Chapter 22: The Noble Consort Regains Favor

Chu Yunzheng stood with hands behind his back, his burning gaze fixed on the tightly shut hall doors, as though he could see straight through the heavy vermilion lacquer to Wan Tang's heart.

Everyone in the courtyard held their breath, not daring to speak again.

Wan Tang's voice was faint: "Emperor, I am fine."

Xiao Mingshu stepped forward, smoothing her robes, her brows and eyes full of gentle warmth, and said softly, "Emperor, please set your mind at ease. Your dragon body concerns the realm; you must take care."

She raised her sleeve in a guiding gesture, signaling the Guanren to present a calming cup of tea.

"Though this wind affliction came on suddenly, Xie Taiyi has already prepared an effective prescription. With proper care, recovery should come within days."

Chu Yunzheng gave a slight nod at her words, but his gaze still lingered on the tightly shut hall doors: "The Empress is thoughtful."

He took the tea cup but did not drink, his fingertips lightly tracing the celadon: "Xie Taiyi's medical skill is superb. With him personally attending, I can rest easy."

He looked again at Xiao Mingshu: "The many affairs of the Imperial harem, I must trouble you to look after."

The Empress curtsied in salute, the phoenix hairpin at her temple trembling slightly: "It is my duty. But Your Majesty has been toiling for days on end; you should also rest well."

"I will stay with her a while longer." Chu Yunzheng sat in the chair, watching the candles in the room, his eyes dark and unreadable.

"Emperor." Someone else had arrived at the Imperial Palace.

Cai Wei approached with quick small steps, eyes lowered in deference, and reported: "Reporting to Your Majesty, the Noble Consort heard that Sister Wan Tang has fallen ill, and specially ordered someone to deliver premium ginseng and lingzhi, said to have been purchased at great cost from Western Region merchants, most effective for replenishing Qi and nourishing the body."

At these words, a trace of nearly imperceptible annoyance flashed through the Emperor's eyes, yet the corner of his lips curved in a faint smile: "The Noble Consort is thoughtful."

Wan Tang heard this voice from inside the room, and her eyes turned so cold they nearly froze over.

The gifts were accepted, but Cai Wei did not leave, still kneeling there.

For a moment there was silence, only sandalwood incense curling upward, casting the Emperor's profile in ever starker coldness. He gazed at Wan Tang's door and windows, dark currents seemingly stirring in his eyes.

The Emperor finally withdrew his gaze: "Yan'er has rarely come to her senses; I shall go see her. If there is any news from Lady Wan Tang's side, report it at once."

Before the words had finished, attendants were already hurrying after him bearing a gilded hand warmer.

Xiao Mingshu stood in place, watching the Son of Heaven's retinue receding into the distance, before softly instructing those around her: "Go light the Anxi incense that was tributed from the Western Regions, and bring more Ice Blocks."

Xiao Mingshu spoke through the door: "Lady Wan Tang, you must have seen — the Emperor has favored Xu Guifei for nearly ten years, and now she has come out."

"Lady Wan Tang has fallen ill at quite the wrong time."

Wan Tang was very weak: "It is my incompetence."

"Rest well. My affairs are many and I cannot stay long." With that, the Empress departed with her large entourage.

The voices and footsteps in Cuivei Palace grew fewer and fewer, until gradually only one or two people could be heard speaking.

Finally Xi'er called out: "We've been at it all day; everyone go rest."

After that there was not a single sound, only the medicine pot at the door making a gurgling noise.

In the blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

Wan Tang's condition still showed no improvement. Li Taiyi came to see her every day, and every day it was the same line: she still needs to rest and recover.

During these days, Li Ping'er had fully recovered.

She took turns with Qiu Ju brewing medicine.

The Imperial harem was all abuzz — so what if Wan Tang looked like Daji reborn? She was nothing but a timid, ill-fated girl.

A dead man — she took one look and was frightened into illness. And this illness was contagious, too, keeping the Emperor from daring to go near her at all.

Now half a month had passed, and the Emperor had not come to visit even once. Even if she recovered, what use would it be?

