Chapter 158: Princess Minghui

The excruciating pain tore through Wan Tang's nerves like a tide; she had exhausted even the strength to lift her eyes.

Only warm tears continuously slipped from the corners of her eyes, soaking the pillow.

The large hand that had always clasped hers now, with a nearly shattered force, enveloped her fingertips, gradually transferring the emperor's body heat into her cold skin.

"Tangtang," Chu Yunzheng's voice was hoarsely low, each word grinding like sand in his throat, "you must stay alive."

He leaned close to her ear, "Didn't you always say you didn't know what a home was?"

Wan Tang's eyelashes quivered violently as she felt the emperor's warm lips brush her earlobe: "Give birth to this child for me, and we will truly be a family."

His voice suddenly choked, "I am your husband, your eternal support."

The near‑pleading whisper pierced Xiao Mingshu's heart outside the hall like a sharp blade.

She abruptly braced herself against the vermilion doorframe, her nails scraping a harsh sound across the carved patterns.

Tears welled up uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty!" Bai Wei hurried forward to help, but the Empress clenched her wrist tightly.

Sharp armor pierced flesh, a bead of blood sliding down Bai Wei's wrist.

Xiao Mingshu staggered out of the hall, gasping heavily in the corridor.

She suddenly seized Bai Wei's collar, her eyes flashing a terrifying blood‑red, "She must die… Bai Wei, she must die!"

Each word seemed forced out between clenched teeth, laced with poison, "I will never allow anyone to take my last possession!"

"I can no longer win the Emperor's heart," she said.

"There can be only one wife, and that must be me!"

Bai Wei trembled in terror, nodding repeatedly.

Twilight filtered through the lattice, stretching the Empress's twisted silhouette into a long, long shape, like a lurking demon beneath the palace wall.

In the Sleeping Hall, Wan Tang summoned her last strength to grasp the emperor's hand.

A tear of blood slid from the corner of her eye, landing between their interlocked fingers.

The scorching sensation seemed capable of burning through layer upon layer of palace walls, reaching the deepest darkness of Kunning Palace.

When Xie Taiyi rushed into the inner hall carrying a medicine chest, he saw the emperor half‑kneeling before the couch, the hem of his bright yellow dragon robe immersed in a pool of blood.

Startled, the medicine chest fell to the floor: "Emperor! The birthing chamber is a filthy place; you must not linger any longer."

"My woman is suffering," Chu Yunzheng said without turning his head, his fingertips gently stroking Wan Tang's pale cheek, "She cannot endure without me."

He said it so lightly, yet it made every palace attendant's eyes redden.

Xie Taiyi sighed deeply, pulling out a golden needle and heating it over the candle flame.

When the silver needle entered Wan Tang's Hundred Meetings point, she let out a faint whimper.

"Tangtang, be good," Chu Yunzheng pressed her hand to his chest, "Feel my heartbeat, breathe with me…"

Chu Yunzheng's chest rose and fell violently, truly guiding her back to a breathing rhythm.

Xie Taiyi suddenly produced a porcelain bottle, smearing spicy medicinal oil beneath Wan Tang's nose.

Seeing her eyelids twitch, he offered a slice of ginseng for her to hold, while the silver needle swiftly pierced the Hegu point.

Wan Tang snapped her eyes open, the scattered pupils gradually focusing.

"Your Majesty! Push hard!" the midwife shouted suddenly.

Chu Yunzheng himself lifted her back, letting her lean against his chest: "I will count to three, and Tangtang, you push with me!"

"One! Two! Three!"

Wan Tang bit her lower lip, a bead of blood splattering onto the dragon pattern.

For a full two hours, bucket after bucket of blood was poured out, staining the blue‑stone steps of Western Altar Courtyard crimson.

Whenever she exhausted herself, she could always hear a steadfast voice at her ear, "I am here, Tangtang, hold my hand…"

When the final mournful cry split the night sky, the newborn's clear wail suddenly rang out.

The midwife, trembling, lifted the blood‑soaked infant: "A princess! Congratulations, Emperor! Congratulations, Your Majesty!"

Chu Yunzheng merely bowed his head to gently kiss Wan Tang's sweat‑damp forehead, tears finally falling: "You have endured."

"My Tangtang has given birth to a daughter for me."

【How could she be a princess? Weren't we promised the Third Prince would be the Emperor's?】

【Could it be that Tangtang's script changed, so everyone's destiny will be altered?】

【What's happening?】

Wan Tang, exhausted, collapsed onto the brocade quilt, listening to her daughter's bright wail, the heavy stone in her heart finally set down.

