He looked toward Noble Consort Bao, thinking that you want to drive your own son from the throne—you’re quite something. But can the person you plan to promote really give you lifelong honor?

Noble Consort Bao met his questioning gaze, smiled dismissively, and clapped her hands. Two people emerged from behind the screen.

Everyone recognized the first person, and some couldn’t help showing surprise: “Wu Rui, it’s you? Weren’t you already…”

Wu Rui, former Vice Minister of Personnel, had been imprisoned for embezzlement and sentenced to execution pending review this summer. Everyone thought this man was already dead.

Speaking of him was rather lamentable. Originally his embezzlement was seamless and untraceable. The Ministry of Justice and Court of Judicial Review couldn’t find evidence and were prepared to report to His Majesty for innocent release. But after His Majesty heard a few sentences, he pointed out the problem. The Ministry of Justice followed His Majesty’s guidance and indeed found Wu Rui’s embezzlement method. That day, those shabby, heavy furniture pieces were carried out of Wu Rui’s residence. When the old black paint was scraped off the outside, the inside was brilliant gold—all the furniture was actually cast from pure gold. This became a topic of fascination for Ru Zhou’s common people for quite some time.

Thus he was sentenced to death.

Yet he could have escaped with his life.

Wu Rui said coldly: “I spent money and slaughtered a white duck. Of course, I must also thank Noble Consort Bao for giving me the opportunity to spend this money.”

Everyone knew that “slaughtering a white duck” meant paying heavily for someone to die in one’s place, so they didn’t say anything. They could understand Wu Rui’s hatred—after all, he was the one kicked into the abyss by the Emperor.

Noble Consort Bao said: “I must also thank Minister Wu. Each time you’ve been able to provide suitable civilian residences for meetings and helped me figure out ways to contact Little Sixteen.”

Walking behind Wu Rui was the Sixteenth Prince, currently the sole surviving member of the imperial family who didn’t have major defects.

The late Emperor had eighteen sons. The first, second, third, fourth, sixth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth, and fifteenth had all been killed successively, most deaths related to Murong Yi. Now only the simple-minded fifth, the lame eighth, the thirteenth from a lowly maternal family, and the youngest sixteenth and seventeenth with ordinary births and mediocre talents remained.

After Murong Yi ascended the throne, these defective princes received no titles and were all sent far away to live in suburban palaces, with official soldiers guarding them on all sides, clearly intending to confine them for life.

But for these princes, keeping their lives was already quite unexpected. Under Murong Yi’s demonic shadow, they had long lived in trembling fear, no longer daring to have any thoughts.

So now when the Sixteenth Prince emerged, his expression remained panicked, shoulders hunched and back bent, looking left and right, constantly eyeing various exits in the room, seeming ready to flee at any moment.

Looking at him, the ministers felt mixed emotions. Satisfaction was impossible—compared to Murong Yi, this future emperor wasn’t even worthy of carrying his shoes.

But as subjects, after experiencing the harsh and domineering Murong Yi, they had to admit they still felt this puppet-faced emperor was more suitable for them.

At least they could live more easily.

Noble Consort Bao said: “Sixteen is an honest and kind child who has already promised to treat you all well. Please don’t hesitate—work together wholeheartedly to accomplish this great deed.”

The Sixteenth Prince sat uncomfortably beside Noble Consort Bao, still looking around nervously: “This… can you really ensure my life is safe?”

Noble Consort Bao: “Of course! Sixteen, what are you thinking? At this point, you should be thinking about what to do after ascending the imperial throne!”

“Yes, yes… I should… I should honor Noble Consort Bao as Empress Dowager, treat the ministers well, abolish harsh punishments and severe laws, abolish the Guatian Division spy organization…”

Noble Consort Bao and the ministers all nodded with satisfaction.

The Grand Minister of Education said: “The night is long and dreams are many. Since Noble Consort Bao has already succeeded, let’s act tonight.”

Everyone nodded.

Noble Consort Bao then stood up: “If so, it’s getting late. I should return. When I go back and pass the palace gates, I’ll signal you first.”

Everyone said raggedly: “Thank you, Noble Consort Bao.”

Only two people said something different: “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

One was Wu Rui, one was the Sixteenth Prince.

Noble Consort Bao smiled with satisfaction.

The ministers raised their eyebrows, thinking: You cowardly and incompetent Sixteenth Prince, your thoughts are obviously quite eager, yet you still put on this act.

