Chapter 288: Sending Funeral Offerings to the Empress Dowager

Although this kind of thing is unacceptable for any mother, I still begged—Tangtang, you must keep your emotions steady!

Because this is essentially a scam; the Northern Border's marriage alliance was fake from the start. It was known from the beginning the relationship between Wan Tang and Xu Yanchuan. Now a ceasefire is in place; if Xu Yanchuan is provoked, they would go to war without justification. The Northern Border and Bei Yue could immediately join forces.

Think about it—the battle will be horrific; whether we can win is one thing, but the crucial point is that Xu Yanchuan will forever bear infamy, becoming a criminal for all ages. And Wan Tang will truly become a disaster‑bringing, demonic consort.

These people won't care how many good deeds you've done; a single misstep is enough for everyone to hate you to the bone.

Wan Tang sat in her seat, her veins bulging with anger.

She dug her nails hard into her palm, forcing herself to calm down with the pain.

Minghui raised his chubby hand, his fingertips gently brushing Wan Tang's tense veins, his eyes full of doubt.

The messenger wore a self‑satisfied smile, contentedly observing Wan Tang's expression.

At the palace banquet, everyone fell silent as if chilled cicadas, holding their breath.

All eyes were fixed on Wan Tang.

Chu Yunzheng suddenly squeezed his wine cup, causing the liquid to ripple.

"My child, outsiders have no right to comment," Chu Yunzheng roared.

His gaze at the messenger grew even sharper: "As for you, you may walk back to your Bei Mo, or you may lie down and return."

The envoy's face turned pale, forcing calmness: "Your Majesty, do you not wish for the two nations to be at peace?"

Chu Yunzheng said nothing, but the ambiguous smile on his face was enough for people to gradually sense its meaning.

The pearl curtains fluttered slightly as the Empress Dowager stepped out slowly, assisted by palace maids.

"Emperor," she began, "Since Bei Mo sincerely seeks marriage, exchanging a Princess for border peace is the wisdom left by our ancestors."

As she spoke, she turned her head toward the crowd: "If the formal marriage seems too solemn, perhaps we could first arrange a child marriage."

"I, too, see it as a fine match."

"Child marriage?" Wan Tang seemed as if she heard a colossal joke.

She snorted: "The Northern Border's king is already over seventy; waiting for Minghui to grow up? Whether he is still alive is already distressing."

Thinking that Minghui's bright beginning would be ruined by an old hag made Wan Tang's chest ache terribly.

The Empress Dowager shook her head helplessly, her tone heavy: "As a Princess, enjoying the support of all the people, you ought to understand the responsibilities you bear."

"The moment she is offered to the royal house, her life has no choice left."

Wan Tang truly found herself laughing out of anger at that remark.

"Emperor, Imperial Noble Consort, this point you can indeed be reassured about."

The envoy stroked his long beard and laughed: "In our Bei Yue, women are property, passed down through generations."

"Even after a hundred years of our king, his women can become the new king's favored consort."

Wan Tang listened and grew angry.

Even after trying to persuade herself, tolerating again and again, she could no longer endure.

"Dream on!"

Wan Tang, her emotions flaring, said: "The men of Fengqi are towering, never cowardly."

The Empress Dowager gave her a sideways glance: "Imperial Noble Consort, you must watch your words; this concerns the friendship between the two nations!"

Wan Tang's gaze burned like a torch: "Fengqi's peace does not need to be exchanged for the happiness of a three‑year‑old girl."

"Moreover, the party that proactively came today to seek peace is your Northern Border."

The envoy was forced to step back a half step, opening his mouth to argue.

"Imperial Noble Consort is right!" the Minister of War stepped forward.

"This is a national disgrace!" the ministers responded in chorus.

The Empress Dowager's lips twitched, as if she were about to say something.

"Enough," Chu Yunzheng said in two words, returning the entire Grand Hall to silence.

He stood up, shielding Wan Tang and Minghui behind him.

His not‑particularly massive frame now seemed as towering as a lofty mountain.

Each word landed with force: "The Imperial Noble Consort's words are my answer!"

