Wuyan shrank into the corner of the bed, staring at him in terror. Though she had long been prepared for this, when truly facing it, she couldn’t suppress the trembling that wracked her entire body.

If there hadn’t been Lian Yue between them, she would have agreed without hesitation…

But there was Lian Yue between them. Now he and Lian Yue even had a child together. She loved him deeply, and now she also hated him deeply.

But her mother…

The hand that had been clutching her collar slowly loosened. She looked at him with an ashen face.

Huo Chang’an stood beside the bed, also looking back at her coldly, his eyes seeming to hold a mass of fog.

Finally, he removed his boots and climbed onto the bed.

He seemed to do it deliberately, sitting down heavily. This sudden weight made the bed creak softly, and this unexpected sound struck Wuyan’s heart without warning. Even though this man still wore his inner garments and trousers, his tall, sturdy frame appeared extremely oppressive, like a terrifying specter that had completely enveloped her!

Since it was summer, and she had bathed in preparation for sleep, she wore only a thin gauze dress, her snow-white skin faintly visible through the fabric.

His dark eyes somewhat greedily swept over her chest area. His gaze was hoarse and fierce.

Wuyan could even hear the sound of her own nervous breathing!

Suddenly, Huo Chang’an reached out to grasp her chin, leaning down to kiss her lips. Wuyan gritted her teeth and closed her eyes, not dodging.

“Lian Yue is with child. How could I… touch you again.”

The cool voice brushed past her ear and lips. Wuyan was stunned for a long while. When she opened her eyes to look, she saw he was already lying on the outer side, his hands properly placed at his sides. The corner of his mouth still curved slightly upward, retaining a mocking arc, full of ridicule as he gazed at her.

He had done it on purpose just now!

This was indeed the best mockery and disdain.

He had finally succeeded in seeing her made a fool of! Wuyan’s heart grew cold, nearly to the point of suffocation.

She heard her own voice saying, “If you love Lian Yue so much, why did you still come over?”

“Imperial Physician Feng has confirmed the diagnosis, the news has already spread. The Empress Dowager summoned her, and she also needs to see Dowager Consort Ai to report the news. Tonight she’s staying at Dowager Consort Ai’s quarters at Huguo Temple.”

He replied coolly, suddenly raising his hand. As his sleeve moved, he had already extinguished the candle.

In the darkness, he turned outward, his low voice becoming even more desolate.

“Why must you be so afraid? Don’t you know what kind of person I am? Though you don’t remember our past affection, I still have it in my heart. No matter what happens between you and me, your mother is an elder I once swore to care for my entire life. This is different from when I negotiated terms with you at Li Huaisu’s residence. Given your current circumstances, if I were to force you again, I wouldn’t be a man.”

“Lian Yu, Lian Jie, and Li Huaisu all think I must have your body. But Wei Wuyan, in this world, truly no one must have anyone else. There are few women more beautiful than you, but there are some. I’ve had them before. Your body doesn’t hold that much attraction for me – it’s just an obsession.”

“No matter how tightly guarded my Huo residence is, there are still hundreds of servants. If Traitor Wei wanted to plant two or three spies among them, it wouldn’t be impossible. I need to stay here many nights to fulfill his wishes. Tonight, with Lian Yue absent, couldn’t be better.”

“For your mother’s sake, we must continue this charade, mustn’t we? As Lian Yue said, it can also be considered fulfilling one of my, Huo Chang’an’s, heart’s desires.”

“Earlier I thought you might have some jealousy toward Lian Yue, but it turns out I was always being overly sentimental. I think if you had even a trace of jealousy in your heart, it wouldn’t be in vain for all my suffering these years. Besides that, I really had no plans to do anything to you, because of your mother, and also because of Lian Yue. Lian Yue left in tears, saying she was afraid of me being with you, but she couldn’t possibly not go to my aunt’s place.”

“Lian Yue is scheming, but she’s a good wife. I should treat her well. Rest assured, you – I will return you intact. Lian Yu and Lian Jie are both fine.”

“Wei Wuyan, these years, I’m tired too.”

The sounds ceased here, falling into silence. Moonlight filtered through the window, sparse shadows slanting across the floor. Outside were only distant lights and the low chirping of summer insects. Wuyan lay on her back, turning her head to glance at the tall silhouette beside her, then suddenly reached out to cover her mouth tightly, quickly turning over as well.

Wasn’t this the result she sought? Then why was she in tears… She faced away from him, biting her lips until they were broken and mangled, finally stopping herself from crying out in heartbreak.

She wanted to tell him she hated Lian Yue to death, she wanted to tell him she loved him.

But it was too late.

Lian Yue was wrong, he was wrong, and perhaps she… was also wrong.

It was all youthful recklessness.

Now, she could say nothing. If she spoke, how would she be different from Lian Yue of years past? If she spoke, could he turn back?

He cared about Lian Yue. She was already a wife integrated into his life and blood.

If she spoke, he still wouldn’t turn back, would only continue to harbor obsessions.

If that were the case, fighting was not as good as leaving things as they were.

She hated Lian Yue. Never had a moment made it clearer to her than now – she wanted this woman dead. It turned out she too could be this malicious!

