The palace banquet dishes were sumptuous and exquisite, but the portions were so small that Cheng Yao felt even if she devoured every plate in one bite, she’d only be half-full.
She didn’t dare eat much, only putting on a show, but inside she was utterly miserable.
After the dishes were served, palace maids stepped forward to ladle soup. As soon as a bowl of soup was placed before Cheng Yao, she caught a faint medicinal scent.
With her supernatural ability, her senses were far more acute than ordinary people’s. She almost immediately determined that there was something wrong with this soup!
Didn’t the Dog Emperor order Zhan Haoting into exile? Why would he poison him now?
Zhan Haoting’s prestige was extremely high. If he died inexplicably in the palace, not only would his subordinates rebel, but even the common people and soldiers would be disillusioned, possibly rising up in righteous fury.
The hypocritical Dog Emperor would never do such a thing.
But if it wasn’t poison, what was it?
Cheng Yao’s mind raced a thousand times. She gave Zhan Haoting a meaningful look.
Whatever it was, it certainly wasn’t anything good—best not to drink it!
She picked up the soup bowl and took a small sip. Before she could swallow, she suddenly choked, coughing uncontrollably. She hurriedly pressed a handkerchief to her mouth, but the coughing only grew worse.
Zhan Haoting quickly set down his spoon, anxiously patting her back. His sleeve brushed past, knocking over the soup bowl. The broth spilled out, soaking the front of his robe.
Frowning, he scolded Cheng Yao, “How could you be so reckless, losing your composure before His Majesty?”
Cheng Yao, tears in her eyes, coughed as if she were about to hack up a lung, the sound earth-shaking.
The scene became extremely awkward.
Zhan Haoting looked both angry and helpless. He cupped his hands toward the Emperor in apology, then said, “Your Majesty, my wife is unwell. I humbly request permission to escort her back.”
The Emperor was a man with a strong sense of cleanliness. Seeing Cheng Yao coughing with tears and mucus streaming down her face, he had long lost his appetite, unable to hide the disgust in his eyes. He waved his hand as if shooing away a fly. “Granted.”
Zhan Haoting’s expression was grim. With one hand turning the wheelchair and the other gripping Cheng Yao’s wrist, he dragged her away, seething with anger.
The Emperor watched their retreating figures, tilting his head toward the chief eunuch, Li Peiyun, beside him. “Was it administered?”
Li Peiyun bent at a ninety-degree angle. “Reporting to Your Majesty, it was in the soup.”
“The soup?” The Emperor narrowed his eyes. “Cheng Yao coughed after just one sip. Was it deliberate?”
Li Peiyun thought for a moment. “This drug is colorless and odorless. This servant observed that the War King’s expression remained normal; he hadn’t even noticed. The War King Consort would be even less likely to know. She must have truly choked.”
The Emperor stroked the thumb ring on his finger, his eyes slightly closed, lost in thought without speaking.
…
The carriage slowly departed from the palace, heading toward North Street.
Cheng Yao moved closer, pressing tightly against Zhan Haoting, and asked in a hushed voice, “Did you also sense something was wrong with that soup?”
Zhan Haoting’s eyes darkened. “I didn’t feel anything.”
Cheng Yao was surprised. “You didn’t even know what was happening, yet when I gave you that look, you just played along?”
Zhan Haoting: “I trust you.”
The Emperor had too many underhanded tricks; he was actually used to it.
If she sensed something amiss, he’d follow her lead and leave the palace first to discuss it later.
Cheng Yao’s eyes curved into a smile. This guy really knew how to charm people.
“I smelled medicine in the soup,” Cheng Yao said, taking out the damp handkerchief. “We’ll have the house physician examine it when we return.”
Zhan Haoting didn’t respond to this. After a moment of silence, he said, “Perhaps I should give you a letter of divorce.”
“Why?”
Zhan Haoting’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “His Majesty is suspicious of me. Staying by my side is dangerous for you.”
For a moment, Cheng Yao didn’t know what to say.
No matter what poison the Dog Emperor had given them, it showed his determination to eliminate Zhan Haoting was resolute, and no one could stop him.
If she told Zhan Haoting about his fate, he would have no other choice but to rebel.
But without military power, he couldn’t rebel.
She would leave him, but not now.
“From now on, when you enter the palace, wear a steel plate over your heart.” That was all she could say.
Zhan Haoting’s gaze held inquiry. “Do you know something?”
Cheng Yao looked serious. “I just think that since he tried to poison us today, he may no longer tolerate you. You should be careful.”
So hurry up and make some preparations. This is all I can do for you.
Zhan Haoting’s expression was inscrutable, a faint, sorrowful curve tugging at the corner of his mouth—whether self-mockery or pity for himself, it was hard to tell.
…
The Zhan family’s dining customs suited Cheng Yao perfectly.
Each branch lived in separate houses with their own courtyards. At mealtimes, their respective servants would fetch food from the kitchen, or they could cook separately without interfering with one another. They only gathered together on holidays.
On her side, neither Madam Zhan nor her two children came over. It was unclear whether they wanted her and Zhan Haoting to have some alone time or simply didn’t want to see her.
Whatever the reason, she was more than happy about it, enjoying the rare peace and quiet.
The prince’s mansion chefs were also exceptional. Crispy, savory fried pork, tangy fish with pickled cabbage that went perfectly with rice, sweet and sour spare ribs—each dish was delicious. Especially the tiger skin phoenix claws, tender and flavorful; with a gentle suck, the meat came right off the bone, leaving it intact. She ate with pure delight.
During the Apocalypse, acid rain fell from the sky, corroding everything, and the air was filled with toxic substances.
People contracted strange diseases, followed by the outbreak of zombie tides, and countless died in despair.
But some, clinging to life, awakened supernatural abilities. She was one of them.
Her combat skills were mediocre, but she possessed a rare portable space. All the supplies scavenged by her small team were stored with her, so she never lacked food.
Now, in a different time and with a new identity, if the War King didn’t restrict her and gave her more freedom, she wouldn’t necessarily have to leave while enjoying this life of luxury with him.
Wait, that’s not right… exile was imminent!
Cheng Yao suddenly felt the food in her mouth lose some of its flavor.
No, she had to do something for the War King, or she would never be at peace!
After dinner and a bath, she closed the bedroom door tightly to sleep but instead used Teleportation to enter the Zhan family’s Treasury.
After generations of accumulation, the Zhan family’s wealth was astonishing, with a dazzling array of treasures in sight.
The betrothal gifts had also been generous, filling twenty or thirty carts with genuine treasures.
But her dowry consisted entirely of worthless items—furniture, books, bedding, and the like. Though it appeared to be thirty-six loads, it was mostly filler meant to insult her.
For now, she left everything untouched. She had come to check the account books, property deeds, and the like, to learn where the Zhan family’s assets were located so she could act later.
…
While Zhan Haoting was in his study discussing political matters with his advisors, Cheng Yao had already left the Treasury. Holding a volume of geographical records, wrapped in a blanket, she curled up on a daybed to read.
By the time he finished washing up and returned to the room, she was already asleep.
The girl was completely unguarded, sleeping deeply.
Her cheeks were rosy, her skin delicate and flawless, and a faint fragrance drifted from her body.
Zhan Haoting’s eyes grew deep and dark, a spark of flame igniting in his heart.
She was naturally beautiful, and in her deep slumber, she resembled a lovely water lily.
He reached out to touch her cheek, trying to wake her, but she startled awake as if frightened.
The moment she opened her eyes, it was like a beast awakening, her gaze filled with a chilling intent to kill. In an instant, she reversed her hand and seized Zhan Haoting by the neck.