Chapter 233: Negotiation with Xianger

This scene had truly happened before.

At that time, in the grand mansion of the Ning family, when Ning Changjiu woke up, he saw Zhao Xiang'er holding a knife to him. She asked him a few questions and told him to answer truthfully.

The spiraling development of history finally took a turn at this moment.

The girl's thousand-pleated fragrant skirt had vanished with the collapse of the world. What she wore now was still a pure white, clean cotton dress, tied with a red string that clung to her skin, accentuating her youthful and alluring figure.

The once majestic and dignified empress was now tied to the bed.

Zhao Xiang'er's path of cultivation had been soaring, now reaching the Purple Court realm, a level fit for immortals. She had never endured such humiliation.

Fortunately, she could still move. She struggled to sit up in bed. As she sat up, the strangely tied ropes tightened further, making it impossible for her to even maintain a kneeling position on the bed. Her legs bent to the sides, making her look like a small duck.

She gradually recalled the scene from that time: being tricked into the Ten-Eyed Nation by Ning Changjiu, having her seventy-two meridians—and... nine orifices—sealed by him, and the moment the final battle arrived.

If Ning Changjiu hadn't cheated by sealing her meridians, she would clearly still have the strength to fight now... she still had ultimate moves she hadn't used!

This... this was simply too outrageous!

How could such a shameless person exist in this world! How could Mother have found me such a husband? I... I was blind to have grieved for him for so long. He's truly a big ingrate with a human face and a beast's heart!

Unfortunately, her strength was currently no different from that of an ordinary martial artist, and she was controlled by someone, in a humiliating posture. She also understood that even if Ning Changjiu was a scoundrel guilty of heinous crimes, he wasn't truly evil. It wouldn't hurt to humble herself for the greater good of the nation... Yes, a delaying tactic!

Her sparkling eyes became even more enchanting.

Ning Changjiu watched for a moment, then took a deep breath. Even with his mental preparation, he almost couldn't resist... what a little temptress. Ning Changjiu thought, then pulled out a piece of cloth and tied it over her eyes again.

"I have a few questions for you. Please answer them well, Empress, or I'll beat you until you can't sit on the dragon throne." Ning Changjiu spoke coldly.

Zhao Xiang'er sighed inwardly, thinking of her decade-long cultivation journey, her mother's expectations for her, and the certainty of victory when the world unfolded to trap Ning Changjiu. All her peerless grace had now scattered like fireworks. This ingrate, whom she had once beaten like a dog, had now managed to ride roughshod over her. Even with her "delaying tactic" for self-comfort, how could a decade of pride allow her to bow her head?

"Did you understand?" Ning Changjiu asked again.

Zhao Xiang'er lowered her head and nodded.

Ning Changjiu said, "First question: Do sparrows on a phoenix tree count as leaves? Nod if yes, shake your head if no."

"?" Zhao Xiang'er felt a bit overwhelmed. She thought, *There's an absurd story in history about calling a deer a horse, so why are you acting like a corrupt official now?*

This kind of thing...

Zhao Xiang'er nodded in concession.

Ning Changjiu smiled, then continued, "Do you admit you were wrong for tricking me into the city and ambushing me?"

*Wrong my foot...* Zhao Xiang'er nodded again.

Ning Changjiu said, "When we were in Linhe City, Empress, you were quite disrespectful to me. Shouldn't you offer a proper apology?"

Zhao Xiang'er thought, *Didn't you beg me to help you refine your body back then? Besides, if you want me to apologize, at least take out the cloth gagging my mouth first!*

With each question Ning Changjiu asked, her vexation and hatred intensified.

But the situation was against her, so Zhao Xiang'er could only nod obediently.

Ning Changjiu hummed in satisfaction. "It seems Your Majesty is quite enlightened."

Every time he uttered "Your Majesty," Zhao Xiang'er's heart trembled. This was no title of respect; it was clearly a humiliation... Zhao Xiang'er wished she were dreaming. But with her hands tied behind her back, she couldn't even pinch herself awake.

Zhao Xiang'er continued to nod, indicating her high level of understanding.

Ning Changjiu then asked, "So, according to Zhao Law, how should this be punished?"

*Zhao Law doesn't say anything about this...* Besides, she couldn't answer anyway.

Ning Changjiu muttered to himself, "Eighty strokes with a rod. Does Your Majesty object?"

Strokes with a rod? You're clearly... Zhao Xiang'er's body recoiled. This time, she wouldn't nod. If she did, it wouldn't be just a simple physical pain.

