Chapter 279: Noble Consort Chen

Above the palace wall, the wind whistled.

Led by Wan Tang and Hui Guifei, a group of concubines stood on the wall, their gazes all fixed toward the distant Wumen.

The Xiao Family had dominated court and realm for decades; now there was nothing left to be arrogant about.

When Chu Yunzheng secured the throne and murderous intent rose in his heart, even a colossal power would have to be utterly destroyed.

Now, Xiao Sihai is about to be beheaded before this Wumen.

The once all‑powerful Xiao Sihai, who ruled the court, will today meet his head and body separated there, and the Xiao Family, that colossal entity, will be completely annihilated.

Hui Guifei stood tall as a pine, while Wan Tang held little Minghui's hand, and Minghui's other little hand was firmly grasped by Hui Guifei.

The little fellow seemed to sense the unusual atmosphere, his big black eyes wide with curious glances.

The other concubines wore varied expressions—some gloating, some sighing with lament.

After all, the Xiao Family's downfall makes for hot gossip.

From the Wumen came the sound of a long whip cracking.

Pa‑pa‑pa!

The sound seemed to strike each woman's heart; all of them turned pale with fear, daring not to speak further.

For a moment, the city wall was utterly silent.

Only the wind's howl over the palace wall could be heard.

Until faint wails and cries came from afar, indicating the execution had finished.

【The Xiao Family is truly finished; after the Empress Dowager's years of struggle, what good was it?】

【Chu Yunzheng is an ambitious, capable emperor; keeping him under control was only a matter of time.】

【Moreover, Yan Wang is fanning the flames. With the two strongest men of Fengqi joining forces, can the Xiao Family and the Empress Dowager be any match?】

【Hahaha, not to mention, we Tangtang have been stoking the fire all along, intensifying the hatred.】

【When the Xiao Family falls and Xiao Sihai's head hits the ground, it will also be the time to confiscate the Xiao Family's assets.】

【The male heirs will be beheaded after autumn, the women reduced to official concubines; even peripheral branches will be investigated for three generations, and even a petty official may lose his post.】

【Now Empress Dowager Xiao is isolated; if she behaved honestly, Chu Yunzheng would still see to her old age and death.】

Wan Tang listened quietly to the barrage, tilted her head slightly, and sensed a faint scent of blood in the air.

Ning Daying stood nearby, brows knit, and anxiously asked, "Is it really dead?"

"Ka!" Minghui suddenly snapped, his hand moving as if to behead.

His expression now resembled a copy of Chu Yunzheng, his voice childlike as he said, "With loyal and virtuous officials, the nation's foundation remains firm and the people live peacefully; if the court harbors treacherous officials, order collapses and the populace suffers."

He shook Hui Guifei's hand again, "Hui Niangniang, treacherous ministers must die!"

A smile flickered at Wan Tang's lips, "Look at you, Hui Niangniang, teaching these things at such a young age?"

"Hmph, ha." Minghui suddenly assumed a horse stance, punching left and right, "Mother, see how powerful I am."

"When I grow up, I'll become a heroine, fulfilling the dreams of Hui Niangniang and Mother."

Wan Tang and Hui Guifei exchanged a glance; neither's eyes showed much turbulence, only a settled calm.

Then they both said in unison, "Fool, do what you want to do."

"Whoa!" the First Prince rode atop a eunuch, brandishing a small braid, shouting, "Climb quickly, climb quickly."

"If you don't hurry, this Prince will cut off your ear."

As he spoke, two more whips lashed the eunuch.

Hui Guifei sneered, "Look at him—only three years old, yet so plump and rotund."

She kept shaking her head.

Wan Tang looked over; the First Prince's eyes were vacant, his pupils dilated, and he had pressed the Imperial Tutor's book beneath his rear.

"I have seen Hui Guifei and Virtuous Consort," Li Pin said as she approached.

She cradled the Second Prince in her arms.

The Second Prince, shy, hurriedly buried his face into Li Pin's chest upon seeing them.

With the Xiao Family's downfall, at such a crucial moment, every concubine who could still move arrived here.

