then lowered his head and remained silent.
After entering the inner palace, he placed her on the couch.
Chu Changning immediately rolled into the blanket.
"Take off your outer garment."
"I'll just take a short rest, I won't take it off."
Yan Beimo reached out and pulled back the covers, saying calmly, "I don't want to sleep with my clothes in my arms."
Then you shouldn't hug me.
Chu Changning muttered a few words to himself, then obediently unfastened the clasp on his hand.
Inside the layers of red gauze curtains, a dim and enchanting atmosphere prevailed.
Holding Chu Changning in his arms, she thought of Taozhi, who was still in Qing County, and snuggled against him affectionately.
"Can I go out and have some fun?"
She has been imprisoned here ever since she arrived in Libei.
She wanted to go out and see if she could find an inn to send a message to Taozhi. She wondered if that silly girl was still there or if she had been kidnapped.
Yan Beimo raised an eyebrow. "Xin Palace is so big, it's not enough for you to play in."
"---"
"The hunting grounds to the east house many ferocious beasts from the north, and the racecourse also has fine steeds sent by small kingdoms in the Western Regions. Yichunlan has cultivated all sorts of exotic flowers and rare herbs, as well as ice-carved beasts--"
Chu Changning pursed her lips and interrupted him.
"I just want to go out and see the capital city in the north."
Yan Beimo chuckled, feigning surprise, "You're so curious?"
That crazy bastard is deliberately mocking her.
Chu Changning turned his back and remained silent.
Yan Beimo propped himself up against the bed and poked her waist with his hand.
She ignored him and rolled herself up in the blanket, moving further inside.
Leaving behind the cold north wind, we passed over layers of flying eaves and wound our way to the long hall.
The two seemed to be having a tiff and ignored each other.
Yan Beimo has always been aloof and has never bowed his head to anyone despite holding a high position for so long.
Seeing her so audacious, his expression darkened.
After a moment, he awkwardly reached out and continued to poke her waist.
Chu Changning didn't speak, but moved further inside.
Suddenly, a cold knife pressed against her fair skin.
A chill crept in, penetrating to the bone.
Chu Changning gritted his teeth in anger.
That madman only knows this one trick.
Having spent so much time together, she knew in her heart that Yan Beimo wouldn't kill her now, so she sat up abruptly.
Yan Beimo was surprised when she suddenly sat up; the blade was so sharp that it almost cut his skin.
He quickly sheathed his knife and scolded, "So rash!"
"Besides threatening with a knife, what else can you do?"
She threatens people with a knife all the time; does she think she's easily frightened?
"presumptuous."
His face fell.
Chu Changning met his gaze, showing no sign of yielding.
That "I'll do whatever I want, so what?" expression enraged Yan Bei Mo.
“Let me tell you, take back your foolish thoughts, stay here quietly, and if you dare to dream of anything else, I won’t hesitate to kill you right now.”
That's how the two of them are; they can start arguing at the slightest disagreement.
Chu Changning was stung by his harsh words and was unwilling to indulge him, so she deliberately made a few sarcastic remarks.
She has a sharp tongue; her words are so infuriating that Yan Beimo would sew her mouth shut.
His face was cold and menacing. He grabbed her by the waist, pressed her down, and tore open her inner garment.
It was buried there.
Caught off guard by the manipulation, Chu Changning came to her senses and angrily scratched his back.
Yan Beimo didn't want to hear her curse, so he lowered his head and sealed her lips with his.
The two kissed fiercely, and slowly, their breaths intertwined, their voices becoming increasingly tender.
Her body went limp.
"You're so stubborn with your words, but your actions tell a different story."
Chu Changning had to admit that the two were quite compatible in this respect.
But she couldn't stand his attitude and deliberately retorted, "Your skills are so-so."
Her words stirred up Yan Beimo's innate desire to conquer.
Without saying a word, he lifted her up by the waist.
Chu Changning finally understood what it meant to bring trouble upon herself; she couldn't even step out of the palace for the entire afternoon.
Yan Beimo was supposed to be busy with official business in Chaodong, and the generals waited for several hours in the outer council hall, but no one came out.
A close advisor went to summon him, but heard a woman's voice inside the hall. Everyone was displeased, but after a short while, a guard came to report that the Marquis of Yan had something to discuss and would talk about it later that evening, and asked them to go back first.
Since no one had ever seen Yan Beimo neglect military affairs, they couldn't believe it for a moment. Some bold people stood up and angrily denounced the absurdity, turning their anger towards Chu Changning.
"Witch, what a wicked witch who eats people without spitting out the bones."
The others followed suit, echoing his sentiments.
"We should have advised against it back then and killed this bewitching woman who seduced the king."
A princess from a fallen kingdom not only dared to secretly collude with the Western Regions to murder her husband, but also escaped punishment. Now, she's even getting her lord involved in his debauchery in broad daylight. What will become of her in the future?
Chu Changning was naturally unaware of these words. She was exhausted and drifted off to sleep.
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