Chapter 120: Prince Yan

Vile, they are well‑informed and all know that a Demon God has entered Yangxin Hall, and he is also the person the Emperor most does not wish to see.

As long as he is present, the Dog Emperor's mood is at its worst. Whoever goes, meets death.

After all, that Demon God has always been a thorn in the Dog Emperor's side—a perfect grin outward but an MMP inside.

I hope that when Wan Tang goes, the Demon God has already left. If not, it's over: if you are polite to the Demon God, the Dog Emperor despises you; if you are impolite to the Demon God, that petty mind still doesn't know how to handle you.

Wan Tang's heart heard a thud.

This really could be fatal.

Only a few steps later, she reached Yangxin Hall.

Wan Tang looked at the vermilion Gongmen and let out a sudden sigh.

"Master, are you worried that the Lady of Grace gave birth to a Prince?" Li Ping'er whispered.

Wan Tang shook her head, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her cuff: "I am thinking about how to invite His Majesty in a moment."

A strange laugh echoed from within the hall, deep and husky, yet tinged with a deliberately flattering flattery.

Wan Tang's heart leapt suddenly.

This was neither Zhou Su's voice nor any court official she knew.

Li Ping'er reassured, "The Emperor treats you like a precious jewel; how could he blame you?"

Wan Tang's lips curled into a bitter smile.

Who is the Demon God that can make all Guanren retreat three houses?

The Guanren who once served inside the hall now all stand outside.

Although the hall is filled with laughter, outside one feels a chill down the spine.

"Yo, Lady Wan Pin has arrived just in time."

Li Defu's wrinkled old face peeked out from the hall, displaying an unusually keen attentiveness.

A cold shiver rose on Wan Tang's back; the older eunuch's increasing warmth only indicated something odd inside.

"The Emperor just mentioned you," Li Defu bowed and drew the brocade curtain, "Please come in quickly."

Xiao Dongzi suddenly darted out from behind a column, "Lady, inside…"

"Xiao Dongzi!" Li Defu swished the dust in his hand, gave him a disdainful glance, "If the palace guard can't keep his tongue in check, I (servant) don't mind cutting it off for you."

Wan Tang watched Xiao Dongzi retreat with a pallid face, and the hall's chatter grew clearer.

The unfamiliar male voice rose suddenly, then whispered, faintly mixed with the crisp clink of porcelain.

Li Ping'er showed a hint of joy on her face, whispering into Wan Tang's ear, "Master, it seems Prince Yan Wang is inside."

"Prince Yan Wang is the most generous to others; I (serving woman) have seen him in Fengdu. He is a good person and will not make things difficult for you."

Generous?

A good person?

Wan Tang's lips twitched slightly—can even the audience's eyes be mistaken?

Perhaps he's only generous to people from Fengdu!

"Let's go!"

She inhaled deeply, straightened her back, and stepped over the threshold.

This is unknown what Tangtang fears; although the person inside is a Demon God, they actually appreciate Tangtang, so why would they make things difficult for her?

The one upstairs—Wan Tang has only heard of Yan Wang; could it be the worm in his belly that knows his thoughts?

The key is that petty mind of the Dog Emperor; he is the hardest to deal with.

Not necessarily; as long as Wan Tang is sensible enough to show affection in front of Yan Wang, highlighting that the Dog Emperor lives well and happily, wouldn't that be enough?

Does Yan Wang admire her?

Do they know each other?

Wan Tang gave a bitter smile.

When the Gongmen was pushed open, the candlelight flickered gently.

Wan Tang looked up and saw Chu Yunzheng reclining diagonally on a dragon‑patterned couch, idly twirling a jade green chess piece in his hand.

Opposite him sat a man in a black brocade robe, silver threads embroidered with dark cloud‑snake patterns, his wide sleeves partially covering a pair of hands with distinct knuckles.

Hearing the movement, he turned his head slightly, and beneath the cloak's shadow a sharply‑lined jaw was revealed.

"Subject, may I have an audience with the Emperor," Wan Tang bowed respectfully.

Chu Yunzheng's lips curled slightly, "Tangtang arrives just in time."

He extended his hand, the dragon motif on his wrist flickering in the candlelight, "This is Yan Wang."

Yan Wang finally lifted his head.

The instant the cloak slipped, Wan Tang's breath caught.

