Chapter 27: Li Pin's Demotion

Li Defu's eyes were sharp and his hand quick as he clamped his jaw, but dark red blood foam was already spurting from the corner of his mouth.

He bit with extreme ferocity, and before long he collapsed onto the ground.

【Li Pin is indeed Xu Luoyan's person, but how could she commit such brainless act?】

【What I saw was Li Pin, constantly trying to rescue Xu Luoyan's foolish behavior.】

【This little eunuch, why suddenly latch onto Li Pin?】

Li Pin's legs gave way and she fell to sit on the ground. Her complexion was as pale as paper, her hair bun disheveled, her pearl hairpin askew, and her eyes filled with tears.

"Subject wronged!" she looked up at Chu Yunzheng, her voice hoarse and desperate: "Emperor, you see clearly, Subject has never done such a depraved act!"

Xu Luoyan let out a cold laugh, looking down from her height at Li Pin with contempt in her eyes: "Wronged? The evidence is solid, how dare you argue?"

Having said that, she raised her hand and slammed a hard slap onto Li Pin's face.

The crisp slap cracked through the hall, and Li Pin was struck so that her head tilted back, a streak of blood seeping from the corner of her mouth.

She covered her face, a flash of anger in her eyes, staring at Xu Luoyan in disbelief, her voice trembling continuously: "You... you..."

Xu Luoyan's eyes blazed hotter, she raised her hand to strike again, but Chu Yunzheng coldly shouted, "Enough!"

His gaze was like a knife, sweeping over everyone in the hall, finally landing on Li Pin: "Li Pin, do you have anything to say?"

Li Pin forced herself to stand, staggered to the center, knelt and bowed: "Emperor, Subject wronged! That poison was clearly a frame-up, Subject has never touched it!"

She looked up at Chu Yunzheng, tears streaming, "Subject is willing to stake my life on an oath; if any word is false, may heaven strike with thunder!"

Xu Luoyan sneered repeatedly: "An oath? How much is your oath worth?"

She turned to Chu Yunzheng, tone pressing: "Emperor, such a snake‑and‑scorpion‑hearted person, if not severely punished, how can you command the masses?"

Chu Yunzheng's eyes were deep, his fingertips lightly tapping the chair armrest, weighing the matter.

【I see clearly, Xu Luoyan is planning to abandon the carriage to protect the commander!】

【Li Pin helped her with so many things, yet she doesn't cherish the old friendship at all.】

【What is Li Pin? Wan Tang is her own sister; isn't she just as eager for Wan Tang's death?】

Wan Tang lifted her gaze and met Xiao Mingshu's eyes. Both could see each other's helplessness.

The great battle in Bei Mo was imminent; Xu Luoyan was a commander, and Li Pin's father was the Emperor's Salt Inspection Commissioner, both not easy to offend.

At this moment, Wan Tang could not step forward to speak.

Chu Yunzheng hesitated briefly, then said: "Now the Empress manages the Imperial harem; for such matters, besides the Empress, how does the Empress view it?"

The matter was directly pushed onto the Empress?

When supplies and troops meet, they can indeed check each other.

Xiao Mingshu stepped lightly, moved forward to stare at Li Pin and Xu Luoyan. Full of helplessness, her voice filled with sorrow and anger: "Li Pin, you are also an elder by the Emperor's side. How can you be so sour and jealous, even commit such harmful deeds?"

"Since Lady of Grace Wan luckily escaped, you cannot be lenient either. Demote Li Pin to Answering and imprison her in the Cold Palace."

Li Pin trembled all over, she looked up at the Empress, her voice hoarse: "Your Majesty... Subject wronged!"

She took a few steps on her knees, bowed heavily, her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles: "Subject has served the Emperor for many years, never harbored any disrespect, and would never commit such vile deeds! I beg Your Majesty to see clearly!"

"Emperor..."

Xu Luoyan stood aside, a cold smile curling at the corner of her lips, her eyes full of triumph.

She lightly brushed her temple, speaking leisurely: "Li Pin, the evidence is solid; what use is further arguing?"

"The Empress is merciful; merely demoting you to Answering is already a great favor."

Li Pin snapped her head up, hatred flashing in her eyes: "Xu Luoyan, you are so vicious!"

"Enough!" the Emperor barked, his brows heavy with fatigue and disappointment: "Li Pin, considering your many years of service to me, I have already given you a reprieve. If you persist in obstinacy…"

Chu Yunzheng finished speaking, his eyes deep and inscrutable.

Li Defu, seeing this, shouted sharply: "Men! Drag Li Pin Answering down immediately and throw her into the Cold Palace!"

