The back courtyard hall was strictly guarded by stern-faced soldiers at the four corners. Lanterns hung in orderly arrangement under the eaves, their flames occasionally flickering mysteriously. Compared to the front courtyard’s brightness, this place had an additional charm of blooming splendor.

Suzhen peered from outside the courtyard gate, watching everyone enter successively. In the vast hall with somewhat dim lighting, a tall but slightly thin man stood with hands behind his back in the center.

She stared at this figure, her heart unconsciously tightening.

“Greetings to Your Majesty…”

Hearing from Yan Da downward, they all kowtowed to the central figure. The man slowly turned, saying “Rise.” With sword-like brows and starry eyes, it was indeed Lian Yu. Though the night was late, the young emperor showed no signs of fatigue, still appearing divinely handsome.

He smiled and said: “Today’s field investigation of the case – have you ladies made progress? Please share your findings. Marquis Huo, Prime Minister Quan, Minister Yan, and Ministers Li and Si can also offer opinions.”

Suzhen thought: Where does he show even half a trace of heartbreak?

“Who’s outside?” Lost in thought, she suddenly heard a stern shout. Her collar was grabbed and she was lifted over the courtyard wall and thrown into the hall.

It happened in an instant.

She looked at Xuanwu rather resentfully. Xuanwu was no longer endearing, coldly retreating behind Lian Yu.

This wasn’t her first time encountering such a scene, but last time at the Meng residence it was just her and Lian Yu… now with a hall full of people, it was extremely awkward.

Indeed, except for Quan Feitong and Huo Chang’an, the others showed surprise and complex expressions.

Lian Yu’s voice came from above: “How do you come to be here?”

His tone was distant and cold.

She had to look up and answer: “This minister saw Your Majesty summon everyone here to discuss the case and came over. This minister is responsible for this case’s investigation – I believe there’s nothing improper.”

The man’s eyes flashed with mockery: “Court Judge Li still remembers being the case’s chief investigator? I didn’t see Court Judge Li go out to investigate today.”

Suzhen was surprised by his pursuit of this point. After a moment’s shock, she steeled herself: “That’s only if Your Majesty hadn’t ordered this minister to kneel in punishment.”

Hearing this, Lian Yu’s gaze darkened, his eyes slightly raised toward someone. Murong Xi unconsciously lowered her head.

Lian Yu didn’t speak.

Suzhen saw the sharp look in his eyes and knew he had noticed the truth, but he didn’t pursue it. Remembering what Murong Xi had told her about being favored, she felt suddenly desolate.

Lian Yu’s voice again rang coldly in her ears: “Didn’t you get up later? Did you go out? I don’t believe this is the attitude a qualified investigator should have. You only think of yourself, of your own case. From the beginning, that’s all you’ve cared about. I thought I’d found a treasure, but I misjudged you.”

“So I didn’t have anyone summon you here. You came uninvited – is this still proper?”

Suzhen was speechless. Yes, the station clerks’ summons list didn’t include her.

She didn’t know why she was arguing with Lian Yu. When she realized it, she was already staring intently at him, saying: “This minister is indeed this case’s chief judge. According to Your Majesty’s words, this minister was wrong to come here and listen to the case proceedings to make merit while bearing guilt.”

“But I don’t want to see you. Get out!”

Lian Yu sneered and turned abruptly, unwilling even to look at her.

Suzhen gritted her teeth, stood up from the ground, and strode out.

Cold, disdainful gazes seemed to flicker and sway behind her. Though she had no eyes in her back, she seemed to see all their eyes.

Expelled from the hall, she didn’t go far or leave, standing rigidly in the heavily guarded courtyard. Voices from the hall could be faintly heard, sometimes quite heated, but unfortunately she couldn’t make out what everyone was discussing.

Lian Yu had called her an unqualified investigator – she felt this was an insult, as if with the end of their relationship he had become a ruthless dictator completely negating her worth.

One can stop loving someone someday, but shouldn’t completely negate that person.

But she also felt he was quite right – she was just a small person, a small woman. Where did she get such grand ideals of family and country?

Taking on Mo Chou’s case was probably just an accident.

With strong wind under the moon, she trembled all over but was completely unaware. Suddenly she had a strange thought, hoping someone would tell her: You took on Mo Chou’s case definitely not by accident.

After an unknown time, hearing rustling voices, the discussion inside seemed finished as people began filing out. She turned to find Wuyan.

Everyone was surprised to see her still there. Wuyan, seeing her approach, pulled Xiang’er toward a side corridor.

Suzhen knew that going to her room would mean another closed door. Though her martial arts were far from adequate, she moved quickly to block Wuyan’s path.

Wuyan’s face was frosty: “What does Minister Li mean by this?”

“Please grant this official a moment to hear one word.”

Hearing “this official,” Wuyan sneered slightly: “This palace doesn’t know what this palace and the minister could have to discuss.”

