Seeing even the usually calm and composed Lian Jie become so agitated, Lian Qin seemed encouraged and ran before Lian Yu, falling to his knees with bloodshot eyes full of worry. Breathing heavily, he loudly declared, “Sixth Brother, in all my years, I’ve never asked anything of you, but this time I beg you – you absolutely cannot let her off easily! This woman is too terrifying. All along, we thought her straightforward and brave, intelligent and kind, appearing innocent. Yet knowing you were her father’s killer, she calmly accepted your favor, constantly claiming to love you. Such scheming – how horrifying! Her cunning runs so deep that none of us saw through it, including you, the most formidable of all.”

“Do you remember when you had Seventh Brother and me monitor her? Knowing the matter was serious, Seventh Brother and I personally watched her for many days. Once,” Lian Qin’s eyes grew dark, as if suddenly remembering something, “Seventh Brother and I personally witnessed her entering the Ministry of Justice, whispering secretly with Justice Minister Xiao Yue.”

Reminded by Lian Qin, Lian Jie immediately added, “Exactly, Sixth Brother. As Ninth Brother mentions it, I remember too. We later discovered she was Miss Xia and thought she was investigating the Xia family records from years past. Now it seems she was clearly using the Court of Judicial Review authority you granted her to investigate the Feng family materials at the Ministry of Justice.”

“Unfortunately, though we always suspected her identity as a Xia family survivor, we never imagined she was actually from the Feng family.”

Lian Jie’s eyes showed ruthless intent, “We didn’t know who she was, but she knew from beginning to end that you, Sixth Brother, were her enemy!”

Azure Dragon and White Tiger knelt together, pleading, “Your Majesty, you absolutely cannot be softhearted!”

“But why would she still ask His Majesty to overturn the case?” Black Tortoise suddenly interjected.

“Once she overturned the case, His Majesty would learn her identity, which is essentially the same as being exposed now, isn’t it?”

“Moreover, I heard her tell His Majesty just now that she secretly looked at Ministry records and believed the late Emperor gave the order to execute her family…”

Having followed Lian Yu for years, he was no ordinary person, incomparable to regular guards or even other common royal brothers. Lian Yu never forbade them from offering opinions, so he immediately asked when he had questions.

After he spoke, first Azure Dragon and White Tiger were stunned, then Lian Jie and Lian Qin also fell into momentary silence.

Lian Yu smiled faintly. The terrifying murderous aura in his eyes had been completely restrained. He removed Lian Jie’s hands and patted his brother’s shoulder, then helped Lian Qin to his feet.

Everyone saw his expression was profound, unable to determine what he was thinking. They all held their breath watching him. Perhaps drawn by this calm strength that transcended his years, though extremely tense, they began to settle down, as if trusting he would make his own decision and wouldn’t disappoint them.

And indeed, over all these years, this man, gentle as jade yet coldly self-controlled, had never disappointed them.

Seeing everyone’s expressions urgent and anxious, Lian Yu withdrew his gaze from the hairpin and slowly spoke, “Unless she never knew I was the one who gave the order.”

“But doesn’t the Ministry of Justice have records?” Several people asked almost in unison.

Lian Yu said faintly, “Someone switched the case files. Feng Suzhen indeed doesn’t know who gave the order, thinking it was the late Emperor.”

“Of course,” he suddenly gripped the hairpin that had pierced his palm and snapped it with force. The hairpin broke with a “pop” under his strength, and he immediately said coldly, “She hopes to use this excuse for one final gamble.”

“If it’s the latter, Black Tortoise, I can answer your question very well. Her constant talk of overturning her family’s case was merely a pretense. In reality, she has no intention of overturning her family’s case, but is waiting for the right moment to strike.”

He didn’t continue, but everyone suddenly understood – she intended to take the opportunity to kill Lian Yu! Only thus could she truly have her revenge! Lian Jie and Lian Qin were furious beyond measure, kneeling again and calling sternly, “Sixth Brother!”

Lian Jie had another thought and suggested, “Sixth Brother, if you’re still undecided, why don’t we first have her seized, thrown in prison, and have the Ministry of Justice interrogate her severely? Once she confesses, then we can…”

Lian Yu looked at him coldly, “Without my order, no one may touch her! If anyone among you acts against my will, regardless of who it is, I will certainly execute them without mercy, and the crime will extend to their families.”

“But at the same time, I can give you all a clear answer. I know what to do. I’ve said before – I am a man, but first and foremost a ruler. If she dares touch my reverse scale, I will certainly kill her first. However, remember this – only I may make this move, not… anyone else!”

After speaking, he strode away. Everyone remained kneeling, momentarily unsure whether to rise. All knew Lian Yu wasn’t bloodthirsty, but once his bottom line was crossed, his ruthlessness was no less than the cruel late Emperor’s.

Before leaving, he swept his gaze over everyone, his eyes cold and vicious, expressing everything clearly.

