“Young Master Li is an interesting person. Everyone else sits to dine, but Young Master Li stands quite steadily. Brother would like to buy you a drink—how about it?”
He glanced at the inferior wine on her table.
Su Zhen thought that Shi Jian rarely treated guests to meals, so she shouldn’t expect what grade of alcohol he’d provide—as long as it didn’t kill anyone. She loved her drink, but now with income restricted and expenses controlled, drinking was naturally something to save on. Being able to drink watered-down wine was already delightful. She only smiled and said, “When Young Master Si also gets beaten with boards someday, he’ll be as interesting as Huaisu.”
Si Lanfeng was stunned. The people he brought immediately looked coldly at Su Zhen, but Si Lanfeng was more restrained. He snorted with laughter and leaned down to her ear, “I hear you suffered humiliation at that Young Master Li’s hands. Would you be interested in making friends with Si?”
Someone had seen Li Zhaoting at this inn that night. Though no one knew what they had actually talked about, the fact that they had met had gotten out. Lu and Huai counties were adjacent, so people guessed she knew Li Zhaoting and had invited him to intercede with the Chancellor on her behalf. Since she hadn’t appeared at the Chancellor’s residence afterward, she had obviously been refused by Li Zhaoting.
Si Lanfeng was someone who understood the principle that “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” even better than she did. Su Zhen understood his thoughts and also stood on tiptoe to whisper in his ear, “If we become friends, will Young Master Si introduce Huaisu to the Seventh Prince?”
“Huaisu also knows this matter is currently difficult. The Seventh Prince is the princess’s biological brother and naturally must show some consideration for family feelings. When brother achieves high honors in the future, would Huaisu still worry about lacking opportunities for advancement?” Si Feng paused slightly before replying.
As expected, how could he add an enemy for himself for nothing? What he valued was the “grudge” between her and Li Zhaoting. If both he and Li Zhaoting made it into the top three in the future, having her as a lackey to deal with Li Zhaoting would definitely be effective. Su Zhen smiled and said, “Li Zhaoting looks down on me, but I still look down on you.”
This time it wasn’t whispered—everyone could hear it clearly. Si Lanfeng couldn’t save face, stared at her, gave a cold laugh, and quickly left.
The winter sun hung high, the weather outside was fine, and Su Zhen also wanted to go out for a stroll. Walking to the door, she heard Wuqing say indifferently, “Aren’t you afraid he’ll use some underhanded tricks to harm you in secret?”
She smiled and said, “If anything happens to me now, everyone will blame the princess. Si Lanfeng understands this principle well—he wouldn’t dare. As for the future, I’m destined to die anyway. What difference does it make who delivers the final blow?”
Before leaving, Young Zhou said quietly, “I hear the Hanlin Academy recruits clerks at year’s end.”
What Young Zhou mentioned, Su Zhen had also heard the candidates at the inn discussing these days, and had even considered its feasibility.
Taking Leng Xue to stroll the streets, seeing a medical clinic, remembering the strange tales her father had told her in the past, she suddenly had a vague plan in her heart. But she heard Leng Xue say, “Zhen’er, don’t be sad. If you’re determined to stay in the capital, we’re not completely without options. I remember the old fox saying there’s a secret place in this capital called the Return to Spring Hall. They can scrape skin and shave bone to change people’s appearances. Didn’t those fellows just say the Six Doors is recruiting constables? I’ll find a way to locate this medical clinic and have them change my appearance, then I’ll become a constable. We can wait for our chance to act. I’ll work to support you, so we won’t need to worry about living expenses anymore, and you can drink wine and eat meat every day.”