Chapter 118: Princess

Xiao Mingshu, what is this? Is that python pattern something anyone can wear? Tangtang, quickly, tell the Emperor; the Emperor will never be lenient with her.

You upstairs fool, the Emperor specially summoned Consort Hui, the items chosen by the Empress were also personally inspected by the Emperor—how could they be wrong? This is clearly something the Dog Emperor delights in, waiting to watch a good show.

There's no way around it; who made Wan Tang's voice so loud? In Jingjiao, after the disaster relief, the Lin Family intended to boost Wan Tang, widely publicizing her contributions. Now Wan Tang has become a celebrity in the court. Though she did a good deed, being too outstanding becomes a crime.

And Lin Zehai is no good either, pushing Wan Tang into the spotlight, then letting his daughter stride forward. Now, as a result, the court has started gossiping about Tangtang.

What court? The Dog Emperor is just a man with an extreme desire to control. He probably thinks Wan Tang's fame is about to eclipse his.

Tangtang can hear our thoughts, right? Before she could turn misfortune into luck; this time she listens to us, choosing the Princess's—whether or not she's actually a Princess, we only choose what a Princess wears.

Wan Tang's palms were slick with cold sweat.

She hadn't expected such a huge incident to happen outside.

This seems like a shortcut, gaining a consort position through the people's favor, but undeniably puts her opposite everyone.

The Emperor's liking doesn't mean love.

He likes cats and dogs today, but if he is hurt, there's only death.

Without love, how can Wan Tang be willful?

Naturally, she must follow the audience's arrangement.

Wan Tang's fingertips lightly brushed the bright yellow python-patterned little jacket, and she suddenly widened her eyes, recoiling as if burned.

She looked bewildered at Xiao Mingshu: "This... this pattern..."

Her voice trembled slightly, with a hint of timidity, "I am merely a helpless orphaned girl, with a child in my womb; how could I be fit to use something made according to the Crown Prince's regulations?"

Xiao Mingshu's lips curled into a cold smile, "Sister Wan Pin is now praised by the people as a 'living Bodhisattva'; everyone praises her, even the court, and the ministers also give you extra commendation."

She leisurely lifted the teacup, "Just letting the child in your womb wear a piece of clothing, what does that amount to?"

The teacup lid lightly tapped the rim, producing a crisp sound, "If this continues, I'm afraid you'll be offered to the ancestral temple and receive the incense of the ten thousand people."

"I am terrified!" Wan Tang immediately knelt, her forehead nearly touching the ground, "Truly I do not understand the Empress's meaning?"

Her voice choked, shoulders trembling slightly, "The rumors among the people are just ignorant gossip from the masses; how could I dare compare myself with the Empress?"

"The hierarchy of legitimate and illegitimate children, I constantly keep in mind, and dare not overstep any bound."

The coldness in Xiao Mingshu's eyes softened slightly.

Just as she was about to speak, Lady of Grace Qi twisted her waist and stepped forward: "Since Sister Wan Pin doesn't dare take it, I will seize the opportunity and accept this garment."

While speaking, Lady of Grace Qi's eyes were filled with greed.

Her hand just reached for the little jacket, when Xu Luoyan's hand had already pressed onto the fabric.

"Why the hurry?" Xu Luoyan raised an eyebrow, "Didn't the midwife say there's still two days before delivery?"

"Besides, you already prepared many things before. As for me, I haven't had time to prepare."

"I think this clothing fits just right, I'll keep it for my child first."

Lady of Grace Qi's face darkened: "My child is already three months older than yours!"

"Xu Answering!" Lady of Grace Qi bit the word "Answering" heavily.

Xu Luoyan's face flushed with redness upon hearing it, gradually losing her reason.

"Well said," Xu Luoyan gently stroked her slightly rounded belly, "but the imperial physician said that the poison you were previously afflicted with may affect the fetus."

"You..." Lady of Grace Qi slammed the table and rose, "It's all because of the poisonous hands of your Xu family!"

"Nonsense," Xu Luoyan sneered, "If you want to blame anyone, blame yourself for being stupid, grabbing everything—doesn't that just hurt yourself?"

While the two were on the brink of a clash, Wan Tang had silently selected several pink brocade little dresses.

