“Prime Minister Quan, I had her beaten to death because she killed someone first—national law cannot be abandoned. Her serving as an official while being a woman—now that Great Zhou promotes women’s examinations, and she has contributed greatly, I will not pursue this further.

But she is still a rebel minister’s descendant, and killing is killing. I cannot possibly not hold her responsible. I believe my subjects will also submit memorials in protest, otherwise wouldn’t this encourage rebellion?

Now that it’s proven she didn’t actually kill anyone, I, with the dignity of the Son of Heaven, am seeing her off personally—this is my apology. But this doesn’t mean I will agree to all her requests. As Li Huaisu, her requests are reasonable and proper—I will consider them carefully. But as Feng Suzhen, some of her requests are unreasonable. For instance, she said Prime Minister Quan… would rebel.

Could it be that Prime Minister Quan would truly rebel?”

Lian Yu laughed softly, holding the person tightly as he asked word by word.

Quan Feitong’s expression changed slightly, but being the man he was, he quickly raised his eyebrows and smiled, “This minister… naturally would not.”

“Very good. I think so too. Therefore, her words weren’t entirely correct. The crimes she and the Feng family committed—I will write them off completely. As for how to handle the funeral arrangements, she was after all a Great Zhou official. I intend to announce her death to the realm and bury her with the honors of a high minister. This can both warn rebellious subjects throughout the realm and commend her past achievements.”

“Minister Yan, Grand Tutor Wei, ministers of the Six Departments, Young General Murong—do you think this arrangement of mine is proper?” He slowly looked toward the assembled ministers.

Yan Da glanced at Xiao’an, who had a complex expression and nodded. He looked again at Suzhen in Lian Yu’s arms, then expressed his position first: “This old minister believes there is no more proper method than this.”

“Your Majesty is wise, clear in rewards and punishments. We ministers… respectfully obey the decree.” Following this came Cai Zhongtang, Gao Chaoyi, Si Lanfeng, Xiao Yue and others—either Lian Yu’s trusted followers, royalist faction members, or the recently promoted Murong Ding—all expressed agreement.

Suzhen didn’t have many friends in official circles.

Among these people were casual acquaintances like Gao and Si, those who had become enemies like Yan and Xiao, but they had all served together after all. Perhaps their interests conflicted and their philosophies differed, but at the beginning of their careers, some had been moved by thoughts of serving country and people, only to be corrupted by the red dust and eventually change their original intentions.

But this brief period had indeed been thrilling, and they were quite impressed by her past deeds and today’s fortitude. Moreover, they had long seen that the emperor’s feelings for her were unusual. Though he had her beaten to death for his consort, he had given her a chance beforehand, and after death she was wrapped in dragon robes—though ruthless, it was also truly emotional.

And somehow, Quan Feitong also seemed to…

Since Lian Yu had already spoken, what could bring more glory than a grand funeral? One thing led to another, and they all spoke in support.

“We ministers have no objections.”

Finally came Wei Chenghui and Huang Zhongyue. As the neutral faction’s pillars took their stance, the following ministers also voiced agreement. Both men hated Suzhen like an enemy, but now that she was gone, why not sell the emperor a favor?

Of course, if she hadn’t met such a miserable end, even Yan Da and Xiao Yue might not have let her off easily today, let alone these two.

Thus, only Quan’s faction in the garden hadn’t spoken, waiting for Quan Feitong’s indication.

Ai Taifei cast him a serious look, slowly shaking her head. Quan Feitong didn’t look at her, but was clear as a mirror in his heart about what was the right thing to do. He laughed coldly and stepped back with great strides.

Lian Yu glanced at Li Zhaoting, “Minister Li, please rise. Lady Feng appreciates your kind intentions.”

Li Zhaoting made no further protests and rose under everyone’s embarrassed gaze, slowly retreating back to the ministerial ranks.

Lian Yu continued walking without stopping, his personal attendants and brothers Jie and Qin quickly following. At this time, Xiao’an spoke from behind: “Your Majesty, she is after all a woman. This dowager will send female officials from the Palace Bureau later to arrange the burial preparations.”

This was the first time since Murong Jinghou’s death that Xiao’an had broken her cold silence, her voice rarely containing a hint of warmth.

“Thank you, Mother.”

Lian Yu paused and bowed his head to the side.

“Lian Yu,” Aluo quickly walked over and stood beside him, a hint of mockery in her eyes, “Now that she’s dead, you blame me, don’t you?”

