Chapter 321: The Imperial City, Not Fengdu

The sound of a falling needle could be heard.

Wan Tang and Chu Yunzheng locked eyes.

The person who had always been gentle suddenly bared his teeth!

Even though Wan Tang is now the Empress, daring to speak to the Emperor like that is a grave disrespect.

There was no doubt in Chu Yunzheng's eyes, only a teasing mockery, as if he had already imagined this scene.

Only today, finally showing its tail, all the guilt in his heart can be released.

Bai Li looked up, shocked.

"Empress, protecting a Nubi like this," she leaned against Chu Yunzheng, her voice trembling with grievance, "Do you think the Emperor is unfit to punish a Nubi?"

Wan Tang did not look at her, but calmly stared at Chu Yunzheng: "If the Emperor wishes to punish, then punish me for the crime of lax governance."

"Why must you take it out on a Nubi?"

Chu Yunzheng's gaze deepened: "Does the Empress now think that, with the old Mo Family troops in her grasp, she can disregard my command?"

"So at last you can't restrain yourself and intend to oppose me?"

"I dare not," Wan Tang raised her eyes, "But after experiencing the matter of Xiao Chuan, I can no longer stand by and watch innocent people be wronged."

"Is it that, out of deep love for the Emperor, one should be numb and watch those around one die one by one?"

"Audacious!" Chu Yunzheng's eyes flared with anger.

Wan Tang, neither humble nor arrogant, faced his fury: "Emperor, I have no remorse before you. Even regarding Pear Pin, I have done enough well."

"The Emperor once said, with you protecting me, I can be willful."

"Now, the promise you gave Pear Pin, is it the same?"

"Is that why you let her press me step by step, even trying to eliminate those around me?"

Each word Wan Tang spoke was steady, with ample confidence.

Bai Li gave a cold smile, lifting her chin: "Hmph! You actually frame me like this!"

"It seems this palace truly cannot accommodate me."

She turned her face aside, waiting for Chu Yunzheng to coax.

Li Pin, unable to manage the two Second Princes, hurried in and fell to her knees: "Emperor, calm your anger!"

"Empress, you truly feel aggrieved inside!"

"Since the Empress does not wish to bring it up, may I speak on the Empress's behalf?"

Chu Yunzheng, extremely angry at this moment, impatiently gestured: "Speak all that you know."

Li Pin composed herself and slowly said: "A few days before Pear Pin entered the palace, the Empress personally cleaned Cuivei Palace, and also, together with the sisters, hand‑made velvet flowers for the withered pear tree."

"To seek a good omen for Pear Pin, not only did pear blossoms cover the tree, but also it signified a desire for prosperity."

"But then? On the day Pear Pin entered the palace, no one paid attention. She violated Palace Rules and even spoke rudely to the Empress. The Empress repeatedly reminded that the Emperor was busy with state affairs, yet she insisted on going."

"These are merely minor matters; in these few days since entering, she has made the harem chaotic."

"Beside her, Chun Xing spoke without restraint, spouting nonsense, tarnishing the royal face."

"The Empress walked step by step, all could see; how she acts, I fear need not be spoken by me, Emperor, you know the Empress's caution and care better."

She glanced at Bai Li, her tone earnest, "These rumors spread only outside the palace; within the Six Palaces, no one discusses them—truly odd."

"If indeed it were the Empress's doing, how could she abandon the near to seek the far?"

"I implore the Emperor to see clearly!"

There was a hint of emotion in Chu Yunzheng's eyes.

Indeed, the scandal of the rogue hunt was disgraceful enough to provoke such fury.

Bai Li clenched her handkerchief, then suddenly raised her head: "If we must investigate, then investigate!"

A cold resolve flashed in her eyes: "If in the end the Empress is found guilty, I ask the Emperor not to shield her."

Chu Yunzheng pondered briefly, about to speak, but saw Wan Tang gently shake her head: "No need to mobilize troops."

"Since Pear Pin insists on investigating, then investigate!"

"Xiao Dongzi is now leading people to search each palace, to see who hides evidence matching the rumors."

"Xiao Luzi, go fetch all the registers from each palace."

Chu Yunzheng's face turned ashen, and he sat back down.

After a incense stick burned, Xiao Dongzi returned holding a slip of paper, his expression solemn as he presented it to the Emperor.

"Emperor, this was found in Kunning Palace."

Bai Li snorted: "Emperor, then you should quickly see what it says."

Chu Yunzheng unfolded the slip, and it read: "Fifteen storytellers have been arranged, focusing on the Emperor's deeds; please rest assured, Empress."

Bai Li leaned forward to look, then suddenly covered her mouth, staring at Wan Tang: "Oh Empress, your heart is so cruel!"

