He embraced Lian Yue and turned away, no longer looking at her, only coldly examining his own hands.

Xiao’an’s gaze was fierce as she questioned Lian Jie: “What does Seventh Prince mean by this? Are you trying to condemn me?!”

Though Lian Jie’s mother Consort Ai had deep-seated resentment with Xiao’an, due to Lian Yu and the relationship of Lian Yue marrying Huo Chang’an, he had always been respectful before Xiao’an. But having learned the truth of Wuyan’s illness from Lian Yu, he had developed some respect for this independent “sister-in-law.” Now, though he didn’t fully understand the truth about the poisoned wine, seeing her covered in blood, face deathly pale yet standing straight as a reed, beyond pity, he couldn’t help feeling moved.

Facing the Empress Dowager’s aggressive questioning, he bowed and replied: “Empress Dowager, the one in trouble is Lian Jie’s sister. I’m grateful for your management of the situation—how would I dare act inappropriately toward you? This is only to prevent Consort Wei from accidentally harming Your Majesty, following Sixth Brother’s oral decree to protect you.”

Though these words were impeccable on the surface, Xiao’an laughed coldly: “Oh, so Li Huaisu reported to His Majesty. However, in my view, you and His Majesty have been misled. Guards, act!”

Her accompanying guards responded loudly, still advancing with swords. Lian Jie said no more and immediately moved in front of Wuyan, blocking everyone.

Lian Qin followed suit, arrogantly glaring at the approaching guards.

“Seventh Prince…” Wuyan weakly tried to stop him.

Seeing her unsteady stance, though knowing such behavior between “brother and sister-in-law” was improper, Lian Jie frowned slightly but still spoke: “Let me first simply remove this shard for you. Otherwise, if it stays in your hand too long, it might injure tendons and bones—that would be troublesome. Bear the pain.”

Wuyan nodded. Lian Jie’s medical skills were quite accomplished. His pale hands moved briefly over her wrist, extracting the porcelain shard and tearing cloth to bandage her simply, whispering instructions: “Don’t worry about other matters. Sixth Brother will arrive shortly—leave this to Lian Jie for now.”

He extended his arm for her to lean on weakly. Wuyan said nothing more—further words would seem affected. She only nodded gratefully.

Xiao’an watched coldly, knowing the guards couldn’t overcome the Imperial Guard in numbers, but there was someone here who could.

“Chang’an, seize Consort Wei for me,” she said.

Huo Chang’an’s gaze had been lightly focused on Lian Jie and Wuyan’s hands. Lian Yue spoke then: “Chang’an, let this matter end here. For your sake, let’s ask the Empress Dowager for mercy together…”

But Huo Chang’an didn’t respond, walking forward step by step, his dark eyes slightly narrowed, his entire body radiating a poised, sharp energy.

Lian Jie’s heart grew cold. If this Huo Chang’an acted, even a hundred more Imperial Guards couldn’t stop him. Coming here earlier, thinking the hall was small, he hadn’t expected him to be present and hadn’t brought many people—a serious miscalculation.

He cursed silently, tensing his muscles, preparing to fight alongside the similarly frowning Lian Qin.

“What’s this? Brothers fighting each other? Everyone stop immediately!”

At the critical moment, several people strode in quickly. The leading man’s tone was slightly stern as he walked directly to Xiao’an: “Greetings, Mother Empress.”

Xiao’an’s expression showed no softening, her smile cold and chilling: “His Majesty arrives at the perfect time. I want to arrest this evil consort, but Seventh Prince and Ninth Prince lead people against me instead—they’ve quite frightened me.”

Lian Yu looked at Xiao’an, speaking soothingly: “Mother Empress misunderstands. I sent Seventh Brother and Ninth Brother to stabilize the situation and protect you.”

Xiao’an laughed coldly: “Misunderstand? Fine, I’ll consider this violence a misunderstanding. But when the Princess Imperial and I came in good faith to see her off, we were accused of poisoning by Consort Wei and Li Huaisu. Wei Wuyan even injured the Princess Imperial. How do we explain this? I might overlook my own treatment, but today I must seek justice for the Princess Imperial no matter what. Otherwise, if this Great Zhou has domineering consorts and arrogant subjects, we’ll be laughed at when word spreads.”

Hong Gu added: “Your Majesty, please look at the Princess Imperial’s neck—how do we explain this to Consort Ai?”

The room once again fell into a tense atmosphere.

Lian Yu glanced at Lian Yue. She looked toward Huo Chang’an, wisely saying nothing more, instead magnanimously saying: “Greetings, Your Majesty. I too wonder if this might be a misunderstanding?”

Lian Yu nodded, smiling slightly: “Mother Empress, you see, the Princess Imperial has the same thought. The matter with Consort Wei and Magistrate Li is likely indeed a misunderstanding.”

“Li Huaisu, come here.”

He beckoned slightly, and Suzhen immediately stepped forward from behind him. She heard him say: “Mother Empress, Magistrate Li has already explained the entire incident to me clearly.”

Xiao’an’s lips curved in a smile as she asked coldly: “Oh, so there’s justification for privately entering the inner palace?”

The emperor still smiled lightly, his expression soft but his gaze showing firmness.

