The imperial palace was already in total chaos. All those ministers who just wanted to avoid trouble—really, they were just cowards—had hidden themselves inside, thinking it was the safest place. Who could've guessed the battle would reach them so quickly?
Only now did they realize just how stupid they'd been—stupid enough to meddle, stupid enough to risk their own lives for it.
Butterfly Rogue, Yvonne Li, and Caleb Miles had already charged in and fought their way into the palace, but none of them had spotted Ivy Shen anywhere.
"Sis!" Butterfly Rogue, ever quick-eyed, suddenly spotted Yvonne Li in the middle of a brawl. He dashed over at once to join the fight.
"Little Butterfly, you guys made it too?" Yvonne Li panted, catching her breath. This was the longest she'd ever fought, but her spirits were still sky-high.
"Sis, have you seen Wifey?" Butterfly Rogue asked anxiously, still fighting as he spoke.
"Nope! I got surrounded as soon as I came in. You haven't seen Ivy either?" They kept chatting while exchanging blows.
"Sis, we'll leave this spot to you. We're off to find Wifey!"
"Got it, go!"
"Here!" Butterfly Rogue took advantage of a lull in the fighting to shove three big steamed buns into Yvonne Li's hands. "Snatched these off the street—eat up and recharge!" With that, he dashed off to alert Caleb Miles and Yvonne Li.
"Ah—!" Suddenly, screams echoed from the back palace. Dozens of those fake eunuchs in yellow robes—actually Dark Force agents—were dying left and right.
"Empress Dowager!" Luna looked nervously at the dying yellow-robed men. She never imagined there were so many spies planted in the palace.
Cao Wan’er wasn’t even a little nervous. She casually sipped her tea and said, “Shou’an Hall isn’t a place just anyone can waltz into. Anyone who barges in tonight is going to die!”
At that moment, Song Zhijue, who’d been in the secret chamber all this time, slowly rolled out under Silver Consort’s push.
“Zhijue, why did you come out?” Seeing her precious son emerge from the secret room, Cao Wan’er quickly set down her tea and rushed over to him.
“Mother!” Song Zhijue hurriedly reached out to Cao Wan’er. “Mother, have they already broken into the palace?”
“Don’t worry, Zhijue, your mother has everything under control.” Cao Wan’er reassured him. She’d spent years setting up her chessboard for this son—no way would she let anyone ruin it now.
“Mother, I’m not worried.” Song Zhijue smirked coldly. “You’ve always taken care of me. This time, let me take care of you.”
“Zhijue...” Cao Wan’er’s heart warmed instantly.
Silver Consort’s pale fingers clung to the wooden cart’s handle, a storm of emotions swirling inside her. The clash and screams outside were deafening. She worried deeply, knowing just how much this throne meant to Zhijue.
But could they really hold out?
“Mother, I’ve already set up a heaven-net of traps throughout the palace. Mechanisms everywhere. The moment they step in, they’ll be shot dead.” Song Zhijue’s tone was icy. He hadn’t been idle—he’d personally upgraded every trap, sharpened every blade, just to wipe out anyone daring to steal his throne.
That throne was his. No one had the right to take it!
“Mother believes you. But I still don’t want you to see all this killing. I want you to rest in the secret chamber and sleep soundly—by tomorrow, everything will be settled.” Cao Wan’er squeezed his hand, smiling with all the warmth of a doting mother.
“Mother...”
“Silver Consort, take him down.” Cao Wan’er glanced at Silver Consort’s pale face and issued her order.
“Yes.” Silver Consort obeyed, pushing Song Zhijue back toward the secret chamber.
“Mother...”
“Be good. Get some sleep. By tomorrow, the whole Serpent Realm will be yours.” Cao Wan’er waved her hand, her voice gentle.
Only after the secret chamber’s door closed—tight, seamless, flawless—did Luna realize: Cao Wan’er didn’t want the emperor to see her martial arts. But...
“Empress Dowager, they’re about to reach us—why not just take Silver Consort’s inner power now?” If she did, her strength would soar.
“Wait. It’s not the right time.” Cao Wan’er replied, as if she hadn’t considered it. Silver Consort’s power would peak at dawn—just a little longer and it would be perfect.
Luna didn’t press further. She glanced nervously outside—screams and battle cries filled the palace, her brow furrowed, anxiety gnawing at her.
