Aluo’s heart tightened as she immediately asked, “Who?”

“The Prime Minister. Moreover, it was Executive Qi who led him there. It turns out Executive Qi wasn’t truly loyal to Your Majesty.” Ji’er answered slowly.

Mei’er and Xiao Shanshan were immediately delighted. Mei’er glared at her, “Why didn’t you say this in front of His Majesty that day? What do you mean by coming to report only now!”

Ji’er said fearfully, “This servant didn’t not want to speak, but seeing that His Majesty and that Noble Consort seemed quite intimate then, even if this servant had spoken, His Majesty probably wouldn’t have believed it. But now, thinking it over repeatedly and keeping Your Majesty in mind, this servant gritted her teeth and came to report.”

“My senior martial brother is truly formidable. Even now that he’s lost favor, he still manages to cultivate connections in this deep palace.” Aluo suddenly smiled, then looked at her calmly, “You’re so loyal—what reward do you want?”

Ji’er quickly said, “This servant wouldn’t dare.”

“Oh, you really haven’t thought of taking Executive Qi’s position?” Aluo looked at her and asked with another smile.

Only then did Ji’er say, “This servant truly never thought of asking for rewards, but if Your Majesty shows such consideration, this servant is infinitely grateful. Though this servant is a minor supervisor in the laundry bureau, she’s still of servant status. Executive Qi’s position is beyond this servant’s aspirations. Being able to walk beside Your Majesty would already be a great favor.”

“Good. I understand. As long as this matter succeeds, whether it’s Executive Qi’s position or being a female official by my side, I’ll let you choose. Plus a reward of a hundred taels of silver. Just await my instructions.” Aluo’s eyes closed slightly as she spoke calmly.

“Thank… thank you, Your Majesty!” Ji’er’s eyes shone with joy as she left with countless thanks.

After she left, Mei’er immediately said, “Congratulations, Your Majesty! Heaven helps us—that little vixen Feng Suzhen won’t be arrogant much longer.”

But Aluo looked at Xiao Shanshan, “What do you think?”

Xiao Shanshan hesitated slightly, pausing before saying, “Your Majesty, last time was so dangerous yet the Feng woman still escaped. This time, in this servant’s opinion, we mustn’t miss the opportunity, but we must also be cautious and plan carefully. Otherwise, if anything goes wrong, this servant fears His Majesty might have complaints against Your Majesty.”

Aluo nodded, a calculating look appearing in her eyes, “You’re truly a palace veteran. If there’s any mishap, it won’t just be complaints. Therefore, this time, perhaps we shouldn’t be the ones to make this move.”

At this time, Wei Wulei was wondering whether to have Ying Ge invite Li Zhaoting to dine at her palace—Feng Suzhen had reportedly been favored last night. With a tiger ahead and wolves behind, the Empress and Miaoyin were already formidable opponents, and now there was this mortal enemy of the Wei family. She was like a thorn that, if not removed promptly, would only sink deeper!

As she was calculating, Ying Ge suddenly entered the palace and whispered a few words in her ear. Upon hearing this, she almost immediately said, “Send her in.”

Soon, an internal eunuch brought in a woman dressed as a palace maid.

The woman was quite attractive. Upon seeing Wei Wulei, she bowed, “Laundry bureau Ji’er pays respects to Noble Consort Wei.”

“I heard you have matters concerning Feng Suzhen to report to me?” Wei Wulei slightly narrowed her eyes and asked softly.

“Yes!” Ji’er answered, “Your Majesty, this servant saw with her own eyes in the laundry bureau that the Noble Consort actually had a tryst with a man…”

“Why didn’t you report to the Empress? You should know the Empress oversees the six palaces. Such matters fall under her jurisdiction, not mine to interfere with.”

After listening for a while, Wei Wulei didn’t inquire about related matters but instead asked with a half-smile.

Her gaze was as sharp as lightning. Ji’er was secretly startled, knowing her formidable nature. She quickly composed herself according to Aluo’s instructions and answered with a bitter smile, “Your Majesty is indeed wise and perceptive. This servant dares not hide the truth. This servant did visit the Empress previously, but the Empress said to mind my own business and coldly dismissed me.”

“Hmm,” Wei Wulei exhaled, “That’s not surprising. I heard the Empress quarreled with His Majesty last night… You may go for now.”

…

An hour and a half later, Wei Chenghui and Wei Wujun received urgent summons to enter the palace.

“This is indeed a good opportunity, but the previous situation allowed Feng Suzhen to escape. Won’t there be problems this time too? Will His Majesty ultimately blame sister?” Wei Wujun was both surprised and worried.

Wei Wulei looked toward Wei Chenghui.

Wei Chenghui sipped his tea and smiled slightly, “This Empress has some skill—tossing the hot potato to us with one turn.”

“Does father also disapprove?” Wei Wulei hesitated somewhat, “Daughter feels this is a rare opportunity. Lian Yu is dead but Quan Feitong is alive, and he once went through a wedding ceremony with Feng Suzhen. Though they didn’t consummate it, there’s still something unclear between them. His Majesty may already harbor some resentment.”

