It turned out someone had entered from outside.

When Su Zhen saw the two people walking in through the main gate, she was immediately stunned.

Wu Qing and Little Zhou had returned?!

Though she knew their chances of survival were high, she hadn’t expected them to return so suddenly without warning!

Both were dressed in completely new clothing, appearing to have changed into fresh garments. They didn’t look too bedraggled or terrible – continuous fighting couldn’t have left them so neat and tidy. They didn’t look too disheveled, except that Wu Qing’s face was alarmingly pale.

Everyone was somewhat surprised to see her and Huo Chang’an coming hand in hand. Lian Yue didn’t mind, and Lian Yu’s gaze settled briefly without showing any unusual reaction. Seeing Wu Qing and the other pay their respects, he told them to rise: “You two have suffered hardship. For your merit in protecting the princess, I will richly reward you.”

Wu Qing replied: “We dare not claim merit – this was our duty.”

Little Zhou, fearing he wouldn’t want the reward and that her own share might be lost, quickly said “Thank His Majesty for the reward.”

Wu Qing’s brow slightly furrowed, unnoticed by anyone, but Lian Xin’s eyes couldn’t help but dim somewhat.

Lian Yu looked toward Quan Feitong and smiled: “This morning Prime Minister Quan came to see me, saying that Master Wuliang personally intervened, contacted you, and asked to be a mediator. How long has it been since then? The matter is resolved and the people have returned. Prime Minister Quan is indeed Prime Minister Quan – swift in handling affairs, with outstanding capability.”

“Your Majesty overpraises me,” Quan Feitong said. “Master Wuliang said he will personally bring those two unworthy disciples bound before Your Majesty and the Princess to beg forgiveness, leaving everything to Your Majesty’s disposal.”

Lian Yu asked Lian Xin: “What does Xin’er say? I’ll leave it to your disposal.”

Su Zhen thought to herself that if Lian Yu hadn’t agreed to Wuliang’s demands beforehand, how could they have released the people? Sparing them from death while giving them a lesser punishment was nothing. But this favor was essentially sold by Quan Feitong as the intermediary. For Lian Yu, it was a losing deal, but for Quan Feitong, he had probably gained another capable ally! Truly not earning would be a waste!

Though Wu Qing appeared severely injured, thank heavens, he and Little Zhou had finally returned.

She stood behind them, smiling at them.

Wu Qing was perceptive and Little Zhou sharp-eyed – they naturally saw her gaze and looked back to acknowledge her. Over there, however, Lian Xin hadn’t answered for a long time. There was silence as she stared at Wu Qing in a daze. Seeing this, Lian Qin grew anxious and pushed her. Only then did Lian Xin cry out “Ah!” and say to Lian Yu: “I leave it entirely to Sixth Brother’s disposal. Xin’er has no opinion.”

This was even more unexpected. Lian Xin then walked up to Wu Qing with hesitation and a frightened expression, wanting to ask something, but in the end said nothing.

Wu Qing took a step back without showing emotion, maintaining his usual distant politeness: “Thank you for the Princess’s concern.”

Upon hearing this, Lian Xin’s face reddened as she shook her head repeatedly. Remembering something, she suddenly turned to Lian Jie: “Seventh Brother, examine Wu Qing’s injuries. He was severely wounded before.”

Calling for a physician wasn’t difficult, but having Lian Jie act personally was quite an honor. But since it was his sister’s request, Lian Jie showed no objection, only seeking Lian Yu’s permission. Lian Xin looked over expectantly as well. Lian Yu nodded to Lian Jie.

Wu Qing thanked both Lian Yu and Lian Jie. Lian Xin was overjoyed. Lian Jie said: “Then this subject won’t accompany Sixth Brother today.”

Originally everyone would disperse with no further business. Su Zhen was about to leave with Wu Qing and the others when unexpectedly, Lian Yu seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He turned around and said coldly: “Li Huaisu, return to wherever you came from. The Princess has no business with you.”

Since the Son of Heaven had spoken, the two squad leaders naturally knew to act, immediately coming to escort Su Zhen. Wu Qing’s expression changed. Su Zhen shook her head at him and said quietly: “Your Majesty, this subject requests a private conversation.”

“Between you and me, there’s no need for conversation,” Lian Yu’s eyes held a trace of mockery. “Minister Li still has an unresolved case – yet you’re willing to die?”

He smiled coldly and commanded: “If Minister Li seeks death, whoever dares to stop him commits a capital offense. After his death, simply report it to me.”

The two squad leaders dared not object and quickly said “Yes.”

Murong Xin covered her mouth and laughed. The others showed no reaction – those clever women knew she wouldn’t be a threat, so they wouldn’t waste emotion on her.

Su Zhen couldn’t help but laugh. Lian Yu truly understood her. But even understanding her, he had made it clear… he no longer cared.

After Lian Yu had gone far, Huo Chang’an laughed: “Could Lian Yu have misunderstood about you and me? This is rather troublesome now.”

Su Zhen rolled her eyes at him: “This time… you did it deliberately again, didn’t you?”

