Chapter 199: Who Wouldn’t Let It Go?

Magistrate Lin, sitting behind the large court desk, was about to smack the judge’s block against the desk until he took a better look at the people in front of him. Immediately, he stood up and quickly walked out from behind the desk, a smile on his face.

“Eldest Young Master Ji and Young Master Su Jiu are here too! It’s been a long time! How’s everything going?” Magistrate Lin asked.

He noticed Su Jiu with accompanied by the other Su family members. Magistrate Lin instantly came up with a theory of how Su Di and Su Yan could accept money in the name of the Crown Prince. It was because of Su Jiu!

He knew the liaison between Su Jiu and Xiao Lie.

It was the fourth time Su Jiu had been present at a court trial. She put her hands together with ease and said, “Good to see you, Magistrate Lin! How are you?”

“Thank you for your concern, Young Master Su. Everything is going well,” Magistrate Lin said, a broad smile taking the place of his awe-inspiring wonderment just a moment ago. He could totally pass as an acquaintance of Su Jiu’s if they came across each other at the farmer’s market.

The faces of the paralegal attendants nearby all darkened.

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Su Wenqian was relieved that Su Jiu knew Magistrate Lin.

“Some chinaware I left at Mingyuzhai has gone missing. May I watch today’s trial?” Ji Yuxian asked.

“Of course!” Magistrate Lin smiled politely and ordered an attendant to bring a chair over for Ji Yuxian.

“No worries. Please start the trial, Magistrate Lin,” Ji Yuxian said in a flat tone.

“Sure. Just one moment.” Magistrate Lin walked behind the court desk. He put on a straight face and asked, “Who are Su Di and Su Yan? Bring them inside the courthouse!”

Su Di and Su Yan knelt down on the floor and said, “Greetings, my Old Master!”

“You two have been charged with accepting bribes in the name of the Crown Prince. How outrageous! Will you confess to the charge?” Magistrate Lin confronted them in a cold voice.

“We are not guilty!” Su Di raised his voice and shouted.

“How dare you say you are not guilty! Look, aren’t these receipts signed by you?” Magistrate Lin threw the evidence on the desk. The paralegal next to him immediately picked the evidence up and showed it to Su Di and Su Yan.

The two glanced at the evidence and were instantly drenched in a cold sweat. They bent over, prostrating their whole bodies on the floor, kowtowing. “Mercy, please, my Old Master! We confess!”

They had indeed written the receipts. And they had accepted the money.

It was a short while after they started working at Mingyuzhai when someone came up to them to buy paintings and calligraphy. Yet for something that was only worth about 100 taels of silver, the person secretly gave them ten thousand taels, claiming that people at their manor knew that the Su family had a connection to the Crown Prince and hoped that they would pass on a good word about them to the Crown Prince.

Su Di and Su Yan didn’t know the Crown Prince personally but they were blinded by their greed. On top of that, they needed the money, so how could they resist the unexpected fortune falling into their laps?

After the first time they accepted money from someone, there was, of course, the second, and then the third time… Before they knew it, they had already taken too much.

They both knew it was getting out of control, yet it was already too hard to stop.

After Su Di and Su Yan confessed, Shopkeeper Xiao of Mingyuzhai suddenly knelt down, kowtowing. “My Old Master, please look into this! It was the two of them who did it all! I have nothing to do with it!”

Su Jiu laughed and said, “Nothing? How could the others have known that Su Di and Su Yan were working at your shop and go directly to them? How could they assume that Su Di and Su Yan had something to do with the Crown Prince?”

“That’s right!” Magistrate Lin affirmed.

“My father used to be quite friendly with the Su family. But after the Su family moved away, they sort of parted ways. One day, I saw Su Di and Su Yan being chased by debt collectors. They looked so poor and miserable. For the old time’s sake, I hired Su Di and Su Yan to work at my shop. I know nothing about them taking bribes while selling the shop’s paintings and stuff. I’ve never even seen the money. My Old Master, please prove my innocence!” Xiao Changhai said firmly, kowtowing nonstop.

Magistrate Lin stroked his beard and said thoughtfully, “Your case needs further investigation. As for Su Di and Su Yan, since they’ve already confessed, we will have them sign the confession, seal up the Su manor and track down the bribe money. Anyone else involved in this from the Su family will also be put in jail.”

“My Old Master, I’m innocent! Su Wenqian has already expelled me, so I’m not part of the Su family anymore. I have nothing to do with them!” Before anyone else said anything, Madame Lin started kowtowing and begging.

Su Yueqiu also knelt nearby and said, “My Old Master, I don’t have anything to do with the Su family either. I’ve already gotten married.”

