Chapter 178: Mistake in Love

Suddenly hearing those words, Wan Tang was indeed a bit surprised.

Before the words finished, a lazy yet undeniably imposing voice rang out: "All this clamor, what decorum is this? Everyone, step back."

Su Yanci walked in slowly, dressed in ordinary clothes, his expression languid, but his eyes bright and sharp, sweeping over the crowd.

He casually pointed at Qi Qi: "You, what are you still lingering here for? Since the matter's been raised, why don't you hurry off?"

Qi Qi immediately bowed, speaking respectfully: "Yes, I will take my leave at once."

Having said that, he quickly lowered his head, turned, blended into the withdrawing crowd, and vanished.

Bai Wei froze in place, her complexion alternating between pallor and a hint of blue.

Bai Wei stared at the direction where Qi Qi disappeared, her face full of resentment, yet she could only grit her teeth and endure.

She turned to Su Yanci, forcing out a thin smile: "Lord Su, how did you suddenly arrive here? That person just now…"

Su Yanci curled the corner of his mouth, lazily interrupting, his sarcasm obvious: "Does my whereabouts need to be reported to you, a serving woman?"

"In this palace, aside from the Emperor, it seems no one else has the right to demand an answer from me."

Bai Wei choked, her face flushing red, anger building, speech stuck, and she could only remain frozen.

Su Yanci no longer paid attention to her, his gaze shifting to Wan Tang, his tone even but carrying an unmistakable implication: "Did the Virtuous Consort hear the words just now clearly?"

Wan Tang nodded, her doubts deepening, truly unable to comprehend why this Lord Su, who enjoys the Emperor's favor and never takes sides, would intervene to help.

Su Yanci seemed to see through her confusion, a faint smile flickering in his eyes, yet he gave no explanation, merely saying: "It's fine as long as you understand."

He then stepped forward a pace, his voice low but clearly reaching every ear present: "Kindly, Madam, show the way."

"I have urgent matters and must see the Emperor immediately."

【Handsome, at moments like this, Su Yanci really has to step in!】

【Right now Tangtang must be extremely flustered, not knowing why Su Yanci would help her!】

【What's there to panic about? Su Yanci helps him only for one reason—Xiao Susu!】

【There's nothing we can do, that damned Dog Emperor makes everyone distrustful, wanting to hold everything in his hands.】

Wan Tang made a slight calculation in her mind.

Xiao Susu?

In this Imperial harem, those surnamed Su…

She suddenly widened her eyes, recalling the naive, carefree rice‑dough ball in Changle Palace.

So, Su Guiren is Su Yanci's younger sister?

Just fifteen, she was sent into the harem.

Wan Tang's fist clenched involuntarily, a bitter feeling welling up inside.

She didn't know whether it was the influence of the Barrage or a genuine feeling, but muttered in her mind: "Dog Emperor."

Su Yanci walked to Wan Tang's side, his steps briefly pausing, his voice pressed down to a whisper.

With deep meaning: "Virtuous Consort, if you delay any further, the Emperor will surely grow impatient."

His gaze swept over her: "If the words just now weren't heard clearly, I don't mind repeating them."

Wan Tang's mind settled, a faint smile lifting her lip corner: "No need. I understand clearly."

She raised her eyes, her gaze bright and firm: "But I still stand by my own view."

Su Yanci's brows furrowed in an unreadable way: "Really?"

Wan Tang nodded, leaving no room for doubt.

Su Yanci suddenly let out a low laugh, the sound carrying an indescribable nuance: "Madam, you truly are merciful."

"Only wonder… whether others can bear such benevolence of yours."

"I choose to believe." Wan Tang's tone was calm, yet as heavy as a thousand pounds.

"Very well." Su Yanci said no more, stepping aside half a step, resuming his languid posture, raising his hand in a beckon, "Madam, please."

His gaze flickered in and out over the depths of Kunning Palace, indicating: "Do not keep the Emperor waiting, and even less let others' thoughts sway the holy hearing."

Wan Tang gave a slight nod: "Thank you, Lord Su, for the reminder."

