Chapter 363 – The Sweet Princess Was Here – A Thunderstorm Night (08)
A country cannot be without its ruler for even a single day. The Monarch of the Huan Kingdom had been away for a long time, so of course he wished to return as soon as possible.
The contract between the Wu Dynasty and the Huan Kingdom had already been signed; now only the marriage remained.
The Huan Monarch had come under the pretext of forming a political marriage alliance, so the dowry and everything else had already been prepared and brought along.
As for Bai Fangxin entering the palace as an imperial concubine—she could do so at any time. But for the Crown Prince to take a Crown Princess, they had to pick an auspicious day.
The Imperial Astronomers calculated that ten days later would be a good date. If they missed it, they would have to wait another year.
A year? Wu Chenyi didn’t want to wait that long—he couldn’t wait that long. A year was far too long. What if something unexpected happened? If he didn’t put his mark on the young man soon, he would not feel at ease.
With both the conferment of a new concubine and preparations for the Crown Prince’s grand wedding happening at the same time, the Ministry of Rites was run off its feet. Every official wished they had flying legs or the powers of a great immortal who could conjure everything with a flick of the tongue. But they were only human. Not only was Wu Chenyi watching them like a hawk, even the Empress and the Grand Preceptor kept their eyes on them as well.
The pressure was immense, and they still had to endure Wu Chenyi nitpicking everything. The officials of the Ministry of Rites were on the verge of tears.
Wu Chenyi’s mindset was easy to understand—he wanted to give Tang Tang the best and grandest wedding. Bai Tang had cured the Empress’s illness and even gifted her many beauty-enhancing pills. Women, after all, love beauty. Although she was “recovering” and not receiving visitors, the concubines still had to pay their daily respects. From behind the screen, looking out at the harem, there wasn’t a single concubine younger than her.
She owed all this to Bai Tang.
The Empress turned the fine white jade bracelet on her wrist. Hearing the Emperor’s decree, she immediately sent word to her family: the Crown Prince’s wedding must be grand, lively, and flawless.
The Grand Preceptor’s reaction was even easier to understand—he was the Crown Prince’s maternal grandfather and the Empress’s father. Naturally, he would support his grandson wholeheartedly.
On a bright, sunny day, Bai Fangxin wore the ceremonial attire of an imperial concubine and, with a blank expression, was officially conferred her title by Emperor Jude.
She accepted the jade register belonging to her new rank, her hand held by the Emperor’s aging one. A wave of disgust rose in her heart, but she had no choice but to maintain a smile—though the smile looked more like she was about to cry.
The Empress was still “recuperating,” so she did not attend, but she sent Nanny Li with gifts for Bai Fangxin.
“Nucai greets Concubine He. This is the congratulatory gift from Her Majesty the Empress,” Nanny Li said. Seeing the bitterness hidden in Bai Fangxin’s expression, she couldn’t suppress her own excitement.
“Thank Her Majesty on my behalf. This is a small token for Nanny—I hope you won’t mind it.” Bai Fangxin knew she didn’t have strong footing in the Wu court, so she planned to align herself with the Empress first. Perhaps her days would become easier.
Nanny Li discreetly weighed the sachet—quite heavy. Bai Fangxin had been very generous.
She smiled and said, “Concubine He is so kind—how could this servant possibly dislike her?”
Bai Fangxin smiled as she escorted Nanny Li out of Changning Palace. What she didn’t know was that the very person responsible for forcing her into the palace was the Empress she hoped to cling to for support.
When Nanny Li returned to Kunning Palace to report back, the Empress looked toward Changning Palace and let out a cold laugh. “If she dares scheme against my son, she must be prepared to face retaliation. I hope she can swim through the harem waters with ease…”
After attending the conferment ceremony, Wu Chenyi brought Bai Tang to pay their respects.
The Empress’s gloom vanished instantly. Her face bloomed with smiles, and before they could even bow, she snatched Bai Tang straight out of Wu Chenyi’s arms.
“Tang Tang, have you not been sleeping well at the post station lately? Look how thin you’ve gotten…” The Empress had liked Bai Tang from the beginning, but after spending time together, she truly grew fond of and protective of the boy.
