◎I want the position of Director of the Supervision Department◎

Li Zong had seven princes in total, of which three were born from women of the Wang clan. Two were under Empress Wang Lianyang’s name, while the remaining one, the nephew Li Changrong who was not yet ten years old, was born from Noble Consort Wang Xiuli’s womb.

She was originally a collateral branch concubine’s daughter who was selected for her beauty. After entering the palace, she was quite obedient, staying in the deep palace with her child for a long time, almost completely deferential to Wang Lianyang.

Recently, Li Guiyu had some disagreements with the Wang clan, especially after returning from the south. The Wang clan had grown quite cold toward him. After all, as long as Li Zong lived long enough and Li Changrong grew up, the Wang family wasn’t without other choices.

Only Wang Lianyang had no choice.

But now that Li Changrong had died in this chaos, Li Guiyu had truly become the Wang clan’s only choice.

Receiving this news, Xie Heng thought for a moment, then asked: “How did he die?”

“When the explosives detonated, this little prince was too close to the explosives.” Xuanshan frowned coldly, saying with displeasure, “He was hit in the head by flying debris.”

“Can you tell if it was intentional or accidental?” Xie Heng pondered. Xuanshan shook his head: “Can’t tell.”

Xie Heng closed his eyes, knowing this matter would likely yield no results upon investigation.

The death of a prince would normally be a shocking event that rocked the court, never ending so easily or simply.

But placed in today’s context, it wasn’t a big deal.

This was indeed the best timing. Perhaps from the beginning, Li Guiyu’s supposed conspiracy with Luo Wanqing was aimed at this very thing.

But stirring up this muddy water back and forth, the blame would probably all end up under Luo Wanqing’s name.

“Too clever by half in one’s schemes.”

Xie Heng smiled mockingly, then said to rest: “Let’s go back. Tonight send an urgent message to the Sizhou Supervision Department—have everyone leave immediately.”

The carriage clip-clopped back toward the Supervision Department. Upon returning, Xuanshan, Zhuque, and others dispersed. Today’s chaos at the Supervision Department had left everyone with heavy tasks—no one had spare time.

Xie Heng removed his wedding robes, bathed, and then came to the window wearing simple clothes.

Seeing him extend his hand, Zhuisi quickly landed. Xie Heng gently stroked its head, saying warmly, “Go find your mother. Tell her all the mountain mechanisms have stopped. If she’s injured and returns, she can also come up the mountain. Tonight is our wedding night—I’ll wait for her in the hundred-sons canopy. If she doesn’t come tonight…”

Xie Heng paused, wanting to say something harsh, but couldn’t bring himself to. After thinking for a long time, he finally said, “Then I’ll be angry.”

Zhuisi tilted its head to look at him, its little eyes rolling around as if unconvinced.

Xie Heng suddenly felt the embarrassment of being seen through by a bird. He pretended indifference and extended his arm outward: “Go.”

As Zhuisi circled away, Li Zong had already returned to his bedchamber.

He sat in his chair, listening to the eunuch on the ground crying: “The Tenth Prince was sitting by the flower bed when explosions suddenly erupted around him. Stones flew over and hit the Prince’s head. Everything was chaos. This slave risked his life to protect the Prince and escape, but when this slave brought the Prince to find a physician, the Prince… the Prince…”

The eunuch didn’t dare continue, but Li Zong already knew the result.

His face showed no expression, only some weariness as he sighed: “Forget it, it’s also fate. You failed to protect your master—drag him out and beat him to death.”

“Your Majesty?”

The eunuch looked up in terror. When he realized what was happening, guards had already stepped forward to drag him away. The eunuch cried out in panic: “Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare me!”

However, these words had no effect. The eunuch was dragged from the bedchamber to outside the hall, pressed onto boards, and the execution began.

Li Zong sat in the room, listening to the screams outside. He heard light rain beginning outside, saying somewhat bewildered: “Yang Chun, tell me, who wanted to kill me today?”

Yang Chun didn’t dare respond, only bringing ginseng tea: “Your Majesty, it’s late at night—don’t think too much. Please rest early. If Your Majesty has doubts, this slave will investigate immediately.”

“You investigate?” Li Zong chuckled lightly. “Having you, old thing, investigate—I’m afraid the truth will quickly come to light, finding a few destitute households, creating reasons for assassination, all confessing and leaving prints, then waiting for execution at the Meridian Gate.”