Huo Chang’an’s lips curved upward: “Since you think I did it deliberately, why did you cooperate?”

He lowered his voice: “Actually, you should thank me instead.”

Su Zhen twitched her lips and suddenly said quietly: “Huo Chang’an, what I said just now was a joke. I have no romantic wariness toward you because you’re like a brother to me, as are Leng Xue, Wu Qing, and the others. So I didn’t think much of it. Lian Yu isn’t concerned about this matter either – he was already tired of me, as I can see clearly. He gave this order only because I don’t know when to advance or retreat, still deluding myself that I could get through this.”

“Wu Qing, take good care of your injuries. When you’re free, come see me.”

She tried to sound carefree as she said this, then left with the two squad leaders.

Wu Qing wanted to follow, but Little Zhou blocked him, curling her lip: “Tend to your injuries first. Li Huaisu seems to have offended His Majesty – no one can save her. You going would be useless.”

Lian Xin also said quietly: “Exactly. Why worry about her? Quickly follow my Seventh Brother to treat your injuries.”

Wu Qing frowned. After receiving a fierce glare from Little Zhou, he made no further movement. Lian Xin inexplicably felt displeased, thinking: Why listen to what this Little Zhou says?

Lian Jie had the inn staff arrange a new room and summoned several capable maids to assist. Wu Qing’s wounds were indeed shocking to behold – the stitched areas had torn open. Lian Jie re-stitched them and applied medicine.

Little Zhou looked carelessly nonchalant, occasionally glancing once or twice. Lian Xin, however, was tense about his injuries, her gaze moving back and forth across the man’s solid, bare chest. Along with several maids, she couldn’t help but blush.

By the time the wounds were re-bandaged, Lian Jie’s hands reeked of blood.

Seeing Little Zhou give him a meaningful look – perhaps the two often tested and fought each other – Wu Qing could immediately sense her thoughts. After brief consideration, he spoke: “Thank you for Your Lordship’s great kindness. Your Lordship’s medical skills are excellent. Please forgive my presumption, but I wonder if this humble person’s leg can be treated?”

Lian Jie was washing his hands in a basin. Hearing this, he reached out to tap his leg, then had a servant roll up his pants and examined carefully. After a long while, his expression showed considerable difficulty: “Though I know medical arts, I can hardly be called a master. Your bones and meridians have been injured for a long time, with severe fractures and displacement. I fear it’s difficult.”

“Thank Your Lordship.” Wu Qing looked somewhat disappointed but still humbly expressed thanks.

“It’s nothing.”

Lian Jie also smiled warmly, taking the towel a maid handed him to dry his hands.

Little Zhou’s eyes rolled as she said: “If even a master like Prince Lian can’t treat this condition, even imperial physicians or so-called miracle doctors among the people would be helpless. Cripple, just accept your fate – stop thinking about this and that.”

Lian Xin frowned at these words. As soon as Little Zhou finished speaking, she declared loudly: “No! I’ll write to Mother Empress and have her send the best imperial physicians.”

Lian Jie’s eyes darkened slightly. She stuck out her tongue: “Seventh Brother, I’m not saying your medical skills are poor. It’s just that treating bones is a small matter – saving lives is the important thing. Those imperial physicians can handle small matters, but not important ones. Besides, you’re meant to assist Sixth Brother in governing the country – what does treating illness matter?”

Though these words weren’t particularly elegant, they were appropriate. Lian Jie said nothing, only remarking mildly “What does a little girl like you understand?” He instructed Wu Qing to rest well and left with Lian Xin.

Lian Xin clearly wanted to stay, just standing there motionless. Wu Qing then said: “I’m filthy all over. Little Zhou, since we work in the same office, could I trouble you to stay and help me wash?”

Lian Jie pulled Lian Xin along, scolding: “Wu Qing needs to wash and rest. What are you standing here for? Come out with me.”

He smiled and added: “There are plenty of maids here – you can order them around as you please.”

The several maids blushed even more. Wu Qing declined politely: “After all, men and women are different – it’s inconvenient.”

Seeing his stubbornness, Lian Jie smiled slightly: “I’ll have some male servants attend to you then.”

Wu Qing merely said he dared not trouble him. Lian Jie said: “You fellow disciples have deep friendship – you’d be more comfortable with each other than with outsiders. I won’t stand on ceremony with you then.”

“This… I… taking care of him…” Little Zhou looked somewhat indignant, but given Lian Jie’s presence, couldn’t say much, reluctantly staying behind.

Lian Xin was just the opposite, unwillingly following Lian Jie out.

After the two left, Little Zhou immediately changed her expression, saying viciously: “I won’t help you wash. You refused Seventh Prince’s kind offer – you brought this on yourself. You deserve it.”

Wu Qing’s eyes curved slightly as he said mildly: “I won’t make you work. Just come over here – that’s acceptable, isn’t it?”

Little Zhou cursed as she walked to the bedside, suddenly sensing predatory intent in his eyes. But it was too late – she had only retreated one step when he grabbed her wrist and pulled her into his embrace.

