This little episode made the atmosphere in the room freeze, and Baihu stiffened completely. She seemed truly unprepared for Lian Yu to say such harsh words.
“Master, no, this subordinate… I…” She looked at Lian Yu in disbelief. Qinglong pulled her forcefully. Her chest heaved, then she slowly looked toward Suzhen. Finally, moving her lips, she said quietly, “Li Judicial Commissioner, Baihu spoke wrongly. Please don’t… don’t take offense.”
After saying this, her face was ashen.
Suzhen also hadn’t expected Lian Yu to treat Baihu this way. Her heart bloomed with improper joy. Although Baihu had slighted her many times, her heart wasn’t large, but she couldn’t say she hated her. The other party was also a young woman. Though her heart was sweet, she tried to keep her expression stern, not showing her happiness built on others’ pain. Seeing Baihu’s sorrowful expression waiting for her response, though she wanted to teach her a lesson, after an internal struggle, her heart softened. She actively handed over her teacup, “Thank you for the trouble. Just now the conspiracy theories were rather unsettling to hear. His Majesty was just joking with everyone to lighten the atmosphere.”
“Thank you, Li Judicial Commissioner.” Baihu lowered her head to accept the teacup, her eyes trembling as she glanced toward Lian Yu. The fierce look in Lian Yu’s eyes faded slightly as he waved his hand, “Go then.”
This was Lian Yu’s matter, so naturally everyone else wouldn’t interfere, acting as if nothing happened and continuing their discussion. Under the table, Suzhen reached out to grasp Lian Yu’s hand. Lian Yu mercilessly slapped her hand away. Suzhen was indignant and stepped on his boot. Lian Yu applied slight pressure and pulled free, stepping back on hers. Suzhen felt some pain but couldn’t move, and in front of everyone she couldn’t “fall out” with him. Cursing silently in her heart, she was ultimately worried about Wuyan and quickly returned her attention to everyone’s conversation.
On Huo Chang’an’s side, he didn’t decline and was quite straightforward, “Since Sixth Young Master also agrees, let it be decided thus.”
His gaze swept lightly over Wuyan, “You come with me.”
“Come with you?”
Wuyan turned to look at him, her eyes full of complexity and unease.
“If I agreed to help you after just one meeting, wouldn’t that be too fake? Could your father believe it? You must return to my mansion for some time. Otherwise, even if I truly regain military command, aren’t you afraid Wei Chenghui still won’t release your mother?”
Lian Jie smiled coldly, “Marquis Huo, Wuyan trusts you and asks for your help, yet you set such a fine price!”
Huo Chang’an’s eyes curved slightly as he also smiled, “Seventh Master is perceptive. Haven’t you seen that Wei Chenghui’s true purpose is not only for me to regain military power, but also for his daughter to be with me, Huo Chang’an? He has Wei Wuyan compete with Lian Yue – what do you think he means? He wants Wei Wuyan to enter my Huo mansion. Originally, Consort Wei leaving the palace is known throughout court and country. Even if I, Huo Chang’an, were to take a concubine, I could claim she’s a girl who resembles Consort Wei. The old fox is securing his own escape route!”
“From the late emperor’s time to Sixth Young Master’s rule, with the confrontational situation between him and Quan Feitong established, there will inevitably be a life-and-death struggle in the future. Regarding court factions, he’s always been neutral – more restrained than those old men who claim neutrality, seeming to please no one while simultaneously offending no one. No matter who wins or loses in the future, he’ll still have his place.”
“When the victor recovers and wants to eliminate him, don’t forget he married his eldest daughter to Chao Huang, and once strongly promoted the marriage between me, Huo Chang’an, and Wei Wuyan. If Quan Feitong wants to eliminate him, Chao Huang stands in the way. Though Chao Huang is loyal to Quan Feitong, regarding family he’s still a real man – for Wei Wuxia’s sake, he’ll at most drive Wei Chenghui from court, not let Quan Feitong actually kill him. If I were truly with Wei Wuyan, could I not love her? Wei Wuyan is filial to her mother, Fifth Madam still has deep feelings for Wei Chenghui. If she threatens death before her daughter, could Wei Wuyan ignore this father? Could Huo Chang’an ignore this father-in-law? Can Sixth Young Master easily move against Huo Chang’an who holds military power? Result: Wei Chenghui would only be driven from court, similarly preserving his life.”
“Going further, if he rebels, naturally neither Chao Huang nor I would help, but Wei family members have intricate relationships with us. Rebellion is a crime punishing nine generations – our wives would bear the brunt. Could we not protect the Wei family?”
These words truly rang out powerfully. For a moment the entire room was silent, so quiet that even the slightest breeze could be heard.
After quite a while, Lian Qin suddenly clapped, “Exactly right! Why didn’t I think of this just now? So Wei Chenghui isn’t afraid whether we know or not – even knowing, we still have to comply.”
Suzhen whispered in Lian Yu’s ear, “I always thought Huo Chang’an’s courage exceeded his strategy, forgetting that he once cleverly schemed against me over Wuyan’s matter. I forgot that as a youth, he led a hundred thousand troops for Great Zhou, repelled neighboring countries, defeated island pirates – this wasn’t achievable through martial prowess alone.”
