Chapter 7: Shangguan Mochen Returns

Chapter 7: Shangguan Mochen Returns (Part 1)

I woke to sunshine warming my back. After my maids saw to my morning (and lunchtime) ablutions and meal, I settled into the courtyard of Yongning Palace, basking like a contented cat. Being Empress, especially a discarded one, has perks. No disturbances. Pampered. Cared for. If I'd known transmigration was this cushy, I'd have skipped the misery of college entrance exams!

Suddenly, raucous noise erupted from the gate. I frowned. So much for peace. Just then, Ningshuang, one of the palace maids, rushed in, breathless. "Your Majesty! The Emperor is here! You must receive him!"

"Emperor?" The title felt alien for a second. Then it clicked. "Shangguan Mochen?"

Hearing his name spoken so casually again, Ningshuang looked utterly aghast. She's probably picturing my loose tongue getting us all executed. She nodded frantically. "Yes! He awaits in the main hall! We couldn't find you! Please, hurry! If he grows angry…"

"Fine. I'm coming." I agreed, but my mind raced. Why is he here? He'd vowed never to set foot in Yongning Palace again, to leave it a frozen tomb. Barely days later, here he was. Is he here to settle a score?

My stomach clenched. I wasn't afraid of him, precisely, but he was an Emperor. Killing someone was as easy as crushing an ant for him. If he wanted me gone, resistance was futile.

Then, I relaxed. He needs my Chancellor father. Whatever his anger, he'd hesitate to truly harm me. Armed with that thought, I sauntered towards the main hall, feigning nonchalance.

At the entrance, the scene confirmed my expectations. Shangguan Mochen sat imperiously on a chair. My entire household—maids, eunuchs, even Nanny Zhang—knelt before him, holding their breath. He sipped tea, his gaze icy, voice colder than winter wind. "Where is the Empress? Why does she delay?"

His arrogance ignited my temper. I strode in, my voice frosty. "Stop badgering them. I'm here. So? What brings you back, you two-faced, promise-breaking lech?"

I plopped down on the nearest chair. Kneel to him? Not happening.

His face darkened instantly. He shot to his feet, livid. "What did you say? When have I ever been a two-faced, promise-breaking—that?!"

"Haven't you?" Seeing him choke on the final word was satisfying. I tilted my chin defiantly. "If you recalled your own words that night, you wouldn't be here! I remember perfectly. Someone declared, quite clearly, that he would never return to Yongning Palace, that it would become a cold tomb. So who's the oath-breaker standing here now?"

"You—!" My words struck home. Speechless, he turned his fury onto the cowering figures on the floor. "All of you! OUT!"

"Y-yes, Your Majesty!" Relief mixed with terror laced their voices as they scrambled away. As they fled, each cast a worried glance back at me. Their silent support was clear, even as fear of the Emperor's wrath drove them out.

Chapter 7: Shangguan Mochen Returns (Part 2)

Only when they were gone did he turn his glacial stare back to me. "Understand this," he ground out, each word sharp. "I would never set foot in this place again were it not absolutely necessary. So curb your smugness!"

The raw fury in his voice was palpable. I met his gaze coolly, shrugging. "Likewise. If you hadn't crawled back here shamelessly, I'd be perfectly happy never seeing your face again."

He stared, an unreadable flicker in his eyes. "Do you truly… despise the sight of me?"

"Of course!" I tossed the English word at him, uncaring if he understood. He needed to know not every woman worshipped the ground he walked on or coveted this cursed title. Overconfidence bred delusion. My sacred duty? Shatter his blind ego. Show him at least one woman was immune.

My expression told him all he needed to know, English or not. A faint, mocking smile touched his lips. "So. The Empress truly holds no regard for this Emperor. Very well. Then there is nothing more to say."

He turned his back, mirroring his exit that first night. I exhaled, watching him stride towards the door. Good riddance. Think I'll miss you? I was already mentally reclaiming my sunspot.

But today's Shangguan Mochen was starkly different from the silk-robed figure of that disastrous night. Today, he wore a crown of jade and pearls, a robe of deep imperial purple woven with gold and silver thread, breathtakingly opulent yet devoid of vulgarity. A sword hung at his hip—its hilt gold, its sheath green sharkskin wrapped in silver wire. Every inch radiated innate authority, a natural arrogance etched into his brow that screamed command. He was born to rule; obeyed without question.

Handsome as sin, rotten to the core. The entitled arrogance of a spoiled emperor surpassed even the most insufferable jocks back in school. As his figure vanished, relief washed over me. Whatever he wanted, he's gone. Problem solved.

I turned back towards the courtyard. Three steps in, a sudden, oppressive presence prickled my spine. I whirled around.

He stood directly behind me. Close. His eyes held stark surprise, boring into mine. His voice held a strange, unfamiliar tremor. "You… truly didn't care that I left?"

Shangguan Mochen. Back again. I'd braced for danger, not his return. His question struck me as absurd. Still thinks I crave his attention? A scornful laugh escaped me. "If I cared, I wouldn't have told you to leave! The real question is—why did you slither back?"

That inscrutable light in his eyes intensified, then dimmed. "Are you truly Xiao Chenyi… the Chancellor's daughter?"

"Who else would I be? You knew that already!" I snapped, impatient. "Enough circling. Why are you here?"

A flicker of something—sadness?—crossed his face, instantly smothered by his customary ice. His jaw tightened. When he spoke, his voice was devoid of warmth. "Crown Prince Duanmu Yeting of Chu arrives shortly to discuss a diplomatic alliance. I host a banquet in his honor tonight. You will attend. And you will remember your position. Do nothing to shame Qin."

Insufferable prick. His words dripped with the same contempt as always. I met it with a curled lip. "Rest easy. I won't embarrass you. Worry about yourself. Try not to get drunk and disgrace the nation in front of our guest. Wouldn't want the world laughing at you."

Disrespect me? Get it right back. Luo Xiaoxiao's policy of returning fire was now firmly Xiao Chenyi's.

Anger flashed in his eyes. He scoffed. "See that you remember! Duanmu Yeting is an honored guest. Offend him, and you will face consequences!" Seeing my expression sour further, his gaze dropped. His finger deliberately traced the low neckline of my gown, his voice thick with disdain. "And change this. Neckline this low? Hardly fitting for an Empress. Have it replaced before tonight."

This man's talent for infuriating me is unparalleled. His hypocrisy ignited fresh fury. Consort Liu and Consort Chen parade around practically naked, and he says nothing! But I wear something slightly revealing, and it's a national scandal? You order me? I'll do the opposite! Tell me to cover up? I'll wear something scandalous!

But I couldn't let him see my defiance yet. Best to play along for now. I rolled my eyes, feigning boredom. "Fine. Understood. Now, are you leaving for good this time?"

His face tightened, but he mastered his temper. "Remember my words. A carriage will collect you tonight. Do not forget!"

"Got it! Now scram!" I waved a dismissive hand. His threats were tedious variations on a theme: Know your place. Behave. It was glaringly obvious. In his eyes, I was the shameless slut. His warnings tonight? Likely born of fear. Fear that Duanmu Yeting might be handsome. Fear that I, the notorious Empress, might just… throw myself at him.