Chapter 86: Compromise

Night falls.

Li Ping'er wore a sullen expression.

She said angrily, "Master, the Emperor indeed went to the Noble Consort."

"You struck the Noble Consort; although you didn't use force at the time, your body still has some injury."

"If the Noble Consort says you ordered something, what would we do then?"

Looking at Li Ping'er's demeanor, Wan Tang fidgeted with the candle wick, making the room a bit brighter.

"Master, Nubi truly doesn't understand; you co‑manage the Imperial harem, and if you rely on the Empress…"

Wan Tang gave a cold glance, and Xiao Shunzi quickly fell silent.

Wan Tang then slowly said, "I, the palace, do this in order to better manage the Imperial harem."

【Oh my, this is a man.】

【Disgusting, after a mouthful of soup, old feelings flare up; I truly don't like the scumbag dragon any more.】

【It's not entirely that; the scumbag dragon is so emotional and impulsive, besides seeing the frailty again on Xu Luoyan, it's also because of the medicine's effect!】

【So we still say Jiang is still sharp with age; Wang Jingyi, she really knows how to handle it.】

Wan Tang never dared to hope that the Emperor would be hers alone.

She once thought, instead of keeping left and right within this tiny space, perhaps she should entrust her true heart to the most noble man in the world.

But now, Wan Tang sadly discovers that all she wants is to become stronger.

To possess the ability to protect everything.

Wan Tang glanced at the snow outside, which began to swirl again, and said, "Tonight, the palace will hold a small meeting!"

When the heads of each bureau were summoned to Xitang Courtyard, the sky had already darkened.

Snowflakes fell rustlingly, and the cold wind carried shards of ice into people's collars.

Wan Tang sat under the eave, wrapped in a black‑fox great cloak, holding a gilt warm stove; the charcoal fire reflected her gentle brows and eyes, yet her gaze was icy cold.

"Recently, the Six Ministries and Twenty‑four Bureaus have been sluggish in handling affairs; I am quite worried," she said, her voice neither light nor heavy, yet each word clear. "The Shang Palace Bureau's brocade has not been dispatched, the Imperial Pharmacy's prenatal medicine supplies are barely sufficient, and the Shang Yi Bureau cannot even mobilize a single palace maid."

"Everyone, do you think my title of co‑managing the Six Palaces cannot be taken seriously?"

The Shang Palace Bureau female official adjusted her posture, with a forced smile: "Your Majesty, as you see clearly, the year‑end is approaching, each palace needs new garments, and the treasury simply cannot turn over."

The Imperial Pharmacy chief eunuch crossed his sleeves, speaking sarcastically: "Medicinal herbs are scarce; even this old eunuch finds it hard to cook without rice."

"Indeed," the Shang Yi Bureau chief aunt sneered, "the Six Palaces have been stable for years, and suddenly changing the rules makes it difficult for those below."

Everyone exchanged words, both inside and outside the conversation full of shirking responsibility.

Wan Tang remained silent, only gently fidgeting with the charcoal fire, sparks "crackling" burst forth.

The snow fell heavier, and the people standing in the courtyard turned blue with cold.

The Shang Palace Bureau female official finally could not hold back: "Your Majesty, if there is no urgent matter, I (serving woman)s will take our leave; each bureau still has assignments."

"Your Majesty, if you are idle enough to enjoy the snow, we don't have that time or energy."

"What's the hurry?" Wan Tang raised her eyes, a smile at the corner of her lips, "Since everyone finds it difficult, why not stay here and think properly about what to do."

Their expressions changed abruptly.

"When the Noble Consort first held power, she was courteous to us and gave generous rewards…"

"The Empress never troubled us like this…"

"A concubine without a family background truly thinks she's soaring to the top?"

The whispering grew louder; Xiao Shunzi trembled with anger, and Li Ping'er's eyes reddened.

The Imperial Pharmacy chief eunuch suddenly shouted, "Why the frenzy? The Emperor went to the Noble Consort's place tonight!"

He sneered, "When the Noble Consort sheds tears, your authority to co‑manage the Six Palaces will likely be taken back tomorrow!"

The crowd burst into mocking laughter, their eyes full of schadenfreude.

Wan Tang remained seated, her fingertips lightly brushing the patterns on the warm stove.

The heavy snow fell steadily, and the heads of each bureau had been standing in the courtyard for half an hour.

The Shang Palace Bureau's Zhao Ma Ma could no longer endure, trembling as she stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this old eunuch is getting old and truly cannot bear this cold."

"Can't bear it?" Wan Tang took a sip of hot tea, the swirling mist blurring her smiling brows, "Then Zhao Ma Ma, have you figured out how to handle things?"

