Volume Two, Chapter Nine

"Does it matter if His Majesty believes it?" Li Danxin blinked and fell into step beside Zhu Bafu.

"Of course it matters." Zhu Bafu glanced back at the closed doors of the Six Ministries Main Hall. "He's the emperor. Whoever he trusts is a loyal minister; whoever he doesn't is a traitor."

Li Danxin lowered her eyes. "Then that's even worse. His Majesty trusts Father more than he trusts me..."

"You're mistaken, my lady."

Young Master Zhu's words made Li Danxin look up. Walking behind him, she could not see his expression, only the ribbon binding his hair dancing in the wind.

"His Majesty trusts no one. No one but Young Master Chenjing."

"...You mean Xiaojing?"

The words had barely left her lips when Zhu Bafu stopped short.

The author has something to say:

At this rate, I feel like more and more of you are going to climb over to Xiao Pu's side... QAQ

Volume Two, Chapter Nine

Following Young Master Zhu's gaze, Li Danxin saw people fighting in the broad courtyard before the mansion gates.

Or rather, a few tall men at the front had several newcomers in Academy Student uniforms pinned beneath their feet.

"Are they bullying the new Academy Students? When did Dongxu Mansion become like this? Why isn't Xiaojing doing anything?" Li Danxin turned to Zhu Bafu for an answer, only to see him lower his head, looking distressed.

The rain had not stopped. Peonies in the beds by the walls beneath the eaves glistened with raindrops. The two of them stood under the main hall's eaves, cut off from the courtyard by the sound of rain. Drops gathered overhead and fell with a steady patter, while a damp wind blew into their faces. Li Danxin stepped around the motionless Young Master Zhu and craned