Chapter 132: A Reward or a Retribution

The atmosphere was just right when suddenly a loud announcement rang out outside: "Your Majesty, the assassin has escaped!"

Upon hearing this, Jun Yeli instantly furrowed his brows, his expression turning grave.

Gently setting down the small plush head beside him, he quickly strode out, closing the door behind him. His gaze grew cold once more.

He glanced at the nearby guard, who was hunched over and trembling with fear, and couldn’t help but scold him harshly: "You worthless fool! With so many of you, you still can’t catch a single assassin?"

Moreover, the culprit was a female assassin. If this were to become public, not only would the honor of the Imperial Guard be utterly tarnished, but the entire palace's security would be seen as a joke.

"Your Majesty, it’s not that we didn’t want to catch her, but the Second Prince pushed the assassin off a cliff!" the guard reported.

To prevent Liuli from being captured and exposing himself, Jun Yecheng had no choice but to take drastic measures, leaving the others helpless.

Hearing this, Jun Yeli sneered coldly, "He killed her? Why didn’t he show such efficiency before? Have you even searched for a body?"

"We did search, Your Majesty, but only found fragments of clothing—no sign of a body," came the reply.

"No sign of the living, no sign of the dead. Is this how your Imperial Guard handles matters? You never cease to surprise me," Jun Yeli said with biting sarcasm.

The guard’s heart pounded as the emperor’s mocking roar pierced the air. He didn’t know how to defend himself.

He bowed his head further and cautiously said, "Your Majesty, since she’s dead, there should be no future trouble. There shouldn’t be any more problems..."

Despite his words, Jun Yeli couldn’t swallow his anger. He glanced back toward the room, took a deep breath, and said heavily, "She may have died easily, but you didn’t see how terrified Consort Rong was. Does her death make up for that?"

Such a cutting remark sent a chill down everyone’s spine, rendering the entire group speechless.

Silence fell over the room; no one dared to speak.

Jun Yeli, unwilling to waste more breath, commanded flatly, "Since you neither caught the assassin nor found a body, you shall bear the consequences yourselves."

After dismissing the irrelevant attendants, Jun Yeli turned to leave briskly, much to the surprise of a nearby young eunuch, who hurried after him and asked curiously, "Your Majesty, will you not stay with the consort?"

Ever since Consort Rong’s fright and near-drowning, Jun Yeli had hardly left her side. Had it not been for the sudden announcement, he might never have stepped out. Yet now he walked with a carefree air.

Jun Yeli glanced sharply, his sword-like brows suddenly sharpening, his tightly knit brows making others uneasy.

"Our Second Prince has accomplished something great. Naturally, he must be rewarded," Jun Yeli said, the tone laden with hidden meaning—less a praise and more a prelude to reprimand.

The eunuch was drenched in sweat but dared not press further as they arrived at Jun Yecheng’s domain.

Just as they entered, Jun Yecheng emerged from the backyard holding a sword, seemingly having just finished training.

The two men locked eyes, and tension thickened the air once more.

That strange atmosphere silenced everyone else, leaving them unsure what to say.

After a moment, Jun Yecheng suddenly laughed heartily, "Oh? Your Majesty, what brings you here so suddenly? Could it be about that female assassin?"

He stepped forward, the tip of his sword pressing closely against Jun Yeli, as if threatening to strike—one might even mistake it for an act of self-harm.

Despite this, Jun Yeli maintained a cold gaze but appeared remarkably composed.

When the sword finally met his own, Jun Yeli’s eyes lowered slightly. Recognizing the gesture, Jun Yecheng sheathed his blade.

Yet his calm demeanor seemed to irk Jun Yecheng, who retorted with sarcastic praise, "As expected of the emperor. Without such courage and resolve, you’d never sit on the throne."

"I have no time for your meaningless words. I heard you killed that female assassin?" Jun Yeli said sharply.

"It was merely a trivial matter. A mere woman dared to act so boldly—she deserved to die," Jun Yecheng said with a mocking tone, as if discussing the death of an insignificant ant.

A sly smile lingered on Jun Yecheng’s lips, pride evident in his voice.

He occasionally raised an eyebrow at Jun Yeli, his expression challenging—a provocation that was infuriating yet utterly helpless to confront.

Chen Lecheng’s suppressed frustration was only reluctantly set aside by Jun Yeli, who then sarcastically questioned, "You knew the assassin intended to kill Consort Rong for some reason. Why didn’t you spare her?"

"She tried to throw herself off the cliff. Even Your Majesty couldn’t stop her. That was beyond our control," Jun Yecheng replied smoothly.

His slick words left Jun Yeli utterly speechless—truly at a loss for words.

His cold gaze swept over the gleaming new sword, and he couldn’t help teasing, "That sword of yours hardly looks like one meant for killing."

Jun Yecheng gave no reply, only uttering polite pleasantries, "Your Majesty has been here a while without any hospitality. Come inside for a few drinks to ease your fatigue."

With that, he ceremoniously extended a hand, inviting him into the courtyard.

But Jun Yeli was uninterested in such brotherly hospitality. "No need. I just came to check in. Since you succeeded in pursuing the assassin, you deserve a reward."

"Then I thank Your Majesty for your kindness," Jun Yecheng said without pressing further, listening as Jun Yeli continued.

"The Second Prince’s status is noble. Money alone cannot satisfy him. Let it be so: permit Noble Consort Gao to take charge of the harem and manage the useless women there."

At these words, Jun Yecheng’s expression immediately changed. "Why allow Mother Consort to enter the harem?"

Although this meant she was no longer confined to a tiny courtyard, it was clear she had become Jun Yeli’s puppet, making it easier for him to control Noble Consort Gao.

This was hardly a reward—it was a disguised torment.

With a hint of hatred in his eyes, Jun Yecheng clenched his teeth but only received a casual tease in return: "What, do you want Noble Consort Gao to remain confined deep within the palace forever?"

"Heh, elder brother jokes. Since it’s a favor from you, it’s only right she should bear it," Jun Yecheng replied.

Under Jun Yecheng’s arrangement, Noble Consort Gao moved into the Moonlight Palace—the very residence Jun Yeli’s birth mother had once occupied—a constant, looming warning to her.