Rebellious Lord of All Realms: Su Chen's Dark Harem

Chapter 196 Whispers in the Shadowy Courtyard, Gentle Feelings from Bamboo Encircle Your HeartTwilight descended as the last rays of the setting sun brushed over the eaves of the Nishen Imperial Palace, dyeing the Shadow Court on the western side in a faint golden-red. This was Zhu Zhuqing’s exclusive domain, built against the palace walls and surrounded by dense black bamboo. The interlacing branches and leaves blotted out the sky, leaving only scattered patches of light and shadow. It was quiet and hidden, much like her former identity as a shadow, yet because of Su Chen’s arrival, it was permeated everywhere with an inseparable tenderness.

The bustle of the Imperial Garden during the day had already dissipated. Su Chen, following Zhu Zhuqing’s wishes, came alone with her to the Shadow Court. There were no other beauties to accompany them, no distracting laughter, only the two of them leaning against each other, enjoying this quiet time that belonged exclusively to them.

Zhu Zhuqing wore a Black Misty Silk Dress instead of her usual martial attire. The hem of the skirt was embroidered with dark silver patterns of the Hell Civet, flickering in and out of sight in the hazy light. Her long hair was unbound, draped loosely over her shoulders, with a few stray strands hanging by her cheeks. She had shed the sharpness of the martial arts arena and the efficiency of administrative affairs. At this moment, only softness remained in her eyes, like an autumn pond gently brushed by a breeze, rippling with full affection.

She walked slowly to the bluestone table in the middle of the courtyard. Beside the table were two rattan chairs, and warm Pre-Rain Longjing tea had already been brewed. The tea’s fragrance was crisp, mixing with the faint scent of black bamboo to permeate the air. Su Chen followed behind her, watching her slightly turned figure, the tenderness in his eyes so thick it could not be dispersed—this was his Shadow Knight, the girl who once fought alone in the darkness. Now, she could finally enjoy the stability of the mortal world by his side.

Zhu Zhuqing raised her hand to pour a cup of clear tea for Su Chen. Her fingertips lightly touched the rim of the cup, and her voice was soft, like the breeze blowing through the courtyard: ”It’s quiet here, with no one to disturb us. It’s more comfortable than the Imperial Garden.”

Su Chen took the teacup and sat in the rattan chair opposite her. The warm tea slid down his throat, spreading warmth throughout his body. He looked up at Zhu Zhuqing; she had her eyes lowered, her long eyelashes casting faint shadows under her eyelids. The contour of her profile was cool yet soft, a beauty that made one’s heart skip a beat. ”As long as you like it. In the future, if you want peace and quiet, I will accompany you here every day.”

Zhu Zhuqing looked up and met his eyes filled with tenderness. Her heart trembled, and her fingertips lightly twisted her skirt, as if remembering the past. Her voice carried a hint of faint melancholy: ”Back in the Star Luo Empire, I also always looked for quiet places like this to hide. At that time, I was hiding from assassinations, family disputes, and endless schemes. Hiding in the darkness, I didn’t even dare to breathe loudly.”

As she spoke, her fingertips brushed over the black bamboo pattern on the corner of the table. The carving was very shallow, but Su Chen had specifically ordered it to be made because she had once mentioned liking the resilience of black bamboo. ”Back then, I never thought that one day, I could sit so peacefully in the darkness without needing to be on guard or wary, with you by my side.”

Su Chen put down his teacup, reached out to hold her slightly cool fingertips, and wrapped her hand tightly in his palm, warming her with his own temperature. His palm was broad and warm, carrying a reassuring strength. Zhu Zhuqing only felt a surge of warmth spreading from her fingertips to her heart, dispelling all the coldness of the past. ”It’s all over.” Su Chen’s voice was low and firm, every word acting like a reassurance to her. ”The disputes of Star Luo, the pursuit of Spirit Hall, all the darkness—I have blocked it all behind you. From now on, the darkness of this Shadow Court is no longer your shackle, but only the tranquility we share alone.”

Zhu Zhuqing looked at him, tiny tears shimmering in her eyes though they did not fall. She gently pulled her hand away and instead leaned down to pick up a small brocade box from beside the rattan chair, handing it to Su Chen. The box was black and embroidered with a silver civet cat, which she had embroidered herself. The stitches were fine, showing the great care put into it. ”I made this for you. When I had some free time, I thought of embroidering something. I don’t know if you’ll like it.”

Her voice carried a hint of undetectable nervousness, like a young girl presenting a treasure, completely lacking the cold elegance of the Shadow Knight of the past. Su Chen took the box and opened it gently. Inside was a Black Jade Thumb Ring. The jade was warm and smooth, carved with a simple dragon motif. Beside the dragon motif snuggled a small civet cat; the dragon and the cat complemented each other, just like him and her. On the inner side of the ring, a small character ’Chen’ was engraved very shallowly, yet it hid her deepest affection.

”I polished the jade and carved the pattern myself. Although it doesn’t compare to those treasures, it is my sentiment.” Zhu Zhuqing’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she turned her face away, not daring to look into his eyes. ”If you don’t like it, then...”

Before she could finish, Su Chen interrupted her. He put the ring on his thumb; the size was just right. The warmth of the black jade blended with his fingertip, carrying a faint heat. ”I like it, I like it very much.” Su Chen reached out and pulled her into his arms, letting her sit on his lap. He rested his chin on the crown of her head, smelling the faint scent of black bamboo in her hair. ”This is the best gift I have ever received, more precious than all the treasures in the world.”

