Li Chuan wasn’t very old, nor was he as tall as Pei Wenxuan, but having practiced swordsmanship since childhood, his strength was considerable. One punch knocked Pei Wenxuan completely off guard, sending him falling backward directly.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan fall, Li Chuan still wasn’t satisfied. He rushed forward and kicked and beat him. Su Rongqing hurriedly stepped forward to restrain Li Chuan, saying urgently, “Your Highness, calm your anger! Your Highness, please be calm—this is a court official, you mustn’t!”

“Let go! I’m going to beat this dog to death! Let go! Bring me a sword! Let me kill him! Bastard, scoundrel…”

Li Chuan punched and kicked at the air. Su Rongqing and the guards held him back firmly. After being knocked senseless, Pei Wenxuan slowly regained consciousness. Taking a sharp breath, he quickly said, “Your Highness, please let this subject explain…”

“I’m going to beat him to death! Let me go! Let go…”

“Chuan’er.”

Li Rong finally reacted. Seeing Pei Wenxuan being beaten, especially by Li Chuan, watching Li Chuan bare his teeth and brandish his claws for her, she felt affection, thinking he truly was her brother—even the tone of calling someone a dog was exactly the same. But on the surface she still had to pretend to be composed, hiding that bit of secret delight in her heart. She coughed lightly and said, “You’re the crown prince. Be more steady.”

Hearing Li Rong’s lecture, Li Chuan’s movements froze. Su Rongqing and the others tentatively released Li Chuan, seeing him clench his fists and glare menacingly at Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan was helped up by others, his expression calm. He bowed to Li Chuan. Just as he was about to explain, he heard Li Chuan say, “I won’t listen to your explanation. If you have something to say, go tell Father Emperor and Mother Empress!”

Pei Wenxuan choked, then could only say, “Yes.”

“Return to the palace!”

Li Chuan shouted loudly, turned, and led people away. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and walked to Li Rong’s side, speaking, “Princess…”

Before he finished, Li Chuan suddenly turned back, blocking in front of Li Rong, saying warily, “You dog, stay away from my sister!”

Pei Wenxuan fell silent.

After speaking, Li Chuan pulled Li Rong and marched forcefully toward his dark red horse, then helped Li Rong mount it, saying, “Sister, you ride my horse.”

Li Rong smiled, took the reins, and said gently, “Alright.”

Li Rong rode Li Chuan’s horse, and Li Chuan commandeered Su Rongqing’s horse. Thus Su Rongqing and Pei Wenxuan led a group of servants walking behind, following Li Rong and Li Chuan.

Li Rong and Li Chuan rode side by side. The two traveled quickly, pulling away from those behind them. Li Chuan spoke to Li Rong in a low voice. After inquiring about Li Rong’s condition, he asked about last night’s situation. “Those people last night—did you see who they were?”

“I saw them.” Then she realized the problem. “You didn’t catch anyone?”

“How could we catch them?”

Li Chuan said angrily, “They ran incredibly fast! In the blink of an eye they were gone.”

“They didn’t leave any evidence either?”

“None.”

“Mm,” Li Rong wasn’t particularly surprised. The Yang family wouldn’t rashly do such things—they must have prepared contingency plans early on. So she nodded. “I see. That’s somewhat regrettable.”

“Tell me,” Li Chuan wondered curiously, “what’s Yang Quan seeking by doing these things?”

“Can’t you see?” Li Rong laughed lightly. “He wants to marry me. As long as he marries me, won’t he be tied to you, this precious treasure?”

“Why would they want to tie themselves to me?” Li Chuan frowned. “Now everyone knows Father Emperor doesn’t like me and is looking for opportunities every day to depose me. If it weren’t impossible to depose the crown prince without cause, he would have issued the decree long ago. Now they’re still trying to get close to me—is the Yang family’s brain sick?”

“Where is the Yang family’s brain sick?”

Li Rong reminded Li Chuan, “They’re quite clever. You aren’t favored by Father Emperor, and they make Father Emperor dislike them even more. Do you remember when they leveraged their merits to demand rewards years ago? Father Emperor was forced by them to reward the border with three hundred thousand taels of silver. With Father Emperor’s temperament, could that matter just end? Some time ago the Yang family suffered a defeat, their core forces were almost depleted on the battlefield. Now they’ve finally realized Father Emperor wants to deal with them, so of course they’re coming to cling to your support.”

