Xiao Mingzhao's eyes widened.
She found it unbelievable. The Tuoba Xiangtai standing before her was suddenly completely different from the Tuoba Xiangtai she knew and imagined.
The former Tuoba Xiangtai was not like this.
He used to be aloof and proud, always the picture of an elegant gentleman. He did things with a calm and steady demeanor, naturally drawing people's affection.
But now...
Why did it feel like this Tuoba Xiangtai had changed?!
A sense of absurdity welled up in Xiao Mingzhao's heart. It was as if everything she had hoped and wished for over the years was just a futile effort, drawing water with a bamboo basket. It was all a fleeting illusion, entirely her own beautiful imagination.
But a moment later, Xiao Mingzhao shook her head.
After waiting and hoping for so many years, the moment of fruition and blooming flowers had finally arrived. How could she negate it so easily?!
"It must be because Xiangtai has just arrived in the capital, the very place where he was once held as a hostage. It is inevitable that fearful emotions would arise in his heart, causing him to lose his composure like this!"
Xiao Mingzhao comforted herself in her heart.
Yet, she couldn't help but feel a surge of pity.
Pity for Tuoba Xiangtai.
Thinking of the many hardships Tuoba Xiangtai had suffered in the past, she felt a slight wave of sorrow, but she quickly adjusted her emotions.
She said softly, "Alright, Xiangtai. Since you insist that I stay, then I shall stay."
"However, I must make this clear to you beforehand. Our Great Yu values etiquette and moral teachings above all else. Before we are married, you are not allowed to do anything inappropriate to me."
"No problem, no problem!" Tuoba Xiangtai agreed hastily. As long as Xiao Mingzhao was willing to stay and accompany him, to be by his side forever and ever, he wouldn't mind even if he couldn't touch her.
His heart was filled with wild joy, and it showed on his face.
His grin stretched from ear to ear.
He hurried to personally arrange the room where Xiao Mingzhao would rest and sleep for the night.
Xiao Mingzhao was actually more familiar with this Yuchen Mansion than Tuoba Xiangtai was. However, Tuoba Xiangtai was smart after all; having just followed Xiao Mingzhao for a walk and a look around, he had already memorized most of the layout.
He quickly found a suitable room for Xiao Mingzhao.
After looking around and feeling quite satisfied, he waved his large hand and ordered his subordinates, "Men, seal the windows immediately! I will no longer allow any man to see my Luan'er's face!"
The few barbarian royal guards following him broke out in a cold sweat.
They were veterans of a hundred battles and had followed many barbarian commanders, but this was the first time they had ever heard such a demand.
Moreover, there was another problem.
What about them?
They were men too!
By staying to seal the doors and windows, they would easily catch a glimpse of Xiao Mingzhao!
Soon, these personal guards found out the answer.
Because...
They were dragged to a corner of the Yuchen Mansion, and scimitars were placed against their necks. With a slicing sound, they followed the attendants Xiao Mingzhao had brought, their souls returning to the underworld.
Xiao Mingzhao did not see this scene.
But she did see the newly sealed doors and windows, which turned this magnificent bedroom into a place where figures could only be seen by the light of lit candles.
Xiao Mingzhao frowned. "Xiangtai, what are you doing?"
"It's to prevent other men from seeing you!" Tuoba Xiangtai spoke as if in a trance. "Luan'er, you don't know. All the women in the world combined cannot compare to a single strand of your hair. With your city-toppling beauty, how could I bear to let others look at you?"
"From now on, just let me be the only one to look at you, alright?"
This was bringing up an old topic.
Xiao Mingzhao had originally forgiven Tuoba Xiangtai's actions in her heart, but seeing him actually do this made her heart skip a beat in apprehension.
However, before she could say anything more, she saw Tuoba Xiangtai take out an object from nowhere.
It seemed to be entirely made of gold, or at the very least, plated with a layer of gold. Under the candlelight, it emitted a unique luster, appearing quite dreamy, but...
Even more terrifying!
Because...
It was a chain!
A long gold chain!
Xiao Mingzhao instinctively took a step back, her tone trembling slightly. "Xiangtai, what are you doing with this?"
"To tie you up!"
