Suzhen hadn’t expected to encounter these people here.

When she arrived, Aluo was in Lian Yu’s embrace, and Murong Chen had just arrived. Then came their exchange with Lian Yu. She was somewhat far away and couldn’t hear clearly, but Murong Chen looked furious, pointing toward the wine cellar direction and glaring resentfully at Aluo. When Lian Yu spoke a few light words, Murong Chen’s expression changed and she knelt on the ground. From this, she could roughly guess what had happened.

Nothing more than this wine cellar that Lian Yu had once said he’d give her being transferred to Aluo. The two had come to select wine on a whim but encountered Murong Chen deliberately provoking Aluo, which angered Lian Yu.

Lian Yu was the type who could be as gentle as a gentleman as long as his bottom line wasn’t touched, but once provoked, even someone like Quan Feitong might not fare well.

She had been momentarily engrossed watching the drama and hadn’t left in time.

Wei Wuxia’s outcry didn’t particularly affect her, but the others’ expressions were quite strange.

Mingyan Chu’s group, except for Baihu, all quickly lowered their heads, seemingly guilty?!

Among them was a purple-clad youth she’d never met before, whose attire bore similarities to Xuanwu’s. Her heart skipped – could this be Zhuque? But this Zhuque seemed even more hostile toward her than Qinglong and others. Seeing her staring, she even turned slightly away.

Normally she would certainly take notice, but her mind wasn’t on this now, so she didn’t look more closely.

However, that purple-clad youth secretly glanced at her several times.

Lian Yu and Aluo had been sitting but now stood up.

Several palace women, pale-faced, curtsied to both of them. She also bowed along with them. Lian Yu said nothing. Aluo acknowledged them. She smiled and first responded to the astonished Wei Wuxia: “Madam Chao, I did indeed marry. Yesterday you came to drink at my wedding – we even met. But you’ve remembered wrong. I’m not some Magistrate Li, but a rough maid from the Huang family of Minzhou, called Zhu’er. Of course, if you don’t mind my humble origins, you may also call me Madam Quan.”

Though Wei Wuxia was a Miss Wei, she had married after all. She was aware of her husband’s relationship with Quan Feitong. Though Wei Chenghui and Quan Feitong had no deep friendship, she didn’t dare easily offend Quan Feitong. Though she knew this was Li Huaisu and detested her friendship with Wei Wuyan, coming to the palace today was for… It was truly finding something after wearing out iron shoes searching. She immediately slapped her forehead with an enlightened expression: “Look at my brain! It’s just that this sister-in-law resembles a former judicial official somewhat, and I got excited and mistook her. How could I not think – one is male, one female, and one is Prime Minister Quan’s wife. Sister-in-law, please don’t take offense.”

Suzhen said “no matter” and said nothing more. Polite words were enough once spoken. She knew of Wei Wuxia and Wuyan’s discord.

Wei Wuxia wanted to say more but was cut off by Murong Chen: “I wonder what brings Madam Quan to the palace?”

She spoke coldly, her eyes showing extreme hatred and disgust. If not for the wedding ceremony yesterday and the emperor’s presence today, Suzhen believed she would rush forward and slap her hard again.

Not only for the matter between her and Lian Yu, but also for that “patricidal” revenge!

Aluo also looked over lightly, her gaze far more complex than Murong Chen’s.

Suzhen suddenly found it amusing, her eyes sweeping over Lian Yu.

He fixed a pair of eyes on her, staring intently. If she answered truthfully, what would Aluo and Murong Chen do? Most importantly, Lian Yu didn’t care about Murong Chen, but he cherished Aluo deeply. This drama would surely be worth watching.

Would Aluo leave in anger? Lian Yu would probably want to kill her?

Really, just thinking about it was satisfying.

But thinking was one thing. Zhuiming and their lives were still in this person’s hands. A few words from her didn’t matter, but if they were used to vent anger, how could she face them?

Besides, she had no interest in doing such things.

Glancing at the three palace women whose faces had turned extremely pale, she replied to Murong Chen: “This commoner woman entered the palace today at Princess’s summons. The Princess knows I’m quite fond of wine, so she had me come select two jars.”

Everyone was somewhat astonished. She had entered the palace on Lian Xin’s orders?

Only Mingyan Chu and others quickly glanced at Lian Yu.

Lian Yu’s lips remained tightly pressed, his eyes cold and deep. Suzhen’s words hadn’t hurt Aluo, yet he showed no happiness. No one knew what he was thinking at that moment.

“So you’re the Princess’s guest. Just now I also wanted to enter the cellar to select wine, but His Majesty wouldn’t allow it, saying it was too cold inside. Whatever wine Madam Quan wants, just instruct the servants to fetch it. You needn’t enter personally – catching cold wouldn’t be good. How would we explain that to Prime Minister Quan?” Aluo smiled slightly. “Isn’t that right, Your Majesty?”

Lian Yu didn’t answer for a long time. Aluo’s heart sank slightly. She looked over – his gaze was impossibly dark. She felt afraid and nervous, yet only raised her chin, stubbornly and sadly confronting him.

