"I don't want to live here; this place is like a tomb, and I don't like it. Brother Ziye, can we not come here again in the future? I appreciate your sentiment, but I really don't like it here."
Shangguan Linlang couldn't understand why Han Ziye insisted on bringing her to the Underground Palace. According to him, it seemed he planned to stay here for a long time, and she immediately became unhappy, puffing up her cheeks and sulking.
"Linda, why must you be so intelligent? Don't you know that the wise often meet an early demise? Since you have already seen that this place is a tomb, Brother Ziye need not hide anything any more. Yes, this is the haven I have found for you. I hope you are satisfied, for you will spend your days here alone in the future. If you have any complaints, speak now, and I will find someone to make the improvements."
Han Ziye was tired of beating around the bush with Shangguan Linlang. He found himself a chair, lifted the hem of his robe, and sat down comfortably, then spoke these harrowing words with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"Brother Ziye, what are you talking about? Linda doesn't understand a word. Stop messing around, please. I know you're just joking with me. Can we go back to the sleeping palace, please?"
The firm rejection from Han Ziye made Shangguan Linlang's heart skip a beat, and ominous thoughts lingered in her mind, refusing to be dispelled. Still, Shangguan Linlang refused to believe it and forced a smile while speaking like this to Han Ziye, hoping he would quickly tell her none of it was real.
"Linda, you are intelligent and know that I never jest. Now that things have reached this point, there's no need for secrecy. Do you realize that you have obstructed my path to the imperial throne? Your entire Shangguan Family has. It's said that in Yulong Country, I, Han Ziye, rule, but in truth, everyone looks to the Shangguan Family for direction. I, Han Ziye, was marginalized by you long ago. They used to worship the First Young Master Shangguan Qingchen, but after your brother's departure, their admiration shifted to you, Commander of the Three Armies Shangguan Linlang. Who among the common people has ever taken notice of this young Emperor? Tell me, Linda, don't you think you all deserve death?"
At this point, Han Ziye's face was filled with malice, his expression was gloomy, and his tone was devoid of warmth, like a walking corpse, bereft of any sign of life.
"Brother Ziye, you have misunderstood our Shangguan Family. We recognize you as our sovereign, and all people will be loyal to you. Our Shangguan Family has no double allegiance; we only wish to help you guard the realm. If you truly harbor suspicions, our Shangguan Family is willing to disarm and retire, surrender our military power. Would that suffice?"
Shangguan Linlang had never imagined that Han Ziye harbored such deep grudges against the Shangguan Family. He actually suspected her clan. Shangguan Linlang felt her heart aching, having never doubted the man before her, for she valued him more than her own life. Sadly, the very man she loved to her core was now the one demanding her life.
"Linda, don't blame me. If you must blame someone, blame yourself for being born a daughter of the Shangguan Family. Why must you be a hundred times stronger than men? Now, it's no longer a matter of military power. Even if your Shangguan Family were willing to give up military control, the armies under you might not truly serve me. Only by your complete disappearance will they, leaderless, accept a new leader. Only time can slowly erase the mark of your Shangguan Family and diminish your influence. Then, and only then, can I truly rule over this world. Linda, didn't you say you loved me? That you would die for me? So now, can you fulfill this one wish of mine?"
Han Ziye once again spoke words that pierced the heart. Shangguan Linlang's face turned ashen. She staggered several steps before barely managing to stand firm. The discomfort in her body was becoming more and more apparent; it was only then that she came to the realization and said, "Han Ziye, did you drug the wine we shared? I never imagined I would fall for your scheme. If you have always wanted to get rid of me, why bother marrying me?"
"You told me you wanted to be my Empress, so I fulfilled your wish. What I said at our wedding today was also from the bottom of my heart. In this life, Han Ziye will acknowledge only you as my Empress, Shangguan Linlang. No other empress will follow. I feel guilty toward you, and I hope this can somewhat make up for it. As for drugging your wine, it was out of necessity. Your martial arts skills are too high; if I didn't subdue you in advance, I would have no chance to deal with your Shangguan Residence."
Han Ziye decided to make everything clear all at once, allowing Shangguan Linlang to depart in peace. He knew he was a despicable person, and even if Shangguan Linlang would hate him for this, he still had to lay all his cards on the table. Han Ziye knew that from the moment they turned against each other, all love between him and Shangguan Linlang was gone, but he still hoped to hold an important place in her heart, even if it was as an object of hatred. It didn't matter to him how long she hated him. Perhaps Han Ziye had fallen for Shangguan Linlang without realizing it, but their opposing identities prevented him from opening his heart.
"Han Ziye, I beg of you—I am willing to die as you wish, but please spare my elderly parents. They pose no threat to you. In consideration of the years I've spent toiling for you, showing utmost dedication, please don't be so cruel. I kowtow to you, asking you to leave them be. Don't ruthlessly wipe out my entire family," she said.
Upon hearing Han Ziye's bloodthirsty words, Shangguan Linlang trembled like a sieve, her face pale as she knelt before Han Ziye, hoping he would spare the lives of her hapless parents. Now, Shangguan Linlang truly despised herself for her lack of judgment, which had led her family to this dead end.
"Linda, I would like to agree with you, but my position doesn't allow me to make such a foolish decision. As the saying goes, 'If the roots are not removed during weeding, the weeds will grow back with the spring breeze.' Between your Shangguan Residence and me, only one can survive. We are in a situation where it's either your death or mine. Besides, Auntie Shangguan is as meticulous as dust; who knows if she might discover some trace in the future and seek revenge against me? Therefore, the best course of action for me now is to cut the mess quickly and eradicate all of you from the Shangguan Residence at once. Rest assured, I will not hold your servants and distant relatives collectively responsible. As long as they keep to themselves, they will be safe. This is the greatest grace I can offer your Shangguan Family," Han Ziye said as he walked over to where Shangguan Linlang lay collapsed on the ground, gently lifting her chin and speaking with cruel finality.
"Han Ziye, you better kill me, because when I return from the Yellow Spring Road, I will make sure to send you to an endless hell. I must have been blind to have fallen for a coward like you, heartless and petty, unable to tolerate others due to your own incompetence. I will despise you forever," Shangguan Linlang cursed the man she had loved for years, now with a heart full of cold ashes and devoid of hope.
"Linda, go ahead and hate me. But rest assured, how could I bear to kill you? You will just sleep here forever. After a hundred years, I will come to atone for my sins. I've had a high monk bless everything here in this Underground Palace, which will become your Living Tomb. It will restrain all your powers. Just sleep peacefully, and, after I have unified this great land, a hundred years from now, I will come back to be buried here with you. Wait for me," he said.
As Shangguan Linlang's consciousness faded, she heard only Han Ziye's nauseating words. At that moment, the Empress truly wanted to curse, but it was too late; she had become a sleeping beauty in her eternal slumber.