Chapter 163: The Empress Presents a Gift

Wan Tang smiled faintly, a faint sparkle in her eyes, leaving people unable to grasp its meaning.

She said lightly, "Where the Emperor's heart lies, there is the place of great favor."

"The saintly heart is inscrutable; where, then, can you and I speculate?"

Li Pin, surprised, whispered, "But sister, staying in the palace, isn't it for …"

Wan Tang reached out, gently placing a finger to her lips.

"Sister, we are in the palace to serve the Emperor well, aren't we?"

Li Pin was about to speak but stopped; Minghui happened to cry out at that moment, instantly reacting.

She gave a faint smile and said slowly, "Sister, you speak very rightly."

"Rather than hoping for intangible, ethereal divine favor, it's better to look after one's own child."

"After all, the child one raises oneself is the true reliance."

Wan Tang smiled.

She continued, "As long as sister understands, that's fine."

Li Pin's eyes smiled, leaning close to Wan Tang, whispering in her ear, "But sister still has a matter, still needs to ask you."

Wan Tang's eyes were full of tenderness, and she said slowly, "Sister, just speak, it's no problem."

Li Pin looked around warily and whispered, "Father is also puzzled; Xu Yanchuan and you are at odds, now that the snow disaster is over, why do you still have father follow Xu Yanchuan?"

"We can all see that he really looks down on you."

"Is that so?" Wan Tang pretended surprise, "Even you can see that he hates me?"

"Exactly!"

Li Pin, somewhat agitated, with a tone of iron that won't become steel, said, "You also should think, why is the Xu Family like this …"

"In the end, it's a person of the Xu Family; he hates you, isn't that reasonable?"

"And why would you …"

Li Pin truly could not continue.

After all, this kind of behavior, for anyone else, would also be incomprehensible.

Wan Tang's smile remained on her face.

With gentle eyes looking at the child in her arms, she said softly, "Sister, this is the first time I speak, and also the last time I speak."

Li Pin's expression turned serious.

Wan Tang's tone grew deeper, "The Zeng Lin family thought that attaching to the Xu Family was ultimately just a dispensable pawn."

"And in the future, if the Xu Family can have meat, the Lin family will also be guaranteed a bite."

Li Pin's eyes still held a hint of worry, "But the current Xu Family, how can they be compared to the former Xu Family?"

Wan Tang's face showed confident radiance, "Things depend on people!"

Had someone else said this, Li Pin would surely repeat it twice.

The one who said this was Wan Tang!

Back then, she was merely an orphan, a Lady of Grace with nothing.

Yet she dared to speak of overthrowing the Xu Family.

The original fanciful tale, regardless, ultimately came true, didn't it?

The light in Li Pin's eyes grew brighter.

She rose, performed a respectful bow, and said, "All according to the Empress's command."

Just as Li Pin's front foot left, a sharp eunuch announcement came from outside the palace: "The Empress has arrived!"

Wan Tang hurried to rise and bow, but Xiao Mingshu, smiling, stepped into the hall and gently supported her by hand, "Sister has just finished confinement, no need for excessive ceremony."

Her phoenix eyes swept over the princess in the wet nurse's arms, her smile deepening, "I have come especially to announce the good news."

Bai Wei lifted a rosewood tray forward, the golden hairpin on it dazzling.

A Step Shake of red‑gold twisted threads, phoenix‑beak set with pearls, phoenix eyes inlaid with ruby, its wings studded with countless tiny Eastern Pearls—a clear masterpiece of internal craftsmanship.

Bai Wei's face bore unabashed jealousy and hatred, voice sharp, "This is a treasure from the storeroom; even the Empress is reluctant to use it?"

"Don't be fooled by this set; it took several years to complete."

Xiao Mingshu glared at Bai Wei with a reproachful glance, personally took the golden hairpin and pinned it on Wan Tang, "Tomorrow's full‑moon banquet, the Emperor has specially ordered it to be lively."

Her fingertip brushed the dangling bead string of the Step Shake, "Sister, back then a single dance captured the Emperor's heart; tomorrow you must again display your brilliance."

Wan Tang lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, "Your Majesty is joking."

The Empress suddenly interrupted, pulling a bright‑yellow scroll from her sleeve, "There is another great joy: the Emperor has issued an edict, tomorrow sister will be enshrined as Virtuous Consort."

She deliberately emphasized the last two words, "Double happiness arrives; sister, you must prepare well."

Bai Wei suddenly interjected, "I (serving woman) heard that Former Dynasty ministers will attend to watch the ceremony! If Your Majesty's dance is not performed well …"

"Step back!" Xiao Mingshu lightly rebuked, yet with a permissive smile, "This girl has been spoiled by me."

