At this time, Du Ruoxiu shouted loudly: “Your Majesty, please don’t listen to treacherous lies! Noble Consort Shu erred, but truly doesn’t deserve death. According to Great Zhou law, if a murder suspect dares escape prison, he may be killed on the spot!”

Wei Chenghui laughed heartily, rose with fluttering sleeves, and asked with burning eyes: “Then Master Du also harbored murderous intent?”

In his excitement, Du Ruoxiu wanted to say “so what,” but then remembered Suzhen’s earlier instructions – the other party was trying to protect him. If both fell into the trap, wouldn’t that… Cold sweat broke out as he immediately restrained himself, only saying: “This official merely gave verbal warnings without murderous intent, but legally speaking, Young Master Wei indeed deserved execution.”

“Your Majesty, they speak nonsense! This was clearly premeditated to kill my son!” Wei Chenghui looked back at Li Zhaoting, kneeling again with tears and appeals.

Princess Jin also said: “Marquis Wei speaks truly. Your Majesty, you must not harbor any compassionate thoughts.”

Li Zhaoting looked at Suzhen, his fists in his sleeves nearly crushing! Good, how wonderful of her – she was placing him in such a difficult position! He took a deep breath, walked to Wei Chenghui, and personally helped him up.

“Marquis Wei, I will certainly handle this matter fairly. Don’t worry for now.”

“Du Ruoxiu, let me ask you – you say Wei Wujun killed people. Do you have evidence? Did he sign a confession?” he asked sternly.

Du Ruoxiu was startled, immediately answering: “Your Majesty, Wei Wujun personally admitted his crimes. Hundreds of common people plus several respected elders in the capital can testify.”

“If Your Majesty needs personal interrogation, this minister can bring them before you for individual questioning. The autopsy wounds differ from the sword Wei Wujun carried today, but weapons seized from his household guards match the concealed daggers exactly in thickness.”

“This Wei Wujun feared irrefutable evidence and unavoidable confession, thus escaped prison.”

Wei Chenghui’s expression changed slightly. Li Zhaoting looked over, his brow tightening as if also troubled, but then he shouted again: “You say Wei Wujun fled with his crimes – do you have evidence of this too?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, there are still witnesses.” Du Ruoxiu quickly answered: “This minister’s office staff can testify.”

“At that time, First Young Master Wei led troops to cause disturbance. General Chao and soldiers were also present – all can… testify!”

Li Zhaoting’s brow furrowed even more. Just as Wei Chenghui was about to speak, he suddenly spoke first: “Marquis Wei, tomorrow I will summon all parties for interrogation. If Feng Suzhen acted unlawfully, even if she’s a woman I love, I will show no favoritism and give you satisfaction. But if Du Ruoxiu speaks truthfully, though your Wei family has merit, I will certainly remember it, but you also cannot go too far. I hope you understand.”

“Of course, for Consort Feng to interfere in this matter as a palace lady is wrong regardless. I cannot but punish her. Come, take Feng Suzhen…” He glanced at the broken, cold, dark palace before him, saying word by word: “Con-fine-to-Cold-Palace!”

“Si Lanfeng, station guards carefully. Don’t allow any more disturbances or her causing trouble. Also Du Ruoxiu – you failed to prevent this major incident. Your salary is forfeited for half a year, fifty strokes of the staff. Learn from this – not everyone can be provoked.”

Princess Jin said nothing. If she persuaded Li Zhaoting now, it would seem she favored the Wei family, further displeasing Wei.

Wei Chenghui’s face was iron-blue, his hands clenched into fists. This Feng Suzhen and Du Ruoxiu had probably planned everything – witnesses at every turn. Common people in front, Chao Huang behind, and his stupid son Wuya even thinking cleverly to demand the person’s release, giving them another opportunity!

Though they were his own soldiers, the situation was chaotic then and he hadn’t strictly forbidden it. When these soldiers returned to camp, wouldn’t they spread the news everywhere!

Li Zhaoting’s words carried both dignity and consideration. He had declared Feng Suzhen his favored consort but also sent her to the Cold Palace. If he pressed further, when Li Zhaoting publicly interrogated this matter in court tomorrow, it would seem he had overstepped!

