Of course, favors can be returned to Li Shimin.

Li Yuan understood, but with a flicker in his eyes, he did not heed Li Xiuning’s suggestion, and said to Sui Yi: "It seems, Sir, you blame me."

His voice was somewhat deep, indeed very authoritative.

Sui Yi played with some medical items with her fingers, which were slender and fair, her brows and eyes like a painting. However, the bloodstains on her robe had yet to fade; in the dusky light, she exuded an indescribable, unique charm.

No one could forget her elegance in the battle at sea.

Her tone was somewhat indifferent.

"It’s just that I don’t quite like how you deliberately walked into a trap to test Li Jiancheng. Initially, I thought an emperor wouldn’t be so capricious."

If Sui Yi’s previous words were impolite, then this sentence was quite provocative.

Li Xiuning and Chai Shao’s expressions both changed.

Li Yuan’s expression faltered slightly, then he raised his hand, and the other two immediately left.

This small hall was now left with only Sui Yi and Li Yuan.

After a brief silence, Li Yuan said, "This time, indeed, I miscalculated and didn’t expect so many changes... leading to such an outcome. I’m sorry, sir."

Li Yuan apologizing was something Sui Yi expected because Li Yuan is not inherently an arrogant and self-centered person. On the contrary, he had always been known for his modesty and virtue in Taiyuan. Regardless of the truth inside or outside, once something is maintained for long enough, it becomes a habit, something unchangeable and irremovable.

Li Yuan was like this; otherwise, he wouldn’t have maintained an old friendship with Yue Shan. At present, no matter Sui Yi’s temperament, she saved Li Shimin again, which is an undeniable fact, coupled with her superb martial arts, comparable to people like Song Que. Li Yuan could not be angry; instead, he felt that a high person should have such temper...

One should know that in the past, Song Que even pointed at Emperor Yang of Sui’s nose, saying he was incapable, but in the end, Emperor Yang of Sui dared not do anything.

His heart is definitely more magnanimous than that of Emperor Yang of Sui.

So Li Yuan softened his stance and apologized.

He also wanted to take this opportunity to win over Sui Yi... He realized that even Yue Shan alone couldn’t safeguard an emperor’s name; the Demon Sect could send a few people at will, and it might be enough to kill him!

This throne is too damn unstable!

He must recruit allies!

Sui Yi did not respond directly, merely loosening her fingers, with a snap, the clasp of the medical box closed.

That snap made even Li Yuan, the dignified emperor, tremble inside, and the muscles on his face twitched.

"Hmm"

Then, it was over.

Just like that.

Yet Li Yuan had the feeling that his very life and death were as easily grasped by the other side’s fingertips as that clasp.

Only now, Li Yuan truly understood that this Mr. Sui was absolutely not Bi Xiuxin.

The difference was too great.

Outside the door, Li Xiuning and the others didn’t hear any commotion. Suddenly, the door opened, and Li Yuan’s face was somewhat pale, but he still maintained composure. After stepping out, he said hoarsely, "How to handle this... You should ask your second brother later, let’s leave it at that."

With that, he walked out the door.

By the lakeside outside, Yue Shan stood straight as a rod.

This person was drenched in blood, eyes like a fierce tiger, yet incredibly restrained.

"Lost?" Li Yuan asked.

Yue Shan expressionless: "Not winning is losing."

Li Yuan sighed, "Then let’s wait for another day..."

Yue Shan glanced at him, "That day might come very soon, during the time I’m not around, take care of yourself."

This was the tone of someone about to leave.

Li Yuan furrowed his brow, also feeling helpless: "You take care of yourself... I see the Demon Sect didn’t really intervene this time; I always feel their real purpose for coming to Luoyang is not me."

Yue Shan tugged at the corner of his mouth; "You survived last time, what fear have you of the Demon Sect?"

Were it not to avoid undermining imperial dignity, Li Yuan would have liked to roll his eyes, but he suddenly said, "I just met that gentleman."

"How was it?"

"Can’t be described."

"...."

Yue Shan grasped the knife hilt, said lightly: "In this world, some people you should kill but cannot, ultimately making you resent and regret for life—just like Xi Ying for me. There are also people you cannot and should not kill. As an emperor, you should discern such things."

Li Yuan was silent, watching Yue Shan depart,

Finally, he sighed softly, "Killing one’s own son, how many in this world can do it? Jiancheng, oh Jiancheng... what do you want me to do?"

Inside the house, Sui Yi, who had already heard this conversation, slowly furrowed her brows.

Li Yuan lacks the bearing of an emperor.

In the dead of night, Sui Yi left the small lakeside dwelling and arrived at a certain place.

The moonlight was cold and bleak, the starlight dimly scattered. The sound of flowing water resonated as Sui Yi stepped off a small boat, approaching the dilapidated altar.

Sui Yi stood before the altar for a while, then moved behind it... seeing many ghastly pale corpses.

All were dead from being drained of blood.

Sui Yi bent down, her fingers turned a person’s head, observing the wound on their neck....

Suddenly, the shadows on the altar expanded, with a creaking sound emerging.

On the ground, there were many fragments and gravel; as shoes stepped over them, a crunching sound was made.

Someone had arrived.

"You really are here."

Song Que’s voice was too distinctive, Sui Yi naturally recognized it, she straightened her body, "Is there no issue with the Luoyang navy?"

"Since you’re not from the Central Plains, do you still worry about its safety?"

Sui Yi turned to him, her gaze somewhat puzzled, "The fish in the world’s lakes are not my responsibility, but if they are poisoned, can I stand idly by?"

"After all, one needs to eat fish, right?"

Hearing this, Song Que raised his thick eyebrows, not probing further, simply said: "Just a few people died, but you, did you discover anything?"

Sui Yi shook her head: "The traces have been erased by that person... Western Regions’ methods are indeed flawless."

Thinking of today’s chain of schemes, Song Que could not help but frown: "When will you go to Snow God Mountain?"

He indeed had long wanted to visit Snow God Mountain over the years.

Sui Yi lamented that many people seemed to want to accompany her to Snow God Mountain today, however...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations, and monthly tickets, your support is my biggest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)