Chapter 103: Recognition

These words made the alarm bells blare throughout the Xi Tang courtyard.

Especially Xiao Shunzi and Li Ping'er, they felt as if facing a great enemy.

Consort Hui, she is the only one who can, with a word or two, take the Emperor away from Wan Tang's side.

She also silently poisoned Wan Tang, yet can speak of it openly and honestly.

The key is, even after doing something that anyone would deem a crime, she can still walk away unscathed.

Such a person is, for Xiao Shunzi, simply the number one dangerous individual.

But Wan Tang did not expect to grasp Ning Daying's hand, smiling brightly and saying, "Couldn't ask for more."

The two walked away hand in hand, leaving only the group of Guanren kneeling in the morning dew, not daring to lift their heads for a while.

Go, go; once you go, there will be no worries.

Although Consort Hui's temperament is strange and aloof, she is the person the Emperor trusts most in the Imperial harem.

Just kidding, after all she is the daughter of the Duke of England. Do you know how valuable the Duke of England is? He is a lineage of heroic martyrs, an existence absolutely loyal to the Emperor. The Emperor may not trust himself, but he will not distrust the Duke of England.

Moreover, last night the scum dragon left, but still appealed to Consort Hui.

I love Consort Hui the most, but Wan Tang dares to scheme against her; I hate Wan Tang.

Wan Tang felt a secret panic, and immediately the image of that aloof, solitary woman flashed in her mind.

Unexpectedly, Consort Hui not only weighs heavily in the Emperor's heart, but also carries such weight in the audience's hearts.

Xiao Shunzi and Li Ping'er saw Wan Tang leave, were greatly frightened, and hurriedly followed behind.

Wan Tang had not yet stepped through the courtyard gate when she heard a "shua shua" sound of air being sliced from inside.

A long sword of chilling brilliance flashed through the courtyard, its blade cutting the morning mist and stirring a whistling wind.

Consort Hui wore a plain white sturdy outfit, her black hair tied high, a jade belt cinched at her waist, highlighting her tall, upright figure.

Her features were knife‑sharp; each move was fierce and decisive, and wherever the sword tip pointed, even falling leaves were split in two.

Hearing footsteps, she twitched her wrist, the long sword "zheng" clanged back into its sheath, and as she turned, her robes fluttered while her gaze swept like a frosted blade.

Xiao Shunzi and Li Ping'er instinctively shielded Wan Tang, their bodies taut.

Consort Hui didn't even lift an eyelid, not caring at all whether the person before her was the Emperor's favored concubine or was pregnant.

"Come with me," Consort Hui said coldly, her thumb pressing against the sword hilt.

"Impossible," Li Ping'er said, her voice trembling with anxiety, "My master's body is heavy; he cannot travel, cannot go anywhere."

Consort Hui sneered, "I don't mind."

She turned and left, "Since I'm entrusted by others, I'll come if I feel like it."

Ning Daying stamped his foot anxiously, "Sister!"

Wan Tang patted Li Ping'er's hand, "No problem."

"Master, we can't go, Consort Hui… she… she…"

Xiao Shunzi's peripheral gaze kept assessing Consort Hui, yet he dared not speak it aloud.

"No need to worry," Wan Tang said confidently.

She lifted her foot and followed, and the two behind tried to block, but Consort Hui's single glance nailed them to the spot: "If you step any further, I won't mind helping your master unload early."

Not to mention Xiao Shunzi and Li Ping'er, even Wan Tang was truly startled.

Hurry up and go; this was all arranged by the Emperor.

When you see Xu Yanchuan, you must persuade him thoroughly!

But with Consort Hui following, even if we go there's no way! Can we speak in front of her?

Then it depends on whether Wan Tang is a fool; honestly, Consort Hui acts openly and uprightly, never stoops to eavesdrop. As long as Wan Tang indicates she doesn't want to be heard, she will leave.

That's true; I, Consort Hui, am the one with real vision.

Wan Tang's lingering worry finally settled.

Since it's the Emperor's command, it's safe.

