Chapter 361: Qi Er Captured

Inside Yangxin Hall, the air was stagnant.

Qi Er was pressed by the guards to kneel in the center, his body bearing wounds, yet his expression was unusually calm. Qi Qi knelt beside him, his face ashen, his gaze fixed tightly on his son.

Chu Yunzheng sat upright on the Dragon Throne, his fingertips lightly tapping the armrest, and looked toward the slowly entering Wan Tang, a cold smile of total control curling at his mouth: "Empress, can you believe it? Right under my very eyes, someone has been playing Fengqi Kingdom in the palm of their hand!"

He suddenly pointed at Qi Er: "A merchant, using the pretext of opening a shop to amass wealth, and even holding leverage over officials throughout the Capital! Truly detestable!"

Wan Tang's expression was as calm as water.

Qi Qi fell to the ground and kowtowed, his voice trembling: "Old Minister has failed to guide his son…"

Qi Er remained silent, as if the matter did not concern him.

Chu Yunzheng stared intently at Wan Tang, his tone deepening: "Where did this scoundrel get such nerve? There must be someone backing him. Empress, who do you think this support comes from?"

The hall fell into dead silence, every gaze fixed on Wan Tang.

Wan Tang let out a light laugh: "Since the Emperor asks so, it shows that in his heart he has already made a decision."

"Then perhaps the Emperor could tell us, who it might be?"

Chu Yunzheng, perched high above, never once shifted his gaze from Wan Tang: "Human hearts are hidden beneath the belly; how could I possibly see through them?"

"However, I am puzzled: Qi Qi was once merely an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, how did he become so radiant?"

"Now even the Ministry of Revenue's accounts must pass through the hands of that old brute."

"At this moment I suddenly realize how those I never cared about have climbed step by step to high positions."

With each sentence Chu Yunzheng spoke, his tone grew heavier.

In the end, his gaze toward Wan Tang grew ever more cold.

His voice deepened: "Just as with the Empress, you and I have only known each other for a few years, and now I can barely remember that you were once a lowly palace maid."

Wan Tang smiled lightly: "Emperor, after three days apart one should look at each other anew; moreover, I have been accompanying the Emperor for five years now."

"Indeed!" Chu Yunzheng exclaimed, "Time has passed so quickly."

Chu Yunzheng's face remained cold, yet Wan Tang responded calmly, never once fearing his gaze.

The more she behaved thus, the more displeased Chu Yunzheng felt.

Seeing no one answer, Chu Yunzheng sneered: "Empress, can you guess who the person behind him truly is?"

Wan Tang replied, unchanged: "I have arranged it."

"Since no one knows, then let's interrogate."

The guards immediately stepped forward to punish Qi Er, and a muffled thudding echoed through the hall.

Qi Qi's old tears streamed, his face turned away, unable to watch.

Wan Tang stood quietly in place, her expression slightly grim.

Chu Yunzheng stared at her: "Empress, how hard could these bones be?"

The whip cracked on Qi Er's body; he clenched his teeth, remaining silent.

"He's indeed a loyal dog," Chu Yunzheng said, his tone growing colder, "but I wonder whether it's worth it."

When Chu Yunzheng's gaze, like that of a hawk, locked onto Wan Tang's face.

"After all, the master he protects with his life… people may not necessarily protect him!"

Qi Er knelt there, unmoved by whatever the Emperor said.

Wan Tang neither flinched nor avoided, calmly retorting: "May I ask the Emperor, what impact do Qi Er's actions have on Fengqi Kingdom?"

Chu Yunzheng snorted coldly, counting on his fingers: "Eighty percent of court officials are restrained by him, and twenty percent of the Capital's economic lifelines are in his grasp. Even the charitable halls that buy the people's hearts are his handiwork."

"He has been silently meddling in state affairs right under my very eyes!"

Before the words finished, Wan Tang suddenly let out a light laugh.

She walked slowly toward the blood‑soaked Qi Er, her eyes filled with tender anger.

Their gazes met, and Qi Er gave a resolute smile.

