Chapter 630: What is the Experience of Taking the Empress Away in Front of the Emperor

Chapter 630: What Is It Like to Carry Off the Empress Right in Front of the Emperor?

"Where is the imperial robe? Today's so-called ascension by the yellow robe was actually a farce without any robe at all. Strictly speaking, it doesn't fit the 'rites' those people keep mouthing off about, yet they all turned a blind eye and not a single soul brought it up."

After the assembly, Xia Chichi slumped in the side hall as if thoroughly exhausted, lazily sipping tea. Tang Wanzhuang was also resting and drinking tea nearby, looking entirely unlike a subject before her monarch; she had not even waited to be granted a seat before making herself comfortable and sitting right down, and the Emperor did not even bother to mind her.

What monarch and subject? Once the assembly dissolved, it was nothing but a family gathering.

As for Vermilion Bird, she vanished immediately after the meeting, storming off in a fury to parts unknown.

In truth, Zhao Changhe could faintly guess where Vermilion Bird had gone, and could even surmise who would soon appear to take her place. This opening topic he had broached was practically laying the groundwork for the impending arrival. Subconsciously, was he helping her obscure her traces in front of these two women?

Worn out to the bone, Xia Chichi could not be bothered to think too deeply, answering casually, "I already ordered the eunuchs and maids to rush-make one from the existing dragon robe fabrics. They are highly experienced and the material was readily available, so it will be finished very quickly. After all, the Fiery Winged Serpent has been a noble consort in the palace for years, so she holds considerable sway over the inner courts... taking over this mess has been convenient on many levels. The Venerable One's foresight was indeed well-laid..."

Tang Wanzhuang sipped her tea, casting a sidelong glance at her.

True, the eunuchs and palace maids were ready for immediate use, and those serving around them now were all your own people, nurtured for a long time; it was indeed convenient.

Yet you actually still don't know that the Fiery Winged Serpent and the Venerable One are the exact same person... I used to consider you a worthy rival, but with these words, your standing has instantly plummeted to the level of Baoqin.

Foresight indeed. If it weren't for the fact that I recognize Changhe... I could truly have turned your grand performance of Dong Zhuo entering the capital into an utter farce, believe it or not? Still dreaming of being the Emperor? Wishful thinking.

Sensing the intellectual disdain, Xia Chichi glared back at her. "I say, woman of the Tang clan, is this utterly disrespectful stench of yours how a loyal minister behaves?"

Tang Wanzhuang said softly, "The monarch in my heart is Changhe. It is only out of loyalty to Changhe that I accompany you in this farce; do not truly believe that my loyalty lies with you. If you were not his woman, today would not be an ascension ceremony, but a bloodbath of urban warfare within the capital streets."

Xia Chichi countered, "Well, the coronation is already over, and your support has been given. In the eyes of the world, you are now my minister, and it is impossible for you to rebel anymore, isn't that right?"

"And what of it?"

"My beloved minister, why don't you kneel down and let me see?"

Tang Wanzhuang leisurely blew the tea froth aside, saying flatly, "You may also try stripping me of my office or even throwing me into prison, it matters not."

Xia Chichi glared; Tang Wanzhuang drank her tea.

Even without Zhao Changhe, from a political standpoint, the current Tang Wanzhuang could be considered a partner who could not be lightly crossed. As for whether they would dissolve the partnership in the future, that was a matter for the distant morrow; in this present hour of internal strife and foreign peril, Tang Wanzhuang truly did not need to give a damn about Xia Chichi or the Four Symbols Cult.

To see a once-dependable, loyal minister turn into such a state was truly enough to make one sigh with emotion...

Setting down her teacup with a hint of weariness, Tang Wanzhuang murmured, "My injuries have not yet healed, and pushing through the morning has left me quite exhausted. I wish to return first to rest, and I have even less desire to wait around for Huangfu Qing to rush over and bicker with me. The reason I remained is to speak a few words in private..."

She paused, turning to Zhao Changhe, and said earnestly, "I originally thought it would be you ascending the throne... but now that things have come to this, upon closer reflection, there are benefits as well, though the approach must change... Later, I will compile a list of figures connected to the previous dynasty for Chichi... er, for Your Majesty. Your Majesty can discreetly forge ties and offer support to them one by one as appropriate. They will serve as another faction of personal supporters for Your Majesty outside of the Four Symbols Cult, which is beneficial to imperial power. Relying entirely on a single faction like the Four Symbols Cult is not the way of a true sovereign, even if you are their Holy Maiden. This is the first point."

No wonder this conversation had to avoid Vermilion Bird...

"Secondly, to say the late Emperor left no political legacy for Your Majesty is not entirely accurate. On his deathbed, he severed the roots of the aristocratic clans, which will earn him the goodwill of the commoners. If Your Majesty can subsequently expand the avenues of advancement for ordinary citizens, there is hope that the hearts of the realm's people will be entirely yours to command... Correspondingly, men like Lu Jianzhang must be replaced... This is a long-term game of strategy. My concern is that once you gain a firm foothold, such as when Huangfu Shaozong's grand army returns, you will feel secure and begin a purge of bloodshed. There is no need for that. Take it slow; for now, stability is paramount. Proceed by gentle increments. Your Majesty should even bestow more rewards upon those few in the capital to highlight their merit in supporting the ascension..."

