Chapter 148: Keeping the Qi Lady of Grace Safe

I have to say, this is literally Wan Tang's soft spot!

Just kidding, logically Wan Tang's setup is practically invincible. An orphaned girl; if anyone dares, she deals with them, never having to endure anyone's threats.

Wang Jingyi wouldn't be this disgusting, would she? The Xu Family has already collapsed, yet she still disgusts Wan Tang at this moment by revealing Wan Tang's secret to Xiao Mingshu.

Everyone, no need to be nervous; the facts prove that Wang Jingyi has spoken. The clay doll is Wan Tang's mother's relic, and moreover, Wan Tang also has a biological younger brother.

When this information spread, Wan Tang felt as if five thunders hammered her, as if the world were collapsing.

Wasn't Wang Jingyi's tongue cut out?

What Xu Luoyan gave wasn't a multiple‑choice question at all, but a death‑sentence question.

No matter how she answers, there's only one answer: offend the Qi Family.

The Qi Lady of Grace lifted her head at this moment, her face frantic as she looked at Wan Tang.

What benefit does breaking the deadlock now bring Wan Tang?

Is it worth offending the Empress to save the Qi Lady of Grace, even dragging herself into it?

To be a good person, Wan Tang must maximize the advantage.

And now the only way to break the deadlock is a feint to the east, strike to the west.

Let this matter be delayed a bit.

Let the one who breaks the deadlock come to her voluntarily.

Wan Tang lowered her brows in a smile, the curve of her lips bitter and mocking, her voice so light it was almost a whisper: "Wang Jingyi accusing Subject of being the murderer isn't surprising at all."

She lifted her gaze, a cold glint flickering in her eyes, "Someone who wishes Subject dead, when the moment comes, naturally will use Subject as a shield."

Xiao Mingshu's eyes darkened, the armor on the desk scraping a faint metallic clang: "Is this your explanation?"

Subject truly does not know how to explain.

Wan Tang's tone was indifferent, "After all, the Empress was present that day, wasn't she?"

As the words fell, the hall fell silent instantly.

Xiao Mingshu's complexion turned frost‑dark in an instant, her fingertip paling slightly.

Wan Tang merely gave a faint smile, continuing, "Within the Imperial harem, everyone knows Subject and Xu Answering are as incompatible as water and fire."

She paused, her smile deepening, "But the harem's power struggles ultimately tarnish the royal face. The Emperor dislikes it, and Subject refuses to partake."

She lowered her eyes, her fingertip gently brushing her swollen abdomen, her voice soft, "Subject only seeks a peaceful life."

These offhand words, however, cut like knives.

Isn't it just saying that, with the Emperor's favor, there's no need to entertain such thoughts?

Xiao Mingshu's chest rose and fell violently, anger nearly spilling from her eyes.

She sneered, "Then tell me, is there anyone you suspect?"

Her gaze was sharp, like a venomous snake on prey, "For example… that day, you and the Qi Lady of Grace in the Warm Pavilion, what did you say?"

The Qi Lady of Grace heard this, her complexion turning ghastly, her fingers clutching her skirt tightly.

Wan Tang let out a low laugh, her brows and eyes curving, as if she'd heard something extremely amusing.

She slowly lifted her gaze, staring at Xiao Mingshu, a mocking glint like a blade in her eyes, "The Empress mentioning this makes Subject find it even funnier."

She paused, her red lips lightly parting, word by word, "It's merely sisters exchanging a few affectionate words."

"S‑a‑i‑d, w‑h‑a‑t?" Xiao Mingshu stuttered, her voice icy cold.

Wan Tang watched her hypocritical mask crack piece by piece, her smile deepening.

She lightly brushed her temples, her tone lazy and dismissive, "It's merely… sharing some prenatal insights."

When the words fell, the hall was dead silent.

Xiao Mingshu's fingertip dug deep into her palm, while Wan Tang still smiled calmly.

Heaven! How has Wan Tang become so daring to speak? Has she spent ten years in the Imperial harem without knowing the Empress's taboo topics?

No one may bring up the Empress's stillborn child; even if someone in the harem is pregnant, it's a huge provocation to the Empress.

This incident is plainly a plot the Empress deliberately crafted, intended to make Wan Tang jump into the fire pit. Wan Tang still dares to use this to provoke her—does she not fear the Empress's punishment?