“Her death is my responsibility. If anyone is to blame, blame only me, Lian Yu. How could I blame you?”

Lian Yu’s face remained stern, hard to see clearly in the snowy light, but his tone toward her was gentle, unlike the sharpness he showed others. He instructed Bai Hu, “Take Her Ladyship back to rest well.”

Aluo felt somewhat comforted. Although the living might not necessarily triumph over the dead, she feared from now on that person would occupy a place in Lian Yu’s heart!

But she couldn’t be hasty. After all, that person was dead, and she still had a whole lifetime ahead.

“You handle her affairs first. I’ll wait for you.” She took a breath, showing understanding for his attention to the other woman.

“Mm, rest well. We’ll have a good talk later.”

He said before leaving. After walking several steps, he suddenly turned back and looked at her: “Aluo, I apologize to you on her behalf.”

This made Aluo’s heart suddenly sink. Clearly this was nothing significant—he even showed genuine regret in his eyes—but somehow she felt inexplicably blocked up inside.

When parting from Ai Taifei upon leaving the palace, she only said to bear the grief, that this revenge could be repaid sooner or later. Li Zhaoting and Chao Huang boarded Quan Manor’s carriage together. On the road, Quan Feitong remained silent throughout.

Li Zhaoting held back but finally couldn’t contain his questions and spoke softly: “Senior Brother, she intended to seek death—do you know why? Did her letter mention anything? Logically speaking, her family’s case was unresolved—”

“Stop the carriage.” Quan Feitong suddenly interrupted him.

Following the order, the carriage wheels quickly stopped. Quan Feitong lifted his robes and jumped down.

All around was the bustling marketplace. The carriage was luxurious throughout, and the three men wore official robes, drawing many curious looks.

Li Zhaoting and Chao Huang didn’t understand his intention and followed him down, seeing him standing with hands clasped behind his back, facing away from them. “Zhaoting, we used to wonder why she could develop feelings for Lian Yu when he had her whole family executed. I once thought she was waiting for a chance to take revenge, but later she told me it wasn’t so—she had secretly looked at the Ministry of Justice records and the order came from the late emperor.”

“Mm.” Li Zhaoting became alert. He had been extremely careful about the records matter—with his abilities, it should have been impossible to accomplish on the surface. Quan Feitong shouldn’t have suspected anything. Why bring this up?

Quan Feitong’s voice continued: “But later she told me she finally learned that it was Lian Yu who ordered the executions!”

“She fell in love with her father’s killer and lived worse than death. She had chances to strike but let him go. Feeling she had failed her parents, she traded her own life for her still-living brother’s safety.”

“What grand burial honors! If Lian Yu hadn’t switched the records, how could she have fallen in love with him? He personally forced her to death!”

The hand in Li Zhaoting’s sleeve suddenly trembled violently.

Ahead, Quan Feitong finished speaking coldly, then ripped off his money pouch and threw it hard to the ground.

“Inside is this prime minister’s compensation.”

People still didn’t understand his meaning when he raised his hands and feet, completely overturning and smashing all the pots, bowls, and utensils at a nearby food stall. Scalding liquid splashed everywhere, but his eyes were red as he caused the customers to cry out and flee…

Half an hour later, Quan Feitong returned to his manor.

“Where are the people from the Magistrate’s Office?”

The steward came to greet him, shocked to see this usually immortal-like master covered head to toe in soup and juices, looking completely disheveled. Just as he was about to inquire, he was cut off by the other’s hoarse voice.

“This slave has already arranged their lodging.”

Quan Feitong nodded. “Please invite them to my study.”

After giving instructions, he first returned to his bedchamber.

The room was still decorated for a wedding—he hadn’t had the festive items removed. Looking at the room full of red decorations, he laughed self-mockingly, found clean robes to change into, and finally took out the letter he had secretly hidden in his robes after reading it, tore off the upper half and crumpled it into a ball to carelessly discard on the floor, then folded the remaining fragment neatly and placed it in his breast.

Soon, Wuqing and the others arrived.

A few hours earlier, they had been at Huo Manor. When the fierce battle erupted there, they were at a disadvantage and about to be defeated when that aged Huo family servant revealed himself as a hidden master. After a hundred moves, he actually subdued the highly skilled mysterious white-robed opponent, who, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, used a feint to leap onto the wall and disappear.

