Quan Feitong was currently planning to bring Wei Wujun to justice. Originally, restraining the Wei family was Li Zhaoting’s purpose in having him enter the court, and with the Wei family’s recent frame-up, he and Wei Chenghui were now irreconcilable enemies.

For Suzhen, though the Prime Minister’s previous use of Chao Huang to set a trap and have Wei Chengjun kill that soldier was somewhat underhanded, Suzhen still applauded enthusiastically.

If this could be used to deflate the Wei family’s arrogance, wouldn’t that be excellent? Moreover, perhaps her and Quan Feitong’s house arrest could thereby be lifted.

Wuqing and Xiao Zhou watched her pace back and forth in the room, knowing she intended to find a way to bring Wei Wujun to justice.

“This won’t be easy, will it?” Xiao Zhou had just spoken when Suzhen stopped and shouted loudly, “Xiao Zhou, think quickly! And you too, Feng Shaoying!”

Xiao Zhou was startled by her sudden outburst. Wuqing stood up and restrained her, “Do you think Quan Feitong is just sitting around doing nothing? If he’s still deliberating over this matter, could we figure it out so quickly? Don’t be anxious. My hatred for the Wei family is no less than yours—how could I not want this? Besides, your belly is what’s most urgent—not for anyone else, but for your brother.”

He glanced at her abdomen and said through gritted teeth, his usually cool eyes showing some earnestness.

Suzhen gently pushed him away, showing no intention of reconciliation.

Xiao Zhou said coldly, “Who are you taking your anger out on? This young master of mine should call you aunt-in-law, yet you act as if he owes you something! Only someone like you could be unworthy of his status. In the end, it’s you who owes Huaisu.”

Wuqing curved his mouth slightly and said lightly, “I’m the uncle-in-law, you’re the aunt-in-law.”

Xiao Zhou was stunned for a moment, then lowered her eyes, her voice becoming even colder, “An ugly monster like me doesn’t have such fortune.”

As they spoke, they realized Suzhen had somehow walked outside the courtyard. They stopped their verbal sparring and each fell into thought. Steward Guo served tea several times, but couldn’t help. All three were intelligent and wise, but by the time Wuqing left, none had thought of a solution.

That evening, Xiao Zhou slept on the couch in Suzhen’s room. With time now pressing and no hope of leaving the palace, she was extremely anxious. Seeing this opening that Quan Feitong had provided but being unable to find a way to use it, she couldn’t sleep at all. Reaching the middle of the night, she tossed and turned, not daring to move freely for fear of waking Suzhen.

“I’ve got it!”

In her restlessness, she suddenly heard a low exclamation and sat up immediately. She saw Suzhen had also sat up on the nearby bed, her eyes shining brightly in the flickering lamplight.

“Huaisu?”

Xiao Zhou was still dazed when she heard her say loudly, “Go quickly! Send someone to the other palace quarters to find Steward Guo, and wake up little Lu and Chen Jiao too—bring them all in.”

Her eyes showed dark circles, clearly displaying exhaustion from a sleepless night, but her eyes smiled like sparkling stars, showing a hint of cunning that made Xiao Zhou pause. This long-absent expression was something she had last seen during their case investigations at the judicial ministry.

She touched the scars on her face—rough to the touch. What was lost could never return, but this was the first time in many days she had smiled.

In the central palace, Li Zhaoting was getting dressed after rising from bed. Aluo was awakened and got up to ask, “Your Majesty?”

“You sleep. I’ll go out for a walk.” Li Zhaoting said lightly. Aluo said quietly, “Are you still troubled by the Wei family matter?”

Li Zhaoting’s concerns were known to few in the court or harem—she was one of the few who knew. Li Zhaoting hadn’t hidden it from her. Seeing his silence as he got out of bed without answering, she also quickly got up and handed him his outer robe, smiling, “Aluo doesn’t mean to be jealous, but since the court can’t deal with him, then visit Noble Consort Wei a few fewer nights to give the Wei family a reminder.”

“I want to curb his arrogance in court. Noble Consort Wei’s place is nothing.” Li Zhaoting gave a self-mocking smile and walked out.

Aluo knew he was troubled and didn’t disturb him, ordering servants to get hot soup and pastries from the imperial kitchen for when he returned, while frowning in thought.

That morning, Ji’er got up as usual to prepare for work at the Palace Affairs Bureau. Three days ago, she had received rewards from Wei Wulei and a hundred taels of silver from Aluo. She was then arranged by Aluo to work here as a minor supervisor under Supervisor Yang, escaping her servant status at the laundry bureau. She had expressed that she didn’t seek Executive Qi’s position but hoped to serve by Aluo’s side to broaden her horizons. However, Aluo said it wasn’t convenient to place her in the central palace currently, lest His Majesty see her and overthink things. Even if the private meeting between Quan and Feng was true, they should wait some time before transferring her.

Ji’er was half happy, half resentful. She knew this “some time” would probably never come. But when she chose to inform on them, it was partly from fear of Suzhen’s future revenge and partly driven by ambition. Compared to Executive Qi’s position, she preferred working in the central palace because, no matter how good other positions were, she’d still be a servant. But in the central palace, she could see…

She was thinking as she left, but was stopped by an approaching palace maid, “Sister, could you step aside to talk?”

