I Was Forced to Marry the Empire’s Valkyrie and Lay Low Until I Became Unbeatable - Chapter 9:

Chapter 9: Entering the Palace to Face the Emperor!

Sister-in-law!

Wife!

The moment she heard such words, An Nanjing’s face was instantly covered in icy frost. Her voice was like cracking shards of ice—sharp enough to chill the heart.

“Ning Chen, don’t call me your wife. You and I are merely playing along for appearance’s sake. Also, from now on, you are not allowed to mingle with Beixue. Do not interfere with her cultivation. Otherwise, I swear—you won’t walk away unharmed!”

Hearing this obvious warning, Ning Chen’s face stiffened with awkwardness.

Although her words were unpleasant, as the live-in son-in-law of the An Residence…

What could he do?

Deliver a righteous monologue and storm out of the house? Summon the Shadow Ghost to challenge An Nanjing to a duel?

Leaving aside the fact that even the peak Martial Saint Realm Shadow Ghost was no match for An Nanjing…

If he left the An Residence in a fit of anger, how could he continue his easy, peaceful life?

“Got it,” Ning Chen could only nod obediently.

That made An Nanjing’s expression ease somewhat, though her tone remained cold as she said again, “Ning Chen, you and I have been married for some time now. This marriage was a decree granted by His Majesty. Today, you will come with me to the palace and attend court with me!”

Swish!

Ning Chen frowned slightly. As a man committed to lying flat and living low, he naturally didn’t want to show his face in public, let alone increase his exposure.

But from An Nanjing’s tone, this clearly wasn’t a request. He was already used to her forceful nature.

So he nodded again, and the two of them left the An Residence together.

They shared a luxurious carriage headed toward the Great Chu Imperial Palace.

Along the way…

Though their bodies were only an arm’s length apart, there was no trace of intimacy between them—only a mutual sense of distance, like strangers putting on a show.

“Perhaps this is what people mean by the most familiar stranger.”

Ning Chen looked at An Nanjing’s stunning profile and shook his head inwardly.

Compared to the suffocating pressure of being around the Empire’s Valkyrie, he much preferred the relaxed company of his sweet sister-in-law, An Beixue.

Unfortunately, he had married An Nanjing—not An Beixue.

The journey passed in silence.

As the Empire-Defending General of Great Chu, An Nanjing naturally enjoyed special privileges. They passed through the palace gates unhindered and only disembarked before the Heaven’s Extreme Hall.

“An Nanjing, current Patriarch of the An Family and Empire-Defending General of Great Chu, brings her husband Ning Chen to the palace to request audience with His Majesty!”

An Nanjing stood outside the hall and called out loudly with a respectful bow.

But for some reason, it was a long time before a eunuch stepped out. “By His Majesty’s order, General An will enter the hall first.”

Ning Chen clearly saw the displeasure flash across An Nanjing’s face. She stepped into the hall with a cold aura, striding in without hesitation.

“Mm, looks like last night’s incident at the An Residence really pissed off the Martial God wife. She’s here to hold the Emperor accountable.”

Sure enough, not long after, Ning Chen heard raised voices from within the hall.

There was even a faint pressure of Martial God Realm aura rolling out from inside!

However, no battle broke out in the end. Shortly after, An Nanjing emerged from the hall wearing a stormy expression.

At that moment, the eunuch reappeared and loudly announced, “His Majesty summons Ning Chen, husband of the Empire-Defending General, to enter the hall!”

Swish!

Standing nearby, An Nanjing shot a very cold glance at Ning Chen.

Ning Chen cursed inwardly, Damn it. That old dog Chu Yuan is doing this on purpose!

He and An Nanjing were husband and wife, married through formal rites. They entered the palace together today—yet were summoned separately. Clearly, this was a deliberate attempt to sow division.

Swish!

But there was nothing he could do. Ning Chen could only follow the eunuch into the Heaven’s Extreme Hall.

Inside, the grand hall was vast and majestic. Carved dragons coiled around the pillars, painted beams gleamed with gold and jade.

At the far end of the hall stood a dragon throne, and seated before it was a middle-aged man wearing a golden robe adorned with five-clawed dragons.

He wore a jade crown with hanging tassels. His gaze was dignified, and faint dragon aura surged around his body, making one feel an irresistible urge to kneel just by looking at him.

Emperor Chu Yuan.

Ning Chen’s gaze turned cold. Strictly speaking, the reason he could lie flat and grow stronger at the An Residence was all because of this man.

But Ning Chen felt no gratitude toward Chu Yuan. After all, this man had only made him a pawn to suppress An Nanjing.

“Ning Chen greets His Majesty,” Ning Chen said with a respectful cupped-fist salute—but did not kneel. He stood upright before the throne.

“Impudent! To see the Emperor and not kneel is a grave offense!”

A nearby eunuch shouted in anger. Even Emperor Chu Yuan frowned slightly.

But Ning Chen showed no fear and replied, “According to protocol, as the husband of the Empire-Defending General, I may greet the Emperor without kneeling.”

“You…”

The eunuch was instantly choked speechless. Chu Yuan, however, waved his hand, his imposing gaze falling on Ning Chen.

“Heh, as the husband of the Empire-Defending General, that privilege is indeed yours. But Ning Chen, you must understand—who granted you this honor?”

Ning Chen cupped his hands again. “Your Majesty speaks the truth. I came to the palace today precisely to express my thanks for the marriage you bestowed upon me.”

Only then did Emperor Chu Yuan nod in satisfaction. “Good. Since you understand gratitude, I trust that if I wish to be informed of matters in the An Residence, you will report them to me immediately—yes?”

“Uh…”

Ning Chen understood immediately—Chu Yuan wanted him to fully become a pawn. A spy placed in the An Residence to monitor An Nanjing.

Even before he could respond, Emperor Chu Yuan continued, “According to the scouts last night, the An Residence was attacked by remnants of the Tianluo Kingdom, but they were killed by a mysterious expert. Do you know anything about this individual—or do you have any suspects?”

Faced with this question, Ning Chen certainly wouldn’t expose himself.

He shook his head calmly.

“Your Majesty, I nearly died at the hands of the Tianluo assassins last night. I was terrified and hiding in my room. I know nothing about anything else.”

“Besides, I’m just a powerless, insignificant commoner. I don’t think I have the qualifications or ability to ease Your Majesty’s concerns.”

“So regarding matters of the An Residence, I respectfully suggest Your Majesty consult someone more capable.”

Swish!

Emperor Chu Yuan’s face darkened, his eyes flashing with suppressed fury. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

“I do.”

“But I married into the An Family. Since I am their son-in-law, I am one of them. So, Your Majesty, forgive me—but I cannot be of service to you in this matter.”

Ning Chen spoke with calm conviction, never once bowing his head.

What a joke.

As long as he could lie flat in the An Residence, he would one day become an unrivaled powerhouse.

Why would he lower himself to be Chu Yuan’s lapdog?

“Good… very good. A true An Family man. I hope you don’t regret this choice!”

A dark chill spread across Emperor Chu Yuan’s face.

But with An Nanjing waiting outside, he didn’t dare tear off the mask just yet. With a wave of his sleeve, he signaled for Ning Chen to leave.

Swish!

Ning Chen exited the hall and saw An Nanjing waiting outside in her battle robe.

She glanced at him and seemed to guess what had happened.

Her lips curled into a mocking smile.

“Ning Chen, I assume you got quite the reward in there today?”

“With the An Family’s support, I’m sure you’ll rise swiftly through the ranks of court, won’t you?”