Chapter 39: Lonely to Grow Old

Wan Tang's eyes dimmed slightly, and the words she was about to say were swallowed back hard.

A faint bitter smile returned to her face, and she said lightly, "Your Majesty has misunderstood; I am only here to pay my respects."

"Wan Pin, you are clever; you know how many things can be done and how they should be done. This palace knows, and you will surely discern clearly." Xiao Mingshu's fingers slowly lifted, resting on the teacup beside the table.

Her eyes did not look at Wan Tang, but she said, "There are many new sisters this year; I have already suggested to the Emperor that tomorrow we take the sisters to look around."

"Also good to give the newcomers a chance to see the Emperor."

"In my view, Kanbi Tower is a fine place."

Xiao Mingshu lifted the teacup and took a sip.

The tea was empty, yet she did not ask anyone to refill. Wan Tang understood in her heart that this meant seeing the guest off.

"Today I have also been nagging; Empress's phoenix body is heavy, and I, the concubine, take my leave."

As she stepped out of the palace, Li Ping'er caught up, eyes full of hope: "Master, will the Empress help us?"

"After all, Noble Consort has always overseen the seal, never paying attention to the Empress. Now that she has regained great favor, the Empress will surely be anxious."

Li Ping'er lowered their voice, speaking softly.

Wan Tang frowned, and let out a light sigh: "In this harem, aside from those few, the number of concubines is countless."

"If every one of them helped the Empress, even a thousand‑hand Guanyin couldn't keep up."

Wan Tang stood there, her gaze moving from Bichui Palace to the central Chengqian Palace, then settling on Songbai Palace.

These three palaces seemed like three ferocious beasts lying there, mouths open, teeth bared, intimidating all who looked.

"Ahem ahem ahem." Wan Tang coughed repeatedly.

Li Ping'er hurriedly helped her clear her throat, eyes full of worry: "These past few days, the Master's illness has grown more severe."

"If we don't summon the Imperial Medical Institute physicians soon, I worry for the Master's health."

Wan Tang held a mint leaf in her hand, easing the pain that came with the cough.

Her voice was bitter: "Now that Noble Consort is favored, she already sent word to the Imperial Medical Institute. It's not that the physicians don't know I'm ill; they simply don't want to offend the Noble Consort."

"What about the Empress?" Li Ping'er's tone carried a hint of resentment: "How come, Master, you should also ask the Empress to summon a physician."

"Xiao Mingshu wouldn't want a useless waste who can't even survive." Wan Tang forced her sick body, grasped Li Ping'er's hand, and stepped back slowly.

【Wan Tang is still here spouting nonsense, hurry back.】

【The family is about to be stolen, and Cai Wei has already taken people to He Feng Yu Jing Palace.】

【Xiao Shunzi was just a hair's breadth from fighting them.】

Wan Tang tightened her grip on Li Ping'er's hand, dragging her ailing body, quickening her pace.

"Master, walk more slowly, Master, wait…"

He Feng Yu Jing Palace.

Just as she reached the long corridor, chaotic shouts came from within.

"These days the Emperor often rests in Songbai Palace; since these things are what the Emperor is accustomed to, we ought to take them." Cai Wei's voice rang from afar.

Qiu Ju hurriedly shouted: "But these were procured by my Master."

"What can your Master have? The whole world belongs to the Emperor; everything in this harem also belongs to the Emperor."

"How dare you, lowly servant, you still dare to contend with the Emperor."

Cai Wei, arrogant and flamboyant, raised her hand to strike Qiu Ju.

Xiao Shunzi tried to quickly hide the items and protect Qiu Ju; the scene was utterly chaotic.

"Heh, Aunt Cai is so grand, how could I not know? Even the senior palace maid beside the Noble Consort has the privilege to convey messages to the Emperor."

Wan Tang released Li Ping'er's hand, lifted her head and chest, and glared at the front.

"Master, look at them, they've taken many of our things." Qiu Ju wiped away tears.

Xiao Shunzi hung his head, a face full of shame.

Cai Wei saw Wan Tang, her arrogant gaze unchanged, perfunctorily bowed, tilted her head and smiled slyly: "Wan Pin, I, also, am for the Emperor's good."

