Chapter 239: Li Ping'er

Every time Xiao Huihui appears, she never fails to amaze me.

How beautiful this dance is, yet why does watching it make me so sad.

Don't be sad; at least the Tiger Tally is now in Xu Yanchuan's hands. Wan Tang now has the strongest confidence. Her own younger brother is a Commander who holds military authority.

As long as Xu Yanchuan returns victorious from this battle, despite his young age, he is already a presence that the Xiao Family must fear.

Moreover, if we add the resources Wan Tang holds, we could stand on equal footing with the Xiao Family.

Within the Imperial harem, aside from the Empress Dowager, no one wishes to embarrass Wan Tang.

Wan Tang's gaze remained calm as she continued to look at Hui Guifei.

When the last banner of the procession vanished beyond Xuanwu Gate, Hui Guifei's final movement froze in place.

She breathed lightly, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead, and the sorrow in her eyes was like an impenetrable dense fog.

"I never knew, my beloved consort, that you possessed such dancing grace."

Chu Yunzheng's voice came from behind; he had somehow already ascended the city tower, his gaze flickering between Wan Tang and Hui Guifei.

With curiosity, he said, "Having entered the palace for nearly ten years, this is the first time I've seen it."

Wan Tang's heart tightened, about to speak, but Hui Guifei had already turned away.

Her face lacked the usual coyness of an Imperial Concubine before the emperor; instead it bore a candid sharpness.

"Emperor," she said, her voice clear, meeting Chu Yunzheng's gaze without hesitation, "this dance is not to entertain you, but a War Dance."

"I perform this for the soldiers about to bathe in blood on the battlefield, praying they may raise the banner in victory and return triumphant!"

Her words rang like clashing steel, as if accompanied by the sound of swords and warhorses: "Now the Northern Border is unsettled, and unrest flares elsewhere as well. I, merely a woman, cannot go to the front to slay enemies; only with this dance do I pray for the mountains and rivers to remain safe, and the nation to prosper!"

These words, weighty as a thrown stone, elevated personal feeling to the level of national righteousness, leaving Chu Yunzheng momentarily speechless.

His face turned a mottled pallor, embarrassed that the dance was not for him, and also unable to refute her righteous, stern words.

After a while, he managed a faint smile, dryly praising, "Beloved consort… you truly understand the great righteousness; my heart is greatly comforted."

Hui Guifei, however, seemed to have completed some ritual; the solemnity on her face lifted instantly, leaving only a faint weariness.

She did not look at the Emperor, only gave Wan Tang a slight nod: "I am weary. Since the Emperor is here, let the Virtuous Consort's younger sister attend to him."

Having spoken, she turned abruptly, her water‑red dance skirt cutting a decisive arc in the wind as she floated away, leaving a dashing yet distant silhouette.

Ning Daying stood awkwardly in place, hastily bowing to the Emperor.

She whispered, "I take my leave," then lifted her skirt and jogged off to chase her sister.

On the city tower, only Chu Yunzheng and Wan Tang remained, the atmosphere momentarily stagnant.

Chu Yunzheng stared toward the direction where Hui Guifei vanished, his gaze complex and unreadable.

Wan Tang looked toward Hui Guifei's departing path, her eyes flashing with bright light, sincerely praising, "Sister Hui, you truly are like a wild, untamed fiery horse."

Chu Yunzheng heard this, turned his head, his gaze falling heavily upon her face.

His fingertip gently pinched her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes: "Tangtang, your words sound as if you were rebuking me."

"To trap such a fiery horse within these four palace walls?"

Wan Tang felt a chill in her heart, yet a gentle smile blossomed on her face as she pressed her cheek against his palm, lightly rubbing.

Her eyes, swirling with dependence, asked, "Why does the Emperor think so much?"

"Even the fiercest horse, if it earns the true dragon emperor's favor, is that not its destiny?"

She lightly hooked her fingertip around his Dragon Robe Jade Belt, "I simply think sister's dancing is captivating, but what I envy most is that she can so openly and righteously pray for the Emperor and the soldiers."

