These words displeased Lian Yu. The Son of Heaven glared at her fiercely: “Get back to your seat. If you cause more trouble, get out yourself!”

Suzhen pressed her lips together and slowly walked back to her seat, but her eyes remained fixed on the center of the venue.

Xiao Zhou said through gritted teeth: “Can you stop embarrassing yourself?!”

This sudden marriage request made Lord Huang Zhongyue quite frustrated. He had originally intended to make some gesture toward the Emperor, but now couldn’t even get attention.

Everyone was already shocked by the current right minister’s request for marriage. Lian Yu had used the poisoning incident to set a trap, and the Empress Dowager had then appointed the young lady as her adopted daughter, confining her to the palace – seemingly to give Quan Feitong a warning. Quan Feitong seemed to have accepted this warning, and though he continued to battle Lian Yu in political matters, he no longer mentioned marriage or directly confronted the imperial family. Now he was bringing up old matters again – the machinations behind this were quite mysterious.

Whether it was for love or other reasons was hard to say, but how could it not surprise people and cause wild speculation!

Li Zhaoting reached out and gripped the wine cup before him tightly.

Wei Chenghui frowned slightly. Li Zhaoting’s gaze was extremely sharp – Grand Tutor Wei only glanced secretly, but he had already seen it. He tapped lightly on the table several times. Seeing his calm expression, Wei Chenghui nodded quietly.

Shuangcheng bit her lip slightly. During this period, she had become increasingly restrained, but she never expected Quan Feitong would administer such strong medicine at this time. Was this to repay her for her arrow of revenge in Minzhou, or something else?

Her mind turned with a thousand thoughts, and she couldn’t help being shocked. Suzhen’s exclamation made her anger flare even more. She almost retorted but finally held back. She always remembered: smart women don’t fight with women – winning a man’s heart is most important.

This was Xiao’an’s admonishment to her.

She looked at Lian Yu and finished what Suzhen had interrupted: “Your Majesty, Shuangcheng is currently… unsuitable for marriage. Please Your Majesty see clearly!”

But Quan Feitong frowned, looking quite helpless: “Shuangcheng, what do you mean by this? My lovesickness for you makes each day feel like a year. Don’t you miss me the same way?”

Suzhen was watching Lian Yu’s reaction with various nervousness when she choked at these words. Quan Feitong’s confession to her earlier had indeed been mere pretense!

“Our marriage was arranged by the late Emperor, and we’ve been in love for years… how is it unsuitable now?”

Quan Feitong looked at Shuangcheng, his tone unable to hide its bitterness.

Shuangcheng was also clever and articulate, but for a moment she was stumped. Xiao’an’s expression darkened, and just as she was about to speak, Lian Yu had already reached out to help Shuangcheng up. This Son of Heaven, facing his aggressive enemy, spoke with apparent difficulty: “Premier Quan, it’s not that I don’t want to fulfill your wish, but Mother has already adopted Shuangcheng as her daughter. Since Shuangcheng is now a princess, and the late Emperor’s mourning period hasn’t ended, how can we discuss marriage?”

His voice was extremely calm, even carrying a faint smile in his eyes and brows. His response was seasoned – a refusal that was proper yet firm.

He had refused! Suzhen laughed inwardly and poured herself wine to drink.

Fortunately, no one had time to pay attention to her now, or else drinking before the Emperor announced the banquet’s start would be highly disrespectful! As she drank, she noticed someone looking her way. She saw Wuyan ahead raising her cup in salute. Suzhen unconsciously glanced at Huo Chang’an – Marquis Xiao Yao and Lian Yue were whispering to each other, apparently exchanging opinions about the current situation. The couple was very much in sync.

She sighed and returned Wuyan’s toast.

Shuangcheng took the opportunity to say: “Exactly so. Please understand, Premier Quan.”

Lian Yu’s refusal was reasonable and well-founded. Quan Feitong was somewhat surprised, but this right minister only paused briefly before sighing: “Your Majesty, since Shuangcheng is honored to be the late Emperor’s adopted daughter, I truly shouldn’t arrange marriage at this time. However, there’s something I must say. The reason I’m proposing marriage now is because my father is advanced in age and recently suffered a serious illness. The doctor says he won’t survive this winter. The old man hopes to see his son marry before he dies, so he can pass away in peace.”

“The late Emperor was benevolent and practiced filial piety. Moreover, this marriage was personally bestowed by His Majesty. His spirit in heaven surely wouldn’t object. I hope Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager will grant this.”

He swept back his robes and knelt properly before Lian Yu.

With his kneeling, Chao Huang and other officials from Quan’s faction naturally voiced timely support. Among them, only Li Zhaoting seemed to be talking with others and didn’t speak.

