Aluo raised her eyebrows and laughed: “If you dare go, then I dare—”

“Please.” She even made an “inviting” gesture as she spoke.

Suzhen smiled her thanks and stepped forward.

The several palace women in front of her room were greatly alarmed. Even without Mingyan Chu’s repeated warnings yesterday, they knew they couldn’t let this Zhu’er meet with Consort Gu.

But Zhu’er was ostensibly “the Princess’s guest,” and they couldn’t tell Consort Gu that the Emperor had left her here. They couldn’t use the Imperial Guards at the door to stop them, so they could only watch helplessly as the two walked away before going out to report.

At this time, the Emperor was still in morning court. The inner palace was some distance from the Golden Throne Hall. The several people were anxious and walked quickly, but just as they were about to enter the Imperial Garden, they were blocked at the entrance by several people.

“Where are you ladies going?” one of them asked lightly.

The women were startled and looked up to see the Princess’s female guards.

The two walked one after the other without speaking. Aluo walked behind, speculating about Suzhen’s intentions. While walking, she suddenly lowered her voice to her maid Mei’er: “Go to the Golden Throne Hall. When morning court ends, report to His Majesty that Li Huaisu contacted me through the Princess with intent to provoke.”

“Yes, my lady.” Mei’er responded alertly in a low voice and was about to leave when Aluo called her back: “Wait, don’t move yet. Let me first figure out exactly what she wants to do. Otherwise, having His Majesty resolve this would make me seem petty.”

“But this is a good way to deal with her – she provoked first…” Mei’er was anxious, but Aluo said lightly: “Even a centipede doesn’t die easily when crushed. If you don’t hit the vital spot, nothing works.”

Since this mistress had made up her mind, Mei’er knew further words were useless and fell silent, only staying alert with each step.

Soon they reached the ice cellar. The cellar-managing eunuch respectfully paid his respects to Aluo. Aluo looked at Suzhen: “Madam Quan, no, I’m still more accustomed to calling you Magistrate Li. Since we’re speaking plainly, let’s stick with Magistrate Li.”

“Huaisu is no longer a judicial magistrate of Great Zhou – Your Ladyship is. This title also seems inappropriate,” Suzhen paused, “but titles are just words after all. Your Ladyship may call me as you please.”

“His Majesty is considerate. I live lazily without ambition. If Magistrate Li hadn’t mentioned it, Aluo would have forgotten her current status,” Aluo replied leisurely.

Seeing that Suzhen seemed unconcerned, knowing she had come prepared, she didn’t rush to advance, then asked: “What wine would you like? This palace will have servants fetch it.”

“This wine was bestowed by His Majesty. Magistrate Li is truly obsessed with it. But having married and become a wife, regardless of whether the other party’s feelings are genuine or false, one should observe wifely virtues, shouldn’t one, Magistrate Li?”

She spoke while walking toward where she and Lian Yu had rested that day. Suzhen seemed not to hear the sarcastic “obsessed” comment and suddenly said: “Your Ladyship, please wait. Wine should be personally selected to be good. How about we enter the cellar together to make our selections?”

Aluo didn’t refuse, saying lightly “Fine.” She could see the unclear intentions in the other’s eyes – this wine cellar was probably the fuse!

This person would very likely act up in the wine cellar and smash all the wine, but that wasn’t bad at all – it would be perfect for Lian Yu to see! It would save her from having to act first.

“Please.” Suzhen curtsied, letting Aluo and her maid Mei’er enter first while she followed behind.

The eunuchs, palace women, and maids followed successively. The lead eunuch was still smiling ingratiatingly: “Your Ladyship, why trouble yourself to enter personally? Just tell this servant what you want, and this slave will go in and fetch it for you. Your Ladyship’s precious body – if His Majesty knew, who knows how he’d blame us servants for incompetence—”

Before he could finish, though Aluo’s lips still held a slight curve, she saw that Madam Quan’s gaze shifted. She stepped forward, grabbed and pushed Consort Gu’s maid Mei’er, striking her with a palm. Mei’er screamed and fell backward. He was knocked hard and crashed into the people behind, and in an instant, everyone fell to the ground like scattered dominoes.

Madam Quan pressed something by the door mechanism. By the time everyone reacted and stood up, the stone door over ten feet thick had slammed down, separating inside from outside!

The lead eunuch hurried to press the switch, but his face quickly turned deathly pale.

This door could be locked from the inside!

