“Master, what is this?”

Seeing his mind slightly distracted, White Tiger hesitantly called out to him, but he was unwilling to elaborate, only saying, “Tiger, send someone to bring Wuyan and Seventh Prince, Ninth Prince here.”

White Tiger responded with melancholy, then heard him instruct Azure Dragon: “Find someone to notify Consort Wei, tell her I’ll visit her chambers tonight.”

“Yes,” Azure Dragon replied with a smile, “Have you finally come to your senses?”

Lian Yu’s expression darkened, and Azure Dragon startled, quickly lowering his head. Black Tortoise gave him a look that said “you really have no tact,” saying, “Consort Wei is currently accompanying the Empress Dowager in conversation to help her vent her anger, unable to get away. She’ll certainly come to curry favor once she’s free tonight. Why not let Your Majesty sell her some face.”

Azure Dragon suddenly understood. Lian Yu played with the hairpin, “Black Tortoise, if you find your tongue excessive, I’ll have someone cut it off right now.”

Azure Dragon glanced at Black Tortoise, suddenly feeling he’d gained back some ground. Black Tortoise was already turning to leave, “Your Majesty, this subordinate will go invite Consort Wei and the two princes. The others are slow and unreliable.”

Wuyan was currently walking slowly with Lian Jie beneath the palace walls.

Seeing Wuyan’s silence, Lian Jie could hardly contain himself and spoke first, “Is there anything Jie can do to serve Your Ladyship?”

Wuyan smiled slightly, “Seventh Prince is most considerate, knowing that Wuyan sought you out only to help resolve Huaisu’s predicament.”

Seeing her speak frankly, Lian Jie also decided to be direct, “Lian Jie doesn’t understand why Your Ladyship would help her so much?”

“We are friends,” Wuyan looked at him, “Moreover, she truly has it difficult. Even if the Feng family was wrong, it was only the fault of the family’s men. Plotting treason and usurpation – what does that have to do with a young lady in her chambers?”

Lian Jie’s gaze immediately darkened, sneering coldly, “Sister-in-law may not know…”

As he spoke, he suddenly stopped. Wuyan tensed, thinking this likely involved political matters that weren’t appropriate to pursue. She simply didn’t ask, to avoid embarrassment, and laughed generously, “Since you and I each have our own positions, why not end this topic here? Otherwise, if we disagree and come to blows, with a consort and a prince fighting on the spot, it wouldn’t look very good.”

Lian Jie rarely lost his composure, but hearing this, the corners of his eyes curved slightly. The displeasure from the court session greatly diminished, and inexplicably tender feelings arose in his heart, “Lian Jie has no habit of fighting women, so rest assured. If you and I were to fight, this prince would only be on the receiving end.”

He thought these words should earn him a smile, but after a long moment with no response, he was slightly stunned. He saw her eyes lowered, her long curved lashes like butterfly wings, gently fluttering and brushing across his heart, making it itch. He suddenly realized she was remembering Huo Chang’an’s violence, “Why bother with that sort of person.”

Seeing his tone quite stern, Wuyan was somewhat surprised and quickly replied, “Thank you, Seventh Prince. It’s nothing serious. Just don’t dwell too much on what happened in court today either. His Majesty is also feeling bad right now – you’re his best brother.”

“Mm,” Lian Jie responded faintly, looking at her. The words came out naturally, “No matter what happens between Jie and Sixth Brother, Sixth Brother asked Jie to look after you outside the palace – Jie will certainly do his utmost. Wuyan,” he suddenly changed to calling her by name, “whatever you need, whether gold, silver, wealth, or people, feel free to ask this prince.”

Wuyan was grateful, “Thank you, Seventh Prince. When the time comes, Wuyan won’t be polite with Seventh Prince either. I never expected that after knowing each other for years, only today have we truly become friends.”

“Wuyan, we’ve known each other for so long, and only now share our thoughts – truly unexpected.”

The two spoke almost simultaneously, then stared in surprise for a long moment.

Lian Jie suddenly recalled the phrase “bright eyes and beautiful glances,” his heart skipping. He actually found her radiance captivating and intoxicating – even his most favored concubines at home had never given him such a feeling.

He was lost in these thoughts when he suddenly startled, cursing himself inwardly. These two were uncle and sister-in-law – propriety forbade such thoughts. How could he be so presumptuous?

Seeing him suddenly dazed as if bewitched, Wuyan called twice without response and grew puzzled. Being forthright by nature and not overly concerned with propriety, she reached out to lightly pat his arm. Unexpectedly, Lian Jie reacted as if scalded, trembling slightly.

She felt uneasy – would he think her a loose woman? “Seventh Prince?”

Lian Jie quickly said, “It’s my fault, I was lost in thought. Please don’t take offense.”

Wuyan replied, “Since Your Highness has matters to attend to, Wuyan will take her leave first.”

Lian Jie cursed himself inwardly – what kind of response was that! Just as he was about to speak to detain her, he saw Black Tortoise hurrying over, immediately saying, “Your Highness, Your Ladyship, perfect timing – this subordinate had quite a search for you. His Majesty summons you.”

