Chapter 292: Undercurrents Stirring

To vent my anger, I must make that old woman kneel to the Mo Family for the rest of her life.

Tangtang, don't forget to also have her stay inside the coffin along with the gift you gave her.

Regarding this old woman's behavior, I have zero tolerance, okay?

The old woman can at most die, but even so, the Dog Emperor still turned and went to that little imp. Hmph, looking at him now, he's even more displeasing.

After all, it's the Emperor; with three thousand beauties in the Imperial harem, he's still rather devoted, only favoring this type.

Stop grossing me out, okay? Who said you can't love someone, that there's no substitute.

Arrange the indications properly; the rest will be handled by someone.

The Empress Dowager has passed away.

Even as a Nubi, no matter how sad inside, put on a show and squeeze out a few tears.

"Xiao Luzi," Wan Tang called.

Xiao Luzi hurried to her side and said quickly, "Nubi here."

Wan Tang's brows already showed fatigue, yet she still asked, "Any new entrants to the palace lately?"

There are a few Ladies of Grace who entered the palace together with the former Empress; the Duke of Ning sent one, several cabinet ministers' households sent two. Oh, and this time even the Su Family sent one, claiming it as atonement.

The Su Family also sent one?

Wan Tang felt a trace of annoyance.

The family that Su Yanci protects is full of opportunistic clingers.

"Which family has the Emperor's favor lately?" Wan Tang's tone added a hint of reproach.

Xiao Luzi's complexion changed; he hurriedly knelt and said, "Your Highness, spare me. I see Your Highness is lately troubled, bearing a dragon fetus yet so fatigued; it truly pains my heart."

"That's why I kept it hidden from Your Highness."

"I beg Your Highness for punishment."

Xiao Luzi was truly frightened and quickly pleaded for mercy.

Wan Tang, seeing this, sighed, "I don't blame you."

"It's just that thinking of these gives me a headache."

Upon hearing that, Xiao Luzi's eyes hurt even more, and he hurriedly said, "It was sent by the Duke of Ning's Residence."

"The Emperor likes it very much; he conferred the title Lihua Lady, a Lady of Grace."

Wan Tang's complexion changed.

She knows very well what Lihua means to the Emperor.

Being granted this title shows how much the Emperor favors her.

But the Duke of Ning's Residence's...

Wan Tang couldn't help thinking of Noble Consort Hui.

"Does Noble Consort Hui know about this?" Wan Tang asked.

Xiao Luzi's expression grew even more awkward.

He whispered, "I was about to inform Your Highness of this matter, but then Noble Consort Hui appeared."

"Noble Consort Hui told me to keep my mouth shut, otherwise she'd strike with a sword..."

Xiao Luzi dared not continue, hurriedly tucking his neck, his face full of fear.

Wan Tang's mouth corner lifted.

This truly is Hui Jiejie's style.

Since Noble Consort Hui doesn't want her to know, then this Lihua Lady can be put aside for the time being.

If sister remains silent, of course there is her reason.

The Empress Dowager's funeral was held grandly.

During it, not a single tear was seen.

Only the wailing was sorrowful, yet each person cried with sincere filial devotion.

Time flies.

New Year's Eve palace banquet.

Because the Empress Dowager's mourning period was short, everything was simplified.

Many formalities were reluctantly eased; officials below the second rank need not enter the palace for the reunion.

Thus, many officials rarely get to spend a New Year's Eve at home.

Crystal cups reflected a thousand palace lanterns, and warm fragrance floated in the sound of strings and bamboo.

Everyone took their seats in succession.

Noble Consort Hui attended unusually.

Today she was dressed especially grandly, her palace garb bearing three layers of subtle patterns; this kind of fabric, even Wan Tang possessed only a single bolt.

Between her cloud-like hairpins, a branch of red plum was attached.

Delicately gorgeous, as if just plucked from the branch.

Wan Tang instantly recognized that the design of this hairpin was exactly the same as the one Xu Yanchuan gave when he departed.

Noble Consort Hui, locked away in Jingren Palace, has been busy with this.

Using various precious materials, she recreated it one-to-one.

Chu Yunzheng, when he lifted his eyes, was slightly stunned and said with a smile, "This red plum makes one look spirited; you are usually too plain."

Noble Consort Hui lowered her eyes without speaking, even sparing a smile.

