Before long, a white palace handkerchief was passed through the door crack.

Li Zhaoting took it and closed the door. His skills and aim were quite good – with a gentle toss, despite the distance from the bed, the item still landed accurately on target.

“Feng Suzhen,” he frowned and called toward the center of the room.

There was no response.

He looked again, seeing a large towel under the long couch by the window. He picked up the item, his brow bone moving slightly, then finally walked over step by step, lifted the unconscious person from the tub in his arms, and walked to the bedside.

He laid her down, but she still hadn’t awakened. There were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well for a long time.

The cloth covered half her body, rising beneath the fabric. What met his eyes was a deep line, and below that, her long, slender legs were pressed tightly together, with water droplets constantly flowing down… He sat down and took the cloth to wipe the water droplets dry for her.

What touched his hand was a patch of warm softness. His heart jumped violently, and he lowered his head to capture her lips with his… The hand holding the cloth changed to exploring beneath, touching the damp softness. She frowned, moaning softly, seeming both in pain and pleasure. His heart felt as if something was growing rapidly inside, feeling this was like the intimate encounters of recent days – natural desire – yet somehow different. His body actually felt somewhat swollen and painful… His gaze suddenly darkened, and finally, his other hand pulled down the bed curtains.

…

It was a gloomy, dark street with no one around. A man was walking very quickly ahead, and she was chasing behind.

Each time she seemed about to catch up, she was always just one step short no matter what. Suzhen’s heart was full of grievance, but she dared not call out, only following desperately. She knew very clearly that if she made even a sound, he would disappear as he always did.

But finally, she too grew tired from chasing, her strength failing… Seeing his figure cold and indifferent, unlike usual, walking farther and farther away, she began to cry.

This time, unlike his usual coldness, he slowly turned around.

Seeing her half-crouched on the ground, looking at him through tearful eyes, his hard eyes finally cracked like stone, gradually revealing reluctance bit by bit. Finally, he ran back and helped her up in his arms—

Something wet and soft was stuffed into Suzhen’s mouth. She remembered that day on the Qixi Festival, his wild treatment of her. She had been pressed hard beneath him, and every slight movement brought even wilder actions. At the time she was both afraid and expectant, with some instinctive resistance to the pain of the first time. But now it was completely different – she only wanted him never to leave again, and unconsciously reached out to hold him tightly…

“You’re really damned infuriating!” he said through gritted teeth, his voice clearly forcibly suppressing nasal tones. Below her, a slightly rough hand then caressed her… But Suzhen suddenly startled. This voice, this voice… That’s right, Lian Yu was dead. How could she forget again and continue having this recurring dream day after day!

Once her mind cleared, that nightmare-like dream could no longer trap her. She awakened from her cold sweat and indeed saw before her not Lian Yu, but a pair of sharp eyes burning with dark fire – Li Zhaoting.

He was pressing down on her, looking at her. His incomparably handsome face showed an unusual flush, his lower body trembling, that familiar touch in an unfamiliar place… She gasped coldly. Beyond disgust, she felt a rage burning through her entire body with pain. For a moment forgetting their respective positions and her current situation, she instinctively pushed his hand away and slapped him across the face. “Get the hell off me!”

With Li Zhaoting’s skills, he could have avoided this blow, but caught completely off guard, he didn’t dodge in time. In all these years, though he was a fallen royal struggling with hardship, he had still lived with the respect and support of his subordinates. When had he ever been treated like this!

The accumulated restraint of many days and this present humiliation made his palm clench, almost ready to grab her and kick her to the ground. But remembering her shoulder injury and the scar on her chest he had just touched, his hand couldn’t strike out—

“Do you think I lack women among my three thousand concubines? Or do you think you have beauty that could topple kingdoms! I said I would give you status and children to help you establish yourself in the harem. Yet you repeatedly use the Feng family as support to challenge me?”

“I also said I don’t need status and don’t want to bear your children. If you’re truly so compassionate, then let me go!”

