Chapter 316: It

Consort Hui Guifei's hand gently rested on Wan Tang's shoulder, she gave a wry smile: "Bai Li's greatest strength isn't her intelligence."

"But rather, the Emperor loves her."

"Does the Emperor really love her?" Wan Tang asked suddenly.

They are already an emperor; where could there be any romance?

Wan Tang's eyes grew deep: "The most terrifying thing is the Emperor's obsession."

It's like peeling an onion; even as you peel layer by layer, each layer can make a person tear up, but once someone becomes obsessed, they always believe the outer layer is rotten, yet the next layer is still fine.

Scandals spread like wind throughout the Fengqi Kingdom.

Even though the ministers that day kept their mouths sealed, these still become talk over tea and meals.

Wan Tang sat under the Ginkgo tree, teaching Minghui to write.

Xiao Shunzi waited nearby, excitement in their tone: "Now the matter of Jingxin An has already reached the carts and horses of major merchants, spreading across the five lakes and four seas."

"In a few more days, even other neighboring countries will know of this romantic anecdote."

Wan Tang patiently instructed Minghui on how to hold the brush.

After watching her write a complete "ren" character, she finally straightened her back.

She whispered: "Our Emperor of the Fengqi Kingdom is skillful, acts with thunderous speed, and cares most about reputation."

"He is filial to the Empress Dowager, reveres the Late Emperor's wishes, a wise ruler, and clears the injustices of loyal generals."

Each of Wan Tang's sentences seemed to be squeezed out from between her teeth.

"Our Emperor cares so much about face!"

In Xiao Shunzi's eyes, there was also hatred.

They truly couldn't help but forget how Li Ping'er lay in a pool of blood, eventually losing all signs of life.

Xiao Shunzi said coldly: "Then let these voices spread even farther."

"Nonsense." Wan Tang chided softly, her eyes on Xiao Shunzi, but seeming to look beyond them: "When the wind passes, does it stay in place?"

"Naturally, it leaves no trace." Xiao Shunzi replied.

Wan Tang nodded: "You must know, we are only wind, not the objects that get ruined by it."

Xiao Shunzi felt a little confused.

Before they could understand, Minghui tilted his head and laughed: "You're really stupid!"

"Father the Emperor is fierce; anyone who dares speak ill of him will surely have their head taken."

Xiao Shunzi suddenly realized.

They hurriedly knelt on the ground, repeatedly saying: "I, the Nubi, am foolish, thank the Princess for the reminder."

"By the way." Wan Tang gestured for Xiao Shunzi to rise: "In two days, our Pear Concubine will enter the palace."

"She is the woman the Emperor holds closest to his heart; we must prepare her well."

Xiao Shunzi, unwillingly, still said: "Let her stay in Jingren Palace!"

"To Cuivei Palace."

Wan Tang cut in: "Since she is the Pear Concubine, she naturally cannot be a guest elsewhere; she must hold a principal position in a palace."

That place, however, was where they had lived before.

The courtyard was small and crudely built; even the pear tree inside was dead.

"Go ahead, the Emperor will agree." Wan Tang said with confidence.

Two days later.

A small sedan chair slowly moved along Yong Xiang.

Although it was only a concubine rank, Wan Tang had already notified every consort in the harem, all dressed neatly and waiting outside Kunning Palace.

When the sedan curtain was lifted, Bai Li's attire no longer bore any of the simple Jingxin An style.

She wore a pure white floating silk brocade palace dress, her hair ornament simple—a single pure white pear blossom pinned to her head.

The harem was filled with chirping and fluttering, all exuding noble elegance.

Bai Li's appearance outside was naturally eye‑catching, fresh, elegant, aloof and distinctive.

But here, everywhere felt petty, as if unfit for the stage.

If the fabric weren't more expensive, even Qiu Niang beside Wan Tang would have a bit more aura than she does.

"Madam, be careful." Chun Xing's voice was crisp, with an unhidden pride: "Look, knowing you're coming, the women of the harem have all come out to greet you."

Seeing the scene, Chun Xing grew even more proud: "When the former Empress entered the palace, she didn't receive this treatment."

"The Emperor's favor toward you is a unique grace."

Wan Tang stood at the gate of Kunning Palace, a smile at the corner of her mouth.

Bai Li's lips curled slightly, her gaze sweeping the concubines, her back straightening even more.

Chun Xing looked at Kunning Palace again.

Her eyes clearly brightened.

She exclaimed: "My god, this palace is so magnificent, even more than our Yan Wang Fu…"

Bai Li shot a sharp glance.

Chun Xing hurriedly closed her mouth.

She flattered with a smile: "Madam, your place in the Emperor's heart is unmatched."

