“Your Majesty, do you need this servant to announce you?”

A soft call came from behind. The shadow gestured for silence, then slowly pushed the door open and closed it behind him.

His gaze quickly fell on the table. At first glance, it seemed to stir his thoughts. He quickly went over and picked up the painting. Seeing the man in the picture, his brow rapidly furrowed, his eyes showing an inscrutable sinister glint. But when his gaze fell on the jade flute in the man’s hand, his expression relaxed.

Something rose rapidly to his chest!

Thinking of that discarded jade flute and the one he had crushed with his own hands, he felt irritated. Though she thought of Lian Yu, she wasn’t entirely without feelings for him…

Why had he crushed the flute in front of her then?

After all, they had been childhood sweethearts for so many years. After all, he was the first person she loved, and he was her first man. If he hadn’t “left” midway, what business would Lian Yu have had?

Her using Lian Yu to “demonstrate” against him, protecting Lian Yu’s siblings—perhaps she also wanted to demand some proof from him?

He had imprisoned her in the temple, certainly in extreme anger then, but hadn’t his heart harbored some thought of wanting her to beg him?

But he seemed to have lost first…

When the three months ended and he went there that day, he clearly saw she was ill, and seriously so.

If she had requested a physician then, he would have provided one.

But she was sometimes too stubborn. He truly hated her, so he said nothing either.

Her face was something he had never expected. That night when he suddenly saw it, his heart felt as if gouged out, as if those fires had burned on his own body. If he hadn’t forcibly taken away all her people, with Wuqing protecting her, how could that fire have…

But he told himself he couldn’t care for her.

Yet today, hearing Mother was holding a banquet, he knew Mother wouldn’t let it rest. When that consort acted insultingly toward her, he ultimately couldn’t restrain himself!

What right did that person have to treat her so!

Thinking this, his heart grew increasingly tender. He couldn’t help but slowly walk to the bedside.

On the couch, she slept deeply yet seemed to sleep very poorly.

Her forehead was damp, her brows tightly furrowed—what was she seeing in her dreams!

He gently sat down and wiped away her sweat. She instinctively reached out to grasp, her sleeve sliding down to reveal a section of white, tender arm. He couldn’t help remembering that night’s events… immediately feeling his heart race. When he realized what he was doing, his hand was already on her cheek, burning like fire. In an instant he withdrew his hand and left the couch, fleeing as if escaping.

In the courtyard, Chen Jiao and Little Lu watched him leave with apprehensive expressions, his face inscrutable.

Outside the courtyard, Little Four quietly probed: “Master, were you frightened by Feng Suzhen’s ghostly appearance?”

He stood with pressed lips, neither confirming nor denying.

If he stayed here tonight, he would truly lose. From then on, could he still speak a harsh word to her?

She should be the first to surrender!

Liang Song said quietly: “Your Majesty, this old slave was just looking for you. Commander Si sent word that the guest has arrived and is waiting in the imperial study.”

He hummed acknowledgment: “It’s about time. Let’s go.”

Just as he was about to step forward, Little Four suddenly said: “Master, what’s that in your hand?”

Li Zhaoting was startled, only then realizing he had actually brought out the painting from the room.

“Put it back in the room,” he instructed Little Four.

At the imperial study, Si Lanfeng and a man were already waiting.

The latter was Sangzhan.

Seeing him enter, Sangzhan rose and bowed: “Sangzhan pays respects to Your Majesty.”

“Rise.” He walked before him, smiling slightly as he asked: “What did Minister Quan say to you?”

He went straight to the point, catching people off guard. But Sangzhan smiled similarly: “Minister Quan believes this humble citizen has some learning and wishes to recruit me as an advisor.”

Li Zhaoting was pleased by his words and laughed heartily: “What a modest person. What do you think? Lanfeng must have told you my intentions on the way?”

This question was still sharp and direct.

“Yes.” Sangzhan answered: “I am willing to serve Your Majesty faithfully.”

“Oh?” He tilted his head, his gaze sharp as he studied him: “What Minister Quan promised is probably greater than what I offer. Sangzhan, why this decision? Could it be you’re nominally serving me but actually serving Quan… hmm?”

Sangzhan met his gaze: “Your Majesty, though I’m merely the leader of a small tribe, small as our tribe is, I understand the righteousness between ruler and minister. Even if Minister Quan succeeded, it wouldn’t be legitimate. Your Majesty is descended from the Prince of Jin—regardless, you remain orthodox royalty. I have no other reasons—only this.”

“But of course, since Minister Quan offered me position second to none, I dare mention this to Your Majesty. Please don’t take offense.”

“Good, straightforward enough! I like dealing with people like you.” Li Zhaoting nodded: “Sangzhan, since Quan Feitong promised you these things, he must have said I couldn’t offer more generously. But he underestimates me too much. Beyond power, I’ll grant you one more wish. What do you want?”

Sangzhan’s eyes brightened as if very pleased by this.

Li Zhaoting watched him calmly, also somewhat curious what this person might want.

