24
The emperor’s process of soaking in the medicinal elixir was different from Wen Huaian’s—he didn’t use a large heated vat, which meant it would take longer.
Since the Emperor was occupied, Tang Cheng couldn’t publicly refine the strength-enhancing elixir in advance. She had no choice but to wait, and Marquis of Nanyang, unwilling to leave his precious daughter alone, stayed with her.
After all, the emperor had also promised to have a meal with his darling daughter.
Waiting was tedious.
And patience was not one of Tang Cheng’s strengths.
At first, when she insisted on basking in the sunlight outside the Imperial Study, Marquis of Nanyang was deeply worried, fearing she might anger the emperor. But when he saw His Majesty indulging her without a word of reproach, he decided to hold his tongue.
As for the potential consequences of her failing to refine the elixir, he wasn’t concerned. The emperor’s thoughts might be difficult to read, but as a high-ranking official who had served him for years, Marquis of Nanyang had a fair grasp of his temperament.
At first, His Majesty would undoubtedly be eager for Tang Cheng to successfully recreate the strength-enhancing elixir. However, once he had personally experienced its effects and the immense benefits it brought, his perspective was bound to shift.
The first person hoping for his precious daughter to fail in refining the elixir was undoubtedly the emperor himself.
After all, he had just used the very last dose of the strength-enhancing elixir.
There was no more.
And honestly, who would want the old princes with their high seniority in the imperial clan—or those scheming, self-important old foxes—to live even longer and remain an eyesore?
That was precisely why Marquis of Nanyang remained utterly calm.
He glanced at his daughter, who was napping comfortably on the chaise lounge beside him, basking in the warm afternoon sun. A faint smile tugged at his lips.
By now, the imperial consorts and noble ladies of the palace had surely caught wind of what was happening outside the Imperial Study. His daughter was certainly making a bold and ostentatious display, but if anyone expected him to rein her in, they would be sorely disappointed. He couldn’t bear to let her suffer grievances. If she wanted to be high-profile, so be it—the emperor himself was indulging her, after all.
That being said, the Empress, who had always upheld palace rules and etiquette with an iron grip, was probably already on her way here.
Marquis of Nanyang narrowed his eyes.
He had no particular feelings toward the Empress. His relationship with the Duke of Cheng’en was nothing more than a superficial acquaintance—they were merely fellow officials serving in the same court.
Since the Empress Dowager had departed for the temple at the start of the year to offer prayers, the imperial harem had effectively become the Empress’s domain.
That aunt and nephew duo were not only intelligent but also highly capable and shrewd. Even the most favored concubines in the harem were firmly suppressed under their rule. Every move they made was calculated to toe the emperor’s bottom line—never overstepping, but always pushing the boundaries.
As long as the Empress managed the harem well, refrained from meddling in state affairs, and did not endanger the imperial heirs, the emperor was willing to turn a blind eye to her actions.
After all, the power of the Duke of Cheng’en’s household had been steadily suppressed ever since the emperor ascended the throne. Compared to the influential maternal families of past dynasties, they were hardly worth mentioning—everything remained firmly under the emperor’s control.
This was one of the key reasons the Empress had been able to maintain her position as the central figure of the harem.
Marquis of Nanyang mentally sorted through the Empress’s network of influence. Once he returned home, he would arrange for someone to discreetly monitor the Duke of Cheng’en’s household.
It could be said that Marquis of Nanyang had spared no effort in looking out for his daughter, Tang Cheng.
Tang Cheng slept soundly, completely carefree. The palace maids massaging her legs halted their movements and stood respectfully to the side.
Every maid serving in the imperial study possessed a particular skill.
These two, with their delicate features, were personally chosen to attend to the emperor—meaning their craftsmanship was undoubtedly top-tier. The fact that Tang Cheng had fallen asleep so quickly was proof enough.
Meanwhile, in the side chamber, the emperor lounged comfortably in the medicinal bath. As time passed, he could distinctly feel the changes in his body.
Hearing about something and experiencing it firsthand were worlds apart.
A storm of emotions surged within him, and after weighing the pros and cons, his first instinct was clear—Tang Cheng must not be allowed to refine another batch of the Strengthening Elixir.
Yet, he had already given his word, and his decree could not be taken back.
A shadow flickered in the emperor’s eyes.
Eunuch Fu stood by, attentively serving the emperor, while the imperial physicians periodically checked his pulse. They could clearly observe the changes in his body. After soaking in the medicinal bath, the emperor might very well live another three or four decades. The realization only deepened their desire for the Strengthening Elixir—who wouldn’t want to extend their lifespan?
Each person harbored their own thoughts.
Outside, the Empress arrived in grand fashion, leading a large entourage toward the imperial study. From a distance, she immediately noticed the striking sight of a table and a low couch set up right outside.
