The two followed behind Fulai, very close together. Li Rong leaned close to Pei Wenxuan and said in an extremely small voice, “Cooperate with me.”

Before Pei Wenxuan could react, Li Rong saw Li Ming. Then she stepped forward urgently, rushed forward and knelt down, saying loudly, “Imperial Father! You must deliver justice for this subject!”

This cry startled Li Ming so much his hand trembled. Pei Wenxuan was also shocked, but his face showed nothing as he respectfully first paid respects to Li Ming: “Your Majesty.”

“What major incident has occurred?” Li Ming looked up with furrowed brows. “Making such a fuss—do you still have any appearance of a princess?”

Li Rong’s face carried anger. She only said, “Imperial Father, please listen to this subject’s detailed report. Today this subject just woke up when I heard about the Qin family…”

“Don’t speak first,” As soon as Li Ming heard it was about the Qin family matter, he directly interrupted Li Rong. He raised his hand to signal the two to rise and take their seats, then turned to Pei Wenxuan and said, “You came to the palace last night to find me about this. You speak.”

“Yes,” Pei Wenxuan said steadily. “Last night Her Highness and I were at the Princess’s Manor when we heard the Ministry of Justice had brought people to surround the Qin residence. This subject entered the palace overnight to seek audience with Your Majesty. Your Majesty dispatched Lord Su to go, but the documents issued by the Ministry of Justice were complete. Arresting the Qin clan was indeed reasonable and legal, so Lord Su could only allow it.”

The Great Xia’s case trial process generally had local government offices and Hua Jing’s Shuntian Prefecture handle ordinary cases. Cases the lower-level government offices couldn’t handle, or those involving officials, would have the lower-level offices or the Censorate submit requests to the Ministry of Justice and Court of Judicial Review for investigation and case filing. The Ministry of Justice oversaw ordinary cases and official cases, while the Court of Judicial Review oversaw cases involving imperial clan relatives.

After the Ministry of Justice filed a case, if they decided to make an arrest, internal officials would directly issue arrest warrants. If the other party’s rank was too high, it would be reported up to the Left or Right Vice Ministers, commonly called Left Chancellor and Right Chancellor.

For the Court of Judicial Review to file a case and make arrests required reporting to the Emperor.

The Qin clan was not imperial family. The highest rank in their family was only fourth rank. The Censorate submitted the case filing request, the Ministry of Justice filed the case, and the request was reported to Left Chancellor Shangguan Xu’s hands to issue the arrest warrant. The entire process had no problems whatsoever. Even if Li Ming went, there would be no reason to forcibly block it.

This process would normally be nothing. But appearing precisely when both sides were entangled over the issue of appointing Northwest officials, the intentions were obvious.

Li Ming already knew about this matter in the morning. He picked up his tea and said slowly, “So then, what are you two bursting in here to do?”

“After informing Your Majesty, on my way back to the manor, I suddenly encountered a woman seeking help. This subject rescued this woman and discovered she was none other than Second Miss of the Qin residence. The Qin family and my late father were old acquaintances. I knew Second Miss when we were young. Second Miss told this subject the Qin clan was wrongly accused, so this subject brought Miss Qin back to the Princess’s Manor and handed her over to the Princess. After the Princess interrogated her and learned of the Qin family’s injustice, she was angered by this matter,” Pei Wenxuan spoke, glancing at Li Rong before continuing, “and thus entered the palace together with this subject.”

“Miss Qin escaped?” Li Ming pondered, then looked up. “Where is she?”

“Outside.”

Pei Wenxuan responded. Li Ming glanced at Fulai, who hurried out and brought the person back.

Qin Zhenzhen’s body was covered in injuries. Blood had long since soaked through her white clothes. Her face pale, she knelt before Li Ming, saying respectfully, “Greetings to Your Majesty.”

Seeing her appearance, Li Ming sighed, “A young lady—how did you end up in such a state?”

With that, he raised his hand: “Rise.”

Someone beside her helped Qin Zhenzhen up. After Qin Zhenzhen sat down, Li Ming only said, “What happened? You speak.”

