Wu Yan vaguely guessed that Huo Chang’an’s return was to make arrangements for the concubines in the residence, but she never expected he would handle Zhu Xin and the others this way.

Huo Chang’an’s ruthlessness was only used on the battlefield; he always treated women with courtesy and respect.

Of course, this arrangement wasn’t too harsh either. Zhu Xin had ultimately assisted Ping Ping and Lian Yue in their schemes against her. While she wouldn’t say she was completely indifferent to this—that would be a lie—she still felt some gratitude for the initial kindness shown to her. She wondered whether she should say something, but though she hadn’t interacted much with them, she could sense that while Zhu Xin appeared gentle and mild, she was quite proud at heart. If she spoke up, it would only make this girl feel more uncomfortable.

While she hesitated, Huo Chang’an’s expression suddenly changed, his words urgent with extreme anxiety: “Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

She quickly shook her head, “No, it’s just that tonight’s journey was tiring, and I’m somewhat fatigued.”

Her health was much worse than before, and tonight he had… Huo Chang’an immediately felt self-reproach, saying gently: “The matter is settled now. I’ll take you back to rest.”

Ping Ping was stunned on the ground. She had never seen Huo Chang’an treat a woman this way before—steel refined a hundred times, soft around one’s finger. As if he feared she might shatter if held too tightly, or melt if kept too carefully in his mouth, treating her with such cautious care.

It was as if he deeply loved this person.

And her words, he seemed to ignore completely.

“My lord…” she murmured in amazement.

Amid the identical shock on everyone’s faces in the room, Zhu Xin finally spoke. Looking at Huo Chang’an with desolate eyes, she said: “My lord, Zhu Xin indeed did wrong and is willing to accept punishment. But truly, can’t you give us a chance to redeem ourselves? You once said you liked me.”

“Because you resembled her.” Compared to Ping Ping, Huo Chang’an wasn’t entirely cold, replying faintly: “It’s just that, actually, you’re not that similar. When she’s angry, she’ll bite and hurt hearts, but she won’t harm others.”

Zhu Xin suddenly became unsteady on her feet. If not for the Second Steward’s quick reflexes in supporting her, she would have nearly fallen. Huo Chang’an suddenly added: “Take the things in the room with you. You truly did resemble her before.”

“This acquaintance between you and Zhu Xin can now be considered settled,” he then turned his gaze to Wu Yan, his eyes carrying a trace of doting helplessness, “don’t trouble yourself anymore. Let’s go.”

Wu Yan knew that saying anything more at this moment would only seem like showing off to Zhu Xin. After brief consideration, she only said to her: “Take care.”

Zhu Xin trembled all over, while Huo Chang’an already showed signs of impatience: “Enough, it’s time to go. You’ve been traveling and will continue to do so; if you don’t rest properly, your body won’t be able to handle it.”

He spoke in a slightly deeper voice, then lifted her in his arms.

“Don’t, I can walk myself,” Wu Yan said urgently.

“Uncle Zhu, notify Uncle Liang to return here. Princess Imperial treated him well, and he’s grateful to her, having done many things. Tonight Lian Yue came here because of him… never mind, just let him return to continue serving Princess Imperial.”

“Wei Wu Yan, don’t speak, take a nap.”

Huo Chang’an gently scolded, striding out with large steps, leaving behind all the vast family fortune without a trace of reluctance.

These were his last words before departure.

Ping Ping screamed and almost went mad, shouting at the other women in the room. Several people helped her up with distressed faces, but Zhu Xin appeared much more composed. She asked the Steward Zhu beside her in a hoarse voice: “Uncle Zhu, who exactly is Miss Wei?”

Everyone in the room looked over quickly upon hearing this, including the disheveled Ping Ping. The Second Steward sighed deeply, a strange expression appearing on his face: “I used to think she was just the first girl our lord truly fell for. Now it seems she’s the girl he’s loved his entire life.”

“His entire life…” Zhu Xin murmured in a daze, suddenly remembering her first meeting with Huo Chang’an. She was the sister of a minor clerk in the capital. The clerk had ambitions of climbing higher and, seeing that she had grown up and was quite beautiful, brought her to Huo Chang’an on his birthday. She was very disdainful.

That day, Huo Chang’an raised an eyebrow and smiled, saying “truly similar,” then told her brother that if she was willing, she could stay, and if unwilling, he could take her away. But either way, he would promote her brother.

She asked what she resembled.

Huo Chang’an said flatly: truly similar to the girl that Huo Chang’an could… love.

She fell for him then and there, and she stayed. Now, she finally understood that the person he spoke of was never meant to be her.

The next day, Su Zhen attended court. After court dismissed, Lian Yu kept her behind to discuss Huo and Wei’s preparations to secretly enter the palace. Originally, Lian Yu and Huo Chang’an had planned to use reverse psychology to force Wei Chenghui to seek out Fifth Madam to vent his anger, thereby conducting a rescue, but they failed at the mausoleum assassination. Wu Yan was injured and had to return to the Court of Judicial Review for treatment. Huo Chang’an naturally couldn’t help but follow closely. They were monitoring Grand Preceptor Wei, and Wei Chenghui naturally had people lying in ambush outside their residence. This undoubtedly reminded Wei Chenghui of Huo Chang’an’s feelings for Wu Yan.

