Chapter 155: King Yan Departs

Even though the great revenge was achieved, Wan Tang's heart could not lift even a hint of joy.

In her heart, she always felt empty.

During those years in the Xu Family, her heart held only one obsession: as long as she endured, she could obtain her dad's approval.

After entering the Imperial harem, Wan Tang finally learned never to hope for the love of a heartless person.

Ten years in the harem, Wan Tang had only one thought: to leave the palace, marry, and live a life of her own.

Upon learning she had been deceived, Wan Tang only thought of surviving, to avenge her mother.

Wan Tang let Li Ping'er help her, placing one deep step and one shallow step into the slowly melting snow mud.

The embroidered shoes had long been soaked with blood, each step leaving a faint red mark, quickly covered again by fresh snow.

She looked up at the grayish sky, snowflakes landing on her eyelashes melting into cold droplets, like tears that could not be shed.

The enemy's blood was still warm on her fingertips, yet her heart felt hollow and panicked.

The hatred that had sustained her through countless long nights suddenly withdrew, leaving only the cold wind howling and swirling within her chest.

She suddenly stopped, staring blankly toward the end of the palace wall.

There was nothing there, just like her suddenly barren life.

"Master?" Li Ping'er called anxiously.

Wan Tang waved her hand, indicating she was fine.

Her eyes darkened slightly, feeling a sharp gaze behind her watching her.

Wan Tang suddenly turned around.

At the alley's end stood a girl wrapped in a silver fox cloak, her rice‑dough‑ball‑like face frozen pink, holding a cute, plump rabbit in her hands.

Seeing Wan Tang look her way, she curved her crescent‑shaped eyes, her cheek dimples sweet enough to hold moonlight, and said, "Sister, be careful when you walk!"

Her voice was soft and glutinous like sugar cake, yet it made Wan Tang's spine suddenly tighten.

The girl even lifted her skirt hem and jogged over, the silver fox cloak swinging lively arcs in the snow.

As she drew near, a sweet fragrance rose, "Sister, your complexion is so pale! Are you frozen?"

She said this while reaching out to touch Wan Tang's forehead.

Li Ping'er instantly stepped aside to block, but saw the girl already withdraw her hand naturally.

Then she offered a snow rabbit, "May I give this to you, sister, to warm your hands?"

When she tilted her head, the Pearl Hairpin at her side quivered, and she suddenly widened her almond eyes, "Oh! Sister, are you having a baby?"

She clapped her hands excitedly, "The only pregnant one in the whole palace is Concubine Wan! Are you that benevolent goddess?"

In her eyes, genuine reverence shimmered like water.

Wan Tang finally lifted her gaze, her eyes like ice blades sweeping the other's innocent face: "No need."

Her voice was hoarse as if soaked in blood.

"But the snowy road is slippery; you have a baby, you must be even more careful!"

The girl still persisted in trying to help.

As her fingertip was about to touch Wan Tang's sleeve, she suddenly sniffed, "Why does the lady smell of iron rust?"

She suddenly tiptoed close to Wan Tang's ear, exhaling white breath that solidified into a strange shape, "It seems like the scent of blood?"

Li Ping'er abruptly stepped half a pace forward, firmly shielding Wan Tang behind her.

Looking at the other's attire, she didn't seem like a palace maid.

She bent her knee in a standard palace salute, her voice tinged with ice: "Lady of Grace, are you well?"

"According to Palace Rules, without an edict, obstructing a concubine's carriage incurs a three‑month salary penalty; disturbing the Imperial Heir is an unforgivable crime."

She deliberately paused, her gaze sweeping the other's empty waist, "I do not yet know your rank, Lady of Grace; please show me the jade register and golden book."

The girl actually laughed out loud; she was not angry at all, instead gently placing the rabbit at Li Ping'er's feet, "Alright, sister, don't be angry, I'll step back three zhang."

She said so while stepping back several paces, then suddenly unfastened the cloak's tie.

The silver fox fur fell onto the snow like a cloud, revealing a goose‑yellow palace garment underneath.

She, still shivering from the cold, smiled brightly, "Your Majesty's body is heavy; though this fur is plain, laying it on the ground to walk on can prevent slipping."

Without waiting for a reply, she bare‑footed hopped backward, a silver bell on her wrist ringing clear through the snow curtain.

When that splash of goose‑yellow vanished around the palace wall corner, Li Ping'er stared blankly at the fox fur glittering on the snow.

She suddenly whispered, "Am I being too harsh?"

Such a clever and quirky maid, anyone who saw her would grow fond.

