The two walked forward for a while when suddenly there was a sound from the forest brush. Little Zhou alertly called out in a low voice, “Who’s there?”

Not far away, a head quickly popped out from behind a large tree.

“Don’t be afraid, it’s me.”

“You were supposed to meet us here, and I wondered where you’d gone.” Little Zhou relaxed. It was Ah Qing, a constable in blue from the Six Doors Bureau.

“I went ahead to scout earlier. Beyond this forest is the hunting ground, where the imperial guards become numerous—dense posts everywhere, with over a hundred men at each post. If our cover is blown and we have to fight, there’s absolutely no chance of winning. Fortunately, these imperial guards aren’t like the city garrison—they don’t have portraits of Inspector Li in hand. Besides, Inspector Li has mostly stayed in the carriage these past two days, so not many have seen him. Oh, and the boss prepared some tools, saying both sister-in-law and Inspector Li are skilled fighters.”

“Iron Hand and the Princess are waiting at the hunting ground exit,” Ah Qing said in a low voice, tossing over another bundle.

Suzhen nodded. Little Zhou made no response to the term “sister-in-law” but silently took the items and quickly began preparing Suzhen’s disguise.

The so-called disguise was really just applying some makeup and attaching things to her face—it couldn’t completely transform her appearance like the Spring Return Hall could. But after the simple preparations, Suzhen’s appearance had indeed changed somewhat. Those who had only met her briefly might not recognize her, unless they were close acquaintances.

“Who goes there?”

After traveling a distance, the three indeed encountered imperial guard checkpoints.

Suzhen smiled, “Six Doors Bureau on urgent official business. This is Master Wuqing’s token.”

She took out a token and handed it forward.

The squad leader looked down and examined it carefully, then looked at their faces. Suzhen remained calm and met his gaze. After a while, the man said, “Please proceed, honorable officials.”

Suzhen thanked him and added, “Two more brothers are coming behind us. Please trouble the imperial guard brothers.”

Little Zhou and Ah Qing breathed sighs of relief and quickly left with Suzhen. The imperial guards knew that Wuqing was traveling with several elite constables from the Six Doors Bureau. Going out on missions wasn’t unusual. Suzhen’s martial arts weren’t strong, and she had children to care for. Leng Xue and Wuming were skilled and fast—they were currently by the lake diverting the attention of the guards there, waiting until the group had traveled some distance before using their lightness skills to catch up.

The three passed several more checkpoints and were approaching the next barrier when suddenly two riders galloped over, jumped down from their horses, and shouted to the guards at the post, “Brothers, there’s a situation! Please immediately send someone to report to His Majesty and Commander Si!”

In the Emperor’s tent, Wuqing and Li Zhaoting were discussing precautions against the Wei family and having Six Doors constables infiltrate the martial world to gather information from well-informed martial artists about the whereabouts of the Murong army.

Just as they reached the crucial part, Si Lanfeng rushed in urgently, lifting the tent flap, “Your Majesty, the Dowager Empress is coming with all the imperial consorts. They’re not far from the hunting ground entrance.”

“What?”

Both Li Zhaoting and Si Lanfeng were shocked.

At the checkpoint, after the cavalry reported and left, Suzhen’s body swayed, and she immediately lowered her voice, “Let’s go, turn back right now!”

Little Zhou and Ah Qing’s faces also immediately turned ugly.

With the Prince of Jin’s consort suddenly arriving, not only had she blocked the hunting ground exit, but if they went forward and were recognized… Li Zhaoting would definitely come out of his tent early to look for people!

Little Zhou supported Suzhen as they hurried back with Ah Qing. No one spoke along the way—this was truly an unexpected disaster!

“Wait, someone’s coming—a large group…” Ah Qing suddenly stopped.

Little Zhou obviously heard it too, “Quick, hide!”

But Suzhen said softly, “It’s too late.”

“Where are you going dressed like that?”