She rose onto her tiptoes, breathing a fragrant sigh by his ear, "If the Emperor likes it, I will also learn that War Dance, performing it solely for you alone, shall we?"

Chu Yunzheng's sharpness softened a bit, pinching her earlobe: "Your words are sweet."

Taking advantage, Wan Tang wrapped his arm, leaning her soft body toward him: "Because the Emperor treats me well, my heart is sweet, and naturally my words become sweet as well."

She pointed at the sparrows frolicking on a nearby branch, "Your Majesty, see, even they know to seek the finest branch to perch upon."

"Across the whole world, is there any place better than by the Emperor's side?"

Chu Yunzheng finally smiled, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they walked toward Palace of Eternal Joy.

Who could have known that just upon reaching the Gongmen, they would encounter Su Guiren kneeling in the road.

She lifted her pale little face, eyes filled with a desperate gamble: "Emperor, I miss my brother, and I miss home."

"I beg the Emperor's mercy, allow me to return home for a visit."

Wan Tang snorted a cold laugh inwardly, yet her face showed just the right mix of surprise and concern, gently shaking the Emperor's arm: "Your Majesty, see, Sister Su is yearning for her family."

"Come to think of it…" her eyes twinkled mischievously, "I have just received some new tea in the palace; perhaps Sister Su could taste it together?"

"That would also fulfill her longing for home."

Su Guiren, upon hearing Wan Tang's tea invitation, immediately showed caution in her eyes.

She clenched her sleeves, her voice stubborn: "I have received the Virtuous Consort's kindness, I understand."

"But at this moment I truly have no mood for tea; I only hope the Emperor can empathize with my yearning for family…"

Wan Tang, unhurried, gently swayed her round fan and sighed, "I understand your feelings, sister. It's just…"

She shifted her tone, her gaze gentle toward the Emperor, "Your Majesty attends to countless affairs daily; the Former Dynasty's wars are pressing, and the Northern Border has just dispatched troops."

"If sister clings to the Emperor like this, does it not put him in a difficult position?"

"How about this: tomorrow I will petition the Empress Dowager to permit your mother to enter the palace for an audience."

"Talking about personal matters within our sisters' palace is better than troubling the Emperor with these family affairs, don't you think?"

These words both highlighted the Emperor's busy state affairs and displayed her considerate magnanimity, while also implying Su Guiren's immaturity.

Su Guiren was left speechless, her eyes instantly reddening.

At the moment of her desperation, Chu Yunzheng suddenly stood up.

He raised his hand to stop Wan Tang from speaking further, his gaze landing on Su Guiren's pear‑blossom‑wet small face.

"Enough," he said, his tone revealing no joy or anger, "just a child longing for home."

He walked up to Su Guiren and actually helped her up himself: "I will dine with you this evening."

Su Guiren opened her eyes in disbelief, and even Wan Tang was slightly startled.

Chu Yunzheng turned his head to Wan Tang and said, "Beloved consort, return to the palace first; I will come to see you later."

When passing by Wan Tang, his steps faltered slightly, and in a voice only the two of them could hear, he said, "Tangtang, excess is as bad as deficiency."

Wan Tang lowered her head to see him off, and the hand hidden in her sleeve tightened silently.

Watching the Emperor leave with the tearful yet overjoyed Su Guiren, she still kept a proper smile on her face.

Little Luzi leaned in and whispered a complaint, "Your Highness, this Su Guiren is just…"

"Silence." Wan Tang cut in coldly, a flash of sharpness in her eyes, "Both thunder and rain are the Emperor's grace; no one may question the Emperor's decision."

【It's clear that they know Su Yanci is about to return, the Emperor must speed up his actions and strike in time, to retain that idle cloud crane.】

【Little Luzi is originally the Emperor's man, so Tangtang must be careful!】

【If not, Little Luzi is here to test Wan Tang's reaction on behalf of the Dog Emperor.】

Wan Tang watched the back of the Emperor and Su Guiren walking away together, and the fingertips hidden in her sleeve dug deep into her palm.

Yet her face appropriately showed a touch of loneliness and grievance, aptly displaying the demeanor a neglected consort should have.

