Everything happened so suddenly, utterly without warning. Everyone froze, allowing Female Official Dong to run out in a panic, shouting loudly. Soon, guards rushed in. Female Official Dong pointed at Imperial Consort Lian and Li Weiyang inside the hall: “It’s… it’s them, it must be them!” She shouted: “What are you all standing there for? Quickly seize them!”

The guards’ long swords all left their sheaths, surrounding them with cold flashing steel.

Ninth Princess stood there completely stunned. She didn’t know what had happened. How could the Empress Dowager suddenly die, and why would Female Official Dong, whom she had always respected, accuse Imperial Consort Lian and Li Weiyang of being the murderers: “What are you all saying? I… I don’t understand—”

Imperial Consort Lian’s face was deathly pale, a chill rising from the bottom of her heart. She staggered backward, her feet tripping on something unknown, nearly sitting on the ground in complete disarray: “You… you…” She was so frightened by this sudden turn of events that she temporarily lost her usual composure.

A flash of understanding crossed Li Weiyang’s mind. So that’s how it is.

Those cold, sinister eyes still floated in her mind—Tuoba Zhen… So your first move was aimed at me. In the palace, you had long avoided notice and bribed Female Official Dong, having her secretly poison the Empress Dowager to death, then making her accuse the murderers. Openly and secretly laying down killing moves, forcing Li Weiyang to fall into the trap. Actually, even if it wasn’t the Empress Dowager’s death, it would have been something else. Since Tuoba Zhen wanted to target her, he had definitely not prepared only this one thing!

Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh. Imperial Consort Lian suddenly stood up, staring deadly at those guards: “I am His Majesty’s Imperial Consort Lian. I must see His Majesty! You cannot convict me like this!”

Female Official Dong looked down at Imperial Consort Lian from above, her gaze ice-cold: “Your Highness, things have come to this point and you still won’t confess. Do you think His Majesty will forgive you after learning of this?”

Looking at those guards holding sharp blades, Imperial Consort Lian’s voice was already breaking apart: “You dare!”

“Imperial Consort Lian, you and Princess Anning secretly plotted to poison the Empress Dowager to death—what exactly were you trying to accomplish?!” Behind Female Official Dong’s smiling face was complete twisted distortion, no longer showing any of her usual calm: “I advise you to quickly reveal who’s behind this, to save me the trouble!”

Li Weiyang suddenly gave a cold laugh. Female Official Dong looked at her in shock, but saw her walking step by step toward herself. Before she could react, Li Weiyang pulled a hairpin from her own hair, reversed it, and the sharp hairpin was already plunging straight toward Female Official Dong’s throat. Female Official Dong never imagined Li Weiyang would be so ruthless. Before she could even cry out for help, she had already fallen to the ground with a thud.

Everyone was stunned by the outwardly delicate Princess Anning’s unexpected action. Those guards were about to rush forward and kill her on the spot when they heard Li Weiyang shout sternly toward the hall entrance: “Female Official Dong poisoned the Empress Dowager! She has been executed on the spot! As for the others, quickly seize them!”

The guards only heard the sound of wind. Before they could react, they were already surrounded by a group of armored soldiers rushing in from outside the hall. These people all wore iron armor, carried precious swords, and were expressionless, as if they had been lying in ambush here long ago. The guards’ faces involuntarily showed terror. One person was about to resist when his head was cleanly severed, rolling far away. Blood splattered out instantly. No one dared move easily again! They heard Li Weiyang say coldly: “Female Official Dong has already died. These people are all accomplices. Detain them all!”

The group of armored guards responded in unison. Imperial Consort Lian and Ninth Princess looked at each other. Li Weiyang threw down the hairpin in her hand and turned to look at them: “Those people will arrive soon. Will you come with me, or continue staying here?”

Imperial Consort Lian looked at her in shock: “Go with you? Where?”

Li Weiyang smiled faintly, her gaze sharp: “Chonghua Palace!”

Imperial Consort Lian saw Li Weiyang smile gently, but her eyes were extremely cold. Her heart seemed to seep sharp coldness in this instant, suddenly painful. She couldn’t help blurting out: “Li Weiyang, what exactly are you saying? Why go to Chonghua Palace at this time? I need to see His Majesty!”

Li Weiyang met her gaze, a smile spreading from her lips, eye corners, and brow tips, like an epiphyllum blooming on a cold moonlit night—proud, cold, yet unshakeable: “Imperial Consort Lian, His Majesty has already been placed under house arrest in the palace at this moment. Even if you go, I’m afraid you won’t be able to see him!”