Wei Chenghui gave her an approving look, “Truly my daughter. So even if it’s a hot potato this time, we must catch it. Previously, the Empress Dowager only had hearsay, but this time we have witnesses, don’t we? That Quan Feitong opposes me at every turn in court—now is the perfect opportunity to even eliminate this political enemy. If Feng Suzhen isn’t removed, the more His Majesty cares for her, the worse it will be. So how can we be hesitant about killing two birds with one stone?”

“But we must prepare well. Where is that servant girl? I need to teach her a few things.” The smile on his lips gradually faded as his eyes grew predatory.

Suzhen had briefed little Lu and the others that Xiao Zhou would stay by her side as a new companion, then closed the door for private discussion with Xiao Zhou.

She mentioned that Li Zhaoting might take her out of the palace. Xiao Zhou was both shocked and delighted—if they could plan carefully and catch him off guard, they might be able to escape along the way. Suzhen also brought up Lian Yu’s remains.

“Regardless of whether we can escape, I want to retrieve your master’s remains before leaving the palace, cremate them, and carry them with me. I don’t want to be separated from him again.” She touched her belly and said softly.

“But if you rashly ask Li Zhaoting about where the bones are buried, I fear he’ll harm you.” Xiao Zhou nodded emphatically, then immediately shook her head and said sadly, “We can’t retrieve master’s remains. If his spirit in heaven knew, he would never want you to risk yourself for him.”

“No, I won’t give up. Perhaps I can ask someone to speak to Li Zhaoting on my behalf.”

“Who?”

“Miaoyin. This Miss Miao is a good person with a chivalrous heart.”

Suzhen said slowly.

…

Half an hour later, as Suzhen was taking Xiao Zhou to visit Miaoyin’s palace, Xiao Si hurried over just as they left and announced sarcastically, “Noble Consort, His Majesty summons you to the imperial study.”

Suzhen was startled. It was only evening—why was he summoning her already? And to the imperial study?

But since it was an imperial decree, she had no choice but to follow Xiao Si.

Upon reaching near the emperor’s bedchamber, Xiao Si glanced at Xiao Zhou and said, “You wait here. Noble Consort, go in by yourself.”

Xiao Zhou looked uneasy and glanced at Suzhen. Suzhen signaled her not to worry and walked several more steps into the heavily guarded courtyard.

Upon entering, she was startled again. Someone else was standing with their back to her in the courtyard—the figure seemed quite familiar.

“Prime Minister?” She called out tentatively. The person standing under the trees with hands behind his back slowly turned around. A pair of fox-like eyes paused on her, but didn’t respond.

Suzhen became suspicious, unable to figure out Li Zhaoting’s intentions. Why had he suddenly summoned both her and Quan Feitong?

She couldn’t guess.

Since she couldn’t figure it out, she simply walked to one side and stood quietly waiting.

Meanwhile, Quan Feitong kept his eyes downcast, staring at the ground, lost in thought.

But she could sense his whole being emanated a cold distance.

Chen Jiao had apparently delivered the message. Suzhen sighed inwardly, but since he wasn’t speaking, it was best if she said nothing either.

In the vast courtyard, though there were people present, it was silent—the atmosphere subtle and slightly awkward.

After waiting for who knows how long—about half an incense stick’s time—a voice suddenly arose from outside, “I give you two a chance to spend time together, yet why do you remain silent? Must you meet secretly in private to feel comfortable?”

With a cold laugh, Li Zhaoting entered wearing casual clothes. He hadn’t brought many people—only two guards.

Suzhen’s heart suddenly alarmed. Seeing Quan Feitong bow as if nothing was wrong, she also bowed.

Li Zhaoting’s eyes swept over her, then looked calmly at Quan Feitong, “Does the Prime Minister have nothing to say to me?”

Quan Feitong maintained his smiling expression.

“This minister doesn’t understand Your Majesty’s meaning.”

“Oh?”

Li Zhaoting smiled questioningly, half-closing his eyes as two other guards escorted a woman in.

“Servant Ji’er from the laundry bureau pays respects to Your Majesty.” The woman knelt in greeting.

Suzhen’s heart sank slightly. What was this Ji’er up to now? Li Zhaoting’s voice then fell coldly on her ears, “Tell them what you saw that night.”

Ji’er raised her eyes to look at Suzhen, a hint of malice in her gaze.

“That night two days ago, this servant saw the Noble Consort and the Prime Minister in an abandoned palace in the laundry bureau… embracing tightly.”

Suzhen was shocked. But she immediately steadied herself. At this moment, she absolutely couldn’t show the slightest unnaturalness before Li Zhaoting, or not only she, but Quan Feitong would also be—As she nervously deliberated, she heard Quan Feitong laugh, “Where did this servant girl come from spouting nonsense? This minister never went to the inner palace. You must have mistaken someone else. As for the Noble Consort, this minister wouldn’t know, but two days ago the Noble Consort was still in the laundry bureau being punished. A lady being severely disciplined should behave properly and wouldn’t do anything inappropriate, would she?”

“Prime Minister, this servant is not speaking nonsense. This servant has evidence to prove I indeed saw you that night.” Ji’er on the ground said slowly.