“My apologies for causing Prime Minister Quan, General Chao, and Minister Li to witness such a spectacle.” Concubine Ai sighed. “Since my daughter cannot fully control Huo Chang’an at present, we shall not involve her in our discussions for now, lest we risk information leaking out.”

The one who had just spoken was indeed Quan Feitong. Upon hearing this, he smiled and said, “Not at all, Your Ladyship. Your esteemed son-in-law, Marquis Xiao Yao, is brave and skilled in battle—a great asset. If the Princess Imperial can win him over, this battle would be half won.”

“Huo Chang’an,” Concubine Dowager Ai pondered, nodding slightly. “However, as Yue’er mentioned, Huo Chang’an and that seductress Xiao’an share a very harmonious relationship. Though he treats Yue’er well, it’s impossible for us to use him—he might even turn his weapons against us.”

“Does Prime Minister Quan have any method to persuade him to surrender?”

“This humble servant currently has no clear plan either, Your Ladyship. Please don’t be anxious. What rightfully belongs to the Seventh Prince and Your Ladyship, this servant will surely retrieve for you both, fulfilling the late Emperor’s dying wish.”

General Chao also said, “If Huo cannot submit to Your Ladyship, this humble Chao Huang will certainly subdue his Murong family’s army and serve Your Ladyship unto death.”

Concubine Dowager Ai’s eyes blazed brightly. She quickly stepped forward, grasping both men’s arms, and said with emotion, “That the late Emperor had such loyal ministers as you is the late Emperor’s fortune, my son’s fortune.”

Quan Feitong glanced at his sworn brother. “Huo Chang’an became famous before you did. You must never underestimate him.”

“Yes.” Though Chao Huang felt somewhat unwilling in his heart upon hearing this, he immediately responded.

Concubine Dowager Ai said, “It’s just unfortunate that Huo Chang’an presents such a thorny problem.”

At this moment, Li Zhaoting spoke softly, “Your Ladyship, Senior Brother, while it’s difficult to make Huo defect, if Huo could simply refrain from assisting Xiao’an, that would already be equivalent to having one less formidable enemy. We need not necessarily demand that he join our side.”

“Take Duke Murong Jing, for instance—though廉颇 may be old but still able to eat, when it comes to martial prowess and endurance, he simply cannot compare to General Chao.”

“Minister Li’s words are quite reasonable.” Concubine Dowager Ai nodded, then heard him continue, “Currently, another factor affecting the entire chess game is Grand Preceptor Wei.”

“That old fox is cunning—no one knows what he’s truly scheming now. Will he ally with one side to defeat the other, or will he sit on the sidelines and reap the benefits? Or perhaps wait until the dust settles before coming out to attach himself to the victor? I’ve sparred with him several times, but he plays the fool and reveals nothing.” Quan Feitong smiled coldly.

“Prime Minister Quan, in your opinion, how should we proceed?” Concubine Dowager Ai asked.

Quan Feitong said warmly, “Your Ladyship, don’t be anxious. We’ll find a way to make Huo Chang’an withdraw from this battle and figure out Wei Chenghui’s intentions. Let’s discuss this at length. Chao Huang, secretly intensify the training of your troops.”

“Additionally, I’ve already contacted several of General Liu’s deputy commanders during my relief mission out of the capital. They’ve begun secretly gathering the soldiers who were previously discharged, establishing camps for training, ready to respond to our call when the time comes.”

Upon hearing this, Concubine Dowager Ai’s eyes lit up. “Prime Minister Quan has already contacted General Liu’s former subordinates?”

“Correct. Lian Yu had previously wanted to win over General Liu to establish his own power base outside the Murong family, but unfortunately, Liu Shouping always supported the benevolent and humble Seventh Prince. Lian Yu naturally couldn’t keep him, so immediately after ascending the throne, he eliminated dissidents and had Liu’s family property confiscated. Most of his deputy commanders were displeased and led small groups of soldiers to resign and return to farming. This time, I used the pretexts of avenging General Liu and supporting the Seventh Prince to gain the response of his deputy commanders. Though this force numbers only over thirty thousand men, their valor should not be underestimated. They represent another hidden strength that can strike unexpectedly when the time comes. This is one of the important matters I came to report to Your Ladyship.”

“Excellent,” Concubine Dowager Ai was also excited, her eyes sparkling brilliantly. “Everything shall be entrusted to Prime Minister Quan and you two gentlemen.”

“It is our duty.” The two men, Chao and Li, quickly bowed their heads in salute.

“Furthermore,” Quan Feitong paused, “there is another matter I wish to inquire about during this visit.”

Concubine Dowager Ai: “Please speak, Prime Minister Quan.”

“The matter of the Emperor’s birth mother’s sudden death years ago—was this Your Ladyship’s doing?” Quan Feitong asked slowly.

Chao and Li both tensed up.

Concubine Dowager Ai’s eyes dimmed slightly, and her lips curved into a slight smile. “Speaking of this matter, I too am quite interested. I hear that this year, a person named Li Huaisu has appeared in the capital and now wishes to retry this case.”

“Jie’er has always been on good terms with Lian Yu, and even I, his mother, cannot dissuade him. When Prime Minister Quan used this matter in the past to persuade and warn him of future great calamity, at that time you and I had not yet met, but when I heard him ask such a question, I told him… yes.”

At the Court of Justice

Su Zhen and Wu Qing were waiting in the main hall, studying various matters for tomorrow’s exhumation. Lian Yu couldn’t bear to see his late mother’s decayed corpse, so he wouldn’t be going tomorrow. Instead, he would send several morticians specially trained to embalm and prepare deceased royalty for burial. Su Zhen would also bring coroners from the Court of Justice.