Magistrate Lin asked, “Who are these two?”

The paralegal immediately responded, “This lady is Su Di and Su Yan’s mother, and that one is their sister of the same parents.”

Magistrate Lin furrowed his brows. “Since they are their mother and sister, how could they have nothing to do with it? Take them too, for now.”

“My Old Master, I’m innocent! We are innocent!” Madame Lin shouted.

A couple of attendants went up and began dragging them towards the jail.

An attendant also came up to take Eldest Mistress, but he was pushed away by Su Jiu. “Don’t touch my mother!”

If Su Di and Su Yan’s case had anything to do with Su Jiu, Magistrate Lin couldn’t just let Su Jiu go like that. Even if he planned to in the end, he had to wait for Xiao Lie to show up and do it himself.

He didn’t have the courage to take responsibility if anything went wrong.

“Young Master Su, I don’t believe you have anything to do with the case. But before everything is clear, I have to ask you and Eldest Mistress for a favor. Please stay at the government office for a couple of days.”

Su Wenqian saw that while Su Di and Su Yan were at a loss, Madame Lin was screaming and crying, and the courthouse was in a total uproar, a group of elite soldiers in armor suddenly entered the courthouse. They lined up on both sides with serious looks on their face. Then, Hu Dapao came in and walked straight up to Su Jiu. “Young Master Su is really here!” he said with a laugh.

Su Jiu raised one brow. Why was Hu Dapao here too?

Magistrate Lin was surprised. He hurried to greet Hu Dapao and bowed before him. “Greetings, General Hu!”

Hu Dapao said, “I just came back to the city and heard that someone wrongfully accused Young Master Su, so I came here to check up on the trial.”

Magistrate Lin responded quickly, “Yes, there is indeed something to look into. But I promise I will find out the truth and prove Young Master Su’s innocence.”

Hu Dapao glanced around and asked, “Is the trial done yet?”

Magistrate Lin said, “For today, yes. Su Di and Su Yan have already signed the confession.”

“Since it’s done, I will take Young Master and leave for now,” Hu Dapao said and tried to take Su Jiu with him.

Magistrate Lin hastily stopped him, saying, “General Hu, that’s against the rules.”

“Rule, my ass. If you dare to touch her, I will tear down your courthouse now!” Hu Dapao stared at him, eyes blazing fiercely.

“Well, well…” The magistrate was so scared of Hu Dapao that he was tongue-tied. He staggered back.

Ji Yuxian broke the silence and said, “Master Lin, you haven’t asked about my case yet, have you?”

“What case?” Magistrate Lin asked, caught off guard by this.

“The chinaware I left at Mingyuzhai went missing. It had to be Su Di and Su Yan who secretly sold them and took the money for themselves. From this, you can tell that my Young Mistress is innocent!”

“Young Mistress?” Magistrate Lin’s eyes popped from his eye sockets.

Ji Yuxian nodded with a smile. Then, he put an arm around Su Jiu’s waist. “I haven’t gotten a chance to introduce her to Magistrate Lin yet. This is my Young Mistress, the Eldest Young Lady of the Su family, Su Yuejiu.”

Magistrate Lin was suddenly enlightened. He murmured, “But, even if Young Master Su turned out to be Young Mistress of Ji Manor, how does that prove she is innocent?”

“Magistrate Lin, think about it. Yuejiu is my Young Mistress. Why would she work with Su Di and Su Yan to take bribes and sell her own stuff? If that’s impossible, then my lady has nothing to do with what Su Di and Su Yan did. The bribery case certainly has nothing to do with her either. Isn’t that right?” Ji Yuxian inquired with a calm tone.

Magistrate Lin stared at Ji Yuxian for a moment, then turned his gaze to the fierce-looking Hu Dapao. He decided to do them a favor. “What Eldest Young Master said is absolutely right!”

The paralegal nearby, holding a brush in his trembling hand, had no clue how to take notes for this part of the trial.

“Well, can I take my innocent Young Mistress and my mother-in-law home now?” Ji Yuxian was extra polite.

“Sure, sure. Eldest Young Master, Young Mistress, please take care!”

“Goodbye!”

Hu Dapao stepped aside as Su Jiu walked out, holding Eldest Mistress’s hand. Su Wenqian shouted behind them, “Yuejiu, your father is innocent too! Please find a way to get me out of here!”

Su Jiu walked out of the government office’s front gate with Eldest Mistress. She didn’t look back.

Every other member of the Su family was put in jail.

As they left the government office, Hu Dapao asked, “Chief, are you alright?”