“Your Majesty…” Yang Chun felt somewhat embarrassed.

Li Zong slowly turned his head, looking out the window: “I use you, naturally knowing what kind of person you are. Greedy for money and afraid of trouble—this kind of matter isn’t something you can handle.”

“Your Majesty is wise,” Yang Chun massaged Li Zong’s shoulders, probing: “Then, have Director Xie investigate?”

Li Zong remained silent. Just then, Yang Chun’s face suddenly changed. He raised his hand to block in front of Li Zong, shouting: “Someone, come protect His Majesty!”

“Your Majesty need not panic.”

A woman’s voice came from outside the door, accompanied by the sound of rain. Li Zong’s face changed dramatically. He instantly rose, grabbed his outer robe, and rushed outside. Pushing open the door, he saw Luo Wanqing standing in the courtyard.

Guards in the courtyard lay scattered everywhere. She held a knife she had just seized, standing on guard in the courtyard. Hearing Li Zong open the door, she turned to look. Her beautiful face was wet with rain, her usually lustrous white skin showing a somewhat sickly pallor.

She still wore the ceremonial dress from when she escaped—a light pink dress stained with blood. Combined with the blade in her hand, she radiated a demonic beauty blooming in the night.

Li Zong stared at Luo Wanqing in a daze, then realized and couldn’t help frowning: “You still dare come to the palace to see me?”

“Your Majesty has business for me,” Luo Wanqing smiled, straightening up and throwing the blade to the ground. Facing Li Zong, she bowed: “This subject dares not refuse to come.”

Hearing this, Li Zong became even more confused.

“I’m asking you for something?” Li Zong didn’t understand. “What am I asking you to do?”

“Your Majesty,” Luo Wanqing looked up at Li Zong, reminding, “Zheng Bikui escaped.”

“So what?” Li Zong still didn’t understand.

Luo Wanqing said calmly, “He has commanded troops for a long time and is arrogant and domineering. He witnessed his father being killed by me after Your Majesty allowed me to assassinate him. He might also have seen Grand Eunuch Yang help me, then saw people everywhere pursuing them, and saw Grand Eunuch Yang try to kill me while Director Xie blocked him… Your Majesty, if he returns to Sizhou, how do you think he’ll explain this matter to the Zheng clan?”

“I’ve already written to Sizhou to explain the situation to the Zheng family elders,” Li Zong said calmly. “The outcome is still unknown.”

“Your Majesty is benevolent, but are they?” Luo Wanqing smiled: “Your Majesty, you only protected me, and today they sent assassins. Now they suspect you killed someone. Do you think the mutual peace you desire is still possible?”

Li Zong didn’t speak. Thinking of today’s situation, he understood Luo Wanqing was right.

The Zheng family’s rebellion was only a matter of time.

But he couldn’t strike first before the Zheng family made a move—the cost would be too great, too expensive.

Luo Wanqing stared at Li Zong, continuing: “Once the Zheng clan acts, if Your Majesty cannot extinguish them with thunderous methods quickly, the aristocratic families will certainly respond in droves. Your Majesty, you have too many sons, and they’re too excellent. Any aristocratic family prince would be a good choice. Aren’t you afraid?”

“What do you want to say?” Li Zong slowly tasted Luo Wanqing’s meaning, asking directly: “What do you want?”

“I want the position of Director of the Supervision Department.”

Luo Wanqing’s tone was very calm, but her words shocked even Yang Chun. Li Zong, however, wasn’t surprised.

She looked at Li Zong, her tone gentle yet resolute: “After the Zheng clan rebels, have me also serve as military supervisor, commanding the army to crusade against the Zheng clan. At the same time, confine Li Guiyu and let me watch over him.”

“What’s your bargaining chip?”

Li Zong knew Luo Wanqing couldn’t have just entered the palace like this. He looked at Luo Wanqing: “You came here—wouldn’t it be simpler for me to kill you to appease the Zheng clan?”

“Setting aside that killing me now wouldn’t do much to appease the Zheng clan, Zheng Pingsheng’s death is a thorn in the Zheng family’s heart. This thorn will forever be embedded in their flesh, making Your Majesty restless day and night. Even if it were useful…”

Luo Wanqing spoke, slowly smiling: “If the Zheng clan swallows their anger and doesn’t rebel even after their family head’s death, it could only be because they’re incompetent. But what if they can rebel?”

