Suzhen didn’t answer immediately. Li Zhaoting was indeed Li Zhaoting – he had guessed correctly. She only heard him chuckle slightly: “Si Lanfeng isn’t a bad person. You reported to him, asking to bid farewell to them on the day the Lian brothers were to leave the palace. He agreed, only waiting at a considerable distance from your courtyard gate to give you time for farewells. Afterward, you parted with them. They came out of your palace, got into a carriage in the courtyard. Si Lanfeng was far away and couldn’t see clearly, thinking those getting in the carriage were them. Actually, those who got in were the two constables Wu Qing brought into the palace – these two had similar builds and physiques to the Lian brothers. You had them wait in your palace first. Once Si Lanfeng brought the Lian brothers over, you had them exchange clothes in your own palace. Among the Six Doors Bureau’s three thousand constables, finding two men with some resemblance to them wouldn’t be difficult. Si Lanfeng didn’t even know Wu Qing had brought people into the palace, because checking people entering and leaving the palace is the City Guard’s responsibility. Later, Wu Qing drove the carriage with Si Lanfeng escorting, taking the carriage with the wrong people out of the Imperial City.”

“Meanwhile, the Lian brothers hidden in your palace took the opportunity to hide in concealed places within the palace. The attention of Marquis Wei and the others outside was focused on the Six Doors Bureau and the silk shop. After some days passed, you again had Wu Qing bring those two constables into the palace to switch out the Lian brothers from within the palace. The City Guard had your portrait, Feng Suzhen, but not these two men’s portraits. Wu Qing’s was an official court carriage, and you used similar-looking people. When leaving the palace, they glanced over, the numbers matched, and they had no idea that those coming out were no longer the ones who went in.”

“After more days passed, the Six Doors constables were arrested from within the palace. At the time I only found it strange but didn’t think of this connection. Today when everything connected, I suddenly remembered – those two guards were disheveled, and one even had an eye injury, supposedly from previous official duties, but actually, you did it on purpose. Because Lian Qin’s eyes were severely injured and never healed – this characteristic was very obvious. You feared it would attract the attention of the City Guard soldiers, so you had the other person fake an injury to look more like Lian Qin.”

“Thus, no matter how Marquis Wei and the others monitored people entering and leaving the Six Doors Bureau, they could never discover the two men, because these two people never went to the Six Doors Bureau or the silk shop from beginning to end.”

“The silk shop was just a decoy.”

“What about Wu Qing secretly bringing constables into the palace to hide them for your safety, what about the two constables being exposed and arrested – it was all fake. Their arrest was the final part of your plan. What do you say, did I get it wrong?” Li Zhaoting raised his eyebrows and smiled, but his voice was sharp as winter.

Suzhen said nothing, only nodded.

The one-month deadline would always pass, and this matter would eventually be exposed. Once investigations began and the palace was thoroughly searched, these switched constables could never be hidden. Therefore, in the final step of the plan, she had them deliberately get caught by the Imperial Guards and reveal their Six Doors identity. Then Li Zhaoting would definitely summon Wu Qing for questioning. Wu Qing only needed to use protecting his sister as an excuse and desperately plead with Li Zhaoting – he would definitely be able to get the men back, take them away with rewards, and they could disappear among the common people. At most, she would receive some punishment.

If they waited until the matter was exposed, it would be too late. Li Zhaoting would be furious, and the two constables would become scapegoats – dying ten times wouldn’t be enough.

Princess Consort Jin looked at Suzhen again. The seated consorts dared not make a sound, feeling both wariness toward such a person and schadenfreude. A Luo smiled coldly. Wei Chenghui didn’t get angry but laughed instead, sighing: “Consort Shu is resourceful and clever. What an excellent trick of stealing the sky and changing the sun, twice smuggling through heaven and earth. This old man and others truly cannot compare. Indeed worthy of being Brother Feng’s daughter.”

Suzhen’s heart jumped violently – she silently cursed, knowing she was in trouble. How could she not know this old fox’s intentions? The more he spoke this way, the more he could provoke Li Zhaoting’s fury! She quickly spoke: “Suzhen’s small tricks and schemes aren’t worth mentioning before Your Majesty. Moreover, it’s due to Your Majesty’s benevolence that the Lian brothers had a chance at life. Now that the former dynasty’s orphans are gone, Your Majesty need no longer worry about them. The people of the realm will surely praise Your Majesty’s benevolence and become even more submissive.”

Li Zhaoting’s eyes flickered slightly as he stood with pursed lips, not responding to her. One could see that these pleasant words still had some effect, causing the ruler in great fury to calm somewhat.

“Anyone can speak nice words. But benevolence isn’t meant for enemies. Being benevolent to enemies only makes one die faster. Consort Shu, I hear you’re quite capable – you once served as an official at court and had an extraordinary relationship with that Lian Yu. You protect his brother so much, but you and His Majesty also have years of friendship, and he’s treated you well. Why don’t you consider his situation? If rebel factions rise again in the future, they’ll want his life. Have you thought about him?”

A pair of vermillion lips opened and closed gently, obviously the softest voice with just a hint of helplessness in the tone. But Suzhen trembled all over. Indeed, Li Zhaoting’s eyes lowered as he said: “Mother, today was supposed to be a happy occasion. Don’t let these messy matters spoil the mood. I’ll handle this matter briefly then accompany you for dinner.”

“Mm.” Princess Consort Jin sighed and nodded.

He walked in front of her.

“Feng Suzhen, don’t think I summoned you here because I can’t afford to lose. Your ability to get them out shows your capability, Feng Suzhen. I won’t pursue that. But you were wrong to bring people who don’t belong in this palace inside. This place houses my mother – how can her safety be challenged by a mere palace consort? Households have household rules, nations have national laws.”