Qin Zhenzhen said in a low voice, “Reporting to Your Majesty, last night soldiers surrounded the Qin residence, claiming the Qin residence colluded with the Yang clan to betray the country to the enemy. This is complete nonsense. In the moment of crisis, grandfather wrote this blood letter proclaiming our innocence and entrusted it to this commoner woman, commanding me to find an opportunity to present it directly to Your Majesty.”

With that, Qin Zhenzhen knelt down again, holding up a box with both hands. Fulai hurried forward and delivered the box to Li Ming’s hands.

Li Ming opened the box and saw a bright red blood letter. Inside was a statement from the entire Qin family, stating they absolutely had no intent to rebel. Besides this blood letter statement, there was also another stack of signed and sealed papers. On them were statements from various Qin family members describing the several battles they had participated in and the battlefield situations. These “confessions” were all signed with Qin family members’ names and dates, with explanations that no matter what other confessions might appear in the future, this confession should be taken as the standard.

Li Ming read through them one by one. After a moment’s pause, he looked up and surveyed these young people, then said, “Miss Qin is seriously injured. Pingle, you take care of Miss Qin and withdraw first.”

Hearing this, Li Rong stood up and supported Qin Zhenzhen to leave. Qin Zhenzhen’s gaze fell on the box containing the confessions. Li Rong patted her hand and said in a low voice, “Rest assured.”

Qin Zhenzhen took a deep breath and finally walked out together with Li Rong.

After Li Rong left, Li Ming and Pei Wenxuan remained in the hall. Li Ming methodically closed the box and said slowly, “You brought this young lady too early.”

Right now the Qin family had no investigation results. These pieces of evidence currently had no effect. Only when the case was decided could these confessions serve as reasons for overturning the verdict.

Pei Wenxuan understood Li Ming’s meaning and smiled, “It’s a bit early to overturn the Qin clan’s case, but if we’re making preparations, it’s not early at all.”

Li Ming looked up at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice, as if hinting at something: “Your Majesty, Princess Pingle has come.”

“What mystery are you selling?”

Li Ming scoffed, “At such a young age, you’ve learned quite a few tricks from those old ministers pretending to be mysterious.”

Hearing Li Ming scold him, Pei Wenxuan wasn’t annoyed. He still smiled and said, “Your Majesty, previously during the Yang Quan case, Her Highness was confined in prison for nearly two months, yet the Empress never inquired. Now Her Highness Pingle has married and witnessed such injustice. Naturally she feels resentment.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Ming understood somewhat. He knew Pei Wenxuan was hinting that Li Rong had developed a rift with the Empress. Now that Li Rong was married, with Pei Wenxuan fanning the flames, she had other ideas. She wanted to use the Qin family case to gain something.

Li Ming didn’t mind his subjects getting things from him, as long as the subject gave sufficient weight in return. Moreover, this subject was Li Rong.

After all, Li Rong was his daughter. If she could follow his wishes, that would be best.

Li Ming picked up tea from the table, only saying, “What does she want to do?”

“This subject discussed with Her Highness,” Pei Wenxuan said respectfully. “Currently the aristocratic families at court are massive and the court discipline is weak. There must be a few people to be this icebreaker. Her Highness has noble status and is the Crown Prince’s elder sister. Speaking in terms of rank, except for matters related to Your Majesty, in this court, as long as Your Majesty is willing, it’s appropriate for Her Highness to oversee anyone.”

Li Ming turned the sandalwood beads in his hand, listening as Pei Wenxuan continued to analyze: “What Her Highness lacks now is just a position.”

“She wants power.”

Li Ming spoke flatly, “How much power does she want?”

“That depends on what Your Majesty wants Her Highness to do.”

Pei Wenxuan answered calmly. Li Ming looked up at him: “What do you think she can do?”

With that, Li Ming scoffed, “If I give her power, can she hold onto it?”

“Isn’t this subject here?” Pei Wenxuan’s face carried a smile as he reminded, “After all, this subject is Her Highness’s husband. Moreover, the Crown Prince is also Her Highness’s younger brother.”

The Crown Prince represented the aristocratic families. No matter what, the aristocratic families had to consider the Crown Prince and Empress to some degree.