Especially in this cold palace.

【Indeed, every member of the Wang Family is straightforward; this is the Wang Family's daughter, who was sent in only a year ago, Xu Luoyan favored her, and she kept a low profile, never vying for attention.】

【In the original, at first the Wang Family daughter never acted. Later, after Wan Tang's death, Xu Luoyan used her against the Emperor, which made the Emperor very fond of her.】

【Wasn't it just played? Wang Jingyi is imprisoned, Xu Chengyuan cannot protect himself, and is placed under house arrest. The Wang Family matriarch worries, so this time she sent someone with a message, letting her come to see.】

【Seeing Wan Tang kill her own aunt with her own eyes, yet still smiling so harmlessly, the Wang Family daughter is indeed terrifyingly scheming.】

Wan Tang's heart tip trembled.

At the instant Li Ping'er spoke, Wan Tang also felt the same flutter.

After all, having a candid person by her side to relieve boredom is also wonderful.

"Human hearts are inscrutable," Wan Tang said coldly, warning, "Do not easily trust anyone."

Li Ping'er hurriedly nodded.

The night sky was very dark tonight.

But this night was not peaceful.

The palace lanterns cast a dim yellow light.

Wan Tang walked forward in silence.

At the alley entrance beneath the vermilion wall, Yan Wang, clad in a dark indigo snake‑patterned cloak, leaned against a palace lantern, the jade toggle he twirled emitting a faint green glow in the snowlight.

Seeing Wan Tang turn to leave, he chuckled lightly, "Your Majesty, seeing me makes you more frightened than seeing a ghost."

Wan Tang pretended not to hear and continued forward.

Li Ping'er suddenly grabbed Wan Tang's sleeve, her voice trembling, "Master, Prince Yan seems to have urgent business."

Wan Tang flung her away sharply, "Do you need this palace to teach you the principle that one servant cannot serve two masters?"

"I (serving woman) dare not!" Li Ping'er fell to her knees, her forehead bruised against the ice shards, bleeding, "All I ask, Master, is to hear a word."

"Prince Yan, I hold you in great esteem; I would never harm you."

Wan Tang stared at her for a moment, then inhaled deeply and walked toward the dark figure.

Deep footprints marked the snow, as if crushing some steadfast boundaries.

Li Ping'er watched the retreating silhouette, her eyes filled with emotion.

But Wan Tang's voice sounded in her ear, "If you doubt a person, do not use them; this palace entrusts you."

"Your Majesty does make it easy for me to wait," Yan Wang pressed a heater into her cold palm; as the snake‑patterned cuff brushed her wrist, he added, "The spring plowing is imminent; tomorrow we must leave the capital."

He suddenly leaned forward, "If the Lady has any further needs, feel free to command Li Ping'er."

"After all, that girl is a sparrow I raised myself."

"Very obedient."

Wan Tang simply nodded calmly.

Such a composed reaction surprised Yan Wang greatly.

Looking at Wan Tang, he asked puzzled, "Seeing the Lady's demeanor, was it already expected?"

Wan Tang let out a low laugh, "Prince, do you think I only learned this today?"

Yan Wang's twirling toggle abruptly halted.

"Is there nothing you wish to ask?" he said, dark currents swirling in his eyes, like a venomous snake whose scales had been turned the wrong way.

"Ask what?" Wan Tang lifted her hand, brushing the snow off his shoulder, her movement as gentle as a lover's.

Her gaze, however, was colder than three feet of ice, "Prince, I know nothing of your affairs, nor do I wish to know."

She suddenly stepped back three paces, bent her knee and performed a formal court bow, "Prince, walk slowly; Subject does not escort you far."

Yan Wang gazed at the receding silhouette and let out a low laugh, "Excellent! What a splendid Lady Wan."

"The surprises you give me truly keep increasing."

At the alley's end, Li Ping'er remained kneeling in the snow, and only after Wan Tang's figure vanished completely did she bow three heavy kowtows toward Yan Wang's direction.

She hurriedly caught up with Wan Tang.

The Xitang Courtyard was brightly lit, all waiting for Wan Tang's return.

Wan Tang was ushered into the house, the warmth of the earth dragon making her complexion slightly flushed.

"Master, just now…" Xiao Shunzi hurried forward, about to report the situation.

Wan Tang waved her hand, her tone indifferent, "Don't rush, keep watch on the door."

She then fixed her gaze on Li Ping'er, her voice bearing undeniable authority, "What else are you hiding from this palace?"

"Tell me everything."