Chapter 325: The Empress's Rights

Wan Tang sneered: "People are being rescued at the Imperial Medical Institute; if the Emperor truly cares, he should go see them, not make excuses for some people."

Speaking, Wan Tang turned her gaze to Bai Li standing nearby, her stare cold and terrifying.

Bai Li lowered her eyes, acting even more pitifully.

Chu Yunzheng murmured lowly: "She has practiced martial arts since childhood; even while pregnant, she once single‑handedly broke through a siege…"

The meaning was clear: a person like that would not fall easily.

Bai Li's voice choked as she sighed, "Emperor, you see clearly, I truly was careless."

"I originally came to pay respects to Sister Hui, but she is short‑tempered; a few words made her angry."

"I only intended to give a bowl of tangyuan, yet she forced it away, causing me to fall to the ground…"

A hint of struggle appeared in Chu Yunzheng's eyes.

Usually, he would have left.

After all, a single glance is enough for Chu Yunzheng to see the other's lie.

But now, if he walked away, Li Er had never survived in the harem; she could never be Wan Tang's opponent.

She entered the palace for herself.

How then could he watch her step into the abyss?

"How careless." Wan Tang cut her off, "The harem always has so many accidents."

"Today it was Hui Guifei, tomorrow what?"

Wan Tang's tone was sharp, with no hint of concession.

She radiated a chilling aura; those she oppressed dared not meet her gaze.

From the moment Bai Li acted, she had planned everything, sowing discord between the two sides, yet she never expected the events to unfold unlike her imagination.

The timidity that appeared in Bai Li's eyes was not pretended.

Chu Yunzheng frowned: "You're exaggerating."

"The harem is exactly like that." Wan Tang met his gaze, "Here, ignorance is the greatest crime."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes grew colder: "Can't you give the Emperor any face?"

"Can." Wan Tang's mouth curved slightly, her gaze still icy: "The Emperor protects us, so naturally you are Heaven."

"Thunder and rain are all Heaven's blessings; if we can only obey the Emperor's orders, I can only guess whether the consequences are the result the Emperor wants."

Wan Tang slowly looked at Chu Yunzheng; all the reverence she once held for him shattered.

"Emperor, I may, but my sister may not."

"The Mo Family is gone; we cannot be without the Ning family!"

"A sovereign can be ruthless, can not love a woman; what about the realm?"

The aura emanating from Chu Yunzheng was terrifyingly cold.

Bai Li suddenly knelt, stammering: "All the countless mistakes are my fault…"

"The fault is naturally yours." Wan Tang glared at her, voice authoritative: "According to Palace Rules, anyone who injures a consort by collision is confined for three months."

"If the Imperial Heir is injured…" She deliberately paused, then continued slowly: "The lighter punishment is exile to the Cold Palace; the harsher is a one‑chi white silk."

Bai Li's small face turned ashen.

Chu Yunzheng abruptly brushed his sleeve: "You now also use Palace Rules against me?"

"Indeed, all women who sit on the throne become like this."

"Since the Emperor says so, I, today, will fulfill the Empress's duties."

Upon hearing this, Wan Tang turned, her voice ringing: "By my command, Concubine Li is confined to Changchun Palace; without an edict she may not leave."

Bai Li stared in disbelief at Chu Yunzheng, tears hazy.

"Empress!" Chu Yunzheng's tone was unreadable, neither joy nor anger.

Wan Tang stepped forward slowly: "Does the Emperor wish to investigate this matter thoroughly?"

"An accidental slip and a premeditated plot require very different handling."

"Moreover, if someone intends to harm the Noble Consort's child, how should the Emperor answer the old ministers of the Former Dynasty?"

Chu Yunzheng's expression darkened slightly; Bai Li was a ray of light in his heart, yet that light was far dimmer than the world.

Moreover, today's incident was already suspicious.

He was born in the harem, raised in the harem; the methods he has seen, both clever and crude, are countless.

Turning back, he stared at that face that made him feel pity, and let out a faint sigh.

She was Bai Li, after all!

The once pristine, aloof woman, after coming to this palace, what kind of torment had she endured?

He lifted Bai Li, gently coaxing: "I will send the best nanny to look after you."

His voice also carried a hint of sentiment: "The palace truly is not like the outside."

"Li Er, if you truly wish to stay, use this time to learn the palace's rules well!"

Bai Li was utterly shocked.

She had almost been strangled to death by Wan Tang.

