Chapter 187: The Feeling of Home

How laughable, Xiao Mingshu really is relentless! After being rejected by the Emperor, she went to see the Empress Dowager again.

The only regret is that the Empress Dowager is seriously ill, unable to get out of bed, and at the moment has no desire to attend to palace affairs.

Xiao Mingshu got rebuked again, and the Empress Dowager said outright: As a woman of the Xiao Family, why are you so jealous? Didn't the Emperor already say that the Empress's position would go to the Xiao Family? Isn't that enough? She also asked: What exactly are you fearing about her? She's merely an orphan, without a reliable natal family, what great deeds can she achieve? Perhaps one day she might bear a prince, which could serve our Xiao Family. Who knows, is the First Prince a fool?

Yes, yes, I saw it too. Xiao Mingshu, furious, stamped her foot and asked the Empress Dowager: Do you still permit her to bear a son? The Empress Dowager replied: Why not? Moreover, if it weren't for her, could any child be safely born in this Imperial harem?

How funny, how funny—this move by Xiao Mingshu leaves her completely isolated and without support.

Wan Tang was soothing her child to sleep, listening to the words in her mind, and the upward curve of her mouth gradually faded.

Xiao Mingshu, on the other hand, got rebuked.

But the more resolute the Emperor and the Empress Dowager become, the more it shows that Wan Tang can only be an orphan.

Only a true orphan would make these high‑ranking, powerful people feel at ease.

As soon as there is any place to rely on, it becomes her fatal leverage.

The more the Empress and the Empress Dowager give, the more lethal it becomes.

The inner hall of Palace of Eternal Joy glowed with soft light, suffused with a faint, soothing scent of milk.

When Chu Yunzheng arrived, he deliberately softened his steps; the Guanren bowed silently, and he gestured that no formal report was necessary.

In the inner chamber, Wan Tang saw him enter and hurried to rise.

Chu Yunzheng placed a finger to his lips, made a shushing gesture, and his gaze gently fell on Minghui.

The little one had just finished nursing, was sleeping soundly, with long, curled lashes and a slightly pouty mouth, making his heart melt.

He leaned down, his fingertips barely brushing his daughter's tender cheek, his eyes reflecting a rare, pure affection.

Perhaps sensing her father's touch, sleeping Minghui instinctively waved her tiny hand and suddenly clutched the finger Chu Yunzheng extended toward her.

The soft, warm, tiny sensation made Chu Yunzheng's whole body stiffen, and even his breathing unconsciously lightened.

Almost simultaneously, the other little hand grasped in the air, perfectly catching the finger Wan Tang had extended to soothe her daughter.

Enveloped steadily by the Emperor's and the Virtuous Consort's fingers, sleeping Minghui's little mouth involuntarily widened, revealing an extremely sweet, satisfied smile.

The smile was pure and radiant, as if it could dispel all gloom in the world.

Wan Tang instantly covered her mouth, her eyes reddening with emotion, and her voice lowered to a whisper.

With incredulous delight, she said, "Emperor, Minghui—she smiled!"

"She is two months old and has never smiled; I have been so worried."

"I never expected her smile to be so beautiful."

Chu Yunzheng felt guilty; had he really not seen his daughter for two months?

Chu Yunzheng's gaze moved from his daughter's sweet smile to the two tiny hands that clutched their fingers tightly.

He then slowly lifted his eyes to look at Wan Tang beside him, whose eyes were glistening with emotion.

His eyes were deep, swirling with a warmth and stirring called "home" that even he had never recognized.

Wan Tang met his gaze and whispered softly, "Perhaps because Father Emperor and Mother Consort are here tonight, she feels especially at ease."

The sentence was like a stone tossed into a calm lake, sending ripples through Chu Yunzheng's heart.

He grew up in the inner palace, accustomed to intrigue and having experienced close kin become strangers.

Yet he had never truly felt ordinary paternal love or the warmth of a family.

