Chapter 87: Obedience

Chu Yunzheng has just fallen asleep.

After a long battle, he finally can have a moment of peace.

This sleep, Chu Yunzheng slept very deeply.

【Unbelievable, the stewards from every palace have all rushed over; isn't this clearly to watch a joke?】

【It seems the joke won't happen, and we'll end up being the joke ourselves.】

【The Emperor is also present, Wan Tang has nothing to fear; just wait for the Emperor to deal with them.】

Listening to the words in the Barrage, Wan Tang merely gave a faint smile.

Whether the Emperor punishes or scolds, at most that person suffers a setback, appears obedient on the surface, but may still be plotting how to ruin himself inside.

This is not what Wan Tang wants to see.

Precisely because she is a lone woman, Wan Tang increasingly needs the support of those below her.

Sincere devotion, compared to forceful suppression, is more challenging.

Wan Tang's mouth curved upward as she stared at the sleeping person on the bed.

Without waiting for Xiao Shunzi to come in and report, Wan Tang already knew everything.

Looking at the sleeping Chu Yunzheng.

Wan Tang tiptoed, closed the door, walked to the doorway, and instructed the Imperial Kitchen: "Since you're here, quickly remove the dishes."

"The Emperor is very satisfied with today's meal."

Wan Tang's expression remained calm as she looked at the crowd.

It was those people whose faces all wore strange expressions.

Inside, everything was settled, and the scene they expected never occurred.

"You mean the Emperor ate today's dinner?" The most shocked was the Imperial Kitchen steward.

Sitting in this position naturally means he is a versatile person.

He knows perfectly what each master in this palace likes.

Although the Emperor is not a prodigal person, he is extremely particular about palace cuisine.

Such thin broth, like Cold Palace fare, how could the Emperor swallow it?

Not to mention today's dishes, even the meals once sent to Xu Guifei's palace contained a bitter melon the Emperor dislikes, and the favored concubine was also scolded.

"Today, there is bitter melon soup!" The eunuch of the Imperial Kitchen looked extremely displeased.

Others who heard were all puzzled.

The gaze toward the steward was full of reproach, as if saying he was not diligent enough.

The steward, full of helplessness, sighed: "It's like you prepared hemp clothing for the Emperor."

Everyone fell silent like cicadas, their faces showing shock.

Li Defu stepped out with small steps, initially stunned by the scene.

Wan Tang, without waiting for him to speak, said: "Steward Li, you arrive just in time; the Emperor said he will reward the Imperial Kitchen." She pronounced "reward" so lightly, yet it burned like a hot coal in everyone's hearts.

Li Defu's complexion shifted from pale to green.

She expected to see Wan Tang's joke, but instead witnessed a joke of six rounds and twenty‑four.

"Reward… a month's salary," Li Defu's throat tightened.

He has served the Emperor for many years and knows best the thunderous wrath that that bitter melon soup should provoke.

Now, looking again at Wan Tang's profile, his heart became even more alarmed.

Such an outstanding woman, just a little more, could become his woman.

Everyone cautiously examined Wan Tang's expression.

Wan Tang suddenly turned, stood on the steps, looking down at everyone; the silver phoenix hairpin in her hair glittered so brightly it blinded onlookers.

"My palace is exhausted." Wan Tang said lightly, "Everyone, step back!"

Everyone was dumbfounded; could it really be like this?

Looking again at Wan Tang, especially her nonchalant demeanor, they finally realized.

That palace maid everyone despised was not merely climbing onto the imperial bed; it was more than that.

It seemed she had never been a sparrow, but a phoenix soaring high above.

Just out of Xi Tang Courtyard.

The stewards all boiled with excitement.

Everyone became more and more excited.

"Heaven above, that woman is simply amazing; she prepared that dish, and she actually coaxed the Emperor into eating it."

"Tricking someone into eating is understandable; the scariest part is that the Emperor even gave a reward."

"In this palace, she is the first; when the concubine was beaten she could only eat in silence. The Emperor ate poorly, yet could still eat happily."

"Don't go on, I really can't believe it; if I keep fighting her, I don't know if I could even leave the palace alive."

"Exactly, whether she's the Empress or a concubine, as long as she doesn't affect our benefits, she is still our master and we should serve her."

"Right, right, I won't keep you, I must hurry to procure winter clothes; this can't wait until night."

"I'm also taking my leave; a few days' matters have piled up, seems I can't get a good night's sleep."

At the noisy courtyard entrance, a group scattered, hurried footsteps, each going about their own business.

Inside the hall, the charcoal fire burned brightly, warmth spreading.

When Wan Tang pushed the door open, Chu Yunzheng was already leaning against the head of the bed, holding a scroll in his hand; a bright yellow brocade blanket was draped over his waist, making his features as dark as ink, his expression lazy.

Seeing her enter, he lifted his gaze, candlelight reflected in his eyes, deep and gentle.

"The Emperor is awake," Wan Tang smiled lightly, walked to his side, naturally smoothing the corner of the blanket, "Would you like some hot tea?"

Chu Yunzheng puts down the memorial, reaches out and grasps her fingertip, brow slightly furrowed: "Why is your hand so cold?"