The ice cellar was designed this way so that when palace servants worked inside, outsiders couldn’t randomly enter and let out the cold air.

Everyone was greatly alarmed. Mei’er asked in a trembling voice: “Is mistress still unharmed?” The eunuchs were scared silly – some rolled and crawled toward the Golden Throne Hall while palace women went to find nearby Imperial Guards.

“Nobody move! This palace and Madam Quan are just having a chat in the cellar.”

“Mei’er, unless absolutely necessary, don’t report to His Majesty!”

From inside the cellar, Aluo’s voice came heavily. As Lian Yu’s most beloved woman, her voice carried natural authority.

For a moment everyone was shocked and suspicious, but they all stopped moving.

Inside the cellar.

Suzhen looked at Aluo: “Your Ladyship has such courage.”

Aluo stood with hands behind her back looking at her, her gaze frosty but her lip smile undiminished: “Spoiled by His Majesty. Lian Yu is right here in this palace – what do I have to fear?”

“Spoiled by Lian Yu?” Suzhen repeated these words, then suddenly smiled: “That’s because you think I won’t do anything to you.”

“You’re going to kill me?” Aluo looked at her with pity, laughing freely: “No, you won’t. If I die, Lian Yu will only hate you, and even that original trace of guilt will completely vanish. Killing one’s opponent is the stupidest approach.”

“You’ve now married my senior brother Quan as wife. Even though I suspect he married you only to oppose Lian Yu – after all, Lian Yu still has some old feelings for you.”

“But even so, it’s your good fortune. Why not cherish it well? The position of Madam Quan isn’t something anyone can sit in. Perhaps someday you might move that excellent man who holds great power.”

“Yet you want to take out your anger on me, to attract Lian Yu’s attention – what’s the point? I don’t want to keep reminding you, but haven’t you truly noticed why Lian Yu liked you originally? Because you and I in those days were really very alike – daring to act and speak, willing to offend everything.”

“Unfortunately, time most easily changes people. I’m no longer what I was then, and neither are you.” Aluo laughed long, her eyes full of sarcasm: “I once had admiration for you. You did many things that other women, even men, wouldn’t dare do.”

“But ultimately you’re a shameless woman, and I look down on you too.”

Those words were all needles, piercing into flesh and blood. Suzhen let them come, and only when she finally stopped did she slowly speak: “I cannot bear any praise from Consort Gu.”

“But Gu Xiluo, please don’t splash dirty water on me. When Lian Yu and I were together, you had already ‘died.’ Whether him or me, neither of us wronged you.”

“Later, when you returned, if he married both you and me, then you and I would both be his wives and concubines, just like Murong Chen and any other consort in this palace. Would you dare say Murong Chen destroyed what you had with Lian Yu?”

“But this was something none of us three wanted. So after he made his decision, I completely broke with him. Afterward I sought him out once, to verify one matter – that was the only time I actively sought him out. Apart from that, I did nothing improper.”

“Even though I knew that pleasing him would allow me to do many things, I didn’t. I can swear this to my Feng family ancestors. I tell you this today not to clear up anything, but to tell you.”

“I won’t do anything behind your back with him, but that doesn’t mean I won’t move against you. I’m jealous of how well he treats you, so I will move against you – clearly and openly against you. How about that?”

Aluo’s originally calm expression began to slowly crack. She furrowed her brows and stared at her intently.

Watching the evil smile curve at her lips.

“Also, when I was still Li Zhaoting’s fiancée and you had feelings for him, why didn’t you clearly break off Li Zhaoting’s feelings instead of letting his heart remain attached to you? According to your logic, who exactly stole from whom?”

“Third, being so far from court, why did you have to seize my high position in the temple halls, competing for my magistrate position?”

“Fourth, as you said, Quan Feitong doesn’t love me either, so what do I have left to be attached to? Just based on these points, I have sufficient reason to put you to death.”

Aluo was suddenly stunned.

The cellar was full of fine wines – red paper, black characters, dark jars arranged in rows. She saw her block the door direction, suddenly pick up a small jar of osmanthus wine, and take out a small paper packet from her chest.

She poured the powder inside into the wine jar.

Aluo’s beautiful eyes changed color as she stepped back, shouting sternly: “Mei’er, immediately report to His Majesty that she intends to harm me!”

She immediately continued: “Feng Suzhen, whether it’s Lian Yu or Li Zhaoting, if I die, they’ll resent you for life! Lian Yu will kill you to avenge me. Don’t you want to overturn your family’s case anymore?”