Qiu’er sipped on cola. “A natural elder-slayer—worthy of being my chosen host.”
Xiao A chimed in, “Indeed. Qiu’er has exceptional taste; your selection skills are impressive.”
Qiu’er’s tail practically curled to the heavens in pride. “But of course, hmph~”
Xiao A sighed inwardly. Silly Qiu’er.
“Tang Tang, if you’re not used to living at the post station, why don’t you stay in the palace for a while and keep Mother Empress company? I’ll have the imperial physicians take good care of your health.” The Empress poured all her motherly affection onto Bai Tang. Wu Chenyi had been raised from childhood as the future heir and taught the art of rulership—control your emotions, keep a straight face, don’t act cute. Fortunately, their mother-son bond had not suffered.
But now everything was even better. Bai Tang had arrived—soft, sweet, obedient, calling her Mother Empress in that tender voice. Even the strict and rule-abiding Empress forgot decorum and spent her days wondering how to snatch her future daughter-in-law away from her own son.
Nanny Li cheerfully went to the small kitchen to fetch Bai Tang’s favorite pastries. Ever since the future Crown Princess arrived, the Empress’s health had improved, her smiles had increased, and life in the palace had become brighter.
When Nanny Li returned with the pastries, she overheard the Empress saying, “Leave all the wedding arrangements to Chenyi and me. Tang Tang doesn’t need to worry about anything. Just focus on becoming the Crown Princess.”
The Empress clearly had deeper meaning behind her words, but Bai Tang didn’t catch it.
Not that he needed to. Bai Fangxin entering the palace was not solely the Empress’s doing. Wu Chenyi had taken part as well. After all, with the rule of ‘the harem must not interfere in politics,’ a political marriage symbolizing strong ties between two nations could not be decided by the Empress alone. Wu Chenyi had contributed quite a bit.
Wu Chenyi exchanged a glance with the Empress, unable to hide the smile in his eyes. “Mother only dotes on Tang Tang now. You don’t even see me anymore.”
The Empress replied, “Then hurry and go supervise the Ministry of Rites. Stop disturbing my time with Tang Tang.”
Bai Tang tugged Wu Chenyi’s sleeve. “A-Yi, don’t talk back to Mother Empress~”
“See? My Tang Tang is the considerate one.”
Kunning Palace was filled with harmony and laughter.
Before long, Nanny Li—who had been called out by a young palace maid—returned with a dark expression. She leaned close to the Empress’s ear and whispered a report.
The smile on the Empress’s face slowly faded. Bai Tang grew anxious. “Mother Empress, please don’t be angry… it’s not good for your health~”
The Empress patted his hand, signaling that she was fine.
“I won’t keep you any longer today. You two may go back.”
Wu Chenyi’s smile didn’t fade. “Then Tang Tang and I will come again tomorrow to pay our respects to Mother Empress.”
The two had barely returned to Guangyang Hall when dark clouds rolled across the sky. Lightning flashed, and the strong wind carried dampness with it.
Fallen leaves were blown into the hall. A loud thunderclap struck, and the boy jolted in fright, shrinking into Wu Chenyi’s arms—nearly reverting to his true form.
“Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid,” Wu Chenyi said softly, patting Bai Tang on the back.
The sky darkened further, and the rain poured down in sheets. It didn’t look like the storm would pass any time soon.
It wasn’t Bai Tang’s first time spending the night at Guangyang Hall, so he wasn’t unfamiliar with the place. It was just the constant thunder that startled the timid little squirrel again and again—his tears never quite left his eyes.
“It’s all right, I’m here.” Wu Chenyi gathered the little squirrel into his arms, soothing him patiently.
He ordered the servants to light candles throughout Guangyang Hall. The entire hall glowed brightly, driving away the darkness.
The candle flames flickered now and then, and the shadows cast on the walls swayed along with them.
When the small kitchen finished preparing dinner, Xiao Duzi set the dishes and approached them quietly. “Master, dinner is ready.”
“Tang Tang, eat a little something first, all right? I had them make your favorite—stir-fried pine nuts.”
