“You’re right. That girl’s temperament must be reined in. Regarding Lian Xin, be more tolerant, but when necessary, you should scold and discipline her – I’ll take responsibility for you.”

Lian Yu was being embraced around the neck by her, and the intense feelings that had slowly calmed down began surging like waves again. He waited a moment before reaching out to pinch her cheek, a hint of mischief flashing in his eyes: “Mm, you just said ‘your sister is like my sister’ – did I hear wrong? Don’t you think this top scholar should explain what that means?”

Suzhen was stunned. Had she really said such revealing words? Well, she had indeed said them. There was no moment more certain than this one: she, Feng Suzhen, had truly become entangled with this man.

Her face turned red as if it had an automatic fire-breathing device, and she wanted to escape. Naturally, this time she didn’t even have a chance to run, being held firmly by Lian Yu.

“Huaisu, why were you at the Huang residence? Can’t you tell me even now?”

He hoped she could tell him the truth. Though his coldness toward her was feigned and forced upon her, how she came to be at the Huang residence was a crucial question.

He cared about this woman and wanted to hear her honest answer.

Suzhen was intimidated by his bright, penetrating gaze, but she couldn’t speak about her relationship with Li Zhaoting… If Lian Yu became suspicious of Li Zhaoting, then…

But she should be honest with him. She felt that being with someone should be like this.

But, but… could she gamble on an emperor’s heart?

Lian Yu’s heart sank, but seeing her lowered brow and silent stubbornness, his heart also ached slightly. He sighed and gently grasped her chin: “Like that person, I’ll give you time to tell me personally.”

Suzhen took a deep breath, hardly believing it. Her heart warmed as she nodded.

Lian Yu gave a light “Mm.”

She understood that Lian Yu was already being extremely tolerant with her. At this moment, she thought of the Feng family matter. Facing this question that she would have to raise sooner or later, her heart was still full of knots, but she felt it might be time to say something to him.

“Lian Yu, let me go first.” She looked seriously and solemnly into his eyes, but didn’t speak immediately – she couldn’t make a single misstep.

Lian Yu was moved by this certainty and indeed slowly released her, his gaze burning with the bearing of a ruler.

Suzhen stepped back two paces, looking at him.

In this moment, they were not lovers.

Suzhen had never handled many romantic affairs and had always been used to joking around, but it seemed some force guided her to act this way. When discussing business, it should be like this.

Between a woman and a man, even if the latter was much more powerful, the woman should still have her own attitude. Not coquettishness, dependence, or pleading.

“Lian Yu, I ask you – do you think Prime Minister Quan will be the next… Prince Jin?”

She chose to start with Quan Feitong.

Lian Yu pondered for a moment before speaking calmly: “You mean Quan Feitong will be like Prince Jin… rebel and usurp the throne?”

She nodded again.

Lian Yu smiled and casually picked up a lotus seed pastry: “Speaking truly of Quan Feitong’s mindset, that’s really hard to say. Sometimes I think he doesn’t necessarily want this throne above all others. He just doesn’t like being controlled by others. Unfortunately, I also don’t like controlling people, so the result is the same either way. He’ll still rebel – otherwise, I couldn’t possibly let him continue manipulating me.”

“Then you’ll also deal with the people around Quan Feitong the same way the late emperor dealt with those around Prince Jin? I heard that Prince Jin’s advisors and counselors without exception met terrible ends, even having their nine generations executed. Is that… right, Lian Yu?”

Suzhen watched Lian Yu’s expression carefully. Her question was extremely clever – in reality, what she wanted to bring up was Prince Jin!

Lian Yu bit into the pastry, eating elegantly, no longer resembling his young appearance from years past. After finishing the pastry and sipping some tea, he slowly said: “Yes. Rebellious traitors cannot be allowed to remain – methods must be absolute, otherwise how can one govern the realm?”

He still had the refined features and dignified bearing, but now he was completely different from the man who had just been loving and teasing her. His entire being emanated an aura of cold, decisive ruthlessness.

Suzhen’s heart immediately turned half cold. Originally, if he had disapproved of the late emperor’s methods, considering them too cruel, she might still have had a chance. Now, the late emperor was his father – asking him to overturn the verdict would already damage the late emperor’s reputation and harm imperial dignity, which was already one difficulty. And Lian Yu himself approved of such methods.

She suddenly remembered when she first arrived in the capital and saw Fu Jingshu and General Liu being beheaded.

Yes, Fu Jingshu was just her father’s friend, but he was also executed. If her Feng family was killed by the late emperor, the Fu family was… killed by him. The execution order for the Fu family might have been issued by the late emperor, but at that time the late emperor had already died – he could have stopped it, but he didn’t.

