Chapter 14: Days of Silence (4)

Sneaking snacks in the middle of the night directly resulted in Chu Yaoyao's lack of sleep; she slept until the sun was high in the sky, still feeling groggy.

System: Detected that the Li family's destiny has changed. Counterattack progress +10. Current progress: 25. Reward: 50 points. Current balance: 75 points.

Hearing the notification, Chu Yaoyao sat up amidst her blankets with sleepy eyes.

【The mission is completed? When?】

System: Yes. Zhao Jingwu arrived at the border last night. The Host's uncle discovered the deputy general acting suspiciously and moved the grain supplies overnight. The deputy general was caught while attempting to leak information and was subsequently arrested.

System: While the Xiyue army was besieging the main force, Zhao Jingwu led his troops in a surprise attack on the enemy camp. Both sides surrounded the Xiyue army like a "dumpling filling." Following this combat style, annihilating the enemy, capturing the Xiyue commander alive, and taking one or two cities will not be a problem.

Chu Yaoyao scratched her face. 【This is different from what the plot said. Uncle actually discovered the deputy general was colluding with the enemy?】

【I was just thinking it would be great if Protector Zhao could deliver the grain in time to support Grandfather, but I didn't expect this! Eldest Uncle is too smart!】

【Grandfather's family has escaped a disaster, Imperial Mother won't have to be sad anymore, the hundred thousand troops are saved, and the Great Qi won't have to worry about falling to ruin in six years.】

Looking at the mission progress, Chu Yaoyao happily rolled around with her blanket.

What could be more satisfying than a "lying win"?

If there was, it would be having capable relatives... so she could lie down even more comfortably!

"Are you that happy?" Consort Shu tapped Yaoyao's little nose.

This little girl dared to run around alone in the middle of the night.

If she hadn't instructed Chun Shi to keep watch outside, if something else had happened to Yaoyao...

How could she go on living?

The memory of Yaoyao falling into the water in Qionghua Palace still left her with lingering fears.

Thinking of this, she decided to teach the little girl a lesson.

She pulled her onto her lap to lie face down, and just as her hand was raised...

Seeing her mother's stern face, Chu Yaoyao wasn't afraid; instead, she leaned in with a beaming smile.

【There is good news, Imperial Mother! Grandfather and my uncles won the battle.】

Consort Shu's eyes instantly reddened. She pulled Yaoyao into her arms and sobbed softly.

Feeling something damp against the back of her neck, Chu Yaoyao opened her arms and used her chubby hands to wipe her mother's tears.

【Why is Imperial Mother crying? Who bullied you? I'll go get revenge for you!】

Seeing her posture, looking ready to pick a fight with anyone at any moment, Consort Shu broke into a smile through her tears. "Mother just missed your grandfather."

【So that's how it is.】

【Don't worry, Imperial Mother. Grandfather will be back very soon.】

"The Emperor arrives—"

Consort Shu quickly wiped her tears and cleaned her face with a wet handkerchief. She had Chun Shi help Yaoyao change clothes, and then she went out to receive the imperial procession.

While changing, Chu Yaoyao looked at her point balance and laughed toward the heavens in her heart.

【So many points! System, tell me, how should I spend this fortune?】

System: How about upgrading first?

Chu Yaoyao waved her hand grandly. 【How much is needed?】

System: Not much, fifty points.

Looking at the fifty points that had just arrived and were still "warm," Chu Yaoyao instantly fell silent.

Outside, Consort Shu was telling Emperor Qixuan the news of the victory.

Just as she finished, Chu Yaoyao came out.

Upon seeing the Emperor, she huffed and turned her head away.

【Hmph! That tyrant father is too much! It's one thing to snatch all the cooked food, but he didn't even leave me any raw bits!】

Consort Shu looked over playfully, never imagining the Emperor could be such a person—actually competing with a child for food.

Emperor Qixuan rubbed his nose. In truth, this was the first time he had ever both eaten and snatched things like this.

"I came today to tell my beloved consort some good news."

【What good news?】

Chu Yaoyao shuffled her feet, inching a little closer.

