Nowadays, all of Mu Hansu's forces are used to fight against the Emperor.
This has, in turn, lowered the defenses of other parts of the palace city, naturally allowing those truly skilled experts to "slip through the cracks."
In truth, not many experts from the Song family could quietly infiltrate the palace city alongside Song Chaoyu, but one or two were enough.
"How is this possible? How is this possible?!"
Because her arm had been pierced, Ti Le lay on the ground, clutching her arm in pain, almost writhing.
"Guards!"
She cried out, "Quick, guards! Seize these two assassins!"
Song Chaoyu walked towards Ti Le and gently shook her head. "Since he could appear, it means that your people here are probably no longer able to help you capture us."
She squatted down and grabbed Ti Le's bloody arm. "Ti Le, tell me, where is Prince Wen?"
Actually, regarding the marriage between Ti Le and Prince Wen, Song Chaoyu genuinely felt it was a pity. "You know, Prince Wen has you in his heart. Yet, you still treat him like this. Ti Le, do you truly not like him at all?"
The pain in her arm made Ti Le finally realize her current predicament.
Song Chaoyu's fingers also dug into Ti Le's wound.
This made Ti Le's brow furrow tightly.
Perhaps for self-preservation or for some other reason, she suddenly said to Song Chaoyu, "You can't do this to me! I am pregnant now!"
Song Chaoyu paused, and indeed, loosened her grip.
She lowered her gaze to look at Ti Le, and for some reason, uttered this sentence: "If you are pregnant, whose child is it?"
Ti Le was stunned and retorted, "How do you know the child isn't Prince Wen's?"
As expected, it wasn't!
Song Chaoyu snorted coldly and once again grabbed Ti Le's arm. "You don't love him, and you wouldn't willingly have a child for someone you deem useless. Your child is either your beloved's, or it's a bargaining chip you intend to use. So this child might not be Prince Wen's."
Without waiting for Ti Le to answer, Song Chaoyu had already guessed. "It's Mu Hansu's child, isn't it?"
Ti Le frowned. "Song Chaoyu, you are indeed clever! Mu Hansu and I underestimated you!"
Perhaps because things had reached this point, there was no shame in Ti Le's eyes. "It's Mu Hansu's. You should know how to treat me! Song Chaoyu, you'd better let me go. You've seen the situation in the palace now. Even if you found a few experts, what good would that do? The world will belong to Mu Hansu, and to the child of Mu Hansu and me."
"Ha!"
Song Chaoyu scoffed. "Ti Le, how about I make a bet with you using this child? I bet Mu Hansu will never give the world to your child. Do you believe me?"
"Impossible!"
Ti Le looked at Song Chaoyu with absolute certainty. "Although Mu Hansu and I have no feelings for each other, it is precisely because of this that our interests are the most securely linked! Song Chaoyu, we agreed that both of us are illegitimate. Once our child is born, they will be able to legitimately inherit the throne of the Great Yue Dynasty! At that time, the world will be ours!"
So that was their plan!
Song Chaoyu became even more disdainful. "Just wishful thinking. I only ask you, do you dare to bet with me? If I win, you will withdraw all of Southern Kingdom's troops! I guarantee to spare your lives and the child's. What do you say?"
"Why should I bet with you?"
"Ah—"
Before Ti Le could finish her question, Song Chaoyu's hand tightened its grip on her wound.
Ti Le let out a scream, but Song Chaoyu remained deafeningly silent. "Because you have no other choice. Ti Le, perhaps for Prince Wen's reputation, I would rather kill you than negotiate with you here."
At these words, Ti Le had no capital to refuse.
She could only nod repeatedly. "Fine, fine! I agree!"
Only then did Song Chaoyu release Ti Le's hand and wipe the blood from her own with a handkerchief.
She had Ti Le bound securely, sealed her acupoint to prevent her from speaking, and then stuffed her into the wardrobe in the room.
Afterward, Song Chaoyu walked out.
The guards outside had already been dealt with. Song Chaoyu walked past the waterside pavilion in front before spotting another team of guards.
She stepped forward and stopped the captain of the guard.
The captain of the guard was clearly surprised to see Song Chaoyu.
Song Chaoyu wasted no words and instructed him, "Tell Mu Hansu that I am waiting for him here."
"Wait!"
Seeing Song Chaoyu about to leave after speaking, the man called out to her. "He probably doesn't have time to see you right now."
Song Chaoyu sneered. "Just go and inform him, he will have time. Doesn't he want to know why I can wander around this palace so leisurely?"
Mu Hansu had underestimated Song Chaoyu too much by sending only Ti Le to deal with her!
—
Indeed, not long after Song Chaoyu returned to the palace courtyard, Mu Hansu arrived in a hurry with two teams of guards.
Seeing the bloodstains outside the courtyard, Mu Hansu knew everything.
But he hadn't expected that upon entering the palace courtyard, he would find Song Chaoyu had already poured water and was waiting for him inside the room.
As Mu Hansu entered, Song Chaoyu's expression was exceptionally relaxed. "It's a pity, I searched for a long time but couldn't find any good tea. I'm afraid I can only offer you water!"
"Song Chaoyu!"
Mu Hansu clenched his fists and stared at Song Chaoyu. "How did you do it?! Where is Ti Le? What did you do to her?!"
Song Chaoyu gestured for Mu Hansu to sit down before lightly lifting her gaze and smiling. "I wonder, are you more concerned about Ti Le now, or about the child she is carrying?"
Mu Hansu clearly paused before sitting down. "She told you everything?"
Song Chaoyu nodded. "I didn't expect you to be so capable, even Ti Le is carrying your child."
"You are also very capable."
Mu Hansu stared intently at Song Chaoyu. "To be able to resist Ti Le in this situation. Did you kill Ti Le?"
Song Chaoyu nodded slightly. "If I said I killed her, would you feel heartbroken?"
"Bang—"
Mu Hansu's fist slammed heavily onto the table in front of him.
Song Chaoyu, however, remained unafraid and then looked up at Mu Hansu with a teasing gaze. "I know, if you want to sit firmly on the throne, you need someone to inherit the imperial lineage. It wouldn't do to have officials say your harem is empty and you have no heirs, would it?"
Mu Hansu looked confused. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Song Chaoyu sneered. "I killed Ti Le because her child carries the bloodline of the Southern Kingdom. Mu Hansu, if I were willing to have a child for you, would you be willing to give me half of this empire?"