Chapter 362: Self‑Destructing Estate

Chu Yunzheng's pupils suddenly contracted.

He suddenly realized, his voice trembling slightly with shock:

"It's you... all of this was planned by you!"

Wan Tang's expression remained as calm as water.

Chu Yunzheng, furious to the point of a bitter laugh, said: "The Empress truly is skillful!"

"You think that by using these merchant tricks and giving out a few bowls of thin porridge, you can control my realm?"

He stepped down the cinnabar throne step by step: "Do not forget, I am the Son of Heaven!"

"Both the hundred thousand Imperial Guards inside and outside the Imperial City, and the three hundred thousand iron cavalry at the border passes, all obey my command."

"Your shady monetary dealings, before my imperial authority, are nothing but ants shaking a tree!"

As Chu Yunzheng spoke, his gaze never left Qi Er.

When he first seized Qi Er, Chu Yunzheng was especially shocked. He had never imagined that a tiny merchant family could amass so much.

Chu Yunzheng had speculated that Wan Tang's secret dealings might at most involve a former member of the Mo Family she was in contact with, but he did not expect that she also participated in the enterprises held by Qi Er.

He stopped before Wan Tang, a ruthless fury swirling in his eyes: "If I can make you Empress, I can also depose you to the Cold Palace. If I grant you the phoenix seal, I can also cause you to die without a whole body."

At this point, Chu Yunzheng paused: "However, after years of our relationship, I also believe that the Empress's actions are not driven by personal greed."

Wan Tang, upon hearing this, not only was unafraid but stepped forward lightly.

She knows Chu Yunzheng too well, and understands the meaning behind his words.

If Wan Tang now steps forward and says that the enterprises she and Qi Er have partnered on are to replenish the treasury, Chu Yunzheng could still turn a blind eye and pretend nothing happened.

But now, she truly has no need to compromise herself in such a way.

It is even impossible for her to give even a fraction to Chu Yunzheng.

Wan Tang's lips curled with a faint sarcasm: "Emperor, is this only now that you see it?"

This reply was completely different from what Chu Yunzheng had expected.

His complexion turned cold, and he shouted harshly: "The Empress is so arrogant, daring to seek profit. Guards, seize the Empress for me! Depose her, and cast her into the Cold Palace!"

The hall fell into dead silence.

The guards bowed their heads and stood like mud statues, motionless.

Chu Yunzheng looked around, gazing at the downcast faces, and finally understood completely.

He pointed at Wan Tang, his voice raging: "Fine... fine! You are all her people?!"

Wan Tang remained calm, her tone indifferent: "Emperor, you are mistaken; everyone standing in this hall is, of course, your subjects."

Chu Yunzheng's face turned iron‑blue, and only Ouyang Qing immediately drew his sword, shielding him, watching the surroundings warily.

At that moment, Qi Qi, who had been kneeling, lifted his head.

His voice rang powerfully: "Emperor, this Old Minister also wishes to speak a treasonous word today!"

"You favor a treacherous concubine, indulge the external relatives, causing the court's governance to collapse."

"You are obstinate, ignoring loyal counsel, leading the people's livelihood to wither."

"You suppressed reports of the locust disaster; Hui Guifei died unjustly, yet you could not discern right from wrong; the Bai family brought ruin, and you delayed decisions..."

"These matters, one after another, could not be the deeds of a wise ruler?!"

With each sentence he uttered, Chu Yunzheng's complexion grew a shade whiter.

Even if they are facts, who would dare to raise such words?

Chu Yunzheng listened to Qi Qi's accusations in the hall, so angry that his whole body trembled, pointing at the crowd: "Rebellion! All of you are rebels!"

No matter how he raged, the people in the Grand Hall still knelt.

There was not a single seal of law in response to Chu Yunzheng's outburst.

Outside the hall, hurried footsteps rang:

"Report! Disaster victims in the Eastern Market of the Capital are rioting, assaulting government offices!"

"Report! Some troops in the Western Suburb Camp have mutinied, raising the banner 'Cleanse the ruler's side, aid disaster victims'!"