But Li Zhaoting clearly favored Feng Suzhen. Ordering Si Lanfeng to station guards was to prevent him from having her killed. Hah… Even confined to the Cold Palace, how could this equal his son’s life!

With the Wei family’s such merit, he couldn’t swallow this grievance!

He pondered left and right, struggling intensely. Li Zhaoting patted his shoulder: “Teacher Wei, Wujun was naturally intelligent. I had intended to cultivate him, but sadly fate was unkind… Now that the dead are gone, I will order a grand burial. I see Wuya has potential, and you have several other sons who, though young, are future pillars of Great Zhou. Teacher must not grieve too much – your health is most important.”

These comforting words were pleasant to hear… Wei Chenghui bit his teeth, finally shaking off Li Zhaoting’s hand, said “Thank Your Majesty,” and turned to leave.

“Your Majesty—” Princess Jin was startled and about to say something when Li Zhaoting seemed not to see the imperial dignity being scorned, showing no embarrassment, only saying softly: “Mother, please return to the palace first. I’ll handle matters here. Mother, rest assured – I know my limits and will handle relations with the Wei family properly. Let Marquis Wei cool down for now.”

Princess Jin, seeing his determined expression and knowing his mind was made up, felt irritated and annoyed. She shot Suzhen a fierce look and led people away.

“Lanfeng, first drive the people from the Cold Palace out. Take Du Ruoxiu and this Six Fans Gate girl away too. Everyone else withdraw.” Li Zhaoting watched coldly as Suzhen slowly rose from the ground. His previously calm eyes seemed suddenly stained with storm clouds, dark to the extreme, his tone without a trace of warmth.

Du Ruoxiu breathed a sigh of relief. Wuming looked at Suzhen with concern, but soon everyone was led away by guards, including the abandoned women from the Cold Palace.

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Suzhen looked at him and said.

But Li Zhaoting’s lips curved in a cold smile: “Shouldn’t I be thanking you instead? To protect you, I’ve thoroughly offended Wei Chenghui. Are you satisfied now?”

“You could have killed me.” Suzhen said quietly.

“You!” Hearing this, Li Zhaoting felt sweetness in his throat and immediately spat out blood.

His injuries were serious. Just now rushing here urgently had already aggravated his wounds. With such emotional agitation and extreme anger, his blood surged and could no longer be suppressed.

Suzhen was startled and went to support him.

“Yes, I truly should kill you.” He gripped her shoulders tightly, grinding his teeth.

“Zhaoting, the Wei family sees me as a thorn in their side.”

“I can protect you. With me here, they cannot touch you!”

“But my father was harmed by them. How can I let this go?” She smiled slightly.

Looking into her mocking eyes, his heart shook slightly, but his face maintained its usual composure: “What nonsense are you speaking? They were all my father’s former subordinates. How could Wei Chenghui harm your father?”

“I discovered it when I was Judicial Official. Also, Wei Chenghui once imprisoned me – he admitted it personally. You won’t move against them, but I must avenge my parents.” She still spoke calmly, not telling him that the first to analyze this with her was Lian Yu, nor that her killing Wei Wujun today was not only for her father’s revenge but also for her beloved.

Li Zhaoting’s anger and hatred were thus defeated by the desolate smile at her lips.

During this time, every moment of closeness made him understand her more. She was part of his flesh and blood. He owed her deeply and loved her deeply.

Deeper than he had known before, and perhaps deeper than he even knew now…

If it were any other palace consort, to preserve relations with the Wei family, tonight he would certainly have killed without question. But this person was her…

Thus, he seemed to feel no regret.

Even though she had just tricked him into leaving the palace.

Only now, even though he had heard her personally admit to Hong Xiao that her heart still held him, he still wasn’t certain – was her love for him deeper than for Lian Yu?

Yet he seemed to have fallen headfirst into a swamp, constantly sinking deeper and deeper…

When encountering the assassin, without thinking, he had blocked in front of her. Afterward, even he was terrified by the thought – it seemed he could even give his life for her?

Was this so?

