Chapter 298: The Cruelest Thing

Wan Tang looked at Li Ping'er in disbelief.

Though she had already persuaded them many times, she didn't expect Li Ping'er could still utter such words.

Wan Tang couldn't help but smile bitterly.

She said lightly, "Hmm, then according to what you said, what should we do?"

Li Ping'er instantly became excited; hearing Wan Tang speak like that, they immediately said, "At a time like this, we obviously must…"

After a couple of sentences, they suddenly sensed something was wrong.

Li Ping'er's face showed a look of panic.

They hurriedly knelt on the ground, pleading earnestly, "Sister, I'm sorry."

Wan Tang's smile vanished, leaving only endless indifference.

"It seems I've given you too many chances."

Wan Tang said no more, stood up coldly, and walked toward the outside.

Li Ping'er stood dumbfounded in place, smiled bitterly, and finally collapsed weakly onto the ground.

At this moment, she finally understood.

What she had truly lost at this moment.

Some things, once lost, are probably never recoverable.

Wan Tang rose, her voice tinged with detachment, "From now on, you need not come here again."

Xiao Shunzi opened their mouth, still wanting to plead on Li Ping'er's behalf.

But meeting Wan Tang's eyes, the words at the tip of their tongue were swallowed back.

In the end, Li Ping'er herself failed to gauge depth and betrayed the Master's trust.

After exiting the hall, Wan Tang walked on the green stone palace path and suddenly asked, "What do you think?"

Xiao Shunzi bowed and followed, replying cautiously, "My humble opinion, Chengcai has always been the Master's servant, all depends on the Master's decree."

Wan Tang gave a faint "Hmm."

As events unfolded, Wan Tang began to understand why the Emperor was always lonely.

Some people, once they get too close, inevitably lose their sense of propriety.

That person will gradually forget their own status, and their actions will repeatedly trample your boundaries.

Yangxin Hall.

Chu Yunzheng threw the confidential report in his hand heavily onto the imperial desk, his face as still as water.

"I can't believe I didn't know Fengdu had become like this!"

He suddenly lifted his gaze, looking at Ouyang Qing, who stood bowed below, and asked, "Why does Xu Yanchuan still refuse to return his troops to the capital?"

Ouyang Qing bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, the Northern Border is temporarily peaceful, but the tribes' minds are hard to gauge."

"General Xu intends to garrison, to prevent…"

"Garrison?" Chu Yunzheng sneered, cutting him off, "Now Fengdu is the real serious threat."

"The defeated generals of the Northern Border are nothing but stray dogs, not worth mentioning!"

He rose, his sleeves and robe stirring a gust of wind, "Send my decree, ordering Xu Yanchuan to hand over command immediately and rush back to the capital."

"No mistakes allowed!"

"I… will obey."

Ouyang Qing dared not speak further, took the order, and hurriedly withdrew.

Another month passed, and the peach blossom trees bore many small fruits.

Wan Tang held a pair of scissors in her hand, pruning the fruits.

Her belly grew larger, and the little one inside began to stop fussing, kicking Wan Tang's abdomen.

Minghui curiously approached.

Pressing his face to her belly, he asked with puzzlement, "Mother, is there a brother or a sister inside?"

"Minghui, do you want a brother or a sister?"

"A sister."

Minghui answered confidently, a hint of sorrow beyond his age flashing in his eyes.

He whispered, "Hui Niangniang once said that a girl's life is predetermined from the moment of birth."

"But I have Hui Niangniang and Mother; as a mother's daughter, I can have my own life."

Minghui placed his tiny hands over Wan Tang's belly, softly saying, "Mother, if it's a brother, he will be just like the Emperor, right?"

"Becoming someone like the Emperor, isn't that good?" Wan Tang said gently, her hand lightly covering Minghui's head.

Minghui shook his head, "No."

"Many times, I don't even know the Emperor."

Wan Tang felt a pang in her heart.

