When the eunuch outside announced that Lian Xin was seeking an audience, Suzhen scrambled up from beneath Lian Yu in panic. Lian Yu frowned and held her down, put on his undergarments, walked to the door, cracked it open and ordered: “Have her return. What time is it? Everyone’s already asleep.”

“No, have her wait for me in the side palace.”

Behind him, Suzhen poked her head out from the curtains and quickly added this.

Lian Yu quickly shut the door and turned to see her kicking through the curtains to jump down, grabbing the clothes scattered under the bed and hurriedly throwing them on. His brow furrowed deeper as he strode back: “Go find her tomorrow—it’s nearly the second watch.”

“No, it might be about what happened today. I’ll go out for a moment.” She kissed his cheek while putting on her outer robe and heading outside.

“Stop right there!” Lian Yu called her back. Suzhen saw his displeased expression and stuck out her tongue. He looked at her sideways: “That’s my robe.”

Suzhen paused, looking at the garment in her hands—indeed it was! Seeing her standing there red-faced, Lian Yu sighed, walked back to the bed to get clothes, returned to help her dress properly, then took the cloak he’d used during the day from the couch to drape over her. After arranging everything, he finally said: “Go then. I’ll wait for you to return.”

“Don’t wait for me—there are only two or three hours until morning court.”

She felt sorry for him and called back before leaving.

Perhaps because of their newlywed state, these past days they could finally be together day and night, yet somehow time never seemed enough. She had this feeling—she hadn’t asked him, but sensed he felt the same. During his non-working hours, he definitely wanted her by his side.

She quickly reached the side palace.

Inside, the lamplight was dim, and Lian Xin sat with her head down, looking listless.

“Susu.” Hearing the sound, her eyes lit up as she stood.

“I also wanted to chat with you. I sent someone to your palace at evening but was told you hadn’t returned.” Suzhen pulled her to sit down.

“Mm, I went out to drink at a tavern afterward.” Lian Xin didn’t hide anything.

“Because of Wu Qing’s matter?”

Lian Xin nodded. Seeing she was about to speak, she spoke first: “Susu, let me ask you—has Wu Qing already made some betrothal agreement with Xiao Zhou…”

She spoke while irritably running her hands through her hair.

This question also stumped Suzhen. Between Wu Qing and Xiao Zhou, they were enemies yet also seemed like confidants, with an indescribable intimate relationship, but the two had never acknowledged being together. The people at the magistrate’s office often teased them, treating the pair as a couple.

She didn’t hide this and told Lian Xin about it.

Lian Xin’s brow furrowed deeply: “Today I saw Wu Qing chase after Xiao Zhou. Xiao Zhou looked very sad, and Wu Qing… how to put it, he had this strange, desperate expression on his face. I think he really likes Xiao Zhou. I used to think he only had some slight fondness for Xiao Zhou, but after I treated you well, he gradually became different toward me too. He also… kissed me, so he should like me a little, right? He never told me Xiao Zhou was his intended. I thought, since we both like him and he’s never married, why couldn’t I fight for the person I like?”

“But today, they… I thought of Sister Lian Yue, Brother Chang’an, and Wei Wuyan. If they’re truly good together, I won’t go looking for him anymore. I’m afraid I’d become like Lian Yue, destroying them and myself. Besides, Wu Qing wouldn’t be truly happy. The person he really likes should be Xiao Zhou, right?”

Her voice gradually faded. Suzhen only heard some pattering sounds and looked to see water stains on the table surface.

Suzhen was completely shocked. She hadn’t realized Wu Qing had shown interest in Lian Xin before, had always thought it was one-sided on her part. She also hadn’t expected Lian Xin to sacrifice herself. In her heart, Lian Xin was indeed different from before, but she had never imagined Lian Xin would be like this.

She wanted to say something to cheer her up, but after opening her mouth for a long time, she found she had nothing to say. Tell her Wu Qing and Xiao Zhou had ended before they really began? Or go tell Xiao Zhou that Lian Xin wouldn’t bother Wu Qing anymore? Maybe she should scold Wu Qing, but though he treated her well, she understood that with Wu Qing’s personality, he couldn’t be swayed by anyone’s warnings unless killed. But not to mention she could never bring herself to do it—even if she could, would Xiao Zhou and Lian Xin be happy? She suddenly understood what Lian Yu had said that day.

With Huo Chang’an and Wu Yan missing without trace, and now her closest friends in this situation, she held her forehead, deeply worried. The unease deep in her heart grew stronger, like an approaching storm.

…

The next day, at Six Doors.

“Has the matter been handled?”

In one of the courtyards, a black-robed young man asked two people beside him indifferently.

“Boss, rest assured.” The man and woman exchanged smiles.

“Boss, someone’s looking for you.”

As they spoke, a constable entered from outside, bringing a beautiful young woman.