According to her conjecture, Chu Yunzheng should have been furious, perhaps even killed Wan Tang.

At least he should have confined her.

But why was it she who ended up locked away?

"Emperor…" Bai Li panicked, hurriedly leaning into his arms, tears perfectly slipping down, "Will you come to see me?"

"Of course." Chu Yunzheng lifted his hand to wipe away her tears, his gaze deep, "How could I let you suffer alone."

After a few comforting words, he finally released Bai Li.

She turned and stared at Wan Tang, her gaze suddenly cold: "Since the Empress holds the Phoenix Seal, she truly is self‑less."

Wan Tang performed a dignified bow: "During my day in the Phoenix position, I will faithfully fulfill my duties."

"Hmph!"

"Then you should be a good Empress!"

Chu Yunzheng brushed his sleeve and left.

The moment his figure vanished, the sorrow on Bai Li's face disappeared instantly.

She calmly smoothed her sleeve, a mocking curve lifting her lip corner: "It seems the bond between the Consort and the Emperor is no more than this."

"What can you, the principal Consort, possibly do?"

"At least I can have you confined," Wan Tang said without raising her head.

Bai Li's complexion stiffened, teeth clenched: "Consort, why must you be so hard‑hearted?"

"You know best who the Emperor holds in his heart."

"Naturally clear." Wan Tang finally lifted her eyes, "If you cherish that bit of false affection, take it."

"I, the Empress, hold the Phoenix Seal; I have no time to perform these childish love dramas with you."

Her tone was indifferent: "Three months of confinement; Concubine Bai Li should cultivate herself properly."

"If you cause trouble again," Wan Tang's gaze was knife‑sharp, "next time it won't be as simple as confinement."

Bai Li was met with a cold laugh: "Consort, keep up that lofty demeanor, and let's see how long you can hold it!"

Wan Tang was too lazy to respond at all.

She instructed Xiao Luzi: "You personally escort Concubine Bai Li back to the Imperial Palace, let her stay in the palace and properly learn the rules."

"Yes!"

Xiao Luzi waved his hand, and two eunuchs on the left and right escorted Bai Li away.

Bai Li's expression turned fierce, glaring at Xiao Luzi: "Castrated dog, get out!"

"I, the Empress, will leave on my own!"

Wan Tang's steps halted, savoring the words, murderous intent flashing in her eyes.

Imperial Medical Institute.

The scent of medicine filled the air.

Wan Tang hurried along, relieved that Hui Guifei and the fetus were unharmed.

After taking the medicine, the pulse steadied.

Hui Guifei leaned on the couch, her complexion pale.

Wan Tang hurried forward and grasped Hui Guifei's hand: "Sister, how do you feel?"

"Does the womb still hurt?"

Hui Guifei's gaze fell on her hand: "It was just a fall, but you…"

"How did you get injured?"

"No problem." Wan Tang tried to withdraw her hand, but Hui Guifei held it tightly.

"Still acting tough," Hui Guifei sighed, having someone fetch wound medicine and carefully bandage her, "I know you stood up for me today."

"Then Bai Li's actions were clearly intentional."

"Now the Emperor has reservations about the Mo Family Army, and there are also the hundred‑thousand troops brought by Lord Su…"

"Sister, just rest and nurture the fetus," Wan Tang interrupted, her voice gentle yet firm, "Everything is under my care."

Hui Guifei stared at her for a long time: "When you act, the previous efforts are wasted; how can the Emperor still protect you?"

Wan Tang smiled: "That's why you must take better care of yourself, sister."

"Anyway, just keep protecting me."

Hui Guifei looked at her radiant smile, a bit dazed, her brows and eyes strikingly resembling a certain person.

A pain rose in her heart, her eyelashes drooped, casting a shadow that concealed her emotions.

She merely said, "You act cautiously, and have previously worked hard to build trust with the Emperor."

"Even with all the effort, he still doubts me? The Emperor's preference isn't a particular person, just a subordinate that can cling to him."

"Since I am a descendant of the Mo Family, between me and the Emperor, there is no longer any romantic love."

"I endured before; the time hadn't come."

"Now, why should I still be so fearful of the Emperor?"

"Bai Li relies on favor, but when the Emperor is harassed by the Ministry of Revenue to the point of exhaustion, a woman's wailing would be extremely aggravating."

"I wonder if, then, the Emperor will still think that the white of moonlight can illuminate everything for him?"