Chapter 36: Childhood Sweethearts

This place indeed has many people and distractions, making conversation inconvenient.

Wan Tang fell silent again and, following Wang Jingyi and the others, moved to the side.

"When you first entered the palace with Yan Er, you had just turned thirteen. Now you have grown graceful and beautiful, your looks truly stunning; not to mention the Emperor, even I, as a concubine, must praise this face."

"Mother, why are you speaking so highly of her?" Xu Luoyan said, displeased. "She has stolen the daughter's favor; she is my mortal enemy."

"Yan Er, do not speak recklessly."

Wang Jingyi gave her a strange scowl, then smiled at Wan Tang and asked, "Wan Tang, do you still remember the promise you made when you entered the palace?"

"Of course." Wan Tang replied with slight sarcasm. "The Noble Consort shines like the sun at its zenith, yet I am to be given to a eunuch as a companion? Madam truly is trustworthy, truly resourceful!"

"Wan Tang, this is all a misunderstanding!" Wang Jingyi's tone deepened. "Moreover, now you are also Consort Wan, of noble standing."

Wan Tang merely let out a mocking cold laugh.

Wang Jingyi's eyes darkened slightly, and she said gently, "Good child, the past is like fleeting clouds; we need not dwell on it. After all, you and Yan Er share the same bloodline; we must consider the Xu Family, right?"

"Child, consider this a request from me, the matriarch. Don't be so selfish; set aside grievances, and for the sake of the Xu Family and Yan Er, how shall we move forward together?"

Wan Tang felt a wave of nausea, yet she forced a sick smile and asked, "Then, madam, how shall we join hands?"

"Now you are also favored, and the Emperor places great importance on the Xu Family. It's just that Yan Er is straightforward and doesn't know how to flatter."

"If you can help Yan Er bear a Prince and ascend to the throne, you too may claim the position of Noble Consort."

Wang Jingyi's eye corner lifted slightly, a look of assured victory. "Besides, haven't you always wanted your mother to enter the ancestral hall and, openly and honorably, become your husband's wife?"

"As long as Yan Er gives birth to a Prince, I, as a concubine, can allow my husband, with the rites of an equal wife, to enter the ancestral hall. You will no longer be an illegitimate child, but a daughter of my Xu Family."

Such temptation, if offered earlier, would surely have made Wan Tang go all in, even at the cost of her life.

But now, seeing through their hypocrisy, Wan Tang only finds it amusing.

"What if not?" Wan Tang asked.

Wang Jingyi still smiled, but her tone grew much heavier: "Wan Tang, you are a good child; you will obey, won't you?"

"Wang Jingyi, when my mother died, I was already six years old; I'm not a stupid fool without memory."

Mentioning her mother's death made Wan Tang's emotions shift, her voice rising: "Do you need ten doctors and a dozen midwives for your delivery?"

"Why didn't a single doctor come to look at my mother? Do you know how disgraceful it is for a veterinarian to deliver a birth? And how helpless it is!"

"My mother died in a difficult labor!"

Word by word, Wan Tang hated to the point of weeping blood, wishing she could devour the person before her alive.

"Tragically, even as my mother lay dying, she told me not to resent anyone, to live well, and that as long as I treat you well, you will consider me a child of the Xu Family."

"Pah!"

Wan Tang's palm had already squeezed out blood; her eyes were terribly red, tears continuously rolling: "It's my mother, it's wrong!"

"Thinking you can use me again, dream on!"

Wang Jingyi's smile on her face gradually vanished, becoming unfamiliar.

She lifted the corner of her mouth, yet there was no trace of mirth in her eyes: "Hmm, well said. Yan Er is my beloved treasure; if you touch her, how could that be?"

"Wan Tang, I am well aware of your affairs. Just as I understand your bond with Rong Ruo."

Wan Tang chuckled, nonchalantly saying, "Then let's see who laughs last!"

She no longer wished to engage with the mother‑daughter pair, fearing one might lose control and rush to seize her throat.

