Chapter 253: Wholesale White Moonlight

The old minister's tearful, blood‑stained accusation instantly ignited the long‑suppressed discontent at the table.

Several officials who already harbored resentment toward Wan Tang's authority, or were closely linked to the Xiao Family, exchanged glances, then rose, knelt, and left their seats.

"Emperor! Lord Wang is absolutely right. The Northern Border is in crisis, the Guoku is strained, yet the Imperial Palace remains so extravagant; we are anguished!"

"Virtuous Consort, this action indeed lacks propriety and may damage Your Majesty's holy virtue!"

"With such expenditure, where does the money and grain come from? Could it truly be as rumors claim, that military supply funds were used?"

In an instant, voices of criticism rose and fell like surging waves, sweeping toward Wan Tang.

Chu Yunzheng furrowed his brows; faced with the furious ministers, even if he wished to defend, he could find no suitable excuse for this overly lavish banquet.

Xiao Sihai watched with cold eyes, a barely perceptible sneer curling at his mouth.

Seizing the moment, he rose, his tone mournful yet each word cutting like a knife: "Emperor, Virtuous Consort may have intended to display royal dignity and celebrate the festival, but her actions have indeed caused adverse effects, drawing criticism from court and officials and unsettling the troops."

"If this matter reaches the Northern Border, what will the starving, freezing, blood‑soaked soldiers think?"

"I earnestly request the Emperor to consider the greater picture, enforce the Palace Rules strictly, and soothe the hearts of the realm!"

His words seemed fair, but in fact they thrust Wan Tang onto the very forefront, cornering her into a dead end.

Chu Yunzheng, concealed by his wide‑sleeved robe, grasped Wan Tang's icy hand firmly.

His face remained composed, but his voice, low and clear, entered Wan Tang's ear.

With undeniable firmness, he said, "It's fine, I am here."

He gently patted the back of her hand, then released it and rose slowly.

In that instant, his aura suddenly became immensely imposing, his gaze like torches sweeping over the kneeling ministers below.

Chu Yunzheng had not spoken yet when Wan Tang suddenly let out a soft laugh.

The laugh rang clear, standing out starkly amid the solemn atmosphere.

Everyone stared in astonishment as Wan Tang rose slowly, her bearing still composed.

She faced the old minister who first raised the issue, her tone calm yet undeniably powerful: "Lord Wang worries about the nation and its people; I am impressed."

"But you accuse me of unchecked extravagance and draining the nation's resources; that is an injustice against me."

Her gaze swept over the hall's splendid vessels and delicacies, her voice clear throughout every corner:

"To be frank, at today's palace banquet, from the engraved gold and silver plates serving the dishes, the Nightlight Cups for wine, to the chopsticks, and every dish and pastry on the table, I have not used a single cent from the Imperial Household Department."

"Absurd!" an official immediately retorted, "Not a single cent? Could these have materialized out of thin air?"

"Of course they are not from thin air," Wan Tang said with a smile, unhurried, "The glazed porcelain plate bearing the lavish 'Crystal Crab' comes from the Capital's Linglong Pavilion."

"The Nightlight Cups in your hands are the flagship treasures of Zhenbao Studio."

"Even the gold and silver vessels filling the hall are largely supplied by Xinsheng Hao."

"As for the ingredients," she paused, looking at the delicate pastries before Chu Yunzheng, "the unheard‑of 'Crystal Crab', Transparent Mooncake and other novel dishes, as well as most of the ingredients, are generously sponsored by the newly opened Hundred Flavors House in the southern City."

Each time she named a source, a low murmur rose from the assembly.

These are all newly risen merchants in the Forbidden City.

"Spouting nonsense!" the Empress Dowager seized the handle, shouting, "You, as a consort of the Imperial harem, entangle yourselves with merchants; what decorum is that!"

Wan Tang faced the Empress Dowager, neither humble nor arrogant: "Empress Dowager, merchants are also the Emperor's subjects; they wish to serve the court and, through this festival, contribute to the royal banquet and the Northern Border troops. Their sentiment is commendable."

"Moreover," she continued, her words striking the ground, "I have already informed the sponsors that after today's banquet, all contributed items—whether gold, silver, jade, or glazed curios—will be publicly auctioned, the highest bidder wins!"

