Chapter 179: His Woman, I Claim Her

Li Defu hurriedly put on a helpless expression: "Empress!"

"The letter indeed contains some lover's verses, but it has nothing to do with the Virtuous Consort!" he said, gesturing to present the letter.

Wan Tang glanced at the paper, feeling a massive weight drop in her heart; it was unmistakably a different hand.

Chu Yunzheng was too lazy to even glance, and said to Su Yanci beside him: "You're well‑versed in all dialects, have a look."

Su Yanci took the letter, scanned it briefly, and sneered aloud: "It's indeed full of tender entanglements. Only…"

He raised an eyebrow toward the Empress, his tone teasing, "The letter calls herself a concubine longing for Yan Wang, yet the signature is 'Ping'er'. What does that have to do with the Virtuous Consort?"

Chu Yunzheng, still not looking at the letter, coldly ordered, each word like ice: "Li Defu, search for me!"

"Thoroughly examine all of Li Ping'er's correspondence; not a single item may be omitted!"

Li Defu bowed to receive the command and hurriedly withdrew.

The hall was dead silent, leaving only the suppressed breaths of those waiting.

Xiao Mingshu was clearly flustered; she didn't understand how events had developed into this.

Wan Tang, on the other hand, kept a calm, composed expression as usual.

After all, even while seated here, she could still know the information concerning Li Defu.

【Li Ping'er is simply insane, leaving so many things behind without discarding them.】

【In fact, Li Ping'er fell for Yan Wang the moment she first saw him. Otherwise she wouldn't have risked herself for Yan Wang, even returned to this demon pit. Could it truly be only for revenge?】

【Is Yan Wang ill? Why do the letters always include a greeting to Wan Tang?】

【What's there to fear? At this moment, Li Defu is the most panicked! The items have been found, yet he's more terrified than anyone—truly scrambling to forge them?】

【Hahaha, in the end it's every piece, once hearing that he has offspring, something about the beloved…】

Upon hearing Li Defu's actions, Wan Tang was completely at ease.

It seems her obstruction was not mistaken.

Even if Li Defu is a brute, his greatest regret in this life is having no lineage.

The continuation of one's bloodline is already etched into a person's very bones.

I had thought a childless person now suddenly has a biological bloodline; what does merely forging protection amount to?

It will likely cost his life, yet it can be given.

Li Defu left and returned, cradling a stack of letters and items, and respectfully presented them.

The evidence was spread out one by one, unmistakably clear.

All the letters' handwriting and tokens point to Li Ping'er's private exchange with Yan Wang, filled with endless affectionate words.

Although Wan Tang's name was mentioned, it was only a cold remark: "If she treats you badly, I, the King, can ask the Crown Prince to take you."

"It's only that I, the King, do not wish to alarm the Holy Majesty over this matter. Rest assured and wait; when you come of age to leave the palace, I will make the arrangements myself."

Wan Tang's heart suddenly chilled, silently cursing Li Defu as an old fox!

He not only seeks to clear Li Ping'er's link to himself, but also aims to direct the blame onto Yan Wang.

If that fails, he can still obtain a title for Li Ping'er.

Chu Yunzheng leafed through those tender letters, a hint of playful scorn appearing on his face, as if watching a farcical drama unrelated to him.

Xiao Mingshu completely lost her composure, her voice sharp and uncontrolled: "Impossible!"

"This is absolutely impossible; Yan Wang clearly only has Bai Li in his heart, how could he set his sights on such a lowly maid?!"

The words "Bai Li" struck like a bolt of thunder!

Chu Yunzheng sprang to his feet, the pressure around him dropping sharply, his face dark and terrifying.

He walked step by step toward the Empress, his voice hoarse and icy, bearing destructive anger: "I have said you must not mention that name again."

"Empress, my words—can you not even hear a single word?"

Xiao Mingshu, terrified, fell to her knees: "Subject does not dare! Subject misspoke! Emperor, calm your anger!"

Chu Yunzheng no longer looked at her, but turned and walked to the barely alive Li Ping'er.

The dragon boot rose, mercilessly crushing her bloodied, blurred fingers.

The faint sound of bones shattering made one's teeth ache.

The intense pain forced Li Ping'er to emit a mournful wail.