Wan Tang lowers her eyes, lets his warm palm envelop her finger, softly says: "The snow outside is heavy; I just went out to give some orders."

Chu Yunzheng pulls her to sit, his fingertips gently rub the back of her hand, his gaze rests on her calm brows and eyes: "I just heard you ask that the winter clothes be made thicker."

Wan Tang nods, tone gentle: "The palace staff find it hard to serve in winter; thicker garments will at least lessen the cold."

Chu Yunzheng gazes at her for a moment, then chuckles low: "You do show concern for them."

Wan Tang lifts her gaze to him, eyes clear as autumn water: "I used to have to wash clothes; in winter my hands were immersed in icy water, freezing to the point of sores, unable to even hold chopsticks."

She pauses, voice light and calm, "So now that I see their hardship, I think that any extra care I can give is a benefit."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flicker, his knuckles lightly brush her cheek: "Your thoughts are meticulous, and you understand compassion; that is the kind of person I hope for."

Wan Tang lowers her head slightly, a modest smile appearing: "My insight is shallow; these are only small favors. When it comes to the bigger picture, I'm still afraid of making mistakes."

Chu Yunzheng chuckles low, reaches to pull her into his arms, his jaw resting on her crown, voice deep: "What are you afraid of?"

"I am here."

Those three short words are heavy, like a promise, yet also like protection.

Wan Tang leans against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat, her lips curving slightly.

Outside the window the snow falls silently; inside the hall the charcoal crackles, warmth spreading.

【Hahaha, Wan Tang still understands men; as long as it has aphrodisiac effects, not even a disliked soup— even Ren Zhong Huang— must be taken!】

【Indeed, she's a woman who grabs the point; she deserves to win.】

【Not to mention Chu Yunzheng, even the Empress Dowager has a few words of praise for Wan Tang.】

【Although I also like watching Wan Tang's part, in my view, her becoming Empress Dowager is still too hard. Not to mention her family background; even the snow disaster that occurred is beyond Wan Tang's capacity.】

【Alas! Indeed, within three days the snow disaster's damage will reach the Emperor. Then Wan Tang will surely worry about relief. Imperial Palace expenses are another large outlay; at that time, even if Wan Tang… how to cut each palace's budget, it will surely cause sighs and complaints. But if you don't say that, going to the Emperor for money will only get a lavish reply like that.】

Snow disaster?

Wan Tang lets out a light sigh.

Standing by the window, she opens it, watching the swirling snowflakes.

A weight of seriousness adds to her expression.

"Master, please don't stand in the wind; it's so cold!" Li Ping'er sees this and moves to close the window.

Wan Tang reaches out to stop: "Ping'er, what would happen if the snow kept falling?"

Li Ping'er's complexion suddenly changes.

Her expression also grows more serious, she says in a deep voice: "It would probably trigger a snow disaster!"

"Many people would die."

Wan Tang already knows that Li Ping'er came from outside. Seeing her heavy demeanor now, she also has some speculation in her mind.

Outside the hall the wind and snow howl, Li Ping'er's voice like a dull knife, cutting the scars of memory word by word.

"The snow in Fengdu that year was at first just a thin layer..." Her fingers clutch the hem of her garment, knuckles white, "but later… later…"

Tears streak her pallid face.

"Cotton prices rose tenfold overnight!" Her suddenly raised voice sounded like broken porcelain scraping green stone, "Those black‑hearted merchants piled firewood and charcoal in warehouses, watching people freeze to death!"

Wan Tang's tea cup is gently placed on the table, the bottom emitting a soft clink.

"The beggars in the alley," Li Ping'er trembles all over, pupils sharply contracting, "When discovered in the morning, they were all frozen blue‑purple, like… like statues of ice."

She suddenly claws her own arm, nails digging deep into flesh, "My mother, my mother— she…"

"Ping'er." Wan Tang suddenly grasps her convulsing hands, feeling her palms drenched in icy sweat.

"She finally wrapped all the tattered cloth and ragged cotton around me…" Li Ping'er hunches over, as if reverting to that six‑year‑old child, "She wore a thin shirt, hugging me; a night of snow froze my breath into ice shards."

A beast‑like whimper rises from her throat, "I can't wake her… my hand… it's colder than snow…"

In the ticking of the bronze water clock, Wan Tang's silk veil gently covers her face. The silk, soaked with tears, feels heavy as if stained with blood.

"Heaven and Earth are merciless," Wan Tang's fingertips brush her trembling back, "But since I hold the Phoenix Seal, I must…"

Li Ping'er suddenly kneels, "Dong dong" thumping her head, her forehead quickly turning blue‑purple: "I (serving woman) have always belonged to my Master; whatever my Master wishes, I will face fire and water."

"Go then." Wan Tang helps her up, "Let the small kitchen brew you a bowl of Calming Soup."

Xiao Shunzi appears silently like a shadow.

"Fengdu," Wan Tang rubs the jade bracelet on her wrist, "The snow disaster of the seventh year of Yonghe, who in the Ministry of Revenue is handling relief?"

Xiao Shunzi's pupils narrow: "Nubi will go check right away."

Looking up, she sees Wan Tang gazing at the heavy snow outside, a faint smile at the corner of her lips.