Chapter 285: For the Mo Family, For Oneself

Although I don't particularly like the Dog Emperor either, I still think this truth is just too cruel.

The struggle for the throne has always been the most inhumane; since he wants to become Emperor, this step is inevitable. Moreover, who can know what he has gone through to make such a choice?

I don't care what's up with the Dog Emperor; right now I'm only concerned with one question—how is Tangtang doing?

Isn't that a meaningless question? Who can be alright? Tangtang originally only wanted a stable life in the Imperial harem, and now—great.

What are you afraid of? San Huangzi hasn't appeared yet. I think Wan Tang should step up, conceive a Prince, kill the Dog Emperor, and become Empress Dowager.

Wan Tang heard this and gave a faint smile.

Liu Guiren's death didn't even stir a ripple.

It was as calm as if this person had never existed in the palace.

Kunning Palace is under construction.

Xiao Luzi trailed Wan Tang step by step, and when he saw her gazing absentmindedly at the palace gate, he cautiously said, "Madam, the Emperor still holds you in his heart."

"Look, they even graciously permit you to leave the palace once a month to acquire whatever items you like…"

Wan Tang heard this, and the corner of her mouth lifted into an extremely faint yet icy curve.

Her gaze rested on the palace gate under repair, and her voice, light as a feather, clearly reached Xiao Luzi's ears:

"The lives of over a hundred loyal members of the Mo Family... just to obtain this once‑a‑month grace?"

Xiao Luzi fell silent instantly, his face turning pale, and dared not speak further.

A cold wind swirled the snowflakes on the ground, slapping against Wan Tang's hem.

She remained silent for a moment, and deep within her eyes a dim flame seemed to flicker, then settled into a calm resolve.

"Since the chance to leave the palace has been granted," she turned slowly, looked at Xiao Luzi, her tone calm and even, "then let's go out and have a look."

She slightly lifted her gaze toward the direction beyond the palace walls, her eyes seeming to pierce through the towering halls and settle far beyond.

"We can't possibly betray the Emperor's kindness."

On the Capital's main street.

The bustle is even greater.

Fried Chicken and Milk Tea have become commonplace, there are many upscale restaurants, even steak and red wine—people eat just for the prestige.

Xiao Luzi, like Liu Laolao entering the Grand View Garden, flicked a delicate finger and said, "Oh my, I've long heard the Capital's main street is extraordinarily lively, with many things the palace doesn't even have."

"Today, Nubi also got to bask in the glory and opened his eyes."

Wan Tang cast a glance.

Xiao Luzi raised his hand and slapped his own mouth, "Madam, hehe."

The carriage wound its way through the City, finally stopping deep within a quiet, elegant alley.

A building with a simple exterior and a plaque reading "Qingyun Tea Pavilion" above the doorframe came into view.

Wan Tang, wearing a veil hat, stepped down from the carriage with Xiao Luzi's feigned support and walked straight inside.

At the entrance, a service attendant in a plain cheongsam, seeing her unfamiliar, headed straight for the most secluded and prestigious T-shaped area on the second floor, instinctively stepping forward.

Smiling, they tried to block and ask, "Madam, may I ask if you have a reservation…"

Before she could finish, a middle‑aged shopkeeper in a silk robe with a sharp face hurriedly rushed out from inside.

When he saw Wan Tang's figure clearly, his gaze instantly hardened.

Without a word, he stepped forward, grabbed the attendant's ear, and whispered, "You have no eye for propriety; can you even stop a distinguished guest?"

"Get out of here quickly!"

The attendant winced in pain, gritted his teeth, but dared not speak, hurriedly bowing his head and retreating.

Only then did the shopkeeper turn, bow deeply to Wan Tang, his face full of unabashed respect, even tinged with awe.

Lowering his voice, he said, "You have arrived; everything inside is ready, please follow me."

He personally led the way, his demeanor exceedingly humble, guiding Wan Tang and Xiao Luzi unimpeded toward that T‑shaped elegant chamber that is rarely opened to the outside.

