"You are being presumptuous!"
With a "clash," the priceless porcelain shattered into pieces on the ground.
...
Everyone's eyes were filled with horror, and they knelt on the ground, trembling.
"Emperor, calm your anger!"
The entire palace was engulfed in a tense and solemn atmosphere, so quiet that the sound of a needle dropping could be distinctly heard.
The Emperor's face darkened terribly, his beautiful brows and eyes stained with a frightening ferocity, producing an intimidating yet stunning presence.
He suddenly stood up, descended the steps, and with a commanding aura, advanced step by step.
Beneath his imperial robes, a hand dripping with blood hung loosely at his side, dropping crimson droplets with every step.
The blood brought his murderous aura to a peak, and with his darkly furious expression, he seemed like an Asura who had crawled out of Hell!
Everyone was petrified by the sight, as if a hand was tightly clutching their throats.
Mingshu also held her breath, her eyes filled with shock at the scene.
She knew that Si Chu's personality was flawed, akin to a violent disposition, but she never imagined his outbursts could be this severe and without any warning!
She didn't even know what had set him off!
Consort Shu collapsed on the ground, her face drained of color, staring in dry-mouthed terror at the approaching figure, her voice trembling, "Emperor... Emperor?"
Si Chu's eyes were faintly red, seemingly having lost all reason. He stopped in front of Consort Shu and before her terrified gaze, leaned down and grabbed her throat.
Consort Shu's complexion turned from pale to red, her breathing grew labored, and tears of fear and panic welled up in her eyes as she looked up in a desperate struggle and gasped, "Emperor, spare... spare my life."
Si Chu's gaze was slightly downcast, the corners of his mouth carrying a gentle smile. That smile, to anyone who saw it, seemed exceedingly cruel. He observed her feeble struggles with an icy and indifferent gaze, "Consort Shu is a noble title I have personally bestowed. You keep calling her 'worthless wretch.' Do you not have me in your eyes?"
Mingshu's pupils slightly dilated, and she abruptly raised her head towards him, her heart could not be more shocked!
He... he was angry for this reason?
Gazing into those murderous and wild eyes, her own expression became somewhat complex.
To be honest, she herself had not taken it to heart. Consort Shu was used to spewing venom, and moreover, Mingshu had given her a thorough beating, which was a satisfying retribution.
But him...
"Emperor... your concubine knows her mistake... Emperor, spare... spare my life!" Consort Shu grimaced in pain, her previously attractive features twisted, no longer showing any of her earlier arrogance. On the brink of life and death, she had a flash of insight, as if grasping a lifeline, "The... the Empress Dowager..."
Si Chu narrowed his eyes slightly, tilting his head with a chilling chuckle. His gaze was as dark as ink, like an abyss, "You think by invoking the Empress Dowager you can pressure me into sparing you?"
If he had been hesitant before, it was clear at that moment that he was fully intent on killing her.
"How naïve," he said lightly, as if speaking to himself.
Consort Shu felt the grip on her neck tighten and desperation filled her eyes as she realized she was indeed about to meet her end.
At this critical moment, a pale hand reached out, accompanied by an anxious voice.
"Emperor."
Si Chu stared at the tender wrist encircling his own, his eyes still carrying a cold murderous intent. Slowly turning his head, he met Mingshu's worried gaze.
For a moment, his thoughts cleared, then, as if someone had doused him with a bucket of ice water, he felt chilled from head to toe.
His body stiffened.