Chapter 194: The Sixteenth of Next Month

The news reached Palace of Eternal Joy, and immediately everyone was bustling with joy.

The Emperor had not specially come to Palace of Eternal Joy for dinner in a long time, so the palace staff cleaned and arranged everything with extra care.

The Low-Rank Imperial Concubines in the palace were even more ecstatic, meticulously grooming and dressing, hoping to catch even a hint of the Emperor's attention at this rare occasion.

Wan Tang seemed much lighter in spirit; she ordered a banquet to be set up in the courtyard, elegantly naming it "Enjoying the Early Summer New Moon Together."

Liu Guiren and Su Guiren arrived early to help with the preparations.

Su Guiren cradled a small wine jar as if it were a treasure, her cheeks flushed: "Virtuous Consort sister, this is the Peach Blossom Brew I brewed myself."

Wan Tang was a bit surprised, took the jar and examined it, then smiled: "I recall you said this was meant for your brother?"

Su Guiren's face flushed instantly, fidgeting with her fingers, her voice as thin as a mosquito's: "I wanted the Emperor to taste it."

Liu Guiren beside her gently nudged her with an elbow, covering her mouth teasingly: "Hey~ our Su Guiren has grown up!"

"Counting the days, in another month it'll be the sixteenth, right?"

"Seems you're impatient, thinking about receiving favor?"

Wan Tang's smile faded slightly; she looked at Su Guiren's clear, bottomless eyes, full of yearning and shyness, and a barely perceptible worry flashed in her own.

She paused thoughtfully, then suddenly said, "Xiao Susu."

Her voice was gentle yet decisive: "Since this is your heartfelt wish, tonight you shall accompany me and the Emperor to enjoy the moon together."

Su Guiren, hearing this, was first stunned, then a huge delight surged within her.

Her eyes lit up astonishingly, as if about to leap, and she nodded repeatedly: "Really? Thank you, Virtuous Consort sister."

Liu Guiren's teasing smile froze instantly, and intense jealousy welled uncontrollably in her eyes.

But she quickly lowered her head, using the adjustment of her skirt to conceal it.

When she looked up again, she was once more wearing a face of happiness for Su Guiren.

During a lull in the courtyard's banquet preparations, Liu Guiren found a moment and slipped up to Wan Tang's side,

her face bearing just the right amount of concern, she whispered: "Virtuous Consort, I just went to pay respects to the Empress and inadvertently overheard something."

"It seems… related to you, Your Highness."

Wan Tang, while directing the palace staff to hang glazed lanterns, paused slightly at the words.

She turned her head, a perfectly timed surprise on her face: "Oh? What did the Empress say?"

Liu Guiren felt a secret delight: "I didn't hear clearly, but it seemed connected to your lineage, Your Highness."

"It also involves your mother and maternal grandfather."

She spoke while carefully observing Wan Tang's expression.

After listening, Wan Tang's face showed an almost indifferent calm, even a faint, nonchalant smile at the corners of her mouth: "Oh? So that's it."

Her tone was airy, as if she were only commenting on today's weather: "I never thought it was a big matter."

"Never mind, they're all old affairs, it doesn't matter."

Liu Guiren was stunned, having not expected such a reaction.

She, unwillingly, emphasized again: "Your Highness! I saw the Empress speak with great seriousness."

"It may not be a trivial matter; you'd better be cautious!"

Wan Tang smiled and patted her hand, her tone relaxed: "Alright, I understand."

"Thank you, Liu Guiren, for the reminder; I will keep an eye on it."

Seeing her unmoved, Liu Guiren could only sigh in frustration, uttered a few formal words, then excused herself to attend to other matters and left.

When she walked away, the perfunctory smile on Wan Tang's face vanished without a trace.

She whispered to Xiao Shunzi, her voice devoid of warmth: "Immediately deliver a message to Qi Er, have him secretly bring all the Wang family women and all information to my hands as soon as possible."

Xiao Shunzi felt a chill and promptly agreed.

