"What are you saying, my husband? How could I be such a person who plots rebellion and usurps the throne?"
You, the legitimate son of a noble family, are the biggest traitor, a villain who plots rebellion and usurps the throne.
Yan Beimo stared at her, a gentle smile on his face.
"The Southern Dynasty was destroyed by Shen Yan. Your father, mother, and brother all died at his hands. Would a ruthless woman like you not want that?"
Chu Changning paused, then lowered his eyes.
The powerful clans remain unchanged, while the dynasties come and go. Born into a chaotic era, the aristocratic families are powerful, while the imperial power fluctuates frequently. The upper-class families indulge in extravagance and indulgence, monopolizing the entire officialdom. The politics of the aristocratic families are deeply rooted, leaving the common people with no way out.
In today's world, wars are frequent, people are homeless, and refugees suffer unspeakably.
Shen Yan overthrew the Southern Dynasty and, upon assuming power, immediately confronted the aristocratic families. He implemented the recommendation system, allowing children from humble backgrounds to enter the court, develop their talents, and break the monopoly of the aristocratic families.
Even more so, in this era of war and chaos, instead of rushing to fight and unify the world like the kings of the north, they provided disaster relief and aid to the people.
He was a good emperor, but—not a good husband.
He rose to power and established his hegemony by stepping on the blood of the entire Southern Dynasty royal family.
"Or you are not the real Chu Changning."
A cool voice suddenly whispered in her ear, gentle yet like a fine hook piercing her heart, sending chills down her spine.
Chu Changning was startled by his words and quickly came to her senses.
"Um?"
The two were so close that she could kiss his lips with just a slight turn of her head.
She concealed her shock, subtly stepping back to look at him.
"What nonsense are you talking about, husband?"
Seeing that she was avoiding him, Yan Beimo smiled gently and leaned lazily against the soft pillow behind him.
Chu Changning didn't understand what he meant, and looked at him as she spoke.
"The Southern Dynasty has fallen, and I am barely able to protect myself in Yandu. Even my husband is unwilling to help me, so who would risk their life to help me? I have long since resigned myself to my fate."
Yan Beimo was annoyed by her sarcastic words.
He reached out and hugged her slender waist, pulling her into his arms. His long, clean hands gently caressed the soft bones below her waist as he spoke softly.
How would you like me to help you?
Chu Changning paused slightly, then spoke in a clear voice.
"I didn't want anything, I just wanted to see Chang Le."
Yan Beimo raised an eyebrow. "I'll take you to the palace tomorrow."
Chu Chang Le also heard the news of the arrival of envoys from various countries in the capital while she was in the palace, but she was imprisoned in the empty hall and could not see anyone.
"Playing the zither".
The palace maids outside heard the noise and responded respectfully.
"Princess."
"I want to see His Majesty."
Siqin was delighted upon hearing this, "This servant will assist the princess in her bath."
Guangyang Palace.
Chen Yan, dressed in a thin, snow-white undergarment with thick gauze wrapped around his chest, was sitting at a couch table, processing memorials.
The warm light illuminated the surroundings, making the sharply defined face appear terrifyingly pale.
"Your Majesty, Princess Anning has arrived."
Shen Yan paused in reviewing the memorials, then looked up.
"who?"
Xiao Lezi laughed and said, "Little princess."
"Let her in."
Thin sunlight streamed through the door and fell on the person who entered. The woman in white had skin as white as snow, delicate features, and a gentle, radiant beauty.
Shen Yan lay weakly on the small couch, quietly watching her approaching figure.
He leaned there, his whole being exuding an aura as pure as frost and snow, like a banished immortal untouched by the mortal world. His black hair cascaded down his back, and his deep features added a touch of imperial elegance.
"I thought I was dead, and you wouldn't even come to see me."
Chu Changle stood at the doorway, speaking softly.
"My elder sister is back, isn't she?"
"You're so far away, do you think I'd eat you?"
