Chapter 193: Mutual Restraint

"Well said, Tangtang, that's exactly how it should be; we must rely on ourselves."

"It's easy to say; anyone can speak harsh words, but the key is how to act."

"Indeed, now the Emperor already has leverage in his hand; it's a ticking time bomb that could be handed to him at any moment."

"Even if we can save Xu Yanchuan, what about Wan Tang herself? And Minghui?"

"Wan Tang has been suffering consecutive sleepless nights."

"Xiao Mingshu seems to be thoroughly enjoying this slow, torturous feeling."

"She remains perfectly still, still wearing an expression of having noticed nothing."

"But Wan Tang lives in torment."

"The half‑moon passes swiftly, and the early summer heat has quietly spread."

"In Wan Tang's heart, the matter of the Empress already presses like a massive stone, suffocating her, and with the weather growing hotter, her anxiety becomes even harder to ease."

"As night deepens, she pushes aside those on either side, walks alone into the courtyard, and leans on a cool chair."

"Staring at the cold moon on the horizon, she lifts the wine cup at hand and drinks it in one gulp."

"The wine is spicy, yet it cannot suppress the bitterness deep in her heart."

"Not far away, Li Ping'er stands quietly, the moonlight outlining her increasingly frail silhouette."

"Although she is merely an official's daughter, she has been favored for nearly two months, and with Li Defu's discreet protection, she even has a young maid attending her."

"The wounds on her body have long healed, and her attire is even more exquisite than that of some unfavored Ladies of Grace."

"Yet, she visibly thins, her brows and eyes locked with an inextricable sorrow and exhaustion."

"Their gazes briefly intersect in the air."

"Wan Tang indifferently averts her eyes, as if she only saw a wisp of air, and continues to pour and drink by herself."

"Li Ping'er presses her fingernail into her palm, a flash of resentment and pain crossing her eyes."

"She whispers a few orders to the maid beside her; the maid hesitates, glances toward Wan Tang, and finally bows her head and steps back."

"Li Ping'er takes a deep breath, summons courage, and walks toward Wan Tang."

"Wan Tang's cold voice rings out, devoid of any emotion: 'Stay where you are.'"

"Li Ping'er's steps freeze."

"Wan doesn't even turn to look at her, only gazes at the empty wine cup in her hand: 'Keep your distance from my palace.'"

"'I only wish to be alone; I have no mood to deal with anyone.'"

"Li Ping'er's complexion drains of color, her lips tremble, and her voice is choked: 'Have you encountered some difficulty?'"

"Wan Tang scoffs, and that laugh sounds especially harsh and mocking in the silent night."

"Li Ping'er feels her chest ache from the laugh, yet persists: 'I (serving woman) still think of the Empress; if the Empress has any troubles, I hope I can help her.'"

"Wan Tang finally turns her head slowly."

"Under the moonlight, her gaze is as cold as frost, examining Li Ping'er without any warmth."

"Help?"

"Help with what?"

"Rely on Yan Wang?"

"Or rely on Li Defu?"

"She can't be bothered to say another word, feeling utterly weary."

"Indifferently withdrawing her gaze, she stands, brushes her sleeve, and prepares to leave the suffocating courtyard."

"Liu Gui elevated that bastard, and he's hiding in the shadows again. Does she only resort to such despicable deeds?"

"Earlier I said the daughters taught by the Wang family are all formidable; now I retract that statement."

"To stir both sides, the key is whether she has the ability."

"Wan Tang's steps, just as she took them, suddenly halt."

"She changes her mind."

"The earlier cold aloofness instantly dissipates; a trace of a weary, helpless bitter smile forces its way onto her face, and she sits back on the cool chair."

"She looks at Li Ping'er, who is frozen in place by her sudden change of attitude."

"'Ping'er,' she suddenly says, her voice lowered yet clear enough for the Schemer to hear, 'I know Grandfather Li treats you exceptionally well, as a treasured gem.'"

"Li Ping'er's pupils contract slightly, a clear flash of astonishment and panic crossing her face."

"Wan Tang, however, gives her no chance to speak, rises, steps forward, and affectionately grabs her hand."

"She gently pats her, her tone earnest and suggestive as if entrusting a heavy responsibility: 'In the current situation, having Grandfather Li's strong support would be invaluable.'"

"Many matters could then be resolved smoothly, securing victory."

"Li Ping'er is completely bewildered, her mind a tangled mess, not understanding why Wan Tang suddenly brought this up, nor why in this manner."

"Clearly, Wan Tang knows better than anyone how much Li Ping'er truly hates Li Defu in her heart."

"Wan Tang gives a faint smile, raising her voice: 'I trust Grandfather Li.'"

"'After all, he is your father, isn't he?'"

"Wan Tang grips her hand tightly, half‑pulling, half‑dragging her toward the main hall: 'Don't stay outside, come in and speak…'"

"As she walks, she seemingly inadvertently turns her head, her gaze flicking swiftly toward Jiashan, a barely discernible cold curve lifting the corner of her mouth."

"The massive doors of the main hall close, cutting off all external sight."

"Wan Tang instantly releases Li Ping'er's hand; the pretended affection on her face vanishes completely, leaving only an icy indifference."

"The palm suddenly empties, the false warmth swiftly replaced by the chill of reality."

"Li Ping'er feels a sharp tug in her heart, a boundless bitterness surfacing; her voice trembles, tinged with sobs: 'Master, you know, I hate him—how could I possibly…'"

"Wan Tang, however, acts as if she didn't hear, walks straight to the dressing table and opens the jewelry box."

She picked a crimson‑gold phoenix hairpin set with gems, turned around, and thrust it straight into Li Ping'er's hand.

The motion was decisive, without the slightest lingering.