Zhu Que and Qing Long fought bitterly for a while longer. Knowing victory was hopeless, they also withdrew with bitter resentment.

They went inside and found Zhui Ming, Tie Shou, and Uncle Fu in the depths of the house, all struck unconscious at pressure points, and rescued them.

Not long after returning to the prime minister’s manor, Quan faction officials arrived to relay Quan Feitong’s message for Chao Huang to enter the palace.

They settled in first, waiting for news about Suzhen.

Now, hearing the news of Suzhen’s death from Quan Feitong, everyone was stunned. Zhui Ming and Tie Shou’s eyes quickly reddened, and Wuqing swayed unsteadily, about to collapse, held up only by Zhui Ming and Tie Shou’s support.

“You are like her family. Stay here and assist me in great endeavors. As long as I, Quan Feitong, live, you will have wealth and honor.” Quan Feitong said.

Wuqing lowered his eyes and spoke quietly: “We thank Prime Minister Quan for his generous favor, but we of the Six Gates hold official positions. We originally stayed here waiting for her return, but now…”

Quan Feitong was slightly surprised—this youth who seemed extremely cold and hard actually had a choked quality to his voice.

But when he raised his head again, he had resumed his usual cold demeanor.

“We’ll return to the Six Gates first. Our enemy is now the same person. If Prime Minister Quan needs our service in anything, send someone anytime.”

“Good. This prime minister considers you a friend.”

Quan Feitong didn’t force the matter. Soon after, several people left, leaving only Uncle Fu behind in tears—the old man was too advanced in years to have anywhere else to go.

Quan Feitong found his crying annoying and had someone take him away to settle him elsewhere. Sitting in his study, his heart still couldn’t find peace. Without realizing it, he murmured: “Just a woman—what’s wrong with me? Too long without the taste of flesh?”

After a while, he kicked open the door and gave stern orders: “Go to the pleasure houses and find me some first-class singing girls.”

Several stewards worked efficiently and soon brought back several girls with both talent and beauty for his selection. Not only did they have skin like cream, but their conversation and manners were all superior—worthy of being the capital’s famous courtesans.

Quan Feitong had tried dallying with multiple women before—in his earlier years, he had experienced everything worth experiencing. But after speaking a few words with the women, he only selected one who appeared lively and eloquent to enter the bedchamber.

The courtesan knew about the recent wedding at the prime minister’s manor. She surmised it was as rumored outside—this marriage was an alliance between the prime minister and court elders, the wife merely a political arrangement. If she could enter this manor’s gates, it would mean a lifetime of honor and wealth. Moreover, this prime minister was so young and handsome, and usually wasn’t seen frequenting such places. How could she not feel attracted? All her usual professional coldness with clients vanished.

Quan Feitong was also somewhat aroused by her ministrations. However, just as she was about to undo his trousers, in a trance he saw a face above him looking down with angry resentment.

“Quan Feitong, you don’t keep your word. Just wait till I come back to deal with you.”

The voice drifted to his ears with indescribable grievance.

His heart ached and raged. He suddenly rose from the courtesan, pointing: “This prime minister knows that though you sought death wholeheartedly, you still resent me for not saving you. If you harbor resentment, then come back and find me!”

The woman remained fairly composed. Though frightened and trembling all over, she still nestled into his embrace. Quan Feitong’s eyes darkened as he pressed her down…

“Master, Minister Li urgently requests an audience.”

Outside the door, the steward’s voice rang out again. Quan Feitong frowned slightly, gathered his robes, and emerged from behind the curtains. The woman inside only said coquettishly that she’d wait for his return.

“What matter?” He entered the study and spoke directly.

Li Zhaoting detected the scent of rouge and powder on him. His heart lurched, and thinking of what he’d witnessed today, he paused before saying: “This sudden visit disturbs Senior Brother—Zhaoting is at fault. It’s just… Zhaoting and she were acquainted for many years. Though we had no romantic involvement, we still had some friendship. I came to ask if Senior Brother—did her letter contain any instructions for me?”

Quan Feitong smiled, took the letter from his breast, and handed it over.

Imperial City, the emperor’s bedchamber.

Shutting all followers outside the hall, Lian Yu carefully placed the person in his arms onto his own bed. He stood alone, gazing for a long time. Finally, he reached out to smooth the sweat-dampened, disheveled hair from her forehead. But just like when picking up the letter earlier, that hand wouldn’t obey, shaking violently.

“Do you still want me, Li Huaisu?” he asked.