It was now past midnight, and the palace presented a scene of blue canopy and hanging stars, with flowing light and tranquil beauty. Lian Yu had just finished a late meal with Murong Luo and was preparing to leave her chambers.

As he reached the door, Murong Luo’s brow showed a trace of resentment. She ran over and embraced him from behind, whispering softly, “Your Majesty, you came yesterday, sat for a while, and then left. Must you leave again tonight?”

Lian Yu’s eyes dimmed slightly. He turned around and grasped her hands, “My mourning period isn’t complete. If I stayed here too long and lost control, that wouldn’t be proper…”

These words made Murong Luo’s cheeks flush red. She lowered her eyes, her gaze both shy and sparkling, “Your Majesty, only you are so strict about following rules. How many emperors actually observe such formalities? Please stay with me tonight.”

She knew Lian Yu valued filial piety, but the crisis of several women pressing close made her fight for what she could. She truly couldn’t wait three years, and moreover, she had deep feelings for him…

Lian Yu looked at the beautiful woman before him. He had already married her – this was a responsibility he couldn’t escape. Now he needn’t fulfill promises to anyone else. He took Murong Luo’s hand, “Very well. I’ll stay tonight.”

Murong Luo was overjoyed. The corners of her eyes lifted slightly, and all the eunuchs and palace maids attending in the room tactfully withdrew quietly.

She removed her outer robes, leaving only her close-fitting undergarment, then with trembling hands helped Lian Yu remove his outer robe. Lian Yu slowly sat down, his dark eyes always looking at her warmly. Her face burned as she knelt to remove his boots and socks. When she looked up, her eyes flowing, she gently touched Lian Yu’s inner garment. But Lian Yu suddenly pressed down her hands, stood up, lifted her horizontally, placed her on the inner side of the bed, and lay down beside her, covering them both with the quilt.

He propped himself up on one elbow and leaned over her. Murong Luo’s heart pounded like drums, feeling her whole body go soft. In the dim light, she looked at him shyly as his kiss gently fell on her forehead. His voice was as gentle as light waves, “It’s getting late. I’ll stay with you. Sleep.”

The letter was delivered to Suzhen’s hands by Little Four. Now that their relationship and identities were exposed, Li Zhaoting no longer bothered to be cautious or secretive.

Steward Fu brought him in and then left. Little Four looked at her with a cold attitude. Suzhen took the letter but still smiled pleasantly as before, “Little Four, would you like some tea, pastries, or preserved fruits?”

“No need. Just give me a message to take back after you read the letter.”

He was quite impertinent, but Suzhen didn’t mind. After greeting him, she opened the letter.

The handwriting was bold and elegant, with ink fragrance that was refreshing.

The letter read:

Seeing this letter is like meeting in person. Tonight at the end of the you hour at the riverside restaurant. Report my surname to the shopkeeper and someone will guide you to meet me. There are matters to discuss. I won’t leave until we meet.

Signed: Zhaoting.

Tonight was Qixi, and Suzhen already had an appointment. Even if she didn’t, she had no intention of seeing Li Zhaoting again. He didn’t love her, and she no longer loved him. Why meet again? She also didn’t want to implicate him. She sighed silently and said to Little Four, “Please tell your young master that Suzhen won’t go. Wish him a happy Qixi. From now on, we should avoid meeting if possible.”

Little Four was stunned for a long moment before reacting, almost shouting, “What did you say?”

“Young Master invites you, yet you…”

The loyal servant was quite agitated.

“You heard me, didn’t you?”

Suzhen smiled faintly and called to Steward Fu at the door, “Old man, see our guest out.”

“Feng Suzhen, my young master kindly invites you, yet you put on airs!”

She watched him leave with angry eyes as Steward Fu had the household guards escort him out forcibly, playfully blinking her eyes. After a long while, she strolled outside. Both Xiao Zhou and Wuyan were in the courtyard. The former was squatting on the ground, using a tree branch to tease pigeons foraging on the ground. Wuyan sat on a stone chair, eyes lowered, lost in thought. She first asked Xiao Zhou, “Where are Wuqing and the others?”

Xiao Zhou replied flatly, “They went out to look for a place to live. Since His Majesty won’t see you tonight, are you really planning to leave the capital? If you’re not leaving, you definitely need to find somewhere to stay.”

She added coldly, “That servant just now looked annoying. Good thing we got rid of him.”

Suzhen was somewhat amused but didn’t pay much attention. “Wait for them to return.”

She then said somewhat embarrassedly, “Wuyan, would you accompany me out to buy some clothes?”

Wuyan immediately understood and smiled slightly, “Of course, that would be perfect.”

The two went out hand in hand. Just as they left the residence, they encountered a carriage racing past, driven by two young men who appeared tall with bright, alert eyes.

Suzhen warily pulled Wuyan back a step, “Those two have prominent temples – they’re martial arts experts.”

Wuyan was also surprised, wondering who these visitors might be, when she saw a middle-aged woman helping a woman in red descend from the carriage.

