Chapter 203: Staying Outside the Palace

The three of them stepped into the Wangyou Wine Tavern.

A rich, mellow wine aroma with a hint of fruity wood fragrance hit their noses, starkly different from the usual heavy palace wine scent.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze swept the shop; even though he, as the Son of Heaven, is eminent and well‑versed, he could not help but show a trace of astonishment.

The interior was not the chaotic mess he imagined; instead it was arranged rather elegantly.

Against the wall were rows of wooden shelves displaying various glass bottles and clay jars, each holding clear, bright wine of differing hues.

Amber‑colored, crimson‑red, and even jade‑green…

Many varieties he had never seen before.

The wine aromas were not uniform; some were sharp, some mellow, some carried floral‑fruit fragrance, with astonishingly rich layers.

Chu Yunzheng slightly furrowed his brow; these wines clearly far exceeded ordinary folk standards, even surpassing many tribute wines in quality and rarity.

His eyes were quickly drawn to the scene in the main hall's center.

A group of drinkers were gathered around a long table, the atmosphere lively.

At the very center, a man flushed to the face, beard and hair bristling, battling others in a drinking contest—not someone else, but the Huang Hu who was supposed to be "reflecting on his faults"!

Huang Hu had clearly drunk a lot, yet his eyes were unusually bright and excited.

Staring intently at an embroidered pouch just opened on the table, cup still clenched in his hand, he roared at the equally flushed scholarly opponent opposite, "The 'place in a dead end then revive' is used brilliantly! But if the supply route is cut, what then?"

"You speak!"

"Drink!"

The scholar clearly could not match him and was already swaying.

Seeing this, Huang Hu grew even more smug and snatched the wine bowl from his opponent's hand.

With swagger he declared, "Can't say it?"

"Then drink!"

"I've secured the lead today!"

In his wholly intoxicated, martial‑strategy‑focused frenzy, there was no trace of a dignified court minister.

He looked just like a quarrelsome veteran thug!

Chu Yunzheng's complexion darkened instantly, as if it could drip water.

He stared fixedly at Huang Hu, a terrifying low pressure radiating from his body.

Li Defu, seeing this, thought it was ominous, hurried forward and quietly tugged Huang Hu's sleeve from behind.

Huang Hu, in the midst of his exuberant speech, was irritated by the interruption, turned to scold, and upon seeing Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Presence Li Defu…

Following Li Defu's terrified glance to the side, he felt as if ice water was poured over his head, instantly sobering up.

The flush on his face vanished cleanly in an instant, and he hurriedly pushed through the crowd.

He followed Li Defu into the tavern's quiet side private room.

Inside the private room.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, carefully pouring wine for Chu Yunzheng, the air thickening ominously.

Chu Yunzheng sat upright, his fingertips gently rubbing the warm cup rim, not drinking immediately; that demeanor exerted more authority than any harsh words.

He lifted his gaze, his eyes sinking like water onto the newly arrived Huang Hu.

"General Huang," Chu Yunzheng began, his voice even yet chilling, "I ask you, which wine here is the best?"

"Emperor, I think the wine here has a unique flavor."

"The best thing isn't the wine itself, but… the 'embroidered pouch' that accompanies it."

"Bang!"

Chu Yunzheng slammed his palm onto the table, the cups rattling and wine splashing out.

Wan Tang's hand trembled in fright, and she quickly knelt.

The private room fell into dead silence.

With a thud, Huang Hu fell to his knees, his head buried, "I misspoke! Your Majesty, calm your anger!"

Chu Yunzheng stared down at him from his elevated seat, his voice squeezing through his teeth with a chilling edge, "I see you've drunk yourself foolish!"

"Huang Hu, tell me, why did you shed your armor and return to the capital?"

"Is it so you could bring me to this street tavern to flaunt your verbal bravado and play for amusement?!"

Huang Hu fell to the ground, unable to speak.

"Your Majesty, calm your anger. General Huang is loyal and courageous, certainly not a man drowned in wine and women; surely… there is another reason."

Chu Yunzheng let out a cold snort, his gaze like a blade, "Reason? I'll have him speak for himself!"

Huang Hu inhaled deeply, then cautiously retrieved three already opened embroidered pouches from his bosom.

He presented them with both hands, "I… I am here for this."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes scanned the silk paper exposed inside the pouches, where inked lines traced exquisite battle formations and a few words, all unheard‑of military stratagems.

His fingertips paused briefly as he lifted one to examine, a flash of unmistakable shock crossing his eyes.

This is far beyond what ordinary strategists could speak of!

What kind of genius could embed warfare into this tavern game?

"I came here not for the wine, but to obtain this military art."

"I only regret that the mastermind behind the scenes is hidden so deeply; even after drinking for several days I still could not glimpse his true form, let alone obtain the complete set…"

"If Your Majesty can secure this master, or obtain the essence of his tactics, it would truly be Fengqi's blessing!"

Chu Yunzheng was silent for a moment, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, his voice low, "Throughout the court, countless eyes now watch the position you have relinquished."

"That is the command over a hundred thousand troops of the capital region, not a child's play. You should understand my difficulty."

Huang Hu's face showed shame, his head bowing even lower, "I… understand."

He glanced sideways at Wan Tang standing quietly beside him, a sudden doubt rose in his heart, and he couldn't help blurting out, "Just… why is Virtuous Consort here…?"

Wan Tang felt a tightness in her heart, about to look for an excuse to withdraw.

Chu Yunzheng, however, calmly opened, "No need to avoid it; you stay here and listen."

Huang Hu heard this, a flash of surprise flickered in his eyes.

Your Majesty's trust and favoritism toward this woman had actually reached this extent?

