Chapter 168: White Pear

Heh.

Xu Yanchuan set down his wine cup, and the crisp sound of his clapping rang sharply in the dead‑silent Grand Hall, "What a fine spectacle!"

His tone of mockery was unreserved.

Zhou Su's tense expression finally relaxed, and he let out a barely perceptible sigh.

Su Yanci narrowed his phoenix eyes slightly, a knowing smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

His voice was low but clear to everyone: "I say, a person praised by the people as a 'Guanyin' would never break out into such vulgar dance moves."

"It was a case of Li taking the place of a peach, fish eyes mixed with pearls."

The officials who had just snickered and criticized Wan Tang now flushed red, wishing they could crawl into a crack in the ground.

Lin Zehai was the first to rise, proclaiming loudly, "I told you so! Imperial Concubine Wan has always been dignified; how could she commit such indecorous conduct!"

"So it turns out someone harbored ill intent, usurped a name, and tried to deceive the ruler!"

"Truly a self‑inflicted sin, unlivable!"

Qi Qi also rose in turn, bowing his hands toward Wan Tang, his words layered: "Since the Emperor has long issued his decree, today everything proceeds as before; it is the great joyous day of Imperial Concubine Wan."

"Now the truth is clear; how could we not celebrate?"

He paused briefly, his gaze drifting—half‑present, half‑absent—over the Empress, whose face was ashen.

"Oh, that's wrong; we should no longer address her as Imperial Concubine Wan now."

"I, congratulations to the Virtuous Consort!"

Xiao Mingshu watched the ministers before her, who had instantly switched sides to praise Wan, her chest heaving violently.

The muscles on her face twitched slightly from extreme anger and frustration.

Under countless gazes, she forced herself to muster the last ounce of strength.

She snatched the bright‑yellow Imperial Decree from Bai Wei's hand, her fingers trembling as she unfolded it.

She could no longer keep her usual dignified tone, speaking with a voice that trembled with suppressed hatred.

She read hastily and perfunctorily: "Consult, Imperial Concubine Wan, of gentle and virtuous nature, versed in propriety… Here, under the Empress Dowager's benevolent edict, we confer upon you the title Virtuous Consort, seal this!"

Finishing, she almost threw the Decree back, her whole body swaying as if about to collapse.

The words "Virtuous Consort" seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth, full of resentment and malice.

Wan Tang folded her sleeves and bowed deeply toward the direction the Empress had departed.

With countless graceful poise, her voice clear, she said, "I, your servant, thank the Empress for her grace."

After rising, she swept her gaze over the slightly chaotic banquet.

She said calmly, "Empress, Fengqi's health is unwell; today's feast must not be wasted. I shall temporarily preside, hoping all honored guests enjoy themselves."

Her tone was steady; that composure already exuded a hint of the bearing of one in a higher position.

As the strings and bamboo music paused briefly, Wan Tang did not sit down; instead she walked slowly toward the side of the stage ruins that had just been cleared.

The musicians were at a loss, unsure which piece to play.

Then Wan Tang gave a slight nod to the conductor, and a melody ancient, simple, solemn, and subtly powerful—never before heard in the palace—rose slowly.

She began to dance.

There was no ethereal grace of the Rainbow Skirt Feathered Garment, nor the lilting charm of the Green‑Waist Dance.

Her movements were steady and expansive; each lift, each turn carried an ancient sense of ritual.

The heavy court attire was not a restraint but added to the solemn majesty.

In her dance there was no attempt to please, only devotion and prayer, as if communicating with heaven and earth.

Her expression was focused and pure; her gaze swept the ministers below, yet seemed to look toward the distant mountains, rivers, and common folk.

The crowd gradually became immersed, feeling a mighty aura sweeping over them.

The suppression in their hearts, caused by the recent upheaval, was silently washed away.

In its place rose an indescribable exhilaration and hope, as if witnessing clear skies after rain, all things reborn.

When the piece ended, the hall fell silent, still immersed in that shock.

Suddenly, Su Yanci at the seat leapt to his feet, his face showing unabashed astonishment and admiration.

His voice rose slightly with excitement: "Is this the Dance of Great Shao?!"

