Chapter 51 The Empress Dowager's Counterattack

Chapter 51 The Empress Dowager's Counterattack

The atmosphere inside the Cining Palace was oppressive and suffocating.

A fine Ding kiln white porcelain teacup was smashed to the ground, shards flying everywhere, and scalding tea soaked the expensive Persian carpet.

"Useless! They're all useless!"

The Empress Dowager's well-maintained face was now contorted with rage as she pointed at the kneeling black-clad assassins, her chest heaving violently.

"I spent so much gold, acquired so much gunpowder, and even disturbed the foundation of the Protectorate Temple... and what was the result?!"

"Not only did we fail to kill that madman, but we also lost all of my elite troops! Even that idiot from the Tang family had his leg broken and was thrown back, making me a laughingstock in the whole capital!"

In the battle of Huguo Temple, Pei Yunjing not only escaped unscathed, but also ruthlessly purged the Ministry of War after returning to the capital, citing "inadequate supervision of gunpowder."

This blow struck the lifeblood of the Empress Dowager's faction.

Now, that madman is not only alive, but his power has grown even stronger and his arrogance even greater!

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."

The trusted nanny kneeling at the front kowtowed tremblingly and whispered, "..."

"That Pei Yunjing's martial arts are unfathomable, and with those three hundred black-armored guards protecting him, a head-on confrontation... we would indeed be at a disadvantage. However, this old servant has heard that he wasn't entirely unscathed this time either, and..."

The old woman's cloudy eyes darted around, revealing a sinister glint in them:

"Even heroes can't resist the charms of a beautiful woman. No matter how crazy Pei Yunjing is, he's still a man. Right now, he only has Tang Li, a concubine's daughter from a humble background, in his household. That girl has neither family background nor skills, so how can she win a man's heart?"

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager gradually calmed down, sat back on the phoenix couch, and narrowed her long, narrow phoenix eyes.

"You mean... a honey trap?"

“Exactly.” The old woman chuckled sinisterly. “Since we can’t kill him, we’ll just plant people in his household. As long as the person beside him is one of ours, taking his life will be a piece of cake.”

After a moment of contemplation, the Empress Dowager finally managed a cold smile.

"good."

"That pear tree is nothing but a worthless thing. Since force won't work, I'll try a softer approach."

With a flick of her sleeve, her voice regained its usual authority and arrogance:

"Imperial decree of the Empress Dowager."

"With the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching, I, Your Majesty, remember the Regent's hard work and great achievements, have specially prepared a palace banquet to reward him. At that time, all officials of the fifth rank and above in the capital shall be summoned to the palace with their families."

The Empress Dowager paused, her gaze sweeping over a register on the table—a list of noble ladies from prominent families in the capital:

"I specifically requested that Grand Secretary Zhao's granddaughter, General Li's eldest daughter, and Su Qingwan, who is known as the 'most talented woman in the capital,' be present to accompany them."

"I want to see if Pei Yunjing can still live with that illegitimate daughter when faced with this garden full of spring beauty!"

...

The Regent's Palace, Study.

Outside the window, the autumn wind was bleak, but inside, there was a peaceful scene of (counting money).

Tang Li was leaning over a small table, holding a bunch of newly acquired warehouse keys, and using an abacus to check the ledgers.

Since taking control of the finances, she has become much more confident, and even the way she looks at Pei Yunjing is filled with the loving gaze of a "sugar daddy."

"Your Highness."

Uncle Zhao entered with a solemn expression, carrying a scroll of bright yellow imperial edict.

"Someone from the palace has arrived. They say that the Empress Dowager is hosting a banquet in the Imperial Garden in three days to celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival, and she invites Your Highness and Your Highness to attend."

Pei Yunjing was leaning back in his armchair with his eyes closed, resting. Hearing this, he didn't even lift his eyelids.

"I'm not going. I've cancelled."

He had no interest in such a boring banquet, except for watching a group of people hypocritically flattering each other and listening to the musicians making noise.

“But…” Uncle Zhao looked troubled and presented an attached gold-embossed name card. “This time, the Empress Dowager specifically requested several noble ladies from prominent families to accompany the prince, saying that… she said the prince’s harem was empty and she wanted to add a few more people for him.”

Pei Yunjing finally opened his eyes.

He sat up straight, picked up the name card with two long, slender fingers, and glanced at it casually.

Grand Secretary Zhao's granddaughter is gentle and virtuous.

General Li's eldest daughter is a woman of great spirit and courage.

And then there's Su Qingwan, whose talent is widely known.

This is hardly a dinner party.

This is clearly a "list of potential concubines" being sent to him.

"Oh."

Pei Yunjing let out a very soft, cold laugh, and casually tossed the name card onto the ground as if it were a piece of scrap paper that had been wiped on his hands.

"Empress Dowager, are you trying to annoy me since you can't kill me?"

He stood up, walked to Tang Li's side, and looked at the little woman counting money. Only then did the fierceness in his eyes dissipate slightly.

"Your Highness, about this banquet..." Uncle Zhao asked cautiously.

"go."

Pei Yunjing changed his mind.

His deep, dark eyes gleamed with a chilling, bloodthirsty aura.

Since the Empress Dowager is so persistent and insists on offering her face for him to slap, wouldn't he be wasting her "good intentions" if he didn't go?

"Tell the Empress Dowager that I will go."

Pei Yunjing stomped on the name card and ground it hard, his voice chilling to the bone:

"Also, have someone pass on a message to those adults."

"If you want to send someone into the backyard of the Regent's Palace, you'd better prepare a coffin for your own daughter first."

He turned his head slightly, looking at Tang Li's back, his tone revealing an almost perverse possessiveness and tyranny:

"Not just anyone can climb into my bed."

"If they dare to come in standing up..."

Pei Yunjing sneered, a flash of red light passing through his eyes:

"I guarantee they'll leave this world sideways."

Tangli, who was doing the accounting, trembled and almost moved the abacus beads to the wrong position.

She turned around and looked at Pei Yunjing, who was full of murderous aura, and silently lit a candle for the "love rivals" who were about to appear.

Sisters, don't blame me for not warning you.

This isn't about vying for favor at all!

This is clearly a journey to the gates of hell!