Wei Chenghui indeed didn’t go out to find Fifth Madam. Now, with Huo and Wei’s departure imminent, Lian Yu and Huo Chang’an consulted together and still wanted to meet with the Empress Dowager, requesting to temporarily borrow military authority for Huo, temporarily fulfilling Wei’s wishes, so as not to harm Fifth Madam. But in reality, given the current rift between the Empress Dowager and Huo Chang’an, the best outcome would be for the Empress Dowager to agree to “temporarily lend” military authority to Huo Chang’an, with Lian Yu issuing the decree and announcement, but the tiger tally actually remaining in the hands of General Murong Jing Hou.

The matter was significant, so Su Zhen also remained. She disguised herself as Lian Yu’s attendant, mixing among the many attendants led by Ming Yan Chu, waiting outside Xiao’an Palace gates, quietly awaiting developments. Lian Jie didn’t appear. Lian Yu brought Lian Qin, Huo Chang’an and Wu Yan inside.

While waiting, Su Zhen vaguely saw Si Lanfeng’s figure in the distance. She found this strange—what was this person doing here?

She knew he was a member of the royalist party and would sometimes enter the palace for discussions, but for such confidential matters, Lian Yu probably wouldn’t inform him yet.

She quietly walked over and softly called: “Minister Si.”

Si Lanfeng was also slightly startled, but upon seeing it was her, he smiled mischievously: “Judge Li.”

“What are you doing here?” Su Zhen asked with a half-smile.

Si Lanfeng lowered his voice: “Following Seventh Master’s orders, quietly coming to observe. Though he doesn’t say it, he’s concerned in his heart.”

So Lian Jie had told this trusted disciple about these matters. Su Zhen nodded. She wanted him to help convey some words, but thinking that Lian Jie’s anger hadn’t subsided yet at this moment, saying more would only add fuel to the fire, so she didn’t say much. Si Lanfeng smiled knowingly and left.

After about an incense stick’s time, everyone emerged. One could tell the atmosphere inside must have been very tense—everyone’s face showed traces of strain, but their eyes clearly showed relief.

Su Zhen understood that the military authority had been secured. As they were leaving, she also breathed a sigh of relief and looked back, seeing Xiao’an walking out quietly with Hong Gu, Xiao’an staring in their direction.

It was a very strange look—as if she wanted to kill the disobedient Huo Chang’an, yet also seemed to carry a sigh of resignation to let him leave.

Besides this, her gaze also carried an indescribable eeriness, as if she knew something but wanted to bury it secretly with calculating intent.

“The wind is about to rise,” Xiao’an suddenly said flatly to Hong Gu, her eyes becoming fierce in an instant.

“Yes, Old Ancestor, let us go inside,” Hong Gu smiled, supporting her as they went in.

Su Zhen couldn’t help but feel an inexplicable unease in her heart. She later told Lian Yu. Lian Yu pondered briefly and said the Empress Dowager wouldn’t harm Huo Chang’an and Wu Yan further on the road. If she truly wanted to do so, there was no need to lend this military authority, no need to go around in circles. And in terms of military strategy, Huo Chang’an was extremely capable—this journey would likely make it very difficult for anyone to track their movements.

Su Zhen thought about it and found it reasonable. Lian Yu said that in this deep palace, everyone had complex emotions and secrets. There were never absolute villains or good people in the palace.

After another day, it was finally time for farewell.

It was at the same place where the prison cart had passed, and also where Su Zhen had first encountered Huo Chang’an, Wu Yan, Lian Xin and everyone else when she first arrived in the capital.

On this day, the sun blazed mercilessly as they chose to bid farewell there.

Lian Yu led people to stand around with the Court of Judicial Review officials.

Wu Yan grasped Su Zhen’s hands, tears brimming in her eyes: “This farewell may mean we’ll never meet again. Thank you. The luckiest thing in my life was meeting two people, and you’re one of them. My life may be completely finished from here, but yours is just beginning. Take care, I know you will certainly live brilliantly. No matter where I am, I will always bless you.”

Su Zhen’s eyes also grew warm. She had many things she wanted to say in her heart, but finally only said: “Wu Yan, take care. I’ll wait for you and Huo Chang’an to return so we can drink together. Fifth Madam is temporarily safe from danger. Regarding the rescue, Lian Yu and I will keep close watch. Don’t worry.”

Wu Yan’s tears flowed like a spring. She hastily left her, not daring to say more. Huo Chang’an lifted her onto the horse. Chang Ying, Qiang, and Ji’er, like always, followed beside them, mounted and waiting.

Huo Chang’an didn’t immediately mount his horse, but walked to Su Zhen’s side and opened his arms, smiling at Lian Yu: “Sixth Young Master, may I?”

“Naturally not,” Lian Yu said sternly, but nodded with a smile.

Huo Chang’an laughed heartily. Su Zhen walked before him, and the two embraced tightly.

Huo Chang’an whispered in her ear: “I know this journey offers slim chances, and she’ll likely not survive. We’re only seeking hope, seeking half a day’s happiness. The court situation is unstable. Even if she passes away, when you need me, I will certainly return. Though I currently have only a few hundred soldiers, I will definitely fight for you and Lian Yu until my last breath, then follow her in death.”