Suzhen nodded, facing his deep and somber eyes. Some words almost slipped out, but thinking of Feng Suzhen’s infatuation with Li Zhaoting—a “beautiful tale” known throughout the realm—she held her tongue. She needed to find a proper way to tell him.

Lian Yu looked at her. “Once this case is concluded, you shall resign from office and return to your female identity. What do you think?”

There was another sentence he still hadn’t said: Then marry me.

Suzhen smiled. “Yes, I only became an official to overturn the case. Once the matter is resolved, I’ll let go and not interfere anymore.”

Lian Yu nodded, watching indifferently as Xuanwu led people to escort her away. Qinglong brought over a horse, and dozens of mounted guards emerged from the nearby thicket of rough trees. However, Lian Yu didn’t immediately mount his horse. He instructed Qinglong: “Make a trip and have Zhuque continue investigating. I want to know everything about her, including her lover, and that matter with Leng Xue!”

Qinglong didn’t know what had transpired between the two, but seeing Lian Yu’s eyes cold as frost, he was startled and acknowledged the order. He jumped onto a nearby spare horse and was about to gallop away when Lian Yu stopped him. “Come back.”

“I’ll give you some more time to tell me personally. Don’t disappoint me.”

These words clearly weren’t meant for him. Qinglong was bewildered as Lian Yu had already spurred his horse away. The riders turned their reins to follow, leaving behind a vast cloud of dust on the road behind them.

Returning to the palace, Si Lanfeng had been waiting outside the imperial study for quite some time.

“What is it?”

Lian Yu glanced at him.

Si Lanfeng bowed his head and reported: “After court today, Lanfeng left the palace and secretly saw Seventh Prince in deep conversation with Quan Feitong. Later, Lanfeng went to Seventh Prince’s residence, and the steward said Seventh Prince had left the mansion.”

Lian Yu seemed to smile but didn’t. “Oh, what does Lanfeng mean? I don’t understand.”

Si Lanfeng’s heart jumped with alarm. He seemed not to notice the chill between the emperor’s brows, his eyes still showing excitement as he said: “Does Your Majesty have a mission for Seventh Prince? Is there anywhere Lanfeng can be of service?”

“Since entering court, Lanfeng has felt his achievements have been few, and his heart constantly hopes to serve Your Majesty. If Your Majesty has already laid out a grand strategy to break Quan’s power, please give this humble minister a chance to assist Seventh Prince.”

After speaking, he secretly observed Lian Yu’s expression from the corner of his eye, and indeed saw that when he mentioned “Seventh Prince,” a hint of murderous intent flashed in Lian Yu’s eyes.

He thought to himself that the young master was truly brilliant in his calculations. His current personality was also predetermined by the young master—somewhat talented, ambitious and eager to establish achievements. Li Zhaoting had said this type of person wouldn’t easily arouse suspicion.

Seeing Lian Yu’s eyelids twitch slightly before quickly suppressing everything, he only said: “It was I who instructed him to go. I understand Lanfeng’s desire to serve country and people. If I have any plans, you certainly won’t be left out.”

“Thank Your Majesty for this great favor.”

When Lian Qin entered, he only saw Si Lanfeng retreating in high spirits, wondering what was happening. But such a small matter naturally didn’t concern him. He huffily said: “Sixth Brother, I came looking for you earlier, but they said you weren’t here. I went to find Seventh Brother, but he’d left the mansion too. What were you all doing without taking me along!”

“So he really did go out.” Lian Yu paused briefly, then said indifferently: “I went to handle business with women separately from him. Do you think it would be appropriate for you to tag along, hmm?”

Lian Qin’s eyes immediately showed a knowing, wicked gleam as he laughed: “I understand this kind of pleasure, this humble brother won’t intrude, haha.”

“Though… this humble brother will also take good care of anyone surnamed Li in the future.” Remembering Ming Yanchu’s hints that Sixth Brother doted on Li Huaisu, and now seeing Lian Yu’s expression, even though Lian Qin had always been at odds with this Li Huaisu, he quickly flattered him.

“Mm.”

Seeing Lian Yu nod, he thought this flattery hit the mark. How did Sixth Brother come to fancy such a person? As he was silently lamenting, he suddenly heard Lian Yu ask: “Ninth Brother, if one day I and Seventh Brother fought like we did as children, whom would you help?”

Lian Qin was greatly shocked, feeling an inexplicable chill seeping from his spine.

Before he could ask anything, Lian Xin had greeted Si Lanfeng outside and ran in excitedly. “Sixth Brother, they said you’d returned.”

She seemed to be in very good spirits, running and bouncing as she entered. Ignoring Lian Qin completely, she ingratiatingly hugged Lian Yu’s arm. “Sixth Brother, I followed your instructions and kept Mother Empress busy all afternoon. Did I do well?”

“Not bad.”

Lian Xin carefully looked at him: “Then about me hitting Li Huaisu… and the matter of passing information, have you forgiven me for that too?”

Lian Yu raised an eyebrow. “Are you bargaining with me?”

“Xin’er wouldn’t dare.” Seeing him nod slightly, Lian Xin was greatly comforted and took the opportunity to say: “Next time you leave the palace, can you take me along?”

But she heard Lian Yu say: “Wuqing’s legs or leaving the palace—which do you choose?”

Lian Xin was overjoyed upon hearing this, her eyes immediately welling up. “Sixth Brother, you’re willing to treat his legs?”