Imperial Consort Lian was completely stunned, looking at Li Weiyang almost in terror, as if seeing her for the first time: “You… what do you… what does this mean?”

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Everything today was planned by Tuoba Zhen. Do you think he’s only targeting small fry like you and me? Whether you come with me or not is up to you. I advise you to quickly find a place to hide with the young prince, to avoid being caught in the crossfire.”

Imperial Consort Lian looked at her in shock, not knowing how to react. But at this time, Li Weiyang had already walked quickly outside. Ninth Princess suddenly called out loudly: “Sister Weiyang, I’ll go with you!”

Li Weiyang glanced at Ninth Princess, raised her hand and grabbed a long sword from one of the nearby armored guards, throwing it to Ninth Princess. Ninth Princess caught it but found she needed both hands to hold the sword. Her constantly trembling body couldn’t calm down either: “My mother and the others—”

“They’ll be fine, don’t worry.” A smile quickly flashed through Li Weiyang’s eyes. “Come, let’s go.”

Ninth Princess followed Li Weiyang in confusion all the way to Chonghua Palace. However, just as they reached the entrance of Chonghua Palace, they heard the sound of hurried hoofbeats. The person in the lead wore full military dress, his face cold as frost as he sat on horseback, holding a long sword high. Ninth Princess cried out in delight: “General Sun!”

She was about to quickly descend the steps and run toward Sun Chongyao. But at this moment, Li Weiyang suddenly gripped her hand. Ninth Princess turned back to look at Li Weiyang in bewilderment. Li Weiyang’s gaze was ice-cold, without a trace of warmth. Following her gaze toward behind Sun Chongyao, seeing that dark mass of people, Ninth Princess suddenly realized: “General Sun, you—you’re not here to rescue His Majesty?”

Sun Chongyao’s expression was grave as he stared at Ninth Princess and Li Weiyang, similarly showing surprise and doubt. He had led three thousand Imperial Guards straight to the palace all the way. At the palace gates there were only about ten guards standing watch. He hadn’t even encountered any significant resistance and had arrived directly at the entrance of Chonghua Palace. Once past this hall, it would be the inner palace. But what did he see now? Li Weiyang stood on the steps, expressionless as she held back Ninth Princess who was about to run toward him, those eyes like ancient wells coldly staring at him.

She just stood there, her expression neither smiling nor serious, yet possessing a power that made people dare not easily offend.

Looking carefully, Ninth Princess saw that on Sun Chongyao’s long sword, blood was dripping down drop by drop.

Li Weiyang stood on the high steps, looking at Sun Chongyao from a distance, her eyes full of contempt: “General Sun, have you thought through the consequences of rebelling and forcing the palace?”

Sun Chongyao stared at Li Weiyang in shock, stunned for a moment. When he reacted, he raised his long sword, about to recklessly eliminate her first. But at this moment, a mysterious smile suddenly appeared on Li Weiyang’s face. Sun Chongyao saw the four deputy officers beside him scream one after another and fall dead to the ground, all with feathered arrows in their throats. Sun Chongyao’s expression immediately changed. He looked around and saw that at the high hall doors and around the palace walls, countless armored soldiers had somehow appeared, holding bows and arrows, standing high on the palace walls, having already formed an encirclement, surrounding him and all his soldiers within.

This is bad—it’s a trap! Sun Chongyao realized in an instant, but it was already too late. On the palace wall, Tuoba Yu waved his hand forcefully, and ten thousand arrows were released simultaneously. Arrows fell like a swarm of locusts toward the center of the Imperial Guards. These people hadn’t expected to suddenly come under attack. For a moment they pushed and trampled each other in chaos, yet were pinned front and back unable to move. Sun Chongyao shouted sternly and reorganized the formation, attempting to break out from the palace.

“Fire in rotating triple volleys. No one stops until I say so.” Tuoba Yu said slowly. “Release!”

Amid the screams, countless bowstrings twanged, like torrential rain breaking through the air. The palace gate—the only connection to the outside world—was cut off, yet that curtain of arrows still refused to cease. The trapped Imperial Guards desperately tried to break through toward the palace gate, but at this time that gate had already been firmly blocked by Tuoba Yu’s men. Unable to rush out in time, they fell like a tide.

Sun Chongyao looked back. The path out of the palace was already covered with random arrows and corpses. Countless archers were shooting random arrows at them, and all the Imperial Guards he brought on this mission had come for close-combat palace assault and had no shield equipment. It was clear there would be heavy losses. After several thudding sounds, arrows fell one after another. Sun Chongyao twisted his head to look, only to be sprayed with blood by his last deputy officer.