Fortunately, she is a princess.

The current Emperor no longer needs a prince born of a lone woman; all he wants is a woman who will forever cling to him.

Chu Yunzheng cradled the swaddling cloth gingerly, his hands that ruled the realm trembling ever so slightly.

Before the entire hall of palace attendants, he bowed his head to gently kiss his daughter's wrinkled little face: "My princess, truly brighter than the stars."

His eyes held a softness never seen before, even his words tinged with a smile, "Deliver my decree: the princess shall perform the three ceremonial washes according to the Prince's protocol!"

He turned his gaze to Wan Tang, eyes blazing: "My beloved consort, you have given birth to a bright pearl; your merit benefits the realm! I shall grant a hundred barrels of Eastern Sea pearls, a thousand bolts of cloud silk, and additionally…"

"Emperor," Xie Taiyi hurriedly interjected, "Your Majesty is severely weakened; she still requires rest and acupuncture."

Only then did Chu Yunzheng reluctantly hand the princess to the wet nurse, still urging, "Be careful! If the princess cries even once, I will hold you all accountable!"

He sat back on the couch, grasping Wan Tang's hand, his voice resonating through the hall: "Wan Tang is my lucky star!"

"Had it not been her, how could my two princes and my princess have been born safely?"

He suddenly proclaimed aloud, "Such a meritorious subject deserves promotion to Consort Jin!"

The hall erupted in a roar.

Xiao Mingshu dug her fingernails into her palm, forcing a strained smile as she stepped forward: "Sister Wan has been in the palace for less than two years, and rising from palace maid to Wan Pin is already an honor."

"If I were to be promoted to Consort again, I'm afraid that would be improper."

She paused at the right moment, a flash of pain passing through her eyes.

"The Emperor is pleased with her; is that reason enough?" Chu Yunzheng raised an eyebrow.

Xiao Mingshu knelt and saluted, her voice trembling: "Your Majesty, your wisdom shines. However, since my younger sister has already given birth to the Imperial Heir, the enfeoffment ceremony should be conducted grandly according to ancestral rites."

When she lifted her eyes, she wore a dignified smile, "The Imperial Household Department must prepare the golden book and golden seal, select an auspicious day for the Grand Consort Enfeoffment ceremony, so that the imperial family's dignity may be displayed."

"Do not rush it."

Chu Yunzheng nodded, "As the Empress says."

He suddenly recalled something, "The Princess's title…"

"Has the Emperor forgotten?" Xiao Mingshu interjected, "You personally bestowed the title 'Minghui Princess' and even praised that the title signifies the sun and moon shining together."

The Emperor laughed heartily, "Reward! Minghui Princess shall receive an additional fief of three thousand households!"

He leaned down to tuck the blanket corner for Wan Tang, his voice unbelievably gentle, "Rest well; I shall come to see you later."

After Minghuang's figure disappeared into the distance, Xiao Mingshu stood in Wolf Gorge, gazing at the courtyard filled with rewards.

Fresh blood dripped from her clenched palm, blooming like red plum blossoms upon the blue bricks.

【Actually, looking at it this way, the Dog Emperor is rather nice.】

【No way, is the upstairs love‑brain? Is that all?】

【Don't be so extreme, okay? He is the Emperor, after all—an emperor who can disregard everything and stay with you through childbirth; just this bond is already so rare!】

【It's true what you say, but if he truly loves Wan Tang, why would he doubt Wan Tang?】

My mind is a noisy chaos.

Love?

The Emperor certainly has love as well, but his love is all‑encompassing.

He can love anyone, as long as that person follows him, he will love them.

Like a cherished bead held in the hand, smooth and without any edges.

When the wet nurse gently placed the swaddling cloth into Wan Tang's arms, her trembling fingertips barely dared to touch the warm, soft bundle.

The little princess's wrinkled face resembled a budding flower bud, sparse fetal hair clinging to her forehead, and her breath carried the warm scent of milk.

"Mother's little pearl," Wan Tang bowed her head and gently kissed her daughter's forehead, tears suddenly spilling onto the swaddling cloth embroidered with auspicious clouds.

She carefully unbuttoned her collar and pressed the child close to her heart.

