Chapter 132: Li Pin Becomes a Mother

The footsteps grew distant, and inside the Grand Hall only Wang Jingyi's hysterical curses remained: "Xu Chengyuan! You heartless beast!"

"I bore you sons and daughters, and you discard me without care; aren't you afraid, aren't you…"

"Father! How could you abandon your daughter!" Xu Luoyan cried out, trying to rush out, but was stopped by a guard.

She turned and lunged at Chu Yunzheng, but Chu Yunzheng's single glance pinned her to the spot.

Chu Yunzheng coldly swept over the two: "Wang Jingyi, as an appointed wife, shows no example, instead conspiring against the Imperial Heir; her crime is unforgivable."

His gaze fell on Xu Luoyan, "Xu Answering, you have defiled the palace, disappointing the Emperor."

"Sent to the Cold Palace."

Xu Luoyan felt as if struck by lightning, suddenly fell to her knees and said: "Your Majesty! You once said you loved the Subject the most! Ten years of affection, have you forgotten?"

Wang Jingyi at that moment also realized, cold sweat soaking her temples.

She bowed heavily, "Your Majesty, you see clearly, the Subject's wife is wronged! Even if, even if you do not believe us…"

She suddenly pointed at Xu Luoyan's belly, "But this child is ultimately the Imperial Heir!"

Chu Yunzheng sneered, "Does a lowly woman even deserve to bear a dragon's lineage?"

Xu Luoyan wanted to say more, but froze the instant she lifted her head and met the Emperor's gaze.

There was only a bottomless aversion there.

At the moment she felt Chu Yunzheng's gaze, Wan Tang did not feel relieved.

Such a gaze made Wan Tang feel frightened.

The most ruthless imperial family.

Wan Tang wondered, if one day the Emperor cast such a gaze upon her, could she still endure it?

Wan Tang took a deep breath.

Wan Tang lifted her eyes, meeting Li Pin's gaze.

The good show has only just begun, far from its finale.

Her fingertips curled slightly, suppressing the surging thoughts in her heart.

"Emperor." Wan Tang gently tugged Chu Yunzheng's sleeve, her voice weak yet firm, "The child is ultimately innocent."

Chu Yunzheng's figure paused slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes: "Tangtang herself is pregnant, yet she pities the enemy's child?"

"Precisely because the Subject will soon become a mother," she lightly placed her hand on her belly, gentle light shimmering in her eyes, "I now hope the Your Majesty's lineage flourishes abundantly."

Chu Yunzheng's gaze deepened suddenly, his fingertip brushing her pale cheek.

Looking at Wan Tang's eyes, his affection grew deeper.

He said slowly, "Since Wan Pin says so, I am not a heartless man either."

After a moment of contemplation, he finally nodded: "If so, Xu Luoyan and Wang Jingyi are sent to the Cold Palace, left to live or die on their own."

His gaze turned to Wan Tang, "As for the child…"

"Blank paper fears ink the most." Wan Tang whispered, "If raised by a good mother, only then will there be a splendid future."

Chu Yunzheng's eyes flickered with approval, then he looked at Li Pin: "Lin Qing's recent achievements are remarkable; you too are a meticulous person."

"After the child is born, you will be his mother."

Li Pin shivered all over, then joyously bowed: "Subject will regard him as one's own!"

"No!" Xu Luoyan's heart-wrenching scream echoed through the Grand Hall, "That is my flesh and blood! My child!"

Wang Jingyi's face was ashen, her gaunt fingers clawed the ground, nails broken and bleeding, yet she did not notice.

Chu Yunzheng waved his hand irritably, and the guards immediately dragged the two wailing women out.

The mournful cries faded, Wan Tang lowered her gaze, covering the cold light in her eyes…

Mother, did you see? This is only the beginning…

She leaned against the Emperor's shoulder, her eyes already wet.

Chu Yunzheng lowered his head, gazing at the child in his arms; his sharp brows softened, his fingertip gently brushed the disheveled strands by Wan Tang's temple.

"Tangtang," his voice low, with a hint of fear, "When you just rushed at me recklessly, what were you thinking?"

Wan Tang's eyelashes fluttered, she buried her face in his chest: "Subject's mind is a blank, a reflex to save the Emperor."

Her voice grew weaker, "Thinking back, Subject was so scared the legs went limp… so useless…"

Chu Yunzheng's Adam's apple twitched slightly, pulling her tighter: "And Wang Jingyi? Is it truly as you say?"

