Chapter 276: This Crime, I Will Shoulder It

Oh my, that's really unexpected!

I truly didn't expect the Dog Emperor to have this side.

I have to admit, I actually like the Dog Emperor for this. In front of true love, there's never a substitute.

You're just a love‑struck brain upstairs, don't you think this kind of talk is disgusting? No substitute—what about those people before?

If you call the Dog Emperor selfish, then everyone who looks for a substitute is a selfish ghost.

Wan Tang's mind was already in chaos.

In front of her, Chu Yunzheng wore a faint smile and calmly stared at Wan Tang.

The plan had already succeeded perfectly; whatever just happened—or nothing at all—was irrelevant.

As long as the Emperor despises this person, that's fine.

Xiao Yurou, casting aside all dignity for a final gamble, ended up handing Wan Tang a knife herself.

Seeing the atmosphere settle, Wan Tang stayed where she was, eyes bloodshot, shoulders slightly trembling.

She lifted her tear‑blurred eyes, timidly gazing at Chu Yunzheng, trembling: "Emperor."

"From now on, could you please not bring other women into my Sleeping Palace?"

She was clearly innocent, yet she spoke so cautiously.

Chu Yunzheng looked at her wobbling demeanor and softened his tone: "Nonsense."

"Would I bring her here?"

"Clearly she's shameless."

Mentioning that, Chu Yunzheng rubbed his forehead, his face full of fatigue and helplessness: "So, that letter wasn't written by you?"

Wan Tang's face was full of bewilderment.

Chu Yunzheng's voice carried a hint of grievance: "I also don't know it's not you."

With that, Wan Tang finally managed a relieved smile.

Only for a moment, then she furrowed her brows again.

A trace of lingering fear flashed in her eyes: "Even Xiao Luzi didn't know about my going to Hui Jiejie's place."

"How could the Deposed Empress know?"

"I'm a bit frightened; it seems others know my movements like the back of their hand."

Chu Yunzheng squinted; indeed, today a palace maid from Palace of Eternal Joy delivered a letter, which is why Xiao Dongzi handed the correspondence to him.

His expression darkened, and he raised his voice: "Xiao Luzi!"

A trembling Xiao Luzi scrambled in: "I am here!"

"How did you become the Eunuch in Charge of Palace of Eternal Joy?" Chu Yunzheng's voice was icy, "How could an outsider slip so easily into the Virtuous Consort's Sleeping Hall?"

"If these eyes are useless, then discard them."

Xiao Luzi was terrified, his spirit shattered, kowtowing like crushing garlic: "I am derelict. I deserve ten thousand deaths."

Even as he spoke, his mind raced to figure out who it was.

Moreover, Xiao Dongzi was outside, already giving him a signal.

Xiao Luzi clenched his teeth, staring at the night‑watch at the Sleeping Palace entrance, his voice low: "Do I know who it is?"

His gaze fell on that palace maid.

Chu Yunzheng's expression instantly turned icy.

The maid already had something hidden in her heart; under the Emperor's dragon might, she trembled even more.

Heh...

Chu Yunzheng let out a light laugh; the maid's courage shattered, her legs went weak, nearly fainting.

"Useless thing," Chu Yunzheng said softly, his voice laced with lethal intent: "Can't even stand steady—what good are those legs?"

Xiao Luzi, scolded by the Emperor, was already displeased.

Not to mention, someone was still causing trouble right under his nose.

With a wail, Xiao Luzi already led someone to drag the palace maid away.

She probably never imagined she would expose her identity so easily.

In a reckless wail, "Emperor, Virtuous Consort, spare me!"

"This wasn't my wish; I'm wronged!"

Seeing Xiao Luzi move even faster, he shouted, "The Empress made me do this."

"She said she's the ruler of the Six Palaces; I had no choice."

It was Xiao Yurou again.

Chu Yunzheng didn't even blink; Xiao Luzi, unsurprisingly, showed no mercy and swiftly dragged the person away.

