Mingshu looked up at his eyes, filled with malice, a bit confused. How did a pleasant demeanor suddenly get associated with brutality?
But she had to stroke the fur the right way!
Her eyes, pure and innocent, met his. She didn't utter any grandiose nonsense but instead asked, "Does the Emperor believe himself to be brutal?"
The question was somewhat treasonous. Si Chu was stunned, his gaze sardonic, "My hands are stained with endless blood. Those pedantic scholars denounce me as cold-blooded and numb, brutally inhumane, unworthy to be a ruler! There are countless who hate me, wishing me dead."
He touched Mingshu's beautiful eyes, speaking in a chilling tone, "All of this is true. And who knows, maybe one day, you too will die by my hand. Are you scared?"
Mingshu shuddered, chilled by his icy fingertips. Just before Si Chu could change his expression, she grabbed his wrist and pressed it to her chest, not noticing his suddenly blood-red earlobes.
She blinked, asking sincerely, "Would you kill me?"
Si Chu's heartbeat thundered, an unfamiliar sensation making him feel uneasy. He couldn't resist causing trouble, taunting Mingshu in a strange tone, "Have you forgotten what you said before in the imperial court?"
Although he knew it wasn't her, a thorn still pricked at his heart.
Mingshu: "..."I've miscalculated.
She cleared her throat awkwardly, pondering for a moment, "Then before death, may I make a wish?"
Si Chu's eyes grew dark, a nameless annoyance tightening his chest, his voice cold, "Speak. I'll consider it."
Mingshu then looked up at him, earnestly saying, "After my death, may I be buried with you?"
No sooner had her words fallen than Si Chu's nonchalant expression froze, he stared at her, slightly dazed, his thick lashes trembling. Then in an instant, his fair face blushed completely!
His lips trembled, and it took a moment to squeeze out a single word.
...
*
Mingshu left Qianqing Palace with her head down. Yun Zhi, who had been looking forward to her arrival, hurried to meet her. She caught sight of her mistress's downcast face and felt a sudden lurch in her heart.
She had already imagined what posture to adopt for a sincere display of mourning after her master's misfortune and also worriedly speculated which place she might be assigned to.
After a while, her voice trembling, she asked, "Master, what happened?"
Mingshu raised her eyes, her face gloomy, "The Emperor told me to get lost."
Yun Zhi let out a long sigh of relief. It was only a dismissal, not a death sentence.
Then she paused, her brows furrowing in confusion, "Then what are you worried about?"
Mingshu sighed, becoming more perplexed, "But why did he get angry?"
Wasn't it just that she wanted to be close to the Dragon Vein for some good luck?
In these times, the thoughts of men are indeed hard to guess!
——
After Mingshu had left, the heat on Si Chu's face lingered for a long time.
The more he thought about it, the more irked he felt. What did that woman say?
Her only wish was to share a grave with him after death?
Did she realize that only the empress could be buried with him?
She actually wanted to marry him, to become his empress!
The harem was full of women aspiring to be the empress, all hiding their true intentions.
Yet she brazenly brought the question directly to him!
This woman truly knew no bounds, taking liberties and acting spoiled! Not demure at all!
Si Chu stared at the memorial to the throne before him, unable to focus on a single word. His lips pressed tightly together, his ears still red, he thought coldly.
Did she think whatever she wanted, he would simply give her?
In your dreams!
Things easily obtained are never cherished!
His thoughts darkened, and a threatening aura began to build around him.