Chapter 829: All According to Plan

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” The tranquil night was shattered by Empress Pei Man’s urgent cries.

“Your Grace, what has happened?” Outside the Hall of Benevolent Governance, a sinister-looking eunuch suddenly appeared, blocking her path.

“Ah, it’s the Chief Steward. I have urgent matters to discuss with His Majesty.” Empress Pei Man was somewhat wary of this eunuch—he was none other than Da Xingguo, the foremost expert under the emperor’s command. The younger eunuch Song Qingshu had once impersonated, Xiao Xingguo, had no relation to him whatsoever. The name had simply been whimsically bestowed by the empress upon her own attendant.

“His Majesty has just retired after drinking. Can this not wait until tomorrow?” Da Xingguo showed no intention of letting her pass.

Empress Pei Man inwardly rejoiced. Emperor Xizong’s fondness for wine was well-known—he never stopped until thoroughly drunk. She had deliberately chosen a night when he would be drinking to set her plan in motion, knowing that a drunken man’s judgment would be impaired and his emotions easily provoked…

“This concerns Prince Wei. He suddenly barged into my chambers in the middle of the night with… improper intentions.” Having prepared for this moment, she feigned lingering fear flawlessly, not a single crack in her act.

Da Xingguo’s expression darkened. The gravity of the situation made it impossible for him to refuse. “Your Grace, please follow me.” He swiftly led her into the Hall of Benevolent Governance.

BANG!

“What?! That unfilial wretch!” Emperor Xizong of Jin smashed his sobering tonic cup onto the floor.

Being roused from deep slumber never put anyone in a good mood, let alone when drunk. His head throbbed, and fury surged uncontrollably.

“I had already retired for the night when Prince Wei suddenly forced his way in, reeking of alcohol, intending to… to…” Empress Pei Man lowered her head, sobbing softly. Had Song Qingshu been present, he would have applauded her masterful performance.

“Your Majesty, the truth of the matter must be verified. We should proceed to Taihe Hall to ascertain what truly transpired.” Da Xingguo, ever loyal, quickly intervened, seeing the emperor’s muddled state.

“To Taihe Hall, at once!” Though Emperor Xizong’s health was frail, his temper was notorious—court officials had been beaten to death for far less. The murderous glint in his eyes sent a chill down Da Xingguo’s spine.

The entourage hurried to Taihe Hall, only to be abruptly halted by guards at the gates. 

“Halt! Who goes there? This is the empress’s residence—no one may enter!” In his haste, the emperor had forgone his imperial retinue, and under the cover of darkness, the guards failed to recognize him.

“You blind fools! Do you not see who stands before you?” Da Xingguo roared, delivering a resounding slap that sent the guard reeling.

Only then did the surrounding guards recognize Emperor Xizong. They dropped to their knees in terror. “Long live the Emperor! Ten thousand years!”

The emperor’s icy gaze settled on the offending guard. “If I recall correctly, you serve under Prince Wei.”

“Y-yes, Your Majesty…” The guard’s voice trembled uncontrollably.

“Hmph!” With a cold snort, Emperor Xizong strode toward the palace.

“Y-Your Majesty, y-you mustn’t enter!” The guard, despite his terror, blocked the emperor’s path. 

As Prince Wei’s trusted subordinate, he knew his master had entered Taihe Hall earlier—and the indecent sounds that followed left no doubt about the prince’s transgressions. Though powerless to intervene, he had tightened security to suppress the scandal, unaware that Empress Pei Man had already bribed several of his men.

Now, faced with the emperor’s sudden arrival, the guard’s mind blanked. Driven by blind loyalty, he acted on sheer instinct—no matter what, the emperor must not see what lay inside.

“How dare you!” Da Xingguo materialized beside him, striking his chest with a palm strike. “To obstruct the Son of Heaven? Guards, seize him!”

Emperor Xizong’s face darkened further. Without sparing the guard another glance, he quickened his pace toward the palace. Before he reached the doors, Prince Wei’s drunken voice echoed from within:

“Little beauty, give this prince a smile!”

Amidst the lewd taunts were the unmistakable sobs of young women.

For a brief moment, Emperor Xizong wondered who the girls were—but rage swiftly drowned his curiosity. With a furious kick, he flung the doors open.

Da Xingguo, who had shadowed the emperor closely, swept his gaze across the chamber and sighed inwardly: Prince Wei is finished…

Upon the empress’s phoenix bed, two disheveled young girls—their hair in tangles, robes torn—wept as they desperately evaded Prince Wei’s groping hands.

Taking a deep breath, Emperor Xizong remained at the threshold, his voice dangerously calm as he turned to the empress. “Who are these women?”

Empress Pei Man feigned shock. “They… they are the two Song Dynasty princesses Your Majesty has long desired. I thought to instruct them in palace etiquette before they served you, but then… then…”

Spotting the newcomers, the girls stumbled from the bed, reaching imploringly toward the empress. “Your Grace, save us!”

Empress Pei Man’s eyes widened slightly. Originally, the plan had called for the girls to be unclothed, but Song Qingshu had clearly refused. Instead, their garments were artfully torn—revealing glimpses of pale thighs and waists, tantalizing yet preserving their modesty.

Just then, Prince Wei lurched after them. “Running? This prince isn’t done with you yet!”

Ignoring the emperor entirely, the girls cried, “Your Highness, stop! We belong to His Majesty!”

Prince Wei roared with laughter. “His Majesty? Soon, I will be the emperor!”

Emperor Xizong’s face turned thunderous. 

Before he could speak, Empress Pei Man stepped protectively in front of the girls, shielding them with outstretched arms. “Prince Wei, you go too far!”

The prince’s lustful gaze dropped to her ample bosom. “D*mn, those are huge. Bet they’d feel amazing to squeeze.”

Empress Pei Man concealed her triumph behind a mask of outraged dignity. “Control yourself! I am your mother!”

“Tch. You’re not my birth mother. Once that old man croaks, by our steppe traditions, you’ll be mine anyway. Then I’ll have you on your knees like a b!tch, licking—”