“Then they should have a better attitude,” Li Chuan immediately said. “Directly coming to kidnap you—their brains are sick!”

“They probably didn’t want to kidnap me.” Li Rong said leisurely. “At best, they wanted to frighten me, then stage a heroic rescue. Who knew I was too clever? So they could only ruin my reputation and force me to marry. If I married him, could I still divorce? And if I had a child, could you not care about me?”

“Despicable!” Li Chuan immediately scolded. Li Rong nodded, echoing, “Indeed, despicable! Worse than dogs.”

“Right,” Li Chuan nodded. “Still not as good as that Pei Wenxuan.”

Speaking of this, Li Chuan suddenly remembered and looked at Li Rong, hesitating, “That, sister…”

“Mm?”

“Pei Wenxuan…” Li Chuan pressed his lips together, asking with some difficulty, “Did he…”

“Mm?”

“Did he… bully you?”

“You mean…” Li Rong saw Li Chuan’s conflicted expression as he carefully inquired. Li Chuan was somewhat embarrassed but still continued, “Did he… kiss you?”

Li Rong fell silent.

She thought it was what kind of bullying.

She coughed lightly, then said, “That, Pei Wenxuan—he’s a talented person. He wouldn’t do such things. Be nicer to him. Who knows, you might be able to use him in the future?”

She didn’t want to speak well of Pei Wenxuan. It was just that Pei Wenxuan was indeed a sharp blade for Li Chuan. She didn’t want anything to go wrong between Li Chuan and Pei Wenxuan. However, hearing this, Li Chuan didn’t change his attitude. Instead, he lowered his head without speaking, seemingly disappointed.

Li Rong couldn’t help but say, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Alas, Mother Empress said that a married sister is like spilled water. Now you’re not even married yet, and you’re already speaking up for other men.”

“Of course,” hearing Li Chuan speak this way, Li Rong immediately said, “if you really find this dog displeasing and beat him to death, I’ll fully support it!”

“That’s right,” Li Chuan raised an eyebrow. He leaned over, saying quietly, “Elder sister, you must promise me one thing.”

“Speak.” Li Rong saw Li Chuan’s ingratiating appearance and was quite pleased. Li Chuan smiled, revealing his somewhat cute canine teeth. “Even after you marry, I must still be the most important man in your heart!”

Hearing this, Li Rong burst out laughing. Seeing her laugh at him, Li Chuan felt somewhat dissatisfied. But he also felt that if he truly showed this dissatisfaction, it would seem too childish. So he put on a straight face and said nothing. Li Rong noticed his unhappiness and quickly said, “Alright, alright, alright, rest assured.” Li Rong comforted him. “You will definitely be the most important man in my heart, okay?”

Li Chuan sighed and said in a seemingly mature manner, “I also know you’re just coaxing me, but hearing these words, I’m quite satisfied.”

Li Rong heard Li Chuan pretending to be mature and couldn’t stop laughing.

Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing followed behind. Seeing Li Rong laughing endlessly in front from afar, Su Rongqing said gently, “The crown prince and princess truly have deep sibling affection. Even among us aristocratic families, such feelings are rare.”

“They grew up together from childhood,” Pei Wenxuan said indifferently. “The princess is someone who values relationships.”

“Young Master Pei certainly understands the princess quite well.” Su Rongqing nodded, seeming to remember something. “However, does Young Master Pei know that last night Consort Ning consecutively visited both Mingle Palace and Weiyang Palace?”

Consort Ning was a consort from the Yang clan, while Mingle Palace and Weiyang Palace were the residences of Consort Rou and the Empress respectively.

Consort Rou was currently in great favor. Her son Li Chang was only ten years old but exceptionally clever and deeply favored by the Emperor. At such a young age he had been enfeoffed as a prince—the youngest prince since the dynasty’s founding.

Last night the Yang family consecutively visited both places. Though they didn’t know exactly what they did, it must be inextricably linked to Li Rong.

Su Rongqing saying this was a reminder. After pondering for a moment, Pei Wenxuan inquired, “Does His Highness know?”

“I’ve already reported to His Highness.” Su Rongqing nodded. “But I thought Young Master Pei should also need to know.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan looked up at Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing looked at Pei Wenxuan with a half-smile.

“Why does Young Master Su help me so much? What do you seek?”

