Realizing that she had been deceived by Shen Changge's sweet words, Nangong Chi couldn't contain his anger. He immediately swung his palm towards Tubatu Xiao, attacking him.

Tuoba Xiaogu quickly dodged, swiftly rolled up the bedsheet to keep Shen Changge from getting cold, and at the same time, leaped up to engage in a fight with Nangong Chi. The two of them tangled together, both displaying an invincible posture.

Tuoba Xiao, have you infiltrated the imperial city of my Zhou Kingdom with the intention of provoking me to send people to arrest you and throw you into prison?" Nangong Chi landed a punch on Tuoba Xiao's chest and demanded an answer.

He was fighting with all his might, but Tuoba Xiao couldn't bring himself to deliver the fatal blow.

After all, this is Zhou Country's territory. If I were to injure Nan Gongchi or be caught by him, it would implicate my own country.

Tuoba Xiao had concerns in his heart, so he held back in every aspect, gradually finding himself at a disadvantage.

But although he didn't have the upper hand in his fists and feet, he still wanted to take advantage of the situation with his mouth, as he charged at Nangong Chi and said, "Nangong Chi, if you no longer like him, you can just give him to me. I promise to treat him well."

Nan Gong was furious, so he became even more unfiltered with his words, not caring that Shen Changge was still nearby. He directly cursed, "Don't even think about it. Even if I am bored of playing, it won't be your turn."

Shen Changge was awakened by the sound of their fight, and as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw the two people who shouldn't have been here.

Not only did they appear, but they actually started fighting.

He widened his eyes in astonishment, unsure of what to say.

When he woke up, Nangong Chi's attention naturally shifted to him. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Tuoba Xiao quickly retreated and escaped through the window.

Nan Gong Chi chased after him to the window, but his figure disappeared. He then called for the secret guards and instructed them to go and capture him.

The flames ignited by Tuoba Xiao had not yet dissipated, instead they instantly transformed into boundless anger, directed towards Shen Changge who was lying on the bed.

As Shen Changge was still perplexed and about to ask what was going on with them, a slap suddenly came and hit his face, causing his entire face to turn sideways and his ear to ring loudly.

Having arrived by the bedside, Nangong Chi slapped him hard, causing his hand to go numb, while his heart was nearly torn apart by pain.

Shen Changge reached out and touched the corner of her lips, looking at the bloodstain on her fingertips, completely stunned for a while.

Shen Changge, you may." The moment she thought about how this person kept claiming to like her, but was secretly having an affair with Tuoba Xiao right under her nose, South Gong Chi felt a surge of anger rising in her chest, making her feel like she was about to explode.

So, it turns out that you're so unwilling to get close to me because you've found someone new, huh?

Very good, very good.

Nangong Chi's face drastically changed, as he used a key to remove the iron chain from the wall. Then, he took the chain and tightly bound Shen Changge together with the blanket. Shouldering the bundle, he walked out.

The high-ranking eunuch, Grand Tutor Gao, was disturbed by the commotion in the main hall and rushed out from the adjoining room. As soon as he saw Nan Gongchi's intimidating appearance, he knew that something serious was amiss.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please let go of the general, Your Majesty!" Grand Tutor Gao hurriedly ran over, desperately trying to stop him. But he was kicked in the chest by the enraged Nangong Chi and fell backward onto the ground, unable to get up for a long time.

Nan Gongchi walked past him and continued walking outward.

The torment of prolonged illness left Shen Changge extremely weak and slowed down his reactions. Half-conscious, he was carried to Chengze Hall and as soon as he was laid down, he began to explain, "I have no idea how Tuoba Xiao ended up there. I've never met him before."

Little did Nangong Chi know, he didn't even give him a chance to explain. He swiftly ripped off Shen Changge's hairband and tightly gagged his mouth, preventing him from uttering a single word.

Shen Changge didn't know what he was going to do again. She whimpered a few times, but Nan Gongchi didn't respond.