"Look at this palace, so magnificent; when you live inside, I, the Nubi, am afraid I'll get lost."

Bai Li liked hearing such words, her lips couldn't suppress a smile, yet she sighed softly: "Don't speak nonsense."

"The Emperor's grace is vast; no matter how the Emperor arranges things, we must accept and complain less."

Several concubines, upon hearing, all wore expressions of surprise.

Just as I was about to speak, Wan Tang whispered, "Shei provokes her displeasure, that means she provokes the Emperor."

A few people quickly fell silent.

But the gaze toward Bai Li was inevitably a bit contemptuous.

Bai Li, supporting Chun Xing's hand, walked slowly forward, saying as she went, "These peach blossoms are inauspicious here; they must be cleared away."

"And that Yín xìng tree is truly unsightly. Better to plant some silk‑tree‑like flowers instead."

She walked slowly up to Wan Tang, her tone detached, "Empress, I am weary from travel and wish to rest."

"If you have nothing to do, you may leave."

"If there is anything else you need, I will have Chun Xing tell you."

Bai Li arrogantly lifted her chin.

The group of concubines stared at each other.

Li Pin inhaled sharply, "You let the Empress leave?"

Chun Xing, pressing her neck, said, "Of course, you're all here; how can our Empress rest?"

"It was the Empress who disturbed in the first place."

"The Imperial Palace has its own Palace Rules," Li Pin sneered, "Except for the Empress, everyone else is a concubine."

"How dare you be so arrogant here?"

"You, you have such nerve!" Chun Xing, looking at Li Pin, sharply rebuked, "How dare you disrespect our Empress?"

"You're courting death!"

Li Pin, for the sake of the Second Prince, is indeed much more low‑key, but that still ranks only below Wan Tang and Hui Guifei.

Now Lin Zehai holds a second‑rank official post and is a capable commander under Wan Tang; she can tolerate the superiors, but she has no room for others.

From the corner of her eye she stole a glance at Wan Tang, saw that she did not react, merely sipping tea calmly, and felt a certainty in her heart.

She suddenly raised her hand.

"Bang!"

A slap mark already appeared on Chun Xing's face; she covered her face and cried out in pain, "It hurts!"

"Empress, this isn't beating a Nubi; it's beating me!"

Bai Li's complexion darkened suddenly, "Shei permits you to touch my people?"

"She has followed me for ten years in Fengdu; beating her is beating me!"

Li Pin, unafraid, chuckled lightly, "Even a lowly maid dares to shout at her Master; according to Palace Rules she should be caned twenty times."

"My modest punishment is already merciful."

"Very well, then you too have committed insubordination!" Bai Li said, giving Chun Xing a glance, "Strike!"

Before Chun Xing could raise her hand, two old women rushed forward and pinned her to the ground.

Li Pin laughed, asking Bai Li, "We both hold the Zhaoying, so why speak of insubordination?"

"Moreover, I still have the Second Prince under my care."

"Zhaoying?" Bai Li seemed to hear a joke, "You're not serious, right? I'm about to move into Kunning Palace; how could that be a Zhaoying."

"The Emperor said, grant me the title of Guifei."

She said this while looking at Wan Tang, her gaze not at all like that of an opponent.

She merely stared at a negligible figure, "I recall the former Empress was merely a title; all Imperial harem affairs were left to the Guifei."

"What? You still haven't told them what my status is?"

The accusation pointed at Wan Tang.

Wan Tang gently set down her teacup.

With a helpless expression, she kindly urged Bai Li, "Now that you've entered the palace, you'll still need to learn the palace customs."

It was acceptable in the past, but thereafter, before me you and I may not address each other; you must only call me "Empress."

"Hmph!" Bai Li snorted.

Wan Tang produced the Imperial Decree, "Bai Li, obey the decree."

Bai Li stood there, upright.

Several concubines, seeing this, expressed dissatisfaction, "Why are you still standing?"

"Don't you kneel before the Empress quickly?"

Bai Li laughed, "I won't kneel."

Wan Tang, hearing this, did not get angry but smiled, "The decree is as if the Emperor himself were present."

"Even if your bond with the Emperor is deep, does that mean you won't kneel before the Son of Heaven?"

Bai Li lifted her chin slightly, her eyes full of pride, "The relationship between me and the Emperor cannot be measured by such empty rites. The Empress does not understand."

"No problem." Wan Tang unfolded the decree: "Bai Clan, you are naturally gentle and gracious, with a compliant disposition; you are hereby appointed as Li Pin, granted residence in Cuivei Palace."

Li Pin?!

Bai Li was shocked, "No… impossible."

"The Emperor would never treat me that way; it must be you…"

"Yes, it's you, deciding this behind the Emperor's back."