Lian Jie was somewhat displeased, then thought faintly that this was goodbye. When she left the palace, it might not be a bad thing.

When the two arrived at the inner garden, Lian Qin had already been summoned and stood coldly to one side with an icy expression. Lian Yu paid no attention, didn’t even say much to Lian Jie, only beckoning Wuyan to sit, “Do you know from where Mother received today’s information?”

Wuyan knew the matter was serious – he wanted to investigate thoroughly – and didn’t conceal anything, recounting Wuxia’s visit to the palace. Lian Yu said faintly, “According to what you say, your father Grand Tutor Wei received a mysterious letter and thus learned of Li Huaisu’s identity. At that time, a minister who had also received a secret letter visited Grand Tutor Wei at night, and your sister happened to overhear their conversation?”

Wuyan replied, “Exactly. This was later told to them by the Empress Dowager when Princess Chang’an and her husband entered the palace. I heard the general outline on the way.”

“Unfortunately, I was ambushed last night and couldn’t prevent it.” She said guiltily.

Lian Yu’s eyes showed a trace of tenderness, “You’ve already done very well. Wuyan, I’m very grateful.”

Unable to contain her anger, Lian Qin interjected, “This letter sender is clever, sending to multiple families at once – completely untraceable.”

Lian Jie pondered slightly, then said, “What if we could find the related letters? Perhaps we could discern some information from the handwriting and traces on the letters!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lian Yu’s brow furrowed. Lian Jie immediately realized something and greatly regretted his words.

Indeed, Wuyan’s eyes lit up, “Your Majesty, Wuyan will leave the palace shortly to return home to fetch Mother. I can take the opportunity to find Father’s letter, then find a way to pass it to Seventh Prince, who can bring it in for you.”

“No,” Lian Yu almost immediately stopped her, his eyes showing deep sternness, “You absolutely must not interfere in this matter. Grand Tutor Wei is no saint – you should leave the capital according to your original schedule. Seventh Brother will escort you and your mother out of the capital.”

Knowing Lian Yu’s temperament, Wuyan made up her mind inwardly but didn’t argue, only agreeing before taking her leave, giving the three brothers time together.

Lian Yu knew she was considerate. After years of friendship, with this parting so distant, his heart was moved. He walked before her, reaching out to grip her hands tightly, “Take care. If anything happens, send word to Seventh Brother. Whatever you request, I will certainly accomplish for you. Not just because of A’Luo, nor because of Li Huaisu – Wuyan, do you understand?”

Wuyan looked at the sincerity and depth in his eyes, as if returning to their youthful years. Her eyes moistened – she had let go, truly completely let go.

In this life, perhaps there’s always that one person who fulfills all the excitement and fantasies of your reckless youth. Yet he’s neither a passerby nor your destination. Always more than a friend, always less than a lover. You can never reach that place, yet he’s life’s most beautiful encounter – someone with whom you can share fortune and misfortune, life and death. “Take care, Sixth Young Master.”

She smiled through her tears and waved goodbye.

Black Tortoise and the others bowed low, “Your Ladyship, take care.”

Lian Yu watched her leave until her figure completely disappeared.

Lian Qin waved vigorously in front of Lian Jie, “Seventh Brother, what are you looking at? Don’t steal the fatuous ruler’s role.”

Lian Jie ignored Lian Qin, instead asking Lian Yu faintly, “Sixth Brother, isn’t it a pity to let such a beauty go?”

Lian Yu’s eyes moved slightly, giving him a thoughtful look before replying faintly, “Her destiny isn’t here.”

Lian Jie’s voice was clear, his lips curving in an inexplicable arc, “So she won’t be my sister-in-law anymore?”

“Correct.”

“Mm.”

Lian Qin didn’t know what the two were discussing and continued staring coldly at Lian Yu. Lian Yu calmly returned his gaze. After a long moment, Lian Qin was first defeated by that calm, steady gaze, smiling bitterly, “Sixth Brother, I was wrong to call you a fatuous ruler, but Sixth Brother, I worry about you. Seventh Brother and I both worry about you.”

“The Feng family was executed by your and the Empress Dowager’s joint order. Later we received intelligence that Feng Suzhen’s brother had actually escaped, so we rushed to intercept him. He fought like a cornered beast – we stabbed him full of holes and threw his body into the deep sea.”

“Speaking of it, we should thank that informant, otherwise, with such a woman lurking by your side, and you loving her so much while she constantly plotted against your life.”

“Stop talking!” Lian Yu’s expression instantly darkened, roaring out. White Tiger cried out in alarm. Everyone looked to see him gripping a hairpin tightly in his hand, the pin head piercing through his palm, blood flowing steadily onto the table.

Lian Jie’s lips curved mockingly as he suddenly gripped Lian Yu’s shoulder and laughed loudly, “Sixth Brother, when your mother consort died mysteriously years ago, all surface evidence pointed to my mother consort, but we all knew that the already-retired Minister Feng was the one who secretly committed murder. He originally intended to kill you! You pitied your mother and thought it was excellent soup, couldn’t bear to drink it, so you left it for her…”