Suzhen hadn’t expected that when Supervisor Guo returned, she would actually bring several items with her. A celadon flower bowl, a tortoiseshell bracelet, a filigree gold-plated tourmaline hairpin, a seven-stringed guqin, and a purple bamboo flute.

All the items were made from fine materials, though, for instance, the tourmaline contained too many impurities, and the stringed instrument was made from ordinary paulownia wood with a catalpa back… But without exception, all were exquisitely crafted. Minister Feng was well-versed in collectibles, and while Suzhen couldn’t claim expertise, she had absorbed some knowledge through childhood exposure. She casually made a few comments and praised their ingenuity. Supervisor Guo was delighted and said repeatedly, “Miss is not only talented in literature but also skilled in appreciation. Among these items, is there anything Miss likes? This servant will report it upward—”

Suzhen quickly waved her hands, “That won’t do. I have no use for them.”

As she spoke, she picked up the bamboo flute and asked, “Aunt, may I borrow this to play with?”

Supervisor Guo smiled, “What’s wrong with that?”

Suzhen tested the tone, and remembering old cave dwelling days, her restlessness dissipated considerably. She opened her mouth and began to play.

Supervisor Guo, the palace maids from the supervisor’s quarters, and little Luzi who had been waiting nearby all looked at each other with some bewilderment. This miss was someone who would become the first female official since the founding of Great Zhou, and her conversation was extraordinary, so how was her handling of musical instruments so… unique?

Fortunately, Suzhen was just following a whim. After fiddling around for a while, she stopped. Supervisor Guo and Luzi felt somewhat relieved. Supervisor Guo spoke against her conscience, “Miss, that tune was truly beautiful.”

Suzhen laughed heartily, “This is a tune I composed myself—it’s not presentable. Aunt, you’re truly considerate to be able to discern the melody.”

Supervisor Guo also chuckled. Suzhen said nothing more and carefully placed the flute back among the pile of treasures. She touched the jade stone and jade pendant tied together at her neck and began to hum softly.

Everyone had tactfully stepped back a bit, but after listening for a while, their eyes showed traces of strange expression.

When she hummed like this, her voice was slightly hoarse, not particularly melodious, yet it was very pleasant to listen to.

“Your smile conquers spring’s radiance, most enchanting it is. I say spring winds for ten li, yet none compare to you. If you ask the reason, it’s nothing more than meeting you, unhurried and unrushed, neither too early nor too late…”

…

However, Aluo, who had discovered human traces in the pavilion, wasn’t paying attention to the flute music that had fled or the singing that wasn’t so terrible. She fixed her gaze on the jade stone that had fallen from the woman’s neck in the pavilion, her heart filled with towering hatred.

Lian Yu had given this thing to her too! He had given his life for her, and even this thing!

“Young Master!”

This belonged to her! She only wanted to go over and snatch the jade stone back, but heard Wei Wulei suddenly cry out joyfully behind her.

This cry awakened Aluo and also startled Suzhen slightly. She stood up alertly, turning to look sideways, only to see guards and eunuchs arranged in formation, with two people standing not far away beside the flowers.

Seeing her look over, the two maintained unchanged expressions, but she was quite the opposite, feeling considerable shock in her heart. How was that person also here?

How long had they been here?

However, this surprise and complexity ultimately didn’t linger on her face for long. Among the kneeling and bowing of Aluo and Wulei behind her and the palace servants in front, she cupped her fists toward the two men and quickly left from the side with little Luzi.

Li Zhaoting’s gaze deepened slightly, but he said nothing. Mu San beside him lowered his eyes slightly, then when he raised his head, he said to Aluo, “Little junior sister, it’s been a long time.”

Aluo was also greatly surprised to see him. She knew clearly in her heart that because of Suzhen’s matter, this senior brother hadn’t liked her much afterward. But since their marriage never came to pass, his feelings had long since changed, and with Li Zhaoting present, she had nothing to fear from him.

“Senior brother.” She smiled in response.

“Congratulations on your leap over the dragon gate. Your status is quite valuable now.” Mu San also chuckled.

How could Aluo not hear the sarcasm in his words? She said lightly, “Aluo also congratulates Senior Brother Quan—a centipede dies but never falls down.”

