Chapter 62: Great Merit Shakes the Ruler

The late‑summer wind carried the scorching heat.

The summer retreat at the temporary palace was also drawing to a close.

When they first went to the temporary palace in great numbers, the number who came back was likewise few.

The lives lost at the temporary palace were, in the blink of an eye, replaced by newcomers.

After returning to the Capital, another ten or so days passed.

During that period, state affairs were hectic, and even Su Yanci stayed directly in the Imperial Palace, while the Emperor rarely visited the Imperial harem.

When he did go, it was only to sit in the Grand Empress Dowager's palace, occasionally glancing at the Empress.

The night of favor Wan Tang received was already envied by everyone.

The great army from Bei Mo returned in triumph, the Capital's city gates opened wide, and the common folk cheered along the streets.

General Xu rode his warhorse, clad in black iron armor, his features stern, with banners fluttering behind him.

His iron hooves struck the blue‑stone avenue, shaking the palace walls as if they were trembling.

Emperor Chu Yunzheng held a banquet in Taihe Hall to reward the three armies, with golden goblets, jade cups, and a table full of delicacies.

When Xu Chengyuan entered the hall, the ministers rose to greet him, and Emperor Chu Yunzheng, smiling, raised his hand: "General Xu, your campaigns have been arduous; you may be seated."

Xu Chengyuan clasped his fists in thanks, but his gaze swept across the hall.

He saw Xu Luoyan seated beside the Emperor; although she had been demoted to Answering, she still wore the imperial consort's cloud‑brocade robes, gold hairpins and jade ornaments, showing no loss of former glory.

Xu Chengyuan's tightly drawn brows relaxed a little.

During the banquet, a young eunuch respectfully set dishes and poured wine for Xu Chengyuan, but he frowned and slammed the wine cup down heavily.

"When Subject was at home, it was always Wan Tang who served the meals," he said in a flat tone, yet with undeniable authority. "Later, after she entered the palace, every time Subject saw Luoyan, it was she who personally presented tea and set the dishes."

The hall fell silent in an instant.

Xu Luoyan covered her lips with a light laugh, her eyes flickering: "Father, Wan Tang is now the Emperor's favored consort; how could she still do these things?"

Xu Chengyuan gave her a cold glance: "So what if she's a favored consort? Have you even forgotten the propriety of pouring a cup of wine for an old man?"

The hall was so quiet one could hear a needle drop; everyone who heard those words tensed instantly.

Emperor Chu Yunzheng tapped the table lightly with his finger, still wearing a faint smile, though his eyes had grown colder: "Since General Xu says so, I will summon Consort Wan here to dine together."

When Wan Tang stepped into the hall, she immediately sensed the atmosphere had become stagnant.

She lowered her eyes to bow, and before she could rise, she heard Xu Chengyuan's deep voice say: "Come, pour the wine."

Wan Tang looked up at the Emperor.

【Don't look any further; Xu Chengyuan is now covered with achievements, and the Emperor won't reprimand a meritorious official over a woman.】

【Indeed, if that really happens, the scoundrel dragon won't be able to face the three armies and the ministers.】

【Who made Tangtang a helpless orphan, with no patron, no offspring, only that illusory favor?】

【Feeling sorry for Tangtang, at worst we'll turn hostile, just gamble whether the scoundrel dragon truly loves you!】

Wan Tang sneered inwardly; she would not dare to gamble.

She could never afford to gamble.

The Imperial harem has never been a place for trial and error; once a mistake is made, who else besides her would die?

What about the people of Cuivei Palace?

And her younger brother, what should he do?

Her fingertips trembled slightly, yet she still stepped forward slowly, lifted the jade ewer, and filled his cup.

The wine poured out, reflecting her lowered brows, calm as still water.

"Side dishes," Xu Chengyuan ordered again.

She took the silver chopsticks and placed a piece of roasted venison before him.

Xu Chengyuan tasted a bite, then frowned: "It's salty."

Wan Tang said nothing, and served another dish of steamed sea bass, carefully removing the bones before presenting it to him.

Xu Chengyuan didn't even look, and said coldly: "It's cold."

The hall's occupants held their breath; even Xu Luoyan fell silent, only stealing glances at the Emperor.

Emperor Chu Yunzheng rubbed the wine cup with his fingertips, his eyes deep, yet he said nothing.

