Chapter 64: Power

"Master." Li Ping'er stepped forward cautiously, "The wind is strong; let's go back."

Wan Tang withdrew her gaze, a gentle smile returning to her lips: "Yes, it's time to go back."

She cast one last glance toward the direction Xie Taiyi had departed, and the armor dug deep into her palm.

The words just now were clearly warning her that this pregnancy had a problem.

【I didn't expect Xie Taiyi to say such words in this situation; truly an honest, upright Xie Taiyi!】

【After all this time, Wan Tang is not foolish; I believe she can grasp the meaning behind Xie Taiyi's words.】

【Wishing Wan Tang well.】

【After all, I was so eager for Wan Tang to bear a Prince; love, I don't want any of it.】

【Yes, bear a Prince, become the champion of palace intrigue, become Empress Dowager.】

Wan Tang heard this news, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

Indeed!

That's right.

This is the path she should take.

As for the child in her womb, Wan Tang truly could not be sure.

Wan Tang knows even more clearly that now even Xie Taiyi can utter insincere words; throughout the Imperial Medical Institute, no one can expect to hear a single truthful sentence.

At present, she can only proceed with utmost caution.

When Wan Tang stepped back into the hall, she heard Chu Yunzheng's hearty laugh.

"Su Aiqing, did you see? My Tangtang is expecting!" his eyebrows and eyes lit up, his tone unable to hide his pride, "I have long said she will give me the wisest Prince!"

Minister Su Yan-ci twirled his folding fan, laughing slyly: "I see it, Emperor, you seem eager to proclaim it to the world."

Chu Yunzheng laughed loudly, lifted his gaze, and saw Wan Tang standing by the pearl curtains; he immediately rose to greet her.

He swept her into his arms: "Why did you take so long? I was getting impatient."

His warm palm rested on her still‑flat belly, the tenderness in his eyes nearly spilling over: "My child will surely be the most noble in the world."

Wan Tang felt a slight warmth in her heart, her cheeks flushing, and whispered: "Emperor…"

Su Yan-ci chuckled beside her: "Oh, Concubine Wan, are you shy now? Earlier you credited Xie Taiyi's merit, why are you now reluctant to look at the Emperor?"

Wan Tang's ears flushed, and embarrassed she buried her face in Chu Yunzheng's shoulder, prompting the emperor to laugh loudly, eyes full of indulgence.

"I will hold a feast so that all officials and generals of the court know this joyous news!"

"My Tangtang deserves the finest celebration."

Wan Tang's heart skipped a beat, recalling Xie Taiyi's warning.

The Emperor's concern and anxiety at this moment made Wan Tang feel uneasy and fearful.

The child, of course, is also what Wan Tang looks forward to, but its arrival now is too coincidental.

It seems the situation is proceeding too smoothly, which instead makes it hard to believe.

What on earth is happening?

Who kidnapped Xie Taiyi's family?

Was it Xu Luoyan?

At this moment, Wan Tang cannot make sense of any of it; the matter is already flamboyant, and it may only become harder to resolve.

This total helplessness, being unable to keep things under control, is truly painful.

Wan Tang quickly said softly: "Emperor, I have heard a folk custom that a child should not be publicized before three months."

She lifted her gaze, eyes pleading: "Perhaps we should wait until the pregnancy stabilizes before announcing it to the world?"

At this moment, Wan Tang's action undoubtedly dampened the Emperor's enthusiasm; she hurriedly lowered her head, her voice trembling: "I am still afraid, after all the palace…"

She need not continue.

Chu Yunzheng frowned, seemingly displeased, but seeing her anxious expression and recalling the previously miscarried child, his heart softened, and he finally compromised: "Fine, as you wish."

He turned and ordered Li Defu: "Go, fetch the prenatal jade pillow from my private treasury, and add eight matron night‑and‑day shifts."

Then he looked at Wan Tang, his tone allowing no rebuttal: "You are not permitted to walk back; I will have someone carry a sedan chair for you."

"Also," his eyes darkened, his voice suddenly sharp, "assign two imperial guards to Cuivei Palace; all other personnel are strictly prohibited from approaching."

Li Defu bowed and complied, though a hint of gloom flickered in his eyes.

Su Yan-ci twirled his fan, laughing lightly: "Emperor, you intend to treat Concubine Wan like a porcelain doll on display."

Chu Yunzheng neither confirmed nor denied, merely lowered his head and placed a kiss on Wan Tang's forehead: "My child must not be jeopardized."

Wan Tang leaned against his chest, her fingertips unconsciously tugging at his collar.

【Wan Tang isn't the first pregnant woman in the harem, nor has she ever seen a scumbag dragon so nervous.】

【Love and not love, it's really obvious!】

【But this fetus is very strange, it always makes people uneasy.】

【Why does this child only appear after Xie Taiyi was kidnapped?】

The night was deep, under the cool pavilion of Cuivei Palace, the gauze curtains brushed lightly.

Wan Tang reclined diagonally on the soft couch, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her belly, her expression bewildered.

She cared a lot about the Barrage's words.

She cared equally about Xie Taiyi's words.

"Ping'er," she suddenly said, her voice so light it was almost scattered by the night wind, "what does pregnancy feel like?"

Li Ping'er was startled, then laughed: "Your Highness, this is your first pregnancy; it's natural to be nervous."

"I have never borne children, but the old matriarchs say the first few months are the most critical; one must nurture carefully."

Xiao Shunzi nodded beside her: "Indeed, Your Highness, you are now the Emperor's favorite; a dragon fetus is a priceless treasure!"