This time, Tuoba Xiangtai no longer hid his thoughts, showing a sense of release as if victory was already in his grasp. "Once I tie you up with this chain, you will be able to stay by my side forever."
"From now on, you will never leave me again!"
"Luan'er, I truly cannot bear for you to leave me even for half a step. In this life, and for all eternity, I cannot bear for you to leave me even for half a step!"
"Be a good girl and put on this gold chain, alright?"
At this moment, Xiao Mingzhao only felt terror washing over her. She couldn't help but tremble all over and shouted, "No, no way! Tuoba Xiangtai, how, how can you do this?"
"How could you be this kind of person?"
"I am the dignified Empress, the Emperor of the Great Yu Dynasty!"
"The ruler of a nation!"
"The lord of all people!"
"How dare you, how dare you subject me to such humiliation?"
In the face of Xiao Mingzhao's roaring, Tuoba Xiangtai seemed to pay no heed. With a wave of his hand, two barbarian women walked in from outside.
They were clearly prepared by Tuoba Xiangtai specifically for Xiao Mingzhao.
Upon entering, they followed Tuoba Xiangtai's instructions and pinned Xiao Mingzhao down. Soon, with a few clicking sounds, golden rings were fastened around Xiao Mingzhao's neck and wrists.
Once the two maidservants had done this, they quickly left.
Only Tuoba Xiangtai and Xiao Mingzhao were left in the room.
At this time, Tuoba Xiangtai was trembling with excitement. His wish of so many years had finally been fulfilled at this moment, and he felt as if he was going to explode with thrill.
Xiao Mingzhao, on the other hand, felt a piercing chill rise from her tailbone, rushing straight to the crown of her head. Feeling the icy coldness of the gold chain, her heart was filled with immense terror for the first time.
This fear was more surging and intense than any she had ever felt before. Like a mighty rushing river, it threatened to completely annihilate her in an instant.
Her teeth couldn't stop chattering.
"Tuoba Xiangtai, you, you, how can you do this?"
"How can you do this?"
Perhaps terrified to the extreme, tears instantly overflowed from Xiao Mingzhao's eyes. The crystal tears crossing her snow-white skin made her look both disheveled and breathtakingly beautiful.
"You can't do this!"
Xiao Mingzhao's appearance made Tuoba Xiangtai panic a little. However, remembering the strict moral etiquette Xiao Mingzhao had constantly spoken of, he didn't dare to rush forward and hug her.
He only stomped his feet anxiously, and then said, "Luan'er, I, I just love you too much!"
"Didn't you always tell me!"
"What can be wrong with loving someone?"
"I just love you too much!"
"I am not wrong, I cannot be wrong. I just want you to stay by my side forever. What did I do wrong?"
"From now on, let's just stay like this, alright? You will always be by my side. I will feed you, wash your face, tuck you in, and I can even help you handle state affairs."
"Didn't you say it before?"
"We will share this world!"
"In the future, I will handle all the state affairs for you. I will definitely build this world into a great utopia, a beautiful world where the people of Yu and Han are united as one family!"
"What do you say?"
...
or! A blessing for those who struggle with love, a guidebook for dating novices. Quickly match with your dream goddess! Complete walkthroughs earn rewards, and perfect walkthroughs unlock limited achievements!】 Shen Yi, an ordinary office worker, accidentally downloads a mini-game called Dating Simulator. The mini-game is simple: randomly search for dating targets, simulate dates, and receive rewards upon successful confession. Rewards include but are not limited to money, attributes, and skills. The higher the evaluation, the better the rewards, with perfect ratings unlocking mysterious achievements. Shen Yi plans to use this mysterious mini-game to continuously pursue targets and improve himself, making his life better and better. ...... However, after several successful walkthroughs, Shen Yi suddenly notices something strange - the targets he previously simulated dating seem to be searching for him in real life?