Now Xu Guifei had emerged from Jingxin Hall and regained imperial favor. Would a useless sick beauty ever be remembered by the Emperor? She could only silently wither away in the Imperial harem.

No one set foot across Cuivei Palace's threshold again. For one thing, the Master of the palace lacked favor; for another, Xu Luoyan hated Wan Tang to the bone. Weighing the situation — who to cling to and who to avoid — everyone knew perfectly well in their hearts.

Several more days passed. The meal Cai Ju brought was even blander than before. After setting it on the table, she hurried to add well water to the vat, to bring a bit more coolness to the room.

Wan Tang felt stiflingly cooped up indoors. Listening to the cicadas rasping outside, she thought of the fun of catching cicadas as a child, and wanted to take a turn around the courtyard.

Qiu Ju and Li Ping'er flanked her on either side. They had barely stepped out of the courtyard when the people who had been sweeping there suddenly backed away.

They hastily pulled out cloths to cover their mouths and noses, avoiding Wan Tang as though she were the plague.

Qiu Ju was incensed at the sight and stepped forward, calling out: "What are you all doing?"

"It's one thing for outsiders to act like this, but Ping'er and I have served the young Master day and night, and we haven't caught anything."

Li Ping'er gave a snort and rolled her eyes at them.

Xi'er came out just then, her face likewise covered with a cloth: "Young Master, don't blame them. We Nubi have lives too, and must go on living."

"Yes, young Master, we Nubi truly have weak fortunes and are terrified."

"We won't cause trouble for the young Master either. Li Pin's side is short-handed now, so we hope the young Master will show us a way to live and let us leave."

The two eunuchs spoke and immediately knelt on the ground, begging Wan Tang to release them.

Li Ping'er was furious: "What are you doing? The young Master is ill, and you want to leave?"

Wan Tang smiled and called everyone into the courtyard.

Sitting in the cool pavilion, fashioning a cicada-catching pole in her hands, she said without looking up: "My illness does sound frightening, I admit."

"It's been half a month straight, and I've been terribly cooped up indoors. From now on, walking around the courtyard will be a regular occurrence."

"Anyone who is afraid may leave. You've served me for a time, after all, and I have nothing much to give you."

Wan Tang brought out a box of pearls — a reward from the Empress at their first meeting.

Though not the finest quality, each pearl was worth at least ten-odd years' worth of silver.

"Whoever wishes to leave, take one pearl, and you may go."

No one dared act rashly, but their eyes were fixed on the pearls, unable to look away.

The two who had spoken first were not shy about it — they came forward and each took a pearl, thanking her repeatedly.

Wan Tang gave a cold laugh: "Since you can go work for Li Pin, congratulations are in order."

Those two were equally oblivious: "Serving Li Pin is still better than serving a sickly Lady of Grace."

"We're leaving too."

Someone led the way, and in twos and threes others stepped forward, each holding a pearl, their faces smiling as they left.

Some were excited at the chance to climb up to Li Pin, while others were happy to have obtained a pearl.

The pearls in the box were more than half gone, yet the people below did not move.

Xiao Shunzi staying behind was expected, but Wan Tang was surprised that Xi'er also did not leave.

Not only Xi'er, but also the aunt in charge, two palace maids, and a young eunuch.

Li Ping'er and Qiu Ju naturally stayed by Wan Tang's side.

Wan Tang saw this, and with a hint of cold indifference in her voice said, "You all know I was once a palace maid myself."

"Without favor, I have no standing in the Imperial harem. Now this illness of mine, I don't know when it will heal. If you leave now, you can still receive some rewards."

"No one can predict the future; if you dare stay, even mountains of knives and seas of fire you must endure together. If anyone backs out midway, don't blame my poisonous heart; I will have no tolerance at all."

The air seemed almost solidified.

Another person, timidly, stepped forward, grabbed a pearl and fled.

Li Ping'er, furious, shouted, "All you are heartless scum, get out, get out right now!"

"Hmph, Li Ping'er, you're scolding loudly now; later you'll only have the part of envying."

"Being so ill, you still expect her to recover, to regain favor?"

"Then you all go suffer alongside her!"

Li Ping'er, still angry, grabbed a broom as if to strike someone.