"Old eunuch… old eunuch…"

"Since you haven't figured it out, keep standing," Wan Tang placed the teacup on the table with a crisp sound that made everyone flinch, "When you understand, then you may return."

The Imperial Pharmacy chief eunuch Wang suddenly strained his neck and said, "Your Majesty, this is demanding our lives! This old eunuch will go request an audience with the Emperor!"

"Stop him," Wan Tang said without even raising an eyelid.

Two guards immediately brandished swords to block in front of Eunuch Wang. The crowd instantly stirred, and the Shang Yi Bureau's Aunt Sun shouted sharply, "Your Majesty, are you imprisoning us? How bold!"

"Imprison?" Wan Tang chuckled lightly, her fingertips gently tapping the warm stove, "I, the palace, am teaching you proper conduct."

"You!" Eunuch Wang trembled with anger, "Even the Noble Consort wouldn't dare treat us like this!"

"Noble Consort?" Wan Tang finally lifted her gaze, a cold glint flashing in her eyes, "I, the palace, even dare strike the Noble Consort; what are you then?"

Those words fell like a bucket of ice water over everyone's heads. The courtyard fell silent, only the crackle of the charcoal could be heard.

【Retribution! This is destined for retribution!】 Zhao Ma Ma suddenly wailed, "When the Emperor returns from the Noble Consort, we will not spare you."

"Then wait for it," Wan Tang gathered her great cloak, speaking lightly, "Until then, you must stand here for two hours each day. When you understand how to fulfill your duties, you may stop coming."

Xiao Shunzi watched Master's indifferent profile and suddenly understood something.

He whispered quietly to Li Ping'er, "Master, this is to…"

"Establish authority," Li Ping'er replied softly, admiration shining in her eyes.

Jingren Palace.

"Your Majesty! You must advocate for us serving women!" Shang Palace Bureau's Zhao Ma Ma knelt on the ground, pleading, "That Wan Pin actually made us stand in the snow for two hours!"

Xu Luoyan suddenly smashed the tea cup onto the floor, shards of porcelain scattering: "Shut up! Shei gave you permission to stir trouble?!"

The stewards were terrified into a shiver.

Xu Luoyan's expression was volatile.

That night the Emperor indeed came to her palace, but it was to interrogate Du Juan about the incident.

Poisoning the Emperor is a crime punishable by extermination of the whole clan; although she had done nothing, she was completely bewildered.

By linking the whole affair's background, Wang Jingyi also concluded that this was the Empress's double‑edged move.

Thinking of all this, she became irritable.

Fortunately, having done as Wan Tang said—just shouting in pain and adding Hou Yishou's medicine—only then did the Emperor spend a night in a frenzy.

Yet she, wounded yet trying to be cheerful, almost lost her life.

At this moment she only thought about how to evade the Empress and successfully become pregnant, yet these idiots still wanted to pull her into the mess?

"All of you, get out of my palace!" Xu Luoyan shouted, pointing at the hall doors, "If you dare gossip again, I'll skin you first!"

【The Emperor went to Jingren Palace once and didn't want to get out of bed for several days. The next day, he smelled a familiar fragrance on his body again and became suspicious once more.】

【These past two days Zha Long is probably depleted, most afraid that that woman is entangling him. After all, wanting but unable is truly hard to accept.】

【It seems they're coming to Wan Tang's side for a visit, can be gentle and warm like jade, and can use a child as an excuse not to exercise.】

【What's so good about it? Those stewards are holding back to harm Wan Tang, yet they don't seize this opportunity; ruining Wan Tang—what I can't see is a good thing.】

Under the candlelight, several grim faces were reflected.

Zhao Grandma of the Palace Office slammed the tea cup heavily: "The Emperor will go to Xi Tang Courtyard again tonight!"

"That woman makes us stand punished every day." Imperial Kitchen chief Wang the Eunuch squinted, "If this continues, where will we hang our faces?"

"The Noble Consort back then never acted like this."

"Not to mention the Noble Consort, the Empress never did this either."

The two factions that were originally opposed now stand on a unified front.

"We, as Nubi, taking a bit of grievance is nothing; the main point is that it's unworthy for the Empress."

"Indeed, the Empress is generous and kind, but still can't match these fox‑beauty tactics."

"We do this only to vent on behalf of the Master."

"But… what should we do so that the Emperor knows her incompetence and despises her?"

Sun Auntie of the Palace Ritual Office lowered her voice: "I have an idea."

She dipped her fingertip in tea, drew a circle on the table, and said, "Make tonight's meal difficult to swallow."

