“You… you won’t let go of what?”

Li Rong’s entire awareness was focused on Pei Wenxuan’s actions. She found his words somewhat difficult to comprehend. Clearly she could understand every word, yet she still felt as if she might have misunderstood his meaning.

Pei Wenxuan held her quietly. Li Rong said with difficulty, “You want to keep holding me?”

With that, she laughed, “I know you’re feeling bad tonight. If you want to hold me, go ahead. Alright, no more talking. I need to sleep. Tomorrow at morning court, your family will definitely impeach me. No more talking.”

After Li Rong finished speaking, she turned her back to Pei Wenxuan, pretending to fall asleep.

Pei Wenxuan held her for a while. Seeing her body rigid and motionless, he relaxed his hands, lying behind her and gazing at her quietly.

At night, he couldn’t lie flat and could only lie on his stomach or on his side. The wounds hurt so much he couldn’t sleep. Since he wouldn’t be able to attend morning court anyway, he simply watched Li Rong, occasionally running his fingers through her hair.

He had always been a cautious person who never made moves without certainty. He knew that the current Li Rong certainly had no feelings for him. If he rashly spoke up, they might not even be able to remain friends. It was better to stay by her side like this, wearing her down bit by bit.

Dripping water penetrates stone, an iron pestle ground into a needle—he had a goal and sufficient patience.

Having determined his approach, Pei Wenxuan felt as if some dust had settled in his heart. He reached out, gathered a lock of Li Rong’s beautiful hair, and gently brought it to his nose to smell.

The fragrance from Li Rong’s hair permeated his heart. He leaned closer, gently embracing the person who had already fallen asleep, resting his head against hers.

When Li Rong woke up, she found herself in Pei Wenxuan’s arms. She was instantly startled awake, then silently cursed herself for making a fuss over nothing. After encountering such distressing family matters last night, it was normal for Pei Wenxuan to want company. Never mind that Pei Wenxuan had that chaste and virtuous husband temperament—even if Pei Wenxuan had any ideas, she wasn’t afraid of him.

Li Rong calmed her emotions and got up. Servants attended to her as she dressed. Pei Wenxuan sensed the light, lifted the bed curtains, and poked half his head out. Still seeming not quite awake, he squinted and said, “Your Highness, today won’t be easy.”

“Don’t worry.” Li Rong reassured him, “In a while, I’ll have someone notify your mother and have her brought from the Pei mansion to the Princess’s mansion. I’ll deal with the palace first. Once you’ve resolved matters with your mother, have her enter the palace.”

Li Rong didn’t say much, but Pei Wenxuan’s mind was very clear. He knew what Li Rong wanted him to say. Supporting himself with one hand beneath him, propping up his upper body, he said solemnly, “Your Highness can rest assured. I will handle it.”

When he said these words, his expression was quite serious, but his hair was scattered around him and his clothing had been pulled open at the chest, revealing his lean, fair chest. His usually refined and handsome face thus displayed a certain indescribable allure.

This allure was different from feminine charm. It was like some dashing young gentleman deliberately showing off to coax a young lady—a kind of male seduction directed at women.

Li Rong hurriedly glanced over his face, averted her gaze, and only said, “Lie down and sleep well. I’m leaving first.”

With that, Li Rong led her people out of the room.

As soon as Li Rong left, she ordered someone to notify the secret contacts in the Pei mansion, to find a way to inform them of Pei Wenxuan’s serious injuries and coax Yun Shi to come to the Princess’s mansion.

After doing this, she went to court.

The Pei family doing these things was inevitably due to pressure from other aristocratic families. Since her rebirth, her personality had changed too abruptly, coinciding with the marriage. Everyone probably thought Pei Wenxuan had instigated her. When aristocratic families caused trouble for the Pei family, the Pei family caused trouble for Pei Wenxuan, thinking to pressure Pei Wenxuan to change her attitude.

The Pei family probably just intended to beat Pei Wenxuan once—firstly to let Pei Wenxuan know the severity and serve as a warning to her, and secondly to show the aristocratic families the Pei family’s attitude, demonstrating that this was Pei Wenxuan’s own idea, thus placating the aristocratic families.

But with people like Shangguan Xu’s calculations, it was probably not that simple. They likely calculated that she would go rescue Pei Wenxuan…

Thinking this, Li Rong felt she had been somewhat impulsive.

