Before dawn that day, the entire group from the Court of Judicial Review set out for the Imperial Mausoleum. The Imperial Mausoleum was in a very distant suburban location from the imperial city – the journey was considerable.

In the carriage driven by servants, everyone actively caught up on sleep. Zhuiming’s head kept drooping onto Tieshou’s shoulder, and Tieshou would punch him every time. Little Zhou’s treatment was completely different – she rested with her eyes closed while Wuqing considerately let her lean on his shoulder. Though Little Zhou’s accumulated anger hadn’t subsided, she figured she might as well use what was available, simply lying across his lap to sleep. Wuqing smiled slightly.

Su Zhen and Wuyan leaned against each other. Wuyan rested with her eyes closed, but Su Zhen knew she wasn’t asleep and suddenly said quietly: “Wuyan, do you want to know how that coincidence at the Huo residence was achieved?”

These days she had watched Wuyan’s spirits recover and wanted to help untie this knot for her.

Sure enough, Wuyan trembled slightly, sat up straight, and looked at her intently.

The others had keen hearing and instantly woke up, all looking over. They had also heard about this matter and were quite puzzled by it.

“Tell me,” Wuyan said softly. Though her voice showed no change, her expression was obviously tense.

Su Zhen nodded and looked around at everyone: “When you told me about it, even after carefully asking about the residence layout and detailed circumstances you witnessed, I still couldn’t figure it out. But when I went to the palace to find Lian Yu, he sent someone to notify Seventh Prince, and by the time I returned to the Court of Judicial Review, Seventh Prince had already arrived – that’s when I suddenly understood.”

Zhuiming scratched his head: “What’s this got to do with what? What’s the connection?”

“Don’t interrupt!” Tieshou and Little Zhou glared at him simultaneously. Zhuiming immediately fell silent, listening carefully.

“To set up this small trap, two key points were needed: first, being very familiar with the personnel of the Huo residence; second, having someone coordinate throughout the process.” Su Zhen’s eyes sparkled as she smiled: “Originally Lian Yu didn’t know our situation here, but I went over and told him, so he knew – that’s the principle.”

“I still don’t understand…”

Zhuiming had just opened his mouth when Wuqing casually pressed his acupoint.

This made even Wuyan smile along with everyone else.

Little Zhou raised her eyebrows: “Saying it like this, I think I’m beginning to understand. You mean someone was secretly orchestrating things.”

Wuyan: “But Aunt Liang genuinely treated me well. She couldn’t possibly… Also, even if Lian Yue was familiar with the situation, how could she precisely predict what each person would definitely do next and arrange everything accordingly?”

Su Zhen shook her head: “Wuyan, you’re intelligent, but you’re too honest. Lian Yue didn’t predict – she orchestrated. The one secretly ‘orchestrating’ wasn’t Aunt Liang, but Uncle Liang.”

Everyone’s faces showed unmistakable shock.

Su Zhen continued: “Princess Imperial definitely wanted to deal with you, but this idea came to her on the spur of the moment. Come, let’s first return to the scene of you dining in the hall. Uncle Liang and Aunt Liang were also in the hall then, weren’t they?”

Wuyan: “That’s right.”

Su Zhen: “You said Lian Yue was observing you carefully then. That is to say, our Princess Imperial knew at that time that you ate little.”

Wuyan nodded quickly, but Tieshou was confused and repeatedly asked: “But even so, how did Lian Yue know Aunt Liang would definitely go over?”

“Tieshou, listen and you’ll understand. Lian Yue was very familiar with Huo Chang’an’s schedule. She knew that after a brief rest following the noon meal, he would definitely go practice martial arts, giving her enough time to arrange everything afterward. How did she arrange it? She first roughly calculated the timing for each step. Then the first people she needed to find were Pingping and Zhu Xin. Zhu Xin isn’t bad, but Lian Yue understands management – convincing this girl she lived with day and night wasn’t difficult. Pingping goes without saying. This was the first step. Second step, she found Uncle Liang. Aunt Liang favored Wuyan, but her husband was quite the opposite. Lian Yue only needed to instruct Uncle Liang to do two things. First, return to his room and find Aunt Liang, pretending to casually mention the dining scene to Aunt Liang, mentioning how Wuyan was finally getting her comeuppance and could barely swallow her food. Aunt Liang might have noticed Wuyan eating little, or might not have, but with her husband’s ‘casual’ mention, she became concerned, going to Wuyan’s place to console her and bring food. Uncle Liang personally watched Aunt Liang leave, then immediately went to find Huo Chang’an, reporting some matters he absolutely needed to return to his room to handle – such as residence salary expenses requiring his approval. Huo Chang’an returned, only to discover Lian Yue, who should have been resting in the room, was gone. Lian Yue very likely left a letter telling him she was leaving because of your situation.”

Su Zhen paused here before continuing: “Regardless, with Lian Yue being pregnant, he feared something might happen to her and definitely pursued her. After they met, Lian Yue used words to provoke him, so Huo Chang’an decided to find you.”

