Xuanwu said nothing – perhaps remembering past kindnesses – but his gaze toward Suzhen was full of wariness and coldness.

“Your Majesty, please think carefully. Don’t be deceived by this cunning woman – she is enemy, not friend!” Si Lanfeng’s eyes flashed with something dark that quickly passed, as he stepped forward and knelt to persuade.

Lian Jie and Lian Qin were even more anxious, kneeling together and saying in unison: “Please, Sixth Brother, prioritize the important matters.”

Their voices carried intense indignation.

Qinglong and Baihu also knelt down.

“Xuanwu, come back.”

Finally, as the man tossed his sword aside, that slightly hoarse, low voice rang out. Suzhen felt as if her body and soul were pulled down by that voice, falling downward. She only heard Huo Chang’an sigh with a laugh beside her ear as the hand supporting her injured arm slowly dropped.

Indeed, except for Huo Chang’an who belonged to a different faction, who would now… She lowered her head and smiled bitterly.

At this moment, a figure swept past like a great eagle. Her eyes blurred as she was swept into someone’s robes and embrace. A heavy scent of blood and sweat rushed into her nose and mouth. She trembled, and everyone was greatly shocked.

The opponent’s movements were truly fast. Before she could see his features clearly, he had already brought her to Wei Wuyan’s side.

This person also collapsed and fell.

“Your Majesty…”

Someone cried out sharply. Xuanwu and Qinglong were shocked and immediately helped up the blue-robed man from the ground.

His face was pale, already unconscious.

Suzhen stared blankly at this person’s handsome, pale face on the ground, his tightly clenched fists with prominent veins, feeling as if something had struck her violently.

Everyone was furious, all glaring at her with hatred. Wei Wuyan glanced at Lian Yu, closed her eyes, then suddenly reached out to pat Suzhen’s shoulder. Her lips moved slightly as if wanting to say something, but ultimately remained silent and quickly walked to Lian Yu’s side.

“Sister Wuyan…”

She called to Wuyan, but Wuyan didn’t respond. In her daze, Suzhen felt the two seemed to have grown distant.

“Retreat quickly!”

Seeing this, Huo Chang’an shouted decisively. Among these people, Lian Yu was the most severely injured. Having just exerted himself, even the strongest will could no longer sustain him.

Everyone was urgent and temporarily suppressed their hatred toward Suzhen. People withdrew cleanly like water.

Outside the manor gates, four large carriages were parked with Huo Chang’an’s men already waiting. Everyone quickly entered the carriages, and soon the drivers called out loudly as the carriages disappeared into the vast night.

Chao Huang didn’t pursue.

Huang Tianba came down from the building with a dark expression, not expecting Marquis Xiao Yao to appear halfway through. He ordered horses prepared and commanded Yu Jinglun and Mao Hui to lead men in continued pursuit.

Earlier, seeing the unfavorable situation, he had already sent fast horses to notify the city guards, saying “rebels” were leaving the city and telling them to secretly follow the rebels. When Yu and Mao arrived with troops, they would attack from both sides.

He pointed outside and carefully instructed Yu Jinglun: “To prevent us from gathering troops for recapture, they can’t possibly stay in Minshan Prefecture. Look, after leaving the city, there are four directions to go. First leads to Master Meng’s place, where I have excellent relations; second leads to Jing County, where my relations with County Magistrate Hu are ordinary; third is toward Meng County – it was precisely this county’s magistrate Xue E who impeached me by bypassing proper channels. The fourth leads to deep mountains and old forests, requiring passage through dense woods to reach other prefectures.”

“They will certainly have investigated beforehand and absolutely won’t go to Master Meng’s place, so only three directions remain.”

Yu Jinglun’s eyes flickered slightly: “This emperor would choose Magistrate Xue’s place, right?”

“Among the three, the most logical choice would be that Xue fellow – what could be better than using this person against me? However, though Jing County is small, it borders military fortress land with a general commanding troops nearby – a good destination.”

“Your Excellency is brilliant, but what if they take the forest path…”

Mao Hui had doubts. Yu Jinglun, being sinister and extremely clever, understood Huang Tianba’s thoughts and explained: “This is impossible. If they choose the forest, it’s dangerous for us but also for them. Think about it – that Marquis Huo clearly came in haste to rescue. Hastily preparing carriages and horses was already difficult – could he also prepare large quantities of food? Though the forest has many wild animals, they’re unfamiliar with the routes. Finding food would be very troublesome. Don’t forget this Lian Yu is still injured – the Son of Heaven’s life can’t be taken lightly! Are there places in the mountain forests suitable for the Son of Heaven’s recovery?”

Mao Hui understood: “You mean the most dangerous place is ultimately still the most dangerous.”

Huang Tianba hurried to consult Quan Feitong: “What does the Chancellor think?”

Quan Feitong said indifferently: “Very good. Magistrate Huang knows this area’s terrain and connections better than I do. Whatever Magistrate Huang arranges.”

“This time Lian Yu still won’t die!” Mao Hui smiled sinisterly and departed with Yu Jinglun to gather troops.

“Thank you for the Chancellor’s approval.” Huang Tianba’s eyes flashed with cruelty as he nodded slightly. Seeing Quan Feitong’s white robes fluttering, he suddenly bent down to pick something up from the ground and played with it in his hands.

