Chapter 114: Bearing a Prince

Li Defu truly has eight hundred scheming minds; seeing the Xu Family at its zenith, he wants to team up with Xu Luoyan to take down Wan Tang.

Didn't expect it, did you? Wan Tang has found herself the biggest backing—namely the Emperor.

Now he still dares to threaten? Doesn't he know the Xu Family is about to be finished?

Why are you still watching that Yan mutt? Look at my great Zhou Su—simply dashing. One man debates the crowd, leaving the entire court of civil and military officials speechless.

When the Emperor proposed appointing Xu Yanchuan as the relief imperial commission, the ministers opposed. But my great Zhou Su, single‑handedly, turned the tide and felt he had settled the matter.

Not to mention Xu Chengyuan—when he starts a fire, he even scolds the Emperor, sparing no one.

Wan Tang hears this, a smile lifts her lips; just right, Yanchuan has secured the position she desired.

But this scene, in Li Defu's eyes, became a provocation.

He gritted his teeth hard and said coldly, "Consort Wan, truly very imposing."

"You also must not forget, the Emperor, after all, was raised by us. No one knows the Emperor's affairs better than us."

Between Wan Tang's brows and eyes, a hint of dimness appeared.

Seeing Wan Tang's reaction, Li Defu immediately laughed, "Consort Wan, we'll see as it goes."

I now must go attend to the venerable Emperor.

Li Defu flicked the dust brush in his hand and left with a cold laugh.

Just as Li Defu's footsteps faded outside the corridor, Xiao Shunzi sprang out from behind the azure gauze cabinet.

He held a steaming soup, his eyes flashing with eager light: "Master, now that Xiao Dongzi has gained favor, why not use this chance to have Xiao Dongzi completely replace Li Defu."

"At least before the Emperor, we have a man of our own."

"Impossible."

Wan Tang pinched off the plum branch on the table with her fingertip, its juice staining the armor red.

Candlelight cast an unfathomable shadow in her eyes: "Let him temporarily stay out of the spotlight."

Xiao Shunzi's eyes were full of doubt: "Master, are you afraid of that old eunuch dog?"

The hot vapor reddened Xiao Shunzi's eyes, "The Emperor treats you so specially, even discussing major matters like relief with you, has long placed you in his heart."

"In this harem, who could have such favor as you?"

"Even Xu Guifei back then was far inferior to you."

"Xiao Shunzi." Wan Tang suddenly tossed the broken plum into the charcoal basin, the flame's tongue booming, "Do you envy Li Defu?"

The young eunuch's knees gave way, the soup splashed onto his robe hem.

He stared at the winding water stain on the floor, his Adam's apple rolling: "Nubi… Nubi…"

"Climbing to high positions, who doesn't step on corpses?" Wan Tang's embroidered shoes pressed over the spilled soup, "But have you seen the trap beneath the bones?"

She suddenly tugged at Xiao Shunzi's collar, "How exactly did Li Defu climb step by step? So many successors, why hasn't any surpassed him?"

Xiao Shunzi's pupils contracted sharply.

Wan Tang released her grip, smoothing his collar folds, "Surviving is the foundation of becoming a superior person."

"Nubi understands." Xiao Shunzi bowed heavily.

Half a month passed like sand through fingers; in an instant, Lady Qi was about to give birth.

The Empress Dowager personally selected a steady midwife who guarded Jingyang Palace day and night, and the Xiao Family's century‑old attendant continuously brought offerings to Qi Guiren.

As the harem's good news approached, Wan Tang's belly also grew day by day.

Xie Taiyi paid even more attention to Wan Tang.

From once‑daily consultations, it became twice a day.

"Your Majesty, your recent diet can include more meat; as the month grows, the child needs more nutrition," Xie Taiyi carefully instructed beside her.

Xie Taiyi just put away the pulse pillow, the golden‑threaded curtain was lifted by the night wind, and Wan Tang sat up.

"Your Majesty's pulse is steady," he whispered, "relief work is exhausting, still need rest."

Wan Tang's fingertips brushed her rounded belly, the snowlight outside the window softened her brows and eyes, "Thinking the disaster victims can endure this winter makes my heart at ease."

"Your Majesty's benevolence truly is a blessing to all the people."

Xie Taiyi bowed back and accidentally collided with Chu Yunzheng as he pushed aside the curtain.

The whole house's people fell to their knees in a clamor.

Wan Tang braced her waist, about to stand, when Chu Yunzheng swept her into his arms: "Tangtang, rise quickly."

Chu Yunzheng, with his thin silk‑wrapped thumb, stroked the pulse beating at her wrist, "How many times have I said, privately you and I need not observe formalities, yet you still keep me at a distance?"