His sword‑shaped eyebrows reached his temples, eyes like cold stars, and a tear‑mole beneath his left eye added three points of charm.

The features were clearly similar to Chu Yunzheng's, yet a scar crossing his brow gave off a distinctly different fierceness.

"Prince Wan An." Wan Tang was about to bow when she suddenly let out a light gasp, her body swaying.

Chu Yunzheng lunged forward, grabbing her waist.

Wan Tang nestled into his arms, "I am fine; perhaps the child kicked again."

"Mischievous." Chu Yunzheng chuckled low, his palm covering her rounded belly, and when he lifted his eyes his gaze held a boastful affection, "Allow Uncle Emperor to be embarrassed."

Yan Wang stroked the blood‑jade ring, then laughed lightly, "Brother Emperor, what good fortune."

His gaze was knife‑sharp as it swept Wan Tang's face, "I suppose this is the renowned Lady Wan Pin everyone praises today."

"The entire bearing of Lady Wan Pin is truly extraordinary; no wonder the palace is enamored with her."

"That is natural; of all the women in the world, I could tempt any," Chu Yunzheng said meaningfully, "Are you afraid you cannot find someone truly sincere to me?"

"Of course, that's what the imperial elder brother said."

She furrowed her brows and looked out the window, her expression anxious and uneasy.

Chu Yunzheng then asked, "What is the matter?"

"Lady Qi has seen red," Wan Tang whispered.

Yan Wang clenched his fist suddenly, then slowly released it: "Since the imperial elder brother has an urgent matter, then go ahead; my ministers and younger brother still need to stay in the Capital for a day or two."

"Your Highness, please forgive," Wan Tang spoke first, seizing Chu Yunzheng's arm, "In truth, Lady Qi's fetal position is abnormal; the imperial physician says there may be a blood‑shed disaster."

She traced a light line on the Emperor's wrist with her fingertip, "Emperor, the Empress Dowager sent me, your humble servant, to request you."

Wan Tang stated the reason outright, seeking the Emperor's protection.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered, then he placed a hand on her lower abdomen: "I will protect you myself."

When he turned to Yan Wang, his tone had returned to indifference, "Royal Brother, do as you wish."

As the two left hand in hand, Yan Wang suddenly said, "Consort Wan."

"You look exactly like an old acquaintance."

The moment Yan Wang's words fell, the candles in the hall flickered suddenly.

Chu Yunzheng's surrounding pressure dropped sharply, and the blue veins on the back of his hand beneath the dragon‑patterned cuff became visible.

He turned, half‑shielding Wan Tang behind him, his gaze at Yan Wang as cold as ice: "Yan Wang, she is my woman."

Each word paused, each like a knife: "You must see clearly; do not mistake her again."

Yan Wang let out a low laugh, the blood‑jade ring on his finger glinting dark‑red in the candlelight: "My younger brother, remember."

This strange exchange made Wan Tang increasingly uneasy.

The similar old acquaintance—who is she?

Between her and Chu Yunzheng, who truly stands in the middle?

On the road to Cining Palace, the wind and snow grew harsher.

"The Empress Dowager issued an imperial decree forbidding me, a humble servant, from going to Cining Palace…," Wan Tang's voice was soft, yet her fingertips clenched Chu Yunzheng's sleeve tightly.

Chu Yunzheng turned his hand, gripping her cold fingers, his tone leaving no room for doubt: "Since you co‑manage the Six Palaces, you naturally must be present."

His gaze swept over her swollen abdomen, "Moreover, you should also learn from experience."

Outside Cining Palace, chaos had already erupted.

The imperial physicians knelt in the Langxia, whispering counsel; palace maids carried blood‑stained water in and out, the heavy scent of blood mingling with bitter medicine permeating the icy snow.

The Empress Dowager stood before the hall, holding prayer beads, while Empress Xiao Mingshu loudly commanded the Guanren.

When the Holy Majesty arrived, Xiao Mingshu rushed forward, but the moment she saw Wan Tang, her smile froze on her face.

"Consort Wan?" her voice suddenly sharp, "How did you come here?"

The Empress Dowager didn't even lift her eyelids; the prayer beads spun rapidly between her aged fingers: "Since the Emperor has arrived, you have no business here."

She finally glanced at Wan Tang, her gaze as if looking at ants: "I am terribly busy here; I cannot attend to you."

"Return!"