Those eyes held no warmth, only mockery and indifference.

“I now revoke your title of Consort Shu and demote you to a palace maid in the Laundry Bureau effective immediately. From now on, whatever those servants do, you will do as well.”

“If you understand, then get out!”

He pointed at the door and shouted fiercely.

When she formulated this plan, Suzhen already knew this day would come.

During those days, she deliberately went to Lian Yu’s mother’s former residence every day, not only for reconnaissance but also to bring food to the Lian brothers who had been hiding in the dense forest near the late Consort Yu’s former residence. Fearing the imperial kitchen would become suspicious and report it, she dared not order too much food each time. Giving most of the food to the Lian brothers, she inevitably didn’t eat enough every day. If it were just her, it wouldn’t matter, but there was also Little Lotus Seed, which made her feel especially uncomfortable.

As for her own life, based on her observations of Li Zhaoting these days, he wouldn’t take it – she was confident of this point. But other punishments… she didn’t know if she could endure them.

But she had no choice. She couldn’t be so selfish as to watch the Lian brothers die trapped in the palace just for her own child’s birth.

They were Lian Yu’s brothers who had followed him through life and death. She and her husband owed these two men their lives.

Since Lian Yu was no longer here, she would repay the debt.

Now, the work at the Laundry Bureau was rough and lowly, but at least it wasn’t flogging or beating – that was still good.

From this she could also escape Li Zhaoting.

Princess Consort Jin was a ruthless character, her methods no less than Xiao An’s. Even more so – Xiao An was cruel in face and heart, but she was kind in face and cruel in heart, making her more terrifying. With just a few short sentences, she had successfully stirred up the hatred in Li Zhaoting’s heart.

Yes, how could he not hate a consort who didn’t consider his life?

She was very clear about her position in his heart. She was never his fairy in a painting or treasure of his heart. Therefore, she didn’t cry or make scenes, nor did she defend herself. She only knelt to receive the edict, kowtowing: “Thank Your Majesty for his great grace.”

Li Zhaoting’s brow was tightly furrowed, his ten fingers digging into his palms, feeling this person was truly despicable, and his heart couldn’t help but grow more pained and angry.

He treated her well, but she didn’t want it – only helping those remnants to scheme against him.

Since this was the case, why should he pity her anymore?

The humble posture of this Consort Shu in the hall made the various consorts watch with great interest. A Luo’s smile grew colder. Miao Yin stepped forward, wanting to say something, but was firmly held back by her senior maid Fifteen.

In the corner, Little Luzi’s eyes were red, wanting to come forward and plead, but was also fiercely pulled back by Supervisor Guo.

This cold scene broke the heart of the person who burst in at this moment.

Though he hadn’t seen everything, he could guess what had approximately happened in the hall earlier – nothing more than the truth being exposed and accountability demanded. Over these years, this person on the ground had been the treasure of their household. She brought them so much laughter, and each of them hoped she could live safely and happily. But after the great changes in their family, someone so proud and self-respecting could no longer hold her back as straight as before.

“Wu Qing, what do you intend to do! Take one more step forward and don’t blame me for being impolite.” Outside the palace door, Si Lanfeng shouted sternly. The Imperial Guard soldiers beside him all drew their swords.

“Let him in!” Li Zhaoting’s voice came coldly.

Wu Qing laughed coldly and quickly entered the hall. Just as he was about to help his sister up from the ground and take all responsibility for saving people upon himself, Suzhen stared at him coldly: “Don’t come over. From the day you attacked the city for Wei’s army and caused the deaths of Huo Chang’an and Zhui Ming, you were no longer a brother of my Criminal Investigation Bureau. This matter of saving the Lian brothers was something I forced upon you. Since you helped for the sake of old righteousness, you’ve already repaid that past friendship. From now on, you and I have no connection. Don’t think that just because you plead for me, I’ll appreciate your kindness.”

Wu Qing was shocked but finally stopped in his tracks. How could he not understand the meaning in her words? She didn’t want to implicate him, repeatedly emphasizing they only had Criminal Investigation Bureau friendship.

Yes, if he too fell into this trap, how could he save her!

Seeing he made no further movement, Suzhen slowly rose from the ground and turned to leave.

Beside A Luo, Mei Er saw the situation and knew Li Zhaoting would no longer protect her. Her previous resentment from being kicked and beaten by Li Zhaoting because of her was now fully aroused. Seeing Suzhen walking near, she smiled coldly and stuck out her foot.

Suzhen was thinking about matters and didn’t see it. She stumbled at her feet, her body falling forward, and only then realized what had happened—

Little Lotus Seed! Her heart was in panicked distress when a hand forcefully grabbed her, her palm scraping harshly against the ground, but she didn’t fall.

It was Si Lanfeng who had entered with Wu Qing. Being not far from her, seeing the sudden situation, he was quick-eyed and swift-handed, pulling her back.

Suzhen was grateful in her heart and bowed deeply to him. The hall that had been silent as death suddenly erupted with Li Zhaoting’s voice: “Who told you to meddle!”

Si Lanfeng was startled to see Li Zhaoting’s mouth curved in a smile, but his eyes held no mirth – only deep, dark murderous intent.

Suzhen looked over, her heart growing cold, and couldn’t help but laugh: “Your Majesty is right.”

“Your Majesty, Suzhen always felt you were like lofty mountains and flowing water – someone to look up to but not approach, to observe from afar but not profane. But to be such a person, one must be strictly self-disciplined, and living that way must be too tiring. Therefore, Suzhen always thought of foolish ways to try to make you happy. Now that your great enterprise is accomplished, with a loving mother above to show filial piety to, capable generals below to share your worries, and beautiful companions beside to share feelings with, your joys, angers, sorrows and pleasures have gradually increased – this is truly wonderful. This servant takes her leave.”