Chapter 19

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Xiao Wan’s words struck like a thunderclap out of clear skies, plunging everyone present into stunned silence, yet she remained utterly unfazed, even raising her brows with a hint of pride.

“Brother Ci Yun, just admit it—you’re not completely indifferent to me.”

Xiao Wan smiled softly and said, “Since you knew all along that I had a favor to ask of you, why didn’t you expose me the moment I came forward?”

Hearing this, Rong Tan suddenly turned to Wu Ci Yun, his eyes filled with disbelief.

Wu Ci Yun: “...”

She was utterly stunned! Who could blame her, when Xiao Wan had started off by undressing herself right away!

Wu Ci Yun was momentarily at a loss for how to explain the turmoil within her heart, and her strange silence seemed to silently confirm Xiao Wan’s words. Under Rong Tan’s shocked and pained gaze, Xiao Wan, like a victor, proudly left the scene cradling the child.

“Ah Yun...”

Rong Tan hurriedly tried to find Wu Ci Yun and get to the bottom of things. But the moment Wu Ci Yun saw him, she felt irritated and immediately asked, “Where did you go just now?”

“Madam Liu was standing outside with the child. I was afraid the child would freeze, so I took them to the warm pavilion…”

“You’re quite kindhearted, aren’t you?”

Wu Ci Yun looked at him with a half-smile, and Rong Tan instantly held back the next words he was about to say. He stood there hesitantly, vaguely sensing he had said something wrong again.

“You like children a lot?”

Wu Ci Yun’s tone was gentle enough; Rong Tan hesitated but nodded slightly.

Although Wu Mingzhu and Wu Liangyu were also raised by him, he dreamed of having a child connected to Wu Ci Yun by blood.

Seeing this, Wu Ci Yun suddenly let out a light laugh. She beckoned to Rong Tan in a friendly manner, signaling him to come closer.

Rong Tan cautiously sat beside her. Wu Ci Yun gently wrapped her arm around his neck, resting her chin lightly on his shoulder, her breath softly brushing his ear.

Rong Tan’s face flushed; his heart skipped a beat. The next moment, he heard Wu Ci Yun whisper in his ear.

“Go away. Don’t show up in front of me for the next few days.”

Wu Ci Yun pushed Rong Tan away suddenly. Caught off guard, he bumped into the corner of the yellow sandalwood table behind him. The dull pain along his waist and back made his expression change slightly.

He instinctively looked up at Wu Ci Yun, but she was extremely cold, giving him a cursory glance as if looking at an irrelevant stranger.

“Ah Ming.”

Wu Ci Yun called Ah Ming in sharply, “You and all the shadow guards on duty today—go receive your punishment. Are all of you dead or what?”

Ah Ming entered and saw the room in complete disarray: torn bed curtains, a toppled screen, everything piled haphazardly on the floor. He was stunned, quickly knelt down to apologize, cursing his luck inwardly.

Wu Ci Yun did not allow the shadow guards to stay close for protection, so they usually disguised themselves as servants within the residence or observed from a distance in the trees.

As soon as Xiao Wan entered, they heard all kinds of noisy sounds—undressing, dressing, chasing, and being chased, all sorts of unhealthy interactions between men and women.

Their master was inside indulging in pleasures with Princess Zhao Ning, apparently oblivious to everything. They couldn’t possibly knock and ruin their fun.

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Ah Ming glanced at Wu Ci Yun expressionlessly. Seeing her usual pale and feeble complexion, he couldn’t help but feel suspicious.

At first, he thought this was some charming widow throwing herself into the arms of a lover, but now it looked more like a venomous widow storming the lover’s house at night, forcing illicit relations. Their master was certainly the one suffering...

Ah Ming didn’t dare linger. Seeing Wu Ci Yun’s impatience and Rong Tan trying to edge closer to her, he hurriedly dragged Rong Tan out, half-pulling, half-pushing, fearing he might bring more bad luck to Wu Ci Yun.

The system clearly disapproved of Wu Ci Yun’s all-or-nothing approach: [Your methods are too harsh, too severe. Such actions only build resentment.]

Wu Ci Yun possessed many typical traits of a villain: ruthless and strict, moody, suspicious, sensitive, even a touch neurotic.

The author had already planted many foreshadowing clues in the early plot to prepare for Wu Ci Yun’s eventual alienation and downfall.

Wu Ci Yun keenly sensed the system’s implication. She secretly planned to thoroughly investigate her attendants in a few days but showed no sign of this on her face, feigning indifference, saying: [I have always been clear in rewards and punishments. Today’s incident was their fault.]

[If today’s visitor was Xiao Wan, so be it. But what if assassins or killers come next? Wouldn’t they easily take my life?]

The more Wu Ci Yun thought about it, the more she felt this matter needed serious attention. She disliked others getting too close, fearing they’d discover her disguise as a man. However, keeping distance had drawbacks—like today, Xiao Wan’s relentless pestering left her almost defenseless.

If necessary, she would have to find some hidden weapons, poisons, or sedatives for self-defense, so that if attacked secretly, she wouldn’t die in mystery.