“Mm, overturn the case. I came to the capital precisely to overturn the case…” Suzhen licked the wine drops from her lips, appearing somewhat troubled, as if seriously considering her words. However, just as Aluo’s tense nerves slightly relaxed, she stepped forward like an arrow, her eyes flashing with killing intent, striking like lightning, hitting several spots on her body.

Aluo’s acupoints were sealed and she immediately couldn’t move.

She glared fiercely at Suzhen. She both feared and didn’t fear death – her happy days with Lian Yu had just begun. How could she die at this person’s hands like this!

She spoke the most vicious words in her heart, cursing the person before her to die badly – but saw her smile even more wickedly. Suddenly her jaw hurt – it was being forcibly pried open. Since returning to Lian Yu’s side, he had treated her like a treasure. When had she ever suffered any hardship? Fear and pain made her tears flow.

The person opposite made “tsk tsk” sounds: “Such a gorgeous beauty makes even me feel pity. No wonder both Li Zhaoting and Lian Yu like you.”

Then, without hesitation, she poured the wine into her mouth.

In the Golden Throne Hall, Xiao’an was also present today. Lian Yu was publicly announcing the partial redistribution of Marquis Murong Jing’s military authority to the Murong family descendant Murong Ding. Murong Ding had been recalled from the frontier and was now showing joy as he stepped forward to receive the military tally. Xiao’an also finally swept away the gloom of recent days. Yan Da kept nodding.

The court ministers still harbored different thoughts! Some rejoiced while others worried.

Since ascending the throne, Lian Yu’s methods had been tough. Though currently at a disadvantage, he absolutely couldn’t be underestimated. However, this move clearly wasn’t his best approach for consolidating central authority. But with no capable generals to command armies and having created great enmity with the Murong clan, this seemed the only expedient measure for now.

“Thank Your Majesty. This subject will certainly do his utmost until death—”

“Master, this subordinate has urgent matters to report.”

As Murong Ding, this general in his thirties, knelt in gratitude for imperial grace, Qinglong and a purple-clad youth suddenly strode quickly in from outside the hall, panic on their faces.

Seeing this, court officials were all quite surprised.

Though these imperial attendants hadn’t been granted actual ranks, they could wear swords to court and had greater authority than ordinary court officials. Lian Yu’s three personal attendants were greatly favored and skilled in martial arts – when had they ever shown the slightest unease, let alone such expressions?

What exactly had happened?!

Lian Jie and Lian Qin quickly exchanged glances. Xuanwu, Baihu, and Mingyan Chu also looked at each other suspiciously. Lian Yu had already pressed on both gilt armrests and stood up, his black robes fluttering slightly.

Qinglong ascended the steps and whispered in his ear.

After listening, Lian Yu initially furrowed his brow sharply, then his gaze gradually darkened.

He flicked his sleeve and suddenly walked down, stopping only when he reached Quan Feitong.

“General Chao requested leave from morning court today for such urgent matters. What Prime Minister Quan has given, I will certainly repay in the future.” His gaze was like lightning, his lips curved in a blade-like smile.

The hundred officials didn’t understand, only seeing his eyes rolling with murderous intent like snow-covered waves. They wondered what Quan Feitong had done behind the scenes! Xiao’an stood up, looking questioningly along with Murong Ding who was frozen in the hall.

Among them, only Li Zhaoting vaguely understood this was probably related to that letter from Feng Suzhen!

As for what the letter specifically said, Quan Feitong had been mysterious at the time, only smiling slightly and saying he’d tell him when it was accomplished.

Quan Feitong understood in his heart, knowing the people had been rescued. He smiled and bowed deeply: “Where does Your Majesty speak of? It’s just a small token from this subject and his wife. If Your Majesty can accept it, he certainly can accept it.”

Lian Yu stared at him, his temples throbbing, but his lips were half-pressed, calm as ever, and he said nothing more.

“Your Majesty, we must see Your Majesty—”

Just then, there was another commotion outside the hall. Xiao’an’s gaze darkened immediately as she also walked down from her seat beside the golden throne, saying sternly: “What matter outside the great hall? During court deliberation, who dares create such a disturbance!”

“Your Majesty, Consort Gu… Consort Gu has met with trouble.” A voice with crying tones came shrilly from outside the hall.

Lian Yu’s expression changed as he called loudly: “Let them in.”

