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"Brother Ziye, how much longer until we arrive? Linda's head is getting more and more dizzy, and strangely, I can't seem to muster any strength in my body either,"
Shangguan Linlang looked at the palace in front of her, familiar yet unfamiliar, completely unaware of where Han Ziye had taken her. Her discomfort was growing, so she could not help but voice her concerns to Han Ziye.
"Linda, my dear, we'll be there soon. It seems the wedding today has indeed exhausted my Linda. Would it be better if Brother Ziye carried you there?"
Han Ziye was well aware of the source of Shangguan Linlang's discomfort. In order to alleviate her doubts, he put on a deeply affectionate facade and gently lifted Shangguan Linlang, in her phoenix crown and wedding robe, into his arms.
"Brother Ziye, please put me down, don't do this, it would be improper if the palace servants were to see us. My mother always reminded me to be mindful of my behavior at all times. I must maintain a dignified and solemn demeanor, not to disgrace Brother Ziye,"
Shangguan Linlang struggled, wishing only to get down from Han Ziye's embrace, but unfortunately, she was so weak that her struggle was in vain. She had no choice but to beseech Han Ziye for an alternative. Shangguan Linlang always remembered that she was now an Empress, naturally not wanting anyone to look down on her, of course, especially not Han Ziye.
"All right, Linda, few people come by here, no one will see. Besides, we have arrived, do you see? This is the secret place I wanted to bring you to."
Han Ziye carried Shangguan Linlang to a hidden Underground Palace. Indeed, as Han Ziye had said, the place looked seldom visited, for the surrounding wild grass was overgrown and untended, creating a desolate scene that starkly contrasted with the grand and dignified halls they had passed earlier. If their royal chamber represented the pinnacle of glory, then this place seemed to be a corner forgotten by the world, vastly different, indeed.
"Brother Ziye, where is this? Linda has never known there was such a place in the Imperial Palace."
Shangguan Linlang leaned weakly against Han Ziye, asking faintly. At this moment, she still did not feel the least bit of danger. Alas, there was no helping it, as Shangguan Linlang never guarded against her beloved. This was Han Ziye's fortune, but also Shangguan Linlang's misfortune.
"If you knew about it, could it still be a secret place? Come, follow me inside, and I hope you'll be satisfied. After all, I found this place especially for you, and only you are worthy to enter." Han Ziye said with an intense look and a double meaning in his words, but Shangguan Linlang, busy surveying her surroundings, failed to notice anything odd about him.
"Hmm, then let's hurry and take a look,"
Absent any understanding of the situation, Shangguan Linlang, tugging at Han Ziye's arm, urged him on, hoping to end this excursion swiftly and return to rest in their chamber. She felt her strength ebbing away. Little did she know that once she entered endless hell, how could she possibly turn back easily?
Han Ziye scoffed inwardly at this naive girl, unaware of the danger about to befall her. Since Shangguan Linlang was so eager for her demise, he would simply facilitate it. Thus resolved, Han Ziye no longer delayed but took Shangguan Linlang by the hand and led her directly into the depths of the Underground Palace.
Though the outside of the Underground Palace seemed desolate, inside it hid a different reality. As soon as they entered, Shangguan Linlang realized that the place was a world all its own. The Underground Palace had everything one could want, and the strangest thing was that the placement of all the items was exactly like that of their bridal chamber. However, Shangguan Linlang still disliked staying in the Underground Palace. For some reason, she felt an oppressive sensation. How could she describe it? It was like being in a Living Tomb.
"Brother Ziye, can we leave quickly? I do not like it here." Shangguan Linlang never hid her emotions, and her face fell as she spoke her true feelings.
"Why don't you like this place, Linda? Is there something that displeases you? Feel free to speak up, Brother Ziye can have it redecorated right away. After all, this place is yours. I always want Linda to live comfortably,"
Han Ziye was quite surprised that Shangguan Linlang disliked the Underground Palace. After all his efforts to find such a perfect place where she could be by his side, even in death, it stunned him that Shangguan Linlang was unappreciative. Han Ziye thought she perhaps did not like the furniture or something of the sort in the Underground Palace, so he questioned her once more. Already feeling guilty, he still hoped to satisfy all of Shangguan Linlang's needs, as these things were trivial for him to arrange.
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