Nothing but ants.
Cold wind blew over. Xun Chuan stood dazed, listening to the words from inside. She stared blankly at Li Rong’s back as she stood with her spine straight, locked in a standoff with Shangguan Xu.
The servant beside her said quietly: “My lord?”
Xun Chuan came back to her senses. She lowered her head, seeming somewhat embarrassed: “I suddenly remembered some matters. Don’t tell Her Highness I came. I’m leaving.”
After saying this, Xun Chuan hurriedly walked out the door.
As if she had never appeared at all.
Li Rong was completely unaware of this person’s coming and going. Hearing Shangguan Xu’s words, she looked at Shangguan Xu and only said: “You are the Grand Councilor, I am a princess.”
“You and I have the ability to change the rules—you’re just unwilling. You’re determined to maintain the current situation, so you’re unwilling to break this balance. You just hope His Majesty and you all will continue to compete with each other, then watch helplessly as the Shangguan family rots away day by day without taking action.”
“But is this possible?”
“Since the Great Xia’s founding, through four generations of monarchs, the nation has been established for nearly a century. There are military disturbances in the Northwest, and natural disasters occur internally from time to time. This is not a newly founded dynasty. It cannot tolerate you all tormenting it like this. Any monarch whatsoever cannot tolerate such a Shangguan family. You say the Shangguan family is Chuan’er’s foundation, but look—if today the Inspectorate Bureau wasn’t in my hands but in Consort Rou’s hands, and His Majesty was determined to cause trouble for Chuan’er, then tell me, would such a Shangguan family be Chuan’er’s foundation or his calamity?”
Shangguan Xu fell silent. Li Rong took a deep breath: “This Palace has never wanted to slaughter each other with the Shangguan family. This Palace wants only one thing.”
Shangguan Xu raised his head. Li Rong tapped her fan on the table, saying earnestly: “This Palace wants a clean Shangguan family, wants a Shangguan family whose head is not a puppet of the aristocratic families, wants a Shangguan family that in the future won’t drag Chuan’er down and won’t overstep its proper place. Does Lord Shangguan understand?!”
Cold wind rolled in through the main gate carrying withered leaves, sweeping between the two of them. After a long while, Shangguan Xu finally said: “What Your Highness says, this old subject understands, but this old subject is powerless to achieve it.”
“If you can’t do it, then let someone else!”
Li Rong stared at him: “I’ll only ask Uncle one question: are you willing or not to firmly grasp the Shangguan family completely in your hands?”
Shangguan Xu remained silent. Li Rong looked toward Shangguan Ya: “Cousin Aya, are you willing?”
“This commoner woman will follow Your Highness’s orders entirely.”
Shangguan Ya bowed respectfully. Shangguan Xu glanced at Shangguan Ya, then at Li Rong. After a moment, he smiled bitterly: “Your Highness, does this old subject have a choice?”
Li Rong said nothing. Shangguan Xu said slowly: “No matter what choice this old subject makes, Your Highness purging the Shangguan family is inevitable. This old subject cannot stop Your Highness. Either unite with the aristocratic families to destroy Your Highness, or only watch as Your Highness wields the knife against clan members. But if Your Highness is destroyed, the Crown Prince and the Empress will become estranged from this old subject, and even my daughter…”
Shangguan Xu paused. After a moment, he said quietly: “The Shangguan family is the Crown Prince’s foundation, and the Crown Prince is also the Shangguan family’s future and foundation. Your Highness has removed the firewood from under the cauldron, using the Crown Prince to force this old subject. You haven’t given this old subject any choice. In the future, whatever Your Highness does, this old subject won’t obstruct,” Shangguan Xu sighed and bowed, “I only hope Your Highness, toward your own clan members, can show mercy and spare their lives.”
“Whether lives can be spared doesn’t depend on me,” Li Rong looked at Shangguan Xu, saying calmly, “it depends on the Shangguan family itself. The Inspectorate Bureau will not show favoritism. If the Inspectorate Bureau doesn’t discover anything, that’s one matter. If it does discover something, it will only handle things according to the law. Uncle, you spent half your life’s effort revising the Great Xia Code, making it so Great Xia has laws to follow. If the Great Xia Code cannot be implemented, don’t you find that regrettable?”
