Suzhen’s throat tightened as she thought: This is fine too. After all, between her and Lian Yu, there was never any possibility…

At the beginning, it was just that he had played with all the palace women and suddenly wanted to try something different for fun…

To be honest, they didn’t even know if what they had before counted as being together…

Being with him was only for overturning the case…

That seemed right…

This was fine too…

She lowered her head to wipe her eyes. At this moment, Lian Yu called Xuanwu in and instructed: “Take Judge Li over there. You don’t need to worry about what Judge Li says – just tell them I agreed. Also, when you get there, have Lian Jie negotiate with that Magistrate Meng. Lian Jie knows what to do. And have Chancellor Yan and Si Lanfeng assist from the side.”

“Yes.”

Xuanwu glanced at Suzhen, his eyes above the face covering showing some puzzlement, but he still respectfully agreed.

Suzhen knew she was no longer useful. Remembering their mountain days, she knew Lian Yu always kept his word and would never speak to her again. And she had nothing more to ask of him.

She silently got off the carriage, feeling somewhat dazed. Just as she was about to leave, she heard Xuanwu’s voice from inside: “Master, do you have any other instructions?”

Lian Yu seemed to be silent for a while before saying: “Have Baihu set Li Huaisu’s broken bone. With her foul temper, she probably won’t go find Baihu herself.”

“No need for Baihu – this subordinate is skilled at treating dislocations and fractures.”

“I said, let Baihu do it!”

Lian Yu’s voice suddenly deepened.

Suzhen instinctively looked at Baihu, who stood shoulder to shoulder with Qinglong outside the carriage, feeling blocked up inside. Lian Yu wasn’t unaware that Baihu centered everything around his master and didn’t think much of her. Wasn’t this deliberately making things difficult for her? Having Baihu treat her would definitely involve settling personal scores – he’d certainly take the opportunity to give her trouble!

Damn Lian Yu! Narrow-minded! Turtle bastard!

Qinglong and Baihu naturally heard Lian Yu’s words too, but looked at her strangely.

Later, when Xuanwu came out and had Baihu treat her hand, Baihu’s movements were unexpectedly gentle.

Then Xuanwu brought her back to Huo Chang’an’s side.

Lian Jie, Yan Da, and Si Lanfeng were all quite familiar with the geographical situation and officials in this area.

Everyone deliberated, but the results were varied.

Each route had supporters with sufficient reasons, creating quite a stalemate. When Xuanwu brought Suzhen over, she gathered her spirits and, organizing Lian Yu’s instructions slightly, spoke them out.

Everyone was stunned for a long moment – like a small stone thrown into a lake’s heart, creating ripples. Not large, but enough to make people feel invigorated. However, Lian Jie quickly stared at Suzhen and said: “It’s a good strategy, but no – anything you propose won’t work. Sorry, Judge Li.”

Yan Da also smiled: “What if this trip turns out to be walking into a trap? What then?”

Hearing this, the others all sneered coldly. Suzhen said nothing, only looking toward Xuanwu.

Xuanwu cleared his throat: “His Majesty instructed that Minister Li’s proposal is excellent – proceed accordingly.”

Lian Xin gritted her teeth, snorted, and swept away with her sleeves.

Lian Jie frowned slightly but immediately nodded in agreement with Yan Da. Lian Qin glared fiercely at Suzhen: “If you dare betray us, I’ll kill you.”

Gu Shuangcheng smiled slightly and returned to her carriage. No one could read this young lady’s thoughts. Wei Wuyan said even less. Suzhen glanced at Shuangcheng and stepped forward to say something to Wuyan, but Wuyan said indifferently: “Minister Li, Wuyan is tired. Let’s talk later.”

Huo Chang’an laughed heartily and instructed Long Ying Qiang to take two skilled men and rush to County Magistrate Hu in Jing County under cover of night. He leaped onto one of the carriages to personally drive.

Everyone left the city that night. Along the way, there wasn’t a single pursuer, and they safely reached the next prefecture.

Dawn had not yet broken and it was still dark when Zuoning Prefecture’s Magistrate Meng Qiao, hearing the report, immediately opened his manor gates to welcome them.

Suzhen was drowsy and was gently awakened by Wei Wuyan. Getting out of the carriage, she found everyone looking at her with surprisingly improved expressions. Si Lanfeng smiled lightly: “Minister Li truly has an excellent strategy.”

Suzhen disliked him and didn’t respond. Si Lanfeng tilted his head, his mouth corner slightly sinking. At this time, Lian Yu was still resting quietly in the carriage. Lian Jie and Yan Da stepped forward to explain their purpose. Lian Jie smiled: “Master Meng, saving His Majesty from danger this time is truly a great merit.”

“I hear Magistrate Meng has quite close relations with Huang Tianba…” Yan Da played the bad cop.

