This day, Suzhen still went to the former residence of Lian Yu’s mother consort.

She simply wouldn’t give up hope.

But no matter how unwilling to give up, there was no way.

All places related to Lian Yu had been heavily guarded since the day Li Zhaoting entered the palace. Craftsmen moved about constantly—clearly Li Zhaoting intended to renovate these places. He deeply despised the previous emperor.

She couldn’t get in, even though the secret passage they couldn’t enter that day was right before her eyes.

Carrying her food basket, she wandered for half an hour before finally leaving, walking slowly along the small path into the secluded forest where Wei Chenghui had taken her that day.

Few people came here. Occasionally imperial guards would patrol by—it was the quietest place in the palace.

Indeed, she had walked for the time it takes to brew tea when she encountered two guards walking with lowered heads.

Soon, Wuqing found her here.

He had clearly just finished official duties before coming to see her, bringing two dust-covered, disheveled male constables. Both were somewhat injured—one had a wound extending from his forehead to below his eye socket, with one eye half-collapsed. This wretched appearance was quite similar to Lian Qin’s injuries that day, which seemed to give Suzhen some comfort. She finally smiled slightly.

When they left, she watched for quite a while. After Li Zhaoting and Wei Chenghui returned, Ji Fufeng and Xiao Zhou no longer entered the palace. Wei Chenghui knew Xiao Zhou was Lian Yu’s man—Li Zhaoting might not tolerate him. As for Ji Fufeng, they still thought she was Lian Yu’s guard.

Since that hurried glimpse in the Imperial Garden, Suzhen hadn’t seen Li Zhaoting again in recent days, nor had he come to see her.

Thus, amid overwhelming worry and the bustle of palace servants, Suzhen finally witnessed a new page in Great Zhou’s history.

This evening, looking at the brand new, gorgeous palace attire delivered to the side hall, Suzhen’s heart felt filled with lead. The secret passage was blocked, Huichun Hall still had no news, and tomorrow was the new emperor’s coronation day.

She didn’t refuse the garment sent by the Palace Wardrobe Department. Everyone in the palace with any rank had been ordered to receive new robes—she naturally wouldn’t cause trouble at this critical moment. At most, she simply wouldn’t attend tomorrow. Anyway, for idle people like her, it didn’t matter whether she went or not.

What connected her and Li Zhaoting was merely his obsession with the last trace of gratitude toward the Feng family.

These days, while Suzhen seemed to pass time “doing nothing,” Li Zhaoting was quite the opposite—working almost day and night, so busy it seemed even having two bodies wouldn’t be enough: meeting Prince Jin’s former supporters and temporarily appointing various positions; discussing with Wei, Huang and others the coronation proclamation to announce to the world; secret talks with Tingyu; receiving Prime Minister Miao from Wei; listening to reports from the Ministry of Rites and Internal Affairs about coronation ceremony rituals and arrangements, and so on…

By evening, matters finally reached a temporary conclusion. Finding time, he closed his eyes for a brief rest on his couch. Soon Wei Wujun again sought audience outside the hall. He opened his eyes—though his posture was lazy, his gaze was extraordinarily sharp as he listened to Wei Wujun report on the pursuit.

“Let them hide for now, whether in the silk shop or the Six Doors. Once the month’s deadline expires, immediately arrest them. Wujun, I’ve always valued you highly—I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

Wei Wujun heard the depth and firmness in his voice. His heart tightened as he quickly replied, “Yes, Wujun and Father will certainly not disappoint Young Master.”

After this, he respectfully bowed and retreated several steps before walking out.

After Wei Wujun left, Si Lanfeng and Xiao Si saw he didn’t immediately sleep. They approached and recited the congratulatory gifts sent by Prince Jin’s former supporters and various palace departments over recent days.

After listening, Li Zhaoting was silent for a long while before asking, “Is there more?”

The two exchanged puzzled glances. Xiao Si said, “No more, Young Master. In this servant’s view, everything’s complete. You’re going to be emperor—who in the palace would dare neglect you!”

He left with a chuckle. Li Zhaoting seemed to have given him some task to handle.

Si Lanfeng suddenly thought of something. Just as he hesitated whether to ask, Li Zhaoting had already risen and dressed, saying, “Prepare the carriage. I’ll first dine with Mother, then leave the palace.”

Li Zhaoting’s birth mother and adoptive parents had been brought into the palace yesterday. Si Lanfeng knew Li Zhaoting greatly valued the Princess Consort Jin and wasn’t surprised, but preparing to leave the palace shocked him, “Young Master, you’re leaving the palace now? Tomorrow’s coronation ceremony will be exhausting.”

