“This time when he was injured, His Majesty only valued him more highly. Why would he suddenly face mortal danger? What’s your relationship with Li Huaisu? Aren’t you supporting Senior Brother Quan?” Shuangcheng became even more shocked and suspicious, asking another question.

Li Zhaoting’s gaze deepened slightly: “Shuangcheng, I don’t want to lie to you, but some matters I can’t tell you honestly right now. I can only say that yes, I do support Senior Brother, but this Li Huaisu… he and I are old acquaintances, ultimately just friends.”

Shuangcheng felt a chill in her heart but nodded: “Everyone has a story in their heart. Some secrets can’t be shared with others, no matter who they are—it’s not about not valuing them, but once spoken, they themselves become incomplete, and it’s not necessarily good for the other person either. Perhaps it would burden them, perhaps it would distance them… The consequences are always unpredictable.”

Li Zhaoting was startled, then couldn’t help but relax his brow in a smile.

This was perhaps why he had fallen in love with this woman at first sight.

But Feng Suzhen was someone who had to get to the bottom of everything.

She would pester him from time to time, asking: “Zhaoting, Zhaoting, why have you been frowning all day? Are you unhappy about something? Tell me, and I’ll comfort you!”

But everyone has their worries. How could those hardships and helplessness be understood by a young lady who played every day and had a capable father to look after her?

“The modest, retiring, virtuous, young lady, I would fain seek her for my bride. Gentle maiden, fair and good, I would wake and sleep to woo.” Gu Shuangcheng, born into an official family, seemed to have few worries, yet gave him a wonderful feeling—she must also be someone with experiences.

During those days at the academy, when he pursued her emotionally and she had already agreed, she later left for several days. When she returned, she told him: “Li Lang, you are very good, and I was almost moved, but after thinking carefully for several days, I cannot agree to you. I cannot be with the gentleman in my heart, and I absolutely cannot delay you.”

Tender feelings arose in his heart as he looked at the woman before him: “Then what about Shuangcheng? Do you also have secrets in your heart?”

Shuangcheng was startled, her eyes slowly revealing a distant, hazy look that seemed to hold both sorrow and hatred. Li Zhaoting couldn’t help but feel secretly pained, reaching out to embrace her.

Shuangcheng, inhaling the orchid fragrance on his body, couldn’t help being slightly intoxicated, thinking this man was indeed extraordinary, but unfortunately, he ultimately wasn’t that person.

She quickly pushed him away, her face slightly flushed. Li Zhaoting stared at her deeply but didn’t force her. Currently, everything was uncertain, with danger at every step—ahead lay ten-thousand-foot cliffs, behind lay thorny mountains of knives. He couldn’t give her anything and didn’t want to drag her into anything. Though he wanted to explore everything about her, he forcibly restrained himself first.

Shuangcheng saw the aggression and dominance in his eyes flickering in and out, and was also slightly startled. She coughed lightly: “Zhaoting, rest assured. I will certainly help with Li Huaisu’s matter. When I saw him injured that day, I also felt uncomfortable.”

“Oh, but why?” Li Zhaoting, hearing this, was slightly alarmed.

“His temperament is quite similar to one of my sisters. Though one is male and one female, they feel very much alike.”

“Sister? I’ve never heard you mention this sibling much.”

“Because… she’s no longer here… There’s no point in saying more—why add to the melancholy?”

Li Zhaoting heard some hoarseness in her voice and, fearing to touch her sore spot, since it wasn’t a major matter, only offered gentle words of comfort and didn’t ask further.

Shuangcheng also changed the subject: “Regarding our matter, I once asked you not to tell Senior Brother Quan, and thank you for granting my request. He was already dissatisfied with my father, but for the sake of our fellow-student relationship and considering you, he hasn’t suppressed him much over these years. After all, when we went to our teacher to study, he had already graduated and passed the examinations, only often returning to the academy to teach new students with our teacher. Among them, he valued you most, saying your future would be immeasurable.”

Li Zhaoting was slightly startled. In the previous national case, Quan Feitong had intentionally involved “Li Huaisu,” wanting to give this new top scholar and Lian Yu a blow. Because he ultimately had some concern for that troublemaker Feng Suzhen, he hadn’t agreed. Of course, Quan Feitong still proceeded with the plan in the end—the suggestion for the imperial tour came through his instruction to Shuangcheng’s father, Hanlin Academy Scholar Gu Nanguang. Quan Feitong had emerged from the Hanlin Academy. After becoming Prime Minister, his influence reached the Hanlin Academy. Unexpectedly, Gu Nanguang seemed to have a rift with him!

Considering his relationship with Shuangcheng, Quan Feitong hadn’t said much to spare him difficulty.

At this moment, he pondered slightly: “Suppression? Senior Brother arranged for the Hanlin Academy to have Scholar Gu propose the imperial tour. If not one of his own people, he definitely wouldn’t dispatch them thus—”

His mind was quick. As he spoke, he soon realized something and couldn’t help frowning tightly: “So that’s how it is. Senior Brother had the Hanlin Academy propose the tour. If something went wrong and accountability was demanded, the Hanlin Academy and your father would bear the brunt. No wonder you also went to the imperial study that day—you were going to plead with that person.”

“Yes,” Shuangcheng tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Though Senior Brother Quan never suppressed Father, he wanted to use this matter to remind Father: absolutely do not anger him! But why is this? Logically, Scholar Gu and Senior Brother should have a good relationship.”

His heart stirred as he stared at Shuangcheng.

“Because,” Shuangcheng squinted slightly, seeming to have difficulty speaking. After a long time, she said: “Because, many years ago, His Majesty took a fancy to my sister. He truly liked her… Unfortunately, due to court factional struggles, my father was cautious and timid, not very bold in his actions—he was a neutral official. Knowing this, he was naturally happy and intended marriage. But Prime Minister Quan, who oversees the Hanlin Academy, was greatly angered.”

Li Zhaoting was startled, then said: “But in my memory, Scholar Gu has no daughter married into the palace as a consort.”

Shuangcheng closed her eyes, her voice slightly hoarse: “That sister was not actually my father’s daughter, but his niece. When my uncle died of illness, she and my aunt had no support and lived in our household. Moreover, she couldn’t marry because she died.”

Li Zhaoting was slightly shocked: “Was this the sister you mentioned earlier?”

“Yes, exactly her. Well, it’s getting late, Zhaoting. I must return to the palace. Tonight His Majesty also left the palace, so I could slip out.”

Shuangcheng cut off the conversation and bowed to take her leave.

Li Zhaoting clearly saw a shadow under her eyes. She didn’t want to discuss this Gu family niece much. Why? What exactly was her attitude toward this cousin… He didn’t ask much but directly voiced his thoughts: “His Majesty seems to value you highly. I didn’t know before, but now I understand somewhat—you and your sister must resemble each other somewhat. When you initially refused me, was it because you also fell in love with this… current Son of Heaven?”