"Spreading rumors is one thing, but using storytellers as well?"

Bai Li's eyes reddened: "You may ruin me, that's fine, but how could you even involve the Emperor..."

A murderous aura surged in Chu Yunzheng's eyes, terrifying to behold.

Wan Tang gave a bitter smile: "With rumors spreading, if I do not let the storytellers recount the Emperor's great deeds, how can we restore face?"

"Do we have to let everyone's attention focus solely on those matters?"

Wan Tang's face was full of fatigue.

"If this is the reason the Emperor wishes to punish, then I have nothing to say."

Chu Yunzheng's hand trembled slightly, reaching to pull Wan Tang, but she sidestepped.

Naturally angry inside, he let out a cold snort and turned his face away.

Xiao Luzi at this moment also jogged over slowly.

Hand over all the recent Shice.

With a trembling voice she said, "Emperor, these are all records of recent entries and exits from the palace."

"These are records of items that the people of Changchun Palace had someone take out, and among them are dozens of letters."

"This one has not yet been sent out."

Xiao Luzi presented it with both hands.

On the letter paper, the handwriting was unmistakably Chun Xing's.

It detailed the matters of Jingxin An and also warned that if there were any issues, they were said to be from the Empress's people.

Bai Li turned pale with fright.

Chun Xing collapsed on the ground, crying, "It was Master who made me do it! She said only this could make the Emperor despise the Empress…"

Chu Yunzheng looked at the ashen‑faced Bai Li, slowly closed his eyes, and asked, "Lady Bai, do you have anything else to say?"

Only Chun Xing's desperate cries remained in the hall.

Wan Tang stood silently in place, as if she had long known this outcome.

Bai Li's face turned deathly white, stumbling backward, "How could I, a concubine, ruin my reputation?"

"I truly didn't know about this."

She suddenly pointed at Chun Xing, "You lowly maid, why did you harm me!"

Chun Xing fell to the ground, sobbing, "Madam interrogates the young master about his imprisonment every day; I could not bear it, so I told the lady's personal maid about the palace affairs…"

"What a lack of compassion!" Wan Tang's voice trembled, her gaze sharply turning toward Chu Yunzheng for the first time, "If it weren't for Bai Zijun, would this have become a scandal?"

"I have been maneuvering day and night only to preserve the royal face."

"So in the Emperor's heart, I am regarded as so unworthy?"

She inhaled deeply, fatigue filling her eyes, "It is I who am meddlesome."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes no longer lingered on Bai Li.

He merely ordered Ouyang Qing, shouting, "Investigate thoroughly for me!"

"Inside and outside the palace, all rumor‑mongers shall be arrested!"

Ouyang Qing, aware of the seriousness, dared not delay a moment and hurried away.

The hall fell into dead silence, leaving only a faint sigh from Wan Tang.

A hint of guilt flashed in Chu Yunzheng's eyes as he rubbed his brow, "What happened today was my—"

"If the Emperor has no other matters," Wan Tang cut in coldly, "May I take Xiao Shunzi and request to leave?"

Her demeanor was distant, as if she no longer wished to draw any closer to the Emperor.

Chu Yunzheng understood that everyone now harbored grudges, and he waved his hand wearily.

"Emperor!" Bai Li immediately threw herself to her knees, tears pouring like rain, "Don't you think all of this is too coincidental?"

"Whether it's the old Jingxin An affair or the current rumors, it's as if someone meticulously set a trap."

"I suspect this was orchestrated by the Empress herself."

"From the beginning, once they learned of my existence, they have been scheming."

"Bai," Chu Yunzheng's voice suddenly deepened with deep disappointment, "You truly have changed."

His gaze was as sharp as a blade, "Do you know it was she all along, protecting our relationship?"

"She genuinely wanted to bring the Emperor and you together."

He rose slowly, his dragon robe brushing the imperial desk, "The palace is not Fengdu; you cannot act wilfully."

"Go back and think clearly whether you truly wish to stay."

Bai Li collapsed on the ground, and Chun Xing hurried forward to help her.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze fell on Chun Xing, a chilling cold in his voice, "As for this meddlesome servant."

"Death by staff!"

Chun Xing's pleading cries abruptly stopped, her ashen face being dragged away.

Bai Li stared at Chu Yunzheng's resolute back, finally collapsing onto the ground.

She wandered the palace corridor, soul lost, her fingernails digging deep into her palm, blood dripping between her fingers.

She halted, looking toward Kunning Palace, a strange curl forming at the corner of her mouth.

She let out a low laugh, her eyes gradually turning Yin Zhi, "Empress, Empress, I have indeed underestimated you."

"It seems the time has come for you to witness my methods!"