“Gu, you go too far!” Lian Xin shouted and rushed toward her.

Xuanwu almost immediately stepped forward, shielding Lian and Gu, blocking Lian Xin to one side. Qinglong and others flashed forward to an even more forward position, while Wuqing and his group also moved up to meet them. This wasn’t the first time these two groups had clashed—sometimes enemies, sometimes allies. They had fought during the Mochou case years ago. Four against four, Zhuiming said coldly: “Since we can’t stand each other, might as well fight again.”

Little Zhou happened to face off against Baihu. Baihu’s eyes flickered, her brow furrowing: “You want to fight me?”

Little Zhou said: “I don’t fight women. Zhuiming, you take her. I’ll fight Ming Yanchu.”

Zhuiming was stunned. Ming Yanchu said: “This servant isn’t skilled in martial arts.”

Little Zhou replied: “I don’t care.”

Qinglong gritted his teeth: “What are you all doing? Can’t you speak properly?”

Just as everyone was about to start fighting, Lian Yu suddenly stepped forward and released the acupoints of Suzhen, who had been standing rigidly to the side: “The farce ends here. Take them away.”

As Suzhen’s mute and other acupoints were successively released, that numb feeling still remained. For a moment she didn’t know whether to laugh or be angry—both seemed ridiculous. She didn’t look at him, only addressing Wuqing and Little Zhou: “I understand your intentions. If you truly consider me a friend, stand down.”

Hearing this, their faces showed slight hesitation, but neither moved immediately, especially Wuqing, who rarely lost his rationality like this. Suzhen seldom truly became angry, but now her expression finally changed.

“If you are still advisors and guards of my office, then I command you as the Metropolitan Judicial Commissioner to stand down!”

Zhuiming and Tieshou were startled and first retreated behind her. Wuqing and Little Zhou looked at each other and finally slowly backed down.

“At the same time, please accept Shuangcheng’s case in your capacity as Judicial Commissioner.” From the ground, Shuangcheng spoke slowly again. “You and I do have personal grievances, but Gu Xiluo has always respected you as an outstanding woman. I hope you’ll overlook past conflicts and seek justice for my sister.”

Her gaze was penetrating. Kneeling before her emotional enemy for a case, the Court of Judicial Review members were both shocked and angry, yet couldn’t find any reason for Suzhen not to take this case. Even the usually arrogant Lian Xin remained silent, watching Suzhen with some nervousness.

If she accepted, she’d be handling an enemy’s request—how could she swallow such humiliation?

But if she didn’t accept, wouldn’t she be looked down upon by A’luo and everyone on Lian Yu’s side?

If she accepted, could she definitely find the real culprit? This was a years-old unsolved case. Everyone back then thought Gu Xiluo had died, and Lian Yu must have had people investigate. As the Son of Heaven, would investigators dare not give their all? If one court official couldn’t solve it, wouldn’t there be a second? Yet despite all this, there were still no results. Time was always a case’s greatest enemy. Now that years had passed, like with Consort Yu’s case, very little evidence remained—perhaps none at all. This was more difficult than the heir case, corrupt official case, land seizure case, fake medicine case, or forced marriage case. The chances of solving it were perhaps one in ten thousand. Since the case couldn’t be solved back then, it would only be harder now. If she couldn’t solve it, wouldn’t she lose face before Gu Xiluo and damage her reputation of never failing to solve a case in the capital these past two years?

But if she didn’t accept, it would also damage the reputation of the Metropolitan Judicial Commissioner. The three words “Li Huaisu” represented the highest authority of the Great Zhou’s Criminal Justice Department!

Wuqing and the others exchanged glances, all seeing gravity in each other’s eyes. This time, no matter what she chose, it seemed wrong.

Suzhen glanced at Lian Yu. He hadn’t helped Shuangcheng up, only stood closely beside her protectively, a rare worried look in his eyes. But he didn’t speak—he seemed to want to see what she would do.

“Damn it!” Suzhen cursed inwardly, but with little hesitation, she stepped forward, stopped several paces from the two, and replied: “Miss Gu, I’m afraid Li Huaisu cannot handle this case.”

At these words, not only did Shuangcheng’s expression change slightly, but even the Court of Judicial Review members and Xuanwu were greatly surprised.

