Chapter 295: Being Appointed Empress, Is That All Right?

The days grow hotter with each passing day.

The peach blossoms wither extremely quickly.

Li Ping'er comes in carrying a basket of petals and says, "Sister, this is the very last basket of flowers."

"I remember that Su Guiren used to like …"

Li Ping'er, just as she finishes speaking, suddenly realizes she misspoke and hurriedly stops.

Wan Tang's expression remains calm as she gathers all the peach blossoms and patiently brews the wine.

"Sister, look at you, your belly keeps swelling day by day; for this, let me handle it!" Li Ping'er is about to step forward.

Wan Tang shakes her head.

In a soft voice she says, "Let others handle other matters, that's fine. But for this, I want to do it myself."

What does the Peach Blossom Brew taste like?

The first time she drank it, Wan Tang thought the flavor should be fragrant and sweet.

Now, drinking it, she finds the taste somewhat bitter.

The recipe is clearly the same, even the technique and steps are identical, yet she keeps feeling something is off.

"Such a strong wine aroma."

A light laugh escapes her; Wan Tang looks up and happens to see Chu Yunzheng standing in the sunlight.

The light falling on him seems to sweep away some gloom.

Wan Tang hurriedly puts down what she holds, her face beaming, and calls lightly, "Emperor."

Yet her hand, without a flicker of emotion, gathers up the Peach Blossom Brew.

【Tangtang, be careful not to get in the way; Chu Yunzheng's visit isn't about romance.】

【Good news has come back from the Northern Border, another victory. Because of this battle, Yan Wang's actions were somewhat suppressed.】

【The several vassal states that had already decided to cooperate with Yan Wang are now hesitating.】

【Although the Northern Border victory is good, a more worrying issue has arisen: where did those Hundred Thousand people come from?】

【Wan Tang, you must understand that the Mo Family no longer exists. Whether it's Huang Feihu or the Mo Family Army, they're all the Emperor's people.】

Wan Tang's eyelashes flutter lightly.

To Li Ping'er she says, "Ping'er, the palace and I have something to discuss with the Emperor; step aside for now."

Li Ping'er's face is full of doubt.

Yet she obediently nods.

She says, "Yes."

"Emperor, sister, I take my leave."

Wan Tang turns around and happens to see Chu Yunzheng moving her own Peach Blossom Brew.

Her heart quickens; she steps forward swiftly and snatches the Peach Blossom Brew from his hand.

Before Chu Yunzheng can get angry, Wan Tang first pats her chest and hurriedly says, "Emperor, you scared me to death."

"This jar of wine is a failure; if the Emperor gets sick from drinking it, what shall we do?"

The surrounding items have been touched; it's fine to discard them.

While speaking, Wan Tang simply pours out the Peach Blossom Brew.

It's just a jar of wine.

Chu Yunzheng doesn't mind.

Compared to that, Chu Yunzheng cares more about Wan Tang's words.

He looks at Wan Tang with interest, his tone adding a hint of inquiry, "Tangtang, are you truly nervous before me?"

"Even if something happens to me, what impact would that have on Fengqi?"

"Emperor, you often spout nonsense; the impact is huge."

Wan Tang's expression turns serious, she sighs deeply and says helplessly, "If we don't mention others, just Yan Wang—if he knew the Emperor was lax, wouldn't he act immediately?"

"If the Ning family sends three thousand troops, can't they subdue the opposing Hundred Thousand Army?"

Chu Yunzheng suddenly says, "Hui Guifei can indeed surprise people; three thousand troops can completely turn the Northern Border's situation."

If it weren't for Wan Tang learning of the matter from the Barrage.

She feared she still didn't understand Chu Yunzheng's meaning.

But admitting such a thing would make one the biggest fool in the world; hearing the Emperor's words, Wan Tang pretended to be ignorant.

Her face full of surprise, she quickly says, "Really?"

"Sister Hui is amazing, isn't she?"

"It seems that within this deep palace, Hui Jiejie has indeed been buried."

Chu Yunzheng's gaze that falls on Wan Tang is entirely scrutinizing.

After a while, Chu Yunzheng's eyes finally shift away from Wan Tang.

He doesn't expose anything, merely says, "That's even better."

"With midsummer approaching, Hui Guifei's side has just won a battle; they'll probably return to court soon."

Wan Tang seems not to grasp Chu Yunzheng's meaning, merely clinging beside him, her face full of innocence.

She nods heavily.

"Great, when Sister Hui and her brother return, we must hold a splendid banquet."

Chu Yunzheng smiles without speaking, but his smile never reaches his eyes; his tone always carries a frightening depth.

"Tangtang, you are my lucky star; as long as Tangtang is here, whatever the matter, I feel especially at ease."

His hand gently rests on Wan Tang's lower abdomen.

It seemed as if it were spoken to Wan Tang, and also as if to oneself: "Imperial son, when you speak, I shall hand the throne over to you."

"Is that alright?"

Wan Tang smiled, her tone now tinged with a coquettish flavor: "Emperor, if I were a daughter, would you not love me?"

In a gaze lacking the former affection.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes were too cold and absolute.

Word for word: "It can only be the imperial son, understand?"

The smile on Wan Tang's face vanished.

The atmosphere between them grew tense.

"Emperor." Xiao Dongzi's voice came at the right moment: "Lihua Lady says her stomach hurts and wishes the Emperor to take a look."

Chu Yunzheng showed a hint of irritation: "If the stomach hurts, go see the imperial physician."

