Although Su Ziluo had sensed something, he didn’t say it aloud or ask. He only pretended he knew nothing.

His still gentle gaze watched Li Shiyan absent-mindedly eating the half-eaten pastry in his hand, and he asked lightly: “Is it good?”

Normally, would he ask such a thing?

So this question was quite peculiar, without any rhyme or reason.

Li Shiyan was stumped by his question and nearly choked. He hurriedly forced down the mouthful of pastry stuffed in his mouth with all his might. His dry lips twitched slightly as he nodded and said: “Good, of course it’s good. These are all things I like to eat, so naturally they’re good!”

He completely failed to notice that he had actually said “good” three times!

These unintentional words sounded quite ordinary, but when they fell on Su Ziluo’s ears, he felt Li Shiyan was somewhat guilty and strange. His eyes moved slightly, a trace of a smile spreading at the corners of his mouth as he said: “Good. As long as you like them, then eat slowly. I’m leaving.”

Having said that, he intended to turn the wheelchair and leave the room. But the next moment, Li Shiyan tossed aside the pastry in his hand and quickly grabbed the wheelchair handle, asking: “You’re leaving just like that?”

He had thought that Su Ziluo coming to see him so early in the morning was using delivering pastries as a pretext to enter, but actually wanted to discuss this case with him. Who knew he would just turn and leave? Not a single word, not even a hint.

Su Ziluo’s gaze lightly glanced at the hand gripping his wheelchair. His brow raised intentionally or unintentionally as he said: “The pastries have been delivered, so of course I must leave. After all, your current identity is that of a suspect, so I cannot stay here long. I must avoid suspicion!”

“Although you say you must avoid suspicion, don’t you have anything else to say to me?”

“Anything else? What?”

Li Shiyan warily glanced at the elite soldier guarding outside the door, then leaned his body forward slightly. A pair of peach blossom eyes narrowed tightly as he said in a reminding tone: “For instance, have you found any evidence? Or what should I do to clear myself of suspicion?”

At these words, Su Ziluo answered him almost without hesitation and very seriously: “I haven’t found any evidence, and you’re locked up here so there’s nothing you can do.”

“Then I’m dead for sure?” A trace of disappointment fell in Li Shiyan’s heart, but this suddenly arising emotion was immediately concealed by him. “If you didn’t come for this matter, then what are you running here for?”

“To bring you pastries to eat!” Su Ziluo said very seriously. He truly and indeed came specifically to bring Li Shiyan food, with no other meaning.

But this couldn’t be blamed on Li Shiyan for overthinking. After all, Su Ziluo was an exceptionally intelligent person with abundant resourcefulness. His every word, every glance, even every movement would make people generate various associations, suspecting whether he was secretly plotting something. So delivering pastries out of the blue—how could it not make people think in other directions?

Li Shiyan released his wheelchair and sighed heavily, saying miserably: “I thought you had already figured out a way to help me. Looks like I was happy for nothing. I’m afraid if this continues, I’ll really be locked up in the Court of Judicial Review’s prison and then die.”

Although he spoke listlessly, in his heart he still held onto one last hope—Ji Yinshu!

He trusted her, waited for her, believed he would definitely be able to leave here with complete innocence, making those who wronged him or watched his disgrace open their eyes wide and see that he, Li Shiyan, was an immortal phoenix who could be reborn even from fire! But to conceal the fact that Ji Yinshu was secretly helping him, he had to appear somewhat “distressed” and anxious in front of Su Ziluo.

Su Ziluo’s expression was calm. Although he saw he indeed had worried looks, he vaguely always felt something was strange. However, since it wasn’t convenient to ask more at this time, he didn’t reveal the doubts in his heart and instead consoled: “Although I strongly vouch for you in this matter and believe you definitely didn’t kill anyone, if I openly investigate, it would be suspected of interfering with the Court of Judicial Review’s case handling. As the saying goes, those not in the position should not meddle in its affairs. The only thing I can do is ensure the evidence the Court of Judicial Review finds is authentic, to avoid false evidence wronging you! However, Lord Huang of the Court of Judicial Review has always been cautious in his work. I believe he won’t act recklessly. Of course, I’m not refusing to help you—I just need to avoid the people from the Court of Judicial Review.”