Qiu Ju was indeed full of enthusiasm, counting on her fingers: "I (serving woman) have heard that happiness is common; some love sour foods, some cannot stand the smell of fish, and others …"

Wan Tang furrowed her brows slightly and interrupted her: "This palace is not asking about that."

The three of them stared at each other, falling silent for a moment.

Wan Tang leaned back on the cool chair, her thoughts a thousandfold.

What does Xie Taiyi mean by the feeling of flesh and blood being connected?

Why does she feel nothing at all now?

The night wind swept over the Lotus Pond, stirring a faint water sound.

Wan Tang gazed at the distant eaves illuminated by palace lanterns, her eyes deep.

This is not a time for melancholy; she still has far too many matters to attend to.

Whether it's Xu Luoyan or Li Defu, both are huge troubles.

Wan Tang could distinctly feel an invisible puppeteer behind her; she must root it out.

Li Ping'er and Qiu Ju chattered beside her, already discussing making tiger‑head shoes for the child and the like.

Wan Tang whispered to Xiao Shunzi: "Xiao Shunzi, no matter how many silver coins it costs, you must investigate Xie Taiyi's matter thoroughly."

"Yes!"

Xiao Shunzi slipped away quietly.

When the deeper dew grew heavier, Xiao Shunzi entered silently and whispered: "Master, it's clarified."

He stepped a few paces closer, his voice pressed down to a whisper: "Xie Taiyi's younger son was abducted the day before yesterday while returning from school; it was the work of the Black Jiao Gang."

"That group specializes in kidnapping officials' families; even ten thousand taels of gold cannot ransom them back, unless …"

"Unless there is enough power to suppress it." Wan Tang replied coldly, her fingertips pressing into her palm.

"Or rather, only court officials know the inner workings."

Xiao Shunzi nodded heavily: "Xie Taiyi has been seeking help everywhere these past days, even submitting the Imperial Medical Institute's leave request three times."

"But Xie Taiyi is overly upright in character, never using those channels, so no one lends a hand."

Wan Tang closed her eyes.

Power.

Again, power.

She suddenly recalled the unmistakable words Chu Yunzheng said in daylight while caressing her belly: "My child must not be lost."

It turned out that in this Cold Palace, without power, even one's own child cannot be protected.

She stood alone in Langxia, gazing at the four‑sided night sky cut by the palace walls.

Her younger brother is still at a tender age, unaware of his sister's existence; her biological father Xu Chengyuan wishes her dead; and that unborn child …

She gently placed her hand on her belly, a chill in her eyes.

If this fetus truly has the problem Xie Taiyi hinted at, Chu Yunzheng's favor would instantly turn into a death‑seeking blade.

The Cold Palace's vermilion‑painted great doors were already mottled, the bronze lock rusted, and when pushed open emitted a harsh "creak."

Wan Tang gathered her cloak and stepped into this forgotten realm.

In the overgrown courtyard, a few gaunt cats darted cautiously, spider webs dense under the eaves; a gust sent several dry leaves fluttering down.

Xiao Shunzi whispered: "Your Highness, Li Pin lives in the West Side Hall."

The West Side Hall's door was half‑closed; Wan Tang gently pushed it open, the dim interior lit by a single waning lamp.

Li Pin sat by the window, holding a yellowed scroll in her hand; hearing the voice, she lifted her gaze, her eyes calm and still.

"Rare guest." Her voice was slightly hoarse, yet still carried her former arrogance, "How does Consort Wan find the time to come to this filthy place?"

Wan Tang gave no reply, only walking slowly forward and sitting opposite her.

Li Pin sneered: "What, now that you're favored, you come to see my fallen self to flaunt your glory?"

Wan Tang said lightly: "I'm here to discuss a transaction."

Li Pin raised an eyebrow, her fingertip lightly tapping the table: "You? A solitary orphan with no support, what could you possibly use to negotiate a deal with me?"

Wan Tang lifted her gaze, staring straight at her, "I can get you out of the Cold Palace."

Li Pin scoffed: "Just you? Even if the Emperor dotes on you, it can't outweigh the mouths of the entire court's civil and military officials."

"Moreover, the palace still has the Empress and Xu Luoyan."

"Which one doesn't want my life? Can you stop them?" Li Pin remained indifferent throughout.

Wan Tang looked at her; although her living conditions were poor, Li Pin always remained proper, unlike other consorts of the Cold Palace who were destitute.

"What if I'm pregnant?"

The room fell silent abruptly.

Li Pin's fingertip paused, her gaze slowly descending to Wan Tang's belly.

After a while, she sneered: "Why should you trust me?"

"Because you need me, just as I need you." Wan Tang's voice was calm, "Your father is a high‑ranking official in the court; I want his power."

"And I can bring you back into the light."

Li Pin stared at her, a flicker finally appearing in her eyes: "What do you want?"

"Black Jiao Gang." Wan Tang said word for word, "I want your father's influence to save a person."

Li Pin was silent for a long while, then suddenly laughed: "Interesting."

"I didn't expect a solitary orphan to have someone she wants to save."

She closed the scroll, rose slowly, and walked to the window.

Wan Tang also smiled: "Come to think of it, you're also a wise woman; are you truly willing to remain in the Cold Palace for years, forgotten, aging silently?"

Li Pin's gaze indeed underwent a strong change.

She took a deep breath.

"Alright, I'll help you." She turned, the edge in her eyes fully revealed, and placed a jade pendant on the table, "This is a token."

"With this, there will be people outside the palace to receive you."

Wan Tang took the jade pendant, ran her fingertip over the family crest on it, and nodded: "In three days, await news."