The Slender Waist-Chapter 833 - 585: Willing to be Punished_2

Feng Yun was very cautious when dealing with these former Xie Family Army members, those old acquaintances privy to Pei Jue’s secrets.

At the same time, she was filled with doubts.

She wanted to know more than anyone else what exactly Tang Shaogong carried in his heart...

The "Snow Plum Makeup" on the Defense Map back then and Li Sangruo’s death had left her brooding with unease.

This man hated her.

He had hated her since he served Li Sangruo and her father.

Tang Shaogong entered, offering greetings and respectful salutations.

Then he lifted his eyes, glancing at the scripture on her desk.

"Is Your Majesty praying for the Da Yong Army?"

"No," Feng Yun replied, "Practicing calligraphy."

Her expression was indifferent, making Tang Shaogong’s eyebrows furrow deeply. "Your Majesty is not concerned about His Majesty’s safety? The border warfare is urgent, the nation’s fate hangs in the balance, yet Your Majesty has the leisure to practice calligraphy?"

Feng Yun slightly curled her lips, "His Majesty is a true dragon Emperor, protected by heavenly blessings."

Tang Shaogong narrowed his eyes, silenced by her words.

Only then did Feng Yun slowly set down her brush, using a casual tone to laugh and ask:

"Minister Tang, do you know what punishment befits disrespect toward the Empress?"

Tang Shaogong’s face turned cold as autumn. He spoke faintly, "Your Majesty may impose punishment. To die for His Majesty—I am willing."

Was this fearlessness?

Feng Yun sat calmly, looking at Tang Shaogong for a moment before curling into a faint smile, "Minister Tang is one of our own; there’s no need for riddles. Speak plainly—what is it you hope for me to do?"

Tang Shaogong said, "It seems Your Majesty is entirely unaware of recent court matters."

Feng Yun said, "What matters?"

Tang Shaogong said, "His Majesty has personally gone to lead the army, the battle situation is stalemated. The court is leaderless, the Crown Prince is young, urgently requiring Your Majesty to step forward to stabilize governance..."

He paused briefly and added, "Over these years, even with His Majesty’s strict orders, corruption and lawlessness remain unchecked. Now that His Majesty is absent, the Three Provinces and Six Ministries harbor their own intentions, all scrambling to line their pockets... If it weren’t wartime, it might not matter; His Majesty could deal with it upon return, executing where necessary. But at this critical juncture, with the frontlines urgently needing provisions and equipment, doesn’t Your Majesty fear these corrupt officials’ greed might delay vital military operations?"

As Tang Shaogong spoke, he kept his gaze on Feng Yun.

Feng Yun looked at him too.

At this hour, the sun slanted in through the southern window, brightening the room. It also illuminated Tang Shaogong’s ever-ominous face, casting a sheet of light upon it.

Though Tang Shaogong’s words carried sarcasm, Feng Yun discerned a certain sincerity.

A genuine concern for Pei Jue and for the Da Yong Army.

His hatred for her was true.

And his concern for Pei Jue was equally genuine.

If loyalty and treachery were the yardsticks for judging a man, regardless of how Feng Yun saw him, his consistent conduct toward Pei Jue—even if somewhat extreme—could still be counted as loyal...

As for her, well...

Feng Yun chuckled lightly, "Matters of the court—I, a mere woman, should not interfere. Can it be that Minister Tang wishes to persuade me to meddle in politics?"

Tang Shaogong said, "It wouldn’t be called meddling in politics; it’s called assisting the Crown Prince in attending court sessions and aiding His Majesty. Your Majesty need not do anything; simply sitting there would suffice to deter them from scheming too much."

Feng Yun sighed, "I have no such grand ambition. Empress Dowager Li’s fate—you, Minister Tang, her trusted confidant, understand it better than anyone. Why should I follow in her footsteps?"

Tang Shaogong’s expression changed.

His dalliance with Li Sangruo was known only to those who had long since entered the realm of the King of Hell.

He hadn’t expected Feng Yun to raise it in such a mocking yet serious tone.

As if the truth were entirely unassailable.

Was she trying to bait him?

Tang Shaogong stared coldly at Feng Yun, his face impassive.

"Your Majesty, the Former Jin Empress Dowager has already passed. Why tarnish her name?"

Feng Yun indeed harbored a probing intent.

