Chapter 249: The Empress's Position

Tangtang, don't be sad; just think of it as being taken by the Dog Emperor.

It doesn't matter, it's just borrowing a seed. According to the plot, the Third Prince is the future Crown Prince; as long as I can bear a child, that's enough.

Right, right, then I'll kick the Dog Emperor out, become Empress Dowager, and be the champion of palace intrigue.

A huge sense of sorrow and humiliation seized her.

From her throat finally burst an unrestrained, shattered wail, tinged with tears she herself hadn't even noticed.

Yet that desperate whimper, to Chu Yunzheng's ears, took on a different meaning.

He paused slightly, then let out a low laugh, his finger pad coarsely brushing her damp eye corner, his tone full of a controlling satisfaction: "Tang'er today is especially captivating."

This misunderstanding made Wan Tang shudder all over; she bit her lower lip hard, tasting a faint metallic flavor.

But her silence and trembling seemed to further arouse the man's desire to conquer, and his subsequent actions grew increasingly fierce, with an irresistible force.

That night, the dragon‑phoenix wedding candles burned to the end, their wax tears piling layer upon layer.

Wan Tang closed her eyes, feeling not a tide of passion but a clear, inescapable pain.

From her body to the depths of her heart, a bone‑chilling cold pain.

The next day.

When Wan Tang rose, her legs felt sore and weak, her steps carrying an indescribable sluggishness.

Chu Yunzheng was already fully dressed; turning back at her condition, a hint of smugness flashed in his eyes, and he reached out to grasp her waist.

He whispered in her ear, "It seems I was a bit unrestrained last night."

His tone was full of lewdness and self‑satisfaction.

His fingertip brushed her slightly swollen eyelid, and he laughed, "Especially last night… Tangtang, the way tears welled in your eyes was truly pitiably adorable."

He savored it, as if appraising a dish to his liking.

Wan Tang felt a choke in her chest, yet could only muster a shy smile on her face, turning her head slightly aside.

Chu Yunzheng, in a good mood, while a Guanren attended to his dragon robe, casually mentioned, "Su Yanci remains in the Ministry of War; at last I have a capable person by my side."

As for the Northern Border, Xu Chengyuan's old troops are quite sensible, willing to obey Xu Yanchuan's orders; in these battles, they've achieved great victories with minimal losses.

He said, his gaze landing on Wan Tang, with a satisfied scrutiny, "Speaking of it, Tangtang, you truly are my lucky star."

His tone suddenly grew a few degrees more solemn, staring at her: "Therefore, we must work even harder…"

His palm lightly pressed her flat lower abdomen, meaning clear: "It would be best to bear another Prince for me soon."

Wan Tang's heart leapt suddenly, her smile unchanged, but a thin layer of ice instantly formed in her eyes.

Once upon a time, he held her, saying that a petite, graceful little princess like her would be enough to satisfy him.

Now, what he wants is a Prince, then?

She suppressed her emotions, feigning coquettish annoyance as she pushed his hand away: "Emperor, you really flatter me; a Prince is not something that can be had just by saying so?"

"This is not something I get to decide."

Chu Yunzheng laughed heartily, said no more, and turned, striding swiftly to the court.

Before departing, he specially ordered, "Send the Virtuous Consort back with my dragon carriage."

For several consecutive days, Chu Yunzheng seemed unable to forget Wan Tang's tear‑filled gaze that night, staying overnight at Palace of Eternal Joy each night.

Wan Tang, receiving this sudden "great favor," was physically exhausted, yet the string in her heart tightened ever more.

Each time she gracefully returned the favor, closing her eyes, that night's cold raindrops and the solitary shadow on the palace wall became increasingly vivid.

Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager leisurely swirled her teacup, her gaze sweeping over the seated Emperor: "Mid‑Autumn approaches, the palace banquets are complicated, and the position of the Central Palace remains perpetually vacant; it is not a lasting solution."

"The Quiet Consort can no longer bear her position; Emperor, you should consider a more suitable candidate."

