Chapter 19: Pear Blossom Fan

Chu Yunzheng said warmly, "This is just an ordinary gathering, no distinctions. Come…"

Wan Tang not sitting would be defying the decree and disappointing the Emperor's favor; sitting would offend all the women.

She nervously looked at all the Imperial Concubines kneeling on the ground, feeling bitter.

It seems that after today she fears she will become a public enemy of all women.

With a silent sigh, Wan Tang followed the Emperor's arrangement.

After Wan Tang took her seat.

Chu Yunzheng then fixed his face, as if only now noticing everyone was still kneeling: "Why are you all still kneeling? Sit."

"This fan appreciation gathering is a women's gathering; I am just here to join the fun. No need to be restrained."

The Emperor spoke, and then everyone seated themselves according to rank.

Yet their sidelong glances kept drifting toward Wan Tang.

Each gaze was dazzlingly brilliant.

The only thing they shared was jealousy.

Barrage went wild: 【So sweet!】

【What's going on? This is totally different from the preview; why am I suddenly swooning?】

【Long Long is mighty, Long Long is domineering, Long Long is truly a man.】

【Looks like Wan Tang staying in the palace is the right choice; being with Long Long, she can enjoy a silky life.】

Not leaving the palace, is it really good?

No, it's not.

She simply has no other choice.

Even if the Imperial harem is a mountain of knives and sea of fire, she will cross it.

The women of the Imperial harem have a trait: they can forget all dampening things in a short time.

The Emperor arrived, and everything will become beautiful. After singing and dancing, the fan display follows.

All Imperial Concubines finally have the moment to show their faces before the Emperor.

Xiao Mingshu suppressed the anger in her heart and sat on the Emperor's side, one on each side of Wan Tang.

With a smile still on her face, she said, "Emperor, upon hearing that you have free time today, we sisters have prepared thoroughly."

"We have all brought our treasured fans."

Chu Yunzheng nodded.

The Empress smiled, then called out, "Lady of Grace Qi, could you show your hand‑embroidered Mandarin duck pair to broaden my view."

Near the Empress's side, a petite jade‑like woman stood, holding a fan in both hands, and stepped forward in tiny steps.

The fan was beautiful, but the Emperor only gave it a cursory glance.

Xiao Mingshu glared at Lady of Grace Qi, looking as if she were bitterly frustrated.

Wan Tang took everything in, noting that the several people who came forward were all the Empress's people.

"Emperor."

Li Pin, seeing the moment was right, cooed delicately, holding a box in both hands: "I, your humble servant, also have a fan here to present to the Emperor."

Chu Yunzheng actually smiled, and that smile made people feel a little unsettled.

He leaned over and whispered to Wan Tang, "Looking at Tangtang, who is usually delicate and supple, this palm, five clear fingers—could a hand strike hurt?"

Wan Tang's face flushed deeply with shame, and she gently pushed Chu Yunzheng aside.

When she was a palace maid, everyone wanted to cling to the Emperor, yet everyone also feared him. Now Wan Tang feels both amused and angry; if it weren't for the Emperor, she truly wishes she could step on him.

Inside, an instant of extreme awkwardness.

She forced herself to open the box.

"This…" Chu Yunzheng's gaze suddenly changed, becoming distant and melancholy.

Wan Tang recognized that gaze; when she met Chu Yunzheng at the Lotus Pond, he looked at her the same way.

"Bring it up." Chu Yunzheng said.

Li Defu hurried forward, handed the fan, and presented it before Chu Yunzheng.

Chu Yunzheng never liked touching women's belongings, but this time he lifted the fan and examined it carefully.

The fan was made of ordinary silk, but the two pear blossoms in the center were pure white, flawless, Ice Purity.

"Emperor, look at the pistils; they're pink," Li Defu pointed to the pear blossom's stamen.

Chu Yunzheng became dazed again, as if sinking into some memory.

Xiao Mingshu smiled, gave Wan Tang a deep look. That gaze made Wan Tang's heart skip a beat, as if something major had occurred.

No one could see what was special about this fan; dozens of fans failed to catch the Emperor's eye, but this one did.

Li Pin said at the right moment, "Emperor, I, too, am delivering this on someone's behalf."

"Noble Consort heard that the Emperor was holding a fan appreciation gathering and embroidered this pear blossom overnight; the time was rushed, a bit careless."

"Noble Consort, she, misses you greatly."

Wan Tang's hand suddenly tightened.