"Just now, someone from the Empress's side was watching," Wan Tang's voice was calm and unruffled, even too lazy to add further explanation, "This is compensation."

The cold metal of the hairpin pressed against her palm; Li Ping'er lowered her head to stare at the dazzling yet temperatureless ornament, then lifted her gaze to Wan Tang's indifferent profile, her eyes filled with clear hurt and disbelief.

Between them, has only such a blunt transaction remained?

"Master…"

"Between you and me," Wan Tang cut her off, her tone decisive, leaving no room for doubt, "we may be strangers, we may be enemies, but we will never be friends again."

Those words were like a poisoned dagger, driving hard into Li Ping'er's chest.

She hurriedly shook her head, eager to explain, her voice shattered: "No, I have never thought of being an enemy to you!"

"Emperor, he never…" she could not finish, tears streaming, "He has never truly favored me."

"Every time I go to Yangxin Hall, I am only made to kneel, kneeling through the whole night."

Wan Tang heard this, her eyes flickered imperceptibly, then quickly returned to stillness.

She merely waved her hand wearily, as if uninterested in these details.

"If you think this hairpin is insufficient," she turned, back to Li Ping'er, her voice as light as a wisp of smoke, bearing a generosity almost cruel.

"Tomorrow, I will petition the Emperor for a favor, granting you an official status."

Having said that, she fell silent and turned away.

Li Ping'er clutched the cold golden hairpin, standing still, watching Wan Tang's back, feeling the blood in her whole body turn icy.

Compensation?

Status?

These have never been what she wanted.

But what she wanted had long been pushed away by her own hand, never to return.

Kunning Palace.

Xiao Mingshu was in a good mood, leisurely sipping a bowl of chilled sweet porridge.

Seeing Liu Guiren enter, she even, rarely, showed a smiling face: "Yo, Liu Guiren has arrived?"

"But what good news have you brought to me this time?"

"Is it that Hui Guifei's side has again shamed Virtuous Consort?"

Her tone was relaxed, as if everything were under her control.

Liu Guiren's expression grew solemn as she hurried forward, whispering: "Your Majesty, I saw Virtuous Consort speaking alone with a Li official's woman in the Palace of Eternal Joy courtyard tonight."

Xiao Mingshu ladled a spoonful of sweet porridge, smiling indifferently: "They are master and servant; what's so surprising about a few words?"

Liu Guiren inhaled deeply: "I heard with my own ears that Virtuous Consort mentioned."

"The Li official's woman is Li Defu's biological daughter!"

"Clang!"

The bowl of sweet porridge in Xiao Mingshu's hand flew out violently.

She sprang up, grabbing Liu Guiren's shoulder tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

Her voice, sharpened by shock and agitation, rang: "What did you say?"

Liu Guiren winced in pain but dared not break free, nodding repeatedly: "I heard it clearly, Virtuous Consort said it with her own mouth!"

Xiao Mingshu's complexion turned deathly pale in an instant.

She released Liu Guiren, stumbling back two steps, her eyes frantic as they turned to Bai Wei beside her: "So that's it, so that's it!"

"Bai Wei, did you hear that?"

"I finally understand! I understand what that scoundrel used to bribe Li Defu's old dog, giving him the courage to betray me!"

Her voice trembled, bearing a belated fear and anger: "She had already seized Li Defu's greatest life‑force!"

"I truly underestimated her!"

Liu Guiren's eyes flicked, then at the right moment showed a worried, fearful expression: "Your Majesty, does that mean we now have no way to deal with Virtuous Consort?"

"No way?" Xiao Mingshu snapped, as if provoked by the words, a fierce cold smile appearing on her face, "Who says I have no way?!"

She took several deep breaths, forced herself to calm, her gaze turning inscrutably deep: "Wan Tang has a Zhang Liang plan; do I really have no ladder over the wall?"

"In my hand, I still hold a lever that will prevent her from ever rising again!"

Liu Guiren immediately followed her words, feigning curiosity: "Leverage? Your Majesty, what do you mean?"

Xiao Mingshu's gaze suddenly sharpened; she stared intently at Liu Guiren, as if trying to see through her flesh to her true thoughts.

Her tone became laden with meaning: "Liu Guiren, do you know who Virtuous Consort's birth mother really is?"

"And who is her maternal grandfather, a divine being perhaps?"

Liu Guiren felt a chill inside, yet her face showed just the right amount of bewilderment as she shook her head: "I do not know."

Xiao Mingshu suddenly let out a smug cold laugh: "Don't know? Not knowing is exactly right."

"This matter," she elongated, her eyes icy, "the fewer who know, the better."

"You only need to know that what I hold in my hand is enough to leave her without a place to be buried!"

【Xiao Mingshu must be ill, how could she give such crucial information to her?】

【With this, Wan Tang has become a little more dangerous.】

【What more, Liu Guiren, from the moment you arrived you have never been a good thing; I don't believe Xiao Mingshu would be that foolish, would trust Liu Guiren so much.】

Wan Tang, though in Palace of Eternal Joy, already knows everything that happened in Kunning Palace.

The next day.

Wan Tang carefully prepared lotus‑leaf porridge and sent it to Yangxin Hall, letting Xiao Shunzi deliver a single sentence to the Emperor: "Your Majesty says the little lotus has already shown its first tip."

Just this one sentence made Chu Yunzheng, who was reviewing the memorial, pause.

He instantly recalled the scene of him and Wan Tang by the lotus pond in the palace's annex garden years ago.

A slight sense of indebtedness had always lingered in his heart.

The recollection tugged at his heart, and he at once instructed Li Defu: "Tell the Virtuous Consort that I will go to Palace of Eternal Joy tonight."