After the meal, Wan Tang was commanded like a maid—pouring wine, setting dishes, changing plates, handing silk handkerchiefs…

Xu Chengyuan even had her kneel beside him, holding the tea cup for him to rinse his mouth.

She kept her head lowered and compliant, never showing any discontent, yet her fingertips whitened from the strain, and a deep blood mark had already been pressed into her sleeve.

When the banquet was about to end, Xu Chengyuan finally rose, glanced down at her from his height, and said lightly: "You're still quite sensible."

After he left, the hall's people finally exhaled a long breath.

Xu Luoyan's brows and eyes were full of triumph; all the tension of the past period finally released.

"Father, let me see you off," Xu Luoyan cooed, and after Emperor Chu Yunzheng consented, she escorted Xu Chengyuan away.

Emperor Chu Yunzheng stepped before Wan Tang, reached out to support her, but she remained kneeling, softly saying: "Subject apologizes for my impropriety; please, Emperor, punish me."

His fingertip paused, then he withdrew his hand, saying lightly: "Rise."

His gaze heavy as he looked at Wan Tang: "Tangtang, you're tired today as well; go back and rest first."

"Yes, Subject takes leave."

【Ugh, how disgusting, still scheming how to deal with Wan Tang.】

【Yet they know that every time Wan Tang compromises herself, it becomes a death talisman for the Xu Family.】

The banquet dispersed.

In the late‑summer Yuhuayuan, autumn begonias were in full bloom.

Wan Tang stood alone by the pond, her fingertips lightly brushing the petals, her expression serene.

In the Imperial harem, the fastest thing is not the wind, but the news.

In less than half an hour, the news of Wan Pin's humiliation had already spread throughout the Imperial harem.

After all, Xu Luoyan is still formidable; restoring her to the rank of Noble Consort is only a matter of time.

Favor, before a powerful family background, truly amounts to nothing.

Not far away, several imperial concubines gathered in a pavilion, their laughter coquettish yet every word laced with barbs.

"I heard that Lady Wan Pin's skill in attending to people is superb, even General Xu can't stop praising her," Noble Lady Li covered her mouth with a light laugh, her eyes full of mockery.

"Isn't that right?" Wang Xuan Shi glanced sideways at Wan Tang's silhouette, his voice deliberately raised, "After all, she's worked as a maid; her technique is just practiced."

Xu Luoyan leaned against the railing, leisurely picking at her fingernails, and upon hearing it she smiled lightly: "Sister Wan, don't mind; they merely envy you for receiving the Emperor's 'favor'."

She bit the last two words heavily, alluding to Wan Tang serving the Emperor with her charms.

【Tangtang hold steady, the scummy dragon is coming.】

【He still has a conscience, even knows to come looking for our Tangtang.】

Wan Tang's fingertips paused, but she did not turn around, only gave a soft "hm"—considered an acknowledgment.

After all, the Emperor is already quite annoyed; why should she invite trouble upon herself?

"I, for my part, do not know when the Imperial harem became a marketplace?"

A cold, sharp voice suddenly rang out; everyone turned in shock, only to see Chu Yunzheng already standing outside the pavilion, his eyes dark as ink.

Noble Lady Li's face turned ashen, she hurriedly knelt: "Emperor, forgive me! Subject, subject only…"

"Only what?" Chu Yunzheng paced forward slowly, his dragon boots striking the bluestone, each step seeming to tread on everyone's hearts, "Only that you think my imperial concubines should be freely humiliated by you?"

Xu Luoyan forced a smile, speaking softly: "Emperor, the sisters were only joking…"

"Joking?" Chu Yunzheng sneered, his gaze sweeping the crowd, "Then I shall make a joke as well."

He raised his hand, his fingertip drawing a light slash.

"Slice off their tongues."

The guards lunged like wolves and tigers; Noble Lady Li collapsed on the ground, crying and begging for mercy, while Wang Xuan Shi instantly fell unconscious.

Xu Luoyan froze in place, yet dared not utter a sound.

Wan Tang finally turned, quietly watching the scene, her eyes calm and unruffled.

It seems that what Xu Chengyuan has done has already filled Chu Yunzheng's heart with great resentment.

These few people are merely scapegoats for that resentment.

Chu Yunzheng stepped before her, his fingertip lifting her chin, his voice low: "Why didn't you object?"

She lowered her gaze, her long lashes trembling slightly: "Subject, my status is humble, unworthy of the Emperor's anger."