Li Zhaoting scolded, “You talk too much.”

Si Lanfeng made a pleading gesture and immediately went to prepare men and horses. Now that Li Zhaoting held heir apparent status, security couldn’t be taken lightly.

When he returned, he found him standing with hands behind his back outside a side hall courtyard not far from the Imperial Palace, unsure whether he’d come intentionally or was just passing by. He asked, “Young Master, would you like to sit in Miss Feng’s hall?”

“What’s there to sit for?” Li Zhaoting sneered and quickly left.

Leaving the palace, Li Zhaoting ordered them to go to a residence in the capital. This was a place his master had previously asked him to purchase. Si Lanfeng was increasingly puzzled—with coronation imminent, why was he going there at this critical moment?

Soon they reached their destination. He followed Li Zhaoting down from the carriage, only to see Xiao Si already waiting outside. Li Zhaoting asked, “Is everything arranged properly?”

Xiao Si smiled and replied, “Young Master, rest assured.”

Li Zhaoting nodded. The large group of accompanying guards remained outside while the two followed him in. Under moonlight and starlight in the courtyard, beside summer trees, a stone table was laden with fine delicacies.

Si Lanfeng’s confusion reached its peak: this appeared to be a banquet, but who was he waiting for at such a time?

Just as he wondered, the courtyard gate opened and two people slowly entered. His eyes flashed—them?

“With all your affairs, you still arrived early while I’m actually late.”

Miaoyin walked in with Shiwu, speaking as they moved. Her tone showed some regret, but her eyes held no real apology—rather some playfulness and shyness.

Si Lanfeng, no matter how obtuse, knew what to do now. Xiao Si cheerfully curtsied to Miaoyin and had already dashed to the gate, beckoning him over. He bowed to Miaoyin and hurriedly went out with Shiwu.

“Lanfeng, tonight I must trouble you to spend the night in the carriage outside.” Behind them came Li Zhaoting’s low voice.

“Yes, Young Master.” His face reddened as he quickly closed the gate.

…

“Since you’re late, you should be punished.”

Looking at the beauty approaching gracefully, Li Zhaoting picked up the wine pot with a smile.

Miaoyin’s cheeks flushed. Instead of sitting across from him, she came over to press his hand. Li Zhaoting raised an eyebrow and smiled, his gaze rarely showing a trace of roguishness. He grasped her hand and pulled her into his embrace.

Miaoyin was greatly embarrassed. Though she raised her hand to strike him, her fists fell without force. She cried out in surprise as Li Zhaoting immediately stood, lifting her and walking toward the room.

“I’ve had dinner, and I know you have too. We must rise early tomorrow—let’s go inside to rest.” He said in her ear.

Miaoyin understood his meaning, trembling slightly all over, her voice hoarse, “Why… why must you rush…”

“Some things I can’t give you, but I hope you understand that our feelings, forged through adversity, are different from others.”

He didn’t answer immediately, carrying her into the room and placing her on the brocade coverlet before speaking.

“If you’re unwilling now, we can wait for another day.”

His voice was low as mist, his features handsome as jade in the lamplight. Seeing him about to leave, Miaoyin’s heart tightened. She wrapped her arms around his neck, her heart ready to drip honey.

Li Zhaoting raised his hand to extinguish the lamp in the chamber.

The bed curtains fell.

Suzhen was awakened by drum and music sounds from the palace. As usual, she had barely closed her eyes near dawn last night, but the grand, solemn sound of stone chimes seemed to fill the entire palace.

She could no longer sleep. After rising and washing, she opened the door to see what was happening. Little Luzi and the night-duty palace maids weren’t waiting in the corridor as usual—their figures were all crowded at the courtyard gate. When she walked over, they suddenly noticed and greeted her. After days together, these servants had relaxed, knowing this miss didn’t care much about such formalities and sometimes invited them to dine at the same table.

Suzhen squinted and looked out, seeing trees decorated with red silk and colored ribbons outside the courtyard. Though it was daytime, palace lanterns hung everywhere. There were more guards than usual, and palace servants bustled about.

She understood that beyond the many walls separating them, the coronation ceremony was taking place in the Golden Throne Hall.

She tugged at the corners of her mouth noncommittally.

A figure suddenly rushed into their sight, “Oh my, Miss, why didn’t you go? The Emperor even called your name publicly. Quick, come with me.”

Supervisor Guo, arriving with a group of eunuchs and palace maids, pulled her along, about to rush outside. Little Luzi and the others excitedly started to follow when Supervisor Guo cried out again, pushing Suzhen back inside, “How can you not even have changed clothes or arranged your makeup?”

