Fearing he might call her effeminate, Suzhen shook her head upon hearing this: “No, those are mostly things young ladies use. Your subject doesn’t carry them.”

Lian Yu stared at her once, said nothing more, and lifted his outer robe—Suzhen was startled, instinctively backing away: “What are you doing?”

“Finding me useless and disgusting, are you?”

Suzhen knew her face must be showing obvious disgust at this moment. Lian Yu smiled self-mockingly, his gaze growing colder. He went straight to tear a piece from his inner garment, brought out the hand he’d hidden behind his back, glanced at the fresh blood on his hand, and vigorously wiped it on his white clothing. Then using both hands, he wrapped the torn cloth around Suzhen’s neck, bandaging it properly.

After doing this, he slowly stood up, walked to the window, and ordered: “Go downstairs and find a performer to come up and entertain me.”

Suzhen had been dazed thinking about that blood—didn’t he mind staining his clothes?… Only now did she understand what he had done, remembering that day when she had bandaged Lian Xin’s wounds in the same way, her outer robe getting dirty, and feeling pity for the girl being injured, she had torn her inner garment to wrap the wound… She couldn’t help touching her own neck, suddenly thinking that she still hadn’t answered his question, nor had he granted her request.

It was just that he had at least stopped pressing her as he had before. She was still frowning slightly in thought when Lian Yu’s voice had already become somewhat stern: “Li Huaisu, if you find me so disgusting, why aren’t you getting out?”

Suzhen felt stifled, bit her lip, and silently went downstairs.

Downstairs, everyone immediately looked toward her, and toward her neck. Suzhen coughed uncomfortably: “Just now I was accompanying His Majesty for tea, and he accidentally broke a cup.”

Lian Jie, Lian Qin, Xuanwu, Qinglong, and White Tiger exchanged glances. Lian Jie spoke flatly: “Scholar, with your learning, surely you know the meaning of ‘no silver buried here, three hundred taels.'”

Lian Qin picked at her ear and sneered: “Do you think everyone here is vegetarian? This is about protecting Sixth Brother’s safety—except for you, who among us doesn’t have superior martial arts skills? What sounds can’t we hear!”

Everyone had heard everything, including Lian Jie and the other four, plus Suzhen noticed the many guards… Blood rushed to her head. After a good while, she asked White Tiger, who had the best temper among them: “Tiger, just now when the Empress Dowager and the ministers came, you cleared the theater stage. Can those opera performers be found again? Your master wants to listen.”

White Tiger smiled slightly: “What perfect timing. Seventh Master estimated that the master might still want to hear some music, so when some traveling performers passed by just now, he invited them in.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Suzhen heard Lian Jie politely say “Please,” and a qin master in his fifties or sixties emerged from the shadows carrying his instrument. His face was deeply wrinkled, appearing weathered and sorrowful, but his brow held a scholarly, refined air. Accompanying him was a young woman in her prime, not particularly beautiful but with lively, expressive eyes and an otherworldly, distinguished bearing.

Seeing Suzhen, both smiled politely.

Suzhen had wanted to return to the residence, but Lian Yu had only told her to go downstairs, not to leave. Fearing he might harm Leng Xue and the others, she dared not provoke his anger further and followed Lian Jie and the others back upstairs.

Going upstairs, she saw Chao Huang still leading people across the way, smiling with raised eyebrows.

Suzhen understood—this was called protection but was actually surveillance, fearing Lian Yu might meet with certain people outside the palace.

In the ministers’ view, after the imperial study incident, Quan Feitong had made Lian Yu lose face. To contend with Quan Feitong, Lian Yu had set a ten-day deadline, very likely considering purchasing grain at high prices from Chu State, which was also a major agricultural nation. These days, he might well secretly meet with Chu grain officials to negotiate a more reasonable price, even if slightly higher than what Great Wei had set.

Suzhen shared this concern. Lian Yu had once told her to handle the murder case according to regulations, while he would find a way to make Wei State maintain original grain and oil prices. He had also said he might not be able to do it.

She estimated he was trying to contact some important Wei ministers to have them counsel the Wei King, but the Wei King was not easily counseled.

The grain and oil price increase was proposed to the Wei King by Prince Zhennan and his son, but the Wei King might not be unwilling himself—which was why Pei Fengji replaced the original Wei grain official as envoy to Great Zhou.

Although Pei Fengji’s behavior was eccentric and cruel, sometimes displeasing even the Wei King, he had a prince father who was highly trusted by the Wei King, and was also the future son-in-law of Wei State’s chancellor—his backing was extremely solid. Even if Lian Yu secretly contacted other important Wei ministers, could any be more powerful than this prince and chancellor? How could the Wei King listen to their words and maintain original grain prices?

Therefore, if Lian Yu now wanted to recover from Quan Feitong’s victory, he would inevitably have to purchase grain from Chu State at higher prices.

This approach was wasteful of resources and manpower, highly inappropriate.

But if he didn’t diminish Quan Feitong’s power, the road of court politics would only become increasingly difficult to navigate.

Suzhen thought that if she were Lian Yu, she truly wouldn’t know what to do.

After leading the people upstairs, Lian Jie and the others paid respects to Lian Yu. Though the qin master and woman seemed unaware of this man’s identity, observing the situation they could tell his status was certainly extraordinary, so they also respectfully paid their respects. The woman showed considerable boldness, laughing softly: “Young Master, your subordinates are truly domineering. My father and I were merely passing by outside the building when we were forced inside. They said it was to perform for you. We father and daughter sell our art not for money but as the mood strikes us, only performing for those with whom we feel affinity. Originally, we were taken with that valiant young master across the way.”

Suzhen thought to herself: This man could snatch all the women in the world if he wanted.

This woman had an elegant appearance, and her somewhat coy resistance was also charming. She seemed experienced in such scenes, even daring to make this slight provocation before Lian Yu.

However, Suzhen thought, women were still better. Why must he like her, a fake man? Between them was only a brief acquaintance. Father had said that he fell for Mother at first sight, without much reason, purely by feeling. Lian Yu was at least stronger than her father—he and she had at least spent some time together. Seeing someone once and immediately knowing they were “the one,” knowing at first sight that they were beautiful—that seemed an extremely difficult thing.

At this moment, the qin master scolded his daughter in a low voice: “Don’t be rude.”

But Lian Yu showed no displeasure, briefly examining the woman. The woman lowered her head slightly, reproaching her father with a soft “yes,” then said gently: “Young Master, I’m rather thirsty. Might you grant me a cup of tea?”

Lian Yu nodded, having Suzhen prepare tea for the two. Suzhen felt slightly stifled but still earnestly did as instructed.