Chapter 315: Of Course Love, This Realm

"Emperor..." Wan Tang called softly: "She also loves the Emperor; otherwise, how could a woman give her chastity to you?"

Wan Tang was angry inside; Bai Li had already reached this level, yet Chu Yunzheng merely brushed it off with the words "impatient".

Just thinking about it is laughable.

Wan Tang wanted to remind Chu Yunzheng that the two of you have lost face publicly.

Everyone has seen your ghastly look, yet you still claim to be upright.

"Tangtang is right; she does this because she loves me," Chu Yunzheng immediately affirmed.

Would an emperor who completely reshapes the court not see through such clumsy tactics?

Indeed, the difference when loving someone is to tolerate all of her.

To beautify everything.

Rather than trying to wake a pretended sleeper, just let them die in the dream.

Wan Tang hurriedly asked, "May I ask, Emperor, what rank should she be given?"

"She has waited for me over ten years; I cannot wrong her, so I will simply grant her the title of Noble Consort," Chu Yunzheng said, his expression slightly brightening.

Wan Tang meekly replied, "Subject obeys your command."

But she frowned, "Only the speech officials may require more complications, since today their emotions are very agitated."

Mentioning the speech officials, Chu Yunzheng immediately got a headache.

"The most frightening are the historians; Subject thinks that omitting a record would be best."

Chu Yunzheng's face had turned so dark it seemed it could drip water.

What he wants to be is a timeless emperor who holds all military power.

It is because of Bai Li... no, because of Bai Zijun, that he became the first emperor who cannot be removed.

Wan Tang also whispered, "And Bai Zijun is still in prison; if we grant her the title of Noble Consort, it would not be good to have the imperial uncle wearing shackles."

"Although he cannot be entered into the Mo Family Genealogy, granting him a general title would be complementary."

"Emperor, what do you think..."

Every word Wan Tang spoke was in obedience to the Emperor, considering his interests.

But each of these matters repeatedly tramples on the Emperor's dignity.

"Dreaming!" Chu Yunzheng slammed his tea cup, "This fool has ruined my face, yet still dares to covet military power?"

Wan Tang hurriedly knelt, "Emperor, calm your anger; Subject will think of another method."

But this is already a deadlock; where could a solution come from?

Wan Tang's so-called plan was nothing more than standing still, troubling herself alone.

Seeing the redness at the corners of her eyes, Chu Yunzheng finally softened: "It is I who have made you troubled."

"These matters, even I cannot handle well; how could you manage them?"

A lone woman is merely his accessory.

Chu Yunzheng thought briefly, then said, "With the prestige of the Duke of Ning, it is enough to settle these matters. Have the Duke of Ning petition to grant her a consort rank."

"Emperor, are you trying to force the Duke of Ning to death?" Wan Tang gasped, covering her mouth.

After all, previously the Duke of Ning had already hit a wall.

"It's different this time; we only let Li Er enter the palace, not embarrass the waste that is Bai Zijun. This matter he can still handle cleanly."

"If he is willing to acknowledge this daughter, a consort rank is not impossible," Chu Yunzheng waved his hand, "You go persuade that old stubborn man."

Wan Tang sneered inwardly; had she not given the final reminder today, the Duke of Ning might have petitioned on behalf of Bai Li.

But could he truly be willing to harm a legitimate daughter who is about to bear a prince and is truly sacrificing herself for the Ning family?

Wan Tang stood in place, anxiously fidgeting with her handkerchief, her eyes filled with tears.

Seeing Wan Tang's lashes wet with tears, he finally sighed, "Enough, I will speak myself."

"That old stubborn oak's temperament—how could a single woman persuade him?"

Wan Tang softly bit her crisp lip and whispered, "It is my incompetence."

"Emperor."

Xiao Dongzi entered from outside, awkwardly saying, "The Duke of Ning requests an audience."

"Perfect, I also wish to see him."

The Duke of Ning entered.

Having just heard the Emperor's words, he was about to explode with anger.

"Subject will never recognize such a depraved woman!"

