Cui Yulang came at night.

His arrival was quite circuitous. After taking several detours and changing disguises, and confirming no one was following him, he was led by Zhao Chongjiu to scale the back wall of the Princess Manor. He entered Li Rong’s room with almost no sound at all.

Li Rong had already coordinated with Zhao Chongjiu and knew Cui Yulang was coming, so she hadn’t gone to bed. She had only taken down her hair and waited in the room with a lamp lit.

When night came, footsteps sounded outside. Li Rong reclined on a small couch and looked up to see Cui Yulang push the door open. Knowing it was improper to meet Li Rong privately at night, he didn’t have his usual carefree manner. He knelt on the ground and bowed respectfully, not even raising his eyes, saying quietly, “This humble minister greets Your Highness.”

“I called you here because there’s an urgent matter.”

Li Rong’s voice was very calm. Cui Yulang didn’t speak. Li Rong said slowly, “The matter of handing the Constabulary Bureau over to Consort Rou needs to be expedited.”

“Your Highness says this—has something changed?”

“Go do it first. Ideally within three days.”

Cui Yulang thought for a moment and said quietly, “This humble minister understands.”

Cui Yulang and Li Rong had prepared for this matter long ago. The next morning, when Li Rong arrived at the Constabulary Bureau, she had just reached the entrance when Shangguan Ya hurried up to her and said quietly, “Today a scholar came to the Constabulary Bureau saying his spot for the imperial examinations was switched by someone. I kept him here.”

Li Rong nodded and entered the Constabulary Bureau with Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya lowered her voice. “I don’t know what this scholar was thinking. He didn’t kneel at Shuntian Prefecture, didn’t kneel at the Ministry of Justice, but came to kneel at the Constabulary Bureau entrance. This case won’t be easy to investigate—we’ll probably have to leave Hua Jing…”

“It’s fine.”

Li Rong raised her hand to stop Shangguan Ya’s words and entered the room with her.

The scholar was nervously receiving tea. Seeing Li Rong arrive, he quickly stood up and knelt on the ground. “This commoner greets Your Highness.”

“You are Sun Wen?”

Li Rong spoke directly. This was the name of Cui Yulang’s friend.

The other party quickly said, “Yes, that is this commoner.”

“Did you bring the complaint?”

“I’ve already written it.”

“Fine then.”

Li Rong nodded and had Shangguan Ya collect his complaint. She said directly, “Give him five taels of silver. Leave Hua Jing first. On Hua Jing’s moat, there’s an old man called Third Master. Board his boat and have him take you away. The boat will sink halfway when approaching Zhang County. Follow Third Master and swim to shore. Someone will meet you both. Hide for a while, then await further instructions.”

Sun Wen had already received Cui Yulang’s arrangements. After bowing, he was led away.

As soon as Sun Wen left, Shangguan Ya immediately came closer. “What mystery are you keeping?”

Li Rong looked seriously at Sun Wen’s complaint, replying leisurely, “You’ll be changing employers soon. Prepare yourself well.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya thought for a moment and understood. “You’re going to let go of the Constabulary Bureau?”

“Su Rongqing recently set up a guest house, having examination candidates coming to the capital all stay inside. He’s also specifically looking for candidates who came to file complaints. What do you think he’s after?”

Shangguan Ya frowned. She couldn’t quite figure it out.

The imperial examinations weren’t a big deal—just a formality. Those children from ordinary families who passed into the court were merely there to help with work.

There were always some dirty and tiring jobs in court that no one wanted to do. The imperial examinations served that purpose. For someone like Shangguan Ya, born into the top aristocracy, she truly couldn’t fathom why Su Rongqing was going to such great lengths over this matter.

Li Rong glanced at her, knowing she didn’t understand.

If she hadn’t witnessed the impact of the examination system after the rise of humble scholars in the future, or known what this year’s so-called Dragon and Tiger List would stir up in the court later on, she probably wouldn’t understand either.

But since she knew, she naturally understood what was key in the struggle between Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing.

“What Su Rongqing wants to do, first is to win hearts.”

“That is indeed something the Su family would do.”

