Chapter 273: Just Strike, It's Over

Wan Tang did the right thing; now is the perfect moment to strike the finishing blow.

Xiao Sihai's trouble happened so suddenly, and Xiao Yurou is still in the Imperial harem, sitting and dreaming of the Empress's cherished harem.

This woman is downright both stupid and wicked; how could we not seize the chance to deal with her?

Moreover, Little Luzi is already in Yangxin Hall, and Xiao Yurou's slap has lodged him right in his heart. He might even say something in front of the Emperor now.

Anyway, Little Luzi is no longer here; Tangtang, free yourself and do whatever you wish.

Wan Tang's lips curled upward.

She originally only wanted to leave the palace.

It's this place that devours people without spitting out bones, and it insists on keeping her.

Since others don't wish her well, why should she bother being a saint?

Within the lofty palace walls, isn't it merely a place that devours people without spitting out bones?

Wan Tang's steps did not stop; she walked straight toward Kunning Palace.

She hasn't yet stepped out of Changle Palace's bounds.

A figure suddenly rushed out from the side, spread both arms, and blocked Wan Tang's path.

The Su Guiren, not seen for a long time, at this moment broke through the gate guards and ran out.

Her hair bun was disheveled, her eyes were severely swollen and red, filled with blood vessels.

Her once bright, lively starry eyes now held no light at all, staring rigidly at Wan Tang, her voice hoarse and sharp:

"My brother is already dead, right?"

Wan Tang's eyes were sorrowful, unwilling to answer.

She pressed further, demanding, "How exactly did he die?"

Wan Tang's steps halted, looking at the frenzied Su Guiren before her, her brows furrowed,

Her tone low and icy: "This is not a place for you."

"Go back."

"I won't," Su Guiren snapped, grabbing Wan Tang's arm, her voice mournful, "He was the brother who loved me most!"

"Do you think I could still be kept in the dark, pretending I know nothing?"

"Is the current Empress, that Xiao Yurou, the one who caused my brother's death!"

Su Guiren said, each word trembling.

Wan Tang winced, then suddenly flung her hand away.

A hint of impatience flashed in her eyes; she turned to Li Ping'er and ordered, "Stop her!"

Li Ping'er hurried forward, trying to pull Su Guiren.

"Let go of me."

Su Guiren struggled with all her might, yet her gaze remained locked on Wan Tang: "You all don't think you can hide anything from me; I know everything."

"It must be the Xiao family; they caused my brother's death."

"When my brother led troops on campaign, the Xiao family regarded my brother as a thorn in their side."

"Now, have they finally settled the hatred in their hearts?"

She grew increasingly angry as she spoke, eyes reddening: "I will kill them, to avenge my brother."

She roared, her voice echoing through the palace corridors, carrying a maddening intensity.

Wan Tang was pained by her shouting, her head throbbing.

Now everything proceeds according to plan, smoothly.

It truly cannot tolerate any deviation.

She whirled around sharply, a fierce light flashing in her eyes: "If you still have even a fraction of your brother's place in your heart, shut your mouth immediately!"

She stepped forward, closing in on Su Guiren, her aura pressing so heavily that Su Guiren's breath was stifled.

"Get back!"

Wan Tang paused after each word, delivering an unquestionable command and warning, "Stay put and behave."

"Do not make any noise."

Wan Tang's eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Su Guiren froze for a moment.

Tears were supplanted by overwhelming hatred; she violently broke free from Li Ping'er's hold, facing Wan Tang's back.

She shouted at full strength, "You are just like them."

Her breathing grew heavy, her chest heaving violently: "No, you disgust me more than they do."

"They are the murderers who killed my brother."

"But my brother died because he saved you."

The final sentence she shouted was so painful, full of accusation.

Wan Tang's steps faltered imperceptibly, yet she did not look back.

It seemed she was back on the snow mountain, watching the densely packed arrows in Su Yanci's back, that sense of helplessness and dread.

The scene flashed by.

Wan Tang, exhausted, waved her hand.

Li Defu, ever so shrewd, understood, and without further politeness, called the palace staff, forcefully covered Su Guiren's mouth, ignoring her struggles and kicks, and forcibly pulled her away.

Wan Tang stood alone in place, inhaled a deep breath of icy air, and forced the surging emotions down.

The Ginkgo tree in the courtyard corner swayed slightly.

Snow fell.

There was no longer that youth who always liked to wear white robes, handing a jar of clear wine to Wan Tang.

Kunning Palace.

Xiao Yurou brushed her hair in front of the mirror, humming a little tune, her whole demeanor light and relaxed, her eyes full of pride and anticipation.

A sound came from the doorway.

She felt a joy in her heart, thinking it was Chu Yunzheng who had arrived.

She immediately turned to greet, her voice tender and dripping: "Is the Emperor here?"

"Empress, I'm afraid I've disappointed you," Wan Tang said with a smile in her tone.

Xiao Yurou's smile was stiff on her face.

In an instant, it turned into schadenfreude.

After looking her up and down, seeing Wan Tang gaunt and pale, she was even more certain that Xu Yenchuan should be punished.

Her tone instantly became much merrier: "So it's you."

Xiao Yurou covered her mouth with a light laugh: "Look, some people just love to jump around. But hopping here and there only brings them trouble."

"If only I had known it would be better to die in the dungeon, then I wouldn't have had to watch, with great difficulty recognizing my brother, his body and head separated before my eyes."

Wan Tang's gaze was heavy with sorrow.

She laughed inwardly: This woman is truly foolish and clueless, knowing nothing at all.

Seeing Wan Tang remain silent, Xiao Yurou assumed she was merely overly sorrowful.

She then snarled with vicious sarcasm: "What? Not mourning properly in the palace, why come to my palace here?"

