Deposed? I couldn't be happier! I wouldn't even be a dog to the crown prince.

In the back garden of the Eastern Palace, a charcoal fire was burning brightly.

Although winter had arrived, Li Chengqian had something special – a specially made windproof glass house from Liulichang. Inside, it was warm and cozy, while outside, the cold wind howled; this contrast was simply the ultimate way to enjoy life.

Li Tai was lying on the table, struggling with a huge roasted lamb leg, his face covered in oil from eating.

Li Chengqian, meanwhile, was half-reclined on a rocking chair covered with a white tiger skin, toying with an exquisite luminous cup in his hand, his eyes somewhat unfocused.

There was a person standing in front of him.

Or rather, standing there is a burning flame of anger.

Ashina Yun was dressed in a slightly oversized Han Chinese maid's outfit. Her original fiery red riding clothes had been replaced with a pink ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), which did not make her appear weak but instead gave her a wild and untamed sense of incongruity.

She was carrying a heavy tray with a jug of grape wine, a tribute from the Western Regions.

Those azure eyes were fixed on Li Chengqian. If looks could kill, Li Chengqian would probably be sliced ​​into sashimi by now.

Don't look at me like that.

Li Chengqian yawned and waved his hand in front of his eyes, as if trying to dispel the murderous aura.

"I'm easily frightened; you're making me nervous."

"snort!"

Ashina Yun let out a cold snort and turned his head to the side.

"Oh, you're quite arrogant."

Li Chengqian sat up straight and looked at this "pearl of the grasslands" with great interest.

"I heard you're Jieli's most beloved niece? Back in the grasslands, did he never let you pluck the moon from the sky if you wanted anything?"

"What a pity, times have changed."

Li Chengqian pointed to Li Tai, who was eating happily next to him.

"See that fat man? That's my younger brother, the Prince of Wei of the Tang Dynasty. When he comes here, he has to do it himself if he wants to eat meat."

"What airs are you putting on, you slave of a conquered nation?"

Ashina Yun gritted his teeth, his chest heaving violently.

"Kill me if you want! Don't humiliate me!"

"humiliation?"

Li Chengqian chuckled and shook one finger.

"This is not called humiliation, this is called—labor reform."

"I have given you a chance. I did not send you to the wool workshop over there, nor did I make you dig coal in the dark mine. This is already a great favor."

He pointed to the wine jug, his tone suddenly turning cold.

"Pour the wine."

Ashina Yun stood still, the tray in his hands clenched so tightly it turned white.

"Don't want it to collapse?"

Li Chengqian raised an eyebrow, his voice becoming light and airy, yet carrying a chill.

"Okay."

"Old Xu, make arrangements for this princess."

"I heard that the coal mines in Youzhou are short-handed lately, especially for those with delicate skin and tender flesh. Send them over there, and remember to tell them to 'take good care of them.'"

"If you don't dig up at least 500 jin a day, you're not allowed to eat."

Xu Xiao, who had been standing in the shadows, chuckled and stepped out. His old face looked particularly ferocious in the candlelight.

Ashina Yun trembled all over.

Mining coal.

That was the nightmare of the grassland warriors, a torment worse than death.

She wasn't afraid of death, but she was afraid of living a life worse than death.

Looking at Li Chengqian's youthful yet cold face, she finally understood that the boy in front of her was not a kind-hearted person at all; he was a demon in human skin.

"I... collapse."

The two words, as if squeezed out from between teeth, carried a bloody humiliation.

Ashina Yun took a deep breath, her legs went weak, and she slowly knelt at Li Chengqian's feet.

The once proud pearl of the grasslands has finally bowed its head.

She lifted the wine jug with trembling hands, and the clear, purplish-red wine flowed from the spout into the luminous cup.

"Splash—"

The aroma of wine filled the air.

Li Chengqian looked at the girl kneeling at his feet, and at her exposed fair neck, a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

This is not just about conquering a woman.

This is the backbone that is conquering the entire grassland.

"That's a good girl."

Li Chengqian reached out and took the wine cup, his fingers intentionally or unintentionally brushing against Ashina Yun's hand.

It was cool and delicate, yet trembling.

"Remember this from now on: keep your princess-like temper in this courtyard."

"Here, I am heaven, I am earth, I am your only master."

Li Chengqian picked up his wine glass and gently sniffed it.

The rich fruity aroma is mixed with a subtle...unusual scent.

He didn't drink it immediately, but swirled the glass, watching the purplish-red liquid leave streaks on the glass.

Ashina Yun remained kneeling on the ground, head bowed, not daring to look at him.

But her shoulders were taut, like a fully drawn bow.

"Bluebird".

Li Chengqian suddenly shouted.

"Huh? Big brother?"

With his mouth full of meat, Li Tai groggily raised his head and asked, "What's wrong? Want some leg?"

"It's okay, you can eat."

Li Chengqian smiled and looked back at the wine glass in his hand.

Then, he tilted his head back and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp.

"Glug."

Adam's apple bobbed.

A barely concealed ecstasy flashed beneath Ashina Yun's lowered eyelids.

I drank it!

He drank it!

That's the most poisonous "Qianji Yin" on the grasslands. It's colorless and odorless, melts instantly in the throat, and even a god couldn't save you in no time!

Li Chengqian, you're finished!

however.

next second.

"Pooh--!"

Li Chengqian suddenly opened his mouth and spat out all the wine he had just drunk onto the ground, even wiping his tongue in disgust.

He frowned, slammed his glass on the table with a sharp "clang".

The relaxed and pleasant atmosphere instantly froze.

Li Tai was so frightened that he almost dropped his flesh, and Xu Xiao's hand instantly pressed down on the hilt of the knife.

Ashina Yun's whole body stiffened, and her heart almost jumped out of her throat.

Could it be... that we've been discovered?

Just when she thought she was about to die on the spot.

Li Chengqian smacked his lips, looked at the pot of wine with disdain, and muttered something that surprised everyone.

"This wine... what a terrible smell!"

It's a bit bitter and a bit astringent.

He turned his head and looked at Ashina Yun, who was already terrified, with a look of dissatisfaction.

"Don't you Turks know how to brew wine?"

Or perhaps...

Li Chengqian narrowed his eyes, his gaze like two hooks, piercing straight into Ashina Yun's heart.

"What...did you add to it?"