Lian Jie made a gesture of wiping sweat, laughing, “I’m the one who was scared to death, alright? Nightmares all night. Do you remember what sixth brother said—if Si Lanfeng couldn’t win, he’d kill me.”

Lian Yu said, “Today was just a stroke of luck. I didn’t arrange anything with the top scholar, only had Qinglong convey those few words about water, boats, and oars to him.”

Everyone was startled to hear this, then heard Lian Yu chuckle lowly, “Li Huaisu, you seem to have quite a close relationship with the Prime Minister.”

He picked this up so casually, but Suzhen nearly slipped from her chair in shock. She quickly knelt down and, without concealment, told of her acquaintance with Mu San. Just as she finished, she heard Lian Yu say, “Oh, and what about Li Zhaoting? Last night, I saw you secretly observing him many times. Why?”

His voice still carried light amusement, sounding like just a casual question, but Suzhen was already trembling inwardly. The clothes on her back that had just dried in the hall were soaked with sweat again. They said accompanying the ruler was like accompanying a tiger—continuing to be frightened like this, her spirit would surely be ruined by this man. Lies should be quick; she didn’t dare think deeply and repeated word for word what she had told Quan Feitong that day: “That day your subject thought this examination needed some backing. Who knew Li Zhaoting looked down on me and refused to recommend me to the Prime Minister? Your subject held resentment toward him and couldn’t help but look a few more times. Today, receiving Your Majesty’s great favor, I naturally think no other thoughts and will wholeheartedly serve Your Majesty from now on.”

In lies, the hardest to discern are those half true and half false. She risked everything, also revealing her initial thoughts of wanting to rely on Quan Feitong to increase credibility, but covered her love for Li Zhaoting with hatred, only hoping Lian Yu would believe!

All around was silence. At this moment, naturally no one would speak for her. Having learned Lian Yu’s identity, her organs and blood suffered shock, and her old ailment from early winter suddenly flared up in the hall. Now, with her emotions tightening, that metallic taste surged up her throat again. She kept her head lowered, not daring to move. After a long while, she finally heard Lian Yu say indifferently, “Mm, top scholar, rise. I’ll only ask one last question—your hostility toward Agu, what is it for?”

Suzhen’s legs went weak. Having just sat back in her chair, hearing this, she nearly fell off again. Going all in, she gritted her teeth, looked up with a smile, “They say there’s no love or hate without reason in this world, but I hear people speak of love at first sight—then why isn’t there hatred at first sight? I know she’s a good person, but I just don’t like her, just like how I saved you that night—simply because I liked you.”

“Audacious Li Huaisu! How dare you question His Majesty in return? You are a Great Zhou subject—saving the sovereign from danger is your duty!”

Yan Da shouted, suddenly standing up, clearly very angry.

But Lian Yu’s brows suddenly furrowed tightly. Everyone couldn’t help but feel alarmed—they rarely saw Lian Yu with such an expression. Earlier in the hall when Li Huaisu was crying like that, and now again—this Li Huaisu certainly had quite an ability.

But at the same time, they saw the smile in his eyes slowly fade away as he said, “Li Huaisu, unfortunately, in this world, some people can have the right to hate others, while some people cannot, not even the heart for joy, anger, sorrow, and happiness.”

“People say, this person is Prime Minister Quan’s disciple, that person is Prime Minister Yan’s disciple… In that case, you Li Huaisu are also my, Lian Yu’s, student—an imperial disciple. These few words are the first lesson I’m teaching you.”

Suzhen bowed her head, touching her forehead to the ground, saying in a low voice, “Yes, your subject understands. Your Majesty likes Miss Agu, and your subject will never dare offend her again in the future. If I violate this, I accept any punishment.”

“Ah, Li Huaisu, this little prince isn’t used to your current servile appearance. But, but, sixth brother’s words are always right, and you must listen to them.”

Lian Qin muttered. Everyone saw Lian Yu suddenly stand up, his gaze slightly darkening, as if wanting to say something to Li Huaisu. At this moment, however, Qinglong’s somewhat helpless voice came from outside the door, “Your Majesty, Concubine Cuan and Princess Lian Xin request an audience.”

Everyone was surprised, and Lian Yu only had Qinglong open the door.

“Cuan’er, what audacity! This is the imperial study, where His Majesty handles state affairs. Without His Majesty’s summons, how dare you come as you please!”

After Murong Cuan and Lian Xin paid respects to Lian Yu, Marquis Murong Jing stroked his beard and glared as he scolded.

Looking over, Suzhen only felt this Murong Cuan had lovely flushed cheeks and was truly beautiful, inexplicably seeming somewhat familiar. That Murong Cuan was already laughing, “His Majesty hasn’t even blamed me yet, Father, don’t scold me.”

She spoke while secretly glancing at Lian Yu. Though her temperament was fierce and bold, she was also somewhat apprehensive about this matter, half carrying grievance, “Yesterday, His Majesty was supposed to come to Cuan’er’s place but didn’t come. The soup Cuan’er personally made, His Majesty didn’t taste either. Cuan’er doesn’t know… when His Majesty will come again. Cuan’er worries about His Majesty’s health, so today I made more, and Princess Xin was just playing at my place, saying she wanted to see the new top scholar. So Cuan’er risked offense and followed along with the food.”

She spoke while placing an exquisite earthen pot on the desk.

Hearing this, Suzhen was speechless, thinking there were plenty of imperial kitchen cooks, and Lian Yu’s health was perfectly fine.

Of course, she also knew Murong Cuan’s intentions weren’t really about the soup, but unexpectedly Lian Yu said, “Concubine Cuan, take the food back.”

Everyone was shocked on the spot. Though Lian Yu loved Consort Wei Wuyan most, he had always been quite caring toward this cousin Murong Cuan, and now Marquis Murong Jing was also present.

“This…” Murong Cuan was even more stunned and shocked.

Marquis Murong Jing frowned slightly but maintained full respect, bending forward, “This old subject’s teaching was inadequate. Please punish me, Your Majesty.”

“Uncle, what are you saying?” Lian Yu immediately helped him up, then looked at Murong Cuan, “Uncle spoke well just now—this is a place for discussing affairs. Family and state have rules. I originally planned to send someone to notify you that I’d come over both tonight and tomorrow night, but was delayed and didn’t get the chance. Aren’t you tired walking back and forth like this?”

Murong Cuan’s face had turned slightly pale, but hearing this, she was immediately both embarrassed and anxious.

But Marquis Murong Jing stroked his beard and smiled. Everyone laughed in turn. Suzhen felt even more that Lian Yu was extremely cunning and shameless—establishing authority while making people utterly devoted, exactly the kind of person Father described who showed his bottom line while hiding his trump cards.

Murong Cuan looked at her several more times, smiling, “Oh, this must be the top scholar. When I saw you on the street that day, I already thought you looked distinguished.”

Suzhen was startled, suddenly realizing—the day Uncle Jingshu was executed, there were two veiled women on the street with Lian Xin, one wearing red was this Murong Cuan.

She quickly said, “I dare not, Your Ladyship is too kind.”

At this time, she heard another voice speaking harshly, “Why are you kneeling on the ground? You must have done something wrong to anger my imperial brother.”

Needless to say, this was Princess Lian Xin, who had barely spoken since entering but had been glaring at her fiercely.

Suzhen smiled bitterly, but her arm was grabbed with force and she was pulled up. She smelled a faint, light fragrance and saw it was Lian Yu.