Suzhen was thoroughly startled by him, her face flushing. Just as she didn’t know what to do, he released her and said “This time it’s my turn to stand you up,” then departed in the evening light.

If her mood weren’t truly terrible, Suzhen might not have been able to resist laughing. This man really was… she truly couldn’t figure him out. Previously when she was investigating at the Huang residence, for a moment she clearly felt his murderous intent. She thought he would kill her, and she knew that if he wanted to kill her, he definitely wouldn’t be merciful.

Returning to the courier station, night had already fallen completely. The only thing worth being happy about today was seeing Leng Xue again.

After briefly explaining Wuqing’s situation, Leng Xue frowned, then said: “Don’t worry first – I’ll also go out to investigate.”

“Mm, be careful in everything.”

Leng Xue walked to the door and suddenly turned back: “Zhen’er, there’s a question – have you considered that according to the princess’s account, Little Zhou is very likely a spy?”

Suzhen didn’t hide the dejection in her emotions before him, smiling and nodding: “I thought of it, when Lian Xin said he knew martial arts. But then I thought, if he were a spy, there was no need to expose his identity then.”

Leng Xue gave a cold laugh: “What if he’s Lian Yu’s man? In that critical situation, could he not save Lian Xin?”

Suzhen still nodded, suddenly breaking into a bigger smile: “Leng Xue, you’re much cleverer than I imagined.”

Leng Xue’s gaze became somewhat complex: “I was always smart, alright?”

Seeing her silence, he couldn’t help adding: “Zhen’er, you’ve actually thought of all this, haven’t you? Accompanying the ruler is like accompanying a tiger.”

“Naturally I have. Lian Yu… is the emperor. It’s very normal for him to guard against someone he intentionally promotes. It’s just that even if Lian Yu has suspicions about me, Little Zhou was exposed before he could betray me, wasn’t he? I know my limits in this matter. The urgent priority is their safety.”

What exactly is your relationship with Lian Yu! Why didn’t he pursue the matter when he initially learned you were a woman? When he was injured at the Huang residence, why did he still prefer to take you away… Leng Xue looked at her feigned casual expression, feeling a torrent of words about to burst out, but as his blood surged, he still suppressed it. He didn’t want Suzhen to tell him that she and Lian Yu indeed had something extraordinary beyond ruler and minister!

Suzhen saw his face turn cold and stern, with a hint of murderous intent between his brows, quite different from usual. She couldn’t help being somewhat surprised: “Leng Xue, is there something you want to say?”

“Remember when you and I talked about finding a place to live in seclusion once this matter is settled? I only hope that day comes soon!”

“Settled – how can worldly affairs be settled so easily?” Suzhen shook her head. She didn’t dare tell him about the Feng family case, given Lian Yu’s extremely tough attitude toward rebels.

“Every story has a beginning and an end. If there’s a beginning, there’s an ending.”

Leng Xue harshly interrupted her.

Suzhen watched him speak with burning eyes, deep as sunken jade, feeling that sensation even more foreign. Usually she bullied him more often, but at this moment, it seemed like he wanted to do something to her.

Of course, he didn’t do anything to her, only looked at her deeply before taking his sword and going out.

Suzhen unconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, realizing she had been holding her breath.

She sat for a while but couldn’t stay still. Regarding Wuqing’s matter, she knew Quan Feitong spoke reasonably. After brief consideration, she still went to find Wuyan. She was powerless to change what she couldn’t change, but at least she could salvage what she could salvage.

She asked a servant for directions and went over.

Arriving at the door, she asked who was there, and a crisp voice came from inside.

Was that Xiang’er?

Right, with many people around being inconvenient, Wuyan had previously left Xiang’er at the other inn. It seemed Wuyan had sent someone to bring her back.

This girl was quite a fierce one… She took a breath and said: “Li Huaisu requests an audience with Consort Wei. Please have Miss Xiang’er arrange an introduction.”

Sure enough, hearing this, Xiang’er immediately sneered and challenged: “Oh, so it’s Minister Li. This servant thought it was some ungrateful wretch without manners, specifically coveting other people’s husbands. My mistress isn’t in – please leave.”

Hearing this, Suzhen’s expression darkened. She clenched her fists, then took a deep breath: “Sister Wuyan, I know you’re inside. Because of Marquis Huo, I didn’t know you also had feelings for that person… otherwise, I definitely couldn’t have had any entanglement with him. You showed me protective kindness, and I owe you recognition. I now promise you that between him and me, it’s only ruler and minister. If I violate this oath, may I die under cruel torture and not meet a good end.”

“I dare not claim ignorance absolves guilt, but I’ve done what I can. If you won’t forgive me, I have no recourse. You may sever all friendship with me. I’ve pleaded twice – to plead again would be abandoning dignity. I’m sorry, I cannot do that. Of course, if you have anything you need me to do in the future, I absolutely won’t refuse. I’m leaving now.”

After speaking, she truly departed.

The door quickly opened, first revealing Wuyan’s beautiful face. She watched Suzhen’s departing direction with a frown, not knowing what she was thinking. Then Xiang’er’s anxious little face appeared: “Miss, do you believe what she said? Aren’t Lian Yue and Miss A Luo cautionary tales?”

