At noon, in a residence within the capital.

Under the winter trees in the courtyard, a woman was playing the qin, but her mind was clearly elsewhere. After plucking the strings only a few times, two strings snapped. Her expression turned cold and she simply stopped playing, drinking a cup of tea as her complexion gradually eased.

This was going to be a hard battle—she had to remain calm. She thought.

At this moment, her maid hurriedly walked in from the front courtyard, her tone carrying something strange: “Miss, this servant found this beneath the door seam.”

The person called Miss was none other than A Luo. Looking at the letter Mei’er handed her, doubt also floated in her eyes.

On it were cleanly written just three characters: “Gu Xiluo.”

“When did you discover this?” she asked.

“Just now. This servant wanted to go out to buy some things and discovered it inside the courtyard gate.”

“Did you ask the gatekeepers?”

“I asked—they said they never noticed anyone come.”

“They were keeping watch outside the gate all night and noticed nothing?” A Luo lowered her eyelids. “The person who delivered this letter is no simple matter.”

She asked no more questions and directly opened the letter.

After just one glance, the letter fell from her hands.

Mei’er was startled: “Miss, what’s wrong?”

A Luo’s gaze was completely vacant, then she began laughing bit by bit: “She’s not dead—Feng Suzhen is actually not dead.”

As she spoke, her whole body trembled, her eyes reddening like a cornered beast—hatred, fury, viciousness… all sharp emotions seemed to converge in an instant. She cried out loudly, then suddenly crouched down, holding herself.

Mei’er picked up the letter in alarm and confusion, seeing only one line of writing with sharp brushstrokes:

—The Feng woman lives, hidden by the Emperor.

“How can this be?” she murmured, bending down to help A Luo.

“Who wrote this letter? Perhaps it’s not true. Miss, you… and besides, Miss now has Young Master Li. Who cares what that despicable woman—”

Before she could finish speaking, A Luo pushed her away, and she fell to the ground: “Miss…”

A Luo trembled all over, her eyes completely red, both crying and laughing.

“I’ve been waiting for him to change his heart,” she stared wide-eyed, “but it’s already too late…”

“I’m so foolish. Do you know why I’ve stubbornly kept my promise to Xiao’an? Not only because of my mother, but because I was afraid—afraid Xiao’an would guess about Shuangcheng’s matter and tell him about it.”

“Why did I do this? I only hoped he would forever remember in his heart that kind, sunny A Luo, the A Luo who brought him warmth and joy!”

Mei’er choked up: “Miss, this servant understands. Miss hoped that in His Majesty’s heart, he would forever see Miss’s best side. Hoped he would forever love Miss, because Miss loves him so much.”

A Luo laughed: “But today I finally realized I was wrong. Shuangcheng deserved to die anyway—why should I sacrifice my own happiness?”

“Since childhood I lived in her house. She was innocent and pure while I had to be careful with every step, because Gu Nanguang was her real father, not mine. I yielded to her in everything, treating her with complete sincerity, even telling her when I was leaving. But she… knowing full well that Lian Yu and I were mutually in love, she ran to notify that old witch, telling me that even if sister and the others left, it wouldn’t be a long-term solution, that the Empress Dowager wouldn’t spare us—saying it so sweetly, wasn’t she secretly fond of Lian Yu in her heart? I had her take my place, made her pay the price—was I really wrong? I was crazy to think Lian Yu would dislike me for harboring evil thoughts.”

“Lian Xin was right—kind people can’t hold onto happiness.”

Speaking to this point, her eyes burst with thick hatred, so intense and cold that even Mei’er shivered slightly, but she said: “Miss, this servant will definitely help you.”

Because Lian Yu’s group would arrive in the capital in a few days, the carriages didn’t immediately enter the palace but went to Lian Yu’s residence in the suburbs. Before entering the city, inner guards had secretly followed Lian Yu’s orders to notify Wu Qing and the others at the Six Doors.

Getting out of the carriage, Tieshou and Zhuiming were already waiting at the residence gate. Suzhen’s eyes reddened upon seeing them, and both were extremely excited. Zhuiming picked Suzhen up and spun her around several times—if not for seeing Lian Yu nearby with slightly raised eyelids, he wouldn’t have put her down.

The only disappointment was that Wu Qing wasn’t there. The two explained that Wu Qing had left the capital two days ago to handle an urgent matter for the organization—reportedly a quite troublesome case in the jianghu.

But Quan Feitong had notified them about her situation before, though they hadn’t expected to meet so soon.

Suzhen was especially happy, repeatedly giving Lian Yu looks that said “I’ll reward you well later.” But she soon understood Lian Yu wasn’t so kind-hearted—he immediately announced their wedding, to be arranged in five days, right here in this residence.

These five days were for preparing various things—otherwise, it seemed he would have preferred to skip even these five days.

Suzhen hoped to wait for Wu Qing’s return. Lian Yu, knowing she valued this friend, accommodated with five extra days. Of course, if Wu Qing hadn’t returned within ten days, there would be no helping it.

Suzhen looked aggrieved. Tieshou and Zhuiming, who had originally hated Lian Yu extremely because of Suzhen’s matter, now strongly agreed. With Suzhen temporarily residing in the palace, though not publicly announced, they naturally hoped she had proper status. The sooner the better.

