After she finished speaking, there was no sound for a long time, and all around was deathly quiet. She thought things were indeed going badly – this commotion wasn’t small and wasn’t something to joke about. She secretly glanced up and saw his expressionless face, which made her heart tremble. Xiao’an walked over and said coldly: “Li Huaisu, you made a group of court officials accompany you in this nonsense, and disturbed the peace of the Late Emperor’s consorts. Do you know your crime?”

She looked at Lian Yu again: “Your Majesty, Li Huaisu has always been absurd in handling affairs. Although she has some minor achievements, merits and faults cannot cancel each other out. I hope Your Majesty will severely punish her to uphold court discipline. Otherwise, if others imitate her in the future, wouldn’t that be troublesome?”

Yan Da stepped forward: “What the Empress Dowager says is very true. May Your Majesty see clearly.”

“Damn old man, adding insult to injury,” Su Zhen cursed in her heart, forgetting that moments ago she had also sworn she wished the culprit was this old man.

Huang Zhongyue never fell behind when it came to adding insult to injury, especially regarding Su Zhen, with whom he had deep grievances. Upon hearing this, he led the neutral faction in submitting dozens more memorials against Su Zhen.

Wei Chenghui rarely refrained from targeting her this time and didn’t speak up.

The young officials, mostly selected by Lian Yu and led by Gao Chaoyi and Si Lanfeng, also remained silent, waiting to see what Lian Yu would do before taking action.

The same went for Li Zhaoting and the Quan faction officials. The latter followed Quan Feitong’s lead, and seeing that Quan Feitong hadn’t made a sound, though surprised, most knew there was something unclear between Quan Feitong and Su Zhen, so they also remained silent.

Marquis Murong Jing had been silent throughout, but Murong Qi was different. Taking the opportunity, she said: “Your Majesty, didn’t you say you’d let her retire to her hometown?”

Upon hearing this, Su Zhen almost spat out loud. Retire to her hometown was fine, but she was not yet twenty years old. Though she was advancing toward the ranks of leftover women, she was still far from being old… What kind of retirement was this?

Her feelings were complicated. She hadn’t wanted to get too involved in the later Gu Shuangcheng case, but there was still an innocent suspect being held in the death cell by the Ministry of Justice. The people were disheartened – she couldn’t refuse to take it. She looked up and glanced at Lian Yu again, seeing that he was also looking over. This time he no longer had no expression, nor was he furious, but it wasn’t much better. His eyes roughly conveyed the meaning of “I can’t even be bothered to argue with you.” Sure enough, his words followed: “Li Huaisu, I told you that if you messed this up, you couldn’t continue with Gu Shuangcheng’s case.”

“You’ve really made progress – not only did you mess things up to the maximum extent and waste public funds and manpower, fine. You can retire early then.”

At these words, many people showed pleased expressions. Su Zhen broke out in a cold sweat – just how terrible was her popularity to get such a universally celebrated reaction?

This time, even Brother Jie was decent. Though he came out with the same iron-blue expression as when he went in, he at least didn’t submit a memorial, and instead, along with Lian Xin, Xuanwu, and Ming Yanchu, looked at her with some sympathy.

Averaging once every ten to eight days of provoking Lian Yu, and once every month or two of thoroughly enraging him, Su Zhen was quite calm about her political ups and downs. As long as her head wasn’t chopped off, it was fine. She had already had thoughts of retiring, and now the only thing she couldn’t let go of was that death row prisoner, considering it was a matter of life and death. She hesitated, about to speak to see if she could plead for mercy to delay the execution of the truly innocent, when Lian Yu’s sharp eyes seemed to see through everything, and he spoke in a deep voice: “Since Li Huaisu is no longer handling the Gu Shuangcheng case, it remains under the Ministry of Justice’s supervision. Since someone has cried injustice, the prisoner will remain in jail until the retrial, and judgment will be made after the hearing.”

“That’s all for today. You ministers have worked hard – you may all retire for now.”

Su Zhen hadn’t expected him to be so concise. As he turned around, he walked to Xiao’an, Consort Ai, and several of the Late Emperor’s consorts, exchanged a few pleasantries, then led people away. She hadn’t even had time to respond with “This subject obeys the decree.”

Many people looked gloating. Gao and Si, unlike usual, didn’t come over to greet her either, staying distant.

Murong Qi looked back with a smile at the corner of her lips, following closely beside Lian Yu as they walked away gracefully. A Luo watched indifferently from behind.

“Let’s go.” With the major matter settled, Su Zhen called for the Ministry of Justice people to leave.

She could return to the Ministry of Justice now.

She didn’t show the slightest bit of sadness, which surprised all the officials.

Little Zhou and the others were already accustomed to her encounters and were too lazy to comfort her anymore. Li Zhaoting, however, walked over and asked: “What’s really going on with you?”