If she hadn’t forcibly broken in to rescue Pei Wenxuan last night, the Pei family couldn’t have actually beaten Pei Wenxuan to death. When Pei Wenxuan returned injured and they went to reason with people, since she hadn’t committed any offense, the logic would all be on their side. Revenge afterward was a matter for afterward. But last night she still made a mistake—momentarily forgetting that when the mantis stalks the cicada, the oriole is behind. After abducting him, she only then remembered that the aristocratic families might be waiting for her.

The key point of the Qin clan case had long been concentrated on her Supervisory Bureau (the Supervisory Bureau had been changed from the previous name). Finding every possible way to cause her trouble and abolish this Supervisory Bureau was what the current court most wanted to do.

Her forcibly breaking into the Pei family with people was probably today’s excuse for them.

Li Rong had already imagined the scene of memorials flying like snowflakes onto Li Ming’s desk. Li Rong lightly tapped her small fan, organizing her words.

After thinking for a while, she sighed. Beside her, Jing Lan placed pastries on a plate for her, smiling, “Your Highness is sighing so early in the morning. What are you worried about?”

“I…” Li Rong was about to say she had no confidence about today’s morning court, but before the words left her mouth, Jing Lan said, “Are you thinking about how to explain yesterday’s matter when you see Lord Su today?”

Li Rong froze. After a moment, she sighed again, “Why bring that up?”

She wanted even less to attend court now.

But what had to be faced still had to be faced. Li Rong mentally prepared herself thoroughly, and finally arrived at the palace gates. After getting off the carriage, she stepped into the square. Ministers stood scattered in twos and threes across the square. Li Rong had walked only a few steps when she saw Su Rongqing, who had just arrived.

She hesitated for a while, but still went forward and called out to Su Rongqing, “Lord Su.”

Su Rongqing bowed to Li Rong. Li Rong smiled awkwardly, “Yesterday…”

“This minister had dinner with my brother and left first,” Su Rongqing said respectfully, “It didn’t delay anything. Your Highness need not worry.”

“I’m sorry,” Li Rong saw that Su Rongqing’s expression was peaceful with no trace of dissatisfaction, making her feel even more apologetic. She could only say, “Something did happen yesterday. I’ll host another time.”

“Actually, there’s no need,” Su Rongqing said calmly, “Your Highness’s status is sensitive now. You shouldn’t have too much contact with this minister to avoid causing criticism among court officials. When I agreed to my brother yesterday, I didn’t know Your Highness would be coming. If I had known, I wouldn’t have agreed.”

Su Rongqing refused decisively, all but saying “it’s good you didn’t come.”

Li Rong felt her face being slapped repeatedly, but her face had long been trained like copper walls and iron ramparts by Pei Wenxuan. She pretended to hear nothing and smiled, “Alright, then we’ll arrange another time. Lord Su, please go ahead with your business. This Princess will go first.”

With that, Li Rong didn’t give Su Rongqing a chance to refuse again. She directly turned around and returned to her position.

Not long after, Li Ming was escorted into court by attendants. Li Ming sat down as usual and asked routinely, “Are there any important matters today?”

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Rong saw Pei Lixian shift his position. Pei Lixian moved quickly, but she moved even faster. She hurriedly knelt on the ground and cried out loudly, “Father Emperor, you must uphold justice for your daughter!”

Li Rong’s voice contained grief, startling Pei Lixian so much he shuddered. He looked up at Li Rong, then glanced at Li Ming. Li Ming calmly sipped his tea, saying lightly, “You’ve been bullied?”

“Not me—the Prince Consort,” Li Rong said, her voice taking on a tearful tone, “Last night, Chief Minister Pei sent someone to summon the Prince Consort back to the Pei family, saying his mother-in-law was gravely ill. The Prince Consort rushed back anxiously. After arriving, he was beaten by Chief Minister Pei’s orders. Now he’s lying at home covered in injuries, unable to attend court at all. You know the Prince Consort’s temperament, Father. He’s always been filially devoted and respectful of his elders. He was implicated only because of me and suffered this beating. Even if the other party is an elder, the Prince Consort is still the imperial family’s son-in-law. Though the Pei family beat the Prince Consort, they damaged your daughter’s face and the imperial family’s dignity!”

