After reading my mind, Daddy, why don't you smile?

Inside the Yangxin Hall.

"Put the man down and close the door!"

As soon as Zhou Ji let go, Shangguan Shu fell to the ground. He groaned, then endured the pain and slowly got up from the ground.

Extremely miserable and embarrassed.

Where is the former majestic and imposing appearance?

Zhou Ji turned his eyes away, as if he felt it was not worth it for him.

a woman...

Just for a woman...

Emperor Jianxi seemed not to notice that Shangguan Shu was being tortured. It was not until Shangguan Shu knelt down to greet him that he heard Emperor Jianxi's frivolous and cold laugh.

The emperor's pressure was silent and invisible, but it was everywhere in the empty inner hall.

"Runzhi, do you know why I called you here alone?"

"I don't know."

"I want to grant you a favor."

Upon hearing this, Shangguan Shu looked up at Emperor Jianxi, with a hint of confusion in his eyes.

Although the emperor's mind is unfathomable, Emperor Jianxi played too unreasonably.

Shangguan Shu lowered his eyebrows and said respectfully: "I have not done anything great, so I dare not accept your grace!"

Emperor Jianxi ignored him and said, "I...will give Huai'an to you as your wife!"

Shangguan Shu suddenly raised his head, his eyes widened, and refused without thinking, "Absolutely not, Your Majesty, I already have a wife, and Princess Chengqian is still alive, how can I marry again?!"

Shangguan Shu had never been panicked since he was imprisoned and arrived at the Palace of Tranquil Longevity. But at this moment, there was a panic in his eyes that he had not expected.

If he were to marry Huai'an, wouldn't that mean he would be forced to divorce Zhao Ying?

He won't leave! He won't leave even if he dies!

Emperor Jianxi raised his hand to stop him, "That's easy, just divorce Cheng Qian!"

Shangguan Shu clenched his fists tightly and his face was tense.

Emperor Jianxi stood up from the dragon throne, with his hands behind his back, "Your father got the golden medal of immunity from death early on and begged me to spare your life. I refused, so your father blamed me for breaking up you and Huai'an. If you look into the cause, it seems that I am the culprit for your actions today..."

After Emperor Jianxi finished speaking, he secretly observed Shangguan Shu's reaction.

How could Shangguan Shifan say such a thing? After learning that Shangguan Shu was going to rebel because of Zhao Yao, Shangguan Shifan was so angry that he almost smashed the golden medal of immunity from death.

He assured him again and again that he would never let Zhao Yao enter his Duke Zhenguo Mansion.

He listened to Shangguan Shifan's disgusted tone, as if there was some hidden story behind what happened back then.

Shangguan Shu shook his head. "It was my father who was confused. How can I blame Your Majesty..."

"It doesn't matter if you're surprised. Your father and I are close friends, and there's nothing we can't talk about. Today he blamed me... Oh, I've thought about it carefully, and there's some truth to it."

"Since you and Cheng Qian have no feelings for each other, I... will grant you a favor and make your relationship with Huai'an come true!"

Shangguan Shu took a long breath and felt the coldness of the empty hall.

For the first time, he realized...he might not love Huai'an as deeply as he thought.

At least, at this moment, he hated Emperor Jianxi for forcing him to marry another woman.

Obviously he married Huai'an, whom he deeply loved...

He was finally getting what he wanted, wasn't he?

There is no need to be disloyal or risk exterminating your entire clan...

But why did his heart hurt so much?

Even if he was whipped with a whip dipped in salt water, it wouldn't hurt as much as it does now.

It feels like my heart is being pulled out alive...

He knew that Emperor Jianxi kept his word.

Zhao Ying...

Is Zhao Ying going to leave him?

No, Zhao Ying is his!

This life can only be his!

Shangguan Shu kowtowed heavily to the ground and said in a muffled voice: "If Your Majesty really wants to force me to divorce Princess Chengqian, I... am willing to hit my head against the pillar and die!"

Emperor Jianxi sneered repeatedly, as if he was angry. He said in a deep voice: "Shangguan Shu, don't be ungrateful!"

"If your father hadn't begged you, do you think I would have spared you?!"