“He entered the palace today at my summons to discuss court matters. Unexpectedly, as he was leaving, he discovered two suspicious eunuchs on the road, claiming to be ordered to poison a rear palace mistress’s food and drink. Alarmed, just as he was about to apprehend them, they escaped. Isn’t that right, Magistrate Li?”

Seeing him watching her, Suzhen grew bolder, fearlessly meeting Xiao’an’s gaze: “Reporting to Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager, exactly so. Seeing the situation was wrong and thinking I couldn’t let these criminals escape, I immediately pursued them. Who knew this pursuit… led me here. Having received Your Majesty’s favor to reach today’s position, and with Consort Wei being Your Majesty’s beloved, though I knew entering the palace without announcement violated etiquette, thinking of the criminals’ great danger, I gritted my teeth and entered. Unexpectedly, upon entering, the criminals had vanished. Consort Wei wasn’t present then. Just as I planned to quietly leave, she returned. With no proof and fearing she’d pursue the crime of intruding into the palace, I had to hide. Soon after, the Empress Dowager and Princess Imperial came to bestow farewell wine. I thought something was wrong—could the mistress the criminals meant to poison be Consort Wei? Had they already put poison in the wine? Having no choice, I had to jump out to prevent it.”

“That’s how it happened. From beginning to end, I never said who administered poison. Thus, the crime of slander the Empress Dowager mentioned is too severe—I’m wronged! As for disturbing the palace… I dare not accept such a charge.”

Xiao’an’s expression changed slightly. Indeed, when Li Huaisu emerged, he only said the wine was poisoned without elaborating. She smiled coldly, her eyes showing sharp light: “Magistrate Li has a clever tongue, truly silver-tongued—no wonder you can win His Majesty’s favor. This explanation makes even me want to praise your loyalty.”

How could Suzhen not hear the mockery in her words? She put on a bitter smile while calculating inwardly: Empress Dowager, if you think this explanation is my fabrication, you’re greatly mistaken—it’s all taught by your son. When your son lies, he doesn’t blush or pant. Teaching others to lie, he’s even more articulate. No choice—sons favor outsiders.

Xiao’an: “So His Majesty believes he should be rewarded rather than punished, correct?”

Lian Yu clearly displayed an attitude of “I will favor him to the end,” his gaze dark and compelling: “Mother Empress is wise.”

Xiao’an felt frustrated but couldn’t express it. With Lian Yu’s firm attitude and Suzhen’s explanation being “reasonable” on the surface, she couldn’t tear away all pretense. Suppressing her anger, she turned to look at Wuyan lightly: “What does Consort Wei say? Li Huaisu didn’t specify who poisoned it, yet Consort Wei repeatedly claimed the Princess Imperial and I were trying to poison her.”

Lian Yu sighed: “Mother Empress, regarding Consort Wei, the imperial physicians long said her condition was serious and her mind confused and muddled. That’s why I had to painfully let her leave the palace for quiet recuperation—she’s already ill with confused consciousness. Hearing Li Huaisu mention poison, she mistakenly thought it was Mother Empress and Imperial Sister’s doing.”

“However,” he walked to Wuyan’s side, lifting her injured hand, his gaze briefly passing over Huo Chang’an before returning to Xiao’an, “though she erred, firstly it was due to her condition, secondly she’s already received punishment from Marquis Xiao Yao—hasn’t this crime been balanced?”

Xiao’an suddenly looked at Huo Chang’an, her gaze angry and complex: “Chang’an, you…”

Huo Chang’an: “Lian Yue pleaded for her just now. I won’t pursue this matter further.”

“However,” he suddenly glanced coldly at Wuyan but said nothing, embracing Lian Yue as they departed.

That glance was like a warning against next time, terrifyingly cold. Wuyan bit her lips tightly, her hands clenched so hard they seemed ready to squeeze out water.

Xiao’an said coldly: “Since that’s the case, for His Majesty’s and Marquis Xiao Yao’s sake, I won’t pursue it further. Consort Wei, conduct yourself properly.”

Having spoken, her eyes moved slightly as she led everyone away. Suzhen felt her gaze studying her and quickly lowered her head.

“Good, everyone’s gone.”

When Lian Qin reminded them from the side, this troublemaker seemed relieved too. She hurried to check on Wuyan. When entering earlier, Lian Qin had already whispered with her, so she roughly knew what happened—only the circumstances hadn’t allowed her to approach then.

Wuyan smiled apologetically, lowering her eyes slightly: “I’ve implicated everyone. I’m fine—you should return.”

“Yes, rest well. On my way here, I already ordered physicians summoned. Wait a moment—someone will come treat your wounds.”

Suzhen wanted to stay for comfort but was quietly led outside by Lian Yu. Lian Jie and Lian Qin followed silently behind.

Suzhen grew anxious: “Why won’t you let me stay with her?”

Lian Yu: “Wuyan needs solitude now. This matter isn’t simple—we should go back and analyze it. Your hand needs treatment too. Also, I just saved you and your sister, wife—how will you thank me?”

Saying this last sentence, he wickedly curved his lips.

Thank you all for your comments, flowers, monthly tickets and other gifts. Happy Mid-Autumn Festival~