“Alright, go keep watch. Report anything strange to me.” Cao Wan’er waved her off.
Luna had no idea why she was suddenly sent out, but obediently left to stand guard.
Now the room was empty—just Cao Wan’er, who took a deep breath and called out calmly, “Aunt Blood, come out.”
As soon as she finished, a figure slipped in through the window—quick as a shadow, movement unnaturally swift.
She was wrapped head to toe, only a pair of pale red eyes showing. The air around her reeked of blood—thick and metallic.
“Empress Dowager.” The newcomer spoke, voice flat and emotionless.
Cao Wan’er turned to her. “Aunt Blood, no need to stand on ceremony. How have you liked the ‘snacks’ I’ve sent lately?”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager. The snacks were delicious.”
“Aunt Blood, my Cao family has raised you for years, treated you well. We knew you needed blood to survive, but my father still took you in, always generous. Even when you fell for a ‘snack’ and had his child, my father didn’t blame you—he let your daughter stay at my side.”
“Empress Dowager...” For a moment, Aunt Blood’s voice wavered.
“I don’t know exactly what happened between you and that man, but my family’s always treated your daughter well. She’s even had affairs with palace men—anyone else would’ve been executed, but I turned a blind eye. That’s mercy, isn’t it?” Cao Wan’er said coolly.
“Thank you, Empress Dowager. Blood Yin will repay your family’s kindness.” Aunt Blood said, voice muffled by her wrappings.
“Good! If things weren’t so urgent, I wouldn’t have called you out. The palace is chaos—you know why. If we win, everyone’s happy. If we lose, no one survives—not even your daughter.”
“Blood Yin will do her utmost.”
“I don’t know how many of those men will make it this far, but whoever does will be exhausted. I want you to finish off Ivy’s serpent husbands for me. If you succeed, I’ll make your daughter a county mistress, give her a mansion, gold, and a fine husband—she’ll be happy for life.” Cao Wan’er tempted.
“Blood Yin understands. You can count on me—I won’t let you down.”
“Excellent. You’ve already been given their descriptions and info. I don’t know how many will make it, but I want this hall to be their grave.” Cao Wan’er’s smile turned cold.
“Yes!”
“By the way, Aunt Blood—their serpent blood is the purest treat. Once you kill them, enjoy the dessert.”
“Thank you, Empress Dowager.” Blood Yin’s eyes flicked to the window, where Luna’s silhouette lingered outside.
Cao Wan’er followed her gaze, her smile darkening. Blood Yin, of the Blood Clan, had loved drinking blood since childhood. Their martial arts were vicious, their hearts even crueler—like hell’s own envoys. The clan was wiped out for their bloodthirst, hunted everywhere.
Her father had rescued Blood Yin, barely alive, and given her all the blood she needed. He knew Blood Clan skills were demonic; with the right training, she’d become a killer.
To control her, he needed a leash. He found a handsome but poor man, desperate to heal his mother. Her father offered help if the man played along—sent him to Blood Yin as a ‘snack.’ She fell for him, got pregnant.
Once Blood Yin was pregnant, her father sent the man away, making her think she’d been abandoned. Furious and heartbroken, she mastered a demonic art. The child was raised by her father.
Her father knew if she stayed bitter, she’d hate the child and refuse to be useful. So, after she mastered the demonic art, he revealed the ‘truth’: the man had loved her but was dying of an incurable illness—he left to spare her pain.
Blood Yin rushed to see him. According to her father’s script, the man repeated the story, and she cried her heart out, finally forgiving him. He died after fulfilling his final duty. No one knew his ‘illness’ was really her father’s poison—he needed to tie up loose ends.
Everything went as planned. Blood Yin doted on her child, but worried she’d seem a monster for drinking blood, so she stayed in the Cao household, her daughter serving as Cao Wan’er’s close maid.
Now it was time to repay the debt. Cao Wan’er was delighted—Blood Yin’s power was ten times Silver Consort’s. Against those men, she’d squash them like ants. Since they want to die, tonight, not a single one leaves!
******* Scene Break *******
PS: Ahhhh, writing this is killing me! I just want the story to move faster, but typing is exhausting~ (Don’t you just wanna smack me?) Thanks for all the tips, everyone! The ending’s got me panicking, but I want to explain everything clearly, so I’m writing extra detail. Ugh, even I’m tired out. Ahhhh~!