"And the proceeds, in silver taels, will be allocated without a single discrepancy, immediately used to purchase winter coats and supplies, swiftly dispatched to the Northern Border to reward the soldiers!"

She gazed fiercely at the ministers who had just objected: "If you are willing, you may also join the auction later, acquiring exquisite items while contributing to the frontline troops—a win‑win, is it not?"

This reversal left everyone staring dumbfounded.

The officials who had just condemned extravagance now looked at the exquisite vessels before them, their thoughts already stirred.

Since you can both reap practical benefits and earn a good reputation for supporting the military, why not gladly do it?

Chu Yunzheng's tense expression instantly softened, a flash of approval in his eyes.

He laughed aloud: "Excellent! What a Virtuous Consort!"

"To devise such a brilliant scheme, preserving royal dignity, solving the military supply crisis, and showcasing our Fengqi officials and merchants united! Ministers, any further objections?"

【I'm still the clever Tangtang; these merchants are all shops I've recently opened.】

【They had little fame before, but after today, all the shops will become the hottest spots in the Capital.】

【After all, the palace banquet uses goods from these merchants. Wan Tang was already planning to donate money and grain to the Northern Border; this not only solves that problem but also earns her a good reputation, even giving the royal family free advertising—truly a win.】

The ministers who had just knelt in righteous fury now exchanged glances, unable to utter a single word of accusation.

The Empress Dowager's complexion turned ashen, yet she could no longer act.

Wan Tang, amid the complex gazes, slowly took her seat.

The Emperor's gaze toward Wan Tang grew ever deeper, swirling not only with astonishment but also with an indescribable indulgence and pride.

In front of everyone, he unabashedly grasped Wan Tang's hand placed on the table once more.

Wan Tang felt the warmth of his palm, turned her head and gave him a radiant smile; that smile shed the sharpness she showed before the ministers, taking on a gentle, lamp‑lit beauty and dependence. This private, intimate interaction between the two deeply pricked the Empress Dowager's eyes.

Her complexion darkened, fingers gripping the wine cup tightening slightly; at last she could not help but let out a cold hum from her breath, shattering the fleeting romance.

"Since the matter is clear, everyone should set aside those needless disputes and continue the feast; do not waste this fine moment."

The Empress Dowager spoke in a detached tone, voice low yet bearing undeniable authority, instantly drawing everyone's attention back to the banquet.

The Silk and Bamboo Music rose again as the Dancer glided into the hall; however, the banquet's atmosphere, after this twist, had become subtle and complex, hidden currents silently surging amid clinking cups.

The Silk and Bamboo Music lingered, and after the Dancer withdrew, a brief silence was broken by Li Ping'er.

She rose gracefully, bowed to the throne, and said in a gentle voice: "Emperor, Empress Dowager, I, your humble servant, wish to offer a dance to enliven the banquet.

She, too, wore a simple elegant outfit today, her Water Sleeves fluttering lightly as she danced to the music.

Her movements were supple, her dance graceful, and especially the deliberate, slightly cold and aloof expression she mimicked in a turn of the head bore a faint resemblance to the aura of Bai Li remembered.

Chu Yunzheng's hand holding the wine cup paused slightly, his gaze landing on Li Ping'er, a hint of daze flashing in his eyes.

A few complex ripples immediately rose, as if a recollection, yet also a slight stir.

He watched intently, without saying a word.

Li Ping'er finished her dance, received a faint "praise" from the Emperor, and left satisfied.

After her, Liu Guiren immediately rose, unwilling to be outdone: "Emperor, I have recently learned a new piece; please appraise it."

She sat holding the qin, and the notes flowing from her fingertips were exactly the "Yu Lan Cao" that Bai Li most often played in those days.

The qin's sound rippled; she strived to imitate the clear, ethereal technique she remembered from Bai Li, her brows and eyes tinged with deliberately crafted sorrow.

However, this time, Chu Yunzheng's brows furrowed imperceptibly.

He lifted his cup and took a sip; his gaze was no longer as focused as before, and a faint, barely noticeable irritation showed through.

Immediately after, two Low-Rank Imperial Concubines gathered courage—one offering a song, the other a dance—each striving in posture, expression, or choice of piece to emulate the vague "Bai Li".

Initially, the faint, hazy recollection sparked by Li Ping'er, under these successive, clumsy or deliberate imitations, gradually changed its flavor.