She gestured a pearl hairpin toward the cloth tiger, "I am greedy, took a few more items."

She smiled gently, "Lately I've been dreaming of a little girl calling for her mother; I think it's fate."

"Having a little cotton jacket nearby is always good; if the Empress doesn't mind, I also wish to ask the Empress for a few golden butterfly items from the daughters."

Xiao Mingshu's expression shifted slightly, unusually gentle, "If sister likes it, that's fine."

Xu Luoyan, seeing this, sneered sharply, "Hey, aren't you usually so imposing? In front of the Empress you turn into a quail."

She kicked the basket of clothes, "Always picking daughter's trinkets, what a good-for-nothing!"

Wan Tang seemed not to hear, only bowed deeply to the Empress, "I have walked in the garden for a long time today; my body is not very comfortable, I shall take my leave now."

"Bai Wei, see off Wan Pin."

Xi Tang Courtyard.

When Wan Tang returned, the courtyard was silent.

No one dared to make any sound.

The earth dragon was warming nicely.

As Wan Tang carried the brocade basket into the inner chamber, Chu Yunzheng was leaning on a peony-decorated couch, reading a memorial; the candlelight reflected the fatigue in his brows with striking clarity.

"May the Emperor be blessed a myriad times," Wan Tang deliberately made the basket clink lightly, "Look, the Empress has bestowed many fabrics."

Chu Yunzheng set down the memorial, "Come over, let me have a look."

Wan Tang, as if presenting a treasure, unfolded a pale lotus-colored jade orchid embroidered little jacket, "The storage is empty, now our daughter's birth won't be too shabby."

"Would my daughter be shabby?" Chu Yunzheng suddenly pinched her chin, his thumb brushing her lip corner, "Tangtang truly only wants a Princess?"

Wan Tang, taking the chance, nestled into his arms, "The Prince must eventually bear the heavy burden of the realm; there's much to learn, and thoughts are chaotic."

She gently smoothed his furrowed brow with her fingertips, "As for the Princess, learning some feminine arts and poetry is fine, and she can stay by the Emperor's side daily."

"When the mood is gloomy, having a little cotton jacket to pamper is also good."

Wan Tang's words sounded sincere, yet were all false.

A pair of eyes shone like stars; one glance at them made one want to drown within.

Chu Yunzheng's Adam's apple twitched, and he suddenly held her tighter, "How could my daughter be like this?"

His voice, rarely, took on a hint of yearning, "I will personally teach her riding and archery, take her on autumn hunts, and make her the most honored lady in all the world."

"I will let her see how dearly her father, the Emperor, loves her."

"It won't be that in the future, some ordinary mortals could easily coax her away."

"When Chu Yunzheng said this, it truly unsettled people's hearts."

"Those thin lips uttered those words, so alluring and intoxicating."

"Wan Tang was about to reply, but he suddenly pinched her wrist: 'Tangtang is also right; since you are my daughter, you must not be shabby.'"

"Has Tangtang even donated all her silver to disaster relief?"

"You are so kind-hearted; how could I treat you poorly?"

"Chu Yunzheng's tone paused slightly, then he said slowly: 'Since Tangtang has already assisted in managing the Imperial harem, the duties of the Procurement Office shall, from tomorrow onward, be under your supervision.'"

"The Procurement Office is the most lucrative place."

"All along, it has always had to pass through the Emperor's hands."

"Isn't this just a disguised way of giving Wan Tang silver?"

"'Subject...' she hurried to kneel, but a strong arm stopped her."

"Chu Yunzheng brushed his thin, calloused palm over her abdomen, 'And there's good news: today I overruled all objections and bestowed upon you the Imperial Treasure Sword of Xu Yanchuan.'"

"Wan Tang's breath caught, her heart raced, and she struggled to restrain the ecstatic joy within."

"After a moment's thought, Chu Yunzheng added, 'Zhou Su is also formidable.'"

"'I cannot silence the endless chatter of those old foxes; today, however, I scolded those old things so fiercely that they were left dumbfounded, too angry to utter a single word.'"

"Chu Yunzheng relaxed completely."

"He even chatted with Wan Tang in a casual, rambling manner about these matters."