Ning Changjiu didn't press the matter, continuing, "So, do you still want to annul this marriage contract?"

Zhao Xiang'er remained silent.

She knew that whether she annulled it or not, she would inevitably leave.

In her brief contemplation, Zhao Xiang'er's body tensed as she heard the bed creak. She knew Ning Changjiu was now beside her.

Zhao Xiang'er had been secretly trying to break through her sealed meridians. As Ning Changjiu approached, she immediately concealed her presence, pretending to be meek and submissive.

"Mmmph mmmph mmmph..." Zhao Xiang'er seemed to be asking, *What are you doing here?*

Ning Changjiu's hand gently stroked her fine, elegant hair, his fingers falling like a comb.

Zhao Xiang'er's hair was very black, soft yet resilient, flowing down gently like cascading clouds, with gracefully tapering ends.

Unable to resist, she let him stroke her hair. The situation was as if Ning Changjiu was petting a small cat.

"Xiang'er..." Ning Changjiu's voice softened. "If I can never come back, will you always remember me?"

Zhao Xiang'er thought, *Is he trying to use both coercion and emotional manipulation to sway me?*

But as she listened to his question, her heart quieted considerably. Who could be sure about the future? Still, she nodded, humming softly through her nose.

This was her only truly sincere nod.

Ning Changjiu looked at her beautiful face and said, "I remember many of our past days. I'm very happy to have met you, Your Highness, and I'm quite satisfied with Master's choice of a fiancée for me. It's just that you, young lady, are too frightening, so I had no choice but to tie you up like this. I hope Your Highness won't mind."

*Won't mind?* The slight bit of emotion that Zhao Xiang'er had finally managed to feel was swept away again.

"Hm? Xiang'er, are you offended?" Ning Changjiu asked with a smile, looking at her expression.

"Mmmph mmmph mmmph mmmph..." Zhao Xiang'er shook her head repeatedly, indicating no.

Ning Changjiu then asked, "So, regarding our three-year agreement, has Xiang'er conceded defeat?"

Zhao Xiang'er said nothing.

If she admitted defeat, there would truly be no chance left.

"Xiang'er can think about it. I'll proceed with Zhao Law first."

Ning Changjiu pulled the girl beside him, pressed her onto his lap, and as his palm descended, he didn't forget to verbally provoke her.

"Still dare to lie to me?"

"Mmmph mmmph..."

"Still dare to annul the engagement?"

"Mmmph mmmph..."

"Do you concede defeat?"

Zhao Xiang'er whimpered. She had always been the divine empress, clad in black robes embroidered with golden dragons, standing tall in the golden palace. How could she have endured such humiliation? The sudden reprimand, amplified by Ning Changjiu's insistent questioning, intensified her shame. She wished she could block her seven orifices so she wouldn't hear the crisp sounds.

But she could hear it perfectly. Moreover, with her eyes covered, her other senses became much sharper.

"I won't dare again..." Zhao Xiang'er's cherry lips parted, and she spoke with difficulty and muffled tones.

Ning Changjiu stopped, brushed the girl's beautiful hair, and asked, "So, have you conceded defeat?"

"Wuwu..." It was unclear what she said.

Ning Changjiu gently righted her posture.

"You little girl, you're usually so arrogant and self-important. Don't think that just because you have a formidable mother, no one can control you. From now on, besides listening to your mother, you also have to listen to your future husband, got it?" Ning Changjiu pinched her soft, rosy cheeks.

At this moment, the beautiful girl's cheeks were flushed. She bowed her head slightly, half-kneeling on the bed, looking like a female disciple who had made a mistake, with not a trace of an empress's arrogance or majesty remaining.

"Mmm..." Zhao Xiang'er hummed softly through her nose, compelled to agree.

Only then did Ning Changjiu untie the blindfold from her eyes and remove the cloth gagging the girl's mouth.

Zhao Xiang'er finally let out a sharp breath of relief. She licked her dry, thin lips, then looked up, staring at Ning Changjiu, her long, slender eyelashes fluttering. "Ning Changjiu! This is too much!"

Ning Changjiu pinched her delicate nose and said, "If I'm not a bit excessive, how will you remember me later?"

"I... I'll remember you even if I turn to ash!" Zhao Xiang'er was furious. Although she was still tied up, she couldn't suppress her anger any longer.

Ning Changjiu chuckled. "Turn to ash? That's not easy. You're a little phoenix; you'll undergo nirvana through fire again and again."

