Adult Tang Dynasty: I, the Scoundrel, Fully Support the Empress - Chapter 20

Chapter 20: The Empress Slips Out of the Palace—A Secret Rendezvous with Su Yang

Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a group of high-ranking officials, including Cheng Yaojin, stood before Li Er with long faces, practically wailing in frustration.

Of course, they pinned the blame squarely on Su Yang.

If it weren’t for him leading their sons astray, there was no way Cheng Chumo and the others would have dared to break curfew and sneak off to the black market. No matter how reckless they were, even a thousand lifetimes’ worth of courage wouldn’t have been enough for them to take such a risk—unless, Su Yang had been the one egging them on.

“Your Majesty, we urge you to see the truth of the matter!” Cheng Yaojin and the others pleaded. They wanted Su Yang punished, and they wanted it now.

At the same time, they made their stance clear—once they got back home, they’d make damn sure their sons stayed far away from Su Yang. One bad influence like him was enough to corrupt them beyond repair.

“Your Majesty!”

A voice cut through the commotion. It was the imperial advisor, Wei Zheng, stepping forward with a grave expression. “I must agree with Duke Lu. This guy must be punished severely.”

His words stirred the hall. Whispers rippled through the gathered officials, all nodding in agreement.

For a while now, the court—and even the common people—had been abuzz with rumors about Su Yang. Many refused to believe he was simply the Empress’s sworn brother. The more scandalous whispers claimed he was nothing more than a secret lover she kept hidden away.

Why else would the Empress favor him so much?

As for the so-called prophecy about Su Yang being a “heaven-sent sage” meant to bring glory to the empire was absolute nonsense.

Looking at his background, his offenses, and his overall arrogance, Su Yang was no great scholar or miracle worker. He was a spoiled brat who abused his connections, flaunted his power, and stirred up trouble wherever he went.

Hadn’t he already beaten up the son of the Minister of Appointments in broad daylight? And now, he had dragged the sons of nobility into yet another scandal. Who knew what kind of disaster he’d cause next?

A wave of murmurs spread through the court, escalating into outright condemnation. Even Grand Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji finally spoke up. “Whether the rumors are true or not, we cannot allow this to continue. Su Yang must face consequences. Otherwise, what dignity does the royal family have left?”

“Are we really going to let one rotten apple spoil the whole barrel?” he added, his voice laced with disdain.

Just then, someone in the hall mentioned a recent bet between Su Yang and Prince Li Tai.

“Didn’t Su Yang wager against Prince Li Tai not too long ago?”

“It shouldn’t be much longer before we see the results.”

“As for whether he deserves punishment…”

“We’ll let the outcome decide.”

Li Er sat on his throne, his face unreadable. Deep down, he wasn’t particularly fond of Su Yang either. The Empress’s blatant favoritism toward him had been driving him insane. If he hadn’t known the Empress for so long, he might have suspected something was going on between them.

He wanted to deal with Su Yang himself, but if he acted too rashly, he’d have to answer to the Empress. So, rather than making a direct move, he decided to wait.

The bet with Prince Li Tai would provide the perfect excuse.

At that moment, the court fell into uneasy silence. Even Wei Zheng, normally unyielding, said nothing more. Everyone believed the outcome of the bet was already set in stone.

After all, Prince Li Tai was a well-known scholar, praised even by the Four Literary Masters of the early Tang Dynasty. Compared to him, Su Yang was a nobody. He had no noble background, no education—what could he possibly bring to the table?

When he inevitably lost, that would be the perfect moment to crush him. They’d make sure he fell so hard he’d never be able to rise again.

After all, who would dare offend the mighty Zhangsun family and expect to survive?

…

Chang’an, at the Eastern City.

Inside his estate, Su Yang had no idea what had gone down at court that morning, but he had already expected something like this.

He knew the officials were just looking for an excuse to target him.

But was he worried?

Not in the slightest.

He wasn’t just some average scholar—he was a master of plagiarizing history’s greatest literary works. Going up against Li Tai was child’s play.

For now, though, Su Yang ignored the political scheming and focused on something far more important—refining his latest batch of purified salt.

Just as he was about to get back to work, a sudden disturbance caught his attention.

Someone had arrived at his estate.

Not just anyone.

It was his so-called “sworn sister.”

The Empress herself.

Disguised and having slipped out of the palace unnoticed, she stormed into his residence with barely contained fury.

“Su Yang, get over here. Now.”

Her voice was sharp with frustration, and the look in her eyes made it clear—she was absolutely livid.

And she was here for him.