"The silver embezzled by Li Yan has been found. It was hidden in his family's latrine."

Chu Yaoyao's eyes widened. 【Found it that quickly? Who found it? To think of such a place... they are too talented.】

Consort Shu and Emperor Qixuan glanced at her. *Wasn't it you?*

"As I mentioned before, send a few more palace maids to Qionghua Palace."

"Xiao Luzi, bring them in."

Xiao Luzi respectfully led six palace maids in and had them stand in line.

【Wow, the one on the far right has been stealing glances at my cheap Father Emperor!】

Emperor Qixuan's gaze instantly sharpened, and he shot a look at Su Maowen.

Su Maowen glared at Xiao Luzi, signaled two young eunuchs, and they covered the maid's mouth and dragged her out.

Xiao Luzi knelt on the ground, face pale, trembling as he wiped away cold sweat.

Consort Shu lowered her eyes to hide the coldness within. There were countless beauties in the harem, and she had never expected the Emperor to love only her.

But she would never allow anyone to use fox-like charms in Qionghua Palace!

【Eh? She was actually dragged away? Good, that saves Mother the trouble.】

Chu Yaoyao continued to look. 【The one standing in the middle with a mole at the corner of her mouth—she has problems too!】

In fact, she was the first one Chu Yaoyao noticed, because amidst the crowd of red and pink "little hearts," the black dot on her head was very striking.

Zero favorability, and even malice values. It was obvious she had ill intentions; coming to Mother's place definitely wasn't for anything good!

【Found it!】

【Back when we were in the Cold Palace, she was the one who sent Mother a plate of poisoned snacks. Yaoyao died after eating them!】

The expressions of Emperor Qixuan and Consort Shu changed abruptly.

Poison?!

She killed Yaoyao?!

The two of them wanted to execute the person immediately, but doing so would alert the enemy.

【It was Noble Lady Zhang. She was jealous of Mother's favor, so she poisoned her!】

Noble Lady Zhang?

Consort Shu vaguely remembered her as a quiet, even somewhat dull person.

Could such a person harbor such great hostility toward her?

【It's a pity there's no evidence right now. Even if we arrest her, she won't admit it.】

Consort Shu looked at the maid and asked, "What is your name?"

"Replying to the Emperor and Empress, this servant is Cui'er."

"Leave her here."

Since there was no evidence, they would just wait for her to trip up!

【What?】

Chu Yaoyao grew anxious.

Consort Shu patted her head soothingly, then randomly selected two other maids.

"Chun Shi, take them down first."

Chu Yaoyao tugged at her mother's sleeve in desperation.

【That person is problematic, Mother! She can't stay in the palace, otherwise, who knows which day you and I might be poisoned to death.】

"Your Majesty, I feel that Cui'er is suspicious."

Emperor Qixuan feigned surprise. "My beloved consort noticed it as well?"

【What's the situation? Mother already knew she was problematic, so she intentionally kept her close?】

【Amazing, my Mother! Entrapment law enforcement—so scheming, but I love it!】

"I will send people to watch her, but outside of Qionghua Palace..."

【There's also me! As long as I'm here, no gossip, big or small, can escape my grasp!】

Emperor Qixuan took Consort Shu's hand. "I can certainly help, but as for the reward..."

Consort Shu's face suddenly turned bright red.

【Aiyo, a baby is still right here! Can't you two be more mindful?】

Hearing the voice, Consort Shu jerked her hand back.

The ambiguous atmosphere was suddenly interrupted.

Emperor Qixuan looked at the little person covering her eyes with a speechless expression.

*At least close those big eyes between your fingers!*

"Ahem, one more thing."

"The Empress Dowager has been practicing Buddhism for several months and will return to the palace tomorrow."

Emperor Qixuan looked at Consort Shu and said, "I plan to hold a palace banquet tomorrow, organized by the Empress. Time is tight; if my beloved consort is not busy, please assist."

【The Empress Dowager is returning? A banquet?】

【Doesn't that mean the female lead is coming too!】

【I remember the female lead transmigrated right before the banquet.】

【Then that means...】

【Today!】