He spoke in a suppressed voice that few could hear, but Suzhen was not far behind him. These words made her dizzy and disoriented. She turned to look, and in her daze, saw that Murong Ci and others had also changed expressions. Shuangcheng had maintained a calm demeanor, showing neither joy nor sorrow, but now her eyes showed shock, as if she couldn’t believe it.

Xiao’an first narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing him as if she didn’t recognize him, then a surge of violent emotion erupted from her eyes. She slowly said: “Your Majesty, do you dare repeat what you just said before all the ministers?”

Lian Yu smiled slightly.

This confident smile made Suzhen’s breathing difficult. She couldn’t let Lian Yu do this—Li Zhaoting looked at her with a stern, forbidding gaze. Suzhen shook her head apologetically and slowly stood up.

Lian Yu stood with his back turned, not seeing this, but Wuyan was right across from her. She seemed to see through her thoughts, her beautiful brows furrowed tightly, her eyes showing comfort and worry.

Shuangcheng watched everything coldly, her eyelashes trembling violently. Suzhen took a deep breath and walked toward them.

In this tense moment, someone quietly retreated step by step from the crowd. Since people’s attention wasn’t on her anyway, she had withdrawn before Lian Yu could say those treasonous words to Xiao’an.

She remembered seeing people from the Ministry of Justice in the side hall on the way here.

For ease of movement, she tucked up her skirt, revealing two slender, white legs. She hurried down the long white jade steps, her trailing skirt flowing behind her like lotus petals—like a charming flower, a bewitching mist.

The Imperial Guards on duty, seeing the woman’s beautiful ankles, all swallowed hard, staring at her intently as they bowed: “Prin—”

She paid no attention, completely unaware of her impropriety, running swiftly into the side hall.

Everyone in the side hall was extremely surprised to see her. Zhuiming was stunned: “This… how did you get here?”

Wuqing and Little Zhou had been standing very close, as if originally nestled together. Seeing her, they became somewhat alert, separating slightly. Other familiar servants of various ministers bowed: “This humble one greets the Princess.”

For a moment, everyone in the hall knelt in reverence.

Lian Xin waved her hand carelessly for everyone to rise, then walked to Wuqing, gasping: “Wuqing, Wuqing… Huaisu is in trouble.”

As she spoke, her little tongue licked her dry lips, her eyes like a startled deer, timidly glancing at how close Wuqing and Little Zhou’s bodies were.

Wuqing’s expression tightened as he immediately supported her: “What do you mean?”

Little Zhou looked at her with somewhat cold eyes.

Lian Xin paid no attention, quietly grasping Wuqing’s hand: “Huaisu’s identity has been…”

Wuqing looked around and immediately said: “Come, let’s go outside to talk.”

The group went outside the hall, and Lian Xin explained everything. After listening, Zhuiming and Tieshou looked at each other, too shocked to speak for a long time. Finally, Tieshou rarely spoke first through gritted teeth: “She’s actually a young lady, and even a traitor’s descendant.”

Zhuiming inappropriately interjected: “Will we be implicated and all die…”

Tieshou glared at him fiercely.

Little Zhou’s expression was also very strange, murmuring quietly: “Well, so she’s actually Miss Feng. The Feng family isn’t completely extinct after all.”

She frowned deeply, looking at Wuqing: “This is bad. We should have listened to Quan Feitong earlier—”

Wuqing analyzed calmly: “You can run from the monk but not the temple. What good is hiding temporarily?”

Little Zhou disagreed, retorting: “At least if the person isn’t there, her identity can’t be verified. Hide for now—perhaps His Majesty will resolve it.”

Seeing their expressions, Tieshou and Zhuiming seemed to have known some inside information. Zhuiming’s anger rose as he laughed coldly: “So everyone knew about this except us brothers. Whoever wants to manage it can manage it.”

He patted Tieshou, actually preparing to leave. Little Zhou said coldly: “Even if you knew, could you have managed it? Such arrogance. I only learned today that she’s Miss Feng.”

