Chapter 327: I Would Not Dare to Punish You

Wan Tang and Xiao Shunzi continue to eat their meal calmly.

Qiu Ju, seeing that no one is behind Xiao Luzi, thoughtfully sets the bowls and chopsticks, indicating Xiao Luzi to eat.

Xiao Luzi is about to panic: "Consort, Concubine Li is so ostentatious entering the harem. It's only the first day of her confinement, and the Emperor already went to her."

"If she truly rested for a day, we still don't know what people will say about the Consort later."

"I, the servant, am truly worried that Concubine Li might actually have a good idea."

Wan Tang, unhurried, says: "Since the Emperor has already gone, we can't stop him."

"As for the idea…" Wan Tang's face remains calm, but in her eyes a hint of murderous intent leaks: "In Changchun Palace, has anything new been added lately?"

"Yesterday Concubine Li was in a bad mood; I heard she had a clash with a servant from the Music Bureau."

"Strangely, that person seemed unaffected and was even kept by Concubine Li in the palace."

Xiao Luzi says this, then suddenly realizes.

He hurriedly says: "I will investigate this woman's identity at once."

"No need!" Wan Tang whispers, taking a sip of the soup in the bowl: "When Concubine Li first entered the palace, having many people around her is a good thing."

"Moreover, the Emperor constantly keeps Concubine Li in his thoughts; we shouldn't meddle too much in her affairs."

"Since she has caretakers, this palace need not worry."

"According to palace rules, just send the palace staff over."

Xiao Luzi's eyes light up, feeling clever: "I will definitely pick a few trustworthy people to go."

Wan Tang gently shakes her head, not correcting much. After all, not everyone is Xiao Shunzi; sending a few people over is fine.

One matter with a loophole will inevitably be insufficient.

But if everything is a loophole, isn't that perfect?

Changchun Palace.

Concubine Li now has a beautiful, captivating palace maid by her side, with a pair of apricot‑flower eyes especially lovely.

Xiao Luzi leads a group of palace staff to stand at the doorway.

"Hmph, the Empress really is kind, actually picking so many people for my palace?" Concubine Li's voice is full of sarcasm: "Nanzhu, drive the people away; I get annoyed when I see them."

Nanzhu remains still, but whispers a few words into Concubine Li's ear.

Concubine Li's irritated expression instantly becomes lively, a smile at the corner of her mouth, she nods repeatedly: "You're clever."

"Indeed, if the Emperor wants to send people to keep watch, then let them watch."

"Since the Emperor is coming tonight, I want to see what will happen if some short‑sighted things collide with him."

At this point, Concubine Li still feels uneasy: "But as long as you attend to me, that's enough; let them serve outside."

Xiao Luzi leaves the people behind and dismisses them.

Just as he steps away, Concubine Li splashes the tea she holds onto the newly arrived palace staff: "What is this? Just a eunuch near Wan Tang; in a few days I'll give you a proper lesson."

"Consort, why bother with these people now?" Nanzhu advises beside him: "The Emperor is already heading this way; you should hurry to prepare."

"Yes, yes, the Emperor is the most important."

Concubine Li smooths her disheveled hair: "Quick, tell me again what you just said, I need to recite it to the Emperor later."

"Yes."

Nanzhu, especially obedient, leans forward and says: "Consort, rest assured, these methods were all used by Yan Wang and have already shown results in Fengdu."

"Very well, excellent!"

The bright moon hangs high.

Changchun Palace is brightly lit; there is no sign at all of any punishment or house arrest in the palace.

Wan Tang sees Minghui's lesson today and yawns.

Qiu Ju hurriedly steps forward to make the bed.

Xiao Shunzi places Calming Soup on the ground, eyes full of satisfaction: "Now the Consort no longer has to attend the Emperor every night; her complexion improves."

"Previously the Consort often woke up startled in dreams, now she sleeps soundly."

Wan Tang gives a bitter smile.

Indeed!

She once feared the Emperor's night returns, not knowing how to deal.

Now Bai Li wraps him, and she finally can enjoy peace.

Wan Tang smiles: "Tonight the Emperor rests in Changchun Palace; everyone may go to sleep, no need to stand watch."

Kunning Palace extinguishes its lights, a rare moment of peace.

【How come Bai Li's words sound so familiar? Aren't these the things we usually mock in the Barrage?】

【Could it be that Bai Li can also hear the Barrage?】

【I think it's impossible—although we have discussed these solutions, we have also analyzed them concretely; this method is only for individual cases. It's like Bai Li's method for the Emperor now. Rapid fundraising works in a short time, but before long the drawbacks appear—can Chu Yunzheng endure this backlash?】

【One must know, in this era, peasant uprisings are as numerous as cattle hairs. If the people are forced hard, rebellions will be everywhere.】

Wan Tang lies on the bed; the sound of the Barrage cannot affect her sleep at all.

Concubine Li of Changchun Palace is favored!

Not a single night without lights, and even for Concubine Li, the Emperor was late to the morning court.

Just on this point, who in the harem can compare?