“Don’t I look fine to you? I’m right here,” Su Jiu said.

Hu Dapao glanced at Ji Yuxian and said in a flat tone, “It was the Crown Prince. His Highness sent me here.”

Ji Yuxian raised an eyebrow and looked over. His eyes darkened slightly.

Su Jiu lifted one corner of her mouth and smiled. “You can go back now.”

“Where are you going?” Hu Dapao asked.

“I’m heading home!”

“I will take you home,” Hu Dapao immediately said.

Eldest Mistress suddenly said, “Dapao, you can take me home first. Jiu’er has something to discuss with Eldest Young Master and I want to go home.”

Su Jiu turned to look at her mother, puzzled. When did she have something to discuss with Ji Yuxian?

Ji Yuxian said, “That will work. We just need a favor from General Hu.”

“No problem!” Hu Dapao gave an honest laugh.

Eldest Mistress squeezed Su Jiu’s hand for a brief moment and said, “The things that happened today might not be over yet. You should talk to Yuxian about it.”

Su Jiu knew that although her mother never asked about her personal life, her mother knew that she was more than capable of figuring things out on her own. Su Jiu said with a smile, “Sure. After that, I will come home to keep you company.”

“You should keep Yuxian company,” Eldest Mistress said, smiling back at her. She turned around and headed to the carriage.

After Hu Dapao and Eldest Mistress left, Ji Yuxian took Su Jiu’s hand. “Let’s go home.”

Su Jiu nodded slightly.

Sitting inside the carriage, Ji Yuxian looked out the window, expression inscrutable. There’s a meaningful glint in his eyes.

Su Jiu’s head was leaning on his shoulder. “I didn’t know Xiao Lie would send Dapao. I had actually planned my own way out already.”

Ji Yuxian turned his head and kissed Su Jiu’s forehead. He raised a hand and gently touched her cheek. “Jiu’er, I figured you would have. I don’t want you to have too much to do with him.”

Su Jiu closed her eyes and nuzzled her head gently against his neck. “Ji Yuxian, trust me!”

“Jiu’er, when everything is over, can you guarantee that you can get out of it unscratched?” Ji Yuxian asked in a deep voice, kissing her eyelids.

Without hesitation, Su Jiu nodded, “I will.”

Ji Yuxian’s thin lips parted slightly as he let out a soft sigh. He held her face and kissed her cold lips, murmuring, “Don’t make me wait for too long. I’m afraid I will become too exhausted and won’t have enough time left.”

“Ji Yuxian!” Su Jiu suddenly interrupted him and clutched his clothes tightly, eyes deep and glittering. “I won’t allow you to love me.”

Ji Yuxian stared into her eyes deeply, lowered his head, and started kissing her hard on the lips.

How could he not?

…

The other Su family members were locked up in jail. At the same time, Yu Long entered the palace.

Yu Long had not really gotten injured severely on the mountain. Yet, despite having spent quite some time recovering, she still looked a little pale and thin. With a bit of makeup, like face powder, along with a lotus-colored satin palace dress, she looked prettier than usual.

Imperial Concubine Rong had just returned from Fushou Palace. She smiled warmly when she saw Yu Long waiting for her. “Why didn’t you send someone to tell me? How long have you been waiting?”

“Mother’s priority is to keep the Empress Dowager company. Don’t worry about me. I can wait!” Yu Long smiled gracefully.

Imperial Concubine Rong took her hand and headed towards the inner chamber. “I can tell that you look a little pale. Are you still not feeling well?”

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for asking, Mother!” Yu Long said with a smile.

Immediately, Hong Xiu said, “Imperial Concubine Rong, the Crown Princess Consort has been concerned about the His Highness. She hasn’t slept well for two days.”

Yu Long gave Hong Xiu an angry glance and said, “I was talking to Mother. How dare you interrupt like that?”

Hong Xiu stepped back and lowered her head.

“What happened? What’s up with Lie’er?” Imperial Concubine Rong asked after a pause.

Yu Long frowned slightly and replied, “No big deal.”

“Just tell me, what is it?” Imperial Concubine Rong asked again.

“Don’t worry, Mother. It isn’t really a big deal. Recently, some people in the city have been accepting bribes in His Highness’s name, attempting to damage His Highness’s reputation. But they have been all arrested,” Yu Long said.

Imperial Concubine Rong was shocked. “How could something like this happen? What kind of people were they?” she asked.

How could ordinary people have the guts to scam others in the name of the Crown Prince? The punishment for a crime like that could easily involve their whole family and even cost them their lives.

“The two people who did it, one was named Su Di, and the other was Su Yan. They really had nothing to do with His Highness,” Yu Long said in a flat tone.