Along the way, the tea artisans and attendants, seeing the shopkeeper's bearing, bowed their heads and stepped aside, daring not to glance further.

When they reached the doorway, the shopkeeper finally left.

Xiao Luzi was shocked the whole time, yet dared not utter another word.

"Prince Yan Wang, may I ask if you could open the door and allow me to rest inside for a moment?" Wan Tang stood at the doorway, her voice low enough for those inside to hear.

The door to the T‑shaped elegant chamber was pushed open silently.

Inside, warm fragrance drifted, and the sound of strings and bamboo flutes was pleasant.

Yan Wang Chu Huaijin leaned against the main seat, with several men in splendid dress and unfamiliar faces around him, and two elegant musicians playing the guqin and blowing the xiao.

When he saw Wan Tang enter, his eyes instantly flashed with unabashed surprise and astonishment.

He then turned it into a playful smile, "Ah, truly, nowhere on earth is free from encounters."

"I never expected that in such a hidden place, one could happen upon the Imperial Noble Consort."

His gaze sharply swept over Wan Tang and the Xiao Luzi behind her, "No more than five people know my whereabouts."

"And this room already counts three."

Wan Tang seemed unfazed by his probing, a faint smile at her lips, and she calmly walked to the empty seat and sat down.

"I have come here, of course, to discuss matters with Prince Yan Wang." She got straight to the point.

Yan Wang raised an eyebrow, with a hint of levity, deliberately twisting her intention: "Oh?"

"The Noble Consort wishes to talk with me?"

"What could a man and a woman possibly have to discuss?" he said with a double meaning, his gaze lingering on Wan Tang.

Beside them, a portly merchant surnamed Li, emboldened by drink and his familiarity with Yan Wang,

also, with a drooling face, laughed and said, "Your Highness says, between men and women, isn't it just those romantic whims, ha ha…"

Before his laughter faded, Xiao Luzi, who had been bowing his head in service, suddenly looked up.

A flash of cold light flickered in his eyes as he hurried forward.

Slap!

A crisp, loud slap struck Boss Li's face, sending him sprawling to the ground, half-awake from his drunkenness.

"You… you dare hit…" Boss Li covered his face, startled and angry, about to erupt.

"Boss Li," Yan Wang's voice rang coolly, with a hint of mocking amusement, "In the presence of the Imperial Noble Consort, you still dare utter profanity and mock frivolously?"

"The Consort only gave you a slap and didn't take your head on the spot; that's already a great mercy."

Hearing that, Boss Li felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, his face turning as pale as paper, collapsing and trembling on the ground.

He dared not utter another sound.

Who doesn't know the Imperial Noble Consort's reputation?

She was a living bodhisattva during the snow disaster.

The Emperor's cherished favorite.

Now she is even the orphan of the Mo Family…

After meals, people would bring up her name.

Realizing he had spoken such words to her, he hurriedly knelt, pounding his forehead repeatedly in apology.

Wan Tang didn't even raise an eyelid, as if the earlier farce had nothing to do with her.

She looked calmly at Yan Wang, her tone still indifferent yet imbued with undeniable authority:

"Talk, or not talk?"

Yan Wang's eyes grew even more interested.

He laughed heartily, waved his hand, and addressed the silent crowd in the room: "Did everyone hear?"

"I have an honored guest today, so I cannot entertain you all. Please excuse yourselves."

The music ceased, and the musicians and wealthy officials, as if granted a pardon, quickly bowed and slipped out silently.

The private room instantly held only Yan Wang, Wan Tang, and Xiao Luzi.

Yan Wang's gaze fell on Xiao Luzi.

He lifted a brow, chuckling teasingly: "Sir, is it convenient for you here?"

"What could be inconvenient for the Chief Eunuch of Palace of Eternal Joy?" Wan Tang sipped her tea, unfazed.

Yan Wang, however, disagreed.

