Chapter 287: Seeking a Marriage Alliance

Ah, Chu Yunzheng is such a petty person; if he learned that Wan Tang had been personally spat on by him, it would be unbearable.

Losing favor at a time like this is certainly not good!

Now Xu Yanchuan, after a string of victories, has beaten the Northern Border into repeatedly begging for mercy, and now proposes a marriage alliance for peace?

If Xu Yanchuan secures this great achievement, as soon as the truce is signed, he will return as a Duke. The Mo Family's glory will also continue.

Wan Tang knows this well in her heart.

But her body's reaction is truly hard to control.

Chu Yunzheng's movement abruptly halted, he lifted his head, his complexion instantly darkened, and his sharp gaze fixed on her.

His tone clearly displeased: "What? Tangtang, is this… disdaining me?"

Wan Tang sneered inwardly, but immediately a perfectly timed fear and unease appeared on her face, and she hurriedly lowered her head.

Her voice was thin like a mosquito's, with a barely perceptible tremor: "I dare not, Emperor, forgive me!"

She slightly furrowed her brows, gently placed one hand on her lower abdomen, her face showing a hint of shyness and uncertainty, and whispered, "It is only that my menstrual cycle has been delayed by a few days."

"Lately I've felt my body sluggish, my appetite poor, and I can't resist the smell of greasy food. I wonder if it is… "

Before she could finish, the gloom on Chu Yunzheng's face was instantly replaced by immense delight.

He suddenly grasped Wan Tang's shoulders, and a fiery light burst from his eyes.

His voice rose with excitement: "What did you say?"

"Menstrual delay?"

"Poor appetite?"

"Could it be… could it be my Prince… my Prince is finally about to arrive?!"

In his ecstatic joy, he could not even mind the earlier displeasure.

He immediately shouted outward, "Summon the Imperial Physician! Quickly summon the Imperial Physician! Have Xie Taiyi come to Palace of Eternal Joy at once!"

Xie Taiyi hurried over, carrying a medicine box, with fine sweat on his forehead.

He first carefully observed Wan Tang's complexion, then quietly glanced at the Emperor beside him, whose face was full of anticipation and barely concealed excitement.

Wan Tang voluntarily extended her wrist and placed it on the pulse pillow.

In a gentle yet clear voice she stated, "Xie Taiyi, my monthly cycle has been delayed by more than half a month; lately I often feel nausea, acid reflux, and loss of appetite."

As she spoke, her gaze turned to Chu Yunzheng, her eyes full of dependence and hope, and she softly said, "Emperor, you have long hoped for a Prince."

"May this time fulfill the Emperor's wish and bring you happiness."

Xie Taiyi was already one of their own.

He could understand these words.

Understanding, Xie Taiyi dared not delay further, holding his breath and focusing.

His fingers carefully rested on Wan Tang's wrist pulse, feeling the subtle beat.

After a moment, a smile appeared on his face; he withdrew his hand and gave Chu Yunzheng a solemn bow.

In a resonant voice: "Congratulations, Emperor; felicitations, Emperor."

"Imperial Noble Consort truly has a joyous pulse!"

"Consort has been pregnant for over a month!"

"Good! Good! Good!" Chu Yunzheng exclaimed three times, his joy evident, and eagerly asked, "Is it a Prince or a Princess?"

Xie Taiyi quickly bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the Consort's month is still early; although the pulse is smooth and strong, determining the dragon fetus's gender requires another one or two months for greater accuracy."

Wan Tang inwardly scoffed; now that Chu Yunzheng so eagerly awaits a Prince, it seems the Mo Family's influence over Wan Tang is growing ever larger.

Even without immediate knowledge of the gender, Chu Yunzheng remained overjoyed, sweeping his hand: "Reward! Great rewards!"

"Throughout Palace of Eternal Joy, all palace staff shall each receive a half‑year's stipend."

"Xie Taiyi's medical skill is superb; award him a hundred taels of silver snowflakes!"