With the surname Su?

Imperial Concubine Rong’s eyes lit up as if she suddenly figured out something. “What’s the relationship between these two and Su Jiu?”

Yu Long didn’t try to hide it. “They are Lady Su’s paternal half-brothers. Lady Su shouldn’t have anything to do with this, so I tried to cover it up for fear that His Highness might try to stick up for Lady Su. His Highness had nothing to do with this, but if someone takes advantage of him, I’m afraid he will inevitably get involved.”

Imperial Concubine Rong nodded with a darkened face. She knew what Yu Long was implying. Xiao Lie had only just become the Crown Prince. There was still residual power left of Xiao Jing’s force in the imperial court. Besides, supporters of Prince Yu, such as Official Lyu, have always been watching Xiao Lie like a hawk. If someone took advantage of what happened, they might do a lot of harm to Xiao Lie.

“I will tell Lie’er to handle this carefully,” Imperial Concubine Rong said.

“Yes. His Highness is still a little mad at me because of Su Jiu. I’m in no position to try to convince His Highness since it leads to more misunderstandings between me and His Highness. Mother, do you think you can go and talk to him? I think it’s the best way,” Yu Long said.

“I really appreciate that you think about Lie’er’s well-being all the time,” Imperial Concubine Rong said with a smile.

“It’s my pleasure!”

Yu Long entered the inner chamber to sit for a moment and they chatted for a while. By the time she left the palace, it was already almost dark.

As soon as she got on the carriage, the carriage driver told her everything that happened at the court trial hosted by Magistrate Lin earlier that day.

In the twilight, the coldness in Yu Long’s eyes glowed. She knew it. She knew Xiao Lie would make a move to save Su Jiu.

“Did you say Eldest Young Master Ji was there too?” Yu Long asked.

“Yes.”

“Haven’t the Ji Manor and the Su family agreed on a divorce?” Yu Long frowned.

“They have. But Ji Manor seems to have a business relationship with Mingyuzhai.”

“What’s the current relationship between Su Jiu and Ji Yuxian?” Yu Long lowered her voice and asked.

“Su Jiu spends a lot of time visiting the pleasure district and seems to be involved with some escorts, so there shouldn’t be anything going on between them now.”

Yu Long nodded and got on the carriage.

Considering how serious it was, Magistrate Lin wrote a memorandum and submitted it to Emperor Zhao Ping the next day.

Emperor Zhao Ping knew nothing about what happened between Su Jiu and Xiao Lie, so he came up with another theory and assumed that someone tried to take advantage of his previous relationship with Bai Jingrou to set Xiao Lie up. Furious, Emperor Zhao Ping ordered to the imperial court to investigate the case.

Xiao Lie volunteered to be in charge of the case in the court. Emperor Zhao Ping approved it.

Obviously, Emperor Zhao Ping trusted Xiao Lie, believing that he had been set up. People on the Crown Prince’s side, such as Yao Bing certainly felt relieved. On the other hand, people like Official Lyu were secretly angry.

After the routine morning audience, Xiao Lie was called to Yulan Palace by Imperial Concubine Rong.

When he got to the hall, Imperial Concubine Rong immediately ordered everyone else to leave. In a solemn tone, she said, “Lie’er, Mother wants to tell you seriously that this time you have to punish the Su family severely. Besides that, you have to stop contacting Su Jiu completely!”

She had not told Emperor Zhao Ping everything. That meant she was showing him mercy and leaving him a way out.

“Mother, this case has nothing to do with Ah Jiu,” Xiao Lie responded with a straight face.

“I know Su Jiu is not that kind of person. I’m afraid someone took advantage of her. Plus, I heard that the Su family really did accept bribes in your name!” Imperial Concubine Rong’s face darkened.

“Then, there really is someone setting her up, but the truth is different from what Mother has heard about!” Xiao Lie had a cold look in his bright black eyes.

Imperial Concubine Rong furrowed her brows. “What do you mean, Lie’er?”

“Mother, you are a brilliant lady. Why haven’t you figured it out yet?”

Imperial Concubine Rong pondered for a moment, then her eyes glittered brightly. “Do you mean that…”

Xiao Lie slowly nodded.

“Do you have any evidence?”

“I will soon!”

Two days later, Yu Long went back to Lord Yun Nan Manor. As soon as she stepped in, a manservant hurried to her and said, “Crown Princess Consort, it’s great to see that you are back. His Royal Highness wants to see you!”

Yu Long knitted her brows and quickly walked to the study room.

She pushed open the door and saw Lord Yun Nan, Xia Cang, sitting behind his desk with a solemn face.