In fact, almost everyone at the grave site had expected Suzhen to take the case.

Shuangcheng smiled mockingly and raised her chin: “I thought you were different from other women, but it seems I misjudged you. Are you refusing because the plaintiff is me, or because you lack confidence in solving this old case and fear damaging Director Li’s reputation?”

Suzhen smiled: “It really is because of you.”

“You and I have conflicts. I cannot be certain whether I could handle this case impartially, or whether bad emotions might affect the case’s progress during investigation. So I cannot take this case. Perhaps in the future, Great Zhou law could establish relevant statutes that officials connected to case parties cannot supervise such cases to avoid compromising fairness.”

Shuangcheng said: “Good, very good.”

She looked pleadingly at Lian Yu. Suzhen decided to gamble and spoke first: “Of course, if Your Majesty orders this humble minister to definitely supervise this case, I can only comply.”

Lian Yu smiled slightly.

“Indeed very good, Li Huaisu. Your courage is truly considerable—you dare throw your hot potato to me?”

Suzhen said nothing. Lian Yu was no longer her Lian Yu. Lian Yu was extremely protective of his own people. She was nervous now too, holding her breath and waiting for an answer.

Lian Yu didn’t address her but looked toward Shuangcheng.

“A’luo,” he pointed toward the tomb ahead, “Shuangcheng was your sister and thus my sister-in-law. I was so grateful that it was Shuangcheng who died and not you. What you owe Shuangcheng, I also owe her. But having Li Huaisu handle this case is indeed inappropriate. For the sake of fairness, I will have the Ministry of Justice reopen the files and pursue the real culprit to clear Shuangcheng’s name. How about that?”

Though he asked “how about that,” his tone was a definitive statement.

Shuangcheng’s feelings were complex. Today Lian Yu had come looking for her, and though she couldn’t yet determine his true intentions, she had already won one round. Moreover, she still had…

She paused briefly before finally nodding: “Then A’luo thanks Your Majesty on behalf of my sister.”

Suzhen breathed a sigh of relief. Though Lian Yu was protective, he had still let her off. If Lian Yu had insisted she handle it, refusing would be a capital crime. She glanced around and saw that in the distance outside the civilian houses, onlookers were everywhere. But with Lian Yu present, how could there not be soldiers? A barrier of over a hundred soldiers kept them at bay. She understood that this place was both where A’luo and Lian Yu had arranged to elope and where they used to come out of the palace to play. Back then, in his grief, Lian Yu had built a tomb here with the intention of commemoration. But this place was near large residential areas, and a solitary tomb rising abruptly couldn’t help but arouse people’s curiosity. To prevent the grave from being disturbed or damaged, Lian Yu must have stationed soldiers to guard it.

This man was reserved by nature. When he came to pay respects in the past, he came and went quietly. The nearby residents didn’t even know who had built this mysterious burial ground or who was buried there. Today with visitors arriving, how could they not be curious?

No matter how strong she was, facing these common people who had once witnessed their love, she couldn’t stay any longer. She should leave too.

“Little Lian Xin,” she walked to Lian Xin’s side and whispered in her ear, “Though today you let your brother and Gu Xiluo see me make a fool of myself…”

Lian Xin bit her lip with a bitter expression, looking quite wronged.

She heard her continue: “But I’m still truly grateful. Even though I know you helped me for Wuqing’s sake. Wuqing and Little Zhou are good together—of course, they haven’t married yet, so you’re certainly free to like Wuqing. But I hope you’ll think carefully about how to protect yourself. I don’t want to see you suffer in the future.”

“Also, don’t interfere in my affairs because of Wuqing anymore. That will distance you from your mother and brother. Even if you can’t love the house and its crow, our relationship won’t change.”

“You saw through me. I know that not only do I not like you for Wuqing’s sake, but you actually don’t like me either. This is all I can do.” Lian Xin smiled self-mockingly. She glanced at Wuqing and suddenly asked.

Wuqing glanced back coolly, his meaning unclear.

