Huo Chang’an said indifferently: “I’ll go find His Majesty.”

Before he finished speaking, Lian Yu entered the hall with his three personal guards and Gu Shuangcheng.

Everyone paid their respects, all intentionally or unintentionally staring at Lian Yu and Shuangcheng with various speculations. But Lian Yu seemed to ignore this entirely, only looking at Gu Shuangcheng: “You said earlier you had something to report to me. Speak.”

His voice was gentle, but Shuangcheng’s expression was complex. Finally, she smiled and knelt down: “Shuangcheng is guilty. The earlier rescue at Huang Manor was Li Huaisu who secretly had me notify Marquis Huo. That was her merit.”

This statement left everyone in the hall somewhat stunned.

Even the veteran minister Yan Da couldn’t help speaking: “Miss, why do you say this?”

Since Gu Shuangcheng had already claimed the credit alone and Li Huaisu hadn’t come out to say anything, why would she reveal the truth now?

Shuangcheng said softly: “Everyone has greed, and Shuangcheng is no exception, but ultimately I felt uneasy and must make this clear publicly. Regardless, Li Huaisu wanting to kill the Princess is fact, but her telling Shuangcheng of Marquis Huo’s location is also fact.”

For a moment, everyone was silent. Lian Yu stood with hands behind his back, looking at Shuangcheng for a while, then surveying everyone around. His brows furrowed slightly: “Where is she?”

This “she” – everyone knew without saying.

Only then did they realize that Li Huaisu hadn’t come at all.

“Speaking of which, we haven’t seen her all morning either.” Lian Jie spoke with some surprise on his face. “When we sent someone to her room to call her earlier, they said they couldn’t find her.”

Everyone thought: with Li Huaisu’s temperament, she probably got angry and left with her belongings.

Though they didn’t know how Gu Shuangcheng or Li Huaisu originally learned of Huo Chang’an’s location, this no longer seemed the point. Since the crucial reinforcements were summoned by her, people didn’t harbor much resentment toward Gu Shuangcheng, but instead felt somewhat guilty toward Huaisu.

Huo Chang’an glanced at Wei Wuyan. Wuyan instinctively pulled her clothing together and said to Lian Yu: “We should find Huaisu quickly. This place… owes her an apology.”

Lian Jie and Yan Da exchanged glances: “Indeed we should.”

Lian Yu’s gaze was profound, but no one knew what he was thinking. At this moment, someone stammered: “She… she… might have wandered off on her own. Maybe she’ll be back soon. You know how petty she is.”

Everyone looked and saw it was Lian Qin. Lian Yu’s expression changed slightly. Baihu had originally helped him with a chair to sit, but he suddenly stood up and grabbed Lian Qin by the collar: “Where is Xin’er? Did you two hide her away? Since I brought her here, I’ve made my attitude clear – no one is allowed to touch her.”

“I didn’t… this subject wouldn’t dare…”

“Wouldn’t dare? Then why are your legs trembling?” Lian Yu sneered slightly.

Lian Qin was startled and looked down. Lian Jie couldn’t stand watching and said sternly: “You still dare play tricks in front of Sixth Brother? If Li Huaisu has any mishap, be careful Sixth Brother chops off your claws.”

Lian Qin trembled and didn’t dare say another word, leading people away immediately.

Si Lanfeng walked at the back, the strange feeling in his heart growing stronger: Lian Yu toward Li Huaisu… Remembering what he’d seen at the inn, his heart sank slightly. Should he tell the Young Master?

When the blade was falling toward her cheek, Suzhen felt cold all over, thinking she was going to die in such an ugly, pathetic way. She wondered how to stop Lian Xin from killing her… Finally thinking of Leng Xue, not knowing how he was now.

Lian Xin sneered coldly, her beautiful eyes full of vicious malice. She shouted loudly, deliberately frightening Suzhen as the knife slashed fiercely toward her face. Suzhen closed her eyes and softly called Leng Xue’s name.

Since childhood, whenever she got into trouble, Leng Xue was always by her side. Unexpectedly, this call actually summoned a savior. The door was suddenly broken open, and a long sword flew with tremendous force, knocking the small knife away and embedding in the ground, its handle still swaying. Lian Xin was furious and turned to shout: “Who dares touch my things?”

“I do!”

Silently going to retrieve the sword was Xuanwu. Baihu went to untie Suzhen’s bonds. The cold voice belonged to Lian Yu. Lian Xin was shocked into stillness. Lian Yu’s eyes swept over Suzhen once, then at the horsewhip on the table. Without a word, he walked over, picked up the whip, and struck Lian Xin with it. Lian Xin cried out in pain, staring at him in shock, trembling all over.

Given her usual temperament, she would have rushed out the door, but now she didn’t dare.

Lian Yu said nothing, gripping the whip tightly and swinging it hard at Lian Qin as well. Lian Qin didn’t dare dodge. In all these years, he’d never seen Lian Yu like this – not angry exactly, but his eyes held deep darkness and chill.