Many things—if others did them, they might die. But if Li Rong did them, to truly kill her would mean bearing the wrath of the Crown Prince, Empress, and Emperor combined. Without reaching an extreme limit, Li Rong could do far more than ordinary people.

Li Ming thought for a while, then said, “You already have an idea?”

“We do.” Pei Wenxuan said respectfully. “It’s all in the memorial Her Highness the Princess will submit.”

“Then,” Li Ming hesitated, then said slowly, “Give me the memorial. I’ll think about it more. You take Pingle back first and have her take good care of Miss Qin.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged. Fulai, receiving Li Ming’s words, hurried out. After requesting the memorial Li Rong had prepared, he returned.

Pei Wenxuan took leave from Li Ming. Before leaving, his gaze fell on the evidence in Li Ming’s hands. Seeing him not leave but just staring at the wooden box beside him, Li Ming realized and said with some amusement, “If you want it just speak up. Why are you staring at this thing?”

Pei Wenxuan smiled respectfully: “Only if Your Majesty bestows it upon this subject does this subject dare take it. If Your Majesty doesn’t speak, how would this subject dare to proactively ask?”

Pei Wenxuan spoke pleasantries pervasively. Though Li Ming clearly knew Pei Wenxuan was flattering him, he still felt comfortable. He raised his hand to have Pei Wenxuan leave first.

Pei Wenxuan took the wooden box and respectfully withdrew. After he left, Fulai poured tea for Li Ming, smiling as he said, “Lord Pei isn’t old, but he’s certainly an understanding person.”

“Little smooth talker.” Li Ming laughed once. After thinking for a moment, he nodded, “Indeed someone who can get things done.”

Pei Wenxuan came out with the wooden box and saw Li Rong standing at the door waiting for him. He handed the box to Li Rong, then said, “That’s about it. Let’s go back.”

“What do you think the chances are?” Li Rong’s small fan lightly tapped her palm. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, then said slowly, “From His Majesty’s tone, there shouldn’t be a big problem. I took all the responsibility onto myself, saying I instigated you. This way, he won’t think you’re too clever and will feel much more at ease.”

Li Rong acknowledged. After thinking for a while, she suddenly realized that Li Ming and Pei Wenxuan seemed to have a good relationship now. She couldn’t help feeling somewhat curious and turned to look at Pei Wenxuan: “I find it quite strange. You say no matter which emperor it is, you can coax them into being happy. Why don’t you coax me?”

“Am I not coaxing you enough?” Pei Wenxuan turned back in shock.

Li Rong raised her eyebrows: “When did you ever coax me?”

“Every moment, all the time,” Pei Wenxuan said earnestly. “Your Highness, you’re truly too difficult to coax.”

“Nonsense.”

Li Rong’s small fan lightly tapped Pei Wenxuan’s head once as she walked forward with a smile.

Pei Wenxuan followed behind Li Rong, somewhat displeased: “Your Highness, let me discuss something with you.”

“Rejected.”

Li Rong drew out her voice: “It’s definitely not a good thing.”

“Stop tapping my head from now on.”

Li Rong glanced over sideways, raising her eyebrows: “Hm?”

Seeing Li Rong’s expression, Pei Wenxuan retreated a step and negotiated: “At least not in public.”

Just as he finished speaking, Li Rong’s small fan lightly tapped Pei Wenxuan’s head, as she said gently, “Fool, what can you do even if I tap you?”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Seeing him take the loss, Li Rong laughed out loud. She opened her small fan and walked out fanning herself. Pei Wenxuan gazed quietly at that retreating figure. It was late July. The young lady wore a maple-red thin robe that outlined her enchanting and graceful curves. Combined with the courtyard beginning to take on autumn colors and the red corridor pillars, the entire scene carried some flamboyant warmth.

Pei Wenxuan felt his heart was like the autumn sun—producing just the right amount of gentle warmth, neither cold nor hot.

The two left the palace gates together and then parted ways. Li Rong took Qin Zhenzhen back to the Princess’s Manor while Pei Wenxuan went to the government office to continue working.

Qin Zhenzhen had injuries. After returning, Li Rong had people bandage her properly, and she finally rested completely. Afterward, Li Rong began checking her accounts to see how much silver she had left.

