"Till death do us part." Nan Gongchi's tone turned heavy as he forcefully ripped apart Shen Changge's clothes and pinned him down on the dragon couch.

Shen Changge was somewhat bewildered by his rough actions, and immediately, Nangong Chi flipped her body over, completely stripping her of her clothes.

"Why are you so anxious...?" Shen Changge, lying on the bed, chuckled and teased him.

He didn't turn back to look, so naturally, he had no idea how frightening Nan Gongchi's face had become.

At the spot where Nan Gongchi's gaze converged, there was a dark red hickey. It was embedded on Shen Changge's skin, so pure and white like jade, appearing so dazzling.

Nangong Chi's fingertips trembled slightly, and there was a hint of melancholy in his eyes, as if a mountain rain was about to fall.

Is this left by Tuoba Xiaoxiao? Or someone else left it?

The red mark had almost faded away and wasn't very noticeable anymore. Just by looking at it, Nangong Chi could imagine the whole scene.

The thought of Shen Changge being occupied and touched by someone else made Nangong Chi's gaze gradually turn fierce.

That night was an unforgettable one for Shen Changge, one she would rather not look back on.

Unlike the previous tender and affectionate demeanor, Nangong Chi now behaved exceptionally rough and cruel, as if he regarded himself as a lowly servant girl rather than a lover in mutual affection.

He woke up on the dragon-shaped bed, carrying such doubts in his mind.

[System Prompt: Raising South Palace Chi's favorability by +20, regret level by +10. Current favorability is at 20, regret level at 10.]

Forget it, since he has provided such reliable data, I won't argue with him for now.

"Hey, Maoqiu, won't you explain to me the reason for his abnormal behavior?" Wen Fei pounded the bed and called out.

Ma Qiu felt called out by the host and could only obediently respond, "Sorry, host, I can't give away spoilers. This story requires you to explore the hidden plot yourself."

"What should I do if I end up getting myself killed during the exploration process?"

Mission failed, reloading save file.

"...Wasn't it you who got f*cked? Don't you know how painful it is?" Wen Fei wanted to cry, but there were no tears left.

Fortunately, Shen Changge has a strong physical constitution. After resting for a while, he decisively got out of bed.

He quickly put on his clothes and called for Gao, a close attendant of Nangong Chi, to come and talk to him.

Gao Gonggong has once received his favor. During his military campaign, he learned a lot of trivial matters about the new emperor from him.

"What has recently happened in the palace?" Shen Changge still felt some pain in her body, so she discreetly supported her waist and asked in this manner.

There's nothing significant, it's just that Princess Dexin has visited the palace a few times... Oh, and Xitu sent a beautiful woman over, but His Majesty didn't want her.

"Is that so?" Although it didn't sound like a big problem, Shen Changge couldn't help but furrow her brows. "Has Your Majesty's sleep been peaceful lately?"

"Steady." Grandfather Gao answered, "Just that it seems he's waking up earlier than usual, and occasionally lights a lamp at night."

Shen Changge asked a series of questions but did not receive the answers she desired. She had no choice but to suppress her inner doubts.

It's not inside the palace, could it be outside the palace? It seems like he needs to go and investigate.

He was deep in thought when Grand Tutor Gao suddenly said, "I heard that the beautiful woman from the Western Region said she was very interested in the customs and culture of Zhou Kingdom. She requested to accompany Your Majesty for a stroll in the Imperial Gardens, and it's said that they had some alone time together. However, the beauty only stayed in the capital for three days before returning to the Western Region with the envoy."

Westward Advance?

First it was the Northern Yi, then it was the Western Tu. Although Shen Changge knew that these two countries have always had trade relations with the Zhou Kingdom, they often engage in intense conflicts with each other.

"They shouldn't join forces to deal with the Zhou Kingdom..."

Shen Changge rubbed her temple, trying to suppress the impending sense of unease.

At the corner of the long corridor, Nangong Chi stood in the shadow, silently watching Shen Changge's figure.

"Brother Emperor, is that General Shen? When did he become so close to the eunuchs in your palace?" The young maiden in imperial attire beside him suddenly spoke up and asked this question. This maiden was none other than Princess Dexin, the cousin of Nan Gongchi.

The speaker is unintentional, but the listener has a motive. Nangong Chi's pupils contracted, and his gaze grew slightly heavy.

It's unclear whether it's due to a deep-seated grudge or not, but he always feels that every action of Shen Changge has ulterior motives. It's one thing to collude with external enemies, but now even the people within his own palace are being won over by him.

What do you want to do? Seize the throne?

Nangong Chi clenched the hand hidden in his sleeve tightly, while feeling increasingly stifled in his heart. It seemed as if he needed to find a way to release his pent-up emotions and let them out freely.

Princess Dexin covered her lips with her handkerchief and smiled, saying, "General Shen truly possesses an outstanding appearance. Within the capital city, besides the emperor brother, I'm afraid there's no one who can match his charm."

Nangong Chi turned his gaze towards her and asked with a smile that was not quite a smile, "So, what do you think of my betrothal of Xiner to General Shen?"

Although their relationship lasted for several years, he did not want Shen Changge to be regarded as a concubine by others.

Therefore, all along, Nangong Ci has always treated Shen Changge with utmost discretion, hiding their relationship from everyone.

And Dexin, being a pampered little princess secluded in her boudoir, naturally had no knowledge of their relationship.

Therefore, when Nangong Chi said this, it really seemed like he was going to choose a satisfactory husband for her.