"Everyone step back," Wan Tang nodded slightly, indicating she was fine.

Consort Hui led Wan Tang out of the palace through a side gate; both changed into plain-colored male attire, hair tied and crowns worn, looking at a glance like the young master of a noble family.

Outside the prison, guards were already waiting; upon seeing Consort Hui flash her token, they immediately bowed and guided the way.

In the damp passage, torchlight flickered, casting the bloodstains on the walls into an even more gruesome sight.

"Half a incense stick," Consort Hui ordered coldly, and the prison guards, knowing better, stepped back.

Wan Tang was about to step forward, when a clamor suddenly arose outside the prison gate.

"Get out of the way! I, the young master, want to see which blind fool dares to visit the prison!"

Xu Mingde kicked aside the blocking guard, storming in with a hostile glare: "I heard someone is brazen enough to come see my brother?"

Wan Tang's heart tightened, her fingertips curled into her palm.

If she truly had to face Xu Mingde, it would be troublesome.

At least her audience would no longer be simple.

The guard hurriedly blocked, "General Xu, this is not in accordance with protocol!"

"Protocol?" Xu Mingde sneered, "In The City, the Xu Family is the protocol."

He strode forward, about to pull aside the curtain blocking the way.

Bang!

Consort Hui suddenly turned, delivering a heavy punch that smashed Xu Mingde's face!

The sound of a broken nasal bone was clearly audible; Xu Mingde didn't even manage a scream, collapsing backward and falling unconscious.

Wan Tang's eyes widened in shock.

"Mumble mumble," Consort Hui flicked her wrist impatiently, "Aren't you going yet?"

She kicked the unconscious Xu Mingde on the ground and told the stunned guards, "Drag this waste out."

Wan Tang saw this and was secretly surprised.

No wonder she's a daughter raised by the Ning family; indeed she is extraordinary.

Nan Yu, knowing time was short, did not linger and rushed off.

The dungeon was cold and damp, water beads seeping from the walls, ticking in the dead silence.

Wan Tang's footsteps were unusually clear in the silence.

Xu Yanchuan was suspended in mid‑air by iron chains, his arms spread like a wing‑clipped eagle.

His snow‑white inner garment had long been soaked with blood, the lash marks overlapping, some wounds still oozing.

His complexion was ghastly pale, lips cracked, and only his eyes—when a sound was heard—snapped open, black as ink yet still bearing an unyielding sharpness.

Wan Tang's breath suddenly caught, and her eyes reddened in an instant.

She clenched her sleeve so tightly her nails nearly dug into her palm, barely suppressing the choke in her throat.

She could not lose composure, could not collapse here.

She drew a deep breath and stepped forward slowly.

Xu Yanchuan saw the newcomer, his pupils contracting sharply, a flash of shock, bewilderment, and even embarrassment passing through his eyes.

He lowered his eyes, his hoarse yet clear voice saying, "Guilty Subject has seen Lady Wan, and still hopes Madam will pardon me; I am unable to perform the bow."

That voice cut his heart like a dull blade, and Wan Tang could barely keep her balance.

She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, her eyes were already filled with tears.

"You shouldn't call me Madam," she said, voice trembling lightly, "You should call me sister."

Xu Yanchuan jerked his head up, emotions surging violently in his eyes.

Doubt, horror, and pain finally turned into a near‑sarcastic calm.

He twitched the corner of his mouth, his voice low and hoarse: "Yes, Lady Wan treats me as a dear sister."

"Yanchuan." Wan Tang could no longer hold back, tears streaming, "You and I are truly siblings."

"Wang Jingyi is not your biological mother."

"It was Wang Jingyi who schemed our mother, swapping you with a stillborn…"

Wan Tang strained to calm her agitation, using the briefest words to explain the matter clearly.

Xu Yanchuan's breathing suddenly quickened, blood vessels crowding his eyes.

He stared at her intently, as if trying to find traces of deceit on her face.

But her tears were real, the pain genuine, even the word "younger brother" trembled with hope.