Finally, he spoke: “Correct. Miss Zhu’er, please select wine as you wish.”

Aluo felt mixed joy and sorrow.

After snatching someone from the palace, because of her anger and heartbreak, when they met on that narrow path at the Court of Judicial Review, he gave her full protection before this person. But just now, though he agreed with her words, he hadn’t refused this person access to the new cellar as he had Murong Chen!

The wine cellar attendants were divided into two groups – old cellar and new cellar. Two had gone in earlier, leaving several outside awaiting orders. Now Aluo pointed to the new cellar attendants, having them come forward to make selections for Suzhen.

Having her words seized by Aluo, Murong Chen secretly gritted her teeth. Seeing that she actually used new cellar wine to entertain Suzhen made her hate even more.

Suzhen recalled the palace women’s instructions on the way.

They told her there were two wine cellars in the palace. The emperor had once ordered the new cellar not be opened, telling her to get wine from the old cellar.

She knew that was the gift he had once planned to give her.

Now it belonged to Aluo.

As Aluo had said, what was swallowed must be vomited back up entirely – let alone something she hadn’t even swallowed?

She still smiled, saying to Aluo: “This commoner woman grew up among common people, usually drinking ordinary wines. Receiving the Princess’s favor is already a blessing. How dare I use things from Your Ladyship’s private cellar? Everything in the palace is fine. I’ll trouble these eunuchs to select two jars and send them to the Princess’s chambers.”

“I won’t disturb Your Ladyship and His Majesty’s drinking pleasure.” She curtsied slightly and left with the palace women.

Behind her, it was very, very quiet. When she looked up, she only met Aluo’s tightly furrowed, slightly somber eyes. How Murong Chen and Lian Yu looked, she didn’t know.

But she could feel him watching – he watched throughout!

That gaze was like thorns on her back, as if it could burn a hole through her.

He liked her less and less?

Nothing could be better.

It would be best if that trace of guilt were also worn away. What was that about – remembering past affection, unable to bear watching her die with Quan Feitong? She hated this self-righteous charity and pity! Let it all go to hell!

According to plan, she did need to find Lian Xin, but unexpectedly the timing had moved up again.

Returning to her residence, she hesitated no more, grinding ink and writing two letters.

She also selected a three-tiered jewelry box from the pile of cosmetics and accessories in the room. This room was arranged by Lian Yu for her, filled with gold and silver jewelry.

She emptied all the jewelry from inside, placed the letters at the bottom of the box, then put everything back in, covering the letters.

However, meeting Lian Xin was indeed a happy occasion. Lian Xin was overjoyed to see her, hugging and kissing her excitedly.

She also didn’t avoid the topic, telling her about Lian Yu bringing her to the palace, including Zhuiming and others being imprisoned. Of course, she glossed over last night’s events.

After hearing this, Lian Xin was both shocked and angry: “How could brother do this? It’s too much bullying! Maybe I should ask Mother Empress – in this world, only Mother Empress’s words would make brother consider, but—”

She quickly became troubled: “Now Mother Empress’s words probably won’t work either. The two of them…”

“Don’t interfere in this matter. If you anger your sixth brother, you’ll be in trouble too. If anyone’s words still carry weight in his heart now, it would only be Gu Xiluo.”

Seeing her smile slightly as if nothing had happened, Lian Xin’s heart twisted with pain! Just as she was anxious about how to comfort her, she was handed a jewelry box: “Lian Xin, I ask two things of you. First, help me keep this jewelry box. Inside are wedding jewelry. Your brother dislikes them and originally wanted to throw them away, but I treasure them. I’ll eventually leave here, I’m not worried…”

“I understand,” before she could finish, Lian Xin was already nodding sympathetically, “Quan Feitong is a bad person, but he treats you well. You should keep them. Just leave them with me. When you leave, I’ll help you put them on.”

“Good,” Suzhen, usually not easily moved, paused at these words and reached out to embrace her tightly.

Lian Xin patted her back and laughed: “You’ll definitely get out. Li Huaisu, you’re the smartest. And don’t worry, I’ll definitely help you escape!”

“Because of Wuqing?”

“I like Wuqing, but not for Wuqing’s sake.”

“Mm! And the second thing,” Suzhen laughed heartily, releasing her and placing another letter on the table, “please have someone secretly deliver this letter out of the palace to Quan Feitong.”

“Alright!” Lian Xin agreed immediately without thinking.

“Then I’ll go first. In this life, having stopped your arrow-horse on the street and become your fake prince consort – my Princess, I am blessed for three lifetimes.” Before parting, as Lian Xin saw her to the palace entrance, Suzhen looked at her somewhat reluctantly. Finally, she bowed to her like a man.

Lian Xin was stunned, then burst into laughter, correcting: “Not fake prince consort – female prince consort.”

The winter days were brief. In a flash, the sky was full of evening clouds, the setting sun casting light on both their figures.

About to be beaten to death.