Chapter 98: Subject Is Guilty

"Your Xu Family?"

Chu Yunzheng let out a low laugh, his eyes beneath the crown cold to the bone, as if he had heard some absurd joke.

He stepped forward slowly, looking down from his height at Xu Luoyan.

"Having entered the royal gate, you are a royal person." His voice was gentle and slow, yet each word cut like a knife, "Your Xu Family is truly formidable, daring to bring this before me? Want to suppress me?"

Xu Luoyan trembled all over, tears instantly welling up in her eyes.

She knelt forward, trembling as she grasped the Emperor's robe hem, her voice plaintive: "Emperor, Subject was eleven when first seeing you, and swore this life would be none but you."

"These ten years, Subject's heart, from beginning to end, has had only you!"

"To be able to follow by the Emperor's side is Subject's greatest wish."

"After entering the palace, Subject from the bottom of her heart takes you as the husband she will become, only wishing to love you forever."

She wept like pear blossoms in rain, as if her love truly was as deep as the sea, but what she received was the Emperor's cold laugh.

"Deep as the sea?" Chu Yunzheng sneered, curling his lip, "Do you really think I don't know the filthy deeds you did?"

He suddenly bent down, seized Xu Luoyan's collar, yanked her sharply to his face, his nose almost touching her neck, and gave a light sniff.

"Tsk." He released his hand with disgust, "Look, the scent on you has changed."

"I have long been unable to muster any interest in you."

Xu Luoyan, as if struck by lightning, collapsed limp on the ground, her eyes filled with incredulous despair.

But in her eyes there was even more panic and confusion, what does the Emperor mean?

Could it be that the Incense that previously helped the two enjoy themselves, the Emperor already knows?

Xu Luoyan's thoughts were still a whirl.

But the Emperor had already turned, coldly issuing a command: "Li Defu."

"Send Xu Chengyuan into the palace; I want to ask how he taught his daughter!"

Xu Luoyan finally understood, she had been terribly wrong.

This was not Wan Tang deliberately making trouble, but the Emperor wanting the Xu Family to suffer.

"You... you all, clearly did it on purpose."

"Emperor, it seems not whether Yan Er's womb contains a child, but whether you wish Yan Er's womb to have a child, right?"

Xu Luoyan's voice held unprecedented bleakness.

The gaze toward the Emperor was also filled with pain.

Perhaps this was the first time Xu Luoyan truly saw through this man.

Unfortunately, Chu Yunzheng gave Xu Luoyan not even a glance.

He only carefully protected Wan Tang, his tone gentle: "Tangtang, I will send you away."

In Jingren Palace, Xu Luoyan was still roaring, but the Emperor and Xu Luoyan's figures were gradually receding.

In the Xi Tang courtyard, the candle flame flickered gently.

Chu Yunzheng personally escorted Wan Tang back; upon stepping into the hall, warm fragrance greeted him, dispelling the cold outside.

Wan Tang suddenly knelt before him, her skirt spreading like snow, bowing her head and softly saying, "Subject is guilty."

The Emperor's eyebrows lifted slightly, yet he did not rush to help her, saying lightly, "Oh? What crime?"

Wan Tang lifted her eyes, candlelight reflected in them, clear and composed: "Subject today deliberately provoked Xu Luoyan."

"Subject did indeed strike her, but each palm avoided the vital points." She lightly tapped her own abdomen with her fingertip, "It was to drive her mad, so the Emperor could see her true face."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes darkened slightly, he stepped closer, looking down from his height, gazing at her: "What is the purpose?"

Wan Tang neither dodged nor flinched, the corner of her lips slightly raised: "Provoke the Xu Family."

The air suddenly stilled.

A dangerous glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes, his fingertip gently lifted her chin, his voice low: "Wan Tang, do you know what you are saying?"

"Subject knows." Her voice was gentle, yet each word clear, "Subject is merely an orphaned girl, with no support, the only thing she can rely on is the Emperor's favor."

She leaned slightly, her forehead gently resting on the monarch's knee, obedient as a cat: "Subject already knows, clinging to the Emperor, one can still live as a person."

"Subject has no maternal family, cannot relieve the Emperor's worries or solve his troubles."

"I am utterly helpless and suffocating, Subject only wishes to become the sharpest knife in the Emperor's hand."

"Even if I can become a somewhat useful person to the Emperor, Subject would be content."

Since ancient times, the Imperial harem has not been allowed to meddle in state affairs.

This is the greatest taboo in the palace, yet Wan Tang is gradually treading into it.

Wan Tang appeared outwardly calm, but her heart trembled more and more.

She also did not understand what effect this risky move would produce.

Chu Yunzheng was silent for a moment, then let out a low laugh, reaching out to pull her up. Wan Tang had not yet steadied herself when he drew her into his arms.

"Knife?" His fingertip brushed her cool cheek, "I thought you only wanted to be my woman."

That depends on whether the Emperor is willing to let Subject be a bit greedy.

A rare smile appeared on Chu Yunzheng's face.

His tone now carried a hint of tenderness: "Tangtang, do you know that now in this palace only you can speak a few words with me?"

"If it could remain so, wouldn't that be a good thing?"