“Feng Suzhen, think clearly about who you really love! Save yourself from regretting it later.”

The two stared at each other, confronting one another, both filled with hatred and anger. Finally, Li Zhaoting gave a cold laugh and jumped down from the bed. Suzhen only heard the thunderous crash of tables and chairs collapsing. Suzhen’s heart raced as she bit down hard on her teeth. If she had a sword right now, she really wanted to stab him to death with it!

But she could do nothing!

Outside the door came the panicked voice of the night-duty eunuch—Suzhen lowered her eyes slightly, her whole body still trembling from both fear and anger. She didn’t believe Li Zhaoting had any romantic feelings for her, but never imagined Li Zhaoting’s obsession was so great, and in such a way that disgusted her, to preserve her.

She had to get out of this palace quickly!

The next day, Little Luzi came early, and Supervisor Guo also hurried over upon hearing the news—but it was about how the Emperor had stayed the night at Consort Shu’s palace and for some unknown reason became furiously angry and left in a huff, with the story spreading throughout the palace.

Little Luzi was extremely anxious, advising Suzhen not to dwell on the previous dynasty and to properly serve the new emperor. Supervisor Guo knew some of the inside details. Both relieved and worried, she pulled Suzhen aside and asked in a low voice: “Your Ladyship, what should we do now? I fear the truth cannot be hidden forever, and when that time comes…”

Suzhen naturally understood, but she couldn’t even discuss with Supervisor Guo about finding ways to leave, much less tell her about Little Lotus Seed. The more people who knew, the more dangerous it became.

Now, she wouldn’t fully trust anyone.

What made her laugh and cry in her tense anxiety was that Little Luzi enthusiastically gathered information for her about which lady’s palace the Emperor visited each day, or rather, which other lady’s palace the Emperor went to each day.

Among the three – A Luo and the others – Li Zhaoting visited most frequently, but quite evenly, showing he favored them all considerably. Of course, secretly it must be A Luo most of all. Several of the consorts who were enfeoffed that day in the hall had also been fortunate to receive imperial favor.

But since that night, Li Zhaoting never came to Suzhen’s sleeping quarters again.

Thus, Suzhen more than once heard palace maids whispering that when they walked through the palace daily, they had less dignity than servants from other households.

Soon, the Imperial Guards arrested two constables from the Six Doors Bureau. Wu Qing was urgently summoned to the palace. Li Zhaoting was furious, asking what his intentions were. Wu Qing said he feared something might happen to Suzhen and brought people in secretly to protect her. Upon hearing this, Li Zhaoting immediately kicked Wu Qing.

An imperial edict came to the side palace – Suzhen was punished with half a year’s salary deduction.

After a few more days, on this particular day, Suzhen rose very early, washed and dressed herself, and sat in the courtyard. Both Little Luzi and the visiting Supervisor Guo found this quite strange, both wondering if she had finally “come around.”

When they asked her, she shook her head without speaking, her expression showing a trace of solemnity.

Outside the Six Doors Bureau, someone else’s face showed the same quiet seriousness, but at the same time, there was also a meaningful smile.

Wu Qing was just returning from official business outside. As he was about to enter, a light laugh called out from behind: “Commander Wu Qing.”

Wu Qing turned around. Looking at this unexpected visitor, his expression didn’t change as he replied: “Lord Wei honors us with his presence. What instructions do you have?”

Wei Wujun appeared with Mao Hui and Yu Jinglun from the opposite alley, followed by hundreds of Imperial Guards. Seeing Wu Qing looking over calmly, he spoke lightly: “Does the Commander know what day today is?”

Wu Qing said “Oh,” pondering: “Today is neither the summer solstice nor anywhere near Qixi or Mid-Autumn Festival. Forgive my ignorance, but I truly don’t know what day today is. Please enlighten me, Second Young Master.”

Before Wei Wujun could answer, Mao Hui shouted loudly with a cold laugh: “Why pretend ignorance? Today marks the end of the one-month deadline – it’s time to arrest the criminals of the former dynasty. These people are still in your bureau, aren’t they?”

