“Ah, young master, where are you going…”

Behind her, the faint voice of Xiang’er, the white-clothed maidservant, reached her ears, but she couldn’t spare time to answer, even though her original purpose in befriending the white-clothed woman hadn’t been pure.

This person was either wealthy or noble, and with Uncle Fu Jingshu’s situation, she was at her wit’s end—any connection had to be tried.

Leng Xue quickly caught up with her, his brows furrowing as he said, “Don’t be impulsive.”

She replied in a low voice, “In one’s lifetime, how many times can one truly be impulsive? I’ve already missed one chance; I don’t want any more regrets. I’ll just take a look, just one glance.”

Seeing tears glimmering in her eyes, Leng Xue bit his teeth and finally nodded, “Do you know the way?”

She answered, “Head toward where the crowds are thickest.”

When unable to find direction, one might as well go toward the liveliest place—perhaps that would be the way out. Even though following the flow was somewhat tragic, sometimes people were so laughably left with no other choice.

Leng Xue suddenly asked softly, “What exactly did you and that person write on the paper just now?”

She said, “Both the white-clothed woman and I disagree with the common rumors, believing there’s much more to Gu Shuangcheng’s poisoning case. Everyone says it was Lian Yu who imposed this ‘groundless’ charge, but those people seem to overlook one point—this Miss Gu hasn’t even married into the family yet. If we’re talking about Quan Feitong’s crime of nepotism, the name isn’t legitimate enough and the words aren’t justified enough. Wouldn’t this give Quan Feitong a perfect reason to rebel against the emperor? Moreover, Lian Yu surely has many enemies at court—do his other brothers truly support him wholeheartedly? For Lian Yu to be distracted by dealing with Quan Feitong at this time, isn’t it too early? Besides, Quan Feitong has deep roots and great power at court. If Lian Yu wants to deal with him, he must make all preparations without the slightest error, then strike decisively to uproot him completely. This kind of indirect attack from afar has no substantial effect and only serves to alert the tiger.”

Leng Xue’s brows furrowed deeper, “These imperial court matters are truly complicated.”

“If the affairs within the imperial city aren’t complicated, then there’s nowhere in the world that is.” Su Zhen smiled, though her heart was equally puzzled. Quan Feitong’s wedding was imminent, yet Lian Yu had detained this Grand Chancellor’s fiancée in the palace, regardless of consequences. Why would he do this? Her analysis was almost identical to the white-clothed woman’s, except that at the end, the white-clothed woman had written one more terrifying sentence…

The crowd grew increasingly dense.

Watching the people brushing past always provided a spectacle. Some sighed with emotion, some were frightened, some came to watch the excitement—all equally brilliant, after all, it wasn’t their own disaster.

While lost in these melancholy thoughts, she suddenly heard the howling of wind rushing toward them. A couple beside her seemed to be swept down by something. Startled, Leng Xue’s eyes darkened as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest.

People kept falling, accompanied by piercing screams cutting through the air.

In her startled gaze, a woman had collapsed to her knees in the street ahead. Dressed in prisoner’s clothing, with several arrows piercing through her body, blood gushing out continuously.

The crowd was in complete chaos, people standing on both sides of the street, looking back in terror at those approaching from behind.

Only then did she finally see clearly—charging toward them was a contingent of hundreds of soldiers with horses and carriages.

In front were several riders on fine horses, each with men and women in their saddles, dressed in brocade and silk, embroidered with phoenixes and dragons, dazzling and captivating, overwhelming to the senses.