Wan Tang smiled lightly to smooth things over, "Sister, the flower you wear truly looks beautiful."

Hui Jiejie normally doesn't care for adornment; when she does a little, even the three thousand beauties of the harem are all outshone.

Hui Guifei scolds with a glance, "Only you, sharp‑mouthed."

"What Sister Chen Guifei said was already the truth," Ning Daying laughs naively, "My sister is the most beautiful."

"Ha…" Suddenly an incongruous voice sounded.

Lihua Lady cooed, "A woman should be as lovely as a flower, full of thorns; no matter how beautiful, who dares to get close!"

Hui Guifei's gaze suddenly fell on her.

Just a glance, and Lihua Lady shivered all over.

She shrank her neck in fright.

She dared not act coy toward the Emperor.

Wan Tang, seeing this, smiled gently, "Sister, don't bother with those short‑sighted things; tonight is New Year's Eve, we all should happily bid farewell to the old and welcome the new."

Hui Guifei's expression softened.

Her gaze scanned downward.

She looked at each in turn; the hopeful eyes gradually turned anxious.

Wan Tang sighed deeply in her heart.

She said absentmindedly, "Tonight, New Year's Eve should be a day of reunion, but the heavy snow has blocked the mountains; the generals of the Northern Border probably can't come to reunite."

Wan Tang said, looking toward the Emperor.

Chu Yunzheng nodded, regret filling his eyes, "Fengqi Kingdom's peace is thanks to their guardians. Whether they come or not, they will all be rewarded."

"Each will receive a year's salary as reward."

Wan Tang, smiling brightly, hurriedly said, "Then I, your humble servant, will thank the Emperor for my younger brother."

Hui Guifei's face showed no trace of a smile.

She lowered her brows; at this palace banquet, nothing interested her any more.

She rose and was about to leave.

Minghui took her hand, "Hui Empress, give me a hug; that aunt is fierce, scary."

Following Minghui's gaze, she saw Bai Lihua Lady glaring at Minghui.

Hui Guifei's eyes flashed coldly, she gave Ning Daying a look, "Tell her, she can't control her tricks; I will handle her."

"Again it's me," Ning Daying pursed her lips.

She left, neither happy nor sad.

After a moment, Lihua Lady returned, keeping her head down the whole time.

At the banquet, it was indeed harmonious.

When the princes raised their glasses.

Chu Yunzheng's gaze fell on the First Prince.

He said earnestly, "I have specially invited Jingyang Imperial Tutor for you; you have studied with him for three months now—have you made progress?"

"Yes, I, the son, will not disappoint expectations," the First Prince said.

Chu Yunzheng let out a sigh of relief; at least he could utter a complete sentence.

He finally relaxed, "Then, children, begin the toasting!"

The First Prince, holding his cup, stammered for a while, finally managing, "May Father Emperor live as long as the Southern Mountains."

Chu Yunzheng's smile faded at the corners of his mouth.

No one dared to speak on the scene.

Yet this death‑like silence struck Chu Yunzheng's face like the loudest slap.

He snorted coldly, "You make me feel indebted to Jingyang Imperial Tutor."

The First Prince panicked, stammering, "May Father Emperor live ten‑thousand years, ten‑thousand ten‑thousand years, forever immortal."

Chu Yunzheng, angry, pressed his hand to his forehead, waved his hand, and told him to scram.

Now it's the Second Prince's turn.

Li Pin brimmed with confidence.

After all, these are her pupils; she has always taught them well.

She also remembers the textbook knowledge proficiently.

"Go ahead, don't be afraid," Li Pin instructed.

The skinny Second Prince, as soon as his gaze met the Emperor's, was so frightened that he turned and leapt into Li Pin's arms.

Chu Yunzheng frowned, "Such cowardice—doesn't suit my child."

At this moment, Minghui, carrying honey‑jujube tea, stepped forward, her childlike voice bright, "I, your daughter, wish the Emperor to be steady as the moon, rising as the sun, long‑lived as the Southern Mountains, never wavering nor collapsing."

"May Fengqi enjoy river‑clear seas‑calm, with harmonious times and abundant years!"

Having said so, she performed a proper bow.

"Still, Minghui's little mouth makes one feel at ease," Chu Yunzheng mused.

Minghui smiled, "These blessings were thought up by Second Brother; I heard him before and wrote them down."