The middle-aged woman they first saw glanced at them both, seeming somewhat surprised. This was an acquaintance of Suzhen’s – Aunt Hong, Xiao’an’s personal female official. The other person looked up, and both Suzhen and Wuyan were startled again. Murong Luo?

Murong Luo, supported by Aunt Hong’s hand, showed some curiosity in her expression, “Wuyan, you’re here too.”

Then she smiled at the corners of her eyes, looking at Suzhen with a beaming smile, “Court Supervisor Li, oh no, it should be Miss Feng. I hope Miss Feng has been well?”

Suzhen couldn’t determine her true purpose but couldn’t neglect propriety. She bowed, “Your Ladyship’s golden peace.”

Murong Luo had naturally come to kick someone while they were down. She narrowed her eyes and said coquettishly, “This palace and Miss Feng have known each other for some time. Now hearing that Miss has been forced to relocate, my heart feels heavy. Though we both belong to His Majesty, outsiders may not know, but this palace understands. This palace couldn’t bear it – last night… His Majesty spent the night in this palace’s chambers. Today he bestowed many gold, silver, and jewelry pieces. I’ll take some to give to Miss, so our acquaintance won’t be in vain.”

“Come, quickly unload the things.”

She said coquettishly while playing with an object in her hands, then turned to instruct the two inner palace experts driving the carriage.

“Yes.”

They respectfully responded and soon unloaded a large chest from the carriage.

Though Suzhen had long known Lian Yu had three thousand beauties in his harem and was quite fond of Murong Luo, naturally spending nights with her from time to time, hearing the words “spent the night” now felt like someone had ruthlessly stabbed her heart.

Her gaze was motionless, fixed tightly on what Murong Luo held in her hands – it was Lian Yu’s folding fan. He used to love tapping her head with that thing. This must have been left on her bed last night.

“Thank you, Your Ladyship, but since it’s His Majesty’s bestowment, Huaisu dare not accept it.”

Wuyan’s heart tightened, but she saw Suzhen bow again and firmly decline.

Murong Luo was satisfied seeing her face turn deathly pale. Having achieved her goal, she didn’t linger, saying faintly, “Miss needn’t be polite. His Majesty bestowed much, and this palace lives luxuriously in the palace with no need for it. Please keep it.”

She drew out her voice, her eyes coldly and proudly sweeping over Suzhen once before lifting her skirt and getting back into the carriage with Aunt Hong’s help.

Seeing the carriage leave, Wuyan quickly checked on Suzhen. Suzhen’s face was white as paper, but she gripped Wuyan’s hand and said, “Wuyan, I can buy clothes myself. Don’t wait for me for dinner. Please help me call Xiao Zhou to move these things into the residence. She’s most eager about gold and silver treasures – if we don’t want them… it’s free, so why not give them to the poor nearby?”

Wuyan also felt distressed, wanting to comfort her by saying Lian Yu usually slept alone, but felt such words would be inappropriate. While she hesitated, Suzhen’s thin figure had already walked away. In these few days, this “young man” had lost a whole circle of weight.

When Suzhen returned carrying a small bundle, it was nearly dusk. She quietly entered through the back door without disturbing anyone.

Returning to her room, Wuyan wasn’t there – probably with everyone in the main hall. She opened the bundle, which contained a women’s dress, from the breast-binding and outer garment to the skirt, plus pearl flowers and some… rouge and powder.

She fingered the jade stone at her neck, then took out a white jade hairpin from her chest. The hairpin was crystal clear without a trace of impurity, with excellent luster – obviously quite valuable. This was also something Lian Yu had given her, disliking her original one.

She washed her face, removing the makeup she used daily to disguise herself as a man, then slowly walked to the bronze mirror, staring at the thin young man in the mirror, who also stared back at her faintly.

The previously somewhat round chin had disappeared, becoming slightly pointed. Her nose appeared more refined. Perhaps because she rarely wandered in sunlight all year, her originally wheat-colored complexion had become fair, and the freckles on her cheeks and nose had quietly faded. Her eyes remained small, but they were lustrous, as if holding a pool of light. She slightly parted her lips, revealing pearl-like white teeth. Every day she would bind her chest and dress as a young man – she hadn’t seriously looked in a mirror for a long time. Looking at her reasonably delicate features and slightly elongated figure, she suddenly felt somewhat unfamiliar, and hazily felt that she seemed to have finally grown into a young lady she had envied for so, so long.

The palace was decorated with lanterns inside and out, but the imperial quarters remained quietly serene. Ming Yanchu served Lian Yu in changing into casual clothes. As he put on his outer robe, Lian Yu asked faintly, “Is everything prepared outside the palace?”

Ming Yanchu flattered, “Everything is ready. Today being Qixi, the night markets among the people are most lively. This slave ordered the entire inn there to be reserved. Azure Dragon and the others have already gone to arrange and inspect the security, with the most elegant private room and finest food and wine.”

“Mm,” Lian Yu nodded, then instructed softly, “Have White Tiger personally escort Miss Miaoyin. As a man, I should arrive first and wait, observing proper etiquette.”