Yun Chu Ling

Chapter 170: I Am the Vicious Woman

Just as Yun Chu was speaking with Qin Mingheng, a troop of government soldiers suddenly stormed into the courtyard. Qiutong tried to stop them, but they were too numerous to hold back.

"Qin Mingheng, as expected, you are here! Surrender quietly!"

Two soldiers stepped forward, seizing him from both sides.

Yun Chu exerted force and pulled out the short sword, causing blood to gush like a spring from Qin Mingheng’s right shoulder.

"Madam Xie, our apologies for the disturbance."

The two soldiers respectfully apologized before escorting Qin Mingheng out of the room.

Yun Chu stood still, her lips pressed tightly together.

She could sense Qin Mingheng’s furious resentment—he truly regretted not having violated her in time that night.

Therefore, what he said was likely true.

That night, there had been someone else.

Who could have taken her from Marquis Xuanwu’s grasp and left him helpless?

Many figures flashed through Yun Chu’s mind, but she couldn’t pinpoint anyone.

Qin Mingheng had escaped during his exile—a capital offense. He might be executed tonight.

If Qin Mingheng died, the truth about that night would be lost to her forever.

In her previous life, she had lived in confusion; in this life, she was determined to be clear-headed.

Yun Chu threw on a dark cloak and strode outside. Qiutong followed. "Madam, where are you going? There are soldiers everywhere at the main gate. You can’t go that way."

Just as Yun Chu was about to respond, she noticed someone sitting beneath a large tree in the courtyard.

The tree stood near the wall, surrounded by dense shrubs. With no lights nearby, it was easy to miss the figure at first glance.

She took two steps forward and recognized Xie Jingyu.

Her expression darkened. "What are you doing here?"

Xie Jingyu sat shrouded in shadow. He lifted his head, his face clouded with gloom, his voice strained from his chest. "I’ve been here for a while... I came when the soldiers began searching the Xie residence. I was worried an escaped convict might have broken into Sheng Residence, worried you might be harmed..."

Only his right leg still had any strength left. The journey here wasn’t far, but for him, it had been arduous.

With soldiers outside searching for the escaped prisoner, he had rushed over as soon as he learned it was Marquis Xuanwu, Qin Mingheng.

He knew Qin Mingheng’s intentions all too well—he feared something might happen to her...

But upon entering the courtyard, he had overheard her speaking with the escaped convict, Qin Mingheng.

Xie Jingyu looked at Yun Chu. "When did you find out?"

Yun Chu waved her hand.

Qiutong and Ting Xue led all the servants out of the courtyard.

The spacious Sheng Residence courtyard held only the two of them.

It was already autumn. No matter how hot the day had been, the night breeze carried a chill.

A faint smile touched Yun Chu’s lips. "When did I find out that someone else took your place on our wedding night? Or when did I learn that you abandoned my two children? Or when did I discover that they were still breathing when you threw them away?"

Xie Jingyu felt something shatter inside him.

So, she had known everything all along...

Every event that had unfolded recently replayed in his mind.

His voice broke as he spoke. "Was the exposure of the He family’s affairs orchestrated by you? You’ve been planning this for a long time, haven’t you?""Not just this one matter." Yun Chu's smile deepened. "Every step the Xie family has taken to reach this point has been spurred by my efforts. Xie Shiwei's incident, He Shi's death, Old Madam's death, Xie Shi'an's imprisonment, and you, Xie Jingyu—your impending death—all are connected to me."

Xie Jingyu's eyes snapped open wide. "What do you mean?"

"I mean your life is nearing its end." Yun Chu's smile was radiant. "Haven't you felt your vitality slowly draining away?"

"It was you! You poisoned me under the guise of treating my health!" Xie Jingyu's face was full of disbelief. "How could you do such a thing, you venomous woman!"

"I admit I am venomous, but do you dare admit you're a hypocrite and a scoundrel?" Yun Chu drew her short sword and pressed it against his neck. "You killed my two children. You must pay with your life!"

An overwhelming pressure enveloped Xie Jingyu.

He tilted sideways, tumbling from the flower terrace and landing awkwardly on the ground.

"Yun Chu, you're mad, truly mad! Do you realize what you're doing? This is murder—killing your own husband!" Xie Jingyu's voice was a hoarse roar. "What poison did you give me? Hand over the antidote now, and I can pretend none of this happened!"

"Yes, I am mad!"

"I lost my mind the moment I learned my children didn't die at birth but were killed by you."

"Why should you live in glory while my two children remain unburied to this day?"

"Why should your children grow to adulthood while mine perished on that snowy night?"

"They could have lived, could have enjoyed all the beauty this world has to offer, but because of your selfishness, they lost their lives."

"Xie Jingyu, this isn't murdering a husband—it's called blood debt repaid with blood. You must pay with your life!"

The blade left its sheath and pressed against Xie Jingyu's neck.

Xie Jingyu truly felt the killing intent emanating from Yun Chu.

She would really kill him!

But he couldn't die yet!

An Ge'er was still in prison waiting for his father to rescue him. The Xie family relied on him to rise again... If he died, the Xie family would truly be finished.

"Wife, Chu'er, it's not what you think." Xie Jingyu swallowed a mouthful of chilling air. "After you gave birth that day, when the servants brought the children to me, they were still breathing, but their breaths were faint... I had no choice but to take them to Marquis Xuanwu, because I knew in my heart they were his children. He would surely summon imperial physicians from the palace to save them... I never intended to abandon them. I left them at the Marquis's gate to give them a chance at life."

Yun Chu's hand paused. "You're saying the children were left at the Marquis's residence?"

Xie Jingyu nodded. "He threatened and bribed me, forcing me to send you away. Under such power, I had no other choice... Chu'er, I may be a hypocrite, but I never intended to harm anyone. When the children were still alive, I gave them to Marquis Xuanwu... Their deaths were entirely his doing. It has nothing to do with me..."

"Silence!"

Yun Chu didn't want to hear any more of his excuses.She said coldly, "You've said so much just to save your own life, haven't you? Kneel down and apologize to my son and daughter with sincere remorse. If you truly repent, I'm willing to spare you."

Xie Jingyu clenched the soil beneath him.

A man's pride was worth more than gold—he would only kneel to heaven, earth, and ancestors. Yet this woman demanded he kneel before two children...

But what choice did he have?

Survival came first; he could plan his revenge later.

Using his right leg for support, Xie Jingyu knelt on the ground and spoke with difficulty: "Children, I was wrong all those years ago. I shouldn't have taken you away, shouldn't have sent you to Marquis Xuanwu's residence... Your deaths were entirely my doing. I'm willing to sacrifice twenty years of my life in exchange for a chance at redemption..."

As he spoke, he noticed Yun Chu retrieving a porcelain vial from her sleeve.