When Suzhen returned to the side palace, her whole body was still trembling. She didn’t know why Li Zhaoting had gone back on his word, but she couldn’t possibly remind him that “the emperor’s words are not jest”—he was the emperor, the supreme authority, and everything was decided by him.

Could it be that this time she needed to take him hostage to succeed?

But this was completely unfeasible. The palace was full of his people, and without helpers, how could she subdue him alone?

His martial arts were quite advanced, and his intelligence was superior to hers.

Even if she could miraculously capture him and take him with her, the pursuing soldiers would come endlessly. If she killed him midway, the result would be the same.

She held her head in pain, covering her face with her hands, sitting on the stool as if in meditation.

For now, she could only first pretend to have her monthly flow. Although this excuse was transparently false, at worst she could injure herself. With so many beauties in this palace, how could he possibly have any desire for an unattractive injured patient?

“Noble Consort,” Just as she was deep in thought, Si Lanfeng’s voice unexpectedly came from outside.

She was startled and opened the door. Si Lanfeng bowed with a smile, “His Majesty ordered me to bring these loyal servants back to you. He also said that Wuqing’s repeated scheming and signaling in the palace creates a bad influence, but this time, considering your feelings, he won’t pursue it. But there won’t be a next time.”

When Si Lanfeng left, Suzhen was still in a daze. Si Lanfeng felt somewhat snubbed and shrugged as he left in disappointment. Little Lu was extremely happy, while Steward Guo looked guilty. Suzhen had half-jokingly said before that if she faced trouble again, the stewardess should protect herself—that would be right. Seeing that she didn’t seem to be joking, Steward Guo felt even more ashamed. She pulled Suzhen aside and quietly asked if she had thought of a way to cope.

Unlike little Lu, Steward Guo knew the true circumstances. Suzhen shook her head and told her that Li Zhaoting would come tonight. Steward Guo was shocked and advised her to use any means necessary to delay, and also suggested getting the emperor drunk to muddle through the first time.

Suzhen felt ice-cold all over, her blood seeming to congeal—there wasn’t a warm spot anywhere. If she still couldn’t think of a way to leave the palace, she would have to consider what Steward Guo proposed…

“My lady, His Majesty is already dead. You must plan for yourself.” Before leaving, Steward Guo earnestly reminded her in a low voice.

This “His Majesty” naturally didn’t refer to Li Zhaoting. She took little Lu and Chen Jiao with her to let Suzhen think quietly.

Chen Jiao looked at Suzhen with some hesitation. Suzhen sensed she had something to say and kept her behind.

Chen Jiao saw that both Guo and Lu had left before lowering her voice to ask, “My lady, the Prime Minister asks… asks whether you and His Majesty have…”

Her face reddened slightly, and she spoke haltingly. Suzhen understood what she was asking about—this “His Majesty” also didn’t refer to Li Zhaoting.

She thought for a moment, then whispered in Chen Jiao’s ear, “Tell the Prime Minister that I am indeed Lian Yu’s wife. We are married, both in name and… in body and soul.”

Chen Jiao’s face showed complete astonishment, but being clever, she quickly nodded, “This servant understands and will report truthfully. The Prime Minister instructed that if my lady has any need for this servant, I must do everything in my power to help. Now that His Majesty has transferred me here, it’s perfect timing. Whatever my lady needs, just command me.”

After she left, Suzhen wearily closed her eyes.

Quan Feitong…

This time, her escape from trouble was largely due to his deep scheming. She didn’t want to deceive him. If telling the truth made him angry and he no longer protected her, that might not be a bad thing. She couldn’t owe him any more—she truly couldn’t repay him.

To lie about feelings would be an insult to him.

She remained silent for a while, then wrote another letter to Wuqing, instructing little Lu to take it out.

In the letter, she told Wuqing about the situation. Finally, she wrote: “Brother, I might luckily escape tonight, or I might not. If it’s the latter, don’t be sad. You said Lian Xin has come—please be sure to send her safely back to Lian Jie and the others, and take good care of little Zhou.”

Li Zhaoting then went to the Jin Prince Consort’s palace to pay his respects. The Jin Prince Consort strongly objected, but his attitude remained as resolute as ever. He also inquired about the source of today’s news. The Jin Prince Consort was momentarily at a loss and told him temporarily, only waiting for an opportunity to plot against Suzhen’s life again.

“Mother has always been intelligent. How could you be so confused this time? Just because a maid overheard something, mistakes are inevitable. Mother should be more careful in the future.”

Li Zhaoting first apologized for the confrontation at the laundry bureau, but before leaving, he dropped this pointed remark. The Jin Prince Consort understood his meaning and couldn’t help frowning.

Li Zhaoting then went to the central palace, but Aluo wasn’t there. Upon inquiry, he learned she had gone to the emperor’s bedchamber. Li Zhaoting returned there to find Aluo waiting outside with Xiao Shanshan and Mei’er. Seeing his cold expression, she pulled Mei’er to kneel down, “Your Majesty, Aluo didn’t come here to admit fault, because I had no intention of harming her. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. But if you want to blame and punish me for this, Aluo is willing to accept it. After all, regardless of right or wrong, this matter did originate from my servant’s mouth.”