Sun Chongyao’s three thousand troops—in less than an instant—were already wailing everywhere, screaming continuously, in complete chaos. Sun Chongyao caught sight of Ninth Princess, hardened his heart, and intended to hold her hostage. But unexpectedly, Li Weiyang waved her hand, and two people were already pushed out from inside the hall.

Sun Chongyao looked and his eyes nearly popped out. The people Li Weiyang pushed out were none other than his two beautiful concubines, both still holding crying infants in their arms. The executioner holding a sharp sword to their necks was none other than his legal wife, Madam Sun.

This eerie scene made Sun Chongyao’s eyes nearly split with fury. He shouted sternly: “Madam, have you gone mad? Do you know what you’re doing?”

Madam Sun gave a cold laugh: “Put down your sword, and I’ll tell you.”

General Sun stared dumbfounded at his wife holding a long sword over the heads of his pair of sons. Behind her were several armored soldiers—clearly this was no joke. The long sword in his hand inexplicably began to tremble. Then he turned toward Li Weiyang: “You—when did you know?”

Li Weiyang just smiled faintly: “From when you interrogated those four people, I already had doubts about you.” Those four secret guards were indeed sent by Princess Anguo, but they were sent over as sacrifices with Tuoba Zhen’s tacit approval. The only purpose was to make Li Weiyang believe that Sun Chongyao harbored resentment toward Tuoba Zhen’s faction because of Sun Yanjun’s matter, and to confidently introduce him to Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu.

From the beginning, Sun Chongyao had been Tuoba Zhen’s man. Those four people were merely bait—the big fish to be caught was Tuoba Yu. No, or rather, it was the Emperor. Only by making Tuoba Yu trust General Sun could Sun Chongyao successfully infiltrate the enemy’s interior. Of course, if Li Weiyang hadn’t spared Hui Nu’s life and ordered him to secretly monitor every move of the Third Prince’s residence, discovering General Sun’s secret contact with Tuoba Zhen would have taken considerable effort.

“For your great undertaking, to assist your Third Prince, you actually watched your own daughter die? Sun Chongyao, you really have lived up to us mother and daughter!” On Madam Sun’s face at this moment, there wasn’t a trace of emotion. Her eyes were full of tears, and unstoppable hatred.

“Madam! Don’t listen to Li Weiyang’s provocations. How could I do such a thing? Yanjun is my own daughter!” Sun Chongyao feared Madam Sun would kill his pair of young sons with one sword. He hurried to explain. At this moment he could no longer care about the blood flowing behind him from his subordinates and soldiers. He only cared about his sons’ safety. Seeing Madam Sun’s expression was extremely agitated, he could only stand at the bottom of the steps, looking on in terror.

“Why? Why—you clearly loved Yanjun so much. From childhood, you never bore to let her suffer the slightest harm. But why did you watch her die so miserably—why wouldn’t you save her? Why did you help the murderer? Why! Why! For power? For such useless things, you could actually watch her die!” In Madam Sun’s eyes, a crazed look began to emerge. She stared at Sun Chongyao as if mad, as if she wanted to bite him to death.

Sun Chongyao could no longer hear the miserable shouts behind him. His eyes were full of pleading as he looked at Madam Sun: “Madam, I had no choice—Jun’er’s death, I didn’t want it originally either. I had intended to deliberately create a false impression for you to see. Who knew by the time I arrived it was already too late. Madam, forgive me! My heart aches too! You know how much I loved this daughter! Previously the Third Prince promised he would grant me the position of Prince with a Different Surname—once I become a Prince with a Different Surname, you’ll be a Princess Consort. Jun’er was just a daughter. In the future my sons will be filial to you!”

Prince with a Different Surname? This man could sell out his own daughter merely for glory and wealth—Li Weiyang gave a mocking laugh: “General Sun, at first I truly believed you harbored deep hatred for Tuoba Zhen… But later I felt things weren’t that simple. Yanjun was an innocent and naive girl. She never imagined her own father would easily sell her out for a position as Prince with a Different Surname, even willing to send her to Princess Anguo for slaughter. That there could be a father like you in this world—I really wonder if your heart was eaten by dogs?”