What a Xu Luoyan, she can still jump out at this moment.

But how does she know that the pear blossom can move the Emperor's heart?

Looking again beside her, Li Defu's flattering demeanor seemed even intended to cue the Emperor to recall something.

Wan Tang's heart raced; Li Defu has served the Emperor since he was seven, knowing more than anyone.

It seems Li Defu and Xu Luoyan have teamed up.

Wan Tang pressed her fingernails hard into her palm, forcing herself to calm down.

Chu Yunzheng still cared about the person beside him, his eyes settled on that pear blossom: "Yan Er also has intentions."

"This fan, I greatly like."

He reluctantly brushed his hand over the pear blossom.

"Your Majesty, the Noble Consort is now reflecting on her faults in Jingxin Hall; otherwise, the Consort would certainly hand this fan to you herself." Li Pin seized the moment.

An Daying, seated beside Lady Qi, was completely puzzled.

The thirteen‑ or fourteen‑year‑old, with a cute and naive look, said foolishly, "We've already been in Jingxin Hall, why is the heart still not pure?"

"She can also know about things outside. Isn't it said that Jingxin Hall spends all day copying Buddhist sutras? Where would there be time for embroidery?"

An Daying spoke everyone's thoughts.

Li Pin's gaze at her was sharp enough to cut.

Wan Tang looked at Lady An and liked her very much. Though young, she was straightforward and had no scheming.

When Wan Tang first entered the Imperial Palace, she had met her. She didn't disdain the ugly palace maid and even handed her osmanthus cake.

Being frank and outspoken in the Imperial harem is a sin.

The Empress immediately scolded, "An Daying, you must not be talkative."

An Daying obediently shut her mouth.

The Emperor still wore a stern face.

Li Pin said discontentedly, "Your Majesty, the Noble Consort's sincere heart has been so distorted by An Daying."

"Your Majesty, An Daying is just a child, straightforward in nature, speaking without intent," Wan Tang's voice was gentle as she pleaded beside him, "Please do not argue with a child, okay."

"Of course." Chu Yunzheng nodded.

Looking at An Daying's cute naivety, he said, "In two more years, you'll be sixteen. From then on, spend more time with Sister Wan so you can change that outspoken mouth of yours."

An Daying stuck out her tongue and smiled amicably at Wan Tang.

Li Pin, both angry and resentful, forced a smile and said, "Speaking of it, Lady Wan and the Consort are also good sisters."

"Since they are good sisters, Yan Er should learn from Lady Wan even more."

"I sent her to Jingxin Hall so that her ears may be clear and she can reflect on her faults."

Chu Yunzheng said as he examined the fan's embroidered stitches, shook his head, and casually placed the fan into the box: "The pouch Yan Er embroidered for me before was vivid, but this pear blossom is rather stiff; it lacks liveliness."

"It seems she remains as ever, restless and impatient!"

The fan was casually put into the box, and Chu Yunzheng's gaze cleared once more.

He said offhand, "I have said that in this palace, no more pear blossoms are allowed!"

The Emperor spoke, then glared at Li Defu.

Li Defu hurriedly knelt on the ground, repeatedly saying, "The old servant deserves death."

"Enough! I have also seen your fans; they are truly ingenious."

"Today, I have also prepared many round fans."

"Take a look at them all!"

Chu Yunzheng's eyes were deep and unfathomable.

【She is still a child!】

【The first time I find this sentence pleasant to hear.】

【An Daying is so good, makes Xu Luoyan furious, won't show any skill, and bluntly slapped it back to her.】

【Hahaha, An should stay in Jingxin Hall as a nun! I will lock Long Long and Tangtang.】

Wan Tang's tense expression relaxed a bit, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

The racks were carefully lifted up by the eunuchs.

The fans hanging there, even a randomly chosen one could completely overwhelm all the round fans brought today in the palace.

Earlier they could only watch from afar; now they could approach, and none could take their eyes off.

Since Chu Yunzheng arrived, Xiao Mingshu never found any sense of presence.

Now she finally found a chance, stood up and said to everyone, "Sisters, it's rare we gather together; don't be restrained, just be casual."

The women of the Imperial harem rarely even see the Emperor; many may never see him in their lifetime.

Now the Emperor stood before them, yet those fans were even more lethal.

The timid dared not look at the Emperor nor move.

The ones from better families, or those who had once been favored by the Emperor, also stood up.

They all stepped forward to watch.

