"Where are you going?"

"War. Shen Changge was destined to be born on the battlefield and die on the battlefield. It is Changge's foolish obsession, unable to see her own identity, that troubles His Majesty. The common people know that they have let down His Majesty, so I, as a humble subject, have volunteered to go to the front lines. Even if I sacrifice myself for the country, it is only right."

"There will be countless generals to take your place. You just need to attend to me well," said Nan Gong Chi. "Besides, do you think you can come and go as you please in this imperial palace?"

Sure. Here's the translation: 'Sure enough.'

Yes, there will be tens of thousands of generals to take their place. In his eyes, I am merely an insignificant presence, easily dispensable.

The Yangtze River's waves push forward relentlessly, so what does Shen Changge amount to?

Shen Changge's sorrow was no greater than a dead heart. He had intended to abandon his dignity and beg Nan Gongchi to spare him.

He should have kneeled down, but he lacked the strength to get out of bed and kneel down before Nangong Chi. Even just straightening his body was a struggle.

Shen Changge exerted all her effort to speak, "I... am not a concubine of Your Majesty..."

"But you are no longer a general of Zhou Kingdom. In this lifetime, you can only be beneath me and enjoy my affection. This is your duty."

If we were to say that one's body has been defiled, it is only an insult to the fleshly vessel.

Nangong Chi's words were like a knife plunged into Shen Changge's heart.

I originally thought that protecting Zhou Guo for him would be the best way to repay Nan Gong Chi.

I thought that by doing so, he would value himself more.

Little did she expect that, in his eyes, she was nothing but a "Chenghuan" palace maid from beginning to end.

Shen Changge, daring to wholeheartedly devote yourself to an emperor, this is the price you must pay.

Daring to disrupt the norms between ruler and subject, this is your end.

He endured the waves of pain coming from his heart and bowed to Nangong Chi: "Please, Your Majesty, grant your consent."

Nangong Chi, unangered, instead laughed, "You want to go to the battlefield? Do you think you're still the revered General Shen in everyone's eyes? Have you ever thought about how the people of Zhou Country are talking about you now?"

The blood drained from Shen Changge's face, and her whole body swayed precariously.

He knew that the thing he was most worried about had happened.

Nan Gongchi misunderstood him and distanced himself from him, but he could understand it, and he also believed that there would be a day to clarify everything. However, once he spread this news to the world, Zhou Country would be thrown into chaos.

What would the people of Zhou country think?

What will the enemy country think?

How should the people of the Shen family handle themselves?

Close friends bring pain, while enemies bring joy, hitting right at the weak spot of others.

Seeing his flustered appearance, a sense of uncontrollable excitement surged in Nangong Chi's heart.

Shen Changge should not have been a general, nor should he have been a figure envied by everyone. He should have been under his own control, unseen by anyone.

Those who covet him and yearn for him should gather their thoughts.

Because he belonged to her, from skin to bone, from body to soul, every inch of him was branded with the three words "Nangong Chi".

Nangong Chi took him to the market.

The document of Shen Changge's treason and collaboration with the enemy has already been posted inside the imperial city. Nowadays, in tea houses, restaurants, and inns, on the streets and alleys, people are discussing this news everywhere.

General Shen, who was once renowned throughout the capital, has now become a despised figure, a target of disdain for everyone.

Occasionally, there would be one or two people speaking up for him, but as soon as they did, they became targets of public criticism. They had to convince him to join in the condemnation of Shen Changge.

Second-floor elegant room facing the street.

"Did you hear it?" Nangong Chi twirled the cup in his fingertips, finishing the remaining alcohol inside before his hand on his lap twitched slightly.

Under the table, there came the sound of metal rubbing against each other, clattering. It was a piece of iron chain, with the other end of the chain locked around Shen Changge's wrist.

Today, Nangong Chi was dressed in the finest clothes. He wore a dark blue brocade robe with golden dragon patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs.

On the other hand, looking at Shen Changge, not only was her face pale and her expression filled with despair, she was also wearing only a thin single garment, faintly outlining her slender figure underneath the clothes.

"You brought me here just so I could listen to this?" Shen Changge forced a smile, neither confirming nor denying. We were on the second floor, and he wasn't deaf, so of course he could hear.

"Why can't you be more obedient and submissive? Is it really so difficult for you to follow me?" Nangong Chi tugged on the chain, nearly causing Shen Changge to stumble and knock into the table.

Watching Shen Changge's disheveled appearance, he couldn't help but burst into laughter. He leaned closer and asked, "Or perhaps, you don't like the gift I've given you?"

Shen Changge did not answer, only gazing at the man opposite him with a pair of dark, sinister eyes, this man whom he should address as Your Majesty.

Nangong Chi pulled him over and sat him on his lap.

Shen Changge did not resist. Ever since that incident occurred, he had become like this.