Li Zhaoting said, “Aluo is just joking with her senior brother. Senior brother, please don’t take it to heart.”

But Quan Feitong said, “Young Master worries too much. I quite like this comparison.”

Aluo said to Li Zhaoting, “Miss Wei is over there. You should chat with them. I’ll go back first.”

Li Zhaoting nodded at her tenderly. Aluo didn’t forget her manners and still bowed to Quan Feitong before leaving. Only then did Wei Wulei approach. She was very particular about precedence. Having never met Quan Feitong before, but learning from Aluo’s words that this was the formerly renowned Prime Minister Quan, and seeing Li Zhaoting treat him with courtesy, she first curtsied to Li Zhaoting, then greeted Quan Feitong, before saying regretfully, “Hearing that Young Master had returned victorious, I specially entered the palace to congratulate you. Unfortunately, you have a distinguished guest here, so Wulei won’t disturb you further. Ying’er, give the items to Fourth Master. We’ll take our leave now.”

The maid beside her respectfully handed the food basket in her hands to Xiao Si. Being called “Master” made Xiao Si beam with joy. However, Li Zhaoting took the food basket before Xiao Si could, saying only “Miss, you’re too kind.” Seeing him hold the things she had made in his hands, Wei Wulei’s cheeks flushed crimson as she curtsied with her maid and withdrew.

Quan Feitong said flatly, “Each one is more sensible than Feng Suzhen.”

As he spoke, his eyes glanced slightly toward the flower bushes on the other side. Though he didn’t know martial arts, his eyesight and hearing were exceptionally sharp. Li Zhaoting didn’t need to look to know what he was referring to—he had discovered Miaoyin there even earlier, knowing she hadn’t come over to add to the confusion because of the people present.

He had always known of Miaoyin’s feelings for him, and their relationship was quite deep. He didn’t go over, nor did he say anything, simply pointing to the pavilion and saying, “Senior brother, meeting General Chao isn’t urgent for the moment. Why don’t you and I sit over there and enjoy a cup of fragrant tea first?”

Quan Feitong didn’t move, only saying, “No need. You’re about to become the ruler of a nation—your word is your bond. Whether Chao Huang lives or dies, I know in my heart.”

“Has senior brother agreed?” Li Zhaoting didn’t force him, examining the man before him with eyes that weren’t oppressive.

“I can agree to you, but besides Chao Huang’s life, I have one more condition.” He said.

“Please speak, senior brother.”

“I want Feng Suzhen.” The other party said slowly, then smiled faintly, “Young Master needn’t answer Mu San immediately. I still live at my former residence. When Young Master has an answer, just send someone with a message. I’ll be waiting at my mansion anytime.”

Seeing this person’s figure disappear into the distance, Li Zhaoting’s unchanged gaze finally slowly darkened. He violently threw the food basket in his hands to Xiao Si. He walked into the pavilion where Supervisor Guo and the palace maids from the supervisor’s quarters hadn’t yet left, packing the items on the table into boxes.

Seeing Li Zhaoting approach, they quickly bowed again. Li Zhaoting said, “Don’t pack them away yet.”

Supervisor Guo was startled, then understood he was referring to these items. She quickly had the palace maids stop and step aside, then carefully asked, “Is there something among them that Young Master likes? This servant will immediately have the servants send it over—”

Before she could finish speaking, Li Zhaoting had already waved his hand to interrupt her. She dared not say more and quickly fell silent.

Li Zhaoting looked at the purple bamboo flute in front of him, remembering that dusk when someone had excitedly run to him and also presented such a gift. Later, he had thrown that gift away.

Today, would he throw it away again?

He was skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting without exception. Thinking lightly, he actually became somewhat interested and was about to reach out to take it and play a tune, when he heard Xiao Si say, “Prime Minister Quan, why have you returned?”

He paused, stopped his action, slowly stood up. Quan Feitong walked leisurely into the pavilion, smiling slightly, “I forgot earlier—I wanted to ask you for one more thing.”

“What?” He looked over coolly.

Quan Feitong said, “This time the item isn’t worth much.”

As he spoke, he reached out to pick up the flute from the table, tucked it into his bosom, nodded to him, then immediately took his leave.

