The Vicious Female Supporting Character and The Sadistic Heroine Got Together [Through the Book] - Chapter 50

The declaration sent shockwaves through the hall.

The assembled officials had only heard rumors of the events from years ago, never witnessing them firsthand. They had simply known that Tang Suan had been inexplicably demoted, accused of mistreating her younger sister. Now, to see her transformed into the Empress Regnant of Yun State was beyond their comprehension.

An elderly minister with graying hair sat in the audience, his eyes narrowed as he gazed at Tang Suan in the center of the hall. Stroking his beard, he murmured to his companion, “Do you remember Tang Qingshu?”

The younger official beside him paused, then asked, “Tang Qingshu? Who’s that?”

The old minister shook his head. “As I feared, few remember her now.”

The rumor that Tang Qingshu was a Yun State spy had once swept through the Li Dynasty like wildfire. In the imperial court, ambitious officials who coveted General Tang’s position had jointly petitioned Emperor Li to execute both Tang Qingshu and Grand General Tang.

Meanwhile, countless commoners who had benefited from the couple’s kindness knelt outside the city gates, desperately pleading with Emperor Li for leniency when they learned that Tang Qingshu had never ordered the Yun State forces to harm a single Li Dynasty citizen.

As for who first discovered and spread the rumor that Tang Qingshu was a spy, it no longer seemed to matter.

While others remained clueless, Tang Suan immediately understood: it was simply love turned to hatred.

Seeing Emperor Li remain silent, Tang Suan spoke again, her voice deep and resonant. “I implore Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly and clear my name.”

“Tang Suan,” Emperor Li replied, “let’s set that aside for now. Everyone knows you were born a citizen of the Li Dynasty. How did you suddenly become the Emperor of Yun State? Did you betray your country and defect to the enemy?”

Tang Suan had long anticipated this line of questioning and prepared her response. The matter of clearing her name had ceased to matter to her.

Originally, she had only wanted those who had wronged her to face justice. But now, that was no longer enough.

Perhaps it was because Tang Zhuxin had resided within her body for so long, but her desires and hatred had grown increasingly intense.

At times, she couldn’t even distinguish whether she was Tang Zhuxin, consumed by resentment and seeking mutual destruction with her enemies, or Tang Suan, who had always craved love and fair treatment—nothing more.

Emperor Li’s words instantly changed the crowd’s perception of Tang Suan. Their gazes now carried condemnation and contempt.

Tang Suan overheard someone remark, “How could this be? Her father is the loyal Grand General Tang! How could he have such a shameless daughter who would stoop to such depths?”

“Exactly, exactly!” others chimed in eagerly.

Tang Suan couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. Emperor Li has clearly ingested too much poison; his mind is utterly clouded. Still, this worked in her favor, giving her the opening she needed.

She had once sworn never to betray the Li Dynasty, but now she had no choice but to break that vow.

These people, including Emperor Li, were unworthy. The people of the Li Dynasty were nothing more than slaves under their tyrannical rule. What she was doing was saving them.

“Has Emperor Li forgotten that I am originally from Yun State? I merely grew up in the Li Dynasty,” she declared. Turning, she quickly spotted Grand General Tang in the crowd and pointed at him. “And my relationship with Grand General Tang is merely one of name. As my biological father, he has never treated me with kindness.”

Under General Tang’s shocked gaze, Tang Suan turned back to face Emperor Li.

General Tang’s heart pounded in his chest. Tang Suan’s earlier words, though seemingly severing their father-daughter bond, were actually meant to distance herself from him, preventing him from being implicated.

Could it be… has Suan really forgiven me? General Tang felt a mix of shock and joy.

Emperor Li abruptly stood, glaring at Tang Suan. “Do you realize what you’re saying?”

“Isn’t it the truth?” Tang Suan retorted, lifting her chin fearlessly.

Seeing Emperor Li take a step back, Tang Suan smiled slowly. “Since Emperor Li doesn’t want to speak, I’ll reveal the truth of what happened back then.”

Before she could speak, Emperor Li slammed his hand on the table. “Audacious!”

Tang Suan scoffed, showing no reaction.

Then, as if deflating, Emperor Li asked, “Who did you say framed you earlier?”

Tang Suan smiled faintly, knowing she had achieved her goal.

To prevent her from revealing the truth of what happened years ago—exposing his hypocrisy and dirty secrets—Emperor Li was willing to cooperate in finding the person who framed her.

Looking back at the events, the absurdity of it all became clear.

Emperor Li himself was the one who had framed her. He had failed to conduct a proper investigation, relying solely on the testimonies of Li Changsheng and Tang Yi to arbitrarily accuse Tang Suan of bullying her younger sister and banish her for three years.

If she hadn’t known she was from Yun State and hadn’t formed an alliance with Li Changsheng, she would have long since perished in that desolate land, reduced to a handful of dust.