Hearing this, Li Zong frowned. Luo Wanqing chuckled: “Your Majesty, after my father returned from the battlefield, the first place he went wasn’t the south—it was Eastern Capital. Do you know what he came to do?”

“What?”

Li Zong vaguely guessed the result. Luo Wanqing raised her eyes: “He came to get a key.”

With these words, Li Zong had his answer. Li Zong carefully confirmed: “What key?”

“Cui Qingping once placed something on White Egret Mountain.”

Luo Wanqing held nothing back. Upon hearing this, Yang Chun showed terror on his face, but Li Zong seemed unsurprised. He merely changed his expression, examining the woman before him with entirely new eyes.

Gone was the collapse and panic from when he demanded the cipher before; gone was the respectful obedience when following Xie Heng. At this moment, she seemed to reveal her true face, without half a trace of humility or gentleness, only the fire of ambition burning in her eyes.

Meeting Li Zong’s gaze, Luo Wanqing continued: “If the Zheng family obtains that thing, with the Zheng family’s power, attacking Eastern Capital would require no effort at all. Does Your Majesty want to know what it is?”

“Explosives.” Li Zong smiled, speaking with certainty: “Explosives with power dozens of times greater than current explosives.”

“Your Majesty knows?” Luo Wanqing seemed surprised, then smiled: “Since Your Majesty knows, I won’t waste words. I know the specific location of this thing and have told my people. As long as I die, the Zheng family will immediately know the location of this thing.”

“You dare!”

Li Zong roared angrily. Luo Wanqing chuckled: “Alone and friendless, a lonely ghost—what don’t I dare?”

Li Zong stared at Luo Wanqing, unable to tell if her words were true or false.

He breathed rapidly, unable to help asking: “How do you prove what you’re saying is true?”

“What if it’s false?” Luo Wanqing asked calmly in return: “Would the Zheng family not rebel if it’s false? Would those assassins have nothing to do with Li Guiyu if it’s false?”

Luo Wanqing stepped forward, walking toward Li Zong step by step: “Would it change the fact that today’s explosives were placed by Li Guiyu if it’s false? Would the aristocratic families not be ready to kick Your Majesty when you’re down if the Zheng family rebels and it’s false?”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing reached the eaves. Rain lines fell behind her, becoming her backdrop. She questioned sentence by sentence: “They attempted assassination—doesn’t imperial dignity need defending? Doesn’t imperial authority need upholding? Your Majesty,” Luo Wanqing stopped before Li Zong, “I’m useful—you can use me. You’ll discover I’m more suitable than Xie Heng.”

“Why?”

Li Zong didn’t understand: “You’re already the Director’s wife of the Supervision Department. Why do you still want to do these things? Is it necessary?”

“My father is dead.”

Luo Wanqing smiled. Her eyes held naked, direct hatred. She stared at Li Zong with a particularly calm madness: “My entire family, all the relatives I cared about—they’re all dead. Why should my family be gone while the Zheng clan lives well? Does Your Majesty think one Zheng Pingsheng is enough?”

Li Zong examined the woman before him. She presented a never-before-seen, crazed appearance. She shook her head lightly: “Not enough. What this world owes me should be repaid by the entire world. I want to become Director of the Supervision Department. I want to personally pronounce judgment on my family’s case. I want to hang the entire Zheng clan on roadside trees to accompany my family in death. I want them to carve the crime of treason into the bloodline of the Zheng family’s ancestors for generations! I want Li Guiyu to pay the price! Your Majesty, I’m not asking for your favor now.”

Speaking thus, Luo Wanqing suddenly produced a dagger. Yang Chun cried out in alarm, pulling Li Zong behind him: “Your Majesty, be careful!”

Luo Wanqing laughed mockingly. Under their panicked gazes, she pressed the dagger to her neck. She gazed at Li Zong, saying calmly: “Either give me the positions of Director of the Supervision Department and military supervisor, confine Li Guiyu and let me have my revenge, or let this subject die here today and have my people tell the Zheng clan the location of the explosives warehouse—”

Luo Wanqing spoke with particular solemnity: “Your Majesty, you choose.”

Li Zong said nothing. He listened to the night rain, watching Luo Wanqing press the dagger bit by bit into her neck. The blade cut through skin, blood flowing out.

She wanted to die.