“What happened, father?” Yu Long asked immediately.

“Xiao Changhai’s family was taken by Xiao Lie today!” Xia Cang said in a grave voice.

Yu Long was shocked. “His investigation led him to Xiao Changhai?”

“Yes. Not only that, but Xiao Lie also sent people to Wuling County, and found the protesting villagers who acted up and tried to revert the case for Qiao An,” Xia Cang said, his voice cold.

Yu Long’s face changed. Xiao Lie was not trying to revert Qiao An’s case. He was suspicious of them!

“I will stop him!”

“Stop him?” Xia Cang snorted coldly. “For one woman, he wants to go against Lord Yun Nan Manor. Apparently, he is unable to see the big picture. Yu Long, we have picked the wrong guy!”

“No!” Yu Long, flustered, suddenly knelt down. “Father, His Highness might not know that Xiao Changhai worked for us. Perhaps he was simply looking into the case on the Emperor’s order. He didn’t mean to oppose Lord Yun Nan Manor!”

“What’s not clear about that? With what happened to Qiao An and the case of Mingyuzhai, he would know by now. What we want is to force him to make a decision. You or that woman by the surname of Su? Judging by the current situation, he has obviously decided to give up Lord Yun Nan Manor!”

“Father, maybe His Highness can’t entirely forget about Su Jiu, but I promise you, I will change his mind! I’ve already married him, and I don’t regret it. Please, Father! Please support His Highness!” Yu Long said, sobbing.

“What’s the deal with the woman at Crown Prince Manor then?” Xia Cang asked unpleasantly.

Yu Long fell silent, biting her lower lip.

“He’s just got married, yet he’s already gotten himself a concubine. Doesn’t that mean that Xiao Lie isn’t taking Lord Yun Nan Manor seriously? I wouldn’t have put him in a difficult position if he hadn’t done something so disappointing to us!”

From Xiao Lie’s aloof attitude towards Yu Long since they got married to Xiao Lie’s indifference when Yu Long got injured at the hunting grounds, to him marrying a concubine, everything Xiao Lie did only made Xia Cang more furious.

Did they think Lord Yun Nan Manor was an easy target?

“Please don’t be mad, Father. That woman is the child of a loyal official. His Highness only did so to…”

“You don’t need to defend him!” Xia Cang interrupted Yu Long coldly. “You don’t need to hide that Xiao Lie has been giving you the cold shoulder. On the contrary, he’s been spoiling the woman who once served a traitor! This is a slap in the face to Lord Yun Nan Manor!”

“Father!” Yu Long cried desperately, begging.

Gazing at his daughter, Xia Cang’s face darkened even more with a hint of helplessness. A long moment later, he said with a softer voice, “He needs to know when to stop being sullen, which will benefit everyone.”

“Yes. I promise I will convince His Highness, Father!”

Yu Long stood up. She didn’t want to stay at Lord Yu Nan Manor any longer. She hurried back to Crown Prince Manor.

As soon as she stepped through the gate, she saw Ding Fei headed to the rear court, taking several people with him. Her face changed suddenly. She called to stop Ding Fei and glanced at the people he was taking and asked, “Who are these people?”

Ding Fei responded, “It was the Crown Prince, His Highness’s order. Without his order, I can’t tell the Crown Princess Consort. I beg your forgiveness, Crown Princess Consort.”

Yu Long’s face darkened. She nodded and said, “You keep them outside for now. I have something to say to His Highness!”

“Yes!” Ding Fei stepped back.

Inside the study room, Xiao Lie was sitting at the desk and reading memorandums. He looked up with a cold expression in his bright dark eyes when he saw Yu Long walk in.

Yu Long walked up and got down on one knee. She lowered her voice and said, “I beg Your Highness, please don’t keep investigating the case of Mingyuzhai and the petition letter of Wuling County. I confess it’s all Yu Long’s fault. Your Highness can punish me, in whatever way you want. I will make no complaints.”

Xiao Lie glanced at her coldly. He gave a half-smile and said, “You are honest! Or it’s because you know you can’t hide it anymore?”

“Yu Long is simply jealous of Su Jiu because Your Highness likes her more. That’s why I did what I did,” Yu Long said calmly, looking down.

“But based on what I have found out, these people have something to do with Lord Yun Nan Manor as well,” Xiao Lie said in a cold voice.

Yu Long’s face turned pale. “It’s really all Yu Long’s fault. Please, I beg Your Highness to punish me! Please, don’t look further into it!”

“What if I insist on finding out everything behind this and reporting the results of the investigation to Imperial Father?” His voice was cold and aloof.

