Chapter 48: Presenting a Grand Gift

His words fell silent, he strode away, his back as cold as a blade.

Wan Tang stared at his back, her eyes filled with a murderous chill.

Since that day, Wan Tang has continued to take the "tonic" the Empress sent, but after each dose she would place a single maidenwort in her mouth.

When Qiu Ju brought in the medicine, she saw her pinching a maidenwort and putting it into her mouth, and couldn't help being curious.

"Master, why do you always eat this? I can bring you candied fruit; it's much sweeter than this," I (serving woman) said.

Wan Tang's fingertips paused, then she smiled.

"Sweet?"

She lowered her eyes to the maidenwort in her palm and whispered, "Yes, sweet."

Qiu Ju, not understanding, assumed the Master was in a good mood and laughed as she went to fetch the candied fruit.

Wan Tang watched her back, a faint dark glint flickering in her eyes.

A few days later, Wan Tang's health had largely recovered, and Chu Yunzheng finally entered the He Feng Imperial Garden Palace.

He wore a dark dragon robe, his features still as handsome as a painting, but his eyes now carried a hint of nonchalance.

Wan Tang smiled as she went to meet him, but before she could speak, Chu Yunzheng said lightly, "The court affairs have been hectic these days; I've neglected you."

She smiled gently, "Your Majesty handles countless affairs daily; how could I dare complain?"

Chu Yunzheng reached out and brushed her cheek; his fingertips were slightly cool.

"You are indeed sensible,"

His tone was flat, yet Wan Tang caught a trace of weariness in his eyes.

Her heart sank, but she showed no sign on her face, still gently nesting in his arms.

"I heard Your Majesty recently won a beautiful lady?"

She feigned coquettish annoyance, her fingertip lightly tracing his lapel.

Chu Yunzheng let out a low laugh, pinching her chin, "What, jealous?"

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, masking the chill in them, "I dare not."

He let go of his hand, speaking casually, "General Xu is filial, having sent a beauty into the palace; I cannot turn down his generous invitation."

Wan Tang sneered inwardly.

Xu Luoyan fell out of favor, was demoted to Answering, and hurried to send a newcomer to vie for favor.

This Imperial harem truly is a place that only hears the laughter of newcomers.

But what does her sacrifice amount to?

Is Xu Luoyan's mistake unable to affect the Xu Family in the slightest?

She suppressed her inner irritation, silently warning herself.

She must seize the lingering guilt Chu Yunzheng still feels toward her, and must not waste it.

Chu Yunzheng sat in Tangli Palace for less than half an hour before his mind began to wander.

Wan Tang sensed his impatience and said softly, "Your Majesty, are you tired?"

He gave her a glance, then suddenly reached to clasp her waist, his voice deep, "I will stay tonight."

Wan Tang's body tensed, then she lightly bit her lower lip, feigning shyness.

"I… am not yet clean,"

Chu Yunzheng's brows twitched slightly, a flash of impatience in his eyes, but he quickly returned to normal.

He released his hand and said lightly, "Then another day it is."

Before leaving, he suddenly turned back and gave her a meaning‑laden glance.

"The Empress has been mentioning you lately, saying you are sensible,"

【Of course I'm sensible; the Bei Mo war, the Xiao Family contributed significantly.】

【The supply issue never gave the Emperor any worry.】

【The Emperor himself doesn't want to see the nearly thirty‑year‑old Empress, so he lets Wan Tang speak kind words?】

【Pah!】

Wan Tang's heart skipped a beat, but her face smiled gently.

"The Empress treats me exceedingly well,"

Chu Yunzheng nodded with satisfaction, "She has always been magnanimous and virtuous; you should learn more from her."

Wan Tang lowered her brows and complied, "Yes, I will remember. What a coincidence, I was just planning to go see the Empress."

"Tangtang has always been sensible, exactly aligning with my wishes," Chu Yunzheng nodded, and then said to the others, "If Concubine Wan wishes to go to the Empress, you may escort her yourselves."

Having the Emperor's retinue escort someone is such a prestigious honor.

When he left, the smile on her face vanished instantly.

Empress? Magnanimous and virtuous?

Heh, she doesn't want this honor one bit.

She wouldn't forget that, had it not been for the Barrage's warning, she would have foolishly kept taking this medicine until she could bear no children.

She curled her lips coldly, turned and ordered Li Ping'er, "Prepare the gifts; I am going to give thanks."

The Empress's residence, with vermilion doors and golden tiles, was grand in scale.

When Wan Tang followed Aunt Bai Wei into the inner hall, she heard a sharp wail.

Consort Shun's infant princess in her arms was wailing nonstop, her little face flushed bright red, delicate fingers flailing in the air as if trying to grasp something for support.

Xiao Mingshu sat upright on the Phoenix Throne, one hand supporting her temple, her brows furrowed, eyes full of irritation.

She was not in formal attire today, only wearing a dark red embroidered golden phoenix robe; a golden phoenix Step Shake pinned in her hair swayed lightly with her impatience, the dangling beads faintly clinking.

"Crying, crying, crying— all you know is crying?" the Empress said coldly, anger in her voice, "Your noise gives me a headache."

Shun Pin's face turned pale, and she quickly bowed her head, lightly patting the child in her arms, her voice trembling: "Empress, forgive me, the little princess is just a bit hungry…"

"Hungry?" the Empress sneered, "If you can't raise the child properly, it's no wonder the Emperor doesn't come to visit you."

Shun Pin bit her lip, dared not speak further, and could only hold the child tighter, cooing softly.

Lady of Grace Qi covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes slightly upturned, her voice sweet yet each word sharp: "The Emperor loves the princess the least; ten years since his enthronement, whoever has a prince has truly captured the Emperor's heart."

