Chapter 171: The Pepper Chamber

Xiao Mingshu was shaken to the core by Chu Yunzheng's cold question, her complexion turning deathly pale.

Competing with the Emperor for food?

What a grave accusation of disrespect!

She hurriedly lowered her body, voice trembling: "I dare not! Emperor, you see clearly! I truly had no such intention!"

"Only… only the Virtuous Consort has become increasingly flamboyant lately; as the Empress, I merely wish to apply a slight reprimand, to curb her arrogance, in accordance with Palace Rules…"

Chu Yunzheng seemed to have heard a joke, a cold curve lifting his lip: "Flamboyant? Arrogance?"

"My Tangtang is the most obedient and gentle; how could I not know when she became arrogant?"

When his gaze turned to Wan Tang, it instantly became unabashedly indulgent: "Tangtang, could it be that you did not tell the Empress the words I said last night?"

Wan Tang lifted her eyes at the right moment, her gaze carrying just the right mix of surprise and fear, and softly said: "Emperor… the drunken words of last night, I only took them as Your Majesty's affection; I am already grateful in my heart."

"How could I… how could I spread it around?"

"Since these are my golden words, what is there to fear?"

Chu Yunzheng's tone was resolute as he turned his gaze toward the increasingly pale Xiao Mingshu.

Word for word, crystal clear: "Since the Empress does not know, I will tell you myself."

"I have decided to grant Changle Palace for the Virtuous Consort to reside in."

"I only wish that Tangtang may be safe and joyful thereafter, and that my Minghui Princess may grow up healthy in that spacious palace."

Xiao Mingshu's ominous premonition became reality, and her fingertips turned icy in an instant.

Before she could process the blow, Chu Yunzheng spoke in a commanding tone: "By the way, since you, the Empress, still oversee the Six Palaces, the relocation shall be handled by you personally; see to it that it is completed promptly, without delay!"

Xiao Mingshu felt as if her chest had been struck heavily, nearly unable to breathe.

However, Chu Yunzheng's next words were like a sharp blade, piercing straight into her heart.

"In my heart, Tangtang is also like my wife. Changle Palace has been vacant for a long time; it should now be filled with some joy."

As he spoke, he even took Wan Tang's hand and said publicly, "Tangtang, you bear and raise my children; the hardship is extraordinary, and I feel great compassion."

"Grant again the favor of the Pepper Chamber."

Pepper Chamber!

That is a honor almost equal to the Empress's own favor!

Wan Tang immediately, panicked, tried to kneel: "Emperor! How could I, with what virtue and ability, possibly bear such a great favor!"

"I say you can bear it, then you can," Chu Yunzheng gripped her hand firmly, allowing no refusal, "Moreover, this is my… compensation to you."

His gaze hinted, sweeping over that black‑gold abalone.

Wan Tang expressed gratitude: "I… thank the Emperor for your great grace."

Only then did Chu Yunzheng seem satisfied, saying lightly: "Everyone, rise."

He led Wan Tang's hand and walked straight outward.

As they passed the black‑gold abalone that had caused the incident, his steps faltered slightly, his tone flat: "Since the Empress also 'likes' it, this abalone shall be presented to the Empress."

"Managing the Six Palaces, the Empress indeed works hard."

Having said that, the two imperial consorts walked away together, leaving the courtyard dead silent and Xiao Mingshu with a blank, colorless face.

As soon as the Emperor's figure vanished, the Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen mustered courage and stepped forward.

He asked cautiously: "Empress, this abalone… shall I have it sent to Kunning Palace's small kitchen?"

Bai Wei timidly whispered: "Your Majesty, after all it was the Emperor's gift; perhaps… let the Imperial Kitchen prepare it and deliver it to you?"

"Fool!" Xiao Mingshu erupted suddenly.

She swung away Bai Wei's hand, her voice twisted sharp with extreme anger and humiliation.

"Gift? Can't you see that it's a gift?!"

"That's the Emperor holding something the Virtuous Consort rejected to humiliate my palace!"

"How am I supposed to eat that?! Just looking at it makes me want to vomit!"

Her chest heaved violently, darkness flickered before her eyes, and she could barely stand.

Although the palace staff knelt nearby, they couldn't help whispering, their fragmented gossip pricking her ears like needles:

"The Emperor's treatment of the Virtuous Consort truly… unprecedented…"

"Indeed, even when the noble consort was highly favored back then, we never saw the Pepper Chamber granted or residence in Changle Palace…"

"Tsk, tsk, the Emperor actually said the Virtuous Consort is also like my wife…"

"Isn't this telling everyone that the Empress is merely a title without substance?"

These words were like the final straw that broke the camel, and Xiao Mingshu felt the world spin, her heart shattering and collapsing like a tide that engulfed her.

She clenched her fists so tightly that her nails dug into her palms, drawing blood, yet she felt no pain, only endless humiliation and hatred raging wildly in her chest.

【How exhilarating, the Empress is literally being tortured to death.】

【I kept making little moves before, didn't expect a day of being dealt with!】

【Just kidding, when a man protects his own woman, who can be his opponent?】

【The Emperor's favor is an eternal shield.】

Wan Tang had never heard many of these fresh phrases.

But there is one thing Wan Tang fully acknowledges: when dealing with women, the Emperor's preferential favor is the most powerful weapon.

In the Emperor's heart, there truly is you; the harem has no notion of competing for favor at all.

All the petty jealousy and rivalry are simply because of insufficient love!

Wan Tang, regardless of whether the Emperor truly loves her from the heart, will create a false impression: that the Emperor not loving her would be a betrayal of her.

Changle Palace.

The palace grounds, inside and out, were refreshed, the distinctive scent of pepper paste coating the walls permeating the air, symbolizing supreme favor.