He was originally a general, deeply in love with Nangong Chi. Therefore, he sacrificed himself for him, willingly surrendering beneath his body.

But someone who belittles themselves like this, how can they have a good ending? Nangong Chi also looks down on him, so it is only right to pass him on to someone else.

It doesn't matter anymore.

It is nothing more than perpetually bowing one's back, unable to lift one's head again.

Being expelled from the Shen family and being labeled as a treacherous rogue for the rest of his life was all that awaited him.

But the problem is that he didn't do anything at all, yet had to endure such unfair treatment. The person who should have believed in him the most has instead become the one who trusts him the least.

"Do you want to go back to the palace?" Nangong Chi whispered in his ear.

Shen Changge's slender body was gathered in his embrace, like a bamboo standing tall against the cold wind.

Seeing him not responding, Nangong Chi immediately freed one hand and playfully slipped it into his garment.

During these days, due to the influence of the "Spring Swallow", Shen Changge's body became increasingly sensitive, even a slight touch could make him inhale a breath of cold air.

Nan Gongchi was satisfied with this kind of reaction, which made him develop a hidden thought that "Shen Changge only belonged to him."

However, for another person, this is just a kind of humiliation.

The difference between love and playthings is just a thought away, like night and day.

"Everyone, leave." Nangong Chi suddenly declared.

There were only the two of them in the room. However, as soon as these words were spoken, two black-clad masked guards suddenly appeared on the ceiling beam. One of them went to close the windows, while the other bowed and then left. It didn't take long before they had completely withdrawn.

Shen Changge knew what he was about to do. Her long eyelashes trembled, as if preparing to evade.

"Since you refuse to go back to the palace, then stay here." Nangong Chi hugged him and placed him on the table, while the chains emitted a series of chilling clinking sounds.

Shen Changge clenched her fingers tightly around the edge of the table, a hint of tears glistening in her eyes.

He still had strength, he could struggle.

But this person is the Emperor, the revered figure of the nation, the Son of Heaven.

He couldn't kick this person away like a lover, because he didn't have the right to refuse at all. If Nan Gongchi wanted it, he would lie down, it didn't matter.

This body is already dirty anyway, how he wants to play with it is up to him.

The dark guards had been waiting for a long time, finally seeing the door to the room unlock.

Shen Changge was carried out, with disheveled hair, and she lethargically nestled in Nangong Chi's embrace. She seemed to have given up struggling, like a lifeless porcelain doll.

Nan Gongchi, however, greatly enjoyed such intimacy. Not only did he hold him all the way down the stairs, but he also refused to let go even after they got into the carriage.

The carriage rumbled towards the direction of the palace under the urging of the horses. The coachman, who was also a subordinate of Nangong Chi, knew full well to turn a blind eye and mind his own business.

The car passed by the wine house and went through Wangwen Street in front of the imperial palace.

There was a crowded gathering of people over there, and many were gathered in one place. Nan Gongchi also joined in the excitement, causing the coachman to slow down the horse.

The street was very spacious, wide enough for four cars to drive side by side, but now it was blocked off and impassable.

Originally, there were two groups of people who brought along some followers, showing off ostentatiously on the road.

If it were just a dispute between two factions, it would be nothing more than a clash of egos between the aristocrats. Unfortunately, it seems that one side consists of the offspring of the Shen family, someone whom Nangong Chi had encountered during last year's autumn hunt.

The curtain on the side window of the carriage was pulled up, and Nangong Chi embraced Shen Changge as he looked at her with great interest.

The son of the Shen family said, "My family has been serving in the army for generations, with a long history of loyalty and contributions. You upstarts who have climbed up from elsewhere, what qualifications do you have to stand on the same piece of land as us?"

The wealthy gentleman across the way unwillingly retorted, "So what if your family has a longstanding military tradition? Didn't you also produce a traitor who colluded with the enemy? Everyone, am I right?"

So everyone around burst into laughter together.

After hearing this, Nangong Chi lowered his eyes and looked at Shen Changge. However, that person had lowered their eyebrows and there was not a hint of any unusual expression on their face.

"You're being audacious! Without Shen Changge, our Shen family still has plenty of talented individuals. As for you, dressed in luxurious fur and looking all impressive." A young member of the Shen family retorted, "In reality, you're just a tasteless person relying on wealth acquired through dubious means."

What's wrong with the copper coins? Who doesn't love money? The silver taels we earn ourselves, are we not allowed to talk about them? As for all of you, even though you have vast fortunes, who knows how much intelligence on military strategies you've sold to obtain them.

"You are trying to change the subject. It is you who claimed to be incredibly wealthy, hence this comparison. Making far-fetched connections is not a skill worth mentioning." As the young master from the Shen family spoke, he had his followers behind him display the valuable items they brought - priceless Shu brocade, coral from the South China Sea, and so on, making the surrounding crowd envious.