A wave of sorrow rose unbidden.

If the child in her womb truly is the San Huangzi mentioned by the Barrage, would it still be the person she knows?

【Barrage】 "Look, Xu Yanchuan is also a stubborn fool. The Emperor said to return, so return!"

【Barrage】 "It's not that he doesn't want to return; Xu Yanchuan thinks the peace of the Northern Border was bought with so many lives. He doesn't want to stop here. He just wants stability."

【Barrage】 "Stability, that's fine, let Chu Yunzheng hold a grudge in his heart. The realm is Chu Yunzheng's anyway, the border wars aren't Xu Yanchuan's fault. What is there to fear?"

【Barrage】 "Wan Tang, quickly persuade Xu Yanchuan; this defiance truly angered Chu Yunzheng."

The Barrage came again.

Wan Tang's heart lifted suddenly.

What?

At a time like this, how could one still defy Chu Yunzheng's orders?

Wan Tang felt anxious.

She hurriedly ordered Xiao Shunzi, "You must have Qi Er personally lead troops to the Northern Border; by any means, even if you have to bind them, they must return to the capital at once!"

Early summer was arriving, and the Yuhuayuan was awash with blooming flowers competing for brilliance.

Wan Tang arranged a flower‑appreciation banquet, inviting the Imperial harem sisters for a small gathering.

Amid the sounds of silk and bamboo, Chu Yunzheng arrived uninvited.

"I recall Xiao Mingshu; when it comes to palace banquets, I get a terrible headache," the Emperor said.

Chu Yunzheng lifted his cup and chuckled, his gaze landing on Wan Tang, "It's still Tangtang who wins hearts, making the Six Palaces so harmonious."

Wan Tang bowed her head quickly, "It is Your Majesty's benevolence; the sisters naturally share one mind."

Beside them, Hui Guifei said coldly, "The Imperial harem sisters' hearts are bound to Your Majesty. As long as Your Majesty remains impartial, they will naturally be united and affectionate."

Chu Yunzheng smiled and nodded, "Your beloved consort speaks truly."

This Imperial harem has become so harmonious that it is unrecognizable to Chu Yunzheng.

"Today the Emperor can attend is my honor. I offer the Emperor a cup…"

Wan Tang said, lifted her cup, and rose with a smiling grin…

【Wuwuwu, my heart aches to the point of death. Why is this happening?】

【Xu Yanchuan defied the imperial decree, the Northern Border remnants were still stirring. Xu Yanchuan insisted on wiping out all remnants. Unexpectedly, the Dog Emperor had Ouyang Qing deliver a banquet to him. The Peach Blossom Brew was stolen from Wan Tang's wine. The pastries, delicacies, and jerky were indeed made by Wan Tang. The only difference is that the Dog Emperor had poison added inside.】

【Wuwuwu, my eyes are red from crying. Seeing Xu Yanchuan's happy expression, I thought I could finally taste the dishes my sister made.】

【I heard the Peach Blossom Brew was made by Hui Guifei and my sister; when you drink it, the smile in your eyes becomes so clean and pure.】

【Yes, his line "This wine is a bit light; when we get back, I'll have to tease sister…" hadn't even left his mouth before his mouth and nose started bleeding…】

【Ah! Why, the one who died is Xu Yanchuan…】

Xu Yanchuan…

…is dead!

The white jade cup in Wan Tang's hand shattered on the floor with a "pop."

It lay broken across the ground.

"Brother…"

She murmured to herself.

It was Chu Yunzheng who caused the death!

She was so ruthless, she almost wanted to charge forward and snap Chu Yunzheng's neck.

But she couldn't.

Behind her were too many people who depended on her for survival.

Such endurance was truly agonizing.

Wan Tang seemed drained of all strength, curling up, her fingertips digging deep into her palm.

Tears silently soaked her sleeves; only by burying her face fully in her arm could she hide the bone‑gnawing hatred.

Why wasn't it Chu Yunzheng who died?