The other person looked unfamiliar. Ji’er was puzzled and asked quietly, “You are—”

The palace maid also lowered her voice, “This servant belongs to Her Majesty the Empress. Originally Sister Mei’er was to come, but there are many disputes in the palace, so for safety’s sake, Her Majesty sent this servant instead.”

Ji’er knew Mei’er was Aluo’s senior palace maid. Her heart pounded wildly, not knowing if the Empress had sent someone to agree to her request or to warn her not to speak about their previous meeting. Though uncertain of fortune or misfortune, she quickly led the person into her room and served tea.

“May I ask, sister, what does Her Majesty the Empress command?” She stood aside, asking nervously.

The other person had no mind for tea either. With an inscrutable expression, she slowly said, “The Empress asks if you’d like to become a master in this palace?”

She was stunned for a long time, truly shocked and delighted, then realized something. Her face immediately went pale as she knelt down, saying urgently, “Sister, please tell Her Majesty that this servant absolutely doesn’t dare harbor improper thoughts!”

“Her Majesty said you can harbor improper thoughts—unless you really don’t want to be a master. If you’re willing, she can give you an opportunity.” The palace maid looked at her with a half-smile, but her eyes didn’t seem to be joking.

Ji’er’s heart raced. After a while, she gritted her teeth and said, “Thank you for Her Majesty’s kindness. This servant would be willing to be crushed to pieces to repay her. I don’t know… how one can become a master in this palace?”

“Also, why is Her Majesty willing to give this servant such an opportunity?” Her eyes showed some confusion.

“Her Majesty is willing to give you this opportunity because she thinks you showed potential in the previous matter and can help her. But to gain something, you naturally must pay a price. Nothing comes without cost.”

“You must first go to a certain place…” The other person whispered in her ear, finally saying, “This matter is secret. You absolutely cannot privately seek out Her Majesty. If there’s anything, Her Majesty will send someone to find you.”

“Yes, this servant understands.” Ji’er smiled and nodded. With this explanation, she completely understood why the Empress was willing to give her this opportunity.

That evening, little Lu went to Miaoyin’s bedchamber according to Suzhen’s instructions.

Just as he was about to present his visiting card, he discovered Li Zhaoting’s ceremonial guard outside—Li Zhaoting seemed to have come for dinner. He didn’t dare linger and hurried back, but his suspicious behavior was reported to Si Lanfeng by the guards. Si Lanfeng watched from afar with a furrowed brow, had someone follow him, then went inside to report secretly to Li Zhaoting.

Little Lu walked for a while, intending to hide to one side, when he heard someone quietly call from an angle, “Follow me.”

“Are you from Noble Consort Feng’s palace? Here to see my mistress?”

It was a woman’s voice! Little Lu was delighted and immediately replied, “Yes, my mistress has business to discuss.”

“Little eunuch, let’s talk over here. His Majesty wouldn’t want to see people from your mistress here. My mistress also guessed Noble Consort might come and specifically ordered me to wait here.”

“Good.”

Little Lu glanced sideways and saw a figure quickly emerge from behind a tree, then disappear again. He hurried to follow. When he stopped, he faced a quite attractive palace maid and said, “It’s like this—my mistress has thought of a way to help His Majesty defeat enemies at court. Take this to your mistress; she’ll understand after reading it. My mistress also says she’s willing to exchange this for news about someone.”

He handed over his visiting card. The other person quickly took it and asked, “What person?”

Little Lu shook his head with a worried expression, “This servant cannot say. Everything is written in the card—your mistress will understand after reading it.”

“Alright then. You should return first—it wouldn’t be good if His Majesty’s guards saw you.” The other person quietly reminded him.

“Thank you, sister.” Little Lu nodded repeatedly and left with profuse thanks.

…

In Miaoyin’s palace, Li Zhaoting finished dinner but didn’t stay, saying he’d return to the imperial study to finish government affairs before coming back. Miaoyin knew he preferred quiet when working and saw him off with a nod, even considerately saying, “If it’s too late, Your Majesty needn’t come back to accompany this consort.”

Li Zhaoting touched her cheek, his eyes showing some affection, “Having such a consort, what more could a husband ask for? I’ll come later—I’ve missed you too.”

Miaoyin’s face warmed slightly. Her previous depression from seeing his seemingly deep affection for Suzhen at the laundry bureau was considerably swept away.

Li Zhaoting left with Si Lanfeng and Xiao Si. As they neared the imperial study, someone suddenly emerged to block their path. The imperial guards immediately swarmed forward with swords drawn.

“Your Majesty, save me! This servant is not an assassin. I risk my life to appear before you because I know Your Majesty has concerns and have come to offer a solution. I don’t know if it’s feasible, but it’s my sincere intention.” The person prostrated and kowtowed.

Si Lanfeng was surprised to hear this. Li Zhaoting narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly said, “I’ve seen you… oh, you’re that palace maid from the laundry bureau?”