Tang Suan spoke calmly, “Three years ago, Tang Yi accused me of frequently bullying her. His Highness the Crown Prince, then the Fifth Prince, also testified against me. Emperor Li, swayed by their words, banished me to a remote, desolate region for three years.”

Her words brought a collective realization to the faces of those present. They had been largely ignorant of the full context, but Tang Suan’s explanation shed light on the matter, giving them at least a partial understanding.

Even if Tang Suan had truly bullied Tang Yi, a three-year banishment seemed excessively harsh and unjustifiable.

“In truth, I never bullied Tang Yi,” Tang Suan declared passionately. “It was Tang Yi who bullied me out of jealousy.”

Emperor Li asked, “So, according to you, the Crown Prince and his Secondary Consort conspired to frame you?”

“Your Majesty’s wisdom shines brightly,” Tang Suan replied.

“And do you know the punishment for falsely accusing the Crown Prince of a nation?” Emperor Li pressed.

Tang Suan lifted her chin. “I merely spoke the truth. How would I dare slander the Crown Prince? I came here today for one reason only: to clear my name.”

Hearing her final words, Emperor Li finally understood. Tang Suan had come solely to clear her name, and she wouldn’t rest until she achieved her goal.

He closed his eyes briefly, then opened them again. “Just tell me what you want.”

What he really meant was: What will it take for you to drop this matter?

Tang Suan sneered inwardly. How could she possibly drop it? This was the perfect opportunity to provoke conflict between the Yun State and the Li Dynasty.

She intended to seize this chance to bring down Li Changsheng. Even if that failed, she had other methods, such as the antidote.

Tang Suan couldn’t help but wonder how Emperor Li would react if he discovered his Empress and son had poisoned him, plotting to usurp the throne. The mere thought of that scene sent a thrill through her.

Li Changsheng, seated on his throne, watched Tang Suan’s figure with a complex expression. Looking at her now, he seemed to see another person through her—someone ruthless and decisive. He gazed at her, feeling both unfamiliarity and a strange sense of familiarity, his heart tinged with sorrow and guilt.

What’s wrong with me? Li Changsheng lowered his head and saw his hand clutching his chest.

Tang Suan said, “As I’ve already stated, I seek little. I only wish to clear my name. I implore Emperor Li to grant this.”

“You claim Tang Yi framed you. Tang Yi, does Your Majesty have anything to say?”

Tang Yi replied, “Your Majesty, I have nothing to add. Every word my sister has spoken is true. Having no defense, I can only confess the truth.”

“You…” Emperor Li stared at her, speechless with rage.

The naive Emperor Li believed Tang Yi was framing Tang Suan, unaware that his own son had orchestrated a far grander scheme. Tang Suan’s plan, however, dwarfed even her son’s ambition.

Tang Suan had long resolved to be no one’s puppet. She would become a formidable Empress Regnant.

Emperor Li pointed at Li Changsheng and urgently demanded, “Explain yourself! What is the truth behind all this?”

Li Changsheng quickly lowered his head. “Please forgive me, Your Majesty. This was all my doing. I have failed to meet your expectations. I beg you to punish me.”

Emperor Li trembled with rage, his face contorted as he snarled at Li Changsheng, “You fool! You’ve brought this upon yourself!”

Li Changsheng glanced at Tang Suan, but she refused to meet his gaze, treating him like a complete stranger. Her eyes remained fixed straight ahead, unwavering, as if the man standing beside her were merely an unfamiliar presence.

Seeing Tang Suan’s deliberate coldness, Li Changsheng’s first reaction wasn’t to defend himself, but to feel a profound sense of sorrow.

He and Shen Chou had been married for three years, yet their marriage remained unconsummated. Whenever he tried to fulfill his marital duties, Shen Chou would always find some excuse to refuse him.

Now, as he held Tang Yi in his arms, their faces bearing a striking resemblance, the image of Tang Suan’s face flashed through his mind.

Emperor Li turned to Tang Suan and asked, “Since they framed you and caused you so much suffering, how do you wish to punish them?”

This posed a difficult dilemma. One was the Crown Prince, the other the Crown Princess—their status and position were undeniable.

Emperor Li likely believed that even if Tang Suan became the Emperor of Yun State, she wouldn’t dare offend Tang Yi and Li Changsheng.

He couldn’t have been more wrong. Tang Suan was no longer the same woman she once was.

Tang Suan glanced at Tang Yi before replying, “Why not be generous, Your Majesty? Entrust both of them to me for punishment. What do you say?”

Emperor Li glared at Li Changsheng, his disappointment evident. “Tang Yi, yes,” he said to Tang Suan, “but Li Changsheng, no. After all, he is still the Crown Prince of the Li Dynasty.”

Tang Suan looked at Tang Yi, then reluctantly agreed, “That will suffice.”

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