The remaining were only the aunt in charge, Xiao Shunzi, Li Ping'er and Qiu Ju, as well as Xi'er and Xiao The Bracelet.

Wan Tang looked at Xi'er and Xiao The Bracelet, her brows slightly furrowing.

"Everyone, get up!" Wan Tang said. "From now on you're all family; I will treat you as relatives."

【Now the distribution of people in Cuivei Palace is much simpler; Xi'er belongs to the Empress, so she won't act against Wan Tang.】

【But there's no reason for Xiao The Bracelet to stay. Does Xiao The Bracelet truly wish to follow Wan Tang?】

【The upstairs is laughable; didn't they see that Xiao The Bracelet is Li Pin's person? Li Pin belongs to the Noble Consort.】

【The heroine is the heroine; in such a crucial spot, how could they let it go?】

Wan Tang gradually buried the coldness deep in her eyes, but her face appeared as if nothing were wrong.

The Imperial Palace was cleared out, making things much simpler.

Wan Tang lifted the pole, and each time she caught a cicada, she couldn't help but let out a giggle.

"Little sister, what a refined hobby. I spend my days serving the Emperor, exhausted. Yet you, catching cicadas for pleasure, how leisurely."

Xu Luoyan wore a gown of golden threads and a hundred butterflies, a flower‑cloud silk dress, with a pearl between her hair, and her Step Shake swayed lightly with each step.

Wan Tang's eyes darkened, yet she promptly observed Palace Rules and bowed, saying coolly, "Noble Consort, please stay, lest you contract the illness."

"I have heard you are ill, sister, and have come to visit. Why are you so distant?" Xu Luoyan's ruby lips opened, her voice sweet as honey, though a hint of condescending pride lingered at the corners of her eyes.

The accompanying palace maid entered carrying a brocade box, laying out an array of rare medicinal herbs on the table in a single line, as if to make a show of it.

Qiu Ju and Li Ping'er hurriedly knelt and paid their respects.

Wan Tang gave a perfunctory smile and said, "Noble Consort, having returned from training at the Jingxin Hall, how could this Subject dare to overreach my elder sister?"

The matters reflected in Jingxin Hall were already a pain in Xu Luoyan's heart. Her smile could no longer be held.

"Wretched maid!" she hissed, scolding, "You still dare bring this up; I will tear your mouth to shreds."

The experiences of this period left Xu Luoyan feeling like a fishbone stuck in her throat.

At the slightest mention, she almost wanted to kill.

Li Ping'er, fearing danger to Wan Tang, instinctively stepped forward and blocked in front of her.

"Get out of the way," Xu Luoyan roared.

Li Ping'er's gaze was firm; she stood before Wan Tang refusing to leave, shouting, "Noble Consort, please calm your anger."

"Your Highness, she is Li Ping'er," Cai Wei whispered beside them.

Xu Luoyan withdrew the hand that was about to strike, looking at Li Ping'er with amused interest, a playful smile on her face: "Who are you? Heh, being watched, that's all there is."

After finishing, she turned to Wan Tang, sneering, "The one I want, you dare to snatch? Fool, in my hand it's a fragrant bun, but in yours it becomes a deadly poison."

"Not necessarily," Wan Tang faced Xu Luoyan, sneering, "Sister won't forget, will she? If it weren't for me, you might not have gotten this news."

"A lowly maid bestowed upon a eunuch…"

"Sister, watch your words," Wan Tang's mouth twitched upward, speaking calmly, "The Jingren Palace has just been repaired; could you still intend to go to Jingxin Hall?"

"Wan Tang, I think you don't want to live," Xu Luoyan said, her face flushed with anger.

Wan Tang replied slowly, "Of course I do; I still want to live well."

"Heh, then you still dare to fight me?" Xu Luoyan sneered, "Do you deserve it?"

Wan Tang kept her smile, saying word for word, "At least now the Phoenix Seal has returned to the Empress's hands; the Empress is healthy, so she likely won't give this chance to anyone else."

"Kill you!" Xu Luoyan's tone suddenly hardened, murderous intent unmistakable in her eyes.