Princess Anguo was merely Tuoba Zhen’s chess piece in this entire affair. She didn’t even know Tuoba Zhen had deliberately orchestrated that “chance encounter.” No, it should be said that Tuoba Zhen initially didn’t know Princess Anguo’s secret. He probably originally planned to deliberately create conflict between Sun Yanjun and Anguo, preparing to kill Sun Yanjun and frame Anguo, deliberately creating the false impression that Tuoba Zhen was implicated by Princess Anguo and had broken with Sun Chongyao. Who knew that without knowing about Tuoba Zhen’s secret plotting, Princess Anguo, fearing Sun Yanjun would reveal her secret, actually killed her, inadvertently doing Tuoba Zhen a great favor—later when Li Weiyang pieced the whole thing together, she realized everyone had been played by Tuoba Zhen.

With such profound scheming, if he didn’t become emperor, it would truly be a waste. Li Weiyang’s smile unconsciously carried endless coldness.

Madam Sun suddenly began to laugh, but this laughter carried indescribable misery. General Sun looked at her laugh in terror, unable to guess her next move. Finally, she calmed down, turned around, and gently caressed the child in one concubine’s arms: “Yes, I’ve always treated your children as my own, doing my utmost to be a proper daughter-in-law of the Sun family. No matter how difficult mother-in-law was, how arrogant the concubines were, I always endured it all. My only hope was that Jun’er could be happy. Now you say Jun’er was just a daughter. Haha, my daughter—” As she spoke, she actually gave an eerie smile and forcibly snatched that swaddling bundle, viciously throwing it down from the steps.

Li Weiyang also hadn’t expected Madam Sun would commit such a terrible act. For a moment she couldn’t stop it in time. She watched helplessly as that child rolled down. Sun Chongyao let out a beast-like wail and lunged toward where the child had fallen below the steps. But before he could reach the child, he heard Li Weiyang shout loudly: “Stop Madam Sun!” But this sentence was ultimately too late. Madam Sun mercilessly threw the other child down as well.

Below the high steps, both children instantly died. This tragic situation made Sun Chongyao collapse in an instant. He suddenly raised his head to look at Madam Sun, as if wanting to perish together with her. At this moment, armored soldiers had already surged forward, pinning him down before the steps. He shouted loudly, struggling desperately: “Poisonous woman! You poisonous woman! You poisonous woman!”

Madam Sun laughed loudly, but laughing and laughing, she laughed until tears came out, almost bending over with laughter: “Yes, poisonous woman. I am a poisonous woman. But wasn’t all this forced out by you? When my Jun’er died so miserably, you as her father wouldn’t avenge her. Then I’ll do it for you!” Then she suddenly turned around, looking coldly at those two concubines wailing while holding each other, seeming to have some killing intent in her eyes. Li Weiyang’s mind spun like a wheel. In an instant she had decided on a strategy. But with a smile on her face, she stepped forward and blocked her in time: “Madam Sun, the real murderers are Tuoba Zhen and Princess Anguo. Your revenge isn’t complete yet! No point wasting time here!”

Madam Sun looked at Li Weiyang. Her originally ferocious expression slowly became calm: “Princess, I know you don’t want me to kill innocents indiscriminately—very well, I won’t kill these two sluts! But those who caused my daughter’s death—I won’t spare a single one!”

Li Weiyang looked at Madam Sun whose face was pale but whose eyes showed determination, and sighed in her heart. General Sun, oh General Sun, you pushed your virtuous and gentle wife to this point step by step. Do you feel any regret now? You had a dignified wife and a beautiful, innocent daughter, yet you still wouldn’t give up the position of Prince with a Different Surname. Such glory and wealth could be exchanged for your most beloved daughter’s life—this was simply—unacceptable.

Of the three thousand Imperial Guards, only about a thousand remained. These people saw General Sun being arrested and immediately panicked, not knowing whether to continue breaking out or immediately surrender. Sun Chongyao’s hands were bound, yet he continued to sneer coldly, watching the slaughter that had turned the square below the steps into chaos.

At this time, Tuoba Yu quickly descended from the city wall via a small path, escorted by a squad of elite soldiers, finally walking to Li Weiyang’s side. He called out loudly: “I know you were all deceived by the traitor Sun. His Majesty has issued a decree—immediately lay down your swords and blades, and you will be pardoned.”

However, everyone here knew the crimes they had committed were too great. Not a single person dared to comply.

Li Weiyang walked before Sun Chongyao. He was already covered in blood, his eyes nearly splitting with fury, having fallen into madness. Li Weiyang looked at him and said calmly: “General Sun, tell your soldiers to stop struggling.”

