Chapter 216: Joint Cooperation

What is he investigating the Mo Family's affairs for?

Wan Tang gritted her teeth fiercely.

Really interesting, the plot truly exceeds the original work. Clearly in the original, Yan Wang went to the capital because Yan Wangfei fell ill, the Emperor summoned him to the capital and gave him a lecture.

How could he think of learning about the Mo Family's affairs? The Mo Family are traitors who sell the nation; everyone would punish them, and no one wants to get involved.

If Wan Tang hadn't already made the Emperor take a liking to her, this would already be a cup of poison by now.

Did you all forget that Yan Wang had just entered the capital when Kedan, near Fengdu, attacked the border? In the original, Xu Chengyuan was still alive; the Xiao Family, vying for top honors, sent a trusted aide. Shortly after the Xiao Family departed, border turmoil flared again. Xu Chengyuan seized the opportunity and led two hundred thousand troops of his own to go.

The same year, Huang Hu fell in battle; Xu Chengyuan produced a clay figurine to prove his identity, and even secured the loyal following of one hundred fifty thousand Mo Family Army.

After that battle, Xu Chengyuan became unrivaled. The Xiao Family also kept their distance; Xu Luoyan rose to become Imperial Noble Consort, and the Empress became completely invisible.

Wan Tang's heart sank sharply, as if falling into an ice cavern.

Yan Wang secretly entered the capital?

At this critical moment?

Soon after, Kedan invaded; it was truly too coincidental.

Xiao Shunzi, with a mud‑covered face, looked at Wan Tang with great worry, feeling immense guilt.

Wan Tang forced the surging thoughts down, squeezing a soothing smile onto her face.

Softly she said, "Alright, stop thinking about this. You're badly injured; it's vital to recover properly."

"The problems outside… will eventually be resolved."

She rose and placed the packet of pastries Li Ping'er had brought before Xiao Shunzi.

She opened it for him to see: "Look, we don't lack food now."

When Xiao Shunzi saw the delicate pastries, his tense spirit relaxed a little.

Chang let out a long sigh, as if a thousand‑pound burden had been lifted.

Wan Tang looked at his weakened state, furrowed her brows and asked softly, "What exactly happened after you went out?"

"How did you get injured like this?"

Xiao Shunzi's breath was weak, his words broken: "Nubi had just received Second Master Qi's news, and then… I was spotted…"

"In the heat of the moment, Nubi could only lie, claiming I was starving and wanted to steal a carrier pigeon to eat."

"They didn't believe me, surrounded me. Nubi was knocked unconscious, and I don't know what happened afterward…"

"But Master, rest assured, Nubi has already swallowed the note into his stomach."

Wan Tang heard that, and a flash of understanding and gravity passed through her eyes.

She sighed, "After this incident, the Cold Palace's restrictions will surely tighten; hoping to move freely as before will be as hard as scaling the heavens."

Xiao Shunzi nodded laboriously, then asked anxiously, "What happened to Li Answering her… later?"

Wan Tang's eyes suddenly darkened, as if shrouded by an impenetrable thick fog.

She was silent for a moment, ultimately said nothing, only slowly shook her head.

Having soothed Xiao Shunzi, Wan Tang walked out of the shabby room alone.

She crouched against the old yellow‑horned tree by the courtyard wall, arms tightly hugging her knees, burying her face within them.

Though she no longer wept, the heavy suffocating ache and bitterness in her heart would not fade.

"There's a jar of Peach Blossom Brew here; would you like a sip?"

That lazy, smiling voice sounded from above.

Wan Tang looked up and saw Su Yanci, who had somehow taken a seat on the wall again, moonlight rimming him with a silver edge.

She forced a bitter smile and nodded.

Su Yanci tossed the wine jar down.

Wan Tang caught it, tipped her head back and gulped a mouthful; the sweet‑spicy liquid slid down her throat but could not dissolve the knot in her chest.

Seeing her silence, Su Yanci spoke to himself, "I just went to see her return; she's just a child who hasn't been through anything, her eyes swollen like peach pits."

His tone carried a barely perceptible pity and self‑blame, "It's also my fault and my father's; we always protected her too well, never warning her of human wickedness."

"Being protected to the point of not knowing wickedness… isn't that a kind of blessing?" Wan Tang said, her voice low and hoarse.

Su Yanci paused slightly at the words, sighing, "The one tonight… seems unwilling."

His gaze fell on Wan Tang's lowered brows, probing, "You…"

Each time he mentioned Li Ping'er, the pain in Wan Tang's eyes deepened, and the fingers gripping the wine jar tightened slightly.

Su Yanci looked at her side profile, where she forced guilt and sorrow, and his eyes—always laced with a teasing smile—unwittingly took on a hint of different affection.

It was both concern and admiration for her resilience.

Half a jar of wine down, the haze in Wan Tang's eyes gradually receded, replaced by an almost cold, clear clarity.

She lifted her head, her gaze sharp: "Whether this is the path she wants or not, having chosen to enter the palace, there is no such thing as willing or unwilling."

She paused, her voice colder, "Infamous or virtuous, it matters not now."

She suddenly rose onto tiptoes, raising the wine jar high.

Su Yanci flinched slightly, then, as light as a falling leaf, leapt from the wall top to a low branch, catching the jar of wine.

The next moment, he swiftly flipped back onto the wall, his movements flowing like clouds.

"Regrettably, this is ultimately a delaying tactic," Su Yanci rubbed the wine jar, his expression heavy, "Once the Emperor's will is set, no one can change it."

The weakness in Wan Tang's eyes vanished completely, revealing an undeniable aura of dominance: "You're wrong."

Su Yanci's gaze hardened, looking at her.

