“Come in.”
Lian Yu spoke slowly.
The door opened, and several people looked over. Outside the hall wasn’t just Qinglong alone – there were Xiao’an, Gu Xiluo and Lian Xin, Grand Consort Ai and Lian Yue, as well as Li Zhaoting. Behind Lian Yue, Su Zhen’s face was slightly visible.
Lian Yu’s gaze flickered extremely quickly. Grand Consort Ai smiled: “Greetings to Your Majesty.”
Lian Yu rose, appearing very courteous: “Grand Consort, no need for such formality.”
He also paid respects to Xiao’an, then calmly commanded: “Qinglong, take the person away. How can you let a thieving palace maid stand together with the Grand Consort?”
Quan Feitong gave a light laugh, seemingly mocking his pointing deer and calling it a horse.
Grand Consort Ai covered her mouth and smiled: “Your Majesty, this girl Zhu’er pleases me. I intend to adopt her as a goddaughter. If she truly took something from the Princess’s quarters, it can be considered taking from a sister’s place – not too excessive. With this County Princess status marrying Prime Minister Quan wouldn’t be disgraceful. What does Your Majesty think?”
“I heard Your Majesty already had this intention, wanting to grant Sister Zhu’er a title,” Lian Yue continued. “Now it’s quite convenient. What does ancestor think?”
“Sister Xin isn’t petty either. What’s the matter with a sister taking something from her own family home?”
After speaking, she looked at Xiao’an and Lian Xin with a smile. Lian Yu’s brow darkened, his gaze sweeping over Quan Feitong. Quan Feitong maintained his half-smiling expression. He remained silent, quietly looking toward Xiao’an, who was also looking at him, her eyes inscrutable.
“Your Majesty, I think Grand Consort Ai’s idea is good. Xin’er, you wouldn’t mind your sister taking something from your quarters, would you?” After a long while, she spoke calmly.
Xiao’an and Grand Consort Ai actually agreeing for once – this was the first time in many years!
Lian Xin’s face looked extremely unpleasant. She looked fearfully at Xiao’an, then glanced at Su Zhen, finally settling her gaze on Lian Yu. Her tone became hesitant: “Sixth Brother, I… I…”
Lian Yu was caught between opposing forces. Qinglong and Ming Yanchu’s faces looked a hundred times worse than hers, but they heard Lian Yu say softly: “It’s fine. Originally, a sister taking something from a younger sister’s place is indeed nothing.”
“Sixth Brother,” Lian Xin’s eyes reddened slightly. Lian Yu nodded at her, glancing around at everyone, his voice still very soft: “Very good.”
“But what if I simply refuse to release her?”
The light yet arrogant voice immediately echoed against the hall walls and struck everyone’s hearts. Grand Consort Ai’s expression changed instantly. Xiao’an frowned tightly, her tense forehead seemingly suppressing deep anger that could burst forth at any moment.
Li Zhaoting secretly glanced at Quan Feitong, who also frowned slightly. But soon after, he walked before Su Zhen and asked: “Zhu’er, are you willing to marry this Prime Minister?”
At these words, everyone looked over.
Su Zhen had remained quietly silent, calmly looking at the ground beneath her feet. Hearing this, she paused, seeming somewhat surprised by Quan Feitong’s question. Her gaze shifted somewhat, but though it was only a moment, it felt as long as a cup of tea or stick of incense. She spoke softly: “Naturally.”
“Your Majesty, she is no longer a fugitive and willingly marries this minister. I truly cannot think of any reason Your Majesty would oppose this marriage.” Quan Feitong spoke calmly, though his brows raised somewhat sharply.
Lian Yu didn’t respond, still staring at Su Zhen as he had on the street, his gaze equally sharp.
After answering, Su Zhen resumed her previous posture, seeming somewhat absent-minded, as if lacking focus.
Lian Yu suddenly stepped forward.
Someone emerged from the crowd: “Your Majesty, this subject takes her leave first.”
Lian Yu stopped and looked at A Luo. A Luo’s eyes held a trace of gloom as she turned to leave. Her walking steps were somewhat unnatural, as if from this morning’s fall from the horse. Li Zhaoting couldn’t help but glance at her several times. Lian Yu had already taken several steps over and gripped her arm firmly.
Su Zhen seemed both unexpected and somewhat anticipating this, only smiling slightly at the person before her: “Prime Minister, let’s go back. There shouldn’t be anything else.”
She spoke and walked out first, quickly passing by Lian and Gu.
After waiting outside the hall for a while, Quan Feitong emerged with Grand Consort Ai and others. Quan Feitong bowed deeply to Grand Consort Ai: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your assistance.”
“Since Prime Minister Quan personally requested help, how could I not assist? I just didn’t expect Prime Minister Quan to also notify Xiao’an and others.” Grand Consort Ai showed no anger, instead wearing a thin smile: “You know she and I have been fighting openly and secretly for over twenty years. Today was the first time that wretch and I ‘joined forces’ – the feeling wasn’t bad at all.”