Zhuiming glared at her fiercely and strode away. Hearing this, Tieshou was also greatly angered and left together.

“If you still consider me a brother and Huaisu a friend, then stop right there. When disaster strikes, are we really going to scatter like birds?”

Behind them, Wuqing’s voice came coldly.

The two froze in place.

Wuqing’s profile was as coldly handsome as if carved by a knife. Lian Xin’s face burned watching him. Seeing Tieshou and the other return, she said quietly: “Wuqing, I’ll leave first. I can’t stay out too long—if Mother Empress finds out, it’ll be very troublesome.”

“Your Majesty—”

In the hall, just as Lian Yu turned to face the ministers, Xiao’an shouted sternly. Shuangcheng rushed out, grasping Lian Yu’s arm. A few steps from Lian Yu, Suzhen stopped, only hearing Shuangcheng’s bitter smile: “Your Majesty, please reconsider.”

The woman before him looked too sorrowful, her hand gripping his trembling violently. Those eyes so like Ah Luo’s seemed to weep silently. Lian Yu couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Suzhen felt choked, suddenly remembering Lian Yu’s words: “You’re not even one-tenth as good as Ah Luo.” She wasn’t even as good as Shuangcheng.

She had no way to prove she actually loved him too—after all, she was too slow. But she wouldn’t be cowardly about what she should do, even if she had to die in this hall today. She looked toward the Empress Dowager, about to admit her identity, when someone came gasping from outside the hall, stumbling toward her while shouting loudly: “Who dares touch Li Huaisu? She is this palace’s prince consort!”

Suzhen instinctively reached out to support her, shocked by these words: “Lian Xin, what are you saying?”

Not just Suzhen—from Xiao’an to all the officials were stunned. Even Miao Yin, the distant guest, couldn’t help gasping and blurting out impolitely: “How absurd!”

Lian Yu gently removed Shuangcheng’s hand, his eyes flickering slightly as if pondering something. Shuangcheng felt her heart blocked by something, clenching her hands tightly, the secret in her heart almost spilling out.

Xiao’an’s beautiful face was almost completely distorted, her shocked and angry features becoming fierce: “Outrageous! Lian Xin, do you know what you’re saying?!”

Lian Xin stood beside Suzhen, trembling all over from Xiao’an’s scolding, but she straightened her chest and declared: “Mother Empress, I am very clear-headed. I know what I’m saying and doing. I cannot let the person I love be insulted. I… I am already Li Huaisu’s… person. No one knows better than I whether he is male or female. Since he is male, how could he be the Feng family remnant?”

She finished in one breath, her face burning red like fire, but her eyes held her mother’s domineering spirit as she surveyed the entire hall.

All officials were stunned, staring at each other in amazement: “This…”

Some ministers unaware of the inside story couldn’t help believing Lian Xin’s words somewhat.

Not to mention a noble imperial princess—even ordinary family daughters would never stake their reputation on such matters. If it weren’t true, how dare she speak thus? Having said such things, who would dare marry her in future!

Suzhen kept signaling Lian Xin with her eyes, but Lian Xin responded with a look that said: In any case, don’t you worry about it.

She blinked, suddenly pulling out a dagger and quickly walking to Huang Zhongyue, pressing the blade to his throat: “Old scoundrel, if any of you dare make my prince consort strip for inspection—this is great humiliation—whoever dares, I’ll kill them first!”

Huang Zhongyue’s face turned ashen. Whispers arose throughout the hall. Xiao’an was furious beyond measure, rushing forward to slap Lian Xin hard.

“Clang”—the dagger fell to the ground.

Lian Xin was struck until blood flowed from her mouth. Though not the first time receiving her mother’s slap, it was the first time before all ministers. Ordinarily, feeling wronged and unable to speak, she would certainly make a huge scene. But now she only touched her face, staring silently at Xiao’an. Her eyes flickered intensely—clearly deeply fearing Xiao’an, yet with stubborn determination deeply embedded and gleaming, clearly intending to resist to the end.