After all, whether maintaining informants or establishing the Constabulary Bureau, it would all cost money.

Li Rong had risen early. By nightfall when the sky darkened, she was sleepy. She forced herself to stay alert while reviewing the latest intelligence that had been sent over. As she looked, her vision became blurry. After yawning several times without noticing, she closed her eyes and dozed off.

When Pei Wenxuan returned from the government office, he thought Li Rong had gone to sleep. But when he reached the door, he saw the room was still brightly lit. Jing Lan and Jing Mei were waiting outside. Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat curious. While taking off his outer cloak, he quietly asked Jing Lan, “Her Highness hasn’t slept yet?”

“Not yet,” Jing Lan replied in a low voice. “She’s still working on official business.”

Pei Wenxuan nodded and pushed open the door to enter.

Just upon entering, he saw Li Rong sitting at the desk, propping up her chin, seemingly looking at something in boredom. Pei Wenxuan walked over silently without speaking. Just as he was about to say something, he saw that although Li Rong was propping up her head, her eyes were already closed.

She was naturally beautiful. Usually accustomed to being imposing, she seemed high and aloof. But now with her eyes closed, propping up her head, forcing herself to maintain alertness, she unconsciously carried some indescribable cuteness. This cuteness softened her features. That beauty transformed into heart-stirring spring flowers, lightly falling on the rippling lake surface, causing one to involuntarily smile.

Seeing her asleep, Pei Wenxuan gently pulled away the account books beside her hand. He originally wanted to wake her, but after hesitating a moment, he thought being rudely awakened by someone might make her uncomfortable. After thinking, he simply lifted her up horizontally into his arms.

As he picked up Li Rong, she opened her eyes. Seeing Pei Wenxuan, she naturally leaned into his embrace, yawning as she said, “You’re back?”

Seeing her nestle against his chest like a cat, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but laugh: “How do you have no vigilance at all? I’ve already picked you up and you’re not even startled.”

“What’s there to be startled about?”

Li Rong said groggily, “Should I be afraid of you?”

“I’m at least a man.” Pei Wenxuan said helplessly. “Could you be slightly more alert?”

“So what if you’re a man?” Li Rong bantered with him. Both sleepy and wanting to talk, she said vaguely, “In any case, you’re good-looking. Even as a male consort, I wouldn’t mind.”

This statement left Pei Wenxuan completely unable to say a word.

He was first helpless, then remembered that it wasn’t strange for Li Rong to say this.

After all, she had indeed kept male consorts before.

Though called retainers, everyone knew the true nature of the relationship. Moreover, given Li Rong’s temperament, if she hadn’t given her heart to that person back then, keeping ten or eight male consorts wouldn’t be strange.

For a moment, Pei Wenxuan didn’t know whether it was better for Li Rong to have kept one male consort she gave her heart to, or a bunch of male consorts she didn’t care about.

But either way, he felt suffocated. Especially thinking about where Li Rong’s habit of naturally leaning into whoever picked her up while half-asleep came from made his chest feel stuffy and uncomfortable.

But he couldn’t say anything. After all, he and Li Rong were only husband and wife in name. He couldn’t control Li Rong back then and certainly can’t control her now.

He thought he was just used to it—used to being jealous of people around Li Rong, and used to disliking Su Rongqing.

This habit needed to change in the future.

After all, in this lifetime, they would separate sooner or later.

Pei Wenxuan gently placed Li Rong on the bed. Seeing this person sleep so contentedly, he felt somewhat helpless, thinking that while he thought about so many things every day, this person probably never considered any of this.

Pei Wenxuan sighed. Seeing Li Rong’s makeup hadn’t been removed, he got up to fetch water and helped Li Rong wipe her face and remove her hair ornaments, saying in a low voice, “Take off your clothes yourself and sleep.”

Li Rong mumbled a response. Pei Wenxuan got up to wash up. By the time he finished bathing and returned, Li Rong had already removed her clothes and was sleeping on the bed in an inner robe.

Pei Wenxuan lifted the blanket and lay down. Then Li Rong turned over. She seemed to have woken up. Turning to look at Pei Wenxuan, she said, “Did you pass on my message today?”