Even the Empress has never made the Emperor disrupt the morning court like this.

Early the next morning, everyone in the palace was gossiping.

At the Imperial Kitchen, they even personally delivered breakfast to Concubine Li.

Even the consorts from each palace went early to Changchun Palace.

In Yuhuayuan.

Qiu Niang carries a flower basket, accompanying Wan Tang in selecting flowers.

Collecting fresh flowers daily to make flower tea has become Wan Tang's habit.

Bai Li supports Nanzhu's hand, deliberately waiting on the path that must be passed in Yuhuayuan.

Seeing Wan Tang return from flower picking, she steps forward two paces, a smile at the corner of her mouth, chatting with several consorts.

"Yesterday the Emperor was at Changchun Palace, saying my tea was more flavorful, and he stubbornly kept me up until the third watch."

Her voice was very soft: "I got up today, I'm feeling dizzy, still very sour."

"The Emperor truly dotes on the Empress."

"Sisters, aren't you all here to care for the Empress?"

Wan Tang sees a few nearby flowers looking good, stops, and trims the stems.

"Ah, isn't this the Empress?" Bai Li, as if just noticing Wan Tang, hurriedly bows: "Empress, I originally came to pay my respects to you."

"It's just that the Emperor feels sorry for my unwell body, so he exempted me from paying my respects."

Wan Tang doesn't lift her head: "Since Concubine Pear's body is unwell, she should rest properly."

Bai Li sees her indifferent, a flash of resentment in her eyes: "The Empress doesn't mind even a little?"

"Indeed, with you holding yourself like that, you must haven't experienced the joy of being with the Emperor for a long time!"

Wan Tang finally lifts her eyelids: "I hold the Phoenix Seal; yesterday I confined you, yet today you parade around."

"Those who know, the Emperor cherishes you; those who don't, they think the Emperor and Empress are at odds."

"Thus my decree is completely useless!"

"Little Luzi," Wan Tang barked coldly.

Little Luzi hurried forward.

Wan Tang asked coldly: "Has the Emperor ever said that Concubine Pear may go out and move about?"

"No, I have not." Little Luzi responded.

Wan Tang nodded, coldly said: "If so, does that mean Concubine Pear disregards me, the Empress?"

"You?" Bai Li clenched the handkerchief: "Because of the Mo Family, you can be this Empress. Because the Emperor needs a person of such status."

"Now, the Mo Family is gone. Fengdu also belongs to the Emperor."

"What the Emperor wants is already in his grasp."

"You, as Empress, how much weight can you still have?!"

Wan Tang chuckles lightly at the words, but there is no smile in her eyes: "Did Concubine Pear just now speak on behalf of the Emperor?"

"It was I, the concubine, who thought it!" Bai Li lifts her chin.

"Then have you ever considered," Wan Tang's tone gradually cold, "if such reckless words were transmitted to the Former Dynasty, how would the Censors impeach the Emperor for being obsessed with beauty?"

"If the Border Soldiers learned that the Emperor heavily employs a reckless talker, would the troops' morale waver?"

She steps forward, a smile curling at her lips: "The Emperor protects you everywhere, yet you yourself push him onto the brink of danger."

"I can tolerate your arrogance, and also…"

"But today, for every word and deed of yours, I certainly will not cover for you."

Wan Tang's attitude is resolute.

Bai Li's complexion changes.

Nanzhu quietly tugs Bai Li's sleeve, leans close to her ear and whispers: "Empress, think it over!"

"Last night the Emperor praised you highly, calling you his Fluent Talker."

"Usually making a commotion is fine, but if you make a misstep now, what will the Emperor think?"

"The most terrifying is that the Emperor wouldn't believe that the ideas last night were yours."

Bai Li's hand trembled slightly.

Indeed!

What does a fleeting pleasure of competing with Wan Tang today amount to?

What matters is a longer‑term plan.

Bai Li grits her teeth, staggers to her knees: "Empress, forgive my sin, I was reckless and ignorant!"

"Please, Empress, punish me!"

Wan Tang smooths her sleeve: "When I punish, has Concubine Pear ever endured?"

"If I could punish you, how would you still be here?"

Bai Li clenches her fist tightly, letting her nails dig into flesh, suppressing the fury within.

She mercilessly raises her hand and slaps her own face hard.

The crisp slap rings through Yuhuayuan: "I was wrong."

Wan Tang lowers her gaze at her reddened cheeks: "Pear Concubine, better not…"

"How could I dare punish you?"

"After all… you are the one at the Emperor's heart!"

Bai Li suddenly lifts her head.

She grits her teeth: "Today I have not left the palace, nor have I seen the Empress."

"My face is red and swollen, all due to an allergy."

"Please, Empress, let the matter in Yuhuayuan be as if it never happened."

Wan Tang smiles and retorts: "On what grounds?"

Bai Li's body sways.

At her ear there was still Nanzhu's urging: "Your Majesty, you must endure, Chang…"

"Ah!"

Bai Li let out a roar, tears rolling down.

Bai Li could only kneel on the ground, raise a hand, and slap—slap—their own face…