Suzhen had been completely focused and hadn’t noticed that the mantis stalking the cicada had attracted two groups of people.

Quan Feitong’s group arrived first, while Lian Yu’s party came later.

Quan Feitong first signaled everyone to remain silent, and when Lian Yu arrived, he also gestured for everyone not to disturb Suzhen.

At this moment, everyone hurriedly knelt to pay respects.

Seeing these people again, Mochou felt as if a lifetime had passed, filled with shock. These men and women she had seen on the street that day were each more extraordinary than the last.

There was even the current Son of Heaven.

Lian Yu told them to rise, glanced at Suzhen, and said indifferently, “Chief Justice Li’s knowledge is indeed extensive.”

Suzhen felt inexplicably startled. Though these words were clearly praise, why did they sound so ominously cold? She had been waiting for his reply, and now that he had come personally, thinking of this, beyond surprise, she felt half pleased.

Quan Feitong smiled slightly and looked at Lian Yu. “I wonder what brings Your Majesty here?”

“This humble subject failed to greet you from afar. Your Majesty, please forgive me.”

He Sai also hurriedly bowed to listen for orders. He had always obeyed Quan Feitong’s commands. Though he had been intimidated by the new emperor’s sudden actions during the palace examination, after the Imperial Study incident where the conflict between Quan and Lian intensified without concealment, with Quan Feitong holding half the power, he had swept away his sense of reverence.

Of course, inner thoughts were one thing, but his expression remained respectful and deferential.

Lian Yu smiled and only said, “I came to bring back the princess who escaped from the palace. When I asked the little girl’s palace maids, they said she went to find Li Huaisu. When I reached the Huo Manor, the old servant said they had come to Minister He’s place. What business could I have? Prime Minister Quan is presiding over the overall situation.”

Lian Xin sullenly responded and obediently ran back to his side.

He Sai felt even more disdainful in his heart. This Son of Heaven could only make verbal jabs—court politics had already tilted halfway toward the Prime Minister.

The border garrison troops were originally divided into four parts, controlled by Chao Huang, Marquis Murong Jing, Wei Chenghui, and General Liu who had been executed some days ago. Of the three major military powers, Chao Huang’s forces were the most numerous, ranking first. However, Chao Huang was Prime Minister Quan’s right-hand man.

Unfortunately, though Lian Yu’s past political achievements in the provinces were outstanding, he was also a smiling jade tiger with cruel methods. Local officials who engaged in corruption or perversion of justice were often sentenced to complete family execution.

General Liu would rather support the mild-tempered Lian Jie as emperor, yet Lian Yu issued the death order.

This move served to intimidate traitors to some extent and preserved the brotherly affection between Lian Yu and Lian Jie. If General Liu had repeatedly attempted rebellion, the two brothers might have developed suspicions. But this also made military power even more concentrated.

General Liu was recalled to the capital by secret edict for execution. His subordinate generals were still unaware at the time, and it was only some time later when news spread throughout the country.

Currently there were no border conflicts, military service was three years per term, and General Liu’s troops were filled with righteous anger and despair, with many returning to farming.

Since Marquis Murong Jing was loyal to Lian Yu, the remaining soldiers could not be placed under his command, lest those with ulterior motives incite rebellion and cause internal strife, creating more trouble for Lian Yu. In the end, all remaining troops were assigned to Wei Chenghui.

Like Yan Da, Wei Chenghui was a minister of three reigns, but no one knew his true thoughts. He neither favored the Prime Minister nor leaned toward Lian Yu, seeming only to act as a supervisor of government.

Actually, the current state of Great Zhou’s military forces should be traced back several generations.

Great Zhou had once produced a tyrannical ruler whose harsh policies nearly led to the nation’s destruction and absorption by neighboring countries. When the new ruler took power—Lian Yu’s great-grandfather—after much hardship he preserved the dynasty. This monarch, with the world in his heart, actually drafted new policies, splitting military power and distributing it among several important ministers to supervise the nation. If a ruler was not enlightened, subjects and people could overthrow him and support a new lord from the royal clan.

