Among these people, the first he saw was Quan Feitong with frost-covered eyes and tightly knitted brows. Li Zhaoting beside Quan Feitong he also recognized, who was now also slightly pursing his lips.

Even his parents were there, both shocked and angry, standing in the middle.

Others such as the two ministers Xia Yida and Xiao Yue, whom Quan Feitong had introduced him to, all had ugly expressions, extremely astonished. But what shocked him most was seeing He Sai, whom he thought was outside the door, actually among them. This Jingzhao Prefect was trembling all over.

Standing among these people was a man with a golden crown binding his hair. He had some impression of this person, having seen him that day at the goods exhibition. However, only now did he realize this was actually that weak Great Zhou emperor—who else could wear those black robes embroidered with dragons!

The beautiful yet stern middle-aged woman beside the emperor must be Empress Dowager Xiao’an…

There were also many others dressed in ordinary clothing who appeared to be common people.

This was what Pei Fengji observed and guessed in his panic. However, these were not all who had come. Lian Jie, Lian Qin, Yan Da, Marquis Murong Jing, Huo Chang’an, Wei Chenghui, Si Lanfeng, Gao Chaoyi, Huang Congyue, Cai Beitang, and other major court officials were all present.

At this moment, except for a few, all officials showed signs of shock.

Having just been bound, Quan Feitong showed great composure by not uttering a word of questioning, only giving Lian Yu a light glance before coldly assessing the current situation.

But Prince Zhennan let out a cold laugh, looking harshly at Lian Yu and Xiao’an: “This is His Majesty’s and the Empress Dowager’s way of treating guests? This prince and my consort have had our pressure points sealed, unable to move or speak. My son has been framed and fallen into a trap. Today I’ve truly learned something—I must certainly report this to my king upon return.”

Xiao’an’s brows furrowed as she was about to speak, but Lian Yu stopped her with “Mother,” then bowed to Prince Zhennan with a smile: “Where we have been discourteous, I apologize to Your Highness. As for the heir apparent’s matter, let us observe first—we can discuss it later.”

No matter how noble Prince Zhennan’s status, he ultimately wasn’t Great Wei’s monarch. With Great Zhou’s emperor personally apologizing under everyone’s gaze, he couldn’t make a scene for the moment. Though things had reached this point, he held thick trump cards—this Great Zhou emperor might not be able to deal with him and his son.

He looked at Quan Feitong, who seemed to understand his meaning and nodded slightly, signaling him to remain calm.

He glanced again at Li Zhaoting. When they left, Fengji wasn’t there, yet this man had keenly sensed something amiss.

Just as he was pondering, Guixiang House’s main door suddenly opened as a batch of soldiers poured in, led by a young man dressed as a eunuch, closely followed by Quan Feitong’s sworn brother: Chao Huang. The former was all smiles while the latter showed shocked anger in his eyes.

Neither Pei Fengji nor he yet knew that before dawn today, various officials had received secret edicts from the inner court, ordering them to gather at Guixiang House. Each person’s assigned second-floor room position had been arranged in advance, with multiple guards watching within each room. After taking their seats, no matter what, they were not permitted to make the slightest sound. Anyone discovered by the guards would be executed on the spot.

That Pei Fengji’s attendants would go find He Sai for protection was already within Suzhen’s calculations. She had Leng Xue lead people to wait at He Sai’s office early on, carrying an imperial edict obtained from Lian Yu to bring both He Sai and the Wei messenger there first.

Chao Huang had superior martial arts, so Little Chuzi personally led him away, using misdirection to lure him elsewhere. Quan Feitong’s group was directly invited here by Little Chuzi’s subordinate eunuchs. Though Quan Feitong and Prince Zhennan knew some martial arts, they ultimately couldn’t match absolute masters like Xuanwu. Li Zhaoting and Princess Zhennan knew no martial arts, so they were quickly subdued by Xuanwu and others, their pressure points sealed.

Leading Pei Fengji first to Wu Niang’s former residence had another layer of meaning—to arrange everything here properly before he arrived, better to lure him into the trap.

Suzhen stood beside the white-clothed woman, thinking to herself, the corners of her mouth slightly upturned.

This trial had also brought some common people from the capital.

She hoped people could understand the meaning of justice—it wasn’t just officials’ law, but also people’s law. Legal systems were first established for the weak. No matter who someone was, if they committed crimes, they couldn’t escape punishment.