The others were stunned.

"The Emperor has the greatest appetite for food," Sun Auntie said with a sly smile, "If he sees the consorts managing the Six Palaces can't even arrange a meal properly."

"Brilliant!" Wang the Eunuch slapped his thigh, "Just claim the ingredients are scarce, the chef is sick. Serve a table of coarse tea and bland rice, and watch how Concubine Wan accounts for it!"

Zhao Grandma hesitated, "But if the Emperor blames us…"

"Fear what?" Sun Auntie sneered, "We follow the 'rules', who can point out a mistake? If you must blame, blame her for incompetence!"

"Exactly, since we have to manage the Imperial harem, if even these small matters slip, what else can we govern?"

Xi Tang Courtyard.

When Li Ping'er saw the food delivered from the Imperial Kitchen, she almost splashed it onto their faces.

How could they dare bring such things?

As for Wan Tang, she always maintains a delicate appearance.

She said lightly, "Bring it in!"

Chu Yunzheng looked at the plain porridge and side dishes, his brows slightly furrowed: "Tangtang now oversees the Six Palaces, yet why has her diet become so simple?"

Wan Tang picked up chopsticks to serve him vegetables, speaking softly: "Your Majesty has been overworking lately; I have specifically instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare something light."

She lightly tapped her own abdomen with her fingertip, "Doctor Xie Taiyi says that over‑supplementing some things harms the body."

Chu Yunzheng's hand with chopsticks halted, a faint redness at his ears: "You… already know?"

"I am only worried about Your Majesty's dragon body," Wan Tang lowered her gaze, her long lashes shielding a hidden gleam, "The Noble Consort is impatient and always likes to use some stimulants."

Upon mentioning this, Wan Tang suddenly knelt down.

Chu Yunzheng did not frown even slightly.

Wan Tang was the first to speak: "I fear I have once again caused trouble for the Emperor."

"The Imperial harem is hard to manage; the Emperor ordered, and I shall give my all."

"Having served the Noble Consort for ten years, I am truly helpless. I only wish the Emperor peace and happiness, nothing else."

"Only then would one risk doing incomprehensible things, just hoping she doesn't get emotional and hurt the Emperor."

"She truly lacks discretion," Chu Yunzheng's tone turned cold, "Wasting your goodwill for nothing."

He coughed awkwardly mid‑sentence, "Still, Tangtang is considerate."

Wan Tang promptly handed over a bowl of medicinal soup: "This is a balanced tonic I prepared from an ancient formula; though it is light and its taste is a bit hard to swallow, it nourishes the essence and strengthens the foundation."

"It guarantees the Emperor's vigor remains unchanged."

Upon mentioning this, Wan Tang's ears flushed red immediately.

It seemed she was recalling Wan Tang's bravery.

Chu Yunzheng took it, his eyes full of admiration: "When it comes to harem affairs, you truly handle them most appropriately."

"The Empress is overly gentle, thus enabling the Noble Consort's arrogance."

"At this moment, a minor reprimand becomes a major warning; the Noble Consort can stay quiet without making a fuss—Tangtang is truly impressive."

He sighed lightly, "If the Noble Consort had even half your cleverness, I would not need to be troubled…"

Outside the hall, the wind and snow howled; Wan Tang watched the Emperor finish the medicinal soup, a slight smile at the corner of her lips.

Just lit the lantern.

Zhao of the Harem Office led a group of stewards with a fierce air and hurried to Xitang Courtyard.

Eunuch Wang, the chief of the Imperial Kitchen, rubbed his hands, his face full of schadenfreude, "Let's go! We'll also go take a look and see how this 'Coordinator of the Six Palaces' Consort Wan was discarded by the Emperor!"

"At this very moment, the Emperor should have finished his meal."

Aunt Sun of the Court Ritual Office sneered, "Weren't we supposed to stand in the snow and figure it out? Today we'll stand there and watch her fate closely!"

Li Ping'er and Xiao Shunzi saw a crowd surging forward from afar, and hurried forward to block: "Today the Madam has exempted everyone from the little gathering; please return!"

"Return?" Zhao shoved Li Ping'er aside, "We wouldn't dare disobey, after all we're the ones who assist the harem, making us come here daily."

"Exactly!" Eunuch Wang laughed sarcastically, "Isn't Consort Wan supposed to teach us proper conduct? Today we'll learn it properly!"

The crowd couldn't be stopped; the stewards barged straight into Xitang Courtyard, with mocking smiles, waiting to see Wan Tang's embarrassed scene as the Emperor scolds her.