Having sent people away, Quan Feitong didn’t immediately go out. He sat where Su Zhen had just been sleeping, pondering briefly, then called two guards in and had them deliver a message somewhere. After sitting a while longer, he leisurely walked out, but encountered the steward again on the way, looking somewhat urgent.

“Tonight is truly eventful. Perhaps this Prime Minister should have the old man divine the future. What’s wrong now?” He asked unhurriedly.

The steward’s face showed some concern: “People from the Ministry of Justice are outside requesting audience, saying they saw you and… Magistrate Li on the street today and want to meet with Magistrate Li.”

“They saw us this morning and only come now?” Quan Feitong frowned slightly, then smiled again: “That makes sense. Magistrate Li is now a young woman. They don’t dare openly acknowledge her, fearing people might see and cause her trouble. Coming to seek her under cover of darkness is quite appropriate.”

“What did you tell them earlier?” he asked again.

“This servant received no instructions from you and didn’t dare answer rashly. I only said you had just returned and I hadn’t yet met with you, so wasn’t very clear. I asked them to wait outside briefly while I came in to request instructions.”

“Well said.”

The steward bowed his head: “Should this servant arrange for them to go to Li Zhaoting’s residence, or have them wait in the mansion until the young lady returns…”

“Who said to let them meet!” Quan Feitong interrupted, his lips curving slightly: “Send them away. Tell them they mistook the person.”

“But master, don’t you value the young lady? Why…” the steward was surprised.

“Between a sparrow and an eagle – don’t look at the sparrow’s weakness, its spirit is considerable. Usually it only dislikes the eagle’s ugliness and evil, preferring to befriend two crows. Only when its wings are broken can the eagle properly feed it. If there are others of its kind providing food, would the eagle still matter?” He spoke calmly, then flicked his sleeves and walked away.

The steward listened in bewilderment, wondering who the crows were while hurrying to carry out orders.

Reaching the gate, he replied according to Quan Feitong’s intentions.

Outside the gate were indeed Wuqing and his group. Zhui Ming became very anxious upon hearing this and was about to speak, but Little Zhou stopped him. She said calmly: “We apologize for the disturbance. We’ll return first. Please excuse us.”

The steward also replied calmly without losing composure: “Please.”

Seeing the main gate close again, Zhui Ming grew anxious. Little Zhou glanced at the gatehouse, signaling him to stay quiet. Only after several people turned the corner did she speak: “We’ll go back first and investigate again later. If Quan Feitong won’t allow a meeting, we could talk ourselves hoarse to no avail. What kind of place is the Prime Minister’s residence? Forcing our way in would be suicide.”

Tie Shou and Zhui Ming looked at Wuqing. Wuqing nodded: “Little Zhou is right. We’ll discuss this after returning. That girl on the street today was definitely Huaisu. Since she’s at the Prime Minister’s residence, we’ll make proper plans and take turns watching outside the mansion. She can’t possibly never come out. This way we can find opportunities to meet and see what’s really happened to her.”

It turned out that the Ministry of Justice group had previously followed Su Zhen’s instructions and left the capital for a county town elsewhere. But after two months when Su Zhen still hadn’t joined them, everyone worried something had happened to her and decided to return to the capital.

Since Lian Yu had taken her away, they went to the imperial city to inquire as usual. However, the inner palace’s message was that Su Zhen had already left.

Everyone found this suspicious – had she offended Lian Yu again and been detained? But the imperial city wasn’t somewhere you could just enter. Little Zhou analyzed that since Lian Yu deeply loved Gu Xiluo, he wouldn’t likely detain Su Zhen. Everyone felt increasingly wrong about the situation and found lodgings. Since Wuqing couldn’t abandon his Six Doors duties, several people continued working at Six Doors while searching for her.

However, the capital was enormous. Several people spread out to search the wine shops and teahouses Su Zhen usually frequented, but found no trace.

Later, court announcements came down – palace examination results, parade celebrations, universal rejoicing.

Wuqing suggested using his authority to mobilize constables to mix into the crowds and search, since Su Zhen loved excitement most. If she wasn’t in Lian Yu’s hands, she might very well come out to watch.

Unexpectedly, during the parade, just like Su Zhen’s situation years ago, accidents occurred. But fortunately they finally spotted her, only to discover she’d left with Quan Feitong…

Everyone then decided not to linger, just returning to plan for the long term.

On the other side, when Quan Feitong came out, Ming Yanchu sat formally, the fragrant tea on the table untouched.

“Eunuch Ming, what kind of matter could trouble you, this palace favorite, to make two trips in one day?” Quan Feitong smiled slightly, greeting first.

Ming Yanchu quickly stood upon hearing this: “The Prime Minister flatters me. This servant is insignificant – not worth even the Prime Minister’s finger. Being able to visit the Prime Minister’s residence once is a great fortune.”

After pleasantries, he didn’t waste words, saying directly: “The Prime Minister is a pillar of the court, always relied upon by His Majesty. Today hearing the Prime Minister had thoughts of marriage, but marrying a crude country maid – wouldn’t this be too unfair to the Prime Minister? His Majesty feels the court has only relied on the Prime Minister all these years without ever considering his marriage, feeling very guilty. He wants to invite the Prime Minister to the palace for a proper discussion.”

