Feng Shaoying exited through the back courtyard, looked back at the compound once more, and said calmly: “If she truly likes Quan Feitong, and Quan Feitong can deal with Lian Yu, why should I stop it?”
Having said this, he walked into the night.
Simultaneously, a figure hurriedly moved through the palace walls. Half an hour later, they emerged from the imperial city.
An hour later, elsewhere, someone woke sleeping people.
Zhui Ming rubbed his eyes, his voice quite aggrieved: “Little Zhou, why are you waking us in the middle of the night? We still have duty and ambush duty tomorrow.”
“I woke you because there’s urgent business.” Little Zhou glared at him.
“I’ve thought it over – tomorrow we’ll terminate the lease here and return to the Ministry of Justice residence.” she said slowly.
At these words, everyone was extremely shocked. Uncle Fu spoke first: “But now that Huaisu has resigned, we can’t return to the Ministry of Justice residence.”
“We’re going back so Huaisu can find us.” Little Zhou said word by word.
“Find us?” Zhui Ming and Tie Shou said in unison, their faces showing even greater surprise. “But didn’t Huaisu trick us into going elsewhere because she wanted to avoid us? Would she actively seek us?”
“Yes,” Little Zhou nodded, looking at the two: “We analyzed that Huaisu parted from us likely for some reason. But if one day she wanted to find us, and we’d already returned from the agreed place, where would she look for us?”
“I still don’t understand – she should know we’re not at the Ministry of Justice anymore.” Zhui Ming shook his head.
“You mean she might check the Ministry of Justice? She’d think that if we were also looking for her, the Ministry of Justice would be the best choice – a place both parties know.” Wuqing glanced slightly at Little Zhou.
Little Zhou smiled slightly: “You’re still the clever one.”
They were all people of action. Deciding to act, they immediately returned to the Ministry of Justice that night.
Sleet fell, landing on everyone’s shoulders, ice water seeping into skin – the cold night was piercing. The Ministry of Justice no longer held its former glory, with two large yellow seals crisscrossed at the entrance.
After they left, the government had sealed this place.
Inside was pitch black without any human sounds. When they departed, Uncle Fu had dismissed all servants. Everyone felt little regret, roughly because Su Zhen’s journey had been bumpy with constant storms, frequent salary deductions and dismissals, but she always managed to get through. So everyone thought this time would be the same – they’d return eventually.
But now finally returning here, though only months had passed, despite various thoughts, one feeling was unmistakably clear: the former times would never return. Even if the Ministry of Justice had a new master someday, it wouldn’t be Su Zhen.
A new top scholar had already emerged, and similarly, there would be a new Chief Magistrate. Magistrate Li’s era had passed. People are naturally forgetful – with new favorites, though some might remember the old times, it would only be a few, and they too would fade with time. Su Zhen hadn’t been able to fulfill her wishes before this journey ended.
They used to be spirited and soaring, but now had to hide here like mice. For the sake of loyalty.
Seeing everyone momentarily silent, Uncle Fu sighed and decided to take action himself – self-reliance. He stepped forward and tore off the seals.
After everyone entered, several black-clothed figures silently emerged from the street corner, led by one whose eyes blazed with killing intent.
Prime Minister’s Residence.
Quan Feitong, who prided himself on eloquence and sharp wit, found himself frustrated for once. From boarding the carriage to returning home, aside from forcibly putting the outer robe back on her, they hadn’t managed to exchange a single word.
She sat in the corner with her head down, not making a sound. He wanted to say something several times but didn’t know where to begin. Until they got off the carriage one after the other.
She walked ahead, he followed behind.
“Prime Minister…” Suddenly, she turned around and called softly.
Quan Feitong was delighted, stepping forward: “What is it?”
“I suddenly realized I don’t seem to have lodgings. Could you have someone prepare a guest room for me?” Su Zhen said to him.
Quan Feitong was immediately choked up! He was somewhat displeased but still restrained his temper and smiled: “What do you need a guest room for? Since you and I are to marry, what’s wrong with you staying in my room?”