After all, Li Sangruo, that woman—she kept so many paramours, was accustomed to frivolity; how could she endure life in Xijing? Tang Shaogong had a venomous nature, but his appearance wasn’t bad, his figure considered upright. It was entirely possible that Li Sangruo might have set her sights on him.

Moreover, there was the Snow Plum Makeup on the Defense Map?

Seeing that Tang Shaogong refused to respond, she curved her lips into another smile and said, "There’s no outsider here, Minister Tang might as well speak plainly—isn’t it true you wish to seize this moment while His Majesty is away to find a pretext to convict me?"

Tang Shaogong froze entirely.

Her words were far too direct.

Sleeves slowly raised, he bowed slightly in salute.

"Your Majesty, I dare not."

Feng Yun smiled faintly, "What don’t you dare? You despise me, don’t you?"

Tang Shaogong raised his gaze, fixing it on her without speaking.

Feng Yun said, "You hate the Feng Family—you hate me. You’ve long wanted to kill me, haven’t you?"

Tang Shaogong took a light breath in, then slowly exhaled.

"I indeed hate the Feng Family. As for you, Your Majesty..."

He paused briefly, "His Majesty’s fondness—I have no comment."

Feng Yun was slightly surprised.

He hadn’t denied his hatred for her.

Feng Yun slowly said, "You hate me—because of what happened back then? Do you truly believe that the words of a mere three-year-old child could sway the tides of war?"

Tang Shaogong stared at her.

For a very, very long time, he finally murmured a single sentence.

"Your Majesty bears the name Feng—that is reason enough. To me, the Feng Family deserves to be exterminated, without sparing a single one. The Feng Clan of Xuzhou should have been eradicated entirely. His Majesty was still too merciful. The lives of the entire Xie Family Army and the Xie Family—all of them—don’t outweigh Your Majesty alone."

His hatred permeated his words.

Unconcealed, dagger-like, piercing directly into Feng Yun.

"Oh?" Feng Yun maintained the same tone—calm, confident—even laced with a touch of amusement, casually asking:

"And what about Li Sangruo? She wasn’t a Feng. Why did Minister Tang kill her?"

As she spoke, she paid no mind to Tang Shaogong’s changing expression and met his gaze naturally.

"You not only killed her but also tried to frame me, to alienate His Majesty from me... I must admit, the tactic was quite vicious. If His Majesty’s affection for me had been even slightly less, and his regard for Li Sangruo had been greater, you might have succeeded."

Tang Shaogong averted his gaze.

"I don’t understand Your Majesty’s words—I did nothing of the sort."

"Ha." Feng Yun squinted slightly, "All these years, I’ve thought it over—you, Minister Tang—within the Da Yong court, who else despises me so deeply? No one. Besides Minister Tang, who else could get close to Li Sangruo without her defenses raised? No one."

"Your Majesty is pinning false charges!"

"The one who killed Li Sangruo—it was you! Only you!"

Tang Shaogong said, "Your Majesty has such remarkable skill in judging cases, perhaps you ought to join the Dali Temple."

Feng Yun laughed lazily, "That wouldn’t be necessary. A whisper in His Majesty’s ear will do."

Tang Shaogong’s heart tightened sharply, his gaze chilling as he stared at her, "His Majesty is not one to heed slander or be swayed by feminine wiles."

Feng Yun smiled faintly.

There was no need to argue with Tang Shaogong; it held no meaning.

And under no circumstances would she let Tang Shaogong lead her by the nose, escorting her son to attend court sessions and manage state affairs for Pei Jue...

As for the court, Pei Jue had made all the arrangements before he left.

The Da Yong dynasty wouldn’t collapse overnight.

But Tang Shaogong, filled with devious ambitions, had clearly woven a trap—just waiting for her to fall into it.

In the shadows beneath the Imperial City, such schemes were never novel—father and son, brothers, spouses, all fighting to the death for the Dragon Throne, for supreme power—it was a tale as old as time.

If she truly took such action, what would Pei Jue think of her?

What would the court’s officials think of her?

Feng Yun sneered, rising to her feet, and gracefully flicked her sleeves.

"I have much to attend to; Minister Tang, you may withdraw."

Tang Shaogong raised his gaze slightly, cupping his hands, "Understood."

After taking a few steps, he turned back.

"I still urge Your Majesty to consider carefully."