Wuyan turned back to look at her, her red lips pressed together, her expression serious and distant: “Once bitten, twice shy. I’ll never easily trust anyone again. Don’t worry.”

In Lian Yu’s room, after the women dispersed, Murong Xi followed him over and said to Yan Da and Lian Jie and others: “Minister Yan, Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, please withdraw first.”

Everyone looked toward Lian Yu, who nodded: “Follow Your Ladyship’s instructions.”

He also said to Lian Jie and Lian Qin: “Xin’er returned to her room earlier. Princess Imperial is there looking after her and helping her calm down. You should also go check on her – I’ll come over shortly.”

“Yes, we take our leave.”

Several people, along with Si Lanfeng and Xuanwu and others, withdrew.

Watching everyone leave, Murong Xi smiled and embraced Lian Yu’s arm. Lian Yu smiled warmly: “Does Xi’er have something to tell me?”

“Your Majesty, that Miao Yin asked you to find her, and you went to her room earlier. What did you talk about?” Murong Xi raised her face, slightly acting coquettish with a huff.

“She had prepared tea and snacks in her room, asking me to sit and discuss the case. How long could that have been before Xin’er came shouting for ‘help’? What could we have said?”

He patted her arm gently.

Only then did Murong Xi’s heart settle somewhat, but she pouted again: “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager wants to arrange your marriage with her. You already love Wei Wuyan more, and now with Miao Yin added, I’m afraid you’ll visit this concubine’s quarters even less.”

“I don’t know about others, but this concubine grew up with Your Majesty since childhood and has given her whole heart to Your Majesty. This is what they call childhood sweethearts – what could be more solid than this?” She spoke while gently leaning against Lian Yu’s chest, murmuring softly.

Murong Xi was undoubtedly not as simple as she appeared on the surface. Among women living in the deep palace, who could be entirely simple? On the contrary, she was very clever. She just used coquetry to soften men’s hearts, without speaking ill of other women.

Lian Yu was also somewhat moved, stroking her hair: “Wuyan is after all Grand Tutor Wei’s daughter. As for cousin… I naturally remember cousin’s goodness. Cousin and uncle’s position in my heart cannot be shaken by anyone.”

He gave her assurance. Murong Xi was delighted at heart, but hearing him call her cousin, she couldn’t help reproaching: “This concubine is only ten-odd days older than Your Majesty. When Your Majesty calls me that, you’re deliberately making this concubine sound old. This concubine won’t have it – this concubine still prefers you calling me Xi’er…” She spoke while slightly raising her head, eyes slightly narrowed, lips slightly pouted. Her face had skin like congealed cream, with two charming touches of peach pink on her cheeks. This tender, dewy beauty was no less than Wuyan and Shuangcheng.

This was undoubtedly a graceful invitation.

Her hands even quietly climbed onto the man’s strong back, lightly drawing circles.

Lian Yu’s muscles tensed slightly. He placed a kiss on her forehead and gently released her: “Xi’er, I’m still in the mourning period. Male-female relations are not yet permissible.”

Murong Xi was very disappointed, saying reluctantly: “We’ve been married for a long time and… the wet nurse said mourning is actually just for appearances. Your Majesty could very well…”

“No, propriety cannot be abandoned. Whether the imperial succession is sincere relates to the Great Zhou’s national fortune,” Lian Yu’s gaze was profound as he looked at her. “Others in the palace might not understand, but Xi’er comes from noble birth, is learned and well-mannered, and must understand this principle.”

Only then did Murong Xi’s eyes show some smile, saying in a husky voice: “Then this concubine will wait three years for Your Majesty. When the time comes, who will Your Majesty favor first? Wuyan? Miao Yin, or Shuangcheng? I think if Li Huaisu were a woman, Your Majesty would also like him – you walk quite close to him, and just now you even carried him up…”

“What kind of thing is Li Huaisu that you’d even be jealous of him?” Lian Yu smiled slightly, his gaze still gentle. “Xi’er will know when the time comes.”

Could this be his hint? Referring to her as his legitimate imperial consort? Murong Xi trembled all over and sweetly nestled into his embrace again.

Lian Yu held her and caressed her gently for a while: “Xi’er, I need to work now. This case is not light, and to govern the country, I must first govern officials. I’ve been on the throne not long – if I’m slightly negligent, I’ll inevitably provoke Minister Yan and those veteran ministers to lecture me. You know how stubborn old men can be. Let me escort you out – I’ll stay at your quarters when we return to the palace.”

Murong Xi nodded: “Mm, those veteran ministers are the most detestable, relying on being old ministers. If they don’t nag, they feel they can’t show their status. Then this concubine will take leave first.”

She naturally understood the deeper meaning in his words, but he had just kissed her and said those things to her, so she was satisfied… She had deeply loved him since childhood, but didn’t dare completely lose sense of propriety, as that would only make him annoyed. She curtsied and slowly walked out.

There would always be time ahead. She was his childhood sweetheart – some feelings others couldn’t compare with, and she definitely wouldn’t let anyone else have him!