Chu Yunzheng tapped his finger on the table, his voice lowered even further, bearing an undeniable gravity, "The court situation is complex; if I do not move you, how many are waiting to catch your mistake?"

"Tomorrow's grand audience, if I do not see your figure, the impeachment papers against you could pile up on my imperial desk!"

Huang Hu suddenly raised his head, the drunkenness completely vanished, cold sweat seeped down his back: "I am muddled!"

"I will definitely attend court tomorrow on time; I would never dare to cause a mistake!"

He paused, a hint of urgency flashed in his eyes, and he couldn't help stepping half a step closer, lowering his voice to plead, "Just… the seed money of this secret pouch… ten, ten must not be taken by others!"

"Please, Your Majesty, be sure to send someone…"

"Huang Hu!" Chu Yunzheng's temple vein twitched, almost laughing in anger, "Do you think I'm a helper snatching the prize for you?!"

The imperial authority suddenly poured down, the air in the elegant room almost froze.

Huang Hu, knowing he misspoke, immediately knelt: "I deserve death!"

Chu Yunzheng stared at him for a moment, then exhaled heavily.

In the end he suppressed his anger, impatiently flicked his sleeve: "Go back and wake your wine! I have my own measure."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Huang Hu, as if pardoned, dared not utter another word, bowed his head, almost retreating out of the elegant room.

The elegant room returned to silence, only the lingering scent of wine remained.

Wan Tang saw Chu Yunzheng's brows still furrowed, lifted the jade jar and refilled his cup with a clear‑colored Peach Blossom Brew.

Softly she said, "Your Majesty, have a cup of Peach Blossom Brew; this wine is light, perhaps it will soothe your heart."

Chu Yunzheng took it, but did not drink, his fingertip brushed the rim, a sigh heavy enough to press down came: "I am confined within the palace, ears and eyes sealed."

"Outside is already such a world, those dogs only know how to deceive and hide, reporting joy but not sorrow!"

"Your Majesty, calm down, they are just folk tricks after all…" Wan Tang gently comforted.

"Folk tricks?" Chu Yunzheng snorted coldly, "Eating toys is fine. But this wine shop."

His gaze suddenly sharpened, like a cold blade drawn, "If it can make my Commander addicted to it, causing several mistakes, can it be a simple matter?"

Wan Tang's heart suddenly panicked, her fingertips grew slightly cold, she forced herself calm and said, "Your Majesty, perhaps… it is not a bad thing."

"In any case, this wine shop is on our Fengqi Kingdom's soil; if it truly has a prodigy, it could be used for the nation, would that not be a fortunate event?"

"Fortunate event?" Chu Yunzheng's eyes swept over her, with scrutiny, "I don't think so. Li Defu!"

"The old servant is here!"

"Investigate this wine shop thoroughly, find out who is behind it!"

Wan Tang felt a tightness in her heart, lowered her gaze and dared not speak.

Li Defu, however, had a flash of inspiration, quickly bowed and said, "Your Majesty, you still have the morning court tomorrow, heavy state affairs, staying outside the palace too long may be inappropriate."

"How about… let the old servant stay to investigate secretly?"

Wan Tang immediately interjected, voice slightly urgent: "No!"

"Lord Li is a palace insider, his status is special; if he stays, he'll immediately alert the snakes, which would be undesirable."

Chu Yunzheng heard this, paused briefly, feeling it reasonable.

He turned his gaze to Wan Tang, that look deep yet unmistakably trusting.

"Tangtang is right." His tone softened.

With a hint of warmth and entrustment that only she receives, "This matter should not be made public."

"For now, only the three of us know this."

He reached out, gently grasped Wan Tang's hand, his eyes blazing: "Tangtang, I'm afraid I must trouble you a bit."

"Your thoughts are meticulous; let you watch secretly, that is most stable. I, trust you."

Wan Tang's heart surged, both the warmth of being trusted and the thrill of a secret hanging by a thread.

She immediately knelt, lowered her head to hide the complex expression in her eyes.

Her voice, however, was exceedingly obedient and firm: "To relieve Your Majesty's worries is my greatest blessing; I will certainly do my utmost, not betray the trust you placed."

Chu Yunzheng slightly nodded, fairly satisfied with Wan Tang's compliance, but the weight in his eyes remained.

He lightly touched a point on the table, his voice even lower, bearing an unquestionable decision: "Tangtang, there is one more thing."

"The military tactics in that secret pouch are cunning, extraordinary; if they spread out, falling into the hands of schemers would cause great trouble."

"When you investigate, be sure to be cautious; if you obtain anything, seal it immediately, present it directly to me, not pass through anyone else's hands."

He looked deeply at her, "This matter concerns the nation's foundation, its weight, you must understand."

Wan Tang felt a tightness, but her face grew even more obedient: "I understand, I will handle it carefully, never let a single page leak."

Chu Yunzheng only then slightly relaxed his expression, and added, "You are alone here, I also cannot rest easy."

"I will leave Ouyang Qing, have him dispatches, guard you fully, and also lend you a hand."

"If urgent matters arise, you may let him report directly to me."

Wan Tang heard the name Ouyang Qing, her eyelash barely flickered.

Then she deeply bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your consideration; I… will not disappoint the holy grace."

【Leaving Ouyang Qing is most likely to keep an eye on Wan Tang. After all, leaving a harem concubine outside is a very rare thing.】

【Who cares, Wan Tang does need to stay outside, after all. The opportunity finally arrived.】

【I don't know what Wan Tang will do, but Ouyang Qing's martial skill is superb; trying to make a move under his watch would be nearly impossible.】

Wan Tang listened calmly to the Barrage, a slight smile curled at the corner of her mouth.

Opportunity, it's here!