In front of Tang Wanzhuang, Zhao Changhe could only deny any relationship with the noble consort: "What are you thinking? Isn't it natural to take a few extra glances at someone attractive? It's human nature, human nature..."

Tang Wanzhuang stared at him without a word.

Zhao Changhe cautiously said, "Actually, I stared at you even longer when we first met. Didn't you feel anything...?"

Tang Wanzhuang glanced around subconsciously, then said expressionlessly, "Remember what you've said before."

Search "pawread.com" for the original.

She meant to remind him that they had agreed to have no interest in arranged marriages, so he better not go back on his word.

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes. Back in Gusu, they could tease each other, but now in the capital, it started again. Her skin was still so tender, and she wouldn't seek anyone else.

Ignoring his expression, Tang Wanzhuang continued to ask, "It's one thing to look at her a few times, but thinking of staying at the Huangfu residence, is that also human nature?"

"I have nowhere else to live, can I stay with you?"

Tang Wanzhuang: "..."

She realized she had no standing to argue and could only say, "Regardless of whether you admit your identity or not, she is still the noble consort. Even if you were just a commoner, you shouldn't covet her, be careful of your head. And considering that identity, it's even more..."

Zhao Changhe felt somewhat guilty and said helplessly, "What are you talking about? Why do you keep bringing up this kind of thing today? Is it really necessary to make such a fuss over a few glances? Is this the perspective our Tang chancellor should have?"

Tang Wanzhuang also felt she had lost her composure. She took a moment to sip her tea and calm down before slowly saying, "Because I know that to her, this so-called noble consort title is nothing, and His Majesty doesn't take it seriously either. Maybe I'm just overthinking."

Zhao Changhe became interested: "How so?"

Tang Wanzhuang hesitated for a while. Such matters shouldn't be discussed casually, but since it was Zhao Changhe, perhaps it could be considered a family affair? Maybe it was better to let him know?

After a long hesitation, she finally said, "The Huangfu family is from the northwestern military, originally not residing in the capital. Since several sons died in battle, His Majesty asked the Marquis of Jingyuan to return to the capital to retire, with unparalleled grace..."

Zhao Changhe said, "Afraid of his power overshadowing the ruler? Or worried that General Huangfu, having lost too many sons, would become unstable? Saying it's retirement, but in reality, it's taking away his military power and moving him away from his ancestral land to be confined in the capital."

"Possibly... a bit," Tang Wanzhuang admitted, feeling it sounded unpleasant, and quickly defended the Emperor: "But His Majesty has never executed any meritorious officials, which is rare in history. It's indeed not good for a military family to be stationed at the border for too long... And the Huangfu family were subjects of the previous dynasty, so it's understandable for a ruler to take precautions."

The previous dynasty... It was the first time Zhao Changhe thought of this concept. The Great Xia had been established for decades, and the concept of the previous dynasty had long faded among the people, never heard of it until now.

Thinking about it, the Huangfu family's situation and Miss Huangfu Qing's potential resentment seemed quite normal, but it was uncertain what the family thought. Did she join the Four Elephant Sect on her own? Did her father know... At least for now, it seemed the Demon Suppression Division didn't know, otherwise Tang Wanzhuang wouldn't have this attitude.

He didn't comment further: "And then?"

"The Huangfu family moved to the capital over a decade ago. Back then, Huangfu Shaozong was still in diapers, and Huangfu Qing was in the bloom of youth, her beauty well-known in the capital..."

"Where were you at that time?"

"... What a question," she thought, pinpointing the issue with the precision of someone who had solved several cases.

Tang Wanzhuang didn't want to answer but had to respond expressionlessly, "Traveling the martial world... studying in the capital."

Zhao Changhe barely held back his laughter.

Similar in age, beauty, and family background, and probably not much difference in scholarship, perhaps your martial arts are stronger than hers... If Zhao Changhe had realized that the Winged Fire Snake was the Rosefinch, even in martial arts they would be comparable.

One, a gentle and refined lady from the water town; the other, a fiery military daughter with a hint of mischief.

One, a pillar of the court; the other, a rebel in the shadows.

They were like fire and water, light and dark. It would be strange if they hadn't been at odds since their girlhood, likely tearing at each other had become second nature, with the whole capital accustomed to watching the drama.

As time passed, one became a chancellor, the other a noble consort, still tearing at each other out of habit...

If Zhao Changhe could connect the dots to the Rosefinch, he would recall the tense atmosphere of slaughter and standoff at the Luo family estate, where the Rosefinch's first words to Tang Wanzhuang were, "The Spring Water Sword Technique may have a common name, but it's still pleasing to the eye."

The subtle flavor of those words was not for outsiders.

Tang Wanzhuang looked displeased: "What's with that expression? Do you think I told you to stay away from her because we can't stand each other?"

Isn't that the case?

