Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Chi Wan flung her off, took out a handkerchief and wiped her hands in disgust, tossed the handkerchief onto her, then turned to order the people behind, “Drag her away, chop her into pieces and feed the dogs.”

The maids and old serving women behind, having received the order, straightened their backs and replied “Yes,” then stepped forward to grab her.

But their hands had only gone halfway, not yet touching the person, when a voice full of anger suddenly rang out from behind, “What are you doing!”

Everyone turned their heads in unison, and upon seeing who had come, hastily knelt, their faces panicked and pale, “Your Majesty!”

Wei Yi, radiating cold fury, strode into the hall. When he saw the figure on the bed, his gaze paused slightly at the sight of blood, his breath halting for a moment.

Behind him, Chi Yu arrived belatedly.

“Chi Wan!”

Chi Yu roared.

That morning, when Qing’an had run panicked to Taihe Hall to report, the morning court was not yet dismissed. Wei Yi, having heard whatever it was, actually left behind the full court of civil and military officials and rushed back hastily.

Chi Yu had grabbed Qing’an and questioned him, only then learning that something had happened to Sheng Zhaoning. At once, without taking time to think, he instinctively followed along, but never expected to see such a scene upon entering.

His gaze fell on the whip in Chi Wan’s hand, and he naturally understood everything.

Chi Wan snorted coldly, without the slightest fear or regret.

Sheng Zhaoning was still bleeding profusely. Qing’an, having received a hint from Eunuch Zhao, was the first to react, scrambling and stumbling as he ran toward the Imperial Physician.

Wei Yi’s dark gaze shifted to Sheng Zhaoning. Her temples were drenched in cold sweat, and the complexion that had only improved after days of nursing was now deathly pale again.

He did not speak, and Sheng Zhaoning did not either.

He waited.

Waiting to see what Sheng Zhaoning’s reaction would be.

Would she feel wronged, or angry? Even if she pretended a little pitifully, letting him uphold justice for her.

Unfortunately, none of that came.

She simply lowered her head, not even sparing him a single glance.

Wei Yi did not know where his own irritation came from. When facing Sheng Zhaoning, he always felt a sense of powerlessness. They stood in this deadlock, and no matter how intimate their bodies were, their hearts were always resolutely kept apart by her.

“Your Majesty, Sheng Zhaoning was insolent and spoke disrespectfully to me, I was momentarily enraged, that is why I acted.”

Chi Wan’s voice softened, feigning an expression of great grievance, pouting and looking at him with tears in her eyes.

Wei Yi looked at the still indifferent Sheng Zhaoning, clenched his fists, withdrew his gaze, and said flatly, “If that is the case, she indeed deserves punishment. You have suffered an injustice, Imperial Consort.”

Chi Yu frowned, opened his mouth to say something, but was cut off by Chi Wan.

“I have long heard that Your Majesty has taken someone into his bedchamber. I originally thought it was some palace maid who caught Your Majesty’s eye, but I never expected it to be an old acquaintance.”

Seeing that Wei Yi remained silent, Chi Wan glanced at Sheng Zhaoning and probed, “It isn’t proper for her to stay so long at Your Majesty’s side. If Your Majesty favors her, might you bestow a title?”

Wei Yi said, “A title is unnecessary. She is merely a bed warmer, not worthy of a rank.”

Chi Wan’s eyes lit up, her face unable to hide her delight. “If so, could Your Majesty grant the person to me? After all, she is an old acquaintance, and I would like to ‘reminisce’ with Miss Sheng.”

Before Wei Yi could speak, Chi Yu could not help but interject, “Chi Wan, shut up!”

“Brother!” Chi Wan cried out discontentedly.

Wei Yi did not continue that topic. He slanted his eyes at Chi Wan and said with a mocking smile, “Did the Imperial Consort make such a grand scene today by storming into Changhua Hall just to demand someone from me?”