After Li Rong’s tearful complaint, Pei Liwen couldn’t bear it any longer. He hurriedly stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the facts are absolutely not as Your Highness described. Since the Prince Consort married Your Highness, he has never returned home to visit his mother. Recently, elder sister-in-law has been unwell and summoned the Prince Consort many times, but he ignored her completely. In her disappointment, elder sister-in-law summoned the family elders and had Wenxuan recalled to the clan.”

“We originally hoped to persuade him to see reason and be filial to his mother. Who knew he would speak insolently, not only refusing to listen to advice but also insulting his elders. Seeing her son so presumptuous, elder sister-in-law had servants discipline him according to family rules. But Wenxuan, relying on his Prince Consort status and refusing to accept discipline, got into conflict with family servants. Not only did he injure many servants, he also claimed the Princess was backing him and no one could control him. Later, the Princess brought troops and forcibly broke into the Pei mansion, taking the Prince Consort away. Before leaving, she even broke the hands of two servants. Arrogant and tyrannical, disregarding propriety and law—now she’s even making false accusations to slander the Pei family! Your Majesty!”

Pei Liwen kowtowed and loudly proclaimed, “If Your Majesty doesn’t punish Your Highness for this action, it will chill the hearts of all court officials!”

Li Ming didn’t speak. He looked up at Li Rong and only said, “Pingle, what do you say?”

“Father Emperor, he says they summoned the Prince Consort many times and the Prince Consort refused. Then why not have them call up witnesses—what time, what place, who delivered the message—verify everything point by point. They say the Prince Consort beat people. Last night, the Prince Consort heard his mother was ill and rushed over immediately, bringing very few people. A whole household of them surrounded the Prince Consort alone. The Prince Consort is a civil official—what kind of audacity would he need to dare strike first, then be beaten by them until he couldn’t leave his bed? Minister Pei and your daughter each hold to our own version. Why not investigate everything clearly and see who’s lying!”

“Call them then,” Pei Liwen, hearing Li Rong say this, angrily responded, “Your Highness, stop distorting facts and being so arrogant!”

“Enough,” Li Ming, hearing both sides arguing back and forth, showed some impatience, “After all this talk, it’s still your own family matters. Making such a fuss over such a small matter in the court hall—you don’t care about face, but I do. The Prince Consort was beaten by you all, and Pingle rescued him last night. What more is there to argue about? Forget it. I hear three provinces haven’t had rain this year and there may be a great drought. Let’s not bring up these trivial matters right now.”

Li Ming brought out national affairs. Pei Liwen was momentarily stymied, a breath stuck in his chest, making his face turn completely red.

Li Rong calmly stood up. Then she heard a minister step forward and say, “Your Majesty, Your Highness just established the Supervisory Bureau and already…”

“Will this ever end?!” When Li Ming heard him mention the Supervisory Bureau, he knew his intent and angrily said, “Must I convict someone of great disrespect before you’re satisfied? No matter what, Pei Wenxuan is my son-in-law, an imperial relative! I’m being quite generous by not pursuing the matter after he was beaten! All of you, shut up!”

After Li Ming’s scolding, he finally suppressed everyone. Li Rong lightly tapped her small fan against her palm, lowering her head without a word.

After scolding people, Li Ming forcibly changed the subject. The court officials suppressed their anger and began discussing rainfall matters with Li Ming.

Li Rong lowered her eyes, calculating the time.

At this moment, the sky had just begun to show color, but it was covered with dark clouds, looking as if rain could fall at any moment.

Yun Shi sat before her mirror, applying makeup. She looked at the woman in the mirror and sighed softly.

She hadn’t slept all night and her spirits weren’t good. The maidservant behind her couldn’t help but say, “Why is Madam so worried?”

“Yesterday,” she spoke slowly, “when Your Highness said those things, I didn’t know whether they were true or false. I kept thinking all night—if what she said was true, if second uncle-in-law really intended to harm Wenxuan…”

“Madam is overthinking.” The maidservant interrupted Yun Shi’s words, saying in a low voice, “Second Master grew up with Elder Master. The young master is Elder Master’s only son. Second Master is raising him like his own child. Look at Second Master’s own eldest son—he’s also an eighth-rank minor official. The young master has an impetuous temperament, so more tempering is appropriate. Your Highness doesn’t understand Second Master’s deeper meaning and has misunderstood.”

Yun Shi didn’t speak. She gripped the small comb in her hand, lowering her eyes wordlessly.

