Yan Rouxi's dazed eyes lifted to the emperor. Her lips curved faintly, and she nodded. "Yes, Emperor. I want you to take me back and make me your concubine."
Her voice was soft, almost shy. Like a blushing maiden, she wrapped her arms around him and buried her face against his chest.
Long Mingze chuckled lightly, twirling a loose strand of her curly hair between his fingers. His tone was mocking, but his eyes glinted with triumph. "Did you hear that, my dear empress?" he said, turning his gaze on Xia Yuqing. "You always blame me for forcing my will on others. But look—what did I do? I asked her, and she agreed. Willingly. She said she wanted me."
Xia Yuqing's hands curled into fists so tight that her nails bit into her palms. Her stomach twisted with disgust. Every word, every gesture of his was a cruel performance meant to break her. And the worst part was—it was working.