Just as she finished speaking, a group of horsemen emerged from behind the trees ahead. The leader wore plain white clothes, had a face like jade, and… an expression cold as frost!

“We pay our respects to Your Majesty.” Little Zhou and Ah Qing were greatly alarmed—it really was too late!

Li Zhaoting’s eyes revealed unmistakable shock, fury, and mockery.

“Feng Suzhen, speak!” From ten feet away, Li Zhaoting didn’t approach, his gaze fixed intently on Suzhen.

Looking at him, Suzhen showed no great panic and smiled lightly, “You have too many women around you. As you can see, I wanted to leave, but in the end I couldn’t bear to abandon you. I was also afraid of implicating my brother, so I came back.”

Li Zhaoting sneered coldly, “Is it that you couldn’t bear to leave me, or did you turn back only after hearing news of the Dowager Empress’s arrival?”

“The Dowager Empress?” Suzhen was stunned, “What do you mean? She’s here?”

Little Zhou secretly observed and saw Li Zhaoting’s pupils contract violently, couldn’t help but break into a cold sweat for Suzhen.

At this moment, Li Zhaoting truly couldn’t say what he was feeling! When he heard the report that she had gone out to find people, and based on what the imperial guards said, they had searched by the lake only to find it empty—if Si Lanfeng hadn’t desperately pleaded for mercy, he would have killed those two squad leaders on the spot.

She wanted to leave. She desperately wanted to leave. She had deceived him. Her feelings for him weren’t as deep as he thought! Perhaps even…

He felt as if someone had forcefully gouged out a piece of his heart.

It hurt, yet that person covered his mouth and gave him another blow.

He had Wuqing arrested and frantically chased after her with Si Lanfeng…

Once he found her, he would imprison her!

As he walked, his heart surged like violent waves with only this thought.

Now, her dark eyes made him momentarily unable to distinguish truth from falsehood. After a long while, he walked up to her and grasped her arm, “Come, go back with me and change out of those damned clothes, then accompany me to see the Dowager Empress!”

“Wouldn’t it be inappropriate for the Dowager Empress to see me here?” Suzhen said.

“Leaving you alone in the tent would be even more inappropriate.” He sneered, ordering Si Lanfeng and the imperial guards to capture Little Zhou and the others, then dragged her toward the camp without explanation.

After returning, he threw her roughly onto the bed, his mouth spitting out only two stern words: “Change clothes!”

Suzhen’s eyes showed hesitation, but seeing the increased mockery in his eyes, knowing he wouldn’t leave, she turned her back to undress. Just as her garments began to fall away, a powerful force surged from behind—he embraced her from behind.

“If you’re dissatisfied with me, you can tell me. Whatever it is, it’s fine. Why did you have to leave!”

She didn’t dare move. He suddenly turned her face around and kissed her… After a long while, until both were gasping for breath, he finally released her. His eyes burned with lingering fire as he forcibly changed her clothes and then dragged her out.

After leaving the tent, he finally released her, his face resuming a cold, indifferent expression. All the way there, he no longer touched her, but his cold, sharp gaze constantly hovered over her.

…

They encountered the Prince of Jin’s consort halfway.

Everyone had already dismounted from their carriages and palanquins. The various consorts and the Wei family followed behind, while the Prince of Jin’s consort had the dejected Liang Song beside her.

“Your Majesty, I came here to…” She said this far, glancing at Suzhen, “Oh, why is Concubine Shu here too? Wasn’t she feeling unwell and granted permission to recuperate at the villa?”

“I had her brought over. I knew before departure that Concubine Shu was feeling unwell. After I arrived here, I sent someone back to inquire and learned she had gone to the villa to recuperate. When I finished my fasting and came here for a walk, seeing the scenery was pleasant, I sent someone to bring her here to recuperate in this place.”

Li Zhaoting glanced at Liang Song, knowing that someone from the palace must have reported to Huguo Temple, discovered he wasn’t there, and pressed Liang Song for information to find him. He immediately took over the conversation.