"Didn't you see I am currently with Imperial Noble Consort?"

【What pretence? He now stays nightly at Lihua Lady's, even granted Zhaoying, does he still have Wan Tang in his heart?】

【Why not? Every day is suspicion and doubt toward Wan Tang. So far, we don't even know how many people have been sent to investigate Wan Tang.】

【Roll, roll, roll, who says they want to see him like that. We, Tangtang, aren't interested in you either.】

Wan Tang suppressed the irritation in her heart.

She gently persuaded: "Emperor, Lihua sister is still young; if something feels uncomfortable, her heart must be very uneasy."

"Perhaps the Emperor should go take a look first."

"I still have to brew wine later, and Minghui's lessons today also need tutoring…"

Wan Tang demurred.

Chu Yunzheng curled the corner of his mouth.

He nodded.

He sneered: "The noble consort is now even busier."

"Not only does she manage the Imperial harem in perfect order, but she also tolerates the harem sisters to a degree that astonishes me."

Chu Yunzheng let out a cold snort from his nostrils.

He extended his hand, pinching Wan Tang's chin, and slowly raised it: "It's only the first noble consort, I'm afraid I'm already unfit for Tangtang."

"I wonder how Tangtang views the Empress's position?"

Is the probing coming again?

Wan Tang gave a faint smile.

She said from the heart: "What the Emperor bestows, I shall cherish and value greatly."

"If it is not mine, I would never desire it."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes harbored dark surging waves, full of meanings too obscure to discern.

Early summer.

Cicadas chirped sparsely.

The Northern Border's war situation is stable.

Hui Guifei quietly returned to the palace.

A low‑key palace banquet was held in the Side Hall, attended only by the Duke of Ning and a few close ministers.

Wan Tang, upon seeing Hui Guifei, hurried forward and tightly grasped her hand.

Their eyes met; though neither spoke, everything was conveyed without words.

Hui Guifei's skin was no longer as fair as before.

Yet between her brows and eyes, there was much self‑satisfied happiness.

"Sister." After a long while, Wan Tang called softly.

Hui Guifei gently returned the grip, whispering: "You've returned."

The banquet had already begun.

This place was not a spot for their conversation.

During the banquet.

Everyone was praising Hui Guifei's achievements, while Chu Yunzheng toyed with his wine cup.

He suddenly spoke: "The inner palace should not remain vacant for long."

"Wan Tang comes from the Mo Family, her disposition is virtuous; I wish to make her the Empress."

When the words fell, the hall was silent for only a moment.

Immediately, the ministers began to echo:

"Your Majesty is sagacious, the Mo Family is noble, perfectly fitting the motherly virtue of the realm."

"General Xu has repeatedly earned battle merits at the Northern Border; Sister, as Empress, would complement each other splendidly."

Clearly, Hui Guifei, the Duke of Ning's daughter, had just set out on a campaign and achieved great merit immediately.

At this moment, no one mentioned Hui Guifei.

"Duke of Ning," Chu Yunzheng asked casually: "What is your view?"

The Duke of Ning hurried forward and knelt: "Emperor, throughout this long period, it has always been Imperial Noble Consort who managed the harem."

"Moreover, she has kept the harem merely orderly."

"Old Minister, seeing this, is also very pleased."

"My daughter is accustomed to being fierce. Naturally, these matters are not her strength."

"Imperial Noble Consort as Empress is, of course, the best possible."

Everyone looks like a scene of peace.

Chu Yunzheng, smiling, listened to the approvals, his gaze gently falling on Wan Tang.

But that smile stayed on the surface, like a thin layer of ice, making people inexplicably feel cold.

【Dog Emperor, here again.】

【These ministers really are something; they have no sense of restraint at all.】

【If the Emperor truly wanted to appoint an empress, he would have already established Wan Tang. He wouldn't keep asking questions repeatedly.】

【You should know that, up to now, Chu Yunzheng is still investigating the troops brought by Hui Guifei.】

Wan Tang is helpless.

In this situation, she can only step forward: "Today is a good time for Hui Guifei to return."

"We should still celebrate for joy."

"As for the rest…"

Wan Tang smiles gently: "Everything will follow the Emperor's arrangement."

Chu Yunzheng's tightly furrowed brows finally relax a little.

He only says coldly: "Wait for Xu Yanchuan over there; we'll discuss when he returns."

The night deepens.

Changle Palace is about to turn off the lights.

Chu Yunzheng, rarely making an appearance, arrives; the palace staff kneel everywhere, Wan Tang's heart jumps, and she forces herself to stay calm to receive him.

"Tangtang," Chu Yunzheng takes her hand, his tone revealing no joy or anger, "Look, now the whole court of civil and military officials all support you; you are no longer the little girl who needed my constant protection."

A faint, almost imperceptible sense of loss slips through his voice.

Wan Tang hasn't had time to ponder the deeper meaning of his words when Chu Yunzheng leans forward, his scorching breath enveloping her.

Wan Tang subconsciously resists, her fingertips pressing against his chest.

Her voice trembles: "Emperor, child…"

"No problem."

"It's already the fourth month; I will be gentle."

Chu Yunzheng cuts her off, his movement exuding unquestionable dominance, his fingers already reaching for the clasp on her collar.

Tonight, he has come almost solely for conquest.

Wan Tang's heart sinks, despair surging like a tide.

At that moment, a clear, urgent voice of Ning Daying suddenly comes from outside the hall:

"Emperor, Emperor."

"My sister says she misses you, says she has bathed and changed, and is waiting for you to come…"