Xiao’an was provoked to boiling anger. No matter how much she loved this daughter, she couldn’t restrain herself, raising her hand to strike again—

Her hand stopped mid-air, tightly grasped and unable to move.

The palm was dry with strong force—it was Lian Yu.

“Mother Empress, please fulfill Xin’er’s wish,” Lian Yu said lightly.

Xiao’an laughed in extreme anger: “Your Majesty, that’s your sister, yet you want to push her into fire?”

“Xin’er is young and ignorant. She did wrong and disgraced the imperial family—she should be punished. But precisely because she’s my imperial sister, I respect her choice.” Lian Yu spoke loudly with commanding presence, his tone extremely firm.

Lian Yu’s group of ministers weren’t passive either. Yan Da remained silent, standing aside with unusually deep eyes, but Cai Beitang and others immediately seized the opportunity to kneel, saying in unison: “Please grant this, Empress Dowager.”

Quan Feitong watched with interest, suddenly glancing at Chao Huang. Understanding, though Chao Huang actually harbored some special feelings for Lian Xin, he reluctantly knelt immediately. Quan Feitong’s followers, reading the situation and seeing Chao Huang’s action, naturally understood, instantly kneeling in masses with unified calls.

Huang Zhongyue and others stood uncertainly. Some old ministers with relationships to Xiao’an looked to her for guidance.

Murong Jinghou and Lian Jie exchanged glances, knowing the tide had turned. Lian Xin’s disruption, combined with Lian Yu and Quan Feitong joining forces, had reversed the situation again.

Wei Chenghui also felt his blood surge, but receiving a dark glance from Li Zhaoting, he immediately controlled his emotions. He deliberately sighed: “Empress Dowager, everything you said and did today was for the state’s sake, but in others’ eyes, it might be misunderstood as interfering in government. You have your reasons, His Majesty has his reasons. Please be magnanimous and grant this.”

Lian Yu’s gaze deepened. Wei Chenghui appeared to mediate but every word sowed discord. Indeed, Xiao’an laughed lightly, saying indifferently: “Your Majesty, this dowager was meddling. This dowager will return to the palace now, lest I obstruct anyone’s sight here.”

“However, this dowager advises—some things, once done, are done. Once truth is revealed, you should know the consequences. Those who plunge headfirst will burn themselves.”

She spoke the last few sentences in a suppressed voice, only Lian Yu and Shuangcheng beside him hearing clearly.

Lian Yu’s temple jumped heavily, his gaze becoming infinitely cold and frightening. Seeing this, Shuangcheng’s heart filled with doubt. What did Xiao’an’s words really mean?!

The group of female family members quickly withdrew completely.

Passing Suzhen, Shuangcheng said coldly: “Miss Feng, you’re truly despicable. Abandoned by your man, you came to seduce my man. I never touched your man, yet you stole mine. Believe me, you’ll get your retribution.”

In ordinary times, Suzhen would certainly retort, but now she had nothing to say.

Lian Yu returned to the phoenix throne, only saying: “The princess’s marriage will be handled by the Ministry of Rites. However, since national mourning hasn’t passed, the grand wedding can only be held after two years. Today ends here. Court is dismissed,” then led Lian Xin toward the inner hall. Yan Da followed.

Minister of Rites Zhu Qiguang hastily accepted the order.

Watching that tall, lean, upright figure, Suzhen thought: A great disaster was finally suppressed by him.

She felt as if she’d had a long, ethereal dream. When the dream ended, she was actually still on the execution ground, having come for revenge. Or perhaps she had never actually left Huai County.

Court ministers quickly dispersed. Many cast inquiring looks, but ultimately no one dared approach to offer “congratulations.”

The Empress Dowager’s intentions were clear. As for the emperor’s heart, from beginning to end, no one could see through it.

Huo Chang’an glanced at her coldly, embracing Lian Yue as they left the hall first.