Suzhen was drinking her fifth cup when she heard this and was somewhat surprised. Could it be that his earlier proposal to her was because he was indeed a filial son wanting to fulfill his father’s dying wish? When she didn’t agree, he turned to his original fiancée instead—

Her heart softened slightly – this scoundrel still had some merit. However, whether she was seeing things wrong due to mild intoxication or the court officials across from her truly looked strange, she was wondering when Yan Da stood up and reminded him coolly: “Premier Quan, your father passed away two years ago. All of us colleagues contributed money for the funeral.”

“Right, right, speaking of this matter,” Minister of Public Works Cai Beitang, who had just been spared by the Son of Heaven, immediately chimed in, “If other colleagues might remember wrong, that’s possible, but Prime Minister Yan absolutely couldn’t be wrong, because he contributed the most money.”

Suzhen spat out a mouthful of wine. Quan Feitong, you scoundrel!

But Quan Feitong frowned: “My colleagues don’t know – I’m speaking of my adoptive father. An adoptive father is also a father, putting me in a difficult position.”

Xiao’an smiled coldly and walked down from the platform: “Premier Quan, how about this? Let Shuangcheng stay in the palace to accompany me a while longer, and choose a day… to remarry later.”

Shuangcheng was startled. Quan Feitong smiled slightly: “Your Majesty, this choosing a day… my father probably can’t wait. However, in my opinion, it’s not that Shuangcheng thinks it’s unsuitable, but that she’s unwilling in her heart.”

“Shuangcheng, you have someone in your heart, don’t you? Why don’t you tell us who that person is? Big Brother Quan is worried you might meet the wrong person. If he’s truly a good man, Big Brother Quan won’t make things difficult for you and will let you choose freely.”

Shuangcheng’s whole body trembled, then she sneered inwardly: So this is your real purpose!

But why was he doing this!

She clenched her fists, her gaze sweeping across the venue and pausing on Li Zhaoting. If she named Li Zhaoting, it would seem like she could give him a “return gift,” but she did have feelings for Li Zhaoting after all. Moreover, naming Li Zhaoting couldn’t override the late Emperor’s decree.

In fact, no matter whom she named, Quan Feitong could counter by saying that person wasn’t a good match…

Unless—

This was an opportunity! She might even thank Quan Feitong for his help. She deliberately smiled bitterly and looked toward Lian Yu as if wanting to speak but hesitating.

Finally, she said quietly: “Premier, Shuangcheng doesn’t dare reach so high. Shuangcheng only wants to serve the Empress Dowager in the palace. If the Premier insists, Shuangcheng can only demonstrate her resolve through death.”

Quan Feitong raised his eyebrows: “Oh?”

Xiao’an’s expression had become extremely ugly when Lian Yu spoke.

The Emperor looked at the right minister with a smile: “Premier Quan has sharp eyes – nothing can escape you. I have spent much time with Miss Gu, and we’ve developed feelings for each other. Miss Gu has also said that though Premier Quan is excellent, her heart isn’t moved by him – she only regards Premier Quan as an elder brother. However, with state affairs so busy recently, I had planned to discuss how to resolve this matter with Premier Quan later. Since Premier Quan has brought it up, I won’t avoid the topic but will explain the situation clearly first.”

“I wonder what Premier Quan thinks – can I be considered a good man?”

The young Emperor asked with a smile, hands behind his back, his bearing supremely composed. But the ministers were extremely shocked – so this was the real truth behind that day’s poisoning case?

If it were merely to strike at Quan Feitong, the Emperor wouldn’t go this far, because he had personally overturned the late Emperor’s decree – this was highly disrespectful!

Unless the Son of Heaven truly intended to take this Miss Gu as consort.

Xiao’an was both shocked and furious, supporting herself on Sister Hong’s hand to avoid an outburst in public.

Quan Feitong hadn’t expected Lian Yu to be so composed. Could he have truly fallen in love with Gu Shuangcheng? However, regardless, his purpose had been achieved. He bowed slightly and smiled: “Under Heaven, all is the Emperor’s land. If Your Majesty isn’t a good man, then who is? I was acting on wishful thinking. I now willingly dissolve the marriage contract. Congratulations, Your Majesty.”

Since he had no objections, those in Quan’s faction naturally had none either. The Emperor’s party and neutrals all stood up, offering congratulations in unison. Even Grand Scholar Gu Nanguang, who looked shocked and seemed unable to grasp the situation, received much blessing and courting.

Lian Yu’s gaze was gentle as he personally returned to the platform to escort the Empress Dowager over and drink the ministers’ toasts.