Indeed, Wan Tang's delivery is imminent; she cannot keep holding the power to manage the harem. The Emperor has gradually handed authority to the Empress. Offending the Empress now is truly an unwise choice.

Provoked?

Wan Tang sneered inwardly, what does that amount to?

Ten years in the Imperial harem, Wan Tang certainly knows these taboo topics.

The Empress once had a child, a true First Prince, who died at one year old.

Since then, the Empress has been severely affected, a sickness lasting ten years.

A mother, undeniably great.

Exposing old wounds is also shameful.

But if everyone wants your life, are you afraid of hurting them?

Wan Tang looked at the Empress trembling with anger, yet the corner of her lips slowly lifted a faint smile.

Her voice was gentle as falling snow, "If the Empress doubts this, she's truly overthinking it."

Her fingertip lightly brushed the edge of the tea table, her eyes shifting slightly, "Subject and Xu Answering have always been at odds, known to all."

She paused, her gaze flickering over the Qi Lady of Grace, her smile deepening, "As for the Qi Lady of Grace, being a mother as well, she can empathize with Subject a bit."

Xiao Mingshu's fingertip emitted a chilling bluish‑white glow.

Wan Tang suddenly covered her mouth, feigning sudden realization, a hint of false panic in her eyes, "Oops, Subject misspoke."

She leaned slightly, her tone so gentle it bordered on cruel, "Subject forgot, even if the Empress understands, she probably hasn't felt it for a long time now."

"How audacious!"

Xiao Mingshu suddenly seized the tea cup on the desk and smashed it hard at Wan Tang!

"Bang!"

The porcelain cup shattered at Wan Tang's temple, a scarlet streak of blood winding down, making her complexion even paler.

Lady of Grace Qi trembled in fear, hurriedly knelt on the ground, desperately signaling Wan Tang with her eyes.

Wan Tang, however, pretended not to see, instead slightly lowering her head, putting on a look of panic and unease.

Her voice trembled lightly: "Empress, forgive my crime…"

She lifted her gaze, but a scornful sneer hid in her eyes, "I merely did not expect that the Empress has yet to emerge from past affairs."

Her voice lowered further, drifting down like a feather, "After all, when Lady of Grace Qi's child was enshrined as the First Prince, I saw that the Empress seemed to have no reaction…"

"Clap!"

A harsh slap struck Wan Tang's face!

She turned her head, a strand of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth, yet she let out a low laugh.

Xiao Mingshu's chest heaved violently, fiery anger blazing in her phoenix eyes: "It seems Lady Wan Pin has lost her senses."

She paused between each word, her voice cold to the bone, "Then kneel in the snow until you understand!"

In the snowfield, the cold gnawed to the bone.

The vermilion palace doors were tightly shut.

Wan Tang knelt in the accumulated snow, her thin garments quickly soaked by the melting snow, the bone‑piercing chill sinking into her marrow like a poisonous snake.

Lady of Grace Qi, eyes reddened, looked over but dared not speak.

Wan Tang lifted her head, gazing at the icicles melting from the eaves, and suddenly smiled lightly.

Mother, did you see it?

Even the mightiest have a vulnerable spot.

The cold wind howled; her legs had long lost sensation, frost clung to her eyelashes, and she stood like an ice statue.

Her back teeth ached from biting, the metallic scent spreading in her mouth, yet she laughed even more heartily.

As long as one precisely pierces that vulnerable spot, even the most rational person will go mad.

You see, Xiao Mingshu, in her fury, has even forgotten the ongoing investigation.

Snow fell ever heavier.

Wan Tang's figure grew hazy in the snow curtain, but the blood‑stained corner of her mouth still curled upward.

She muttered to herself: "Does the Emperor truly have love?"

"If you also have sincerity, you would surely come to rescue me, right?"

Right…

Wan Tang did not know.

She was gambling!

She was betting on Chu Yunzheng, also a person!

She wagered that in his heart, she would begin to have a place.

Outside the hall.

"I must go rescue Master!" Li Ping'er sprang to her feet.

She clenched the handkerchief with all ten fingers; the embroidered lotus vines on the silk were already mottled from tears.

Xiao Shunzi grabbed her wrist: "Who are you looking for? In this deep palace, the Empress is Heaven!"

"Nonsense!" Li Ping'er swore unusually, tears splashing onto the backs of their clasped hands, "Master, pregnant with a dragon bloodline, is kneeling in the snow; you want me to just wait and watch her…"

The latter half choked in her throat, turning into a sob.

