This was the first time since arriving at the Laundry Bureau that Suzhen didn’t actively work.

She simply didn’t know how she had endured hearing the news last night.

Wu Qing, fearing she might completely collapse upon hearing fragmented and inaccurate gossip about Wu Yan’s death in the palace, didn’t hide it from her. After being summoned by Li Zhaoting, he took advantage of entering the palace to have Little Luzi bring her a letter detailing the entire sequence of events.

Though this gave Suzhen a glimmer of hope, it didn’t alleviate her grief.

Last night, Quan Feitong had come to see her again.

But no matter how much pain she felt, she still didn’t go.

She didn’t want to owe Quan Feitong anymore.

Could the Spring Return Hall really restore flesh to bones, change life and death? She didn’t know. Only if Wu Yan and Huo returned alive before her would she believe it.

Her friend told her not to feel guilty, but how could she not feel guilty?

Her friends died one by one, yet she had no power to protect them.

Even paying respects was a luxury.

She forcefully threw the clothes into the basin, water splashing pitilessly on her face.

She had always thought she might be able to escape. But no matter how many schemes she had, this cage held her fast. She could do nothing – no time, no strength.

Her hatred grew while despair deepened. Part of her longed for revenge, part of her was so exhausted that even with Little Lotus Seed, she sometimes didn’t want to persist anymore.

“The Empress Dowager and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived – receive them!”

Outside the courtyard, a shrill voice penetrated the door! She jolted violently – how could a small Laundry Bureau be worthy of these two important figures’ visit!

“Quickly! Everyone come kneel to receive Their Majesties.”

There, Supervisor Qi hurriedly directed the palace maids to rise and all kneel toward the entrance. Suzhen wiped her face with her sleeve, squeezed into the middle, and knelt down. Ji Er had been watching her, seeing her lips moving as if talking to herself, and couldn’t help but sneer: “What use is getting to the front? Do you think the Empress Dowager and Empress will notice you and take you back?”

Suzhen didn’t respond, but soon Princess Consort Jin entering with frosty air made Ji Er stare in shock.

The Empress Dowager coldly called for them to rise, her gaze immediately falling on one spot: “Feng Suzhen, come out!”

Were they really going to take her back?

The palace maids rose one by one, secretly glancing at Suzhen with both shock and a desire to watch drama unfold.

Suzhen saw the cold intent in Princess Consort Jin’s eyes. Just as she was wondering where she had offended this lady again, or whether Gu Xi Luo and the Wei family had done something behind the scenes to bring trouble upon her, a slap landed on her face, making her ears ring and eyes blur.

“Speak! What exactly is your relationship with Lian Yu? Have you already given yourself to him? How dare you still accept imperial favor and become His Majesty’s new consort!” The woman’s furious voice rang out severely.

Suzhen was greatly shocked – what Supervisor Guo had worried about had become a nightmare! She glanced at A Luo, her jaw trembling slightly as she quickly made up her mind – she absolutely couldn’t admit it no matter what! Delay as long as possible.

“Empress Dowager, if you truly consider my father’s reputation, then please examine me personally. Other female officials might have been bought by someone.” She suppressed her inner trembling, paused slightly, and answered word by word.

Princess Consort Jin laughed coldly: “Originally, considering your father’s reputation, I should conduct a verification, and there’s nothing wrong with me doing it personally. But I’m afraid there’s no need to examine anything. When I asked you the question, your first reaction revealed everything. If you had nothing to do with Lian Yu, you would have immediately answered ‘no,’ but you didn’t – you hesitated.”

“Don’t think you can deceive me. You want me to perform this examination not because you’re afraid palace servants were bought – you want to use me as a hostage. I know exactly what you did to the Empress before. How could I give you any chance to use tricks?”

Suzhen was secretly alarmed – just one moment’s hesitation was caught by her! She had always thought Empress Li was hateful, but Li Zhaoting’s birth mother was truly a terrifying woman! If Prince Jin had half her ruthless capability, he might not have lost to Lian Yu’s father back then.

A bitter chill rose straight to her throat! Suzhen instinctively stepped backward, seeing shocked gazes everywhere around her, as if no one could comprehend that she was actually the former emperor’s woman! Her gaze fixed on A Luo. A Luo still had the same expression as when she entered, brows tightly furrowed, face stern, as if this matter had nothing much to do with her. Toward Suzhen, she showed only mockery, finding it laughable, and sighs.

“Xiao Chun, seize this wretch and grant her three feet of white silk!”

At that moment, Princess Consort Jin gave the command to her female official with hawk-like decisiveness, straightforward and without hesitation.

A Luo’s heart pounded as she watched this fateful opponent ahead, seeing the pallor and fear flowing from her eyes. Suddenly overwhelmed with mixed emotions – this person was about to die by her hand!

Oh, so this woman could also feel fear. This was the first time she had seen this person’s terror.

She still remembered the day she was “beaten to death” – she hadn’t seemed afraid then.

So it was all fake after all!

At that time, this person was actually gambling on Lian Yu’s heart.

And Lian Yu had indeed transferred his affections because of her “death,” thinking she had paid such a heavy price for him.

No matter. It no longer mattered.

The words she and Mei Er spoke this morning were also fake!

She had seen her on the first night after Lian Yu’s corpse was exposed, not last night. She had seen her worship Lian Yu but hadn’t heard those words about killing Li Zhaoting. She had instructed Mei Er to speak haltingly before Princess Consort Jin, knowing that with Princess Consort Jin’s methods, she would definitely have someone follow them…

Just as she told Mei Er – she wanted Feng Suzhen’s life but absolutely couldn’t act personally. Best would be to use Wei Wu Lei. This girl was much harder to deal with than Miao Yin. Miao Yin wasn’t scheming and they could coexist peacefully, but the Wei family girl was different – she had a hand in killing Lian Yu and was a future threat.