She turned and saw the Empress's honor guard, which had appeared nearby at an unknown time.

Wan Tang frowned slightly, unsure whether the Empress side had heard the words here, and how much they had heard.

He Feng Yu Jing Gong.

It was built atop a lotus pond, the entire palace surrounded by lotus leaves, the air filled with a fresh, delicate lotus fragrance.

Even leaning by the window, one could feel the lush beauty of the lotus leaves.

"So beautiful."

"The Emperor truly dotes on the young master, which is why he gave such a fine place to reside. The environment is so elegant, perfectly matching the young master's untainted nature."

Qiu Ju was overjoyed, hurriedly opening all the windows, truly living within the painting.

Li Ping'er lightly tapped Qiu Ju's head and said, "Silly girl, now the master is a consort, you cannot call her 'young master.'"

Qiu Ju quickly stuck out her tongue, "Got it."

"Master, the Empress has sent someone to deliver incense. It's said to ward off summer insects, to be lit in every palace."

Xiao Shunzi bowed outside, holding a box in her hands.

Qiu Ju stepped forward and hurriedly lit the incense.

There was a faint mugwort scent, along with a familiar aroma.

These events, one after another, kept Wan Tang's nerves in a constantly high‑strung state.

Now, relaxing, she recalled that the Empress Dowager had once said she smelled, and asked her to change the incense.

Wan Tang's expression grew heavy; she stepped forward and carefully smelled the incense: "Ordinary mosquito‑repelling incense smells of mugwort; why is this fragrance so unique?"

"Master, this is the Empress's favor. I heard it was specially blended, containing many rare spices, and only a few of the Emperor's beloved have it." Xiao Shunzi said beside her.

Wan Tang's face grew even more solemn.

"Young master, is there any inappropriate aspect?" Li Ping'er asked.

Wan Tang, recalling Li Ping'er's unique background, let others step back before asking: "Ping'er, I know you excel at incense; look, what ingredients does our incense contain?"

"Master, do you think someone tampered with the incense?" Li Ping'er exclaimed.

She quickly acted, taking a piece of the newly delivered incense, and hurriedly fetched a piece brought from the palace.

After meticulous comparison, her complexion changed dramatically, trembling: "Master, both incenses use top‑grade aromatics."

"But both contain musk."

Li Ping'er beads of fine sweat appeared on her face: "Master, how can one become pregnant by constantly inhaling musk?"

Li Ping'er's eyes grew increasingly frantic, and she swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "Master, what should we do now?"

"Ping'er, can you make the same incense without adding this harmful stuff?" Wan Tang asked.

Li Ping'er looked earnestly at Wan Tang, nodded heavily, and as if taking an oath said, "Master, rest assured, I (serving woman) will definitely protect you completely."

Wan Tang nodded solemnly.

Now the Emperor's heirs are few, and the various factions within the Imperial harem are closely tied to the Former Dynasty.

For a long time no one in the Imperial harem has borne a Prince, but Wan Tang, though lacking any status or background, is also the person least connected to the Former Dynasty.

Being pregnant does not affect the Former Dynasty's political situation.

It seems the Empress Dowager is anxiously awaiting the Prince's arrival.

Wan Tang thought of how many times recently Xu Luoyan had been sent to the Cold Palace, all of which were settled with a few scoldings because of Xu Chengyuan.

Even today, Wan Tang does not believe Chu Yunzheng could not see for whom the elegant Zhaoying was standing up; not only did he not punish her, he also gave the Xu Family full face.

Wan Tang forced a bitter smile; a single Zhaoying still could not sway Xu Luoyan in the slightest.

To completely eradicate the Xu Family, one must rely not only on the Imperial harem's struggles but also on assistance from the Former Dynasty.

Even…

Wan Tang's hand gently rested on her belly. She must have a child to climb higher.

After the banquet.

Wan Tang walked along the lakeside corridor, slowly plucked a lotus flower, cleaned it carefully, and placed it on a plate.

