In the dining hall, a table of four sat facing each other in an awkward atmosphere.

The Crown Princess Consort, dressed in luxurious palace attire and heavy makeup, exuded a flirtatious demeanor with every gesture. “I apologize for the intrusion today, I hope the general won’t mind,” she said as she picked up a cup of wine, twisting her waist and smiling warmly at Lu Gan, “This is for the general.”

Her words were full of flirtatious undertones.

Yet, Lu Gan remained silent, as impassive as wood, showing no understanding of romance. He merely picked up his cup and drained it in one go.

His movements were swift, like a dragon in the water.

The Crown Princess Consort’s eyes brightened, her face even more delighted. “I feel like I’ve seen the general somewhere before, perhaps in a dream?”

Coughing interrupted her, the Prince hastily shifted his gaze from Su Baiyue’s face back to his own business, then raised his glass to the goddess with competitive spirit, “Ling’er, it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other. Are you well?”

Su Baiyue sat there without touching her chopsticks, her expression indifferent as she slightly lifted her eyelids, exuding a celestial grace.

Even getting undeterred, the prince continued to fawn, “Ling’er, you’ve been unwell, better avoid cold wine. I’ve instructed the kitchen to prepare a cup of warm milk for you, to nourish and protect your health.”

This couple, the Prince and Princess Consort, truly were an odd pair.

Su Baiyue struggled to suppress the urge to roll her eyes to the heavens, sneaking a glance at Lu Gan. He was staring at her with an unreadable expression, his eyes dark and mysterious, layered with mist.

A sudden realization hit Su Baiyue; the prince’s timing was impeccable! Now that the male lead had married her, he seemed to have lost all ambition for world domination, content with his great fulfilment. This wouldn’t do; she needed to stir things up.

With that thought, Su Baiyue unusually warmed up to the prince.

“If that’s the case, then let’s have that warm milk,” she said. Normally, her cold demeanor, though beautiful, lacked warmth, like a touch of frost. But now, with a smile, she was like the thawing of spring ice, blossoming flowers everywhere, so mesmerizing that the prince nearly drooled.

Suddenly, Lu Gan stood up, the cup in his hand crushed to pieces.

Everyone snapped back to reality, and Su Baiyue quickly masked her smile, feeling it was about time to leave. She gracefully stood up, “I am tired. Prince, princess, please enjoy your meal,” she said before turning to leave without waiting for anyone.

The Prince watched Su Baiyue’s retreating figure, still lost in her enchanting smile.

Lu Gan stood with a stern face, the broken porcelain in his palm dripping blood onto the plate of white jade cake on the table, striking as a vivid plum blossom in snow.

Even the bold Princess dared not speak up upon seeing Lu Gan’s menacing demeanor.

But the Prince was different. Stirred by Su Baiyue’s recent smile, he felt he could even leap from a building if asked.

“General, they said a forced melon isn’t sweet. Matters of this world should be mutually agreeable to truly fit heaven’s design,” he opined.

Lu Gan slowly lifted his eyelids, his gaze icy as a blade. Suddenly, he released his grip, and the blood-stained porcelain shard crashed down, the sound chilling to the bone.

He finally spoke, his voice as cold and menacing as a dark serpent, “Not sweet, I’ll still twist it off.”

What, do you want to dip it in sauce?

Hidden by the dining hall door, Su Baiyue held her rapidly thumping heart, feeling her earlier performance had been absolutely perfect.

The prince, infuriated by Lu Gan, was upset that not only had this mere general stolen his woman, but he also dared to speak to him in such a manner!

“Lu Gan, I’m speaking kindly now, don’t disregard my good wine for a penalty drink,” the Prince warned.

Su Baiyue thought Lu Gan, with his reticent yet internally wild nature, wouldn’t have any imposing words to offer, likely just noting down this grievance for future reckoning. However, to her surprise, he rasped, “What I want, I obtain by any means necessary.”

Su Baiyue’s heart skipped a beat, remembering Lu Gan’s words before their marriage: If one person obstructs me, I kill one. If the whole world obstructs me, I slaughter the whole world.

What if, what if she used herself as bait, would Lu Gan then dominate the world for her?

…

Amidst Lu Gan’s formidable aura, the prince and princess hurriedly tucked away their schemes and fled the Lu estate.

Su Baiyue sat alone in the room, pondering her next move when she heard Jing Wen’s soft voice outside, “Young master.”

The door creaked open.

Su Baiyue, back facing Lu Gan, sat at the dressing table, slowly unpinning her hair. Her movements were elegant, yet inside, she felt like a coward.

It was the time for lighting lamps, the weather was getting colder, and the night was falling earlier.

Only a single glass lamp lit up Su Baiyue’s small world in the room. The woman sat on the embroidered stool, slightly tilting her delicate waist, gazing into the mirror, her features as picturesque as a painting, her eyes as charming as peach blossoms, yet with a hint of chill in her gaze.

Su Baiyue had just bathed, and feeling chilly, she wore only a thin gown, stepping on the white silk fabric beneath her feet, barefooted. Her pale legs together resembled crescent moons, the toes pink and lustrous like polished shells.

