So what if she's my sister-in-law? You seduced me first.

Power is a good thing; it can turn an honest and upright censor into a weapon for the Xie family, and it can make a top scholar who has studied hard for more than ten years abandon his conscience and dignity.

He was pleased to see one virtuous Confucian scholar after another become lackeys of power. He could share all of these things with her, and no one would dislike it.

Looking at Xie Xun's innate arrogance, Ning Yu knew that he had never listened to her. Their past was not something that could be resolved by simply giving her the title of Empress.

She had been married to Xie Yan, and how could she face him with such a face? She didn't want any further involvement with the Xie family, nor did she want to enter the palace.

"Xie Xun, I don't love you, and I don't want to marry you."

The atmosphere in the room suddenly became oppressive and deathly silent. Xie Xun suddenly felt that it was incredibly foolish of him to be wasting his breath talking to her here.

If she doesn't listen, just tie her up and take her back. She's just a woman; she'll only upset him. Why should he try to coax her or make any promises? Arguing with her here is a waste of time.

Ning Yu saw the ruthlessness on his face and understood what he wanted to do. She sat up, pulled the hairpin out of her hair, and pressed it against her wound.

Last night, after she threatened to kill herself with a knife, all the weapons on her body and in the room were taken away. She had no weapons left, but fortunately, she still had a hairpin.

Hairpins can also kill.

Her idea of ​​stabbing his neck still had some use for him, otherwise he wouldn't be here saying nice things to her today. Since it was useful, he might as well use it to the end.

Xie Xun narrowed his eyes, seemingly amused by her actions, his voice cold and sharp, "I'm reminding you, it's best not to do something so foolish a second time."

It was quite foolish of her to risk her life to force him, but she had no other choice. Power was like a sharp blade hanging over her neck, slashing down on her head with a bloody sheen. If appeasement didn't work, she had to resort to force. What could she do?

"I've already said that I'm not worthy of your Xie family's status, nor am I fortunate enough to marry the emperor. If Your Majesty refuses to let me go, then take my corpse back with you."

Stubborn fool!

Countless ways to kill her flashed through Xie Xun's mind, but he didn't show it on his face. He said in a calm tone, "Put down the hairpin first, and I won't force you."

Ning Yu's hand holding the hairpin turned white and tightened. "Then please, Your Majesty, take your people and leave here first."

"Ning Yu".

He would call her name in the past, mostly when he was angry, with a serious warning and a gloomy tone. Never before had his voice carried such a helpless tenderness, as if he were giving in.

"Don't gamble with your life."

"Don't come any closer."

He took two steps forward, and she dodged backward, the hairpin against her neck piercing through, staining the gauze crimson.

Xie Xun paused, stopping in his tracks.

He looked at her distant and indifferent face, and chuckled, "I don't even know what to do with you anymore?"

Ning Yu saw a fleeting hint of dejection in his eyes, and an unconcealable weariness on his elegant and noble face. His expression relaxed, and the hairpin against his neck loosened slightly. It hurt terribly; she didn't really want to die.

"Your Majesty is now the Son of Heaven, and can find any woman you want. There's no need for you to get entangled with me and torture each other."

"You really don't want to return to the palace with me?"

Seeing that he seemed to be giving in, Ning Yu felt a sense of relief and nodded.

The overwhelming rage and jealousy in his heart, like flesh being torn apart, made him want to strangle her without a second thought. Looking at her exquisitely beautiful face, he said, "I am not afraid to be a villain. Put down the hairpin."

Seeing that she was wary and wouldn't let go, he moved a little further away and sat on a stool next to her. "I have something I want to say to you."

Ning Yu also felt a sharp pain in her neck. She hesitated for a moment, put the hairpin down, but still held it tightly in her hand.

In that instant, the man's figure flashed by like a ghost. Before she could even raise her hairpin, her arm was restrained, and she was shrouded in shadow.

She looked up in shock and met his gloomy eyes. She was so angry that her heart ached. He forcefully pried open her hand and snatched the hairpin, which was damp with sweat.

It was thrown to the ground with a snapping sound, indicating the force used.

"Are you pretending to back down to deceive me?"

Hearing her angry roar, Xie Xun lowered his brows unhappily and lifted her up, almost making her inseparable from him.

"You've grown bolder, threatening me time and time again."

"Shameless scoundrel!" Ning Yu was so angry that her body was trembling.

Xie Xun searched the blanket thoroughly but found no hidden weapon. Out of kindness, he loosened the restraints on her body.

Ning Yu immediately stretched her body and retreated. She was only wearing a thin bodice, and her black hair fell down her shoulders and neck. She had no weapon to hold anyone hostage.

Xie Xun, kneeling on one knee on the bed, slowly leaned down, approaching her step by step.

With nowhere to retreat, their bodies quickly pressed together.

He cupped her wet face in his hands and lifted her up. "I'll ask you one more time, are you going back to the palace or not?!"

A flash of hatred crossed Ning Yu's bright eyes, and she slapped him across the face.

A red mark immediately appeared on her face. She was frightened by his gaze, but she still didn't back down. She reached out and pushed him away, saying, "Get out!"

She was a martial artist and didn't hold back at all. Xie Xun stared at her for a long time, his gloomy and fierce aura making Ning Yu feel like she couldn't breathe. His hand went around to the back of her neck and knocked her unconscious.

Qingfeng's internal strength was quite good. While he was waiting outside, he couldn't help but hear the noise coming from inside, and he thought he wouldn't be able to leave today.

Unexpectedly, the commotion inside stopped for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, then the door opened, and His Majesty came out carrying the unconscious person.

His Majesty was covered from head to toe by his cloak, so that the lady could hardly be seen.

Not knowing what had happened, he quickly ordered someone to bring the maidservant who was with the lady back to the capital.

Qinghe and Shen Huijun were kept in the side room. No one bandaged Shen Huijun's wounds. Qinghe took the porcelain bottle she had on her and used her clothes to bandage them. Fortunately, he was in good health and did not have a fever.

With a bang, the door was opened from the outside, and Qinghe was led out.

The weakened Shen Huijun opened his eyes and looked outside. He saw a dark mass of soldiers leaving the courtyard, and a tall figure carrying the person in his arms walked out.

He immediately guessed who the person in his arms was and took off after them.