Xiao Shunzi suddenly released her, pulling a purse from a hidden pocket close to his body.

Ten taels of silver ingots fell into the gate eunuch's palm; he sneered and weighed them: "Is that all?"

Twenty taels, fifty taels… When the purse was completely empty, the eunuch finally leaned in and whispered, "Lady Wan Pin has angered the inner palace and is being punished, kneeling in the front courtyard snow."

He held up two fingers, "Two hours have passed, tsk tsk, the blood has dyed the snow red…"

Li Ping'er's leg gave way, nearly toppling.

Xiao Shunzi steadied her with a hand, his voice terrifyingly steady: "You stay here; I'll be right back."

"Where are you going?" Li Ping'er asked anxiously.

"Xu Family," Xiao Shunzi said, his tone confirming.

"Xu Yanchuan? Now the whole court says Master harmed the Xu Family! Going now is a death sentence!" She suddenly grabbed Xiao Shunzi's front lapel, "We should go find the Emperor…"

"We've been there before," Xiao Shunzi said with a wry smile.

"Li Defu leads twenty armed guards at the gate; not even a fly can get in." Xiao Shunzi suddenly raised his hand to wipe Li Ping'er's tears, showing a smile uglier than crying, "Don't worry, there's always a way."

Li Ping'er suddenly grabbed him: "I have a way! In the Empress Dowager's palace…"

"Ping'er," Xiao Shunzi gently pried her fingers apart, and as he turned, the hem of his robe curled with a cold edge, "Nubi, this life of mine belongs to Master."

Fēng xuě rolled his trailing voice away, "If Master is gone, what meaning does my life have?"

Yangxin Hall.

The armed guards stood on either side like bronze‑cast iron, Li Defu wrapped in a silver fox fur stood on the cinnabar platform, his cold gaze slithering like a poisonous snake over every inch of snow.

Even a single sparrow that darts by would be pierced by an archer in the shadows.

Xu Yanchuan trudged through the snow, his ink‑colored great cloak rustling in the wind, snow on his shoulder reflecting the face of Yin Zhi.

"General Xu," Li Defu forced a fake smile as he approached, "The Emperor is discussing important matters; he likely has no time now."

"I have captured something that knows neither life nor death," Xu Yanchuan cut in coldly, his eyes swirling with deep hatred.

His slender fingers brushed the hilt, the knuckles whitening from pressure, "This Nubi is audacious, daring to drag me into the water."

Li Defu narrowed his eyes: "Such a trivial matter does not need to trouble the Emperor."

"Bring it up."

At Xu YanChuan's command, the two bodyguards dragged the person up.

Xiao Shunzi was bound tightly with a cow‑tendon rope, his face mottled with blue‑purple bruises, blood foam clinging to his mouth, yet his eyes still stared stubbornly at Xu YanChuan.

Xu YanChuan stepped on Xiao Shunzi's hand, crushing the joints with a crack: "Lord Li thinks, should a slave who secretly consorts with the Imperial harem be presented before the Emperor?"

Li Defu's eyes whirled rapidly.

The Former Dynasty was already in chaos because of the Xu Family's factional strife; if now a scandal of Consort Wan's illicit liaison with an outside minister broke out…

He shouted, "Interfering in the Imperial harem's affairs is a grave crime!"

"What does that have to do with me?" Xu YanChuan sneered, pushing the man away.

Li Defu staggered back from the shove, suddenly finding a hot‑potato in his arms.

"I'm most annoyed by these filthy matters," Xu YanChuan turned to leave, his dark cloak cutting a sharp arc across the snow, "Why not let Lord Li handle it? When the Emperor is free, I'll report again."

It concerns state affairs; how can a eunuch like Li Defu make decisions?

Watching Xu YanChuan truly about to leave.

Li Defu was also flustered.

After much deliberation, he was certain that Xu YanChuan's appearance would deliver a fatal blow to Consort Wan.

Only then did he laugh and say, "Young general, stay a moment; the Emperor is inside playing chess with Lord Su."

"I'll report it at once, my lord."

As he was leaving, Li Defu suddenly halted, saying meaningfully, "Just, young general, you've thought this through, haven't you?"

"Bringing this person in will be a disaster for Consort Wan."

"Oh?" Xu YanChuan's face broke into a smug smile, and he joyfully said, "Very good! Very good!"