Nangong Chi now feels like he could literally kill Tuoba Xiao, but when he looks at Shen Changge, he also feels like he can't let him off easily.

Why do I have to feel so miserable and in so much pain, while he doesn't have a care in the world?

Shen Changge, do you have a heart at all?

Nangong Chi's anger reached its peak, but he unexpectedly burst into laughter.

He said to Shen Changge, "Shen Changge, just because you're entangled with Tuoba Xiaojun, do you think I will treat you the same as before? Let me make it clear, I am not dependent on you either."

He didn't address Shen Changge using his usual "I," but spoke with the term "we," appearing extremely cold and distant.

He pressed a hidden switch under the bed, and the middle of the bed sank down, revealing a space wide enough for two people. Nangong Chi carried Shen Changge and placed her inside, then closed the switch, leaving him in a state of shock and confusion.

This place was built by successive emperors to guard against palace coups, so that there would be a place to hide when rebels attacked. He usually hid treasures here, but now he finally discovered another use for it.

There was a concealed vent near the bedside to ensure that Shen Changge wouldn't suffocate. Nangong Chizhao spread the blanket exactly as it was and then turned around and walked out, ready to carry out his next step of revenge plan.

Shen Changge can have relationships with others right in front of his face, and he is also capable of doing the same.

'An eye for an eye, anyone can do that.'

Shen Changge anxiously shifted around in the cramped space. Wrapped up in a blanket, he wasn't too cold, but his heart felt as if it had been left out in the coldest days of winter, chilled to the bone.

He finally understood that he had been fooled by Tuoba Xiao again.

But why would Tuoba Xiao do this? What benefits could he possibly gain from slandering himself?

Shen Changge was completely puzzled. He desperately searched for a switch that could open a passage around him, but his hands were handcuffed, and his body was wrapped in a quilt, with iron chains winding around him. It was difficult for him to even move, not to mention the dim lighting here, which made it impossible to see the surrounding environment, let alone locate any mechanisms.

Like an ant on a hot pan, she anxiously fidgeted for a while, but outside, there was still complete silence. Suddenly, Shen Changge had a vague sense of unease.

At this moment, the sound of footsteps and the voices of two people could be heard from outside. It was Nan Gongchi and another woman.

Yunfei has entered the palace for three years, yet she has never seen the emperor. Although her family background is not bad, it cannot be considered exceptionally good either. Originally, she thought that she was the only one being treated coldly, but later she found out that in this vast imperial palace, no one has ever received the emperor's favor.

Perplexed and confused, she didn't dare to question the emperor rashly, so she could only suppress her doubts deep within her heart.

She thought that this was how her life was going to be, but little did she know that today, just out of a whim, she went near the Chengze Hall to look at the flowers and caught the Emperor's attention, who then brought her into the palace.

Could it be that she would soon be able to win the favor of the Holy One, give birth to a prince, and ascend to heaven in one step, transforming into a phoenix on the branch? She covered her chest, suppressing the excitement in her heart that was jumping around uncontrollably.

After entering the palace, Nangong Chi remained silent and began to undress her.

Consort Yun blushed with shyness. She did not expect that the Emperor would be so impatient, especially in broad daylight.

As Nan Gongchi loosened her belt, he leaned in close to her ear and whispered, "No matter what happens later, just keep calling out. The louder, the better."

Consort Yun: "......" Ah? Does His Majesty have such unusual hobbies?

Nangong Chi paid no attention to anything else, he just picked her up and placed her on the bed.

As soon as she heard the sound of someone's body pressing down on the bed, Shen Changge froze beneath the bed, becoming as rigid as a stone.

Nangong Chi felt even more delighted at the thought of Shen Changge listening below.

Will you feel uncomfortable? Will you feel heartache? If you do, then that's great. Let you also taste the feeling I have endured, only then will you understand how hurt I am inside.