Shangguan Xu fell silent. Shangguan Ya said respectfully: “Your Highness can rest assured, the Shangguan family won’t require the Inspectorate Bureau to take action. After returning today, this commoner woman will conduct an internal investigation of the Shangguan family. The Shangguan family from Hua Jing to Youzhou—the entire clan will self-investigate. Ya’er is a daughter,” Shangguan Ya looked toward Shangguan Xu, “If this self-investigation goes smoothly, the Crown Prince will have no future troubles. If this self-investigation doesn’t go smoothly, if Father disposes of this daughter, it will also serve as an explanation to the clan members. Father will still be the Shangguan family head, and Elder Brother will be unaffected as well.”
“What does Father think?”
Shangguan Ya looked at Shangguan Xu.
They had already arranged all the paths. If Shangguan Xu didn’t agree, when Li Rong’s Inspectorate Bureau took action, it would be mutual destruction with the Shangguan family. If Shangguan Xu agreed and Shangguan Ya took action, the Shangguan family might lose or might win, but Shangguan Xu would have a way out either way.
Unless one was a fool, everyone would choose to accept Shangguan Ya conducting the self-investigation of the Shangguan family.
And agreeing to Shangguan Ya’s self-investigation of the Shangguan family also meant agreeing to transfer a portion of the Shangguan family’s power into the hands of this unmarried young woman.
Shangguan Xu remained silent. After a long while, he suddenly let out a soft laugh, his face showing some bitterness: “Truly worthy of being a daughter of the Shangguan family.”
“Power,” Shangguan Xu supported himself to stand, laughing with some emotion, “is truly written in your blood and bones.”
“The future belongs to you young people. This old subject is truly old.”
Saying this, he raised his hand to bow to Li Rong, saying wearily: “Everything will be arranged according to Your Highness’s wishes. This old subject will take his leave first.”
Li Rong acknowledged and stood, wanting to see Shangguan Xu off. Shangguan Xu waved his hand: “Don’t trouble Your Highness. This old subject can leave on his own. Your Highness has now grown up, with your own thoughts and arrangements. This old subject is very gratified, but there is one thing this old subject must still say to Your Highness.”
Li Rong looked up at Shangguan Xu. Shangguan Xu’s gaze fell on Pei Wenxuan. He glanced at Pei Wenxuan, then turned his head back, saying earnestly: “Your Highness’s body will always carry half of the Shangguan clan’s blood, but marriage is not necessarily forever. Your Highness didn’t involve yourself in government affairs before, yet after marriage your prominence in the court is unmatched. Your Highness,” Shangguan Xu advised, “you must still be cautious.”
“Uncle can rest assured,” Li Rong responded, “Rong’er understands.”
Shangguan Xu smiled bitterly. Without saying more, after bidding farewell to Li Rong, he led Shangguan Ya away.
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan together saw Shangguan Xu out. After Shangguan Xu left, Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, saying gently: “With the Shangguan family beginning their self-investigation, Your Highness’s heart can be mostly at ease.”
“Mm.”
“In the court, with the Shangguan and Pei families’ support, after the Qin family case concludes, the Qin family will certainly receive great rewards. Once they stabilize in the Northwest, Xiao Su has no foundation in the Northwest. With Qin Lin’s abilities and the Qin family’s prestige in the Northwest, the military power there will sooner or later fall into Qin Lin’s hands. When next year’s imperial examinations open, Your Highness can arrange people into the court. At that time, Your Highness will have no more worries.”
Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Rong responded faintly. After a while, she seemed to remember something and smiled: “Just now I told you to leave, but you stubbornly insisted on staying in the room. Was it that you thought my uncle wasn’t annoyed enough with you, or were you afraid I was hiding something from you?”
