Chapter 21: Suddenly Gravely Ill

Ningxiang Palace, a dead body!

Yesterday she was still arguing with reason, the naive and innocent An Daying, and now she lies dead in the abandoned Ningxiang Palace.

Many people arrived, each one hurried past Wan Tang.

There are no extra traces around; An Daying died by suicide hanging.

Wan Tang stepped forward to take a look; An Daying's face was ashen, her tongue protruded oddly long, and her eyes were wide open.

【This death look is abnormal at a glance; look at the bruises on her neck, those are clearly from being strangled.】

【Based on my observation, the most likely killer of An Daying is Xu Luoyan.】

【Indeed, if An Daying hadn't spoken out, perhaps Xu Luoyan would have regained favor.】

【Who would have thought that even while confined in the Jingxin Hall for reflection, Xu Luoyan's abilities are still this great.】

When the wind blows, even though it's midsummer, Wan Tang feels intensely cold.

She used to think Xu Luoyan was arrogant, brainless, pretentious and overbearing. Wan Tang had constantly mediated Xu Luoyan's situation, scouring for information, buying people's hearts for her, so that she could clearly understand the strengths and weaknesses of her opponents.

Wan Tang never imagined that Xu Luoyan could actually kill.

Recalling what Chu Yunzheng said this morning, could he know about the harem's power struggles?

Or perhaps he has already tacitly allowed this place to become a miniature hunting ground, watching the tigers fight?

How terrifying would it be without the Emperor's favor?

And the Emperor is the only flesh in this hunting ground, and now Wan Tang has it in her mouth.

What will become of her fate?

The sun burns painfully, yet her body is also freezing.

Her chest grows increasingly painful; Wan Tang avoids everyone and struggles back to the palace.

Just as she stepped through the gate of Cuivei Palace, darkness suddenly fell before her eyes and she fell to the ground.

Fortunately it was only a bout of heatstroke; she returned to her room, drank some ice water, and came to.

Xi'er was outside giving a lecture, making every Nubi kneel. Wan Tang went out alone, returned and got heatstroke; if any slip occurred, none of them would survive.

Wan Tang had someone move the Ice Block in front of the soft collapse, her mind unsettled.

Li Ping'er took medicine and is feeling better. With Qiu Ju's support, she limped in.

Her eyes red, she said with concern, "Young Master was frightened; Ping'er has some folk remedies brought in from outside."

"Young Master, at least use some."

A clean handkerchief unfolded, revealing a small box in the palm, which held a tiny pill.

"Just a startle isn't a big deal; I fear that the future will be lived in constant fright." Wan Tang let out a long sigh.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself the moment she decided to stay in the palace.

But innocent people dying unjustly because of her is still her first time.

Li Ping'er, seeing Wan Tang's melancholy, thought and said, "When I feel better, I'll make some pear syrup candy for the young master."

"When I was outside the palace, I learned many crafts. In Su Hang I learned to make vinegar fish. On the steppe I learned butter tea. And stone buns…"

Speaking of the outside, Li Ping'er, though covered in wounds, smiled with a pure, radiant cheer.

It made Wan Tang feel a bit envious.

Her thoughts grew clearer, and she instructed, "Alright Ping'er, from now on tell me well about the sky beyond the palace, the land beyond the palace."

"But remember, from now on you must not speak a word out of turn to anyone else."

Li Ping'er suddenly looked nervous and said, "Nubi, I've noted it."

At that moment, a laugh rang from outside the door.

"Hahaha, everyone says Lady of Grace Wan is a fox seductress, but who would have thought she's actually a sickly one."

"Lady Wan, I am Ning Daying."

Ning Daying chuckled, "At yesterday's fan appreciation gathering, I set my eyes on that pine fan; I had intended after the meeting to beg someone to get it for me."

"I didn't expect the Emperor gave it all to you."

She wore a teal‑green outfit, her hair tied up, looking fresh and crisp.