His gaze swept over the pale‑faced Empress Dowager; though she was unwilling, she dared not speak further.

With the Xiao Family gone, no one in the court would speak for the Empress Dowager any longer.

Seeing Wan Tang's mood sour, Chu Yunzheng's voice softened: "Tang'er, you go rest first."

"Minghui must have been frightened as well."

"Here, I am!"

Wan Tang bowed deeply, then turned, her cold lingering gaze falling upon the Empress Dowager and the envoy.

Reaching the hall doors, she halted, turned her head slightly, and whispered to the envoy:

"Do not forget to tell your king, if he wants peace, he must exchange it with sincerity."

"Our Fengqi daughters may die on the battlefield, but they will never kneel to beg for life."

Wan Tang left.

A fragrant breeze brushed her face.

After the figure vanished, the envoy only then realized his own clothes were already soaked with cold sweat.

She was merely a frail woman unable to care for herself, yet she filled him with dread, even more intensely than when he faced Chu Yunzheng.

It seems that after returning to the Northern Border, he'll have to properly introduce this woman.

Changle Palace.

Minghui was tired.

He fell asleep on the way back.

Wan Tang gently walks to her daughter's bedside; the child is sleeping soundly.

Wan Tang leans down and places a very light kiss on the smooth forehead.

"Mother will never let you become anyone's pawn," she whispers, her fingertips brushing her daughter's soft hair, "Never."

The hall doors are suddenly pushed open, and Hui Guifei strides in.

She had been angry at first, but when she saw Wan Tang's shoulders trembling slightly, the malice in her eyes faded.

"Look at your pitiful ambition!" she deliberately raises her voice, "What are you afraid of?"

"If the heavens collapse, won't I still be here to hold them up?"

Wan Tang turns and grips her hand tightly, the force so great it nearly squeezes into flesh.

"Sister, this Imperial harem is terrifying."

Her voice trembles, "I never thought of harming anyone, let alone killing. Yet why do they keep pressing us step by step?"

"And they keep reaching for Minghui, time after time."

Hui Guifei re‑grips her icy hand, her tone softening: "Silly girl, now that you've entered this deep palace, either remain a mute, indifferent wooden puppet forever."

"But since you've stepped forward, the more you want, the more people will find reasons to see you die."

She pauses: "From the moment you stepped into this vortex, you've long been out of your own control."

Wan Tang hears this, first freezes, then unexpectedly lets out a low laugh.

She draws a deep breath, and when she looks up, her eyes have cleared.

"It's getting late," she says softly, "The banquet should be over; sister, take Minghui and return."

"These past few days, Minghui has been with you."

A rare hint of worry appears in Hui Guifei's eyes: "What do you intend to do?"

"Everyone gives me such a huge surprise, and if I don't return the favor, they'll say I lack propriety!" Wan Tang smiles at the corner of her mouth, speaking lightly.

"I'll go." Hui Guifei frowns.

Wan Tang shakes her head, her expression resolute: "No."

She squeezes Hui Guifei's hand again then releases it, her tone gentle yet unquestionable, "This way, it's best for you and for Minghui."

Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager's guard ceremony has not yet settled, when she spots that slender figure standing before the Gongmen.

Seeing someone arrive, Wan Tang holds a box in her hands and calls from afar, "Subject: I have come to see the Empress Dowager."

"A late‑night visit, I apologize for the disturbance."

The Empress Dowager sits high, staring at Wan Tang, her face ice‑cold.

"I am weary."

The Empress Dowager, supporting Rong Mama's hand, walks straight up the steps.

Rong Mama maintains a courteous façade: "Please return, Your Majesty; today we receive no guests."

Wan Tang steps aside to block, raising the wooden box slightly: "Subject is here to present the Empress Dowager a token of gratitude."

"Flattering the Empress is useless. The Empress pauses, phoenix eyes narrowing, 'State affairs are not for a woman to interfere with.'"

"The Empress misunderstands. Wan Tang's eyes flicker: 'Subject only wishes to thank you for always keeping Minghui in mind, and has prepared a modest gift to show my sincerity.'"

The Empress scoffs: "I act for the realm; I need no thanks from you."

