Chapter 266: The Empress Has ArrivedChapter 1015: Does This Count as Revenge

From the moment the morning ceremony began, Zhao Qinglan, who had been expressionless, shuddered. She turned her head and looked at Li Chen with a blank face, saying, “Do you know whose place you are standing in now”

"Of course, only the emperor can stand by the empress's side."

Li Chen said calmly, “But Father isn't unable to come, not to mention that there's no one around here.”

But all your ancestors are watching you and this palace!" Zhao Qinglan said sharply.

Li Chen let out a light chuckle, looking up at the portraits and spirit tablets of the emperors of the Qin Dynasty. "If our ancestors were truly here, the first thing they would do is execute all of you treacherous officials, starting with your father," he said.

Zhao Qinglan bit her lip tightly, unable to find words to refute.

Fortunately, this wasn't the first time she had been rendered speechless by Li Chen. Since there was nothing much to say, she simply remained silent.

The dead are unreliable. If one were to depend on the dead, the Qin Empire wouldn't have fallen into such disrepair.

Li Chen said, suddenly turning Zhao Qinglan's shoulder to face him, and asked: "Are you angry with this palace's wedding today, or are you worried that your father will go all out today"

Zhao Qinglan exclaimed in surprise, struggling desperately to break free from Li Chen's control. But countless experiences had taught her that her strength was simply no match for Li Chen's. This time was no different.

After struggling twice to no avail, Zhao Qinglan said shamefully and angrily, "Let me go!"

"Answer me, and I'll let you go." Li Chen said.

Zhao Qinglan stared straight at Li Chen and sneered, "You're being too self-righteous. Your wedding, big or small, has nothing to do with me."

"Then it's all up to Zhao Xuanji, a gamble he's taking. Are you worried he'll kill me, or that I'll kill him"

Li Chen's every question was full of aggression and offensiveness, which aroused Zhao Qinglan's rebellious psychology.

"I certainly hope he kills you, I can't wait to kill you myself!"

Upon hearing Zhao Qinglan's response, Li Chen burst into laughter and said, "Unfortunately, there's nothing you can do about it."

Saying that, Li Chen brought his arm around Zhao Qinglan, holding her entirely in his embrace. His palm slid against the perfect curve of Zhao Qinglan's back and rested on her waist, pressing her abdomen against his own. Leaning close to Zhao Qinglan's lips, Li Chen said, "I heard that women are all good at saying one thing but meaning another, right"

Although this was not the first time Li Chen had been disrespectful to Zhao Qinglan, she never expected him to be so bold as to behave inappropriately towards her in the Taimiao temple.

She struggled fiercely, her face flushed with anger and humiliation. "Li Chen," she cried out, "are you insane! Let me go!"

"Why do you always like to talk nonsense Since I dared to make a move, I never had the intention of letting you go easily."

Li Chen hugged Zhao Qinglan tighter, lowering his head to look at the woman whose face was slightly flushed with a mixture of shame and anger.

She was resplendent in her finery, the empress's robes, symbolic of a motherland cherished and protected, complementing her perfectly.

That unparalleled sense of nobility instilled in Li Chen a desire for conquest stronger than ever before.

"You look so beautiful in this outfit, it's making me want to just throw you against the wall right now."

He lifted her chin, forcing Zhao Qinglan to look him in the eye. Li Chen's breath quickened involuntarily as he said, "My father-in-law rebelled, yet I'm holding his daughter here in the Temple of Ancestors. Isn't this a different kind of revenge"traightforward.Though a storm raged outside, Jian Xin was spotless. Not a speck of dust or rain touched her clothes.He glanced at the two brothers and said, "It's time to leave. The palace masters are...