“A hundred-legged insect dies but doesn’t fall down—my junior martial sister said the same thing. If you don’t die, old man, how dare I die first? I yield to you.” Quan Feitong touched his nose and smiled slightly in reply.

“Good, good, I’ve learned something.” Wei Chenghui’s expression changed drastically as he gave a cold laugh and swept his sleeves to leave.

Chao Huang glared fiercely at his retreating figure and laughed, “Big brother, you did beautifully this time!”

But Quan Feitong shook his head, “I only had you incite that soldier Li Zhaoting favored to make the Wei family kill him, creating more tension between Wei and Li. I haven’t done anything else.”

Chao Huang was greatly surprised, “Then today’s drama… I clearly saw you privately visit Huang Zhongyue before.”

“I did visit Huang Zhongyue, but actually on the emperor’s orders, to teach Wei Chenghui a lesson. To be precise, behind this is actually…” A complex curve appeared at his lips. Seeing Wei Wuya passing nearby, he glanced at him and lowered his voice, starting to walk ahead.

The emperor that Quan Feitong mentioned was currently still surrounded by the Minister of Personnel with his son, and Huang Zhongyue with his son-in-law and disciples, all expressing gratitude. Ministers who had previously enthusiastically recommended themselves or their subordinates couldn’t help feeling sour and didn’t approach, while others caught up with Wei Chenghui to show loyalty, claiming they hadn’t voted to “punish.”

Si Lanfeng, familiar with Li Zhaoting, knew he spared no effort in winning over court officials. Otherwise, even with “interests” at stake today, the Wei family wouldn’t have received so many “punishment” votes. But while the emperor spoke with the Minister of Personnel, he clearly saw a hint of hidden impatience in his master’s eyes, as if something weighed on his mind—this was rare.

“Do your best then.”

Finally, Li Zhaoting patted several young men’s shoulders, offered a few more words of encouragement, then strode away.

Upon reaching the back hall, he walked even faster like a shooting star, heading straight toward the inner palace.

His pace was so rapid that the following eunuchs could barely keep up.

“Summon Ji’er.”

Stopping at a certain place, Li Zhaoting suddenly turned to order Liang Song.

The old eunuch didn’t understand but quickly sent people to fetch her.

Soon, two eunuchs returned reporting they couldn’t find anyone. Upon inquiry, they learned that the Empress was leading all consorts and the four bureaus of the Palace Affairs Department in decorating Stopping Fragrance Hall for His Majesty’s upcoming birthday. Ji’er, being from the Palace Affairs Bureau, had naturally gone along. Stopping Fragrance Hall was one of the palace’s grand ceremonial halls—truly magnificent and spacious, capable of holding several hundred people.

The eunuch was clever. Seeing the emperor’s slightly pursed lips and urgent expression, he quickly added, “Your Majesty, this servant has already sent people to Stopping Fragrance Hall to find her. She’ll arrive shortly—please don’t worry.”

But Li Zhaoting lifted his robes and walked away, “No need. I’ll go there myself.”

Si Lanfeng and Xiao Si exchanged glances, increasingly amazed.

Upon reaching the destination, Li Zhaoting stopped outside the door, seemingly not wanting to cause a commotion. Liang Song, good at reading expressions, immediately went inside to find the person without waiting for Li Zhaoting’s instructions.

Inside the hall, Aluo was directing the arrangements. The Jin Prince Consort had also come to inspect, and seeing her giving appropriate orders, was quite satisfied. Miaoyin wasn’t talkative, while Wei Wulei, knowing the Wei family had recently displeased Li Zhaoting, worked hard to please the Jin Prince Consort. Though the Jin Prince Consort supported her son, she still feared the Wei family. Seeing Wei Wulei’s intentional flattery, she naturally praised her abundantly.

As Li Zhaoting’s consort, Aluo had also “invited” Suzhen to participate.

Though Suzhen had later been confirmed as a virgin by Li Zhaoting, the Jin Prince Consort remained resentful about the Feng family matter. Having heard about Suzhen and Quan Feitong from Wei Wulei, she was inevitably angry. Though she had promised Li Zhaoting not to take Suzhen’s life, seeing an opportunity to make her suffer, she deliberately ordered Suzhen to do heavy work—moving objects, climbing ladders to hang lanterns. Steward Guo had duties at the Treasures Bureau retrieving jewels, and Xiao Zhou and others had been sent by Wei Wulei to do other tasks, unable to help. Seeing Suzhen climbing up and down, constantly wiping sweat, Xiao Zhou secretly gritted her teeth. Already harboring bone-deep hatred for the Wei family, her blood boiled with rage, wanting to kill these venomous Wei family women, along with Aluo and the Jin Prince Consort.

Miaoyin had wanted to call Fifteen to help several times, but remembering Li Zhaoting’s affection for Suzhen that day and Aluo’s words about “making wedding clothes for others,” she felt melancholy and abandoned the idea.

Liang Song hurried into the hall, greeted the Jin Prince Consort and consorts, then quickly pulled Ji’er out.

Everyone was puzzled. Some sharp-eyed servants noticed His Majesty was outside the hall. Everyone felt strange, wondering why the emperor cared so much about a mere servant, all stretching their necks to look.

Ji’er came out to see Li Zhaoting waiting under a tree in front of the hall with his hands behind his back. Unable to contain her joy and about to bow, he quickly turned around, his bright eyes looking at her intensely, “No need for that.”

