The carriage was filled only with the sounds of heavy breathing and soft moans.

Being caressed and kneaded by those possessive hands, Suzhen felt sensations stirring. Looking into those dark, passionate pupils that blazed so intensely, she trembled all over. Fearing she might lose control and do something improper, she quickly pushed him away.

Lian Yu sat up, reached out to pull her close again, and said casually in her ear: “Did you have corn soup for lunch? There’s a corn taste.”

Suzhen nearly choked on his shameless words, raising her eyebrows to retort: “What did you eat then? Only tea flavor.”

Lian Yu smiled without speaking, gently releasing her to open the food basket: “Try this – I had the imperial kitchen make it.”

He hadn’t eaten a bite all day, immediately rushing to her residence after handling affairs, wanting to dine with her.

“I already tasted imperial cuisine this morning – you needn’t go to such trouble.” Though she said this, having been frightened by Xiao’an in the morning without eating much, and only having a couple sips of soup for lunch, Suzhen looked delightedly to see four dishes and a small pot of fragrant, soft rice in the basket.

The four dishes included a pot of lotus-scented bamboo shoot and cherry soup, a plate of boiled cabbage, mushroom and chicken mince, and a fragrant, oil-dripping roasted rabbit.

These familiar foods delighted her greatly, immediately arousing her appetite: “Lian Yu.”

Seeing her bright eyes, Lian Yu felt a slight ache in his heart.

The Book of Rites says: “Food, drink, and relations between men and women – these are humanity’s great desires.”

Worldly love is much the same. How much of an ordinary person’s life is truly turbulent and extraordinary? Actually, there’s no need for life-and-death drama to prove anything. Three meals and a night’s rest – whom you choose to share these with is already enough.

He tapped lightly on the table. The carriage quietly stopped.

Suzhen was not polite – he had already seen her eating habits anyway – and began eating with her chopsticks. Lian Yu smiled as he served her rice and picked up various dishes for her.

After eating for a while, Suzhen noticed Lian Yu’s bowl was empty and felt apologetic: “Why aren’t you eating?”

Only then did Lian Yu eat what remained, consuming two bowls of rice.

After he finished eating, Suzhen felt somewhat guilty and attentively took out her handkerchief to wipe his mouth.

Lian Yu took her hand and led her outside.

The carriage had actually stopped in a secluded mountain valley.

Flowing water stretched into the distance, greenery grew lush, and scattered villages dotted the landscape nearby.

Qinglong had disappeared somewhere.

Suzhen didn’t think of Qinglong being tactful but worried instead: “You only brought Qinglong out – I fear there’s danger.”

Seeing her concern for his safety, Lian Yu couldn’t help smiling: “Don’t worry. Xuanwu is leading a large group of guards following secretly. When I previously went among the people on business, though traveling in secret, I was still discovered and assassinated. Now I’m much more careful – you can be at ease.”

Hearing this, Suzhen recalled that the day she and he met again – wasn’t that when he was being assassinated?

She couldn’t help feeling worried and curious: “Was that the time I saved you? Do you know who was behind it? What matter required the ruler of a nation to personally supervise?”

Thinking of that massacre, Lian Yu’s heart sank. Not wanting to elaborate on what he had handled, he only said: “I had just ascended the throne and was inspecting various places. The other side was well-organized with first-rate experts.”

Suzhen’s heart turned cold: “The treacherous minister?”

Lian Yu said: “It wouldn’t be surprising if Quan Feitong ordered it, but those who want me dead have probably never been just him alone.”

Suzhen frowned tightly.

Father had once said that even emperors in prosperous times aren’t secure. The imperial throne – since ancient times, who hasn’t coveted it? Including the inn incident, in just over a year, he had faced two assassination attempts.

Seeing her face turn pale, knowing she was worried, Lian Yu’s smile grew deeper as he suddenly lifted her up around the waist.

Suzhen was startled and said urgently: “I’m thinking about serious matters! Never mind the hidden threats – the open ones like the treacherous minister, Chao Huang, Huang Zhongyue… each one is a major concern for you. What do you plan to do next?”

“This ruler discusses no politics today.” But Lian Yu made a shushing sound, carried her to sit among the lush grass, removed her boots and socks, and rolled up her pants in one motion.

Just as Suzhen felt embarrassed and annoyed, she noticed Lian Yu’s hand on her calf suddenly tighten.

“Where is what I gave you?” His voice remained gentle, but his gaze had darkened slightly.

So he was annoyed about this. She winced in pain and had wanted to tease him, but seeing his serious expression…

“It’s here.” Her heart softened as she quickly pulled the red cord from around her neck: “I was afraid of losing it – who told you to tie it to my foot?”