Wan Tang smiled faintly, "I didn't expect Sister to come as well."

Li Pin's face showed a thrill, "Of course, the Xiao Family had entrenched for many years."

Likewise, the gaze toward Wan Tang was filled with reverence.

Her voice trembled slightly, "Virtuous Consort truly is formidable; countless midnight dreams later, I'm grateful that I made the right decision back then."

"Cough cough cough…"

The child in her womb coughed repeatedly.

A nearby palace maid hurriedly draped a banquet over the Second Prince, her eyes full of worry.

Li Pin also quickly stepped away from the draft, apologetically smiling, "Virtuous Consort, Hui Guifei, I'll take my leave now."

Li Pin held the Second Prince tighter and, leading a group of palace staff, headed toward Jingren Palace.

"Hmph!" Hui Guifei snorted coldly, "They're all over two years old, older than our Minghui, yet so fragile."

"And Li Pin too, timid as a mouse, sigh…"

Hui Guifei glanced sideways at Wan Tang, a mocking smirk at the corner of her mouth.

Wan Tang forced a nervous laugh, whispering, "Lin Zehai is indeed alert and sensible."

"You!" Hui Guifei exclaimed, "How did you end up staying in the palace?"

Both fell silent, pursing their lips.

"Let's go, the wind is strong," Hui Guifei said lightly, turning first.

Wan Tang gave a soft "mm," tightened her grip on Minghui, and, escorted by the many concubines, left the palace wall.

Palace of Eternal Joy.

Just as the front foot reached the palace gate, Xiao Dongzi had already arrived.

After Li Defu, Xiao Dongzi was smoothly promoted to Chief Eunuch of the Imperial Presence, and his current position is naturally different from the past.

Even Wan Tang must put on a smile and say, "Grandfather."

Xiao Dongzi then held the Imperial Decree with a beaming smile.

The people before him, one is Hui Guifei, the other is also the Emperor's cherished favorite; how could they dare to be slow.

Naturally, they are also very courteous.

"Virtuous Consort receives the decree."

Wan Tang led the palace staff to kneel and listen to the decree.

"By the Heaven's mandate, the Emperor decrees: The Mo Clan, descendants of loyalty and valor, have suffered wrongful accusations for several years; now the injustice is cleared, and my heart is greatly comforted."

"Virtuous Consort Wan Tang, gentle and virtuous, excels in inner cultivation, and with her family's vindication, is specially promoted to Noble Consort and granted the name 'Chen'."

"To show favor."

"Furthermore, to soothe his heart, a family banquet is specially granted, allowing his brother Xu Yanchuan to enter the palace for a reunion and share familial joy. So be it…"

Imperial Noble Consort!

Granted the name "Chen".

This character is often associated with emperors and Ziwei Star, symbolizing extraordinary nobility and supreme favor.

In an instant, everyone's gaze fell on Wan Tang, and those serving closely in Palace of Eternal Joy were especially excited.

"I, your servant, thank the Emperor for his great grace."

"May my Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years!"

Wan Tang bowed her head in gratitude, her voice steady, bearing just the right amount of appreciation.

Xiao Dongzi smiled brightly and stepped forward to congratulate: "Congratulations, Imperial Noble Consort."

"Now that the Mo family's injustice has been cleared, the Consort has been promoted, General Xu is still young and accomplished; you and your sibling will surely have brilliant futures and soar to great heights!"

Wan Tang's face bore a gentle, appropriate smile as she ordered: "Xiao Luzi, present the reward."

"Yes!" Xiao Luzi promptly complied, taking out the already prepared generous silver reward and handing it to Xiao Dongzi and his accompanying palace staff.

Looking at the heavy gold in his hand, Xiao Dongzi said a few more auspicious words.

He finally added that the Emperor over there was still waiting to be served.

When Xiao Dongzi left, everyone in Palace of Eternal Joy, from top to bottom, knelt en masse.

A resonant voice shouted: "Congratulations, Imperial Noble Consort, we servants are willing to follow you, to brave fire and water for you."

How sincere those words could be at this moment.

But someone said, it's just a good thing.

Wan Tang nodded.