Chu Yunzheng's expression was indifferent: "I have not yet given this matter full consideration."

Empress Dowager set down her teacup, her tone indisputable: "I see that Xiao Family's second branch's legitimate daughter Xiao Yurou, with her upright character, is fit to be a model for the Six Palaces."

She seemed not to notice the Emperor's face instantly turn cold, and continued, "If the Emperor currently has no preferred candidate, the Xiao Family maiden would be the most suitable."

Chu Yunzheng's fingers subtly tightened.

Empress Dowager's gaze swept over him, her tone softened slightly yet carried deeper force: "The Virtuous Consort is gentle and charming; the Emperor likes her, keeping her by his side for enjoyment is indeed excellent."

"However, this phoenix throne ultimately requires both virtue and talent to command the masses."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice lowered yet each word clear: "Your Majesty is a wise man; if this harem is to enjoy lasting peace, certain arrangements should be settled early, which benefits everyone."

"As long as the Central Palace's status is fixed, the Emperor may favor whomever he wishes; I naturally will not interfere excessively."

Chu Yunzheng felt a sudden chill in his eyes; he understood the Empress Dowager's unspoken meaning.

"Mother Empress, is this you negotiating terms with me?" his voice was cold and hard.

Empress Dowager, unhurried, said: "The war on the Northern Border is in full swing, winter approaching, ice and snow block the roads, and the transport of supplies and equipment is even more difficult."

"If the rear is not stable, no matter how brave the front soldiers are, they will still struggle against the bitter cold."

She sighed lightly, her words as precise as a knife: "Emperor, is that the reasoning?"

Chu Yunzheng's chest rose and fell violently, silent for a long while, then he gritted his teeth and said, "The selection of the Empress shall be carefully considered by Mother Empress."

"As for who it ultimately will be, you need not tell me."

Only then did Empress Dowager's face show a genuine smile: "Emperor, rest assured, I will certainly…"

"Mid‑Autumn palace banquet imminent," Chu Yunzheng abruptly cut her off, his tone decisive, "The Virtuous Consort has always been meticulous; this year she will fully preside, co‑manage the Six Palaces, and organize the banquet."

Empress Dowager's smile stiffened, a hint of displeasure flashing in her eyes, but realizing the Empress selection was now in her control, she suppressed her discontent.

She said lightly, "Since the Emperor insists, we shall follow the Emperor's wishes."

"I only hope the Virtuous Consort does not betray the Emperor's trust."

Chu Yunzheng rose, his gaze terrifyingly cold.

He gave the Empress Dowager a cold glance and said, "I trust her."

She turned and left, her steps never lingering for a moment.

Palace of Eternal Joy.

Wan Tang had just returned from sword practice.

These days, compared with Hui Guifei's daily training, have become quite fulfilling.

"Oh dear, the old witch is causing trouble again."

"If you insist on giving the Empress position to the Xiao Family, the Xiao Family must have the ability to take it!"

"Always using money to blackmail the Emperor, bragging about managing the Ministry of Revenue. Our Tangtang alone can easily handle these supplies."

"Speaking of that, you old witch, still secretly investigating my dignity."

"Fortunately, the Emperor is still ambitious; though he loves the realm, he also cares for Tangtang and knows how to protect her."

"The one upstairs has his brain wired to speak; his love is built when it does not clash with his status."

Wan Tang was digesting the barrage's content.

Xiao Dongzi's footsteps hurriedly approached.

The heavy phoenix seal was respectfully delivered to Palace of Eternal Joy, and Wan Tang calmly received it under the scorching gazes of the crowd.

Xiao Luzi, his face beaming with joy, stepped forward and whispered, "Nubi congratulates the Empress! The Emperor's move makes his intention clear; the position of the Inner Palace…"

"The Emperor has not spoken of it explicitly; it must not be speculated upon."

Wan Tang cut him off, her voice revealing neither joy nor anger, as she lowered her eyes to stare at the golden seal in her hand, symbolizing authority over the six palaces.