Beside them, Bai Wei perked up her ears, hearing every word distinctly.

But pieced together, it was like sinking into mist, utterly incomprehensible.

She could only watch with eyes wide as the two walked forward one after the other into the hall, fuming enough to stomp hard, remaining where she stood.

Returning to the main hall, the Emperor and Empress had still not returned.

The hall's atmosphere was eerie; most consorts wore expressions of barely restrained curiosity and interest.

Only Li Pin, her fingertips trembling with nerves, dared to draw near and whisper urgently when Wan Tang returned: "Madam, what exactly…"

She swallowed the words at the last moment, full of panic.

Wan Tang's expression was calm, her voice not loud yet clear to the few nearby: "Li Pin, just watch calmly."

She swept her gaze over everyone present, her tone steady yet imbued with undeniable authority: "The Imperial harem is a place where sisters serve the Emperor with one heart, not a one‑voice hall where anyone's word can condemn."

Li Pin was slightly startled.

Wan Tang smiled faintly again, soothing: "Do not be restless; simply observe the changes calmly."

She immediately raised her voice, her gaze calmly passing over each face with differing expressions.

"For such incidents, I hope this is the first and also the last."

"The Emperor wishes to see harmony among the Six Palaces, not baseless scheming that only stirs conflict."

Consort Hui, who had been watching coldly from the side, lazily yawned at the words.

A hint of impatience flashed in her heroic brows as she replied: "Well said."

Her tone was crisp, bearing the efficiency honed on the battlefield: "If so, let's end this farce quickly, lest we disturb the peace."

Wan Tang turned to her, smiling and nodding: "Sorry to have disturbed you, sister."

Consort Hui turned her face away directly, refusing even an extra glance, her bearing haughty, utterly disdainful of being drawn into this women's verbal duel.

【Emperor and Empress are back, how exhilarating. Emperor almost didn't see Xiao Mingshu get killed.】

【That's certain; whether it's Bai Li or Wan Tang, they are both the Emperor's darlings. He's not a fool—can one not see the purpose behind the Empress's actions?】

【The Emperor wants to give the Xiao Family face, but that doesn't mean he must be manipulated by the Xiao Family's people.】

【If it weren't for the Empress Dowager's face, the Emperor wouldn't have resolved this matter privately.】

【Hopefully Wan Tang understands to quit while ahead; after all, the ties among the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and the Xiao Family concern the very foundation of the state.】

Listening to the barrage's sound, Wan Tang felt a heaviness in her heart.

She let out a faint sigh.

Xiao Mingshu left and returned, her expression restored to normal.

In her steps she even deliberately maintained the dignified bearing of a mother of the nation, yet beneath the high, upright collar a faint, glaring red scar could be seen.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, understanding in her heart.

Chu Yunzheng had just become angry, and showed no mercy.

The atmosphere in the hall grew stagnant, the consorts held their breath, only Consort Hui lazily rose.

She yawned, "I am weary, Emperor, I request to retire."

She didn't even wait for the Emperor's permission, turning and leaving directly; that carefree, unrestrained attitude even made Wan Tang silently admire her.

And Chu Yunzheng surprisingly did not intervene, merely tacitly allowing her departure.

At this moment, Li Defu had steadied his mind; though his gaze still occasionally swept over Wan Tang with a hint of Yin Zhi, it had considerably restrained itself.

He stepped forward, bowed, and reported, "Emperor, Empress, Li Ping'er has awakened; shall we bring her up?"

Xiao Mingshu at this moment had already lost her earlier aggressiveness, a cloud of sorrow shading her brows, and whispered, "Bring her up."

Two eunuchs dragged a blood‑stained figure into the hall.

Li Ping'er was in tattered clothes, her exposed skin covered with overlapping bloodstains; each drag made her emit a painful, muffled groan.

She was thrown heavily onto the stone floor, her breath barely clinging to life.

Seeing her such a tragic state, Wan Tang's chest tightened suddenly, her fingernails digging deep into her palm.

Li Ping'er struggled to lift her head, her gaze wandering aimlessly until it finally settled on Wan Tang.