Only two people remained in the hall.

Chu Yunzheng's voice was chillingly cold: "Again, it's her!"

Wan Tang's eyelashes fluttered slightly; though she said nothing, it felt as if she said a lot.

Chu Yunzheng let out a long sigh, gently pinched Wan Tang's nose, his tone unmistakably assertive.

"As for Xiao Yurou, I will certainly not bypass her."

He reminded once more: "So, Tangtang, consider it for me; endure a little."

"The day the Xiao family falls will be when I avenge you."

"Those who wish to kill you, I will not allow them to live."

Chu Yunzheng's words were already overly explicit.

Seeing this, Wan Tang gently stepped forward and nestled into his arms.

She pressed her cheek against his chest, her voice softening:

"Emperor, I know you are troubled."

"I should not say these things to add to your worry, but I am truly frightened."

"Yet with the Emperor protecting me like this, what is there for me to fear?"

She paused, lifted her face, tears of sincerity glinting in her eyes, "I am even more grateful to the Emperor, willing to bear the pressure, re‑examine the old case, and restore the Mo Family's innocence."

"This kindness and virtue, Yan Chuan and I will never forget."

Chu Yunzheng wrapped her, feeling her reliance, his heart already filled with a sense of conquest.

"I, the Son of Heaven, discern right from wrong."

"The Mo Family, loyal and valiant throughout the clan, should not suffer an undeserved grievance."

He feigned indifference, yet the hand that held Wan Tang's waist tightened a little.

"Emperor, your wisdom," Wan Tang's tone grew more earnest, with boundless devotion, "Emperor, you have granted my siblings a rebirth grace."

"Yan Chuan will certainly risk his life, charge into battle bravely, become the sharpest and most loyal blade in the Emperor's hand, sweeping the Northern Border and defending the rivers and mountains for the Emperor!"

These words already handed all the credit to Chu Yunzheng.

It further demonstrated the Mo Family's resolve to be loyal to the Emperor.

Chu Yunzheng felt greatly comforted, his dragon heart rejoicing.

He lowered his head, gazing at the delicate face in his arms, couldn't help to lift her chin, his voice tinged with warmth and teasing:

"Yan Chuan will be my blade; what about you, Tangtang? How will you repay me?"

Wan Tang's cheeks instantly flushed with two streaks of crimson, her gaze evasive.

With a daughter's shy coquettishness, she buried her heated cheeks even deeper into his embrace.

Her voice, as fine as a mosquito's buzz, yet laden with endless lingering meaning: "I will, of course, use the Emperor's favored method and strive even harder."

As she spoke, her small hand slowly advanced, slipping silently into Chu Yunzheng's clothing.

Chu Yunzheng let out a "hm" sound, his eyes seeming to flicker with tiny flames.

Watching Wan Tang's gaze grow ever hotter.

He simply hoisted Wan Tang sideways and hurried inside.

"Ah, am I missing those few coins? Every crucial moment, you cut me out."

"Right, right, I haven't seen how the two of you get intimate yet, and why has it become daylight?"

"Ah, let's not talk about such trivial matters. I report that last night Lady of Grace Su Guiren was dishonest, made a grand show and ran to Kunning Palace, directly poisoning Xiao Mingshu with cyanide!"

"Xiao Mingshu has already succumbed to the poison; Su Guiren is doomed."

"I hope that woman dies quietly; must not alert Su Yanci. He finally recovered enough to get out of bed. I don't want such a pure and bright person to return to a place like this."

Wan Tang was shaping her eyebrows; upon hearing it, her hand trembled, the tail of her brows arched, adding a sharper edge.

In this manner, she seemed somewhat vicious.

"Your Highness, the Emperor has bestowed many more Nubi; please have a look." Little Luzi entered, his face full of eager smile.

Wan Tang set down her eyebrow pencil, her gaze heavy.

She asked, "Has anything happened outside?"