In an even tone she said, "Regardless of the position, as long as I can stay by the Holy Majesty's side, easing the Emperor's worries and troubles, this palace is content."

Xiao Luzi forced a smile and replied repeatedly, "Indeed."

Inside the hall, congratulatory consorts and palace staff arrived in endless streams, their words full of hints and flattery about the phoenix throne's ownership; Palace of Eternal Joy was the talk of the moment.

Amid the clamor, a sharp voice suddenly rang out: "Want to be Empress? Haven't you looked at yourself in a mirror? What kind of background are you!"

The crowd fell silent in an instant, parting automatically to make a path.

There, the Quiet Consort entered, wearing a half‑worn palace outfit, her head held high.

Though deposed, her lingering authority remained; wherever her gaze swept, the crowd involuntarily bowed their heads.

Li Ping'er mustered courage and stepped forward: "Quiet Consort, you… what are you here for?"

"What for?" the Quiet Consort sneered, her eyes like poisoned needles, stabbing straight at Wan Tang, "Aren't you all busy sending gifts and congratulations?"

"My palace, of course, has also prepared a generous gift, to add color for our Virtuous Consort, the acting head of the six palaces."

She said, taking a scroll from a maid behind her, her face bearing a nearly vicious pride: "Everyone, open your eyes and look, this is the exemplar of the world, the future Empress."

"I am the legitimate daughter of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yurou!"

The scroll unfurled with a "swish", revealing the charming, smiling face of a young girl.

The hall instantly echoed with suppressed gasps.

The woman in the painting had eyebrows and eyes like a masterpiece, a refined aura, and her features were six or seven parts similar to Wan Tang!

Wan Tang's fingertips clenched suddenly inside her sleeve, a chill spreading in her heart.

No, not like her.

Although the eyebrows and eyes are extremely similar, the demeanor is completely different.

First, let's not mention the red spot on Wan Tang's forehead.

Just say that the appearance, compared to Wan Tang, is only five or six parts alike.

She resembles more the Emperor's white moonlight, Bai Li.

The Quiet Consort, satisfied, watched Wan Tang's face turn instantly pale, her laughter growing louder: "How is it?"

"Virtuous Consort sister, do you feel especially close?"

Wan Tang pressed her fingertips deep into her palm, a modest smile appearing on her face.

She gave the Quiet Consort a slight nod: "Then thank you, Sister Quiet Consort, for this 'generous gift'."

She glanced at Xiao Luzi beside her without a trace, deliberately furrowing her brows, her tone carrying just the right amount of puzzlement.

"It's just… sister is foolish, truly doesn't understand why, after seeing the beauty in this painting, one would feel 'intimate'."

The Quiet Consort seemed to hear a huge joke, stepping forward: "Now that it's come to this, why are you still playing dumb?"

"Why does the Emperor favor you alone, pulling you out of the Cold Palace? Do you truly think your charm is boundless?"

Her voice rose sharply, piercing the hall's silence: "Isn't it simply because your face looks exactly like hers?!"

Wan Tang's complexion turned suddenly pale, as if the most hidden scar in her heart was exposed bloodily before everyone.

She frantically looked around, seeing the gazes shift from doubt to inquiry, and hurriedly spoke to interrupt.

Her voice trembled slightly, "You shut up! It's not like that! The Emperor…"

"Not so?" Quiet Consort snapped loudly, her laughter full of vengeful delight and sarcasm, "Then how do you explain that, back on the stage, I clearly told him that the masked performer imitating Bai Li's dance was you!"

"But what about him? In his fury, didn't he still want you dead!"

"It's just that an unlucky soul died in your place."

Each of her words was like a poisoned ice spear, stabbing hard into Wan Tang's heart.

"No one can surpass that dead person's place in his heart!"

"You are merely a pitiful stand‑in, a shadow he uses to reminisce about old dreams!"

Quiet Consort stared fixedly at Wan Tang's suddenly bloodless face, saying slowly, "As long as you touch Bai Li, no matter how much affection you have, it's worthless in his eyes!"