22
All of the capital was abuzz with discussions about the Duchess of Zhen’s strange behavior. At the same time, speculation ran wild over the Marquis of Nanyang’s intentions in taking Fourth Miss Tang to meet the emperor.
Those who harbored grudges against the Duchess or simply envied her didn’t just treat the situation as gossip but they deliberately fanned the flames, further tarnishing her reputation.
Even the steward of the Marquis’ residence became a hot topic. His unwavering yet firm demeanor, along with his three-time dismissal of the Duchess, sent a clear message—Marquis of Nanyang was firmly standing behind Fourth Miss Tang.
With such a protective and doting father, it was no surprise that many noble young ladies envied and resented Tang Cheng.
Had they been in her place, their families would have long since sent them to a temple to become nuns or worse, declared them dead from illness. Comparing oneself to others was truly maddening.
The jealousy only grew stronger when news spread that the Marquis of Nanyang had personally taken Fourth Miss Tang to meet the emperor.
Meanwhile, the Marquis’ household remained indifferent to the swirling rumors. Madam Zhang paid only fleeting attention before dismissing them, while Tang Xin, having given up on her fleeting hopes for Young Lord Wen, no longer cared. What truly unsettled her was the story’s deviation from its intended course.
She could only hope that the chaos was confined to Tang Cheng’s storyline. If everything else collapsed, her narrative advantage would be completely useless.
Jian’an Earl’s Manor.
“Miss, the word outside is that the Duchess of Zhen brought a matchmaker to the Marquis’ residence in an attempt to restore the engagement,” Yaohong whispered while massaging Liu Jintong’s legs.
Who would have thought the situation would turn around in just one day?
Fourth Miss Tang’s luck was simply too good.
“Miss, do you think the Marquis of Nanyang had a hand in this?”
Yaohong deliberately brought up the Marquis of Nanyang. Deep down, she couldn’t help but envy Fourth Miss Tang for having a father who doted on her so completely.
Her own mistress might be intelligent, formidable, and always one step ahead manipulating everyone in Earl Jian’an Manor, seizing control of half its influence but she was constantly embroiled in schemes and power struggles. Scandals from the manor surfaced one after another, an endless stream of disgrace. Just watching it all was exhausting.
And now, her mistress had even dared to target Fourth Miss Tang, someone she had no past entanglements with.
The maids had been on edge, fearing that one wrong step would cost them their lives.
Fortunately, after what happened to Shanhu, their mistress had exercised rare restraint, ceasing any further moves against Tang Cheng. Still, she insisted on monitoring her every action.
Yaohong silently prayed that her mistress would give up on scheming against Fourth Miss Tang altogether.
“Who else would shield that fool Tang Cheng besides the Marquis of Nanyang?”
“No… perhaps we should add the Duke of Zhen to the list.”
Liu Jintong’s face remained cold as she clenched her fists, struggling to suppress the raging jealousy spreading through her chest.
Even the Duchess of Zhen had humiliated herself by personally coming to renegotiate the engagement with Young Lord Wen.
There had to be the Duke of Zhen’s hand behind this.
The Duchess of Zhen’s actions only reinforced Liu Jintong’s belief that the rumors about Young Lord Wen’s miraculous recovery were false.
That idiot Tang Cheng’s unborn child was the key to why the Duke of Zhen valued her so highly.
A strange and unsettling feeling gnawed at Liu Jintong. She couldn’t shake the thought that Shanhu had died too soon.
Tang Cheng should have drunk that tainted abortion medicine—lost the child and been left barren. That was how things were supposed to unfold, not this—living so freely and indulgently.
The inexplicable unease lingered in Liu Jintong’s heart, refusing to dissipate.
She had a sinking premonition that if things continued this way, her revenge would remain out of reach.
The thought filled her with frustration and fury.
She desperately wanted to get rid of that idiot Tang Cheng’s child!
But at that moment, oblivious to Liu Jintong’s malice, Tang Cheng had already entered the imperial palace with her father, the Marquis.
The journey was smooth and unhindered.
With a eunuch leading the way, Tang Cheng strolled leisurely beside her father, the Marquis, taking in the sights of the imperial palace with great interest. She even offered casual commentary as if she were on a sightseeing tour, completely unfazed by the fact that she was about to meet the emperor.
The eunuch leading them was speechless.
This Fourth Miss Tang wasn’t just slow—she was utterly carefree.
Unaware of the eunuch’s silent complaints, Tang Cheng admired the grandeur of the ancient palace. It was indeed magnificent, though a bit smaller than she had imagined.
What truly caught her attention, however, were the nearby palace maids and older attendants.
So rude.