Chao Huang’s eyes were sharp – he saw it was Li Huaisu’s laughably pathetic “weapon” from earlier. He really had no good feelings toward this person, finding her extremely annoying, and didn’t know where Quan Feitong’s interest came from. Originally, his elder brother held the position of second only to one, above ten thousand others, and never lacked beautiful female companions.

Li Zhaoting noticed what was in Quan Feitong’s hands, his brow jumping slightly, but after one glance he looked no more, as if neither curious nor caring. He simply bowed to the ground: “Now that we’ve failed at the crucial moment, Senior Brother, regarding Shuangcheng’s matter, I apologize on her behalf.”

“Her temperament has always been thus, and she made clear early on she wouldn’t help anyone. This time is fine, but if there’s a next time… Zhaoting, let me show you her room. Do you want to know… how Huo Chang’an found this place?”

Quan Feitong gripped the hairpin tightly, the corner of his mouth pulling into a cold smile.

In the midnight quiet streets, amid the dark, frosty cold, the clip-clop of horse hooves scraped past rows of roof tiles. They stopped at the post station to pick up an elderly man, then continued striking the stone-paved roads, drawing sudden alarm from people’s dreams.

Even though, from ancient times to now, the realm has always been the concern of only a few.

The four carriages held different people. One carriage contained Lian Yu, Lian Jie, Xuanwu, Baihu, and Wei Wuyan. With Lian Yu unconscious, Lian Jie found Lian Xin and Lian Qin annoying and drove them out. He and Xuanwu and Qinglong were responsible for protection, while Wuyan and Baihu handled bandaging wounds and care.

The two were stuffed into Suzhen’s carriage…

Suzhen wanted to see Lian Yu, but Lian Jie didn’t allow it.

Lian Xin looked coldly at Suzhen and said to Lian Qin: “Ninth Brother, if someone had any shame, they would automatically roll out of here. Don’t you think so? Disgusting inside and out – isn’t she embarrassed?”

Lian Qin nodded: “Too bad some people don’t know. They still think they’re treasured, not considering that even Imperial Concubine Wei and Miss Gu are much better. Moreover, what woman doesn’t the mighty Great Zhou sovereign have access to?”

Huo Chang’an listened and glanced at Suzhen slightly. Suzhen sat quietly with lowered eyes. He could see her eyes were very red. She didn’t argue, just clutched the clothing on her knees tightly into a ball.

Huo Chang’an wanted to see if she was crying, thinking that if Li Huaisu cried, he definitely couldn’t help laughing. Some people are naturally cheerful – maybe as Lian Xin said, shameless. Li Huaisu was exactly that type. Gu Shuangcheng glanced at Suzhen and suddenly said to Lian Xin: “Princess, I want to rest. Could you and Ninth Master…”

Lian Xin was startled. Gu Shuangcheng had saved her life, so she said “You’re taking pity on her” and pulled Lian Qin to stop talking.

Suzhen looked at Shuangcheng sharply. Shuangcheng smiled self-mockingly, not knowing if she was laughing at her or herself.

At this moment, the carriage suddenly stopped. It was Huo Chang’an’s lieutenant Long Ying Qiang reporting that they were about to leave the city. According to Si Lanfeng, who was traveling with them, there were several roads after leaving the city – which should they take?

“This Minister Si is indeed far-sighted, truly talented, remarkably familiar with the local routes.” Huo Chang’an spoke indifferently, his brow slightly furrowed. In fact, he had been pondering this matter.

If this were battlefield combat, he would naturally have scouted the strategic terrain beforehand. But tonight’s situation was sudden and unexpected. After brief consideration, he immediately said: “Go request Seventh Prince, Imperial Concubine Wei, Chancellor Yan, and Minister Si to come here. We need to deliberate carefully on which route to take after leaving the city.”

“Yes!”

Long Ying Qiang received orders and left. Soon he brought everyone over.

It turned out that earlier they had gone to the post station to pick up Yan Da. When Lian Yu led people to secretly investigate the prison, considering Chancellor Yan’s age, for safety’s sake, they had left him at the post station.

Soon the carriages all stopped and everyone gathered beneath them. At this time, Yan Da glanced at Suzhen and said indifferently: “We need to discuss matters. With outsiders present, this isn’t appropriate.”

Suddenly everyone looked toward Suzhen.

Lian Jie made a “please” gesture to her. Suzhen pressed her lips tightly and quietly walked more than ten steps away from the carriages.

Looking from afar, everyone discussed for a moment but seemed unable to decide. Suzhen knew this route out of the city must be difficult to handle. Her stomach rumbled with hunger, and no one had helped set her broken bone. Huo Chang’an was the only one who paid attention to her, but he was clearly thinking about matters. She licked her dry lips and slowly crouched on the ground, Lian Yu’s appearance suddenly flashing through her mind.

Suddenly she saw Xuanwu hurrying from the front carriage to the group. Everyone then looked toward her with strange expressions.

She was startled and slowly stood up. Xuanwu strode over, saying repeatedly: “Judge Li, His Majesty just awakened and orders this subordinate to summon you to see him.”