She cast a sidelong glance at Shun Pin: "How useless, the Empress finally hoped you'd bear a child, and you only gave birth to a princess."

Shun Pin's eyes reddened slightly, yet she kept her head down, saying nothing.

Lady of Grace Qi, seeing this, grew even more smug, twirling a handkerchief with her fingertips, and said slowly: "Does the Emperor still remember your existence, or is it a different matter?"

How could a low-ranking Lady of Grace Qi dare to humiliate Shun Pin like this?

Wan Tang's eyes flickered slightly, a cold laugh in her heart.

It seems that, in the Empress's eyes, Shun Pin has long been a discarded pawn.

When it comes to Shun Pin, Wan Tang still has a memory of her.

The Empress once had a difficult birth and could no longer bear children; she claimed to be ill and ignored all matters.

Yet the palace rules still stood: on the first and fifteenth days, the Emperor must rest at the Empress's place.

As time passed, Xiao Mingshu found it increasingly difficult to keep the Emperor.

She looked at Chu Yunzheng, praised Shun Pin, and said, "Her eyes are beautiful."

On the fifteenth, Shun Pin went up onto the bed.

At that time, Shun Pin was merely a maid brought by Xiao Mingshu from the manor.

Who could have imagined that Xu Luoyan, who had enjoyed great favor for nearly ten years yet remained childless, would become pregnant from a single favor to a maid.

Wan Tang would not forget how much Xu Luoyan hated then, even to the point of wanting to kill Shun Pin herself.

Who could have thought that in a harem where no one could successfully bear an Imperial Heir, Shun Pin managed to give birth to a child—though only a princess.

The Emperor's first time holding the princess, she urinated on his hand; his dragon-like expression displeased, and he refused to hold the princess again.

Shun Pin thus became a joke in the harem, the saying that lowly people cannot bear noble children.

Wan Tang gathered her thoughts, her expression returning to normal.

"Your Majesty, I have seen the Empress," Wan Tang said at the right moment, bowing gracefully.

It was only then that the people in the hall noticed her arrival.

The Empress's impatience vanished instantly, replaced by a gentle smile; she raised her hand, signaling her to rise: "Has Wan Pin arrived? Sit quickly."

Lady of Grace Qi, seeing Wan Tang enter, had a flash of jealousy in her eyes, but quickly concealed it.

When rising to bow, her voice was sweet to the point of cloying: "Your servant has seen Sister Wan Pin."

Wan Tang smiled faintly: "Sister Qi, no need for such courtesy."

Shun Pin, holding the child, quickly bowed and said in a weak voice: "Your servant will now take her leave."

The Empress gave a faint "hm" and did not spare even a glance.

Lady of Grace Qi smiled smugly, also retreated, and before leaving cast a lingering glance at Wan Tang.

After the two left, the hall finally quieted.

The Empress raised her hand to rub her temples, sighing: "These troublesome ones cause me a constant headache all day."

Her tone was intimate, as if Wan Tang had been a close confidante for years.

Wan Tang lowered her brows and complied, speaking gently: "Your Majesty, managing the six palaces is arduous."

The Empress smiled, signaling a maid to bring tea: "Are you feeling better now?"

"Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, I am no longer seriously ill," Wan Tang lightly brushed the teacup with her fingertips, and when she lifted her gaze, a hint of gratitude showed in her eyes: "Your servant has come today to thank Your Majesty for your care."

The Empress nodded approvingly, her voice soft: "You and I are sisters; no need for thanks."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Just… Lady Wan, in this harem, the fortunes shift constantly; you must be careful."

Wan Tang's heart jumped, but her face remained unchanged: "What do you mean, Your Majesty?"

The Empress gave her a meaning-laden look and said, "The Emperor lately… seems to favor the newly entered beauties quite a lot."

"The Xu Family also has intentions; Xu Answering still cries night after night in the palace, yet the Xu Family has already found someone who pleases the Emperor."

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, gently swirling the tea leaves in her cup, her voice soft: "The Emperor's holy heart is inscrutable; I only seek to be obedient and do not dare to covet favor."

The Empress stared at her, then smiled: "You are indeed sensible."

She reached out, lightly patting Wan Tang's back of the hand: "I like your temperament just like this."

Xiao Mingshu smiled, but a coldness lingered in her eyes: "Yet in this harem, there are always too many secrets."

"Lady Wan, since you have come today to see me, I naturally have a gift I wish to give you."

Wan Tang would never dare to take Xiao Mingshu's things.

In Wan Tang's view, what difference is there between Xiao Mingshu and a venomous beast?

Hastily she said: "Your Majesty's generosity overwhelms me; I no longer know how to repay, how could I dare to ask for Your Majesty's grace."

Xiao Mingshu scoffed, waved her hand, her tone cold: "Lady Wan, no need to be formal; it's just that I see my sister lacking the vigor she once had."

She then said, "So I want to give you a little gift."

"As for what it is, open it and see, then decide whether to keep it!"

With a glance from Xiao Mingshu, Bai Wei had already brought a box over.

Inside lay an envelope marked Secret Letter.

Xiao Mingshu's smile carried a dangerous edge, the corners of her mouth lifting: "Take a look?"

Wan Tang felt a trace of unease in her heart, not daring to reach out.

Yet the Barrage at this moment was deathly quiet, revealing not a single hint.

Wan Tang, helpless, forced herself to stretch out both hands and opened the Secret Letter.

As the letter unfolded before her eyes, Wan Tang read it word by word, and the hands holding the letter trembled ever more violently.

Suddenly, her chest felt as if a heavy hammer were pounding it mercilessly.

She actually vomited a mouthful of blood, spattering it onto the Secret Letter…