After all, distributing relief porridge was something the Su family started. Other great families followed suit only after seeing the positive reputation.

“Secondly,” Li Rong looked at the matters on the complaint, her voice lowering, “Su Rongqing won’t let the last incident go.”

Shangguan Ya’s movements paused. She looked up at Li Rong. Li Rong said calmly, “His Majesty took away his position as Minister of Justice and decreed my divorce from Pei Wenxuan, showing he doesn’t intend to trust anyone. So His Majesty will definitely have a next move. Su Rongqing’s goal is to seize Chuan’er’s foundation. This time he’s found so many scholars filing complaints—what do you think he wants to do?”

Shangguan Ya didn’t speak. Li Rong smiled and gave her the answer. “This case—he’s going to file it.”

“What’s the purpose?” Shangguan Ya frowned. Li Rong tapped her finger on the table. “Who do you think His Majesty would want to handle this case if it comes out?”

Shangguan Ya understood instantly. She looked up at Li Rong. “The Crown Prince?”

Once Li Chuan handled this case, though the examination case itself wasn’t major, what he’d be opposing was aristocratic family interests.

Because of Li Rong’s Constabulary Bureau, Li Chuan already had a rift with the aristocratic families. If he personally took up this cause for the humble scholars, his relationship with the aristocratic families would be further fractured.

The humble scholars hadn’t yet gained momentum. If Li Chuan truly broke with the aristocratic families, and Li Ming hadn’t given Li Chuan sufficient trust, then Li Chuan’s political capital would be reduced to just the Shangguan family.

But if Li Chuan didn’t take the case, or even because Li Chuan didn’t take it, the case couldn’t receive a fair trial, then Li Chuan’s reputation as a wise Crown Prince would be greatly diminished among the common people.

“So now there are only two options.”

Shangguan Ya quickly said, “Either prevent this case from being filed at all.”

“Or,” Li Rong continued, “have this case fall into someone else’s hands.”

Currently, the government offices that could handle this case were nothing more than the Censorate, Ministry of Justice, Court of Judicial Review, and the Constabulary Bureau.

The Censorate’s supervisor was Shangguan Minzhi. In the aristocratic families’ eyes, the Censorate taking the case was the same as Li Chuan taking it.

The Ministry of Justice and Court of Judicial Review were both controlled by aristocratic families. They wouldn’t actively investigate this hot potato either.

What remained was her Constabulary Bureau.

Shangguan Ya understood Li Rong’s meaning. After hesitating for a moment, she said slowly, “But giving up the Constabulary Bureau for an examination case—isn’t the price somewhat too high?”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She somewhat wanted to tell Shangguan Ya, but didn’t elaborate. After thinking, she only said, “Being in this position, I’m already in some danger. Father hopes I’ll fight to the death with the aristocratic families, but I can’t go that far. Though I’m temporarily leaving, our people are still here. What should and shouldn’t be done—everyone knows in their hearts.”

Shangguan Ya acknowledged. Seeing her worried expression, Li Rong smiled and patted her shoulder. “Hurry and work. When you’re done, you can go drink and gamble.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya laughed and said, “Alright!”

After saying this, Shangguan Ya leaned in front of her and whispered, “How have you been feeling recently after the divorce?”

Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Shangguan Ya looked around, then leaned forward. “Have you been secretly meeting your lover? Doing something exciting?”

Li Rong smiled and pulled a memorial from the side, slapping it on Shangguan Ya. “Scram.”

Shangguan Ya laughed cheerfully, stood up, and waved. “I’m leaving.”

With that, she returned to her own room. After Shangguan Ya left, Li Rong picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Actually, Shangguan Ya’s concerns weren’t wrong. Giving up the Constabulary Bureau for an examination case was indeed somewhat risky.

Initially, giving up the Constabulary Bureau was Pei Wenxuan’s suggestion.

And now, deciding to give up the Constabulary Bureau…

Li Rong looked at the tea leaves floating in her bowl, her gaze somewhat cold.

—Was because Pei Wenxuan’s people had infiltrated those scholars filing complaints.

What Su Rongqing wanted to do was remove the firewood from under Li Chuan’s pot, while what Pei Wenxuan wanted to do was probably to demolish the entire stove.