A flash of panic crossed Little Luzi's eyes, he smiled, "Your Highness, outside is calm and peaceful. As for the unrestful places, they are beyond our involvement."

"Hmph!" Wan Tang let out a cold snort, "Go to Kunning Palace."

Little Luzi hurried, "That place, being like that for Your Highness, you'd better not go."

"Little Luzi." Wan Tang's voice grew colder: "I treat you as my own brother, so many things I am willing to discuss with you."

"Likewise, you must know that I also have my own thoughts."

Little Luzi's expression turned solemn; after a long pause, he slowly said, "Nubi understands."

Kunning Palace.

Lady of Grace Su Guiren, like a soulless puppet, staggered out from the shadow of the palace gate.

She clutched an unremarkable Cyan Porcelain Vial tightly in her hand.

All that is needed is to deliver it early, just kneel before her and offer a couple of compliments, and Xiao Yurou would eat it so defenselessly?

At the thought of Xiao Yurou bleeding from all seven orifices, Lady of Grace Su Guiren tried hard to lift the corner of her mouth.

Wan Tang hurried over, and upon seeing it, her complexion turned gloomy.

Lady of Grace Su Guiren looked at her, suddenly laughing out loud.

Her voice was filled with venomous resentment and exhilaration.

She raised her hollow eyes, crazily dominating both of them: "If you don't act, I'll do it."

She twitched the corner of her mouth, revealing a smile uglier than crying, murmuring to the void, "Brother, did you see?"

"Your sister… has avenged you…"

Wan Tang heard this, her expression suddenly changed, realizing there was no turning back.

She could only step forward, snatching the vial from Lady of Grace Su Guiren's hand.

Su Guiren instinctively tried to wrest it away, but Wan Tang held her firmly.

Wan Tang looked at her demonic frenzy, a flash of complex emotion crossing her eyes, finally turning into a heavy sigh.

She lowered her voice, emotions unhinged: "Listen to me clearly."

She stared at Su Guiren, "Today, you have never set foot in Kunning Palace, never seen me."

"And you have never entertained any thought of plotting against the Empress."

"Remember?"

Lady of Grace Su Guiren looked at Wan Tang in disbelief.

Wan Tang no longer looked at her, clenched the porcelain bottle tightly in her palm, turned, and headed toward the interior of Kunning Palace, her steps decisive.

"No!" Lady of Grace snapped back, her emotions collapsing in an instant, she shrieked, "I don't care for your false kindness."

"The person was killed by me!"

"I caused my brother's death, I killed her—what's wrong with that?"

She said that, and was about to rush forward to block Wan Tang.

Xiao Luzi stepped forward, seized Lady of Grace's wrist in one grip, the force so great she couldn't break free.

Xiao Luzi's face showed little expression, his voice flat yet cold: "Lady of Grace, Nubi will take you back to the palace to rest right away."

"You have two options now: first, cooperate obediently, act as if nothing happened, and go back to sleep."

"Second, Nubi will help you 'sleep' for two days."

"Choose one."

She watched Wan Tang's silhouette disappear through the Kunning Palace gate, then glanced at the expressionless Xiao Luzi before her, and the force of her struggle gradually waned.

The scenes she experienced after entering the palace replayed in her mind.

She no longer tried to rush forward; instead, she abruptly raised her hand and slapped herself hard, again and again.

Tears surged forth as she cried out incoherently:

"It's my fault, I'm useless."

"Brother, I have failed you... sob sob sob..."

Only at that moment did she seem to suddenly grow up.

She also realized what kind of protection she had been under all this time.

Xiao Luzi said no more, signaling the two trusted eunuchs who followed to escort her away.

The palace corridor fell silent again, as if nothing had occurred.

Chu Yunzheng's steps quickened, and Xiao Dongzi's shout came from outside the gate: "What are you all just standing around for?"

"To think there's an assassination inside the palace—don't you hurry and strangle the murderer immediately!"