Feeling that faint heartbeat resonating with her own, she finally choked out, "Mother, I am now a mother too…"

Li Ping'er held a medicine bowl and wiped her tears beside her, "Master, stop crying quickly; tears will damage the eyes during confinement."

Wan Tang laughed, tears streaming down.

Her fingertips lightly brushed every inch of her daughter's skin, "Look at her little nose; it resembles the Emperor's."

"That mouth, however, took after me."

She suddenly clutched the child tightly, her voice bearing unprecedented resolve, "Mother swears, I will never allow anyone to harm you even a fraction."

She suddenly looked up toward the palace wall outside the window, her gaze sharp as a tempered blade.

The candle flames crackled and burst, casting a flickering light on Wan Tang's profile.

The little princess in her arms suddenly smacked her lips, instinctively grasping a strand of her mother's dark hair.

Wan Tang lowered her head, gazing for a long while, then suddenly hummed a lullaby her mother once sang.

If, in this world, the good cannot survive to the end, then she will become a villain.

As long as the child can be safe, that is better than anything.

The Guanren were quietly tidying the blood‑stained fabrics, and Xiao Mingshu, supporting Bai Wei's hand, walked in slowly.

Phoenix‑clad feet stepped over the still‑wet blood, leaving faint damp marks on the blue bricks.

"Xie Taiyi, you must tend carefully."

The Empress's lips curled with a gentle smile, "Sister Wanpin is now the one at the Emperor's heart; if any illness arises, the Emperor will hold you accountable."

She suddenly lowered her voice, "I recall that in this Imperial harem, many have suffered postpartum disorders, their fragrance fading and jade perishing."

Xie Taiyi bowed and nodded, a fine sweat beading at his temples.

He carefully drew out a golden needle, "Your Majesty has lost too much blood today; the greatest taboo is worry, anxiety, and anger."

Before the words finished, the Empress's gaze swept like an ice blade across his spine, and she hurriedly added, "If emotional fluctuations are too great, it may damage the womb, making future conception difficult."

"I understand," Wan Tang's pallid lips forced a smile, "Thank you, Empress, for your concern; I shall live well."

"After all, we still have to watch Minghui Princess reach adulthood and marry."

Xiao Mingshu's armor suddenly snapped a half‑burned incense stick on the desk, "That is natural."

"Xie Taiyi, you have worked hard; if there is nothing else, you may step down and rest!"

The Empress's cold voice rang out.

Originally, Xie Taiyi wanted to offer a few reminders, but with the Empress present, he found it improper to speak.

He forced a strained smile and withdrew.

【Old Xie probably saw it too, Xiao Mingshu's purpose for staying behind, right?】

【I don't know whether Wan Tang can keep her composure.】

【What's there to lose composure over? Though she didn't give birth to San Huangzi, she is still a second princess! Moreover, the future San Huangzi will certainly be Tangtang's.】

【Enough, does Xiao Mingshu harbor malice inside? She now intends to use Wan Tang's mouth to kill the Lady of Grace Qi, thereby pitting Wan Tang against the Qi Family completely.】

【Xiao Mingshu really is boring; even as Empress, she still schemes against others.】

【There's no way around it; although she cannot bear children? The Emperor visits her only once a month, and most of the time he can't get into bed because of various reasons. She wants to give birth, but she's powerless.】

Wan Tang looked at Xiao Mingshu, examining the Empress for the first time.

To be honest, Xiao Mingshu's appearance is indeed flawless.

Whether in looks or temperament, she is superior; it seems that from birth she was cultivated for the Empress's position.

Unfortunately, she is the Empress, and must remain dignified, lofty and aloof.

An Emperor who has been pampered by others would never go so far as to hold someone else's stinky feet.

Xiao Mingshu leisurely twirled the teacup lid, "Wan Pin truly has great luck; the entire palace's consorts scramble to the point of breaking their heads to bear princes, yet you gave birth to a princess and obtained the Holy Heart."

Wan Tang leaned on the soft pillow, her fingertips lightly stroking her daughter's swaddling cloth: "Both princes and princesses are the Emperor's flesh and blood, so the Emperor naturally cherishes them."

"Don't speak so overly," the Empress suddenly set the teacup down, the cup's bottom clinking against the table, "Heavenly favor has always been shared like rain and dew."

Seeing Wan Tang lower her eyes in silence, Xiao Mingshu suddenly gave a faint smile, "In theory, my younger sister has just given birth, so I shouldn't be intruding."

"But this unexpected incident today," she deliberately paused, "must be explained to the Emperor."