"I will give you two choices. One is to divorce Cheng Qian and marry Huai'an. I will remove you from your post and send you and Huai'an out of the capital. I will save your lives. You two can live together as you wish, and the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion can also be saved."

"If you insist on not doing it..." Emperor Jianxi narrowed his eyes, his tone carrying murderous intent, "Then I will confiscate the entire Zhenguo Mansion and execute everyone, leaving no one alive!"

Shangguan Shu looked at Emperor Jianxi in disbelief and asked in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, why are you trying to break up someone's marriage?"

"Although Princess Huai'an and I have a past relationship, it has ended. I... love Princess Chengqian deeply. If Your Majesty must punish me, then please chop off my head!"

"I can't help you!"

Emperor Jianxi then called Zhou Ji and asked him to bring the divorce agreement to Shangguan Shu and forced him to sign it.

Shangguan Shu refused to sign, so Emperor Jianxi ordered the guards to grab Shangguan Shu's hand and make him sign.

Shangguan Shu was covered in wounds, how could he be a match for the guards who were unscathed?

He struggled, and a hoarse roar like a dying beast came out of his throat...

The guard grabbed his hand and pressed it towards the divorce agreement.

Perhaps because the noise in the palace was too loud, Zhao Ying and the prince could not help but step forward to take a peek.

The old Duke and Concubine Rong were worried about Shangguan Shu, so they got up and walked over without being summoned.

Seeing this, the others also stood up.

The palace door was suddenly pushed open.

Zhao Ying looked absentmindedly at the man in the hall who was struggling frantically with his hands grabbed.

Perhaps feeling her gaze, Shangguan Shu turned around with bloodshot eyes.

His lips moved as if he was saying something.

Others didn't understand.

But Zhao Ying understood.

"Zhao Ying, you...don't even think about leaving me..."

After saying that, Shangguan Shu suddenly leaned forward and bit his own hand hard.

Bite off your thumb!

I don't know who screamed...

The guards were so frightened that they quickly let go of their hands.

Emperor Jianxi frowned deeply, as if he had not expected Shangguan Shu to be so...decisive.

He was just testing Shangguan Shu. If he agreed, or even had a hint of hesitation, it would prove that Cheng Qian was right and that he and Huai'an were having an affair.

Under such circumstances, he would not be able to keep him!

But now...

Emperor Jianxi frowned tightly.

Shangguan Shu spat out the bloody finger bones mixed with blood foam.

He looked at Emperor Jianxi with a smile in his eyes, as if he was pleased with himself. He had come up with such a wonderful way to disobey the emperor's order...

The prince shook his head and murmured, "He's crazy..."

Zhao Yao burst into tears and fell against the door frame.

She was already outside the palace when she heard Shangguan Shu's refusing in a tearful voice, "I will not divorce!"

Witnessing it, I understood everything.

He did it all for Zhao Ying...

Zhao Ying pretended nothing had happened and looked away.

She doesn't feel bad...

But his eyes were already filled with tears.

She opened her eyes wide and forced back her tears. She thought about her poor children and her father and brothers who had always loved her.

I feel better.

He deserves it...

Zhao Ying swallowed the bitter taste in her throat, ignored the lingering affection in Shangguan Shu's eyes, and walked to the front of the palace, "Father, open the box!"

Emperor Jianxi nodded and said to Shangguan Shu, "Since you don't want to, I won't force you. It would be a waste of your father's efforts."

The old Duke burst into tears.

Looking at Shangguan Shu's current appearance, he felt distressed but did not dare to plead for mercy anymore.

The same is true for Concubine Rong.

What a great sin this is...

Shangguan Shu remained silent.

The guards stepped forward and opened the boxes one by one.

Then search them one by one.

Everyone's heart was lifted with the actions of the guards.

Until one of the guards reached into the box and said, "Found it!"

Zhao Yao's face turned pale and she fainted from fright.

The guard then pulled out the clothes.

The next second, everyone's eyes froze.

Zhao Ying couldn't believe it: "How..."

Shangguan Shu lowered his head, and when he heard the voice, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, with a long and subtle smile.