“Hmm, your maid was indeed loose-tongued.” Li Zhaoting helped her up and glanced coldly at Mei’er, saying, “There won’t be a next time. I don’t like troublemakers. If you weren’t the Empress’s person, today…”

He didn’t say what would have happened today, but the murderous intent in his tone made Mei’er’s heart shudder. She kowtowed repeatedly, “This servant knows her mistake, this servant knows her mistake.”

Li Zhaoting watched her knock her head until it bled before saying, “Remember this well, then get up.”

“Yes.” Mei’er stood up tremblingly and retreated behind Aluo.

Aluo had been watching coldly throughout, and the suppressed bitter resentment in her heart finally snapped! She bowed again and said through gritted teeth, “Thank you for your mercy, Your Majesty. This consort takes her leave.”

“You know I came here with no intention of blaming you!”

Seeing her leave in anger, Li Zhaoting called from behind, his voice also stern.

“But even if she was wrong, she’s still my servant! Did you consider my feelings at all? She would gossip only because she heard that Feng Suzhen would be harmful to you, and my worry is a hundred times greater than hers! Couldn’t you spare her for my sake? Fine—worrying about you is my meddling, my own fault!”

“I also heard what Feng Suzhen said. You believe her—I have nothing to say. I just originally thought your treatment of me was sincere. Now I clearly see that you care more for her than for me.” She said coldly.

“Spare her? A servant who can’t speak properly will only hinder you. Feng Suzhen has been with me since childhood—isn’t it natural that I treat her well? Moreover, this time involved life and death. When has she ever compared to you? Everyone knows my feelings for you!” Li Zhaoting stepped forward, his voice deepening, “I didn’t consider your feelings? Fine, if you say I didn’t, then I didn’t!”

Hearing this, Aluo gave a cold laugh and walked away quickly.

Reaching a certain spot, Xiao Shanshan pulled her aside and urgently advised, “My lady, His Majesty does love you, but you absolutely cannot quarrel with him over this, or Feng Suzhen will have her chance. Besides, there are still Noble Consort Wei and Noble Consort Miao!”

Aluo smiled bitterly. Actually, she had regretted it while walking. Li Zhaoting truly treated her extremely well, but he was, after all, the emperor. She couldn’t go too much against his will. Moreover, Xiao Shanshan was right—this was a palace with three thousand beauties. She couldn’t push him into the arms of Feng Suzhen and Miaoyin!

She returned to the palace with the two servants and instructed Xiao Shanshan to prepare fine wine and food. She also sent for Liang Song from the Internal Affairs Department and whispered instructions to him.

Liang Song smiled quietly, “Yes, this servant understands. I’ll definitely follow my lady’s instructions and request that His Majesty turn over my lady’s tablet.”

By nightfall, dinner had long been prepared in the Six Doors headquarters, but no one had any appetite to eat. Little Zhou had disappeared completely! No one knew where she had gone at this critical moment.

Wuqing sat with downcast eyes, saying nothing. Leng Xue suddenly stood up, “Today’s incident nearly cost her life. That hypocrite Li Zhaoting has gone mad. I’m going to infiltrate the palace tonight.”

Lian Xin was usually also an impulsive person, but now she said dejectedly, “Even if you risk your life, you can’t save Suzhen! If she can escape today, we must find a way to get someone inside to help her. If only I could go in.”

“What help could you provide by going in?” Wuqing coldly interrupted her.

Lian Xin bit her lip and glared at him resentfully.

“The princess can’t go, but I can! I can enter the palace now.”

Someone replied in a deep voice from outside the door.

“Little Zhou?” Tie Shou had been standing with his head down, but hearing this, he looked up. Seeing what appeared to be a woman in her former Vermillion Bird Envoy attire with a veiled face, he was puzzled. Wuqing suddenly stood up and looked toward the door. Little Zhou slowly removed her veil.

Everyone was shocked.

In the palace at this time, Aluo was similarly looking at the gradually cooling wine and food, frowning slightly. After waiting a while longer without hearing any movement outside, she was about to instruct Xiao Shanshan to make a trip to the emperor’s bedchamber when a palace maid entered to report that Fourth Master had arrived.

This Fourth Master was Xiao Si. Seeing Aluo, he bowed and said, “His Majesty has something to send to the Empress.”

Xiao Shanshan smiled, “My lady, His Majesty hasn’t arrived yet, but his gift comes first—this shows his sincerity.”

Aluo’s faint worry between her brows gradually faded as she took the brocade box Xiao Si handed her. Opening it, she found a pair of translucent, lustrous jade bracelets. The quality was obviously priceless. Her anger and irritation dissipated considerably, and she couldn’t help but smile slightly, asking, “Where is His Majesty?”

But when Xiao Si heard this, he hesitated for quite a while before saying, “His Majesty said… he has business tonight and won’t be coming.”