She had always not managed these matters before. When Pei Lizhi was alive, he would arrange everything for her. She had never thought the people around her might have ulterior motives, nor had she thought she needed to fight for anything.

In the four years since Pei Lizhi passed away, what she did most each day was eat vegetarian food, chant Buddhist scriptures, and hope Pei Lizhi lived well in the afterlife.

After being scolded by Li Rong last night, she finally had some thoughts. She surveyed her surroundings and only then realized that many of the people around her were no longer the old servants.

For example, the one helping with her makeup now had been arranged by the steward. But she had handed over the steward’s authority to her sister-in-law long ago. She didn’t like managing these miscellaneous matters and felt that Pei Lixian’s wife, Lady Qin, managed better. Now, thinking carefully, she realized with some fear that there were very few people around her who weren’t sent by Lady Qin.

She felt afraid in her heart but dared not say much. After finishing her makeup, servants brought up bird’s nest soup as usual. Yun Shi had just picked up the bird’s nest soup and lifted the bowl cover when she saw a line of small characters written on it: “The young master requests to see Madam, at the Princess’s mansion.”

Seeing this line of characters, Yun Shi panicked. She hurriedly surveyed her surroundings and saw the person who had presented the bird’s nest soup watching her. Yun Shi’s heart raced. Her hand trembled and the bird’s nest bowl fell to the ground. The servant presenting the soup hurriedly knelt down, saying urgently, “This slave deserves death.”

“You clean it up first.” Yun Shi steadied her voice, then had the maidservant beside her go out and fetch another bowl of bird’s nest soup. As soon as the maidservant left, Yun Shi immediately said, “What’s happened to my son?”

“First Madam, the young master is seriously injured. You should pretend to sleep first, then exit through the back window. I’ll lead you out.”

Hearing this, Yun Shi suppressed her racing heartbeat and dared not ask more questions. When the person returned, she ate a few bites of bird’s nest soup, then said she wanted to sleep a while longer and sent everyone out. She then opened the back window as instructed and immediately saw the servant waiting at the door, handing her a bundle of clothes and whispering, “Change into these, quickly.”

Yun Shi nodded, hurriedly changed clothes, and was then led by the servant, disguised as a vegetable-buying servant, out through the back door.

After leaving and boarding a carriage, Yun Shi anxiously asked, “What happened to my son?”

“The young master needs your help, so he asked you to come see him.” The servant reassured her, “Please don’t be anxious. You’ll see the young master very soon.”

Seeing she couldn’t get any information, Yun Shi stopped speaking, twisting her handkerchief in dry anxiety.

Meanwhile, in the court hall, after reviewing rainfall and other matters, Li Ming finally announced the end of court.

Li Rong smiled and turned to leave the hall. Before she could exit, she heard Pei Liwen call out to her, loudly saying, “Your Highness, don’t you feel guilty lying like this today?”

Li Rong heard his words and turned to look at Pei Liwen, unable to help laughing, “I haven’t even caused you trouble yet, and you dare actively cause me trouble? I should be asking you that—don’t you feel guilty lying today?”

“Whether it’s lying or not,” a minister surrounded her, his expression cold, “A mother disciplining her son is natural law and morality. Your Highness trespassing into a minister’s home was improper.”

“Why don’t you say these words to my father?” Li Rong turned to look at the speaker, her expression somewhere between a smile and not, “You didn’t dare utter a single word just now in the court hall, but now you’re causing me trouble? If you think you’re so right, go tell him.”

“Your Highness,” another minister frowned, “You’re too arrogant.”

“Then impeach me.” Li Rong looked over, “If you really can’t stand it, why don’t you hit me a couple of times?”

“You!” The speaking minister stepped forward, but was hurriedly held back by someone beside him. Li Rong saw the angry minister, twirled her fan and smiled, “I truly love this look of yours—unable to stand me yet helpless against me. In this matter, you’re all blind. This Princess won’t hold it against you. Sooner or later,” Li Rong pointed at each minister surrounding her, “you’ll all have to apologize to me.”

With that, Li Rong snapped open her folding fan and walked out with a smile, “Alright, all you ministers disperse. This Princess still has cases to handle.”

“Princess Pingle!” Pei Liwen shouted at Li Rong’s retreating back, “This world will not tolerate such reckless behavior without giving justice. I’m going to the Imperial Study right now to petition His Majesty. If he doesn’t punish you today, I’ll bash my head against the dragon-guarding pillar in the Imperial Study and die to admonish the sovereign!”

