Chapter 65: False Pregnancy

In the Yuhuayuan, the autumn crabapples were in full bloom.

Wan Tang walked slowly, supporting Li Ping'er's hand.

After the Emperor's severance incident last time, Shei dared not show any disrespect toward Wan Tang again.

Where she passed, the consorts bowed and offered greetings, smiles plastered on their faces while knives hid in their eyes.

"Princess Wan, your complexion is truly fine; the Emperor has been so tender to you lately," Lady of Grace cooed, pinching a handkerchief while her fingernails dug deep into her palm.

"Indeed, even the snow silk tribute from the Western Regions was presented to you; we are practically envious," the selected attendant agreed, the smile at the corner of his mouth barely hanging on.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes and gave a faint smile, her voice gentle: "My sisters were just joking; it was merely the Emperor's favor."

Everyone wore smiles, but their hearts seethed with blood‑curdling hatred.

Who doesn't know that Wan Tang now monopolizes the Imperial favor? Yet the Emperor, for her, even employed the tongue‑cutting punishment; who would dare tempt this bad luck?

"Ha, putting on a show!"

A sharp voice pierced the false harmony.

Xu Luoyan, in a bright red palace dress, her golden hairpins flashing dazzlingly, strode straight to Wan Tang.

Now she is merely of Answering status; she has no right to dress like this.

It is only because of the Xu Family's current power that no one dares to speak up.

"Wretch, how long do you think you can revel?" she curled her red lips, poison glinting in her eyes, "It won't be long before you learn who the true winner is."

Wan Tang's fingertips trembled slightly, feigning timidity: "Xu Answering, what does this mean?"

She lifted her gaze, probing, "Could it be you hope your father will help you gain favor?"

"Of course!" Xu Luoyan raised an arrogant brow, "My father's battle merits are illustrious; even the Emperor must yield three points!"

"You think a seductive fox face can keep you forever atop me?" she suddenly leaned close, whispering ominously into Wan Tang's ear.

Wan Tang pretended to be frightened, her voice trembling lightly: "Xu Answering, speak carefully."

"Xie Taiyi once said, my body is weak, I cannot endure fright."

She deliberately mentioned Xie Taiyi, silently observing Xu Luoyan's reaction.

Xu Luoyan wore an incomprehensible expression: "What does that old thing have to do with anything?"

She sneered, "Stop playing the pitiful one here!"

The one threatening Xie Taiyi, wasn't it her?

Wan Tang felt a slight ease inside, but her face showed even more frailty: "If Xu Answering has no business, I shall take my leave..."

"Scram!" Xu Luoyan flicked her sleeve with a cold sneer, "While you can still revel, enjoy it fully!"

Leaving the Yuhuayuan, Li Ping'er whispered, "Your Highness, Xu Answering's arrogance suggests General Xu might truly make a move..."

Wan Tang brushed the Step Shake at her temple, her eyes deep: "No problem."

She gazed toward the towering palace wall in the distance, a faint cold smile tugging at her lips.

The Emperor stands above ten thousand men; he cannot tolerate anyone, and he reigns above all.

【Wan Tang is overthinking; could Xu Luoyan's mind even devise such a method?】

【It wasn't Xu Luoyan at all.】

【With this time wasted, better think about how to save Xie Taiyi's son!】

Wan Tang's eyes narrowed slightly: rescue—of course she must rescue.

The items have already been handed to Xiao Shunzi, sending him out of the palace to handle.

But there has been no movement for a long while.

It seems that as long as Li Pin does not leave the Cold Palace for a day, nothing will happen over there.

Wan Tang inhaled deeply; it seems the time is near.

The candle flame flickered; on the dragon couch, Wan Tang suddenly opened her eyes, cold sweat soaking her nightclothes.

"Tangtang?" Chu Yunzheng immediately propped himself up, his large hand patting her pale face, "What's wrong?"

Wan Tang's breathing was rapid; her fingertips clenched the brocade quilt tightly, her voice trembling: "I... dreamed I was entangled by silkworm threads, tightening more and more... almost suffocating..."

Chu Yunzheng frowned, pulling her into his arms: "Just a dream."

"Everything felt too real; I am so frightened."

Wan Tang placed both hands over her abdomen: "When mother died in childbirth, could I..."

Chu Yunzheng, with a solemn expression, covered Wan Tang's mouth, his tone stern: "Do not speak nonsense."

"Huh!"

Wan Tang let out a breath.

