“Do you remember everything?”

Seeing her seemingly absent-minded, Li Zhaoting frowned and scolded gently.

Although it was a gentle rebuke, his words had always held power over Suzhen. She quickly nodded and worried, “You arranged to meet me tonight, also borrowing the Prime Minister’s residence. How will you explain to him? Will he make things difficult for you?”

In her urgency, she unconsciously reached out and grabbed Li Zhaoting’s sleeve. Li Zhaoting was slightly stunned and looked down at the sleeve she was gripping tightly.

Suzhen felt embarrassed, smiled awkwardly, and quickly withdrew her hand.

Li Zhaoting saw her like a startled puppy and remembered her past boldness, but now she had become somewhat humble, which stirred something strange in his heart and a trace of displeasure.

“I have my own discretion. Only if absolutely necessary will I tell him about your new false identity. Then he’ll know you’re a woman.”

Li Zhaoting looked at her calmly and told her honestly.

“It doesn’t matter,” Suzhen said without hesitation, “As long as he doesn’t make things difficult for you. As for my being a woman, if Ah San wants to cause trouble, I’ll think of another way.”

Li Zhaoting was surprised she answered so quickly and was slightly stunned again, only saying, “It’s late. You should go back.”

Suzhen looked at the wine on the table, bit her lip, and finally spoke, “Zhaoting, I… let’s sit a bit longer. After we finish this pot of wine, I’ll leave. I can’t drink, so you drink slowly while I watch. Is that alright? There won’t be any opportunity for this in the future.”

Li Zhaoting’s eyes quickly flashed with displeasure. He had already done enough for her and didn’t want any more emotional entanglement with her!

Though his face remained gentle, he was fundamentally a decisive person who never dragged things out. He said indifferently, “Go back.”

Though his tone showed no impatience, having spent years together, her perception of his moods was ten times more familiar than her own. Suzhen still read his annoyance.

She picked up the cup of daughter red wine he had just poured for her and drank it all in one gulp, not leaving a single drop, then slowly put down the cup.

From now on, she would never again drink wine poured by him.

Li Zhaoting’s gaze darkened further. She was always so willful! Even now, when her own situation was so difficult, he was still finding ways to protect her, but she…

He simply stood up. Suzhen naturally understood this was his way of seeing her off. Not wanting to annoy him further, she quickly stood up too and tried to explain, “I… I won’t again…”

“Take care.”

Li Zhaoting’s voice grew slightly cold as he interrupted her.

Suzhen smiled bitterly. She only wanted to say she wouldn’t entangle him anymore—truly wouldn’t. If this was what he wanted, as long as he was truly happy, that was enough.

“Zha… Young Master Li, you must also take care. Please, you must take care!”

She pressed her lips together, smiled, squeezed out these words, and finally slowly turned around, tears bursting from her eyes instantly.

The courtyard was quiet, and the sweet fragrance of daughter red wine lingered in the evening breeze. Someone somewhere was playing a flute—flute music drifted faintly from a distant pavilion. Her whole body shook. After walking a few steps and wiping her tears, she couldn’t help but look back.

Li Zhaoting stood behind the stone table, handsome as a painting, but his gaze was extremely stern, coldly staring at her as she was about to turn back.

Suzhen knew his disgust at this moment. She bit her lip but still raised her voice, asking each word seriously, “Look, I… I once gave you a flute, and… and never gave you anything else. Is there anything you want? I’ll give it to you. I have no other intention, just… just want to thank you.”

As she asked, clearly gripping her hands tightly, her eyes still grew wet again, and she could only see Li Zhaoting’s snow-white robes becoming blurred in the night.

“I want Gu Shuangcheng. Can you give her to me? Can you afford to give her?”

Li Zhaoting’s lips curved in a thin smile as he looked at her with slightly raised eyebrows. This man, usually graceful as an immortal, now looked wickedly cold, with an extraordinary aura.

“Agu…”

Suzhen softly repeated these two words, slowly turned around, and walked out of the courtyard.

Li Zhaoting watched her stumble slightly when she didn’t notice the threshold as she opened the courtyard door, steadying herself against the doorframe before walking out, escorted away by the waiting Quan residence steward.

His heart inexplicably sank slightly, followed by a cold laugh.

He slowly sat down, poured himself a cup of wine, drained it in one gulp, his gaze sharp as a blade.

After about the time it takes to drink tea, someone stepped lightly into the courtyard from outside, smiling slightly, “Oh, finished reminiscing?”

Li Zhaoting’s sharp gleam had long since faded from his eyes. Seeing the newcomer in blue casual clothes holding a bamboo flute, he smiled lightly back, “Senior Brother is in such a leisurely mood?”

The newcomer was indeed the master of this residence, the current Prime Minister.

This Prime Minister, besides his vast learning, was also skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

Quan Feitong smiled lightly, “Who told me I raised a white-eyed wolf who gathers with friends for drinks but abandons his elder brother.”

Li Zhaoting lifted his robes and knelt down.

Quan Feitong gave a light “oh” and continued smiling, “Why did you arrange to meet Li Huaisu here tonight? Doesn’t Zhaoting intend to explain this to your elder brother? Why are you performing such a grand ritual?”

“I was just about to explain this matter to Elder Brother.”

Li Zhaoting smiled bitterly, and a stern look flashed through his lowered eyes. At this moment, making this person believe everything he was about to say would not be simple—this was a dangerous moment.

The next day, when the sky had not yet fully brightened and only a strip of rosy clouds appeared on the horizon, Suzhen entered the palace for court. This could be considered Suzhen’s first court attendance in many days.

As ministers who were essentially employees, they naturally arrived early, standing on both sides of the hall, arranged in civil and military ranks, waiting respectfully for their boss to arrive.

Of course, before the boss arrived, chatting and gathering among everyone was also a necessary segment. Suzhen actually felt somewhat flattered—apart from those in high positions, quite a few civil officials showed her goodwill. Even Gao Chaoyi and Si Lanfeng, who had previously had great conflicts with her, expressed very strong sympathy and concern for her injuries.