Suzhen was somewhat afraid of him now and wanted to break free, but seeing his appearance, she couldn’t help feeling heartache. She quickly turned to bid Xuanwu farewell and followed him inside.
Xuanwu watched Leng Xue tightly grip Suzhen’s hand and couldn’t help frowning: His master had been so happy just now, but with this current situation, should he report it or not?
Entering the courtyard, Leng Xue seemed to remember something and pulled Suzhen back toward the exit. “Let’s go out to talk. This isn’t the right place for conversation.”
Suzhen shook her head with firm expression. “No, let’s talk here in the ministry. Leng Xue, we are good brothers and friends, beyond that…”
Leng Xue closed his eyes. “It doesn’t matter if you don’t accept me now, but I hope you’ll think clearly—Lian Yu isn’t someone you should like. I can wait for you, I—”
As he was speaking, there seemed to be some commotion outside the gate. The gatekeeper asked: “Officers, where do you come from? Are you looking for our master?”
“Haha, not exactly. Please, brother, show us the way.”
Suzhen found it strange—these visitors spoke oddly. Government officials? But government officials wouldn’t be looking for her, would they?
At this moment, several people entered. They appeared to be in their twenties and thirties, tall in stature, with stern, cold features, dressed indeed in official government attire.
The pale-faced man at the front saw her and cupped his hands in greeting. “Might this be Magistrate Li?”
Seeing Suzhen didn’t deny it, he reacted quickly. “We officers from the Six Doors pay our respects to Magistrate Li.”
Suzhen’s eyes lit up—this was the legendary Six Doors? It was said that thousands of constables under this organization didn’t belong to any specific bureau, specializing in handling cases that ordinary officers couldn’t manage, maintaining communication with various martial arts sects. Their organizational discipline and martial arts skills were far superior to ordinary officers. When first established, they also served to eliminate dangers for the emperor. However, the Six Doors was now under Chao Huang’s control and had likely been turned to serve Quan Feitong’s purposes.
Leng Xue was also surprised. The pale-faced man looked at him with a slight smile. “This must be Brother Leng from the Ministry of Justice? Since Brother Leng has now joined the Six Doors, please come with us to report to Commander Chao and see how duties should be arranged in future—whether to continue serving at the Ministry of Justice while responding to cases from our organization, or if it would be more appropriate to work between both places. Brother Leng, please.”
Suzhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief. If Leng Xue continued to pester her, she could only say harsh words to make him completely give up, which would inevitably damage their relationship. Leng Xue going to report to the Six Doors and leaving for a few days would be perfect for both to cool down.
However, Leng Xue looked at the visitors with completely indifferent eyes and didn’t move an inch.
“Oh, these are constables from the Six Doors?”
Wuqing and the others came out, but Zhuiming showed completely opposite excitement.
The pale-faced man glanced coolly at Leng Xue, then smiled slightly at Zhuiming. “Indeed. Might you gentlemen be…?”
Observing their expressions, he immediately bowed to Wuqing. “Subordinate Xiao Rui pays respects to the Deputy Commander. Today we came to bring several newly joined brothers back to headquarters for orders.”
Everyone was surprised to see the man’s respectful attitude toward Wuqing, then remembered that Wuqing had received the Empress Dowager’s favor and was now the noble Deputy Commander of the Six Doors, having recommended several of them that day.
Wuqing said: “We should go with you officers to report.”
Tieshou and Zhuiming were happy and had no objections, but Leng Xue still hadn’t moved. “The Six Doors was never my desire. Why should I go there?”
At these words, all the constables’ expressions changed.
The pale-faced man smiled coldly. “Deputy Commander Wuqing naturally needn’t report, but Brother Leng, if you don’t go, it wouldn’t be proper protocol.”
Wuqing said: “Leng Xue, you can choose not to go, but as fellow government officials, you’re under Huaisu’s command. They’ll blame Huaisu first for any issues. Would you make things difficult for Huaisu?”
Leng Xue frowned and glanced at Suzhen. “Wait for me to return.”
Suzhen nodded. “Think clearly about our situation.”
Leng Xue smiled self-mockingly. “Perhaps I’ll never understand.”
Zhuiming and Tieshou were full of confusion, but seeing Wuqing’s meaningful look, they flanked Leng Xue on both sides.
The Six Doors officers bid farewell to Wuqing. The pale-faced man said humbly: “When there are matters in the organization, Commander Chao will send someone to notify you. Otherwise, you may arrange your own schedule like Commander Chao. Please.”
Wuqing smiled lightly. “Please.”
Seeing how happy Zhuiming and Tieshou were about Wuqing’s elevation, Suzhen suddenly felt that this young man Wuqing was becoming increasingly unfathomable.
Watching everyone leave, Wuqing said to Suzhen: “You’re tired too. Go rest well.”
Suzhen suddenly realized something. Looking at the familiar yet strange Wuqing, she wanted to speak but stopped, ultimately saying nothing and entering the house.
