The Imperial Palace

Though Li Zhaoting was bedridden and court was suspended, his nature remained diligent. Like Lian Yu, he still processed several urgent memorials while also inquiring with the Ministry of Personnel about schedule arrangements based on Sang Zhan’s previous suggestion to have the Wonderful Minister come to Zhou.

Having finished these tasks, Xiao Si had given him medicinal soup and was about to help him lie down to rest when he stopped him, saying: “Lanfeng, has she returned to the palace?”

The deeply suppressed displeasure and coldness in his tone made Si Lanfeng break out in cold sweat. This “she” – no need to specify who – because his subordinates had already made six or seven trips back and forth.

The other party had requested to leave the palace on business around dusk, saying she had heard from Wuqing that the Judicial Office had recently taken on several wrongful death cases with extremely troublesome forensic problems that were very urgent. She wanted to go see if she could help – just for an hour or two.

His master had uncharacteristically allowed her to go this time.

He only detained her three close confidants in the palace: Steward Xiao, Little Lu, and Chen Jiao.

Perhaps it was because of hearing her argument with the Empress earlier, which had greatly pleased him…

When he subsequently inquired, the person said one couldn’t imprison her for life. Since there was no hunting expedition this time, he had people in hand – he didn’t believe she wouldn’t care about these people’s lives!

But despite saying this, he could clearly sense this person was not happy.

Indeed, while he himself was bedridden, she had gone to examine corpses…

But if you wanted to please someone and let them go, yet suffered various discomforts yourself, why let them go at all… He muttered inwardly but maintained a smiling expression: “Actually it’s only been just over two hours. Your Majesty should rest – when you wake from this sleep, Noble Consort Shu will probably have returned.”

Li Zhaoting said nothing, shooting him a cold glance. He immediately grew timid, not daring to make another sound, turning to leave and instructing guards to continue watching the side palace.

“Her Majesty the Empress has arrived.”

At this moment, Liang Song hurried in to report. Li Zhaoting frowned but still said: “Let her enter.”

Today, Miaoyin, Wei Wulei, and several high-ranking palace consorts had come to visit. He had let Miaoyin stay the longest, followed by Wei Wulei. The others he had Liang Song dismiss. When they were present, she would only stand in the dark corners outside the hall, refusing to enter.

Before long, Hong Xiao entered the hall with Mei’er. Having experienced last night’s events, her complexion was somewhat haggard. Seeing this, he pulled her to his side. Her eyes red, she leaned against him as she sat down. Just as she was about to speak, Si Lanfeng suddenly returned, hurrying in.

“What is it?” he asked.

“Your Majesty, an official just reported that… something has happened to the Wei family! Wei Wujun has been arrested by the Judicial Office.”

Li Zhaoting smiled coldly: “I’m not unaware of the Wei family’s tyrannical extortion. I’ve just been turning a blind eye. It’s good they receive some punishment this time, though this Du Ruoxiu truly has considerable audacity.”

Just as he finished speaking, he suddenly seemed to think of something, his expression changing slightly.

Several carriages swiftly entered the palace gates, scattering several palace maids walking beneath the walls.

“Your Majesty, should we return to the sleeping quarters or…”

With a “whoa,” the head eunuch had the servants stop the carriage, respectfully inquiring.

“To the Cold Palace.”

A chilling voice came from within the carriage from Princess Jin.

“Yes!”

After the time it takes to drink tea, the carriage stopped outside a desolate, dilapidated palace gate. Suzhen, Wuming, and others were pushed down from the carriage by imperial guards and escorted into the courtyard. This place wasn’t unfamiliar to Suzhen – it was only separated by a few walls from the Laundry Bureau.

Princess Jin’s head palace maid Xiaochun ordered servants to carry lamps for illumination. Suddenly, everyone saw several heads emerge from the half-closed, half-open door ahead.

“Ah!” Two timid palace maids were frightened and screamed.

Xiaochun shouted: “What’s so frightening about this? They’re just abandoned women from the previous dynasty’s Cold Palace!”

But Suzhen knew Princess Jin bringing her here was definitely not as simple as viewing the former emperor’s discarded consorts.

She wondered if there were women here who had been cast into the Cold Palace by Lian Yu.

Then she thought he wouldn’t have done such things.

Not because he lacked a cruel heart, but because those he disliked, he simply couldn’t be bothered to spare a glance – why would he bother casting them here?

Thinking this, even in such circumstances, her heart could soften, and her fear of what lay ahead diminished somewhat.

Princess Jin saw this and grew furious: “Facing death, Feng woman, you show no repentance and dare to smile!”

“Your Majesty, this action indeed shouldn’t have been taken by Suzhen, but as a former Judicial Official, seeing lawlessness, I couldn’t restrain myself and committed transgressions. However, this doesn’t warrant death. Wei Wujun killed first and openly scorned Great Zhou law by fleeing – such a person deserved to die.” Suzhen argued.

“Correct!” Du Ruoxiu immediately spoke: “Though Noble Consort Shu erred, that criminal escaped first…”

“Utter nonsense!” Wei Chenghui trembled with rage and laughed coldly: “My son hadn’t been convicted yet – how can you speak of killing first? The harem cannot interfere in politics. She’s merely a palace consort yet presumed to act like a hen crowing at dawn – doesn’t she deserve death?!”