No wonder His Majesty wanted to kill most of the princes. Of the late Emperor’s eighteen sons, truly few were easy to deal with.

But having come this far, they couldn’t hesitate, so they all rose to see off Noble Consort Bao.

Suddenly Noble Consort Bao stopped.

Everyone was also startled.

They all heard clear “crack, crack” sounds from outside.

The sound wasn’t loud, coming intermittently, and no one knew how long it had been going. Previously there had been constant talking inside, so this sound couldn’t have been heard.

Now with everyone quiet, they heard this monotonous, mechanical sound that seemed to have been going on for quite some time.

In the snowy courtyard with all sounds silent, hearing such a noise made everyone’s backs tingle with fear as they looked at each other.

This courtyard had two sections. The outer section was full of guards disguised as servants, while the inner section allowed no one to enter.

Yet the sound was coming from the courtyard.

Everyone’s faces went white.

They stared at the blue floral curtain, not daring to move.

But Noble Consort Bao didn’t think much, angrily saying: “Who’s out there playing tricks!”

She stepped forward and lifted the curtain.

The next instant she froze completely at the doorway.

The curtain fell from her stiffened fingers.

But the people inside had already seen the courtyard situation through the curtain gap.

In the center of the courtyard sat a carriage.

The carriage curtain was lifted, with the driver bending over beside the carriage. Inside the carriage, someone reclined lazily, feet on a foot warmer, holding a paper bag of sunflower seeds and cracking them.

With hard teeth and nimble lips, upper and lower jaws working, sunflower seed shells were spat to the ground.

Those crack-crack sounds came from his mouth.

A glimpse, then the curtain fell.

Everyone became like clay sculptures and wooden carvings.

Without even needing to see that face, just from the posture, they knew—the Demon King had arrived.

Everyone slowly turned their gazes toward Noble Consort Bao.

What about His Majesty being bedridden with illness and completely unable to rise!

Who was now outside cracking sunflower seeds, listening to their conspiracy as entertainment!

Outside, Chazi handed over a cup of ginseng tea, saying disapprovingly: “Your Majesty, sunflower seeds are heating in nature. You can’t have too many.”

Murong Yi stuffed the seed bag into her hands, glancing at the motionless curtain: “Dogs, surrender! You’re surrounded!”

The ministers: “…”

Mu Si stood with hand on sword below the carriage, coldly laughing: “His Majesty says the first to come out and surrender will be spared death. The last one—nine generations executed.”

Before he finished speaking, there was a howl from inside. A bang and crash sounded, as if something had been smashed.

A scream, the curtain was flung open, two figures staggered out stumbling, the curtain slapping against the wall with a snap, and the two figures fell kneeling in the snow under Murong Yi’s carriage.

A moment of silence.

After a while, the person fallen in the snow raised his head, gave Mu Si an ingratiating smile, then said upward: “Your Majesty, I’m your Sixteenth Brother. I’ve captured the chief rebel for you!”

Mu Si slowly looked down at the person thrown into the snow, a dagger now at her back, probably knocked breathless from the fall and not yet recovered.

He looked at her head full of pearls and emeralds, protective armor studded with gems that she was reluctant to remove even in disguise.

He said expressionlessly: “Greetings to Noble Consort Bao.”

In the carriage, Murong Yi didn’t glance down even once, just smiled.

Chazi looked at him worriedly, offering a medicinal pill, which he waved away.

He said: “Oh, Sixteenth Brother, shouldn’t you be at the suburban palace? How did you get here?”

The Sixteenth Prince kowtowed in the snow, tearfully crying: “Your Majesty, this subject is guilty. Noble Consort Bao sent Wu Rui to coerce this subject from the palace. With my poor martial skills unable to resist, I thought to play along and discover their plans to provide Your Majesty with the most accurate information… Your Majesty’s arrival is perfect timing. This subject has captured the chief rebel. Please deal with her as you see fit!”

Inside the carriage, Murong Yi chuckled softly, saying to Chazi: “Everyone curses me for patricide and fratricide, saying my crimes are unforgivable, but I think I haven’t killed enough.”

Chazi said gruffly: “Could you not laugh like that! It makes me uncomfortable!”

Murong Yi shot her a look. Below, the Sixteenth Prince was already shouting: “Your Majesty, every word this subject speaks is from the heart, as clear as the sun and moon! Your Majesty must believe this subject! This subject was truly coerced!”