Two eunuchs stepped forward, lifting Li Pin to drag her out. She struggled, turned back, and cried out hoarsely: "Emperor! Subject wronged! Subject wronged…"

Her voice faded, and the people in the hall wore varied expressions.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, her fingertips subtly tightening, carefully restraining herself.

Xu Luoyan lifted her chin, eyes brimming with satisfaction, glancing provocatively at Wan Tang as if to say, even if you catch the culprit, what can you do to me?

The Empress let out a long sigh, rubbing her temples wearily: "Regarding today's matter, Emperor, what do you think should be done?"

Xi Er still knelt on the ground, trembling.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze also fell on him.

"This Nubi, as the palace's overseer, failed to detect the poison even when it was in his hands—truly incompetent," Chu Yunzheng's eyes were chillingly cold: "Send him to the Ministry of Cautious Punishment for legal handling. If he remains alive, let his dishonest hands scrub the palace bucket."

Anyone the Emperor personally sends to the Ministry of Cautious Punishment cannot survive.

Xi Er's whole body went limp, and he was dragged away directly.

Xiao Mingshu's complexion turned slightly sour, yet she was also helpless, after all it was the Emperor who dealt with the person personally.

Fortunately, today Li Pin could be dismissed, which also severed a limb of Xu Luoyan's influence. Without this strategist, Xu Luoyan's few tricks would not be taken seriously.

Xiao Mingshu looked at Wan Tang and nodded to her.

Wan Tang bowed her head in response.

"Emperor, now that Cuivei Palace has no Chief Eunuch, Subject wishes to find a capable one for Lady of Grace Wan," Xiao Mingshu said with a slight smile, obediently speaking beside Chu Yunzheng.

Wan Tang pinched the handkerchief in her hand and bravely stepped forward: "Emperor, Your Majesty. Now that Cuivei Palace lacks a Chief Eunuch, Subject truly fears the outsiders."

"Subject sees Xiao Shunzi as honest and sincere, clever and decisive, and truly loyal to Subject. Subject daringly recommends Xiao Shunzi."

Xiao Mingshu smiled faintly: "Lady of Grace Wan's choice is naturally good, but Xiao Shunzi's position is too low; promoting him to Chief Eunuch rashly might make him unable to handle many affairs."

"I see this Nubi as brave; when he captured that thief earlier, he performed excellently," Chu Yunzheng added calmly from beside.

Xiao Mingshu's eyes darkened briefly, then returned to normal, and she laughed: "Since the Emperor has spoken, so be it."

Xiao Shunzi had originally knelt at the back, a menial eunuch, and suddenly jumped a rank to Chief Eunuch, his monthly salary increasing severalfold.

Immediately knelt on the ground to give thanks.

"Everyone, get up!" Chu Yunzheng said lightly.

Xu Luoyan had just lost both arms, her heart burning with resentment, and her gaze at Wan Tang grew increasingly bitter.

Suddenly pointing at the ground, she shouted, "What is that?"

Li Ping'er's items were still lying on the ground; Xu Luoyan covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief, warningly saying, "It looks even scarier than that aconite?"

The chief physician and Xie Taiyi hurried forward to inspect; there were all sorts of bottles and jars: "They are all powders ground from rare medicinal herbs, used for many purposes, especially for making incense. In the Miao frontier, these are also used in sacrificial rites and other activities."

"Audacious Nubi!" Xu Luoyan shouted angrily, "How dare you hide these filthy items in the palace!"

"Empress, since you have been in charge of the seal, there are so many incidents; shouldn't you purge the Imperial harem?" Xu Luoyan said with sarcasm, her eyes fixed on Wan Tang.

Li Ping'er fell to her knees with a thud, her eyes filled with resolve and unwillingness, as if she had already decided to die.

【Is Li Ping'er a pig? She doesn't even know how to hide these things properly.】

【Wan, don't be afraid; the pouch in your hand contains exactly these items.】

【Li Ping'er means no harm; to thank you, she made the incense pouch for you, also for calming.】

Wan Tang turned back and gave Li Ping'er a faint smile.

She then took the incense pouch from her waist and said, "Emperor, Empress, please look at this."

Xu Luoyan raised a hand to block, glaring at Wan Tang, "Shei knows what's inside?"

She looked with disgust and pointed at Xie Taiyi, "You take a look."

Xie Taiyi stepped forward and took the incense pouch.

Wan Tang ignored the gazes of others, gazing affectionately at Chu Yunzheng, her voice trembling, "Day and night I think of you yet cannot see you; only this incense pouch can let me sleep."