The woman saw the young man seated under bamboo and quickly bowed: “Greetings to the Deputy Commander.”

This “boss” they spoke of was none other than Wu Qing.

“Miss, you’re too kind. What matter brings you here?” He nodded slightly, asking politely.

“This servant is the Princess’s personal maid, sent by Her Highness to deliver a letter to my lord.” The woman quickly pulled out a letter from her bosom and respectfully presented it.

…

In another courtyard at the organization, Chao Huang was currently in secret discussion with his trusted subordinates.

“The Princess suddenly visited Six Doors—what’s this about? Did she come to handle some matter?” Facing two constables below, he spoke slowly.

The two exchanged glances. Seeing his unpleasant expression, one carefully replied: “Commander, Her Highness the Princess reportedly came to find that Wu Qing.”

Hearing this, Chao Huang’s expression indeed changed: “What did you say?!”

“Commander, not just yesterday—brothers in the organization have seen the Princess coming before, laughing and talking with that Wu Qing.” The constable said quietly.

With a “slap,” Chao Huang sneered and slammed the table as he stood. Both constables immediately lowered their heads. They had long known this superior was at odds with Wu Qing, but the sinister coldness and sharpness in his eyes now still made them tremble with fear.

“Speak—what else do you know?” Chao Huang almost immediately caught the subtle signs, seeing another person hesitating to speak, and sternly questioned him.

The constable quickly replied: “Since the Commander instructed me to watch Wu Qing, I’ve paid special attention to him and his confidants. Today I saw A Qing and Qin Jian whispering quietly, so I secretly listened. It turns out Wu Qing has also invited the Princess to dine out today.”

“Good, very good, Wu Qing. It seems this deputy commander position still can’t satisfy his appetite!” Chao Huang’s gaze slowly darkened as he spoke with a smile, word by word.

“The Princess had you deliver a letter to me?”

That Lian Xin would send someone with a letter at this time somewhat surprised Wu Qing. Opening it, the contents surprised him even more.

—Wu Qing, I won’t be going. You should go find Xiao Zhou instead. She’s the one you truly like, isn’t she? I thought about it all night yesterday. You used to dislike me because of Huaisu, and later treated me well also because of Huaisu, right? I am, after all, from the imperial family—if something happened to her, I could provide some protection. She’s like a brother to you. But don’t worry, regardless of whether you like me or not, I’ll always treat Huaisu well. She’s my friend, my sister-in-law. Lian Xin.

“Later treated me well also because of Huaisu, right?” The reason she found for herself made him want to laugh, and for a moment he couldn’t bring himself to hate her—though only for a moment.

“This servant will return to the palace to report.” Seeing Wu Qing had read the letter, the palace maid bowed again and prepared to leave.

“Miss, please wait. I also have a few words I’d like you to convey to the Princess.”

She was then called back by Wu Qing’s smile.

In the palace.

Lian Xin spent the entire morning lying in bed, neither moving nor speaking, neither eating nor drinking.

During this time, Qinglong came looking for her, saying Lian Yu and Suzhen were waiting for her to dine in the hall, but she declined.

When her personal maid said Wu Qing had replied, she only had her place the letter on the bed.

She didn’t move for a long time.

She could guess what he’d written in reply—surely some words of thanks.

She stared at the letter for a long time before finally opening it.

The contents left her stunned for quite a while.

—Lian Xin, I want to say that I treated you well not because of Huaisu. At the same time, yesterday I made a clean break with Xiao Zhou. She and I are too similar—both people with complicated pasts. Being together would be too exhausting. I told her that being with you has no burdens and is quite pleasant. I’ll still be waiting at the restaurant at noon—I won’t leave until you come. Wu Qing.

Two hours later, Lian Xin breathlessly got out of a carriage and appeared before the restaurant. Her female guards wanted to accompany her inside, but she ordered them away: “Find a place to eat and drink across the street and wait there.”

Having given her instructions, she walked into the restaurant with a smile. This was another bustling dining establishment in the capital, filled with diners wherever she looked. Seeing her enter, before the waiter could approach, the proprietor had already hurried out from behind the counter with a beaming smile: “Are you Miss Xin? Based on that Six Doors official’s description, you must be this beautiful young lady.”

Hearing this, Lian Xin naturally felt shy and didn’t speak, only quickly nodded.

“Miss, please come this way. The gentleman reserved a private room on the second floor.”

Confirmed by Lian Xin, the proprietor was delighted and immediately led her upstairs.

He stopped before a private room and gently knocked: “Sir, your guest has arrived.”

The person inside didn’t respond but clapped his hands.

The proprietor was a perceptive man and naturally wouldn’t disturb them further. With a slight smile, seeing Lian Xin push open the door and enter, he closed the door for the two and went downstairs.

The private room held a faint wine fragrance, mellow and pleasant. Lian Xin slowly raised her head, but the smile on her lips suddenly froze.