He tried hard to remember the charming and seductive posture of Shen Changge beneath him in his mind, and his body gradually became heated.

Soon, the palace was filled with the joyful sounds of men and women.

Shen Changge didn't know how he managed to endure listening to it. He would rather die himself.

There's no need to listen to this stuff once you're dead.

It turns out that six years of holy favor and twenty years of knowing each other are actually such illusory and ethereal things.

Everyone says that emperors are heartless, but he didn't believe it. Now, he has finally tasted the bitter consequences.

His crushed heart finally turned into mud amidst the mixed heavy breathing and moaning.

What is he still looking forward to, Shen Changge asked herself.

If it could be said that when their military seal was seized, he still believed that Nan Gongchi was deceived by treacherous people; when he was locked in the deep palace, he still held onto the slim hope. However, when Nan Gongchi personally handed him over to someone else, he truly experienced the taste of a broken heart. And today, as he watched them come together in front of his eyes, it completely severed any remaining affection between them.

He didn't want to appear weak, nor did he want to adopt a crying and whining attitude. But even if he closed his eyes, tears couldn't help but well up.

Why not just kill me? Why make me endure all of this? You have my military token, and you have my life. Can you please spare me?

Nan Gongchi's movements slowly turned into mechanical fumbling.

Consort Yun shouted for half a day, her voice nearly hoarse, but she dare not call a halt.

The two of them were both disheveled and pretending for quite some time, and neither of them had any interest in continuing. Unable to bear it any longer, Nangong Chi grabbed Yunfei's clothes from the ground and threw them onto her, telling her in a low voice, "If you dare say a word to anyone, I will have your head on the chopping block."

Concubine Yun eagerly nodded her head, swiftly putting on her clothes without a moment's delay. She didn't even care that her dark hair was disheveled as she hurriedly dashed out, as if escaping a disaster.

The palace maid waiting outside the elegant Qingya Pavilion thought Yunfei had received some kind of honor and was about to offer her congratulations. However, after Yunfei rushed out without saying a word and hastily ran away, the palace maid was frightened, thinking that something major had occurred, and hurriedly followed her.

This is simply too shameful!

Remembering what had just happened, Yunfei's mind felt like it was about to explode. She had never imagined that the intimate encounter she had long anticipated would turn out to be like this.

His Majesty never really possessed her, he merely held her, making her scream while he gasped for breath.

It's as if it's done for someone to see.

Yunfei didn't dare to think any further and quickly ran away.

Nangong Chi opened the mechanism and carried Shen Changge out.

He closed the mechanism and laid Shen Changge on the bed. When he saw his reddened eyes and tear-streaked face, Nangong Chi's heart inexplicably ached a little.

Shen Changge, oh Shen Changge, despite how you treat me, I still feel such heartache for you. I don't even want to touch anyone other than you. Do you think I'm pathetic?

He removed the handcuffs from Shen Changge's body, pressing him down on the bed, and the two of them became one.

Shen Changge remained silent, as if she had lost the ability to speak.

Nangong Chi looked at him in this manner, but there was no sense of satisfaction or revenge in his heart, only a desolate emptiness.

The scent of powdered makeup lingered on her delicate nose, a fragrance left behind by the concubine who had just enjoyed a passionate moment with Nangong Chihuan. And now, he pressed himself onto a bed that had witnessed his previous encounters with other women, claiming his own possession, just as he had claimed the previous concubine.

What am I anyway? Just a pitiful and miserable joke.

Shen Changge thought about this and suddenly burst into laughter. Bitter laughter turned into loud laughter, and as she laughed, her chest heaved violently.

"Don't laugh, Shen Changge, what are you doing..." Nangong Chi's words came to an abrupt halt as Shen Changge turned her head and spat out a mouthful of black blood.

This time, Wen Fei took on the perspective of God. He had originally thought he would witness a lively and passionate romance, but instead he discovered that Nangong Chi was merely putting on an act. His disappointment was beyond words.