Suzhen said quietly: “Which royal family member is completely simple? I indeed didn’t like you before, but you’re not the Eldest Princess—you just lived in the palace too long. Think about that greedy but loyal brothel madam Wu Niang, the medicine shop owner who sold fake drugs but deeply loved his wife. Nothing in this world exists in isolation—if there’s day, there’s night; if there’s evil, there’s good. It depends which side is larger. Think more about the people you saw among the common folk, think about those poor people in Minzhou prison. My Court of Judicial Review always welcomes you as a guest. But now you can’t visit as often anymore.”

Lian Xin asked gravely: “Since you know I’m not entirely sincere, why still tell me these things?”

“I always hope you’ll be well, my little princess.” Suzhen affectionately stroked her hair.

She said no more and, following proper etiquette, bid farewell to Lian Yu and Shuangcheng: “Your Majesty, Miss Gu, this humble minister takes her leave.”

Shuangcheng clenched her fists without relaxing, but politely nodded: “Farewell.”

She secretly glanced at Lian Yu. He said nothing, his gaze only falling on Lian Xin without looking at Suzhen. She heard Baihu quietly say to Qinglong: “What do you think Li Huaisu was saying to the Princess? I feel like the Princess has changed somehow.”

“You mean she’s favoring Director Li?”

“No… it’s not entirely that.”

“Li Huaisu,” seeing the Court of Judicial Review members departing in defeat, Lian Xin called out loudly: “I’ve remembered what you said.”

Suzhen’s smile didn’t last long. The scene of Lian and Gu standing together, the words on the tombstone—everything swirled in her mind. The tombstone read: “Tomb of Beloved Wife Gu Xiluo,” signed with a single character “Yu.” The style was actually quite simple.

“Li Huaisu, you performed well just now, but I’m somewhat disappointed. I thought you’d take that case.”

Little Zhou’s half-smile interrupted her thoughts.

Suzhen said: “I’m just an ordinary person.”

“I hope you can continue like this. Even if one day all of us aren’t by your side anymore, you’ll still have this kind of composure.”

Zhuiming put his hands behind his head as a pillow and disagreed: “Little Zhou, your words sound really ominous. We’re not the emperor with countless beauties—why would we leave Huaisu?”

Wuqing said: “Little Zhou’s words aren’t entirely unreasonable. Who in this world can accompany anyone forever?”

Suzhen’s heart grew cold. She couldn’t think of what could separate these people from her, but her brother Leng Xue, whom she had been certain would stay with her forever, had already abandoned her. What else in this world couldn’t change?

She didn’t respond. Deep in her heart, an indescribable feeling had been steaming through her organs since earlier, making her extremely uneasy. She didn’t know if it was influenced by Little Zhou’s gloomy words or caused by today’s unexpected events.

“I always feel this isn’t over yet.” Little Zhou suddenly said again.

Everyone was startled. The usually quiet Tieshou also slowly spoke: “I have the same feeling. Did any of you notice that Gu Shuangcheng’s tomb seemed to be watching us?”

At the grave site, Lian Xin waited quietly to the side, unusually subdued.

“Let’s go back. This place is a mystery to the common people. I don’t want to cause too much commotion.” Lian Yu said to Shuangcheng.

Shuangcheng shook her head and pointed to the bundle beside Meier: “Lian Yu, let me address you so boldly one last time.”

She smiled somewhat desolately: “I’m very happy that you not only guessed I was here but came to find me. That you came means I have no regrets, but I cannot return with you anymore.”

“Earlier you declined Shuangcheng’s case for her sake, making me understand even more clearly whom you love more in your heart. With both of us in the palace, it would only make things difficult for you. If I leave, everything will be different. Live well with her.”

“A’luo,” Lian Yu watched her and asked quietly, “Do you think I came looking for you just to bring you back?”

“I came to tell you that I have completely separated from her. Half of my reason for leaving the palace today was for this matter. She will not enter the palace, nor will she be made a consort. From now on, she and I are only… ruler and minister!”

Xuanwu and the others were shocked. Shuangcheng was completely frozen: “What did you say… what did you say…”

“Just what it sounds like.” Lian Yu pointed to the tombstone again: “You are my wife, Lian Yu. I will never violate the promise I made to you years ago.”

At this moment, dark clouds pressed down and wind stirred roughly—signs of approaching heavy rain. His gaze was steady, his tone firm as rock, carrying the authority of weapons—this was an emperor’s promise.