Hearing these words, Li Shiyan also felt reassured. After all, the two had known each other for so many years. If Su Ziluo said he would help, he would definitely help.

“Then I’ll wait for your good news!”

“You should also stay here properly. Don’t think of any crooked ideas about escaping. Otherwise, truly no one can save you.”

“I’m not that stupid. Don’t worry.” Li Shiyan had previously thought he had killed someone, and coupled with momentary panic, had fled. But now Wang Huai’s death was not his doing. If he fled again, even if it had nothing to do with him, this crime probably couldn’t be washed away.

Naturally, he would obediently stay here.

After Su Ziluo went out, Qi’er took over the wheelchair and pushed him away. That elite soldier was just about to close the door when he suddenly heard a voice from outside: “Let me in! What are you blocking me for? Don’t you know who I am? Move aside!”

Hmm?

That was Zhao Quanzhi’s voice.

Hadn’t he been called by Lord Huang for questioning? Why was he here?

First hearing his voice, then seeing his person—he came charging in from outside carrying a pot of wine, rushing inward while shouting at the top of his voice: “Shiyan, I’ve come to see you! Shiyan…”

The elite soldier guarding outside chased after him with a difficult expression. It wasn’t that he truly couldn’t stop Zhao Quanzhi, but after all, he was the son of the Governor of Jiangguang. Barging in like this—he couldn’t very well draw his sword and block his way, could he? If he injured him, when the Governor of Jiangguang blamed him, he probably couldn’t bear the consequences. So he could only try to persuade with words: “Young Master Zhao, you cannot enter. Lord Huang has given orders—no one can enter.”

No one can enter?

But as soon as Zhao Quanzhi entered, he saw Su Ziluo who had just come out of the room!

Hmph!

He immediately flew into a rage. He was at least the son of the Governor of Jiangguang—his status wasn’t high, but it wasn’t low either. How could there be such disparate treatment? He roared: “General Su can come in, so why can’t I?”

Elite soldier: “…”

Unable to defend himself!

Zhao Quanzhi had always respected that General Su whom everyone praised, so naturally he couldn’t lose propriety before him. He quickly cupped his hands: “I didn’t expect General Su to be here. You must also have come to see Shiyan.”

Su Ziluo nodded: “Young Master Zhao, what brings you here?”

Zhao Quanzhi raised the pot of wine in his hand and said: “I was afraid Shiyan would be bored stiff locked up in here, so I brought him a pot of wine to let him enjoy a taste.” As he spoke, he shouted toward the door at the top of his voice: “Shiyan, I brought you wine!”

The elite soldier beside him said: “Young Master Zhao, now that the heir is confined, you cannot bring wine inside.”

“But I’ve already come in!” Zhao Quanzhi glared fiercely at him.

Elite soldier: “…”

Hearing the familiar voice from outside, Li Shiyan walked to the doorway and looked out to see Zhao Quanzhi standing in the courtyard. He asked: “Zhao Quanzhi, what are you here for?”

Zhao Quanzhi was merely using delivering wine as a pretext to come in and see him. Now seeing him safe and sound, he felt relieved. He raised the wine in his hand and said: “Shiyan, I brought you wine—your favorite osmanthus wine. I know you’re bored in here, so I brought wine to relieve your boredom.”

“You’re the one who thinks of me, knowing I’m short on wine.”

“Of course!” Zhao Quanzhi quickly walked over. As soon as he reached the door, he gave him the wine. But seeing several plates of delicious pastries still placed on the table inside, he said: “You rascal! We’re worried about you outside, but you’re living quite comfortably in here instead. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought you wine.”

Li Shiyan chuckled, naturally unwilling to let go of the wine he’d obtained. He just clenched his fist and punched Zhao Quanzhi once on the chest, saying: “I know you treat me as a brother. Once I get out, I’ll definitely drink three cups with you.”

“I’ll be waiting!” Zhao Quanzhi said. “Everyone says you killed someone, but I just don’t believe it. A guy like you—you’re only capable with your mouth on ordinary days. You couldn’t do something like killing someone with your own hands. So I believe you, and I’ll definitely help you!”

Hearing these words, Li Shiyan was very moved in his heart.

They say when a person falls on hard times, everyone avoids them from afar. Yet he hadn’t expected Zhao Quanzhi would still send charcoal in snowy weather. Such a friend truly wasn’t befriended in vain.