Chapter 17: Great Favor

Li Ping'er's face was frighteningly pale.

Wan Tang's heart thumped with fear; dealing with the Emperor truly was no simple matter.

Killing Li Ping'er was the anger that arose from the deception toward him.

"Wan Tang is ill, stammering—what is there that can't be spoken?"

"Because of the Emperor's favor, are you still afraid I can't decide for you?"

"Isn't she just a Li Pin? Relying on the Emperor's favor, I could have her removed in an instant."

Listening to the Barrage sounds, Wan Tang couldn't help but find it amusing.

In the Imperial harem, a word from the Emperor can of course decide life or death.

The Imperial harem and the Former Dynasty have always been inseparable. If Chu Yunzheng were merely a dim and incompetent ruler, Wan Tang's flattery could serve as revenge.

Yet Chu Yunzheng was not born of the Empress, but he managed to stand out among dozens of Princes.

Within less than three years on the throne, he had already filled the Xianhuang's empty Guoku.

Why could Li Pin, despite her average looks, ascend to Zhaoying, even someone as petty as Xu Luoyan could tolerate her?

All because of Li Pin's father.

Lin Zehai, after Chu Yunzheng's ascension, was personally appointed as the Salt Inspection Commissioner.

He was a third‑rank official.

He oversaw the salt affairs of the two Huai regions, responsible for salt tax collection, merchant regulation, and salt administration oversight, a highly lucrative post.

Wan Tang even suspected that the current Guoku's abundance was closely tied to Lin Zehai.

With three thousand beauties in the Imperial harem, even if the Emperor had a favorite, how heavy could that woman's weight be in his heart?

Could she weigh more than the God of Wealth?

Wan Tang was merely a relatively lucky palace maid, never daring to overestimate herself.

She would never voluntarily cause trouble for the Emperor.

She slowly knelt, head bowed, kneeling alongside Li Ping'er.

Her eyes were intensely red, tears swirling in the sockets, yet refusing to fall.

"It is my fault, I have been unable to discipline properly, and I am willing to share the punishment."

"You!" the Emperor, angry, flicked his hand, then glared at Li Ping'er, scolding: "Speak, what exactly happened?"

"My lady." Li Ping'er was already moved to tears by Wan Tang.

She sniffed, then knocked three resonant heads—dong dong dong—on the ground.

She shouted: "Emperor, I, serving woman, will tell the truth, only asking that you not take your anger out on my lady."

"The matter must start from me, serving woman…"

Li Ping'er recounted in detail, beginning from when she first met Wan Tang.

How the matron had made obstacles, how Wan Tang resolved them, were mentioned, but the process of punishing the matron was glossed over.

She concluded: "Therefore, Li Pin, the Lady, came into the courtyard."

"It was I who did not do well enough, causing the Lady's fan to fall to the ground."

"My lady had no choice but to hastily make one through the night to compensate Li Pin, the Lady."

In the end, Li Ping'er was sobbing uncontrollably.

She said frantically, "Others treat me like a pig or dog; only my lady treats me as a person."

"My lady truly cannot find any Golden Silkworm Thread, so there is no other way."

"Actually, my lady is very sad; after the Emperor left, my lady wept bitterly, which is heartbreaking…"

Li Ping'er wiped her tears while speaking.

Chu Yunzheng bent over, both hands supporting Wan Tang, looking at the wound on her wrist: "You, really foolish!"

His tone carried a hint of reproach.

"If Li Pin bullied you, can I not intervene?" Though his tone was reproachful, it was filled with great tenderness.

Wan Tang slowly rested her head on Chu Yunzheng's chest, her voice like water: "Emperor, I, a lone maid, have no way to embellish your glory. I only think, at least, not to bring you trouble!"

Chu Yunzheng's gaze added a trace of affection.

He stared at the Golden Silkworm Thread on the table, then at the already torn Su-silk Fan beside it, his face clouded like impending rain.

