Chapter 271: Xu Yenchuan Asks for Execution

The first time I saw Tangtang take the initiative, I actually felt uneasy.

There's no choice; for Wan Tang, her greatest weapon is just her body. Are you suggesting rebellion?

The Mo Family has always been wronged; if the Wang Family steps in, Xu Yenchuan's injustice can finally be cleared.

What are you thinking? Do you really believe Liu Guiren would fear a Virtuous Consort rejected by the Emperor? The Imperial Palace is full of sycophants; without the Emperor's favor, Wan Tang, who lacks it, would never have anyone sincerely serve her.

Fortunately Qi Qi's side is also strong enough; once Wan Tang regains the Emperor's favor, the Wang Family can be persuaded successfully.

After the favor.

Wan Tang looked at the red marks on her body, her brows furrowed.

Li Ping'er entered the room to attend, her voice repeatedly softened: "Sister, let me wash you!"

"Hmm."

Wan Tang's voice sounded a bit weak.

Li Ping'er continued, "Now that the rift between the Emperor and you has been removed, it's truly a wonderful thing."

"If we plead again for General Xu, the Emperor will also consider it for your sake..."

Before Li Ping'er could finish, Wan Tang cut her off with a cold laugh: "In your eyes, how much face does this palace have in the Emperor's heart?"

"Or do you think the little pleasure between me and the Emperor carries any weight?"

Li Ping'er fell silent.

Wan Tang rose, gazing at the dark sky outside: "It's only borrowed glory that lets me sprout."

"To think it could shield me from wind and rain is nothing but a fool's dream."

Having said that, the gold hairpin in her hand bent, and even if it bled she seemed unaware.

Snow covered the eaves of the courtyard; Wan Tang sat alone in Langxia, quietly watching the snow swirl across the sky.

Xiao Yurou stepped through the snow, her makeup now far more refined and striking than before.

The palace maids knelt down one after another.

Now that she is the Mistress of the Imperial harem, who would dare block Xiao Yurou?

Seeing Wan Tang's relaxed demeanor, Xiao Yurou's anger deepened.

"Virtuous Consort is truly in high spirits," she paused at the steps, a cold smile at the corners of her lips, "still finding leisure to sit here and admire the snow."

"So this is your skill—climbing step by step on others' corpses?"

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, silent, her fingertips curling slightly inside her sleeve.

"Xu Yenchuan, Su Yanci... each one has become your stepping stone."

Xiao Yurou's voice grew harsher, "What a Yī rén gōng chéng wàn gǔ kū."

"Can you sleep at night after doing this?"

Wan Tang endured repeatedly, her shoulders trembling violently.

Xiao Luzi, standing nearby, hurriedly knelt: "Empress, please don't say these sorrowful words..."

Before the words fell, two crisp sounds cracked open.

Xiao Yurou raised her hand and delivered two slaps: "When does a eunuch get to interrupt me?"

She had long disliked this dog lackey; even before becoming Empress, he was a hindrance, and now he still dares to speak out.

"You are nothing but a dog of the Virtuous Consort."

"And I, this palace, despise dogs above all."

Xiao Luzi lay on the ground, hatred flashing in his eyes.

Yet he could only keep his head bowed low, because both he and Wan Tang were being struck together.

Wan Tang still stared at the ginkgo laden with icy shards, at the towering palace walls, as if detached from everything.

"Your brother is about to be beheaded," Xiao Yurou leaned forward with a light laugh, "What? Can you still sit still?"

"He's your only brother, and you feel nothing?"

"The Emperor has his own divine judgment," Wan Tang said calmly.

Xiao Yurou took another half step forward, speaking in a voice only the two could hear: "What are you really pretending?"

"Do you think the Emperor will rescue? Do you think the Emperor won't notice your disappearance?"

"Your temporary detention and my smooth ascent to the phoenix throne are just a transaction."

Wan Tang's body trembled slightly, a tear suddenly rolled down.

"And today, the Emperor himself will oversee the execution, right at Wumen."

Wan Tang sprang up instantly.

"Empress," Xiao Luzi, though frightened, still held onto Wan Tang, his voice trembling: "Don't go..."

He saw Wan Tang's unease and knew that since the Emperor left, Wan Tang hadn't taken in water or rice.

If she went to see anything again...

Wan Tang's lips turned pale, she shook her head gently.

She couldn't even bother with her outer coat; disregarding everything, she rushed into the snow, running toward Wumen.

"Empress..." Xiao Luzi was extremely anxious, hurrying behind.

Xiao Yurou stood at the doorway, a triumphant expression on her face, flicking the silk handkerchief in her hand: "Hmph! What kind of thing are you, daring to fight me?"

"I don't believe you; if you saw your brother's head cut off, you wouldn't try to stop it."

"Even if you don't, after witnessing such a scene, you'll likely spend every night haunted by nightmares."

Wumen.

Hundreds of officials lined up below the stage, the atmosphere heavy.

Fēng xuě rolled with a murderous aura, slapping each person's face.

Chu Yunzheng sat high on the execution platform, his expression gloomy.

Below the platform, Xu Yanchuan, clad in prison garb, knelt in the snow.

A Wáng mìng pái was pinned to his neck, snowflakes covering his shoulders; he straightened his back, his gaze fixed on an unknown direction.

"What is the commotion below?" Chu Yunzheng, already irritable, heard a vague stir from afar and asked displeasedly.

Ouyang Qing stepped forward briskly and whispered, "Emperor, the Virtuous Consort has arrived and is kneeling outside."

"Certainly, Emperor, you can let her give Xu Yanchuan a final send‑off."

Chu Yunzheng furrowed his brows, "Nonsense, send her back."

Ouyang Qing's face showed reluctance, "She refuses to rise, saying she has no other wish but to watch with her own eyes."