Sun Chongyao remained silent, as if he hadn’t heard what Li Weiyang was saying. His rebellion had failed, so naturally he would have no good end. Not just him—even several hundred members of the entire Sun family wouldn’t escape this crime. Since that was the case, what was wrong with dragging some people down with him?

Li Weiyang continued: “His Majesty is magnanimous and benevolent. General Sun has also rendered service to the country. If you show timely remorse now, there may still be a thread of hope.” Saying this, she looked toward Tuoba Yu. Tuoba Yu smiled slightly and walked forward, the killing aura on him fading instantly: “General has always been an excellent general in His Majesty’s and my eyes. His Majesty has already issued a decree—this matter lies only with the chief culprit Third Prince. Those who surrender will not be questioned.”

The meaning was that if Sun Chongyao was willing to lay down his butcher’s knife, the Emperor would forgive his crimes. But Sun Chongyao thought carefully—stubbornly resisting might still offer a thread of hope… Moreover, he had committed the great crime of rebellion. Would the Emperor really be so kind as to spare him?

Li Weiyang said slowly: “General Sun, I know that three days ago, using the excuse of Old Madam Sun returning to her hometown to visit relatives, you already sent away the main branch of the Sun family. But you should think carefully—over mountains and waters along that route, can they arrive safely?”

Sun Chongyao’s expression changed: “Li Weiyang, have you already—” Could it be that Li Weiyang had already killed his relatives? No, how could that be? He thought everything was done without anyone knowing. With such an openly legitimate excuse, how could it be easily exposed!

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “The General worries too much. We merely invited them to be guests. But if the General insists on not laying down your butcher’s knife, I’m afraid the King of Hell will also invite them to sit for a while. At that time, the General will have no face to meet the ancestral spirits of the Sun family.”

Sun Chongyao sighed, knowing he couldn’t resist. He shouted loudly: “Did you all hear what Seventh Prince said? All of you lay down your swords and blades.”

Ten years ago, Sun Chongyao had also commanded the Imperial Guards. But the position of Imperial Guard Commander was quite special—usually rotated every three years. To cultivate his own power, Sun Chongyao had ruthlessly groomed four or five deputy generals and strongly promoted them. For this operation, from the fifty thousand Imperial Guards he had selected three thousand elite soldiers he could control, and had other deputy generals guard the remaining forty-five thousand. He was just waiting to take the palace gates and send out a signal for those remaining forty-five thousand to seize control of the capital in the name of loyally protecting the Emperor. Tuoba Zhen’s two hundred thousand troops were naturally not far from the capital, ready to turn back at any time—by then, he would just say that Seventh Prince Tuoba Yu had poisoned the Emperor and Empress Dowager while the army was away from the capital, attempting to usurp the throne. Third Prince Tuoba Zhen would immediately lead troops back to loyally protect the Emperor.

“His Majesty’s situation—” Li Weiyang looked at Tuoba Yu and asked.

“We’ve already captured the palace maids and eunuchs who attempted assassination. Tuoba Zhen is truly formidable. Though the palace had been thoroughly cleaned before, he could still plant so many hidden agents. And these people all insisted in unison that the mastermind was me. If I hadn’t acted first to stop them, I’m afraid even jumping into the Yellow River couldn’t wash away this crime. Father Emperor is also extremely furious…” Tuoba Yu pondered for a moment and related all this one by one.

Li Weiyang nodded: “Now, all that’s left is to wait.”

Tuoba Yu gritted his teeth: “Once I catch Tuoba Zhen, I must flay a layer of skin from him!”

Such fine-sounding words. Since he had discovered the other party’s conspiracy in advance, he could have prevented the assassination and poisoning. But Tuoba Yu never took action… clearly wanting to confirm Tuoba Zhen’s crimes! This Seventh Prince had now completely become a different person. Li Weiyang glanced at him, but just smiled faintly without comment. Then she turned her head to look at Ninth Princess, who had been watching from the side, trembling all over. “Princess, are you alright?” Just now, nowhere in the palace was safe, so she had kept Ninth Princess by her side. Now seeing her frightened like this, she felt somewhat apologetic. “Should I send you back to rest first?”

Tuoba Yu nodded: “Ninth Sister, I’ve already notified Imperial Consort Rou and the others to hide first. They should be fine now. Quickly go comfort Imperial Consort Rou, lest she be frightened.”

Li Weiyang gave a cold laugh. Imperial Consort Rou frightened? What fantasy. But she didn’t plan to express her opinion. She just turned to walk outside. Zhao Yue, who had been disguised as a palace maid following by her side, hurried to catch up. Tuoba Yu quickly called out to her: “Where are you going?”

