The upright and kind Shen Qiyuan saved the imperial carriage on the second day of the autumn hunt.

Most of the prey in the hunting ground were specially placed in the forest beforehand, basically choosing docile deer, rabbits, and pigs. No one knew from where a Tianzhu lion suddenly sprang out, opening its bloody mouth and charging into the ceremonial procession. Two guards had their heads bitten off on the spot, and the rest scattered in terror, actually leaving His Majesty alone in place.

At the critical moment, Shen Qiyuan rode his horse forward, pierced through a willow leaf at a hundred paces, ended the lion’s life with one arrow, then stepped through the blood pool to personally carry the imperial carriage back to Ten-Li Wind Pavilion.

During the half hour on Shen Qiyuan’s back, His Majesty no longer thought about the Zongzheng Department’s dereliction of duty. His mind was filled with the Master’s prophecy from the past and all the things Shen Qiyuan had done for him over the years.

Thus, even before returning to the palace, Shen Qiyuan was rewarded with a thousand taels of gold, promoted to first-rank official status, and his birth mother Princess Heyang was posthumously honored as Grand Princess Guangde Ciren.

Li Zhaoying sighed as she spoke: “Everyone thought Brother Qiyuan’s forceful investigation of Grand Preceptor Liu’s case would lose imperial favor. Who would have expected such a dramatic turn?”

Ruyi turned the roasting skewer in her hand, brushing a layer of oil on the squab: “His luck is quite good.”

“It’s both luck and ability. Such a large lion—I was frightened just looking at the corpse they carried back. Only Brother Qiyuan dared to face it. He deserves this reward.” Zhaoying clapped her hands, eyes full of admiration.

The aroma of roasted squab gradually intensified. Li Zhaoying sniffed and curiously peered over: “Why is sister personally roasting these? You could just leave it to the palace attendants.”

“Their roasting is too meticulous, lacking some natural flavor.” Ruyi sprinkled a handful of Western Region spices, then dropped a small pinch of chopped scallions, split the squab in two, and handed one half to her.

Zhaoying hesitated somewhat. She had never eaten such rough, large pieces of food, but seeing Ruyi bite down with that crispy-outside-tender-inside sound, she swallowed her saliva and accepted it.

“Boss.” Zhao Yanning returned from outside, his expression somewhat unpleasant. “Grand Preceptor Liu refuses to confess and sign the confession. Many accompanying veteran ministers are also continuously pleading for him.”

Ruyi casually broke off a squab leg for him, saying unhurriedly: “Master Shen only presented the charges but hasn’t determined his guilt. With so many details unclarified, naturally, he won’t easily sign a confession.”

Zhao Yanning accepted it, clenching his fists: “But if this continues, I fear His Majesty’s mind will change.”

His Majesty’s handling of Grand Preceptor Liu was reluctant to begin with. If so many charges couldn’t crush him, it would be even more difficult afterward.

“Grand Preceptor Liu began teaching lessons at the Eastern Palace and has known His Majesty for over ten years. It’s human nature for His Majesty to be reluctant to see him die. But with Elder Wen and numerous censors present, no matter how reluctant His Majesty is, he cannot spare him.”

“What if we add Consort Hui?” Zhao Yanning asked.

Consort Hui had shown great care to the mother and son when His Majesty was not in power. His Majesty held her in great respect. Currently, the consort lived in a Taoist temple at the southern foot of Huiming Mountain. If she received news and intervened, His Majesty would at least preserve Grand Preceptor Liu’s life.

Ruyi snorted with laughter: “Are you still not confident in Master Shen’s work? He won’t let this news leak by half a bit.”

“The Liu Manor’s attendants were indeed all detained, but when I went to look just now, Grand Preceptor Liu sat calmly and said he had already released carrier pigeons.” Zhao Yanning shook his head repeatedly. “After all, there’s always a gap in the tightest net.”

Ruyi sighed and smiled lazily: “Young man, don’t be so impatient. Come, try my cooking.”

At such a critical juncture, what was there to try?

Zhao Yanning was about to throw away the finger-sized piece of meat in his hand.

But in the instant before throwing it, he suddenly realized something and looked down sharply.

The small squab leg in his hand had very fresh meat, roasted very fragrantly.

Looking up again, Ruyi’s eyes carried some teasing: “Caught at noon just above the traveling palace. There were two in total. I saved one for Master Shen, so you can only eat a leg.”

His tightly furrowed brow suddenly relaxed. Zhao Yanning didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, raised his hand to throw the leg into his mouth and chewed, then deeply bowed to Ruyi with cupped hands.

“Enough.” She waved her hand. “If you want to thank me, help Master Shen run to the morgue a few times after returning to the city. Seven or eight lives for him to investigate alone—I’m afraid I won’t see him for two months.”

“Good.” Zhao Yanning readily agreed.

Li Zhaoying only understood a few words at this point and couldn’t help raising an eyebrow: “I haven’t asked yet about yesterday evening—”

Ruyi lifted the squab in her hand to block her mouth.

“Little Princess.” She smiled charmingly and alluringly. “Don’t dare speak carelessly. If that person becomes angry from embarrassment, won’t I be the one to suffer?”

Looking at her bright, sparkling eyes, Li Zhaoying frowned slightly.

She felt Brother Qiyuan was being irresponsible. How important was the reputation of Great Qian’s daughters? How could he have intimate relations without giving Sister Ruyi an explanation?

Looking at Sister Ruyi in contrast, she was so understanding, not meaning to force him at all, silently bearing everything herself. Her eyes were even brimming with tears, yet she wouldn’t let her speak a word against him.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Li Zhaoying grabbed the roasted squab, stood up, and stormed outside.

Ruyi wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, coughing: “I shouldn’t have put so much chili. What variety of chili is this? How can it be so spicy?”

Zhao Yanning pointed at the princess’s departing figure: “That one seems very angry. Her face is all red with anger.”

What was worth being angry about? Ruyi shook her head: “You must be seeing wrong. It’s probably red from the spice.”

“Oh.”

Shen Qiyuan had just finished dividing investigation directions with ministers from the Ministry of Justice when he encountered Li Zhaoying upon exiting.

Unlike her usual shy demeanor, Li Zhaoying’s eyes were now blazing with fire. She brought him to a secluded place and said in a deep voice, “Those who know Zongzheng affairs have been considered excellent selections by successive dynasties. Only those whose learning spans ancient and modern times, whose conduct should crown the imperial clan, can hold this position. You shouldered this heavy responsibility at sixteen and have made no mistakes in four years. Why are you confused about matters between men and women?”

Shen Qiyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly: “Who told you?”

“I spent half an hour looking for Sister Ruyi yesterday evening.” Li Zhaoying looked at him steadily.

He had set up barriers all around. Even if someone came, they couldn’t possibly discover any traces.

His gaze fell on the blue tassel of red jade at her waist. Shen Qiyuan understood: “You encountered Zhenshan while searching. He’s quite talkative.”

“Never mind who’s talkative. Tell me what you plan to do?” Li Zhaoying angrily put her hands on her hips. “Though Sister Ruyi is beautiful and kind-hearted, she is, after all, a commoner now. If you want to marry her as your wife, the imperial clan elders won’t agree. If you want to take her as a concubine, I won’t agree!”

“That’s our business.” Shen Qiyuan lowered his eyes. “No need for the Princess to worry.”

“This response was good for brushing me off before, but now I’m not concerned about you—I just don’t want to see Sister Ruyi wronged. You men naturally don’t know women’s difficulties. If you don’t plan to give her status, I’ll have to find a way to advocate for her!”