They all maintained a façade of respectful composure, but in reality, they were subtly sneaking glances at her, as if assessing her.
Did they really think she wouldn’t notice?
Tang Cheng pursed her lips in mild disdain.
“Father, this palace is so small, and the walls are ridiculously high—it feels like a prison. It doesn’t suit the emperor’s noble status at all. He must be so uncomfortable living here!”
“Cough, cough…”
Clutching the small vial of tonic, the Marquis of Nanyang nearly choked on his daughter’s audacious words.
The eunuch leading the way stumbled, barely managing to keep his footing.
Was this Fourth Miss Tang not only thoughtless but also fearless? She actually dared to compare the imperial palace to a prison and claim that the emperor was uncomfortable living there. Did she have a death wish?
“Cheng’er, you must never say such things again,” the Marquis of Nanyang warned, unable to hold back.
The palace was the very symbol of imperial authority. Her words were dangerously blasphemous—if the emperor were to take offense, even he wouldn’t be able to protect her.
After speaking, the Marquis turned a cold, piercing gaze on the eunuch, his eyes carrying a faint but unmistakable threat.
“You’ve been in the palace for many years. You should know what to say and what to forget.”
“This servant heard nothing—nothing at all,” the eunuch quickly assured him, cold sweat running down his back.
Tang Cheng, however, remained completely unfazed. She simply grinned at the eunuch, flashing all eight of her neatly aligned teeth.
“Father, even if this eunuch dares to report me, I can simply deny it and accuse him instead—claiming he harbors malicious intent, slandering me, and attempting to use His Majesty’s hand to eliminate the legitimate grandson of the Duke of Zhen.”
Everyone knew that the Duke of Zhen had suffered lasting injuries while saving the emperor, which was why his heir, Young Lord Wen, was his only descendant. And yet, even that sole heir struggled to produce offspring.
Only the leading eunuch and her father had heard her words, there was no concrete evidence.
Counterattacking would be easy.
Tang Cheng spoke with absolute confidence.
The eunuch leading the way: “……”
Who would’ve thought that the supposedly brainless Fourth Miss Tang was this shrewd?
His heart trembled.
Better not provoke her. Better not!
The Marquis of Nanyang let out a relieved smile. Just now, she had truly given him a fright, but fortunately, his precious daughter knew what she was doing. Still, he took the opportunity to warn her.
Tang Cheng obediently accepted his advice.
With that, the Marquis continued walking at a leisurely pace, matching his daughter’s speed.
The leading eunuch dared not rush them.
If Tang Cheng hadn’t mentioned the legitimate grandson of the Duke of Zhen, he would have completely forgotten about it. After all, the Fourth Miss Tang looked far too healthy and composed.
A pregnancy of just over a month was already precarious for a delicate noblewoman, let alone when she had to walk such a long distance.
Inside the imperial study, the emperor had already reviewed a good portion of the memorials. Seeing that the Marquis of Nanyang and his daughter had yet to arrive, he put down the documents and frowned, instructing Eunuch Fu.
“Go and find out why the Marquis of Nanyang and his daughter have not arrived yet!”
Eunuch Fu obeyed the order and quickly sent someone to investigate. Not long after, he returned to report.
“Your Majesty, the Fourth Miss Tang and the Marquis of Nanyang did not travel by carriage.”
“It was by order of the Empress.”
After delivering the report, Eunuch Fu kept his head lowered, not daring to meet the emperor’s gaze.
The emperor had personally instructed that, given Tang Cheng’s condition, she should be allowed to ride a carriage within the palace. However, the Empress, upon learning of this, immediately issued an order forbidding it, citing palace rules.
Everyone knew that the Empress’s family, the House of Cheng’en, held a deep-seated grudge against the Duke of Zhen’s household.
It was clear that this move was aimed directly at Tang Cheng, who was carrying the duke’s legitimate grandson.
And yet, the Empress had justification on her side.
The Fourth Miss Tang was neither a member of the imperial family nor the wife of a first-rank official.
Her status was too low.
She did not qualify.
The emperor’s expression darkened instantly. The Empress had blatantly overridden his order, yet he couldn’t openly reprimand her.
By the time the Marquis of Nanyang and his daughter arrived at the doors of the imperial study, it was already noon. Tang Cheng rubbed her stomach—she was starting to feel hungry.
After Eunuch Fu announced their arrival, the Marquis of Nanyang led Tang Cheng into the study.
After completing their formal greetings, Tang Cheng finally laid eyes on the highest authority of this imperial era.
As she silently calculated the possibility of using the emperor as her backer, the emperor, in turn, studied her with interest.
He was quite curious about the beloved daughter whom the Marquis of Nanyang doted on so extravagantly.
**