On the carriage ride back to the palace, Lian Xin cried like a tearful mess. Though Lian Yu disapproved of her daily troublemaking and willful behavior, she was still his sister. After tending to her wounds, he softened his tone: “Stop crying. Matters of love cannot be forced.”
Hearing this, Lian Xin felt even more resentful, sobbing: “Sixth Brother, you’re so mean! I got hurt and you didn’t even help me! But aren’t you forcing Huaisu yourself? Soft approaches, hard approaches, hard ones, soft ones—using all sorts of methods to force him, that’s how you got him back.”
Lian Yu was rendered speechless by Lian Xin’s barrage, laughing despite himself. Lian Xin turned away sulking, only to hear her brother say lightly: “I do force her, but forcing requires proper methods. Rushing up to beat up a love rival is foolish behavior.”
“Xuanwu and the others said that earlier you saw Leng Xue and immediately went to beat him up…”
Lian Yu: “…”
He paused, then said: “How am I the same as you? I’m already with Li Huaisu. For a man to teach a love rival a lesson is perfectly natural behavior.”
Lian Xin was stunned, thinking to herself what the hell—you’re always right and I’m always wrong—but realizing they shared the same mother, she quickly swallowed these words before they fully formed.
Lian Yu continued his patient guidance: “You attacked the woman Wuqing likes. Once a man’s aggressive nature is provoked, it would be strange if you didn’t suffer. If I had helped you and killed Little Zhou, what good would that do? It would only make Wuqing hate you more. Would you kill your Wuqing too?”
Lian Xin quickly shook her head, saying urgently: “Of course not! When I said I’d confiscate his property and exterminate his clan, I was just trying to scare him.”
“Exactly. In my opinion, Wuqing is no simple person and won’t submit to such threats. Moreover, would a man who could love you because of coercion still be worth your love?”
Lian Xin lowered her head, unable to deny the logic in her brother’s words.
“Have you thought clearly about your feelings for Wuqing? Is it true admiration, or affection born from gratitude? Or is it that he always surprises you, like something you find novel but can never obtain, making you want to possess him so badly—just like the gifts you used to demand from us?”
“If that’s the case, Xin’er, what use would it be to win him over? He did save you after all. Since you have good feelings toward him, why make him resent you?”
Hearing this, Lian Xin suddenly stood up, hitting her head on the carriage roof. After crying out in pain several times, she gritted her teeth: “Sixth Brother, I like him, I like him! I truly like him, just like how you like Li Huaisu!”
Lian Yu chuckled softly: “Yes, you’ve also liked my woman before. You silly girl just love randomly liking people.”
Lian Xin was wickedly reminded by her brother, recalling that her first crush was on someone cross-dressing as a man, and her second crush liked someone else who was also cross-dressing as a man. She felt overwhelmed with sadness: “I only like Wuqing! I really, really like him. I haven’t been randomly liking people—I want to see him every day.”
Seeing her eyes blazing with fire and her expression surprisingly determined, Lian Yu was somewhat surprised: “Very well. If Wuqing also likes you, Sixth Brother will convince Mother Empress no matter what. How about that?”
Lian Xin raised her tear-and-snot-streaked face, both shocked and delighted: “Really?”
She immediately became excited, but Lian Yu said: “However, the prerequisite is that you must compete fairly with that Little Zhou.”
Lian Xin immediately deflated, saying hatefully: “Why should she compare with me? Just a commoner, that little slut dares compete with me!”
Lian Yu said coldly: “Lian Xin, just pretend you never heard what I said. I won’t interfere anymore. Loving someone is instinct—thinking of that person in everything, truly being good to him. Behaving like this, I guarantee that even if you died, no one would love you. Isn’t it pathetic for a person to go their whole life without being truly loved?”
Seeing Lian Yu’s face truly turn cold, Lian Xin lowered her head, not daring to say more, only pondering his earlier words.
Due to Lian Yu’s visit, Suzhen didn’t enter the palace the next day. Over the following days, she continuously received news from several gossipy colleagues. Consort Wei had contracted a slight cold, but unexpectedly the condition worsened. The Imperial Medical Academy was helpless, with diagnoses claiming evil wind had entered her body, recommending that Lady Consort leave the palace for quiet recuperation. The Emperor was furious and heartbroken, suspending court for several consecutive days.
Four days later, Suzhen received Lian Yu’s secret message, knowing her private farewell with Wuyan was imminent, and attended court again.
Walking along, she happened to encounter Quan Feitong and Li Zhaoting. Now fearing Lian Yu might notice any clues, she avoided Li Zhaoting like the plague and immediately walked past.
Quan Feitong thought she was avoiding him, his gaze pausing as he stepped forward to put his arm around her shoulder: “Walking so hurriedly, where are you going? Seeing this minister, you don’t even greet me?”
Suzhen remembered his deliberate marriage pressure and felt angry, pushing his hand away: “Minister Quan, please conduct yourself properly.”
