Chapter 286: Don't Touch Me, Disgusting

What a damn poison, it's really just a candy that's not sweet.

It's just that there is indeed some medicinal property inside, but these medicines are not poison at all; they're tonics.

Yan Wang wouldn't be foolish enough to go to this place; once Wan Tang pledged allegiance, he immediately handed such a dangerous matter over to her.

Yeah, yeah, it's just a test of obedience, to see whether Wan Tang will do it.

Why is it all so disgusting? As expected, it's my own son, always liking to test others.

Wan Tang's gaze lightly swept over the White Jade Medicine Bottle, her face showing no ripple, as if it were an ordinary object.

She extended her hand, steadily lifted the bottle, and slipped it into her sleeve.

The movement was smooth and natural, without a hint of hesitation.

Immediately, she rose, intending to leave, as if the purpose of this visit had already been fulfilled.

"Noble Consort," Yan Wang said, watching her unencumbered movements, couldn't help but speak, his voice carrying a hint of inquiry, "Don't you want to know what exactly is in this bottle?"

Wan Tang's steps did not halt, and she didn't even turn her head; her cool voice echoed in the elegant chamber, "It doesn't matter."

She walked to the doorway, then slightly turned her head, revealing a small, delicate yet icy profile.

Her tone was so flat it was startling: "As long as it can advance your plan, I will do it."

A flash of profound hatred flickered through her eyes, too swift to catch, yet her voice remained steady.

"From my point of view, as long as they pay the price, the process doesn't matter."

Yan Wang watched her resolute back, his gaze growing ever deeper and inscrutable.

Finally, he slowly uttered a few words: "Then I shall await the Noble Consort's good news."

Wan Tang gave no further reply, and pushed straight through the door.

Xiao Luzi hurried after her; the master and servant's figures quickly vanished at the end of the corridor.

Returning to Palace of Eternal Joy, the hall doors were tightly shut.

Wan Tang took the White Jade Medicine Bottle from her sleeve, pulled out the stopper, and poured a jet‑black pill into her palm.

She didn't even look, raised her hand, and was about to place it into her own mouth.

"Consort, you must not."

Xiao Luzi was terrified, his soul fled, almost lunging forward, his voice changed in tone.

"This... this mysterious thing, how could you…"

He truly dared not say, this is outright poison!

Wan Tang's action did not pause; she directly placed the pill into her mouth, a slight movement in her throat, and swallowed it.

Her expression remained calm, and she even tasted it.

She raised an eyebrow at the pale, frightened Xiao Luzi, her tone carrying a hint of nonchalance:

"What are you panicking about?"

"The taste is acceptable, sweet with a hint of medicinal fragrance."

Xiao Luzi stared dumbfounded, stammering, "Cons—Consort…"

This thing, no matter how you look at it, is a deadly poison pill!

Wan Tang casually set the bottle on the table, took a handkerchief to wipe her mouth corner, her eyes showing clear sarcasm:

"What a cautious and suspicious person Yan Wang is!"

"If he truly wanted to succeed, would he make such a low‑level mistake?"

"This thing isn't poisonous."

Xiao Luzi was even more confused: "Then why do you take the risk?"

"If I don't eat it, how would I know what happens after eating it?"

"Xiao Luzi, the most untrustworthy thing about the royal family is its people."

She walked to the window, gazing at the heavy night outside, her voice calm to the point of coldness:

"If this truly is poison, I could hand it to the Emperor; should anything happen, the investigation would ask whether he gave me the medicine or I deliberately plotted harm?"

"Who will end up with the deer when it dies is still unknown."

"He wouldn't leave me such an obvious incriminating clue."

She turned, her sharp gaze fixed on Xiao Luzi: "This is merely a test from him."

"Testing my courage, testing my resolve, and also testing whether I truly stand on the same ship as him."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Luzi finally understood, his back already soaked with cold sweat.

Xiao Luzi listened to Wan Tang's calm analysis, feeling a slight peace in his heart.

A larger doubt surged again; he lowered his voice, anxiously asking, "Then Consort, are you truly going to help Yan Wang plot rebellion?"

"Of course not," Wan Tang replied without a hint of hesitation, walking to the dressing table, looking at her cool eyebrows and eyes in the bronze mirror.

Her tone carried a clear disgust, "How many of those who rack their brains, scramble to sit on the Dragon Throne, are truly good at heart?"

She turned, her gaze clear: "At least, the current Chu Yunzheng truly cares for the people, works diligently, and governs Fengqi Kingdom in an orderly manner, with the nation's strength steadily growing."

"That point is beyond doubt."

"And Yan Wang…" she snorted coldly, "a person who, for his own selfish desire, would recklessly stir war and overturn the dynasty's order."

"How can you expect him to ever care about the people's welfare in the future?"

Xiao Luzi was even more puzzled: "Then Consort, why did you agree to Yan Wang today?"

Wan Tang's lips curled into a calculating arc, her eyes sharp: "Seize the initiative."

She said slowly, "Since Yan Wang has set his sights on me, he will eventually come knocking."

"Rather than passively wait, being led by his nose step by step, I prefer to strike proactively, keeping the initiative in my own hands."

"At least now, I know what he intends, while he may not truly understand my real intentions."

She walked to the window, gazing at the layered palace halls with soaring eaves, her voice low yet firm: "For the myriad subjects of Fengqi Kingdom, I cannot let Chu Yunzheng die; a stable court is vital to the world's people."

She paused, a cold glint flashing in her eyes: "But making him suffer a little for the sins he once committed, to pay a price, is still necessary."

Xiao Luzi felt his heart surge, finally grasping Wan Tang's deep intention, and nodded repeatedly: "Nubi understands."

"Noble Consort, you are truly far‑sighted!"

