Chapter 340: Stepping to the Rear Hall

Kunning Palace.

The storeroom doors are flung open, and bundles of coarse cloth and cotton lie on the empty ground.

Ning Daying is leading the young clerk to register the ledgers.

Many Imperial Concubines in the Imperial Palace, having received supplies, finally relax their tense brows.

"Truly thanks to the Empress's foresight; she had already anticipated today's situation, so we finally get a moment's respite."

"Last night I was so distressed I didn't sleep a single night, worrying where to find so much cotton."

"At least now we only need to work a bit harder; it won't be that we can't produce anything."

"That damn Pear Princess only knows how to torment people. She hasn't even become Empress yet, yet she cuts the budget and makes us labor like beasts. I can't imagine what the harem would be like if she actually became Empress."

"Don't worry, the Empress is kind‑hearted and will treat us like sisters. Once she returns, our lives will improve."

"I truly hope the Empress can return to the palace soon."

The Imperial Concubines who came to claim supplies, while counting the cotton and coarse cloth, voiced heartfelt sighs.

Bai Li's ceremonial escort arrived in a winding procession.

"Pear Princess?" many lower‑rank women gasped and hurried to kneel on the ground.

Only those without notable family backgrounds are allowed to claim supplies.

No matter how impressive the rumors, actually seeing her still makes one's heart flutter.

All of them knelt in unison.

Only Ning Daying, unhurried, continued to move the abacus beads.

The young clerk, now a chief eunuch serving the Empress, upon seeing Bai Li, did not kneel but made a slight bow and said, "Nubi has seen the Pear Princess."

Ning Daying, displeased to see her, either pretended not to have seen her or simply did not kneel.

The Ning family's daughter, sister beloved by Hui Guifei, has been spoiled over the years.

Even the Emperor said nothing; how could Bai Li still cling on?

Seeing that the methods she used to torment these people became tools that bolstered the Empress's authority only made her more irritated.

"Hey, Sister Ning, you've taken to doing these menial chores now."

Bai Li stroked her still‑unrevealed belly, her voice mocking, "Indeed, after all, you're the Empress's obedient little dog."

"The Empress said nothing, yet you hurried to make decisions for her."

"I don't know, if you drain the Empress's stores like this, will she praise you when she returns?"

Ning Daying rattled the abacus beads, "Pear Princess, you're joking."

Before leaving the palace, the Empress specifically instructed that they must do their utmost to aid disaster relief. Since these winter clothes are to be sent to the disaster zone, the Empress naturally has no objection.

"As for you," she glanced over the magnificent escort behind Bai Li, "such a grand entourage, one might think the phoenix carriage itself were present."

Bai Li's face darkened, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean," Ning Daying said, his gaze at Bai Li full of mockery, "some people treat a single feather as if it were a royal command."

"The expenses of the Six Palaces have been cut further, yet why hasn't Changchun Palace seen any reduction?"

"How audacious!" Nanzhu thundered, "How dare you disrespect the Empress!"

Ning Daying suddenly slammed the coarse cloth down, startling Bai Li into a pallor.

Raising his voice, Ning Daying said, "Let me ask the Pear Princess, the deductions from each palace's allotment used as military provisions—why don't I see Changchun Palace reduced by a lamp‑oil jar or a bolt of brocade?"

"When the Empress was present, she never taught us to 'lead by example' like this!"

"Disaster relief has always been the Empress's duty. Yet she uses not the sisters' silver, but her own private treasury."

"Some people lack ability themselves, yet pretend to be big‑tailed wolves."

Stung, Bai Li stepped back twice, trembling as she pointed at Ning Daying, "You, you dare…"

"Your Highness, be careful with your fetal qi," Ning Daying curled his lip, "After all, you are now a woman with two bodies; if any mishap occurs, I could not bear the responsibility."

"You…" Bai Li, fuming, wanted to rush forward and slap Ning Daying.

Just as she moved her front foot, Ning Daying let out an "Ah!"

She hurriedly ran backward, keeping a safe distance.

"Don't come over! Who knows if you'll suddenly fall and miscarry after coming here; I can't bear that accusation."

"Everyone saw it, and I certainly don't want to see her."

"She insists on pinning the blame on me; when something happens, everyone will have to testify!"

Ning Daying's outburst made everyone shiver.

All eyes toward Bai Li were full of wariness.

"You… you…" Bai Li, too angry to form words, kept shouting "you" repeatedly.

Ning Daying, pitiably, clung to the pillar and would not let go.