The increasingly tense atmosphere finally eased.

Chu Yunzheng finally smiled, pulling his daughter close.

His gaze fell on Wan Tang's slightly rounded belly, "Tang'er, you must bear me a prince."

Wan Tang covered her lips with a coquettish smile, murmuring, "The Emperor is out of tune."

"This is not something I, your humble servant, can decide."

【"Tangtang, stop laughing, the minister has returned."】

【"In fact, it wasn't the heavy snow blocking the mountains; it was the people of the Northern Border who deliberately caused an avalanche, trapping Xu Yanchuan."】

Now that you mention it, this matter is riddled with loopholes. Chu Yunzheng didn't know then, and didn't want to tell you.

After all, Xu Yanchuan is returning now; when it comes to rewarding merit, he will certainly be granted and inherit the Mo Family's duke position. Think about it, your brother is already a Duke, can you not be the Empress?

Yes, the Dog Emperor at this moment doesn't want Tangtang to become Empress. If Tangtang's womb doesn't contain a cucumber prince, there is no Crown Prince. What the Dog Emperor wants is a Duke who can assist the heir apparent.

Wan Tang bearing a son, being established as Empress, and being granted a Crown Prince, naturally gathers countless favors. No matter how powerful the Mo Family is, it ultimately serves the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

But what if it's a Princess? If someone else bears the Crown Prince, can the Emperor still allow the Mo Family's power?

Wan Tang looked at the banquet before her and instantly lost all appetite.

Indeed!

When that moment truly arrives, can the Emperor still tolerate it?

Inside the hall, song and dance were in full swing, cups and goblets clinking together.

Outside the hall, a high‑voiced report from an inner attendant suddenly came: "The Bei Mo envoy has arrived."

The uproar throughout the hall abruptly ceased.

According to protocol, foreign envoys should never appear at the New Year's Eve palace banquet.

Precisely because of that, even if the envoy resides within the palace, Wan Tang did not invite him.

Moreover, he is a fellow who dares to scheme against Minghui.

Chu Yunzheng's hand holding the cup paused slightly, his gaze seemingly unintentionally sweeping over Wan Tang.

That look was as still as an ancient well; no one could see the undercurrent beneath.

In just a moment, the corner of his mouth lifted into the usual curve, and he drained the wine in the cup.

He spoke loudly:

"The visitor is a guest."

"Please."

Wan Tang felt surprised inside, yet pretended to remain calm.

Hui Guifei held Minghui close, let out a cold snort: "I, this palace, don't care who he is; if he dares to speak nonsense again, I won't spare him."

"He's here, he's here; this envoy makes it clear he's here to cause trouble."

"Moreover, the Emperor is still wary of Xu Yanchuan, so at this moment, he will likely cooperate with the envoy to some extent."

"Can they not cooperate? After all, they've already changed strategy; this time the person they want is no longer Minghui, but Hui Guifei."

Wan Tang internally exclaimed that this is bad; Xu Yanchuan will go mad, the Duke of Ning will be angry, and things will fall into chaos.

This is essentially forcing Chu Yunzheng to turn hostile, in order to meet the joint conditions for an alliance between the two nations.

Will Chu Yunzheng sacrifice Hui Jiejie?

Wan Tang cannot guarantee.

After all, in Wan Tang's eyes, when it comes to liking people or things, nothing is more important than forcing him onto the throne.

Wan Tang made an excuse, stood up, and prepared to add.

She immediately ordered Xiao Shunzi to release the carrier pigeon.

Just as the banquet was about to continue, another report followed immediately:

"Yan Wang has arrived!"

Yan Wang Chu Yunting strolled in, walking toward the throne as if no one were there, a lazy smile curling at the corner of his mouth:

"Since this is the New Year's Eve family banquet, how could I be absent?"

He, on his own, lifted the jade cup from the Guanren's platter, gave a vague toast toward the throne, "We are blood‑related brothers, Emperor, do you agree?"

The sound of silk and bamboo ceased, and everyone held their breath.

The arrival of the man who eats people is more terrifying than the envoy's.

Chu Yunzheng lightly tapped the Dragon Throne with his fingertip, then let out a low laugh.

He looked down at Yan Wang, and in a warm voice asked, "My palace gate..."

"Is it a decoration?"