Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 614: The Last Breath Sustaining the Empire

Chapter 614: The Last Breath Sustaining the Empire

Huangfu Qing said no more and drifted away from the other end of the residence.

After all that had been said, what kind of rival in love would go this far? As Tang Wanzhuang had noted, giving such a warning carried enormous risk. It was not just a matter of releasing an opponent—it was practically instructing her on how to sabotage her own plans. No matter what came next, Huangfu Qing could now face Zhao Changhe with a clear conscience.

Whatever happened to Tang Wanzhuang after this was no longer her concern. As she sped away through the night, she pulled out her mask. Slipping through the shadowed alleys and emerging on the other side, she was no longer Huangfu Qing, but Vermillion Bird, her aura aflame as she soared into the night.

Her thoughts lingered on Tang Wanzhuang. In truth, Huangfu Qing admired her. Judging by Tang Wanzhuang’s demeanor, she likely would have figured it out even without the warning. If their plans were to be undone by Tang Wanzhuang, Huangfu Qing would accept it. There was no shame in losing to a capable opponent.

As for survival, Tang Wanzhuang might be standing under a collapsing sky, but how much safer were those of them trying to slay the dragon?

In the end, we’re all risking our lives for what we believe in.

Back inside, Tang Wanzhuang did not immediately go to meet the Marquis of Wuping, Qin Dingjiang. First, she unsealed Baoqin’s pressure points and said softly, “Do you know what to do?”

Baoqin clutched Tang Wanzhuang’s sleeve, reluctant to let go. “Young miss... Please, come with us.”

Tang Wanzhuang gently ruffled her hair. “It’s alright... When you see Zhao Changhe, tell him I’ve promised you to him, alright?”

Baoqin’s face turned red with fury. “If you’re so capable, marry him yourself!”

She spun on her heel and ran off, calling back over her shoulder, “If Zhao Changhe were here, he’d ask what right you have to promise him anyone! You women are always making decisions for others—why don’t you make one for yourself first?!”

With those words, she vanished into the night, giving her mistress no chance to reprimand her.

Tang Wanzhuang watched her go, a quiet sigh escaping her lips. She turned and stepped outside to meet Qin Dingjiang.

Qin Dingjiang was her deputy in the Demon Suppression Bureau. Once ranked eighteenth on the Ranking of Earth, he was now ranked fourteenth. A pillar of the Great Xia Empire, he had overseen the escort of Wang Daozhong during the incident at the Yang Clan. Silent, reliable, and free of any family affiliations, he had earned Tang Wanzhuang’s unwavering trust.

“Why have you come at this hour, Dingjiang? What are His Majesty’s orders?”

Qin Dingjiang bowed. “I don’t know. The message was simply to summon you to the imperial study.”

Given Xia Longyuan’s recent return, injured and vulnerable, and knowing the palace guards were mostly inept nobles, Tang Wanzhuang had assigned Qin Dingjiang to oversee the palace’s secret security detail. It was perfectly normal for him to deliver such messages. She nodded in understanding.

“Very well, I shall take charge of the watch tonight. You should return and rest. You’ve worked hard these past few days.”

Qin Dingjiang smiled and said, “I shall not argue with you, bureau chief. Thank you for taking this night’s shift. I’ll rest up before relieving you in the morning.”

Tang Wanzhuang returned his smile. “I’m hardly that fragile. A few sleepless nights are nothing. Go on.”

“Still, I need to handle the handover first. I’ll accompany you to the gate of the imperial palace.”

“Very well.”

The two of them sped through the night, landing swiftly before the palace gates. The guards, recognizing the pair, bowed deeply and opened the gates to let them through.

The imperial study was located in a side hall near the outer palace, not far from the throne room. It was a relic from the days when Xia Longyuan had just ascended the throne and was still diligent in his duties. These days, however, the light burning in the imperial study rarely had anything to do with the real Xia Longyuan. It was merely a puppet, sitting there for show.

The puppet’s role was strange in its own right.

Not all state affairs were brought to Xia Longyuan. If they were, what would be the point of having a double? In practice, the puppet had full authority over the matters of the imperial court—he could act as he pleased, wielding the power of the real emperor. In fact, many of the foolish policies of recent years had been his doing, with Xia Longyuan paying no attention.

But he could never truly replace Xia Longyuan. After his duties, the puppet had to retreat to his own modest quarters. He dared not lay a hand on the empress. His relationship with Huangfu Qing was purely political, and as for the other consorts? He did not dare touch them either. Even the palace maids were off-limits. Technically, they all belonged to the real Xia Longyuan. If the real emperor ever decided he wanted them, the puppet’s head would roll.

Who could understand such torment? His alliance with Huangfu Qing was fueled by a petty hope—that perhaps, under these circumstances, something more might develop between them. But it was a foolish dream. Huangfu Qing barely acknowledged him, treating him like a speck of dust.