"Your Highness." Nanzhu, seeing this, hurried to advise, "It's time for your medicine; you should return to the palace first."

"This isn't good for the Prince."

"Get lost!" Bai Li flung Nanzhu's hand away.

"You're usually so resourceful, now you're acting like a useless lump!"

Looking at everything around, Bai Li could only clench her teeth fiercely.

She left in a fury.

But as she turned, she stared at Ning Daying, the murderous intent in her eyes as tangible as a blade.

Baoguo Temple.

Wan Tang knelt before the Buddha statue, palms together.

The endless chanting of sutras filled her ears.

The sound of the Barrage timed itself and cut in.

【Ning Daying does it beautifully, it should be like this.】

【I'm afraid that this will make Bai Li resent her; there's something I find odd—Bai Li clearly doesn't want this child, yet she keeps taking the pregnancy‑protecting medicine.】

【Looks like they're still waiting for Wan Tang to return to the palace; they'll shift the blame onto Wan Tang then!】

【If the Empress murders the Prince, even if she can keep her life, the Empress position is definitely lost.】

Wan Tang's gaze was calm.

These were already within expectations.

Wan Tang felt rather gratified.

Although the method is somewhat clumsy, it must be said, it's very useful.

Once Bai Li's pregnancy became widely known, it was no longer an unavoidable matter.

She was just thinking.

The Chief Abbot had already walked up to her.

In a low voice he said, "Please, Empress, step into the rear hall and copy the prayer sutras for the people."

Wan Tang was slightly surprised.

After all, this segment was not in any of the itinerary arrangements.

【Go, go, I didn't expect Su Yanci to come here.】

【I'm Su Yanci, after all, unlike that Dog Emperor, even while trapped in Yangxin Hall, he still thinks about his Bai Li.】

【Exactly, the method that Bai Li uses to torment Imperial harem women, how did it become a model for the Dog Emperor in his eyes, turning into a mother‑of‑the‑nation example?】

Wan Tang automatically ignored Chu Yunzheng's disgusting deeds.

She rose slowly and walked toward the back.

Copying the sutras, no one could keep up.

All the servants and attendants could only kneel in place and wait.

In the rear hall, sandalwood incense wafted, and the chanting from the front could still be heard.

Wan Tang walked to the doorway.

The Chief Abbot clasped his hands, recited a Buddha mantra aloud, and turned to leave.

Inside the inner hall, there was already someone.

At the sight of the silhouette, Wan Tang's heart trembled.

Su Yanci, seeing Wan Tang enter, immediately rose.

Looking at Wan Tang in plain robes, her hair neatly tied up, without heavy gold or silver ornaments, she appeared much brighter.

Su Yanci's tense face instantly broke into a smile.

In the dimples was an unmistakable joy.

Wan Tang was a bit at a loss; evidently she hadn't expected to see Su Yanci here.

He seemed to have become even thinner.

This place does not belong to Wan Tang's territory, and the people here cannot be trusted by Wan Tang.

"Lord Su, what clever tactics," Wan Tang said, stopping at the doorway, "even the Chief Abbot can be persuaded."

"Empress, you may rest assured."

Su Yanci bowed and saluted, "Chief Abbot, you can be trusted."

Speaking, he couldn't help but step forward a few paces, but when he was about to enter that area, he abruptly halted.

He said slowly, "The situation is urgent, so I must be forward."

He hurriedly sent a superstitious report: "The Khan of the Northern Border has died violently, and the various tribes have fallen into internal turmoil."

"Now is the perfect time to strike the Northern Border."

Wan Tang unfolded the letter, her eyes filled with delight.

Xiao Chuan, stationed at the Northern Border,'s greatest wish was to carve the Northern Border into Fengqi Kingdom's territory.

If they could seize the Northern Border in one stroke now, with its lands as a backing, they would have the strength to stand on equal footing against Fengqi Kingdom.

It is Fengqi Kingdom, not Chu Yunzheng!

These wild ideas surged in Wan Tang's mind.

His voice couldn't help but tremble slightly: "Emperor, are you aware of this matter?"

"Emperor is currently overwhelmed by Concubine Li and the locust plague," Su Yanci looked up, "The timing is fleeting."

"If we dispatch troops now, what is the chance of victory?"

"Ninety percent," Su Yanci said firmly, "but it requires the Mo Family's former troops and provisions for two hundred thousand men and horses."

"Please, Empress, decide whether this matter should be reported to the Emperor!"