Truly, there was not a spot on her that wasn’t clean or beautiful.

Lu Gan entered noiselessly, his steps as quiet as a cat’s. Su Baiyue, watching through the decorative mirror, saw his long silhouette approaching, her hand clutching the hairpin tightening.

Was Lu Gan about to confront her?

Under the lamp’s glow, the woman was clad in plain white, pure as mountain snow, bright as the moon among clouds. Silver light enveloped and scattered across her black silken hair and pale skin. The man approached her, leisurely knelt by her side, and then slowly reached out to grasp Su Baiyue’s pale legs, resting his face against her knees, gently nuzzling like a docile dog.

Su Baiyue stiffened and looked down.

Lu Gan looked up just then, his eyes reflecting her ethereal, unworldly face, as if a demon from hell was looking up to the heavens.

“I wish too, for you to smile at me.”

Su Baiyue struggled to keep her face straight, then slowly set down the hairpin and subtly turned, gently placing her hand on Lu Gan’s head as if petting a cat or dog.

Whatever it was, tame it!

Feeling the cold jade touch on his head, Lu Gan shivered slightly. He half-closed his eyes, his face turned sideways, and silently kissed that ice-cool skin.

“Why should I smile for you?” Su Baiyue suddenly tightened her grip on the hairpin, delighting in seeing Lu Gan’s disheveled hair.

Let him scare her day after day! Heh heh heh.

Lu Gan quickly looked up, trying to show his sincerity, his appearance as compliant as a domesticated dog. Unfortunately, the depth and complexity in his eyes meant he was no ordinary dog.

“Whatever you want, I will give it to you,” Lu Doggy’s eyes were earnest, as meek as they come.

Su Baiyue was momentarily overwhelmed, almost moved to tears. This was truly effortless.

She leaned in close to Lu Gan’s ear and whispered softly, “I want the world, will you give it to me?”

Lu Gan’s eyes stalled, his gaze towards Su Baiyue growing even more opaque.

Su Baiyue slowly straightened up, still stroking Lu Gan’s head, wondering how someone so tough-looking could have such soft hair.

Seeing him staring at her, silent for a long while, Su Baiyue decided to mix sternness with sweetness. She softened her voice slightly, though her face remained unsmiling, noticeably more gentle.

“You said you’d give me anything I want. If you can’t even give me something so simple, why should I smile for you?” Having said this, Su Baiyue felt momentarily as if she were a devastating beauty leading a king to ruin. Yet in truth, she was a life coach aiming to push

The male lead to the pinnacle of life.

I have such high hopes for your future that I disdain you, berate you, and relentlessly trample over you. But as long as you believe, I am a good person.

Su Baiyue tried to convey her expectations for Lu Gan with her gaze.

Unfortunately, he seemed not to understand the deeper meaning in Su Baiyue’s eyes. Lu Gan closed his eyes, still resting his head on her knees, his large frame even kneeling seemed not the weak youth of his past but more like a lurking beast.

…

Despite her efforts the previous night, the man hadn’t uttered a single word.

Ha, men are such pigs, promising everything but failing to secure even a small kingdom. What use was he to her?

“What’s wrong, mistress?” Jing Wen asked worriedly, watching Su Baiyue crush the osmanthus flowers in her hand into a pulp.

“Let’s return home,” Su Baiyue suddenly stood up and strode away.

Jing Wen hurriedly followed, “Mistress, aren’t we waiting for the master to come back from court so we can go together?”

“If you want to wait, wait by yourself,” Su Baiyue said and directly climbed into the carriage.

Jing Wen had no choice but to follow her back to the Wei Nan royal residence.

Wasn’t everything fine just yesterday?

This return home was abrupt; Su Baiyue hadn’t even settled in when she received news: Wei Nan was in chaos, and the King of Wei Nan urgently needed to return to take charge.

The turmoil had started from a cinnabar mine dispute two years ago.

The cinnabar mine, vital for Wei Nan’s livelihood, had been seized by the Xingyuan Royal Mansion, leaving many locals without a means to earn a living, turning to banditry. The King of Wei Nan initially didn’t take these scattered forces seriously, but two years later, they had become so bold as to nearly overturn Wei Nan.

Feeling this matter could no longer be delayed, after Su Baiyue’s marriage to Lu Gan, the King of Wei Nan quickly ordered the Queen of Wei Nan to prepare for their imminent return to Wei Nan.

Naturally, Su Baiyue was to accompany him. This trip would temporarily interrupt her plans to elevate the male lead to the peak of life.

But time was on her side, and the unwitting participants in their downfall were never truly absent, just delayed.

As they were to quell the rebellion, Lu Gan, as the prospective son-in-law of the Wei Nan royal family, must also return. This resolution would take at least half a year. During this time, the prince sent numerous gifts to Su Baiyue, which she accepted without hesitation.

In the following spring, the emperor passed away, and the Prince ascended the throne. This new emperor, hardly warm in his seat, was already eager to bring Su Baiyue back from Wei Nan.