After speaking, she hurried forward to walk beside the Lian brothers. Lian Qin looked at her, remembering times had changed, and spoke favorably: “Magistrate Li, good morning.”
Lian Jie also smiled slightly and nodded.
Many walking officials came forward to flatter Suzhen. Quan Feitong watched from behind, cursing under his breath: “Little brat.”
Li Zhaoting only smiled without speaking. After a long while, he finally said: “Senior Brother, Zhaoting will go to the inner court after today’s session.”
He had informed Quan Feitong beforehand, saying he would respond to Lian Yu’s previous Minzhou pacification matter. Quan Feitong lazily curved his lips: “Good. Let’s see how Lian Yu responds. Isn’t he trying to drive a wedge between you and me? Now that you’ve agreed, this minister is curious whether he dares to truly offer pacification.”
Li Zhaoting smiled slightly. Like Quan Feitong, he wanted to see if Lian Yu dared offer pacification. Of course, most importantly, this was an opportunity to enter the rear palace and pass the meeting information to Gu Shuangcheng’s maid.
After court dispersed, unexpectedly Lian Yu said: “Magistrate Li, Seventh Brother, Ninth Brother—you stay. I have matters to discuss with you.”
Many officials had knowing feelings about this. If the emperor truly wanted to discuss something, he should also keep veteran ministers like Yan Da and Murong Jinghou, or at minimum keep rising stars like Gao Chaoyi and Si Lanfeng. Keeping only two brothers for company was clearly for appearance’s sake. Huang Zhongyue smiled coldly, whispering “palace debauchery.”
Of course, he spoke extremely quietly, only for nearby trusted associates to hear. Wei Chenghui passed by him, seemingly not hearing, only greeting Quan Feitong to leave together. Quan Feitong gave a light “hmm,” saying nothing about Lian Yu’s mixing public with private affairs.
Li Zhaoting was slightly alarmed. Lian Yu was sharp-eyed, glancing at him lightly: “Does Minister Li have something else to report?”
Li Zhaoting stepped forward: “Your Majesty asked this minister something last time. This minister has an answer.”
Lian Yu’s lips curved slightly: “Oh, then Minister Li should also come with me to the inner palace study.”
Suzhen thought: Why bring up exactly what shouldn’t be mentioned? Li Zhaoting, why are you causing trouble today?
She felt somewhat anxious, frowning as she fell to the back. The group walked into the inner garden. Since no others were present, Lian Yu suddenly stopped, turned around and said: “Huaisu, come to my side.”
Suzhen steeled herself and walked forward. Lian Yu smiled slightly, extending his hand toward her.
Suzhen was immediately startled. Though she and Li Zhaoting had mutually acknowledged dissolving their engagement, acting intimately with Lian Yu in front of him was still extremely awkward.
“Li Huaisu.”
Lian Yu’s slightly low voice reminded her. She quickly whispered: “Your Majesty, Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince, and Minister Li are all here.”
Ming Yanchu led the eunuchs ahead, hearing this and turning back with a smile: “Miss, not only are the princes here, but Qinglong, Baihu, Xuanwu and this slave are also here. But this doesn’t matter—miss and His Majesty can do whatever you want.”
Lian Qin and Lian Jie exchanged smiles, with Lian Qin making a face at her. Suzhen was greatly embarrassed, but under Lian Yu’s deep, compelling gaze, she still extended her hand. After all, he was planning for Wuyan’s sake—they hadn’t seen each other for days and she missed him terribly. Besides, Li Zhaoting had never been moved by her anyway, so seeing this wouldn’t affect him. She just needed to avoid showing familiarity with Li Zhaoting.
Lian Yu raised his lips, almost immediately grasping her hand in his palm.
He turned to speak with Lian Jie about Lian Xin’s matter while his fingers caressed and squeezed Suzhen’s hand. Suzhen’s heart raced chaotically.
Lian Qin said quietly: “Seventh Brother, what’s so special about this Li Huaisu that Sixth Brother would be so fond of him?”
What he hadn’t thought of, Lian Jie had: “The affection is certainly genuine, but Sixth Brother’s public intimacy with Li Huaisu has another layer of meaning. Li Zhaoting is right here, isn’t he? Quan Feitong seems to have some designs on Li Huaisu—having his junior brother report what he sees to Quan Feitong couldn’t be better.”
Lian Qin understood—it was a declaration of exclusive possession.
At this moment, Lian Yu turned to Li Zhaoting: “Minister Li, please come with me to the imperial study for detailed discussion.”
“Yes.” Li Zhaoting bowed in response. Seeing Suzhen glance over with Lian Yu, her expression completely indifferent, a fire suddenly flared from his chest. He was shocked and furious, actually recalling Wei Chenghui’s words.
At this moment, she turned with Lian Yu, and the two actually quickened their pace, walking ahead.
He watched coldly, thinking she had indeed seduced Lian Yu. But would Lian Yu be sincere? He would wait to see her become a laughingstock! However, from now on, he would never help her again—only watch how she suffered unbearably. He observed emotionlessly, thinking and smiling.