A smile curled his lips, his tone a bit grim: "Is it Palace of Eternal Joy or Yangxin Hall?"

What he said was already clear enough.

Who would have thought Wan Tang's mood would remain so indifferent?

She said slowly, "No problem."

At those words, Yan Wang almost couldn't keep the smile on his face.

Wan Tang truly shocked him.

The private room was filled with a haze of sandalwood incense.

Yan Wang Chu Huaijin's cynical expression gradually faded.

Staring at Wan Tang, trying to find a flaw in her calm, unruffled face, he asked, "The Noble Consort specifically summoned you; what is the purpose?"

Wan Tang lifted the untouched tea cup before her, her fingertips gently tracing the warm rim.

She raised her eyelids slightly, her tone as flat as if discussing the weather: "Tell me your plan."

"Plan?" Yan Wang raised an eyebrow, putting back on that feigned clueless expression, "I, an idle person, could have what plan? Noble Consort, please don't joke."

"A plan to rebel," Wan Tang set down the cup, producing a crisp, light sound.

"Clang." Xiao Luzi's leg went weak, and he nearly collapsed.

Fortunately, he managed to grab the nearby wall in time; his face turned deathly pale, cold sweat soaking his back instantly.

Yan Wang's smile shattered completely, his gaze becoming as sharp as a hawk.

His voice also grew cold: "Noble Consort, watch your words!"

"Such heart‑cutting words cannot be spoken frivolously!"

Wan Tang, as if she hadn't seen his outward fury and inner cowardice, said straightly, "You've done so many things, sold me so many favors; aren't you just trying to make me owe you this debt, so that at a crucial moment you can use me?"

Her gaze was cold as an icy spring, "Speak, after circling so widely, what do you want me to do?"

Yan Wang's pupils narrowed slightly, and for the first time his face showed genuine surprise.

He examined Wan Tang carefully, probing, "So, regarding the Mo Family's past truth, you already know it?"

"Surprising, isn't it? Who would have thought the hidden puppeteers were those two high‑ranking, powerful individuals."

Wan Tang gave no answer, merely staring silently, her gaze already saying everything.

Yan Wang, seeing this, felt grief, anger, and sorrow surge on his face.

His fist clenched unconsciously, knuckles whitening: "Back then, Elder Mo had greatly supported me, a pillar of the nation with unmatched loyalty and righteousness."

"He was framed to such an extent."

"I truly don't know how they could act so. It's a pity the late Emperor was stubborn; no matter how I pleaded, not a single word was heard…"

His voice choked, bearing years of suppressed rage and resentment, "Chu Yunzheng murdered his brother, forced his father, harmed his siblings, framed the loyal; he doesn't deserve that position at all."

Facing his agitation, Wan Tang remained calm, even a faint icy sarcasm curling at her lips:

"When an avalanche occurs, no snowflake is innocent."

Her voice was low, yet like a hammer striking Yan Wang's heart, "Your royal brothers quarrel, vying for power; the Mo Family is merely a casualty of your internal strife."

"Now, you only need to tell me," her gaze blazing, piercing Yan Wang's core, "what I must do?"

Yan Wang was choked by the cold bluntness of her words; all the prepared sorrow and accusations were stuck in his throat.

They looked at the woman before them; the woman seemed to have already seen through all the hypocrisy and scheming.

They fell silent for a moment, then finally produced a low laugh of unclear meaning.

That smile carried a hint of the embarrassment of being seen through.

Since childhood fights, this is still the first time being forced to this place, and it's still a woman?

"The Noble Consort truly is quick‑witted." He restrained all outward emotions, took a white‑jade bottle about an inch tall from his bosom, and gently placed it on the table.

The bottle was crystal clear, and one could clearly see several perfectly round, jet‑black pills inside.

He lifted his eyes, his gaze heavy, looked at Wan Tang, and said word for word:

"I, the King, indeed have one matter that cannot be accomplished without the Noble Consort."

"If the Noble Consort is willing, please find a way to have the Emperor ingest this."