If Pei Wenxuan’s intention was this, then no matter what, she couldn’t get drawn into this whirlpool.

Li Rong stayed at the Constabulary Bureau for a day. When evening came, she stood up to return to the Princess Manor. As she walked out the door, she saw Shangguan Ya had changed into men’s clothing and was cheerfully swinging her money pouch, about to go out. She walked extremely lightly, looking almost ready to skip. Li Rong waited for her at the inner courtyard entrance, watching her hum a little tune as she approached, and called out, “Where are you planning to go, so happy?”

Only when Li Rong spoke did Shangguan Ya realize she was there. Startled, she quickly said, “Your Highness, you haven’t left yet?”

“Haven’t you also not left yet?”

The two walked out of the courtyard together. Shangguan Ya cleared her throat lightly. “I am leaving now, aren’t I? It was too obvious during the day.”

“How late are you planning to play? If it’s too late, I’m afraid your father will scold you.”

“Father knows my temperament.” Shangguan Ya spoke to her quite confidently. “He said so long ago.”

Li Rong smiled without speaking. Walking together with Shangguan Ya, for a moment she felt like she was in her teens, and the next moment she clearly sensed the difference between them, feeling that watching Shangguan Ya was like watching a child.

“Su Ronghua is waiting for you, isn’t he?”

Li Rong spoke directly. Shangguan Ya’s face stiffened. Li Rong lowered her head and laughed softly. “When you just go drinking and playing by yourself, you’re never this happy.”

“I’m not really…”

“When did you two become so close?”

Knowing she was embarrassed, Li Rong didn’t give her a chance to explain, inquiring like an elder. Shangguan Ya didn’t hide it either, saying directly, “Before at the Constabulary Bureau, after finishing work we’d often arrange to meet at gambling houses. That night when you and Su Rongqing caused trouble in the palace, I heard he’d gone there and knew things weren’t good, so I specially went to the palace gates to meet him and took him to climb a mountain to comfort him. After that our relationship was good. Now he has nothing to do, he’s an idle person, so he comes looking for me every day.”

“Play if you want,” Li Rong instructed, “but don’t delay serious matters.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

As Shangguan Ya spoke, they stepped out of the Constabulary Bureau’s main gate together. Just as they exited, they saw Su Ronghua sitting at the entrance, twirling a fan in his hand. Hearing the sound behind him, Su Ronghua turned around and immediately broke into a smile. “Hey, you’re out?”

With that, Su Ronghua stood up and bowed to Li Rong.

Li Rong raised her hand to stop his motion. “No need for such formalities. Here to pick up Aya?”

“Yes.” Su Ronghua admitted openly. Shangguan Ya felt the conversation between the two was somewhat awkward. She turned and waved at Li Rong, saying directly, “Your Highness, I’m leaving.”

With that, Shangguan Ya stepped forward, grabbed Su Ronghua’s sleeve, and pulled him toward the street.

The two chatted and laughed all the way. Li Rong stood at the entrance watching them walk away. Seeing the people coming and going on the street, inexplicably her heart felt somewhat empty.

Like in the last years of her previous life after growing old, she would often stare blankly at bustling crowds.

As she stood in a daze, a small beggar ran up to her side. He held a bowl with a chipped edge and said in a childish voice, “Madam, spare a copper coin?”

Li Rong looked down and saw a note in the beggar’s bowl. Somehow in her heart, she seemed to know who had sent her the note.

She took two copper coins from her money pouch and placed them in the bowl, simultaneously slipping the note into her hand without anyone noticing.

The small beggar ran off. Li Rong unfolded the paper with her fingers in the shadows and saw Pei Wenxuan’s handwriting.

“I am here.”

Li Rong instinctively looked up. After looking around, she saw a young man with two false mustache pieces standing not far away.

He smiled as he received Li Rong’s gaze. Li Rong couldn’t help but press her lips together. She hid the note in her palm, clasped her hands behind her back, and descended the steps, only saying, “Let’s walk back.”

The coachman and servants were somewhat surprised but didn’t say much. They watched Li Rong step forward and enter the crowd.