Wan Tang sat upright in the main hall, receiving the palace staff's kowtow.

Two little Ladies of Grace residing in the Side Hall came to pay their respects.

One was the newly‑fifteen Su Guiren, her brows and eyes still youthful, as obedient as a porcelain doll.

The other was Liu Guiren, whom Wan Tang had once met on a snowy day, holding a white rabbit, still looking shy.

Both were still young and had never received favor.

Wan Tang gently bestowed a meeting gift, softly saying: "Since we both live in Changle Palace, from now on we are sisters."

"If you ever lack anything or encounter difficulty, you may come to the main hall to find me; no need to be restrained."

After the two left with tearful gratitude, Li Pin came forward to congratulate.

She surveyed the luxurious furnishings of the pepper chamber inside the hall, sighing, "Sister, this favor you now have truly makes others envious."

"This joy in the pepper chamber has never occurred even at the Empress's grand wedding—back then, the succession struggle was in full swing, and everything was kept simple."

She lowered her voice, "Under such great favor, sister must be cautious at every step."

"Moreover, you are still enjoying things that originally belonged only to the Empress."

Wan Tang clasped her hand, gave a faint smile: "Sister, rest assured, with you often guiding me, my heart is at ease."

A hint of complexity flashed in Li Pin's eyes, and she sighed lightly: "Xu Luoyan is dead; my great revenge has been fulfilled."

"Now I only hope to raise the Second Prince safely and see him grow; that will be enough for the rest of my life. I have no desire to partake in the harem's disputes any longer."

Wan Tang understood and did not press: "Everyone has their own aspirations, sister understands. I only hope you often come by, walk with me, and keep me company to ease my boredom."

A brief idle chat made the time pass quickly.

Watching the sun set over the western hills, the two Ladies of Grace, though young, were already sensible.

They took their leave one after another.

At night, Chu Yunzheng arrived, treading the moonlight.

Upon entering the inner hall, he saw Wan Tang seated beside a warm couch, her robe slightly open, cradling the little Princess Minghui and nursing her.

The candlelight softly bathed her, outlining a tranquil and warm tableau.

Chu Yunzheng stepped lightly forward, his eyes shimmering with rare tenderness and satisfaction, whispering: "Seeing her eat so sweetly comforts my heart greatly."

Wan Tang looked up and gave him a charming smile.

Chu Yunzheng leaned down, his gaze landing on her slightly damp robe, his voice suddenly deepening and becoming ambiguous.

With a hint of teasing: "Minghui eats happily, and I… also feel a bit craving."

Wan Tang's cheeks flushed instantly, she pouted and glared at him, yet did not dodge.

The hall's candles flickered, the room warm, leaving only the baby's satisfied swallowing sounds and the emperor's low, delighted laugh.

Affection and lingering love were all unspoken.

【Dog Emperor truly knows no shame.】

【Don't say it, really don't say it, I still love watching this scene.】

【Haha, interesting, although personally I'm not optimistic about Dog Emperor. But his pity for Tangtang is still quite amusing.】

【But Wan Tang must be careful; Li Defu and the Empress are still pondering that clay figurine.】

What secret does the clay figurine conceal?

Wan Tang was startled awake in the middle of the night by the sound of barrage.

Fortunately the movement was slight and did not wake the deeply sleeping Chu Yunzheng.

Since the Pear Blossom Empress of Cuivei Palace, Chu Yunzheng always liked to hold her when he slept.

Each time he held Wan Tang, Chu Yunzheng would sleep especially sweetly, as if only this way could he fall into dreamland faster.

The back alley of the Xu Residence was desolate and silent. An inconspicuous green‑topped carriage parked soundlessly, its wheels grinding the water‑logged stone slabs, emitting a faint sound.

The carriage curtain lifted, revealing a slender figure wrapped in a heavy black cloak, stepping down slowly, almost merging with the night.

Xu Yanchuan, who had been waiting at the door, leaned against the mottled doorframe, a habitual sneer curling at the corner of his mouth.

His gaze was cold as a blade: "Yo, isn't this the esteemed Virtuous Consort?"

"Why do you lower yourself to come to this ominously unlucky place?"

"I advise the Consort to stop, lest you be tainted by this place's squalid misfortune and damage your longevity."

Wan Tang was not repelled by his sharp words; the cloak's hood sat low, revealing only a tightly drawn jawline and bloodless lips.

Her voice passed through the fabric, bearing a deliberately suppressed chill and fatigue: "Enough idle talk. I want to see Xu Chengyuan."

Xu Yanchuan raised an eyebrow, sneered, his malice deepening: "Oh dear, which play are you singing?"

"The Holy Mother's heart overflows, coming to visit a fallen old father, staging a deep father‑daughter affection?"

"What a pity, there's no audience here, who are you performing for?"

"Xu Yanchuan!" Wan Tang's voice suddenly grew heavy, bearing unmistakable urgency and warning, "No one follows me."

"It concerns both our lives!"

She thrust her head up, the hood slipping, revealing a pair of calm yet sharp eyes.

She stared at him: "That clay figurine… fell into the Empress's hands."

"What?!" Xu Yanchuan's previously flippant sarcasm froze, shattered, replaced by a terrifying gloom.

His gaze shifted abruptly; he straightened his body sharply, his keen eyes swiftly scanning the alley's entrance and rear.

After confirming, he seized Wan Tang's arm with astonishing force, pulling her quickly into the doorway.

The heavy wooden door slammed shut behind him, emitting a creaking "creak" sound.

He still felt uneasy, cautiously peeking outward through the crack once more.

Then he turned back, his voice pressed down to the lowest tone, bearing unprecedented gravity: "You have only half a incense stick's worth of time."