General Liu had rebelled against him, and his entire family was also executed.

That order was issued by him!

She involuntarily shivered. It was his momentary tenderness that had confused her… and it was also he who had taught her in previous cases not to easily reveal all her cards to others, or she would surely lose miserably.

Fortunately, she hadn’t spoken.

Just now the warm, intoxicating sensation still lingered, but the Feng family matter couldn’t be mentioned. What should she do?

Was there no future between them… just like that year in the cave, ultimately they would have to go their separate ways?

Lian Yu picked up the handkerchief he had used to wipe her mouth and wiped his hands with it before throwing it on the table. He suddenly stood up, smiling ambiguously: “Why ask such things? Why suddenly make such an expression? Are you afraid of me, Li Huaisu?”

Suzhen felt her entire being enveloped by his tall figure. She swallowed and tried to remain calm: “No, I was just curious… Fortunately I’m not one of Quan Feitong’s people, otherwise wouldn’t that be dangerous?”

“Perhaps Quan Feitong and Li Zhaoting will kill me instead. Who can say for certain?” Lian Yu stood before her and spoke with a light smile.

Suzhen’s heart was inexplicably pricked by something as she turned her head away: “Don’t say such things – I don’t like hearing them.”

“If you were one of their people, you would like hearing them.”

Suzhen suddenly felt a flash of anger. Was he suspecting her? Just as she was about to retort, the words that came to her lips became: “Lian Yu, if I really were one of Quan Feitong’s people, how would you treat me? Would you kill me?”

“That would depend on whether you could be replaced. Don’t play these riddles with me, and don’t let me discover anything. Think quickly about how to explain some things to me.”

Lian Yu answered in a somber voice, then pulled her into his arms and leaned down to kiss her again…

Could be replaced? Enjoy yourself when times are good. Suzhen closed her eyes…

Lian Yu had originally planned to depart the next day to return to Minshan Prefecture, but later changed his itinerary, resting for several days before ordering the departure back to Minshan Prefecture. On the day of departure, Suzhen discovered that Lian Yu’s injuries still weren’t completely healed, but her hand had improved considerably. Commander Shao led troops to accompany them, along with Meng Qiao.

Upon reaching the prefectural yamen, the gate guards saw the imperial procession and dared not delay, immediately going inside to report.

Shortly after, Huang Tianba hurried out to receive them.

Though his rushing arrival bore an “urgent” character, Suzhen clearly felt that Huang Tianba had come prepared. Also accompanying him to welcome the emperor were Quan Feitong and Li Zhaoting, with Mao Hui and Yu Jinglun surprisingly brought along behind the group.

After the formal greetings, Lian Yu’s gaze swept slightly. Huang Tianba’s heart sank – when the pursuing soldiers earlier couldn’t find anyone, he already knew the emperor was formidable and he had misjudged his intentions. Later, when he urgently reported the situation to Quan Feitong, Quan Feitong said it didn’t matter – unless Lian Yu was furious and sent people to arrest him without asking for reasons, there was still room for maneuvering.

After the emperor’s safe return, no one came to arrest him, so he felt relieved. Now – he slowly looked toward Quan Feitong, letting him handle the mediation.

Quan Feitong put on a surprised expression: “How does Your Majesty come to be here? Shouldn’t you be in Chuhe Prefecture overseeing the temple reconstruction?”

“Oh, I heard Minister Yan say that Magistrate Huang’s case here wasn’t progressing smoothly. Since there were no major affairs there, I decided to come here, determined to handle this case clearly and give the people an explanation.”

Lian Yu glanced at Yan Da, who understood and smiled: “Indeed, it was I who notified His Majesty. It’s just that Minister Li is supposed to be assisting with this case – I wonder why Prime Minister Quan has also come here? His Majesty entrusted Prime Minister Quan with overseeing court affairs – shouldn’t you be supervising the government in the capital?”

Quan Feitong’s lips curved slightly: “Reporting to Your Majesty and answering Minister Yan – Feitong’s health has been poor, so I requested permission from the Empress Dowager to leave the capital for a brief rest. Thinking that Minshan Prefecture has beautiful mountains and clear waters, I came here to recuperate.”

The emperor laughed: “Excellent. Prime Minister Quan can assist me in handling this case. With Prime Minister Quan’s wonderful help, I believe we can quickly clear Magistrate Huang’s name.”

“Thank Your Majesty.” Huang Tianba was startled and immediately bowed his head in response.

“Your Majesty, Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, Minister Yan, please,” Quan Feitong made a gesture of invitation, his lips curving in a smile. “Oh, Minister Li is here too. Dare I ask if the Minister has seen my concubine?”