“What message?”

Pei Wenxuan furrowed his brows. Li Rong raised her eyebrows: “You forgot?”

After recalling for a moment, Pei Wenxuan remembered it was the matter from the Imperial Study at dawn. He turned over, his back to Li Rong, and said sullenly, “I’ll help you say it tomorrow.”

“Doesn’t your memory usually work quite well?”

Li Rong laughed, “I just instructed you this morning and you already forgot?”

“Too many things.”

Pei Wenxuan responded. After a moment, he turned around to look at Li Rong: “Why do you suddenly want to see him?”

“Suddenly?” Li Rong found this somewhat strange. She lay on the pillow, her chin resting on her folded hands, thinking aloud, “Isn’t this natural? If I want to establish the Constabulary Bureau, I need some personnel. Su Rongqing is Vice Minister of Justice and is also investigation personnel for this Qin family case. If I can get him to cooperate with me, I’ll have someone in the Ministry of Justice.”

With that, Li Rong raised her hand and counted on her fingers: “Not just Su Rongqing—there’s also the Court of Judicial Review, Censorate, Shuntian Prefecture… For all of these, I need some personnel. I need to find time to make the rounds to each one.”

Hearing Li Rong speak of these things, Pei Wenxuan also imitated Li Rong’s posture, turning over to lie on the bed, listening to Li Rong speak. He said slowly, “Is that all?”

“What else would there be?”

Li Rong was somewhat puzzled. After thinking for a moment, she remembered: “Of course, getting closer is also very important. While working on official business, I can chat with him on the side. That wouldn’t be bad either.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Li Rong looked up at him: “Why aren’t you speaking?”

“Oh,” Pei Wenxuan pretended to come back to his senses, saying flatly, “I was just thinking that if you really want to develop something with Su Rongqing, you need to have a plan.”

“That’s true too,” Li Rong said, propping up her chin. “In the past, I was always resistant to marrying him. Thinking about it today, actually if I could really be with him, it wouldn’t be bad at all. In our previous life, we just lacked some fate. He will definitely inherit the Su family in the future. With the Constabulary Bureau, I’m also from the Shangguan family by birth. If I could remarry into the Su family, my position would be secure in the future.”

Pei Wenxuan listened quietly. Li Rong spoke of these things quite happily: “I originally liked him quite a bit anyway. No matter how you calculate it, it’s a good marriage.”

“You didn’t think this way before.” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was flat. Li Rong thought for a moment and said slowly, “Perhaps it’s because the knot in my heart from the previous life is slowly untying.”

With that, Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan and smiled: “Actually, I should thank you for this. Ever since living again, I feel I’ve experienced many things.”

“What things?”

“I don’t know exactly what,” Li Rong lowered her hand, resting her head on her arm, looking sideways at Pei Wenxuan. “I just feel many things have gradually become clearer. My heart has become more and more calm. Many matters no longer feel awkward. Looking at you, Qin Zhenzhen, Chuan’er from a different angle—it’s all a different world. So if I look at Su Rongqing from a different angle,” Li Rong’s voice carried some anticipation, “perhaps there’ll be new discoveries?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Li Rong thought for a moment. She moved closer to him and poked him with her elbow: “Speaking of which, Qin Zhenzhen plans to give up the Qin family identity. She and Chuan’er are impossible now. Are you really not considering her?”

“Not considering.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke decisively. Li Rong made an “mm” sound, rarely showing interest: “Speaking of which, what type do you like? Do you have any idea? I can help you look around?”

“I don’t have that plan for now,” Pei Wenxuan said flatly. “My status is awkward now. Let’s wait on these matters.”

“That’s true too.” Li Rong nodded. “You’re different from me. I need to worry about when Su Rongqing might accidentally get engaged to someone else. Since you don’t have anyone you fancy, it doesn’t matter.”

Pei Wenxuan gave a low acknowledgment. He didn’t want to discuss this matter anymore, so he said, “What do you plan to do about the Qin family case?”

“Wait,” Li Rong gently swung her foot suspended in midair, saying leisurely, “Wait for my uncle’s people to process this case. Then we’ll investigate. The Qin family definitely has no problems. What decent evidence can they produce? Chasing down the investigation, it’ll probably all be surprises.”