"Fortunately someone saved me..." she lifted her face, tears glimmering in her eyes, "That person seemed to be... Li Pin."

"Her?" Chu Yunzheng's finger paused.

Wan Tang leaned against his chest, whispering: "In the dream she cut the silkworm threads, saying, 'To live, one must first sever.'"

Chu Yunzheng's eyes grew darker.

Li Pin's father, Lin Zehai, currently the Jiangnan Salt Inspection Commissioner, has spent six months rooting out corruption in the salt tax, achieving remarkable results.

When Li Pin entered the Cold Palace years ago, anyone with eyes could see she was merely a scapegoat.

The Xu Family grows ever more prosperous; at court, fewer and fewer can restrain them.

"Emperor?" Wan Tang called him timidly.

"The more I think, the more I feel something was amiss back then; I wonder if the child is reminding me that the original decision was wrong?"

"If that is so, have I committed a sin?"

"Nonsense," Chu Yunzheng cut her off.

In a solemn tone he said, "She has been in the Cold Palace that long; she should know she was wrong."

Chu Yunzheng regained his composure, his palm covering her lower abdomen: "Since it is an auspicious sign for you and the child, the Emperor will issue an Imperial Decree tomorrow to release her."

The Imperial Decree reached the Cold Palace the next morning.

"Li Pin of the Lin clan, gentle and prudent by nature, is hereby ordered to return at once to Jingren Palace, and be granted back Zhaoying according to precedent."

Li Pin knelt to receive the Imperial Decree, and when she lifted her eyes, she met the figure of Wan Tang in the distant Langxia.

Their gazes met briefly and then separated.

She did not expect that the Emperor would come together with Wan Tang.

Li Pin hurried forward, knelt hastily, her forehead pressed to the cold floor, and her voice choked: "Subject thanks the Emperor for the grace."

Chu Yunzheng sat upright on the Dragon Throne, his expression faint: "The one you should thank is not the Emperor, but Wan Tang."

He turned his gaze to Wan Tang beside him, the tenderness in his eyes almost overflowing: "If she were not kind‑hearted and interceded for you, the Emperor would never have recalled your father's achievements in Jiangnan."

Li Pin lifted her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Wan Tang's still flat lower abdomen.

She immediately showed gratitude: "Sister Wan, your great kindness, Subject will never forget."

She bowed lower, her posture humble: "I was foolish before; from now on I shall address you as sister, and cause no more trouble."

Wan Tang extended a hand in a feigned support, her smile gentle: "Li Pin elder sister, you speak too heavily; we are all sisters of the same family."

Chu Yunzheng nodded with satisfaction, grasping Wan Tang's hand: "The Emperor previously only thought you gentle‑natured; now I see you also possess such magnanimity."

Wan Tang lowered her eyes with a faint smile, her fingertips lightly brushing her lower abdomen: "Subject is merely accumulating merit for the child in my womb."

Sunlight filtered through the carved lattice window, casting a golden rim onto the clasped hands of the two, like a pair of perfect companions.

Li Pin stood aside, staring blankly at the scene, a fleeting daze flashing in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Chu Yunzheng glanced at her altered expression, his brows slightly furrowed, "Is Li Pin dissatisfied?"

Li Pin suddenly recovered, a wry smile and a shake of her head: "Subject would never dare."

"It's just… I have never seen the Emperor so attentive to any consort." Her voice was so soft it was barely audible, "Sister Wan Pin in the Emperor's heart truly stands apart."

Chu Yunzheng laughed loudly, unabashedly throwing his arm over Wan Tang's shoulder: "My Tangtang is naturally different from others."

Wan Tang leaned against his chest, a smile at the corner of her lips, while the hand hidden in her sleeve unconsciously brushed her lower abdomen.

The more Chu Yunzheng expressed affection, the colder she felt inside.

The higher the expectation, the what awaits her?

"Tangtang?" Chu Yunzheng noticed her stiffness, lowered his head with concern, "Are you tired?"

Wan Tang quickly regained composure, speaking softly: "I'm a bit weary, would like to return to rest."

"The Emperor will see you off."

"No need." She gently pushed him away, her smile full, "The Emperor's state affairs are busy; Subject is fine with Li Ping'er by my side."

The Yangxin Hall still has a great many memorials yet to be reviewed; just thinking of it gives a headache.

The orders to the left and right must ensure Wan Tang's care.

As soon as the Emperor left, the atmosphere changed abruptly.

Li Pin's humble smile faded, she lifted her eyes to assess Wan Tang: "I never imagined that you, a solitary orphan with no support, could receive such great favor from the Emperor."

