Chapter 270: Regaining Favor

Yangxin Hall.

Chu Yunzheng is reviewing the memorials.

Xiao Sihai rushes in, standing in the hall.

Chu Yunzheng's expression is calm, revealing no joy or anger.

Only Xiao Sihai, with a questioning tone, says: "Emperor, you attend to myriad affairs daily; truly you are busy."

"But last night was the grand wedding of the Emperor and Empress, and you left Rou'er alone in Kunning Palace; if this spreads, what face will the royal house have? How will the Empress manage the imperial harem?"

Chu Yunzheng does not lift his head, still calmly looking at the memorial in his hand.

"Emperor, do you not wish to give me an explanation?" Xiao Sihai presses insistently.

"Explanation?" Chu Yunzheng smiles, casually pulls two documents from the mountain of memorials and tosses them before Xiao Sihai.

"You might as well look at this first," he says in a flat voice, revealing no joy or anger.

Xiao Sihai looks puzzled, picks up the memorial, glances at just two lines, and a sudden expression appears on his face.

The people impeached there are two of his trusted subordinates who manage the treasury.

Now the evidence is solid, accusing them of colluding in corruption and siphoning the army provisions destined for the Northern Border.

"Emperor, regarding this matter…" Xiao Sihai rushes to explain.

Chu Yunzheng lifts his eyelids slightly, his gaze steady, yet exuding oppressive pressure: "The soldiers at the Northern Border are shedding blood on the front, yet someone seeks to drink their blood. Such a parasite, if not eliminated, cannot quell the army's grievances, it goes against the principle."

His tone suddenly shifts, and he says sternly: "These two, according to the law, must be executed."

Xiao Sihai's forehead breaks into cold sweat; he knows these two are key pieces he firmly controls in the Ministry of Revenue, and losing either would be a great loss.

Raising such a fierce confidant costs too much.

He can only swallow his breath, gritting his teeth, and says: "I beg you, Emperor, grant them a chance."

"Even if they have no merit, they have endured hardship."

"At least, they are steadfastly loyal to you, Emperor!"

Chu Yunzheng seems to hear a joke, slowly rises, walks before Xiao Sihai, looking down from above: "I have said, do not touch the Virtuous Consort."

"Xiao Sihai, do you truly think I am blind?"

Xiao Sihai's body stiffens, he bites his teeth hard, understanding in his heart.

A daughter's momentary grievance, compared with his left and right arms, is nothing.

He inhales deeply, Xiao Sihai forces out a hint of compliance: "Old Minister does not dare."

"Among them, there must be some misunderstanding; Old Minister's original intention was merely to…"

Before Xiao Sihai can finish, Chu Yunzheng sneers: "Thus, Su Yanci's death was also part of your scheme."

"Severing my arm, to keep me firmly in your grasp, is that the Xiao family's plot?"

With those words, the Grand Hall's atmosphere suddenly tightens.

Xiao Sihai abruptly straightens his back, shaking his head repeatedly: "Emperor, you misunderstand, I am wronged…"

"Lord Su indeed encountered a ruthless criminal; upon learning this, I was both composed and heartbroken."

"Enough!" Chu Yunzheng is too lazy to continue this charade.

He says coldly: "In two days, Xu Yanchuan will be interrogated and executed. As for the Mo Family affair, I hope it ends here."

"If another incident arises, Su Yanci's death, I will investigate thoroughly."

A hint of gloom flashes in Xiao Sihai's eyes, yet he solemnly says: "The Mo Family matter is already clear."

"Lord Sun of the Sun Family holds a second‑rank position. Now his household has only one son; if he can obtain a daughter, he will surely thank the Emperor's great grace."

As long as Wan Tang is entered into the Sun family genealogy, she will no longer be of the Mo Family.

Chu Yunzheng coldly watches him, and after a moment, sits back easily, his tone indifferent: "Very well."

"As for Li Huairen's embezzlement of Mo assets, the evidence is conclusive; he shall be executed without pardon. As for Wang Min…"

"Temporarily retain his post for observation, to see the aftermath."