“I’m going too!”

“Me too!”

With that, the court officials were filled with righteous indignation, as if they were about to make an appointment to bash themselves against the dragon-guarding pillar together.

Li Rong nodded, “Excellent. This Princess didn’t want to bother with you all, but you insist on throwing yourselves at swords and blades. This Princess will accompany you. At the Imperial Study,” Li Rong raised her hand and pointed at Pei Liwen, “Today either you’ll be carried out, or I’ll be carried out. Let’s go!”

With that, Li Rong shouted loudly, turned around, and strode toward the Imperial Study.

As she left, wild wind swept up autumn leaves, and thunder roared. The officials were stunned for half a moment after her shout, then cursed and chased after her. The two groups arrived before the Imperial Study one after the other, kneeling on opposite sides. However, on Li Rong’s side, only Li Rong knelt alone and solitary, while Pei Liwen had brought a large group of court officials kneeling on the other side.

“Your Majesty!”

“Father Emperor!”

Both sides started shouting, their voices mixing into chaos.

“We petition Your Majesty to severely punish Princess Pingle for wantonly trespassing into a minister’s mansion without reason. Such an arrogant, tyrannical princess who disregards law and order absolutely must not be allowed to hold the important position of head of the Supervisory Bureau!”

“We petition Father Emperor to severely punish the brothers Pei Lixian and Pei Liwen for deceiving their sister-in-law, mistreating their elder brother’s orphan, seizing their deceased brother’s family property, and beating the Prince Consort in offense against the sovereign. Such shameless people who violate ethical principles, are vicious and cunning, absolutely must not be allowed to go unpunished!”

“Your Majesty!”

“Father Emperor!”

Both sides shouted for a long time. Fulai finally came out from inside, his face apologetic, “Your Highness, esteemed ministers,” Fulai smiled bitterly, “His Majesty says this is a family matter and he won’t interfere. Please all return.”

“Your Majesty, the Princess is the head of the Supervisory Bureau. How can it be just a family matter? If Your Majesty doesn’t give this minister justice today, this minister will kneel here until death!”

“Kneel to death?” Li Rong laughed, “Didn’t you say you’d bash against the pillar? The dragon-guarding pillar is right there. Go bash.”

“You!” Pei Liwen’s eyes widened. Li Rong said with a smile, “Minister Pei, one must keep one’s word.”

“Women and petty people are difficult to raise,” Pei Liwen said through gritted teeth, “I won’t argue with a woman.”

“You can’t even out-argue a woman,” Li Rong waved her fan leisurely, “It seems Minister Pei truly has no principles. Better to bash yourself to death and leave behind a good reputation.”

Pei Liwen ignored Li Rong. He gasped heavily, seeming ready to explode at any moment, only saying to Fulai, “Please trouble Eunuch Fu to relay that if the Princess isn’t punished today, we absolutely will not leave.”

“Also please trouble Eunuch Fu to relay,” Li Rong said slowly, “that if the Prince Consort doesn’t receive justice today, I’m also staying here, kneeling until death.”

Hearing these words, Fulai’s face fell, “Your Highness, why are you making trouble?”

“They’re the ones making trouble.” Li Rong sneered coldly, “Eunuch just relay the message.”

As Li Rong and Pei Liwen knelt at the Imperial Study entrance, news quickly spread.

At this time, Pei Wenxuan had also changed his clothes and sat in the main hall, watching as Yun Shi was helped inside.

As soon as Yun Shi saw Pei Wenxuan, her eyes reddened. She came forward urgently, “Wenxuan, how are you?”

“Please sit, Mother.” Pei Wenxuan smiled and had Yun Shi sit down. Yun Shi looked at Pei Wenxuan anxiously, “Last night’s matter…”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He gazed quietly at Yun Shi. Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s gaze, Yun Shi’s heart involuntarily went cold. She stared blankly at Pei Wenxuan, her voice trembling, “You blame me, don’t you?”

Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking. His peaceful gaze carried a trace of distance, making Yun Shi’s entire body tremble, “You also think your second uncle treats you poorly and wants to harm you, right?”

“Mother,” Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly, “It’s not that I think so—factually, that’s how it is.”

“There might be a misunderstanding…” Yun Shi felt her heart sinking heavily while still unable to help explaining, “Your second uncle told me…”

“What he said doesn’t matter,” Pei Wenxuan interrupted her, saying seriously, “The key point is what he did.”

