Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Chapter 176 Did you already know this?

Seeing Yunze faint and fall to the ground, Zheng Luoqi waved to her subordinates, ordering them to pour a bucket of cold water directly onto Yunze.

In an instant, water splashed everywhere, and Yunze was soaked to the bone.

This sudden stimulus jolted Yunze, who had been unconscious, awake, and his consciousness instantly returned to some clarity.

Yunze slowly raised his head, his face full of confusion and bewilderment, and looked straight at Zheng Luoqi in front of him.

"Awake? Feeling more awake?" Zheng Luoqi asked Yun Ze with a sinister smile on her lips.

Yunze already knew he had been exposed, but he didn't know when Zheng Luoqi had found out.

Seeing that Yunze didn't speak, Zheng Luoqi smirked and asked, "What? Scared stiff? Can't you speak?"

Yunze's eyes were cold, but he felt weak all over and asked listlessly, "You knew all along? Or did you know from the very beginning?"

"Hahahaha, you've made it so obvious, it's hard not to notice. I've encountered this kind of trick countless times over the years. You never come up with anything new, it's so boring!" Zheng Luoqi said to Yun Ze indifferently.

He then took out an exquisite porcelain bottle from his pocket, opened the cap, and brought the bottle opening close to Yunze's nose, letting him smell the strange scent emanating from it.

Just then, Yunze, whose eyes had been empty and lifeless, suddenly seemed to be infused with a mysterious power. His eyes shone with an unusual brilliance, and his face showed an expression of extreme satisfaction and intoxication.

Yunze seemed to be gradually regaining his lost rationality. Although he was still weak and powerless, he still managed to ask, "What exactly is in this bottle?"

Hearing Yunze's question, Zheng Luoqi's smile deepened. He answered slowly, "This is a wondrous thing that can bring endless joy! Just inhaling its fragrance will make you forget all the troubles and worries of the world, allowing you to immerse yourself completely in the wonderful feeling of this moment. How about it? Doesn't it feel incredibly refreshing?"

After saying that, Zheng Luoqi continued to stare at Yunze's face, which was distorted by pain, and thought to herself: This newly developed drug seems to be very effective!

"What exactly did you feed me that day?!" Yunze roared furiously, his once handsome face now contorted in extreme pain.

Ever since he took the unknown drug that Zheng Luoqi fed him that day, an indescribable discomfort has been haunting him like a shadow.

The sensation was as if countless tiny yet incredibly sharp ants were frantically gnawing at every inch of his skin and every nerve.

The intense itching and stinging that penetrated to the bone was almost unbearable for him, making him feel as if he were in purgatory.

He scratched his body incessantly, trying to relieve the endless torment, but all his efforts were in vain. His skin was scratched raw, and blood seeped out, mixing with sweat to form shocking streaks.

But the pain from these wounds was nothing compared to the strange itching inside his body.

Yunze's eyes widened, bloodshot and filled with anger and despair. He stared intently at Zheng Luoqi, wishing he could devour her alive.

"Do you want it?" Zheng Luoqi waved the porcelain bottle in front of him.

"Tell me, who exactly is your master?" Zheng Luoqi's face was ashen, his gaze cold as he stared at Yun Ze. He spoke slowly, his voice not loud but carrying an irresistible authority.

Faced with Zheng Luoqi's questioning, Yunze gave a mocking laugh and even spat at him.

"Pooh!"

Instead of getting angry, Zheng Luoqi smiled calmly, raised her hand to wipe the saliva off her face, and then suddenly her expression changed, and she slapped Yun Ze across the face.

A clear and bright red handprint appeared on Yunze's originally fair cheek in the blink of an eye, showing that Zheng Luoqi's slap was indeed quite powerful.

Then Zheng Luoqi coldly said, "Since you don't want to talk, then don't blame me for being ruthless. Guards, cut his tongue out for me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the guards standing to the side immediately stepped forward, their gleaming swords flashing with cold light, and charged straight at Yunze.

At this moment, Yunze finally began to panic, but he still pretended to be calm, glaring fiercely at Zheng Luoqi and gritting his teeth as he said, "You dare? My master will never let you get away with this!"

Zheng Luoqi seemed completely unconcerned about Yun Ze's threat. He sneered as if he had heard the biggest joke in the world, and mocked, "Your master? Hahahaha... I'd really like to know what kind of ability your so-called master has that dares to run wild on my territory?"

"It doesn't matter. I'll wait here and see if he'll come to save you or abandon you."

"As for your life, I'll spare it for now. When the time comes, I'll 'invite' your so-called master to come along so he can see for himself how pathetic you are now."

"Cut out his tongue for me! Also, remember to give him the medicine on time, only give it to him when he's itching unbearably!" Zheng Luoqi turned to the guards beside him and gave them the order.

After saying that, Zheng Luoqi burst into laughter again: "Hahahahahahahaha!" The laughter echoed throughout the room.

Zheng Luoqi turned and left, ignoring the curses coming from Yun Ze's back. Then, Yun Ze's painful screams came from behind, followed by sudden silence...

Inside the palace

Xue Huaiyu and Consort Jiang dined together. Consort Jiang looked at Xue Huaiyu with a smile and concern in her eyes, constantly putting various delicious dishes into his bowl.

"Your Majesty, please try this dish. It is extremely delicious," Consort Jiang said softly, then carefully placed a delicate pastry into Xue Huaiyu's bowl.

Then, she picked up a piece of fresh, tender vegetables with her chopsticks and gently placed it in front of Xue Huaiyu, softly advising, "Your Majesty, you are busy with work and toil for the country every day, and your health is gradually deteriorating. These are nourishing dishes that I have specially prepared for you, hoping to help you regain your energy and maintain your good health."

Faced with Consort Jiang's warm and thoughtful care, Xue Huaiyu felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He looked at the gentle and graceful woman in front of him, and a look of emotion flashed in his eyes.

At this moment, Xue Huaiyu suddenly remembered that Consort Jiang seemed to have an older sister.

He had been troubled recently about which family's daughter was a better match for Ji Beichen, since the Wen family was gone and Wen Nanwan had already divorced Ji Beichen.

If the Ji family could be brought to side with the imperial faction through marriage, it wouldn't be a bad idea.