"Still trying to block the Emperor and vie for his favor with me?"

Wan Tang's eyes were like a cold pool, showing no ripple.

Without sorrow or joy, facing the mockery, she simply stepped forward slowly.

She raised her hand, then let it fall.

"Slap!"

A loud slap struck Xiao Yurou's face hard.

Xiao Yurou was knocked off balance, and clear red marks from five fingers instantly appeared on her face.

She covered her face, eyes wide in disbelief: "What audacity! I am the Empress, and you dare to rebel against your superior!"

"Empress?" Wan Tang sneered, pressing forward step by step.

She was already half a head taller than Xiao Yurou, and now her momentum directly crushed the opponent.

"Slap! Slap!"

The successive slaps rang out, striking Xiao Yurou so she staggered, her hair bun in disarray.

"The Xiao family framed the loyal, harmed my Mo family entirely, and still have the nerve to swagger."

Wan Tang's voice was like an ice spear, hissing with a deep sea of blood hatred: "Empress? Is the Empress so great?"

Each time Wan Tang closed in, the murderous intent in her eyes deepened: "I will not only beat you; if I get the chance, I will kill you."

"For the Mo family, for Su Yanci, we will reclaim this blood debt!"

Xiao Yurou's eyes swelled with lingering resentment.

She had always been the Xiao family's cherished jewel, yet never had she suffered such grievance.

She turned her head, glaring at Wan Tang with venom, and before she could speak, another slap landed.

It seemed that at this moment, Wan Tang cared about nothing else; the beating was enough.

Only the sound of slaps continued.

A numb swelling spread across Xiao Yurou's entire face.

"Crazy, you lunatic, it seems you're overstimulated."

Xiao Yurou kept retreating, her eyes full of fear.

Yet, in order to have a stormy showdown with the Emperor and display her skills, Xiao Yurou ordered all the palace staff to step back.

She was frightened by the beating.

She kept retreating step by step, her back against the wall, hands covering her face.

Staring at Wan Tang, she laughed out loud in anger: "Hahaha."

She looked up at Wan Tang, sneering repeatedly: "Some people really get desperate and jump over the wall like a frantic dog."

She leisurely tidied her disheveled hair, arrogantly: "You actually dared to strike me?"

"Good, very good!"

She pointed at her own face, her posture turning arrogant again: "I was just worried I couldn't find a reason to kill you."

"Now it's settled."

"I will let the Emperor see with his own eyes what kind of shrewish conduct that supposedly gentle and obedient person, who supposedly needs his endless pampering, truly possesses."

Saying that, she smiled again.

She said word for word: "Moreover, your crime of rebelling against your superior is enough to send you to the Cold Palace for proper reflection."

She walked up to Wan Tang, about to utter harsh words.

But upon seeing Wan Tang's hand, she retreated a step in fear.

She let out a cold snort from her nostrils, chin lifted: "You're just a Mo family remnant; you can't beat me."

When the words fell, Xiao Yurou shoved Wan Tang aside and walked toward the exit.

【It felt great to beat her; if I hadn't thought about having to survive in the palace later, stabbing her a few times with a knife would have been even better.】

【Come on, it was just a surprise attack. Although Xiao Sihai is already imprisoned, the Xiao family's influence is still not to be underestimated.】

【At this moment the Xiao family's confidant is already on the way, only needing to deliver the detailed information to Kunning Palace and Cining Palace. Regarding the positions of the Empress and Empress Dowager, keeping Xiao Sihai alive isn't a big problem.】

As long as Xiao Sihai lives, the Xiao Family will rise again; the problem is minor.

Wan Tang, aren't you going to send someone to stop him right away? That little eunuch has a mole on his face, easy to recognize.

Stopping a single person is easy, but what good is it for Wan Tang to intercept him?

At such a critical moment, Wan Tang already has the Mo Family as a background, Xu Yanchuan as a backing, and if she also possesses outstanding ability, can Chu Yunzheng truly be at ease?

An emperor can dote, can let you be arrogant, but will never permit this person to go out of control.

Wan Tang sank into thought, leaning there.

The commotion inside has already startled the Guanren outside.

Xiao Yurou's men rushed over.

Xiao Luzi also came to this spot, his forehead dotted with fine beads of sweat.

Before Xiao Luzi could speak, Wan Tang suddenly seized his hand, trembling all over.

"Madam, what has happened?" Xiao Luzi asked, full of concern.

Wan Tang, as if overly startled, said slowly, "Xiao Luzi, you must run away quickly!"

"I fear I have utterly offended the Empress; today my death is imminent, you... you must not be dragged into my trouble."

Wan Tang, after speaking, handed the Private Treasury Key to Xiao Luzi.

"Divide the silver taels, and think of ways to preserve your life!"

Xiao Luzi had just returned from the Emperor's side, received orders, supervised every detail scrupulously, and even sent Ouyang Qing to follow behind.

Special times call for special treatment.

Shei thought that in the pause of that reply, something terrible must have occurred.

Xiao Luzi carefully comforted, "Madam, please don't scare this servant any further."

"What exactly happened?"

Wan Tang's lips trembled as she said slowly, "Just now, I was so angry that I acted disrespectfully toward the Empress."

"But I didn't expect her; instead of anger she was pleased, saying she was waiting for me to act."

The more Wan Tang spoke, the more feeble her voice became, appearing utterly helpless.

She closed her eyes, opened them again, and tiny tears already clung to her lashes: "At this moment, she has already met with the Xiao Family's people."

"The time left for us is running short."

Wan Tang pushed Xiao Luzi forward, her eyes showing a resolve as if heading to death.

She gave a bleak smile, "Minghui has Hui Guiren, and I finally have family too."

"To die at the moment the Emperor loves most, it is worth it..."