“Mother, of Father’s old servants, how many remain around you?” Pei Wenxuan’s question stunned Yun Shi. Pei Wenxuan said slowly, “On my way back from Luzhou, I encountered assassination. I was fortunate to return to the mansion, only to hear that second uncle planned to ‘temper’ me by arranging a minor official position for me.”

“Assassination?” Yun Shi’s face showed shock, “Why… why have you never told me?”

“Because it was useless.” Pei Wenxuan smiled, “I know what kind of temperament you have. When I returned, there were already few people left around you. I feared that if you knew, you’d want to do something and instead be plotted against. Better to be like now—knowing nothing, living peacefully for a lifetime.”

Yun Shi stared at him blankly. Pei Wenxuan continued, “When Father was alive, he often instructed me, saying that we men must shoulder responsibilities in this life, must work hard to let those around us live well. If the other party doesn’t live well, then we have problems. Father spent his whole life taking care of you, caring for you. You never had to think about anything.”

As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he didn’t know why, but Li Rong’s image flashed through his mind. He suddenly felt somewhat bitter, somewhat heartbroken, and somewhat inexplicably guilty.

“Father told me to continue bearing his responsibility, to continue taking care of you. I used to think this was my struggle. Whether I lived well or poorly, I shouldn’t disturb you. If you lived well and I lost, it was because I was incompetent.”

Yun Shi looked at Pei Wenxuan, tears falling like pearls, “Then now… why are you telling me? Did I harm you, drive you to desperation?”

“Not quite,” Pei Wenxuan smiled, “It’s because someone told me I should give you a choice.”

“Father didn’t give you the choice to become a great lady, a wife. He treated you like a caged bird, doting on you for a lifetime. He took all responsibilities upon himself—yours, the family’s, mine.”

“I once thought I should become such a person too. I tried hard, but gradually I realized—I’m not Father, and Father’s approach may not have been right.”

“People are people. Strength has its limits. If I want to be responsible for everyone around me, to encompass the responsibilities they should bear, I won’t live this life well.”

“So I want to give Mother a choice.”

Pei Wenxuan looked at Yun Shi. He stepped forward and knelt on one knee before her, looking up at her earnestly, “Help your son once. Will you?”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Yun Shi cried until she couldn’t see ahead.

“You should have told me earlier…” Yun Shi’s voice was hoarse, “I’ve been waiting for these words. I waited for them from your father his whole life. But he never said them to me. I’d almost forgotten.”

“Wenxuan… I’m sorry…” Yun Shi cried as she knelt to the ground, “I’m sorry. Mother was wrong. I’m sorry…”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He quietly watched Yun Shi crying her heart out before him.

Outside, rain began to fall with a pitter-patter. The sound of rain mixed with Yun Shi’s crying. Pei Wenxuan watched Yun Shi’s grief-stricken appearance and said in a low voice, “Mother, stop crying. Please stand up.”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed in urgently.

“Prince Consort,” Tong Ye said, gasping, “News came from the palace.”

Tong Ye said urgently, “Third Master brought many court officials to kneel at the Imperial Study entrance demanding Your Highness be punished. Your Highness is also kneeling at the Imperial Study entrance demanding Second Master and Third Master be punished. They’re at an impasse now and have been kneeling for a long time.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan immediately stood up. With such a violent movement, his wounds tore open and fresh blood seeped through his white clothing. Pei Wenxuan said coldly, “Prepare the carriage. We’re entering the palace.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan turned around and respectfully said to Yun Shi, “Mother, please accompany me to the palace.”

“I’ll listen to you.” Yun Shi sniffed, “I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged. Yun Shi stood up. Seeing the bloodstains on Pei Wenxuan’s back, she wanted to ask but didn’t dare. She could only hold back, knowing only to cry.

Soon, everything was arranged. Pei Wenxuan took an umbrella and boarded the carriage with Yun Shi.

Looking at the heavy rain pouring down in the courtyard, his mind flashed to the scene from the previous life of Su Rongqing holding an umbrella for Li Rong.

His heart suddenly tightened.

This kind of thing would never happen again.

He told himself that in this lifetime, he would not allow such a thing to happen again.

Author’s Note: Pei Wenxuan: “Please ask Su Rongqing to maintain a distance of three zhang from my wife, or I’ll open fire.”