In the silence, there was a hint of relief.

"He actually hit me, domestic violence is wrong."

Maoqiu nodded in agreement.

"He even brought his mistress in front of me. This is considered bigamy and attempted infidelity within his marriage."

"Hmm? Host, what do you plan to do?"

Wen Fei raised his head, wearing a cold and overbearing CEO expression on his face, and said, "It's getting cold, it's time to break up."

In the Chenzede Hall, at this moment, it was chaotic with soldiers and horses.

"What's going on?" Nangong Chi anxiously asked the physician, Shen Changge, after he finished reading the patient's pulse.

"Your Majesty, General Shen seems to have been poisoned, and from what this humble servant can see, it appears to be a highly unusual and complex poison."

"What's going on? How did this happen all of a sudden?" Nangong Chi asked anxiously.

The imperial physician wiped the sweat off his forehead and asked Nangong Chi, who had lost his composure due to Shen Changge, "Have you come into contact with any drugs recently? This type of poison is likely ingested orally. Perhaps we should investigate the food you usually consume."

Go and investigate, check the origin of all the meals, as well as everything he has eaten!" Nangong Chi ordered the attendant beside him.

The guard hurriedly went to carry out his orders.

At this moment, Shen Changge on the bed slowly woke up.

Nangong Chi had been keeping a close eye on him, so naturally he was the first to notice his movements.

However, as Nangong Chi lifted his eyes, he met a pair of tranquil and expressionless eyes. His breath hitched, and then he saw Shen Changge lightly part her thin lips and say a sentence that left him feeling utterly embarrassed, "Why is Your Majesty so surprised? Wasn't that medicine a gift from Your Majesty to this commoner?"

"I didn't...," Nangong Chi said instinctively, and then it seemed like he suddenly remembered something, his face turned deathly pale.

He shouted at the person next to him, Su Shengzhou, "What are you still standing there for? Go and fetch the medicine for the imperial physician, and find out who provided it and who made it, investigate everything for me."

Su Shengzhou did not dare to face the wrathful emperor directly and hurriedly carried out his duties according to the imperial will.

The people in the room all lowered their heads, afraid of hearing something terrible that could cost them their lives.

"You all get out of here, all of you, now!" The palace servants filed out one by one, while Nangong Chi walked up to the side of the bed and squatted down in front of Shen Changge.

He held Shen Changge's hand and explained, "Changge, Changge, I didn't know that this medicine is poisonous, I really didn't know."

Shen Changge retracted her hand and raised the corner of her mouth, saying, "Your Majesty, you exaggerate. As the ruler of a nation, regardless of whether the medicine you bestow is beneficial or poisonous, this commoner has no reason to refuse to take it."

Nangong Chi looked at his empty palm and felt a sense of panic and loss. He gazed at Shen Changge, who was so close yet seemed to be separated from him by an insurmountable abyss.

Chang Ge, I... I never intended to harm you... Trust me...

信？沈长歌觉得好笑。他和南宫炽之间，还有这所谓的信任可言吗？

Trust? Shen Changge found it amusing. Was there even any trust between him and Nangong Chizhi?

If we're talking about trust, why didn't South Palace Chi from the Lingxu Sect believe him back then?

Why doesn't he believe him when he's trying to prove his innocence?

Or, it could be said that this so-called trust is only one-sided. He must take everything Nangong Chi said as the absolute truth. Does that mean every word he says is a lie?

Did Nan Gongchi personally feed him this medicine? Hasn't the toxicity of the medicine been tested at all?

"Why bother with such a pretense when a single word would suffice to end one's own life?"

Moreover, considering all that has happened these days, what could be more heart-wrenching than this poison that has pierced my gut? It's just that Nangong Chi has found a new amusement and wants to deceive himself once again. If I were to hold any expectation for Nangong Chi, then I would truly be foolish beyond measure.