Chapter 330: All Are Our Own

"Lord Su, why are you here?"

Wan Tang truly hadn't expected Su Yanci to appear here, a flash of surprise passing through her eyes.

This place is quite concealed.

Since deciding to support Yan Wang's rebellion, Wan Tang ordered people to prepare this place.

All along, only those trusted by them could take part.

And the so‑called trust is having a leverage in hand that must never be passed on.

It binds these people together tightly.

Qi Qi hurriedly explained, "Empress, Lord Su has long been one of us."

Since the last time Lord Su returned with Shun Gonggong, we have found the Old Minister.

The Old Minister also knows that Lord Su is sincere toward the Empress; he will surely support the Empress.

When saying these to Wan Tang, Qi Qi was especially nervous.

Fearing Wan Tang's anger, he added, "Moreover, if it weren't for the Empress, his sister would have met disaster in the palace long ago."

The Old Minister thinks Lord Su is trustworthy.

As for the leverage…

Su Yanci works meticulously; there is simply no flaw to be found.

That is also the only thing that could make Wan Tang angry.

Unexpectedly, Wan Tang had no doubt at all, only a trace of worry in her brows.

"Do you know what you're doing?" Wan Tang's tone was cool, deliberately distant.

Su Yanci stared at Wan Tang, gave a slight smile, and said calmly, "A good bird chooses a tree to perch."

"Moreover, the situation has already developed to this point; I am merely going with the flow."

"Lord Su, the Emperor seems to trust you a great deal; you are different from us." Wan Tang's voice was icy: "Whatever you desire, what I can give you, the Emperor can give you as well."

Except for Qi Qi, the other lords' expressions grew tense.

If Su Yanci had any intention of reporting what happened here to Chu Yunzheng, not to mention a grand scheme, they would likely be wiped out in one fell swoop.

Many glances toward Qi Qi now carried resentment.

"Empress, you can completely trust me."

"I have never aspired to hold office; if I truly cannot avoid it, the ruler I would support is a wise sovereign, not a self‑righteous mediocre one."

What he said was a great act of treason.

But likewise, it is also a Calming Pill for everyone.

Su Yanci is so spotless that he is even less likely to be trusted.

Wan Tang sneered, "Should I trust you?"

"Of course."

Su Yanci's expression hardened, "I have already uncovered the true cause of Xu Yanchuan's death."

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, her fists clenching slightly.

Having learned the truth from the Barrage, she had endured this pain alone, never revealing the truth to anyone.

She did not expect Su Yanci to have uncovered it.

"Speak!" Wan Tang's voice was low.

Su Yanci clapped his hands twice, and a man, bound in thick ropes, was slammed onto the ground.

He was forcibly pressed to the ground.

His face was faintly visible in the dim candlelight.

"I know this person; isn't he someone close to Ouyang Qing?"

"Ouyang Qing is the Emperor's man, also the one who handles secret matters for the Emperor."

"Since he is Ouyang Qing's subordinate, he seems to know a lot."

Wan Tang's gaze fell on the man; at this moment his body was covered with scars, a few red spots on his neck, his eyes filled only with terror, clearly having endured torture.

He was thrown to the ground and immediately knelt.

His voice trembled terribly: "Lord Ouyang ordered me, under the pretense of the Empress's bestowed food, to poison the meal…"

"At that time General Xu achieved a great victory, his life was illustrious. Yet he refused to obey the Emperor's order to lead his troops back."

"Unfortunately, there was insufficient evidence, making prosecution impossible. That's why it happened this way, letting him die quietly without any defense."

"The so‑called Northern Spy was merely one of our people disguised, used to take the blame…"

The room instantly erupted in a clamor.

"The Mo Family, loyal to the end, has been framed so terribly!"

"General Xu's death is unjust!"

"Empress, you have suffered grievances all these years…"

"General Xu was a rare talent, still so young, and yet he was plotted against."

Amid the outcry, Wan Tang remained unusually calm.

It wasn't that she wasn't sad, but her tears had long since dried after countless nights.

Now what she must do is not weep, but take revenge!

Wan Tang rose slowly, her gaze sweeping the crowd: "The Mo Family are loyal and good, but loyalty does not mean being taken for fools."

Her voice grew colder, "Since someone dares to use the lives of the loyal as a bargaining chip, they should consider what price must be paid."

"I will not retreat from this step!"

The lords below and the shopkeepers alike shouted in unison, "We will certainly follow the Empress."

Wan Tang nodded, signaling everyone to calm down.

Qi Qi hurriedly asked, "Consort, the question Lord Su raised earlier is still the key."

"Consort, you must be feeling some grievance."

"The Mo Family has been wronged; only by letting the Mo bloodline inherit the throne can we quell the anger in our hearts."

Wan Tang instinctively lifted her head, looking at Su Yanci.

He stood there, so calm.

He has always been a person of clear breeze and bright moon; even drawn into the turmoil, he still maintains his usual composure.

It seems that such a person, merely standing there, can also put others at ease.

"This matter, I will decide," Wan Tang said softly.

Qi Qi still worried, "After rewarding the Consort for shielding the Emperor from the blade, her internal organs were injured. I have searched for renowned physicians; if the Consort agrees, please allow them into the Imperial Palace to treat the Consort."

"So that the Consort may become pregnant soon."

Wan Tang's brows knit tightly, her complexion pale.

Even though Wan Tang's face changed, Qi Qi persisted, finishing his words: "Consort, in the historic struggles for the throne, the greatest taboo is acting without a legitimate claim."

"If you can bear a legitimate son, who will then be made Crown Prince, we who assist the young ruler will be acting with proper authority."

"Even if the Emperor is a child, your governing behind the curtains still follows propriety, and no one can criticize."

Wan Tang naturally understood the crux of this.

With a Prince, there is the most legitimate claim, and all actions will be twice as effective.

Her child becoming the Emperor—was that truly what she wanted?

Dying in the palace, becoming Empress Dowager—was that really good?

Controlling state affairs, governing behind the curtains—does such a life have any hope?

A indescribable stagnation rose in her heart.

Wan Tang's voice carried a barely perceptible fatigue: "This matter… need not be mentioned again."

In the puzzled gazes of the others, she gave a slight nod: "I am a bit weary; I will return to the palace first."

The others could only bow and see her off: "Respectfully escorting the Consort."

In the night, a carriage waited silently.

Wan Tang was about to board when she saw the driver turn his head.

It was Su Yanci.

She couldn't help but be startled.

Usually the one waiting outside to escort her back was Xiao Shunzi.

"How bold a Nubi, daring to slack off; see how I will punish him," Wan Tang, flustered, shouted angrily to mask her panic.

Su Yanci's voice was warm: "It's no wonder; I insisted on it."

"But how could he decide on his own?" Wan Tang's voice grew deeper.

Su Yanci smiled and pointed to the side.

Xiao Shunzi fainted.

"Xiao Shunzi!" Wan Tang panicked, her tone full of urgency.

Su Yanci said, "Don't worry; he's just too stubborn, so I had to let him sleep a bit longer."

"The night ban in the palace makes my status rather low."

Su Yanci took up the horsewhip, "If I escort, it's less likely to draw attention."

He stepped aside from the carriage, extending his hand in a supporting gesture: "Please, Consort, get in."

Wan Tang looked at his hand suspended in the air, and finally placed her fingertips lightly upon it.

The moment her fingers brushed his thin palm, the night wind lifted Wan Tang's veil.

That delicate, fair face had already ripened more than half…