Chu Yunzheng looked down at her, his tone calm yet cruel: "Speak. What exactly is the situation between you and Yan Wang."

"Give me the details, now."

【Angry, angry—just hearing Yan Wang makes one flare up.】

【It's terrifying to think about it; Xiao Mingshu is truly ruthless. Had Li Defu not suddenly defect, Wan Tang would have undoubtedly died.】

【Mentioning Yan Wang and Bai Li, the Emperor truly is a cat whose tail has been eaten!】

【It's all nonsense; if you were in his place, could you accept that your own brother stole your favorite woman?】

Wan Tang's mind couldn't help but recall Yan Wang's words.

He once mentioned that he was like a person.

But he never said who that person was.

Moreover, when Yan Wang brought it up, there was not a hint of love in his eyes.

Was Yan Wang truly the one who stole Bai Li?

Wan Tang didn't understand the entanglement among the three, only knowing that it's best to stay clear of their affairs.

Li Ping'er let out a mournful scream, her whole body trembling violently from the excruciating pain.

She bit her lower lip hard until she tasted blood, tears mixing with snot as they streamed down messily.

She endured the stabbing pain, speaking haltingly: "Regarding Prince Yan Wang, I (serving woman) know I am lowly and unworthy, yet I still harbor delusional thoughts."

"During the great snow disaster in Fengdu, I (serving woman) fell in the snow, nearly freezing to death, when Prince Yan Wang rescued me."

Her voice shattered, full of endless longing, "Since that time, my heart has never been my own. Afterwards I have stayed by His Highness's side, tending to his daily needs."

"Until last year, the Princess Consort… the Princess Consort could not accommodate me." She gasped in pain, "Taking advantage of Fengdu's tribute, they made me a tribute girl and sent me into this deep palace."

"Princess Consort jealous of you?" Chu Yunzheng's foot force suddenly grew heavier, his bones emitting a sound that made teeth ache.

Li Ping'er let out a wretched scream, nearly fainting to death.

Chu Yunzheng's eyes swirled with blood‑thirsty crimson, his voice cold as ice shards: "What are you? Even worthy of her jealousy?"

Wan Tang, watching from the side, felt her heart tighten, her fingernails digging deep into her palm.

Li Defu stepped forward at the right moment, his tone mournful: "Emperor, calm your anger; it seems Yan Wang's Highness was momentarily indulgent, failed to be properly settled, which provoked the Princess Consort's displeasure."

"Sending this girl away is probably also a helpless act."

Su Yanci gave a cold smile, paced forward: "No wonder Yan Wang suddenly requested a short stay in the palace this time; now that I think about it, everywhere there are traces."

He chuckled lightly, with sarcasm, "Yan Wang's Highness, you are indeed quite indulgent."

Seeing Chu Yunzheng's anger still smoldering, Su Yanci leisurely crouched, his fingertips lightly brushing Li Ping'er's blood‑stained cheek.

He clicked his tongue: "Emperor, look, if this girl is cleaned up, she truly would be a fresh, lovely little beauty."

Chu Yunzheng stared at Li Ping'er for a moment, snorted coldly, and finally slowly lifted his foot.

That's not right; it can only be Yan Wang.

"Heh heh heh…" Xiao Mingshu, who had been kneeling on the ground, suddenly let out a series of cold chuckles.

She lifted her head, her eyes filled with twisted pain and sarcasm.

Her voice sharp: "Such a clumsy lie, and you all believed it?"

"Yan Wang, what kind of person would set his sights on such a lowly maid!"

Li Defu bowed beside, his tone flat and unruffled, yet each word pierced the heart: "Reply, Empress, Yan Wang's Highness is naturally indulgent."

"He especially loves fresh, tender women of eighteen spring years. Calculating carefully, Li Ping'er is exactly eighteen this year."

"Li Defu!" Xiao Mingshu snapped her head toward him, almost roaring, the sound filled with the fury and despair of a heart laid bare.

But after the roar met the Emperor's cold gaze, she forced the ensuing curses back down, only her chest rising and falling violently.

Li Defu, however, wore a smiling face, feigning fear as he bowed: "The old servant is here. Empress, what orders do you have?"

The posture was respectful, but his eyes bore unmistakable mockery.