“Huo Chang’an… thank you.”

After a long while, she said softly, but the other person didn’t respond. Perhaps he didn’t want to say anything more, or perhaps he had already fallen asleep.

He beside her was quiet and calm all night, occasionally turning over.

Lian Yue had left in tears, and Wuyan waited for dawn with flowing tears, curled up against the wall with the blanket covering her face.

She heard Huo Chang’an’s sounds of getting up clearly. He seemed unwilling to linger either. As soon as the sky showed a hint of fish-belly white, he rose. His movements were very efficient, quickly dressing properly. Uncle Liang knocked gently at the door outside, asking if he was awake and whether he would wash up at Miss Yan’s quarters, saying the sedan chair to fetch his wife was ready.

He answered faintly “I’ll wash up back in my room, at Miss Yan’s place, have Aunt Liang look after her more,” then went out.

Wuyan closed her eyes, her vision completely blurred.

She quietly opened the door and saw a room in the west wing also open upon hearing sounds. Zhu Xin slowly walked out, greeted him, and half-jokingly said, “Sixth Sister is like a fairy – I thought you’d never pay attention to us again.”

Huo Chang’an smiled slightly, reaching out to stroke her hair. “She is indeed good, but who could be as understanding as you? I’m leaving first, I’ll come find you when I return.”

Zhu Xin’s face reddened as she respectfully saw him off. Upon turning around, she seemed to smile bitterly with relief.

She happened to meet Wuyan’s gaze.

She was startled, seeming to want to go over and say a few words to Wuyan. Wuyan looked at her, shook her head slightly, and quickly closed the door.

Without waiting for the maid to come, she hurriedly washed and dressed herself, then went out.

She needed to go out for a walk, otherwise, seeing him bring Lian Yue back, seeing these women – even someone like Zhu Xin – she couldn’t bear it. Zhu Xin was a very good person, but even the best women had their selfish desires.

She was extremely familiar with the Huo residence. Reaching the back courtyard, she instructed the groom to prepare a carriage. The groom respectfully asked, “Where would Miss like to go?”

“The Court of Judicial Review.”

After a long silence, Wuyan finally gave a destination.

This world was vast, yet it turned out she really had nowhere to go.

At the Court of Judicial Review, Su Zhen was meeting with the Four Masters. Seeing her come in with Uncle Fu, since she had lived here briefly and had already become familiar with everyone, they immediately greeted her warmly. Su Zhen was especially delighted. “Wuyan, I was just thinking of going to find you.”

Wuyan’s heart finally felt a bit empty. She gathered her spirits and responded to everyone, smiling, “You could just come. You and Huo Chang’an aren’t strangers.”

Su Zhen shook her head, her eyes showing a trace of guilt. “I came to find you not just to see you, but for another matter.”

“Your own affairs are already troublesome enough – I don’t want to add to your burdens.”

Wuyan’s expression grew serious. She knew this girl wouldn’t come to her unless it was something significant, and quickly asked, “Tell me, I’m listening.”

“I intend to reopen the case of His Majesty’s birth mother’s sudden death.” Su Zhen looked at her, speaking word by word.

“What? Huaisu, why would you think of reopening this case?”

Wuyan was shocked, then immediately shook her head, almost instantly saying, “No!”

“Do you know? This case has always had a certain theory circulating secretly in the palace.”

“His Majesty’s birth mother was killed by Seventh Prince’s birth mother, Dowager Consort Ai. Miss, that’s exactly what we’re discussing.”

Little Zhou suddenly spoke up, her words clear and resonant.

Wuyan said, “Though this is an open secret in the mouths and eyes of certain people in the palace, those in power have deliberately suppressed the information. You shouldn’t know about it.”

Seeing doubt appear in her eyes, Su Zhen sighed. “It was Quan Feitong who leaked the inside information. The Prime Minister fears nothing more than chaos in the realm.”

“And you still dare to take this on?” Wuyan’s expression grew stern as she looked at Su Zhen. “Huaisu, have you considered that rumors aren’t necessarily true, but where there’s smoke there’s fire… What if it really was Dowager Consort Ai who did it? Not only would the Sixth Prince and Seventh Prince turn against each other as brothers, but you’d be caught in the middle and would certainly face disaster. You’ve finally reconciled with His Majesty, but then his brother might turn against you, and His Majesty might even blame you in his heart.”

Su Zhen knew she was concerned for her and was moved. After pondering briefly, she said, “Wuyan, this matter was brought up to me by Yan Da. I’m thinking, this old man is a royalist. If there were truly solid evidence that Dowager Consort Ai was responsible for what happened back then, he would never have mentioned this matter to me.”

“Now is a time of great turmoil. Though the Prime Minister appears calm on the surface, he must be plotting something in secret. Your father is also getting restless. I’m afraid someone might use Seventh Prince’s matter to harm Lian Yu. If I can investigate this matter clearly and find the real murderer, I can both clear Lian Yu’s mother’s name and assist him. I’m very afraid of Seventh Prince – he’s like this.” As Su Zhen spoke, she casually picked up a chess piece from the bowl on the table and placed it down.