Though he had acted from fraternal loyalty, he now didn’t dare harbor any resentment and immediately lowered his head to admit fault: “Sixth Brother, this subject knows his wrong and willingly accepts punishment.”

Lian Yu didn’t look at him, pointing at Lian Xin and saying sternly: “If you dare act recklessly again, whatever you inflict on others, I will certainly inflict on you.”

At this moment, if it were any other day, Huo Chang’an, Wuyan, Lian Jie and others would have pleaded for Lian Xin, but now they all remained silent.

Suzhen looked at Lian Yu’s blade-sharp profile, her heart trembling uncontrollably, just like Lian Xin and Lian Qin.

“This subject will immediately treat Judge Li’s wounds. The facial injuries shouldn’t matter – Your Majesty, please be at ease.” Lian Jie stepped forward to report, then beckoned to Baihu: “Tiger, you stay to help.”

“Yes.” Baihu quickly agreed.

Meng Qiao saw the opportunity to flatter: “Your Majesty, shall this humble minister summon physicians to treat Minister Li?”

Lian Yu’s expression softened slightly. Hearing this, he nodded: “No need for physicians. Have someone bring the best wound medicines in your manor to Seventh Prince. Everyone else, come with me.”

“Yes.” Meng Qiao immediately went off happily.

Soon, everyone had withdrawn cleanly.

Before leaving, Lian Qin bowed deeply to Suzhen: “Li Huaisu, I’m sorry.”

“This time we wronged you. Don’t worry – I’ll treat your facial wounds well… they won’t leave scars.”

Lian Jie’s voice came from above. Suzhen’s gaze, which had been fixed on the doorway, quickly returned as she asked in confusion: “Wronged? Forgive Huaisu’s ignorance – I don’t understand Seventh Master’s meaning.”

Baihu beside them said gently: “Miss Gu has already explained everything to His Majesty. That day, you helped Miss Gu request Marquis Huo to come to the rescue.”

Suzhen had been reaching for the bronze mirror on the table to see her current appearance when she trembled at these words: “What did you say…”

Her heart suddenly became extremely agitated. Several maids and servants brought in medicines. Lian Jie rolled up his sleeves, took the medicinal tools, and began cleaning her wounds gently: “Don’t say hitting us – Sixth Brother has never spoken a harsh word to any of us siblings. He’s our elder brother and has always yielded to us since childhood. We’re not like children born into an imperial family, but rather like those from ordinary homes. This prince hopes that since Sixth Brother treats you this way, no matter what, you’ll give him half your true heart in return. You’re a smart person. Thank you for this matter.”

But Suzhen couldn’t speak. Today’s events were no small matter – she never expected Lian Yu would go this far, yet he no longer liked her. Suddenly, she seemed to understand something. He was protecting her in his way, but also distancing himself from her in his way. He hadn’t said a word to her just now.

After applying medicine, she suddenly stood up and thanked Lian Jie: “I have something to do – going out for a moment.”

“Won’t you rest a bit? Now Lian Qin definitely wouldn’t dare compete with you for this room.”

“No need.”

Behind her, Lian Jie watched her hurry out and smiled slightly.

Suzhen was turned away at Lian Yu’s door. When she asked servants, they said His Majesty hadn’t returned, and Xuanwu and Qinglong weren’t there either.

She didn’t know why, but suddenly wanted very much to see Lian Yu, even though she had no idea what to say to him. But suddenly, she just wanted to see him.

She wandered around Meng Qiao’s maze-like mansion, seeing many more guards around, knowing it was because Lian Yu was here – the Jing County general had arrived with troops to protect him.

Unable to find Lian Yu, she thought to look for Wuyan and Gu Shuangcheng. Regarding Wuyan, she feared Huo Chang’an had done something inappropriate to her last night, and couldn’t understand why she and that sister had become so distant. Huo Chang’an had said Wuyan’s marriage to Lian Yu was fake – so was Wuyan angry that she also harbored intentions to harm Lian Yu? Because Wuyan and Lian Yu were good friends?

And Gu Shuangcheng – why would she do this? This woman was like clouds and mist – she couldn’t see through her.

“What are you doing here? Lian Yu indicated earlier when he came out that after resting for a day, they’d depart for Chuhe Prefecture to retry Huang Tianba’s case. After finishing with us, he went to the adjacent courtyard to rest. I think he’s not resting for himself – this day is for you to rest.”

Just as she was heading toward Wuyan’s courtyard, a voice spoke indifferently behind her.

She turned in shock: “Are you here to find Wuyan again? I warn you, don’t bully her, or I definitely won’t let you off!”

She began walking away but was stopped by the newcomer, who sneered slightly: “Wei Wuyan isn’t here, otherwise how could I come out?”

Suzhen glared at him fiercely and left.

She almost ran to the adjacent courtyard. Finally, upon entering, her heart began pounding.

Happy holidays, everyone.