ive and Ruthless] Before his transmigration, Ye Xuan was playing a game called "Severing Emotions to Attain the Dao." The game's core wasn't about leveling up by fighting monsters, but about conquering various "bad women" with wicked personalities and cold, fickle natures. There was only one method to conquer them: stay unwaveringly by their side, then die at a critical moment, driving them to madness after losing the protagonist. The higher their level of regret, the higher the player's score. To dominate the server, Ye Xuan conquered all the bad women. In the early stages, he showered them with boundless tenderness, only to choose to sacrifice himself for them later, making them weep bitterly and drown in regret. Among them were: Xia Lengyue, the unfaithful immortal wife who chased after powerful men and discarded her husband like trash. Ye Qingcheng, the Demonic Venerable of the Joyous Union Sect, who appeared pure and innocent but was, in reality, promiscuous. Wu Lingxiao, the Empress of the Great Xia Dynasty, who lusted after men and loved maintaining a harem. Bai Qiangu of the Endless Demonic Sect: a bloodthirsty mass murderer. However, when the protagonist transmigrated into the game world, he made a horrifying discovery. Eight hundred years had already passed. The bad women he had conquered had now each become deities and revered ancestors. Faced with the endless stream of toxic women coming for him, Ye Xuan could only rely on his god-tier acting skills to carve a path of survival through this world of treacherous women.
young master of the Shen family—a figure of immense power and wealth beyond measure—and awakened the "Destined Ultimate Villain System"! His starting scenario? Running into his icy fiancée who shows up with a mountain-descending divine doctor to break off their engagement. The divine doctor arrogantly taunts: "What does your Shen family have besides a bit of stinking money? You're not even worthy of tying Qingxue's shoelaces!" Shen Fei just smiled. He completely defied the usual script: "Fine, I agree to break off the engagement. Also, notify the finance department to withdraw all investments from the Su family." Minutes later, with its capital chain severed, the Su Group teetered on the brink of bankruptcy! The once aloof and proud ice queen CEO was thrown into utter panic. That very night, she went to Shen Fei's villa, casting aside all dignity to beg and plead desperately... From then on, in this world teeming with Sons of Destiny, Shen Fei embarked on a path of extreme dimensional suppression! A mountain-descending divine doctor? Peerless medical skills? Shen Fei: "Reporting you for practicing medicine without a license! I'll gladly take your ancient medicinal cauldron and twin sister assassins." The Crooked-Smiling Dragon King? Commanding a hundred thousand soldiers with a single order? Shen Fei: "Illegal assembly and suspected treason! Let a fleet of attack helicopters sanitize the area and teach you what the state apparatus really means!" A reborn tycoon? Knows all the golden opportunities of the next decade? Shen Fei: "A trillion in capital to reverse and pump the stock market, making you blow your margin and jump on the very first day of your rebirth!" What Chosen Ones? What bearers of Heavenly Fortune? In Shen Fei's eyes, they're all just chives (i.e., suckers/marks) waiting to be harvested! Shen Fei: "Sorry, but as the Destined Ultimate Villain, I don't play by the rules of honor. I only play the game of dimensional suppression."
transmigrates into the world as the sect master of the Heavenly Yan Sect, which is on the verge of being wiped out. He binds a system that grants him cultivation power based on the number of disciples he has: for each disciple, he automatically gains a year's worth of cultivation every single day! Take one disciple: every day he gains 1 year of cultivation power. While others struggle through a year of bitter training, he gets the same just by sleeping through a single night. Take ten disciples: every day he gains 10 years of cultivation power. Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul—he breezes through all bottlenecks without lifting a finger. Take one hundred disciples: every day he gains 100 years of cultivation power. Even a Soul Transformation Venerable before him can’t survive a single blow. Take ten thousand disciples: every day he gains 10,000 years of cultivation power! With a wave of his hand, he topples empires. With a single step, he crushes the sacred grounds of the universe. ... While others fight tooth and nail for secret techniques, Lin Yan casually hands out Nascent Soul-level cultivation manuals as beginner textbooks. While others strain to find talented recruits, Lin Yan opens his doors to anyone—so long as they’re human. In just three short years, the Heavenly Yan Sect went from a backwater sect made up of three crumbling huts to a sacred land that every cultivator under heaven would kill to enter. ... One day, otherworldly demon gods invade, with a million demon soldiers pressing down upon the realm. Lin Yan, yawning, rises from his lounge chair and glances at the system panel: [Current Disciples: 1.28 million] [Daily Cultivation Increase: 1.28 million years] He waves his hand casually, and the countless demon soldiers are reduced to ashes in an instant. “So noisy… interrupting my fishing.”
