Volume One, Chapter 11: Choked to Death? Poisoned? Strangled? In Any Case, She Insisted on Dying on Her Wedding Night

Those hands were strikingly similar to the ones that had held her captive that night—pale to the point of lifelessness, exuding an indescribable chill.

“Cough!”

A faint cough sounded above her head, causing Ye Yuntang’s body to tremble involuntarily.

“My Empress, so timid and easily startled? That hardly matches the boldness you showed when you volunteered that night…” Xie Chenyen’s voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke softly by her ear.

Ye Yuntang pondered silently; this voice seemed subtly different from what she remembered—perhaps she was just overthinking it. Regardless, caution was imperative now; no missteps could be afforded.

“I merely admired the emperor’s hands—they are exquisitely beautiful, with skin so fair and delicate. I found myself captivated without realizing it… I beg your forgiveness, Your Majesty,” she said hastily, extending her petite hand to gently rest in the man’s palm.

His hand was unexpectedly warm, large enough to envelop hers perfectly—just right, indeed. Ye Yuntang thought to herself and spoke aloud, sensing a tightening grip.

A flush of embarrassment swept over her—how had she accidentally said such a thing? Ye Yuntang, beware of speaking recklessly!

A spring breeze rustled wildly, sending their matching crimson wedding garments fluttering in the air.

Suddenly, a sharp gust lifted a corner of her bridal veil. In that fleeting moment, her gaze caught Xie Chenyen’s face clearly. At the outer edge of his right eye was a crimson teardrop mole.

This mark lent a bewitching allure to his otherwise cold and indifferent face, though his phoenix-like eyes remained as inscrutable and deep as a dark abyss.

With just one glance, Ye Yuntang felt her heart race uncontrollably.

She did not know why.

When the elaborate wedding rites concluded, she was escorted by palace maids into the bridal chamber.

Only after all the maids had withdrawn did she finally straighten her back and feel a sense of release.

Being Empress was no easy task, but this was the path she had chosen, and even if she had to kneel, she would walk it herself to the end.

After resting briefly, she waited and waited, but the Emperor did not appear.

Her stomach growled loudly, gnawing hunger soon followed.

Her eyes immediately fell upon the peanut cakes arranged on the table.

She tiptoed over, swiftly snatched a piece, and stuffed it into her mouth. Her cheeks puffed out instantly.

Then, she grabbed several more pieces, finally satisfied enough to return to her seat.

But just as she was about to settle down, Xie Chenyen pushed the door open and strode in with long, decisive steps.

Ye Yuntang’s heart skipped a beat.

Hearing the footsteps growing nearer, she hastily stuffed all the remaining peanut cakes into her mouth.

Her speed was so swift that Xie Chenyen only caught a fleeting shadow.

He raised an eyebrow, his profound eyes like a deep pool in the dark night, seeming to grow even darker.

“What was the Empress doing just now?”

His voice, clear as a mountain spring, carried a faint, almost imperceptible trace of laziness and coldness, sending a chill through one’s heart.

“Why silent?”

Xie Chenyen stood before Ye Yuntang, a playful smile curling the corners of his lips, half-smiling as he looked at her.

Just as he reached out to lift the crimson veil, a muffled sound came from beneath it.

“Wa-wa…”

Xie Chenyen’s brow furrowed slightly; the chill in his eyes did not wane.

After staring intently at the delicate hand in front of him for a moment, he abruptly lifted the veil.

Ye Yuntang’s face was flushed a deep red, her expression both adorably awkward and somewhat ridiculous.

“Save me…”

Xie Chenyen’s piercing phoenix eyes held a hypnotic charm as he looked at her, as if she were choking, and let out a derisive laugh.

“Foolish.”

Ye Yuntang, seeing that he stood unmoved and even insulted her, shoved the man aside, grabbed a water jug, and gulped down a large amount of water.

He looked at her with casual indifference, his gaze probing and assessing.

“The Empress’s way of vying for favor is certainly original…”

“Your Majesty, I was truly just hungry, do you believe me?”

Ye Yuntang felt her face flush hotly, ashamed. She had fully prepared to seduce him, yet all was ruined by a simple piece of broken pastry.

Xie Chenyen studied her flushed face, and Ye Yuntang grew increasingly guilty.

Her eyes darted about nervously, restless and uncertain, not knowing how to properly serve him.

All the lessons Aunt Liu Shu had taught her were completely forgotten in her anxiety.

Suddenly, she remembered the nuptial wine they had yet to share.

Hurriedly turning away, she retrieved a red pill from her sleeve, swiftly dropped it into the wine, gently swirled it, and forced herself to sound calm.

“Your Majesty, shall we drink the nuptial wine?”

But the moment she turned, a fierce palm strike like lightning came crashing toward her vital spot.

The blow was ferocious, unstoppable. Instinctively, Ye Yuntang stumbled back and fell heavily onto the floor.

“Your Majesty, I only ate a piece of peanut cake. Surely you wouldn’t kill me for that?”

This Emperor was truly captivating, yet his methods were excessively ruthless.

Xie Chenyen’s crystal-clear eyes stared in shock at the woman sprawled awkwardly on the ground.

His expression darkened.

With one swift motion, he pulled Ye Yuntang into his embrace.

Ye Yuntang was terrified, her body stiffened straight, not daring to move.

“Does the Empress poison me without hesitation?” Xie Chenyen’s hand slowly traced along her back.

Poison?

When had she ever poisoned him?

Suddenly recalling the earlier scene, she hurried to explain, “It’s not poison, it’s an aphrodisiac. Aunt Liu Shu gave it to me, saying it would enhance our enjoyment.”

Seeing that the cold aura around him had not lifted, she swallowed nervously and continued, “If it helps with enjoyment, it should make one happy. I truly only wanted to make you happier…”

A playful smile curved Xie Chenyen’s lips, yet there was no joy in it—only a sense of watching a show.

Ye Yuntang was speechless.

This Emperor was truly difficult to please. No wonder the imperial harem was so devoid of favor.

She sighed, a faint sense of despair rising within her.

“Fine, I’ll be honest. I did have a selfish intention when entering the palace, but such ambition hardly deserves death, does it?”

Xie Chenyen stared at her, as if on the verge of losing patience.

“Actually, I came into the palace to be your favored consort—the one second only to you, the most beloved. I want to become the Empress, the most honored woman under heaven.”

“Hah—you are surprisingly frank.”

His pale, slender fingers brushed over her tender cheek, the coldness at their tips piercing her heart.

Ye Yuntang did not know if he would kill her; her eyelashes trembled slightly.

“But if you want to be favored, you must win my love. Otherwise, tell me plainly—what do you like?

I will do as you please, to win your favor.”

Hearing her speak, the smile in Xie Chenyen’s eyes deepened, though it never reached their depths.

“Winning my favor is no easy task.”

Ye Yuntang felt hope and pressed on.

“That’s alright. I have no attachments for the rest of my life. From this moment on, you are the star in my eyes, the one in my heart. I live only for you.”

As she spoke, even she felt moved.

But in the next moment, Xie Chenyen suddenly gripped her neck with a coldness as bitter as the harshest winter, and hissed, “Hypocrite!”