When he returned and handed her the item, she also gave him a letter to pass on, then left with Leng Xue.

Once they reached a deserted place, Leng Xue grabbed her and scolded, “What mischief are you up to? Openly asking the Huo residence for gifts? Won’t people look down on you?”

Su Zhen played with the gift box, looking at the boldly written character “Huo” in the corner. Great Zhou noble families liked to use custom-made gift boxes to display their prestige when giving presents.

She had just asked the steward for a fine ginseng root.

She stuck out her tongue, “There are plenty of people who look down on me.”

Leng Xue saw her expression and thought she was remembering Li Zhaoting. He rolled his eyes and took her back to the inn.

That evening, the two went to the residence of Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister Gao Chaoyi.

Gao Chaoyi was the one who had previously switched Leng Xue’s admission certificate.

Being turned away when visiting was expected, and she had anticipated this. She and Leng Xue exchanged glances and smiled. Leng Xue took her through the back door.

Carrying her as he leaped into the back courtyard, they randomly grabbed someone to “ask for directions” and quickly found Gao Chaoyi’s bedroom.

Seeing the two of them, Gao Chaoyi was startled, then sneered, “What do you want to do? Breaking into an official residence and threatening a court official is a grave crime. Even if I issued you seat assignment tokens, without the Minister’s seal, you absolutely couldn’t enter the Imperial Academy for the examination tomorrow.”

Though he had never seen her before, he had already guessed who she was.

This person was only about thirty, not much different from Mu San, but definitely not easy to deal with. His features were handsome with deep scheming, his tone crisp and efficient. No wonder at such a young age he held an important position in the Ministry of Personnel.

Su Zhen thought this while maintaining her usual smile, “We could force you to go pressure the Minister to affix his official seal.”

“First, the Minister won’t do this. Second, even if the Minister, out of concern for Gao’s welfare, would lend his seal, once this matter is resolved, you still won’t be able to enter the Imperial Academy tomorrow. Surely Young Master Li won’t also take the Minister hostage? The Princess is a golden branch and jade leaf who can guarantee your safety. But in the examination hall, there are ministers from multiple departments, the two Chancellors Yan and Quan, Grand Tutor Gu, and above them all, His Majesty!”

Gao Chaoyi spoke each word deliberately, his tone composed.

After hearing this, Su Zhen still smiled, “Well spoken, Lord Gao. But isn’t Lord Gao afraid that… Huaisu, in a fit of embarrassed rage, might kill you?”

Hearing this, Gao Chaoyi laughed, a trace of mockery flashing in his eyes, “There’s no killing intent in Young Master Li’s eyes. Someone who wants to achieve scholarly honors, someone with ambitions, won’t easily commit the grave crime of murdering a court official. Otherwise, you would certainly die. Besides, your death would be certain.”

Su Zhen clapped her hands, “So Huaisu isn’t here to take hostages this time, and certainly won’t harm Lord Gao. It’s just that… I want to tell Lord Gao that Huaisu has gained Chancellor Quan’s deep favor. It was Chancellor Quan who sent me to Lord Gao to obtain the seat assignment token.”

Hearing this, Gao Chaoyi was slightly shaken, then pursed his lips and smiled, “Oh, Young Master Li is quite the jester. Haven’t you gone mad wanting that token? If Chancellor Quan had granted you the token, he could send someone to Lord Gao’s residence once. Why would you need to come like a thief?”

Su Zhen shrugged and smiled, “Well, since Lord Gao says this is a joke, let it be a joke. Chancellor Quan has been busy recently with Miss Gu’s affairs and the imperial examination. It was Huaisu who volunteered, not wanting to trouble his subordinates. Could it be that in Lord Gao’s view, Chancellor Quan’s authority is inferior to Chancellor Yan’s? Or does Lord Gao actually side with Chancellor Yan? Very well, Huaisu will return to the Chancellor’s residence to send word. I’ll have to trouble the old man to send someone to Lord Gao’s residence personally.”

“Nonsense! Try going near the Quan residence—without announcing your name, Chancellor Quan never sees nameless people. If you do announce your name, the guards will chase you away! Using these tricks on this official—you’re still green.”

Another person calling her green. With Gao Chaoyi’s mocking laughter, Su Zhen left with Leng Xue and went directly to the Quan residence.

Outside the residence gate, Leng Xue’s eyes flashed with cold light as he alertly scanned the surroundings, as if someone was spying from the shadows.