The two pulled Suzhen aside to ask about Xiao Zhou, who had disappeared with Suzhen during the wedding banquet that day. Suzhen frowned slightly, then smiled and answered that he was living comfortably in the palace. Love extending to all related, Lian Yu naturally hadn’t done anything to this hostage and had later released him.

The two breathed sighs of relief. Zhuiming said resentfully that this person was also careless—since he was out, he should have looked for the boss. Though the boss didn’t say anything, she must miss him terribly.

Suzhen was momentarily speechless, not knowing what to reply.

With matters settled, they agreed to meet again at the mountain villa in ten days.

When leaving, the reluctant one wasn’t Suzhen but Lian Xin, who dragged her feet and hesitated at the back, pulling Zhuiming aside to whisper. Zhuiming was somewhat helpless but couldn’t resist her repeated pleading gestures and finally agreed.

Zhuque glanced over but said nothing.

The carriage headed toward the imperial city.

Suzhen still rode alone with Lian Yu. Lian Yu’s lips held a smile, showing extremely good spirits, but Suzhen couldn’t smile. She grabbed his arm: “Tell me, what happened to Xiao Zhou who was brought into the palace with me that day?”

Lian Yu looked at her with a half-smile: “My clever wife has already guessed, hasn’t she? Why ask me again?”

Suzhen hadn’t expected such an answer and said in slight shock: “It really is Zhuque?”

“It’s not that I’m clever—I should thank Your Majesty for acquiescing, allowing her to get close to me. At the Quan residence, you didn’t hesitate to use this good chess piece. Otherwise, with Zhuque’s devious mind, I might not always have been able to outmaneuver her.” She had been nestled in his embrace, but thinking about it made her angrier. She reached out to twist his ear: “Bastard! You kept her by my side so long, had her play double agent, pointing to Wu Qing as the villain—the two of you playing charades with me!”

Lian Yu remained noncommittal, circling her mischievous hand in his palm while reaching out to pinch her cheek, saying gently: “Wasn’t it all to protect you?”

“Protect me, my ass! Initially it was just to monitor me, the new top scholar!” She slapped his hand away, glaring at him sideways.

“Wife, you’ve got the key issue backwards. You should be concerned about Xin’er and Xiao Zhou’s matter.” Lian Yu kissed her hand, his dark eyes faintly showing traces of roguish charm.

Suzhen indeed lost her temper, saying with some worry: “Those three—what do you think should be done now? One is your sister, one is your loyal subordinate. Aren’t you worried?”

“What result could my worrying produce?” Lian Yu smiled. “If I really wanted to manage it, I’d break up the lovers—neither Xin’er nor Zhuque would be allowed to be with your Wu Qing.”

Suzhen was stunned: “What do you mean?”

“Someone who could fool my subordinate into healing his legs completely—can such a person be simple? Someone who could borrow Mother’s hand to secure the deputy commander position at Six Doors—can such a person be simple?” Lian Yu’s eyes deepened slightly. “But seeing that he treats you genuinely well and those feelings are naturally expressed, I’ve turned a blind eye and temporarily haven’t reclaimed that authority.”

“As for their matter—it can’t be managed anyway. Fate is determined by heaven.”

Suzhen had to admit he made sense but sighed quietly: “But no matter who Wu Qing ends up with, the harm to the other will be deep. I can see both used genuine feelings—both are good girls, like sisters to me. I’d feel terrible if either got hurt.”

“As long as it’s not you getting hurt again.” He drew her into his embrace, speaking softly.

“You’re really heartless as a brother and master.” Suzhen felt melancholy yet sweet, but still couldn’t help glaring at him.

“It’s not that I’m heartless, but apart from you, the romantic happiness of people in this world is not within my scope of responsibility.” Holding her tight and lifting the carriage curtain: “We’ve arrived. This is my home, and from now on, it’s your home too, Susu—”

He called her by the name his sister used, and hearing it felt fresh to her. Her eyes brightened as she suddenly looked up. Seeing his fondness too, he gazed at her deeply, personally carrying her down from the carriage and quickly walking into the sleeping quarters.

Neither spoke.

The imperial palace at nightfall had a breathtaking beauty, but also heart-stopping terror.

Drawing the ground as a prison. Suzhen thought lightly, but this was the path she had chosen—to weather storms with him. Whatever the road ahead, even if crawling on her knees, she would see it through.

After settling her, exhausted from travel, watching her curl up like a puppy in his bedding and sleep, Lian Yu’s eyes moistened slightly. He wanted to hold her and sleep, but finally only gently tucked her in, returning to the desk to sit straight and review previously accumulated memorials, then took out a sheepskin scroll he had drawn earlier to study carefully, seemingly deep in thought.

After an unknown time, there was suddenly a soft sound outside. Afraid of waking her, he opened the door himself to hear the report.

“What is it?” he asked in a heavy voice.

“Your Majesty… word came from outside, saying… Miss A Luo attempted suicide.” Ming Yanchu smiled bitterly and spoke quietly.

Yesterday I had an emergency and announced a day off in the comments. Friends who don’t read the comments might not know—mentioning it here. If this caused any inconvenience, I’m very sorry.