*A little phoenix? What kind of phoenix is this miserable!*

Zhao Xiang'er thought, *Fortunately, I'm strong enough. If it were any other woman, encountering such an outrageous fiancé, they would have likely been in tears, regretting everything.*

Zhao Xiang'er looked at the red ropes binding her and said angrily, "You... where did you learn these devious tricks? What exactly have you been doing these past two years? You're not the leader of some cult, are you?"

Ning Changjiu thought, *If it were the leader of the Joyful Union Sect, I might actually be qualified to try.*

This was a technique he had diligently practiced for months. He would definitely let this naive little girl have a taste when the time came.

Ning Changjiu said, "Miss Xiang'er, why are you still so unreasonable?"

"You think these tricks for bullying little girls will make me truly submit? Aren't you underestimating me a bit too much?" Zhao Xiang'er couldn't suppress her anger any longer.

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. "Is that so?"

So, Her Majesty the Empress was pulled back and received another resounding beating.

Zhao Xiang'er knelt on the bed again, feeling extremely wronged. Her hands, tied behind her back, were tightly clenched. Her face looked pitiful, but internally, she had already decided how she would get her revenge if she ever regained power.

Zhao Xiang'er sniffled and looked around. She had initially thought this was the imperial palace, but now hearing the sounds from outside, she asked, confused, "Which inn is this?"

Ning Changjiu said flatly, "This is a brothel."

"Huh?" Zhao Xiang'er paused, then instantly froze. "You... you brought me to a brothel?"

No matter what, she was still an emperor! How could an emperor come to such a place of entertainment and pleasure?

*Well... it seems there were quite a few emperors who visited brothels in disguise... but I'm a female emperor!*

Zhao Xiang'er looked at her reflection, then thought of what might have happened in this room. Unable to maintain her composure, her pretty face instantly flushed crimson.

Ning Changjiu said, "Xiang'er, this must be your first time here, right? Didn't you say you wanted to sell me to a brothel? Why are you so quiet now?"

Zhao Xiang'er's bravado diminished with his continuous remarks.

"A brothel..."

*He must be doing this on purpose... his intentions are murderous!*

Furious, Zhao Xiang'er turned her head away, struggling with her tied hands. "Untie me first."

Ning Changjiu asked, "You're a dishonest girl. You'll stay tied a bit longer."

Zhao Xiang'er was silent for a moment, then spoke softly, "Alright, I understand. A loss is a loss, and I'll keep my promise."

Ning Changjiu said, "Your Majesty is the supreme ruler. Is your word your bond?"

"Mmm..." Zhao Xiang'er conceded.

Only then did Ning Changjiu untie her.

The curves that had been tightly bound by red ropes finally smoothed out.

Zhao Xiang'er was finally free again. She twisted her wrists, wishing she could pounce like a small lion and tear the hateful young man in front of her to shreds.

However, her strength was insufficient at the moment, and she was somewhat afraid to provoke him.

"You're the winner now, so what exactly do you want?" Zhao Xiang'er lowered her head slightly, then looked up at Ning Changjiu. "You used to say you wanted to annul the engagement. As a man, how can you go back on your word?"

Ning Changjiu ignored her, picked up an almanac, and said, "Let's choose an auspicious date."

Zhao Xiang'er's fragrant cheeks puffed slightly. She sat on the couch, hugging her bare, fair feet, her gaze full of resentment.

"Hm? Are you going back on your word again?" Ning Changjiu asked.

Zhao Xiang'er rubbed herself, then said dismissively, "How could I dare..."

Ning Changjiu smiled faintly. "Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today?"

Zhao Xiang'er's mind focused. She waved her hand. "No!"

"Then you pick one," Ning Changjiu said.

Zhao Xiang'er took the almanac, pretended to flip through it for a bit, then pointed to the seventh day's calendar entry. "I think this day is good!"

Ning Changjiu took the date, and seeing the six characters "Great misfortune, unsuitable for all matters" on it, he fell into contemplation.

He sighed, looked at Zhao Xiang'er, and turned the calendar page forward. "So, you're leaving on the seventh day."

Zhao Xiang'er was silent for a moment, then nodded gently. "Yes, Mother will send the Divine Sparrow to pick me up then. You... you won't be able to stop it."

Ning Changjiu had expected this. Though he felt regret, he said, "We'll always meet again in life, right?"

"Mm-hm." Zhao Xiang'er nodded.

"Then let's make it the sixth day," Ning Changjiu said seriously. "Before you leave, we'll hold a wedding banquet."