He stared at her for a long while, then suddenly seized her wrist, pulling her away with long strides.

Behind them, the wailing abruptly ceased.

That night, the candles of Cuivei Palace burned until dawn.

Chu Yunzheng placed her on a soft couch, then sat beside her, raising his hand to stroke her cheek.

"Xu Chengyuan's achievements are great, I cannot help but grant him a token of favor," his voice was slightly cold yet carried a hint of helplessness, "But my Tangtang should not suffer such grievance."

Wan Tang lifted her eyes to look at him, a glimmer of tears flickering in her gaze before quickly fading: "Subject understand, state affairs take precedence."

Chu Yunzheng let out a low sigh, then suddenly drew a brocade box from his sleeve, handing it to her: "Open it and see."

She lifted the lid as instructed, and inside was a Step Shake of gold thread set with jade; the jade was warm and smooth, carved into the shape of a crabapple flower, its core studded with tiny gems that glittered in the candlelight.

She froze, anxiously saying, "This thing is so valuable."

"The warm jade was a tribute from the Western Regions; I had it forged overnight," he said.

Chu Yunzheng's voice softened: "Unfortunately the warm jade is small; besides this Step Shake there is also a bracelet, which I have already ordered to be sent to the Empress Dowager."

Wan Tang quickly shook her head, timidly saying, "Such a Step Shake can only be worn by imperial concubines of the rank above Noble Consort."

"Subject dares not touch the regulations."

"I am the rule itself," he said, his fingertip lightly brushing her hair, inserting the Step Shake into her sideburns, "My Tangtang deserves the finest."

【Is this scummy dragon compensating Tangtang? My heart gradually steadied.】

【I have to say, this scene is still very lovely.】

【Alas, the Emperor is also helpless! Restrictions everywhere.】

【In the Emperor's heart, Wan Tang has long deserved the position of Noble Consort!】

【Indeed, but sadly Wan Tang did not bear a Prince, and she is an orphan, born lowly; otherwise she could truly become Noble Consort.】

【What are you thinking? Even if Wan Tang bore a Prince, without a good family background she wouldn't even qualify to raise the child.】

Family background?

Wan Tang's mind flickered with many thoughts.

She is not an orphan.

She has a younger brother.

She also has a father!

But these are all secrets that cannot be spoken.

Wan Tang's eyes grew slightly warm, yet she forced a smile: "The Emperor's such generous affection, Subject fears I may be envied."

Chu Yunzheng chuckled lowly, then suddenly leaned forward, his thin lips brushing her ear, his voice low and dangerous: "I shall see who dares."

The night breeze brushed lightly, the candle flames flickered.

Chu Yunzheng pulled her into his arms, his fingertips gently combing her long hair, whispering: "Tomorrow I will have the Imperial Household Department send more fresh material; what color do you like?"

Wan Tang leaned on his shoulder, softly saying, "Subject likes crabapple red."

He chuckled softly: "Very well, everything shall follow your preference."

She closed her eyes briefly, the corners of her lips curving slightly, yet her heart was utterly cold and still.

She knew that an emperor's favor was honey, and also poison.

Today's compensation was merely to soothe her emotions, to keep her as an obedient chess piece.

But so what?

She had long since learned to hide her blade beneath sweet words.

Morning and evening greetings.

From the day the phoenix seal returned to the Empress's hands, this had been an ironclad rule.

Seeing Wan Tang in favor, everyone in Cuivei Palace became more animated.

"Master, I heard the Empress is unwell today. Should we dress plainly?" Li Ping'er said softly from the side.

After all, Wan Tang had been too conspicuous lately; she needed to temporarily keep a low profile.

Wan Tang's hand trailed across the jewelry box and finally stopped on the Step Shake: "Naturally, I must wear what the Emperor bestowed yesterday."

"This grace must not be squandered."

Li Ping'er's expression changed: "But..."

"Ping'er." Wan Tang's voice was soft yet carried a trace of resolve: "What use is it if I don't fight, don't compete?"

"Rather than letting them trample me underfoot, I might as well stand there openly—counter soldiers with generals, block water with earth..."

Wan Tang's smile grew ever gentler.

Looking at her face in the bronze mirror, she also thought of her younger brother: "It doesn't matter if I stand at the front and block every blade."

"As long as the people I love can be well."

With that, Wan Tang gently patted the back of Li Ping'er's hand: "Ping'er, what about you?"

"Entering the palace—what is it for?"