In an instant, the entire Palace of Eternal Joy fell to their knees, with thanks and blessings rising and falling, filling the air with celebratory atmosphere.

Chu Yunzheng then gently cradled Wan Tang in his arms.

The adoration and anticipation in his eyes nearly overflowed.

"Tangtang, you truly are my greatest meritorious subject; tonight I will stay here, I will not leave."

【5】 Wan Tang's face appropriately showed a hint of fear.

Wan Tang's face showed a hint of panic at the right moment.

She gently covered her still‑flat abdomen, her eyes bearing dependence and a trace of timidity: "Emperor, I… I am a little frightened."

"With me here, what do you fear?" Chu Yunzheng replied, displeased.

Wan Tang coquettishly retorted, "It's you I'm afraid of."

"Afraid you… would be unfaithful, hurt the child…"

Seeing this, Chu Yunzheng's heart instantly softened, and he hurriedly pulled her into his embrace.

His movement was unprecedentedly gentle; in a low voice he soothed, "Silly Tangtang, don't worry, I know the gravity."

"I only wish to stay with you, stay with him."

The whole night, Chu Yunzheng simply held Wan Tang as they fell asleep.

Even turning over, he moved cautiously, fearing to disturb her; that cherished feeling was far from false.

The next day, after Chu Yunzheng went to court, Wan Tang ordered someone to quietly summon Xie Taiyi.

She had people present generous rewards, then after shielding the sides, said to Xie Taiyi, "Thank you for yesterday."

Xie Taiyi was about to modestly speak, but heard Wan Tang's tone shift.

With a faint, almost imperceptible chill, she said, "It's just that… in the future we may need to find a suitable pretext so that he unexpectedly disappears, that would be best."

Hearing this, Xie Taiyi's complexion changed abruptly, and he hurriedly bowed.

In a serious tone, even a bit urgent, he said, "Consort, rest assured, yesterday I uttered not a single false word."

Empress is indeed pregnant.

It is not that I, the Subject, am cooperating with the Empress; this pulse pattern is clear and strong, absolutely certain!

At this moment, Wan Tang was shocked.

Xie Taiyi looked at Wan Tang's slightly stunned expression, his tone growing heavier: "Empress, this pregnancy came naturally, the timing is perfect, occurring while the Empress's phoenix body is at its most healthy and abundant."

"It is a blessing bestowed by Heaven."

"The child… is ultimately innocent."

Wan Tang was stunned, instinctively lowered her head and looked at her still flat abdomen.

She had originally thought that yesterday was merely a performance using Xie Taiyi's mouth, but she hadn't expected…

She remained silent for a long while, her fingertips trembling slightly as they gently rested on her abdomen.

There, a small life connected to her bloodline was quietly gestating.

An indescribable complex emotion surged in her heart—confusion, struggle, and a hint of strange softness.

Finally, she took a deep breath.

"I understand," she said, her voice light yet carrying a tone of promise, "I will protect him well."

The news of the great victory at the Northern Border spread like wings, quickly reaching the Capital.

Xu Yenchuan commanded troops like a deity, unmatched in bravery, leading Fengqi soldiers to capture several key cities of the Northern Border in succession.

Ultimately, the King of the Northern Border was forced to submit a surrender document and send an envoy to the Capital to seek peace.

Chu Yunzheng was greatly pleased, ordering that Imperial Consort Wan Tang handle the palace banquet in full authority, to receive the Northern Border envoys and also celebrate this hard‑won victory.

【Tangtang, be careful, the Northern Border is not truly seeking goodwill.】

【The Northern Border's strength is quite terrifying, let alone Bei Yue's attempt to join forces with it. If they truly join forces, Xu Yenchuan may not necessarily be the opponent.】

【This time they come, it's basically to cause trouble; be cautious in response.】

Wan Tang prepared to perform the bow.

Now that she oversees the Imperial harem, the palace banquet, since it is prepared by her.

That evening at the palace banquet, flowing lights shimmered, and goblets intermingled.