Zhao Xiang'er asked, "What's the point of that?"

She was going to the Divine Realm and might never return.

Ning Changjiu chuckled. "This engagement was arranged by your mother. Is it possible she didn't intend for us to marry, but rather to fight to the death?"

Zhao Xiang'er looked at Ning Changjiu. She increasingly felt that her mother's judgment was severely flawed in choosing this fiancé... Her adoration for her mother was slowly beginning to crumble.

"Yes. Whatever you say." Zhao Xiang'er replied perfunctorily, while secretly trying to break through her sealed meridians to escape sooner.

Ning Changjiu suddenly hugged her and said, "Sleep with me."

"!" Zhao Xiang'er pressed against his chest. "No! I must remain a virgin. That's my bottom line, or I'll truly hate you forever."

For some reason, Ning Changjiu looked very tired. He said, "What are you thinking? When I say sleep, I just mean sleep, of course."

Before Zhao Xiang'er could react, Ning Changjiu pulled her into his embrace and they lay on the couch.

The girl was still a bit bewildered. She felt his warm embrace and a strange feeling in her heart. Just as she was about to rebuke him, she realized he had truly fallen asleep after casually pulling up the covers...

Just like that, they slept together on the embroidered bed in the brothel.

Zhao Xiang'er had just woken up, and now she was wide awake.

She curled her slender, soft body, pressing very close to him. This feeling... was very strange.

Ning Changjiu's face was calm in his sleep, but Zhao Xiang'er's true nature was revealed. Her expression was fierce, and her thick, black hair almost seemed to stand on end as if she'd been electrocuted, which was quite startling.

Fearing he was merely feigning sleep to lure her in, Zhao Xiang'er observed him carefully for a while, confirming that he was truly asleep.

Although a Purple Court realm cultivator could still detect killing intent within a hundred-mile radius even while asleep, Zhao Xiang'er believed she could perfectly disguise herself, not revealing a single extra breath.

She tensed her body, turned slightly, and with one hand on the pillow and the other gripping Ning Changjiu's arm, she gently lifted his hand. Then, she slowly arched her body backward, silently slipping through Ning Changjiu's entangled arm.

Everything went more smoothly than she had expected.

She sat on the bed, looking at the hateful young man, and rolled up the sleeves of her white dress. She was determined to break through her sealed meridians quickly and give him a surprise before he woke up.

With that, she began to meditate.

However, Ning Changjiu seemed to have added another layer to the seal last night. Her limited spiritual power clashed within her body, like trying to put out a blazing fire with a cup of water. After half an hour of effort, she couldn't even reopen half a meridian.

Zhao Xiang'er's hair was messy, her eyes were slightly red, and she was exasperated.

Her soft feet touched the ground, and Zhao Xiang'er skillfully got out of bed. She began searching the room, hoping to find a miraculous item that could help her turn the tables.

It was indeed a brothel. She found no miracles, but she did find plenty of peculiar items.

Zhao Xiang'er expressionlessly pushed the strange objects she had found back into place, pretending she hadn't seen anything.

She sat back by the bed, looking at the peacefully sleeping young man, growing angrier the longer she watched him.

Suddenly, her eyes narrowed slightly. She saw a dark, faint mark near the back of Ning Changjiu's collar.

It... looked like burn marks.

Zhao Xiang'er pursed her lips and leaned closer. One hand supported her on the bed, while the other gathered her hair, careful not to let it fall and wake him.

Zhao Xiang'er extended a slender finger, carefully picked up the back of Ning Changjiu's collar, lifting it slightly, and then froze.

Ning Changjiu's entire back was covered with marks left by scorching flames.

Those scarred patches covered his entire back, appearing like cracked earth or dragon scales seared by intense fire.

This... such severe injuries?

Why were his clothes completely unharmed?

Zhao Xiang'er hesitated briefly, and then the final scene from that world immediately flooded her mind.

Back then, world-engulfing flames, some from the Golden Crow world, others from the Vermilion Bird world, had descended. Amidst the blaze, he had abruptly embraced her, shielding her like a chick, using his back to meet the falling inferno.

The world was illusory, the flames were illusory, but the injuries were real.

The wounds left by that world's attack had been ignited internally, slowly cracking outwards and spreading across his entire back.

Zhao Xiang'er slowly withdrew her hand.

She sat on the brocade quilt, her hands clenched into fists and pressed against her knees. She certainly couldn't forgive him for the recent punishment, but the past scenes of them fighting side-by-side, sharing life and death, couldn't help but surface in her mind.