He didn’t put on any airs with her. Su Zhen just smiled somewhat carelessly and said: “Nothing much. It’s been pleasant working together these past few days. Farewell, and I hope this is our last collaboration – it’s really not good to keep causing you trouble.”

Li Zhaoting’s gaze darkened slightly, but he didn’t say anything more. Soon, her figure disappeared from his sight.

Outside the palace gates, as everyone was discussing hiring carriages, Quan Feitong, Chao Huang, and a group of Quan faction officials including Li Zhaoting passed by them. Su Zhen, thinking of his earlier “favor,” felt moved and still greeted him: “Prime Minister.”

Quan Feitong turned and stared at her for a moment, didn’t respond, and quickly walked away. Su Zhen really couldn’t think of how she’d offended him. She had just been scolded and was treated this way by him. Although she’d long since learned to take many things lightly, she was still angry. She took several steps forward and blocked everyone’s path, glaring back at him fiercely.

“You!” Quan Feitong was provoked and reached out to grab her.

But Su Zhen was slippery – she dodged to the side and escaped.

She ran back to Wuqing and the others, preparing to call them to leave, when someone strode over, grabbed her arm, and said coldly: “You go back and reflect properly, then come find me when you’ve figured it out!”

Su Zhen was stunned – what was this about? Reflect on what? Find him for what?

“You’re Li Huaisu and I’m looking for you. If you don’t come, I’ll definitely make you regret it.”

Quan Feitong glared at her fiercely with a “just you wait” expression, then returned to his group with an air of superiority. Su Zhen was still in shock when Little Zhou got angry: “Huaisu, if you dare go, I’ll make you regret it first.”

“What nonsense! Childish!” she said, then spat forcefully again.

Zhui Ming and Tie Shou came over, laughing mysteriously. Zhui Ming said seriously: “Why don’t you consider the Prime Minister or… me?”

Prime Minister Quan… Su Zhen’s face heated up, and without a word, she swung at him.

Back at the Ministry of Justice, Su Zhen told everyone to look for houses tomorrow. She didn’t plan to stay at the Ministry of Justice anymore. There was nothing left for her here, so she’d move first and then decide whether to stay or return to Huai County. After all, the Feng family matter was still two years away. Her salary savings weren’t much, but Wuqing’s wages were quite good, enough to last for a while. This way, the rent problem was solved, and the group didn’t plan to separate. Uncle Fu also came out with a dejected expression, carrying a bundle, saying he’d go with them.

After nightfall, Su Zhen went to bed early, exhausted both physically and mentally.

However, she had just lain down when Uncle Fu’s urgent knocking came at the door: “My lady, the Empress Dowager, Consort Qi, and the Princess request an audience.”

Su Zhen’s heart lurched as she quickly got up. She had just walked into the courtyard with Uncle Fu when she heard noisy voices outside. For some reason, she felt panicked. She didn’t avoid them and quickly walked out. Just as she emerged from the inner hall, her face was slapped hard, then her other cheek stung with pain—

“What are you doing?” Uncle Fu cried out in alarm, quickly stepping in front of her. Su Zhen steadied herself and pushed him behind her.

She saw Xiao’an and Murong Qi standing just steps away, followed by Hong Gu and a group of palace maids and eunuchs, looking menacing.

All three had red eyes and pale faces. Xiao’an and Murong Qi’s hands were still half-raised in the air. Su Zhen, ignoring the pain in her cheeks, felt her heart pounding as if she realized something, yet was somewhat confused.

Sure enough, Murong Qi cried out accusingly: “Li Huaisu, you killed my father!”

“What happened to General Murong?” Su Zhen’s mind went blank as she slowly asked.

Murong Qi’s eyes burst with fierce hatred – the kind of bone-deep hatred that wished to dismember her: “Didn’t you expose my father? Why pretend here? His Majesty found out and took back his military authority. My father committed suicide at home.”

“He’s dead – are you happy now?!”

Su Zhen trembled all over. What was going on? Lian Yu found out?! But who told him this news?!

“Li Huaisu, this Dowager will take your life tonight!” Xiao’an stared at her, declaring word by word.

Her face was very pale, but her eyes were so red they made people tremble.

“Old hag, what are you talking about?”

At this moment, Wuqing rushed out. Zhui Ming was furious and roared. Everyone blocked in front of Su Zhen.

Xiao’an laughed coldly: “Do you think just a few of you can stop my hundreds of elite Imperial Guards? The army has already surrounded the Ministry of Justice.”

Everyone looked at each other in shock – she had actually brought people over?!

“This Dowager wants your entire Ministry of Justice to accompany my brother in death!” At Xiao’an’s command, everyone looked again to see the courtyard bright with torches held by soldiers.

Very terrifying, as if they had suddenly swarmed in.

The Ministry of Justice people exchanged glances, preparing to fight to the death.

“Everyone stop!”

Just as a great battle was about to break out, a low voice came from among the Imperial Guards.

Next chapter: Small climax