Shuangcheng’s mind went blank as she threw herself into his arms with a soft cry.

He closed his arms and held her tightly too.

“A’luo, in the ten years from when I became Crown Prince to ascending the throne, I’ve tried to care for the people and actively reform political problems. Great Zhou is now increasingly strong and prosperous, but I’ve also killed many people because I must maintain central authority—I have things I want to protect. Shuangcheng’s case absolutely cannot be given to Li Huaisu to investigate. If this case was truly Mother’s doing back then, I will definitely show favoritism. I could never execute Mother, and she already harbors suspicion toward Li Huaisu for being a traitor’s descendant. This would make her even less likely to spare her.”

The low voice falling on her ear made Shuangcheng tremble all over as she suddenly pushed him away.

“I guessed what you’re thinking. I cannot let you stray further from the original Gu Xiluo, and I already owe her—I cannot push her into mortal danger.”

Lian Yu stared at her, speaking word by word without evasion.

Shuangcheng’s heart was flooded with mixed emotions as she suddenly laughed aloud, though tears welled in her eyes.

“I’ve become a bad person. Do you still want me?”

“Yes, but I want you to become the original A’luo again—without so much scheming, living happily by my side for the rest of my life.” He looked at her deeply, gripping her shoulders tightly.

“Lian Yu, do you know how much I originally hated you? But now I don’t resent you anymore. Don’t worry—I won’t try to harm her again.”

Shuangcheng cried and laughed, raising her right hand: “I swear by my mother’s name.”

“You know what I’ve done for my mother—I could endure humiliation for her safety, not revealing my identity to you all these years. Trust me.”

“Good.” Lian Yu nodded, his slender fingers wiping away her tears. “Let me tell you good news. Before leaving the palace this morning, I visited Mother’s palace to pay respects and asked her to return your mother. When we return to the palace, you can see her.”

“You… you spoke up for me?”

“Yes. Since I spoke up, you needn’t be troubled.”

“Lian Yu!” Shuangcheng burst into tears again, throwing herself back into his arms.

Several yards away, the attendants who had given their master space fell into suffocating silence. After a long while, Xuanwu finally spoke: “Director Ming, you’re feeling uneasy about what you said before, aren’t you?”

Lian Xin had been silent, but hearing this, she looked puzzled: “What does that mean?”

Ming Yanchu’s face paled slightly as he smiled bitterly: “How do you know when you weren’t there?”

Xuanwu replied: “When she went in to see the master, her expression was terrible. If you hadn’t said other things, she wouldn’t have reacted that way. Even if some of it was true, there are still things that shouldn’t be said. She’s actually quite pitiful—her parents, older brother…”

With Lian Xin present, he wisely fell silent. Lian Xin’s attention was still on Ming Yanchu, not having noticed. She pressed urgently: “What exactly did you tell Li Huaisu?”

Ming Yanchu said: “I told her His Majesty missed her but also deeply loved Miss A’luo, that His Majesty had been too tormented these days. If she truly loved him, she would understand the hint and perhaps would…”

Qinglong said: “Now she needn’t voluntarily withdraw. But given her stubborn nature, she wouldn’t have withdrawn anyway. We truly wronged her. That day, she wanted to be alone with the master. I saw she wanted to ask us, but quickly realized we would definitely be wary of her as a remnant of the Feng family and wouldn’t let her be alone with the unconscious master. In the end, she asked and said nothing.”

Everyone had spoken except Baihu, who kept her head down without making a sound. Lian Xin said coldly: “Xuanwu, have those soldiers escort me back to the palace. I don’t want to stay here. Your words make me sick.”

“Yes, this subordinate will arrange it. Princess, please wait…” Xuanwu was answering when he suddenly shouted: “Who’s there?”

Discovered, Suzhen ran quickly but soon stopped. With Xuanwu and the others’ martial arts skills, if they wanted to pursue, they certainly could catch up. Since they hadn’t come over, they must have recognized it was her. Better to pretend ignorance to avoid embarrassment.

She lowered her head and took out the jade stone from her neck.

She had only returned to give it back, fearing that bringing Wuqing and the others might cause more trouble, so she had come alone.