“Since Your Majesty ascended the throne, most policies have benefited the people. I know Your Majesty isn’t a tyrant but a benevolent ruler. Yet ultimately, serving a ruler is like keeping a tiger as companion. I know I’m not skilled at flattery, so since Your Majesty grants this favor, I dare once more to exchange this wish for a life.”

Li Zhaoting pondered briefly: “Good. I agree. I’ll later give you a decree of immunity from death.”

“Thank Your Majesty.” Sangzhan bowed his head and responded clearly.

Li Zhaoting smiled: “What official position should I grant you? Something that won’t seem too abrupt?”

His tone seemed self-deliberating yet also inquiring of the other.

Sangzhan said: “Your Majesty, I once heard Minister Quan say Your Majesty doesn’t want any single faction to grow too powerful. I believe I understand Your Majesty’s current concerns. Therefore, I think it’s better not to grant an official position yet. Why doesn’t Your Majesty use hitting it off at first sight as reason to keep me in the palace for a while? This way it won’t alert anyone, and I can promptly help Your Majesty resolve worries. When the time is right, Your Majesty can then push me onto the court stage. What does Your Majesty think?”

Li Zhaoting studied him with narrowed eyes—the keen intent and murderous aura of a ruler. Sangzhan said no more, smiling back. After a long while, Li Zhaoting clapped his shoulder: “Good.”

At this moment, eunuchs brought Li Zhaoting’s late meal. Sangzhan offered to take his leave, but Li Zhaoting sat at his desk: “Sangzhan, eat something with me before going.”

“Then I thank Your Majesty for your kindness.” Sangzhan wasn’t ceremonious and sat at the tea table in the room.

The late meal consisted of small dishes plus lotus root flour dumplings, almond cakes, minced meat pastries, and lotus seed soup. Following Li Zhaoting’s instructions, Liang Song served Sangzhan quite a bit while leaving him only almond cakes and a bowl of lotus seed soup.

“How is it? Does the food suit your taste?” Li Zhaoting asked.

Sangzhan replied: “A rustic mountain man rarely sees delicacies. How could imperial cuisine be anything but good?”

“If you like it, eat more.” Li Zhaoting smiled. He tasted an almond cake with the lotus seed soup, paused slightly, then suddenly asked: “Are there new cooks in the imperial kitchen? These cakes are really well made.”

Liang Song smiled nearby: “Replying to Your Majesty, you guessed right. The Dowager Empress, seeing your poor appetite these days, specially invited two cooks from Huai County to make familiar flavors for you.”

Li Zhaoting hummed and said slowly: “These almond cakes… send some to Concubine Shu tomorrow morning too.”

“Yes.” Liang Song was startled but quickly agreed. Si Lanfeng smiled: “Your Majesty still thinks of Concubine Shu after all.”

Little Four was just entering at this moment. Hearing this, he whispered to him: “She thinking of His Majesty is more like it. Didn’t you see her secretly painting His Majesty in her room? Don’t know what His Majesty likes about her—now she’s become such a ghostly sight, yet he still went there earlier. If not for the honored guest arriving, he probably would have stayed the night there.”

Li Zhaoting’s gaze turned dark and threatening. Little Four’s heart jumped—though he’d attended him since childhood and was quite favored, he immediately fell silent.

At this moment, Sangzhan rose: “Your Majesty, I’ve finished eating and won’t disturb Your Majesty’s rest further.”

Li Zhaoting valued him highly. After nodding, he instructed: “Liang Song, arrange lodging for Sangzhan in the western palace quarters. Lanfeng, escort him out. When Sangzhan has settled his belongings, bring him into the palace tomorrow. After court, I’ll host a banquet in the imperial garden.”

Sangzhan immediately expressed thanks.

He conversed lightly with Si Lanfeng all the way back to the inn. Only when he entered his room did his smile suddenly collapse as he took out the small wooden carving from his chest.

He stared at it, and it seemed to stare back, smiling innocently.

“You won’t change, will you?” He spoke softly, asking word by word.

“You exhausted yourself sending Seventh and Ninth Brother back. Who you think of in your heart—you know very clearly, don’t you? You say he didn’t like you before, but now he… yet you still won’t change, will you?”

As he asked, his fingers tightened until his knuckles creaked loudly.

Finally, he took out a dagger from his chest and carved a character on the table.

Li.

Then he forcefully cut his arm.

Only when this pain slowly suppressed the tumultuous emotions in his chest did his eyes, which had held not a trace of the Sang tribe leader’s gentility, flash with nothing but cruelty and coldness.

In the palace side hall.

The next day, when Suzhen rose, Chen Jiao and Little Lu told her His Majesty had come last night but left quickly.

Suzhen couldn’t read this person’s thoughts and was secretly frowning when Liang Song arrived with a beaming face, knocking on the side hall door. He had eunuchs present various pastries, saying they were Huai County specialties that His Majesty had found tasty and specially rewarded to Her Ladyship.

Suzhen trembled slightly, her heart gaining some understanding.

At lunch time, she went to the imperial study, but Li Zhaoting wasn’t there. Upon inquiry, she learned he was entertaining guests in the imperial garden.