At this moment, the overall situation was finally settled.

The woman glanced at her and smiled knowingly. This “pleasure house woman” was none other than Bai Yi, also known as Wuyan.

Suzhen saw her looking somewhat uneasily toward the second floor, precisely where Lian Yu was located, and couldn’t help being shocked. She had previously told Lian Yu the entire plan, but only when Bai Yi was waiting here today and everyone met face to face did Lian Yu’s expression change slightly, revealing that Bai Yi was actually Lian Yu’s favored consort: Wei Wuyan.

How could she not be shocked!

But all plans were already set—pulling one thread would affect the whole body. So she had Wuyan put on a veil, hoping the ministers arriving later wouldn’t know they were using Consort Wei as bait. Otherwise, having his own woman play a pleasure house girl would definitely make Lian Yu furious enough to kill her!

Lian Yu nodded slightly toward Wuyan to comfort and affirm her, but seeing Suzhen looking, he glared at her harshly.

Having suppressed her feelings of friendship toward Lian Yu that day, Suzhen now felt clear hatred in her heart, so she turned her head slightly away. Lian Yu’s gaze darkened further.

With this turn, her gaze met the charming smile of Lian Xin beside the Empress Dowager, and A Gu’s faint smile.

Speaking of A Gu, only now did she learn this was the rumored Miss Gu from the Gu family, whose given name was Shuangcheng!

Princess Lianyue, Consort Xi, and others had also come, accompanying Empress Dowager Xiao’an.

Suddenly, Xiao’an looked her over lightly.

Though slightly shocked, the moment had arrived and time was pressing. Not dwelling on this Empress Dowager’s opinion of her, she declared loudly: “The national case has reached this point. I believe everyone has seen clearly that this Pei Fengji is the true murderer. Though Pei Fengji holds the noble status of Great Wei’s Prince Zhennan’s heir apparent, he committed crimes in Great Zhou and should rightfully be punished according to Great Zhou’s laws.”

“Pei Fengji, you treat human life like grass, carelessly killing Wu Niang and two other Great Zhou citizens. Your crimes are heinous. This official now sentences you according to law… to death by beheading!”

“Good! Master Li judged well!”

“This villain deserves to die!”

Cheers first came from the common people. Though only dozens in number, they were still deafening.

Prince Zhennan’s expression changed as he was about to speak, but Pei Fengji stood gritting his teeth, looking fiercely at Suzhen, speaking before his father: “Li Huaisu, how dare you make false judgments! This heir apparent was merely joking with this pleasure house woman earlier—it cannot be taken seriously—”

He pointed toward Wu Niang’s corpse on the long couch, sneering: “What Huichun Hall? Clearly you taught that woman nonsense to trap me. This is obviously Wu Niang’s corpse, with wounds from Scholar Xie grabbing a golden hairpin when his theft was discovered. You say this corpse isn’t Wu Niang—what evidence do you have? Where is this Huichun Hall? Find it and perform face-changing surgery in public once more, then I’ll be convinced!”

People were surprised he still made sophistic arguments at this point, all unable to contain their anger. The upstairs crowd cursed vehemently. One scholar angrily said: “Pei Fengji, you initially twisted white into black, and now you want to bleach black back to white? Though our Great Zhou’s agriculture and trade don’t match your Great Wei’s, our military power is no weaker than Great Wei’s. How dare you so deceive our nation?”

“Audacious! Before the Son of Heaven, how dare you be so boisterous?” At this moment, Lian Jie sternly shouted, looking at that scholar.

The scholar and common people were all startled, looking toward the Son of Heaven beside this Seventh Prince. Though they had privately criticized him much before, truly before the Son of Heaven, how could they dare say a word? Moreover, they hadn’t expected that Li Tixing, whom they’d previously called a false gentleman, had actually withstood pressure from all sides to try this case three times. Feeling both awed and respectful, they immediately quieted down, not daring to say more.

Lian Yu’s gaze lightly swept over Suzhen below: “Li Huaisu, continue the trial!”