Wan Tang frowned, turned back: "So the Emperor also knows that it is these unsavory methods that maintain the balance of the court, that it is this coppery stench of silver money that supports the border's provisions, and that these charitable halls that buy people's hearts are soothing the displaced for the court."

"And also knows that Qi Er's deeds are all for Fengqi Kingdom."

"With that said, the Empress is well aware," Chu Yunzheng's face grew colder: "Most of the former Xu Family Army's expenses were provided by him."

"His hand even dared to reach into my camp?"

Chu Yunzheng said, and with a 'bang', smashed the tea cup on the table.

The cup shattered, fragments grazing Wan Tang's neck, leaving a streak of blood.

Wan Tang seemed not to notice at all, as if the bleeding were not herself.

Wan Tang still wore that inscrutable smile: "Emperor also knows, without him the Northern Border War would have no chance of victory."

"The Xiao Family is even more unshakable!"

"The Emperor still has to be restrained by others!"

"Scoundrel!" Chu Yunzheng sneered: "If that's the case, should I still thank him?"

Wan Tang laughed: "At least his deeds still aim to bring blessings to the people."

"Empress, do not reverse cause and effect," Chu Yunzheng's gaze like a hawk, "He dares to manipulate me; now that he has cut off his donations, it is a deliberate act of opposition!"

"Whether to donate or not is their own duty," Wan Tang said calmly, "Your words, Emperor, make it seem as if they are at fault."

"Is it wrong or not? I decide!" Chu Yunzheng slammed the dragon desk hard, his tone full of provocation, "I will kill him right now!"

"Men, drag him out and behead him!"

The guards lunged forward to pull, but Qi Er calmly smoothed his blood‑stained collar and, unflustered, said: "From the moment I chose this path, I have been prepared."

Qi Er only looked at Wan Tang: "Empress, are there more surprises that will dazzle us?"

Qi Qi was already terrified, his soul scattered, staring at Wan Tang, his lips trembling.

"Hahaha!" Wan Tang suddenly burst into loud laughter, her voice echoing through the hall, "If the Emperor kills him, who will settle the tens of thousands of refugees outside the city?"

The great snow is approaching, Emperor—could it be that you truly intend to watch the common folk exchange children for food?

Chu Yunzheng roared with anger: "My realm, I alone decide!"

"Make decisions?" Wan Tang stopped laughing, a cold glint in her eyes, "I'm afraid you won't be able to decide, Emperor."

She finished speaking, turned, and walked away, her flowing robes stirring a gust of cold wind.

Chu Yunzheng felt a sudden heaviness in his heart and shouted sternly, "Stop! What do you intend to do?"

Wan Tang seemed completely deaf to it.

She stepped outside the Grand Hall, looked at the faint sunlight, and took out a signal.

She ignited it; a cluster of fireworks shot upward, bursting into light.

Wan Tang turned back, her smile terrifying, "Emperor, in half an hour you will know."

"Whether to kill or not, you cannot command!"

"Wretched woman!" Chu Yunzheng shouted angrily, "You finally stopped pretending!"

Wan Tang smiled without replying, "Emperor is angry, but are you afraid of Subject?"

"Ha!" Chu Yunzheng forced down his fury, "I might indeed fear you!"

"I shall see then, you a woman of the inner palace, what can you possibly do?"

From outside the hall came hurried footsteps; Ouyang Qing rushed in, his expression frantic, unable to even bow, and shouted urgently:

"Emperor, something's wrong!"

"All shops and charitable halls under the Qi Family, both inside and outside the Forbidden City, have halted disaster‑relief grain distribution; personnel are evacuating!"

"The disaster victims are enraged and have begun to assault the official granaries; the situation is about to spiral out of control!"

Chu Yunzheng's complexion turned iron‑blue.

Wan Tang heard this and let out a soft laugh.

She lifted her gaze toward Chu Yunzheng on the Dragon Throne, who controls the realm, her tone laced with playful sarcasm: "Remedy? In the Emperor's Guoku, is there still silver to be used for disaster relief?"