Lian Yu narrowed his eyes slightly. “This matter must not be publicized. I’ve already made secret arrangements. And you—do you know what to do from now on?”

“I know, I know. Xin’er will definitely cooperate with you and not let Mother Empress interfere with you and Li Huaisu.”

Lian Qin rolled his eyes. “Xin’er, Sixth Brother loves the house and its crow, but who is the house? Can’t you see clearly?”

“Get lost, stop sowing discord here. You’re also fawning over Sixth Brother yourself.” Lian Xin glared at him fiercely. She naturally understood everything clearly but was still extremely happy. She pleaded with Lian Yu again: “Sixth Brother, just take me out occasionally, please?”

Lian Yu patted his sister’s head. “Depends on your performance. How about that?”

Lian Xin was greatly encouraged. “Good! Xin’er will definitely help you with all her strength. Long live Sixth Brother!”

Shuangcheng’s mood was nothing like Lian Xin’s at this moment—she was silently drinking alone in her room.

The maid Mei’er was frantic with worry, rushing forward to snatch her wine cup. “Miss, don’t drink anymore! I can’t stand this—I’m going to tell His Majesty.”

Shuangcheng smiled mockingly, her eyes full of derision. “Tell him what? Would he come see me?”

“Miss!”

Shuangcheng gripped her wine cup tightly, staring at the reflection of the beautiful woman’s face in the cup, and suddenly said: “There’s an old saying: ‘Know yourself and know your enemy, and you’ll win a hundred battles.’ As for Li Huaisu, there’s someone who knows him very well. Mei’er, I’ll write a letter, and you must deliver it immediately.”

Li Zhaoting hadn’t expected to receive a letter from Gu Shuangcheng.

The letter said she hoped to meet him once.

Li Zhaoting was deeply cunning. Having made up his mind to achieve great things first before pursuing love, even if she married Lian Yu soon, he would wait for the day to win her back.

However, since she had written requesting a meeting today, he didn’t want to refuse.

He wanted to see what she was up to, seeking to meet him when her heart was set on Lian Yu!

Lian Yu! He smiled coldly, crushing the letter in his hand.

The letter explained that she couldn’t easily leave the palace without arousing suspicion. She was currently using the pretext of sending her maid to check on her father to deliver this letter. If he decided to meet, he should find a way to enter the palace in a few days. She would have Mei’er wait in a certain courtyard, and he need only tell Mei’er the time and place—she would then use visiting family as an excuse to leave the palace and meet him.

She had certainly given him a difficult problem. After all, without an imperial decree, he couldn’t easily set foot in the inner palace.

After brief consideration, a plan came to mind. Wasn’t Lian Yu trying to entice him to surrender? In that case, why not use this favorable wind?

“Young Master, there’s a visitor.”

Xiao Si suddenly entered to report.

Xiao Si’s expression made Li Zhaoting understand the visitor’s identity. He put away the letter and went to the study.

Sure enough, someone was already seated in the room.

Seeing him enter, the visitor turned and removed his felt hat, revealing an aged face with a slight beard beneath his chin.

Li Zhaoting’s expression grew serious. “Teacher, coming here personally at this time—is there something important?”

Wei Chenghui’s eyes showed some profound meaning as he said: “Young Master, looking at Feng Suzhen and Lian Yu, they already seem to have romantic feelings for each other. Though I don’t know how Lian Yu came to fancy Li Huaisu, you’ve shown her kindness several times, yet she repaid kindness with betrayal and turned against you. No matter what, I cannot swallow this insult. Moreover, judging by current circumstances, she will inevitably become your greatest threat. I’ve thought it over repeatedly—we must be on guard and strike first.”

Another person mentioning Li Huaisu and Lian Yu to him!

How did they all assume these two had that kind of relationship! Li Zhaoting felt cold inside, but he had always valued Wei Chenghui highly and didn’t show it, only saying: “Teacher worries too much. Between Lian Yu and Feng Suzhen, it’s merely the result of a struggle between two tigers—him and Quan Feitong.”

“Young Master, please hear this old man’s words.”

Wei Chenghui bowed deeply, actually offering earnest counsel: “You spared her, yet she betrayed you. No matter what, this Feng family remnant cannot be allowed to remain.”

“Then what does Teacher think should be done?”

“Expose her female identity.”

“That would mean execution!” Li Zhaoting’s voice turned harsh.

Wei Chenghui sighed and smiled bitterly: “Young Master, rest assured. If she’s thrown into death row, this old man will arrange for a condemned prisoner to take her place at execution. At that time, it would perfectly fulfill Young Master’s wish by taking her out of the imperial city.”

Li Zhaoting pondered for a moment. “Zhaoting knows Teacher is thinking of Zhaoting’s interests. However, let me think about this matter further.”

Wei Chenghui had expected this result. One step at a time—he wasn’t in a hurry. As he left, he smiled slightly: Feng Shaoqing, one mountain cannot hide two tigers. The young master needs only one founding minister. When you die, your daughter must die too.

When Suzhen returned to the Ministry of Justice, Leng Xue was waiting outside the gate.

His hair was disheveled, his eyes bloodshot and fierce with anger, dark circles of exhaustion beneath them, yet his tall frame stood unusually straight. Before Suzhen could thank Xuanwu, he had already strode forward, grasping her hand and leading her inside.