Though Lian Yu was tall yet slightly lean, with picturesque features like an elegant scholar stepping from a painting, when he now lightly spread his sleeves and cast his gaze, it was like cold light and sharp blades, possessing an imposing presence that could swallow mountains and rivers. As if toying with worldly matters and looking down upon all under heaven was just this simple—where was his previous appearance of youthful impetuosity and weakness due to incomplete control of power? Not only were the common people momentarily awed, but officials also felt uneasy, all following his gaze toward that Li Huaisu who seemed good at understanding the sovereign’s intentions yet truly pleaded for the people—extremely strange.

But at this moment, aside from Pei Fengji’s oral confession, there seemed to be no more evidence. This Huichun Hall apparently hadn’t been found.

Regarding Lian Yu, Suzhen wasn’t so surprised—she’d long known this person loved changing faces. Apart from Quan Feitong, Li Zhaoting was also watching her, for the first time with somewhat profound thoughtfulness.

Glancing at Prince Zhennan and his wife who glared at her with hatred, Suzhen smiled and looked at Pei Fengji: “Knowing you’re shameless and would definitely deny it, you yourself are the best witness. Now you want physical evidence—this official will give you physical evidence!”

She looked toward the main door, declaring loudly: “Miss Qionghua, please bring them all in!”

Everyone was startled, following her gaze to see the entrance somehow already quietly filled with people.

Leading them was Guixiang House’s Miss Qionghua and several women, carrying an air of travel dust and vengeful breath, leading over ten men as they slowly entered.

“Sir, the people have been brought.”

Qionghua spoke, then cautiously withdrew to one side with the other women. Everyone saw these men were all nearly fifty years old—some wore Great Zhou clothing, others foreign robes, and some had blue eyes and hooked noses, clearly from other countries.

At this moment, Suzhen walked to “Wu Niang’s” side, gently lifting her clothes to the abdomen area, saying softly: “This elder sister, forgive Li Huaisu’s discourtesy. You too are an innocent victim in this case—I hope your grievances can be cleared.”

Pei Fengji looked at her sharply: “Li Huaisu, what is the meaning of this?”

Suzhen’s gaze lifted slightly as she said slowly: “Wu Niang was once a famous courtesan at her peak. Coming to the capital for trade, she had clients from various nations. These are all Wu Niang’s former patrons. Having been intimate several times, they can all testify that Wu Niang had a diamond-shaped red birthmark on her abdomen.”

“I originally only had three days, so could only find people in the capital. Later His Majesty granted me ten more days. We then secretly spread word throughout the nation and other countries. If only Zhou people testified, you might claim the evidence was false. Here we have clients from several nations who would never dare give false testimony that would anger their own countries and create discord with Wei—their testimony is credible.”

“Everyone please look—this ‘Wu Niang’ has no such diamond mark on her body!”

People looked in shock and indeed saw that though the woman’s flesh on the couch had decayed badly, the general outline was still visible. On that pale belly were only green putrid fluids—aside from that, no birthmark whatsoever.

“We are willing to testify that this is not Wu Niang’s corpse.”

The men showed complex expressions, mostly with some emotion, speaking out one after another.

Not to mention the people clapping and cheering with excitement that echoed throughout the building, Pei Fengji stared tightly, all his domineering viciousness completely faded, becoming true panic and fear. He looked toward Prince Zhennan, shouting in a trembling harsh voice: “Father save me, I don’t want to die…”

Princess Zhennan had long since cried herself into a tearful mess. Hearing this, she desperately grabbed Prince Zhennan’s arm, wanting him to save their son. Prince Zhennan also no longer had his initial proud bearing, hurriedly looking toward Lian Yu, only to see an unknown cold smile had crept onto his lips at some point. He was suddenly shocked, then looked toward Quan Feitong in embarrassment.

Quan Feitong glanced at Suzhen, stepped forward and bowed to Lian Yu, saying in a somewhat heavy voice: “Please, Your Majesty, think thrice. Courtesans are lowly, our nation is vast with an enormous population. Grain and oil prices concern all of Great Zhou and relate to national treasury expenditures. Could Your Majesty truly want to purchase grain from Chu at high prices? If the national treasury empties, taxes will inevitably increase heavily. Three people’s lives versus Great Zhou citizens’ interests—which is lighter, which heavier? Please, Your Majesty, weigh this clearly!”

“Don’t the Empress Dowager have an opinion? Don’t fellow colleagues have opinions? Don’t the Great Zhou citizens also have opinions?”