Suzhen didn’t refuse Supervisor Guo’s kindness. Since that person had called her name, she couldn’t not go. She let the other shake her head while arranging her appearance, then drag her out.

Passing through layers of palace gates, everywhere were imperial guards and arrayed palace servants. Outside the Golden Throne Hall, on the white jade steps under blue sky, black masses of troops created an extremely grand and imposing scene.

Ascending the long steps, left and right of the hall entrance stood two long lines of imperial guards, with two young eunuchs. One hurriedly entered the hall, kneeling to report, “Your Majesty, Miss Feng has arrived.”

The sharp, prolonged cry of “Your Majesty” reached Suzhen outside the hall. She knew the ceremony was complete, but her heart still pounded as she thought that this Young Master Li was now Great Zhou’s sovereign.

This moment of distraction meant she didn’t clearly hear what Li Zhaoting said—only a familiar yet deeper voice than usual, like a feather brushing her heart, making her uncomfortable and tense.

Soon a eunuch ran out, using that characteristic tone to drag out the final note from his nose: “Feng Suzhen, enter.”

Neither arrogant nor respectful—precisely the palace’s unique solemnity.

She didn’t know why Li Zhaoting had summoned her. Since the ceremony was complete, calling it observing the ceremony didn’t seem right either. She took a deep breath, suppressing all the turbulent waves and alarm in her heart, and followed Supervisor Guo inside.

Though walking with lowered head, she could feel gazes flowing like water from both sides—calculating, scrutinizing. The feeling was as if she stood naked before everyone, embarrassing, but with nothing left to fear except little Lotus, and this not being her first time in the Golden Throne Hall, she walked with dignity and composure, not letting anyone look down on her.

The hall now held no fewer than a hundred people, divided left and right, wearing new civil and military robes. More gazes came from the front ranks—to the left was Wei Chenghui, the enemy she deeply hated, and to the right, remarkably, was Quan Feitong in prime minister’s court dress!

He had stayed after all. She couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

Below Quan Feitong were more old acquaintances, including the old fox Huang Zhongyue.

Wuqing was also there, positioned under Wei Chenghui and the two Wei sons on the left side.

Besides these, she recognized no other officials. New emperor, new court—the peach blossoms remained but faces had changed.

But undoubtedly, this was a vast system. Prince Jin’s faction had lain dormant for years, continuously developing, becoming deeply rooted again. No wonder Li Zhaoting could reclaim this position. She didn’t think it wrong for him to reclaim what belonged to him, but she could never agree with the soldiers and civilians who died in the earlier plague, the remnant troops he later slaughtered at the border, and their methods of contending with the Lian clan.

Finally, under Supervisor Guo’s guidance, she stopped at a position slightly left of center in the hall, below the golden throne. Supervisor Guo lowered her head and stepped back to the entrance, returning to her position among the Bureau of Palace Attendants’ female officials.

Suzhen slightly raised her head, seeing that standing in the right front ranks were indeed old acquaintances—the great scholars Tingyu, Mingjing, and Shiyu whom she hadn’t seen in ages, Prime Minister Miao from Wei, and most surprising, beside the prime minister stood a couple who were truly old acquaintances—County Magistrate Li and his wife from Huai County, Uncle Li and Aunt Li whom she’d never much liked and who had deeply disdained her.

She studied them while they turned to look at her, their expressions subtly complex.

Meanwhile, she stood behind five rows of palace-dressed ladies. Through gaps between the beauties in front, she could make out that the first row consisted of Aluo, Miaoyin, and Wulei, with three girls in each subsequent row for four more rows.

Well, she stood alone, proudly bringing up the rear.

Finally, she slowly looked toward the center. Two people sat there. Below and to the side of the golden throne sat a middle-aged woman resplendent in silk and emerald, wearing a pearl and gold crown. This woman didn’t have Xiao An’s dominating presence—she was quiet as still water, yet her eyes held a hidden gleam. Suzhen finally understood whom Li Zhaoting resembled. She clenched her hands as her gaze finally fell on the throne itself, meeting a pair of dark, profound eyes.

This is the 27th update, completing Saturday’s remaining thousand words. It’s been delayed several days—very sorry. Recently I’ve had things during the day and can’t write until evening. There’s another update tonight for today. Starting next week, update time is set for 10 PM. If there’s no update at 10, everyone should check the next day rather than wait. No separate notice since I can’t guarantee specific times—there have been false reports, and I think I’ve already driven the forum moderator to distraction. Apologies again.