She let out a light laugh, "Indeed, having an Imperial Heir with you is stronger than any backing."

Wan Tang walked forward slowly, her expression calm and unruffled.

Li Pin continued, "Seeing the Emperor's demeanor just now, I'm afraid he truly intends to raise the Prince by your side."

She said meaningfully, "This is an honor reserved only for ranks above consort."

Wan Tang lifted her eyes, her gaze cold, then turned the conversation: "Sister, why don't you speak about yourself!"

"Now that you're out of the Cold Palace, Xu Answering over there probably can't accommodate you."

She curved the corner of her mouth slightly, "After all, you are the one I rescued."

"Her temperament, you and I know best; without me saying more, Sister can already guess how she will act."

Wan Tang spoke lightly, though in her heart she had already plotted.

Logically, even if Li Pin were reinstated, she shouldn't return to Jingren Palace; Wan Tang mentioned that people get accustomed to a place and are reluctant to move.

The person was rescued, and likewise, Li Pin is also a formidable opponent.

Cutting off her retreat isn't just creating trouble for herself, is it?

Wan Tang sighed, "Now, although she is Xu Answering, her food, clothing, and expenses are still treated as a noble consort's, and she even resides in the main hall of Jingren Palace."

"Sister will be in Jingren Palace; how should we explain this to her?"

Li Pin's expression hardened briefly, then she smiled again: "Sister worries too much."

Her gaze fell on Wan Tang's lower abdomen, a glint flashing in her eyes, "Now that I am out, I naturally must choose a clear path."

She leaned forward, lowering her voice: "You have an Imperial Heir, I have my father's influence in Jiangnan. Together we unite, who in this Imperial harem can stand against us?"

Wan Tang lowered her eyes, covering the disgust in her gaze.

She knew exactly.

Li Pin's concern was merely the benefit brought by the Prince in her womb.

And she herself, isolated now, truly needed assistance.

"Since Sister says so," Wan Tang lifted her head, showing a gentle smile, "then I shall rely on you more in the future."

Li Pin smiled with satisfaction, yet did not notice the clenched fist hidden in Wan Tang's sleeve.

The night was deep, and within Cuivei Palace only a single dim lantern swayed.

Wan Tang was pregnant; though it was not a major matter to announce, the Emperor was overly concerned, ordering Xie Taiyi to conduct regular examinations without error.

【Xie Taiyi's son was rescued.】

【Li Pin's family is still quite shameless, they never said it was Wan Tang's help.】

【It was still the Lin family's face…】

Wan Tang felt a breath of relief in her heart; it's all right, as long as Xie Taiyi's son is safe.

After all, this elderly man is innocent.

Xie Taiyi hurried in carrying a medicine box, with still‑wet cold sweat on their forehead.

Wan Tang sat upright on the couch, lightly tapping the desk with her fingertips, her expression calm.

"The Subject respectfully presents himself before Lady Wan," Xie Taiyi bowed and saluted, their voice pressed extremely low.

Wan Tang lifted her gaze, signaling those on either side to step back: "Everyone, leave; I have words with the Grand Physician."

Li Ping'er looked at her anxiously, and ultimately led the Guanren out of the hall, gently closing the door.

Inside the hall only two remained; Xie Taiyi suddenly "thump" knelt down, heavily bowing their head: "Your Majesty's great kindness, the Subject can never forget!"

Their voice choked: "Had it not been for Your Majesty's rescue, the child would have faced a grim fate."

He actually guessed it?

And even thanked her!

Wan Tang quickly pretended to support: "Grand Physician Xie, please rise."

She looked with sincere concern in her eyes, "Had it not been for your care, my life would have ended long ago. Now that you are in trouble, how could I stand by idly?"

Xie Taiyi's old tears streamed, nodding repeatedly.

They looked up, eyes full of resolve: "The Subject has been in the Imperial Palace for thirty years, never taking part in any faction disputes."

"But from today onward, I wish to serve the Lady with the labor of a dog and horse!"

To receive a Grand Physician's sincere dedication within the palace is a joy of heavenly magnitude.

Wan Tang felt a joy in her heart, about to speak, but saw Xie Taiyi suddenly lower their voice: "Lady, your joyous pulse… is false."

"What?" Wan Tang's pupils contracted sharply.

Xie Taiyi pressed their forehead to the ground, their voice trembling: "You are not pregnant; the medicine for conditioning the body created the illusion of pregnancy."