Li Liao asked sternly.
"Who told you that Ji is the Saint's illegitimate son?"
Hua Manman replied sullenly, "A lot of people say that."
Li Liao scoffed. "What utter nonsense! The Commandery Princess and I shared a deep bond. How could she possibly have had an affair with the Saint?"
Still, Hua Manman felt something wasn't right.
'If Li Ji isn't the Emperor's illegitimate son, why does the Emperor treat him that way?'
'Even though the Emperor intentionally suppresses Li Ji, he never hesitates to defend him when outsiders attack him.'
'It was as if—'
'I can discipline my own son, but no one else is allowed to lay a hand on him.'
"Don't let me catch the person spreading these rumors, or I'll cut out their tongue!" As Li Liao spoke, he suddenly threw a punch, slamming it into the trunk of a nearby tree.
A sharp CRACK followed.
The tree trunk snapped where it was struck and came crashing to the ground.
Hua Manman jumped in fright.
