Chapter 337: Ominous Sign

Chu Yunzheng was already troubled at heart; upon hearing it, he was first startled, then a smile lifted his brows: "Beloved Consort, have you indeed become pregnant?"

Bai Li's eyes flickered, and she stammered, unwilling to speak plainly.

Chu Yunzheng naturally looked forward to the child's arrival.

Wan Tang was no longer as before; a single glance could no longer probe the whole affair.

Wan Tang's unpredictability had already made Chu Yunzheng anxious and uneasy.

Moreover, the child in Wan Tang's womb was already gone.

No matter how unworthy Bai Li might be, she was still the Duke of Ning's child; if a Prince could be produced, the stone hanging in Chu Yunzheng's heart could finally be set down.

Even the child in Hui Guifei's womb could not still ease Chu Yunzheng's mind.

Only Bai Li.

She resembled Wan Tang of old, having no support, able to rely only on Chu Yunzheng.

He naturally hoped that such a woman could bear his child.

Chu Yunzheng's heart roiled, and he promptly ordered the Imperial Physician to be summoned.

Wan Tang spoke at the right moment, her voice calm and even: "Sister Li, if one is pregnant yet drinks wine, it disregards the Imperial Heir's safety."

"If one is not pregnant yet refuses to apologize to the remonstrating ministers, it is a contempt of court protocol and disrespect to the ministers."

"You must think clearly about what is light and what is heavy."

Bai Li, forced by this dilemma, turned pale; under the pressing gazes of the crowd, she finally trembled and admitted: "I—indeed have been pregnant for over a month…"

These words had already laid out her last trump card.

To silently frame Wan Tang with the Imperial Heir now seemed impossible.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Chu Yunzheng was overjoyed beyond expectation, his face full of delight.

All displeasure and remonstrances were cast aside.

He strode forward and, in public, hoisted Bai Li sideways in his arms; at last he could have a child he liked and could easily control.

Recalling all that had transpired with Wan Tang before, and the days when he had been anxious over a child, Chu Yunzheng deliberately turned toward Wan Tang.

His tone betrayed uncontainable excitement: "Empress! Did you hear?"

"I shall have a Prince now!"

Wan Tang remained cold, standing in place, her face devoid of any color.

Very well.

Everything unfolded as anticipated.

What is there to lament about a cold, unprincipled person showing petty feelings?

She merely observed the reactions of those below with a cold stare.

Bai Li nestled in Chu Yunzheng's arms, her voice coquettish as she replied: "I shall bear the Emperor a strong Prince."

Wan Tang watched the scene expressionlessly, as if it were none of her business.

Chu Yunzheng, immersed in joy, paid no mind to the banquet, and, holding Bai Li, tried to leave.

Regardless of the ministers' sentiments, he exclaimed excitedly: "Let the Empress preside over the Mid‑Autumn matters."

"We shall set out for Changchun Palace; I will personally accompany my beloved consort back to the palace to ensure a safe confinement!"

Chu Yunzheng and Bai Li embraced and departed, leaving the courtyard hushed.

The ministers' gazes turned one by one toward Wan Tang, who stood alone in the hall, their expressions varied.

But a larger portion was the expected calm.

Their eyes burned with heat, as if waiting for Wan Tang to do something.

Wan Tang inhaled deeply, straightened her back, as if nothing that had just occurred had ever happened.

She raised her cup again, her gaze sweeping the assembled ministers, her voice steady and strong: "The Emperor's heir is a cause for national joy."

"Yet the disaster in Jiangbei burns like fire, the people's suffering remains before our eyes; I still hope all officials will not forget their duties, and work together to overcome these hardships."

Zhou Su and the others, upon hearing this, hardened their expressions and bowed: "We shall heed the Empress's teachings!"

Wan Tang looked at the waning bright moon, then at Xiao Shunzi beside her: "Xiao Shunzi, ask what exactly is happening?"

"Why, on the full‑moon night of Mid‑Autumn, does the moon appear so broken?"

Xiao Shunzi was momentarily stunned, then hurried outside.

The night at Changchun Palace was no longer tranquil.

Upon hearing that the Emperor had hoisted Bai Li back, the entire palace lit lanterns, as if yearning to shine like daylight.

Bai Li nestled in Chu Yunzheng's arms, pressing her face against Wan Tang's chest: "Emperor, had it not been for today's relentless pressure, I would never have spoken of this."

"You should know, I intended to give you a surprise."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes were gentle as water, his heart full of sweet affection, leaving no room for careful thought.

He simply said gravely: "The Empress is overly arrogant."

"Rest assured; as long as I am here, I will surely keep you safe."

At this point, the Emperor's eyes inevitably showed unease, and he whispered a warning: "But Li, you must not underestimate the people in the palace."

"You don't know how truly sinister they are."

Wan Tang heard Chu Yunzheng's words amid the Barrage, and clenched both fists.

She urged Xiao Shunzi to hurry and handle it.

Changchun Palace.

Just as Chu Yunzheng, cradling Bai Li, was about to step out of the hall, the Director of the Imperial Observatory rushed into the courtyard, stumbling and rolling,

unconcerned with tidying the chaotic scene, nor caring where he was, he fell to his knees and shouted:

"Emperor, the heavens show an omen! A Sha Star has suddenly appeared beside the Ziwei Star, heralding a great disaster."

"The celestial signs indicate the source of calamity lies in the northeast; the living will be scorched!"

He fell to the ground trembling, his voice filled with despair, "But after the disaster passes, the monsters that caused the trouble will be condemned by Heaven and be reduced to ash!"

What this remark targets is obvious; one could think of it with a toe.

Yet Chu Yunzheng at this moment could not hear any words at all.

Chu Yunzheng halted his steps, his anger flaring, "How dare you speak nonsense! Drag him down for me!"

"Raising you lot of worthless scum, you only know how to create panic."

"I do not wish to deal with you; if you still consider me an eyesore, I will simply kill you!"

Bai Li couldn't help but shiver.

She shrank in Chu Yunzheng's arms.

Chu Yunzheng's expression darkened: "Get out!"

The Imperial Observatory showed a reluctant expression and could only say, "Emperor, perhaps you do not wish to hear this now, but I am also helpless."

"If that is so, I can only go to the Empress."

The Imperial Observatory was about to proceed.

A courier, covered in dust, nearly fell into the courtyard, raised both hands and shouted the military report, "Report."

"Emperor, urgent report!"

"In Jiangbei, Hedong, and Longxi, locust plagues have completely spiraled out of control, disease follows, and the disaster‑stricken people have begun to assault the prefectural capitals!"

"The calamity is hard to contain."

"Please, Emperor, promptly provide a countermeasure."

Chu Yunzheng unconsciously loosened his grip on Bai Li's arm; Bai Li staggered to the ground, her complexion drained of color.

The Imperial Observatory hurried over, bringing Wan Tang.

Just in time to hear those words.

Wan Tang, without hesitation, lifted her skirt and solemnly knelt before Chu Yunzheng, saying, "Emperor, natural disasters cannot be defied, but human affairs can be resolved."

"I, your humble servant, earnestly request to go to Baoguo Temple at once, to pray for the common folk until the cold winter passes, beseeching Heaven for mercy, that it may protect our people through this tribulation!"

Chu Yunzheng looked at the kneeling Wan Tang pleading for his life, then glanced at the panicked Bai Li beside him.

This urgent report fully explains the mistake Bai Li originally made.

To be precise, it was his wrong decision.

Chu Yunzheng finally closed his eyes heavily, waved his hand, and said, "Permission granted."

"Empress… depart today."