The Crazy Emperor's Pampered Cousin

Qingdai had already taken out a clean handkerchief and quickly and meticulously wiped the chair surface. Only then did Shen Tinghe slowly sit down, her posture dignified and out of place in this dirty and dilapidated environment.

This unusual calmness left Guan Fang and his group bewildered, and they dared not make a move immediately. They merely gripped their sticks, knives, and daggers warily, keeping a close eye on her.

Shen Tinghe's gaze fell on the other two children in the room who were about the same age as the little leopard.

They were dressed in rags, but their eyes were murky and fierce, devoid of the innocence that children should have.

"Why would you follow them and do such a heinous thing?"

"Although the Great Zhao Dynasty has not yet reached its peak of prosperity, with all nations paying tribute, the court is working diligently to ensure the people's well-being. The capital has established the Ci'an Hall, which provides food, clothing, shelter, and livelihood skills specifically for orphaned and destitute children. You are still young and should not have fallen to such a state."

"laugh--"

The little leopard spat, his face displaying a slickness and ferocity beyond his years.

"Ci'an Hall? Laundry and mending, learning those exhausting trades, how much can you earn in a month? I stabbed someone to death when I was seven! Selling one woman is enough for me to work at Ci'an Hall for ten years! Only a fool wouldn't do that kind of business!"

The other two children also stubbornly shouted:

"Exactly! I can do whatever I want!"

"You're about to die yourself, and you're still meddling in other people's business? Are you an idiot?"

"Slap! Slap!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Qinglan flicked her wrist, and two pebbles that she had been holding between her fingers shot out, accurately hitting the front teeth of the child who had uttered the foul words. Blood gushed out immediately, and a scream of agony rang out.

"You filthy bitches! I'll chop you all up!"

A burly man flew into a rage and brandished his knife, but Guan Fang grabbed him.

Having spent many years mingling in the streets, Guan Fang was filled with suspicion and uncertainty.

The two maids were incredibly skilled, and the woman sitting there had an even more imposing presence; she was no ordinary person.

In that instant of stalemate, Qinglan and Qingdai moved.

They appear delicate, yet their movements are as swift as ghosts, their moves concise and ruthless, striking directly at vital joints.

With a few muffled "crack" and "bang" sounds, the two burly men who had pounced first fell to the ground with screams, their weapons falling from their hands and their arms bent at bizarre angles.

The remaining few people turned pale with fright and hesitated, not daring to go any further.

Chen Ziye watched in a daze, her heart filled with indescribable shock.

Martial arts, this is real martial arts!

Just then, a very faint but neat sound of something landing came from outside the courtyard.

The people inside the house turned around in shock, only to see that more than a dozen men in black had silently appeared in the once empty and dilapidated courtyard.

They exuded a cold aura, their eyes sharp as hawks, forming an encirclement. Several others stood silently on the dilapidated roof opposite, like sculptures in the dark night.

An invisible yet suffocating aura of death spread out, as if the air itself had frozen.

Guan Fang's legs went weak, and he almost collapsed to the ground. His face lost all arrogance, leaving only boundless fear.

"No...we were unaware of your presence, esteemed sirs...we were blind and ignorant. We're just ordinary folks trying to make a living...we'll leave right now, immediately..."

Shen Tinghe's expression remained unchanged: "Ye Lin, take him down."

"Yes!" The leader of the men in black bowed and accepted the order, his voice cold and hard.

There was almost no decent resistance; muffled groans and the sound of falling to the ground followed one after another.

In a short time, all the villains, including Guan Fang and Little Leopard, were subdued and forced to kneel on the ground.

The leader of the men in black, "Nightfall," knelt on one knee: "Madam, what should we do?"

Shen Tinghe's gaze slowly swept over Guan Fang, whose face was ashen, and then over the little leopard, who was still defiant and had a venomous look in his eyes.

"To be dealt with in accordance with the law."

"Understood."

Night fell, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. Why bother with tedious interrogations?

Kidnapping and trafficking people with malicious intent is a capital offense.

Moreover, they spoke filthy words to the Empress, and even being subjected to slow slicing or the extermination of their entire clan would not be excessive.

However, most of these desperate criminals had already lost their entire clans and could no longer be exterminated.

Shen Tinghe showed no leniency towards the children, including Little Leopard.

Their twisted nature may stem from a tragic past, but how innocent were the women they harmed and sold?

If children can be exempted simply because they are young, where is justice? What will people's hearts rely on?

Giving them a second chance to admit their mistakes and correct them is unfair.

Who gave those women a second chance, allowing them to be resurrected?

Therefore, even if they seem ignorant, they cannot escape punishment.

The women in the corner huddled together, their eyes gradually brightening with hope and gratitude as they followed Shen Tinghe closely.

They were all innocent people who were lured to this place by lies such as "family members are seriously ill" or "children are leading the way" because of their good intentions.

For them, Shen Tinghe's appearance and reversal were no less than divine light shining into the abyss.

Qinglan and Qingdai quickly stepped forward, neatly cut the ropes, and removed the rags from their mouths.

Shen Tinghe turned and walked out of the ominous room. Chen Ziye immediately followed.

Chen Ziye finally found a moment to be alone with Shen Tinghe, and he stepped forward.

"Your Majesty, when you have some free time, please make a trip to the Observatory. I have something extremely important to tell you in person."

Shen Tinghe glanced at him sideways: "Extremely important? Can't I say it here?"

Chen Ziye shook her head: "This matter... is indeed inconvenient to discuss here, and it is difficult to explain the details in just a few words. But please believe me, Your Majesty, it is of great importance and is by no means an exaggeration."

Seeing his eagerness, Shen Tinghe, though still puzzled, didn't press him further and simply nodded, "Okay. I've got it."

At this moment, the rescued women helped each other out of the house and came to Shen Tinghe, bowing in gratitude with tears in their eyes.

"Thank you so much, young lady! If it weren't for you, we would probably be..."

"I will never forget your kindness in saving my life!"

May the young lady enjoy lasting happiness and a peaceful life!

Shen Tinghe raised her hand in a gesture of support, saying, "It's good that everyone is alright. It's getting dark, so please go home quickly and don't keep your families waiting and worrying."

The women bowed repeatedly in gratitude before leaving together.

Only one person remained at the end. Unlike the others who left in a hurry, she straightened her disheveled clothes and, facing Shen Tinghe, knelt down and performed a standard deep bow with utmost solemnity.

Although his appearance was disheveled, his good upbringing was still evident.

"This humble woman, Sun Ziyu, kowtows to express her gratitude to Her Majesty the Empress for saving her life. Her Majesty's kindness is like giving her a second life. From now on, this humble woman will burn incense and pray for Her Majesty's health and longevity every day."

Shen Tinghe's eyes flickered slightly: "You recognize me?"

Sun Ziyu respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, my father is Sun Mingyuan, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. Last year at the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet, I accompanied my mother to the palace and had the honor of catching a glimpse of Your Majesty's majesty from afar. Although I am in danger today, I would never mistake Your Majesty's divine appearance and majesty. To be personally rescued by Your Majesty is truly my greatest fortune."