Chapter Twenty: Yan Ziyu's Gamble

“You have won this contest, Yan Ziyu. What conditions will you ask of me?” the Emperor suddenly looked at Yan Ziyu and spoke.

The outcome of this contest had been decided the moment Yan Ziyu’s painting appeared before the crowd. Moreover, her work was created by painting over a ruined piece that looked like the random scribbles of a fool and a four-year-old child—something no ordinary person could achieve. Even with exquisite skill, it would be nearly impossible to do what she did.

In short, Yan Ziyu’s victory was resplendent and magnificent.

“My condition is very simple. As the saying goes, a true man cannot go a day without power, and a young woman cannot go a day without money. I ask Your Majesty to grant me some money. The amount is up to Your Majesty’s will; I dare not argue,” Yan Ziyu said.

Her words plunged everyone into stunned silence. They had assumed that with such a high stake, she must have some grave request for the Emperor. Yet, in the end, she simply demanded money, saying a young woman cannot go a day without it. This was truly baffling.

Many turned their eyes toward Long Xiaoyan. You are a prince, yet your princess consort has come to this? How have you treated her so poorly?

Faced with these suspicious glances, Long Xiaoyan’s face darkened, growing so sullen it seemed water could drip from it.

“Oh? How much silver do you want me to grant you? Speak,” the Emperor said, initially surprised by her demand for money, then his expression softened somewhat. But Yan Ziyu’s next words darkened his face further.

“The amount of silver is secondary. I will accept whatever amount Your Majesty grants. What I truly value is something else. A few days ago, I was nearly poisoned in the prince’s residence. That incident awakened me completely—some people are simply not worth loving or waiting for. After thorough investigation, I discovered that the person who poisoned me is Your Majesty’s consort, the noble Consort Rou. Today, in front of the civil and military officials, as well as the ambassadors of the two great nations of Chiyang and Shengyue, I ask Your Majesty to give me justice and restore fairness to me!” Her tone sharpened as she locked her gaze on Consort Rou, her eyes like two sharp blades.

The hall fell into a heavy silence.

This was a matter of imperial dignity; no one dared speak rashly for fear of incurring wrath.

“Do you have proof of your claim?” The Emperor’s gaze was as cold and sharp as a blade, his voice laced with severity.

“I have no proof…” but I have witnesses! Yan Ziyu had prepared this line, but it was useless. Not only did she have no intention of revealing them, the Emperor would not allow her to speak further and cut her off immediately.

“Impudent! How dare you slander the esteemed consort without evidence? Guards, escort Yan Ziyu away to rest! She is not to leave without my command.” This sentence effectively stripped Yan Ziyu of her identity as Princess Consort Xiaoyan. The Emperor, having bottled up his fury all night, finally found an outlet.

***

Want to kill someone to vent your anger? Not so fast—the scapegoat hasn’t been found yet!

Besides… if the Emperor wants to kill her, would Long Xiaoyan allow it?

A cold glint flashed in her eyes. This was a gamble—a high-stakes bet of life and death. If she won, she would have the means to turn her fortunes around. If she lost… no. She would not lose. Her luck had always been good.

A sharp gleam flickered in Yan Ziyu’s eyes as she put on an expression of anger and injustice, exclaiming, “Wait! Though I have no proof, I do have witnesses. How can this be baseless accusation? I am the Princess Consort Xiaoyan, and my father is the great general of this dynasty. Would I dare act so recklessly? Your Majesty refuses even to see my witnesses but already accuses me of slander. Are you not afraid of chilling the hearts of your ministers and disheartening the people of the realm?”

Her stern rebuke echoed through the hall. Every word pressed the Emperor closer to the reputation of a tyrant, yet every argument was reasonable and righteous.

“Impudent! Your Majesty’s decisions are not for a mere princess consort to question. Take Princess Consort Xiaoyu away at once. Do not spoil Prince Xi’s and General Chen’s dining and entertainment!” a eunuch near the Emperor snapped sharply.

“Impudent are you! The Emperor hasn’t even spoken, yet you dare open your mouth? Do you think you are greater than the Emperor? How dare a lowly eunuch scold me, the princess consort? Do you not respect the prince, or the Emperor? Has such a eunuch become the retired emperor of Dayun?” Yan Ziyu’s words grew sharper, her retort causing both the Emperor and Long Xiaoyan’s expressions to change drastically.

Furious, the Emperor slammed the table and shouted, “Silence! Yan Ziyu dares to defy imperial decree! Guards, slap her ten times as punishment! The adopted daughter of General Yan is talentless—suspend her salary for three months.” Thinking to himself, “You still have some use, so I’ll tolerate you this once,” the Emperor suppressed his murderous intent.

As palace maids and eunuchs moved to seize Yan Ziyu, two figures suddenly rushed forward.

“Bad people! Don’t bully Rui’er’s mother! You are all bad people!”

“Bullying Xiao Yu makes Ali very angry. There will be serious consequences! Get lost—” The last shout burst out with fierce anger.

Rui’er and Ali, seeing Yan Ziyu being harassed, pushed away Qiu He who had been blocking them, dashed to the center of the hall, and stood protectively in front of her. Ali even kicked away the two eunuchs trying to grab Yan Ziyu.

“Why did you come out? Oh, you are driving me crazy!” Yan Ziyu was both exasperated and touched—exasperated they disrupted her plan, but touched by their loyalty in adversity. Rui’er’s concern was expected; but Ali surprised her greatly.

***

Hmph?

Looking at the two males shielding Yan Ziyu, one large and one small, Long Xiaoyan furrowed his brow. For a moment, as if by illusion, he thought Rui’er bore some resemblance to that guard. The feeling passed quickly, and he thought no more, maintaining his usual cold and indifferent demeanor.

“Dare to use force in the Night Flower Hall! Guards, seize them!” Long Xiaotian roared in fury. Yan Ziyu was so bold as to openly defy imperial orders and disrespect him. Even if he could not kill them, he would punish them severely!

“Wait!”

A slightly anxious voice cut through the tension. Prince Xi’s figure appeared suddenly in the center of the hall. His eyes flashed with surprise as he quickly scanned Ali, then gave Yan Ziyu a meaningful glance, saying in a deep voice, “If His Majesty wishes to punish these people, it would be better to hand them over to me. I have a keen interest in them.”

The Emperor frowned, evidently not expecting Prince Xi’s request. Yan Ziyu was important to the Emperor’s younger brother, but refusing Prince Xi might displease him. His gaze turned to Long Xiaoyan, silently asking.

“I’m afraid you will disappoint Prince Xi. This is my princess consort and the heir apparent’s child. They cannot be handed over,” Long Xiaoyan said coldly.

At that moment, he flicked his hand inside his sleeve, and an invisible fine needle pricked Yan Ziyu’s neck…

Yan Ziyu, let me see what miraculous skills you have to dissolve the grand feast I have prepared for you!

A cold glint flashed in Long Xiaoyan’s eyes.

*Bang—*

A loud noise rang out. Yan Ziyu felt a sharp sting on her neck; her legs weakened, and she fell backward. Ali reacted quickly and caught her. As for the words spoken, Yan Ziyu heard none of them. Darkness engulfed her vision, and she lost consciousness.

In the flurry, no one noticed a tiny scratch on Yan Ziyu’s neck, from which a streak of blood, dark green as ink, oozed…