"This is double‑sided embroidery; my father served for years in Suzhou and Hangzhou, and I've only seen such fine double‑sided embroidery twice."

"Look at this round fan; it's made of golden thread!"

"Gold is vulgar; how can it compare to this jade‑handled hibiscus fan?"

"You all are vulgar; didn't you see those three?"

Someone mentioned it, and then everyone looked.

Only three fans were displayed on the rack before the Emperor.

"Heaven! These three fans are all woven from golden silkworm silk, and the embroidered flowers on the fan surfaces represent Fu, Lu, and Shou."

"The fan surfaces are priceless, beyond a thousand gold pieces."

Lady Qi and Xiao Mingshu exchanged a glance, their delicate fingers slightly lifting their skirts as they stepped out.

She tilted her head, glanced at the fan, and absentmindedly said, "Speaking of golden silkworm silk round fans, I recall Li Pin does have one."

"It is indeed very exquisite; the embroidery work is top‑notch."

Chu Yunzheng let out an "Oh", his face revealing no expression, and said, "Li Pin, you actually wouldn't let me see with my own eyes."

Li Pin was trembling with fear.

Her heart was uneasy, for that fan had been brought in at her father's request.

She hurriedly knelt on the ground, feigning calm, and said, "Emperor, I would like to, but unfortunately Lady of Grace Wan damaged it."

"Lady of Grace Wan, is that so?" the Emperor asked.

Wan Tang nodded, her eyes full of guilt.

Xiao Mingshu also echoed, "No wonder Lady of Grace Wan asked me for golden silkworm silk; it turns out she wants to compensate Li Pin!"

Cold sweat streamed down Li Pin's face.

She was very clever; at this point, how could she still not understand the meaning of this fan‑granting meeting?

She could not imagine that the Emperor, already overwhelmed by Former Dynasty affairs, would launch such a campaign over a Lady of Grace's slight grievance.

She remained kneeling, letting sweat roll into her eyes, stinging painfully.

She said earnestly, "It's a misunderstanding. It's just a fan; how could I have the heart to let Sister Wan compensate?"

"I only have three, all precious. I didn't expect Li Pin to think otherwise," Chu Yunzheng said, his calm tone making everyone's hearts quake.

When those words were spoken, everyone in the garden fell silent as cold cicadas, daring not to breathe.

Li Pin's father's position was that of the God of Wealth; the Emperor's question thus involved more than just her.

Even her personal honor and disgrace were enough, let alone involving her whole family—could they be any better off?

"Your Majesty, you misunderstand. I'm very close with Sister Wan, how could I let her compensate? In fact, just giving a fan away is enough."

Li Pin hurriedly found a step to descend.

Chu Yunzheng turned his head and asked Wan Tang, "Really?"

One must still speak openly. Since Wan Tang knew how important Li Pin's father was to the Emperor, how could she not hold on?

She forced a smile, "Of course."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes were full of anguish.

Just when everyone thought the matter could be settled, Chu Yunzheng said, "I didn't expect Lady of Grace Wan, following me, couldn't even produce a single round fan."

"It was my negligence; I'll take the provocation for Lady of Grace Wan," Xiao Mingshu quickly added.

"No need."

Chu Yunzheng stood, looked at all the round fans on the rack, and said lightly, "Let's just take these fans out, no need to return them; send them all directly to Cuivei Palace."

The Empress suddenly clenched the handrail with both hands.

The Imperial Concubines bit their handkerchiefs in anger.

It was only early summer, and everyone could not do without a fan.

All the ones displayed were treasures. How many years of accumulation produced these fifty‑eight exquisite round fans?

Even if Li Pin's father is the God of Wealth, it's only one fan.

Now they're all given to Wan Tang; these women, fighting each other, get nothing.

Wan Tang hurriedly rose, knelt to thank, trying to politely decline, but Chu Yunzheng gave no chance.

He grabbed Wan Tang's hand and said, "It's really hot today; Cuivei Palace is cooler."

"Let's go!"

The grand spectacle, yet the Imperial harem concubines were only there to watch how the Emperor and Wan Tang showed affection?

Regardless of rank, all those women were merely companions for the two.

This slap was not only on Li Pin's face.

It was a heavy hammer striking each person's head, clearly saying, "Wan Tang, my people Chu Yunzheng, no one may move!"

Bang!

The Empress's hand tightened, the prayer beads in her hand snapped, scattering across the ground…