Chapter 11: Staying at Cuivei Hall

Chu Yunzheng remained standing still in place.

Yet a cold aura emanated from him; though every expression on his face was exactly the same as before, the cold light swirling in his eyes was like a sharp sword hanging over everyone's head.

Wan Tang, startled, immediately knelt on the ground.

Right or wrong, she was the person involved, so she was not fit to stand.

It was enough to let Xu Luoyan keep touching the Emperor's bottom line.

Chu Yunzheng's voice was calm and even: "So you're saying I'm the one fighting you for a woman?"

As he spoke, his gaze shifted and landed on Li Defu.

Li Defu broke out in a cold sweat, fell to his knees with a thud, prostrated himself with both hands on the ground, and knocked his head so hard it made a thumping sound.

His voice carried a sobbing tone: "Your Majesty, this is a grave injustice! Nubi is just a eunuch; I wouldn't dare even think about matters of love between men and women."

"Mentioning husband and wife—isn't that just tormenting Nubi?"

"Nubi only got to know Lady Wan after the Huaqing Pool incident..."

Li Defu's forehead was broken open, blood seeping out, yet he still didn't dare stop.

The Emperor watched coldly.

Under the impact of the bloody smell, Xu Luoyan finally realized something at that moment.

The Emperor was furious!

So what if she was the one who shared his bed?

Li Defu was the one who had personally raised the Emperor since he was young and accompanied him in his fight for the throne.

"Thump, thump, thump..."

The sound of kowtowing gradually weakened.

Li Defu's body swayed, then he collapsed to the ground and passed out.

Even so, he kept muttering: "Nubi is utterly loyal to Your Majesty, with no second thoughts..."

Only then did Chu Yunzheng's gaze toward Li Defu soften slightly.

When he looked at Xu Luoyan again, that icy stare held none of his usual tenderness, sending chills down her spine.

She stammered timidly, softly calling out: "Your Majesty..."

"The Consort has been speaking recklessly lately, and I find myself somewhat dazed."

"I wonder if the Consort is still the Yan'er of those days?"

Chu Yunzheng's tone was flat, but on his face were clearly written disappointment and doubt.

A chill shot straight from Xu Luoyan's soles to the top of her head; her whole body went limp, and she swiftly knelt on the ground.

Flustered, she tried to open her mouth to explain.

But how could this utterly incoherent manner compare to the playful, straightforward demeanor Wan Tang had once carefully crafted?

"Your Majesty, Your Consort was only confused because of concern."

"The reason I acted this way was that I didn't want to see Your Majesty make a foolish decision."

Xu Luoyan wept weakly, her voice repeatedly softened, all to win back the Emperor's heart.

Unfortunately, saying this now was nothing but adding fuel to the fire.

Wan Tang knelt in place, saying nothing.

Considering that Li Defu had taken care of him since childhood and the bond of accompanying him during his bid for the throne, it was impossible to kill Li Defu over such a trivial matter.

But the Imperial Decree granting the marriage would become a thorn stuck in the Emperor's throat.

To make that thorn disappear, Wan Tang would have to disappear, and everything would calm down.

Wan Tang didn't want to die; she knew well that Xu Luoyan was jealous and would act recklessly when her head got hot.

Hand her a shovel, and she would dig her own grave and jump in.

For someone like her, who had been pampered and indulged since childhood and wanted everything,

if she became the source of this trouble and the thorn the Emperor loathed, then Wan Tang could live.

Chu Yunzheng was completely unmoved; instead, the hand resting on his thigh slowly lifted.

A string of amber prayer beads in his hand began to turn gently, occasionally making a soft sound.

The corners of Chu Yunzheng's mouth lifted, and he smiled: "The Consort is quite capable. In that case, must I report every decision I make to you?"

"No... no..." Xu Luoyan's lips lost their color as she shook her head gently.

Cold sweat trickled down her temples; at this moment, she seemed to see the Emperor from the days when he was out of favor.

"Your Consort was wrong."

"Your Consort..."

Chu Yunzheng's prayer beads continued to turn, but he raised a hand toward the door.

Signaling that they could get lost.

Li Defu slowly came to, knelt and kowtowed in thanks: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the grace of sparing my life."

As he spoke, he signaled Xu Luoyan with his eyes to leave quickly.

Xu Luoyan dared not stay any longer; she struggled to stand, tried twice without success—her legs were simply too weak.

Only with Li Defu's support did the two of them finally roll out of Cuivei Palace.

The crabapple flowers in the courtyard were a red too bright and vivid.

The prayer beads in Chu Yunzheng's hand kept turning.

Wan Tang knelt on the ground, her emotions calm, head lowered, lips pressed together in silence.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze slowly descended; though his tone was much gentler, it could hardly conceal the humiliation rippling within.

A Son of Heaven, above ten thousand men, fighting a eunuch over a woman—this was undoubtedly a supreme disgrace.

Wan Tang's appearance was hard not to arouse suspicion.

【The Dog Emperor must suspect she did it on purpose.】

【He had suspected before whether Wan Tang was deliberately arranged by someone.】

【What's there to fear? Doesn't the pear tree in the courtyard prove the Dog Emperor's heart?】

【As long as the pear tree stands, Wan Tang won't die.】

Wan Tang was puzzled—what exactly was this pear tree?

Never mind that; just focus on the key point.

"Why are you kneeling?" Chu Yunzheng asked.

His sharp gaze locked firmly onto the person on the ground.

It seemed that before the Emperor, no scheme or conspiracy could hide.

Wan Tang kowtowed heavily, her tone grave: "Your Subject has committed a crime."

"I thought that when the time came, I could leave the palace safely."