Su Zhen already possessed some medical knowledge and had always enjoyed reading various books since childhood. Additionally, during these past days, she had studied books, read records left by previous chief investigators, and forced herself to visit the mortuary to consult with coroners, frantically supplementing the knowledge a chief investigator should possess.

She planned to start by examining the corpse, investigating exactly how she had died. According to records, she had died with black blood flowing from her seven orifices, suspected to be poisoning, but the specific poison could not be identified. She hoped to first determine the specific cause of death.

Then she would investigate all people and events on the night of the incident. Given the matter’s importance, one day might not be enough to reach conclusions. Because of the deceased’s special status and fears of damage during transport, the Court of Justice personnel would temporarily relocate tomorrow to stay near the imperial mausoleum.

Though Lian Jie had come along, Wu Yan consistently remained in the hall with everyone else, so he couldn’t say much. He also wasn’t a wastrel son—he had many court affairs to handle. Before leaving, under everyone’s watchful eyes, he suddenly walked up to Wu Yan and said, “I’ll finish handling matters as quickly as possible tonight. You’ll be gone for several days. If I have time tomorrow, I’ll come find you, and we can talk then.”

“Seventh Prince—”

Wu Yan had only started to speak when Lian Jie interrupted her, grasping her hand. “Think it over carefully tonight.”

His white robes fluttering, he turned and left almost as soon as he finished speaking, not giving her a chance to refuse.

Xiao Zhou said enviously, “Your Ladyship, the Seventh Prince is so wonderful. According to Huaisu, he was truly manly today. If you don’t want him, this humble one might just make a move.”

Having grown familiar with them, Wu Yan would also joke around. “Please, be my guest.”

Xiao Zhou’s face lit up with joy. “Really?”

“You dare?” Wu Qing glanced at her coolly.

Xiao Zhou raised an eyebrow. “What’s there not to dare?”

Su Zhen helped Wu Qing by saying, “Xiao Zhou, Lian Xin really likes our Wu Qing terribly. Don’t regret it later!”

Wu Yan listened to Zhui Ming and Tie Shou’s hearty laughter, and amid the hall full of laughter, told Su Zhen she wanted to walk in the courtyard alone, that she didn’t need accompaniment. Su Zhen knew she wanted to think about things by herself and let her go.

Wu Yan walked back to the courtyard where Su Zhen’s bedchamber was located.

She slowly sat down at the stone table, thinking of the tomb chamber scene. She was grateful to Lian Jie, but mostly she thought of Huo Chang’an’s intimacy with Lian Yue.

“Huo Chang’an.” She suddenly said his name softly.

From the opposite eaves came a soft sound. She startled and stood up, looking alertly. “Who’s there?”

However, under the clear sky and bright moon, the eaves were completely empty—where was even half a shadow?

But she knew who it was!

“Lian Jie, I understand your feelings. Don’t come tomorrow—let me think about it.”

Think about how to refuse. But for now, she didn’t make it explicit again. This way, perhaps he would let her have some days alone.

From the opposite eaves came another sudden sound. She frowned and turned her head, seeing tree branches as if swept by fierce wind, slapping against the eaves with rustling sounds.

At the Huo Residence

When Lian Yue returned to the Huo residence, Huo Chang’an was half-reclining on the bed reading, apparently waiting for her.

She smiled slightly and called his name.

“Well, finished tattling to your mother?” Huo Chang’an’s opening words carried a thin, mocking edge of mischief.

Lian Yue was somewhat taken aback and looked at him with mild reproach. “Only you are so clever. Who said I went to tattle?”

“Your brother’s affair—wouldn’t you tell your mother?” Huo Chang’an slightly curved his lips. “Madam, we’ve been husband and wife for quite some time now.”

Lian Yue was actually delighted in her heart, but still pretended displeasure on her face to test him. “Chang’an, you’re jealous of my seventh brother, aren’t you?”

Huo Chang’an made a sound of agreement. Lian Yue suddenly felt as if she’d fallen into an ice cave. She stared at him intently for a while, but seeing his gaze was enchanting and hard to fathom, she gave a cold laugh. She pulled back up the robes she had been about to remove for bathing, which had been lowered to her arms, and turned to leave.

She had only taken a few steps when he strode over and swept her up in his arms.

Lian Yue cried out softly at his sudden action.

“Oh my, stop fooling around. I know you’re joking with me. Be careful of the baby. Everyone will hear.”

She laughed and playfully hit him.

“Let them hear.” Huo Chang’an said arrogantly, even kicking the door open and carrying her outside.

Along the way, when servants and maids saw this, they all smiled and bowed respectfully, then quickly avoided them.

Lian Yue’s heart was sweet as honey. Nestled in his embrace, she looked at his resolute, knife-carved jawline. “Chang’an, I need to visit mother tomorrow again. She wants me to listen to the abbot of Huguo Temple give a sermon, to add some blessings for the child.”

“Your mother is just troublesome! I’ll accompany you.”

“How boring would such a place be? I can go by myself. You can stay home drinking wine and reading books in comfort. I wouldn’t want you to suffer there.” Lian Yue laughed.

Huo Chang’an looked at her deeply, a trace of tenderness seeping from his dark eyes. He carefully set her down, and ignoring the servants’ whispered intimate glances, right there in the spacious courtyard, he lowered his head and kissed her lips.

The Next Day

“Wait.”

The next day, at the entrance to the secluded and gloomy imperial mausoleum shrouded in shadows, the guard soldiers had paid their respects to Su Zhen, and everyone was preparing to head toward the underground palace when an unexpected low voice came from behind.