“I’m very pleased with the strategy you offered. Tell me, what reward do you want?”

Ji’er’s heart pounded wildly as she quickly said, “Your Majesty, from the first day I saw you, this servant has… has harbored thoughts, but knowing my humble birth and unworthiness to serve, I’m already blessed that Your Majesty adopted my crude plan. This servant seeks no reward, only hopes to serve by Your Majesty’s side in the future, which would satisfy me.”

She spoke with a red blush, her eyes flowing as she looked at Li Zhaoting.

This was her cleverness—not directly asking for status. Though it seemed disadvantageous now, being able to serve before the emperor meant much more time near him than other consorts had. Why worry about lacking opportunities to share his bed?

“Don’t speak of serving by my side as a grievance. I’d willingly give you even greater rewards.” Li Zhaoting reached out to support her, speaking slowly.

His bearing was truly elegant and noble beyond words. Ji’er was overjoyed and about to kowtow in thanks when she heard him continue, “If this truly is your achievement.”

Ji’er was greatly alarmed. Looking up hastily, her gaze met his, only to see his eyes had somehow taken on a dark meaning.

Her legs shook, and she fell out of his grasp.

“Your Majesty, what are you saying? This servant… doesn’t understand.” She forced composure and asked with a smile.

Li Zhaoting smiled slightly, “If you had told the truth when I gave you the first chance, I could have spared you. Otherwise, this separation of head from body, becoming a wronged ghost, you can blame no one.”

Separation of head from body? Ji’er’s face went completely pale. She never imagined he would give her such a “gift.” She crawled toward his legs, about to cry and beg for mercy, when the man withdrew his foot, his eyes showing disgust.

“You said you overheard the Empress speaking with her senior maid and specially offered this strategy. But even if you could learn of my concerns from the Empress’s words, even if you’re clever and good at scheming, I still say—how could a mere palace servant know so clearly about the interests and relationships among court ministers to formulate such a strategy?”

“Speak! Who told you!” Li Zhaoting slowly bent down, his eyes now filled with sharp, cruel ferocity. Ji’er trembled in terror, seeing he felt no fondness for her—he would kill her! She broke down sobbing, no longer daring to hide anything.

“Your Majesty, it was the Empress who taught this servant. Her Majesty remembered this servant’s previous merit in reporting the Noble Consort, and seeing this servant’s admiration for Your Majesty, she taught me this method. The condition was that if this servant could gain Your Majesty’s favor, I must help her defeat the Noble Consort. She said she couldn’t make this move herself as it would hurt her relationship with Your Majesty—this servant was the suitable candidate.”

Li Zhaoting said coldly, “Among all the palace consorts, she didn’t choose anyone else but selected you, a servant?”

Ji’er spoke desperately, prostrating and weeping, “When this servant was in the laundry bureau, I lived in the same courtyard as the Noble Consort. Thanks to the Empress’s regard, I worked for her, then reported about the Noble Consort and Prime Minister to the Empress. Seeing this servant’s dedication, the Empress intended to promote me. This servant speaks no lies—Your Majesty, please don’t kill me.”

She trembled all over, her face pale with genuine terror.

Li Zhaoting’s gaze grew even darker, “Oh, so the Empress was the first to know about the Noble Consort and Prime Minister?”

“Working for her? In my view, it wasn’t work but various forms of bullying the Noble Consort in the laundry bureau.”

The more he spoke, the colder his expression became. Si Lanfeng, without waiting for orders, had guards drag Ji’er aside to avoid annoying him.

Li Zhaoting’s expression was complex, his smile somewhat cold, but his eyes faintly flashed with heat, “Lanfeng, I know Aluo dislikes Feng Suzhen and makes things difficult for her in every way. But I like the strategy she secretly devised for me, even if it came with ulterior motives. She’s a girl who can stand with me, whose thoughts extend beyond the palace walls to encompass the world. This girl understands me, knows what I want.”

Si Lanfeng knew his master had always been devoted to the Empress, and now with their relationship deepening, he was genuinely happy. But somehow, perhaps due to their comradeship, he still couldn’t help feeling sorry for Miss Feng.

“I can’t wait to see her.” Li Zhaoting’s eyes shone deeply as he started walking.

Si Lanfeng quickly followed with Liang Song and Xiao Si. Just then, Li Zhaoting suddenly stopped and said, “Wait, she clearly understands court dynamics, but she previously suggested I neglect Noble Consort Wei for a few days. Why would she suddenly think of something else?”

Liang Song smiled and added, “Perhaps Her Majesty thought of a better way to help His Majesty and changed her mind.”

But Li Zhaoting ignored him, frowning in thought. Suddenly he turned to look directly at Si Lanfeng, “Do you remember that day when I was at Noble Consort Miao’s palace and you saw Feng Suzhen’s little eunuch come? The servant seemed to want to see Miaoyin, but seeing my procession, he fled in fear. You had someone follow him and heard him mention something to Miaoyin’s maid about ‘His Majesty’ and ‘defeating enemies’—isn’t that right?”

Si Lanfeng was slightly shocked, “Correct. This subordinate had someone follow then, but fearing detection, they only watched from afar and vaguely heard these things. Your Majesty suspected the Noble Consort wanted to seek audience through Noble Consort Miao and wanted to see what she was plotting, so remained silent. But Noble Consort Miao showed no reaction and didn’t plead for the Noble Consort. Could there be some mystery in this?”