Yu Long suddenly looked up, “That will get my father involved! It won’t do Your Highness any good!”

“Are you threatening me?”

“I wouldn’t dare!” Yu Long was suddenly choked with sobs. “My father found out that Your Highness got a concubine and that you still can’t forget about Su Jiu. That’s why he was helping Yu Long do all this. He simply wanted to force Your Highness to make your choice!”

“Well, then you go tell Lord Yun Nan that I’ve always had only one option I on my mind!”

“Your Highness!” Yu Long teared up. She stared straight at him. “Don’t you understand, Your Highness? It’s Su Jiu who turned us against each other so that none of us would win! She hated that we betrayed her. She is trying to get her revenge!”

Xiao Lie’s beautiful eyes were ice cold. “I haven’t seen Ah Jiu do anything. All I’ve seen is you trying to take Ah Jiu down by any means, including using my name, and leaving no way out for anyone!”

Yu Long looked down, downcast. “Yu Long has made a mistake! Please, Your Highness, please give Yu Long another chance!”

“I’m curious, what else can Lord Yun Nan do to go against me?”

“Your Highness! You are my husband, and I am your wife. We are one whole. Do we have to hate each other like this?” Yu Long cried.

Xiao Lie, eyes still cold and aloof, said slowly, “Yu Long, I’ve lost my chance with Ah Jiu because of your plotting. Do you think I can forgive you?”

Yu Long gazed up at him, tears falling. Little by little, her heart sank.

Suddenly, she realized that, even if she became Empress someday, she and Xiao Lie would never be anything more than two individuals who hated each other for the rest of their lives. There was no possibility for the so-called love of a married couple to develop.

Soon, Xiao Lie brought the evidence and witnesses he had found to Emperor Zhao Ping.

That same day, Emperor Zhao Ping summoned Lord Yun Nan to the palace and talked to him for about two zodiac hours in the Royal Study. Lord Yun Nan left the Royal Study with a greenish-white face when it was almost dark.

The day after, Yu Long went to the palace to say her greetings to Imperial Concubine Rong, but she was told that Imperial Concubine Rong was not feeling well and would see her another time.

Yu Long knew that Imperial Concubine Rong blamed her for what happened.

Three days in a row, every time Yu Long entered the palace to give her greetings, Imperial Concubine Rong refused to see her. So, she kept waiting outside.

One day, the weather suddenly changed at dusk, a storm pouring down from nowhere.

Imperial Concubine Rong walked out of Fushou Palace and saw Yu Long standing on the porch. Although she was soaked in the rain, she was still obstinately standing upright.

Imperial Concubine Rong let out a sigh and said, “Ask the Crown Princess Consort to come in.”

“Yes!” A servant immediately went to notify Yu Long.

Yu Long entered the inner chamber. Soaked, water dripping down her hair from her forehead, Yu Long was still elegant and graceful. She slowly lowered herself and said, “Greetings, Mother!”

“Sit down.” Imperial Concubine Rong had a servant to pour a cup of hot tea for Yu Long. She also used a handkerchief to dry Yu Long’s hair.

Yu Long pressed her hand on Imperial Concubine Rong’s and suddenly started weeping. “Thank you, Mother!”

It had turned into a full-blown gale outside, making it difficult to tell the earth apart from the sky. A servant came in to light up every candle and then stepped outside silently.

The candlelight was quite dim. Imperial Concubine Rong placed the cup of tea in front of Yu Long and started talking. Her voice was soft.

“Previously, Lie’er brought Su Jiu to meet me. Su Jiu was a good kid, but her background was too complicated. As much as I liked her, I didn’t want her to be with Lie’er. She came from the martial world, which meant it would be harder for her to survive in the palace. Compared to a potential grudge that would between them in the future, I’d rather Lie’er suffer only for a short period of time.”

Yu Long looked down, listening in silence.

“Later, you married Lie’er, which made me happy. You are the better option as Lie’er’s wife and the future Empress.

“Perhaps I was too selfish. But what kind of mother wouldn’t want the best for their child?”

Yu Long lowered herself and bowed again. With a lowered voice, she said, “I failed you, Mother!”

“As for the incident where Su Jiu was injured, I didn’t plan to dig too much into it. Now that you and Lie’er are married, you should let it go. Maybe Lie’er can’t forget Su Jiu for now, but eventually, he will grow up and become a qualified Emperor. One day he will understand that romantic love is not at all important to an Emperor! But you simply won’t let Su Jiu go. This will only put you at a disadvantage. This grudge between Lie’er and you will only get worse and worse. One day, you will lose him entirely.”