"Look at him with eyes free of hatred."

Chu Yunzheng felt a sudden choke in his chest; he closed his eyes and rubbed the throbbing spot on his forehead.

If indeed he cannot see even a final glimpse, that would truly be cruel.

He waved his hand.

Wan Tang was granted permission to enter the execution ground.

She wore plain robes, without makeup, her complexion so pale it was almost translucent, trembling amid the Fēng xuě.

Her eyes were fixed on Xu Yanchuan; each step felt as if her feet were filled with lead.

"Virtuous Consort," Chu Yunzheng said, looking at her, his voice warning, "Do not forget what I told you."

After he finished speaking, Ouyang Qing stepped forward and blocked Wan Tang behind him.

Wan Tang seemed not to hear; her gaze pierced the swirling snow and fell upon Xu Yanchuan.

Xu Yanchuan also saw her.

Their eyes met across the Fēng xuě and the sea of people, yet neither uttered a word.

No cries, no farewells, only a silent stare.

Even though they never had detailed plans between them, everything always went smoothly.

Their hearts were in sync; no words were needed to know each other's intentions.

In the end, it was all to protect one another.

The heavy love and protection must eventually find a breakthrough.

With the Emperor and many ministers overseeing the ceremony, the performance must be even more meticulous.

Amid this deathly stare, Xu Yanchuan suddenly summoned all his strength.

He lifted his head and screamed three gut‑wrenching cries:

"Sister!"

"Sister!!"

"Sister!!!"

Each cry was blood‑tinged, echoing across the open execution ground.

The ministers' expressions varied, yet none spoke a single word.

Wan Tang's tears burst forth like beads broken from a string, mixing with the cold snow as they rolled down her cheeks.

The Fēng xuě slapped her face, blurring her sight, and between truth and falsehood a veil settled.

"The time has come!" Xiao Sihai's cold voice rang out, breaking the mournful atmosphere.

A token representing death was tossed, tracing an arc before landing on the ground.

"No…" Wan Tang looked at the token on the ground, and darkness flashed before her eyes,

All her strength drained, her body slumped backward.

Since Wan Tang stepped forward, Chu Yunzheng's gaze had never left her.

Seeing this, he rose at once, pulling her into his arms, letting her rest against his chest so she would no longer be alone.

"Pfft!"

Wan Tang, her heart burning, suddenly vomited a mouthful of fresh blood, splashing onto Chu Yunzheng's bright‑yellow dragon robe, a shocking sight.

"Tangtang!"

Chu Yunzheng's heart jolted, and seeing the pitiful state of the one in his arms, a terrifying feral light surged in his eyes.

His gaze suddenly fell on the nearby Xiao Luzi, who, though silent, was already full of blame.

Xiao Luzi trembled in terror, nearly collapsing to the ground.

At this moment, Qi Qi, kneeling among the officials below, and Wan Tang, held in the Emperor's arms, had a fleeting glance in the air.

If the Bì yù fā zān on Wan Tang's head fell and shattered on the ground, that would be the signal.

The Wang family would immediately step forward and present evidence.

Proving the Mo Family innocent.

【Strange, why did Yan Wang arrive?】

【Earlier Yan Wang had been gathering evidence, investigating the Mo Family, and everyone was surprised by his intentions; never expected it was for this moment.】

【Now Yan Wang is here, this head can't be cut off. After all, Yan Wang is 100% confident, far more useful than the Wang family.】

【Hmph, I think this Yan Wang is not a good person.】

【A month ago, he already held all the evidence yet remained still. Wasn't it just to appear after Wan Tang and Xu Yanchuan hit rock bottom, to become a hero from the heavens?】

【Indeed, the Northern Border Hundred Thousand Army, plus the Hundred Thousand Mo Family troops under Huang Feihu, even Wan Tang's position in the Imperial harem—these things are truly enviable.】

【Any descendant of the Mo Family, the troops in Huang Feihu's hands are Mo Family troops.】

Wan Tang, just as she was about to smash the hairpin, stopped.

Seeing the executioner already polishing the blade, Qi Qi was so anxious his forehead was drenched in sweat; Wan Tang's panic in her eyes, however, calmed.

At that moment, she suddenly realized that she seemed, once again, to have been drawn into a strange turmoil.

"Spare me under the blade."

A shout rang out, interrupting the enforcement.

Yan Wang, dressed in princely attire, walked steadily, leading a group of trusted guards, and stormed straight into the center of the execution ground,

His men quickly shielded Xu Yenchuan, protecting Xu Yenchuan fully.

Chu Yunzheng saw Yan Wang appear suddenly, his expression instantly turned extremely sour, his eyes grew so gloomy they seemed able to drip water.

This person should have honestly stayed in Fengfu; why does he appear now, and what does he intend?

Xiao Sihai, seeing the situation, immediately leapt out.

Pointing at Yan Wang, he shouted sternly, "Yan Wang, what are you trying to do?"

"Do you intend to brazenly seize the execution ground and rescue this traitor who colludes with the enemy?"

"Colluding with the enemy? Rebel?"

Yan Wang seemed to have heard something utterly ridiculous, and sneered.

His sharp gaze swept over Xiao Sihai,

His voice rang clearly across the entire execution ground: "Lord Xiao, who exactly is the treasonous thief, who is loyal and who is treacherous? Today we truly must speak the truth!"

Having said that, he turned around and solemnly knelt before Chu Yunzheng, who sat high upon the execution platform.

He spoke loudly: "Emperor, Subject, today before the ministers and all the people, I will expose the current Tài shī Xiao Sihai's monstrous crimes of framing the loyal, deceiving the sovereign and defying the throne."

"I earnestly request the Emperor to re‑examine the old Mo Family case, and restore the Mo Family's entire lineage to innocence!"