Now, watching the tiny dependence at his fingertips, and seeing the pure joy in Wan Tang's eyes,

and looking at his peacefully sleeping daughter, a strange, surging emotion seized him instantly.

It was a warmth of being needed, trusted, and wholly embraced.

His Adam's apple quivered as he leaned down and, with utmost gentleness and reverence, placed a kiss on his daughter's smooth forehead.

Then he raised his head, looked at Wan Tang, and his voice was unprecedentedly gentle and firm.

"Tangtang, tonight we shall stay by her side as she sleeps."

"Let her sleep among us, and keep her holding our hands, never letting go."

The next morning, the Imperial harem erupted like a boiling pot.

A piece of news spread through the various palaces and courtyards at a staggering speed.

Last night, the Emperor actually rested in Palace of Eternal Joy, not for a usual visit, but to personally soothe Minghui Princess to sleep.

And together with the Virtuous Consort, he kept the little princess in the middle, allowing that tiny finger to clutch the Empress's finger, caring for her throughout the night!

This is an unprecedented honor!

Throughout the ages, which Imperial Heir has ever received such meticulous personal care from the sovereign?

Even when a prince is born, the Emperor merely glances, bestows a few gifts, and that's all.

"Tsk tsk, the Empress sharing the bedtime with the princess—what an ultimate honor!"

"Clearly the Virtuous Consort's divine favor is strong! It even extends to the little princess, who is deeply cherished by the throne."

"Indeed! She's just a princess, and the Emperor dotes on her like this. If the Virtuous Consort later bears a prince, what a marvel that would be."

"Shh! Stop talking! Look at those two princes over there—has the Emperor ever asked the First Prince anything extra?"

"Hmph, who knows if he's a fool?"

"As for the Second Prince, born deficient, merely surviving is a blessing; what else can be expected?"

"So you see, comparing people…"

"Who knows how the Emperor and the Virtuous Consort will dote on Minghui Princess in the future!"

A few concubines and palace maids gathered in a garden corner, whispering with tones full of envy and bitterness.

As the conversation heated up, some even spoke without restraint.

At that moment, Bai Wei passed by with a sullen face, hearing every word of the gossip.

She had already been seething with anger, having no outlet, after the Empress was humiliated and a plan failed yesterday.

At this moment, hearing those high‑and‑low remarks, especially the veiled insults toward the two princes, set her fury ablaze.

She rushed forward, said nothing, and raised her hand at the palace ladies who were speaking most aggressively.

"Pa‑pa" – a few resounding slaps!

"Outrageous!" Bai Wei barked sharply, her eyes fierce enough to devour a man, "Who gave you the guts to slander the princes and princesses behind their backs, daring to guess the Holy will?!"

"The Empress commands the Six Palaces; you have no right to gossip here."

"If I hear another word, I'll skin you all!"

The palace staff were stunned, their souls fled, they covered their faces and knelt, begging for mercy, and dared not utter another word.

Bai Wei's chest heaved violently, she glared at them hard, and only then felt the malicious heat in her heart vent a little.

She snorted coldly, ignored the trembling people on the ground, and turned, storming toward Kunning Palace.

Back in Kunning Palace, the hall's atmosphere was even more suffocatingly oppressive.

Bai Wei dared not speak, and stood outside, fuming.

After the consort's investiture ceremony, the hall of Kunning Palace was filled with splendid robes and jeweled splendor, yet could not hide a current of oppressive undercurrents.

Empress Xiao Mingshu held the golden seal symbolizing the consort's rank, her face restoring the carefully maintained gentle hypocrisy.

She handed the golden seal to Hui Guifei.

"Congratulations, sister, on your promotion to Consort."

"According to protocol, sister will soon move to Jingren Palace."

"From now on, the sisters in this palace should mingle more."

Hui Guifei, dressed in consort's ceremonial robes, still could not conceal the battlefield's sharpness.