This was the first time Great Zhou’s Prime Minister seemed respectfully to lower his head slightly toward the Son of Heaven. In his snow-white robes with flowing sleeves, his sword-like brows raised, naturally creating an imposing presence. When his words ended, they made everyone tremble.

Some ministers like Yan Da knelt down asking His Majesty to maintain the original judgment to promote national dignity. Others led by Wei Chenghui and other officials knelt petitioning “Please, Your Majesty, prioritize the nation’s foundation.” Still others stood frozen in place, torn between sides—ministers who usually remained neutral in court affairs like the Ministers of Works and Revenue Cai Beitang and Huang Congyue.

At this moment, the common people had also stopped their cheers. Everyone understood the word “taxes”—this concerned their own interests. Among them were scholars who had cursed at the yamen gates that day, clearly understanding the stakes involved. Having previously cursed Li the dog official and secretly cursed the Son of Heaven, now facing their own situation, they realized the difficulty.

Even Guixiang House’s girls stood frozen there, at a loss.

Chao Huang now also knelt down, slightly sneering to boost Quan Feitong’s momentum: “Please, Your Majesty, think thrice!”

Xiao’an was startled. With her imposing bearing that made her nearly impossible to stare at directly, her phoenix eyes now also showed worry as she said quietly: “Your Majesty, as long as you speak, this dowager will fully cooperate with you, just like this time… Only, regarding grain and oil prices, this dowager asks Your Majesty to carefully consider an advantageous decision for Great Zhou.”

“Mother, please be at ease,” Lian Yu patted the Empress Dowager’s hand.

Though Quan Feitong’s expression was somewhat grave, he remained calm as Mount Tai, quietly awaiting his reply.

Lian Yu laughed lightly.

This laugh left everyone confused—from Empress Dowager Xiao’an, Quan Feitong, Prince Zhennan, various officials, common people, to even Suzhen downstairs.

“No, I cannot agree. Pei Fengji committed serious crimes and by law should be beheaded. The law cannot be abandoned!”

The echo reverberated powerfully throughout the building, but everyone’s expressions changed, including Quan Feitong’s.

Prince Zhennan was furious, letting out a cold laugh and saying harshly: “Your Majesty, if you must behead Fengji, not only will our Great Wei absolutely not give you the price previously negotiated with Prime Minister Quan, we won’t even sell grain to your Great Zhou anymore!”

Lian Yu didn’t look at him, raising his eyes toward a room directly opposite—

People now noticed with surprise that the second-floor rooms weren’t all open—one still remained tightly closed with two guards at the door.

Aside from the surprised common people, almost everyone present knew these two guards—among Lian Yu’s four personal bodyguards: Qinglong and White Tiger.

At this moment, the two smiled and slowly opened the door.

“Your Majesty, please don’t take Prince Zhennan’s words as final. Great Wei will maintain cooperative relations with Great Zhou as always, selling grain at original prices without increase.”

Before seeing the person, only hearing the voice—hoarse yet steady.

The entire Guixiang House seemed awed by this voice, instantly silent. After a long while, people craned their necks to look at the old man and young woman slowly emerging from the room.

Suzhen was also greatly shocked—these were the qin master father and daughter from Hongtu Wine House.

Who were they?

This was the shock and question of almost all court officials who had seen this father-daughter pair that day.

By now, no one would think these two were ordinary musicians.

The doubt was first broken by Prince Zhennan, who opened his eyes wide and said tremblingly: “Chancellor Miao, Miss Miao, how did you come here?”

The qin master smiled faintly.

So this man was none other than Great Wei’s Chancellor Miao Lan, and the woman beside him was his most beloved daughter Miao Yin.

“Your Highness, this old man came to Great Zhou naturally under our king’s orders. Representing our king, I announce two matters: First, regarding Heir Apparent Fengji’s crimes in Zhou—his actions pain His Majesty’s heart. Though he is royal family, His Majesty will absolutely not show favoritism and hands him over to Great Zhou’s Son of Heaven for judgment. Second, grain and oil prices remain unchanged, still sold at original prices. This demonstrates His Majesty’s sincerity in establishing eternal friendly alliance with Great Zhou.”

Chancellor Miao’s expression was solemn as a bright yellow scroll unrolled from his hands, bearing ink and vermillion markings with Great Wei’s national seal.

“Miss Miao, I am your fiancé—how could you come with your father to harm me?”