Watching her still look at him as calmly as a mirror-like lake, his heart ached and turned vicious. Despite his bleeding wound, he suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her fiercely…

Until blood stained his robes and his vision darkened, he finally released her through gritted teeth. She leaned in his embrace, quietly asking: “Zhaoting, will I have to live here from now on?”

It was such an understanding tone, just like when they were children – when she angered him, he would walk quickly without speaking while she persistently followed like a little tail, carefully asking, “Zhaoting, did I make you angry…” His heart tightened as he held her close, promising in her ear: “After some time, I’ll personally bring you out… definitely!”

“Good. I’m afraid I can’t wait too long.” She said softly.

Hong Xiao didn’t know how she walked out of the Cold Palace.

After hearing those servants’ reports, disregarding his injuries, he had sprung up from bed, dressing hurriedly. Without even saying much to her, he led people like a whirlwind straight to the Cold Palace!

His expression showed erupting anger, but more was… fear.

He feared Wei Chenghui and the Empress Dowager would kill her.

She had secretly followed him to the Cold Palace entrance, witnessing everything from outside the courtyard.

He was willing to offend Wei Chenghui, risking great impropriety to save her!

When Wei, Princess Jin, Si Lanfeng and others came out, she had hidden behind nearby trees with Mei’er, not wanting to be seen in such a disheveled state.

Yet ultimately she couldn’t resist returning. She wanted to see how he despised her.

But there wasn’t any.

There was only his frenzied passionate kiss and his promise.

That feeling was as if he wanted to bring her into his very bones and blood.

“Your Majesty, why didn’t you go in to confront—” Mei’er followed behind her, asking quietly.

“Isn’t the humiliation enough already?” She turned back, saying coldly.

The red threads and emptiness in her mistress’s eyes made Mei’er dare not speak further.

Hong Xiao thought she could endure it, but having just reached the Imperial Garden, she could no longer control herself and burst into tears.

He had loved her so much before. Why…

If she hadn’t let hatred for Shuangcheng make her keep that appointment years ago, would today be different? Lian Yu… he wouldn’t have done this…

And he wouldn’t have met Feng Suzhen. They would have been fine…

“Lian Yu… Lian Yu…”

Her heart was like being cut by knives as she called his name softly. Suddenly there was a sound from the bushes behind. Mei’er was startled: “Who’s there?”

Someone slowly emerged.

Wearing a long robe of wormwood green, with a clear, profound face.

“Are you Sang… Zhan?” Hong Xiao frowned, vaguely remembering this name. She spoke with displeasure.

Seeing her crying, he didn’t know proper etiquette to avoid – was he intentionally watching her make a fool of herself?!

She looked coldly, but was awed by something deep and mysterious in his eyes. Inexplicably nervous and uneasy, yet strangely drawn to approach him.

“This humble citizen was summoned by the Emperor and is currently a guest in the palace.” He spoke calmly, walking before her and extending his hand.

She looked at the snow-white handkerchief in his hand, somewhat shocked, but then couldn’t help reaching out to take it.

“No offense intended. Please forgive any impropriety, Your Majesty. This humble citizen takes his leave.”

“Your Majesty, Your Majesty…”

She didn’t know how long passed before she came to her senses under Mei’er’s repeated calls, and he had already left with polite but distant courtesy.

Sang Zhan returned to the Cold Palace again.

Even though, like Hong Xiao, he had only left moments ago, and even though he had clearly heard Li Zhaoting order Si Lanfeng to station guards, he still returned!

Coldly watching dozens of imperial guards patrolling back and forth before the Cold Palace gate, his eyes flashed with the light of an eagle hunting prey, that sinister qi ten times more dangerous than Li Zhaoting’s earlier…

…

Suzhen extinguished the lamp, preparing to sleep.

Fortunately, though this was the Cold Palace, before leaving he had ordered palace servants to lead maids in cleaning and arranging one room, bringing fresh bedding and incense… He also let Wuming stay, in the room opposite.

Tonight she was truly exhausted. Her tongue was filled with a faint metallic taste, but she wouldn’t think it was Li Zhaoting’s lingering breath in her mouth – it was her own.

She… didn’t have much time left. There were still Yu Jinglun, Mao Hui, and Wei Chenghui!

The next chapter should have a very major turning point.