Zhu Zhuqing leaned against his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, her heart filled with peace. She reached out, wrapped her arms around his waist, and buried her face in the crook of his neck. Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of acting spoiled: ”Then you must always wear it, you’re not allowed to take it off.”

”Alright, I’ll always wear it. For all lifetimes, I will never take it off.” Su Chen responded, tightening his arms to hold her even closer, as if he wanted to merge her into his very blood and bone.

The black bamboo in the courtyard was blown by the wind, the branches and leaves swaying gently and making a rustling sound like tender whispers. The sun had completely set, and the night grew thicker. Attendants quietly brought palace lanterns and hung them among the black bamboo branches. The warm yellow glow swayed gently, stretching the figures of the two embracing long across the bluestone, intertwining so they could no longer be separated.

Zhu Zhuqing leaned in Su Chen’s arms, her fingers lightly tracing the fabric at his waist. Her voice was soft and carried a hint of laziness: ”After the coronation, you will become the Reverse Lord Great Emperor. You will have many people surrounding you. Will you then have no time to accompany me to this Shadow Court?”

She wasn’t greedy; she just cherished this time that belonged only to them too much. she feared that once he became the Emperor, he would be tied down by administrative affairs and there would be no more quiet moments like this. Su Chen heard the unease in her words and reached out to gently stroke her long hair, his fingertips sliding through the ends of her hair. His tone was so gentle it could drip with water: ”Silly girl, I became Emperor never for those empty titles, but only to give you all a stable home. Even if administrative affairs are busy, I will find time to accompany you—to watch the black bamboo with you, to sit quietly in this Shadow Court with you, and to do everything you want to do.”

”You are my Shadow Knight and the only Zhu Zhuqing in my life. Whether I am Su Chen or the Reverse Lord Great Emperor, my feelings for you will never change.”

Zhu Zhuqing’s heart finally settled. She looked up and gave him a light kiss on the lips, like a butterfly touching water, gentle and shy, yet filled with deep affection. This kiss had no passionate lingering, only the tenderness of a long-flowing stream. It was the cherishing after experiencing darkness and the devotion after finding stable companionship.

Su Chen lowered his head slightly and deepened the kiss. Their lips and teeth met in a gentle and lingering way, melting all his love and treasure into this kiss. The palace lanterns in the courtyard swayed gently, the black bamboo rustled, the tea fragrance curled, and all that was beautiful converged in this moment.

After an unknown amount of time, the two finally separated. Zhu Zhuqing’s cheeks were bright red like ripe cherries, and she buried herself back into Su Chen’s chest, not daring to look up. Su Chen chuckled, reached out to pinch her cheek, and said dotingly: ”How are you still like a little girl, so easily embarrassed?”

Zhu Zhuqing gave a soft huff and lightly punched his chest, but without any force. Instead, she held him even tighter: ”It’s all because of you.”

Su Chen laughed out loud, the vibration of his chest reaching her heart, warm and reassuring. He held her, sitting on the rattan chair, looking at the palace lanterns in the courtyard and the night outside the window. He said softly: ”After the coronation, I will accompany you to the Star Luo Empire to see the places you used to stay. We’ll turn all those bad memories into beautiful ones. We’ll go see the stars of Star Luo and the black bamboo forests where you used to hide, so that only our memories remain there.”

”I will also take you to see all the beautiful scenery of the Douluo Continent—to the Far North Glaciers to see the snow, to the seaside to see the sunset, and to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School to see the twilight glow. As long as it’s something you want to do, I will accompany you.”

Zhu Zhuqing nodded gently, her voice soft and sweet: ”Alright, I’ll listen to you. No matter where we go, as long as you are there, anywhere is a good place.”

What she sought was never the world’s beautiful scenery or supreme glory, but only his companionship and this stable happiness. Having struggled in the darkness before, she thought happiness was an unreachable luxury. But now, leaning in his arms, she realized that happiness was actually this simple—just one person to accompany you, and a lifetime to spend together.

The night grew deeper and the breeze cooler. Su Chen took off his outer robe and draped it over Zhu Zhuqing. The robe carried his scent, crisp and warm, wrapping her within it. Leaning in his arms and listening to his heartbeat while feeling his warmth, Zhu Zhuqing gradually felt sleepy. Her eyelids began to droop, and her voice carried a hint of lazy weariness: ”Brother Su Chen, I’m a little sleepy.”

”If you’re sleepy, then sleep,” Su Chen said softly, reaching out to gently pat her back like he was soothing a lazy kitten. ”I’m holding you, don’t be afraid.”

Zhu Zhuqing gave an ’en’ in response, found a comfortable position in his arms, closed her eyes, and with a faint smile on her lips, soon fell into a deep sleep. She slept very peacefully, without nightmares or frights, only a full sense of security. Because she knew that no matter when, he would be by her side, blocking all the wind and rain for her.

Su Chen held her and sat on the rattan chair, motionless for fear of disturbing her beautiful dream. He lowered his head, gazing at her sleeping face, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing. This was his Shadow Knight, the girl he held in his heart. He would use his whole life to spoil her and protect her, so she would always be this stable and always be this happy.