She warmly grabbed Wan Tang's hand, "The Former Dynasty's harem has been tense these days; it should be relaxed now. Sister, is that so?"

When the phoenix carriage departed, the Step Shake's bead string still trembled lightly at Wan Tang's hair side.

Li Ping'er whispered anxiously, "Master, you are weak after giving birth; how can you engage in vigorous movement?"

"No problem!"

Wan Tang waved her hand, respectfully bowed to Xiao Mingshu, "Empress, rest assured, tomorrow is a great affair for me and the Princess; I shall certainly be present."

After the Empress's retinue departed, that splendid outfit shimmered in the sunlight.

The nine‑layered peonies embroidered with twisted gold threads unfolded layer by layer on the skirt, each petal edged with peacock‑feather thread, moving as if real blossoms swayed gracefully.

"What a fine thing." Li Ping'er couldn't help stroking the silk‑cloud pattern on her cuff, "This craftsmanship must have taken the embroiderer five or six years! The Empress this time is truly generous, isn't she?"

"Do you think this is flattery?" Wan Tang suddenly smiled lightly, the hairpin tip pried open the hidden clasp of her waist, revealing an odd strand of silk inside.

Li Ping'er's eyes were full of incomprehension.

Wan Tang, don't be fooled; this outfit is very splendid, even quite precious, but it wasn't prepared for you.

Well, this outfit was detailed by Qianwen; it is a debt in the Dog Emperor's heart, and the Emperor's obsession.

It's not because of reluctance, it's because you must not touch it. If Shei touches it, death is certain.

Wan Tang's hand had just been placed on the garment.

But the moment the barrage sounded, Wan Tang's hand instantly withdrew.

Her face was filled with terror.

Li Ping'er, seeing this, anxiously asked, "Master, what's wrong with you?"

Wan Tang waved her hand, and her expression darkened.

Looking at the garment on the tray, she continued, "Ping'er, go summon the Emperor."

When Li Ping'er hurried to Yangxin Hall with her oil‑paper umbrella, the palace lanterns had just been lit.

She smoothed the rain‑dampened lapel and smiled apologetically to the gate‑keeping eunuch, "Please convey that Consort Wan has prepared the Emperor's favorite osmanthus brew and wishes to invite the Emperor to taste it."

Before she finished, a crisp laugh echoed from within the hall.

The pearl curtains fluttered, and Lin Wanyi, wrapped in night‑clothes, peered out.

Water droplets still clung to her hair tips: "Oh, isn't this Miss Ping'er of the Xitang Courtyard?"

She twirled the sash at her fingertips, deliberately exposing the red mark on her neck, "The Emperor is currently sharing bird's nest soup with me; it may not be convenient now."

Li Ping'er clenched her teeth and knelt, "Lady of Grace Jing, the Madam specially—"

"Specially what?" Lin Wanyi suddenly splashed a bowl of steaming bird's nest soup in front of her, "The Emperor and I are about to rest, and you pick the timing!"

Amid the sound of shattered porcelain, she cooed toward the hall, "Emperor, see how Consort Wan misses you, even sending people on a rainy night."

Chu Yunzheng's voice came lazily, "Let Consort Wan rest well; I'll see her tomorrow."

Lin Wanyi looked down triumphantly at Li Ping'er kneeling in the rain, "Did you hear that?"

Then she lowered her voice, "Tell your Master that the Emperor now loves my simmered deer‑blood soup the most."

She deliberately let her night‑clothes slip half a shoulder, "Since you have a break from cooking, why not let your Master truly nurture his health?"

"After all, a woman who has borne children is truly bland!"

The rain grew heavier, and Li Ping'er, drenched, knelt among the ceramic shards.

Only after the lights in the hall were extinguished did she slowly rise, stare at the intertwined shadows on the window, and harshly wipe her face.

Dragging her soaked dress back to Xitang Courtyard, water still dripped from her hair tips.

She forced a smile to say something auspicious, but Wan Tang had already set aside the embroidered cord and sighed lightly, "The Emperor isn't coming?"

Li Ping'er dared not speak.

"It's Lady of Grace Jing holding you back, isn't it?"

"Madam, don't be sad!" Li Ping'er hurriedly knelt, "The Emperor must have been deceived by that petty scoundrel."

Before she could finish, Wan Tang suddenly let out a light laugh.

"Why should I be sad?" Wan Tang picked up scissors to trim the lantern flowers, "She loves to show off; I'll help her make a big splash."