Wan Tang smoothed her sleeves, regained her usual graceful calm, as if the thrilling conversation had never happened.

She said lightly, "In any case, after going out, I'll find a suitable moment to give your Master a reply."

【Must say, Xiao Luzi really knows how to spin things.】

【After Wan Tang left the palace, she missed the Emperor so much that she felt his presence everywhere. Without the Emperor, food loses its flavor.】

【Even more absurd, Xiao Luzi says Wan Tang bought nothing of her own, only things the Emperor likes.】

【I could die laughing; in Xiao Luzi's eyes, the Emperor's favorite is probably gold, silver, jade items. Those are abundant in the storerooms; just let Wan Tang pick a few.】

【I also laugh, because after saying that, Chu Yunzheng's mind is filled with beating lemon tea, sucking‑finger chicken…】

Wan Tang thought that with Xiao Luzi mediating, she could also slack off.

She didn't expect it would cause such a big trouble.

Fortunately, all the recipes came from her own hands.

Where could she still dare to lie down? She hurried to the small kitchen and began bustling.

If Chu Yunzheng doesn't come, that's fine; but if he does come unprepared, won't his true nature be exposed?

【Hahaha, why do I feel Wan Tang is like toilet paper?】

【Seeking explanation?】

【If you don't get it, it's just wiping people's buttocks everywhere!】

At night, Chu Yunzheng arrived at Palace of Eternal Joy.

The palace staff had already prepared everything, respectfully attending him to change clothes, wash his hands, and prepare for rest.

Wan Tang, however, smiled and stepped forward, gently asking, "Your Majesty, you're busy so late, are you hungry?"

Xiao Dongzi, standing nearby, heard and quickly laughed, interjecting with a hint of admonition: "Ah, Imperial Noble Consort, have you forgotten the ancestral rule?"

"After the hour of the Dog it is improper to eat again, lest accumulated food harms the body; the dragon physique must be protected."

Chu Yunzheng's hopeful expression instantly collapsed, showing a barely perceptible grievance as he glanced at Xiao Dongzi.

Wan Tang, seeing this, covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes flashing with a hint of cunning.

She turned, took a delicate food box from beside her, presented it before Chu Yunzheng, her voice becoming even softer:

"Your Majesty, today I left the palace and roamed the Capital's streets and alleys, specially bringing back some novel and interesting snacks for you; they are small and unlikely to cause food stagnation."

"Would you like to try them?"

"Please don't think me clumsy and unskilled at selecting."

Chu Yunzheng looked at the food box, then at Wan Tang's hopeful eyes.

His Adam's apple rolled slightly on its own.

He forced a stern face, maintaining imperial dignity, cleared his throat:

"Cough… I should not make an exception."

"But my feet are swollen from walking…" Wan Tang cooed.

"Considering your sincere intention…" He deliberately paused, his gaze sweeping over the barely visible embroidered shoes beneath Wan Tang's hem, "I will reluctantly taste a little."

Xiao Dongzi, ever clever, immediately beamed and added humorously: "Your Majesty truly dotes on the Noble Consort, even breaking the ancestral rule for her."

"Nubi, I will now fetch hot tea for the Emperor and the Noble Consort to aid digestion!"

Chu Yunzheng felt a slight heat at his ears from the words, feigned impatience, waved his hand: "Talkative, hurry up and go!"

The candlelight in the hall warmed, illuminating their silhouettes.

Wan Tang carefully removed each snack from the box and placed them on the table.

Chu Yunzheng ate several of the delicate snacks, his fatigue replaced by satiety, clearly enjoying the food.

"Your Majesty, does the flavor suit your palate?" Wan Tang asked softly, her eyes reflecting the candlelight, appearing especially gentle.

Chu Yunzheng deliberately kept a stern face, hummed: "It's acceptable, I can force myself to swallow."

But his relaxed eyebrows and posture already revealed his true feelings.

Wan Tang didn't expose it, smiling as she picked a pill from the jade plate on the small table, a pill given by Yan Wang.

She handed it to Chu Yunzheng's lips, her tone coquettishly like presenting a treasure:

"Your Majesty, try this again."

"I, the consort, spent great effort to find it; it is said to be a candy made from a rare overseas formula, unavailable elsewhere…"

Chu Yunzheng, in a splendid mood, didn't even look, opened his mouth and swallowed the pill.

His tongue tasted the familiar sweet with a medicinal scent, thinking it was Wan Tang's ingenuity.

He seized her wrist, pulled her into his arms, lowered his head to her ear and sighed:

"My silly Tangtang, even if what you hand me now were a poison that pierces the gut, I would still relish it."

The pill melted slowly in his mouth.

Wan Tang's heart trembled once, then calmed extremely quickly.

Moved by emotion, he leaned down, trying to seize that fragrance that soothes his heart.

He lifted Wan Tang and went straight to the bed.

Xiao Dongzi silently stepped back.

Only, as Chu Yunzheng's kiss traveled delicately and densely downward.

Wan Tang's heartbeat grew ever faster.

It is mother, in the deep quiet of night, gazing at the silhouette that silently weeps toward the north.

It is, every year during Qingming's Cold Food, when mother secretly hides in a secluded spot to burn paper money, that suppression reaches its extreme and finally turns into a heart‑rending sob.

It is the maternal grandfather and uncles she has never met, yet who bear the family's entire honor and tragedy, whose figures fell with a thunderous crash on the execution ground……

Those deliberately forgotten cries, tears, and blood, like a cold tide, instantly drown all her senses.

Chu Yunzheng's kiss fell with a warm touch, yet it made a bone‑chilling cold rise from the depths of her heart.

Her body stiffened slightly, forcing herself to endure.

But her stomach felt as if rivers were overturning.

In the end she couldn't hold it, letting out a dry retch……