Wan Tang nestled in Chu Yunzheng's arms, a faint smile appearing at the corner of her mouth.

It doesn't matter whatever.

As long as this is done, to save brother's life, isn't that fine?

Wan Tang's peripheral glance unintentionally lingered on the snow outside the window.

The snow fell even heavier, so heavy it was frightening.

I have no idea what this disaster actually is like.

I also don't know how my younger brother is right now.

Wan Tang is not the ruler; she is merely searching for a sliver of hope in the hands of each player.

At the same time, the Ministry of War's dungeon.

"Snap!"

A whip soaked in brine lashes the boy's naked back mercilessly, skin and flesh tearing, blood droplets spraying.

Xu Mingde flicks the whip, sneering, "A bastard is a bastard, but his bones are hard."

On the iron frame, Xu Yanchuan hangs his head, his black hair stuck to his face with blood, his lips gnawed to raggedness, yet he makes no sound.

He is only nineteen this year, slender in build, but his eyes shine astonishingly, like a blade tempered in fire.

Once, Xu Yanchuan merely thought he was just an unloved child.

But now, he increasingly does not understand.

Why would the family's sworn enemies go all out for him, even risking their lives to protect him?

And yet those closest and most beloved constantly wish his death?

"You think staying silent ends it?" Xu Mingde grabs his chin, "You think that Wan Tang, that slut, is stirring trouble in the harem, and you really think I don't dare touch you?"

He snatches up the red‑hot branding iron, snarling as he approaches, "Today you'll learn who the legitimate son of the Xu Family truly is!"

Xu Yanchuan seems to have heard none of Xu Mingde's words.

He slowly lifts his head, and as soon as he opens his mouth, he vomits a mouthful of blood.

He looks clearly at the person before him, his eyes already clouded, yet he asks with a trembling voice, "Mother, are you alright?"

It was merely a simple concern, but to Xu Mingde's ears it became a torment.

He, angry, retorts, "What mother?"

"Is that even something a bastard like you should call?"

The more Xu Mingde speaks, the more fury rises in him, and the whip in his hand whistles even louder.

The sound of skin tearing and flesh ripping keeps echoing.

"It doesn't matter anymore; you now have no purpose. After all, I only aim to become a Commander, and your existence is a threat to me."

"You say you're so capable, then why use me?"

"You still dare go to the Northern Border, what for? To prove your ability, start over, and let everyone know who the truly capable person is?"

Xu Mingde grows increasingly fiery as he speaks.

Even the whip's torment no longer satisfies him at all.

He suddenly draws a bright dagger.

A faint indifferent smile curls at his mouth; the dagger thrusts forward, leaving a fresh bloodstain on Xu Yanchuan's neck.

"Now, I'll send you to death!" Xu Mingde grins ferociously.

Xu Yanchuan slowly closes his eyes, giving a bitter smile, "It seems, then, Mother is fine."

"Boom!"

The dungeon doors are suddenly smashed open, Li Defu bursts in with a chill, shouting, "General Xu! Something terrible has happened!"

Xu Mingde turns back impatiently, "Can't you see I'm busy?"

Li Defu leans in and whispers a few words; Xu Mingde's face changes abruptly, "What?! Yan'er is pregnant?"

Before any joy can be expressed, his gaze turns cold again, "Damn, how dare they bring Mother into the Imperial Palace?"

"I must return immediately to discuss with Father."

Just as Xu Mingde is about to leave, Li Defu, whose head is throbbing, hurriedly stops him.

He sighs, saying bitterly, "General Xu has now been summoned to Yangxin Hall, the Emperor rebukes, the Xu Family's teaching of daughters is inadequate."

After speaking, Xu Mingde looks at Xu Yanchuan, shakes his head, "Now, the Emperor has spoken."

"The Xu Family is utterly unruly, causing me great disappointment. Since the Xu family's young son disregards military regulations, I will ask him personally."

"This Xu Family, do they despise military law or despise me!"

No need for elaboration; just these few words are enough to bring the Xu Family a disaster of unparalleled magnitude.

Even if Xu Mingde is absurd, such a voice cannot be incomprehensible.

In a moment's anger, whose importance outweighs the Xu Family's prosperity?!

He suddenly looks at Xu Yanchuan, murderous intent swirling in his eyes, and finally tosses the branding iron, "Consider yourself lucky."

Before departing, Li Defu gives the bloodied boy a meaningful glance, "Young Master Xu, the Emperor wishes to personally interrogate you, please go!"

Wan Tang's courtyard.

Xiao Shunzi walks hurriedly.

Seeing the beauties around, she anxiously shouts, "Master, the person has arrived."

"At this moment, Young General Xu is already kneeling in Yangxin Hall."

"The Emperor is personally inquiring."

Wan Tang's complexion darkens severely.

The hands tucked in her sleeves tremble slightly.

Xiao Shunzi hesitates repeatedly, then softly asks, "Master, Nubi truly don't understand, why do you protect the Xu family's young son so?"

"It is rumored that Xu Yanchuan is valiant and battle‑savvy; why then do you suffer..."

Wan Tang offers no explanation, merely says softly, "Even if it means risking my life, this palace will protect him."

"Xiao Shunzi, go!"

"If any wind stirs the grass, report to this palace immediately."