Downstairs, Pei Fengji’s entire face seemed about to tear apart, his eyes bloodshot, appearing hideously terrifying as he shrieked and waved his hands, wanting to rush toward Miao Yin on the second floor.

Suzhen signaled to Leng Xue, who without hesitation stepped forward, reached out to grab him, and threw him to the ground.

Pei Fengji still stared deadly at Miao Yin.

At this moment, the musician—Miss Miao Yin—stiffened her pretty face and sneered: “Pei Fengji, you’re nothing but a beast. Who is your fiancée? You’re not worthy!”

Princess Zhennan let out a wail, crying and screaming as she collapsed to the ground. Prince Zhennan still couldn’t believe it, glaring angrily at Chancellor Miao: “Our families made marriage alliance, and our usual friendship was decent. How could you harm me like this? Miao Lan, did you slander me to my royal brother?”

Chancellor Miao’s expression grew serious: “Your Highness, this old man appreciates His Majesty’s marriage bestowment, but your son is so despicable—how could this old man let my daughter marry him? Musicians need good stages and good audiences to play fine music. Obviously, your son is neither a good stage nor good destination for my daughter. This old man absolutely cannot let her suffer lifelong unhappiness.”

Hearing this, the ministers were shocked again.

These familiar words—Lian Yu had said them that day at Hongtu Wine House.

So that’s what it meant—implying Pei Fengji wasn’t a good match for Miss Miao!

Previously, no one present had seen this renowned Great Wei Chancellor, but almost everyone knew Chancellor Miao’s outstanding talent, and Miss Miao was both talented and beautiful—Chancellor Miao’s only daughter whom he loved like his life.

Lian Yu had somehow secretly contacted this famous Wei father-daughter pair, inviting them to Zhou—

At that time, he was still under Quan Feitong’s surveillance. For Chancellor Miao to enter and exit the palace wasn’t easy, yet under everyone’s noses he had conducted a “secret” talk with them, winning this father-daughter pair’s support. During the following ten days, Chancellor Miao secretly wrote back to his country, managing to obtain King Wei’s edict.

Everyone trembled in shock, seeing the defeated Prince Zhennan still staring deadly at Chancellor Miao, saying harshly: “No, that’s not right! Even if you old fool repeatedly advised, my royal brother and I have deep affection—how could he listen to your bewitching words? How could he be willing to let Great Zhou people kill his nephew!”

At this moment, almost everyone stared tightly at this father-daughter pair, while they looked across the void with profound meaning toward that black-robed man.

Lian Yu, who had been slightly lowering his head thinking about something, now laughed quietly. Just this laugh suddenly filled everyone with enormous fear. This person had always been before your eyes planning various matters, yet you never knew. You thought you were watching his play, but the one truly watching the play had always been him.

He slowly raised his head, his hands like flawless white jade lightly gripping the railing. His slightly unfurled gaze was like sword blades, spear points, and ice souls, making hearts tremble.

Looking at Chancellor Miao, he said: “Great Zhou once nearly perished due to harsh policies. Several successive generations required rest and recovery. However, Lian Yu absolutely doesn’t want to increase taxes. If we lack money, we’ll buy grain from Great Wei at cheaper prices.”

“Geographic and climatic advantages have made Wei and Chu the largest agricultural nations in the Central Plains for decades. Not only do many small Central Plains countries, but even several of us eight major nations must purchase grain from Great Wei and Chu.”

“However, whether Wei or Chu, both want to be the only one. Chu is militarily stronger than Wei, so many countries are willing to pay higher prices to buy grain from Chu. Should Chu someday destroy Wei, these countries could more or less get a share of Wei’s territory.”

“Lian Yu explained this reasoning to Chancellor Miao. As said that day at Hongtu Wine House, having heard Chancellor Miao and Miss Miao’s wonderful music, should Chu attack Wei in the future, Great Zhou will absolutely not stand by and watch.”

He had finished speaking, yet the entire Guixiang House remained quiet. Everyone stayed silent, fearing to disturb this gentle voice, afraid of missing something or that he had more to say.

Finally Chancellor Miao brought his hands together, bowing respectfully to him. Despite years in politics, his emotions were stirred at this moment, his voice trembling slightly: “Miao Lan here thanks Your Majesty for this promise.”