His clothes were half-open, and what she touched was his warm chest.

Little Zhou was both ashamed and angry: “What’s the meaning of this?”

Wu Qing held her close, his mouth near her ear: “If… Lian Jie and Lian Yu are your masters, what you did just now would cause trouble. You… why did you do that?”

Little Zhou sneered: “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Wu Qing rarely smiled, but now he laughed softly. Little Zhou knew he was handsome, but what made her heart race wasn’t his appearance, but that trace of passion within his clear coldness. He gripped her shoulders: “Fine, you say you don’t know, so I’ll tell you. I’m under Huaisu’s command. The Son of Heaven and the Prince couldn’t possibly not be suspicious, otherwise why would they place you in the office? Of course, you might also be Prime Minister Quan’s person. Though I have merit with the Princess, I should still be guarded against. Even if Seventh Prince is capable, he absolutely couldn’t treat my leg. Why did you make me ask him, then use the Princess’s guilt to have her request imperial physicians to treat my leg?”

“Look at you talking nonsense. But you got one thing right – the Princess treats you very well. I’m afraid it’s not just guilt.”

Little Zhou said this coldly, then tried to get up and leave.

Wu Qing’s expression turned cold. He struck the back of her head with his palm, then leaned down to kiss her lips. Little Zhou was both surprised and frightened – he was so wild, hooking her tongue to kiss and suck… Though they were clearly enemies, it seemed to give rise to dangerous passion, becoming even more reckless. She couldn’t tell if he was sincere or trying to hook her. She unconsciously narrowed her eyes, studying him uneasily, seeing only dark fire in his gaze – clearly moved with passion…

What she couldn’t see was his lowered brow as his kiss fell on the crown of her head.

Su Zhen’s days were rather miserable. Lian Yu was increasingly cold toward her, so the imprisonment was uncompromising, though the meals were still acceptable.

She had planned to have Wu Qing and the others visit her, but this hope was dashed.

Lian Yu had issued a prohibition. Even Leng Xue, who had been staying in the same courtyard, was moved to another courtyard when he returned that day, going with Little Zhou and the others.

However, during her imprisonment, one thing was proven: bribery was a business that would never disappear.

In five or six days, the food baskets sent from the kitchen repeatedly contained letters, all unsigned.

But she could almost always guess who they were from.

“Rest well. We’ll find a way to save you. Or wait for an opportunity to return to the capital. At most, retire to live among mountains and waters from now on.” This was from Wu Qing and Leng Xue.

“Don’t worry. The case outside is being investigated intensely – isn’t it nice that you get to relax?”

This tone was obviously from old Marquis Xiao Yao.

Then came:

“Come into my arms or let me live in your heart, and I’ll help you.”

This plagiarist of famous lines was undoubtedly Minister Quan, who had once passed the imperial examinations.

Next:

“Don’t listen to Wu Qing and Leng Xue’s nonsense. What you must do is please His Majesty, please His Majesty, please His Majesty. When His Majesty is well, everyone is well. When everyone is well, that’s truly well.”

Even using one’s knees to think, one could guess who this was.

However, now it wasn’t a matter of her wanting to please someone who could be pleased by her. If his gaze toward her had once held affection, today he looked at Ah Gu the same way.

There were also letters she couldn’t identify, such as thick stacks recording case developments that made her heart race with alarm.

The second interrogation would probably take place in the next few days. Lian Yu was already preparing to return to the capital – he couldn’t let this case drag on indefinitely. But the letter only briefly explained the case situation without clarifying what evidence everyone currently held.

How would this case be judged?

If there was no hope of overturning the case, then the death row prisoners would face certain death!

Though it had nothing to do with her, thinking of this made her restless.

Originally, being imprisoned like this wasn’t necessarily bad. Since the Li family incident, her rabbit-like restless nature had been worn down considerably. Outside this room, she still had friends – she wouldn’t be lonely. Leng Xue counted as one, Wu Qing as one, Huo Chang’an as one, and Little Zhou when she wasn’t being mean… could barely count as half.

But this time felt particularly difficult, especially at night.

Every evening when the moon reached the treetops, the melodious sounds of qin and flute would drift over, harmonious and perfectly matched.

Though clearly high mountain flowing water music, worthy of Ziqi and Boya’s compatibility, she listened with chattering teeth.

This evening, upon hearing a particularly moving passage, she pushed open her door, pointed at the sky, and shouted loudly: “Play, play, play! It’s the middle of the night – who the hell isn’t sleeping, fiddling with these broken instruments every night? This is disrupting public order, understand?”

Soon she was blocked by the guarding soldiers. The leader sneered: “Minister Li, this is His Majesty and Miss Gu playing together. Even Consort Xin and Consort Wei are graciously listening alongside them. If you continue your wild talk, don’t blame us for driving you back into your room!”

Su Zhen thought to herself: she was just asking for trouble. Hadn’t she known who it was all along? Did she have to hear it from someone else’s mouth to feel satisfied?