“Acting like a hen crowing at dawn – this Marquis Wei brought Your Majesty the Empress Dowager outside the palace, and now Your Majesty intervenes in judicial cases…” Suzhen’s eyes turned, her gaze falling on Princess Jin with a seemingly mocking smile.

Princess Jin’s expression darkened: “Marquis Wei needn’t waste words with this evil consort. I will certainly give you a satisfactory outcome today.”

In this back and forth, she had actually turned the “hen crowing” accusation onto Princess Jin herself. How could Princess Jin not be wary? Wei Chenghui secretly gritted his teeth, only saying: “Everything follows Your Majesty’s instructions.”

Princess Jin slowly nodded. He glanced at Du Ruoxiu beside him and said: “This person is also an accomplice. Please, Your Majesty, decide his fate as well.”

Du Ruoxiu was startled but immediately met his gaze coldly with great backbone.

However, Princess Jin said: “Marquis Wei, I will certainly punish this Feng Suzhen tonight. As for this Du Ruoxiu… in my view, punishment is necessary, but he ultimately didn’t harm anyone. Let the Emperor handle him.”

“This…” Wei Chenghui’s brow suddenly furrowed.

Suzhen smiled inwardly. Princess Jin wouldn’t be unaware that Du Ruoxiu was someone Li Zhaoting had promoted. Killing herself today would already anger her son – if she also eliminated old Du, it would add fuel to the fire.

Before going to the Judicial Office, she had repeatedly weighed all this.

Seeing her watching him, though her appearance differed from that Feng Minister, her expression was exactly the same – as if that hateful opponent was quietly observing him. His chest suddenly felt stifled, as if about to explode!

But having navigated court politics for decades, though experiencing the pain of losing his son, he still swallowed this breath. Even if this surnamed Du escaped tonight, there would be opportunities to deal with him later!

At this time, Xiaochun had already ordered guards to bring punishment implements according to Princess Jin’s instructions.

“What are you going to do!” Wuming shouted, blocking in front of Suzhen.

Du Ruoxiu also rushed forward trying to stop them, but as a mere scholar, he was quickly restrained by imperial guards. Someone kicked hard behind his knees, making him immediately kneel, only able to watch in horror as imperial guards approached Suzhen step by step.

Wei Chenghui smiled coldly, watching Suzhen with forest-like intensity. Princess Jin shouted: “Execute punishment! Beat this evil consort to death for me!”

“And kill this Six Fans Gate girl too.”

Wuming raised her head and laughed. Though her sword had long been confiscated, facing dozens of imperial guards advancing with swords, she showed no fear, having already placed life and death beyond consideration, determined to protect Suzhen to the last moment.

But Suzhen pushed her behind, smiling: “Your Majesty, why bother with an unrelated young woman? I’m the only one you want to kill.”

“But even for me, shouldn’t Your Majesty reconsider before acting? This executing first and reporting later – aren’t you afraid of hurting mother-son relations when the Emperor asks about it?”

Princess Jin laughed coldly: “Marquis Wei is the Emperor’s teacher, I am the Emperor’s mother. The Emperor also has beloved companions like Consort Wei and Consort Miao beside him, plus three thousand palace beauties. He might grieve momentarily, but how could he harbor resentment forever over one woman whose beauty is ruined? Noble Consort Shu, you overestimate yourself. Also, delaying tactics don’t work every time.”

“Don’t work every time…” Suzhen suddenly pointed behind her: “Then who is that?”

Princess Jin and Wei both tensed, looking back to see only darkness on the path, with occasional rustling branches, but no one there!

Princess Jin was furious: “Come, hold her down and beat her!”

Wuming was about to rush forward when Suzhen shouted: “Wuming, stand back!”

Knowing this moment was extremely dangerous, but the other’s gaze was sharp as if possessing some force that made her blindly obey. She bit her teeth and stopped moving. Imperial guards immediately seized her while Xiaochun personally led two servants forward, forcefully pressing Suzhen down so her belly, hands, and feet scraped hard against the ground.

“Your Majesty.” Suzhen softly called again. Wei Chenghui laughed with a “tsk,” and just as the staff was about to fall, they suddenly heard a deep voice: “Stop for me!”

The imperial guards’ sticks immediately froze mid-air.

He turned in shock to indeed see Li Zhaoting leading Si Lanfeng and Liang Song, surrounded by numerous attendants, kicking the door open and entering.

How could the Emperor have found this place!

Princess Jin was even more shocked and furious. She had deliberately chosen this place to avoid Li Zhaoting hearing news and rushing to her sleeping quarters—

She didn’t know that Li Zhaoting, looking coldly at Suzhen, understood all too clearly. He had only detained her few important palace figures – this cunning woman had long arranged other palace maids at the palace gates. Princess Jin’s carriage’s destination had been seen clearly by her maids at the wall corners!

She had arranged everything long ago.

Before he received reports of outside events, her palace maids had already reported.

They said: Your Majesty, our mistress asks you to save her. She killed the Wei family’s second young master who fled from guilt, and was taken by Her Majesty the Empress Dowager to the Cold Palace for extreme punishment.

“Your Majesty, Feng Suzhen shot and killed my son. Please, Your Majesty must give this minister justice!” Wei Chenghui strode over, lifted his robes and knelt, tears streaming down his face.

Li Zhaoting’s chest and abdomen churned, his fists clenched tightly, his lips pressed pale. He truly wanted to tear apart the woman looking at him so calmly!