Though he smiled gently, his tone already carried some displeasure.
After speaking, seeing she still smiled slightly at him, he immediately lost his temper and couldn’t help sighing inwardly – what karma.
“The Prime Minister’s residence has tight security, especially around my quarters. I’d be more at ease with you there. How about this – you stay in my room, and I’ll sleep in… the study. Will that work?”
“Fine.”
Su Zhen knew his temperament and didn’t stand on ceremony.
Entering the room, he lingered, sitting at the table edge and having servants brew tea.
Su Zhen had to speak: “Prime Minister, I’m going to sleep. You should also return to rest – it’s been a tiring day.”
Quan Feitong sipped tea with an attitude of “I’m definitely going to cultivate feelings with you,” saying slowly: “I’m not tired. I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
Su Zhen removed her cloak, looking at the two large ornate braziers in the room and the thick, soft brocade bedding. It would be too hot to sleep in the heavy winter dress.
Quan Feitong suddenly stood up, turned around, and stood with his back to her, hands behind his back.
Su Zhen was slightly stunned. To say anything now would be coy. She quickly removed her outer jacket and skirt, took off her shoes and socks, and lay down, thinking this person was both a true scoundrel and a true gentleman.
Behind her, Quan Feitong listened to the rustling of clothes and cursed himself for being an idiot.
Soon, he slowly turned around and walked to the bedside. She lay facing inward – whether she was asleep or not, he couldn’t tell. He called softly, but she didn’t respond. He sighed again, bent down to kiss her forehead, blew out the room’s lamps, and left.
He entered the study and called for the steward.
“Tomorrow, rise early and deliver invitations to the palace and Grand Consort Ai at Huguo Temple. Notify all officials that I’m marrying in three days. Ask Huang Zhongyue to be the wedding officiant – this old fox isn’t really qualified, but I’ll give him face since nominally ‘Zhu’er’ comes from Minzhou’s Huang residence. Also, since my teacher is conveniently here for the elder’s role, wedding garments can’t be custom-made in time – get the best ready-made clothes in the capital. For everything else, have several deputy assistants prepare immediately. I want arrangements no less grand than the palace’s. Understand?” He leaned lazily in his chair, his tone serious as a command.
“With our residence’s wealth, this wedding can certainly be arranged splendidly, but three days might be rather tight…” The steward frowned, clearly troubled. Looking up to see the other’s slightly narrowed eyes, dark and dangerously severe, he dared say no more, immediately agreeing and withdrawing.
Separated by one wall, Su Zhen gently turned over. She knew Quan Feitong had left.
However, soon the door sounded. She couldn’t turn back to face inward in time, so could only close her eyes. At her ear were light footsteps, then the sound of a stool being set down. She knew he’d brought a stool to sit by her bedside.
Her hand suddenly warmed – he had reached in to gently caress.
“Perhaps my grand courtyard has been empty too long and wants someone for company.”
“You know I have a sworn brother Chao Huang, but you probably don’t know I’m also someone’s sworn brother – Grand Consort Ai’s elder brother Qiu Jing. Before age fourteen, my days were… well, not too good, but I did grow a decent face. Later a rich man took a fancy to me and bought me, nearly making me a catamite. The result of resistance was endless beatings and humiliation. Qiu Jing was that man’s guest and said I had the eyes of an intelligent person. He took me out and sent me to that old man Tingyu’s study to read.”
“There, I worked harder than anyone. Later I passed the examinations, met benefactors – that was the Late Emperor, the cruel Late Emperor. After entering government service, the first person I killed was that rich man from back then. I destroyed his entire family with cruel methods. I don’t much care about people – I care about others, but who comes to care about me? I have selfish motives, but I definitely couldn’t marry someone I don’t like.”
His voice quietly reached her ears. Su Zhen was very afraid of giving herself away because her heart was beating violently, her palms sweating.