Xiao Luzi stepped forward, his thin voice rising a few notes, shouting: "Imperial Noble Consort is kind‑hearted, reward."

"No one may receive double the monthly stipend."

Flattering voices rose again.

Thinking that she could finally sit openly with Xu Yanchuan for dinner that night, Wan Tang couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of her mouth.

She hurriedly ordered: "Quick, have the small kitchen prepare the ingredients."

"For tonight's banquet, I will personally cook."

"By the way, also retrieve the Dragon Grouper Skin stored in my treasury."

Beside her, Hui Guifei's face also radiated sincere joy.

She lifted the corner of her mouth and, in a tepid tone, said, "Look at you like that."

Wan Tang asked with a smile, "What's the matter?"

"Finally looks like a living person," Hui Guifei pursed her lips, "Alright, your family is reunited; I will not intrude further."

Wan Tang reached out and held her, her smile becoming much more sincere, "Sister Hui, what are you saying? If it weren't for your repeated help, I wouldn't have this day."

"I must stay for this banquet, sister, so we can all enjoy the merriment together."

Moreover, when we went to the palace wall today, Hui Guifei already had a sword in her hand.

She would even come to Palace of Eternal Joy together with Wan Tang.

She is the one who dislikes leaving the palace gates the most!

"No need," Hui Guifei slightly lifted her chin, "I'm not the type to mooch meals."

Ning Daying, when Wan Tang mentioned the ingredients, had already wiped his mouth.

He even wished he could answer on Hui Guifei's behalf.

At this moment he said "no need", and immediately stopped.

Shaking Hui Guifei's hand, he said, "You don't need to, I have a reason!"

"Sister, just stay for the meal, please, I really want to eat…"

"Spineless thing," Hui Guifei cursed.

Wan Tang laughed, "Sister, your palate is picky; why not taste the saltiness for me, so I can improve as well."

Hui Guifei sat directly on the chair beside, "Fine, since you beg me, I'll reluctantly stay."

"This is for Minghui's sake!"

"Yes, yes, yes," Wan Tang kept nodding, smiling as she went to the back kitchen to prepare.

Hui Guifei, rarely, showed a hint of nervousness.

She raised her hand to adjust the plain silver hairpin by her temple, then lowered her head to tidy her customary attire.

A trace of annoyance unexpectedly showed in her eyes.

Her brows furrowed tighter, and she couldn't help turning to ask Ning Daying, who stood beside her: "Do you think I look a bit too plain this way?"

Ning Daying was watching the lively scene when she suddenly asked.

Without thinking, he blurted out the blunt truth: "It's not just plain; it's downright old‑fashioned!"

If you didn't know, you'd think you were going to the training ground to muster troops, not attending the Noble Consort's family banquet…

Before she could finish speaking, Hui Guifei's complexion darkened.

The next second, Ning Daying only felt a lightness on his head.

Amid the gasp, the Pearl Hairpin at her temple was yanked off by Hui Guifei in one swift pull.

The Hairpin with Bi‑xi Gem, adorned with pearls, was elegant yet playful—truly nice.

Even though its color was rather vivid, Hui Guifei truly didn't like it.

She just thought that as long as it had a hint of girlishness, it would be fine.

"My hairpin!" Ning Daying shouted, covering the suddenly loosened bun.

Hui Guifei ignored her, holding that strand of Pearl Hairpins, facing the crystal‑clear Lacquer Screen beside her.

She clumsily placed the Pearl Hairpin, carefully pinning it onto the bun.

Looking left and right, the bright colors, though a bit at odds with her dark, sturdy attire, indeed added a touch of eye‑catching flair.

She exhaled, then turned to the pouting Ning Daying and said, "The Emperor just presented a pair of Step Shake."

"Here you go."

"What?" Ning Daying's eyes lit up instantly: "If you don't want it, you could exchange it for a hundred such hairpins, especially since the Emperor himself crafted them for you."

"It doesn't matter."

Hui Guifei said casually, touching the Pearl Hairpin on her head, and remarked lightly, "Even the finest thing, if untimely, is superfluous."