Li Zhaoting stared at his retreating figure, then suddenly swept all the items on the table to the ground, frightening Supervisor Guo and all the palace servants into kneeling.

After a long while, he coldly instructed the guards, “Go find Si Lanfeng for me.”

Soon, Si Lanfeng hurried over, and before long, he hastily took his leave and departed from the palace.

At the Quan Mansion.

When the steward, notified by the gatekeeper, hurriedly came to see Quan Feitong, he couldn’t help but shed tears of joy. “Master, you’ve finally returned. This old servant thought… thought…”

“Thought I had died in defeat, or was living a fate worse than death?” Quan Feitong lifted his lips in a smile, glancing around to take in the mansion’s scenery. This place no longer held its former prosperity.

Walking along, he could see that the staff had been greatly reduced. Though it was bright summer, there was an atmosphere of late autumn desolation.

When they heard news of his defeat that day, many people fled, but quite a few still remained. He had never mistreated his servants.

“Clean things up properly. I may continue to live here permanently.” He instructed the steward as they walked.

“Yes, sir.” The steward didn’t ask for reasons, only agreed with complete joy. Quan Feitong suddenly stopped and asked, “Where are my teachers?”

“They’re still ‘residing’ in the back courtyard. Master’s guards are watching them.” The steward said the word “residing” with considerable meaning.

It was residing, but also confinement.

“The meals and other provisions haven’t been neglected, have they?” Quan Feitong hummed acknowledgment and asked again.

The steward quickly said, “Master can rest assured. Everything follows Master’s instructions—food and provisions are all the finest.”

Quan Feitong nodded and smiled, “They’ve been confined for so long, those old fellows are probably furious. Go ahead, release them. Let them go out and curse Li Zhaoting if they want—I’m sure he wouldn’t dare commit patricide.”

Hearing this, the steward chuckled and agreed, “Yes.”

“Have someone bring a pot of tea over. I’ll sit here by myself—let no one disturb me.”

As he spoke, he had reached the courtyard where he used to live and sat down at the stone table. The steward, knowing his temperament and guessing he must have important matters to contemplate, bowed slightly and immediately withdrew.

Quan Feitong took out the bamboo flute from his bosom and placed it on the table.

“If I said that we should leave this place together now, would you be willing?”

A voice drifted ethereally to his ears.

As if the words still echoed.

He touched his nose, as if seeing across the stone table the color of wedding robes. Brilliant fire red.

If he had agreed that day, what would today’s situation be?

He heard that Lian Yu died miserably. Died for her.

How Lian Yu died, he didn’t care, nor did he feel secretly pleased. Even though he felt that Lian Yu dying at the hands of someone like Wei Chenghui was too unjust. But she…

He remembered the glimpse in the pavilion of the dark circles under her eyes and her snow-white complexion. Completely different from her appearance when she entered the capital!

“Master.” The steward personally brought tea in, his face showing difficulty.

“What’s wrong?” Quan Feitong asked lightly.

“Master said not to let anyone disturb you, but… someone from the palace has come seeking an audience.”

“Who?” Quan Feitong was quite direct.

“Si Lanfeng, Minister Si.”

“Oh? Please let him in.” He said.

“Yes.”

Soon Si Lanfeng entered and the steward withdrew.

Quan Feitong pointed to the stone chair beside him, joking, “Minister Si has come, surely not because Young Master misses me—absent for one day feels like three autumns. Oh, that’s not right either—we’ve been apart for at most an hour or two.”

Si Lanfeng knew he was formidable, observing expressions carefully, and said cautiously, “The young master does miss you, Prime Minister, but there are also two matters for Lanfeng to convey.”

“I’d like to hear the details.”

“First, Lanfeng is to escort several great scholars into the palace. The young master’s coronation is imminent, and there are some ceremonial matters that require consultation with the great scholars.”

“He wants to use them to win the hearts of scholars throughout the realm.” Quan Feitong sipped his tea and said with a half-smile.

Si Lanfeng smiled awkwardly, “The young master says that before wise men, one doesn’t speak in riddles. This is one reason, and also, Miss Miao is the daughter of Prime Minister Miao, Miss Wei is the daughter of the Grand Tutor—these family backgrounds are significant. Having the great scholars serve as relatives for Miss Aluo, this conferment of rank also has proper justification.”