That Meng Qiao was in his forties, short and stocky, with a kind-looking face. Originally listening with his head lowered in flattered surprise, upon hearing this, he immediately raised his head and said righteously: “Preposterous! That Huang Tianba is so audacious as to commit such treasonous acts! Seventh Prince and Chancellor Yan can rest assured – this humble official will certainly gather all official and civilian forces in this county to fully protect His Majesty. Through fire and water, I absolutely won’t let him harm a single hair on our Emperor!”

After this effusive speech, feeling this still wasn’t enough to demonstrate his determination, he “swoosh” drew a saber from a nearby clerk’s waist and said solemnly: “Heaven above, Meng hereby severs all ties with that Huang Tianba today. If I violate this oath, let it be like this robe.”

He waved the large blade toward his sleeve robe, but at the last moment hesitated. He’d seen too many operas – this sleeve-cutting to sever ties was supposed to be graceful and impressive in practice, but in reality it was a technical skill. What if he failed to cut the robe and chopped off his hand instead…

So really, where do so many dramatic gestures of severing ties come from? Where do so many loyal friendships come from? When faced with interests, a friend’s enemy can equally become a friend.

Suzhen thought: No wonder Lian Yu doesn’t trust her.

That Magistrate Meng stood frozen at the office entrance, his face quickly turning liver-colored.

Seeing Lian Jie, Lian Qin, Yan Da and others all looking at him quite seriously, he broke into even heavier sweats.

Everyone watched with silent laughter. Xuanwu happened to emerge from Lian Yu’s carriage and, seeing the situation, couldn’t help saying: “Sir, let me help you.”

He drew his own sword, his figure flickering, and was beside Meng Qiao in an instant. Meng Qiao cried out, but Xuanwu gave a “ha” and had already sliced off his sleeve.

Meng Qiao’s face was pale for a long time. He welcomed everyone into the manor, instructing his steward and servants to carefully arrange accommodations, mobilizing the entire household. He even emptied his own room for Lian Yu and sent his manor’s beautiful women to serve as maids. Everyone was waiting for Lian Yu to wake up to see the next course of action. Huo Chang’an and Lian Jie naturally discussed defensive arrangements with Meng Qiao – nothing more for now.

Suzhen was arranged in a fine side room. She was so hungry her chest was sticking to her back, so without ceremony, she went out and found a Meng household servant, asking him to get her something good to eat from the kitchen. Leftover cold dishes would do – speed was most important.

The servant was quite quick. In no more than a tea’s time, he brought her food.

The color didn’t look good, but Suzhen was starving and didn’t wait for him to leave. Not caring about the food’s quality, she immediately took a large spoonful of rice into her mouth.

Soon her face wrinkled up and she spat it out with a “ptui.” Damn, this food was spoiled!

Seeing this, the servant didn’t wait for her to blame him and dropped to his knees with a thud: “Honored guest, forgive me! It’s not this humble one’s fault, it’s…”

He stammered, trembling all over. Suzhen sighed and patted his shoulder: “You don’t need to tell me whose prank this is. I don’t blame you – go on out.”

The servant thanked her profusely and kowtowed before leaving.

Suzhen smiled bitterly. Besides that little devil Lian Xin, who else? Fortunately it wasn’t croton seeds or arsenic inside.

Lian Xin probably wanted to, but couldn’t find any at the moment.

Not wanting to trouble the manor’s people, she decided to go out and find food herself.

That Meng Qiao wasn’t a good person either – who knows how much he’d embezzled. His mansion was magnificently decorated and large as a maze. Suzhen quickly got lost after taking just a few steps. Standing before a courtyard gate, seeing two maids with lanterns passing in the distance, she wanted to go ask for directions. Just as she walked behind an artificial hill, she heard a faint sound fall where she had just been standing.

Footsteps… She tensed. Could there really be some contingency? Was Meng Qiao up to something?

She quickly hid behind the artificial hill and peered out. Two small lanterns hung under the courtyard eaves, clearly illuminating the person standing before the gate.

It was a… man.

Brocade robes and jade belt, tall and imposing… Though this person stood with his back to her, Suzhen almost immediately recognized who he was.

After brief consideration, she looked at the plaque above the courtyard gate, which read “Returning Snow.” This and several neighboring courtyards were specially arranged by Meng Qiao for female guests.

What was this person doing here? Who was staying in this courtyard?

Since she was disguised as a man, she’d been arranged in the men’s quarters.

As she thought this, she saw the man look up at the gate plaque and emit what seemed like a thin laugh before slowly walking in.

That trace of laughter carried a cold, wicked meaning.

Female guests were staying here… What did he want to do? But if it were flower-picking, given this person’s status, how could he… Suzhen thought it over and finally felt uneasy, quickly stepping out from behind the artificial hill to follow him in.