"If you don't take it, I won't leave."

As the previous champion of palace intrigue, the Empress Dowager thinks with her toes and knows this is Huang Hu's wolf offering a chicken New Year's greeting.

If Wan Tang, when faced with difficulty, only thought of pleasing others, the Xiao Family would not have perished.

But if she doesn't accept, Wan Tang naturally won't depart.

The Empress Dowager gives a signal.

Rong Mama steps forward, takes the wooden box, and stands aside, showing no intention to inspect it.

Wan Tang suddenly asks, "Empress Dowager, won't you open it and look?"

The Empress Dowager nods in assent.

The moment the lid is lifted, even the ever‑observant Rong Mama gasps coldly.

It turns out to be the Former Dynasty's tribute, the Eastern Sea Night‑Shining Pearl, its flowing light priceless.

"What does this mean?" the Empress Dowager frowns.

Wan Tang smiles like a blossom: "I thought the Empress Dowager, having lost the Xiao Family's support, might be short of funds."

"One should at least prepare decent burial gifts, lest one's future departure be too shabby."

"When one goes to the netherworld, one cannot maintain dignity."

The Empress Dowager's chest heaves violently, she suddenly raises her hand and flings a hand‑warmer toward Wan Tang.

"How audacious!"

Wan Tang steps aside, the object crashes to the ground, turning into a huge pile of snow.

The Empress Dowager, enraged, sees Wan Tang not retreat but advance, a cold smile curling at her lips: "Indeed, age has made you quick to anger."

"But the old lady's health is not what it used to be; do not let anger burn the heart…"

She says no more, only smiles.

"What a sharp‑tongued maid." The Empress Dowager suddenly softens, a mocking glint in her eyes, "Trying to drive a wedge between me and the Emperor's mother‑son?"

"You're dreaming."

"Empress Dowager, you're overthinking." Wan Tang's voice is terrifyingly calm, like a still deep pool, "I have never sought to sow discord."

She leans forward, as if whispering at the ear: "I only wish you dead."

"It's that simple."

Wan Tang spoke far too calmly.

Rong Mama heard that and was quite frightened.

Even after seeing so many people in the Imperial harem, she had never encountered anyone like Wan Tang.

But it's not merely a matter of being arrogant and overbearing!

"Even if Xu Guifei was once the center of favor back then, relying on Xu Chengyuan's arrogance, she still wouldn't dare act like you."

"When you see the Empress Dowager, you must be reverent and respectful."

Wan Tang flicked her fingernail, smiled a city‑toppling smile, and her voice was terrifyingly cold.

"Oh." She answered calmly, "so she died quickly."

That is simply hard to accept.

The Empress Dowager's anger flushed her face red; she clenched the rail with both hands, preserving her last dignity.

Rong Mama immediately shouted sternly, "How dare you!"

"How dare you repeatedly disrespect the Empress Dowager," she shouted outward, "Someone, come!"

"Capture the Imperial Noble Consort and bring her before the Emperor for judgment!"

But the guards outside the hall stood as still as stone statues, and even the passing Guanren bowed their heads and hurried away, as if trying to disappear into the shadows of the palace walls.

A few Nubi who had been beside the Empress Dowager wanted to step forward.

Seeing this, they also cowered, only surrounding the Empress Dowager and staring nervously at Wan Tang.

For the first time, terror flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.

When exactly did this woman silently replace the people of Cining Palace?

And where did she get so many people from?

Even if she is an orphan of the Mo Family, the Mo Family hasn't been gone for long.

Raising people within the Imperial Palace cannot be done merely with a name.

Where did she get so much silver from?

Wan Tang gave a gentle laugh.

"Don't waste your effort."

She smoothed the crease of her sleeve, her tone gentle, "You just wait calmly."

"Rest assured, I won't act hastily."

"The feeling of having a knife pressed to your throat, never knowing when your head and body might be separated, you should also taste it well."

After speaking, she looked at the luminous pearl with a meaning‑laden gaze.

She immediately shouted, "What are you all standing still for?"

"Hurry and escort the Empress Dowager back to the Imperial Palace!"