“I see. Being favored by Your Majesty, Concubine Shu is truly fortunate. But Noble Consort Wei is even more fortunate! Your Majesty, Noble Consort Wei is with child—you’re going to be a father! I sent someone to Huguo Temple to report the news but couldn’t find you. When I questioned Liang Song, I learned you had come here. In my joy, I couldn’t wait any longer and couldn’t help but bring everyone to tell you in person!”

The Prince of Jin’s consort laughed heartily, clearly genuinely delighted, though she certainly had other thoughts as well.

But aside from her genuine joy and the Wei family’s beaming smiles, the consorts behind her, though all wearing smiling faces, were not truly happy. A Luo’s face was particularly dark and pale.

Suzhen was only mildly surprised and felt no ripples in her heart. Her first thought was that the Wei family would probably be even harder to deal with in the future. When her gaze briefly met Wei Wulei’s, she indeed saw a flash of killing intent in the other’s eyes.

Li Zhaoting’s eyes brightened, clearly showing joy—after all, this was his first child. He thanked the Prince of Jin’s consort, walked up to Wei Wulei, took her hand and said, “My beloved consort has worked hard.”

Wei Wulei’s feelings were complex, but at this moment she couldn’t help but shyly lower her head, “Your Majesty speaks too highly. Being able to bear Your Majesty’s heir is this concubine’s blessing.”

Li Zhaoting spoke a few more gentle words, then exchanged pleasantries with the Wei father and sons, all smiling at each other.

After some discussion, the Prince of Jin’s consort suggested that since the palace ladies had already come here, they might as well stay and enjoy themselves for a few days before returning.

The group returned to the camp.

The imperial guards quickly erected new tents, and everyone returned to their tents for brief rest, planning to hold a banquet outside the tents that evening.

Suzhen was escorted back to the original tent by imperial guards. Li Zhaoting didn’t return, but went to Wei Wulei’s place. When Suzhen asked about Wuqing, Little Zhou, and the others, the guards only said they didn’t know. She requested to see Si Lanfeng, and the guards reported for her, returning shortly to say that Commander Si was busy attending His Majesty and had many duties.

She knew it was Li Zhaoting who wouldn’t allow it.

She slowly sat on the couch, her emotions nearly collapsing after being suppressed ever since Li Zhaoting discovered her escape attempt.

After this incident, she would never be able to escape again, and her brother, Little Zhou, and the others were probably already imprisoned!

What would happen to Big Fish and Little Lotus? She slowly took out the porcelain bottle she had kept hidden close to her body, her eyes red-rimmed, her knuckles gripping until they turned white.

After an unknown amount of time, sounds grew noisy outside and things became lively. The evening banquet was probably about to begin. Looking at her waist tightly bound by her belt, she gritted her teeth and struggled to get up. She was an imperial consort—regardless of her state of mind, she had to go out. No matter what, until the moment Li Zhaoting discovered her secret, she couldn’t give up.

Lifting the tent flap to look out, she saw the area around the tent was densely packed with imperial guard sentries. When had he sent heavy troops here? He had placed her under house arrest! Her whole body trembled as she heard an indifferent, unwilling voice say, “His Majesty wants you to rest in the tent and need not attend the banquet. Here, this is your dinner.”

She looked up to see Little Four holding a tray, with three meat dishes, four vegetable dishes on the plate—exquisite and aromatic food.

…

She took the tray into the tent and forced herself to eat a few bites before she couldn’t eat anymore.

The sounds of drums, music, and laughter drifted faintly from outside the tent. After an unknown length of time, the sounds faded, but she still sat there motionless and rigid, not knowing what time it was.

Until the tent flap was suddenly lifted.

A heavy smell of alcohol wafted in. She looked up in alarm to see a corner of stars in the sky and a pair of dark, bloodshot eyes. This person should have been in Wei Wulei’s tent now, or else at Miaoyin or A Luo’s place…