She walked with strong steps, unlike the other young master who seemed like a weak wind supporting a willow.

"Lady Wan, I brought some items to trade with you; are you willing?"

A maid behind her stepped forward, opened the box, and inside was gold.

When it comes to elegance, gold and platinum are naturally vulgar. Yet in the harem, without gold or silver, how can one manage affairs? It would be impossible.

These days Wan Tang has collected many fabrics, jewels, calligraphy and antiques. Yet all these items are registered with the Imperial Household Department, so she could hardly dare to take them out.

A hundred taels of gold would exactly relieve Wan Tang's difficulty.

"You're being modest, sister." Wan Tang smiled faintly and ordered, "Go fetch the fan that Ning Daying wants."

【Is Wan Tang foolish?】

【These fans are all tribute and treasures; where could a hundred taels of gold buy them?】

【A loss‑making deal! It seems Wan Tang has no concept of luxury goods.】

Wan Tang found it amusing.

Some things can be measured with money, but others cannot.

Just like Ning Daying's status.

Consort Hui never competes for favor; living alone in the palace she remains solitary, with no one daring to approach her.

One can see how illustrious her family background is.

And Ning Daying is the Ning family's envoy sent to vie for favor in place of Consort Hui. Who would have guessed the two share such a strikingly similar temperament.

Having little interest in the Emperor, the two sisters have each other for company. Consort Hui is no longer lonely; she simply stops attending any banquets.

Wan Tang is not interested in the gold, but in Ning Daying's needs.

Ning Daying cupped the round fan in both hands, reluctant to let it go.

Those fair hands, also washed over and over, lest the fan in her hands be wronged.

The gold was placed on the table.

Ning Daying walked a few steps, then turned back.

They smiled at Wan Tang and said, "Actually, you're not a disliked person."

"Never mind, I also know this bit of gold is at your expense. But there's no choice; the money Father gave this month is just this left."

"Everyone is straightforward, I'll add a price for you."

Ning Daying's face bore a playful smile, walked a few steps, and leaned close to Wan Tang's ear.

In a whisper said, "I heard that the Northern Desert Khan has abundant grain, strong troops, and has been training day after day lately…"

"Xu Luoyan's father and brother volunteered to offer their swords, the Emperor was greatly pleased."

"Two hours ago, someone was sent to bring Xu Luoyan from Jingxin Hall back to Jingren Palace."

Ning Daying, smiling brightly, held the fan, like a child walking and saying, "So beautiful, truly gorgeous, extremely beautiful."

Ning Daying left.

【I told you, Xu Luoyan is the heroine, she can't be taken down easily.】

【The protagonist's aura is indeed strong; even offending the Emperor, she can still be released easily.】

【Wan Tang, beware, Xu Luoyan bears a deep grudge against you; she will surely want you dead when she appears.】

"Young master, what's wrong with you?"

"Young master, please don't frighten the servant!"

Qiu Ju was attending nearby, hurriedly asked.

Wan Tang then realized that her hand was trembling so violently.

She sat there, like an old monk in meditation, her eyes changing expression rapidly. At times a bitter smile, at times a sigh, at times gnashing her teeth.

She exhausted all schemes, leveraged everything to get Xu Luoyan into Jingxin Hall. Yet merely because of a single word from Xu's father, Xu Luoyan emerged.

Is this the power of family background?

Wan Tang slowly closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, tiny tears clung to her eyelashes.

Her clenched fists also slowly relaxed; even if she were alone, she would still claw for survival, forcing herself into a safer environment.

"Qiu Ju, close the doors and windows!" Wan Tang said, "If I fall ill, we'll summon Xie Taiyi."

Qiu Ju dared not delay, hurriedly obeyed.

Wan Tang walked slowly to the table, gulped hot water, then placed an ice block in her mouth, repeating this, her body grew increasingly scorching.

Wan Tang fell ill.

When the favored Lady fell ill, who would dare be negligent? The Imperial Medical Institute staff arrived at Cuivei Palace within half an hour.

