Suzhen was greatly surprised. A bestowed marriage?

As the ministers gathered back, Suzhen also stood back in place.

Lian Yu stood on the steps. He didn’t immediately ask questions, his gaze veiled as he looked down at Li Zhaoting from his elevated position.

Li Zhaoting’s face still bore a faint scar, but it seemed natural, still giving the impression of a clear and refined gentleman. His eyes held just the right amount of modesty – neither timid nor fawning, with an admirable bearing that was neither servile nor overbearing.

Lian Yu’s gaze passed over him and rested on Suzhen for a moment, still without speaking.

The officials were already in an uproar, many secretly glancing toward Suzhen. Suzhen smiled inwardly – you’re all overthinking this.

Never mind that Li Zhaoting had no romantic feelings for her. Even if he did, could he request the Son of Heaven to bestow marriage between him and the daughter of a rebel minister? A dead person? It was even less likely to be Li Huaisu, even though quite a few people already knew clearly who Li Huaisu really was.

But Li Zhaoting didn’t retreat. As if Lian Yu had already questioned him, he declared loudly, “This minister greatly admires Miss Miaoyin, the envoy to our Great Zhou, and requests Your Majesty’s bestowed marriage.”

As soon as his words fell, the hall was shocked again. Everyone knew Miaoyin had feelings for Great Zhou’s young emperor, and the Empress Dowager was even inclined to bring them together. Even Lian Yu’s eyes flickered slightly, showing obvious surprise.

But he quickly smiled, “Miss Miao is talented and beautiful. No wonder Minister Li has developed feelings for her. However, Miss Miao is not a citizen of our Great Zhou and has a noble and special status. I cannot make this decision alone. Let me first summon Miss Miao to the hall, then make a determination. How about that?”

“Thank Your Majesty.” Li Zhaoting bowed in thanks.

Soon, Miaoyin was summoned. Obviously, Miaoyin had no prior knowledge and was extremely shocked when she heard. Li Zhaoting looked at her with burning eyes, but she avoided his gaze like escaping, lowering her head.

Seeing this, Li Zhaoting smiled self-mockingly, “Your Majesty, please forgive this minister’s rudeness. I have offended Your Majesty and been presumptuous toward Miss Miao. I withdraw my previous words.”

Lian Yu smoothly said some pleasantries about talented men and beautiful women, but destiny not yet arrived.

Suzhen was very puzzled. Li Zhaoting clearly loved Shuangcheng, so why would he suddenly seek marriage with Miss Miao?

Though she had let him go, she was still inevitably touched, puzzled, and even felt a sense of loss.

It wasn’t that Li Zhaoting didn’t like her – on the contrary, she felt that if he liked Gu Shuangcheng, he should like her to the end. Was it because of Miss Miao’s distinguished family background? But he didn’t seem like that kind of person.

Could it be… she suddenly thought of something.

She really never understood him.

When court ended, Li Zhaoting and Miaoyin left one after another. Ministers formed small groups discussing the matter, mostly joking that Minister Li wanted to climb high branches, but Miss Miao was a thorny flower. Seeing her looking over, they all fell silent with subtle expressions.

She sighed silently and then walked toward the inner court.

Unexpectedly, Lian Yu seemed to know she would come and was waiting for her on the path.

“Someone’s feeling uncomfortable about Minister Li’s marriage proposal, isn’t she?” He raised an eyebrow slightly and spoke lightly.

How unkind of you! Suzhen returned the favor, “Your Majesty, a beauty has been chosen – someone should be feeling uncomfortable, right?”

Lian Yu didn’t speak. Seeing her laughing heartily without a trace of bitterness, his gaze gradually deepened.

“I didn’t come to seek comfort. I wanted to tell you that there’s only one fool in this world who would treat me like a treasure. I’m leaving.”

Seeing Lian Qin make a vomiting gesture, Lian Yu glanced sideways. Suzhen walked away contentedly. She had to frequently remind him, let him know what was in her heart too.

Lian Yu’s lips curved slightly as he watched her leave, his deep black eyes revealing a trace of tenderness. Lian Qin watched and sighed, “It’s one thing for beauties to bring ruin to countries, but this kind of goods too… Sixth Brother, aren’t you embarrassed to say this publicly?”

Lian Jie also laughed unkindly, though his brow always carried a trace of gloom.

“Old Seventh, regarding Wuyan, I don’t oppose your intentions, but don’t pressure her too tightly.” Lian Yu reminded him.

Lian Jie’s eyes tightened, “This younger brother understands. The one doing despicable things is that Huo Chang’an!”

“Then hurry up and search for news about Fifth Madam.”

Lian Jie nodded. He was more concerned about this matter than anyone.

Lian Yu asked Lian Qin again, “Any news from the Justice Ministry?”

Lian Qin straightened, answering, “This younger brother went to check at the Justice Ministry. Before Li Huaisu’s first visit to the Justice Ministry archives, Li Zhaoting had already been there.”

“As expected, it was him.” Lian Yu smiled slightly, “He probably didn’t think at the time that he was sending a great gift to me.”

