31: Death sentence

It was high noon.

Inside Luofeng Hall.

Su Quan had just finished his meal and put down his chopsticks, feeling a bit unsatisfied.

It had to be said that although Great Xia's cooking techniques and seasonings were inferior to those of his previous life, the quality of the ingredients was incredibly fresh. He ate until his mouth was covered in oil, calling it a delight.

"If only I could have hot pot!"

Su Quan felt a sudden urge.

Just then, the hall doors were violently burst open.

Several guards clad in armor barged in, long sabers at their waists and a menacing Aura. They clearly came with ill intent.

"Who are you people?"

Su Quan was not panicked; instead, he elegantly picked up a handkerchief to wipe the corners of his lips.

Facing such a stunningly beautiful person, the group of women breathed heavily, feeling somewhat at a loss. However, the leader quickly calmed down, knelt on one knee, cupped her fists, and said, "Young Master Su, the Imperial Husbands Father requests your presence!"

"I'm not going!"

Su Quan refused outright.

"Young Master Su, please don't make things difficult for us. If you insist on not going, then we will have no choice but to offend you!" The leading woman spoke with a bitter smile and cupped her hands.

"So, This Young Master has no choice but to go today?" Su Quan said coldly, his gaze extremely oppressive.

The woman didn't speak, her head only lowering further.

The mission she received before coming was to ensure the youth was brought to Zhaoyue Hall.

The two sides remained in a standoff for several minutes.

Finally, Su Quan's light chuckle broke the silence.

"Fine then, This Young Master will take a trip with you!"

"Thank you, Young Master Su!"

The attendants all breathed a long sigh of relief.

They led the way to the north side of the imperial palace, arriving before the magnificently built Zhaoyue Hall.

They pushed the door open and entered.

They saw Lu Xiaoming sitting at a table. With a sinister look in his eyes, he scrutinized the youth who walked in, then looked at the attendants and ordered, "Fine, you all go wait outside the hall!"

"Yes!"

Soon, only two men remained in the hall, and the atmosphere suddenly froze.

Lu Xiaoming's fingers tapped on the tabletop, the dull sound echoing like beats against the youth's heart. He crossed his legs, striking a comfortable pose, and spoke, "Su Quan, I have called you here today to discuss something with you!"

"Whatever it is, just say it!"

Su Quan yawned, then pulled out a stool as if no one else were there and sat down leisurely.

This action made Lu Xiaoming's eye twitch, and his suppressed anger quickly flared up.

"Su Quan, how dare you be so disrespectful in my presence?"

"You are from the Su Residence of Qingzhou, after all. Why are you as vulgar as a peasant? For Your Majesty to take someone like you into the harem is truly a disgrace to our Great Xia!"

"If a vulgar person like me can be favored by Your Majesty, while someone else hasn't even been touched by Your Majesty after three years in the palace, could it be because they are too ugly?" Su Quan smiled mischievously.

On the way to Zhaoyue Hall, he had learned about the Empress going out hunting today.

So, according to the plan, it was time to close the net.

"How dare you!"

Lu Xiaoming slammed the table and stood up, his body trembling with rage.

Of the eighty thousand characters in the world, only the word 'ugly' hurts a man's heart the most.

Furthermore, Su Quan mentioning the matter of favor was like rubbing salt into his wounds.

"Bold? How so? Is what This Young Master said not the truth? Or did I missee the Empress's Falling Red that night?"

Su Quan was reckless, continuing to provoke Lu Xiaoming's heart which was on the verge of collapse. "If I were you, I would definitely be too ashamed to continue clinging to the position of Imperial Husband. Having an ugly man like you as the Imperial Husband is the real disgrace to our Great Xia!"

"You... you actually dare to call me ugly!"

Lu Xiaoming almost fainted from anger on the spot.

"Not ugly?"

Su Quan gave a contemptuous smile and said, "Look at those shifty little eyes of yours; how can they compare to This Young Master's deep, large eyes? And that sallow skin—just how much rouge did you apply? That flat bridge of your nose—was it stepped on by a horse's hoof?"

"Most importantly..."

His gaze moved down, landing on the man's crotch, his contempt deepening. "With that mouse-like thing of yours, how can it compare to This Young Master's donkey-sized goods? No wonder Your Majesty has no interest in you!"

"You... you... you... you're infuriating me to death!"

Lu Xiaoming felt he had suffered a great humiliation. A sweet taste filled his mouth, and he spat out blood.

His original intention was just to use the Empress's absence from the palace to teach Su Quan a lesson, but now he truly felt murderous intent.

"I'm telling you, as long as I am in the position of Imperial Husband for one more day, I will not tolerate your insolence here!" Lu Xiaoming's breathing was ragged, his eyes bloodshot, as he took out a wine goblet and placed it on the table.

"I'll give you two choices now!"

"First, kneel and apologize to me, and at the same time, acknowledge me as your elder brother and perform the rites of a younger brother!"

"As for the second!"

Lu Xiaoming's gaze fell on the wine goblet, and he said viciously, "If you are unwilling, then drink this cup of poisoned wine. I am the master of the harem, the Great Xia Imperial Husband, and I have the authority to bestow death upon an undisciplined Consort!"

"Then I'm truly sorry!"

Su Quan shrugged with a smile and turned to walk out. "This Young Master doesn't want to choose either of those. If there's nothing else, This Young Master will be leaving now!"

"You think you can walk out of here today? Someone, come!"

Lu Xiaoming slammed the table and roared.

Several armed guards rushed in aggressively, blocking the youth's path.

"What?"

Su Quan's sword-like brows arched. He turned around with a half-smile. "If I don't choose today, are you actually going to kill me?"

"But... do you dare?"

The youth's questioning voice wasn't loud, yet it made the guards take a step back in fear.

But they immediately steadied themselves and drew their sabers. These people were Lu Xiaoming's confidants and followed his every lead.

"I indeed won't kill you, but while the death penalty may be avoided, you cannot escape punishment!"

Lu Xiaoming snorted. He couldn't allow the youth to continue being so arrogant. He said coldly, "Do it. Force him to kneel before me and kowtow to admit his guilt!"

His goal was simple: to make Su Quan recognize the hierarchy and etiquette, suppress his arrogant attitude, and make his own position as Imperial Husband more secure.

"Yes!"

The women hesitated for a moment but still stepped forward, looking ready to subdue the youth.

"No need!"

Su Quan's voice was very calm. He looked at Lu Xiaoming with pity in his eyes. "Even Your Majesty has to kneel before This Young Master. What kind of thing are you to dare make This Young Master kneel?"

"You..."

Lu Xiaoming was a mix of anger and resentment.

Before he could lash out, Su Quan walked to the table on his own, picked up the wine goblet, and examined it closely. His tone held a sense of liberation. "Perhaps, this is the best end for This Young Master!"

With that, without giving anyone time to react, he tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp. Then he turned the empty goblet upside down, a strange smile on his face. "Now, are you satisfied?"

Lu Xiaoming's gaze went blank, stunned by this move. His lips moved, but he couldn't say a word.

A boundless chill spread through his heart.

He only wanted to use the poisoned wine to force the youth to bow his head and submit. Who could have thought... this person wasn't afraid of death!