The crimson-clad woman’s words fell like a thunderclap in the clear sky. The entire hall trembled three times.
Mu Yunyao suppressed her unease and looked up at the Yue Wang, who stood there frozen, his face a picture of utter shock and confusion.
The Emperor hesitated for a moment, then suddenly snatched the teacup from his hand and hurled it to the floor with a crash. “How dare you!” he shouted, his fury echoing in the hall.
“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.” The officials knelt, pressing their foreheads to the floor, trembling with fear. They exchanged anxious glances and wiped cold sweat from their brows.
The crimson-clad woman burst into loud laughter. “It seems Your Majesty was unaware of this news? “Your Royal Highness, perhaps you should step forward and explain? Years ago, you knew the truth. Empress Wei and the head of the Luo family were having an affair, and she was carrying his child. Yet you helped conceal it. You saved Empress Wei’s life, let that child be born in the Palace, and even made His Majesty believe it was his own. That child grew up safely and is now the Fourth Prince, Ning Junyue!”
The officials grew increasingly stunned. Each wished to plug their ears. The Empress had always been a thorn in the Emperor’s side. Many veteran ministers knew this. When the Emperor first took the throne, he and the Empress were deeply devoted to each other. Her maternal clan was one of the Six Great Clans, but the Emperor never held it against her. Even when she was childless for ten years, he cherished her. If a pregnant concubine showed disrespect, he punished her in accordance with Palace rules. Countless eyes burned with envy.
Later, the Empress suddenly conceived. The Emperor was overjoyed. After she gave birth, he declared a general pardon, hoping for blessings. But tragedy struck. Jealous, the Empress poisoned ten imperial sons and killed the heirs. She tried to harm other pregnant concubines. The plot was found out, and officials called for her execution. The Emperor withdrew from court for a month. When he returned, he defied pressure and only banished the Empress to the Cold Palace, sparing her life.
From then on, the Empress became an incurable wound in the Emperor’s heart that no one dared mention.
Yue Wang stepped forward slowly, his face ashen. “Father, is this true?”
The crimson-clad woman smiled. “Don’t ask the Emperor—he knows nothing. Go to the Grand Princess. Isn’t it odd, Yue Wang? Why does she, who never meddles, show you special favor? Others ignore you, but she checks on you in the Cold Palace. She keeps you close in the Capital, seeks your trust, and plans to use you for the throne. By controlling you, she controls DalΓ¬. She even betrothed her granddaughter to you. When you become Emperor, Mu Yunyao will be Empress...”
Yue Wang whipped his head around. His icy glare sliced the air like a razor-sharp blade, able to cleave a person in two. “Silence! You are just an assassin, the child of traitors! How much of what you say is true?”
“You doubt me? I have proof and witnesses! You bear a small brown birthmark on your lower back. Every male Luo has this mark. Also, someone knows the affair’s details, and that person is still alive today.”
The Emperor gritted his teeth, his face flushing alternately pale and crimson.
Mu Yunyao’s heart sank. Her breath came short and shallow. She remembered the medicine pills Princess Yi De told her to keep close. Hurriedly, she retrieved the medicine bottle, her hands trembling.
Grand Princess Yi De shook her head, meeting Mu Yunyao’s gaze with calm confidence. She raised her hand slowly and made a small, reassuring gesture, signaling her not to hurry.
The Emperor swayed and squeezed the armrest for support. His rage faded to a thick, sinister aura. In a cold, flat tone, he asked, “You say the Empress had an affair with the Luo family head?”
“Quite right, Doggie Emperor. You never expected this.” The crimson-clad woman sneered. “You cherished the Empress, but she had a secret affair with the Luo family’s head. Your beloved Imperial Sister knew and hid it for years. How amusing! Grand Princess Yi De, are you still not ready to tell the truth?”
The Grand Princess, who had remained silent, turned to the Emperor: “Your Majesty, your health is important. Do not let anger harm your body.”
The Emperor did not look at the Grand Princess. Instead, he fixed his gaze on the crimson-clad woman kneeling before him: “Where is this witness you speak of? Who is he? How credible are his words?”
Yue Wang watched the Emperor suppressing his immense fury, feeling as though a bottomless pit had opened in his chest. His heart sank deeper and deeper, vanishing without a trace.
Mu Yunyao clenched her fists, struggling desperately to hide any sign of her genuine emotions.
The crimson-clad woman, seeing the Emperor’s inquiry, smiled with growing smugness: “We’ve merely been clinging to life until now anyway. We’ve had enough of this existence. To make you realize you’ve been living in an illusion before we die is a form of revenge. That witness is waiting outside the Palace, in the northwest corner, to meet me. Send men there now, and you should find them.”
The Emperor waved his hand. Several imperial guards immediately exited the hall, heading toward the location the crimson-clad woman had indicated. Soon, the guards returned, dragging an elderly man bound and gagged. The old man frowned upon seeing the crimson-clad woman pinned to the ground.
The Emperor scrutinized the old man below him, a sudden flash of intense murderous intent flickering in his eyes. “Luo Peng?”
The old man lifted his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Your Majesty, it has been a long time. I never imagined you would still remember this humble servant.”
“You are Luo Kun’s sworn younger brother. Of course, I remember you.”
“I narrowly escaped punishment back then, but today, I fear I won’t be so fortunate. Still, to see Your Majesty before I die... this humble servant is content.”
“I ask you,” the Emperor frowned deeply, visibly repulsed by the impending topic, “What connection exists between the Empress and Luo Kun?”
Luo Peng hastily shook his head. “None whatsoever.”
The crimson-clad woman whipped her head around. “Father, you said earlier...”
Luo Peng snapped, his eyes darting excitedly toward Yue Wang, lingering there for a moment. “What did I say? I said nothing!”
The crimson-clad woman froze, then quickly regained her composure, lowering her head without further response.
Mu Yunyao’s fist clenched painfully, her heart boiling with hatred. If Luo Peng had blurted out Yue Wang’s identity the moment he entered, the others might not have believed it. After all, these two were still consumed with avenging the Luo family—they must be utterly loyal. If the Yue Wang honestly shared the Luo family’s blood, they would never betray him. Instead, they would conceal his identity—or better yet, help him seize the throne. Wouldn’t that be the ultimate revenge?
Yet Luo Peng’s silence only reinforced the others’ belief that their reactions were genuine. As for the crimson-clad woman’s earlier words, they were likely dismissed as the rash outburst of a hot-headed youth. It seemed Ling Wang and the Li family had prepared thoroughly, anticipating every possible reaction.
From then on, no matter how the Emperor questioned them, Luo Peng remained silent. Even the crimson-clad woman clamped her mouth shut, no longer uttering a word, her earlier frenzy completely gone.
The Emperor’s fury intensified. Just as he was about to order the two dragged away for punishment, a Palace maid suddenly rushed out and knelt in the hall: “Your Majesty, this servant has an incriminating document to present for Your Imperial inspection.” She reached into her robe and pulled out a blood-stained letter, presenting it with both hands.
“Xu Li, bring it forward.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
To support us, kindly donate through our website. Thank you. π