Li Weiyang glanced at Madam Sun’s departing back: “Returning to the residence.”

Tuoba Yu presented his own token: “The entire city is now under martial law. Tuoba Zhen is still watching like a tiger. You cannot wander about randomly. But with this token, you can move freely in and out of the palace.”

Li Weiyang hesitated, but ultimately accepted the token, turned and quickly departed. Tuoba Yu watched her hurrying figure, smiling slightly. Li Weiyang, you will soon become mine. That day is not far off.

Just after leaving the palace gates, she saw the common people in a state of panic. They still didn’t know what had happened in the palace—only that the city gates had been closed by someone, and squads of troops were patrolling within the city. Sun Chongyao had been waiting for those forty-five thousand Imperial Guards to respond, not knowing that all five deputy generals in the Imperial Guards had been executed by Tuoba Yu. Now, with the Emperor’s decree, Tuoba Yu had firmly controlled these forty-five thousand men. Now—what remained was the two hundred thousand troops in Tuoba Zhen’s hands and Duke Jiangguo’s five hundred thousand troops. But regardless of which side, neither could rashly make any moves now… Li Weiyang’s carriage entered a long alley when it suddenly stopped. Zhao Yue lifted the carriage curtain and heard an extremely harsh voice: “Li Weiyang, get out here!”

Princess Anguo!

Li Weiyang frowned. Madam Sun had already led people to rush to the Third Prince’s residence, but Princess Anguo was here instead. It seemed Madam Sun had come up empty. She gave a cold laugh. Heaven has a path but you won’t take it; hell has no gate yet you insist on barging in. Fine, I’d like to see just what you want to do. She instructed Zhao Yue to lift the carriage curtain, then got off the carriage. She saw Princess Anguo behind her with several guards from the prince’s residence, looking at Li Weiyang with murderous intent.

The prince’s residence guards were all very tense. Princess Anguo didn’t know what had happened—she suddenly summoned men to search everywhere for Princess Anning. First she went to the Li residence, but the Li residence was shut tight, only saying the princess had entered the palace. Princess Anguo still refused to give up and wanted to search all the way into the palace. Now meeting her here—how could they not worry? If they got into conflict, what should be done?

Princess Anguo’s eyes were full of hatred as she glared at Li Weiyang: “Slut!”

“Where did this crazy woman come from?” Li Weiyang said with a cold laugh. Her brows and eyes were all calm. Facing Princess Anguo’s insults, she smiled even more contentedly.

The more Princess Anguo went mad, the more frenzied she became, the happier Li Weiyang felt.

Princess Anguo was stimulated by Li Weiyang’s smile until her eyes turned blood-red. Her lips trembled twice. A flow of blood slowly rushed to the top of her head. The uncontrollable rage in her heart grew stronger and stronger. Her voice held uncontrollable resentment: “Li Weiyang, you actually colluded with Imperial Physician Shen to harm me! You poisonous woman!” Then she shouted sternly: “Hui Nu, seize her now!”

No one responded. Hui Nu just stood quietly, motionless.

“Hui Nu, are you deaf? Can’t you hear what I’m saying?!” Princess Anguo whipped her head around, her voice like a broken gong, becoming extremely unpleasant due to excessive anger and hatred.

Hui Nu still didn’t move, showing no reaction.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Hui Nu, you did very well.” Hui Nu started, then nodded: “Thank you for the praise, Princess.”

Princess Anguo was first shocked, then in an instant understood everything. Her expression became extremely distorted: “Li Weiyang, setting a trap to harm me wasn’t enough—you even bribed my secret guard? You truly have such vicious scheming!” Then she suddenly tried to lunge at Li Weiyang, but was blocked by Zhao Yue. Li Weiyang looked coldly as Princess Anguo screamed madly under Zhao Yue’s restraint, her mouth continuously spewing unbearable words. She said coldly: “Full of filthy language. Slap her mouth!”

Zhao Yue gave a cold laugh and raised her hand, delivering over ten slaps that swelled half of Princess Anguo’s face. Anguo completely hadn’t expected Li Weiyang would dare be so arrogant. She immediately flew into a rage, wishing she could chop off the hands that restrained her. How dare such a servant slap her face! Li Weiyang, how dare she!

The guards from the Third Prince’s residence beside them hurried to stop this, but Li Weiyang said coldly: “Third Prince colluded with Sun Chongyao to gather forces in rebellion. Sun Chongyao has now surrendered. You’re still protecting this shrew—do you want to rebel together?”