Everything beneficial has drawbacks. This was good, but it undoubtedly also planted the seeds of military coups.

Lian Yu’s grandfather and father continued this practice, so now the only military power truly in Lian Yu’s hands was the Murong family’s forces.

The gains and losses from executing General Liu were hard to assess.

Privately, some ministers thought Lian Yu’s action was right, while others thought he was wrong.

Only because that triangular balance of power grew increasingly tense.

No one knew which side Wei Chenghui would ultimately support, or if he would… support himself.

He had two daughters—one married to Chao Huang as wife, one married to Lian Yu as wife.

And what kind of person was Prime Minister Quan? Each new emperor brought new ministers. In the past, the former emperor trusted and favored him, entrusting all affairs to him. Now Lian Yu was vigorous and decisive in various regions, with a growing trend toward strengthening central authority—how could he willingly accept constraints?

As he was thinking, he suddenly saw the Son of Heaven glance at him, and in that flowing gaze was a hint of murderous intent, definitely not his usual expression. He was suddenly startled, but in his trembling, he suddenly remembered—why should he fear him too much!

He smiled to meet Lian Yu’s gaze, then saw Lian Jie lightly elbow Lian Yu. Lian Yu smiled, exchanged a few pleasantries with Quan Feitong, then led Lian Xin away.

He Sai thought, killing Liu, opposing Quan—in all these matters, Lian Yu was still too hot-blooded after all. The beginning was fine, but now he even needed his brother’s reminder, finally gradually losing his composure.

He looked toward Quan Feitong, about to express his opinion, but saw Quan Feitong looking at Li Huaisu and saying, “Elder brother is treating—how about Huaisu and elder brother go out for a drink?”

Suzhen’s mind was in chaos, but she shook her head. “Thank you for elder brother’s kind intention. Huaisu has urgent matters to attend to and must take leave first. Later Huaisu will treat elder brother to drinks and meat.”

With that, she ran out like the wind.

Leng Xue and the others immediately followed.

He Sai sneered coldly. “This Li Huaisu really doesn’t know what’s good for him.”

Quan Feitong smiled lazily, seeming not angry either, but Li Zhaoting clearly saw the predatory intent buried in his expression.

He closed his eyes to think for a while, then beckoned He Sai over and whispered a few words in his ear.

After hearing this, He Sai’s eyes actually blazed with excitement, repeatedly saying, “Yes, this subordinate understands and will handle it immediately!”

He bowed to Li Zhaoting, then left with the bailiffs and Coroner Wang.

Li Zhaoting’s gaze moved, glancing at the white glove on the ground. “Elder brother is interested in Li Huaisu?”

“Mm.” Quan Feitong narrowed his eyes toward the corpse lying silently and terrifyingly in the room. “Every time I see him, I feel he’s grown a bit, and I have this… urge to break his wings.”

“Senior brother…”

“What, do you still have feelings of friendship toward him? If so, I’ll show mercy.”

“No need. Regarding Agu’s matter, Zhaoting already owes senior brother a favor.”

“Agu was master’s youngest disciple. She disguised herself as a man to study. You two fell in love at first sight, but Lian Yu happened to see Agu at a palace banquet and took a liking to her afterward. I asked the former emperor for Agu because I feared Lian Yu would make her a consort. At the time you still had a marriage contract with the Feng family’s young lady and couldn’t propose to the Gu family. Minister Feng was an old fox—who knew what he might do to you? Better to avoid trouble. I never expected Lian Yu would ultimately use schemes to take her. Lian Yu liked Agu and also because she was my fiancée—you suffered because of me.”

“As for Lian Yu,” Li Zhaoting’s gaze darkened slightly, then quickly cleared. “If not for senior brother, Lian Yu would have taken Agu long ago.”

