Unprecedented, Quan Feitong smiled slightly in response: “Your Majesty, regarding this matter, this minister’s opinion is—whatever Your Majesty decides, this minister will follow.”
Hearing this, Lian Yu nodded. As if he feared no taboos, he directly said: “Minister Quan, I owe you a favor.”
Everyone was still stunned when they heard him say lightly: “Since this matter is of great importance, I must hear all ministers’ opinions.”
“Whether to investigate or not—let everyone’s stance decide.”
This move made many people’s expressions change again.
Everyone present understood that among the several factions, including non-partisan individuals, each held nearly equal seats. This matter was clearly orchestrated by neutrals, and this time the pro-emperor faction had internal disputes—only a majority supported Lian Yu. Combined, the opposition held almost three-quarters, unless Lian Yu was willing to offend everyone to protect Li Huaisu…
But now with Quan Feitong’s nod, the situation completely reversed.
Because gaining his agreement meant gaining the entire Quan faction’s votes.
Those supporting an end to this matter outnumbered the opposition—not by much, but enough.
Even though no matter how one looked at it, not thoroughly investigating this matter was utterly absurd, results were results. Anything political was often absurd.
Everyone’s faces showed various expressions. Lian Yu pretended not to see, walking to Wei Chenghui and slowly asking: “Grand Secretary is also a three-dynasty veteran minister. What are your thoughts?”
Wei Chenghui, seeing Li Zhaoting humiliated and the overall situation decided, was extremely hateful. Yesterday, following Li Zhaoting’s instructions, he had deliberately forged handwriting, sending letters containing secrets to Huang Zhongyue and some neutral faction ministers. Because of the Huang Tianba sentencing that cut off the Huang family bloodline, Huang Zhongyue hated Lian Yu to the bone. Knowing Lian Yu doted on Li Huaisu, he naturally couldn’t stand seeing his beloved prosper. This meant they needn’t personally expose Feng Suzhen’s identity.
Who knew it would fail at the last moment. They had ultimately underestimated Quan Feitong’s intentions.
Was the chance to eliminate Feng Suzhen lost? His gaze was sinister, quietly sweeping the palace entrance. Outside was completely quiet, but his heart surged with turmoil while his face remained unchanged: “This old minister naturally agrees with Your Majesty’s sacred decision.”
“Good, since no one objects, let this be decided.”
Lian Yu was always decisive, immediately cutting off discussion.
Huang Zhongyue smiled coldly. Murong Jinghou was stubborn, actually kowtowing: “Your Majesty, this old minister begs you—even if you don’t consider this old minister as uncle, please consider this old minister’s unwavering loyalty to Great Zhou and you… Your Majesty, usually whatever you do is fine, but today this old minister absolutely cannot let you be deceived by those with ulterior motives…”
His voice trembled slightly. Though not openly weeping, he was deeply pained.
Looking at this three-dynasty veteran general, Suzhen lowered her head further, hands clenched tightly.
Lian Yu personally helped him up: “Uncle, please rise quickly. This matter still requires you and Minister Yan to manage the overall situation.”
“Manage the overall situation?” Murong Jinghou was somewhat stunned, his eyes showing surprise.
Lian Yu nodded, his voice gentler: “Investigate the real masterminds behind this frame-up, the true conspirators.”
Murong Jinghou understood, couldn’t help laughing coldly, and in his excitement, actually brushed off Lian Yu’s hand.
This scene was quite unseemly. Murong Jinghou was a military general—Huo Chang’an’s martial arts supremacy came from his training. Lian Yu’s steps wavered, stepping back before steadying himself.
Seeing this, Murong Jinghou was also shocked, but being angry, he resolutely turned sideways without apologizing, his temper quite fiery.
Lian Yu smiled slightly, seemingly unconcerned.
Watching officials had various thoughts, as if that suppressed anger had found outlet here.
Lian Qin was hot-tempered. Though he’d managed to restrain himself earlier without contradicting anyone, now he couldn’t bear it, striding forward to question: “Sixth Brother, how can you be so confused? Do you want to be a foolish—”
Lian Jie was alarmed, grabbing his arm and shouting: “Ninth Brother, did you drink too much today? Shut up!”