"I have seen scattered references in ancient texts, saying it was a dance of ancient sages who, moved by the people's suffering, offered it as a sacrifice, praying for favorable winds, rain, and a prosperous nation!"

"It has been lost for ages! The Virtuous Consort actually knows this dance!"

With those words, the entire seat was shocked!

The ministers' gazes back at the dignified figure on stage changed dramatically in an instant.

Previously, whether due to her orphan background or the emperor's fleeting favor, there had been contempt and jealousy; now all turned into astonishment and sincere respect.

In that single dance, she was no longer the consort who gained favor merely for her looks, but a woman who could stand shoulder to shoulder with ancient benevolence, her heart bound to the common folk.

Zhou Su, flushed with excitement, sprang up and shouted loudly, "Well done! Well danced!"

"This is the dance befitting a mother‑ruler of the world!"

"May Fengqi's virtue shine, praying for the people's peace and health! Virtuous Consort, your virtue!"

That cheer ignited like a fuse, instantly flooding the hall with thunderous applause and cheers that roared on without end.

The banquet drew its curtain amid sincere praise and reverence.

As the officials departed, none failed to cast admiring glances at Wan Tang, their demeanor exceedingly respectful.

After that night, Wan Tang's position as Virtuous Consort was no longer based solely on imperial favor; in the hearts of these high officials, she earned genuine, weighty respect.

Xitan Courtyard.

Wan Tang is now a quarter‑rank Virtuous Consort.

Upon entering, a loud, orderly voice rang out.

They all shouted, "Welcome the Virtuous Consort back to the palace."

Wan Tang smiled, looked toward the people in Xitan Courtyard, and grew more satisfied.

For the past six months, Xiao Shunzi, both openly and covertly, has replaced everyone in the courtyard with his own people.

Otherwise, with just Lin Wanyi's meager ability, how could she silently steal a dance dress from the Imperial Palace?

"Today is the Princess's full‑moon banquet and also the time for my own elevation to consort; truly a double celebration."

Wan Tang was not stingy either; she summoned Xiao Shunzi directly and said, "Since it's a good omen, good things should come in pairs."

"In this way, each person receives a month's stipend."

As Wan Tang's words fell, cheers erupted immediately.

The night was deep and quiet.

Li Ping'er'er'er carefully removed Wan Tang's heavy headdress and, with a jade comb, brushed her waterfall‑like black hair.

Her face showed uncontainable joy: "Congratulations, Master! Happy congratulations, Master! From now on you are truly the Virtuous Consort!"

She lowered her voice, yet excitement shone through, "I (serving woman) heard the old matron in the Imperial Palace say that once the consort title is granted, the name must be recorded in the ancestral jade register; that is most prestigious."

"From now on, even the Empress cannot arbitrarily find a pretext to punish you."

"If any punishment is to be discussed, it must be reported to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager first."

"We… we can finally be stable from now on."

She said, her eyes brimming with envy, "Just like Consort Hui."

"Locked behind doors in one's own palace, living so freely—who would dare to provoke you?"

"Now that's true dignity!"

Wan Tang faced the bronze mirror, smiled lightly, and a faint, barely perceptible coolness lingered in her smile: "Receiving the Emperor's favor and being titled a consort is naturally good."

She paused, her voice gentle yet clear, "But we can never match Consort Hui."

"Behind Consort Hui stands the entire British noble household."

Her tone remained calm, highlighting the insurmountable gap.

Li Ping'er'er'er heard this, the joy on her face faded into a soft sigh, "Indeed…"

She recalled the day's danger, trembling, she patted her chest, "Today's events truly send a chill down one's spine when you think about them."

"If… if you had truly worn that Moon‑light Shark‑silk outfit back then…"

Wan Tang's gaze lingered slightly, "Today is indeed a great fortune."

"Thanks to your cleverness, you managed to find another suitable dance dress for me in an emergency."

"Such a grand yet dignified palace attire could not be found among my existing clothes; where did you obtain it?"

Li Ping'er'er'er's motion of making the bed suddenly stiffened, and the smile on her face vanished instantly.

She lowered her head in shame, her voice like a mosquito, "It… it was Prince Yan Wang…"

"Nonsense!" Wan Tang's face darkened sharply, she turned and stared at her sharply, "Didn't I already warn you not to have any further dealings with Yan Wang Fu?"