“Mother, do you think Su Jiu would let me go?” Yu Long asked, her eyes darkening.

Imperial Concubine Rong frowned.

“Mother, His Highness is more determined than you expect. As long as Su Jiu is around, he will never let her go. He might even give up the throne for her!” Yu Long gazed at Imperial Concubine Rong with determination. “Neither of us wants that to happen.”

Imperial Concubine Rong let out a sigh. “But Su Jiu is, after all, innocent.”

“Mother, you’ve been living in the palace for decades. How many innocent women have been sacrificed here? For the greater good, one person’s life means little. I don’t hate Su Jiu. But for His Highness, something has to be done! If one day, His Highness has to step over my dead body to get to the throne, I will drop dead without hesitation!”

Imperial Concubine Rong stared at the woman in front of her with a mixed look on her face. She didn’t know what to say.

What could she say to a woman who was willing to die for her son?

“I’ve said all that I can. I can’t stop you from what you want to do. All I can tell you is that, based on my own experience, you shouldn’t take further action against Su Jiu. Otherwise, the relationship between you and Lie’er will hit a dead-end one day,” Imperial Concubine Rong said calmly.

Yu Long bowed again and said solemnly, “I appreciate your advice, Mother. I will consider it!”

“Well, it’s getting late. You should go back.”

“Yes. I will be on my way then.”

Yu Long got up and stepped back to exit the hall.

Imperial Concubine Rong watched her disappear into the stormy darkness, frowning. After a while, she said, “Get an umbrella for the Crown Princess Consort.”

“Yes.” The servant took the order and left.

Inside the carriage, on her way back to Crown Prince Manor, Yu Long was lost in thought, listening to the rain thrumming against the window.

Should she let go?

But even if she gave up, would Su Jiu let her go?

She had already picked her path. There’s no way back.

Between Su Jiu and her, only one of them could live in this world.

If she killed Su Jiu, she might lose Xiao Lie. But if Su Jiu stayed alive, she would never get Xiao Lie.

Only by getting Xiao Lie’s heart, becoming the Empress, and having her own son on the throne of Daliang could she help Lord Yun Nan Manor last for generations to come.

She was doing everything for Lord Yun Nan Manor. She didn’t do anything wrong!

Yu Long closed her eyes. Flames of bloodthirsty eagerness gradually filled the deepest corners of her heart. The more challenging it became, the more determined she was to carry on. She didn’t believe that, with all the military strategies and tactics she had been studying ever since she was young, she would lose to a rogue civilian woman!

The stormed dwindled by the time Yu Long returned to Crown Prince Manor. “Has His Highness returned yet?” she asked.

A servant hesitated and replied in a lowered voice, “Yes, His Highness is back. But as soon as he came back, he went to Secondary Consort Lan’s place.”

Yu Long’s face darkened slightly as she gave the servant a half-smile.

Su Jiu was not even in the manor, yet she haunted the place every second of the day. How was she supposed to let her go?

Two days later, the decision regarding the case of Mingyuzhai had been made. The shopkeeper of Mingyuzhai, Xiao Changhai, together with Su Di and Su Yan, had fraudulently obtained fortune by taking bribes in the name of His Highness. The crime was unforgivable, so they were exiled to Xiyuan Ridge and would never be allowed back into the capital city.

Based on the government office’s investigation, the Su family really didn’t know about what Su Di and Su Yan had done, so the Emperor showed mercy and decided not to exile them.

However, their father, Su Wenqian, and mother, Madame Lin, were each sentenced to be spanked thirty times for their failure to raise their children properly.

After the punishment, though Su Wenqian was still fine, Madame Lin had passed out.

When the Su family’s servants went to pick them up, they said, “According to Eldest Young Lady, since Madame Lin had said in the courthouse that she had nothing to do with the Su family, she is no longer allowed back into the Su mansion.”

Su Yueqiu, completely ignoring Madame Lin, who had passed out and was sprawled outside the government office, climbed up the carriage and returned to the Su mansion.

A servant helped Su Wenqian back to his room for a rest. Su Yueqiu entered the inner courtyard and saw Su Jiu and Eldest Mistress enjoying the flowers on the porch. She quickly walked up to them and asked excitedly, “Elder Sister, since my mother isn’t allowed to come back this time, does that mean I can stay at the Su mansion now?”

Su Jiu turned to Eldest Mistress and smiled. “Mother, what do you think? Should we keep her?”

Eldest Mistress looked at Su Yueqiu and responded in a flat tone, “No matter what, Madame Lin is still your mother. Regardless of what she did to us, she has never done anything to hurt you. Yet, in order to get yourself a comfortable place to stay, you don’t care if your mother lives or dies. Why would the Su Family want to keep such a heartless and ungrateful person like you around?”

