"Your Majesty, are you alright?"
The imperial concubine grabbed her hand, as if waking from a dream, her whole body covered in cold sweat.
"Mermaids...mermaids are trying to kill me! Quickly, fetch the Emperor! Send men to protect me!"
A sarcastic smile appeared on Nian Chu's lips.
It quickly leveled out.
"Yes, this servant will go right away!"
Once the Emperor arrives tonight, her plan can be put into action.
A glint of light flashed in Nian Chu's eyes.
After tonight, this palace will have a new master.
...
In Jiangnan, the tides gradually recede.
Qingyuan stopped singing.
Looking down at the people below, clutching their heads in anguish.
His gaze swept across the scene like an icy blade, then suddenly stopped—
A man dressed as a servant was frantically covering his face with his hands, his veil askew, revealing a section of his snow-white nape.
She wasn't as frightened as the others.
It seemed like they were only trying to avoid something.
Only the Shen family members are unafraid of the mermaid's song!
Qingyuan's pupils suddenly contracted.
His dark eyes flashed with starlight, and he suddenly flew in front of her.
Its long tail coiled around her, violently lifting her up and holding her in front of it.
"ah--!"
Shen Zhiyi cried out in surprise and instinctively reached for the fallen veil, but his cold fingertips pried it off first.
The veil fell.
Her dark hair cascaded down, revealing a fair and delicate face.
Their eyes met.
Time seemed to stand still.
Qingyuan leaned closer, his massive figure completely enveloping her.
He reached out and gently brushed her cheek with his fingertips, his movements tender, but a terrifying undercurrent surged in his eyes.
"Qingqing..." he said softly, "I've been looking for you for so long."
His hoarse, deep voice echoed in her ears in the emptiness.
Like a death knell, it tolls heavily.
Shen Zhiyi's whole body stiffened, and her heart almost stopped beating.
"Qingyuan, you...you have to let me explain..."
"An explanation?" Qingyuan turned his head to look at her, his expression calm, yet inexplicably revealing a hint of madness. "What excuse has Qingqing prepared to deceive me this time? Hmm?"
"But..." he sighed softly, "why don't you call me 'husband' anymore?"
Shen Zhiyi's face turned deathly pale.
Seeing her panicked expression, Qingyuan suddenly chuckled.
He grabbed her chin, forcing her to look up, his eyes suddenly turning cold. "I told you, if you lie to me, you will pay the most terrible price."
The waves roared up behind him.
Reflecting the deep blue glint in his eyes.
"Don't you love money?" He gently stroked her cheek with his fingertips, his eyes revealing a deep desire and obsession. "I'll give you a mermaid pearl."
"However, you will have to pay back as many times as you have been cheated from me."
"One at a time."
He lowered his head, his thin lips almost touching her earlobe, his eyes were cold, but his breath and voice were hot and husky.
"Are you ready, Qingqing?"
Shen Zhiyi's watery eyes widened.
A cruel smile appeared on Qingyuan's lips. He held her in his arms, turned around, and disappeared into the towering waves.
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