Chapter 233: Beware, Lady Su

Dog Emperor, what does this mean? Who cares about his reward?!

That's such an insult, what a nonsense reward, acting as if anyone cares.

Stop the arguing; the Northern Border is already stirring, and Su Yanci's return is still a few days away. This is the crucial moment.

Wan Tang has always wanted Xu Yanchuan to take the Grand General's position, hasn't she? The opportunity has arrived.

Wan Tang listened quietly to the Barrage, inhaling deeply.

Indeed!

The opportunity has come, but it's only a sarcastic remark.

Wan Tang bowed, "I, your servant, take my leave," and signaled those on either side to help Xiao Shunzi up.

"Hold on." Chu Yunzheng grasped her wrist, "You still intend to keep this Zhubu's servant?"

Wan Tang withdrew her hand, her tone calm: "How can a young eunuch confined to the Cold Palace act outside the palace?"

"It was Li Gonggong who promised him the chance to 'exchange merit for punishment' that day."

She lifted her eyes, feigning sudden realization, "So it was the Emperor's order, Shengming Zhuzhuo."

Chu Yunzheng's complexion darkened abruptly. He had never issued such an order.

Li Defu's unsanctioned actions have now become the sharpest blade.

"Take them down for treatment." The Emperor waved his sleeve, his voice thunderous.

Wan Tang bowed and stepped back. As she turned, a cold glint flashed in her eyes.

Inside Palace of Eternal Joy.

Wan Tang stood before the couch, watching Xie Taiyi carefully cut open Xiao Shunzi's blood‑stained garments.

The boy was covered in wounds, a broken whimper escaping his throat.

A pair of eyes stared at her anxiously, unable to utter a single word.

"What he is …" Wan Tang's voice tightened.

Xie Taiyi examined the injuries carefully, his expression grave: "He was given Yongyao and suffered severe punishment."

"Fortunately it was discovered early; the throat can still be saved." He drew a silver needle, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will do my utmost."

The silver needle descended, and Xiao Shunzi convulsed in pain.

Wan Tang clenched her sleeve, her nails digging deep into her palm.

"Endure a bit," she whispered, a thin layer of ice forming in her eyes, "I have this debt recorded in my palace."

In the secret chamber, the candle flames flickered.

Chu Yunzheng stood with his arms crossed, watching Li Defu bound by iron chains.

"Emperor! I am wronged!" Li Defu wept profusely, "I have served you for over twenty years, from the Qian Di to now, my whole heart has been bound to the Emperor!"

Chu Yunzheng stared coldly, "Then tell me, what is the matter with Xiao Shunzi? And what about the Xiao Family?"

Li Defu only kowtowed, "I do not know, I know nothing at all!"

"Do not know?" Chu Yunzheng chuckled lightly, "What a perfect ignorance."

"Emperor!" Li Defu lunged forward, "Do you remember? Back then the Late Emperor intended to grant you death; I risked my life to deliver the message; when you contracted the plague, I attended you day and night without rest; on the day of your enthronement …"

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered, then he sighed, "Li Gonggong truly has worked hard."

Hope just ignited in Li Defu's eyes, but the Emperor said lightly, "However, you are old now; you need no longer serve by my side. Go to Jingxinyuan to retire."

Jingxinyuan is a place specifically for placing aged eunuchs to die.

Li Defu shivered all over, a mournful shout, "Your Majesty!"

Chu Yunzheng left the secret chamber without looking back, the heavy iron doors slowly closing behind him, sealing that desperate cry forever.

Inside Palace of Eternal Joy's main hall, the Jiangjin Xianglu emitted curling blue smoke, and the palace staff moved lightly, making the final arrangements.

Liu Guiren entered carrying a food box, smiling before speaking, "Sister, you are truly fortunate."

"Only Consort Jing has just moved out of Kunning Palace, and the Emperor is already rushing to Palace of Eternal Joy; that shows the favor toward you, sister."

Wan Tang, while grooming before the mirror, glanced at her from the bronze mirror, "The Emperor's movements are not for you to presumptively guess."

Liu Guiren's smile lingered briefly, then she set down the food box and suddenly knelt on the ground.

"What are you doing, sister?"

"Sister, I understand." Liu Guiren lifted her head, eyes bearing a desperate resolve, "I am willing to follow you unto death."

"From now on, I will act only on your command."

Seeing Wan Tang remain silent, she hurriedly drew a silk‑bound booklet from her sleeve, "These are the Su Family's incriminating evidence gathered by my relatives."

"Evidence that Su Guiren's father and brothers embezzled grain in Jiangnan, and her uncle sold offices in the Ministry of Personnel."

"If you nod, I can present them to the Emperor at any time."

Inside Palace of Eternal Joy's main hall, the Jiangjin Xianglu emitted curling blue smoke.

Liu Guiren knelt on the ground, raising the booklet of Su Family evidence high above her head.

Wan Tang took the booklet, her fingertips gently stroking the silk, then asked, "Do you know why I was originally sent to the Cold Palace?"

Liu Guiren was startled, lowered her head, "I do not know. The harem… perhaps no one knows the reason."

"Indeed." Wan Tang smiled lightly, slipping the booklet into her sleeve, "You may withdraw for now; I must prepare to receive the carriage."

Liu Guiren immediately understood, yet remained kneeling, "I understand, sister."

"However… Su Guiren seems restless tonight; when I arrived earlier, I saw her lingering near Yuhuayuan."

"Sister, you still need to be careful."

Wan Tang's eyes flickered slightly, and she waved her hand.

After Liu Guiren withdrew, she examined herself closely in the bronze mirror.