“So Sixth Brother’s treatment of him in court today… was a return gift? And it also set Huaisu’s mind at ease.” Lian Jie thought for a moment and added.

Lian Yu narrowed his eyes slightly without refuting. After a long time, he said, “Besides this, this person is indeed talented. My adoption of his suggestions is not inappropriate.”

But Lian Qin suddenly sneered, “Pity his ambitions are too great.”

Lian Jie gave him a look, “What do you understand? Sixth Brother was setting Huaisu’s mind at ease, but Li Zhaoting was setting Miss Miao’s mind at ease. If Sixth Brother doesn’t take Miaoyin as consort, how can the Miao family save face? Unexpectedly, a talented young man from Great Zhou developed feelings for her – this undoubtedly sells a favor to the Miao family.”

“At the same time, it’s equivalent to earning a favor for Quan Feitong.”

Thinking about it, Lian Qin realized this was indeed correct and couldn’t help being secretly shocked. This Li Zhaoting seemed quiet and unremarkable, but his thoughts were so clever.

Lian Yu’s eyes held laughter, cold laughter, showing he had understood long ago.

“How’s the investigation into Minister Feng’s case going?”

He was asking Qinglong.

Qinglong looked troubled, “Master, this matter is quite thorny. Since there’s no information from Li Judicial Commissioner’s side, this subordinate has had spies begin investigating. Though he offended many officials, judging from the initial screening of several people, quite the opposite – these people don’t seem to harbor much resentment toward him, showing he was very skilled at maneuvering with people in daily life. But this way, everyone with suspicion becomes unsuspicious, making it even harder to investigate.”

“Continue investigating.” Lian Yu’s eyes darkened slightly as he waved his hand.

“Yes!” Qinglong quickly responded. Lian Yu looked at Xuanwu, “What news have Zhuque’s people tracked down regarding Prince Jin?”

Xuanwu shook his head, his expression very serious, “Since the last time spies accidentally discovered traces of Prince Jin’s concubine in that remote small county, there’s been no news. Master, this subordinate will send orders to investigate thoroughly.”

Lian Qin spoke angrily, “Detestable! Now Quan Feitong is watching like a tiger, that old bastard Wei Chenghui won’t be peaceful either, Li Huaisu’s situation has unknown troublemakers, and there’s still a group of Prince Jin’s remnants active in the shadows.”

Lian Jie gave him a look. Lian Qin knew Lian Jie was criticizing him for adding to Lian Yu’s worries. With tigers in front and wolves behind, Lian Yu understood better than them!

He quietly looked at Lian Yu’s face. Lian Yu’s gaze was inscrutable as he said lightly, “The current situation is becoming increasingly unpredictable.”

“Old Seventh, have you completed the task I assigned to Yan Da?”

When Suzhen left the palace, she encountered Si Lanfeng. Recently, both he and Gao Chaoyi liked to curry favor with her. Seeing her, Si Lanfeng took the initiative to greet her.

These two had previously had conflicts with her, but compared to the sinister Gao Chaoyi, she preferred talking to the proud Si Lanfeng.

As they walked, Si Lanfeng smiled and gossiped with her, “Li Judicial Commissioner, don’t you think this Minister Li was too presumptuous? Actually fantasizing about marriage with the Miao family.”

“Minister Si speaks incorrectly,” Not accepting Li Zhaoting’s methods was one thing, but in her view, Li Zhaoting was worthy of marrying Miaoyin – it wasn’t social climbing. So she smiled, “As His Majesty said, they’re a talented man and beautiful woman, perfectly matched. It’s just a matter of fate.”

“I’m going that way.” She waved goodbye to him.

This greatly surprised Si Lanfeng. He knew she now had an excellent relationship with Lian Yu, but hadn’t expected she seemed completely unaffected by Li Zhaoting. If she still cared, how could she bless him like this? He couldn’t help thinking – if the young master knew about her delighted expression…

Li Manor. Miaoyin came to visit.

She had wanted to call out to him after leaving the Golden Throne Hall, but with so many people in the palace with sharp ears, she didn’t want people to misunderstand. Now, facing him, she found it somewhat difficult to speak, until Li Zhaoting gently said, “Whatever it is, Miss, please ask freely.”

Only then did she speak with some anger, “Why did you request a bestowed marriage from His Majesty?”

“This way, you can return to your country anytime.” He smiled slightly and said.

Looking at the composed and far-sighted man before her, Miaoyin’s heart was stirred for a long while, unable to speak for a long time.

…

At noon, Xiao Si brought Li Zhaoting a letter.

Li Zhaoting received it, seeing the envelope was blank. His brow furrowed slightly as he opened the letter.

— You once gave Su countless loyal advice. Today Su returns you one word – may you not take offense. Do not sin against the emperor for power’s sake. May you always be safe.

Xiao Si saw him smile after reading the letter and couldn’t help being curious, “Young Master, what did Feng Suzhen say this time?”

“Nothing much – she’s unhappy about me proposing to Miss Miao. But it’s too late.” He spoke lightly and tucked the letter into a book by his bedside that he particularly loved and often read.

This is the 28th update.