These words “this official” were also awkward for Suzhen – now that everyone knew she was a woman, she still had to use such terms in public.

“Sister.”

Hearing her sudden address, Wuyan was momentarily stunned but then angered by these words, scolding: “Who is your sister!”

She tried to leave but was blocked by Suzhen: “Sister, let’s step aside to talk. I’m begging you.”

“Impossible. You’ve already gotten what you wanted – why come bother me? I have nothing left to help you with, nothing left to give you. Please leave me alone, Minister Li.”

That suddenly raised voice made everyone stop and look suspiciously at the two women.

Xiang’er’s willow eyebrows shot up as she pushed Suzhen hard, protecting Wuyan. Suzhen stumbled but steadied herself, then simply reached out to grasp Wuyan’s wrist. She had previously feared Lian Yue might use her already public “male” secret to gossip about Wuyan, but with Lian Yu present, Lian Yue couldn’t possibly not give face, much less insult Wuyan in front of Huo Chang’an. Lian Yue understood the dynamics of men pitying the weak.

But she had calculated everything except one thing.

“Li Huaisu, let go.”

Hearing the commotion, Lian Yu led people back to the two women, speaking coldly.

Though winter had passed, she was still intimidated by the snow-melt coldness in Lian Yu’s eyes, slowly releasing her grip: “Your Majesty, this minister has a few words for Consort Wei.”

“Say whatever it is here.” Lian Yu reached out to support Wuyan, staring at her: “It seems you have many things I don’t know about. You’ve even befriended my consort?”

How could she explain her relationship with Wuyan to him? She could only look at Wuyan: “Sister, some things aren’t appropriate to say here.”

Wuyan laughed in fury: “I never imagined I saved such a wolf. Li Huaisu, what do you mean? Are you saying I’ve done something underhanded behind the scenes? Now you’re the one protecting my reputation?”

“His Majesty said to speak here. Fine, I’ll let you speak. Say whatever you want clearly here!”

“Li Huaisu, speak.”

Someone in the crowd spoke sternly. Suzhen looked to see it was Huo Chang’an.

His brows were furrowed, his face rarely showing seriousness – clearly concerned. Of course, he was naturally more concerned about someone other than her friend.

Lian Yue read the situation and suddenly said: “Minister Li may speak freely – His Majesty and Marquis Huo will uphold justice for you.”

Suzhen found herself unable to say a word. Huo Chang’an was her friend, and so was Wuyan…

“If Wuyan has done wrong, I absolutely won’t show favoritism, as long as you dare swear you’ve never lied and can produce concrete evidence.” Lian Yu stepped forward as she remained silent: “What games are you trying to play? Having regrets, afraid that after abandoning me I’ll no longer protect your interests? But you shouldn’t use Wuyan to test my heart. In my heart, you can’t compare to my relationship with Wuyan. Understand?”

His last sentence was so quiet only the two of them could hear.

Suzhen felt her vision suddenly obscured by something like thin mist, making Lian Yu’s cold, hard face unclear. She looked around – Murong Xi, Miao Yin, Shuangcheng…

And before her, the coldly beautiful Wuyan.

Remembering when she first came to the capital with her only friend Leng Xue… Finally, she shook her head and declared loudly: “This minister sought Consort Wei… for no important matter. This minister has no oath to swear, nor dare I swear. If Your Majesty and Your Ladyship will forgive this minister’s disrespectful offense, this minister will take leave first.”

It was ultimately a friendship of over ten years. Her eyes unconsciously moved toward Li Zhaoting, seeing him standing several people away, seemingly watching her but with the detachment of watching a show, his face like still water except for slightly furrowed brows – a posture similar to Huo Chang’an’s.

Where he stood, directly behind Shuangcheng. Shuangcheng wore a light, faint smile, but her eyes held familiar desolation.

She leaped lightly from the corridor and slowly walked toward the gate, wondering how Lian Yu would punish her.

Behind her, no sound came from him. He had suddenly grown quiet.

She suddenly remembered a line of poetry seemingly unrelated to this scene: “Thinking of the red peonies by the bridge – year after year, who do they bloom for?”

Just then, someone walked beside her, saying softly: “This spring chill is steep – aren’t you cold standing here so long? Since His Majesty doesn’t blame you, let’s go. This time I’ll really take you drinking.”

She blinked to see who it was. This person’s face lacked its usual playfulness, his eyes deep with flowing light. Speaking thus, he suddenly removed his outer robe and draped it over her. Standing in the courtyard in single garments, no one found him ridiculous. He turned back to smile at the crowd: “Marquis Huo, Zhaoting, will you join us? Better not – on such a beautiful evening, I wouldn’t want you even if you wished to come. Your Majesty, Li Huaisu is new to official circles and doesn’t understand many rules. Please forgive him – I’ll teach him properly in the future.”