Quan Feitong set down his cup and laughed heartily, “See, I told you my little junior sister had leaped over the dragon gate. Her rank won’t be small—Noble Consort is certain.”

Si Lanfeng shook his head, “What plans the young master has, Lanfeng doesn’t know. What Lanfeng can say is only that Miss Feng’s situation in the palace will be even more difficult in the future.”

Quan Feitong’s expression suddenly darkened, then he sneered coldly, “So the drunkard’s intention lies elsewhere.”

“Everyone has someone to support them.”

“But what does this Feng Suzhen have to do with me, Quan Feitong?” He said coldly.

Si Lanfeng also quickly stood up, “Prime Minister, the young master says he cannot give you Miss Feng. However, palace intrigue has always been constant. If Miss Feng has no one to rely on, though he has the heart to protect her, he may not be able to ensure her safety. Think it over yourself. Lanfeng takes his leave first.”

Quan Feitong’s gaze grew colder as he retorted sarcastically, “He could speak even more righteously! Miss Feng has no one to rely on? When he first sought me out, it was only to have me restrain that old fox Wei Chenghui. Though he didn’t say it, I understand clearly.”

Si Lanfeng had reached the door when he heard this. He turned back and said, “Miss Feng was previously in the palace because of servants’ misreporting—she went without food for several days, and… was injured for some reason. With illness and injury combined, Prime Minister didn’t see that condition.”

…

Long after Si Lanfeng left, Quan Feitong realized he had been pouring tea for himself—the tea had overflowed, wetting the entire table and soaking his clothes, yet he hadn’t noticed.

That night, Suzhen was enjoying the cool air in the courtyard. Actually, it wasn’t hot inside either—it wasn’t yet midsummer. But she had no desire to sleep.

Quan Feitong’s arrival had left her stunned for quite some time, but afterward, her mind returned to thoughts of leaving the palace.

How exactly could she leave this heavily guarded imperial palace?

Earlier, when Li Zhaoting hadn’t returned, Wuqing had planned to disguise her as a constable and hide her in his carriage to leave, but later Wuqing abandoned this idea.

All carriages entering and leaving the imperial city were searched extremely thoroughly—not even a grain of sand was overlooked. And the soldiers had her portrait. Li Zhaoting had prepared early, issuing orders before his departure.

Thus, while he could bring Xiao Zhou and Ji Fufeng in several times, he couldn’t take her out.

However—if they could find the Huichun Hall again, instead of changing Xiao Zhou’s appearance, they could bring the person directly into the palace to alter her appearance and face. This might make leaving possible.

Thinking of this, her heart suddenly leaped. She didn’t care about her appearance. Besides, she wasn’t a beauty to begin with.

“Miss, Young Master has arrived.”

Just as she was contemplating, little Luzi hurried in from outside the courtyard to report.

And Li Zhaoting seemed not to have expected her to come out to greet him, walking straight in with his entourage. Suzhen’s heart tightened—there were others with him.

“I’d like to speak with her privately, if I may?” The person beside Li Zhaoting spoke lightly.

“Please.” Li Zhaoting glanced at her and left with his people.

Suzhen gathered herself slightly and also had little Luzi and the other eunuchs and palace maids withdraw.

Finally, under the starlit courtyard, only she and Li Zhaoting’s guest remained.

Suzhen patted the stone table across from her and said softly, “Please.”

The visitor was also unceremonious, slowly sitting down.

After that exchange, Suzhen actually didn’t know how to begin, sitting quietly across from him.

The other person also didn’t speak, looking at her quietly.

Suzhen kept her head slightly lowered while the gaze above her head was profound. After a long while, it was finally Suzhen who couldn’t bear the scrutiny and spoke first, “Say whatever you have to say.”

“If I’m not mistaken, you’re under house arrest. You once asked me if I would be willing to leave with you, and I didn’t agree. If I ask you today—I’ll stay to assist Li Zhaoting and secretly arrange to take you away from here, but you would have to… be my bride again. Would you agree?” After another long while, he finally spoke.

Supplementing Saturday’s update, with another thousand to be posted tomorrow or the day after.