“Aunt Liang going to find you and instructing the maids to bring food, Uncle Liang finding an excuse to have Huo Chang’an return in time to discover Lian Yue’s departure – these two points were the most uncertain factors in the whole affair, but they could be accomplished. Lian Yue made them happen. As for Huo Chang’an going to find you, this was predictable. Lian Yue must have already discovered some of Huo Chang’an’s… thoughts.”

“Meanwhile, after Aunt Liang entered your room, the two had already followed Lian Yue’s instructions to monitor your movements at the courtyard entrance. They didn’t need to eavesdrop – they just needed to see the maids leave, then immediately departed to ambush on the path from the courtyard to the kitchen. When the maids passed by, they began discussing your plan to harm Lian Yue. Those were your maids – naturally they would return to report to you. Anyone hearing such fabricated rumors would be angry and suspicious, wanting to investigate. Even if you didn’t go, Aunt Liang would worry and definitely advise you to go see what was happening. So you went out.”

“I once asked you about the Huo residence layout. You said the west wing was adjacent to the back courtyard. When you went out was exactly when Huo Chang’an arrived at the west wing. Seeing your suspicious behavior, their quiet following was natural.”

“There’s no need to elaborate on what happened next. Uncle Liang repeatedly emphasized whether Lian Yue could predict what everyone would do, emphasizing timing discrepancies. Actually, with someone cooperating, both people’s hearts and timing can be controlled.”

Su Zhen stopped abruptly here.

The carriage fell into complete silence. No one spoke. After a long while, Zhuiming, whose acupoint Wuqing had released, finally jumped up and cursed: “How can this woman be so vicious?”

As soon as he finished speaking, everyone glared at him fiercely. At this moment, no one wanted to say more, afraid of stirring up Wuyan’s pain.

Wuyan had been looking down, but seeing the momentary silence, she looked up and smiled. Su Zhen knew she was suffering inside, but there were things she had to mention. She whispered in her ear: “Should I tell Huo Chang’an about this? I know you no longer want to get entangled between him and Lian Yue, but he should know the truth.”

Wuyan shook her head: “The truth – it’s enough that I know. After painful reflection, it’s not about right and wrong, but about what he thinks. If he loved me more than Lian Yue, regardless of who was right or wrong, he would have protected me. But he obviously loves Lian Yue more than me. If I told him, he would feel guilty, but guilt ultimately isn’t love. What use would I have for this guilt? Let him and Lian Yue be well together. For the child’s sake, it can also repay the debt owed for my mother’s situation.”

Su Zhen couldn’t help but nod. In her place, she could never be as magnanimous as Wuyan. Didn’t Wuyan love Huo Chang’an? In her view, Wuyan loved Huo Chang’an more than herself.

Someone sighed quietly – it was Little Zhou. The several men each looked elsewhere, each silent.

At this time, the carriage also reached the entrance to the Imperial Mausoleum.

What met their eyes was a very grand archway, with hundreds of imperial guards stationed in front. Looking inside, there were several tall, magnificent temple halls – these were where the memorial tablets were placed.

The underground tombs of emperors and empresses throughout the dynasties were built behind these temple halls.

Su Zhen jumped down from the carriage and saw various carriages scattered like stars outside the archway, some luxurious, some simple. Originally, even for common people, opening coffins to examine corpses was highly disrespectful, let alone for the emperor’s birth mother? When Lian Yu proposed reopening this case in court that day, the court was shocked. Old ministers submitted memorials like a tide, strongly arguing against it. Finally, it was Lian Yu who overcame all opposition to make this happen. If Su Zhen had petitioned, she would have been drowned in the officials’ spit long ago.

Since opening the coffin was already inevitable, the Ministry of Rites naturally didn’t dare be negligent and petitioned for grand sacrifices to heaven and earth. Therefore, today Lian Yu would lead all officials in worship. Now all officials had arrived and alighted from their carriages to walk to the entrance of the underground tomb to await the emperor.

Following Lian Yu’s instructions, Ming Yanchu was waiting in front of the imperial guards. Seeing her, he smiled: “Judicial Commissioner Li, this slave greets you. Where is the young lady?”

“Here,” Su Zhen smiled back at him, helping Wuyan down from the carriage. Wuyan stayed with Ming Yanchu to wait for Lian Yu, while Su Zhen went inside first – otherwise, having a consort together with ministers would be improper.

Su Zhen entered and saw that nearly all officials had arrived. She quickly stood in her proper position and once again became the center of attention.

Because everyone knew she was handling this case, the officials’ expressions were very subtle – some gloating, some worried for her. Of course, the latter were very few.

Li Zhaoting glanced at her. Quan Feitong, however, was habitually presumptuous, walking from the front row to stand before her, saying flatly: “How should I put it – your courage really isn’t ordinary. You dare take on imperial family cases.”

Su Zhen: “When the ruler commands, a subject cannot but comply.”

“I’m waiting to see how you die. Of course, if you beg me, I might consider helping you.” Quan Feitong’s gaze grew slightly darker. For some reason, his tone didn’t seem like joking but was cold as he dropped these words and walked back.