The royal palace's secret chamber had only a few candles lit, leaving it dimly lit.
Livia sat before the table, the co-rulership scroll that had never been delivered spread out at her side.
"Your Highness, he already refused yesterday," the deputy director of intelligence said from beside her.
"It doesn't matter that he refused." Livia picked up her pen and signed her name at the very end of the scroll. "I've investigated Su Li for so long. I see him clearly. He doesn't care about affairs of state at all. He only cares about those few people living peaceful lives in that little courtyard."
Livia pulled over the royal gold seal at the edge of the table, gripped it with both hands, and pressed it hard beneath the scroll.
Once the red wax seal was stamped, this thing became ironclad evidence.
"Whether he signed it or not." Livia rolled the scroll into its tube. "There was never any truth in this world to begin with—only illusions everyone is willing to believe."
She tossed the tube to the deputy director.
"Spread the word. Spend money to hire loafers and pack every tavern and black market. Tell everyone that Mister Su has accepted the royal token. Today's wedding feast is proof of an alliance between Iris and the royal family."
The deputy director was somewhat worried. "What if Old Ford turns hostile?"
"Old Ford will only suspect Su Li. With four fourth-rank fighters stationed at Red Leaf Manor, Old Ford won't dare make a direct move. He'll definitely try to test him with other bargaining chips. Su Li hates trouble most of all. To put an end to this endless suspicion, to keep that blacksmith's daughter of his from being disturbed again, he can only pinch his nose and accept this cooperation