The reflection's brows and eyes remained the same, but a few more inscrutable depths appeared in the eyes.

"Su Yanci, this time, what you owe me has increased," she whispered to herself, her fingertips brushing the Shice in her sleeve.

【How funny, Wang Jingyi's family would pledge allegiance to Wan Tang?】

【She was always a scheming bitch; if she doesn't get close to Wan Tang, how could she kill Wan Tang?】

【Just get close then, after all the Wang Family isn't simple. The case Mo Zisuan handled back then was exactly overseen by the Wang Family, wasn't it?】

Wan Tang's heart sank.

On the surface she still pretended nothing was wrong.

She didn't know how many people actually knew her true identity.

She also didn't know how the Emperor publicly described the matter.

But she knew that since the Wang Family was the chief adjudicator, Wan Tang needed to intervene in Wang Family affairs.

【Wan Tang, don't frown.】

【The Emperor and Empress Dowager have kept your identity secret; only a few key officials know.】

【The Wang Family holds high offices, but since handling the Mo Family case, they've fallen out of the Emperor's favor and have no right to know important palace matters.】

In the night, Palace of Eternal Joy was ablaze with light.

Chu Yunzheng's ceremonial guard had just entered the palace gate when a faint rustle came from behind the Jiashan.

"Emperor..." Su Guiren emerged from the shadows, dressed in nightclothes, tearful eyes cradling a peace talisman.

"Subject dreamed that my brother was gravely wounded at the border, my heart panicked, and I wished to go to the Fotang to pray..."

Chu Yunzheng's gaze lingered on her face for a moment.

Su Yanci was on campaign, indeed a sensitive position.

He was about to speak when Su Guiren timidly added, "Having heard the Emperor was here, I acted in a moment of urgency..."

The words were cleverly phrased, both highlighting the brother's crucial duty and implying it wasn't a deliberate visit.

Chu Yunzheng fell silent, pondering.

Su Yanci never liked court intrigues.

At this moment the border war was tightening, truly needing pacification.

He glanced at the brightly lit Zhudian not far away.

Wan Tang had just faced the Xiao Family; summoning her now was meant to balance the court.

Yet insisting on going now would inevitably chill the hearts of the Su Family father and son.

"Beloved Consort, no need for formalities," he offered a feigned support, his tone gentle yet distant, "General Su serves the nation; I should understand."

The words were airtight, stating his stance without promising anything.

Su Guiren, however, seemed to receive a great favor, her eyes instantly shining, "Emperor, could you accompany me to the Fotang to burn incense?"

"With the Emperor present, I feel at ease."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered slightly.

Going to the Fotang fulfilled Su Guiren's filial piety without overly neglecting the Palace of Eternal Joy side.

He nodded, "I will see you off."

The use of "send" was masterful, preserving imperial authority while leaving room.

Su Guiren obediently followed half a step behind, always keeping the perfect distance.

Before exiting the palace gate, Chu Yunzheng whispered to Suiren, "Go tell the Virtuous Consort I will return later."

The eunuch took the order and left.

Chu Yunzheng gazed at the lights of Palace of Eternal Joy's Zhudian, his eyes deep.

What Fotang?

Everyone knows the required path to the Fotang is the bathing place.

Just as Wan Tang once received favor there.

【Oh dear, is this Xiao Susu a pig?】

【Wan Tang has already sacrificed so much, why still rush to catch up?】

【Is that all you think about men? Wan Tang, Xiao Susu tonight might not survive.】

Wan Tang let out a sigh and hurried out.

Just as Chu Yunzheng prepared to move, a flash of desire crossed Su Guiren's eyes.

A lazy, smiling voice sounded from behind, "Emperor, where are you taking Sister Su to admire the moon?"

"Why didn't you invite me too?"

Everyone was startled. Turning back, they saw Wan Tang had somehow already stood in the Langxia.

She loosely tied a bun, draped in a crimson Shijin Doupeng, with a faint glimpse of plain nightclothes underneath.

Clearly she had rushed out, yet exuded a hint of lazy charm.

She walked gracefully forward, naturally slipping her arm around Chu Yunzheng's other arm, her eyes flickering as she scoldingly glared at him.

"Emperor," she whispered hoarsely, with a hooked tone only he could hear, "It's been months, and you really don't want me at all...?"

That tone twisted endlessly, full of endless grievance and temptation.

Chu Yunzheng's body tensed slightly, the warm touch on his arm and the faint familiar cool fragrance lingering at his nose instantly recalling many lingering scenes.

He hadn't spoken when Wan Tang turned her gaze to the frozen Su Guiren beside her, her smile still gentle but edged with undeniable sharpness:

"Sister Su is young; having nightmares and fear is natural."

"But it's even more serious, running out in just nightclothes; if she catches a cold, wouldn't General Su on the border worry?"

Her words both highlighted Su Guiren's Bushi and raised her brother's identity, appearing caring but actually a rebuke.

Su Guiren clenched the peace talisman tighter, forcing a smile onto her face, "Thank you, Virtuous Consort sister, for your concern; I merely..."

"Little sister, don't worry," Wan Tang interrupted before she could finish, speaking softly.

Her eyes, however, stayed locked on Chu Yunzheng's face, and her fingertip lightly brushed his palm.

"The Emperor is the true dragon son of heaven; with the Emperor here, no demon or monster dares to approach."

"Emperor, is that so?"

She deftly tossed the question back to Chu Yunzheng, her body drawing even nearer.

She looked up at him, her eyes shimmering with watery light; that was the total reliance and Yanmu he had once found so useful.