The temptation of food was irresistible to a foodie. Bai Tang hesitated, torn.
The thunder still cracked outside, but inside the hall, his own partner stayed close, guarding him. It would be fine.
After comforting himself with that thought, he finally stretched out his legs.
Wu Chenyi bent down, gently holding the boy’s small feet to help him put on his shoes.
Bai Tang hopped off the bed and followed Wu Chenyi to the dining table.
The shadows shifted on the wall, catching Bai Tang’s curiosity. He made a series of movements at the wall, and the shadow imitated him.
Wu Chenyi laughed at the boy’s childlike behavior. Raising his hand, he formed a little rabbit shadow above Bai Tang’s silhouette.
“Huh~?” Bai Tang’s round, clear eyes sparkled with surprise and wonder. “A-Yi, how did you do that? Teach me, teach me…”
Enthusiastic now, Bai Tang clung to Wu Chenyi, begging him to teach him shadow puppetry.
Wu Chenyi chuckled and proceeded to form animal shapes: a “big grey wolf,” an “eagle,” a “goat.”
Bai Tang clapped eagerly and tried to imitate the hand shapes, but he just couldn’t get them right.
“M-my hands… my fingers are stuck…” The boy’s face scrunched in pain. He’d overextended himself—his hand cramped.
“Tang Tang, straighten your hand. Good, straighten it…” Wu Chenyi’s face was full of worry as he held Bai Tang’s hand and carefully tried to ease the cramp, helping the muscles relax.
“Hurts… it hurts…” Bai Tang’s eyes brimmed with tears from the pain.
Equally afraid of thunder, Qiu’er—who had been coaxed by Xiao A into a moment of intimacy—snapped awake the instant he heard Bai Tang cry out in pain. “Quick—move, move! Tang Tang’s in trouble!”
He struggled free from Xiao A and rushed out of the little white room to check on Bai Tang.
“Tang Tang, I’m here! Are you all right?” Qiu’er spoke while immediately activating treatment mode. Tang Tang’s tears were spilling out—he must be hurting terribly.
Qiu’er didn’t understand exactly what had happened, but it didn’t matter; his heart ached for his host all the same.
Qiu’er was upset, and Xiao A was even more upset.
Their intimate moment had been interrupted—and even someone like Xiao A, who usually stood firmly on the male lead’s side, couldn’t help starting to complain about him. What is going on? He can’t even take care of a person properly. No wonder Qiu’er doesn’t trust him with the host.
Xiao A was filled with resentment.
Once the cramp finally passed, Bai Tang didn’t dare act mischievous anymore. He stayed obediently in Wu Chenyi’s arms, waiting to be fed.
A warm and cozy dinner passed amidst the thunder outside. Qiu’er became convinced he must not leave Tang Tang’s side again—every time he left, the male lead failed to take care of him. From now on, he would stick to Tang Tang like glue.
Xiao A: …What can I even do? I’m just as hopeless.
Night concealed wrongdoing, only for the rain to wash it back to the surface.
Inside Changning Palace, in order to avoid attracting the Emperor’s favor, Bai Fangxin deliberately ran outside to be drenched in rain. Once her body heated up, she anxiously waited for Emperor Jude to come to her—yet instead she was knocked unconscious by an unfamiliar maidservant.
Noble Consort Liang intercepted Emperor Jude on his way to Changning Palace, claiming she felt unwell, and kept him entangled for half the night. Only then did Emperor Jude remember that today was the day the Huan Kingdom’s third princess was officially conferred as a concubine, and he ought to visit.
However, when he arrived at Changning Palace, he found it empty. Upon inquiry, he learned that the Empress had taken Concubine He’s people away—and none of them had returned yet.
Noble Consort Liang added fuel to the fire from beside him. “Still not back? Considering Her Majesty’s temperament… she must have had something to ‘instruct’ Concubine He about.”
Emperor Jude recalled the Empress’s fierce temper. In recent years, he’d heard no shortage of rumors about her mistreating palace servants. Had she now directed that fury toward a concubine?!
Author’s Note:
Poor Xiao A. Light a candle for him. 🕯️