Chu Yunzheng barked, "But she is already my woman."

"If you had not married her off to others back then, she would be my wife."

Hearing this, the Duke of Ning was visibly stunned.

But he gave no further explanation.

The Duke of Ning's beard and hair bristled: "If she insists on entering the palace, at most grant her a beauty title."

"Our Ning family's hundred-year reputation cannot be ruined in an instant!"

Chu Yunzheng, furious, sneered, "I do not know when a Son of Heaven taking a consort must consider his ministers' faces?"

"Emperor!" Wan Tang hurried forward, standing between them, "Perhaps we should adopt a compromise."

The two remained at an impasse; it was never a solution.

Wan Tang's appearance at this moment became a stepping stone, and both turned their gaze to her.

Wan Tang whispered, "Granting her the Zhaoying both preserves royal dignity and spares the Duke from difficulty."

Seeing Chu Yunzheng's expression lighten slightly, she then gently urged the Duke of Ning, "Duke, consider that Bai Li is still cultivating at Jingxin An, and now this matter has arisen..."

"We can't just let anyone pierce the Huang family's spine."

The Duke of Ning looked at Wan Tang with a complicated expression and said, "Since the Empress has spoken, that's fine."

"But …" Chu Yunzheng hesitated.

Wan Tang hurriedly urged from beside, "Emperor, you and she are both young, and love each other so deeply."

"Surely within two months, good news will arrive again."

"When the Imperial Heir is born, you may elevate her to consort; who can say otherwise?"

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunzheng finally nodded, "If so, we must not wrong her."

"We truly must give her a good title."

Wan Tang answered without hesitation, "Like pear blossoms bearing dew, the utmost Ice Purity."

"Bestowing the title Pear Pin, would that not be elegant?"

Chu Yunzheng's thoughts swirled; he probably also thought of those pear blossoms, the years of redemption that Bai Li gave him.

He nodded, "That will do as well."

"Then leave this matter to the Empress to handle."

"Yes, I, the Subject, will handle it properly," Wan Tang bowed and left.

Returned to Kunning Palace.

She did not expect that at this moment, Hui Guifei was still there.

She sat under the Ginkgo tree, a fan in hand, fanning intermittently.

"Sister." Wan Tang smiled and stepped forward.

Hui Guifei scowled, her voice icy, "Are you heartless, or just shameless?"

"Everyone is already riding on your head, yet you still try to be all‑encompassing for them?"

The Guanren behind them changed expression.

Now Wan Tang is the Empress; even a consort speaking that way is a grave disrespect.

"Everyone step back!" Wan Tang, unannoyed, ordered all nearby to withdraw.

In the courtyard, only two people remained.

Wan Tang sat opposite Hui Guifei, personally poured tea, and placed it before her.

She smiled and said, "One must have skin, but the heart is also flesh."

"So you think this is fun?" Hui Guifei raised an eyebrow.

Wan Tang shook her head.

Her eyes deepened, and she said, "The Mo Family's blood must not be shed in vain."

"The Mo Family's soldiers must always remain in Mo Family hands?"

Hui Guifei looked deeply at Wan Tang, sighed at length, and said slowly, "As far as I know, you now, even if you desire this throne, it is not a difficult matter, is it?"

"As long as you wish to rebel, money, grain, troops—do you lack any?"

Wan Tang's eyes flashed, and she did not deny it.

She only looked at the bright moon overhead, and in a deep voice said, "Since ancient times, it has been said that legitimacy follows proper naming."

"The Mo Family is loyal and righteous, never plotting rebellion."

"Sister." Wan Tang suddenly smiled at Hui Guifei, and in a deep voice asked, "You say, if an emperor has already reached the point where the ministers actively urge him to abdicate, would that be more exciting?"

Hui Guifei suddenly stood up.

She looked at Wan Tang's flat belly.

She frowned and said, "Then you must seize the time."

"That woman Bai Li, her methods are formidable; in Chu Yunzheng's heart she holds an unparalleled place. I'm afraid if you later wish to bear a child, it will not be easy."