23
In the Imperial Study
The emperor looked at the strikingly beautiful young girl before him, her complexion radiant with confidence. With great interest, he asked, “So, you are the infamous Fourth Miss Tang—arrogant, brainless, and utterly uneducated? Why do I find that the rumors don’t quite match reality?”
With a new soul inhabiting this body, it was no surprise that the rumors no longer held true.
Tang Cheng nodded in agreement. “Your Majesty is truly wise! You have sharp eyes, instantly recognizing that I am a person of depth. This just proves that rumors can’t be trusted. In fact, I am the best example of how misleading they can be.”
Eunuch Fu, standing to the side, felt a headache coming on. The Fourth Miss Tang certainly had no shortage of self-praise.
The emperor glanced at Marquis of Nanyang, who wore an expression of full approval. His lips twitched slightly before turning back to Tang Cheng with rare curiosity. “Fourth Miss Tang, then how would you describe yourself?”
“A hidden genius.”
Tang Cheng figured it was best to leave a good impression on the emperor. Considering both her own nature and that of the original host, “a hidden genius” seemed like the perfect fit.
“Cough, cough!”
The emperor was utterly stunned, nearly choking on his own saliva.
This Fourth Miss Tang really had some nerve!
Considering all the ridiculous things she had done, she was anything but a “hidden genius.” There was certainly no great wisdom—just plenty of foolishness!
Eunuch Fu: “……”
He had never seen someone so shamelessly exaggerate their own worth!
“Fourth Miss Tang, do you even know what ‘a hidden genius’ means?” The emperor cleared his throat and couldn’t help but ask.
Tang Cheng nodded confidently. “Of course! It refers to exceptionally intelligent people who may appear foolish on the surface. Like me.”
“I’m always honest. I never tell lies.”
The emperor: “……”
Suppressing his exasperation, he turned to Marquis of Nanyang with a smile. “What do you think, Lord Tang?”
Without hesitation, the Marquis replied, “Perfectly accurate!”
The emperor’s expression twitched. “……”
Lord Tang actually dared to spout blatant nonsense right in front of him!
That said, this Fourth Miss Tang didn’t seem like an ignorant fool.
But her personality…
Well, that was hard to say.
Eunuch Fu: “……”
Hearing her father’s unwavering endorsement, Tang Cheng beamed with delight. She found this Emperor rather approachable—despite his imposing presence, he hadn’t immediately interrogated her about the strength-enhancing elixir. Instead, he was casually chatting with her.
That alone left her with a rather favorable impression of him.
“Fourth Miss Tang, are you feeling unwell anywhere?” the emperor asked, deciding to steer away from this headache-inducing conversation.
The girl had walked quite a long distance, and he couldn’t help but worry about the child in her womb. After all, that was the grandson of the Duke of Zhen. Nothing could be allowed to happen to him.
Developing a liking for Tang Cheng, the Emperor couldn’t help but feel a hint of dissatisfaction toward the Empress.
Meanwhile, Marquis of Nanyang showed no concern for his precious daughter. Having used the strength-enhancing elixir himself, he was well aware of its effects. Even if she were pregnant, she could probably take a full lap around the capital without issue.
Tang Cheng shook her head. “Nope! That was barely any distance at all. It’s not enough to tire me out, I’m not that fragile.”
As she spoke, she placed a hand on her flat stomach.
“But… the baby says he’s hungry. He wants four honey-glazed roast chickens.”
Marquis of Nanyang felt a headache coming on.
Darling daughter, have you forgotten you’ve only been pregnant for just over a month? What “baby” was talking to you?
And four whole roast chickens…?
The emperor’s lips twitched. “……”
This Fourth Miss Tang clearly using the child as an excuse to indulge her own cravings!
Still, seeing her rosy complexion and energetic demeanor, he figured the baby was probably doing just fine.
The emperor felt slightly reassured.
Still, it was best to have the imperial physician check her pulse later.
Turning to Eunuch Fu, he instructed, “Pass the word, have the Imperial Kitchen prepare four honey-glazed roast chickens.”
Tang Cheng’s lips curled into a delighted smile.
“Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Then, with bright, expectant eyes, she added, “Your Majesty, I’ve heard that the best chefs in the world are in the palace. May I stay for lunch and dine with you? I’ve never had the chance to taste food made by the imperial chefs before!”
Marquis of Nanyang: “……”
Eunuch Fu was utterly stunned.
Was this Fourth Miss Tang aiming for the heavens? Did she even realize what it meant to share a meal with the emperor?
The emperor found her rather bold—but there was no scheming in her words, just an endearing kind of directness. Amused, he chuckled and nodded. “Very well.”