Zhao Changhe sat obediently, sipping his tea.Tang Wanzhuang tapped on the table: "What does this have to do with me? We're talking about the Huangfu family entering the capital! Don't change the subject!"

"Mhm, and then?"

Tang Wanzhuang glared at him for a long while before finally getting back to the point: "In any case, after several battles with the barbarians, the court suffered ugly defeats, with many elite border troops lost. The so-called foolish decisions of His Majesty in his later years have led to chaos in the realm, and that's one aspect. The Marquis of Jingyuan simply couldn't sit still any longer, repeatedly requesting to lead troops into battle."

Zhao Changhe said: "So sending his daughter to the palace is meant to appease him? How can a daughter appease anyone? It's useless. It would be more meaningful to keep Huangfu Shaozong in the capital."

"Clearly, the real hostage is Huangfu Shaozong himself, not Huangfu Qing. I wonder if Huangfu Shaozong has realized this himself."

"…So you're saying Huangfu Qing didn't need to enter the palace at all."

"Right, it's unnecessary and meaningless. On this matter, it's very likely that Huangfu Qing and the Marquis of Jingyuan's family are considered separately… At most, it's to make the Marquis's use of his in-law's troops sound more palatable, certainly better than holding his son hostage in the capital. But I still think it's Huangfu Qing's own affair."

"Then is it because Old Xia had lustful thoughts and forced her into the palace?"

"No, His Majesty has not been interested in women for at least ten years, maybe even longer. He hasn't selected any court ladies for twenty years." Tang Wanzhuang said earnestly: "In fact, someone who has cultivated to His Majesty's level of unity with heaven is no longer interested in such matters. I've never seen anyone on the Heavenly List interested in it, like Cui Wenjing. Since Cui Yuanyang was born, he probably hasn't touched his wives or concubines. The reason why His Majesty only has one crown prince is also due to this. According to my secret contacts in the inner palace, His Majesty hasn't touched the Empress for at least fifteen years. Perhaps the matter with the Luo family was his last interest…"

"…" Although this matched the judgment about Huangfu Qing's virginity, Zhao Changhe's CPU was overheating again.

Since entering the palace was meaningless for the Huangfu family, why did she enter? To seduce the Emperor? The Emperor was no longer interested in women, and it seemed many people knew it, so it made no sense for her not to know and still try to seduce him. Moreover, this kind of behavior didn't seem like something the Winged Fire Snake would do.

Entering the palace deliberately for some purpose, like assassinating the Emperor, could make sense. But then it didn't add up with Xia Longyuan's side of things. Since he wasn't selecting court ladies anymore, why bother finding a new concubine, as if he didn't have enough problems? Maybe your son was killed by her, and you don't care?

But fortunately, this matter probably didn't require overthinking. I'll just ask Huangfu Qing directly later; she should tell me.

Damn it, at worst I'll use joining the sect as a bargaining chip.

Tang Wanzhuang said: "All in all, His Majesty and Huangfu Qing are definitely not in a relationship of emperor and consort. It must be just a nominal arrangement, collaborating for some purpose. His Majesty's thoughts might be barely explainable as promoting a concubine to check the Empress, but I really can't figure out Huangfu Qing's motive. She can't possibly have a son, so what is she after? Assassination? In any case, this woman is very dangerous, especially with your identity…"

She paused, frowning: "You shouldn't have come to the capital. Your arrival is almost the same as announcing your succession. What the Empress thinks, what Huangfu Qing thinks, the attitudes of the officials… His Majesty's own attitude. I can't deduce all the troubles that will arise here in a short time. Why come to the capital now? It's not the right time."

The image of Xia Chichi flashed through Zhao Changhe's mind, knowing that his trip to the capital wasn't entirely the result of a few words from the Winged Fire Snake. The reason for coming to the capital wasn't that important.

The real reason was Xia Chichi's sigh, her feeling that her father was going to die, yet she didn't even know the situation.

Zhao Changhe took a deep breath: "The Wang family is restless; I think the Empress has passed on some serious information to the Wang family. I want to know His Majesty's true condition, and then I'll leave. You said you have secret contacts in the inner palace, can you give me accurate information?"

Tang Wanzhuang shook her head: "According to my information, His Majesty still looks well. I don't know how the Wang family made their judgment. He even attended court this morning and dispatched additional troops to the south. There's no sign of any problem."

Zhao Changhe scratched his head, thinking to himself that you don't want me to contact Huangfu Qing, but that's probably not going to happen. I have to ask Huangfu Qing about this matter…

Just as he was thinking this, a notification from the Demon Suppression Division came from outside: "Chief, Young Master Huangfu is outside, inviting Zhao Changhe to a banquet."

Zhao Changhe looked pitifully at Tang Wanzhuang, who glared at him irritably, then shook her head with a chuckle: "Go on then, since you're here, how long can you hide? Just see if the capital's intrigues are as you wish."