His voice was piercing: "Li Pin's handwriting is grand; today Lin Zehai only brought me back half a jin of Golden Silkworm Thread."

"In Li Pin's hand, there is already a Golden Silkworm Thread fan."

"It seems I am not as wealthy as Li Pin."

Wan Tang's mouth twitched slightly, revealing a smile only she could perceive.

As long as the Emperor is angry, someone will have bad luck.

This grudge, this anger, will soon be released.

Chu Yunzheng smashed the fan onto the floor, then smashed all the tools on the table.

The house rang with clanging sounds, startling Li Defu, who called softly from outside the door.

"Get out!"

Chu Yunzheng let out an angry shout, and the outside fell silent.

Wan Tang knelt again on the ground.

Chu Yunzheng suddenly turned to Wan Tang: "This fan need not be made."

"I do not like a daughter's things. The Empress, however, has some study of it."

"After summer's arrival, the lotus in Yuhuayuan is in full bloom."

Chu Yunzheng swung Wan Tang sideways into his arms, his eyes indulgent to the point of melting her, and he gently nudged his head against the red mole on her forehead.

A voice brushed softly by Wan Tang's ear: "Tangtang, from now on, I will protect you."

Wan Tang's body suddenly trembled.

This time, Wan Tang's tears burst from her eyes, she curled in Chu Yunzheng's arms, crying like pear blossoms in rain.

Only because that "Tangtang" struck the deepest part of Wan Tang's heart.

In this world, only her mother would gently call her: "Tangtang."

Unfortunately, the memory she holds deepest is her mother's feeble voice: "Tangtang, from now on you must be cautious and modest; even if you are wronged, it is okay."

"Only by living is there hope."

"Tangtang, I'm sorry, mother is powerless, I can no longer protect you…"

Wan Tang's fingertips kept gripping, she clutched Chu Yunzheng's clothing without letting go.

"Wuwuwu." She whined like a kitten, fragile as morning dew.

Chu Yunzheng felt heartache, leaned down, gently kissing her brows and eyes.

Li Ping'er, seeing this, quietly rose from the floor, slipped away, and silently closed the door.

That night, Chu Yunzheng showed a tenderness Wan Tang had never felt before.

Not painful at all, but a soul‑piercing pleasure.

At that moment, Chu Yunzheng wrapped her in his arms, whispering softly: "You were born lowly; asking you to find golden silkworm threads is too much."

"The Empress doesn't compete or seize, she's actually kind. In the past you could have visited Kunning Palace more often; I would feel more at ease."

He exuded a pleasant ambergris scent, his strong, powerful heartbeat gradually calmed Wan Tang's heart.

Wan Tang knew this was Chu Yunzheng thinking of her.

Wan Tang asked slightly puzzled: "That Imperial Concubine…"

His hand gently pressed on Wan Tang's lips: "Do not mention her."

"I know you came out of her palace…"

Wan Tang fell silent, leaning in Chu Yunzheng's arms to sleep.

【This moment is truly warm and sweet!】

【The Emperor is showing genuine feeling; this tender moment truly makes one swoon.】

【Perhaps Wan Tang can fight in the Imperial harem for her, even if it never ends…】

Those words made Wan Tang feel a chill all over.

Amid the Barrage frenzy of CP shipping, Wan Tang was so scared she couldn't sleep well all night.

Last night thunderstorm, upon waking, the sunlight was just right.

After the rooster crowed, the Emperor went to court.

When Wan Tang awoke, the Nubi of Cuivei Palace had been waiting for a long time.

Xi'er hunched her back, waiting at the doorway.

Her flattering gaze seemed about to pull out silk: "Young master, the Emperor truly dotes on you!"

"To let you sleep longer, we have directly exempted your morning‑evening audience."

"It was the Empress who sent someone to say that today Yuhuayuan will hold a fan‑appreciation gathering, specially asking the young master to prepare early."

"Wan Tang, as a palace maid, how much silver does she have on her?"

