Lian Yu didn’t hide it from her and nodded.

Suzhen, having her guess confirmed, felt encouraged. She looked at him and said slowly, “Quan Feitong doesn’t know you’ll go there. Because you’ve already sent Minister Yan, and with Cai Beitang’s treasury silver situation being urgent here, no one would think you’d secretly cross to Minshan Prefecture to personally investigate Huang Tianba… Quan Feitong is at ease.”

Lian Yu smiled and tucked the quilt that had slipped down around her, humming softly in agreement, “Who can guarantee this inn doesn’t have spies sent by Quan Feitong? By now they should be able to leave with peace of mind to report to him.”

Suzhen couldn’t help but grab his sleeve, “Then what about Cai Beitang’s side? Once you let it go, he’ll have leisure time and will definitely create false accounts. I’m afraid by then you won’t be able to prosecute him. If you forcibly convict him then, plus the matter with Huang Congyue’s nephew, the court will likely be in turmoil with people feeling anxious, both fearful and wary of you…”

Lian Yu’s gaze gradually became gentler. He sat down, pulled her into his arms, and said softly, “Are you worried about me?”

Suzhen was startled and shook her head. Lian Yu thought her words contradicted her heart but smiled and said, “I’ll tell you a secret—with Cai Beitang, it’s a play we’re acting together.”

This time Suzhen was truly stunned and suddenly turned to look at him, “A play? You mean Minister Cai isn’t corrupt?”

Lian Yu shook his head, playing with her hair that he had loosened while she slept, saying flatly, “People who don’t seek private gain aren’t nonexistent, just extremely rare in this world. But this Cai Beitang still knows his limits—he hasn’t been too greedy and has accomplished some real work over the years.”

Suzhen saw him pause and was inspired by something, suddenly understanding, “You went to him to act this play, which also served as a warning—he shouldn’t go too far in the future, or you’ll eventually investigate him. While Minister Cai was frightened, he’s also grateful to you and will restrain himself in the future. You were pretending downstairs earlier, in case the Prime Minister’s spies were there…”

“Mm, you can be taught.”

Lian Yu chuckled softly, “For people in his position, finding another one who’s honest and capable isn’t easy. This is the best method. In this lifetime, the character I’ve practiced most is patience.”

She looked at him with some amazement. Lian Yu patted her cheek, “Staying by my side, you can learn many things. Isn’t that good?”

Suzhen was slightly excited. She enjoyed this kind of court strategy and maneuvering, feeling she had gained knowledge. Knowing his capabilities added to her admiration for this person, yet her feelings were complex. Li Zhaoting was in Minshan Prefecture… She bit her teeth and looked at Lian Yu, “Shitou, let me go with you too, alright? Since Shuangcheng is going with you, I want to go too…”

Lian Yu’s lips couldn’t help but curve up, and he heavily stroked her hair, “I know your thoughts. Silly you—how could I let her come along? While you were sleeping soundly earlier, I already had little Chuzi go tell her that it’s inconvenient to bring her to the imperial mausoleum, so some guards will stay here to look after her, and I’ll pick her up on my return trip. Your injuries have just healed and you’ve caught cold again. More traveling would be too much for your body. Besides, I might not be able to take care of you then, and you there would distract me. It’s better for you to return to the residence, rest well, and study your Xia family case files to prepare for overturning the case. I’ll come find you as soon as I return.”

Though his tone was gentle, his expression was resolute with natural imperial authority. Suzhen knew his mind was made up. In her heart, she was still far from accepting him enough to act coquettishly like his consort, and even less could she do such things. She vaguely formed a plan in her heart but said, “You won’t take me because you’re afraid I’m someone’s spy, intending to harm you?”

Lian Yu saw her frowning, but his eyes suddenly deepened. He lowered his head to kiss her lips. Suzhen couldn’t resist his strength and was held by him as he played with her lips and tongue for quite a while. Her lips and tongue felt numb and tingling. She looked at him somewhat angrily, but Lian Yu was slightly satisfied and smiled as he released her, walking toward the door.

Before leaving, he slowly turned around, “There are many things I could choose not to tell you, but I told you. The reason I won’t let you go is what I just said. Susu, I don’t know what your original name was, so I’ll call you this for now. I’m giving you time, but please don’t… betray me.”

His last words fell extremely quickly, faintly carrying a trace of cold severity, and then his snow-white robes disappeared outside the door.

Suzhen’s heart trembled. She quickly got out of bed. The room had windows on both sides. She walked to the other side facing the courtyard, opened the window slightly, and saw in the courtyard water drops flowing over glazed tiles, down the eaves, dripping down. In the cool, clear rainy night, several men stood holding umbrellas, elegantly dressed in brocade. In the distance, the mountains were dark as ink wash, seemingly endless.

She then froze—standing beside Lian Jie and Lian Qin was actually Si Lanfeng?

He had also come secretly?

Yes, the people here would definitely divide into two routes—one to escort her back, one to go to the imperial mausoleum according to plan. Si Lanfeng was under Lian Jie and should now be serving Lian Yu. As a Vice Minister of War, he must have brought troops to escort and accompany the emperor.

They also sharply noticed her. Xuanwu and Qinglong quickly turned their heads away. Lian Jie frowned slightly, Lian Qin glanced at her coldly, but Si Lanfeng was greatly surprised, staring at her with wide eyes in shock until Lian Yu came out and coughed lightly, causing Si Lanfeng to hurriedly lower his head.

Suzhen didn’t know whether Si Lanfeng was shocked because she was disheveled with loose hair and no chest binding, vaguely revealing she was a woman, or because he knew this was Lian Yu’s room…

Lian Yu took the oil-paper umbrella Xuanwu handed him, quietly glanced at her once, and led everyone away.

Suzhen stood by the window watching this group of men disappear into the black mountains and white waters. When she looked up, she suddenly saw a woman also standing at the window in the opposite room, looking at her quietly.

That was Gu Shuangcheng…

Of course, Gu Shuangcheng didn’t know Lian Yu’s destination.

Gu Shuangcheng stared at her intently for a while, her gaze cool and complex, her delicate brows slightly arched, then slowly closed the window.

The next evening, after traveling all day, Mingyan Chu delivered Suzhen back to the Chief Justice residence. At the same time, Princess Lian Xin, who had been caught by Baihu and sent to the palace, was now in her bedchamber, furious and red-eyed, crying and shouting as she violently smashed things to the ground.

The palace maids didn’t dare approach and all stood far away watching. Soon, a eunuch came in to report, “Princess, Noble Consort Wei requests an audience.”