Only then did Lian Yu abandon his impulse to severely “teach her a lesson.” He lay down, holding her, and explained softly: “This was something the late Emperor bestowed on each of his women. My birth mother’s given name was ‘Little Jade,’ which perfectly matched her name. She was a palace maid of humble birth, and this was the only thing the late Emperor ever gave only to her, making it especially precious to her.”

“After she died, she left this to me – it was the only gift she left me. Because she thought it was something valuable.”

Listening, Suzhen’s eyes grew moist, thinking how fortunate she hadn’t joked earlier.

She asked knowingly: “Why did you casually give away something so important at the inn?”

Lian Yu looked at her sideways: “I never intended to really give it to you then – it was just collateral, and I would definitely get it back. Or did you think an emperor couldn’t retrieve something? Fortunately, you were sensible enough not to dare take it.”

Suzhen had been beaming with joy, about to say “so you took a fancy to me at the inn,” but hearing this felt crushed and said sullenly: “I didn’t care for it then either.”

Knowing what she was thinking, Lian Yu turned her face to him, raising an eyebrow to ask: “What about now? Do you care for it or not? If not, I’ll take care of you right here. The ruler’s word is absolute.”

Suzhen was left red-eared by his words: “So what if I don’t care for it?”

“Oh,” Lian Yu raised an eyebrow and smiled with an understanding expression, “so you want me to… you.”

“Lian Yu, you bastard!”

As he pressed her down, Suzhen laughed and cried out. His kisses fell like rain on her neck. Thinking of their impending separation, she reached out to embrace his shoulders and back.

Lian Yu’s eyes narrowed, his desire fading somewhat as he looked into her eyes: “Something on your mind? Speak.”

Suzhen told him her thoughts.

She immediately felt the muscles in his back tense.

Lian Yu didn’t want to let her go, but knowing the importance of overturning the case to her, he considered and stroked her face: “Can you wait a few months? When the court’s political situation is more stable, I’ll make arrangements and accompany you.”

“No!” Suzhen’s heart stirred but she immediately objected: “Court affairs are important, and it’s not safe for you to travel in disguise. It’s fine – the guards at my Criminal Investigation Bureau have excellent martial arts.”

Lian Yu’s brow furrowed: “Then I’ll have Xuanwu secretly lead a hundred guards for protection. You are the Capital Region’s Chief Judge with authority to investigate local cases. If you encounter difficulties, you must find ways to resolve them. Promotions depend on political achievements – I cannot arbitrarily grant you power.”

Actually, Suzhen didn’t want Xuanwu following at all – she was going to investigate the Feng family case!

Seeing her strange expression, Lian Yu lifted her chin: “Blame me for being impartial between public and private matters?”

Suzhen quickly shook her head. Xuanwu was his most trusted person – having Xuanwu follow showed how much he… She wasn’t worried about that point.

Being who he was, Lian Yu already understood that her family’s case indeed had inside information.

He had laid everything bare, yet regarding her past love, he knew nothing!

Though furious, he didn’t expose this, only saying calmly: “Then it’s decided. Rest for a few more days first. Wuyan is leaving the palace – shall we give her a farewell banquet?”

Wuyan! Suzhen was shocked: “How do you plan to arrange things for her?”

“Suffering from serious illness, leaving the palace to recuperate.”

“Will she return to the Wei family?”

“Naturally not. Grand Tutor Wei can’t afford to lose face, and she wouldn’t have a good life returning to the Wei family. She’s already said she wants to take her mother and leave the capital together. This departure will be for years, so she wants you all to say goodbye properly.”

Suzhen wanted to ask more about the situation, but before the words left her mouth, Lian Yu had already pressed down on her. He gripped her chin, asking in a deep voice: “I gave you the jade stone – where is your return gift? Did you give that person a flute before? Why do I have nothing?”

Suzhen was startled by the darkness in his eyes. Just as she felt alarmed, Xuanwu’s voice came from afar: “Your Majesty.”

Lian Yu said no more, immediately helping her put on her shoes and socks, straightening her clothes, and as he arranged his own robes, Xuanwu approached from the distance after being acknowledged, walking before them both and saying quietly: “Your Majesty, it’s getting late. Time to return to the palace. This subordinate will have people escort the young lady back.”

“No, you lead people to escort the young lady back. The remaining people and Qinglong can protect me returning to the palace.” Lian Yu nodded, looking deeply at Suzhen: “Your official robe was torn – I’ll have the Imperial Weaving Bureau make a new robe and send it to you in the next couple days. Rest well, and if I can’t come see you these next few days, attend court once you’re recovered. You are a court official – court must still be attended.”

There was one thing he didn’t say.

That was: Also, I want to see you.

Thank you all for your messages and gifts.