Upon hearing this, Wu Qing said to Wei Wujun: “Wu Qing did have some past friendship with Consort… oh no, Lady Shu, but it was limited to helping her send people out of the palace. As for where those two went afterward, Wu Qing has no idea. To say this in the bureau would be somewhat… absurd, don’t you think, Second Young Master?”

“You dare call me absurd!” Mao Hui flew into a rage, about to curse loudly. Yu Jinglun glared at him fiercely, but smiled: “I understand. Friendship is friendship, but the Commander would never do something like harboring serious criminals. I’m just afraid there are people in court like my junior brother here who don’t understand the truth and make wild speculations. In my view, if we accompany the Second Young Master inside to search and can’t find these people, it would prove the Commander’s innocence. Since the Commander isn’t secretly harboring criminals, surely you wouldn’t object?”

“Exactly so.” Wei Wujun replied lightly, seeming polite but every word carrying an irrefutable tone.

Wu Qing’s eyes showed slight hesitation. After a long moment he finally said: “In that case, gentlemen, please proceed.”

“Excuse us then.” Wei Wujun said with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, then waved his hand. The soldiers behind him poured in like water.

An hour later, everyone emerged. Wu Qing’s expression remained calm, clearly nothing had been found.

“Gentlemen have worked hard. Wu Qing would almost prefer these criminals were here, to save you the trouble of this wasted trip.” He smiled lightly and made a gesture of invitation.

“Commander, these words might be somewhat premature. Our people have been divided into several groups these past days, monitoring those entering and leaving the Six Doors Bureau, those going in and out of the silk shop, and… the silk shop itself. Master Wu Liang is there right now.” A person slowly walked over from the main street outside, and finally stopped with a smile.

Wu Qing looked at this First Rank Marquis. Upon hearing the words “silk shop,” his expression finally changed slightly.

At midday, Wei Wu Lei was resting in her chambers when her personal maid Ying Ge suddenly rushed in urgently, whispering in her ear: “Your Ladyship, the master has sent word…”

After listening, Wei Wu Lei’s expression became quite subtle – seeming both somewhat unexpected and somewhat pleased.

She quickly formed a plan and took Ying Ge to the imperial kitchen.

An hour later, she went to the Princess Consort Jin’s palace.

The daily visit to the Empress Dowager’s sleeping quarters was routine duty for all imperial consorts. Even someone like Suzhen who stayed behind closed doors had to follow protocol and make the trip. Wei Wu Lei had already come this morning. Princess Consort Jin found it somewhat strange. Wei Wu Lei only said the Emperor was busy and couldn’t often spare time to dine with Her Ladyship, so she happened to be free and had gone to the imperial kitchen to prepare evening meal for Her Ladyship, hoping she would honor her with her presence.

Princess Consort Jin valued Wei Chenghui highly, and this Consort Wei was usually skilled at flattery, being most favored among the various consorts. Naturally she agreed, then thought again and instructed the senior palace maid beside her: “Send word to His Majesty that regardless of which palace he’s dining in today, he should set that aside and come here first. I miss my son.”

“Yes.” The senior palace maid smiled in reply and was about to go handle this, but Wei Wu Lei somewhat nervously called her back: “Sister, please wait.”

She turned again to Princess Consort Jin: “Your Ladyship, that’s not what I meant. His Majesty treats me very well and often comes to my palace, so I’m not trying to…”

Princess Consort Jin saw she didn’t seem to be being polite, paused slightly, then heard her continue: “Your Ladyship, why don’t we invite all the sisters from the various palaces together? It would be livelier, and Your Ladyship has lived alone for so many years – just thinking about it makes me sad.”

“What a thoughtful girl.” Princess Consort Jin sighed, showing approval in her eyes. “Good child.”

…

Before long, Li Zhaoting, A Luo, Miao Yin, and various other consorts arrived one after another.