In Chu Yunzheng's eyes, deep affection surged clearly. He restrained himself well, keeping a stern face, and slowly turned the prayer beads in his hand.

Xu Luoyang snorted coldly and laughed, "Sister is being pretentious, right? Which concubine in the palace would have such mysterious items?"

"Without the Emperor one cannot sleep peacefully; then shouldn't everyone in the Imperial harem stay up all night?"

Wan Tang treated Xu Luoyan as if she were air, continuing to gaze affectionately at Chu Yunzheng.

"Emperor, the herbs in the pouch are the same as those inside here. This pouch truly has a calming and sleep‑inducing effect," the physician concluded, stepping forward to reply.

Xu Luoyan's smile was stiff on her face, as if a fishbone were stuck in her throat; onlookers felt uneasy.

Her face heavy, voice seething with anger, "Lady of Grace Wan needs an incense pouch; you may request it from the Imperial Household Department, or have the Imperial Medical Institute produce it."

"Look at yourself, how many incidents this causes."

"You insist on troubling the Emperor and the entire Imperial harem, as if that makes you special?"

Wan Tang remained silent, and the more Xu Luoyan grew angry, the more it seemed to ease others' minds.

Xie Taiyi took in everything that had happened, stepped forward, and gave an awkward smile, "Noble Consort, even I, your humble Subject, cannot replicate such a fine formula."

Chu Yunzheng leaned his back slightly, raised an eyebrow and smiled, "How good? Let me see."

The incense pouch was respectfully handed to Chu Yunzheng's hand; he seemed to sniff it, his gaze landing on Wan Tang, while in his mind he recalled an afternoon scene of bamboo pavilions, and he couldn't help exclaiming, "The scent is superb."

"I have been unable to sleep lately; I would like to try this calming effect," the Emperor said.

Wan Tang smoothly replied, her voice soft, "I will prepare it properly for the Emperor."

The chief physician saw this, eyes suddenly brightening, hurriedly knelt and pleaded, "Emperor, I dare to ask, please allow this young lady to sell the formula to the Imperial Medical Institute."

"Such a fine calming incense could surely add glory to the Imperial Medical Institute."

"Even Xie Taiyi says it's good, so it must be," Chu Yunzheng nodded, his gaze never leaving Wan Tang, and shouted, "I approve."

He also looked at Li Ping'er and said, "Since it's a good thing, keep it well. Your mistress's health is weak; if it can help her even a little, that counts as merit."

Li Ping'er kowtowed in thanks, let out a long sigh, and carefully stored her cloth pouch.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze drifted faintly onto Wan Tang, a subtle, indescribable emotion flickering in his eyes.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, her long lashes trembling slightly, as if unwilling to meet his gaze, while the tips of her ears silently flushed crimson.

Xiao Mingshu took in everything, a flash of complexity crossing her eyes before she composed herself, rose gracefully and bowed.

Her voice was cold and authoritative: "Today's matters end here. All of you, sisters, return to the palace; be more cautious henceforth, and do not cause this palace or the Emperor further worry."

She scanned the hall, her tone suddenly sharp: "Palace Rules are strict; if anyone dares to harbor malicious thoughts again, this palace will show no mercy!"

The concubines bowed in unison, "I humbly obey the teachings of the Empress."

Xiao Mingshu gave a slight nod, turned toward Chu Yunzheng, and respectfully said, "Emperor, I will now take my leave."

Having spoken, she walked away slowly, her Phoenix Robe brushing the ground, her silhouette dignified and solitary.

As the Empress departed, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly, and the concubines also took their leave one after another.

"Emperor, I am afraid of the dark; please accompany me back!" Xu Luoyan cooed as she stepped forward.

Chu Yunzheng lazily turned his head away, "If you're afraid of the dark, light a lamp; I do not emit light."

Having said that, he turned to Wan Tang, "You have been ill for a long time, and I have not been able to be with you. Tonight I will see how Tangtang's incense pouch is actually made."

Chu Yunzheng stepped forward, took Wan Tang's hand, and walked inside.

Xu Luoyan, before leaving, glared fiercely at Wan Tang, her eyes full of jealousy, watching the Emperor and Chu Yunzheng enter the room…

Cai Wei stepped forward cautiously, "Master, the Emperor will not leave; Master, you should return first!"

"Li Pin's matter still requires…"

"Snap!" A harsh slap struck Cai Wei's face; Xu Luoyan gritted her teeth, eyes fixed on the closed door, "Little hooves, wait for me! If you dare contest me, I will ensure you meet a terrible end…"