"Borrowing the Emperor's name to wield false authority, I wonder if the Emperor, upon hearing this, will think you are acting for his benefit!" Wan Tang smiled thinly.

Cai Wei's complexion changed, her eyes showing obvious panic.

Yet she quickly composed herself, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm: "I'm afraid that before you even speak, the Emperor will think you're just babbling."

"The palace maid beside the Noble Consort truly is eloquent. Yet I, though holding the concubine rank, am being rebuked by a senior palace maid."

"These palace rules, now that they've reached the Noble Consort, have become mere decorations."

"Fine, today I will lay my face on the line; you come with me to the Empress, and let the Empress judge."

Wan Tang straightened her posture, a cold light flickering in her eyes.

Cai Wei's eyes changed noticeably, she hummed: "No need, whatever is left is worthless."

"Since Wan Pin likes it, keep it for yourself!"

"My lady, I am not interested."

She hummed and called for people to leave.

Wan Tang watched Cai Wei's back, let out a cold laugh, and said, "Cai Wei, you think your Master doesn't know about the stealing here, does he?"

"After all, Wang Jingyi's methods would never be so foolish."

Cai Wei's steps suddenly stiffened, she turned and stared at Wan Tang: "You are speaking nonsense!"

"In the end, you rely on whose power, and you are merely a palace maid. How could I let you bully me?"

"Your Master pretends before the Emperor to be weak, pitiful, magnanimous, and understanding. You take this chance to hoard wealth, sweeping here to plunder. Ha ha ha, I was just worried I had no chance to complain before the Emperor!"

"You…" Cai Wei began to utter a word, then instantly understood. She was completely panicked; Wan Tang was right.

She envied the past ten years, when Wan Tang acted like a strategist, plotting for Xu Luoyan, helping her repeatedly gain favor.

She hated even more a discarded child abandoned by the Master, who could suddenly become the Emperor's beloved consort.

Even though they're all I (serving women), she's a senior palace maid; why can't she?

This time she truly has selfish motives, wanting to loot amid the chaos, and also to trample Wan Tang underfoot.

"No... you wouldn't do that," Cai Wei offered a clumsy excuse: "You're a good person."

"Hahaha." Wan Tang laughed with tears at the corners of her eyes, lifted her hand to wipe them away, her gaze growing colder: "Do good people deserve to be bullied?"

"Xiao Shunzi, look around the palace for anything valuable, gather it up, and send it to the Noble Consort."

Xiao Shunzi has followed Wan Tang for so long, yet still doesn't understand what it means.

She immediately bowed and shouted: "Cha!"

"No... no, Wan Tang, you can't do this; you know the Noble Consort's temperament, you can't harm me like this..."

Cai Wei spoke frantically, her eyes filled with fear and hatred.

"Boom out!" Wan Tang said coldly, then turned and entered the room.

Outside, the commotion lasted a moment, then finally settled into silence.

Li Ping'er looked at Wan Tang, and asked cautiously: "Master, Cai Wei is like a mad dog, and you offended her like this..."

"Ping'er, are we now afraid of offending anyone?"

Wan Tang spoke, cutting off Li Ping'er's words.

She walked slowly to the window, the cold wind brushing her face, and Wan Tang's gaze gradually lost its warmth: "If I keep stepping back, what can I do?"

"I do not harm others, yet people harm me."

"Now, I've retreated enough. Anyone who wishes to harm me will eventually reap what they sow."

Wan Tang's hand suddenly pressed against the window, with great force.

Night fell.

Li Ping'er's wail sliced through the night sky, startling the white egrets on the shallow bank.

Wan Tang knelt in the courtyard, holding a brush, copying the Women's Precept stroke by stroke.

Li Ping'er and Qiu Ju watched with sympathy, but Wan Tang persisted: since the Emperor punished her and didn't let her rise, she must kneel and write.

"Master."

Xiao Shunzi ran back into the courtyard, her tone carrying a hint of cheerfulness.

"Nubi, when I delivered the items, the Emperor was also present. You didn't see how the Noble Consort was furious. Cai Wei was taken back; it was arranged by Madam Xu herself, and Cai Wei received a beating."