Lian Yu walked slowly alone. On the way, he encountered two young eunuchs chasing and playing, nearly colliding with him. He paused, and they realized who he was, immediately terrified, falling to their knees and kowtowing desperately, their voices trembling beyond recognition, “This slave deserves death, Your Majesty’s forgiveness—”

Lian Yu remained noncommittal, looking faintly at the two youths – one tall, one short, one handsome, one mischievous-looking.

He suddenly smiled.

Just as he’d analyzed earlier, who could now be certain whether she truly didn’t know, or had actually always known that the Feng family’s death was connected to him! In that case, she’d been acting all along, waiting for the chance to kill him!

She wanted him dead.

But he didn’t want her dead – he actually still didn’t want her dead.

Li Huaisu, don’t force me to kill you, he thought coldly. I could even kill my own father – what couldn’t I do? I could even bury A’Luo deep in my heart – couldn’t I personally bury you as well?!

Li Huaisu, Li Huaisu…

He clenched his fists tight, then slowly released them, pointing at the mischievous-looking eunuch and faintly ordering the nearby imperial guards, “Take him away and give him a hundred strokes of the rod!”

“Yes!”

All the soldiers immediately responded. The eunuch who was roughly seized widened his eyes in bewilderment, not understanding why the Emperor would single him out for punishment with such severe punishment. Even if he survived by chance, he might be left disabled for life. His companion desperately begged for mercy, crying, “Your Majesty, spare his life! Your Majesty, spare his life!”

Lian Yu walked away resolutely without the slightest concern.

Li Zhaoting and Chao Huang walked side by side, planning to wait for Quan Feitong outside the Golden Throne Hall. Li Zhaoting said, “You know the Princess’s temperament – she won’t appreciate your good intentions at all.”

A cold snort escaped from Chao Huang’s nostrils, “If you can meddle in Feng Suzhen’s affairs, why can’t I meddle in Lian Xin’s affairs! You’d better think about how to explain yourself to Master.”

Li Zhaoting’s face showed a bitter smile, “Why must you mock me?”

“I told Master long ago that I didn’t want her involved in court struggles. I know that failing to report what I knew was a grave error, but I don’t regret it.” Chao Huang glanced at him, the mockery in his eyes diminishing considerably, “That Feng Suzhen is your fiancée after all. Though your heart belongs elsewhere, being able to protect her like this doesn’t diminish your character as a man.”

Li Zhaoting sighed slightly, “Though my feelings for her don’t compare to yours for the Princess, I do have some genuine care for her.”

Chao Huang patted his shoulder, “I’ll help explain to Elder Brother, but I can’t guarantee the outcome.”

“Zhaoting thanks you here.”

Li Zhaoting bowed low, his lips curving slightly.

As he raised his head, he saw a servant from the Quan residence approaching. Seeing the two men, the servant grinned, “Greetings to the two lords. Master asks that you both come to the residence tonight for a gathering – he still has business to attend to during the day.”

Chao Huang was puzzled and couldn’t help asking, “Do you know what business?”

The servant was quick-witted and described it vividly, “Master personally drove the carriage and left the palace with Court Supervisor Li through the side palace gate, saying they were going out for a drink.”

He then lowered his voice, clearly very curious, “General Chao, do you think our master is treating that Court Supervisor Li like a male courtesan? I don’t understand what master sees in him. Though he has some good looks, he’s still not as good as the several lads we keep at home who sing little songs.”

Chao Huang was stunned and immediately scolded, “What nonsense are you talking!”

Li Zhaoting’s cheeks suddenly tightened.

Seeing Chao Huang’s displeasure, the servant dared not say more, “This humble one still needs to inform the people from the Court of Judicial Review. I’ll take my leave first. Farewell, my lords.”

Suzhen had always known Quan Feitong was wealthy, but seeing him rent out an entire floor without blinking was still somewhat shocking. She said, “We’re just here for a drink. Even if you have money to burn, this isn’t how you spend it. Do you clear out everyone every time we come out drinking?”

Quan Feitong replied, “I don’t like people chattering in my ear. Besides,” he glanced at her sideways, “it’s more convenient for business when emotions run high, isn’t it?”

Suzhen’s face burned as she glared at him fiercely, “You said you had information about the Feng family execution to tell me – that’s why I came. If you keep talking nonsense, I’m leaving.”

Quan Feitong smiled slightly, “Fine, everything according to Madam’s wishes. Let’s not discuss that for now.”

Suzhen was exasperated, “Who’s your madam?”

Quan Feitong replied, “You agreed to be my concubine – that counts as half an inner wife.”

Suzhen simply shut her mouth and quickly walked upstairs.

After three rounds of wine, Suzhen looked at him, “Big Brother Mu, though we have different positions, I consider you a friend and hope you won’t toy with me. What really happened with my family’s case?”

Quan Feitong had been serving her food, but hearing this, he put down his chopsticks and stared at her, studying her faintly. Suzhen felt inexplicably tense, then suddenly heard him laugh, “Your acting is truly excellent – you’ve fooled everyone.”