"How dare you be so bold!"

Li Ping'er'er'er fell to her knees with a splash, hurriedly explaining, "Your Highness, calm your anger!"

"I, serving woman, know my mistake!"

"B‑but Prince Yan Wang, when he first handed this garment to me, said that no one would ever know, and instructed me to give it to you at a critical moment."

"He even specifically instructed…" She lifted her head, fear and a hint of relief in her eyes, "He said, if someday the Empress forces you to perform a dance at a grand occasion, you must find a way to wear this set and never wear the Empress's garments!"

"I saw the situation was wrong today, so I… only then dared to try…"

Wan Tang stared at her frightened expression, emotions swirling in her eyes, finally turning into a barely audible sigh.

She rubbed her weary brow, "Get up. I… do not blame you."

If this garment had not existed today, the outcome would be unimaginable.

This protection she tried so hard to distance herself from once again became her talisman without her even noticing.

But inside, something felt clogged and uneasy.

Since Prince Yan Wang had prepared everything when leaving the palace, he naturally understood that such matters would inevitably occur.

【Dog Emperor still clutching the clothes, oh heavens, you such a scumbag, what right do you have to feign deep affection.】

【I'm actually surprised; I didn't expect Tangtang, after witnessing everything turn to ash, could remain so calm.】

【That's the Empress's trump card; the Empress is furious to the point of madness. This headache, I don't know how long it will last.】

【Everyone look, Dog Emperor actually cried. Oh dear, what's with the pretended deep feeling? The pear trees in this courtyard haven't even blossomed, what good does his crying do?】

The voice inside her mind made Wan Tang's heart sink a little.

She looked at the pitch‑black night outside and let out a gentle sigh.

Knowing it's forbidden yet doing it is still far better than doing nothing!

The Empress's murderous intent is evident, and Wan Tang's reliance is the Emperor.

The early‑spring night wind still carried a biting chill.

Wan Tang only wore a plain velvet coat, without alerting anyone.

She walked alone, holding a small palace lantern, stepping through the cool moonlight out of the palace gate.

Chu Yunzheng's whereabouts became a mystery after leaving the seat; apart from Li Defu, no one knew the Emperor's destination.

Yet in the dim unknown, the previously appearing "Barrage" acted like a guide, giving her a clear conjecture.

That desolate place, planted with pear trees yet never blossoming, besides the Cuivei Palace where she once lived, could be anywhere else?

She walked slowly to the front of Cuivei Palace.

The hall once burned down long ago has been fully restored; under the moonlight it even displayed an unfamiliar splendor, with no trace of charred ruin left.

Beyond the palace walls, spring quietly sprouted, grass and trees budded, revealing new vitality.

Only the pear grove within the palace courtyard remained dead and stagnant.

The withered branches stretched jaggedly toward the night sky, showing no hint of green, clashing with the surrounding revival.

Wan Tang inhaled a breath of icy air, then lifted her foot and stepped through the Gongmen.

From the shadows, Li Defu's sharp, wary rebuke rang out: "Shei?!"

She halted, raised the palace lantern slightly, illuminating her composed face.

Her voice was clear and steady: "Lord Li, it is I, your servant."

The lantern's glow reflected Li Defu's displeased face.

He evidently already knew of the banquet incident, and his gaze at Wan Tang was tempered with unabashed hatred and jealousy.

His tone was rigid, bearing a dismissive edge: "So it is the Virtuous Consort."

"The night is deep; the Emperor is resting here and does not wish to be disturbed. Virtuous Consort, please return."

Wan Tang, however, did not turn; her gaze passed over him, looking toward the depths of the palace.

Her voice was low, yet audible to those inside: "I, your servant, merely recalled that today happens to be the anniversary of an old encounter."

"Moved by the swift passage of time, I wish to visit the palace's first lodging, with no other intent."

After a brief silence, a low, emotionless voice came from within the hall—Chu Yunzheng's: "Come in."

Li Defu's face hardened; every word of obstruction was blocked, and he could only reluctantly step aside, his lowered eyes filled with Yin Zhi.

Wan Tang kept her gaze steady, lifted the solitary lamp, and walked in step by step.