“I didn’t drink anything—Seventh Brother, let go!” Lian Qin’s eyes were red with rage, rising anger. Lian Jie couldn’t restrain him as he confronted Lian Yu.
Lian Yu stared coldly at him: “Ninth Brother, don’t force me to have guards escort you out.”
Lian Qin returned the cold look: “As you wish.”
“Qinglong, escort him out!”
“Your Majesty, this minister doesn’t need you to have me forcibly removed. If Your Majesty won’t punish her, this minister will leave himself. Keep indulging her—sooner or later…” Lian Qin laughed coldly, leaving his words unfinished as he strode out.
Lian Yu’s lips tightened, his right hand rising before slowly lowering without ordering guards to seize him. Finally, he only curved his lips in self-mocking smile.
Before leaving, Lian Qin glanced at Suzhen with infinite hatred—not his usual dislike, but hatred as if killing her wouldn’t satisfy his anger.
All officials remained silent while Huang Zhongyue’s lips held a smile. Suzhen naturally knew what they were laughing about, her heart aching intermittently. She secretly looked toward Lian Yu, who stood with hands behind his back, only asking lightly: “The matter of strictly investigating the informant will be handled by Minister Yan and General Murong, with Ministers Gao and Si assisting.”
“Yes.” Yan Da immediately stepped forward to respond.
Everything seemed finally settled.
“All rise.” Lian Yu’s voice came lightly, emotionless.
Just as Suzhen was about to stand, a voice from outside nearly interrupted her movement.
“Your Majesty, wait a moment.”
Morning sunlight had spread widely, spilling golden patches outside the hall. A stern shout came from the unclear light and shadow at the entrance. Suzhen was greatly alarmed, quickly standing to look toward the door.
From golden light, over ten people quickly entered the hall. The leading female official was already adorned with pearls and jade, her expression serious and imposing—it was Hong Gu, followed by none other than Xiao’an and others.
To her left stood Murong Ci, Gu Shuangcheng, Wei Wuxia, Miao Yin, and Wei Wuyan. To her right were Huo Chang’an and his wife.
Suzhen had a premonition—no, certainty—that Xiao’an also knew about this matter.
Wuyan’s hasty, anxious gaze, Huo Chang’an’s strange look, all told her she was right, not to mention Xiao’an’s blade-like sharp coldness.
She smiled bitterly—disasters couldn’t be avoided.
Lian Yu had already descended from the phoenix throne to greet them: “Why has Mother Empress come?”
He asked knowingly while quickly glancing at Wuyan. Huo Chang’an smiled coldly. Though Wuyan and Lian Yu had developed close understanding through time together, forming confidant-like rapport, at this moment, she couldn’t give him information.
Today she had awakened in her own chambers. When she calmed the pain in her forehead, Wuxia had already walked in with disdain, looking at her and smiling: “Wuyan, it’s noisy outside, isn’t it? The Empress Dowager and your beloved Marquis Huo are waiting outside—don’t keep them waiting too long.”
She was immediately shocked as briefly lost memories flooded back.
“Wei Wuyan—”
Last night, returning, someone had called her name from behind.
She turned to look but only saw white light striking her forehead, then…
Wuxia watched Wuyan’s furrowed brow with satisfaction. It was Gu Shuangcheng who had her servant knock Wuyan unconscious, helped her into nearby bushes, then brought herself to Murong Ci’s palace. Finally, they found Xiao’an, who calmly ordered all servants in Wuyan’s palace secretly arrested before having her returned to her chambers.
At the fifth watch, Xiao’an sent people to notify the non-court-attending Huo Chang’an couple into the palace, seemingly with other intentions.
Meanwhile, how sharp was Xiao’an? She naturally saw Lian Yu and Wuyan exchange glances. Calling the Huo couple to the palace today had this very purpose—letting Huo Chang’an see where Wuyan’s heart truly lay, and the real identity of his so-called friend Li Huaisu. Letting him see clearly that his former beloved had deceived him, and his current friend had also concealed truth from him.
She wanted both him and Lian Yu to be vigilant. They were Great Zhou’s most solid imperial strength—they could never let women cloud their vision and wound their hearts.
Only with sufficient coldness could they avoid being hurt by women with designs on them, keeping their rightful positions secure. This was her heart as mother of the nation, and as a mother.