"The one who pushed Xu Luoyan into the pond, was it not someone else?"

"Subject does not know." Wan Tang lifted her small face, watery light shimmering in her eyes, "Subject only knows that the Emperor's keeping her must have deep meaning."

She bit her lip, "So regardless of the method, Subject will definitely keep her."

"At that time it was truly chaotic, Subject only thought of this one solution."

Before the words finished, Chu Yunzheng suddenly burst into laughter.

That laugh, like spring rain, instantly dispelled the solemn killing aura in the hall.

"Full of loopholes." He snapped his finger, lightly tapping her forehead, "Unacceptable."

Wan Tang was about to anxiously confess, but heard the Emperor's tone shift: "But I am here."

His fingertip brushed the bruises on her neck, his gaze deepened, "I will perfect it for you."

Having said that, he suddenly lifted her sideways in his arms.

Wan Tang gasped, "Subject can walk on her own…"

Chu Yunzheng leaned down, pressing his ear to her swollen belly, his brows curving gently: "Shh!"

"The Emperor's little princess says she's tired, wants Father Emperor to hold her."

"Emperor!" Wan Tang blushed instantly, her whole face flushing, even the tips of her ears tinged with sunrise hue.

Chu Yunzheng laughed heartily, carrying her as he strode toward the Grand Hall's exit.

Why, when they sprinkle sugar I just love to eat. I refuse to ship Dog Emperor and Tangtang as a couple.

If there's sugar I'll eat it; I'm a mutt, I love to eat.

Speaking of it, the performance on Xu Chengyuan's side is more brilliant. I don't know if you've seen it, but as soon as Xu Chengyuan stepped out he saw the Emperor's arrangement and was terrified. After exiting the Gongmen, everyone he had under his command helped him out.

Now Xu Mingde is dead, XU LUOYAN has been sent to the Cold Palace, essentially an abandoned child. Xu Chengyuan must be annoyed, thinking he should have had a few more children back then.

It's fine; he still has Xiao Chuan.

Wan Tang turned her head, and beside her was the already sleeping Chu Yunzheng.

Even when asleep, the Emperor's icy silhouette still makes one's heart quiver.

Earlier it was said Xiao Chuan was in Yangxin Hall; what about now?

Wan Tang rose silently, stood at the blackened window, and called Xiao Shunzi…

Yangxin Hall.

The candle flame flickered as Xu Yanchuan sat quietly at the desk, his eyes half‑closed.

The sixteen‑year‑old young general, his youthful air already gone, his sharply defined profile gilded with a cold, austere golden edge in the candlelight.

Beneath the dark, sturdy armor his shoulders and back stood straight, like a blade drawn from its sheath—its edge restrained yet impossible to ignore.

The hall door clicked softly, and Xiao Dongzi stepped in with quick steps: "Nubi Xiao Dongzi, the Emperor is resting in Xitang Courtyard, leaving me to attend to Master Xu."

Xu Yanchuan slowly opened his eyes, the cold‑star‑like gaze in his pupils falling on Xiao Dongzi: "So that means Li Defu is also in Xitang Courtyard?"

The tone was calm, but a trace of murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

"Yes." Xiao Dongzi gently placed the food box on the desk, "These are the pastries sent from Xitang Courtyard; Master Xu, please have some."

He lowered his voice, "Today Concubine Wan was frightened; Xie Taiyi has been guarding Xitang Courtyard all night."

Xu Yanchuan's fingertip trembled imperceptibly, then he laughed lightly: "The harem lady is indeed dainty."

He casually lifted the food box; the assorted pastries were exquisitely delicate.

Xiao Dongzi waited beside him, his face full of an ingratiating smile: "This plum‑flower cake is said to be Concubine Wan's favorite."

"The shape of this plum‑flower was even designed by the Emperor himself, for the craftsmen to carve the mold."

"Oh?" Xu Yanchuan raised an eyebrow: "If so, we must try it."

When his fingertip touched that lifelike plum‑flower pastry, the young general's pupils narrowed slightly.

He acted as if casually picking up a piece and putting it into his mouth, then his expression shifted slightly: "Step back."

When the hall doors closed, Xu Yanchuan swiftly split the pastry.

The paper slip hidden in the flower's core unfolded…