Pei Wenxuan asked seriously. Su Rongqing didn’t speak. He held a folding fan in his hand, strolling through the forest. After a long time, he said slowly, “If the princess needs to choose one person between Yang Quan and Young Master Pei, I want to place my bet on Young Master Pei.”

Then Su Rongqing turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, his beautiful eyes carrying some seriousness. “I wonder how confident Young Master Pei is?”

Hearing Su Rongqing’s words, Pei Wenxuan quietly observed Su Rongqing. He didn’t miss any expression on Su Rongqing’s face. Yet Su Rongqing remained as always—his face never losing its smile, his eyes showing not a ripple of emotion.

After the two were silent for a moment, Pei Wenxuan bowed to Su Rongqing, saying, “Pei is grateful for Young Master’s regard, but the princess’s marriage should be decided by the princess herself. Pei is a minor eighth-rank official and dares not presume.”

“Young Master Pei speaks correctly.” Su Rongqing nodded and said casually, “We were just chatting casually. No need to mind it.”

The group chatted as they left the forest. From afar they saw a long procession occupying the official road. The Eastern Palace’s distinctive carriage was in the middle, front and back were Eastern Palace guards, and at the very front, the Eastern Palace’s black banner was raised high, fluttering in the air. It looked extremely imposing.

Li Chuan and Li Rong boarded the crown prince’s carriage. Su Rongqing and Pei Wenxuan separated to ride horses in front.

After boarding the carriage, attendants offered tea and pastries. Li Chuan had everyone withdraw. After everyone left and the carriage slowly set off, Li Chuan raised his head. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What did the Yang family do last night?”

Li Rong casually found a place to lean and spoke lazily. Li Chuan froze, then smiled. “Elder sister is truly clever.”

After speaking, Li Chuan showed a serious expression. “Last night Consort Ning visited Mother Empress, then went to Mingle Palace. After she left, Mother Empress’s complexion was extremely poor. She didn’t tell me what Consort Ning said, but I guess the Yang family might have come to propose marriage.”

Li Rong nodded. Li Chuan pondered for a moment and sighed. “The Yang family is too hasty.”

“It’s Father Emperor pressuring them too tightly.”

Li Rong spoke calmly. “I heard that some time ago, Father Emperor withheld a third of the Yang family’s military funds.”

“Father Emperor shouldn’t do this.” Li Chuan shook his head. “Even if eliminating the Yang family, it should be gradual—slowly marginalizing them, then demoting them to commoners. Acting so radically, I fear the Yang family will cause chaos.”

Li Rong listened to Li Chuan’s words, unconsciously fingering the prayer beads in her hand.

Seeing Li Rong silent for a long time, Li Chuan couldn’t help but say, “Does elder sister think I’m wrong?”

“Not really.” Li Rong smiled. She turned to look at Li Chuan, saying gently, “It’s just that Chuan’er is so benevolent—this is probably what Father Emperor is dissatisfied about regarding you.”

“Let him be dissatisfied then.” Mentioning Li Ming, Li Chuan’s face showed some disgust. “If he has the ability, let him depose me.”

“You’re talking nonsense.” Li Rong smiled helplessly, but she didn’t directly tell Li Chuan that their Father Emperor might truly think this way.

The sixteen-year-old Li Chuan still held hope for Li Ming, just like the young Li Rong.

They knew the imperial family’s struggles were ruthless, but deep in their hearts they still held some hope for their parents. Because they had hope, they dared to rebel. Saying “if he has the ability, let him depose me,” but always believing in their hearts that this was their father.

Because of hope, when the merciless blade truly fell, they would truly experience despair.

In the last life, Li Chuan had truly almost been deposed.

If not for Pei Wenxuan and her turning the tide, grass on Li Chuan’s grave would be taller than a person by now.

But Li Rong didn’t point this out, because she knew that no matter how skillfully Li Chuan discussed political affairs now, he was still just a sixteen-year-old child. If she really made everything clear, Li Chuan would probably think her cold-blooded and calculating, with too deep a mind.

She didn’t want herself and Li Chuan to reach the outcome of their last life, where though siblings were bound by blood, they had layer upon layer of estrangement.

She looked at Li Chuan, her small golden fan gently tapping her palm. Li Chuan ate longans and turned to look at her. “Sister, when we enter the palace in a bit and meet Mother Empress, what do you plan to say?”

“Say what?”

Li Rong turned to look at Li Chuan. Li Chuan spat out a longan seed and quickly said, “About your marriage—who will you marry?”