Just as she was extremely nervous, the sounds suddenly became quiet. Su Zhen kept her eyes tightly closed. After an unknown time, she thought he must have fallen asleep, his hand also behaving, just holding hers quietly in the bedding.
She quietly opened her eyes, but her heart nearly stopped from fright.
He supported his cheek with his other hand, smiling at her: “Finally awake? How was it – my bedtime story wasn’t bad, was it?”
“Story?” Su Zhen couldn’t help but be stunned, quietly repeating.
“Of course it was a story. But I’m very happy you care. We have things to talk about again – I don’t like when you’re formal with me. Alright, sleep now.” He bent down to kiss her eyes, got up and walked to the soft couch where she’d slept, lying down fully clothed.
“Maybe you still want to know what catamites do? Should I come over and demonstrate while explaining?”
In the darkness, his voice came from across the room, carrying traces of laughter.
Su Zhen grabbed a shoe from under the bed and threw it forcefully: “I have zero interest – go tell Li Zhaoting.”
Quan Feitong laughed heartily. Su Zhen suddenly remembered long ago, among green mountains and clear waters, she and a stranger she’d met by chance, making up stories about their backgrounds…
The next day when she woke, he was already gone.
Though she didn’t know how much of this companionship was real versus pretense, though she tossed and turned with a thousand thoughts before finally falling asleep, it ended up being the most peaceful night’s sleep she’d had in over three months.
The room now had an additional middle-aged servant woman to attend her washing, who didn’t speak much and looked very honest.
During her morning routine, the steward personally led people bringing breakfast, then hurried away as if on urgent business. Su Zhen remembered his repeated mentions of the teacher yesterday. After eating a little, she asked the servant: “Where is the Prime Minister? Did he go to court?”
The servant shook her head: “Miss, the Prime Minister isn’t attending court these days – he says he’s preparing for the wedding.”
Wedding. Su Zhen’s gaze momentarily grew distant. She asked: “Where is he?”
“The Prime Minister is in the front courtyard waiting for General Chao.” The servant smiled: “Does Miss need him? I’ll go tell him to come over.”
Su Zhen immediately stopped her: “Don’t – the two of them have business to discuss. I won’t disturb them first.”
But the servant smiled: “It’s no problem. When the Prime Minister left, he said Miss could find him anytime after waking – he and General Chao are also discussing wedding matters.”
Su Zhen thought it over: “I’ll go find him instead, saving him a trip. It’s not good to visit elders too late.”
At the front courtyard rockery, in a pavilion, she indeed saw Quan Feitong and Chao Huang discussing something.
The servant went to announce them. The two stopped talking, Quan Feitong turned to look, his phoenix eyes slightly narrowed. Beside him, Chao Huang stepped forward and greeted: “Sister-in-law.”
Su Zhen’s face reddened. Quan Feitong waved his hand, having Chao Huang and the servant withdraw first. Su Zhen noticed his expression held a trace of something strange.
“Prime Minister, what’s wrong?” she asked directly.
“I had Chao Huang come to discuss our wedding, but unexpectedly he also brought Lian Yu’s happy news.”
“Lian Yu ennobled a consort today – Gu Xiluo’s name has officially entered the imperial jade registry. I heard she injured her leg falling from the horse, and yesterday returning to the palace she was provoked by Consort Qi, plus last night’s events – Lian Yu felt sorry for her.” He spoke calmly, his gaze quite sharp as it moved across Su Zhen’s face.
“Good.” Su Zhen nodded to show she understood, only saying: “I came to find you because I want to pay respects to Master Tingyu.”
But Quan Feitong still stared at her: “You’re not unhappy?”
He clearly saw her tightened brow. He’d had a moment’s hesitation about whether to share this news, knowing it would hurt her, but he wanted to push her into a corner with nowhere to rely, so they could go deeper together.
This person’s tone and gaze were all aggressive. Su Zhen grew angry and turned to leave, but he grabbed her back and pressed her against the pavilion pillar.