Li Zhaoting nodded approvingly at Wei Wu Lei to show his approval. Just as the atmosphere was quite harmonious, Si Lanfeng came to report something. He whispered a few words in Li Zhaoting’s ear. Li Zhaoting’s expression changed dramatically and he immediately said: “Summon them!”

Si Lanfeng soon returned with several people – Wei Chenghui and his son, plus Master Wu Liang and his disciple.

Princess Consort Jin and the various consorts saw Li Zhaoting’s expression instantly turn thunderously ugly, not understanding what was happening. Then they saw him rise abruptly and ask in a deep voice: “These people really vanished into thin air?”

“This old minister is guilty, but… the Lian brothers indeed escaped completely clean! I don’t know what method they used!” Wei Chenghui frowned tightly, knelt down to beg forgiveness, and the others quickly knelt as well.

It turned out that nothing was found inside the Six Doors Bureau, the soldiers sent to monitor people entering and leaving the silk shop found nothing, and Wu Liang, who was guarding the silk shop, discovered when the time came to search inside that the Lian brothers weren’t there at all.

The other consorts were one thing, but A Luo and Miao Yin were shocked to hear this. Li Zhaoting had already set up an inescapable net – how did these people escape?!

Princess Consort Jin’s eyes grew slightly darker.

“Summon Feng Suzhen to me.”

The sleeping quarters fell silent from Li Zhaoting’s anger, making people somewhat afraid. Finally, Li Zhaoting spoke heavily.

Princess Consort Jin said: “Your Majesty, please don’t be so agitated. This Consort Shu was supposed to come anyway. Let’s wait a moment.”

Li Zhaoting nodded to her and stood with his hands behind his back, his expression still frosty as winter.

Side Palace.

Supervisor Guo and Little Luzi thought Suzhen was truly prescient, seeming to know in advance what would happen. When someone from the Empress Dowager’s palace came to notify her, she just stood up and left. But strangely, she seemed prepared, yet her eyes showed a different expression as she said: “Why would it be the Empress Dowager?”

As soon as she stepped into Princess Consort Jin’s sleeping quarters, both could sense the situation was not good. Supervisor Guo saw the smile in Senior Food Supervisor Xiao’s eyes as she stood beside A Luo, and couldn’t help but feel her heart sink slightly. But then she heard Suzhen say quietly: “Now that’s right.”

She couldn’t understand, but when her eyes moved and she was startled by Li Zhaoting’s expression, she didn’t know what had happened but knew it wasn’t good. Suzhen signaled for her and Little Luzi to retreat to one side while she went to pay respects to Princess Consort Jin, Li Zhaoting, A Luo and the others.

Princess Consort Jin didn’t grant her a seat, so Suzhen stood in the center, waiting for Li Zhaoting to speak.

Li Zhaoting looked at her appearance, seeming to anticipate somewhat. He walked in front of her, his lips slightly parted, smiling in a way that made one’s entire body feel cold: “You sent them away?”

“Thank Your Majesty for your grace, and blessed by Your Majesty’s good fortune.” Suzhen lowered her head and answered.

“They don’t know how you managed to send them away. Come, tell them about your brilliant schemes.” Li Zhaoting’s voice was not without mockery.

But Suzhen heard the tone of complete understanding. She didn’t know if the others had already guessed her trick, but she understood that Li Zhaoting must now fully comprehend everything. After knowing each other for so many years, she knew that the angrier he was, the more expressionless he became. Her jaw was trembling slightly…

She was considering her words, thinking how to slightly appease this person’s anger, when she saw him look around at everyone and say: “Anyone here who can explain how Consort Shu sent the former dynasty’s remnants away will definitely be richly rewarded by me.”

In the hall, there wasn’t a sound. A Luo glanced at Suzhen, a barely visible flash of apprehension in her eyes.

Seeing the complete silence, Li Zhaoting gave a slight cold laugh: “Fine, no one will speak, then let me guess.”

“You reported to Si Lanfeng that they left the palace that day, but actually, they never left the palace at all.”