“Not really,” hearing Li Rong’s question, Pei Wenxuan completely failed to hear Li Rong’s implied meaning and smiled: “By forcibly staying here, Shangguan Xu will even more believe I’m manipulating Your Highness, making them all think I instigated Your Highness. No matter when in the future, they’ll think that as long as they eliminate me, Your Highness won’t oppose them. This way, Your Highness will be much safer.”
Hearing this, Li Rong couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow: “You’re not afraid of death?”
Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, his voice peaceful: “For children of poor families climbing upward, if one fears death, one wouldn’t think of climbing up in the first place.”
“Pei Wenxuan,” hearing his words, Li Rong couldn’t help but feel puzzled, “you fight so desperately to squeeze into this court—what is it for? Do you love power and influence so much?”
“Your Highness is mistaken,” Pei Wenxuan shook his head. “This subject didn’t want to squeeze in on his own. In the previous life, there was no choice. I muddleheadedly became Your Highness’s prince consort, then muddleheadedly got caught up in the court. By the time I wanted to withdraw later, I couldn’t anymore.”
“What about this lifetime?”
“As for this lifetime,” Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, walking slowly forward with a gentle smile on his face, “having been to the heights, one knows there are magnificent views and cannot bear to abandon them.”
Li Rong said nothing. Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, she felt an indescribable tranquility spreading through her heart.
They said nothing more. Pei Wenxuan walked ahead of her, quietly shielding her from the wind. Pei Wenxuan didn’t turn back—he knew Li Rong was following behind him.
Not far, not near, just there.
After Li Rong saw off the Shangguan family, Xun Chuan sat alone in her room.
She didn’t quite know what to do.
To beg Li Rong—Li Rong had already done enough. She couldn’t trouble her anymore.
Li Rong owed the Qin family nothing. For her as a princess to have done this much was already very difficult.
Besides begging Li Rong, what else could she do?
So many people had died. All the witnesses were buried in the outskirts. The Qin family had been wrongly accused for no reason, suffering humiliation in prison.
Was it just going to end like this?
Handed over to the Ministry of Justice—what kind of handling could the Ministry of Justice produce?
Suddenly, an indescribable hatred surged up within her. She hated her own incompetence, her own ignorance, hated that she couldn’t be like Shangguan Ya, like Li Rong, strategizing and planning everything.
She could only hide in this dark place, watching helplessly as the sword of injustice fell upon her head, powerless to stop it.
She sat quietly for a long time. Suddenly, urgent calls came from outside: “Lord Xun, something has happened to the Qin family.”
Xun Chuan had specifically instructed her subordinates to specially watch over the Qin family. Hearing this, Xun Chuan rushed out the door urgently: “What happened?”
“The young master of the Qin family had a conflict with Vice Minister Cui from the Ministry of Justice on the main street. You should hurry and go see.”
Hearing this, Xun Chuan rushed out urgently. She rode her horse rapidly all the way. When she arrived at the street, she saw her younger brother who had clearly been beaten, guards all over the ground, and Qin Lin standing by the carriage with a cold expression.
Cui Shuyun lay on the ground, breathing shallowly, staring at Qin Lin: “Qin Lin, don’t be presumptuous. Assaulting a court official—you just wait for tomorrow.”
Qin Lin looked at Cui Shuyun with an indifferent expression: “Fine, I’ll wait.”
With that, Qin Lin turned with his younger brother, only saying: “Qin Yun, let’s go.”
“You tell us to wait—you’re the one who should wait,” Qin Yun wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, his eyes reddening. “You caused my sister’s death, caused so many people’s deaths. My sister’s spirit in heaven won’t let you go. You just wait!”
“You’re spouting nonsense!” Cui Shuyun shouted loudly. Qin Lin said flatly: “Qin Yun.”
Qin Yun turned his head away, wiped his tears, and followed Qin Lin to leave. Cui Shuyun was helped up by his attendants. He looked at the backs of Qin Lin and Qin Yun, bit his teeth, and raised his voice: “She killed herself by ramming into something!”