His sharp eyes stared straight at her.
Chu Chang Le looked away, her voice flat.
"You promised me that if I didn't die, you wouldn't harm my elder sister."
Shen Yan looked at her and remained silent for a long time.
A silence hung in the air.
“I was seriously injured and almost died, and the first thing you asked me when you came to see me was about Jinling.”
What else?
Chu Chang Le scoffed, "Does His Majesty still expect me to care about you?"
Shen Yan remained silent, staring at her. His dark hair was blown by the wind outside the vermilion window, and a few strands of hair covered his pale cheeks, giving him a touch of unrestrained elegance and nonchalance.
The atmosphere between the two was strange, and the eunuchs and palace maids serving outside dared not utter a sound.
Chu Changle looked at his face and spoke.
"I don't care who you're trying to kill by hosting this banquet for all the nations. You promised me you wouldn't harm my elder sister, so please keep your word, Your Majesty."
After saying that, she turned and left.
Seeing her leave without any mercy, Shen Yan tightened his grip on the scroll, and a terrifying ferocity appeared in his deep eyes.
Xiao Lezi, who was outside, wisely closed the palace gates.
Chu Changle frowned, but then heard his voice from behind her.
Do you want to see her?
My back suddenly stiffened.
A slight crack appeared on her expressionless face as she turned to look at him.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
His expression turned cold and indifferent, his eyes dark and deep as he looked at her.
Chu Chang Le's hand, hidden in her sleeve, tightened slightly. After a moment, she asked.
What do you want?
As soon as he finished speaking, a faint smile appeared on Shen Yan's lips.
“The little princess of the past would never have thought of these things.”
Chu Changle gave a sarcastic smile. "Yes, but she was killed by His Majesty himself long ago."
"---"
"Help me change my dressing and I'll let you see her."
Chu Changle paused, her gaze shifting to his chest, which was wrapped in thick bandages, and refused.
"I will not change the medicine, Your Majesty. Please make a different request."
Shen Yan said, "It's alright, just like before."
Chu Chang Le's hand tightened, and a silent bitterness welled up in her heart.
She didn't say anything and walked over on her own.
Xiao Lezi brought in the imperial medicine box and respectfully placed it on the imperial table.
Chu Changle opened the medicine box, took out the medicine bottle, and bent down to unwrap the gauze wrapped around his chest.
Her movements were not gentle, and the already damaged wound was torn open.
But Chen Yan seemed oblivious, her face showing no emotion whatsoever.
As the bandages were removed, bloodstains were visible inside, and there were still traces of stitches at the wound site.
Chu Changle didn't even blink, she just used the medical instruments to press on the wound to prevent it from tearing the skin and flesh.
The two were standing very close to each other.
Shen Yan kept staring at her, his cool and indifferent eyes faintly flashing with a sickly coldness.
"Are you planning to kill yourself after seeing her just once?"
Suddenly, he leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
Chu Changle's eyes changed slightly, and her hand movements unconsciously became a little more forceful.
She didn't say anything, quietly changing the dressing.
Suddenly, Shen Yan became fierce, grabbed her waist, lifted her up, and pressed her down onto the soft couch behind him.
Chu Chang Le, who was not skilled in martial arts, did not react in time, and her expression changed instantly.
She quickly placed her hands on his chest.
"what you do?"
"Ha, what am I doing?"
Shen Yan sneered and grabbed her hands, raising them above her head.
"What do you want me to do?"
"Get out of my way!"
Provoked by the hatred in her eyes, Shen Yan pressed down on her legs, tore open her thin dress, and leaned down to kiss her soft lips.
Chu Changle turned her head away, and he kissed her down her fair neck, his hand holding her bodice was icy cold.
She couldn't take it anymore, and cried out in a trembling voice, pushing him away.
But he acted like a madman, torturing her in a self-destructive manner.
"Chen Yan, I hate you, I hate you so much--"
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