Chapter 336: Apology to Zhou Su

Changchun Palace rarely enjoys peace.

The Imperial harem also gets a brief respite.

The autumn wind is bleak, and summer has passed.

Mid-Autumn night.

The palace courtyards are brightly lit, and from afar one can hear Silk and Bamboo Music.

Although disasters continue everywhere, it is still a traditional festival, and between ruler and subjects, a gathering is still required.

At the palace banquet.

Wan Tang sits at the side of the imperial table, smiles and raises her cup: "On this auspicious festival, I wish to share Heaven's grace with all sisters and celebrate reunion together."

Chu Yunzheng also wears a smile, drinking together with the ministers.

When raising his cup, his gaze lingers briefly on Wan Tang's face.

Unnoticed, the two have not spoken for more than twenty days.

Wan Tang gives Chu Yunzheng a faint smile, her makeup delicate, her palace attire bright.

She forms a stark contrast to the plain Bai Li, not to mention their somewhat similar looks; even in sheer presence, she far surpasses the other women of the Imperial harem.

But the brighter those eyes are, the less courage Chu Yunzheng has to meet her gaze.

The scheme of pulling the firewood from under the cauldron shows its clue; now he is in unbearable suffering.

Recall that Wan Tang once knelt in Yangxin Hall begging for reconsideration, yet faced many doubts and contempt; thinking back, it is laughable.

Chu Yunzheng raises his cup: "Empress, please."

Wan Tang smiles, her wide sleeves covering, and drinks the wine from the cup.

The banquet proceeds orderly under Wan Tang's supervision.

Although the dishes are far less than usual, even a bit light, no one complains.

Bai Li looks at the dishes before her.

She lets out a cold laugh.

She gives Nanzhu a signal.

Nanzhu chuckles near Bai Li's ear, lowering her voice: "Your Highness, you see the information I have gathered is correct, right?"

"This Empress was born a palace maid; every time, the palace banquet gives the dignitaries only this little food?"

"Your Highness, fortunately you were prepared early."

Bai Li nods, looks at the newly served plain chicken tofu, and her complexion darkens instantly.

She stands up, dissatisfied, and says: "Empress, today is the Mid-Autumn Festival; you keep serving only tofu or vegetables, why?"

"Those who know you have endured hard times, do not understand the heavens and earth. Those who don't think we are on a fast."

Wan Tang's expression darkens: "Princess Bai, what do you mean?"

"Empress, you are being petty; we, the concubines, can endure a bit of grievance. But the dignitaries are meritorious officials who have devoted themselves to Fengqi Kingdom; can they celebrate in the palace without even a hint of meat?"

"I, the concubine, personally funded some food, with no other intent, just so the Emperor would not be embarrassed."

Wan Tang lifts the corner of her mouth.

What she likes most is watching some people act clever.

"Emperor…" Wan Tang frowns, gently shakes her head.

Chu Yunzheng's expression changes; he is about to speak, but hears Wan Tang's voice turn coquettish, trembling: "I, the concubine, have known today the ministers would come, and have been preparing since last night."

"Bai, now, it's not easy to be extravagant." Chu Yunzheng's voice is soft.

Bai Li straightens her chest, glances at Wan Tang: "Emperor, I only prepared everyday meals."

"Not particularly splendid."

Hearing this, Chu Yunzheng finally lets out a sigh of relief.

A faint smile finally appears on his face as he nods: "Bai, you're thoughtful."

Bai Li stands proudly, clapping delightedly.

Tonight, she will make everyone know who truly deserves to be the master of this Imperial harem.

Guanren file in like fish.

Carrying trays of exquisite delicacies.

Mountain and sea delicacies abound, and several dishes are unheard of.

Even a single bear's paw costs labor and wealth, treasured beyond measure.

In comparison, the food Wan Tang prepared is utterly unsuitable for the table.

"Heavens, this steamed lamb is perfect in color, aroma, and taste, and is far too precious."

"Can it compare to this steamed bear's paw?"

"Wrong, wrong, the most precious is this carp's lips. This dish alone might require hundreds of Yellow River big carp, just for the lips."

"These dishes, Old Minister, have only ever been seen at the Empress Dowager's 80th birthday."