Everyone froze upon hearing this.

Li Weiyang’s smile became cold: “If you don’t believe it, feel free to ask the Imperial Guards behind you to see just where your master is.”

The guards from the Third Prince’s residence looked back and saw the entire alley was already surrounded by Imperial Guards. Their expressions immediately became extremely ugly. Li Weiyang waved her hand. Zhao Yue nodded to the Imperial Guards, and they immediately bound Princess Anguo efficiently.

Princess Anguo hadn’t expected the situation would change so quickly. She struggled desperately, glaring at those servants whom she considered utterly base, at Li Weiyang. Could this slut have gone mad, daring to treat her like this!

Li Weiyang looked at Princess Anguo’s eyes full of resentment, but the smile on her face became even more clear and cold: “Princess Anguo, do you know that what Imperial Physician Shen did to you was not ordered by me? His true master is your dear husband, Tuoba Zhen.”

Princess Anguo froze, then shouted angrily: “What nonsense are you spouting?!”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Don’t you know? When Imperial Physician Shen was in the palace, he had a very close friendship with the Third Prince.”

Princess Anguo’s gaze began to fill with fear: “You… you… what exactly are you saying?”

Li Weiyang’s smile carried a hint of mockery: “Third Prince has no husband-wife affection for you at all. Otherwise, why wouldn’t he tell you about his friendship with Physician Shen? And why, knowing you couldn’t consummate with him, did he mention taking concubines in front of you? Why, when you searched frantically, did Physician Shen disappear without a trace? Because Tuoba Zhen is waiting for you to die. Do you understand?”

“You’re lying! It’s all lies! He wouldn’t! He wouldn’t do this. He truly loves me!” Princess Anguo’s eyes were full of resentment. If possible, she almost wished she could bite Li Weiyang to death.

But Li Weiyang didn’t care at all and continued: “After I reminded you, you stopped all the medicine Physician Shen gave you, didn’t you? Seeing no way to make you disappear automatically, he thought of another method to put you in a deadly situation. Do you know why he left the capital but left you behind?”

“He—he went to war.” Princess Anguo forced out these words with difficulty, only to discover her teeth were chattering.

Li Weiyang smiled. Her smile at this moment was pure as a child’s: “No, he’s usurping the throne, and deliberately left you here, expecting you to be killed by the so-called ‘rebel forces.’ I think these rebel forces were all arranged in advance. At that time he’ll send a letter to Yuexi, placing your death on Tuoba Yu’s head. At that time, the Yuexi imperial family will naturally settle accounts with Seventh Prince and Duke Luoguo’s household—of course Empress Pei is no fool. For him to do this, he’ll naturally have many arrangements to make people believe everything was truly done by Tuoba Yu. Oh my, at that time I think he’ll still put on quite a show, making others think how grief-stricken he is for you. Anguo, oh Anguo, you’re truly pitiable, yet also pathetic.”

Tuoba Zhen had no husband-wife affection whatsoever for Princess Anguo. He left Princess Anguo in the capital partly to gain the Emperor’s trust, and partly to put her in a deadly situation. After all, she was a princess of Yuexi. If Tuoba Zhen truly ascended the throne and wanted to abandon this empress, he would certainly have to consider whether Yuexi would be enraged by this.

“Li Weiyang, I won’t believe anything you say!” Princess Anguo glared with fury like an enraged wild beast, struggling desperately. A ferocious smile appeared on her face as she let out a chilling laugh that made one’s scalp tingle. Zhao Yue looked with disgust at this mad imperial princess, forcefully restraining her so she couldn’t move an inch. “Hmph, you say all this just to provoke discord between us husband and wife, to achieve your unspeakable purposes!”

Even now Princess Anguo remained obstinate. Li Weiyang gently shook her head and said with a smile: “Believe it or not, it’s up to you. I’m just kindly reminding you. Why get so agitated?”

Princess Anguo shouted angrily: “Li Weiyang, regardless of whether Tuoba Zhen is rebelling or not, I’m still a princess of Yuexi. What can you do to me?! Do you dare kill me? No, you don’t dare. If you kill me, my mother will never forgive you. She’ll find you and flay you alive, boil you in oil!”

Hearing this, Li Weiyang suddenly laughed: “Princess Anguo, you’ve got it wrong. How would it be me killing you? Clearly you were captured by rebel forces in the chaos, isn’t that right?” She looked around. The surrounding Imperial Guards all lowered their heads: “Yes.”