Hui Guifei was the first to sense something wrong and stepped forward quickly, "You?"

She reached out to help, but felt Wan Tang's tremor, and her motion abruptly halted.

Chu Yunzheng remained seated at the main seat, frowning as he watched the scene.

He said nothing.

Chaotic noises came from outside.

Xiao Dongzi scrambled, rolling and crawling into the garden, crying out, "Urgent report from the Northern Border!"

"General Xu… was poisoned to death!"

Hui Guifei yanked Xiao Dongzi's collar sharply, "What did you say?!"

"The Northern Border forces were defeated; the remaining rebels were resentful and sent someone to poison General Xu."

Wan Tang suddenly looked up, blood streaks leaking from the corner of her mouth, staining her front collar red.

Hehe…

Indeed!

It was the people of the Northern Border who were the poisoners.

Tangtang, how could you poison a meritorious minister?

Because this death notice came from the Emperor's own mouth.

"It is my fault," Chu Yunzheng hurried over to help, his tone heavy, "If I had summoned him back to the capital earlier…"

His face was full of anguish.

He rose, walked step by step to Wan Tang, extended his hand to support her, his face awash with sorrow.

Guilt‑laden he said, "Tangtang, I know you're hurting inside."

"If you blame me, I have nothing to say…"

Wan Tang was about to speak, but suddenly spewed a mouthful of fresh blood, splattering Chu Yunzheng's dragon robe.

Her whole body trembled uncontrollably; it was terrifying.

"Summon the imperial physician!" Chu Yunzheng shouted sternly.

Unaware, when Xu Yanchuan's death news reached her, Hui Guifei's complexion instantly paled.

She turned, tried to head toward Jingren Palace, staggered two steps, and then collapsed heavily to the ground.

Ah!

Hui Guifei has fainted!

Imperial Physician, quick, quickly summon the Imperial Physician!

The flower‑appreciation banquet instantly descended into chaos.

For three consecutive days, Wan Tang has taken neither water nor rice, leaning on the bed.

She stared vacantly at the perpetually open window, which perfectly framed the Ginkgo tree.

But now, the Ginkgo tree is lush and thriving, yet it forever lacks a splash of color.

"Ping'er," Wan Tang finally spoke.

Li Ping'er had been waiting by the window for three days; the moment she heard the voice, she was exceedingly excited and hurried forward.

She sniffed, then quickly said, "Sister, I'm here."

"Go tell that person what he needs; I, the palace, am willing to cooperate fully!" Wan Tang's voice was hollow.

When she said those words, there was no trace of color left in her eyes.

"Sister, I regret it," Li Ping'er anxiously grasped Wan Tang's hand, "It's too dangerous; I want you to be safe."

Wan Tang stared at her coldly and withdrew her hand.

Her voice was crisp: "Too late."

"After today, you and I need not address each other as sisters."

Li Ping'er's complexion suddenly faded; she seemed about to say something, but not a single word could escape her lips.

From her ignoring Wan Tang's pleas and again aiding Yan Wang at that moment, what dignity remained to speak of any affection with Wan Tang?

Moreover, the death of Xu Yanchuan—did they have absolutely no connection to it?

A single tear fell, catching her off guard.

Li Ping'er stepped back a few paces, knelt on the ground, and struck the floor with heavy kowtows.

Then, she retreated.

She left.

Jingren Palace.

Wan Tang lifted the heavy curtain, and Hui Guifei, as if nothing were wrong, was eating a greasy pork knuckle.

She has never liked such lavish meat.

"Sister," Wan Tang called softly.

Hui Guifei looked up, wiped her hands, and excitedly said, "You have come; I am pregnant."

"Over two months..."

She smiled, truly beautiful: "I am so foolish, yet I did not even know..."

"I will also become a mother; I am delighted."

Are you delighted?

Wan Tang's chest tightened briefly, yet why, you have eyes brimming with hot tears...