Su Zhen paid no mind and bowed to the soldiers outside, “I request to see your residence’s chief steward.”

True to Gao Chaoyi’s words about not seeing nameless people, the two soldiers’ expressions changed. One’s gaze turned sharp, but when his eyes fell on the item in her hands, he was surprised. Without a word, one went inside, and soon a man in his forties or fifties hurried out.

This must be the Quan residence steward.

Like the Huo residence steward, he was quite perceptive, almost immediately taking the brocade box from her hands, “Has Young Master come to convey some message from Marquis Huo to my master?”

What Su Zhen presented was exactly the ginseng she had obtained from the Huo residence. Hearing this, she lowered her voice, “For this imperial examination, Chancellor Quan has labored heart and soul, working so hard. Hearing that the Chancellor has been unwell recently, Marquis Huo specially sends this qi-nourishing health supplement, hoping the Chancellor will take good care of himself.”

The man smiled and bowed in a “please” gesture, “That’s truly thoughtful of Marquis Huo. Please enter the residence for tea, Young Master. I’ll report to the Chancellor. If the Chancellor is feeling better, he can meet with you.”

Su Zhen shook her head, “I dare not disturb the Chancellor’s rest. I’ll take my leave now.”

Recently, there had been new developments in Quan Feitong’s affairs. It was said that Quan Feitong handled government business during the day, then entered the palace to kneel outside the imperial hall at night, day after day. This alarmed the Empress Dowager into personally investigating, and she discovered that someone had framed Gu Shuangcheng. Afterward, Lian Yu, not caring about imperial dignity, personally visited the Quan residence to console them. The Quan residence was lit all night as sovereign and minister conversed in great harmony.

Later, to compensate the Quan and Gu families, the Empress Dowager adopted Gu Shuangcheng as her goddaughter and kept her in the palace. In gratitude for the Empress Dowager’s kindness, Gu Shuangcheng also vowed to serve the Empress Dowager in the palace from then on. When Gu Shuangcheng was released, Quan Feitong fell ill.

Public opinion exploded with countless discussions.

Some said Lian Yu intended to deal with Quan Feitong but ultimately couldn’t overcome Quan Feitong’s power and was forced to release her. Others said this matter wasn’t complex at all—Consort Wei was poisoned by tea and snacks Gu Shuangcheng had offered, so suspicion naturally fell on her first. After investigation, it was revealed that someone with ulterior motives had instigated this to provoke conflict between emperor and chancellor. But who exactly was behind it all remained unknown—there were quite a few big fish at court.

Still others said this was actually Lian Yu’s plan—he wanted to employ Quan Feitong as his father had, but times were different now. Quan Feitong’s power had grown, so this was a warning to give Quan Feitong a wake-up call. If he accepted it, Lian Yu would restrain him. Since ancient times, emperors always needed capable people by their sides, but absolutely not capable people they couldn’t control.

Su Zhen also remembered what Baiyi had said that day—that Lian Yu was devoted to Gu Shuangcheng. Between cause and effect, it was all to prevent Shuangcheng’s impending marriage to Quan Feitong. A battle of wits and courage, a romantic tale of snow, moon, wind, and flowers.

In any case, among all these various theories, what the people could see was only what those in power wanted them to see—only results, not process.

She didn’t know if there would ever be a day when all politics could be transparent to the public.

But she thought that if she weren’t an orphan of the Feng family, she truly wouldn’t care and wouldn’t guess. As long as the people lived peacefully and merchants prospered, who became king and who was defeated hardly mattered. Merit and fault would be judged by history in spring and autumn.

Whether Chancellor Quan’s “illness” from overwork was real or a courtesy “gift” to Lian Yu, she didn’t know.

Her current identity was merely an errand boy from the Huo residence. The steward was courteous, but she absolutely couldn’t presume above her station, so she immediately took her leave.

Returning to the inn, Leng Xue looked puzzled and grabbed her to ask, “What exactly are you performing? And borrowing flowers to present to Buddha, delivering gifts on behalf of Marquis Huo?”

Su Zhen’s heart was also beating wildly—success or failure hung by a thread. Instead of answering, she asked back, “Were we being followed earlier?”

——

Thank you all for your comments.