Murong Yi tilted his head slightly: “General Mu didn’t eat enough wontons earlier. Don’t you have strength to kill?”

Mu Si also rolled his eyes and drew his sword to advance.

The Sixteenth Prince suddenly leaped up, grabbing Noble Consort Bao to shield himself, shouting: “Don’t come closer! No one approach! Anyone who takes another step, I’ll kill her first!”

Murong Yi said: “Go ahead and kill her.”

Noble Consort Bao, shaken by this grab, finally awoke. Looking up, she saw Murong Yi behind the curtain watching her calmly and coldly, hearing that casual “go ahead and kill her.”

She also felt the pain in her back and saw the vague cold gleam of crossbows hidden in the snow on the walls.

Despair surged through her heart. Her entire body was ice-cold while her heart felt on fire. She began screaming hysterically.

“Murong Yi, are you even human!” Noble Consort Bao’s eyes were blood-red, but her face was paler than snow. “Aren’t you afraid of the world’s condemnation! I’m already your only relative!”

Murong Yi tilted his head, looking at her curiously, smiling: “Oh, so you know?”

Noble Consort Bao was struck speechless.

After a long moment she said: “Save me! Save me, and I swear I’ll never again covet the position of Empress Dowager! I swear I’ll be good to you! If you don’t want me appearing before you again, you can send me from Ru Zhou to Liao Zhou, Ji Zhou, anywhere remote! Just save me!”

Her tears finally flowed down anxiously, streaming halfway down her cheeks before freezing into pearls.

Behind her, the Sixteenth Prince dragged her, slowly circling the carriage toward the courtyard gate, shouting: “Give me a good horse, with clean water, dry food, and silver notes immediately. Once I’m out of Ru Zhou, I’ll release her!”

Murong Yi said nothing.

The soldiers’ crossbows on the walls slowly moved following the two people’s movement.

Mu Si kept a cold face, reaching the position parallel to the Sixteenth Prince across from the carriage, using the carriage as cover while placing his hand on his arm crossbow.

He didn’t care about anything else.

Even if it meant fighting to the death today, he would never let this disaster of a Noble Consort Bao leave here alive!

He had grown up with Murong Yi since childhood, watching Murong Yi endure too much and tolerate too much. Today, if Murong Yi still wanted to endure, he wouldn’t!

But then he saw Chazi lift the carriage curtain and wink at him.

Mu Si was startled.

In this moment of surprise, the Sixteenth Prince had already dragged Noble Consort Bao almost past the carriage.

But just then, the inconspicuous coachman standing beside the carriage with bent back suddenly raised his hand.

As if merely brushing snow from his shoulder, a pale white mist dispersed from his fingertips, also looking like snow fog.

The Sixteenth Prince’s attention was entirely focused on the walls, the carriage, and the courtyard entrance, paying no attention to this old coachman.

The mist instantly surrounded him. He immediately collapsed silently, not even having a chance to hold his breath.

When he fell, Noble Consort Bao joyfully discovered the grip restraining her had loosened.

She immediately turned and rushed back toward the carriage.

But the snow-brushing old coachman’s hand hadn’t withdrawn, instead remaining straight across Noble Consort Bao’s path.

Noble Consort Bao was just passing his side when she suddenly stumbled onto his arm.

She instinctively screamed and shouted angrily, reaching out to push away this lowly person who dared defile her.

But then she heard him clearly say: “The Emperor of Da Qian asked this old man to send greetings to the Noble Consort of Da Feng.”

Noble Consort Bao froze.

The titles mentioned in this sentence confused her completely. She had never imagined she could have any connection with the Emperor of Da Qian.

She had always revered power and hierarchy. Even when Tie Ci was still Crown Princess, she had only regarded Tie Ci as a stepping stone for her and her son’s advancement, never considering herself Tie Ci’s future mother-in-law or Tie Ci as her future daughter-in-law.

After Da Feng’s independence, that made her an enemy nation’s emperor.

Why would an enemy nation’s emperor send greetings to her?

She didn’t understand, but instinctively felt a chill in her heart that froze her expression and movements.

The coachman continued: “The Emperor of Da Qian says she regrets never meeting you face to face. However, some people are better not met. Not meeting makes things more convenient.”

Noble Consort Bao still didn’t understand, staring with slightly widened eyes in shock.

“She says there are some mothers who don’t deserve to be mothers… Go back and be remade.”