Shuangcheng’s face burned like fire. Finding a gap, she said quietly: “Your Majesty, tonight at the hour of the boar, I’ll wait for you in my chambers. Could you please come?”

Lian Yu nodded slightly: “Very well.”

Suzhen finally lifted her head from the wine. She didn’t know how much she’d drunk – her eyes were narrowed to slits, her head pillowed on the table, already drunk.

Xiao Zhou and the others had wanted to take away her wine, but large movements would inevitably draw attention, so they could only let her drink for now.

Wuqing lowered his eyes slightly. The garden’s firelight couldn’t illuminate his expression clearly. Leng Xue stared at Suzhen, but his eyes revealed a hint of coldness.

Seeing that all the ministers were going over one by one to offer toasts, Xiao Zhou smiled bitterly and patted the other two: “Everyone’s gone to toast. Huaisu and the Emperor are now like fire and water. We’d better go over in her place, or it won’t be good if people seize on this.”

The two didn’t respond but still followed her over.

So this is what Quan Feitong meant! But you… why did you agree?

You weren’t willing to marry her to Quan Feitong.

In her daze, Suzhen’s mind kept returning to this thought. The wine hit her empty stomach, burning like liquid fire throughout her body. She frowned and covered her abdomen, opening her eyes to wake up.

“I told you, he and I will have an ending. Of course, not now yet. You… wait.” Shuangcheng was a few steps ahead of her, giving her a cold look before walking back to the center of the banquet.

Suzhen laughed heartily and kicked the table with her foot. Piercing pain immediately spread throughout her body. Damn, she’d forgotten about her terrible foot injury. She sucked in a breath and reached into her boot, pulling out her hand to find it completely wet and sticky.

She casually wiped it on her clothes, picked up her cup, and stumbled toward the center.

She’d offer congratulations and then leave.

Too many people blocked her way ahead. Though her qinggong wasn’t great, this human wall couldn’t stop her. She gathered her qi slightly and leaped over the crowd. Qinglong shouted sternly: “Who dares offend in the imperial presence?”

Suzhen was startled by him and fell solidly in front of Lian Yu. She quickly looked down – fortunately the cup hadn’t broken.

Xiao’an had a bellyful of anger with nowhere to vent. Seeing this, she sneered: “Li Huaisu is drunk and causing trouble. Someone come – drag her away and give her thirty lashes as punishment.”

Quan Feitong frowned and interceded: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Today is a joyous occasion – it’s inappropriate to spill blood. Could this flogging be changed to—”

“Thank you for Premier Quan’s kind intentions, but I don’t need you to plead for me.”

Suzhen refused, smiling: “After I drink this cup with His Majesty, I’ll accept punishment myself.”

Lian Yu didn’t plead for her.

His brow had somehow twisted into a knot, his eyes fixed intently on a spot on her body, as if he hadn’t heard the Empress Dowager’s words.

Soon, his gaze became sharp and his expression quite frightening.

Suzhen’s heart felt like it was being cut by knives.

Lian Yu, I was late, but why can’t your love be a little more? Like Mo Chou for Xie Sheng, like He Shu for Fang Rui, even like Cheng Qizhu for his wife.

But how much affection could persist like her entanglement with Li Zhaoting for a full ten years?

And even though she loved Li Zhaoting so deeply, she would still let go and love someone else.

So what was there to blame?

She raised her cup, but before she could drink, she collapsed with a thud.

Lian Yu moved very quickly.

Almost the moment her eyes closed, he dropped the cup in his hand and reached out to catch her.

“Li Huaisu, wake up.”

He seemed like a different person in an instant, almost immediately looking up and shouting at Lian Jie: “Treat her.”

Lian Jie was right beside him. Hearing this, a flash of hesitation crossed his eyes, but under Lian Yu’s murderous gaze, he immediately crouched down, took Suzhen’s pulse, then lifted her eyelids to examine them carefully before smiling: “Sixth Brother, this fellow is fine – just some lingering fever and too much drinking.”

But Lian Yu interrupted him sternly: “She’s coughing up blood and you say she’s fine?”

Lian Yu’s gaze was as vicious as a poisoned blade. Lian Jie was shocked and only then noticed Lian Yu’s hand gripping Suzhen’s collar tightly, where faint blood traces were scattered. Without close examination, it would be impossible to detect.

Here, Lian Yu had already lifted the unconscious Suzhen, commanding in a deep voice: “Qinglong, summon the imperial physicians immediately. Take her to my bedchamber.”

“Summon three people – I want a confirmed diagnosis.”

He spoke and strode toward his bedchamber carrying her without looking back, leaving everyone behind in complete shock.