Imperial Study.

At this time, many people had also gathered here.

Lian Qin, Yan Da, Marquis Murong Jing, Si Lanfeng, and Gao Chaoyi were all present, discussing the assassins’ origins, but momentarily had no leads.

Lian Jie hadn’t come.

Since the assassins claimed to be preventing the Court of Judicial Review from handling the case, it was very likely they were the murderer from Noble Consort Yu’s case years ago. Though Si Lanfeng served under Lian Jie, he had sworn loyalty to Lian Yu, so he appeared somewhat uneasy as he suggested the possibility of Noble Consort Ai. Lian Yu neither confirmed nor denied this, while Lian Qin flatly rejected it, saying that Minister Feng was the greater suspect back then.

However, when Minister Feng was mentioned, the room quickly fell silent.

Minister Feng was already dead—how could he send assassins, and even if he wanted to kill, he wouldn’t kill his own daughter.

Were these assassins truly here to kill or did they have other purposes? As everyone pondered this, Yan Da raised this point. Marquis Murong Jing’s expression was somewhat grave, seeming about to say something, when Ming Yanchu hurried in to report that the Empress Dowager had sent someone requesting the Emperor’s presence.

After the Wu Yan incident, Lian Yu hadn’t visited Xiao’an Palace to pay respects for several days. Naturally, Xiao’an couldn’t lower herself to seek out the Emperor, so the palace staff were all speculating about their relationship suddenly freezing over.

“Your Majesty, please go see the Empress Dowager. Chang’an’s matter—she did go too far, but she remains your mother and Chang’an’s aunt.” Marquis Murong Jing sighed and stepped forward.

“Uncle speaks truly. As a son, this is my duty.” Lian Yu spoke once, then left with Ming Yanchu.

Arriving at Xiao’an’s bedchamber, he saw Xiao’an’s face showing fatigue, her temples slightly white, looking haggard. Seeing him, Xiao’an smiled self-mockingly but didn’t speak. Lian Yu saw Hong Gu entering with soup from the doorway. Without a word, he personally took it and handed it to Xiao’an: “Mother, take care of your health.”

That gentle phrase, along with the sincere emotion in the young man’s eyes, made Xiao’an’s hands tremble slightly as she pulled Lian Yu to sit beside her on the bed.

After a long while, she spoke as if enlightened: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager knows why you haven’t come. You still blame the Empress Dowager in your heart and are making plans for Li Huaisu. You’re giving the Empress Dowager another reminder and warning—if the Empress Dowager dares to harm your Li Huaisu like she did Wei Wu Yan, you would sever mother-son relations with the Empress Dowager.”

Lian Yu replied: “Mother speaks too seriously. Your son wouldn’t dare. Of course, harboring the hope that Mother will show mercy to Li Huaisu is indeed true. These past days I haven’t come not because I haven’t gotten over Marquis Huo’s matter and didn’t want to disturb Mother’s quiet contemplation, hoping Mother could rest well for a few days.”

“Your Majesty,” Xiao’an smiled bitterly, “Regarding Chang’an’s matter, the Empress Dowager is tired. The Empress Dowager absolutely doesn’t want you to take that Feng family’s wicked daughter as consort, but won’t obstruct you either. I only hope you’ll prioritize state affairs and think thrice clearly. You have many consorts in your harem, but you rarely visit them. The Empress Dowager called you here to say that though I deeply despised A Luo’s past instigation for you to abandon imperial duties, having experienced various things, the Empress Dowager has seen through it all. Setting aside that matter, she was truly devoted to you. This Shuangcheng is A Luo’s sister. She comes to pay respects daily, and from her words, one can see her heart is toward you. Shuangcheng—if you like her, take her. Since you already spoke of it that day and placed her in this harem, why not grant her a consort position early, give her status, consummate the relationship, and let her serve you.”

“Where do Mother’s words come from? Since Mother doesn’t like Shuangcheng, your son naturally won’t truly take her as consort. That day was only considering her sister’s sake, not wanting her to marry Quan Feitong against her will—it was a desperate measure.” Lian Yu replied flatly, not mentioning Su Zhen at all, and smoothly deflected the topic about Shuangcheng following Xiao’an’s words.

“Very well,” Xiao’an didn’t change color or argue, only adding: “The Empress Dowager sees she’s been coughing, and her complexion isn’t good. I heard she caught a cold. Whether you take her as consort or not, follow your own preference, but considering her sister’s sake, still visit her occasionally.”

Lian Yu understood Xiao’an’s intention. She didn’t like Shuangcheng but couldn’t possibly accept the dangerous Feng Su Zhen. Weighing the two, she preferred him to be close to Shuangcheng. This illness of Shuangcheng’s might not be real, but considering A Luo’s sake, no matter how hard his heart was, it inevitably softened a bit. Being straightforward by nature, he quickly said: “After accompanying Mother to finish this bowl of soup, I’ll go see her. Shuangcheng is fortunate to receive Mother’s loving care. I also thank you on A Luo’s behalf.”

“Mm.” Xiao’an nodded and finally smiled slightly.

Court of Judicial Review. Su Zhen returned to her room, preparing to change into court dress to enter the palace and petition the Emperor to continue hearing Noble Consort Yu’s case. Previously, the assassin incident made Lian Yu worry about her safety and sternly suspended this matter.