Finally, a look of terror appeared on Princess Anguo’s face. She had been so arrogant precisely because Li Weiyang wouldn’t dare do anything to her. But what if Li Weiyang was determined to avenge Sun Yanjun? What should she do? “Li Weiyang, don’t act rashly. There are no walls in this world without cracks. If you kill me, my mother will find out one day. She’ll definitely avenge me!” Seeing Li Weiyang’s expression unmoved, she immediately changed her tone. “Li Weiyang, we don’t have any mortal hatred. Why must you make things difficult for me? Let me go, and I guarantee I’ll let bygones be bygones!”

Li Weiyang was amused by her words. Let bygones be bygones? She raised her eyebrows to look at the person before her and said slowly: “When Second Sister-in-law died, she probably pleaded with you like this too. She had no grudge against you—she just inadvertently saw you going to see a doctor. To prevent your secret from leaking, you didn’t hesitate to kill her, and in such a cruel manner. You’re such a conscienceless person—do I still need to reason with you?” Yes, actually Li Weiyang needn’t stain her hands with Princess Anguo’s blood. But she had promised Sun Yanjun she would avenge her, and she absolutely couldn’t break that promise.

Li Weiyang’s smile was full of killing intent beneath its warmth: “Take Princess Anguo away. Take good care of her. Don’t let her run around crazily anymore.”

“Yes.” The Imperial Guards bowed in salute, then immediately someone came to seize Princess Anguo. Princess Anguo shouted angrily: “Don’t touch me with your dirty hands! I’m a princess of Yuexi! I’m a princess of Yuexi! Let go! All of you let go! Li Weiyang, you slut, I’ll never forgive you! Slut! Let me go!” While shouting loudly, she desperately struggled and kicked at the guards.

Li Weiyang slowly watched her, smiling slightly: “Hui Nu, I don’t want to hear her voice anymore.”

Hui Nu’s scalp tightened. He quickly stepped forward, his hand like an iron clamp gripping Princess Anguo’s jaw, then forcing her to stick out her tongue. With one slash, blood immediately gushed forth. Half a tongue fell into the dirt. Princess Anguo screamed once, her eyes rolled back, and she fainted.

Li Weiyang said: “I remember Princess Anguo wrote beautiful small regular script with floral decorations. Unfortunately, I never want to see it again.”

Without raising his head, Hui Nu hardened his heart and severed Anguo’s hand tendons with a dagger. Princess Anguo was jolted awake by the pain again, but at this moment she no longer had the strength to resist. She rolled in the dust, her beautiful and luxurious clothes torn and tattered, utterly miserable. Li Weiyang walked over, her embroidered shoe stepping on her severed wrist, saying gently: “When Second Sister-in-law died, you did this too, didn’t you?” The maid had said when Sun Yanjun was sent back, there were still bruises on her wrists from being trampled by shoes.

Princess Anguo wanted to curse, but opening her mouth revealed only a bloody hole. She couldn’t curse at all. In extreme pain, she could only glare at Li Weiyang with eyes full of hatred taken to the extreme.

Li Weiyang smiled: “Alright, it’s time for you to go on your way.” The guards immediately escorted Princess Anguo away.

Zhao Yue asked carefully: “Miss, where are they taking Princess Anguo?”

Li Weiyang smiled: “To where she should go.”

Zhao Yue didn’t understand. Just then, she saw Madam Sun riding over angrily from not far away. Seeing Li Weiyang here, she immediately dismounted. Li Weiyang smiled at her: “Madam Sun, you’re one step too late.”

Madam Sun’s face showed resentment: “I went one step too late. That slut already escaped.”

“No, she didn’t escape.”

“Where did she go?” Madam Sun asked impatiently. She only hoped to personally kill her enemy, to slay Princess Anguo with one sword.

Li Weiyang smiled slightly: “Someone so noble as her should experience what a true ‘slut’s’ life is like, to not waste her calling everyone sluts all day long.”

Under the sunlight, Li Weiyang’s skin was translucently white, and her scent was the elegant fragrance of lotus flowers. She looked refined and delicate—others would never imagine she would say such cold words.

Madam Sun said resentfully: “Princess, I know you mean well, but why go to such trouble? Better to just kill her with one sword and save any complications—”

Li Weiyang smiled: “Don’t worry. I’ll take you to see in a moment.”

Madam Sun looked at Li Weiyang in surprise, not knowing what she meant by these words. But no matter how she asked, Li Weiyang just smiled mysteriously and refused to answer.