She barely glanced at the golden seal, took it casually, as if it were a trivial object rather than supreme favor.

She didn't even look at the Empress, her gaze sweeping over the assembled consorts who held their breath.

Her voice was cold and domineering: "Since the rites are done, everyone may disperse. If nothing remains, stop troubling this palace."

Without waiting for a reply, she turned to the Empress and said bluntly, "Empress, I am weary, I take my leave."

Not waiting for the Empress's response, she turned and walked away, the dark‑colored consort robe's hem brushing the cold marble bricks, stirring a decisive wind.

The hall fell silent, the consorts exchanged glances, yet none dared to criticize the newly‑promoted consort's arrogance.

Everyone knows that the one she serves even the Emperor must yield a third to her.

The protagonist has already left the scene; staying any longer would be pointless.

The Empress forced a dignified smile, waved her hand, and said wearily, "Everyone may disperse."

The consorts, as if granted a pardon, bowed and withdrew.

Wan Tang was about to leave with the others when the Empress called her.

"Virtuous Consort." Xiao Mingshu's voice was low but audible to those who had not yet gone far.

She looked at Wan Tang, a cold, pointed smile curling her mouth, "You seem to have left something in my palace's Kunning Palace. When do you plan to retrieve it?"

Wan Tang's heart suddenly chilled; she instantly understood the reference to the deadly clay figurine.

Yet she showed no sign on her face, even a perfectly timed hint of bewilderment.

She smiled nonchalantly, "Is that so?"

"I have a poor memory, truly I do not recall what I dropped at the Empress's place."

"If it is a trivial trinket, the Empress may dispose of it as she wishes; no need to consult me."

Her tone was relaxed, as if it were indeed an insignificant matter.

Having said that, she gave a slight nod, turned, and left without any hesitation or lingering.

Xiao Mingshu watched her composed retreat, and the color drained from her face in an instant.

Her fingers clutched the Phoenix Throne's armrest so hard her nails nearly sank into the wood!

The more Wan Tang pretended indifference, the smaller the threat of the clay figurine became.

The handle she grasped with scheming intent felt like a punch landing on cotton!

Little did she know, as Wan Tang stepped out of Kunning Palace, her hand began to tremble.

Xiao Shunzi, who followed Wan Tang all day, could not fail to understand Wan Tang's worries.

Supporting Wan Tang, he whispered, "Master, shall I, Nubi, find someone to steal it back?"

Wan Tang glared at him fiercely and shook her head.

"No." Wan Tang said in a low voice, "Whether we can obtain it is irrelevant; the greatest fear is arousing the Empress's suspicion."

"This palace will think of another way."

Xiao Shunzi nodded.

【Tangtang is definitely terrified, after all it's a relic left by her mother, and it also ties to her mother's lineage.】

【If this were made public, Wan Tang would be deemed a rebel scum and must die. Then Minghui would also be implicated.】

【Other than Wan Tang, there's no need to worry; after all the Empress has not seen through it. It was only Wang Jingyi who said this item could restrain Wan Tang that made the Empress take it seriously.】

【Fortunately Yan Wang acted quickly, cutting off Wang Jingyi's tongue first, lest she speak too much.】

【What? Xiao Chuan gets no credit? That tendon was cut by our Xiao Chuan's men; otherwise Wang Jingyi's writings would have caused trouble.】

Warmth rose in Wan Tang's heart.

Then confusion deepened.

Yan Wang, why do you always help him?

Could it be solely because of Li Ping'er's reason?

Wan Tang had just stepped out of Kunning Palace, not yet mounted the sedan chair, when she saw Lady Xin lifting her skirt, rushing from a side path.

Her face bore unabashed excitement and joy, her voice crisp and bright:

"Sister Virtuous Consort, stay!"

She hurried close and said, "My sister asked me to invite you, saying she would like you to sit with her for a short while!"