Politically, he could wield authority on trivial matters, but anything significant—like dealings with powerful families, military affairs, or key appointments—required Xia Longyuan’s approval. Tang Wanzhuang was a prime example of this. Although she was outwardly respectful, her eyes betrayed her disdain, the silent gaze telling him that she knew he was a fraud. He considered removing her, but did he dare?

When he tentatively asked Xia Longyuan about dismissing her, the real emperor nearly knocked out half his teeth with a slap. “Tang Wanzhuang is my military marshal. You are my puppet. Remember your place. Do you think this empire rests on your shoulders?”

He had neither true power nor the comfort of a woman’s companionship. In this respect, he was worse off than a commoner, who at least could marry.

Given such circumstances, his collaboration with the Four Idols Cult and his placement of Huangfu Qing within the inner palace was unsurprising. It was his boldest act of defiance yet. His excuse was laughable. “I just want a wife.” Xia Longyuan had frowned in thought for a long while before finally saying, “Fine. It will appease Huangfu Yongxian. There’s some merit to that... Let her play her games for a few years. Let’s see what tricks her cult can muster. As for you... did you think you could hide your little schemes from me?”

The puppet had spent the next ten days in agony, feeling as if his body were being devoured by a million ants.

That was when he understood. Xia Longyuan might seem indifferent, but he saw everything. He tolerated Huangfu Qing for three reasons: to keep the army at Yanmen at ease, to appease a lingering guilt toward the Four Idols Cult, and out of sheer confidence that the cult posed no real threat. But tolerating Huangfu Qing did not mean tolerating him. That lesson and the double standard that followed crushed any illusions he had of gaining real power. He resigned himself to his role as a puppet.

He had endured until this very moment, and now, he finally had his chance to strike back—against Xia Longyuan and against the disdainful Tang Wanzhuang.

Tang Wanzhuang and Qin Dingjiang had just arrived at the door of the Imperial Study when the eunuch outside announced, “First Seat Tang of the Demon Suppression Bureau is here.”

From within the study, the puppet’s cold voice rang out, “The Tang Clan of Gusu has openly declared rebellion. This treasonous crime is proven beyond doubt. Arrest Tang Wanzhuang immediately, confiscate the Tang Clan’s assets in the capital, and execute them to the last member!”

Even as the words echoed through the air, Qin Dingjiang, who had just been walking beside Tang Wanzhuang with a smile, struck without warning, aiming a lethal blow at her back.

A loyal subject, it seemed, could not resist such an order. The strike appeared to land squarely.

The onlookers were stunned.

The puppet, a martial artist of respectable skill, had delivered his decree with the weight of imperial authority. His pronouncement resounded far and wide. Guards, palace maids, eunuchs, night-duty officials, scholars—all within earshot froze in shock and disbelief.

To them, this was no puppet’s decree. It was the Emperor’s will.

No one knew for certain if the Tang Clan had rebelled. The claim was a rumor at best, something that required investigation and negotiation. Even if the Tang Clan were guilty of treason, how could Tang Wanzhuang be implicated? Everyone knew she vehemently opposed any rebellion. At most, she might be stripped of her rank. To execute her, however—did the empire have any hope left?

Did the puppet not realize how many people remained loyal to the Empire solely because of Tang Wanzhuang’s unwavering integrity? Officers like Li Sian and countless others, knowing the cause was lost, continued their fight out of sheer admiration for her. They were the last guardians of the empire’s soul.

To kill Tang Wanzhuang would be a betrayal greater than Zhao Gou’s execution of Yue Fei[1]. It would shatter the last vestiges of loyalty and plunge the empire into chaos.

Those who could perceive qi could almost see the dragon qi above the palace dissipating entirely, vanishing in an instant.

A stunned silence settled over the crowd. Tang Wanzhuang, seemingly subdued, let out a quiet sigh. “I knew it. This is the trigger. The qi of the world has long been wavering. The final blow had to fall upon me. I cannot kill you, for if news spreads that Tang Wanzhuang committed regicide, the effect will be the same. This is an insoluble dilemma.”

The puppet in the study said nothing. Qin Dingjiang, however, staggered back in shock. “You... your pressure points weren’t sealed?”

A faint flush crept up Tang Wanzhuang’s cheeks.

Someone had taught her dual cultivation through an intimate act of sharing the breath. Naturally, he had taught her how to shift her acupoints as well. The techniques of the Maitreya Cult she had studied included methods to disguise and manipulate pressure points.

She had never imagined that they would come in handy here.

1. Yue Fei was a revered general who led the Song army against the invading Jin forces during the 12th century. He became a symbol of patriotism, loyalty, and martial valor. However, his dedication to reclaiming lost northern territories conflicted with Emperor Zhao Gou’s preference for peace and stability. He was ultimately executed despite his loyalty and dedication to the dynasty. ?