During the time Uncle Fu mentioned—after the seventh hour—Suzhen indeed waited for Quan Feitong, who was “strolling past” her residence gate.

“Prime Minister,” she greeted while walking out from inside the gate.

Quan Feitong apparently hadn’t expected her sudden appearance. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes, then his lips curved upward, clearly very pleased.

“Little ghost, so you’ve come out. What happened—did you and Lian Yu have another incident? What were you doing in the palace these days?”

He stepped forward to ruffle her hair, causing the two gatekeepers at the Court of Judicial Review to stare wide-eyed.

“How did you know?” Warmth spread from the top of her head. Suzhen rather enjoyed it while being slightly alarmed.

“Come, let’s walk and talk as we go.”

Quan Feitong smiled. He was always naturally familiar, directly taking her hand.

He walked to Suzhen’s right, holding her right hand. Even so, Suzhen still trembled slightly. Quan Feitong was perceptive and immediately noticed, studying her carefully. “What’s wrong?”

Suzhen’s left hand, hidden in her sleeve, clenched slightly. She glanced toward the gatekeepers to cover her momentary loss of composure. “My reputation will be completely ruined by you sooner or later.”

Quan Feitong released her hand, clicking his tongue. “Your reputation was ruined long ago. Court officials know you’re a woman, but common people don’t. However, they’ve heard rumors of the Emperor’s favoritism toward Judicial Officer Li, so they spread stories that the Son of Heaven not only loves beauties but also has a taste for men. But you’ve handled quite a few cases and have considerable weight in people’s hearts. Gossip aside, they still respect you greatly.”

“There’s another version,” Quan Feitong continued with growing interest, his eyebrows dancing, “saying that this Judicial Officer Li’s relationship with the Son of Heaven is actually hoping to use this connection to plead for the people. This spirit of self-sacrifice—”

“Stop!” Suzhen listened with “tears in her eyes” and angrily interrupted him.

“What, finally laughing? Feeling better?” Quan Feitong indeed stopped, asking lightly.

This man… Suzhen felt somewhat grateful in her heart. She stopped walking and returned to the old topic. “How did you know I was in a bad mood, and how did you know I wasn’t out on a case?”

“The Court of Judicial Review said you were out on a case, and the Ministry of Justice said the same. We people—how could the palace not have a few servants gathering information? Lian Yu treats us the same way. Of course, major matters are hard to discover, but knowing where someone is can still be done. Over ten days ago, my people said you appeared in the palace, then disappeared. You’ve been in the palace all along, right? Logically, Lian Yu is someone who can keep his composure. Since your identity hasn’t been restored, he wouldn’t keep you in the palace and use you as a consort.”

When he said “use you as a consort,” his tone was suggestive, but his eyes showed a trace of light melancholy and displeasure.

Suzhen avoided his gaze.

“What exactly happened to you?”

This emotion quickly passed. He looked at her and stopped walking.

“Yes, something did happen to me. Prime Minister, can you help me?”

Suzhen didn’t beat around the bush.

“Tell me what it is first.” He didn’t immediately agree.

“Lian Yu has forbidden me from entering the palace again. I want to make one trip to the palace.” Suzhen knew that saying this might make him even less likely to agree, but she spoke directly anyway.

Quan Feitong laughed, his long eyebrows extending to his temples, his laughter making his temples slightly bulge.

“This Miss Shuangcheng still has some skills. I heard that recently she’s been spending nights in Lian Yu’s bedchamber. Though I don’t know what interesting things happened between you two, this is good—excellent, in fact.”

Suzhen laughed once.

“You know quite a lot.”

“That I do. Well, back to business—I won’t help you get in. This outcome suits me perfectly. Darling, how could you think I would help you?” He smiled with his eyes slightly curved, like a fox.

Suzhen wasn’t annoyed either. “Do you really like me? You seem so happy to see me in distress.”

“I do like you, but I won’t be like other men who can’t bear to see their beloved woman wronged and suffering. I’m not that kind of person. Without being a bit ruthless, you can’t get what you want.”

“I do like you”… Suzhen hadn’t expected him to be so direct. Though she had no romantic feelings for him, her heart still skipped a beat. After a long moment, she finally spoke: “Prime Minister, I never dared to make demands based on whatever affection you might have for me. I’m asking as a friend. If you have anything you need me for, as long as it doesn’t violate the law, I’ll do everything in my power to help. I’m not just saying this casually—I’ve had this thought since the day you brought me wine and food at the inn.”

Quan Feitong suddenly stopped smiling, and his gaze deepened. “Do you remember the request I made of you last time? If you agree, I’ll take you into the palace.”

Suzhen had been avoiding his direct gaze again, but at these words, she paused.

That time, he said he’d teach her how to overturn the Feng family’s case, but the condition was… spending a night with him?!