———

Late at night, Xiao Wan hurried back to the Grand Tutor’s mansion. Without hesitation, she sought out Grand Tutor Zhao that very night, handing over the letter Wu Ci Yun had given her. Her expression was profoundly sorrowful as she confessed her fear and pleaded for help.

Upon opening the letter, Grand Tutor Zhao discovered it contained proof that Prince Rui had incited Xiao Wan to poison Wu Ci Yun, so that he could seize control of the Zhao family’s military power.

At first, he harbored some doubts, but when he compared the letter with previous correspondence from Prince Rui, he found the handwriting and seals identical. Furious, he nearly spat blood in anger.

Xiao Wan secretly passed the news back to Wu Ci Yun, who then arranged for assassins to be sent to the Grand Tutor’s mansion every few days—arson one day, poisoning the next—any crime imaginable was pinned on Prince Rui.

Prince Rui inexplicably bore the brunt of several false accusations, while Wu Ci Yun herself lived leisurely. One day she would reconnect with old friends and former disciples at her former sect; the next, she would reminisce with senior ministers over tea and chess. Outwardly, she claimed to be helping Prince Rui rally support among court officials.

[...Your tactics are a bit too despicable and shameless,] the system muttered.

It had imagined Wu Ci Yun plotting a grand scheme hidden for years.

In reality, Wu Ci Yun was forging seals and stamps, framing others, and committing fraud.

The Wu family’s former disciples naturally followed her lead. For ministers who had been close to Wu Nanshan in the past, she appealed to reason and emotion, moving some to tears. Among the passionate and ambitious young nobles, she spoke of ideals and aspirations, painting grand visions that left her listeners stunned—almost ready to swear brotherhood on the spot.

For those who scorned her no matter what, Wu Ci Yun switched tactics. She produced ledgers of their past corruption and read them aloud one by one until their faces turned pale and they trembled like leaves, then intimidated and bribed them into submission.

This whole process lacked any technical finesse.

Wu Ci Yun was unconcerned. [Despicable and shameless? So what? If it works, it works.]

[You’re just playing Prince Rui for a fool.]

[The difference between Prince Rui and a fool is that he doesn’t drool.]

[...Aren’t you afraid that Grand Tutor Zhao will confront Prince Rui and expose your secrets?]

[Oh, then Prince Rui will surely deny it.]

Wu Ci Yun smiled innocently. [But who would believe him?]

System: [...]

Damn, shameless with such confidence.

Despite the system’s despair, it could not stop Wu Ci Yun’s covert maneuvers, like a fierce tiger hunting prey.

Three days later, after the new emperor’s enthronement ceremony, the court convened for the first time since the palace coup. Prince Rui attended with the new emperor, receiving the obeisance of ministers—a glory that filled him with pride.

His loyal followers petitioned for him to become the regent, citing the young emperor’s age, granting him power to govern on the emperor’s behalf.

Prince Rui believed the matter settled, but unexpectedly, opposition in court was stronger than he had imagined.

Former ministers such as Grand Tutor Zhao insisted that appointing an imperial tutor was the priority. The faction of virtuous aristocrats worried that Prince Rui’s regency would destabilize the court. The Wu family’s disciples and followers remained neutral.

Repeatedly asked about the matter, Wu Ci Yun feigned ignorance, responding with vague platitudes like “Grand Tutor Zhao’s words are sound” or “Minister Li’s views also have merit,” clearly stalling.

Su Wuke listened to the debate and then spoke: “In my opinion, as the court remains unsettled and official positions uncertain, we should now bestow rewards upon meritorious ministers to uphold proper governance.”

“I second that!”

Minister Han of the Ministry of Revenue, a former disciple of Wu Nanshan, quickly agreed. “With treacherous ministers removed from the court and the Wu family’s old injustice to be reexamined, Lord Wu, once wrongfully implicated, has now made great contributions and deserves the highest honors.”

Even the dull-witted Prince Rui understood this was another trap set by Wu Ci Yun. Smiling insincerely, he asked, “Minister Han, what rewards do you think would be appropriate for Lord Wu?”

Minister Han remained composed. “Since ancient times, those who greatly serve the nation and its people have been granted titles and ranks.”

“Do you mean His Highness should grant Lord Wu a noble title?”

Prince Rui looked toward the silent Wu Ci Yun. “Lord Wu, do you share this view?”

Wu Ci Yun frowned slightly, then said nervously, “Such a great reward is beyond my acceptance. I beg all ministers to say no more.”

“I also think it inappropriate!”

Grand Tutor Zhao stepped forward, holding his jade scepter with solemnity, clearly disapproving.

Prince Rui was delighted. “Grand Tutor, what is your suggestion?”

“Though young, Lord Wu has labored arduously and served the realm faithfully, truly a pillar of the state.”

Grand Tutor Zhao paused, then slowly said, “I propose that Lord Wu be granted the title of First-Class Duke, serving alongside Your Highness to assist His Majesty in governing the nation.”

“Grand Tutor, you flatter me too greatly. How could I bear such a burden?”

Wu Ci Yun feigned modesty a few moments. Then she looked up at Prince Rui with a half-smile. “I wonder what Your Highness thinks?”

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