Wan Tang paused briefly, then continued ordering, her tone decisive: "Besides, the palace has recently received many gifts."

"Find a way to smuggle those unnecessary, hard-to-trace items out of the palace in batches, exchange them for cash as capital."

She pulled a neatly stacked sheet of paper from her sleeve and handed it to Xiao Shunzi.

It was filled with dense tiny characters, all the bits of information she had gathered over time from the "Barrage."

Combining practical circumstances, she compiled modern business ideas and some novel item formulas; though unsystematic, they were strikingly impressive.

"Following what's written, find trustworthy fresh faces in the capital, quietly open a few shops." Her gaze deep, "These enterprises, from start to finish, must never be known to Qi Qi."

Xiao Shunzi took the paper with both hands; though it felt weightless, it seemed to weigh over a thousand pounds, making his palms sweat.

He understood the gravity, immediately bowed: "I, the servant, understand; I will handle it at once!"

Night deepened.

When Chu Yunzheng arrived, Wan Tang was leaning against a cool chair, looking up at the moon; her profile in the moonlight appeared especially graceful and tranquil.

He waved away the courtiers' bows, walked straight to her side, and naturally pulled her into his arms, both gazing at the crescent new moon.

"Today does have a touch of leisure and elegance," Chu Yunzheng said in a low voice, with a rare hint of relaxation.

Wan Tang rested in his arms, a smile at the corner of her mouth: "Summer nights, cool breezes, are perfect for moon‑gazing. With the Emperor present, it's even better."

The two whispered softly, their posture intimate and natural, as if they were just an ordinary loving couple enjoying a tranquil moment.

Soon, Su Guiren arrived, cradling her jar of Peach Blossom Brew, timid yet full of anticipation.

She performed a proper bow, her voice crisp: "I, the servant, present myself to the Emperor, and to the Virtuous Consort."

Chu Yunzheng lifted his eyes, saw her, and a hint of smile appeared on his face.

His tone was also much gentler: "Rise."

"For someone as cold as Su Yanci to have such a rabbit‑like, obedient and cute sister is indeed a rarity."

Being praised so bluntly by the Emperor, Su Guiren blushed to the point of her face turning scarlet.

She whispered a defense, with a hint of pride: "My brother never liked to smile as a child; his stern face was frightening."

So I always keep trying to make him laugh.

Chu Yunzheng was amused by her simple demeanor and chatted with her about everyday matters.

But his attention, evidently, was still more on Wan Tang in his arms.

He would casually smooth Wan Tang's wind‑disheveled side‑hair and, by her hand, take a bite of the snack on her plate.

He whispered a comment, "Too sweet," yet his gaze always held a permissive smile.

Wan Tang would also pout‑ily glare at him, and the affection and tacit understanding in her eyes were a realm no outsider could intrude upon.

These scenes, falling into the eyes of Su Guiren, who was witnessing the imperial consort's interaction up close for the first time, were just like a pair of celestial lovers stepping out of a storybook.

Her eyes widened, she held a wine cup, forgot to drink or speak, and could only murmur softly:

"Emperor and Virtuous Consort truly are a perfect match, heaven‑and‑earth‑made pair."

"Watching you feels like seeing the deep love of the mandarin ducks described in the storybooks."

"In the future, you will surely grow old together, with everlasting love."

The envy and yearning in her tone were pure, without a trace of impurity.

Wan Tang, hearing that, promptly flushed with a shy pink hue, nestling in Chu Yunzheng's arms.

Yet a fleeting, barely perceptible worry flashed across her eyes.

She half‑covered her face with a folding fan and scolded, "You little child, what do you know about growing old together?"

Su Guiren immediately pouted in displeasure, retorting, "I'm not a child any more!"

"Next month… next month I'll turn sixteen!"

"Oh?" Chu Yunzheng seemed just to recall it, his gaze landing on Su Guiren's youthful, delicate face.

His tone carried a vague sentiment, "Time really does pass so quickly."

In the depths of his eyes flickered a swift, imperial‑weighing and scheming glimmer.