She turned and faced the Little Luzi who was following step for step behind her.

She sighed lightly, her voice carrying a forced calm, "Sister Su is young, misses her family deeply; the Emperor should show more compassion, which is proper."

"General Su serves the nation; the Emperor's comforting his sister also steadies the troops."

"As a consort, one should prioritize the Emperor and the realm; how could one, for personal selfishness, unnecessarily trouble the Emperor?"

Little Luzi quickly bowed and agreed, "Your Highness truly understands the greater cause; Nubi admires you."

Returning to the inner hall, she dismissed the other palace ladies, and Wan Tang seemed to have all her strength drained in an instant.

Alone she sat by the window, watching the dusk close in outside, her silhouette appearing thin and desolate.

She gently embraced the running Minghui, pressing her face against her daughter's soft hair top.

Her voice was low and hoarse, with a heavy nasal tone:

"Minghui, do you miss Father Emperor?"

"Mother Consort also misses him…"

"But Father Emperor is the Emperor; many people need his company, many affairs keep him busy… we must be sensible, understand?"

Her voice grew lower, tinged with suppressed sobbing.

She portrayed a consort who deeply loves her husband yet must endure and act with great composure, to perfection.

This performance will soon be conveyed verbatim through Little Luzi's mouth to Chu Yunzheng's ears.

She wants him to know that Wan Tang can read the situation, endure grievance, and likewise will feel sorrow for him.

The night was as thick as ink, and faint sounds of silk and bamboo orchestration drifted from the direction of Su Guiren's garden.

Mixed with a few women's giggles, it sounded especially sharp and piercing in the quiet night.

Inside the Palace of Eternal Joy main hall, only a few dim palace lamps were lit, the atmosphere oppressive.

Little Luzi pried his ears to listen to distant sounds, a hint of difficulty appearing on his face.

He moved beside Wan Tang, who was at the mirror being attended by a palace maid removing her hairpins, lowered his voice, his tone deliberately flattering and probing, "Your Highness, do you hear that sound…"

"The Emperor tonight truly seems to intend to stay at Su Guiren's place."

"This Su Guiren is so ignorant of propriety, flaunting herself like this…"

"Perhaps I, Nubi, could find a pretext, say that Your Highness is unwell, and invite the Emperor to come and see?"

Wan Tang did not stop her movements, her gaze coldly swept him through the bronze mirror, and she reached out to take the last Red Gold Jade Step Shake from her hair.

She gently placed it on the rosewood dressing table, producing a soft "tap" sound.

"No need." Her voice was calm and even, revealing no emotion, "The Emperor has his own arrangements. I am also weary; prepare to settle."

She stood up and signaled the palace maid to extinguish the extra lights.

"Ah!"

A scream of extreme terror, shrill and distorted, tore through the night sky like a razor blade!

"Help! Someone, quick! It's bad!"

"Noble Lady Li… Noble Lady Li… she… committed suicide!"

It was Li Ping'er, her close maid, screaming with a sobbing voice!

Wan Tang felt all her blood surge to the top of her head in an instant, then abruptly recede, leaving a bone‑deep chill.

She braced herself against the dressing table, her fingertips whitening from the strain, barely steadying her suddenly weakened body. Her heart pounded wildly in her chest, nearly bursting out.

Little Luzi was also terrified, his face turning completely pale, standing dumbfounded on the spot.

"What are you still standing there doing!" Wan Tang snapped, turning her head sharply toward him.

Her voice, sharpened by extreme anger and fear, trembled; her beautiful eyes widened enormously, filled with unprecedented terror.

"Go to the Imperial Medical Institute quickly!"

"Summon all on‑duty imperial physicians to me! Quickly!"

She almost shouted, simultaneously pushing aside a palace maid trying to help, not even bothering to put on an outer garment.

Clad only in thin nightclothes and barefoot, she fled the hall like a madwoman, sprinting toward the side hall where Li Ping'er resided.

The night wind bit her skin, yet she felt nothing.

Only one thought whirled wildly in her mind, a pain that tore her heart.