This was spoken so perfectly that not half a flaw could be found. Quan Feitong couldn’t help making appreciative sounds: “His Majesty shows such concern for this minister. I imagine if I still don’t appear, twelve golden plaques will come. Very well, I’ll accompany Eunuch Ming to the palace immediately.”

Unlike Ming Yanchu, his words carried thorns and sarcasm. Ming Yanchu pretended not to notice, saying calmly: “Please trouble the Prime Minister to bring the young lady as well. His Majesty discussed with this servant about granting her some title, so as not to diminish the Prime Minister’s status.”

“Thank His Majesty for his kindness, but unfortunately it’s inconvenient. My little wife said that with marriage imminent, following the husband after marriage, she’ll ultimately settle in the capital. She wanted to return home to visit her old father. I spent quite some time seeing her off, which delayed things. Otherwise, I would have been in the palace drinking tea and chatting with His Majesty long ago.”

Ming Yanchu was silent for a moment. After quite a while, he said slowly: “I wonder if those seeing her off included General Chao and Minister Li?”

Quan Feitong’s expression changed slightly.

Li Residence.

Su Zhen wasn’t greatly shocked, but her gaze still flickered. After all, she hadn’t expected Qinglong to appear before her, with many guards behind him.

Li Zhaoting frowned, slightly loosening his grip behind her.

Qinglong didn’t remove his gaze from both of them: “This diversion tactic is quite good, but we have people outside General Chao’s residence, at Minister Li’s place, and at many of the Prime Minister’s capable subordinates’ locations too. We learned this from Magistrate Li’s investigative methods. There’s always somewhere we can catch the tiger.”

“Magistrate Li, please. Minister Li, would you also like to come face His Majesty together?”

His tone was unfriendly. Li Zhaoting sneered inwardly but deliberately showed a slight change in expression, bowing his head: “It depends on His Majesty’s will.”

Su Zhen sat down and said only one sentence: “Have you finished talking? If you’re done, take me if you want. If not, I’ll sleep in the carriage while I wait.”

Qinglong was speechless for quite a while.

Imperial City.

Half an hour later, the pitch-black Golden Throne Hall became brightly lit.

But the hall was empty except for three people – Lian Yu and Quan Feitong, who had just been brought in by Ming Yanchu.

Lian Yu also didn’t sit on the golden throne, having tables, chairs, and refreshments prepared in the hall.

“Prime Minister, please.” He sat in an inner chair, pointing to a chair beside it.

Ming Yanchu retreated behind him.

“Thank Your Majesty.” Quan Feitong smiled and sat down. He wasn’t polite – while Lian Yu hadn’t touched his tea, he picked up his cup and drank deeply: “This minister accompanied my little wife in drinking today, and also consumed quite a bit of the rouge and lipstick from her mouth. Your Majesty’s tea comes at just the right time – pre-rain Dragon Well, so tender and fragrant. Now I can finally wash away that wine and cosmetic taste.”

Lian Yu had just picked up his cup but upon hearing this, lowered his gaze slightly and remained silent for quite a while before putting down the tea and saying calmly: “The Prime Minister is in good spirits. But regarding this wife – I hear she’s just a rough servant girl. How can she be worthy of the Prime Minister’s status?”

“No matter,” Quan Feitong curved his lips slightly. “Receiving Your Majesty’s favor, I now rank below one, above ten thousand. Why should I covet some rich family’s daughter? No matter how well-matched, it can’t compare to receiving imperial grace and reaching such power. What I seek is just… mutual… affection. It happens that I like that girl and she likes me – nothing could be better. Your Majesty needn’t worry about me.”

Lian Yu showed no change of expression, looking down at the tea leaves in his bowl, gently stirring with the lid: “Prime Minister, speaking thus, if there’s nothing else, I’ll grant that servant girl a title for a proper wedding. But—”

“But what?” Quan Feitong narrowed his eyes, leaning forward as if listening attentively.

“But after today’s street encounter, the Princess told me that girl seems to be a palace maid from her quarters who fled after committing theft. I cannot be careless about this – how can a fugitive marry into the dignified Prime Minister’s residence!”

Quan Feitong looked at the cunning gleam in the young man’s eyes across from him – like an aged schemer’s deep calculations. He paused for quite a while before laughing.

“Thank Your Majesty for considering this minister’s welfare. I’m truly ill-fated – every time I try to marry, problems arise.”

“Your Majesty works swiftly. Dare I ask, has that girl already been arrested and brought back to the palace?”

“Should be arriving soon,” Lian Yu sipped his tea. “Prime Minister, don’t worry. Once the palace investigates, if she’s truly a fugitive, I’ll arrange another marriage for the Prime Minister. I’ll personally preside over the Prime Minister’s wedding – I’m certain this time will be harmonious without any problems.”

“Master—” As he spoke, from outside the hall guarded by Imperial Guards came sudden footsteps, followed by Qinglong’s voice, which for some reason carried a trace of anxiety.