Suzhen seemed not to see anything before her until Li Zhaoting approached, saying in a low voice: “Shall we find a place to talk?”

Only then did she speak: “You should go.”

“Then let’s leave it at that.”

Li Zhaoting’s eyes flashed with darkness as he smiled and departed.

Lian Jie crossed his arms, waiting until everyone left before slowly approaching: “Feng Suzhen, you personally orchestrated this fine drama to finally take revenge on the imperial family. You successfully made us all develop grudges. How does it feel to achieve your goal? My Ninth Brother and I originally thought that as long as Sixth Brother was happy, we brothers had nothing more to say. Now look how wonderful this is!”

Facing these mocking, hateful eyes, Suzhen replied woodenly: “I haven’t taken revenge on anyone.”

She would rather face attacks from Huang Zhongyue, Xiao’an, or Shuangcheng than hear sarcasm from Lian Yu’s brothers.

Her heart felt as if repeatedly stabbed by knives. She replied, then suddenly said somewhat incoherently: “Seventh Prince, you didn’t seek me out, but I wanted to find you. Thank you for considering your Sixth Brother’s interests. No matter what, please never betray him. He’s sacrificed much for you both. Regardless of what others say or do, don’t betray him. He’s sincere toward you and Lian Qin.”

Lian Jie’s expression changed, his lips tightening. Wuyan returned, not having heard their conversation, only saying: “Seventh Prince, shall we go for a walk?”

Lian Jie looked at Wuyan’s beautiful face and nodded lightly.

Wuyan signaled Suzhen with her eyes. Suzhen’s cold heart finally found a bit of warmth—she knew Wuyan’s meaning: go find Lian Yu.

She watched Lian Jie and Wuyan leave the hall, but her feet seemed rooted in place.

Earlier she’d been thinking she’d never let go of Lian Yu even unto death. But now, she suddenly felt she had no reason to pursue him.

What right did someone who only brought him disaster have to love him?

She collapsed to the ground, suddenly not knowing where to go.

Soon, she sprang up again, running madly toward the inner hall like someone possessed.

Lian Xin reluctantly let Lian Yu embrace her for a few steps before struggling to stop: “Brother, I won’t go with you anymore. I have somewhere else to go.”

Lian Yu looked at her, asking knowingly: “To beg Mother Empress’s forgiveness?”

Lian Xin hesitated: “Mm…”

Lian Yu simply spoke plainly: “That plan was taught by Wuqing, wasn’t it?”

Lian Xin was shocked, immediately shaking her head: “No such thing! Sixth Brother, don’t guess wildly.”

Lian Yu suddenly regretted his past educational words to his sister—what nonsense about sacrificing for love! He touched his sister’s head, warning: “You must be careful of that Wuqing, understand?”

But Lian Xin skipped away.

Girls deep in infatuation never listen to others, even closest family. In her world, for the one she loved, she could do anything, sacrifice everything.

Seeing Lian Xin leave, Yan Da stepped forward, lowering his voice: “Your Majesty, about the Feng family matter—”

Lian Yu rubbed his weary brow, saying coldly: “I don’t want to discuss this today. Let’s talk another day.”

Yan Da had no choice but to retreat. Before leaving, he smiled bitterly: “Your Majesty, beware of nurturing a tiger. You spared her, but she may not be grateful.”

Xuanwu had appeared at some point. Seeing Qinglong and Baihu about to speak, he quickly shook his head. Lian Yu’s gaze was ice-cold, his entire being radiating furious anger. He stood with hands behind his back, motionless.

When Suzhen arrived, this was the scene she saw. She slowly approached, timidly speaking like Li Zhaoting had invited her: “Lian Yu, let’s… talk.”

Lian Yu didn’t look at her, his eyes no longer holding any emotion. He maintained his original posture for a long time before saying: “Go. I won’t overturn the Feng family case for you. Also, our relationship ends here. Resign your position and leave the capital. Never appear before me again.”