"Thirdly, concerning Hebei... our eyes must first fall not upon the Wang clan, but the Cui clan. Even if Your Majesty intends to suppress the gentry and elevate the common folk, it must not be done too bluntly; the foundational strategy of rallying one faction to strike another must still be maintained, and the Cui clan is the one we must court most urgently right now. Yet, conversely, the Cui clan is no fool; they will know our overtures are merely a stepping stone, and what thoughts they hold regarding this remains unknown... Originally, had Changhe ascended the throne, he could have directly instated Yuanyang as the Empress, but now... this requires Changhe to make a personal journey. If he does not go, I fear complications may arise..."

"By the same token, while placating Lu Jianzhang and the others, do not relax your vigilance. Bear in mind that they too possess a venomous bite, so the covert surveillance capabilities of your Four Symbols Cult disciples must be fully utilized... Pay special heed to their communications with regions like Guanzhong, which will serve as the basis for future actions... Cough, cough, cough... But as your minister, cough, your minister does not advise establishing such an agency for the long term... Cough, cough..."

As she reached the end of her words, she finally broke into a fit of coughing once more. Her injuries had never truly healed; she had merely been pulled back from the gates of death by Zhao Changhe.

Yet on this very first morning, she was already exhausting her mind and heart, planning every detail for the sovereign. In truth, she herself hailed from a prominent clan... yet her starting point in these considerations had not harbored even a shred of thought for that.

Xia Chichi watched in a daze, finally beginning to understand why a man like her father—someone who looked down upon the entire world—held a unique respect for Tang Wanzhuang.

Over there, Zhao Changhe hurriedly stepped forward to take Tang Wanzhuang into his arms, gently patting her back as he murmured softly, "Alright, don't think too much. There is no desperate rush. Whatever needs to be done must wait until Shaozong's troops return before I can leave with a peace of mind, can't it? We can discuss this later at leisure; for now, go back and rest."

Catching her breath slightly, she found herself held by him in front of an outsider for the very first time. A small trace of shame arose in her heart, yet it was accompanied by a subtle thrill.

She hadn't even been able to restrain herself from snatching her man right in open court, so why care about this now...

Her eyes rippled with emotion as she stole a glance at Xia Chichi sitting high upon the main seat, whispering, "Do you have any other pressing matters that require you to stay here?"

Zhao Changhe was taken aback; truth be told, he really had none. It was nothing more than a feeling that such a monumental occasion as stabilizing the court right after an ascension meant he couldn't just walk away, and he naturally had to watch over what transpired to ensure no sudden upheavals before his mind could be at ease... Now that the coronation ceremony was complete and the general situation had stabilized, there was truly no special need for him to sit here. His foremost priority now ought to be treating Wanzhuang.

And as for the so-called treatment... it had been made crystal clear last night that it required dual cultivation.

Tang Wanzhuang bit her lower lip, feeling that if she spoke any further, it would be no different from inviting him back to consummate their union...

She had originally intended to remain silent, but catching a glimpse of Xia Chichi out of the corner of her eye, Tang Wanzhuang gritted her teeth, stood on her tiptoes, and whispered directly into his ear, "Last night... I washed myself clean..."

Zhao Changhe: !

Xia Chichi remained expressionless.

What loyal minister? A thoroughly traitorous official!

Forget it, a person like her... was truly impossible to hate. Xia Chichi sighed, her tone half-sour and half-caring, "Since the Chief Director is unwell, there is no need to toil back and forth. The palace possesses its own soothing hot springs; why not take your rest here?"

Tang Wanzhuang froze for a moment, then lowered her head slightly without offering any objection.

Right here in the palace... but in her heart, her bond with Zhao Changhe was akin to serving her lord, and since she was serving her sovereign, staying within the palace seemed perfectly natural...

Zhao Changhe sighed, shaking his head at Xia Chichi. "Wanzhuang indeed requires treatment, we shall talk later."

All of a sudden, Tang Wanzhuang felt her body lifted into the air as Zhao Changhe swept her up in a bridal carry.

A sudden panic gripped her heart as she clutched at his arm. "Wait, wait..."

Holding her, Zhao Changhe strode outward with long steps. "I don't care what you people with your minds full of complex schemes are weighing out there, I want everyone to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Chief Director Tang is my woman! Shall we let them know or not?"

Tang Wanzhuang's blush rushed all the way to the roots of her neck. Burying her face against his chest, it took a long while before she squeezed out a sound as faint as a mosquito's buzz: "Yes."

A palace attendant stood outside, leading the way with a smile. "Please follow me, Your Highness..."

Not long after, Huangfu Qing dashed into the side hall in high spirits, holding a freshly tailored female imperial robe. "Chi... Your Majesty, the dragon robe is here! Come try it on to see if it fits. Uh... where is that dead woman? Tell her to come out, I'll tear her to pieces with my words..."

Xia Chichi crouched pitifully on the massive chair, hugging her knees. "She claims to be a paragon of loyalty, so why do I feel like a villain just smirked right next to the Emperor and carried off the Empress..."

Huangfu Qing stood dumbfounded.

Xia Chichi suddenly lifted her head to glance at her, continuing to mutter, "That's right, and in the future, he's going to carry off my Empress Dowager too..."