It is truly being with the ruler is like being with a tiger.

When Shen Changge left last time, the two of them were still happily together, like glue and paint. How could it be that after staying in the Mo Bei region for only a few months, the situation in the palace had completely changed?

Nangong Chi lowered his head and glanced at Shen Changge, who was standing on the right side of the foremost position. A mocking smile flickered in his eyes, as if he were watching a play.

He suddenly put down the memorandum and threw out a bombshell: "Minister Zheng, I have just read the memorandum you presented me requesting me to select a concubine. It is time for the royal family to expand its descendants. You shall begin making preparations for the various matters regarding the selection of young maidens in the coming days."

The Minister of Rites quickly dropped to his knees and accepted the imperial decree.

Amidst a chorus of unanimous approval, Shen Changge stood frozen on the spot, as if a bucket of icy water had been poured over her head on a winter day, chilling her to the very core.

He looked at the emperor on the dragon throne in disbelief, as if suddenly not recognizing him.

Shen Changge's hand in his sleeve clenched and then loosened, repeated back and forth. He exerted almost all of his strength to restrain himself from blurting out a refusal right then and there.

Later, when the court officials were discussing matters during the morning court session, he had no interest in listening to what they had to say.

After enduring hardships for a long time, he finally heard the eunuch's announcement of the end of the morning court.

Nangong Chi would occasionally cast a discreet glance in my direction, but he never noticed that I noticed.

After morning court, Shen Changge didn't even have time to change her clothes before hastily making her way to the imperial garden.

He knew that Nangong Chi loved to stay around the artificial mountains in the Imperial Flower Garden, and Nangong Chi seemed to have guessed his arrival early on, standing there waiting for him.

"Chong Lin," Shen Changge walked quickly over and stood in front of Nangong Chi.

Chong Lin was the given name of the new emperor. Under the heavens, only Shen Changge, who was so intimately close to him, was worthy of calling him by his name.

Nangong Chi was holding a bowl of food, feeding the fish. In the water pond, the red, white, and golden carp crowded together, rushing to grab the fish feed he scattered.

Shen Changge walked briskly over, startling the fish on the edge who were unable to snatch their food, causing them to quickly dive back into the water.

"Why do you suddenly want to take a consort?" Shen Changge felt a sense of urgency in her heart and couldn't care about anything else, so she asked directly.

"Why, can't I accept it?" Nangong Chi turned his head to look at him, his face showing some displeasure, with no trace of a smile in his eyes.

Shen Changge felt a sudden tightening in her heart as she looked into his eyes. The words she wanted to say got stuck in her throat and she swallowed them back, unchanged.

He remembered that Chonglin had clearly told him before that he did not like women, only himself. And he even praised him as being more beautiful than any woman in the world, saying that if he really had to take a concubine, he would discuss it with him. But why are these words no longer valid now?

Nangong Chi's hand trembled as he poured all the fish feed from the food bowl into the pond, causing a frenzy among the carp. They became active again, frantically jostling each other to snatch the food.

"How? Does it mean that I, as the emperor, need to obtain General Shen's approval before selecting a consort?"

Shen Changge had never seen him speak to her in such a tone before. She was unsure where his anger originated from and feared that saying anything more would only worsen the situation. While her mind was still contemplating, she quickly apologized, "I dare not, Your Majesty."

Looking at his trembling appearance, Nan Gongchi couldn't help but find it amusing in his heart, but he said with his mouth, "Seeing you scared like this, I was just joking, you took it seriously. It's those old guys from the Ministry of Rites who are urging too much. I'll just randomly recruit a few as a show for them, nothing will actually happen."

It is often said that half-truths are most convincing to people, especially when Shen Changge already had full trust in him.

Nangong Chi said that he would simply accept it all.

Shen Changge raised her head in a half-believing, half-doubtful manner and saw the smile on Nan Gongchi's face, which finally relieved her a little.

Nangong Chi was willing to explain the reason for taking in the concubine to himself, showing that he cared a great deal about himself.

Shen Changge realized at this moment that the matter was no longer important.

Chong Lin, isn't it enough that he's the one you love the most?

Shen Changge thought about this and was prepared to change the previous topic. He took the initiative to bring up the military situation: "When I returned from the northern desert this time, I had a battle with the barbarians. They were even more cunning than before, tricking me into advancing deep into the Jiahuguan Pass and taking advantage of the terrain, which resulted in a hidden loss for me. It was truly frustrating."

He spoke in a relaxed tone, casually brushing over the dangers of the battlefield as he selectively shared only interesting stories with Nangong Chi.

When Shen Changge speaks, her eyebrows dance and her eyes sparkle, reflecting the rippling water with a captivating brilliance.

Nangong Chi's throat tightened, and he moved his throat up and down, obviously being reminiscence was triggered by his appearance.

He suppressed his thoughts and asked, "Putting that aside for now, what did you gain from your negotiations with the Northern Barbarians?" Nangong Chi asked in a seemingly casual manner, but his gaze continuously flickered on Shen Changge's face, not willing to miss any subtle changes.

I declined his proposal after paying them over a dozen good horses and meeting the Northern Yi Prince, Tuoba Xiao, in person. He did mention wanting to sign a ten-year truce treaty but his demands were too harsh, so I did not agree to it.

"Oh? What does he want?"

Shen Changge remembered what Tuoba Xiao had said, wanting her to be his male pet and serve him loyally. This made her feel both angry and annoyed, causing her ears to turn red.

