"Hahaha... Nangong Che, I hate you, I hate you to the bone..." Su Ziyan lay on the ground, laughing wildly.
"Scram!" Nangong Che's anger surged, and he roared sharply, as if losing control. He kicked over the dragon bed, and the ornaments on it clattered to the floor.
"Su Ziyan, if you don't wish to stay by my side, I will grant your wish!" Nangong Che turned his back to her and said coldly, his eyes filled with intense disgust. He wished he could strangle her immediately, but he held back.
He couldn't be impulsive!
"You wish!" Su Ziyan got up from the ground, straightening her spine stubbornly, looking at him fearlessly. "Nangong Che, I won't let you ruin me. I don't care for your charity, so you'd best abandon this foolish idea."
"You... what did you say! Am I showing you charity? Su Ziyan, don't push your luck! I don't want to waste words with you. If you're sensible and stay by my side obediently, I might consider not making you suffer." Nangong Che was furious, his eyes bloodshot.
"Hmph~ Who do you think you are? Why should I stay by your side obediently? Stop dreaming!" Su Ziyan scoffed disdainfully. She didn't know where Nangong Che got the courage to say such things.
Hearing this, Nangong Che's chest heaved violently, and his hands clenched into fists. His patience had run out. His only thought now was to strangle this ungrateful woman.
As he stepped forward to Su Ziyan, Su Ziyan suddenly drew her sword and pointed it at him. "Nangong Che, don't force me! I don't want to kill you!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Nangong Che's eyes, and a devilish arc curved his lips. "Good! Then I'll give you a chance."
As he spoke, he waved his hand. Su Ziyan's sword instantly flew from her grasp and shot far away. Nangong Che then struck Su Ziyan with a palm. Caught off guard, Su Ziyan took his solid palm blow, falling to the ground, spitting blood, and fainting.
"Guards!" Nangong Che retracted his hand, his cold voice echoing through the vast imperial study.
Almost simultaneously, two figures in black appeared before Nangong Che, kneeling in unison.
Nangong Che commanded indifferently, "Issue my decree. I hereby enfeoff the Su clan as a noble consort!"
"Yes!" The two secret guards acknowledged and quickly vanished from the imperial study.
After the secret guards left, Nangong Che ordered guards to be stationed outside the palace, forbidding anyone from trespassing.
Then, he turned and left the imperial study.
Soon, only the unconscious Su Ziyan was left in the imperial study. Her body was curled into a ball, her small face as pale as snow, her brow furrowed, and her forehead covered in fine sweat.
Nangong Che walked to the doorway, looking at Su Ziyan lying unconscious on the ground. His eyes narrowed slightly, and a trace of worry flashed through his heart. He then quickly walked to the bed, picked up Su Ziyan, and carried her to her sleeping quarters.
Back in her chambers, he gently placed her on the bed and pulled the quilt over her body before he let out a sigh of relief.
Nangong Che walked to the table, picked up a brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote a few lines on the memorial. He then paused, staring at the sleeping Su Ziyan, his gaze deepening.
He couldn't understand why Su Ziyan refused to listen to him and marry another man. Didn't she know that whoever she married would ensure her father's stable position as prime minister?
He truly suspected if this woman had a heart. He doted on her, indulged her, yet she showed no gratitude, preferring to marry another man rather than stay by his side.
He didn't understand why she didn't love him. He was clearly older than her! They were a full eight years apart, such a vast gulf that it had made him hesitate to marry her many times.
"Nangong Che, I will never love you!" Su Ziyan suddenly murmured, her expression pained and struggling, as if caught in a nightmare.
Hearing Su Ziyan's mumble, Nangong Che's expression immediately darkened. He detested people addressing him by his given name, especially women!
Chapter 3: She Is His Downfall
In her dream, Su Ziyan seemed to have returned to six years ago. Back then, Nangong Che was very good to her. After attending court every day, he would personally escort her home.
It was a pity that he later ascended the throne and gradually distanced himself from her.
"Your Majesty, this concubine wishes to eat roast lamb leg today." Su Ziyan blinked her eyes and said with a smile.
"You, you truly are a glutton. I've noted it down. Once I'm done with state affairs, I'll find the chef to make you roast lamb leg." Nangong Che ruffled her hair and said gently.
"Long live Your Majesty, long live long live long live." Su Ziyan jumped up happily, cheering like a child, her beautiful face radiating a bright, sunny smile.
Nangong Che was momentarily stunned, his eyes dimming before returning to normal. He continued to handle the memorials.
After a while, Nangong Che suddenly stopped and looked at Su Ziyan, saying, "You've always wanted to visit the Western Mountains, haven't you? Shall I take you out of the city to explore tomorrow?"
The Western Mountains? Upon hearing this, a joyous light flickered in Su Ziyan's eyes. She certainly knew where the Western Mountains were, but she had never left the city, nor had she ever gone out of the city alone with His Majesty. Therefore, she felt both excited and apprehensive.
Seeing Su Ziyan's hesitant expression, Nangong Che frowned and said in a low voice, "What? Are you afraid?"
"Mmm..." Su Ziyan lowered her gaze and weakly agreed. Everything felt too unusual, which was why she was afraid.
"Don't be afraid, I'm with you, nothing will happen," Nangong Che reassured her.
"Oh..." Su Ziyan nodded hesitantly.
The next morning, Su Ziyan changed into a newly made dress. Her exquisitely beautiful features were adorned with delicate makeup, and her dark hair was styled into a simple cloud bun, adorned with a jade orchid hairpin. Her white palace attire made her look dignified, elegant, and graceful.
"Niang Niang is truly beautiful," Xia He couldn't help but exclaim. She felt her mistress was becoming more beautiful by the day.
Su Ziyan smiled faintly and glanced at Xia He. "Xia He, I'm going out of the palace today. You stay in Fengluan Palace to attend to His Majesty. Don't run around, and don't tell anyone my whereabouts, or I will punish you."
"Niang Niang, rest assured, this servant will absolutely not reveal your whereabouts," Xia He immediately patted her chest and promised. Although she was usually a bit mischievous, she understood the boundaries, otherwise, how could she serve His Majesty?
Su Ziyan nodded. "Yes, I believe you." With that, she lifted her skirt and hurried out of Fengluan Palace, heading towards the Western Mountains.
The Western Mountains were located northwest of the capital, with beautiful scenery, clear waters, and a pleasant environment.
Along the way, she encountered many concubines who had come to enjoy the scenery. Their gazes towards her were filled with hostility. They dared not anger His Majesty, nor dare they bully her, a noble consort. Therefore, they could only glare at her with envious, jealous, and hateful eyes.
Su Ziyan ignored their stares, quickened her pace, and dared not delay in reaching the Western Mountains, as she didn't want to miss the three-month appointment with Nangong Che.