The beautiful memory was repeatedly and stiffly reenacted, like a precious scroll copied over and over by countless hands, losing its original spirit, leaving only rigid form and eager flattery.

Chu Yunzheng's complexion sank completely.

He set the cup down, his fingertips unconsciously tapping the armrest, the rhythm quickening, revealing his inner impatience and disgust.

Those postures and melodies that once moved him now seemed noisy and cheap to him.

He even refused to look toward the hall, his gaze lowered, an aura of low pressure radiating, warning strangers to stay away.

Some perceptive concubines and ministers in the seat already sensed his displeasure, bowing their heads, daring not to speak further.

Only Wan Tang remained composed, sitting beside the Emperor.

She was neither threatened nor uneasy by these imitations, and she paid little attention to the performances.

She only occasionally served dishes to Chu Yunzheng, or lowered her head to whisper softly with the nearby Minghui, a faint, calm smile on her lips.

It seemed that all the surrounding flamboyance, the contest of beauties, and the imitation of Dong Shi were unrelated to her.

She no longer needed to imitate anyone; her very presence, amid the hall full of restless imitators, became a unique and steadfast scenery.

The Empress Dowager captured the Emperor's impatience and disgust in her eyes; she gently set down her teacup, her voice low yet exuding a poised command of the whole scene, instantly drowning out the slightly awkward music in the hall.

"Emperor, it seems these ordinary skills cannot capture your eye."

She paused slightly, her gaze turning to the heavy night outside the hall, a hint of a meaningful smile at the corner of her mouth: "However, the empress I have carefully selected for you will also arrive today."

Just as the crowd was bewildered by the sudden proclamation, an ethereal, clear voice rose, like moonlit spring water washing stones, drifting softly from outside the hall.

The song was melodious and faint, without any worldly clamor, instantly washing away all prior noise and contrivance in the hall.

At the first note, Chu Yunzheng's tapping of the armrest abruptly ceased.

He suddenly looked up, his sharp gaze fixed on the outside, eyes filled with incredulous shock and an indescribable throb that struck his heart.

This voice… is too similar.

It is not the form but the essence—the chilling aloofness that permeates the bones, overlapping with the unforgettable figure deep in his memory.

The voice drew nearer, like smoke and mist, winding with the moonlight outside and flowing in.

A graceful silhouette appeared in the halo of swaying palace lanterns, deliberately lingering where light and shadow blurred, attempting to create a hazy, mysterious aura.

Xiao Yurou wore a plain snow‑white, cloud‑shaped, flowing dress, her arm wrapped in Misty Xia Soft Gauze; her figure was slender, and she was about to slowly reveal her true appearance with the music, completing this meticulously designed entrance.

However, Chu Yunzheng on the throne, upon seeing the identical attire and feeling the deliberately imitated voice and posture, his complexion suddenly darkened like water.

His chest heaved violently; his eyes held no trace of awe or nostalgia, but instead surged with a wrath as if his reverse scale had been struck, and an indescribable frustration.

Where is this nostalgia?

This is clearly taking the most precious, untouchable memory in his heart and turning it into a play that can be freely arranged to vie for favor!

It is a defilement of Bai Li!

"Enough!"

He slammed the cup onto the table, producing a shrill, crisp sound that cut off the music poised for its climax and halted Xiao Yurou's prepared motion to lift her head and reveal herself.

Chu Yunzheng sprang up, the sleeves of his dragon robe billowing a gust of cold wind; his gaze, like a blade of ice, swept over the Empress Dowager and then fell on the frozen, bewildered Xiao Yurou, his tone icy.

"Mimicking Dong Shi, playing god! I watch and find it utterly boring!"

He didn't even give Xiao Yurou a chance to fully appear or utter a word, and, bearing a chill of anger, left in fury.

He strode out of the hall like a comet, leaving behind the hall's shock, the Empress Dowager's astonishment, and the meticulously crafted "substitute" entirely behind him.

This sudden turn left everyone stunned.

Xiao Yurou stood rigid in the hall, her complexion drained of color; the half‑maintained, prepared perfect posture now left only endless embarrassment and shame.

The Empress Dowager's fingers gripping the Phoenix Throne's armrest turned slightly pale, her complexion extremely displeased.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, covering a faint trace of cold sarcasm.