"Unexpectedly, the Noble Consort, kind-hearted, has already planned a future for me."

"It is I who have disgraced Your Majesty."

Should she stop here?

The Emperor sneered: "You admit your guilt—aren't you afraid of death?"

"I am!" Wan Tang answered bluntly, lifting her head slightly, fearing the imperial majesty yet also showing sincerity.

Her eyes were filled entirely with Chu Yunzheng.

She smiled: "Fate is decreed by heaven. Since heaven wants me dead, I must obey heaven's will."

"I only beg Your Majesty to let me be buried in this garden. Turn into spring mud, and next year, a tree of pear blossoms overwhelming the crabapple, leaving a wisp of lingering fragrance for Your Majesty."

Chu Yunzheng's expression shifted slightly.

He looked at the withering pear tree, which only bore a few scattered leaves.

Then he looked at Wan Tang, radiant and beautiful, in the prime of her youth.

He stepped forward, his fingertip gently brushing her brow and eyes.

The murderous intent in his eyes gradually faded, his tone softening: "I am the Son of Heaven. Your life is for me to decide!"

"You are the blooming pear blossom; you don't need to nourish anyone."

"The ground is cold; your knees can't take it."

He smiled so gently, bent down, and personally lifted Wan Tang from the ground.

Li Defu had just seen off Xu Luoyan.

As soon as he entered, he saw this scene.

His gaze at Wan Tang seemed to drip blood, the hatred and possessiveness in his eyes utterly undisguised.

Wan Tang gently rested her head on Chu Yunzheng's neck and shot Li Defu a provocative smile.

She would never compromise!

Her life must be firmly in her own hands.

If they wanted to crush her with power, then Wan Tang would make them lose that power.

"Your Majesty, how wonderful."

"You have protected me; surely the Noble Consort will no longer make an issue of the Imperial Decree."

Wan Tang's tone was one of relief, leaning close to Chu Yunzheng's ear, looking like someone who had narrowly escaped death.

As an emperor, over these ten years, Wan Tang had heard countless stories about his deeds.

How could she not know that the current Son of Heaven hated most those who held leverage over him?

How many innocent people from the Former Dynasty had died unjustly, wasn't it because they held something that could check the Emperor?

She clearly felt Chu Yunzheng's aura growing colder, but pretended not to notice, smiling foolishly.

Chu Yunzheng placed her on the bed.

His hand slid across her waist, then suddenly pressed her down onto the bed.

He thrust again and again.

There was even a hint of dissatisfaction and venting.

When the Emperor was tired, Wan Tang gently covered herself with the blanket and walked out.

Li Defu's head injury was serious, so he had gone to the Imperial Medical Institute.

Just as she stepped out of the room, the imperial guard Ouyang Qing hurried over.

He only gave Wan Tang a slight nod before entering the inner chamber.

Wan Tang was now a Lady of Grace; Ouyang Qing should have bowed.

He was not someone who was rude or arrogant; this could only mean he had another identity.

At this moment, he didn't avoid Wan Tang and went directly to see the Emperor, even when Li Defu was absent.

What could it be that even Li Defu was kept in the dark about?

And what was the most urgent matter now?

Wan Tang's hands clenched tighter and tighter, and she quickly went to the small kitchen of Cuivei Hall.

"Everyone out!" Wan Tang ordered.

The kitchen staff filed out, and only then did the eunuch in charge of the fire, who had been hiding behind, poke his head out.

He looked about twenty-one, with two tiger-like canine teeth when he smiled.

Looking at Wan Tang, he offered a heartfelt congratulations: "Xiao Shunzi congratulates Lady Wan."

Looking at Xiao Shunzi, Wan Tang's face finally broke into a sincere smile.

"Xiao Shunzi, I was right; it really is you," Wan Tang said, her words brimming with joy.

Xiao Shunzi is a junior eunuch in Jingren Palace.

His mother was gravely ill, and he tried to secretly smuggle some silver out; Cai Wei discovered him, confiscated all the silver, and beat him.

It was Wan Tang who covertly assisted; not only did she heal his injuries, she also paid from her own purse and sent someone to save his mother's life.

The two befriended each other privately, and Xiao Shunzi is one of the few who know Wan Tang's true face.

Xiao Shunzi smiled plainly, "To be able to serve the young master, I spent all my silver, and that's why I was assigned as a fire‑tender."

"You spent all the silver?" Wan Tang slightly frowned.

"The young master walks with difficulty, and Nubi has come, so there is someone to look after him," Xiao Shunzi said earnestly.

Wan Tang felt warm inside.

She nodded heavily, "Xiao Shunzi, rest assured, we will not forever be trampled underfoot by others."

"Since you're here, are you willing to help me?"

"It was the young master who saved Nubi's mother, and now wants Nubi's life as well, and..."

Wan Tang covered his mouth, and with a smile that could topple a city said, "We all must live, living in a way that no one can reach."

She gave Xiao Shunzi a silver bracelet: "If there is any stir in Jingren Palace, remember to drop this bracelet on the spot."

Xiao Shunzi, without asking the reason, solemnly accepted the bracelet: "Young master, rest assured, Nubi arrived in haste; there are still many garments in Jingren Palace left untended."

"I humbly request the young master's permission, so Nubi may return to tidy up the items."

Wan Tang shook her head, "No, you and I have never met."

"I humbly request the young master's permission, so Nubi may return to tidy up the items."

Night fell.

The Emperor lodged in Cuivei Palace.

Behind the sheer curtains, the Emperor even held Wan Tang while sleeping, fearing she might leave his side.

With such favor, staying in the palace is incomparable to anyone else.

And at that moment, startled cries suddenly came from outside the palace.

"Water's flowing!"

"Fire!"