"Thanks to the Empress and Emperor's gifts, her finances are a bit looser now."

"Looking at Xi'er, she still said to Li Ping'er: 'Reward.'"

"Grandfather Xi'er, thank you for your hard work." Li Ping'er took out a few golden melon seeds from her pocket and gave them to Xi'er.

"Being able to give golden melon seeds, that's no small matter."

Xi'er beamed, bowing and nodding: "Young master is kind‑hearted and virtuous, no wonder the Emperor dotes on you alone."

"Even that Imperial Concubine pales in front of the young master."

"Last night thunder struck, the Emperor worried the young master might be scared, and rushed back from the Empress's sleeping palace; this friendship is unique in the Imperial harem!"

Wan Tang felt heavy inside, hurriedly said: "From now on, such words must never be said again."

"No one may bring up last night's incident again."

"If anyone gossips, they will not be spared."

Wan Tang suddenly became angry.

Everyone hurriedly agreed.

This scolding, Xi'er bore the brunt, and some of it showed on her face.

She kept agreeing, but her eyes were full of contempt and disdain.

Wan Tang took everything in, realizing she must quickly devise a plan to bring Xiao Shunzi to this position.

There must be someone trustworthy to guard the house, to feel at ease.

In Yuhuayuan.

The Guanren set up a rack early, and all the round fans in the storeroom were displayed.

There were those used by ordinary Imperial Concubines, and also unique ones.

Including tribute treasures, all were exhibited.

After the rain everything felt fresh, even in each breath one could smell the pure lotus fragrance.

The Imperial Concubines arrived one after another.

Upon arriving at the garden, they had no time to pay respects to the Empress, and were drawn to the rare round fans.

All women, they have no resistance to such beautiful things.

"Clang!"

Wan Tang's front foot had just stepped through the main gate when a cup of hot tea suddenly fell at her feet.

The scalding tea splashed onto Wan Tang's shoe, burning her so that she furrowed her brows and hurriedly stepped back.

Li Ping'er jumped in surprise, yanked Dongqing sharply, and shouted, "Can't you see?"

"How dare you splash scalding tea on my young mistress!"

"Do you want to die?"

Dongqing's face was full of resentment, but the person before him was ultimately the most favored Empress.

Even though his heart was filled with countless unwillingness, he still knelt on the ground reluctantly.

He craned his neck and said, "I'm sorry, Lady Wan of Grace."

"Lady Wan of Grace, you have such a big mouth; even the servant beside me is ready to beat and kill at a moment's notice."

Li Pin walked over from the side, casually saying to Dongqing, "Since it was accidental, a simple apology will do."

"In the future, be more careful when doing things."

"Yes, I know my mistake." Dongqing's perfunctory reply, then he stood up directly, even flashing a provocative smile at Wan Tang.

Wan Tang couldn't help but furrow her brows; she despised this kind of person the most.

Yet she endured it, for the Emperor had specially arranged today's banquet, and she could not steal the Emperor's spotlight.

Seeing Wan Tang's non‑competitive demeanor, Li Pin's face showed disgust, and she frowned, "Lady Wan of Grace, today is just an interlude."

"But my fan, Lady Wan of Grace, you must accompany me with it."

As she spoke, a hint of regret appeared in Li Pin's eyes: "Had I known the Emperor would hold a fan appreciation gathering today, I would never have taken my most beloved item to the courtyard with you."

"For no reason, letting those people snatch the spotlight."

After finishing, she warned viciously, "Lady Wan of Grace, today you must compensate me with the fan."

"I am kind‑hearted, but that does not mean I am easy to bully."

Li Pin said, her gaze growing colder.

She lowered her voice to Wan Tang, "If you truly cannot produce it, you may use something else instead."

"I heard Lady Wan's husband is a eunuch; why not, tonight come to my Imperial Palace and discuss how to dine with a eunuch?"

"That would broaden my horizons; then this matter can be settled."