Hot water poured over the flower, the lotus unfurled, and the tea broth carried a strong floral fragrance.

Just one sip made one involuntarily squint, immensely enjoying it.

"Tangtang is indeed comfortable, poor me, arguing with the ministers has left me hoarse," Chu Yunzheng's voice carried affection.

Wan Tang quickly opened her eyes and hurriedly bowed: "I did not know the Emperor was arriving; I failed to greet you from afar."

After speaking, she glared at Li Ping'er with a reproachful look: "How bold you are, daring not to report it."

"It is I who did not let her disturb you," Chu Yunzheng stepped forward, his gaze gentle: "The pink lotus suits Tangtang, making her even more radiant."

"Emperor." Wan Tang felt a bit embarrassed.

Li Ping'er and the others, seeing this, withdrew on their own.

Chu Yunzheng took the tea, drank two cups, and his eyes showed considerable satisfaction: "These days have been hectic, and I haven't been able to spend proper time with you."

I've caused you hardship.

Wan Tang quickly replied: "I am not suffering; with the Emperor protecting me, I am the happiest woman."

"You!" Chu Yunzheng reached out, lightly tapping the center of her brow. He also looked at her hand, where an unhealed scar remained: "After ascending the throne, I have become a solitary man. Having you by my side is my fortune."

"What you did, I have seen and understand."

"Tangtang, within these three thousand of the Imperial harem, beauties are easy to find, but true confidants are hard to obtain."

Chu Yunzheng held Wan Tang's hand, giving her a fleeting daze; the Emperor's eyes were also filled with deep affection.

But the next second, a warning voice entered his ears: "I can give you everything I can give, the best."

"But I also despise betrayal equally; do you understand?"

Wan Tang's newly sparked flutter instantly extinguished. She quickly nodded in agreement: "My body and soul belong only to the Emperor."

The summer lotus fragrance filled the curtains, which were awash with a seductive spring scene.

In the room, a faint mugwort scent mingled with the fragrant arousal of man and woman; the Emperor gave all his "love" to Wan Tang again and again.

The next day.

"Wan Tang, I've brought Yan Er to see you."

"It so happens your belongings fell with Yan Er; yesterday I sorted Yan Er's things and found them, and today I'm returning them to you."

Wang Jingyi's voice came from the doorway.

Xiao Shunzi hurried forward to block the entrance, not letting them in.

Xu Luoyan immediately scolded in displeasure: "Wan Pin, you're being so arrogant; my mother personally came to see you, and you still act like this?"

"Even though you are now a concubine, you still came out of the Xu Family; will you refuse to give my mother face like that?"

Wang Jingyi, standing aside, tried to persuade: "Forget it, Yan Er, your personality is too straightforward; you'll get taken advantage of."

"It's fine, let's go!"

Wan Tang felt a sudden shock; the two of them arrived just in time. Yesterday the talks fell apart, and today they came.

Just as Wan Tang was pondering, Chu Yunzheng whispered in her ear: "General Xu's family must not be neglected. Since they're here, meet them."

"Xiao Shunzi, please." Wan Tang had to suppress her displeasure and call the person up.

"Emperor…" Xu Luoyan, seeing them dining affectionately, instantly called out in a hurt voice.

Wang Jingyi, seeing this, hurriedly pulled Xu Luoyan over, bowed generously, and said: "I, your wife, have seen the Emperor; may the Emperor live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand ten thousand years."

"Mrs. Xu, please rise and take a seat."

"It was I, your wife, who disturbed you; I just came to the palace, helped Yan Er tidy up some clutter, and found this."

"Especially to return it to Wan Pin."

Wang Jingyi gave a glance, then stepped forward holding a plate in her hand.

In the plate lay a red cap; instead of embroidered mandarin ducks, it bore a crabapple blossom.

Seeing the crabapple flower, Chu Yunzheng's complexion changed sharply; this crabapple was exactly the same as the one on the bellyband that day.