[From now on, you're mine.jpg]
That line of "bullet comments," tinged with arrogance and domineering, floated clearly and openly above Xiao Che's cold and handsome face.
Looking at the words and then at the man's pretentious and inscrutable demeanor, all the shock, fear, and unease she had felt before miraculously vanished in an instant.
Instead, there was an extremely complex yet incredibly clear emotion.
Is it touching? Is it funny? Or... a heavy sense of responsibility that comes from being completely trusted?
She herself couldn't explain it clearly.
All she knew was that the man before her, this emperor who was deep in thought, hypocritical, and had been pretending in this palace for so many years, was now extending an olive branch to her in his most unique, clumsy, yet sincere way... a branch she could entrust with her life.
And she had no reason, nor could she refuse.
Lin Wanwan took a slow, deep breath and forcibly calmed her heart, which was pounding wildly with shock.
She recovered from the enormous shock.
She knew that once she accepted the jade pendant, there would be no turning back.
This means that she will no longer be just an empress who only wants to live a peaceful life in the palace and save her own life.
She would be completely and utterly bound to Xiao Che's fate and to this turbulent empire.
His enemy is her enemy.
His glory is also her glory.
From now on, they will share both glory and loss.
This is an immense power, but even more so, an immense responsibility.
There was not a trace of hesitation in Lin Wanwan's eyes.
She looked up and met Xiao Che's deep, night-sky-like eyes.
Then, she stretched out her fair and slender hands and solemnly and carefully took out the dark jade pendant with a coiled dragon, which was warm and smooth all over and symbolized supreme trust, from the sandalwood box.
The jade pendant felt slightly cool to the touch, yet it carried a heavy weight, as if it could press down on one's heart.
She clutched the jade pendant tightly in her palm.
Then, she took a step back and, facing Xiao Che, performed the most standard and solemn court salute with utmost care and precision.
Her skirt spread out on the ground, forming the most perfect, blooming lotus flower.
Her voice no longer held any hesitation or timidity, but was filled with unprecedented firmness and determination.
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your trust."
She emphasized those four words very heavily.
What she was thanking for was not the right to mobilize the three thousand imperial guards.
She was thanking him for choosing her amidst this monstrous conspiracy, making her his only comrade-in-arms whom he could entrust his back to...
Xiao Che looked at her kneeling on the ground, and a complex emotion flashed in his deep phoenix eyes.
There was appreciation, satisfaction, and a hint of... relief that he himself was unaware of.
He had been waiting for this day for far too long.
He didn't say anything more.
He simply gave a faint "hmm," and then waved his hand casually, as if he had done something insignificant.
"Step down."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
Lin Wanwan bowed again, then slowly stood up, turned around, and walked out of the Imperial Study, a symbol of the center of imperial power, with steady steps.
As the heavy vermilion palace doors slowly closed behind her once more, she seemed to hear that her life, too, had turned a new page.
...
Stepping out of the Imperial Study, the sky outside the palace had already completely darkened.
In the night sky, countless stars twinkled, and a bright moon hung high in the sky, casting a cool, silvery glow.
Eunuch Wang De had already prepared the sedan chair and was waiting respectfully outside the palace.
Lin Wanwan did not get into the sedan chair immediately.
She simply stood quietly on the white marble steps, head bowed, slowly opening her palms.
The dark jade pendant with a coiled dragon lay quietly in her palm.
Under the cool moonlight, its smooth texture seemed to be tinged with a layer of light silver frost. The dragon coiled on it, with its deep, lifelike eyes, seemed to be silently watching her.
She held the warm, smooth jade pendant tightly in her palm.
That slightly cool touch seemed to carry a scorching heat, spreading from her palm all the way to her limbs and bones, and finally flowing into her heart.
She knew that from this moment on, everything would be different.
She, Lin Wanwan, is no longer the transmigrator who only wanted to protect herself and eke out a living in this deep palace.
She was no longer the empress who needed to rely on a bit of cleverness to survive in a precarious situation.
This jade pendant gave her power and confidence.
More importantly, it gave her a completely new identity and a weighty mission.
She boarded the sedan chair to return to Kunning Palace.
The evening breeze, carrying a hint of coolness, blew in through the gaps in the sedan curtains, ruffling the stray hairs on her forehead.
But Lin Wanwan's heart was burning with an unprecedented passion.
In her mind, flashed Xiao Che's cold and distant gaze when they first met; his silent indulgence in the Cining Palace; his agile figure and warm embrace in the Imperial Pharmacy...
Finally, the image that settled on his head was a picture with a mix of arrogance and domineering: "From now on, you're mine.jpg".
She couldn't hold back any longer and chuckled softly.
The laughter was crisp and melodious, carrying far into the quiet night.
Wang De, standing outside the sedan chair, was slightly taken aback upon hearing the laughter. Immediately, his expression became even more respectful.
The sedan chair traveled smoothly along the secluded palace road.
Lin Wanwan lifted the sedan curtain, looked up, and gazed at the deep, boundless night sky.
She saw it, the brightest star among the myriad of stars.
Empress Dowager?
Regent?
No matter how many unknown conspiracies and intrigues are hidden behind the deep palace and imperial court.
Regardless of the hardships and dangers that lie ahead, and the clash of swords and shadows.
Bring it on!
Lin Wanwan's lips slowly curved into a confident and bright smile.
Because, from this moment on...
She is no longer fighting alone.
Behind her stood an emperor.
One...
Comrades-in-arms.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com