She didn’t want them repeating her mistakes.
Back then, Emperor Dejing never loved her—he loved her family’s power, the strength her father and brother could provide to secure his throne and eliminate enemies. So once he ascended, she was abandoned—he loved Lian Jie’s mother, Consort Ai.
Recalling past events, her expression grew ruthless and cold: “Your Majesty, I know what you want to say.”
Lian Yu’s eyes flickered, his voice not loud but extremely determined: “Mother Empress, since you know your son’s thoughts, please fulfill your son’s wish.”
Xiao’an laughed coldly, turning to announce loudly: “General Murong, Minister Yan—I heard His Majesty just told you to investigate the mastermind informant. You needn’t investigate—that person is me.”
The situation reversed again.
Murong Jinghou and Yan Da exchanged glances, their expressions immediately becoming complex. Naturally, Yan Da was shocked while Murong Jinghou was pleased.
Huang Zhongyue and others were naturally overjoyed, immediately bowing. Huang Zhongyue’s smile lines rose high: “Please uphold justice, Empress Dowager. If the Empress Dowager confirms Li—Feng Suzhen is a rebel’s descendant, she absolutely cannot be spared.”
Xiao’an naturally wasn’t the informant—she also couldn’t fathom who it really was. Wei Wuxia had told her that while staying home, passing by father’s study, she overheard court colleagues talking with her father. Apparently, some court colleagues had received anonymous letters concerning Li Huaisu’s true identity. Her father had also received such a letter. Among colleagues, some revealed that Huang Zhongyue planned to gather allies overnight for tomorrow’s morning memorial. Having excellent relations with Murong Ci, she naturally had to tell Murong Ci to make her happy.
Murong Ci had told her the whole story. She naturally knew her niece’s thoughts, but her intervention wasn’t entirely for her niece. Because Feng Suzhen must die—Feng Shaoqing was a traitor! They had already executed the entire Feng family—how could only the daughter survive! This woman was inherently evil, and now it seemed she indeed had premeditated plans. Originally, regarding Wuyan’s palace incident, that evening when Lian Yu earnestly sought her out again, seeing her son’s deep feelings for this woman, she had planned to spare her. But now it was absolutely impossible!
This anonymous informant’s mystery could be investigated later, but years of political experience told her Feng Suzhen’s identity was genuine. She must handle this immediately—otherwise, once Lian Yu was deeply involved, she could no longer openly deal with this disaster.
Huo Chang’an glanced at Suzhen, frowning before slowly speaking: “Aunt, should this matter be considered more carefully…”
“What need for lengthy consideration?” Xiao’an was angry at his weakness, laughing coldly with decisive words: “Li Huaisu, since you claim you’re not the Feng family orphan, you must be male. Very well—remove your clothes for court verification. If you’re truly male, this matter naturally cannot stand. What say you? If you refuse, then you are this Feng family evil daughter, deserving death by law!”
Suzhen smiled bitterly. This iron-blooded Empress Dowager’s reputation was well-deserved. If she revealed her female identity, could she still cope using the fake Xia family identity? Li Zhaoting had said Miss Xia’s identity was very safe.
Suddenly receiving a glance from Quan Feitong from the side-rear, she quietly looked over, seeing him slowly shake his head at her.
His eyes held knowing understanding, as if saying: Oh, Li Huaisu, this minister knows what you’re thinking.
Suzhen’s heart sank with realization! This way still meant revealing to everyone that she had lied, that she wasn’t Li Huaisu. Could a liar’s words be convincing?
Everyone could use this point to overturn her testimony.
What should she do?!
Lian Yu still stood before her. Since earlier, he hadn’t spoken again. Now she only heard his low voice addressing his mother word by word: “Mother Empress, your son’s mind is made up. If you want to move against her, unless your son is no longer Great Zhou’s emperor.”
This is the 9.27 evening update. This isn’t quite the small climax yet—just a “mini-mini.” Afraid some students might wait too late, updating to here first. As previously agreed, taking the last three days for adjustment—see you in October. Wishing everyone happy National Day holidays whether returning home, traveling, or enjoying food and entertainment. National Day updates will continue as usual. Thanks for all the flowers, monthly tickets, and gifts—though not all may display in front, I can see them all in the backend. Thank you~