Unexpectedly, she witnessed that scene at the tomb—seeing him talk with his wife. Afterward, what did Xuanwu and the others’ words matter to her? They needn’t avoid her like a ghost.

She had intended to emerge openly, but if she did, what would others think? It would make her seem like she was stalking him obsessively.

Why should she ruin his happiness?

Just this stone—she took a light breath, her heart and lungs aching… She wanted to throw it away, but given how seriously Lian Jie and the others at the inn had treated it that day, it seemed to be an ancestral item. Never mind—she’d have Little Zhou or Zhuiming deliver it to the imperial city another day.

Of course, for her, she couldn’t wear it for another moment!

She pulled hard, and the red cord around her neck snapped. The stone fell into her palm. She threw away the red cord and put the jade stone in her waist pouch.

“Miss, who are you people?”

“Who is the person you’re paying respects to? I heard the one in the tomb is a girl, a beautiful official’s daughter, right? Her father must be a high official.”

Suddenly, several excited voices came. Suzhen was slightly startled and looked up, only then realizing she had wandered to the civilian houses without paying attention. Before her was a long barrier keeping people temporarily separated, with soldiers blocking them with drawn swords. But someone with sharp eyes had spotted her coming from that direction, and several bold young men, unable to contain their curiosity, kept questioning her.

The lead soldier’s expression darkened: “How dare you interfere with official business!”

He was uncertain of Suzhen’s identity. Seeing her come from the tomb area, he politely lowered his voice: “May I ask, miss, you are…”

Suzhen didn’t want trouble: “I’m just a minor accompanying figure for the memorial service.”

“The tomb holds a girl deeply loved by a noble gentleman—his wife. The gentleman cherished his wife deeply. Though other girls later fell for him, none could compare to his first wife. Later, heaven took pity—the gentleman discovered the tomb was empty and his wife actually hadn’t died. The gentleman sent away the girl who loved him and never again separated from his wife. You needn’t be curious—it’s just like that.” After thinking, she replied to those curious people.

As she turned to leave, she heard many girls behind her discussing enviously while young men teased.

Deep love stories always move many people. She smiled and, fearing Wuqing and the others would worry, didn’t linger outside and quickly returned to her residence.

After greeting everyone, she shut herself in her study, taking out a stack of case files to review. Little Zhou and the others didn’t dare disturb her.

Soon, Steward Fu came in saying that Minister Quan had come again today, insisting she visit his residence upon her return—he had urgent business requiring her help. He assured her it wasn’t anything illegal.

She felt too weak to get up, but Quan Feitong rarely needed her help. She forced herself up, changed back to men’s clothing, and went out.

The Quan residence gatekeepers, seeing her, didn’t dare delay and quickly went inside to report.

Soon someone came out quickly. Seeing her, he smiled: “What, finally thinking of this minister?”

“What do you need me for?” she asked weakly.

“First, this minister received news from palace spies that His Majesty spent another night at Gu Shuangcheng’s place last night. Naturally I had to inform you. Second is the favor I need—this minister wants to go drinking with you. That’s not illegal, is it? Consider it repayment for when I helped you last time. Zhaoting will come shortly. This minister needs to discuss some matters with him. Be good and go get a table at the wine shop ahead to wait for me.”

On any other day, Suzhen would have been furious and spat in his face. But now, her whole body cold and weak from yesterday’s rain and today’s upheavals, she smiled: “Your Excellency has devoted yourself to the cause of rebellion for a hundred years—don’t bother with such nonsense. Since there’s nothing important, I’ll go back first.”

She turned to leave, but just then saw a sedan chair stop. A person stepped out, and when their eyes met, he seemed slightly stunned before turning away his gaze. His features were extremely elegant, but his eyes were also extremely indifferent.

She knew that in this person’s heart now, they couldn’t even be considered friends anymore. She had thought to greet him, then reconsidered—why invite such awkwardness? So she said nothing, lowering her head to walk past. But her body went weak, and as they brushed past each other, she actually fell against him.

The other party didn’t even look, much less help. Suzhen tried to steady herself using his arm but couldn’t find strength and fell heavily to the ground.

“Li Huaisu, can’t you even walk?” Behind her, Quan Feitong had been somewhat displeased and scolded, then his voice changed: “Li Huaisu!”

Updates for the 13th and 14th.