Watching this, Li Zong knew clearly—she would die.

Were there people outside waiting for her?

Were her words true?

If her words were false, if everything was her orchestration, if the explosives message in the Xuantian Box was her doing, all to use his help to kill Zheng Pingsheng and then use this message to threaten him now—then even if she died now, it wouldn’t change that the Zheng clan might rebel, wouldn’t change the determination of those with wolfish ambitions in the Supervision Department to act against him today. Sooner or later, he’d have to send troops to Sizhou, he’d have to explore White Egret Mountain, sooner or later, he’d have to sweep away these treacherous ministers.

If what she said was true…

Letting the Zheng family obtain the explosives warehouse, with the Zheng family entrenched in Sizhou with troops and provisions, they could rally support and find a reason to attack Eastern Capital. The Li dynasty’s empire… would perish in his hands.

This was an unacceptable result.

Li Zong’s heart chilled as he stared at Luo Wanqing, slowly smiling.

Want to be Director of the Supervision Department? Want to be a military supervisor?

Very well.

Li Zong looked at the woman before him—still young yet determined as she pushed the dagger into her neck—and showed a kind smile: “Put down the dagger.”

He spoke. Luo Wanqing’s movements paused. Li Zong stepped forward, raising his hand to press down Luo Wanqing’s dagger, saying gently: “It’s not that I won’t agree. Since you’re a minister I must rely on heavily, if you harm yourself like this, how can I bear it?”

Hearing this, Yang Chun spoke in shock: “Your Majesty? The Supervision Department is such an important position…”

“But I also have conditions.”

Li Zong ignored Yang Chun, only staring at Luo Wanqing. Luo Wanqing raised her eyes to see Li Zong smiling: “I promise you—if the Zheng clan rebels, I’ll grant you the position of Director of the Supervision Department, temporarily dispatching authority to mobilize regional commissioners nationwide for military recruitment, and concurrent appointment as military supervisor. But you must exterminate the Zheng clan within half a month and bring the explosives warehouse back to me.”

“Yes.”

Luo Wanqing responded without hesitation, then put away the dagger, respectfully saying: “This subject receives the decree.”

“If the Zheng clan doesn’t rebel…”

“Your Majesty will secretly take my head and send it to the Zheng clan as appeasement?” Luo Wanqing spoke jokingly, but her words were particularly sharp.

Hearing this, Li Zong shook his head, saying quite kindly: “How could that be? I won’t kill you. Go rest in the dungeon first. Everyone is looking for you now—it’s safe there. Rest assured, whether the Zheng clan rebels or not, I’ll keep you alive.”

Speaking thus, Li Zong turned to enter the room, his voice cooling: “Whether it’s the life of one at the peak of power or a life worse than death depends on your fortune.”

As he spoke, Yang Chun called people to take Luo Wanqing away, then followed Li Zong inside.

After entering, he saw Li Zong lying in a rocking chair, eyes closed in meditation, his expression unreadable.

Yang Chun stepped forward, half-squatting and lowering his voice: “Your Majesty, today’s events seem inappropriate. If you give the Director position to Luo Wanqing, Director Xie’s side…”

“He’s not that stupid.” Li Zong kept his eyes closed: “Finding him a scapegoat—he’ll be grateful to me. I just didn’t expect…”

Li Zong tapped the armrest of his rocking chair, laughing mockingly: “A mere regional commissioner dares to be the mantis stalking the cicada. Let me watch her struggle,” he slowly opened his eyes, “and see how many days she can be glorious. At least she’ll die beautifully.”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater 1]

Xie Heng: “My wife is a poor little thing. After killing Zheng Pingsheng, she must be panicked and homeless, wandering everywhere. Quick, quickly find her and bring her back!”

Li Guiyu: “My mother is delicate and can’t take care of herself. After killing Zheng Pingsheng, she must be frightened and running around everywhere. Maybe she took the wrong path to the Supervision Department. Quick, quickly catch… oh no, find her and bring her back!”

Luo Wanqing: “100-meter sprint straight to the palace to steal the crystal! I’m charging!!!”

[Mini Theater 2]

Luo Wanqing: “Watch me charge all the way to demand an official position from Li Zong.”

Li Zong: “Stop charging. Xie Heng said everything’s yours. His everything is yours, and he’s yours too.”

Luo Wanqing: “Huh?!!!”