Wan Tang wore a consort's ceremonial robe, splendid and dignified; she did not sit beside the throne, but took a seat slightly lower in rank.

In her arms she cradled the delicately carved and jade‑like Minghui, patiently feeding the palace fruits to Minghui, bit by bit, with a small silver spoon.

Hui Guifei has never liked such noisy gatherings, and declined, citing ill health.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager also arrived.

The Empress Dowager sat upright behind the Emperor, wearing a deep purple phoenix‑patterned palace attire.

Her hair bun was meticulously arranged, adorned with simple jeweled hairpins; though she spoke little, the dignified grandeur and authority, tempered by years, made one dare not stare directly.

After three rounds of wine, the Northern Border envoy rose to leave his seat.

He walked to the center of the Grand Hall, placed his right hand on his chest, and performed a Northern Border salute to Chu Yunzheng.

His voice was booming, bearing the ruggedness of the steppe; through the interpreter he conveyed his words, and the entire noisy Grand Hall fell silent at once:

"Your Majesty, the esteemed Emperor of the Fengqi Kingdom."

"I, the King of the Northern Border, to demonstrate my sincere desire for peace, wish to forever bind friendship with Fengqi."

"I specially commission an external minister to, on my behalf, request Your Majesty to marry a Fengqi princess."

"Through a marriage alliance between our two nations, we shall mend a hundred‑year friendship and ensure everlasting peace on the borders!"

Request to marry a princess?!

Everyone's gaze, involuntarily, whether overt or subtle, turned toward the obedient Minghui sitting in Wan Tang's arms.

She is so small, a pinkish bundle…

The atmosphere in the hall instantly became somewhat subtle and heavy.

Wan Tang, upon hearing this, still wore a proper and dignified faint smile.

Her voice, gentle yet clear, resonated through the Grand Hall: "The envoy has traveled from afar, unaware of certain matters."

"The Fengqi princess, the youngest now, already has three young lords under her knee who enjoy her favor; she is truly unsuitable for a distant marriage alliance."

"The Emperor has many brothers, but fewer sisters."

"We may have to disappoint the Northern Border King's kind intentions."

Chu Yunzheng understood, took over the conversation, his tone bearing imperial dignity with a touch of appropriate regret: "A marriage alliance, indeed, is a wonderful matter."

"However, my sisters have already been married early; now they even hold grandchildren."

"There truly is no princess of suitable age to marry. However…"

His gaze swept to several high‑ranking royal relatives at the table, implying, "If the King of the Northern Border sincerely wishes to marry, I can also select a virtuous noble lady from the royal clan to adopt as an honorary sister."

"Marry her with the grandeur befitting a princess, to demonstrate Fengqi's sincere alliance."

However, the bearded envoy shook his head.

His attitude was rather forceful; through the interpreter he shouted, "Your Majesty!"

"The King of the Northern Border wishes to marry the genuine, noble‑blood, direct princess of Fengqi, not an adopted sister!"

His gaze, like that of a hawk, suddenly turned to the delicately carved little figure in Wan Tang's arms.

His finger pointed straight at Minghui, his voice booming, bearing a determined intent:

"If the foreign minister has not erred, this one is your nation's most beloved, youngest Princess Minghui, right?"

He scanned the room, finally his gaze fell on the faces of Chu Yunzheng and Wan Tang, which sank instantly, and he loudly said:

"Since your nation repeatedly proclaims its sincere alliance, why can't we not request to marry this genuine, noble princess?"

At these words, Wan Tang was the first to stand up.

Minghui, that is…

And she is still not even three years old!

Normally, if an outsider man glances at Minghui a few times, Wan Tang would naturally feel displeased in her heart.

But how dare this envoy say such a thing?

The atmosphere in the Grand Hall tightened instantly.

This is not a marriage proposal at all; it's clearly a provocation!

Shei's family seeking marriage would aim the spear at a child not even three years old?

Wan Tang sneered with a smile: "If I haven't remembered wrong, your Bei Yue king is already over seventy years old, isn't he?"