“I’ve walked far enough. Tomorrow at the same time, I’ll come walk this way again. Tell me your answer then. I’m leaving now. Oh yes, my little fairy misses you.”

When she looked up to retort, he was already gone.

Suzhen had no intention of agreeing to Quan Feitong, even though she clearly knew that even if she did go, Quan Feitong actually wouldn’t do anything to her. Just as she was in her room pondering how to find another way, something unexpected happened again.

—Xiao’an sent someone to summon her to the palace.

Truly, when one door closes, another opens. This was the first time she hoped so eagerly to see this Empress Dowager.

Even though when Xiao’an summoned her, it was definitely not for anything good.

How much did Xiao’an know about what had happened between her and Lian Yu these days? Why would she summon her at this crucial moment?

At least tomorrow when she saw the Prime Minister again, she could show him up.

Standing at the entrance of the bedchamber waiting to be announced, she felt nervous, thinking of various scenarios—how to divert the female officials’ and palace maids’ attention when leaving the palace, and secretly make her way to Lian Yu’s bedchamber.

“The Empress Dowager requests Judicial Officer Li to enter for an audience.”

Just as she reached the crucial point in her thoughts, Hong Gu emerged.

She secretly studied this female official but couldn’t detect any clues.

Upon entering, she saw that today there were no consorts in the hall, nor were people like Murong Jin present. Only Xiao’an was in the room, along with two palace maids with fans.

Xiao’an looked down at her from her elevated position. Though her eyes held no hostility, that kind of inscrutability—showing neither joy nor anger—still made her wary. The incident with Wuyan was still fresh in memory, and this Empress Dowager’s methods were definitely not to be underestimated.

“Judicial Officer Li won’t drink tea? What, afraid there’s poison in this tea?”

Xiao’an had offered tea, and Suzhen thanked her. She was slowly using the tea lid to skim the tea leaves, waiting for it to cool, when Xiao’an suddenly spoke. Startled, she nearly dropped the tea bowl.

But she quickly steadied herself and smiled: “The Empress Dowager is quite amusing. Not to mention Your Majesty’s kind heart—you wouldn’t arbitrarily execute Huaisu. Even if Your Majesty truly wanted to execute Huaisu, it would certainly be because Huaisu did something wrong. How could I not drink this tea?”

Having said this, she immediately tilted her head back and drank half the cup.

“Clap” “clap”—applause suddenly came from ahead. Suzhen knew Xiao’an was clapping, but for a moment she didn’t dare look at her. Truth be told, as the hot tea hit her stomach, her heart was racing, far from the composure on her face.

She just thought that no matter what, Lian Yu did have feelings for her, so Xiao’an couldn’t possibly not be wary of that. Therefore, she boldly took that drink.

“Judicial Officer Li’s words are so sweet. This dowager enjoys hearing them—no wonder His Majesty is fond of you.”

At this point, Xiao’an spoke.

Suzhen didn’t want to play riddles with her, so she decided to be direct and asked: “I wonder what instructions the Empress Dowager has in summoning this subject to the palace?”

Xiao’an smiled. “Judicial Officer Li is a straightforward person, so this dowager won’t pretend ignorance either. Whether you’re male or female, you and His Majesty both know very well. Since His Majesty is fond of you, your entering the palace is a matter of sooner or later. This dowager summoned you today just to have a heart-to-heart talk with you. This Aluo, after all, was His Majesty’s childhood sweetheart. Back then, His Majesty nearly broke with this dowager because of her. His Majesty’s feelings for her—no one can surpass them. Before she returned, this dowager knew you were the person in His Majesty’s heart. But now… you must be more understanding. This dowager hopes the inner palace will be harmonious. Of course, if Aluo goes too far, you can tell this dowager. Even with His Majesty’s support, this dowager won’t be lenient…”

Suzhen never expected Xiao’an to say such things to her, but there was no doubt that she knew about Aluo’s situation.

But even after leaving, she still hadn’t figured out what exactly she meant.

She also didn’t have time to figure it out. After leaving the bedchamber, led by Hong Gu, she would soon have to leave the palace.

How could she evade the palace’s Imperial Guards and go see Lian Yu? She couldn’t possibly tell Xiao’an—if she let Xiao’an know that Lian Yu had actually forbidden her from entering the palace, those words from earlier probably wouldn’t have been said, and it would be even less possible for her to take her there.

This time, crying, making a scene, and threatening suicide would absolutely not work—it hadn’t worked since Lian Yu learned her identity.

She still had the Feng family case pressing on her. How could she easily seek death?

Just as she was anxious, someone leading a large group of palace maids came toward them, apparently going to see Xiao’an.

Her heart lifted with joy as she greeted this person.

“Lian Xin.”