"Xiner doesn't want to, Emperor Brother. Are you trying to make me marry a man who is much more handsome than myself, just to infuriate me?"

Princess Dexin retorted coquettishly, nearly making Nangong Chi burst into laughter.

He naturally understood the temperament of his younger cousin, innocent yet spoiled.

Although Dexin is already at the age to get married, she has always been unwilling to have her parents arrange her marriage.

The young master of the prime minister's family didn't want her, the newly established general with outstanding military achievements in Huainan didn't want her either. So many matchmakers sent by prestigious families in the capital city have almost worn out the threshold of her house, but she didn't even spare them a glance.

Afterward, it wasn't easy for her to find someone she liked, and the result was an impoverished scholar without any achievements.

Her parents naturally disapproved of her marrying beneath her, so they cajoled her with sweet words while sending her lover away to the desolate lands of Lingnan.

At first, she made a big fuss about it, but later, she probably understood the interests involved and never mentioned this matter again.

It must be the nature of a young girl's heart, turning her head and forgetting about that person.

Hearing her praise Shen Changge's appearance, Nangong Chi was also greatly pleased, thinking to himself that it was no wonder she was his cousin, even their preferences were aligned.

However, the next sentence from Princess Dexin froze his smile on his face. "But I heard that General Shen might be interested in men."

Nangong Chi's face darkened, and he spoke in a low voice, "Who told you that?"

Dexin was startled by his expression and stuttered in response, saying, "It... It was Feng Shunhua who told me."

Feng Shunhua is the grandson of the veteran General Feng, who served in three dynasties. His residence is built near the mansion of the Princess Chang, and since childhood, he has been close friends with Princess Dexin.

Nan Gongchi naturally recognized him.

It is said that half a year ago, Feng Shunhua was sent to the Mo North Army by General Feng to undergo training, hoping that he would achieve glory like Shen Changge and bring honor to his ancestors. Since Feng Xiao is in the army, it is somewhat possible for some bits of information to reach Dexin's ears, which can be considered acceptable.

"What else did he say?" Nan Gongchi asked urgently.

De Xin hesitated for a moment, looking at his expression, which wasn't as terrifying as before. Then, she timidly replied, "He also mentioned that General Shen is quite disorderly in private, and it seems like there's some ambiguity between him and his deputy, Zhang Shaoqiu... a little bit."

De Xin stopped speaking midway, her face turning red. It was clear that the words she wanted to say were too embarrassing for a young girl like her, who had not yet married.

"What do you mean by 'chaos' in private?"

Apart from himself, how many others has he had?

Nan Gongchi's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot, and the doubts in his heart were getting heavier and heavier.

Shen Changge knew best of all what posture she was in beneath him. As the once imposing and majestic General, when he took off his battle robe, his skin was as smooth as jade. And when a blush appeared on his cheek, he became even more beautiful than a woman.

As soon as the thought of his body being touched by someone else crossed his mind, Nangong Chi couldn't help but feel a surge of violent anger. He wished he could chain Shen Changge up with iron chains, fastened to the dragon bed, and make him wait every night for Nangong Chi's favor.

Another night passed.

On that day, Shen Changge was still unable to return to his mansion outside the palace and was instead kept in the palace by Nangong Chi.

After the lights went out, Nangong Chi couldn't help but recall that dream.

He dreamed of a magnificent palace city being engulfed in flames of war.

The cries of palace maids, the roars of rebel soldiers, and the clashing of gold and iron filled Gong Nanchi's ears, making his head dizzy and throbbing.

He called out for the Imperial Guards, he called out for the armed palace guards, he called out for the eunuchs and attendants by his side, but no one paid any attention to him.

In the deafening sounds of fierce fighting, it seems as if there are one or two familiar low murmurs, as if they are suppressing joy and yet reveling to the fullest.

Nangong Chiqing couldn't help but take a step forward and moved towards the direction of the sound.

That is his Chengze Hall, his sleeping palace.

Outside, the world was embroiled in chaos, but inside the Chengze Palace, incense burned and curtains hung down, as the light of red candles cascaded, elevating the space with a touch of enchantment.

A slender hand stretched out from the bed curtains, tightly gripping the edge of the bed.

Nangong Chiqing couldn't help but take a step forward and finally, through the small gap in the slightly open curtain, caught sight of the scene inside.

The protagonist of that play turned out to be none other than his Grand General and the Prince of the Northern Yi's - Tuoba Xiao.

Even after catching sight of him, the two individuals did not pause in their actions. On the contrary, they provocatively confronted him.

Tuoba Xiaona, the treacherous man, laughed and said, "Changge, take a look at who's here. It seems to be that wretched cur."

So Shen Changge also looked over at him, smiling. While she was having an affair with the adulterer, she mockingly taunted Nangong Chi, feeling proud of herself: "Oh, you're here...ah...you're late. This Zhou Nation is already under our control."

Nangong Chitong's pupils contracted, and he went to search for the high-hanging sword on the wall. By the time he fetched the sword, the enemy on the other side had already sounded the retreat.

The soldiers from Mo Bei army rushed in from outside the hall and pressed him down to kneel.

"Outrageous! You are utterly outrageous! I am the Emperor of Zhou Country, and yet you dare to court death?" Nangong Chi struggled to say.

He is the emperor, the revered symbol of supreme authority. How dare these people treat him like this.

Without quotation marks, the paragraph translates to:

"He didn't expect his soldiers to press him and say, 'What emperor? We don't know any emperor, we only know General Shen.'"