But he definitely couldn't say such words directly to Nangong Chi, lest this overly suspicious and hot-tempered new emperor become furious and command the Mobei Army to conquer the northern barbarians.

The Zhou Kingdom is currently in a state of disarray, and initiating a war would bring no benefits but many harms to the kingdom. Therefore, he had no choice but to make an effort to conceal his uneasiness and replied with forced calmness, "Naturally, they wanted things like soldiers, horses, and fertile land. It's just that their demands this time were too excessive, so I did not agree."

As he listened to his answer, the gaze cast by Nangong Chi became increasingly cold.

He had heard some rumors earlier that Shen Changge and Tuoba Xiao were getting involved with each other. At first, he didn't believe it, but now seeing Shen Changge's secretive appearance, that sense of doubt became even heavier.

Shen Changge felt a bit shy, so she slightly averted her gaze while speaking. By the time she looked back, Nangong Chi had already regained his usual demeanor.

Shen Changge affectionately held Nangong Chi's hand and asked with concern, "Have you been sleeping well lately? You used to say that you couldn't sleep if you didn't tug on my sleeve at night. So, during my absence, have you been sleeping peacefully?"

"Fortunately," said Nangong Chi.

With this topic brought up, Nangong Chi also felt that he had become too reliant on Shen Changge. He was, after all, an emperor, how could he let someone else control even trivial matters like sleep?

Shen Changge astutely sensed that something was amiss in the atmosphere. Unsure if it was just his imagination, he couldn't help but feel a slight distance between himself and Nangong Chizhi.

However, he didn't dare to ask too much in the end. He suppressed the doubts in his heart and followed Nangong Chi as they walked into the depths of the palace.

Their destination was Nan Gongchi's sleeping quarters - Chengze Palace.

It has been months since they last met. Judging by the intensity of Nan Gongchi's desire for him, they should have already passionately kissed by now. However, that person did not do so.

Could it be that he dislikes his own heavy battle armor?

After entering the palace, Nangong Chi dismissed the palace attendants. Only after the doors were closed by someone, did he leisurely turn around and begin removing the armor from Shen Changge's body.

In the past, he was very enthusiastic about doing this, but Shen Changge had too many things that she couldn't understand today.

He didn't dare to let the emperor make a move again, so he reached out and untied himself. Nangong Chi also didn't stop him, only casting a sidelong glance as if watching him, yet also seeming to be looking elsewhere.

Shen Changge felt uneasy in her heart, while Nangong Chi remained silent, and the atmosphere instantly became tense and stagnant.

In the end, Shen Changge took the initiative to pull Nangong Chi onto the bed and asked him, "Chonglin, what happened?"

The door closed, and the window was half-shut, leaving only the two of them here.

Nangong Chi raised his head and looked at Shen Changge's beautiful face, which was illuminated by the candlelight. In his heart, he thought, why are you so attractive, making me love you so much... I love you to the point of wanting to imprison you, so that only I can see you.

Nangong Chi's right hand gently caressed Shen Changge's cheek as he leaned in and lightly kissed his lips.

The warm touch, as sweet as ever.

Never betray me, otherwise I will definitely destroy you.

Nangong Chi's emotions fluctuated, and he became even more unrestrained when he spoke. Shen Changge only felt a sudden pain on her lips, and hastily pushed Nangong Chi away. However, the corner of his mouth had already been bitten by this person.

Shen Changge is indeed a person with a respectable reputation, as she engages with others on a daily basis.

After biting himself like this, Nangong Chi would find it difficult to go out tomorrow. Should he be forced to say that it was the cat at home that scratched him?

"Chong Lin!" Shen Changge's voice carried a tinge of annoyance.

Nan Gong Chi licked the tip of his teeth stained with blood, pulling Shen Changge closer and firmly holding her in his arms. He whispered by her ear, "I had a dream..."

Shen Changge ignored the slight pain and perked up her ears, wanting to discern the reason behind his unusual behavior as he spoke.

Nangong Chi's head rested on his shoulder in a way that made Shen Changge unable to see his face, and naturally unable to see his somewhat sinister expression. "I dreamt that you led an army to barge in, and the Northern Army flattened the threshold of the imperial palace. You all charged in, dragged me off the dragon throne, and then you swung your sword, beheading me..."

"Chonglin." Shen Changge hugged him tightly, patting his back soothingly, and said, "That was just a dream."

He pondered for a moment and added, "I wouldn't betray you either."

Nangong Chiwei lowered his eyelids, his eyes filled with darkness.

If it's merely a dream, he naturally wouldn't care so much.

Lately, there have been strange celestial phenomena, as well as rumors circulating within the imperial city. Various signs have been accumulating, making it impossible for him to regard this dream as a mere coincidence.

And one scene in his dream was also confirmed. He dreamt that Shen Changge was defeated by the Northern Barbarians. Originally, he didn't believe it because it was just a small-scale battle, and Shen Changge had the advantage in numbers and terrain.

However, reality dealt him a harsh blow: Shen Changge unexpectedly lost.

In this situation, either General Shen has lost his ability to command the Sixth Army, or it is a warning from heaven, reminding him to be cautious of those close to him.

The power in Shen Changge's hands is ultimately a bit too great. If there is even more, it will inevitably end up burdening himself.

Even though he already belongs to her, Nangong Chi would never allow such a situation to happen.

Seeing him remain silent, Shen Changge also slightly loosened her grip on him and said to him, "Chonglin, I will never betray you. As you have said, you are the ruler and I am your subject. Together, we will protect the land of the Great Zhou Kingdom, supporting and depending on each other until death do us part."