Two streams of tear mixed with blood surged instantly, filled with endless remorse and despair. She lay on the ground, her voice shattered:

"I, I was the one who delivered something out. But, but it has nothing to do with Virtuous Consort; it was solely my doing…"

"Was it delivered to Yan Wang?!" someone demanded sharply.

Li Ping'er merely shook her head, her breath weak.

"I don't know…"

The little guard who had been beaten nearly to death earlier was now also dragged up to corroborate; he trembled as he pointed at Li Ping'er, "It's her, it's her!"

"Not just this time; back when Yan Wang was still in the palace, she repeatedly had the servant deliver items."

"Sometimes it was a fragrance pouch, sometimes a letter; the servant even brought her a return gift on Yan Wang's behalf…"

Each accusation struck like a heavy hammer, echoing in the dead silence of the hall.

The hall was dead silent, only Li Ping'er's painful gasps and occasional retching of blood remained.

The imperial authority pressed down heavily; Xiao Mingshu lowered her head, holding her breath, no longer daring to speak lightly.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze was like ice, falling on Li Ping'er: "Tell everything you know, in full detail. I demand all the specifics."

Li Ping'er lay on the ground, coughing up another mouthful of blood foam, staining the cold stone tiles red.

Li Defu watched her in this state, his brows furrowing tighter.

"Emperor!" Li Defu finally stepped forward, kneeling heavily, "I have an urgent matter to report!"

A glimmer of hope suddenly lit Xiao Mingshu's eyes; she immediately intervened, her voice a bit more urgent: "Li Gonggong, speak quickly! What have you discovered?"

Seeing this, Wan Tang rose slowly, her voice cold: "Empress, when will Li Gonggong also be able to serve as a witness?"

"At this moment, shouldn't Li Ping'er be allowed to state it herself?"

Xiao Mingshu, seeing the Emperor did not speak to stop her, felt emboldened and immediately retorted.

Her tone carried a hint of pride: "Of course! From capture to interrogation, it was all handled single‑handedly by Li Gonggong; he knows it best!"

"Is Virtuous Consort perhaps frightened?"

Wan Tang's face showed helplessness, she sighed lightly: "I merely think that if everything is narrated by Li Gonggong, it inevitably becomes biased."

"If later his words are refuted by facts, what then?"

"I hereby entrust Li Gonggong!" Xiao Mingshu declared resolutely, her tone growing more confident.

She even added a hint of bragging, "Li Gonggong is the elder who serves the Emperor, loyal to the core; even if the whole world betrays the Emperor, Li Gonggong would never! His words are the most powerful testimony!"

She looked at Wan Tang's helpless expression and felt exhilarated.

She then turned to Li Defu, raising her voice: "Li Gonggong, you may speak freely! I will never doubt any of your words!"

Having said that, she even provocatively glanced at Wan Tang, her bearing haughty, as if victory was assured.

Li Defu let out a heavy sigh, knelt on the ground, and began his statement: "Emperor and Empress, after receiving the tip, I immediately detained the person for interrogation and seized the intended items for transmission."

He waved his hand, and a junior eunuch brought forward a tray.

"I originally thought I could find solid evidence, but—"

He lifted the cover, revealing inside several exquisite women's garments and a pair of finely crafted soft‑soled shoes.

"What was found were only these private belongings of a daughter."

Xiao Mingshu, seeing this, immediately shouted sharply, "Virtuous Consort! You personally stitched these intimate items for Yan Wang! What else can you say?"

Li Defu shook his head, his voice tinged with sorrow: "Empress, you truly have misunderstood Virtuous Consort."

"After repeatedly checking the stitching and dimensions, these were indeed made by Li Ping'er herself."

The Empress's face changed abruptly: "How could that be?"

"What about that letter? Didn't you say you had intercepted a Secret Letter, its text was strange, and you had already sent someone to examine its contents?"

"That letter must be ironclad proof of the two's secret liaison!"

Wan Tang timely knelt, her voice plaintive: "Emperor, discern clearly! Subject, I am wronged!"

Chu Yunzheng's expression remained as gloomy as water.