Xiao Mingshu clenched her teeth hard, a grinding sound, her heart full of poisonous fire with nowhere to vent.

She could only stare rigidly at Li Defu, watching him play dumb.

"Ah, a fine eighteen‑year‑old," Chu Yunzheng murmured, his gaze drifting for a moment as if recalling some distant memory.

He then waved his hand, with a hint of weariness, "I understand this matter."

He turned to Wan Tang, his tone softened a bit: "Since it's a misunderstanding. Virtuous Consort, you have been wronged."

Wan Tang instantly blossomed a gentle, appropriate smile, slightly bending her knee: "Emperor, you have great trust in me; I feel only gratitude, there is no grievance."

Her gaze shifted to the barely living Li Ping'er on the ground, a barely noticeable flash of pain in her eyes, quickly covered by cold severity.

She clenched her teeth hard, her voice deepened: "It is my lax supervision; such rebellious acts have arisen in the palace."

"I will surely, surely punish her." The final words were spoken heavily, bearing unmistakable resolve.

Upon hearing "punish," Li Defu was the first to plunge to his knees, his tone earnest: "Emperor, calm your anger!"

"The affection that sprouts between man and woman is indeed a common human feeling."

"The two, separated by palace walls, only exchanged longing through letters, and did not commit any further improper acts…"

"I ask the Emperor to consider the youths' momentary folly and mete out a light sentence."

Su Yanci lazily added, half sigh half sarcasm: "Indeed, it's just a pair of star‑crossed lovers trapped in the deep palace."

Wan Tang, seeing this, also knelt, her voice gentle yet firm: "Emperor, Li Ping'er has served me for a long time; though this matter is foolish, she has always been loyal."

"If she truly can form a marriage with a good man, it would not be a bad thing at all."

Li Defu, as if enlightened, bit his teeth hard, as if making a great resolve, and said: "In that case, Emperor, why not grant this girl to Yan Wang's Highness?"

"Even if she is just a warm‑bed maid, it still completes this…"

"Warm‑bed maid?" Chu Yunzheng chuckled lightly, cutting him off.

In that laugh, no joy or anger could be heard, yet the surrounding air instantly stiffened, "Those who leave my palace can only become a warm‑bed toy? Li Defu, what do you think I am?"

Li Defu's brows flickered with a quick, calculating smile; though kneeling, his back subtly straightened.

Wan Tang was about to speak, but the Emperor's voice rang again, bearing a cold, playful possessiveness:

"Moreover…"

He paced to the barely living Li Ping'er, leaned down, and with his fingertip lifted her blood‑stained chin, forcing her drifting gaze to meet his.

Chu Yunzheng's face spread an extremely black‑hearted, mocking smile, each word striking the dead silence of the hall:

"His woman…"

"I claim her."

【Dog Emperor, act like a human! Wasn't it the senior palace maid beside Wan Tang who promised to love Wan Tang?】

【When did he ever love Wan Tang? Didn't he love the shadow of Bai Li? Yan Wang married Bai Li back then; the Dog Emperor took the person Yan Wang coveted, isn't that a perfect revenge?】

Poor Tangtang, must you compete with your own good sister for affection?

【Please, I don't want to see Tangtang and Li Ping'er kill each other.】

【Li Ping'er is so pitiful!】

【What a pity? Isn't this self‑inflicted? Tangtang warned many times, did she listen? She almost caused Tangtang's death.】

Wan Tang's heart was in tangled knots.

Wan Tang does not know whether Yan Wang likes Li Ping'er.

But every time Li Ping'er mentions Yan Wang, the starlight in her eyes cannot be deceived.

She must be so desperate right now?

Wan Tang hurriedly looks toward Li Ping'er.

Unlike what was imagined, she has no grief or desperation; her gaze is unusually calm.

It seems all of this was foreseen.

Chu Yunzheng stared at Li Ping'er; the crying pleas, desperation, or collapse he had expected never came—she merely endures in a dead, silent way.

He snorted coldly, his voice low but carrying an unquestionable command: "Deliver the decree: Li Ping'er is an official's daughter."

His eyes sweep over her disheveled form, a cold sneer curling at his lips: "Tonight, you will serve as a night attendant."