Chapter 50 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (20)
“Since when did Prime Minister Bai have so many illegitimate daughters?”
Jiang Liangwu stared at the young woman who had spoken, his expression carrying a hint of a smirk.
Those familiar with Jiang Liangwu knew—this was the prelude to his anger.
“Mother, Tang Tang still hasn’t fully recovered from falling into the water last time. I’m taking him back to take his medicine.”
Clearly, Jiang Liangwu was displeased with the Empress Dowager as well.
“Tang Tang, let’s go.”
Jiang Liangwu took Bai Tang’s hand and led him out.
The Empress Dowager, feeling weary, waved off the noblewomen. “I’m tired. You may leave now.”
Though she was the Empress Dowager and the ruler of the harem, that authority was only valid as long as the Emperor respected and cherished her. If her son’s heart strayed from hers, what would become of her position?
The noblewomen left Cishou Palace reluctantly.
However, at the palace gates, they found Eunuch Li waiting for them.
Everyone knew that Eunuch Li was the Emperor’s trusted head steward. Could it be that the Emperor had issued a decree for them? Suppressing their excitement, they respectfully awaited his words.
“His Majesty has spoken,” Eunuch Li said with a polite yet meaningful tone. “Since the Empress Dowager has summoned you to the palace to accompany her, then you shall do just that. But remember—the inner palace and the imperial court have clear boundaries. If anyone mistakenly crosses into the wrong territory, the Imperial Guards will not consider your noble family backgrounds. Anyone who steps out of line will be treated as an assassin—without exception.”
Though his tone was not aggressive, his words carried a chilling undertone. Despite the sweltering summer heat, the noblewomen broke out in cold sweat.
Only Wu Fanghao, the woman who had spoken earlier, maintained her composure. Though she echoed the others in replying, she harbored her own thoughts.
…
In their chambers, Jiang Liangwu wrapped his arms around Bai Tang from behind and murmured, “Tang Tang, I won’t take any concubines.”
“I know.”
Bai Tang’s response was quiet and sullen. He knew this wasn’t Jiang Liangwu’s fault, but he couldn’t control his emotions.
“I’ll talk to Mother about it…” Jiang Liangwu said.
By all logic, the Emperor and Empress should still be in their honeymoon phase after their grand wedding. However, Jiang Liangwu was, after all, an emperor. He couldn’t abandon his court and people just to indulge in romance with Bai Tang.
Fortunately, Bai Tang was easy to take care of. The imperial kitchen prepared a different feast every day, never repeating dishes. Bai Tang ate to his heart’s content while secretly storing extra food in his small pouch space. When no one was around, he would transform back into a little squirrel, lying under the sun to bask in the warmth. At night, no matter how busy Jiang Liangwu was, he would always return to Tiancheng Palace to accompany Bai Tang, waiting for him to fall asleep before heading back to his work.
Bai Tang only discovered this routine when he got up one night to use the restroom. He noticed the side hall’s lanterns were still lit and curiously approached. There, Jiang Liangwu sat behind his desk, his brows furrowed into deep creases like the character “川” (chuan). Sometimes, he would sit for hours, not stopping until dawn when he would change into fresh robes and head to court.
Bai Tang could afford to sleep during the day, napping whenever he pleased, but Jiang Liangwu had no such luxury. The weight of the Yichao Dynasty rested solely on his shoulders—he had no choice but to bear it. Watching Jiang Liangwu push himself to exhaustion every day, Bai Tang felt both anxious and heartbroken.
On this particular day, after sighing for what felt like the hundredth time, the system finally had enough.
“Why don’t we take a walk in the Imperial Garden?” it suggested. “I heard the palace gardens are breathtaking! I’ve never even seen them before~~~”
Bai Tang shuddered at the system’s cutesy tone, wondering which Mary Sue novel it had picked that up from. Unable to bear it, he got up and dragged the system along to the garden.
The Imperial Garden was indeed worthy of its reputation. Flowers bloomed in clusters of vibrant colors, a truly breathtaking sight. However, Bai Tang unexpectedly ran into someone he had no desire to see.
“Stop right there!”
Bai Tang had no interest in dealing with strangers—especially women who coveted Jiang Liangwu.
Wu Fanghao, born into a military family and trained in martial arts, leaped forward using light-footed agility, landing squarely in Bai Tang’s path.
“How dare you! In the presence of the Empress, you do not even bow?” one of the young eunuchs beside Bai Tang scolded in a sharp voice.
Wu Fanghao retorted, “I am the granddaughter of the Grand General of the Nation! Who are you to speak to me like that?”
“And what status does Miss Wu hold to insult those around me? Even when beating a dog, one must acknowledge its master—so tell me, Miss Wu, what exactly is your intention?”
This wasn’t something Bai Tang would naturally say—it was the system whispering in his mind, and he simply repeated the words aloud.
Author’s Note:
I originally planned to jump straight into a sweet moment, but I felt this part of the plot couldn’t be skipped.