Wan Tang keenly caught that momentary change.

Her heart sank slightly.

The smile on her face remained gentle and appropriate, yet the fingers holding the fan subtly tightened.

【Sigh! Xiao Susu is still too young, completely bewitched by the Dog Emperor's looks.】

【How can the Dog Emperor be in love with everyone? Even Tangtang has been treading on thin ice for so long before any change occurred.】

【Moreover, the Dog Emperor has always valued Su Yanci's talent; this person, adept in both civil and martial arts, is indifferent to fame and fortune, and the Dog Emperor constantly seeks ways to have Su Yanci serve the nation.】

【Unfortunately, Su Yanci is also a master at counter‑PUA; not only did he not get brainwashed by the Emperor, the Dog Emperor even envies his carefree attitude.】

【The Dog Emperor has raised Xiao Susu in the palace since she was fourteen, not unlike keeping the talent Su Yanci close by his side.】

Wan Tang suddenly felt a churn in her stomach.

The scheming within the court only made her feel immense dread.

Is it that, in their eyes, nothing outweighs profit when it comes to tangled emotions?

After the banquet dispersed, Su Guiren returned, her heart full of beautiful romantic longing. Wan Tang accompanied Chu Yunzheng back to the main hall.

In the inner chambers, the wet‑nurse brought in the peacefully sleeping Minghui Princess.

Chu Yunzheng carefully took his daughter from the wet‑nurse's hands, the tiny, soft bundle nestled in his broad arms, sleeping soundly.

He stood side by side with Wan Tang, bowing his head to gaze at their daughter's tranquil sleeping face, his eyes filled with parental softness and warmth.

The candlelight in the hall was warm, the atmosphere quiet, serene, and beautiful.

Wan Tang, watching this scene, felt a slight stir in her heart and gently seized the chance to say, "Emperor, I wish to request a favor for Ping'er'er."

Chu Yunzheng's gaze lingered on their daughter's face, his tone gentle, "Hmm? Speak."

"Ping'er'er has served me once, and now has caught the Emperor's favor. I wonder if I could grant her an official position?"

"So that she may have some support within the palace thereafter." Wan Tang's voice was soft, earnest.

Chu Yunzheng, hearing this, finally lifted his eyes to Wan Tang, his gaze deep, paused a moment, then said, "I grant it."

He held his daughter, took two steps forward, his voice steady yet pointed, "But Tangtang, you must remember."

"I give her this position not because she is Yan Wang's person."

"I do it for your face, because you asked."

Wan Tang immediately stepped forward, gently pressed her cheek against his solid chest, her voice soft and compliant, "I understand."

"Emperor's regard for me, I have always understood."

Her tone shifted slightly, adding a perfectly timed softness, "But the Empress's side ultimately has many people and great strength."

"I sometimes think that having one or two people nearby who know me well and also enjoy the Emperor's favor would make my heart steadier."

Chu Yunzheng lowered his head, watching her dependent posture, and with a free hand pinched her cheek.

His tone, bearing imperial confidence and domineering authority, "Nonsense."

"With me here, why should you fear her many people and great strength?"

"You should understand that in this palace, having me alone is enough to counter ten thousand troops."

"What I give you is the real reliance."

Wan Tang instantly lifted her face, her eyes full of admiration and moved.

A flattery burst out, "Emperor, that's exactly what you said!"

"I was overthinking. With the Emperor protecting me, I fear nothing."

"Emperor truly is my heaven, my greatest blessing!"

These words were exceedingly flattering; Chu Yunzheng's heart swelled with joy, his laugh bright.

Li Defu, stationed outside the hall, heard the news of his daughter's promotion approval and couldn't help but show a proud, gratified expression on his aged face.

His back involuntarily straightened a few inches.

However, just as the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful, Ouyang Qing entered the hall with a panicked expression and hurried steps.

He didn't even have time to wait for the messenger; with a thud he fell to his knees, his voice trembling with fear:

"Emperor! It's not good!"

"Xu Chengyuan fell gravely ill tonight... and died!"