Killing only one person is already tolerance.

Xiao Sihai feels blood drip in his heart, yet must bow in gratitude: "Old Minister, on behalf of Wang Min, thanks the Emperor for the mercy of not executing him."

On the way out of the palace.

A maid hurriedly runs over.

Her face full of anxiety: "Sir, the Empress asks, will the Emperor come tonight?"

Xiao Sihai's expression darkens, he angrily flicks his sleeve, shouting: "Let that scoundrel figure it out himself."

"How many times have I said, do not act impulsively; who sent her to the dungeon?"

"Alas, abandoning Xiao Mingshu back then may truly have been a mistake."

【Haha, Little Luzi first relayed Wan Tang's words to the Dog Emperor, and the Dog Emperor immediately began scheming.】

【In fact, it's not that he doesn't love Wan Tang; it's that he cannot accept Wan Tang's deception.】

【The love‑brain is back again; can you be clear‑headed? This is a matter of life and death.】

【Is it really to have Wan Tang recorded under the Sun family?】

Wan Tang's heart tightens; recording her under the Sun family—how can that work?

The Mo Family was indeed wronged.

Those who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the Duke of Ning are far beyond what a small Sun family can match.

However, the most important thing now is to dispel the Emperor's doubts about me.

Night falls.

Only two days remain until Xu Yanchuan's interrogation and execution.

Chu Yunzheng strolls toward the imperial harem, his steps briefly pausing, his gaze involuntarily drifting toward Palace of Eternal Joy.

Xiao Dongzi, seeing this, hurriedly whispered, "Emperor, I, the Nubi, will now have the Virtuous Consort prepare…"

"No need." Chu Yunzheng waved his hand, letting out an almost inaudible sigh, "Go to Hui Guifei's instead."

Jingren Palace, still cold and desolate.

Since Hui Guifei moved in, everyone acts and speaks with extra caution.

Yet, just upon arriving at the entrance of Jingren Palace.

Wan Tang's delicate voice stood in the courtyard.

Their gazes met.

Chu Yunzheng wanted to speak but held back; before he could open his mouth, Wan Tang was already kneeling straight on the ground, lifting her face, already like a pear blossom in rain.

She raised her head, her voice choked with sobs: "Emperor, why do you not tell me?"

"I, the Concubine, have been like a fool, kept in the dark for so many years."

Chu Yunzheng's brows twitched slightly; the suspicion that had already wavered now seemed even lighter.

He asked in a low voice, "What do you want to know?"

"I am an orphan, without father or mother, without any support. This is a scar I can never heal."

Speaking of this, Wan Tang's words were soaked in tears: "If I had known he was still my brother, how could I have regarded him as the son of an enemy?"

"The saddest thing in the world is siblings tearing each other apart."

"Wang Jingyi harmed my mother and took my brother; that is already cruel to the extreme. Emperor, why do you also add another blow?"

She spoke tremblingly, her body swaying as if about to collapse at any moment.

Chu Yunzheng, seeing this, had no doubt left in his heart.

Only…

The current situation is far from a simple recognition of kinship.

He bent down, gently lifted her tear‑soaked chin, forcing her to look into his own father's eyes.

His tone softened a bit: "I do not tell you, also for your own good."

His finger brushed across Wan Tang's tear marks: "Some things are better left unknown."

He paused, his tone becoming indisputable: "Enough, stop the nonsense, return!"

"No, I will not return." Wan Tang shook her head stubbornly: "I beg the Emperor to show mercy, spare Xu Yanchuan."

"He is my relative!"

"Silence!" Chu Yunzheng's tone suddenly became icy, with a full warning: "From now on, you may not bring this up again."

"And you must not associate with the Mo Family any further."

Chu Yunzheng finished speaking and was about to leave.

"Emperor." Wan Tang called out plaintively.

Xiao Dongzi hurriedly helped her, pulling her outward, his tone full of pleading: "Virtuous Consort, I beg you, please return!"

