Zhou Li stared at Nangong Yan’er’s peerless beauty, his eyes momentarily frozen.
In his vision, an exquisitely flawless face was etched deeply into his pupils. Her vermilion lips were tender and alluring, her bright eyes captivating and enchanting. Her skin was as smooth as jade, her fingers slender like scallion stems, as though she had stepped straight out of a painting.
Calling her a beauty capable of toppling nations would not be an exaggeration.
However, there was one flaw—an unmistakable coldness clung to her entire being.
Whether that coldness was directed at everyone, or only at him, he could not tell.
Zhou Li quickly snapped out of his brief daze.
Damn. Just one glance, and I almost got drawn in. As expected, beauty is like poison. The more beautiful a woman is, the more dangerous she becomes.
No wonder the original Prince of Han had been so infatuated with her. Her appearance alone was enough to justify such obsession.
But unfortunately, Zhou Li was not that original Prince of Han.
No matter how beautiful she was, she did not belong to him. Zhou Li only understood one thing—this woman before him, who looked like a celestial fairy…
…was not his ally, but his enemy.
Nangong Yan’er gently lifted her gaze, meeting Zhou Li’s eyes.
After a long silence, she finally spoke, “I wonder why Your Highness has been staring at me for so long?”
Her voice carried an unmistakable chill and faint disgust.
Hearing this, Zhou Li withdrew his gaze, veins bulging slightly on his forehead. What kind of tone is that? Do I owe her money or something?
But he did not explode in anger, nor did he answer. Instead, he sat quietly on the chair, waiting to see what this woman intended to say.
Seeing that Zhou Li did not respond, Nangong Yan’er continued, “Why is Your Highness silent?”
This time, Zhou Li laughed softly. “I was thinking… have I offended you in any way?”
“Oh? Why would Your Highness think that?”
“Because the way you speak makes it seem like the person standing before you is not your husband on your wedding day, but an enemy with whom you share a blood feud.”
After hearing this, Nangong Yan’er replied calmly, “Your Highness is overthinking. I treat everyone this way.”
Zhou Li narrowed his eyes slightly. “Is it everyone… or just me?”
At those words, Nangong Yan’er was instantly at a loss.
Seeing her reaction, Zhou Li’s lips curved into a faint smile. The answer was already obvious.
Meanwhile, Nangong Yan’er looked at Zhou Li in surprise, silently pondering. What’s wrong with him today? Why is he so different from before?
Zhou Li slowly stood up, revealing a casual smile. “Since you don’t want to answer, then don’t.”
After all, he had already seen her true attitude.
Looking at Nangong Yan’er, who was tightly clutching the corner of her dress, Zhou Li could not help but recall many memories of the original host.
For instance, how the original Zhou Li had pursued her.
Over the years, because of him, the Duke of the Southern State’s family had enjoyed great favor in the court. Not to mention anything else, Nangong Yan’er’s uncle and father held the positions of Minister of Revenue and Minister of Personnel respectively. Being able to occupy such important posts was largely due to the original Zhou Li’s affection for Nangong Yan’er.
This matter was widely known throughout the imperial capital. Otherwise, the Martial Emperor would not have continuously promoted members of the Duke’s family.
Although the Martial Emperor had twelve sons, aside from the Crown Prince, only four were granted the title of Prince. The original Zhou Li was one of those four, and also the most favored among them.
There was only one reason—his birth mother was Consort Luo, the Martial Emperor’s most beloved consort. Though merely a consort by title, in terms of beauty and talent, she ranked first in the entire harem.
Thus, in private, many referred to her as the uncrowned empress.
Because of this, even though the original Zhou Li was idle and unaccomplished, it did not affect the Martial Emperor’s favor toward him in the slightest.
The original Zhou Li had pursued Nangong Yan’er for a long time, frequently gifting her countless rare treasures. Even her close friends and maids had benefited greatly from his generosity.
And how had Nangong Yan’er treated him?
There was one time when Nangong Yan’er had prepared some pastries. Her close friends tricked the original Zhou Li into believing they were meant for him.
Just as he happily reached out to eat them, Nangong Yan’er refused to give them to him, showing clear disdain.
In the end, it was her friends who suggested exchanging them for money, and the original Zhou Li spent 2000 high-grade spirit stones before the matter was settled.
And the jade necklace around her neck had been painstakingly crafted by him using Nine-Colored Phoenix Crystal.
Thinking of all this, Zhou Li’s gaze toward Nangong Yan’er gradually turned colder.
Naturally, Nangong Yan’er noticed his change in expression and asked, “Your Highness? What’s wrong?”
Zhou Li did not answer. Instead, he walked straight toward her.
Seeing this, Nangong Yan’er’s heart tightened. She immediately covered herself and stared at Zhou Li in alarm. “Your Highness, don’t! I’m not ready yet. Please give me some time to accept this.”
But Zhou Li ignored her and continued forward.
Nangong Yan’er immediately mobilized the spiritual energy within her body to defend herself. She was also a prodigious student of Dragon Martial Academy, only seventeen years old, yet already an expert in the Condensed Star Realm.
However, Zhou Li casually extended his hand, effortlessly piercing through her protective spiritual energy. In the next moment, he yanked the jade necklace from her neck.
What are you thinking? I’m just taking back what belongs to me.
Then, under Nangong Yan’er’s stunned gaze, Zhou Li turned around and walked straight toward the door.
Regaining her senses, Nangong Yan’er saw him leaving and asked in confusion, “Where are you going?”
Zhou Li acted as if he had not heard. He opened the door, stepped outside, and closed it behind him without a trace of hesitation.
Outside, the maids waiting at the door were all startled when they saw Zhou Li come out.
Zhou Li swept a cold glance over them and left without a word.
The maids hurried into the room and saw their young lady sitting on the bed in shock. They quickly asked what had happened.
“Miss, what just happened between you and His Highness?”
Nangong Yan’er snapped out of her daze and said angrily, “He snatched my necklace!”
The maids exchanged glances. One of them cautiously said, “Miss… that necklace… seems to have been a gift from the Prince of Han.”
Nangong Yan’er froze for a moment, then gritted her teeth. “Why is he acting so strange today!”
Zhou Li held the necklace, feeling an unusual sense of satisfaction.
He was not that foolish Prince of Han who would lose himself over a beauty. Since this woman despised him so much, there was no need for him to show her any mercy.
In a few days, he would find a reason to divorce her. If that was not possible, then a mutual separation would do. She disliked him, and he disliked her.
She might be beautiful, but there were plenty of women in the world. Why should he cling to just one flower?
All of this had been enabled by the original Zhou Li, who had spoiled her into thinking everything was naturally hers to take.
After that, Zhou Li casually found a side chamber to stay in. On their wedding night, he left Nangong Yan’er alone in the bridal room, waiting by herself.