From today’s subtle displeasure from Lian Yu to Wuqing’s imminent departure, plus the Feng family treason case she would soon investigate, matters were piling up one after another. Now she had no time to worry about other things. And some things, when there was no time to attend to them, might be better left seemingly unknown.
Little Zhou, who had been coldly observing, thought differently. He smiled faintly and asked: “Wuqing, those Six Doors people were summoned by you, weren’t they? You wanted them to take Leng Xue away so he wouldn’t pester Huaisu. Why? You’ve been out several times these past days—you went to the Six Doors, didn’t you? But even though you’re now the noble Deputy Commander of Six Doors, Chao Huang has always been used to making independent decisions. How would he delegate authority to you? Xiao Rui is supposedly quite famous in the organization. How did you manage to get these people to serve you?”
“I had a deceased brother who was very much like Huaisu. I hope to protect him.” Wuqing’s lips curved slightly. “As for other matters, if you come to my room tonight, I can tell you everything.”
Little Zhou immediately blushed, but his doubts gradually dissipated. He had investigated Wuqing’s identity. Initially finding nothing, and Wuqing never mentioned his background, only saying there were sectarian conflicts, he’d been harmed and his legs crippled, then retired in disillusionment. Later, he did find that there was indeed a martial artist from a prestigious family whose experiences matched Wuqing’s. This person was highly skilled and chosen as heir by his sect’s elders, but later mysteriously disappeared. This person also happened to have a brother who died several years ago.
That night, Lian Yu went to Xiao’an’s chambers to pay respects.
“Your son pays respects to Mother Empress.”
Xiao’an’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Oh, does Your Majesty still remember this Mother Empress? Conferring Lady Gu as consort, having Li Huaisu spend nights in the imperial chambers—one thing after another, yet Your Majesty never consulted me?”
She smiled coldly, her eyes already filled with icy anger.
Lian Yu sat beside her. “Mother Empress, I know you dislike Ah Luo and have considerable opinions about Shuangcheng too. But my taking Shuangcheng was merely expedient. Regarding the Minzhou incident, Shuangcheng angered Quan Feitong—Mother Empress knows this very well. If Shuangcheng fell into Quan Feitong’s hands, her situation would be dire. Ah Luo is already dead. Please understand your son’s feelings. No matter what, Ah Luo’s sister is my responsibility.”
Xiao’an’s expression softened slightly. “I was initially concerned about Shuangcheng because of Gu Xiluo… But these past days, seeing you compromise yourself so—a dignified emperor with three thousand in the rear palace practically empty, the consorts you frequently visit are only two: Consort Wei and Ci’er.”
“I’ve also come to understand—it’s not that you shouldn’t take Gu Shuangcheng. I know you deeply loved Gu Xiluo. Since she’s dead, marrying her sister to ease your longing isn’t impossible. However, discussing marriage before the court ministers gives Quan Feitong another excuse to rebel—a high-sounding excuse!”
Lian Yu didn’t argue, showing a trace of guilt in his eyes as he said gently: “It’s your son’s fault. Mother Empress has always considered your son’s interests, yet your son has caused you worry. Your son is unfilial.”
He smiled faintly, instantly leaving Xiao’an with nowhere to direct her anger—like hitting cotton. She was alarmed but still coldly warned: “Yu’er, you’re becoming increasingly formidable—sharp as a blade when facing Quan Feitong, deeply versed in gentle persuasion when speaking with me. But I must still advise you: Li Huaisu’s background is unknown. No matter what, you cannot bring him into the rear palace. If you don’t love Ci’er, favor other consorts instead, but never indulge such dangerous, untamed women, or you’ll be the one who suffers.”
“In my opinion, Miss Miao is excellent. Her behavior has shown she’s learned and reasonable. Remarkably, even when you took Shuangcheng, she said nothing and has remained as a guest here for your sake. I advised you privately to spare Huang Tianba, but you insisted on his life. Now the Huang family’s disaster is set—but Huang Zhongyue is a three-dynasty veteran minister who hasn’t personally erred. Can we remove him? When the time comes, if he joins Quan Feitong in rebellion, the consequences would be serious. Miao Yin is one of the best supports you could have. You…”
Without another word, Lian Yu knelt.
Xiao’an was shocked and angry. “What do you mean by this?”
Lian Yu looked up and replied: “When I ascended the throne, to repay Mother Empress’s kindness and fulfill your wishes, I married cousin as consort. At that time, I thought since Ah Luo was dead, whom I married made no difference—most important was making Mother Empress happy and content. Your son has already wronged cousin and absolutely cannot wrong another person now.”
“Huang Tianba cannot be spared. Even if done secretly, heaven knows, earth knows, you know, I know—how could we face millions of people? Mother Empress, rest assured—your son swore an oath that even if it means bloody battle and sacrificing life, I will ensure Mother Empress enjoys this empire’s prosperity in peace. This promise will never change. The woman your son wants is only one—please grant this wish, Mother Empress.”
Xiao’an felt a wave of agitation, indescribable fury yet indescribable heartache. Finally, she only pointed toward the door and turned away.
Behind her, Lian Yu said softly: “Your son takes leave first and will come to pay respects again another day.”