"Lately the Emperor, for you, has not closed his eyes for many nights."

"No!" Wan Tang, stubborn, broke free, kneeling firmly on the ground.

【Tangtang, stop while it's good, return!】

【Didn't you find the evidence? As long as the evidence is presented later, we can still save Xu Yanchuan.】

【Kneeling all the time now will only annoy Chu Yunzheng.】

Wan Tang does not lack understanding; she just cannot.

Chu Yunzheng, as long as he does not enter Palace of Eternal Joy for a day, she cannot go.

Whether the man has let go of his grudges, the most direct sign is never in words, but in the bed…

The icy snowflakes fell on Wan Tang's thin shoulders.

The scars on her body, amidst the white, were dazzlingly glaring.

"Emperor, I cannot do it, watching my own brother die with my eyes open!" she looked up, letting tears flow.

Her voice was bleak and resolute: "If you insist on killing, I only ask the Emperor to let me die together with him."

"On Huangquan Lu, the two of us siblings can look after each other. Facing mother, I will also have an explanation."

"Nonsense!" Chu Yunzheng, angry, shouted: "Why don't you think of me?"

Wan Tang merely pressed her pale lips together, stubbornly silent.

The wind mixed with snowflakes, Wan Tang's slender figure swayed.

The tiny scars on her body and her shattered expression made Chu Yunzheng's heart twitch.

His gaze turned cold, his tone laced with sarcasm and accusation: "You just disregard life and death like this? Have you ever thought why Su Yanci died?"

He turned his head, shouting harshly to those on his sides: "What are you still standing around for? Take her back to Palace of Eternal Joy at once."

The palace attendant stepped forward slowly, trying to help Wan Tang. She, however, rooted herself, kneeling rigidly without moving.

The snow was heavy.

The doors and windows with gaps always had a pair of eyes behind them.

Chu Yunzheng, his patience exhausted, strode forward, bent down, and in Wan Tang's low cries, hoisted her onto his shoulder.

"Release me." Wan Tang struggled.

Chu Yunzheng ignored her, marching heavily toward Palace of Eternal Joy.

The snow fell endlessly; Wan Tang stared at the deep and shallow footprints, feeling dazed.

It seemed as if in a snow‑capped mountain…

Back then, she only wished the snow would be heavier, to cover the footprints!

The Emperor's direction of travel was toward Palace of Eternal Joy.

Wan Tang knows clearly in her heart that she has already won. Yet she does not know why her chest feels so stifling.

Her eyelashes flutter, and a tear suddenly rolls down.

The hall doors close.

The room has already been warmed by charcoal fire.

Wan Tang falls onto the soft, her shoulders twitch slightly, and she begins to sob quietly.

She grabs Chu Yunzheng as he turns to leave, trembling: "Emperor, Subject was wrong."

"Actually, how could Subject possibly give up the Emperor and Minghui?"

Chu Yunzheng turns around.

Wan Tang lifts her face; she is not disheveled in her crying, and her tears fall just right, rolling out like pearls.

Her voice carries a choke and lingering fear: "Just thinking of Mother, Subject feels guilty in her heart!"

As she speaks, she stands up in such desperation, and before he can react, she forcefully kisses his lips.

The kiss is without any form, even bearing a hoarse intensity.

It is more like a desperate vent and plea.

Chu Yunzheng is stunned by this fierce assault, and immediately the last doubt and displeasure in his heart are washed clean.

He feels Wan Tang's trembling and force, as if she is trying to convey all the fear and unease of this period.

That hardened heart also completely shatters under this onslaught.

After a long while, Chu Yunzheng slowly pushes her away a bit.

Touching her reddened, swollen lips from the kiss, seeing her still‑wet tears and the unhidden aftermath, he finally lets out a sigh.

The tone is full of helpless affection:

"Fool……"

He pulls her back into his arms, tightening his grip, his voice low and firm: "I have said I will protect you."

The red silk canopy is warm, leaving only passionate, lingering sighs……