Su Yueqiu’s face went pale in one moment, then blushed with shame in the next. Overwhelmed by regret, she couldn’t come up with anything to say.

“Haven’t you heard what my mother said? Go and serve your mother,” Su Jiu said and walked away, holding onto Eldest Mistress’s arm.

Su Yueqiu collapsed to the ground, buffeted by the early winter wind, shaking off the leaves of fall.

Su Yueqiu brought Madame Lin to a small inn. She sold all her jewelry to stay there for a couple of days. Eventually, they ran out of money and were kicked out by the shopkeeper. They had no choice but to beg on the streets.

Later, they came across Zhao Sheng, who had returned to the city to look for his wife. Su Yueqiu begged Zhao Sheng to take her back.

Madame Lin and her daughter never showed up at the Su mansion again.

That’s another story for another day. After the rain came, the temperature dropped dramatically. It was already winter.

When it became colder, Emperor Zhao Ping caught a severe cold, which made its way into his lungs and caused him to cough nonstop.

Ever since he was poisoned by Xiao Jing, Emperor Zhao Ping’s health had gotten a lot worse. This time, it took him two days of bed rest to get even a little better. Eventually, the Emperor could no longer put in as much energy into government affairs, so the Crown Prince, Xiao Lie, began to take over and ruled the country on his behalf.

It was only a matter of time before the Emperor abdicated his throne. All the officials were well aware of that. What everyone was waiting for was the right timing.

It was getting cold. Su Jiu slept in more often. She also made Ji Yuxian sleep in with her until it was late morning.

Jin Feng had already reported twice outside the door, that there was a manager who needed to talk to Ji Yuxian. Su Jiu finally pushed him away. “Go do your job!”

Ji Yuxian really enjoyed the goofy expressions she made when she was half awake. He lifted her chin and gave her a long kiss before unwinding himself from her smooth and beautiful body. He got dressed and left the room.

After telling the servants to prepare Su Jiu’s favorite food and not to interrupt her sleep, Ji Yuxian walked slowly to the study room.

In a red robe that drew attention to his painting-like eyes with a tender edge, Ji Yuxian looked ethereal and handsome. With Su Jiu here, everything seemed different. Even though all the flowers were withering and falling, the fallen blossoms seemed to highlight that their fragrance in the earth could leave one expectant of the next spring’s blooming beauty.

After Ji Yuxian left, Su Jiu didn’t feel like sleeping anymore. She rolled back and forth restlessly until finally, she got up, dressed, and cleaned herself up.

Ji Yuxian was busy in the study room, so Su Jiu didn’t bother him. She had something to eat, then left the manor.

As she got on the carriage, Er Mao asked, “Where are you headed to, Young Master?”

“The Bodyguard Agency!”

Ah Shu’s wife had been pregnant for several months. Su Jiu bought some fabrics suitable for making clothes for the baby. She planned to visit them.

When the carriage drove past Chunhua Brothel, it was early afternoon. She saw several men running out of the place with startled looks on their faces.

Su Jiu thought for a second and told Er Mao to park the carriage by the side of the road. Then, she strode into Chunhua Brothel.

As soon as she reached the door, she knew something was wrong.

Several tables and chairs in the dining hall had been overturned. Shattered china was everywhere. The brothel-keeper and several menservants were cowering in the corners of the room. All the doors on the second floor were all shut. None of the well-dressed, pretty girls were walking around.

As soon as Su Jiu walked in, a fierce-looking lackey walked up and shouted at her coldly, “Get out! Today, Chunhua Brothel has been booked entirely by our Young Master!”

The brothel-keeper saw Su Jiu and hurriedly signaled at her, pointing upstairs, making gestures that something was wrong.

Su Jiu’s face darkened immediately. She flew upstairs.

Something happened to Jinming!

“Catch her!” The lackey saw that instead of getting out, Su Jiu raced to the stairs. He shouted to the other lackeys stationed upstairs.

Several swords were pointed at Su Jiu. She spun into the air and kicked the guy who lunged at her from the side. She didn’t want to waste time and dodged them, running further up.

When she reached the third floor, she saw Jinming’s door blocked by two guards. The guards saw Su Jiu’s dangerous look and without a word, attacked her with their swords.

Su Jiu jumped at them, giving one a side-kick, and punching the other in the chest.

Crack! The lackey’s bones made a loud noise before he flew down the stairs.

Su Jiu rushed inside and immediately heard a girl’s desperate sobbing. Rage lit up her eyes.