Hearing Li Rong discuss the case, Pei Wenxuan’s tone became much happier. He pondered for a moment, then said somewhat curiously, “Speaking of which, why didn’t you actually choose the other path?”

“Which one?”

“Not establishing the Constabulary Bureau,” Pei Wenxuan looked up at her. “Actually, given our relationship and your status, even if you don’t establish the Constabulary Bureau, there’s no great harm. Right now you’re Princess Pingle. In the future, if I gain power, I’ll protect you too.”

“If you gain power?” Li Rong smiled. “Lord Pei is quite confident in himself. What if you fail?”

Pei Wenxuan was momentarily speechless. Li Rong turned her head away and said slowly, “Pei Wenxuan, I don’t like putting my life in someone else’s hands.”

“I like controlling my own fate. This destines me to inevitably covet power and must possess power.”

“Why would I need your protection?” Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, a smile on her face like a child’s. “Being able to protect others is what makes me happy.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He looked at Li Rong before him.

Li Rong wore a white inner robe with her hair loose and spread out. The collar of her robe was slightly open, revealing some curves.

Her arms emerged from the robe. Her feet were bent in the air behind her, unconsciously swaying gently with her words as she spoke. Her round, clean little feet glowed with a faint luster in the moonlight.

As she spoke these words, frankness mixed with some innocence. Her movements and tone both carried childishness, as if a young girl was speaking of the most beautiful fantasy.

But Pei Wenxuan clearly knew the weight of these words. He didn’t know what was happening, but watching Li Rong reveal this appearance that was both innocent and contained ambition, watching her turn her head toward him with a smile in the moonlight, her water-colored lips opening and closing, her little tongue inadvertently passing across the corner of her mouth as she called his name: “Pei Wenxuan.”

His body suddenly underwent changes.

He suddenly realized that Li Rong at this moment—the unguarded innocence of a young girl mixed with ambitious desire, like roses blooming to their peak trembling in spring light—held an indescribable attraction for him.

This was Li Rong who belonged uniquely to him. Any other person would probably find it difficult to see Li Rong at this moment.

He felt his consciousness somewhat dazed. Shifting his gaze from her was somewhat difficult.

Li Rong noticed Pei Wenxuan staring at her in a daze and raised her hand to wave: “What are you dazing about? Are you listening to me?”

“Hm?”

Pei Wenxuan forcibly pulled back his gaze and imperceptibly changed direction, lowering his head to look at the embroidered flowers on the pillow before him, saying flatly, “What did you just say?”

“Forget it. You keep spacing out. No fun.”

Li Rong sighed and lay down: “Let’s sleep.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged. After a while, Li Rong couldn’t help but say, “What were you thinking about just now? You were so absorbed?”

“I was thinking,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was somewhat hoarse, but he controlled it. Without paying attention, one couldn’t hear that hoarseness at all. Li Rong was still thinking about other matters, so she just listened casually. Then she heard Pei Wenxuan say, “Her Highness the Princess is very beautiful.”

Hearing this, Li Rong laughed out loud.

“When you said this morning that you’re coaxing me all the time, I believe it now. Fine,” Li Rong slept down contentedly. “This Palace pardons your crime of spacing out. Sleep.”

Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong thought he was joking. He smiled helplessly and bitterly, lying in the night with eyes open, body rigid.

After a long time, he finally closed his eyes.

He still needed to sleep in separate beds.

Before closing his eyes, Pei Wenxuan clearly realized he ultimately was not Liu Xiahui.

Even as a friend, Li Rong had an unconscious allure. For a man, if not careful, it was too easy to develop feelings.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Pei Wenxuan: “Your Highness, I want to sleep in separate beds.”

Li Rong: “Hm? Why? Do you want to break off with me again?”

Pei Wenxuan: “No, I don’t want to break off with Your Highness.”

Li Rong: “Then what do you want?”

Pei Wenxuan: “I want to develop something else with Your Highness.”

Li Rong: “Please don’t. I can have men aplenty, but close female friends aren’t easy to come by.”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Looks like I need to develop something else sooner rather than later.