“Mm,” Lian Yu responded lightly, “Wei Chenghui might have other plans, but what Huo Chang’an said is what I can currently conceive.”
Suzhen listened with some surprise, “Then why didn’t you speak up earlier? You also said we needed to figure out Minister Wei’s true purpose?”
“Because besides this, Wei Chenghui might indeed have other aims, and also because…” He trailed off without finishing.
Suzhen followed his gaze and shuddered, suddenly understanding!
Because this still depended on… Wuyan. Wuyan was Lian Yu’s close friend – how could he bear to be the one to suggest letting Wuyan go with Huo Chang’an!
Huo Chang’an’s intentions were obvious to all. His feelings toward Wuyan… even if no longer deep love, he was unwilling to let go of tormenting her.
Wuyan kept her head lowered, saying nothing.
Huo Chang’an’s gaze grew cold, full of mockery, “Does Consort Wei find Huo distasteful? Am I the one who must shamelessly beg you? As you wish then.”
Having said this, he rose and turned to leave.
“Huo Chang’an, I’ll go with you!”
Wuyan struggled forcefully and, with a pale face, almost immediately chased after him.
“Wuyan, let’s think this through carefully. You don’t necessarily have to do this!”
Lian Jie, fearing she was unwilling, had released her hand during her urgent struggle, but immediately stood up to stop her.
“Seventh Brother, this concerns Wuyan’s mother’s safety. Let Wuyan decide for herself. Our first priority now is to find the person.”
Lian Yu looked at him and spoke slowly.
Lian Jie’s brow twitched. Finally, clenching his fists, he sat down, “Right, this concerns Wuyan’s mother’s life. I was rash.”
“Marquis Huo is an upright man who wouldn’t take advantage of others’ distress to force a vulnerable woman to do what she’s unwilling to do, correct?” Seeing Huo Chang’an mercilessly gripping Wuyan’s arm and about to leave, Lian Yu stood up and spoke sternly.
Huo Chang’an turned slightly, raising an eyebrow, “Your Majesty, for me to regain military power won’t be easy. Not only does it require your approval, but also my uncle’s agreement, since I was the one who casually threw it away initially, making the old man quite angry. Since I’m making sacrifices, I want returns. I’m a rough man who doesn’t understand what ‘upright’ means.”
Lian Yu’s expression darkened slightly. Suzhen trembled with anger all over. Lian Yu held her back, not letting her step forward. Suzhen also knew this concerned Wuyan’s mother – no matter what Huo Chang’an demanded, besides accepting, Wuyan could do nothing. And she had no standing to say anything.
Therefore, though Lian Yu stood up disagreeing, he didn’t stop it.
Huo Chang’an’s lips curved slightly as he glanced at Lian Jie. Lian Jie stared back coldly. Finally, he said softly, “Wuyan, may we speak privately?”
“Can Marquis Huo spare this little time?” He challengingly raised his chin slightly toward Huo Chang’an.
“Oh, whatever. Wei Wuyan and I have plenty of time. As Li Huaisu said – in the boudoir, within the bed curtains.”
Bastard, scoundrel! Suzhen was speechless with rage.
Lian Jie’s thin lips pressed tightly, both hands clenched into fists hanging at his sides. Wuyan walked over quickly, her expression showing an almost wooden calm, “Seventh Master, please speak.”
“We will definitely do our utmost to find Fifth Madam. Once this matter is resolved, I’ll come get you. No matter what happens to you, I will come get you.” He gazed at her intently, speaking each word seriously.
Wuyan’s eyes flickered suddenly. She seemed to hear what he said, yet seemed not to understand his meaning, and didn’t respond.
When Suzhen and Lian Yu returned to the villa, the moon was already above the willow branches.
The two drank wine in the courtyard. Suzhen said quietly, “Lian Yu, I feel so bad. Wuyan is my best friend, yet I can do nothing. That bastard Huo Chang’an has pressured her at the Court of Judicial Review before. Do you think this time he might… Moreover, there’s the Princess Imperial in that Huo mansion – your imperial sister is no benevolent sort.”
She frowned as she spoke, took a sip of wine, felt it wasn’t right, and irritably put down her cup.
Lian Yu remained silent for a long time before saying, “I’ve already arranged for people to monitor Wei Chenghui’s every move. The current plan is to find the person as quickly as possible. As for Huo Chang’an, he still has some sense of propriety. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have intervened to protect Wuyan that day in the palace.”
“Protected Wuyan?” Suzhen was slightly surprised.
“Do you think that day my mother and the Princess Imperial were willing to let the matter rest easily? His action was both to save the Princess Imperial and for Wuyan.”
“You mean Marquis Huo actually still loves Wuyan like before?” Suzhen’s heart leaped with joy, her hand holding the wine cup trembling slightly.
“That’s hard to say. Not wanting her to come to harm is inevitable, but compared to the Princess Imperial, who means more or less – only he knows. You can see he’s genuinely devoted to the Princess Imperial.”
This is the 25th update, I’ll make up the 26th tomorrow for everyone.