Chi Wan suddenly realized he was likely pursuing the matter of her breaking into the palace, and her heart tightened. At once, she could not bother about Sheng Zhaoning anymore, forcing out a smile and saying, “Your Majesty, there have been many rumors circulating in the inner palace lately. I was worried that if these rumors reached the outer court, they might harm Your Majesty’s reputation. That is why I set aside etiquette and trespassed into Changhua Hall. I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.”

“Imperial Consort, your devotion to me is clear as day. The matter of striking someone can be overlooked; it’s trivial. However, if the breach of the hall goes unpunished, it will be difficult to satisfy the public.”

Chi Wan’s heart was tight with anxiety, but then she heard him continue: “Then let the punishment be three days of confinement.”

Faced with such a painless, clearly biased “punishment,” Chi Wan’s expression brightened.

Sheng Zhaoning showed no expression, but Chi Yu couldn’t sit still.

“Your Majesty, my sister’s conduct is unacceptable; she has committed a grave mistake. If she is not punished to uphold law and discipline, I implore Your Majesty not to show favoritism.”

Chi Wan’s eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at him. “Brother, what are you saying!”

She never imagined that Chi Yu not only didn’t help her, but even demanded that His Majesty punish her severely!

How could such a thing be justified!

Sheng Zhaoning’s previously dull eyes flickered slightly at this moment. She looked up toward Chi Yu, and the frost in her gaze melted for an instant.

Wei Yi took in the entire scene.

He was so angry that he laughed instead. A dark haze shrouded his eyes, and his gaze was icy cold. “General Chi is truly impartial and selfless.”

Chi Yu knelt down. “Since there is a fault, punishment is deserved.”

Chi Wan was so furious that her eyes reddened and her lips trembled.

“Brother, you would sacrifice your own sister just to please that woman!”

Chi Yu spoke coldly, “Shut up! You were the one who struck first; you were wrong from the start. Is this how you were taught at home!”

Chi Wan, with red eyes, was about to say something else when Wei Yi coldly cut her off.

He looked at Chi Yu, his gaze dark and cold. “General Chi, this is my family affair. How and how much to punish is my decision.”

Having said that, he withdrew his gaze and looked at Eunuch Zhao. “The Imperial Consort is tired as well. Zhao Quan, escort the Imperial Consort back.”

“Yes.”

Eunuch Zhao walked over to Chi Wan and smiled. “Consort Gui, this way, please.”

Although Chi Wan was resentful, she couldn’t vent her anger.

She glared resentfully at Chi Yu, then as she turned around, she shot a venomous look at Sheng Zhaoning, before being reluctantly led away by Zhao Quan.

Chi Yu knelt on the ground, his heart filled with guilt toward Sheng Zhaoning.

He dared not look at her, only hanging his head, eyes closed, his lashes trembling with forbearance.

Before leaving, Eunuch Zhao shot a glance at a young eunuch nearby.

The young eunuch understood immediately, walked up to Chi Yu, bowed, and said with a smile, “General Chi, His Majesty is about to rest. Let me see you out.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Yu slowly opened his eyes.

In the end, he couldn’t resist; he raised his head and gazed deeply at Sheng Zhaoning.

Sheng Zhaoning silently returned his gaze.

Chi Yu couldn’t read the emotions in her eyes. Even if he had a thousand words choking him, he could only silently swallow them.

If Sheng Zhaoning were willing to go with him, he would brave mountains of swords and seas of fire for her.

But Sheng Zhaoning was not willing.

She stubbornly favored one person; it was a pity that the person was not him.

Nor was it Wei Yi.

Chi Yu stood up, bowed to Wei Yi in salute, and without further pause, turned and walked out.

Jin He was led away by several maids to treat her injuries, and the other perceptive people also withdrew at that moment.

For a moment, only Wei Yi and Sheng Zhaoning remained in the room.

Wei Yi’s gaze fell on her still bleeding wound. His eyes darkened, with a faint surge of malice and a brewing storm, but he forcefully suppressed it.

He walked up to Sheng Zhaoning and asked her, “Do you have nothing to say?”