Beside him, Miao Yin’s beautiful eyes glistened as she also declared loudly: “Thank Your Majesty. Should Great Zhou need Wei’s assistance in the future, Wei will absolutely not hesitate.”

Lian Yu smiled: “Great Wei is strong. Having such a friendly neighbor is Great Zhou’s fortune. I also thank Chancellor Miao and Miss here.”

One phrase about Great Wei’s strength also returned face to Wei. In these few moments, from hatred and discord, Great Wei gained a heavy guarantee while Great Zhou also gained a strong ally. There are no eternal friends in this world, much less eternal enemies. Beyond emotions, only interests are truly eternal.

Case matters, national affairs, struggles… With these words settled, the building remained silent. Almost everyone’s hearts still trembled, looking toward that black-robed man at the second-floor railing.

Until Quan Feitong, who had been silent for a long time, slowly spoke: “Your Majesty, please forgive this subject’s ignorance. There’s one more matter I’d like to ask about. Even if King Wei wanted to form an alliance with you, there’s no need to sacrifice the heir apparent’s life. To this subject’s knowledge, Prince Zhennan is King Wei’s blood brother who helped him ascend the throne. How could King Wei not remember their bond? Just exchanging grain at original prices for three Great Zhou lives, without further increases, is already a tremendous benefit. This subject dares to say Your Majesty would certainly agree. Why did he ultimately comply with your request, willingly tearing apart relations with Prince Zhennan and letting you judge Pei Fengji?”

Lian Yu’s eyes deepened as he waved slightly: “Xuanwu, Ninth Brother, temporarily take the Prince and Princess to a room.”

“Understood.”

Lian Qin responded loudly, exchanging smiles with Xuanwu as they led the furious Prince Zhennan and semi-fainted Princess Zhennan into one of the rooms.

“Lian Yu, what can’t you let this prince hear? Why would my royal brother treat me this way?”

“Bang!” The door closing cut off Prince Zhennan’s hoarse, cracked screaming.

Lian Yu glanced at Qinglong, who understood, taking White Tiger and leaping down from the second-floor railing to land beside Pei Fengji, covering the ears of Pei Fengji who was being held down by Leng Xue and struggling violently on the ground.

In the building, everyone—all Great Zhou officials and citizens, even Miao Yin and her father—were both shocked and puzzled. Prime Minister Quan’s question was excellent.

There were still other hidden circumstances.

Lian Yu now slowly looked toward Quan Feitong. His brows curved slightly, his face still bearing an elegant gentleman’s smile, but just the slightly trembling laugh lines at his eye corners already made people feel heart-pounding fear.

“I lack Prime Minister’s extensive social connections and wisdom, so I sent people to continuously investigate all Great Wei ministers’ situations, thinking about them one by one, studying them one by one. Later, I wrote a letter to Prince Zhennan’s fourth concubine. This concubine, though of lower birth than Princess Zhennan, was most favored by Prince Zhennan. I asked her: if Pei Fengji died, which of Prince Zhennan’s remaining five sons would inherit the heir apparent position? I also asked whether Pei Fengji usually had words or actions advising his father toward rebellion. The fourth concubine understood and had her father and brothers search Heir Apparent Pei’s room, finding dragon robes. Though their official positions were low, they were all ‘loyal to sovereign and country’ people who presented evidence to King Wei.”

“King Wei already disliked Pei Fengji, finding his conduct distasteful. After this incident, Prime Minister, do you think King Wei could still tolerate this nephew? His brother Prince Zhennan indeed dotes on Pei Fengji, but after all, Prince Zhennan has five other sons—losing one isn’t much. Isn’t that the reasoning, Prime Minister?”

The silence throughout grew even tighter. No wonder he had people take Prince Zhennan and Princess Zhennan inside—to conceal this matter from the fourth concubine.

Even Quan Feitong changed expression again, his eyes showing some shock as he slowly retreated several steps before steadying his slightly swaying body. He suddenly burst into laughter. After a long time, he said word by word: “From the ten-day deadline, to the musicians, to the fourth concubine—Your Majesty’s excellent methods. This subject has learned much!”