Hearing his response, Tang Cheng beamed with satisfaction.
“Your Majesty, you’re truly a great person!”
The emperor couldn’t help but laugh. He gave Eunuch Fu a brief instruction, and Eunuch Fu quickly took his leave.
Now, only the Emperor, Marquis of Nanyang, and his daughter remained in the Imperial Study—along with the hidden shadow guards lurking in the darkness.
The emperor’s gaze fell on the small jar in Marquis of Nanyang’s hands. Noticing this, Tang Cheng immediately spoke up.
“Your Majesty, when do you plan to use the strength-enhancing elixir? It’s truly an incredible tonic! Once you take it, you’ll be as vigorous and full of energy as my father and Wen Huai’an —strong, healthy, and able to enjoy every meal to the fullest.”
Marquis of Nanyang was speechless.
The emperor had already been quite interested in the elixir, and hearing Tang Cheng’s enthusiastic endorsement only amused him further.
“With you putting it that way, I’m almost tempted to try it immediately. Let’s move to the side hall.”
Moments later, they arrived at the adjacent chamber connected to the Imperial Study. Upon entering, they saw several imperial physicians already waiting. Tang Cheng raised a brow in surprise.
“Physician Chen, take Miss Tang’s pulse,” the emperor ordered.
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Physician Chen, renowned for his exceptional medical skills, was the emperor’s most trusted physician.
Tang Cheng didn’t mind the pulse check.
After examining her, Physician Chen announced, “Fourth Miss Tang is in excellent health, and so is the child in her womb.”
Only then did the emperor finally relax.
“I heard that Miss Tang has used the strength-enhancing elixir,” Physician Chen stated with certainty.
Tang Cheng nodded. “That’s right.”
Physician Chen’s excitement was palpable.
“May I ask how you managed to refine the elixir?”
Marquis of Nanyang frowned.
Tang Cheng, however, simply shrugged, looking innocent. “Didn’t everyone already know about it? Has no one else succeeded in refining it? I got it right on my very first try!”
Tang Cheng’s words made the other imperial physicians flush with embarrassment.
Physician Chen hesitated for a moment before asking, “Miss Tang, would you be willing to refine the elixir again here in the palace?”
“Of course! I brought the last of my strength-enhancing elixir with me today, so once His Majesty uses it, there won’t be any left. Even if you hadn’t asked, I would’ve made more anyway.”
She agreed without hesitation, brimming with confidence.
Physician Chen’s face lit up with excitement, and the other physicians also smiled in relief.
Marquis of Nanyang remained calm and composed.
With this, the concerns surrounding the strength-enhancing elixir could finally be put to rest.
The next step was for the imperial physicians to examine the elixir. Once they confirmed it was completely safe, the emperor wasted no time in ordering the eunuchs to prepare a bath.
While the Emperor was soaking in the strength-enhancing elixir in the side hall, Tang Cheng took it upon herself to set up a table and chairs just outside the Imperial Study’s main doors. She then happily settled in to enjoy her honey-glazed roast chicken.
Not only did she eat, but she also invited her father to join her.
“Father, there are four roast chickens—two for each of us!”
Marquis of Nanyang was actually quite hungry himself, and the tantalizing aroma only made it worse.
So, father and daughter cheerfully dug in together.
When Eunuch Fu stepped out of the side hall and saw this scene, the corner of his mouth twitched. Without a word, he turned around and went right back inside.
After finishing her meal, Tang Cheng requested a chaise lounge, where she reclined comfortably under the warm spring sun. She even summoned two palace maids to massage her legs.
Meanwhile, Marquis of Nanyang silently sipped his tea, the corners of his mouth curving upward in satisfaction.
His precious daughter had certainly caught the emperor’s attention.
Tang Cheng’s leisurely demeanor left Eunuch Fu and the others utterly speechless.
Who else would have the audacity to nap right outside the Imperial Study? No one—except Fourth Miss Tang.
And to top it off, she even justified it with complete confidence, claiming that pregnant women needed ample rest.
Since even the emperor indulged her and allowed them to fulfill her every request, what could they do? They had no choice but to silently label her as someone not to be messed with.
Meanwhile, the news of Marquis of Nanyang and his daughter’s audience with the emperor had been closely followed.
Before long, word spread throughout the palace—His Majesty had not only allowed Tang Cheng to feast on roast chicken right outside the Imperial Study but also permitted her to nap there afterward.
When the Empress heard the news, her face darkened with fury. Without hesitation, she gathered a group of palace maids and senior attendants, striding toward the Imperial Study in a grand and imposing manner.
**