Qin Lin stopped in his tracks. Cui Shuyun laughed: “I didn’t lay a hand on her. She killed herself by ramming into the Princess’s manor gate. The Qin family case will soon be transferred to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice will give the Qin family justice. Lord Qin can rest assured.”
Qin Lin said nothing. He clenched his fists. Before Qin Yun could turn back to attack again, Xun Chuan stepped forward first, kicking Cui Shuyun away. She walked toward Qin Lin, saying respectfully: “Lord Qin, the Princess requests your presence.”
Cui Shuyun was helped up. He had wanted to have his people attack, but hearing the words “the Princess,” Cui Shuyun’s movements paused. Then he said quietly: “Let’s go.”
After Cui Shuyun and his people left, Qin Lin turned to look at Xun Chuan. He looked at Xun Chuan quietly for a long time, then said respectfully: “Thank you, Lord Xun, for resolving the situation.”
“Is the young master alright?”
Xun Chuan looked toward Qin Yun. Qin Yun lowered his head, saying in a hoarse voice: “I’m fine, thank you for Lord Xun’s concern.”
“It’s already late,” Xun Chuan said quietly, “I’ll escort you two young masters back.”
Qin Lin acknowledged and walked toward the Qin residence together with Xun Chuan.
Both parties remained silent the whole way. After a long while, Qin Yun couldn’t help saying: “Lord Xun, is the case really going to be transferred to the Ministry of Justice?”
“This humble official has not yet heard confirmed news.”
“Please beg the Princess,” Qin Yun said urgently, “ask the Princess to speak up, alright? If the case is handed to the Ministry of Justice, what difference is there from releasing them? My sister died, Uncle Luo died, so many people died. Our Qin family was in prison, Uncle took so many beatings, suffered so much—is it just going to end like this?!”
“Qin Yun,” Qin Lin spoke coldly, “don’t cause trouble.”
Saying this, Qin Lin looked toward Xun Chuan, saying calmly: “Her Highness is someone who does great things. For His Majesty and Her Highness, people like them, one Qin family case is just one move on the chessboard. Her Highness has already done what she can for the Qin family—utmost righteousness and kindness. Lord Xun needn’t discuss it further with Her Highness. The Qin family case involves too many people. It’s impossible for there to be a result. Even if there’s punishment, at most it will only be stripping of office and exile, and even that is already the greatest punishment Princess Highness could obtain for the Qin family.”
“This isn’t fair…” Hearing this, Qin Yun clenched his fists. “They caused so many people’s deaths. Uncle’s health wasn’t good to begin with, and now after suffering such torment, he’s gravely ill in bed… Why can they remain safe and sound?”
Xun Chuan said nothing. Qin Lin’s voice turned cold, only saying: “Just because they are aristocratic families, even His Majesty cannot move against them. Do you understand?”
“This isn’t fair!” Qin Yun raised his voice. Qin Lin looked over coldly: “What in this world is fair? Can you shout fairness into existence? How old are you? Without any sense of propriety—get back home!”
After being thoroughly scolded by Qin Lin, Qin Yun finally fell silent. Eyes red, he said nothing. Xun Chuan escorted Qin Lin and Qin Yun to the Qin manor. Qin Lin had Qin Yun enter first, then bowed to Xun Chuan: “I’ll see you off here. Lord Xun, take care.”
Xun Chuan looked quietly at Qin Lin. After a moment, the Qin household suddenly erupted in commotion. Qin Yun ran back, saying urgently: “Elder Brother, Uncle is coughing up blood again. Come quickly…”
Qin Lin’s expression changed. He said hurriedly: “Lord Xun, I must go in first. I won’t accompany you further.”
Xun Chuan nodded, watching Qin Lin and Qin Yun rush back into the manor.
She stood at the gate, looking at the Qin family residence she had been familiar with for many years, watching snowflakes slowly descend from the sky.
She suddenly felt that she actually had no place to return to anymore.
The world owed the Qin family justice. If the world wouldn’t give it, she would give it herself.