Li Ping'er was recuperating in the servants' quarters, leaving only Qiu Ju by her side. Xie Taiyi glanced at Wan Tang's complexion, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes.

He asked, "Young master feels cold all over, seems to have caught a chill? Yet also appears to have been greatly frightened."

Wan Tang replied calmly, "Lately I've been absent‑minded, constantly startled severely."

Xie Taiyi remained composed, not surprised: "Young master wishes to calm the spirit, or to eradicate it?"

"Xie Taiyi, I am exhausted and weak, I fear I may not see anyone again."

Wan Tang spoke, giving Qiu Ju a signal.

Qiu Ju hurriedly slipped two gold ingots into the medical box, silently withdrew to guard the doorway.

"Young master, what does this mean?"

Wan Tang, after ten years of suffering in the palace, being gentle does not mean frail. She rose, despite illness, and walked to Xie Taiyi.

First she covered the red mole on her forehead with a bit of dough, then dotted some freckles on her face; before any further changes, Xie Taiyi's eyes clearly showed shock.

He exclaimed, "Earlier I thought you resembled that child, never imagined…"

"Xie Taiyi." Wan Tang's eyes were slightly red, softly sighing, "That year of heavy snow, I was merely a humble palace maid; had you been merciful and rescued me, I fear I would not have saved this leg now."

In her fourth year in the palace, Xu Luoyan was at the height of favor. Because the Emperor praised Wan Tang with a line about a willow‑waist lotus step, Xu Luoyan punished her to kneel in the snow for an entire night. Her legs were frozen numb; had Xie Taiyi not hurried back to fetch something, Wan Tang would have become a cripple.

Recalling that kindness, Wan Tang immediately bowed in thanks.

"Young master, good fortune has its own heavenly sign." Xie Taiyi hurriedly supported, "Now you have changed your appearance, let the past matters not linger in your heart."

Xie Taiyi's peripheral glance measured the gold, about twenty taels. Then he slowly said, "Today, Young master, what do you request?"

"Xie Taiyi, the palace's scheming is not meant to sully your eyes. Yet I am terribly frightened, I want to live." Wan Tang's gaze burned.

Xie Taiyi nodded slightly: "A gentleman keeps his tools ready for the right time; you have amassed virtue in the past, good karma will follow."

"This prescription can treat wind‑cold and also heal the heart, please decoct it on schedule, only then can the whole body be protected from harm."

Wan Tang rose again, grateful: "Xie Taiyi, your great kindness I will keep in my heart."

"Young master, take care." Xie Taiyi left the palace.

When Qiu Ju came in to fetch the prescription, she discovered the two gold ingots had been placed aside.

Wan Tang held the gold, warmth in her eyes; even in this icy harem, if there is a crack, one can still find that faint glimmer.

Wan Tang's gentle warmth, this epidemic disease, once recorded by the Imperial Medical Institute, the case was swiftly sent to the holder of the Phoenix Seal.

The Empress, upon hearing, dared not delay a moment, immediately moved to Cuivei Palace, beginning to arrange isolation measures.

Inside Cuivei Palace, palace maids and eunuchs had long been ordered to act, burning incense, sweeping, sealing the gates; everything was orderly.

Chu Yunzheng, concerned for Wan Tang, hurried with dragon steps, personally rode to Cuivei Palace.

Just upon reaching the courtyard gate, about to step inside, he saw all the palace staff kneeling on the ground, foreheads pressed to the blue bricks, all urging in unison: "Please, Your Majesty, prioritize the dragon body!"

"We beg Your Imperial Majesty to halt! Do not contract the illness!"

Chu Yunzheng's gaze deepened, sweeping over the kneeling crowd like a cold star; the aura of authority instantly enveloped the entire courtyard.

He lifted his head and stood tall, his voice booming like thunder through the hall doors: "Tangtang, don't be afraid, I am right outside!"