Listening to the ministers' exclamations, Bai Li feels elated.

She exchanges a glance with Nanzhu, both seeing pride on the other's face.

Bai Li pinches her handkerchief, nonchalantly saying: "Esteemed lords, there's no need for courtesy; these are just home‑style dishes, please do not disdain them."

It should have been a time of clinking cups and merriment.

However, the ministers show worried faces, looking at the lavish spread as if sitting on a bed of needles.

Chu Yunzheng's complexion turns pale; the mighty emperor's fingers tremble with anger.

Wan Tang looks at the feast, suddenly stands, her face cold: "Emperor, I am feeling unwell."

"Please, Emperor, forgive me and allow me to depart first."

"Is the Empress ill in body or ill in spirit?" White Pear whispered sarcastically: "You can't blame her; after all, the Empress suffered a tragic childhood, how could she know how to handle this?"

"Pear Princess, I, the Subject, simply cannot tolerate you."

"How dare you mock the Empress!"

Zhou Su suddenly tossed his cup, rose, and his voice thundered: "The locust disaster in Jiangbei is not yet over; starving corpses litter the fields!"

"Yet within the Imperial Palace, song and dance continue in peace; do they know the pain of the people being forced to sell their children for food!"

"During the Mid‑Autumn Festival, a small gathering would suffice; such extravagance is hard to swallow!"

Zhou Su trembled with anger.

Each word roared, making him grind his teeth.

White Pear clutched the blanket in his hand; at his most triumphant moment, he was singled out like this.

Suddenly his temper flared, and he shouted angrily: "Lord Zhou, what a huge fury you have!"

"The Imperial Palace celebrations are a matter of royal dignity; how could they be equated with common folk affairs?"

"What a royal dignity!" Zhou Su's beard and hair stood on end, "Pear Princess, do you know that today's banquet expenses are enough to feed the ten thousand people for half a month!"

"Moreover, why do the common people suffer so much? Does the Princess not feel ashamed?"

"What you draw is the blood of the common folk!"

Zhou Su's whole face turned crimson, with blue veins bulging.

All the ministers bowed their heads in shame, and even Chu Yunzheng closed his mouth.

"You......" White Pear slammed the table and rose, at his most proud moment, how could he tolerate others spoiling his success.

He was about to rage, but Wan Tang cut him off coldly: "Pear Princess, watch your words."

Wan Tang's phoenix eyes were slightly sharp, her bearing self‑assured: "Censor Zhou worries about the nation and its people; his heart is transparent."

"Your words just now were improper; you should quickly atone to Lord Zhou."

White Pear widened his eyes in disbelief, his fingertips tightly squeezing his palm.

Wan Tang and Zhou Su were basically a team.

As soon as Wan Tang spoke, the ministers knelt in a line, one after another.

In unison they shouted: "We ministers are ashamed before the common folk; the dishes on the plate are like steel knives around the neck, hard to swallow…"

Crying sounds echoed.

Chu Yunzheng finally stood up, anger boiling in his eyes.

Staring fixedly at White Pear: "Hurry and atone!"

Under Chu Yunzheng's silent gaze, White Pear felt unwilling, mist swirling in his eyes, yet he did not know where he was at fault.

He could only, full of grievance, mutter softly: "I'm sorry."

"Pear Princess, show your sincerity," Wan Tang's voice was imposing: "Raise the wine in your cup and make amends to the ministers."

"Drink?" White Pear looked at the strong liquor in the cup and said dissatisfied: "No, I cannot drink alcohol."

"Why?" Wan Tang's voice was sharp.

White Pear's eyes were full of panic.

In his mind, the sound of the Barrage still roared.

【She certainly didn't dare, after all he never wanted the Emperor to know the child's existence.】

【Indeed, once the unstable fetal signs are known, a deep investigation would expose all of White Pear's shady affairs.】

【Of course, she intends to use this child to harm Wan Tang. If the child's matter is already exposed, how could she proceed with her plan?】

Wan Tang's expression remained calm, but a strong disgust rose within her.

She stared coldly at the person before her.

She said coldly: "Pear Princess, is it that you disdain the court's speech officials, or is there another reason?"

Wan Tang's voice was solemn: "For example, are you already pregnant with the Imperial Heir?"