Chapter 325

There was clearly a wall between Senior Cheng Lingzi and Chen Guanlou; she could not sense his inner thoughts, nor did she understand the concept of holding back her words.

"If you're not a waste, who is? Song Shiyi, go back to the palace and be your emperor—don't make me look down on you."

She gave not a single ounce of emotional value.

The old emperor didn't kill him on the spot—certainly because he was guilty and feared he couldn't win, not out of any lingering sentiment.

Look at the old emperor's mad eyes—even Grand Eunuch Qiu Defu dared not approach, not even daring to breathe loudly, wishing he could become a corpse. Corpses don't breathe and won't provoke the mad old emperor.

"Do you truly hate me so much that you won't give me even one chance?"

This sounded exactly like the lament of a wronged husband.

That doesn't make sense—they're from different generations.

The old emperor is the son of the former emperor; Senior Cheng Lingzi is the former emperor's concubine, the old emperor's stepmother.

A mother and son cannot act like this!

Chen Guanlou's mind screamed frantically: Is this something he should be seeing? He didn't want to die—he still wanted to live. Seeing the old emperor lose all dignity was already enough to kill him; now the scene seemed to be spiraling into some twisted familial dynamic—he'd probably have to die a hundred times over.

He pressed himself tightly behind Zhong Susu, daring not to glance even once, cursing that he had no invisibility technique.

This is deadly!

Senior Cheng Lingzi, since you won't kill the old emperor, at least give him some emotional comfort—calm him down! Consider it a good deed for the day.

"All nonsense!" Senior Cheng Lingzi was clearly impatient, wishing she could split the old emperor's head in two. She turned to Wei Wubing. "Are you still going to block me?"

Wei Wubing looked utterly helpless, let out a bitter laugh, and landed gracefully before the old emperor. "Your Majesty, it's late. Time to return to the palace."

Qiu Defu's face lit up with gratitude—he was counting on this elder to save everyone's life tonight.

The old emperor, still in a frenzy, snarled, "How dare you interfere with me?"

The atmosphere grew dark, as if he might strike at any second.

Grand Eunuch Wei Wubing's expression remained blank, speaking calmly, neither humble nor arrogant: "Your Majesty, that's enough. Her Ladyship is already furious—don't make her rage explode."

"And what about me? Are you not afraid of my rage?" The old emperor vented all his fury on Wei Wubing.

Wei Wubing sighed inwardly.

Senior Cheng Lingzi added fuel to the fire: "Why do you coddle him? Give him a beating—see if he dares to be so arrogant again."

Wei Wubing felt a headache coming on. He glanced back at her. "Your Ladyship can walk away anytime, but I must still live in the palace. Please don't build your happiness on my suffering."

Senior Cheng Lingzi sneered. "Fine, coddle him all you want! No wonder he went mad enough to depose the crown prince."

"Why can't I depose the crown prince?" the old emperor roared. "You've already withdrawn from the mortal world—why interfere with my decisions?"

Senior Cheng Lingzi narrowed her eyes, a dangerous glint flashing within. "Twelve, am I being too kind to you?"

The old emperor's furious expression froze. He instinctively stepped back. "Don't you dare act rashly! I am the Son of Heaven—you cannot act recklessly! Wei Wubing, stop her!"

Senior Cheng Lingzi had endured too long—long enough to kill. A sharp killing intent surged toward the old emperor. Wei Wubing sighed, stepped forward calmly, and effortlessly deflected the lethal strike.

"Your Ladyship, why quarrel with a mere youth? Leave now—I won't stop you."

"Stop her! Don't let her go!" The old emperor, feeling protected, screamed wildly.

Wei Wubing turned back, disapprovingly eyeing the old emperor. "Your Majesty, you're foolish. It's late. Return to the palace and rest."

"I won't return! I want to… don't you dare use your tricks on me! I'm not tired! I won't go back!"

As he spoke, the old emperor's head drooped—he fell asleep.

Qiu Defu rushed to catch him, his face filled with worry, his lips blistered from anxiety.

"What do we do? What do we do? When he wakes, the palace will never be peaceful again! Ancestress, you've doomed me!"

Wei Wubing glanced at Qiu Defu.

Qiu Defu's face was a picture of despair. "Can't we wake him up? At least let him say goodbye to Her Ladyship?"

"Stop fussing! Take His Majesty back to the palace immediately. If he causes trouble, I'll handle his rage myself."

"Elder, you must keep your word! Everyone's lives rest on you alone. No more deaths in Taiji Palace!"

Qiu Defu was truly terrified.

A mad old emperor was a god-slaying, Buddha-slaying monster. Qiu Defu constantly feared for his head, even wishing he could castrate Jiang Tu and send him to court to serve—after all, Jiang Tu loved flattery most; let him flatter the emperor day and night.

Wei Wubing found Qiu Defu's babbling unbearable and ordered him to shut up.

With no choice, Qiu Defu could only carry the old emperor back to the palace.

The black-robed guards arrived swiftly—and vanished just as quickly.

In an instant, they disappeared into the night, as if nothing had happened.

Wei Wubing looked up at Senior Cheng Lingzi. "Leave now. Don't come back until His Majesty passes."

"I come when I wish, leave when I wish—no one controls my will." Senior Cheng Lingzi was indeed arrogant—and had every right to be.

Wei Wubing looked weary. "Why bother with a mere youth?"

"If you hadn't blocked me, I would've left long ago."

Wei Wubing waved his hand. Go, go, go—get out. All of you are plagues.

Senior Cheng Lingzi turned to leave with Zhong Susu.

Chen Guanlou panicked.

His life…

"Susu!"

Zhong Susu was a good person.

"Master, Brother Chen helped me—please save Brother Chen!"

Mid-air, Senior Cheng Lingzi glanced down at Chen Guanlou. He looked passable. "Wei Wubing, this boy has helped my disciple—protect his life. Don't let Zhou Mobai, that madman, trouble him. And no one in the palace either."

For the first time since arriving at the courtyard, Wei Wubing finally looked directly at Chen Guanlou. "Her Ladyship, rest assured—no one will trouble him."

Satisfied with the assurance, Senior Cheng Lingzi took Zhong Susu and vanished into the night in an instant.

Her speed was so great Chen Guanlou couldn't catch up even if he rode a horse.

Is this the speed of a Grand Master?

He slowly descended from the rooftop and stood in his own courtyard, feeling awkward.

Facing Wei Wubing, who had not yet left, Chen Guanlou hesitated—unsure how to address this imperial Grand Master.

"Elder, would you like tea? I have premium tea leaves taken from Hou Fu."

After a moment's thought, Chen Guanlou summoned the courage to speak up.

Wei Wubing had originally had no interest in a mere youth—had it not been for Senior Cheng Lingzi's request, he wouldn't have spared him a glance. But that one look revealed something strange about the boy, stirring a flicker of curiosity.

"After a long night, I'm thirsty indeed!"