While the entire hall was stunned, a group of people scattered and rushed into the hall, everyone’s faces bearing panic.

Without waiting for nearby eunuchs and palace women to report, Mei’er was already crying out loud, telling how Aluo was brought to Suzhen’s residence by Lian Xin’s female guards, how Suzhen proposed going to the wine cellar, how Aluo agreed, but was instead trapped by her.

“My lady originally thought if she was just venting anger on herself, she’d endure it and not have us servants report to Your Majesty. Who knew that Li Huaisu later declared inside that she intended to harm my lady. We heard my lady’s voice grow weak and didn’t dare wait longer, hurrying here to report.”

Having served beside Aluo for a long time, she understood the meaning behind Aluo’s words “don’t report to His Majesty.” The eunuchs and palace maids present at the time could all testify to this. Thus, before Lian Yu, he would understand her good intentions.

“Li Huaisu said…” At this moment, while worrying about Aluo’s safety, she secretly observed Lian Yu’s expression. Seeing his gaze dark and fierce, she omitted the dialogue between the two and spoke Suzhen’s later words, from Suzhen’s jealousy of Lian Yu’s treatment of Aluo, to her lack of attachment to Quan Feitong, but she skipped over Aluo and Li Zhaoting’s academy matters.

She directly used the name Li Huaisu to refer to Suzhen. The court ministers were shocked hearing this, looking at Lian Yu, then at Quan Feitong.

Hadn’t this Li Huaisu just married Quan Feitong last night? How had such great events occurred in one night?

Xiao’an flew into a rage: “Good! What a treacherous subject! How dare she! She dares place the Princess in an unjust position! Someone, escort this dowager there.”

“You failed in your duties and didn’t protect your mistress well – you truly deserve death.”

Before she could speak, Lian Yu uttered an icy sentence, kicked away the still-sobbing Mei’er, lifted his robes and rushed toward the inner palace.

Mei’er’s waist and back struck a pillar as she spat out fresh blood and fell down in pain. Lian Yu must have shown restraint for Aluo’s sake, or that kick would certainly have killed her. Seeing the situation was bad, Lian Jie, Lian Qin and others all followed with Xuanwu and the rest.

Quan Feitong’s lips were tightly pressed: Feng Suzhen, what exactly… are you trying to do!

Without another word, he also headed toward the inner palace – however, Lian Yu, whose figure was about to disappear at the corridor entrance, seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and suddenly turned around, his eyes like deep ink.

The attendant Mingyan Chu was extremely clever and immediately stepped forward, blocking Quan Feitong’s path.

“Where is Prime Minister Quan going? The inner palace is a restricted area. Even you lords cannot enter without invitation.” He said lightly.

Quan Feitong said: “This minister only wants to ask His Majesty whether this court session continues.”

Mingyan Chu said “Oh,” his gaze signaling the Imperial Guards outside to come in. He smiled slightly and said “My lord, don’t worry, this servant will go ask,” then quickly went in.

In the hall, with the Emperor gone, the assembled ministers had no intention of dispersing. They all gathered together, discussing in low voices with alarmed expressions.

“Senior brother,” Li Zhaoting walked to Quan Feitong’s side. Before he could finish, Quan Feitong coldly said: “I know you’re concerned about Gu Xiluo. This minister also knows what’s happening with his own wife now.”

He suddenly raised his hand to summon two of his subordinate officials. They walked before him and bowed their heads: “Prime Minister?”

“You ride quickly to Huguo Temple and say this minister invites Consort Dowager Ai to enter the palace, to wait in the Golden Throne Hall. You go to this minister’s mansion and have General Chao enter the palace, still to meet here.”

“Yes.”

Seeing his expression was terribly dark, the two didn’t dare delay and immediately agreed, turning to run out quickly.

“Consort Dowager Ai is half a mistress of this palace. No one can prevent her from bringing people in.”

Li Zhaoting’s brow furrowed tightly as he heard him say word by word through gritted teeth.

Outside the cellar, Xiao’an had already arrived upon hearing the news. She commanded the two inside to come out, but Suzhen didn’t move at all.

Xiao’an was furious and ordered people to prepare gunpowder to blast the door open.

Inside, Aluo had drunk Suzhen’s wine but felt no physical discomfort. She suspected this person was only frightening her, more likely wanting to threaten Lian Yu to do something, such as enter the palace.

She had a feeling this person was waiting for Lian Yu to come.