“I wanted to test Xiao’an’s attitude toward Lian Yu. Besides, she already resented ‘Zhu’er’ – how could she let her remain in the palace? Marquis Murong Jing’s suicide was covered up by the court, but we can guess what really happened. Well, the night is deep. I’ve disturbed everyone tonight, which is inexcusable. Your Majesty, please return first. Other matters… we’ll discuss later.”
Grand Consort Ai knew this wasn’t the place for such discussions. She glanced at Su Zhen, casually dropped the line “I should thank Magistrate Li for the Murong matter,” then left with Lian Yue.
Quan Feitong turned to look at Su Zhen. Li Zhaoting approached from behind. Quan Feitong stood between them, grasped Su Zhen’s hand, and the group walked out together.
“Zhaoting feels he failed senior brother’s trust tonight and was feeling uneasy, but unexpectedly senior brother had calculated perfectly, secretly notifying Grand Consort Ai and sending word to the Empress Dowager and Gu Xiluo.”
Under the night sky, snowflakes drifted past, pure and pristine white – it had begun snowing. Li Zhaoting’s breath quickly condensed into white mist.
Quan Feitong smiled lightly, patting his shoulder: “You associate with me, and Lian Yu – what kind of person is he? How could he not anticipate this? In any case, thank you for your hard work tonight, worthy brother. Please return quickly and rest well.”
Li Zhaoting nodded. He didn’t look much at Su Zhen, only taking leave of Quan Feitong.
“Wait,” Quan Feitong suddenly called from behind. He slowly stopped and turned to listen.
“Three days from now, come to elder brother’s residence for a cup of wine. Elder brother is getting married.” Quan Feitong said with a slight smile.
Li Zhaoting’s form stiffened, then he smiled and nodded: “Yes, Zhaoting will naturally prepare generous gifts and arrive early.”
Seeing his figure quickly disappear around the corner of the dark red palace wall, Quan Feitong frowned slightly, looking at the person beside him with some hesitation, his brow lacking its usual spirited expression for the first time.
“Three days from now – is that acceptable?” he asked in a low voice.
Su Zhen smiled: “You didn’t ask before, but ask now – isn’t it rather late?”
“If you disagree and want to wait longer, I—” he said, looking at her face, sharp and pale without a trace of color.
Su Zhen shook her head: “Since you’ve already told Li Zhaoting, wouldn’t it be bad for me to make you change?”
“It’s decided then. If there’s anything else, I’m only somewhat curious – if Lian Yu hadn’t forcibly brought A Luo into the palace back then, if you had never been enemies with Lian Yu, if Lian Yu had never liked me, would you still have brought me back to your residence today, still have married me?”
She suddenly untied the cloak from her shoulders, vigorously shaking off the scattered snow, then stood on tiptoe to drape it over Quan Feitong: “Elder Brother Mu, you left too hastily, with too many things on your mind, and forgot to add thicker clothing. I remember you saying to eat sour grapes first, then sweet grapes. You must have suffered considerably in earlier days, so please take better care of yourself normally. You fell ill at Huang’s residence – chronic ailments are accumulated over years and months. When they flare up, they’re very uncomfortable. Besides, you have so much road ahead, unlike…”
At this point, she slowly stopped, not continuing. She huddled her palms near her mouth, breathing several puffs of white mist, then glanced distantly and moved her lips before taking the first step.
After Quan Feitong shuddered, he stood frozen in place for a long while without speaking. After some time, he turned to look and saw palace servants carrying lanterns, divided into two groups – one for the Empress Dowager and Princess, one for the Emperor and Consort – the latter consisting of black robes surrounding pale pink, walking toward the palace depths.
Quan Feitong turned back, staring at the equally silent, equally pale pink figure ahead, a sharp pain rising in his heart. He strode forward quickly, feeling truly pained for the first time.
Li Residence.
After returning to his room, Li Zhaoting didn’t immediately light candles. Even before entering, he had keenly sensed something unusual in the air.
“You came?” He closed the door and spoke calmly.
A slight sound came from beside the table. In the darkness, a pair of sharp, beast-like eyes looked over.
“What’s between her and Quan Feitong?” the visitor asked softly.
Li Zhaoting paused before answering with a light smile: “How would I know what’s between them? You know Quan Feitong both uses and suspects me, always cautious. I only know your good sister is marrying Quan Feitong in three days.”
“As her elder brother, she might still listen to your words. Being overly proud isn’t good – taken too far, it becomes stupidity! Seeking skin from a tiger – don’t come crying to me someday.”
Feng Shaoying didn’t respond. After a long while, he rose to leave, only dropping one line: “I’ll find you again.”
Li Zhaoting said nothing more. Seeing him close the door, he removed his outer robe. Perhaps the scene of Lian Yu rushing forward to check on A Luo was too piercing. He suddenly walked to the bedside, pulled out a book from the small table at the head of the bed, extracted a letter that had been casually placed inside, and tore it up viciously. The fragments fell like snow all over him.
Dividing Line
Everyone, happy holidays! Next chapter: Lian Yu ennobles his consort, Ah San gets married – wonder if everything will go smoothly.