A blue-robed young man followed her into the crowd after she turned around.

They never conversed, one in front and one behind, each on one side of the road, like two completely unrelated people.

However, every stall Li Rong passed, the young man would also pass by, then buy the things Li Rong had looked at.

Li Rong also noticed Pei Wenxuan’s actions. She walked to a lantern riddle stall and raised her hand to touch the most beautiful lantern with a picture of Chang’e flying to the moon.

She stood in front of the lantern stall for a while. The young man stopped behind her, casually browsing the combs at the stall across the way.

After Li Rong left, the young man followed again.

Li Rong walked out of the busiest main street and felt tired. She summoned her carriage over. Yawning, she prepared to board. Before getting on the carriage, she saw the young man standing not far away, smiling as he watched her. Li Rong pressed her lips in a soft smile. Suddenly feeling playful, she threw her handkerchief from her sleeve.

The wind carried the silk handkerchief floating lightly down the street. Lamplight shone through the soft gauze as the young master hurried forward. The soft gauze brushed past his face, leaving its lingering fragrance.

The young master reached up and caught the floating handkerchief.

When he turned back, the carriage had already departed like a dream beauty, clattering away.

Pei Wenxuan stared blankly at the departing carriage. After a long while, he lowered his head and smiled softly. He carefully folded the handkerchief and placed it over his heart before returning to the lantern riddle stall from earlier.

When Li Rong returned to the Princess Manor, she had just settled down and was soaking her feet while reading when she heard Jing Lan say, “Your Highness, Lord Zhao requests an audience.”

Li Rong looked up. “Let him in.”

With permission, Zhao Chongjiu entered.

As soon as he came in, Li Rong saw he was carrying over a dozen lanterns.

Seeing the lanterns, Li Rong almost laughed aloud. Zhao Chongjiu, with a dark expression, placed the lanterns on the ground, then lifted the Chang’e flying to the moon lantern and brought it before Li Rong. “Just now Lord Pei urgently found me, gave me all these lanterns, and specifically told me that this one must be personally delivered to Your Highness.”

“He said he won that entire stall.”

Hearing this, Li Rong finally couldn’t help but laugh.

She took the lantern Pei Wenxuan had won, looking at Chang’e on it. She laughed for a long while.

She suddenly felt that some things, even if two people didn’t get along, weren’t unforgivable.

In one’s lifetime, one simply seeks to live well. With this lantern here, even if there was some friction, she wanted to continue forward.

She vaguely realized that her biggest difference from her youth was perhaps this.

In her youth, when she encountered anything bad, she always thought about throwing it away.

Now when she encountered anything bad, she thought about fixing it.

She didn’t know whether this counted as a kind of retreat and compromise, or a kind of maturity and fulfillment. It just seemed like a path one’s life would inevitably take.

If she wanted to throw away everything that wasn’t good, she and Pei Wenxuan should have ended long ago.

She wasn’t perfect and flawless, and Pei Wenxuan wasn’t pure jade without blemish either.

But Pei Wenxuan had never thought of giving up. Through her circuitous and forced persistence, she had finally discovered this.

This relationship was ultimately worth it.

After Pei Wenxuan delivered the lanterns, he walked down the main street with his hands behind his back. Imagining Li Rong receiving the lantern, he couldn’t help but smile.

Behind him, Tong Ye yawned and muttered, “Young Master, you’re too idle. Either the Ministry of Personnel doesn’t have enough work, or you have too much energy. You changed disguises and waited so long, finally sent Her Highness back, then went to solve lantern riddles. A top scholar solving lantern riddles to win lanterns—isn’t that bullying people? If word gets out, people will laugh.”

Pei Wenxuan knew Tong Ye only dared be so presumptuous because he was in a good mood.

He didn’t respond to Tong Ye, only looked up at the bright moon in the sky with a smile.

Thinking that Li Rong was also under the same moonlight, his gaze couldn’t help but soften a few degrees.

“Let them laugh,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was full of laughter. “As long as my wife is happy. What use is learning all this knowledge if I can’t even make my wife happy?”

After all, he had already seen the view from the heights. What he craved most was only this mortal world of fireworks.