However, the cellar door had just been locked from the inside by this person using the mechanism. Even though she released her acupoints after giving her the wine, she couldn’t do martial arts, and with the other person sitting by the cellar door, she simply couldn’t get over to open the door. The extremely low temperature inside the cellar was what would be fatal!

Though she wore thick fur robes, she was already shivering all over from cold, her teeth chattering.

Before Lian Yu arrived, she would probably lose half her life here. But she didn’t beg for mercy either, sizing up the person before her.

This person wore only ordinary winter clothing, not as warm as hers, and was in much worse condition. Her head and brows were already covered with white frost.

She felt hatred in her heart, yet also thought this person better not freeze to death here, otherwise Lian Yu… Thinking this, she actually took off her outer robe and threw it over, saying coldly: “Put it on.”

This shameless person actually smiled lightly and put on the clothes.

“Aluo, can you hear me speaking? Answer me once.”

Finally, that steady, authoritative voice came from outside the door, with suppressed anger and anxiety in his tone. Aluo’s heart filled with great joy as she quickly spoke: “Lian Yu, I’m fine. Don’t worry.”

Her throat hurt from the cold and her voice was hoarse. In her urgency, she called him by name directly. Suzhen smiled slightly and stood up. Aluo said disdainfully: “Even if you kill me now, I’m not afraid. Lian Yu is right outside.”

Suzhen didn’t reply, only listened with her ear to the side. Indeed, Lian Yu’s voice quickly sounded again: “Mother Empress, allow me to speak with those inside first. Gunpowder is too powerful – I fear it will hurt people.”

Though he said “allow me,” his voice carried an unquestionable fierceness. Xiao’an said nothing more.

“Li Huaisu,” he finally slowly called out her former name, “if you wanted to kill someone, you would have acted long ago. I’m here now. What exactly do you want? Speak!”

Suzhen heard the ice-cold anger in his voice. Her smile didn’t diminish as she suddenly pressed against the door side.

With a rumbling sound, the cellar door slowly rose.

Her figure met many familiar faces behind the rising door.

Lian Yu’s face was cold to the extreme, like thousand-year ice behind him. However, no one seemed to expect her to suddenly open the door and come out. Everyone was momentarily stunned, even Xiao’an furrowed her brows suspiciously.

“Seize her!” He ordered and brushed past her, quickly entering the cellar.

“Forgive the offense, Magistrate Li.” Qinglong and Baihu came over. Qinglong spoke while Baihu forcefully restrained her.

“Why did you do this?” Behind her, Baihu asked in surprise and suspicion.

Suzhen didn’t answer, watching lightly as Lian Yu supported and carried Aluo out from the cellar. Aluo was shivering all over from cold. Lian Yu’s gaze was like poisoned knives, looking over and landing on the fur clothes she wore.

Half the palace women and eunuchs here had followed Mei’er to the Golden Throne Hall, half remained to await the inside situation. But none were as thoughtful as Mingyan Chu, who had already instructed palace servants to bring cloaks and hand warmers on the way. Seeing this, he quickly came over to put the cloak on Aluo. Lian Yu wrapped Aluo tightly in the cloak and called over a palace woman, handing Aluo to her.

He walked to Baihu’s side and, amid Baihu’s unprepared cry of alarm, wordlessly grabbed Suzhen’s arm and dragged her outside.

The ice cellar was built low, underground, with a long deep corridor in between.

In the dim corridor, behind them, palace servants fearfully held up lanterns, plus the large group of people who had followed out of the cellar.

The two walked at the very front. He was almost roughly dragging her along, the force in his hands nearly breaking her arm. Suzhen didn’t cry out.

She let him drag her from the underground cellar back to ground level.

There was another wooden door there, slightly ajar. Lian Yu kicked open the wooden door and pulled her out.

Outside in the sky, the snow had stopped. The garden scenery was open, with trees, pavilions, and bridge surfaces dyed by white snow like clouds and brocade. The morning sun poked its head out in mid-air, coating this vast world with golden light.

Imperial Guards throughout the garden knelt upon seeing their sovereign.

Lian Yu said nothing, waved his hand, and the Imperial Guards rose quietly, not daring to disturb. He raised his eyebrows and pushed her against an old tree. In this world, only his heavy breathing seemed to spray against her face.

Author’s Note: Originally wanted to finish writing the plot before uploading. Everyone has been urging in various ways, so I’ll stop here today. Tomorrow the climax continues with a long update.