Chapter 49: The Truth Behind Mother

Wan Tang's fingertips clenched the yellowed Secret Letter tightly, her knuckles turning white from the strain, and the paper trembled slightly in her hand.

The writing on the letter was mottled, yet each character cut like a knife, gouging into her heart.

When Wan Tang's mother gave birth, the doctor and the midwife were deliberately reassigned by Wang Jingyi.

She could have survived, but instead a veterinarian was arranged to deliver her.

After the baby's wail, what was taken out was a charred husk, now suspected to have been burned.

To cover up the scandal, Wang Jingyi ordered someone to bring a bowl of Blood‑burst Medicine, ending his life completely.

The most infuriating part is that the lethal broth was personally served to Wan Tang's mother by the only‑seven‑year‑old Xu Luoyan.

The veterinarian's address has been located, and a full‑scale pursuit is underway.

Wan Tang's chest rose and fell violently, darkness flickered before her eyes, a buzzing filled her ears, as if she could hear her mother's painful smile at death once more.

"Tangtang… do not hate anyone…"

"Endure a little longer; everything will pass…"

She hated so fiercely she almost cracked her silver teeth, her nails dug deep into her palm, blood seeping through the gaps, yet she felt no pain.

Wang Jingyi is vicious, and Xu Luoyan grew up steeped in malice from childhood!

She originally thought that Empress Xiao Mingshu giving her Forbidden Medicine was already ruthless, but compared with the blood on Xu Luoyan and her mother's hands, that scheming was nothing at all!

She truly hates so much!

Should kind people be destined to die?

Empress Xiao Mingshu watched Wan Tang's grief‑stricken visage with cold eyes, a barely perceptible curl at the corner of her mouth.

She stepped forward slowly, feigning concern as she steadied Wan Tang's trembling shoulder, her voice gentle as water: "Sister, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Wan Tang jerked her head up, her tear‑filled eyes blood‑red, staring fixedly at Empress Xiao Mingshu's false face.

Empress Xiao Mingshu's fingertips trembled at the hatred in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself, sighing: "The departed are gone, Sister, mourn not…"

Wan Tang suddenly laughed.

Her laugh was chilling, yet her voice was as light as a whisper: "Indeed… the departed are gone…"

But a blood debt must be repaid with blood!

Wan Tang, heartbroken, collapsed onto the ground.

【Wan Tang, don't be fooled; Empress Xiao Mingshu can investigate these, merely to incite your anger.】

【She only wants to use you.】

【After all, the Xu Family has now sent a beauty, and Chu Yunzheng's heart still lies with Xu Luoyan. The Empress has no way.】

【She cannot bear children herself, so she can only use the people in her hand to bear children. Don't be fooled!】

Fooled?

Wan Tang sneered inwardly.

In this Imperial harem, she has always been a fleeting cloud of intrigue; being anyone's pawn is inevitable.

The key is that at least this proves the information is true. Wan Tang once doubted her mother's death, but she had no concrete evidence.

Not to mention this level of detail now.

Recalling the words at the end of the letter, Wan Tang knelt, her voice trembling: "I, your humble Subject, beg the Empress, please capture the veterinarian alive for me."

Empress Xiao Mingshu sat poised on the Phoenix Throne, her fingertips lightly twirling the jade prayer beads on her wrist, a compassionate, world‑sorrowful expression fixed in her brows.

She gazed at the kneeling Wan Tang, a barely perceptible curve forming at the corner of her mouth.

"Sister, get up quickly," she said softly, leaning down to help, "Your sorrow reaches my own heart."

Wan Tang lowered her head, allowing the Empress's icy fingers to grip her wrist.

She clearly felt the chill from the other's fingertips, yet still pretended to be tearfully grateful: "Lady of Grace, be merciful, help Subject!"

Empress Xiao Mingshu let out a light sigh, then abruptly changed tone: "Do you hate?"

The candle flame in the hall went "Pop—" and burst into a flare.

Wan Tang's body stiffened imperceptibly, then she showed a fearful look: "Subject… Subject does not dare."

"Is it that you do not dare, or that you do not hate?" Empress Xiao Mingshu's fingertips brushed Wan Tang's back of the hand slowly, like a venomous snake's tongue, "Although Xu Answering has now been demoted to Answering, the Xu Family has also presented a beauty to atone."

"Emperor… seems to find it quite useful."

Wan Tang's eyes briefly glistened with tears, she bit her lip and whispered: "Subject is incompetent."

Empress Xiao Mingshu suddenly leaned close, the dense sandalwood fragrance almost suffocating Wan Tang: "If you help me, I can help you exact revenge."

Wan Tang feigned shock as she looked up: "Lady of Grace, what do you mean?"

"Consort Shun gave birth to a useless Princess, and Lady Qi still lacks the saint's heart," Empress Xiao Mingshu sneered, "If you help Lady Qi conceive a dragon seed, I can use the Xiao Family connections to capture that veterinarian alive and bring him before you."

"And further avenge you."

Wan Tang sneered inwardly, what of the Empress?

Isn't she just borrowing another's womb to bear a Xiao Family prince?

"But Subject…" Wan Tang showed a troubled expression.

"In the Battle of Bei Mo, the Xiao Family's merits are no less than the Xu Family's," Empress Xiao Mingshu said meaningfully, "Sister, you are wise."

Wan Tang lowered her eyelids, her long lashes shielding the sharpness in her eyes.

She knelt slowly, her forehead touching the ground: "Subject… willing to serve Lady of Grace."

Empress Xiao Mingshu smiled with satisfaction, personally helping her up: "Good sister, I knew you were sensible."

She turned, took a brocade box from the dressing screen: "This is the Warm Affection incense from the Western Regions; the Emperor has not visited Lady Qi's place for a long time…"

Wan Tang received it respectfully, but her fingertips trembled slightly as they touched the box.