On the couch lay a delicate and beautiful young girl, covered with a thin embroidered blanket depicting flowers and birds.
There was no need to ask—this must be the infamous Fourth Miss Tang the palace maids had spoken of.
The Empress narrowed her eyes, a trace of coldness flashing through them.
As her procession approached, the eunuchs, palace maids, and senior attendants stationed outside the imperial study all dropped to their knees in greeting.
Marquis of Nanyang had initially intended to wake his beloved daughter, but upon realizing that the Empress had come specifically for her, he reconsidered. After all, wasn’t the emperor protecting her?
With that thought, he simply rose and bowed to the Empress in greeting.
“Your Majesty, this humble subject greets the Empress!”
Yet, the only person who remained blissfully undisturbed was the one reclining on the chaise longue, sleeping soundly.
An unmistakable sight.
The Empress was dressed in an opulent phoenix robe, her appearance dignified and elegant. Though past forty, she was impeccably maintained. Her sharp, commanding gaze carried an undeniable authority, making it difficult for anyone to meet her eyes directly.
Upon witnessing the scene before her, a chilling frost settled in her expression.
“How insolent! Guards, seize that audacious, ill-mannered girl at once!”
The moment her words fell, two senior attendants by her side stepped forward, ready to act.
“Hold!”
Marquis of Nanyang swiftly moved to block their path, his voice steady yet firm. “My daughter is with child and has been feeling unwell due to exhaustion. His Majesty, in his boundless kindness, has permitted her to rest outside the imperial study. Once she awakens, I will have her properly greet and apologize to Your Majesty. I beg the Empress for her understanding.”
His meaning was clear—if even the emperor allowed it, did the Empress dare to intervene?
The Empress’s breath hitched, her chest tightening with frustration.
It was said that Marquis of Nanyang doted on Fourth Miss Tang beyond reason—clearly, the rumors were true.
This was the Imperial Study, and the emperor was inside.
The Empress had no choice but to temporarily restrain herself, signaling for the two attendants to step back.
“The Marquis makes a fair point. This time, I shall let that insolent girl off the hook but there will not be a next time!”
There was no deep-seated enmity between the House of Cheng’en and the Marquis of Nanyang’s household. While Fourth Miss Tang was entangled with the Duke Zhen’s family, the Empress had already intercepted one of the emperor’s decrees in secret, causing the pregnant girl to suffer once before.
Seeing how deeply she slept now, she was likely truly exhausted. The only question was—would the child in her womb survive?
The Empress’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.
This ostentatious visit was never truly meant to deal with Fourth Miss Tang. It was a performance, meant for the other women in the harem. She had long relied on rules, propriety, and palace etiquette to keep them in check, and the emperor could not openly favor one woman too much. If he turned a blind eye to Fourth Miss Tang’s blatant disregard for decorum, it would become fuel for rebellion.
Who would have thought that Marquis of Nanyang would step in and, worse still, invoke the emperor’s name?
The Empress was both stifled and seething with frustration.
Marquis of Nanyang cupped his hands and said, “This humble minister thanks Her Majesty on behalf of my daughter.”
In truth, Tang Cheng had already woken up when the Empress’s grand procession arrived. However, unlike her father, a court official and a third-rank minister, she was not required to kneel in greeting. Not wanting to bow to the Empress, she simply continued pretending to sleep.
To her surprise, her father handled the situation so effortlessly.
Since he had already paved the way, Tang Cheng saw no reason not to take full advantage of it. She remained motionless, determined to keep up the act. Once the Emperor finished his medicinal soak, she planned to ask for a formal exemption from kneeling—even before the Empress Dowager.
By her estimation, the emperor should be coming out soon.
Honestly, she mused to herself, the palace wasn’t as terrifying as Father made it out to be.
In the side hall, the emperor listened to Eunuch Fu’s report on the events unfolding outside the imperial study. The corner of his mouth twitched.
“Fourth Miss Tang is so exhausted that she’s sleeping this soundly?”
If he recalled correctly, that little girl had been in excellent spirits earlier, showing no signs of fatigue whatsoever.
The chances of her merely pretending to sleep were overwhelmingly high.
What a brazen little thing.
Eunuch Fu, exasperated, rubbed his forehead. “That is what Marquis of Nanyang claimed, Your Majesty.”
The emperor smiled faintly.
“Since Marquis of Nanyang, as her father, says so, it must be true. Poor thing—Fourth Miss Tang has really suffered.” He paused deliberately before adding, “Come to think of it, this matter does have something to do with the Empress.”
His gaze sharpened slightly.
“Eunuch Fu, go outside and tell the Empress to return.”
Eunuch Fu: “…”
It seemed he needed to reconsider his attitude toward Miss Fourth Miss Tang.
**