"The first strike left a visible wound of blood."

Listening to Xiao Shunzi's report, Cai Wei and Qiu Ju both wore excited expressions.

"Shut up!" Wan Tang scolded.

Her expression solemn: "Lotus Breeze Imperial View Palace is a place punished by the Emperor; discussing others' affairs is forbidden, and merriment is also prohibited."

"Young Master, the Emperor won't come," Qiu Ju said, a trace of reluctance on her face, looking at Wan Tang's reddening face: "Master, you are gravely ill, and no one is watching anyway; why must you kneel here?"

"The night wind blows, fearing it will worsen the illness."

Qiu Ju felt a chill in her heart.

Wan Tang remained unmoved: "The Emperor is the Emperor; his word is as heavy as nine tripods. Whether he is present or not, we must not defy him."

Moreover, Wan Tang was certain that tonight would bring a grand spectacle.

The Master was kneeling, and Qiu Ju, Li Ping'er, and Xiao Shunzi also knelt beside.

【Wan Tang did the right thing; Cai Wei has been beaten so badly that she hasn't been able to get out of bed for at least half a month.】

【Xu Luoyan pretended to be contrite, bringing gifts to atone to you, and even begged the Emperor to come.】

【The Emperor is waiting outside, refusing to come in. But that doesn't mean he can't see what's happening inside.】

"Sister, why are you kneeling here? Get up quickly," Xu Luoyan's voice came.

She feigned concern, stepping forward to support Wan Tang.

Wan Tang stepped aside: "The Emperor punished this servant girl to copy the Women's Precept; I dare not defy him."

"Fool, the Emperor isn't here; if you get up, who would know?" Xu Luoyan's face was gentle, looking like a caring older sister.

The expression left people dazed; Wan Tang sneered with a smile: "Who cares? Even the Noble Consort wouldn't know how terrible it is, right?"

Xu Luoyan's expression froze: "Fine, I came with good intentions to see you, yet I only invited disdain for no reason."

"Today it's my fault, sister; I failed to look after my subordinates, causing you grievance."

"Today, I specifically brought gifts to atone to you."

Xu Luoyan stepped back a step, unveiling the items.

"Sister, look, this is the 'Lonely Goose Painting', a masterpiece; the lone goose soars high, much like your spirit."

"And this bead, a tribute from the South Sea, a rare treasure; unfortunately there's only one, I hope sister won't reject it."

"This piece of cold jade comes from the far north; its touch is chilling, perfect for someone as cool as you, sister."

When she presented them, they were all valuable items.

But as she spoke, even Qiu Ju realized that Xu Luoyan was mocking Wan Tang, deeming her fit only for a lonely end.

Li Ping'er and Qiu Ju both wore angry expressions, refusing to reach out.

Seeing this, Wan Tang gave a faint smile: "The Noble Consort's wealth is indeed abundant; every gesture is grand."

"Ping'er, take it!"

Li Ping'er's face was full of resentment, but she heard Wan Tang's faint smile and added: "I will keep it for the Noble Consort for now; perhaps the Consort will need it later."

Xu Luoyan snorted a laugh, lowering her voice: "Fox temptress, now the Emperor gets annoyed whenever he hears your name; let's see how long you can remain smug."

There was no the expected obstruction; Xu Luoyan was somewhat disappointed. She left after delivering the items.

Wan Tang wrote silently, then slowly lifted her head.

At the end of the long corridor, lotus leaves swayed gently.

Chu Yunzheng stood by the lotus bank, his dark robe blending into the moonlight; his fingertips brushed a dead leaf, a drop of dew fell into the cold pool, shattering the pool's starlight.

The palace lanterns flickered, casting his features sharp as knives, and his aura pressed heavier than the night itself.

At this moment, clearly Chu Yunzheng was looking at Wan Tang, yet he would not move a step.

It was Li Defu, who hurried over, ran up, and gave Wan Tang a once‑over.

Raising his voice, he shouted: "The Emperor said, since Consort Wan has copied so devoutly, present it to the Emperor on another day for me to see."

"I, the Emperor, do want to see whether the characters Consort Wan writes while kneeling are proper."