Behind him, one man wasn’t as composed as he, already frightened out of his wits. He fell to his knees with a thud, ashen-faced and trembling like a sieve: “Your Majesty, spare my life! Your Majesty, spare this lowly subject’s dog life! Everything He Sai did was under Prime Minister Quan’s direction—it has nothing to do with me! Your Majesty, spare my life…”

Quan Feitong stood with hands behind his back, sneering coldly without speaking. Instead, Li Zhaoting swept his robes and knelt down: “Your Majesty, Master He, to escape guilt, actually slanders his superior. Prime Minister Quan’s sworn brother General Chao Huang commands many loyal subordinates and holds one hundred thousand troops externally. Prime Minister Quan and General Chao have served Great Zhou loyally for many years, absolutely without rebellious intent. Please, Your Majesty, see clearly.”

No one had expected this young man with the reputation of a child prodigy but who had always been gentle and quiet would dare take such a dangerous gamble in this situation, speaking so boldly. Who couldn’t hear his implied meaning: Today, if Lian Yu dared touch Quan Feitong, Chao Huang’s external armies would certainly rebel!

Downstairs, Chao Huang also gritted his teeth slightly, kneeling and kowtowing: “Your Majesty, see clearly—my elder brother absolutely has no rebellious heart.”

Xia Yida, Xiao Yue, and other ministers from two departments, along with other officials from Quan’s faction, also risked kneeling to plead.

But those ministers who had always maintained neutrality—starting with Wei Chenghui—none helped even half a sentence as they used to.

The former confrontational momentum seemed to have something quietly changing from today.

Xiao’an and Lian Jie both wanted to speak, but Lian Yu nodded slightly to them and only smiled: “That’s natural. How could I not know Prime Minister Quan’s heart? Minister Li, please rise as well.”

He glanced at Quan Feitong, and finally, his gaze lightly swept over Li Zhaoting.

Nearby, He Sai, who had knocked his head bloody, was completely ignored by everyone, as if this person were already dead.

At this moment, Qinglong seeing the situation released Pei Fengji. Pei Fengji was nearly mad, twisting his body and shouting: “Lian Yu, what are you saying? What exactly were you just saying?”

Lian Yu’s lips still held a slight smile: “I said that those people you killed—no matter how lowly their backgrounds or occupations—they were Great Zhou citizens, my citizens. It’s not your place to take and give life at will. My things—I don’t like others taking them away. No one… may do so!”

When he reached the final word, his lip’s smile suddenly vanished. Except for Miao Lan and his daughter, no one in the entire Guixiang House remained standing.

Pei Fengji’s heart shook greatly. He felt this man’s scheming mind was so deep and sinister, like a demon, like a devil.

Among these hundred people, none was more shocked than Suzhen, who had just been worried about Li Zhaoting’s bold gamble.

Lian Yu had changed again.

This person constantly changed.

She had thought he was sometimes youthfully impetuous, sometimes steady as rock. She thought that though intelligent and keen, he was still far from being able to contend with Quan Feitong.

However, that wasn’t so.

Every step he retreated was to advance further.

The stronger the opponent, the stronger he became.

With one national case, he won the case, secured original prices, renewed alliance with Wei, and most importantly, he intimidated Quan’s faction while certainly making some neutral ministers switch sides.

Such a person had no bottom. Now she was his subject—if tomorrow they were enemies, how could she fight him!

She gritted her teeth slightly thinking this when Xuanwu and Lian Qin brought Prince Zhennan and Princess Zhennan out from the room.

Everything seemed to have settled.

Prince Zhennan stumbled to Pei Fengji’s side, touching his face with tear-streaked features, looking bitterly at Suzhen: “Sir, could you come over? This woman wishes to ask one thing of you—not to spare my son’s death sentence, just a small request.”

Suzhen thought of her own mother, her heart softening as she walked over.

Princess Zhennan was disheveled with a frighteningly pale complexion, her gaze somewhat scattered. She spoke quietly: “Sir, this woman wishes to ask…”

“Li Huaisu, get away!”

Her spirit was broken, her speech already unclear. Suzhen was startled and leaned closer to listen, but suddenly saw a vicious, sinister light flash in her eyes. She heard a violent shout suddenly split the air from the second floor. Her heart shook greatly as she silently cried out in alarm. Sharp pain had already shot through her chest. She smiled bitterly, looking down to see a dagger thrust straight into her chest, nearly to the hilt.

She gritted her teeth, struck Princess Zhennan away with her palm, then slowly collapsed to the ground—