Wan Tang nodded and smiled, not knowing when the Emperor arrived, nor how much she heard.

"I seem to have heard you mention the disaster?" Chu Yunzheng said meaningfully.

Wan Tang and Xie Taiyi were both nervous.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze swept over Wan Tang and Xie Taiyi, and with a faint smile said, "Since Dr. Xie comes from outside the palace, tell me, how do the outside people discuss this matter?"

Xie Taiyi pressed his forehead to the ground, "The Jingjiao common folk are praising the Your Majesty's wisdom, saying they will build a shrine to you, offering worship to you."

"Oh?" Chu Yunzheng suddenly squeezed Wan Tang's chin, "No other voices?"

"Of course there are." Wan Tang leaned on his shoulder, the fetus in her womb suddenly kicked, "Listen, the Little Prince also says father emperor is wise."

Chu Yunzheng chuckled low, his palm covering her belly with a scorching warmth, "My Tangtang understands my heart best."

He suddenly leaned down, his thin lips at her ear, "Mother says Qi Guiren will give birth in the next two days."

The dragon's saliva fragrance mixed with a dangerous breath coiled up: "You must give me a Little Prince."

The tenderness in his eyes, like a honey‑tempered blade, made Wan Tang tremble slightly.

The Dog Emperor, the Empress Dowager posed a problem for him, and he turned that problem over to Tangtang.

Honestly, this infuriates me; how can you expect Tangtang to answer this? Saying we must follow the proper order of respect and hierarchy satisfies the Empress Dowager. Yet Dr. Xie has said that Qi Guiren's child may have intellectual issues—are we to have Wan Tang say let a fool become Emperor?

So what should she say? She can't just claim her child is perfectly healthy, that would be better!

Who let the Imperial Observatory over there claim they saw some star, probably meaning that what's inside Wan Tang's womb is too icy; if it's a daughter, that's fine. If it's a prince, it must be a ruthless person, someone who would murder the emperor and seize the throne.

What nonsense Imperial Observatory, aren't they just people from the Xiao Family trying to plant a seed in the emperor's mind? Too bad, the script has been changed, and I don't even know Tangtang's fate anymore.

All I know is that the one ultimately appointed Crown Prince is San Huangzi.

Wan Tang's heart raced.

She changed her own fate, but others' destinies still seem to be unfolding according to the script.

If it's San Huangzi, then who is San Huangzi?

Is it Xu Luoyan's?

Wan Tang isn't quite sure.

With her fingertips lightly brushing her rounded abdomen and deliberately pouting her red lips, Wan Tang said, "Emperor, how could I possibly be certain about something hidden behind my belly?"

Her eyes flickered, carrying a hint of coquettish annoyance, "Could it not be a little princess?"

Chu Yunzheng frowned slightly, "Tangtang wants a daughter?"

"As long as it's the Emperor's blood, I cherish it." She guided the emperor's hand to the place of fetal movement, hoping that the shared bloodline could awaken Chu Yunzheng's benevolence.

"They say daughters are like a close‑fitting little cotton jacket, and naturally they also love being a little princess." Wan Tang suddenly lowered her gaze, her long lashes casting a shadow beneath her eyes, "In this way, there will be another person who dotes on the Emperor."

The emperor's tense brows suddenly relaxed, and just as he was about to speak, a commotion erupted outside the hall.

Li Defu rushed in, his forehead beaded with cold sweat, "Your Majesty, the Jingren Palace reports that Xu Da Ying is suffering unbearable abdominal pain and earnestly requests the Emperor to go see her."

Chu Yunzheng's complexion darkened.

Wan Tang rose at the right moment, "Emperor, you should go see sister."

She shifted her tone, "It's just that Mrs. Xu is also there; if someone is homesick, it might be a bit difficult to handle."

The emperor's gaze suddenly turned cold.

Seizing Wang Jingyi was already his scheme; how could he let her use the opportunity to plead?

"I am not the imperial physician," Chu Yunzheng brushed his sleeve, "If you're unwell, summon the physician."

Li Defu hurriedly said, "But Xu Da Ying always carries the dragon lineage; the Empress Dowager cares most about the Imperial Heir."

Bringing the Empress Dowager into it makes this matter even uglier.

Chu Yunzheng's face was so sullen it seemed it could drip water.

Wan Tang stepped forward in time.

"Allow me to go," Wan Tang bowed gracefully, "Since I already assist in managing the Six Palaces, this is within my duties."

Chu Yunzheng helped her up, his fingertips lingering at her waist, "Remember, put you first in all matters."

He suddenly lowered his voice, "If anyone dares to harm you even a fraction, there is no need to be courteous to them."