She faced away from the door, having just changed clothes, when she suddenly felt the atmosphere behind her was strange. Though there were no footsteps, there seemed to be an additional breathing presence! She thought it was Xiao Zhou and others being playful, but reconsidering, she quietly grabbed something from the pile of clothes on the bed and put it in her sleeve before suddenly turning around, half-jokingly calling out in a low voice: “Who’s there?”

Lian Yu left Xiao’an’s bedchamber and went directly with Ming Yanchu’s group to Shuangcheng’s quarters.

Outside the bedchamber, two palace maids saw the Emperor arriving and were both surprised and delighted. One was about to enter to notify Shuangcheng to come greet him.

But Lian Yu said: “Skip such formalities. I’ll go in to see your mistress.”

“Yes, Your Majesty, please enter.” The palace maids were even more delighted and hurried to escort the Emperor inside.

Shuangcheng wasn’t in the outer room. Lian Yu frowned slightly. At this moment, a palace maid hurried out from the inner chamber, scolding in a low voice: “Mistress just fell asleep. How can you be so noisy and wake her up?”

This speaker was Shuangcheng’s personal maid, Mei’er.

Meeting Lian Yu face to face, she was immediately startled and fell to the ground with a thud: “Your Majesty, forgive me…”

Lian Yu didn’t make things difficult for her, only striding quickly inside.

“Mei’er, what’s happening outside?”

On the bed in the room, Shuangcheng struggled to sit up while holding her blanket, asking softly. Seeing the group of people, she paused, rubbed her eyes, and hurriedly threw off her blanket to get out of bed.

Lian Yu strode to her side, raising a hand to stop her: “Lie back down.”

His words carried undeniable authority.

Ming Yanchu was clever and had the eunuchs bring a stool. Lian Yu lifted his robes and sat down.

Shuangcheng’s eyes opened gently, and she nodded, saying quietly: “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Lian Yu saw the dark circles under her eyes, her pale lips, and disheveled hair. He turned to ask Mei’er: “When did the young lady fall ill, and has an imperial physician been summoned to examine her?”

Mei’er’s eyes reddened as she said: “The illness began on the seventh day of the seventh month and continues until now. We did request an imperial physician, but though the young lady is a mistress appointed by Your Majesty, Your Majesty… rarely visits. Naturally, the medical officials don’t take it seriously. They casually prescribed some medicine, saying it was a common cold, but how can a cold last this long without recovery…”

Shuangcheng lowered her eyes slightly, and one could see her eyes were also somewhat red. Lian Yu’s brow darkened, and Ming Yanchu understood, quickly stepping forward.

“Convey His Majesty’s order—have the Director come to treat her illness.”

Ming Yanchu was careful and cautiously verified: “Should it be Imperial Physician Feng or… the old Director?”

“Have the old Director personally make the trip.”

“Yes.”

Ming Yanchu acknowledged and immediately instructed a nearby eunuch to handle it.

Lian Yu added: “Tell the Four Bureaus that all food, clothing, and necessities here should be provided according to first-rank female official treatment—no negligence.”

“Your Majesty, rest assured. This servant understands.” Ming Yanchu immediately replied.

Mei’er and several palace maids were overjoyed and knelt to thank him.

Shuangcheng’s eyes dropped even lower. She didn’t seem happy or particularly excited, only saying hoarsely: “Your Majesty is too considerate.”

Seeing this, Mei’er and others grew worried and secretly glanced at Lian Yu.

The Emperor didn’t blame her, only glanced at Shuangcheng indifferently and stood up: “Rest well. If you need anything, send someone to Little Chu—everything will be arranged properly for you. I’ll come see you another day.”

Shuangcheng suddenly raised her head to stare at him intently without speaking. One could see he cared for her like an elder’s care for a junior, but also maintained a distance like an elder.

“Your Majesty.”

Lian Yu had reached the door when Shuangcheng suddenly spoke behind him.

“What is it? Do you need something else?”

Lian Yu turned back. After all, she was A Luo’s sister. Sometimes she looked particularly like A Luo. He couldn’t return her feelings, but hoped to give her the best care.

“Shuangcheng has no virtue or ability—Your Majesty has already given so much. Shuangcheng dares not ask for more. It’s just that in September, some osmanthus flowers have bloomed in the garden. I’ll go pick some—half to put in a vase for you, half to make osmanthus cakes for you. Is that all right?”

Lian Yu was almost immediately shocked, his eyes no longer holding their previous trace of calm. His gaze became dark, then sharp: “Don’t learn from your sister again.”

Everyone was startled by this murderous fury and immediately knelt down. Mei’er was especially shocked looking at her mistress. But Shuangcheng seemed oblivious to the danger, showing no surprise. Her slightly raised chin carried a trace of self-mockery: “Do you think I’m copying A Luo?”

Lian Yu’s eyes darkened further. Carrying his anger, he walked toward her. At this moment, someone rushed in urgently: “Your Majesty, Judge Li is in trouble! She was kidnapped from her residence. The criminals left a letter—if you want Judge Li to live, you must… personally exchange yourself for her.”