“In the past, Agu’s temperament was somewhat similar to Li Huaisu’s. Now dealing with Lian Yu, she’s become increasingly quiet—it’s hard on her. Zhaoting, you must be mentally prepared. Though Lian Yu currently doesn’t pressure her because of his fondness for Agu, he is still a man and one who holds the power of life and death. Over time, he’ll inevitably take her purity.”

“Mm, this is very good. Let’s set this matter aside for now and return.”

“I saw senior brother give instructions to He Sai earlier—it seems you’ve already arranged a good show. Zhaoting is ignorant, but senior brother need not do anything more. This game’s fate is already sealed. If Lian Yu agrees to let Li Huaisu handle the case impartially, trade between the two countries will inevitably suffer. If he wants Li Huaisu to maintain the original verdict, then Li Huaisu will bear the world’s censure, and Lian Yu will also be criticized by scholars everywhere.”

Quan Feitong smiled lightly. “Correct, no matter what, this game has no solution. I came today to see whether Li Huaisu would actually come to examine the corpse and verify Mochou’s testimony.”

Li Zhaoting said, “Once he comes, it means he’s already decided in his heart how to judge the case.”

“Mm, it’s a pity Lian Yu cannot ignore Great Zhou’s interests. I’ll do a few more things, just in time for us to appreciate what it looks like when these sovereign and subject turn against each other.”

When Suzhen chased after them, Lian Yu and the others were already preparing to board their carriage. She knelt toward Lian Yu and shouted, “Your Majesty, please wait! This humble subject has something to say.”

“If there’s business, report it at morning court tomorrow.”

Lian Yu didn’t even look at her, tossed out this sentence, and got straight into the carriage.

Damn it, you exempted me from court—who am I supposed to talk to tomorrow, ghosts?

Suzhen’s face darkened. Just as she was about to speak again, from the corner of her eye she saw Mochou and thought it really wasn’t appropriate to discuss this matter in front of her. If Lian Yu flatly refused, Mochou would definitely collapse. Actually, Lian Yu’s repeated silence already equaled giving an answer—she was just unwilling to give up, wanting to tell him her thoughts no matter what, but Lian Yu was stingy about giving her this opportunity.

After brief consideration, she beckoned to Xin. Lian Xin bit her lip and finally came over, saying roughly, “What?”

She leaned close to her ear and whispered a few words.

Everyone then saw Lian Xin look surprised and conflicted, frozen in place.

Until Lian Qin glared fiercely at Suzhen and dragged her away.

Returning to the residence, everyone asked Suzhen what exactly she had said to Lian Xin and how they should handle Mochou’s case, but Suzhen said nothing.

After nightfall, everyone was surprised to discover that palace ladies had come to escort Suzhen into the palace.

What happened after that, they didn’t know.

Even less did they know that an hour and a half later, Suzhen quietly infiltrated Lian Yu’s bedchamber.

It was Princess Lian Xin who brought a large group of eunuchs and palace maids to her brother’s bedchamber. Outside the bedchamber, the heavily guarded guards reported that His Majesty was still at the Imperial Study and hadn’t returned. Lian Xin said she would go in to wait, and naturally the guards had nothing more to say, letting the princess enter.

Shortly after entering, the princess grew bored and came out again with her large entourage.

No one knew that one little eunuch had quietly remained in the emperor’s bedchamber.

Who that was, needless to say.

Now, Suzhen had first gazed wide-eyed at this super luxurious, magnificently golden bedchamber for half an hour like a country bumpkin, then sat nervously on the small couch before the bed waiting half the night, afraid to make any sound that might attract the guards outside. Her whole body was stiff and nearly numb, drowsy with her eyelids fighting each other, yet Lian Yu still hadn’t returned. Looking at that golden super-sized dragon bed, she had a strong urge to roll around on it.

“Zhaoting understands. Zhaoting can remain patient and will absolutely not abandon Shuangcheng.”