"Subject understands," she said meekly, a barely perceptible cold smile curling at her mouth.

As she left the Phoenix Palace, the night wind brushed Wan Tang's cheek.

She looked up at the dim moonlight, the hatred in her eyes no longer needing concealment.

Xu Luoyan, Wang Jingyi, both should die!

Li Ping'er looked at Master anxiously: "Master, the Empress is clearly trying to use you; are you truly willing to be used?"

Wan Tang sneered, gripping the brocade box tightly: "Since they all want to play this game."

"Then let's see who the one that survives in the end really is."

After Wan Tang left.

The people who had left earlier returned to the hall.

Xiao Mingshu sat upright on the main seat of the Phoenix Ritual Palace, fingertips lightly brushing the rim of a tea cup, a profound smile curling at her lips.

"Lady of Grace Qi, from today onward, you shall move to the Lotus Breeze Imperial View Palace."

Lady of Grace Qi heard this, a hint of joy flashing in her eyes, yet she pretended modesty and said, "I obey."

"Empress, rest assured, everything I do is for you."

"I and my family are your most loyal dogs, we will never betray you."

The Empress nodded with satisfaction.

The next day, at the appointed hour, the Empress spoke gently yet unrefusably to Wan Tang: "I think you must be lonely living alone; having Lady of Grace Qi as company would also ease the boredom."

Wan Tang lowered her brows, a slight smile at the corners of her lips, showing just the right gratitude: "Thank you, Empress, for your consideration."

Lonely?

Just a ploy to let Lady of Grace Qi have the advantage.

Inside the Lotus Breeze Imperial View Palace, Lady of Grace Qi strode in proudly, followed by a sizable retinue of palace maids and eunuchs.

She looked around, her gaze finally landing on Wan Tang standing in the Langxia, a haughty curve forming at her lips.

"Sister."

That perfunctory "sister" was uttered so lazily that she didn't even bother with proper courtesy, evidently speaking only to save the Empress's face.

Wan Tang was not annoyed; instead she smiled gently: "Little sister has arrived, just in time to keep me company."

Lady of Grace Qi let out a light hum and walked straight to the East Wing Chamber, not even bothering with pleasantries.

Li Ping'er clenched her teeth in anger, whispering, "Master, her arrogance makes anyone angry; just thinking of having to help such a person vie for favor makes me uneasy."

"Master, I truly feel aggrieved on your behalf."

Wan Tang glared at Li Ping'er and rebuked, "Imperial Concubine of the harem, you may not speak recklessly."

"If any Schemer hears this, it will be trouble."

Li Ping'er's expression changed; she hurriedly admitted fault, saying slowly, "Then I will have Xiao Shunzi keep a closer watch…"

Wan Tang shook her head lightly, a hint of coldness flashing in her eyes: "No rush."

"After all, the Answering of the Empress's request—how can we not do it?"

Late at night, when all was quiet, Wan Tang sat alone by the window, fingertips lightly tapping the desk.

She must make the Emperor see her again.

But she must not appear deliberate.

【Crazy, huh? Wan Tang really wants to do this?】

【Honestly, I quite support Wan Tang. Love is such a thing, even dogs reject it!】

【If there's a grudge, it must be avenged. Becoming a noble consort, bearing children, becoming Empress Dowager—everyone becomes a stepping stone, hahaha.】

【Is it that easy? Recently the scummy dragon was mesmerized by the Xu Family beauty, what can Wan Tang do?】

【Alas! If only Wan Tang could play the guqin, the scummy dragon would be unable to move upon hearing the high mountain flowing water.】

Playing the guqin?

Wan Tang's mouth curved upward.

Should she be grateful for Xu Luoyan's laziness, which allowed her to learn music, chess, calligraphy, and painting from childhood?

Countless scorching afternoons, Xu Luoyan would nap lazily, but it was Wan Tang who played the guqin in her stead!

A few days later, in the courtyard of the Lotus Breeze Imperial View Palace.

Wan Tang ordered a guqin set up; her fingertips lightly plucked, the sound lingering like a clear spring.

Lady of Grace Qi originally scoffed, but when she saw Chu Yunzheng's dragon litter parked outside the Gongmen, she instantly adopted a gentle demeanor.

She hurried to Wan Tang's side, feigning intimacy with a smile: "Sister's guqin skill is truly marvelous."

Wan Tang lifted her gaze, meeting Chu Yunzheng's deep stare.

"Subject, may I have an audience with the Emperor."

She rose to bow, her voice soft, her brows and eyes carrying just the right amount of surprise.

Chu Yunzheng's lips curled slightly as he strode forward: "Your beloved's guqin sound, I heard it outside the Gongmen."

Chu Yunzheng looked at Wan Tang with eyes full of complex emotions.

He said tenderly, "Tangtang, I never knew you also possessed guqin skill."

"How many more surprises await me?"

Indeed!

A low-born maid, no one could have imagined she possessed such abilities.

Wan Tang gave a coquettish smile: "I have many more skills, it's just that the Emperor does not wish to learn."

Upon hearing this, Chu Yunzheng was also deeply moved, taking Wan Tang's hand, softly saying, "I think of you daily; it's been a long time since I heard such beautiful guqin."

"The Emperor even…"

Chu Yunzheng's voice abruptly halted, a subtle loss evident on his face.

Soon, Chu Yunzheng turned to Li Defu and said, "Tell Songbai Palace, today I will not go there."

"Yes!" Li Defu answered.

Lady of Grace Qi immediately stepped forward, in a coquettish voice said, "Emperor, I have recently learned a new piece; shall I play it for you?"

Chu Yunzheng's gaze shifted between the two, and finally he smiled, "Very well, today I shall listen to the duet of the two beauties."