*Did I care about him? If not, why was I sad when I heard of his death? Was it just because of that illusory snow lotus...?*

*Right, there was also that illusory snow lotus...*

*How could this person be like this!*

Zhao Xiang'er looked at the scars on his back, thinking angrily, *You're already in the Purple Court realm now, and you have dominion over time. Can't you just heal all these injuries? Who are you trying to impress with this act...?*

*Yes, for me to see, and I just happened to see them, didn't I.*

*Young in age, but deep in cunning. Definitely not a good person!*

Zhao Xiang'er looked at his face, wishing she could stretch out a finger and scratch his cheeks to make him look like a tabby cat.

"Xiang'er..." Ning Changjiu's lips moved.

"Hm?" Zhao Xiang'er briefly came back to herself, looked over, but saw no reaction.

*So, it was just sleep-talking.*

*And I wonder if he's faking it.*

Zhao Xiang'er was filled with distrust towards him.

"Xiang'er," Ning Changjiu mumbled again, his arm moving slightly as if searching for something.

Zhao Xiang'er looked at the shocking wounds on his back, her gaze distant as she muttered, "Tricking ghosts, are you."

When Ning Changjiu woke up, he saw a peaceful sleeping face.

Zhao Xiang'er was resting her head on her arm, her body slightly curled, her features peaceful as if she, too, had entered dreamland. Ning Changjiu watched her steady breathing, as if gazing at the most delicate flower in the world, whose fragrance could be caught with a gentle sniff.

After a long while, Zhao Xiang'er's eyelids fluttered, and she slowly awoke.

She patted her head, thinking, *I just wanted to lie down for a bit, so how did I fall asleep? Hmm, it must be his trick again!*

"Did you sleep well, Xiang'er?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"Excellent," Zhao Xiang'er retorted testily.

"What's wrong?" Ning Changjiu asked.

"You... you kept talking in your sleep," Zhao Xiang'er said coldly.

Ning Changjiu asked, puzzled, "What did I say?"

Zhao Xiang'er slowly sat up, her eyelids lowered, and said indifferently, "You kept calling out Lu Jiajia's name, endlessly. If you miss her so much, why are you wasting time here?"

Ning Changjiu rubbed his head. He slowly sat up. Although the wounds on his back were not extremely severe, they were, after all, a dual attack on both his mental and physical state, causing immense depletion of his energy.

"I'm sorry," Ning Changjiu said.

Zhao Xiang'er said, "You don't need to apologize to me."

Ning Changjiu said, "Let's go for a walk. I'll treat you to some candied hawthorn to make up for it."

Zhao Xiang'er scoffed, "Who wants your candied hawthorn?"

Zhao Xiang'er put a shiny, translucent candied hawthorn into her mouth. The outer sugar coating was very sweet, and the fruit inside was slightly crisp and tart. She walked beside Ning Changjiu, quietly eating one after another.

Ning Changjiu said, "Have you been bored staying in the Imperial City for so long?"

Zhao Xiang'er mumbled, "Then where do you want to go?"

Ning Changjiu asked, "How about we go back to Linhe City for a visit?"

Zhao Xiang'er said, "Everything there is being rebuilt. Its past appearance is completely gone. What's there to reminisce about?"

"So, are we going or not?"

"Mmm... yes."

Zhao Xiang'er regretted it as soon as she agreed. She realized she seemed to have fallen for his trick again.

Linhe City was far away, so they would have to travel by sword. With her spiritual power sealed, she had no choice but to stand behind Ning Changjiu, tightly wrapping her arms around his waist. As they flew higher, her front pressed perfectly against his back. Even if Ning Changjiu didn't speak, she knew what thoughts were stirring in the mind of this great villain.

Zhao Xiang'er maintained a cold expression throughout the journey, speaking little.

"This place... is where Madam Bai and we retreated to the banks of the Saha River back then," Ning Changjiu said, standing by the riverbank and watching the clear river flow past, reminiscing.

Zhao Xiang'er certainly remembered. Back then, after she fought Madam Bai, she was half-covered in blood and disheveled, lying on the ground, unable to get up. It was Ning Changjiu who carried her back.

Seeing the girl remain silent, he thought he had reminded her of something unpleasant.

He smiled softly and said, "All that is in the past. For these six days, I'll take you wherever you want to go."

Zhao Xiang'er gently shook her head. She suddenly opened her arms and said expressionlessly, "I'm tired of walking. Carry me."