"Report! The Southern City Garrison opened the granary and distributed food themselves!"

Chu Yunzheng's face turned deathly pale as he rushed out of Yangxin Hall, sprinting toward the palace wall.

Looking down, beyond the Imperial City were specks of fire and a roar of voices.

Angry disaster victims and rebels surged like a tide, their shouts shaking the heavens:

"Foolish ruler! Raising taxes and seizing wealth, ignoring our lives!"

"Our fields have been devoured by locusts, yet we are forced to pay triple taxes!"

"Open the granary! We need to survive!"

Even some local troops who were supposed to suppress the riots now turned their spears, joining the condemning ranks.

The situation had already spiraled out of control.

Ouyang Qing, protecting Chu Yunzheng, said anxiously: "Emperor, the palace gates may not be able to hold!"

"The rebels demand the surrender of the disaster‑bringing demon concubine Bai Li, and request Your Majesty issue a self‑condemnation edict to open the granaries for relief!"

Chu Yunzheng gazed at the surging crowd and flames below the city, hearing the repeated shouts of "Foolish ruler," his body swaying.

He ascended the throne step by step, for the sake of these common people.

But they, instead, blamed him?

Wan Tang slowly walked up the city tower, still as calm as ever, as if everything before her had nothing to do with her.

"It's you..." Chu Yunzheng's voice hoarse, "All of this was your calculation..."

Wan Tang stood in the wind, indifferently looking down at the massive upheaval she had set in motion.

In a soft voice she said: "Emperor, water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it."

"These were all taught to me by you; have you forgotten?"

Chu Yunzheng low growls: "Am I not treating you well enough?"

"The Phoenix Seal and all authority over the Imperial harem are entirely in your hands; even when you wish to protect the Mo Family's former troops, I turn a blind eye!"

"Whatever you want, I will give you."

"I treat you so well; why do you still act like this?"

"I truly was foolish, letting you sneak through Chen Cang."

Wan Tang heard that and let out a light laugh: "Emperor, you are not stupid; you are selfish."

"In your eyes there is always only yourself; you gave me the Phoenix Seal to have me handle the palace affairs you find tedious."

"You tolerate the Mo Family's former troops because they can still help you secure the borders."

She steps closer, her gaze like a blade: "Have you ever asked whether I want these?"

"And have you ever remembered what you did to me?"

"The entire Mo Family was slaughtered; do you truly have no part in it at all?"

"Xiao Chuan's death lets you sleep peacefully?"

She stops at the steps: "When you pursued your ideal, did you ever look back at the one who burned their heart's blood for you? You didn't forget; you simply never cared."

Chu Yunzheng, his gaze like Yin Zhi, says: "It's you! From start to finish, you've been scheming against me!"

Wan Tang watches his obstinate demeanor, smiles wryly, then says resolutely: "Indeed, you can never wake a person pretending to sleep."

She straightens her back, her voice cutting like steel: "Yes, I was the one scheming, so what of it?"

Chu Yunzheng hears this and sneers, his tone contemptuous: "My realm cannot be shaken by a woman."

"Wan Tang, you think that after leaving me you could still stir up any storm?"

"In the end, you are nothing!"

Wan Tang stands before countless beacon fires, and no trace of the palace maid she once was remains on her.

Wan Tang hears this and merely gives a faint smile, her gaze sweeping over the soaring flames beyond the palace wall: "What I am, the Emperor will naturally know later."

Chu Yunzheng clenches his fist and sneers: "Even Yan Wang's power cannot move me an inch, and you think you can?"

Wan Tang stops arguing with him and turns to look at the surging refugees outside The City.

She whispers a reminder: "Emperor, what you should be thinking of now is how to quell this raging fire."

Wan Tang turns and stares at Chu Yunzheng: "Or, you could have another option!"

Facing Chu Yunzheng's furious gaze, she pauses each word: "Immediately confer the Prince born of Hui Guifei as Crown Prince, and announce it to the world."