Wan Tang met his stare, speaking clearly, "If this truly is the dead end you fear, there is still another path."

"If there is war, I shall request the banner, achieve military merit, and return victorious!"

Su Yanci's pupils narrowed, his face showing surprise, "Now the four seas are peaceful, the borders show no signs of major war; where does the war come from?"

Wan Tang does not respond to that, but continues: "Before you set out on the campaign, I will do my utmost to keep Su Guiren from receiving imperial favor and privilege, buying you time."

Her tone is resolute, bearing a gamble‑like promise: "When you return victorious, I will find a thorough pretext to help Su Guiren leave the palace."

Su Yanci is first startled by the words, then as if hearing a very amusing joke, bursts into loud laughter; the laughter sounds especially jarring in the silent Cold Palace.

"Hahaha… Madam, you are truly amusing!"

He laughs until tears well up at the corners of his eyes; after finally stopping, he wipes them away with his fingertips.

His tone carries a playful reproach, "You haven't forgotten where you are now, have you?"

"These high walls of the Cold Palace, you can barely protect yourself; how could you manipulate palace favors and make such a promise?"

Wan Tang's tone, however, remains unusually calm, as if stating an established fact: "So what of the Cold Palace?"

"Soon, this palace will have another… person the Emperor holds dear on his heart."

Su Yanci's smile suddenly stiffens, slowly receding.

He watches Wan Tang's calm, unruffled face closely; those ever‑playful peach‑blossom eyes gradually spread a clear layer of tenderness.

He falls silent for a moment, then asks a question that far exceeds the bounds of their respective stations:

"Aren't you… sad?"

Wan Tang lifts her gaze to him, her eyes open and almost cruelly frank, even the corners of her mouth lift slightly: "Sad about what?"

"Sad that you schemed against a good sister?"

"Or sad that from now on, the Emperor's heart will house another person?"

Su Yanci is at a loss for words, not knowing how to answer.

His gaze deepens, with a hint of dissent: "The Emperor treats you, after all, differently."

"Differently?" Wan Tang seems to have heard the biggest joke in the world, scoffs aloud, yet that laugh is full of desolation.

Her eyes grow sharper and more resolute, the curve of her mouth tinged with icy sarcasm, "But this is ultimately the imperial harem, isn't it?"

"And he is the supreme ruler of the Nine Five!"

Su Yanci looks at the woman before him, clearly fragile as if she would shatter at a touch, yet she insists on encasing herself in a cold, hard armor, sealing all softness and pain.

For a brief instant, he almost cannot restrain the urge to raise his hand and brush away the night‑wind‑tossed hair from her forehead.

In the end, he only lets out an extremely bitter, light laugh; all the surging emotions are pressed back into his heart.

He steps back, resumes his languid posture, but his tone takes on a hint of solemnity: "Since that's the case, I shall trouble you, Madam… for the planning."

Having said that, he does not linger; with a flicker, his figure vanishes like a wraith over the wall.

The next day, the Imperial Decree is issued, the Dragon‑faced Emperor is greatly pleased, Li Ping'er is promoted to Noble Lady, bestowed the title "Gentle". Rewards flow into her previously secluded courtyard like water.

Li Defu personally leads a group of eunuchs, carrying brand‑new rosewood furniture, brocade bedding, and other items to the Cold Palace.

With a perfectly measured smile, he speaks a few degrees more politely than usual:

"The Emperor is in an excellent mood today; the six palaces all receive rewards."

"Madam, you are ultimately the former owner of the Gentle Noble Lady; such a joyous occasion, I, Nubi, must report it."

"Also, let me add some provisions here, to share in the joy."

The young eunuchs deftly arrange the items, then bow and retreat.

Only Li Defu does not leave.

The smile on his face remains, but a layer of icy scrutiny spreads across his eyes.

His voice deepens, no longer the earlier warmth: "Madam, you… what exactly are you?"

He steps forward another step, his gaze like a hook, staring intently at Wan Tang: "Yesterday's 'Bright Moon Dance', how could it reproduce the scene of that year without a single error?"

His tone carries disbelief and deep apprehension: "Not to hide from you, as the old servant who witnessed it firsthand, that scene has replayed in my mind for over a decade, yet I still cannot fully grasp its key!"

"How did you learn that?!"

Wan Tang hears this and simply smiles indifferently, leisurely smooths her sleeve, then slowly says: "So, the person the Emperor now pities and cherishes is 'Noble Lady Li'."

"But the one who can make the Emperor recall old memories and stir his heart… is me."

Li Defu's complexion suddenly changes, as if struck at a sore spot.

He hisses coldly: "Madam, you are so calculating!"

"But you should also know, the Son of Heaven's heart is not large; it cannot accommodate many things."

"Madam, these years you have labored over palace affairs; now in this Cold Palace, you can finally… be clean for a few days."

Wan Tang sneers inwardly; the old fox indeed intends to cut the bridge after crossing the river and kill the donkey after the grind.

Yet her face remains calm, and she even lifts the half‑cooled tea on the table and takes a sip.

Her tone is casual, yet she throws out a bait that makes Li Defu's heart race: "Is a single Noble Lady… enough for you, Lord Li?"

She lifts her gaze, and a blade‑sharp glint flashes in her eyes.

She thrusts it at Li Defu: "What if I say I can make her the next 'Xu Luoyan'?"

She deliberately pauses, savoring Li Defu's suddenly contracted pupils and his uncertain expression, then continues slowly.

Her voice carries an ice‑cold command over everything: "Others may not know what 'Xu Luoyan' means; does Lord Li not know either?"

"I know, but Lord Li may not."

"What I know, Lord Li could never learn."

She leans slightly forward, lowers her voice, yet each word lands like a hammer: "You say, right, Lord Li?"