But she didn’t want to wait anymore – let Princess Consort Jin do it.

With his mother killing the person, Li Zhaoting couldn’t blame her for it afterward no matter what.

Naturally Suzhen didn’t know A Luo’s calculations, but she clearly understood this matter was connected to this Empress! She had long been unafraid of death, but the child and this hatred…

Seeing Xiao Chun leading two guards with white silk walking toward her, her panic and hatred reached their peak!

Her whole body trembled, her tongue bitten by her teeth until the metallic taste filled her mouth! She again suppressed all anger and fear, suddenly kneeling before Princess Consort Jin: “Empress Dowager, without even examining me you listen to others’ instigation and decide my death sentence. But you are the Emperor’s mother with power of life and death – I cannot resist.”

“But I still have a few words and beg you to listen. It won’t take much of your and the Empress’s time. My father later prevented His Majesty from restoration, and you hate him bitterly. But initially, before the Wei family conquered territory for you, it was he, Feng Shaoqing, it was my Feng family who risked our lives to rescue you and His Majesty from prison. Eventually, when the Feng family suffered house confiscation and extermination, it was also because of this matter.”

“This is like someone who was very, very good to another person. One day, he suddenly decided to withdraw that goodness, but actually caused the other person no harm. Yet the other party feels he owes them endlessly. Isn’t this somewhat unreasonable?” She looked up and asked with a laugh.

Seeing her speak pleadingly, A Luo’s heart tightened. At this time, Wei Wu Lei and Miao Yin, having received news, rushed over separately. Hearing these words, Wei Wu Lei laughed coldly and immediately rebuked: “Miss Feng, please don’t exaggerate your father’s achievements and diminish my father’s. Prince Jin showed your father recognition and favor. Your father also served Prince Jin as master. This dissuasion was undoubtedly betrayal. Who knows if his next step would be to inform the then-emperor that Prince Jin’s heir was still alive, causing His Majesty and his mother to suffer?”

Miao Yin’s brows knitted tightly. Hearing this, she also gave a delicate cry: “Ridiculous! Speaking of things that never happened and never would happen as if they were certain – truly ridiculous! If there had been no Minister Feng originally, His Majesty and his mother couldn’t have survived at all. Why doesn’t Lady Wei mention this?”

As she spoke, she quietly signaled her maid Fifteen, who gritted her teeth and stepped toward the door.

“Someone, seal off the Laundry Bureau. Before I resolve this matter, no one may leave – to spread word!”

A light command, and countless Imperial Guard soldiers immediately drew swords, heavily blocking the courtyard gate. Wei Wu Lei smiled slightly, coolly watching Fifteen retreat pale-faced back behind Miao Yin.

Miao Yin broke out in cold sweat, not expecting this Empress Dowager to be so formidable. She immediately knelt: “I beg Your Majesty to rescind this order. Let everything await His Majesty’s decision after morning court. Otherwise, though the Empress Dowager acts for His Majesty’s sake, she’ll gain a reputation for… ingratitude, also putting His Majesty in difficulty. This…”

Princess Consort Jin listened and looked over coldly: “I’m not afraid of infamy. Even if His Majesty were here now, he would approve of my actions in his heart. But His Majesty still remembers the Feng family’s kindness. He is my son – I cannot let him personally do this, bear this infamy.”

Miao Yin’s heart jumped, knowing no amount of pleading would change anything. She bit her lip and glanced at Suzhen, who was also looking at her with grateful eyes, gently shaking her head to signal her not to plead further for her and bring trouble upon herself.

At this time, A Luo spoke softly: “Aunt Chun, proceed. Don’t keep the Empress Dowager waiting too long.”

Xiao Chun nodded. Seeing Suzhen already backed against a pillar with nowhere to retreat, she sternly ordered the guards: “Seize her and take her inside.”

“Wait. Feng Suzhen, do you have anything else to say today? Do you want to beg me for something? Begging for life is absolutely impossible. For other things, speak. As long as it’s reasonable, I can grant this final request.”

Princess Consort Jin’s words suddenly rang out again.

Had Suzhen’s earlier words still moved her?! A Luo and Wu Lei each had their thoughts, but also understood this person’s death was inevitable today, so they said nothing more. They were curious to hear what this person would say facing death.

After kowtowing her thanks, Suzhen slowly began: “Your Majesty, since I was old enough to understand, I knew I was Young Master Li’s fiancée. From then on, all my thoughts were tied to him. Actually, if he had been even slightly kind to me, how could later events have happened? I don’t understand music, but Young Master Li loved musical harmony. I dedicated my life to him and now end it for him too.”

“Therefore, I request a qin. Let me send myself off with Young Master Li’s favorite melody for my final journey. It would complete this romance thoroughly. What does the Empress Dowager think?”

In these few sentences, she seemed to acknowledge her relationship with Lian Yu, but every sentence was sincere and heartfelt. Princess Consort Jin heard her repeatedly mentioning her own son, suddenly remembering how her son would always mention a few troublesome things about that Feng family girl when visiting her, saying that if not for Minister Feng’s sake, he would never pay her any attention. But when speaking of these things, his lips always carried a trace of smile, less of his usual mature steadiness, as if the heavy burden on his shoulders had lightened.

So even though years of hardship had hardened her heart, at this moment she still nodded: “Good, I grant you this final request.”

Update on the 21st, with another chapter tonight.