The nobleman also displayed the items he brought with him, including fist-sized precious gems and jade bracelets, and an abundant amount of them.

They were wealthier there, and Nangong Chi had some understanding of the situation.

He asked Shen Changge, "I can't tell that your Shen family background is so extensive. Even a collateral branch has so much wealth. It must be that the people below have not spared any gifts on them, asking them to help smooth the way. But didn't you say that the Shen family are all upright officials? How did you also start doing such lucrative activities?"

Shen Changge finally lifted his eyes. His body still felt exhausted, and even speaking seemed a bit feeble for him. But he understood that since Nangong Chi asked this question, he must certainly receive an answer before he would give up.

So he could only force himself to gather some energy and respond reluctantly, "It's just a short-sighted termite. If Your Majesty dislikes them, then simply get rid of them. This humble subject usually resides far in the north and has no reach into the imperial palace, so naturally, I can't take care of these matters."

He paused for a moment and continued, "The Shen family has always upheld strict discipline within their household. If it were a direct descendant, they would never commit such disregard for priorities. It is only those who are inherently unscrupulous, benefiting unjustly from their powerful connections and filling their own pockets at the same time."

Nangong Chi listened to him and showed a hint of approval in his eyes after he finished speaking. However, it was clear that his inquiry did not end here, so he asked another question, "Do you really not know what I mean, or are you pretending to be ignorant?"

Shen Changge fell silent for a while this time before replying, "I understand, Your Majesty is merely saying that in the past, I held a prominent position and the Shen family had great influence, which led to the rise of such troublemakers."

"Yeah, not bad. Then, do you hate me for stripping you of your title and relegating you to become a commoner?" Nangong Chi threw out another fatal question.

Hate? I don't hate.

How can one who has loved someone so deeply bear to hate him?

But in the end, there was still resentment. Resentment towards him for unfairly blaming himself without distinguishing right from wrong, and for not leaving any shred of trust for himself.

Without receiving a response, Nangong Chi knew that his speculation was correct.

He snorted coldly and no longer paid attention to Shen Changge.

These days, being imprisoned in a secluded palace, Shen Changge hasn't seen the outside world for a long time.

Without waiting for the curtains to be lowered, he boldly looked through the window at the scenery outside, just like a captive bird peering through the bars of its cage at the blue sky beyond.

As the carriage went further and further, the bustling and noisy scenery disappeared, and only tall palace walls emerged before their eyes, like tombstones buried beneath them.

Shen Changge suddenly felt frightened, and he instinctively grabbed Nan Gongchi's sleeve, saying to him, "Let me go, please."

He took the initiative to speak, and Nangong Chi should have been happy, but when he uttered these words, Nangong Chi's mood quickly sank.

"Where are you going?"

"I am no longer a general, and I won't threaten your position. I am just an ordinary citizen, right? If you release me, I can leave the imperial city and stay far away from this vortex of power." He swallowed the rest of his sentence: "Then I can go to the battlefield, to that place filled with swirling sands but brimming with passion, to protect our home and sacrifice myself if necessary."

"Do you want to leave?" Nangong Chi tightly grasped his bony wrist, coldly saying, "Don't even think about it. You will stay by my side for the rest of your life, unable to come and go as you please. Only when I don't want you anymore will you be free."

"The commoner is not Your Majesty's concubine, nor should she remain in this deep palace," Shen Changge argued strenuously, despite her hand being painfully squeezed by him.

"Not my concubine? Fine, for all these years, I disregarded all the other concubines and favored only you. But now, in your mouth, it has become 'not mine' to me." Nangong Chi pushed him to the ground and shouted, "You think you can brush me off with just these words? It seems you have been spoiled by my favor. Since you can't figure it out yourself, go to the Cold Palace and think it over. Once you understand how to humble yourself, then come talk to me again."

The opportunity to leave the palace was cut off, and Shen Changge felt a wave of sorrow. Unable to bear it, she raised her hand and covered her eyes.

But tears still uncontrollably rolled down his face.

[System prompt: Strategy target South Palace Chi, Love Value +5, Regret Level +2, Current Love Value 85, Regret Level 60.]

The Emperor's words are as weighty as the Nine Tripod Cauldrons. When he said to have him sent to the Cold Palace, people were immediately dispatched to bring him there.

Shen Changge still had the iron handcuffs on her wrists, except this time, the other end of the iron chain was connected to the wall of the Cold Palace.

Former general who protected the country, now imprisoned in the cold palace.

Without identity or status, I followed Nangong Chi like a pitiful joke.

Even Gao Gonggong, who spoke a few words with him that day, was implicated and sent to this deep palace to accompany him.

As soon as Grand Tutor Gao entered the room, he saw the General on the bed, wearing thin clothing, no longer radiating the former glory. He almost couldn't help but shed tears and exclaimed, "General, how could His Majesty treat you like this?"