Li Rong said nothing. Li Chuan knelt before her, head raised as he looked up at her.

His gaze carried the unique fearlessness of youth, as if capable of breaking through all darkness in this world.

They confronted each other quietly.

Countless images surged through her mind.

All their arguments from the previous life, all their displeasure, and the chess games in the Dao Palace discussing worldly affairs—those chess pieces crisscrossing the board, and finally, that bowl of poison.

Li Rong abruptly rose, drawing her sword and pointing it at Li Chuan’s throat.

The excessively sharp blade cut Li Chuan’s skin with just the slightest touch. Blood beads licked the blade’s edge. Li Chuan neither dodged nor avoided, meeting Li Rong’s gaze directly.

“You think I don’t dare kill you, don’t you?”

Outside the main door, cold wind rose, sweeping past withered leaves. Pei Wenxuan stood with hands folded in his sleeves, his back to the gate, watching the sudden cold wind, raising his head to gaze at the dark clouds gathering above.

“It’s not that you don’t dare kill me,” Li Chuan answered calmly. “Rather, dying by Elder Sister’s hand, I have no regrets.”

“If what Elder Sister says is true, that I will walk such a path, then I would rather my life end here. At least it would be a good death.”

Li Rong said nothing. She gripped the sword, staring fixedly at Li Chuan. They remained locked in a standoff, confronting each other. Li Chuan’s expression held only determination, not retreating an inch. As if he had truly prepared himself for death, merely awaiting her judgment.

But how could she judge?

He had done nothing wrong. He was still so good.

But if he ascended the throne, if he grew up, perhaps in thirty years he would again present a cup of poison to her.

Time was too cruel, too vicious.

Li Rong looked at the young man’s clear expression before her and suddenly raised her sword.

But the moment she raised it, countless fragments surged up again.

At that year’s palace banquet, he had questioned her: “I’m already mired deep in this palace—why drag innocent people in?”

When noble families staged a military coup, he returned from the palace covered in blood, trembling as he told her: “Elder Sister, Mother Empress grasped my hand and killed Father Emperor.”

Later during the northern expedition, he roared at her: “Has Li Rong seen what kind of life the northern people live?! Your internal power struggles have allowed the tiger to grow strong—what do you take the common people for?! I will send troops—I am the monarch!”

Still later, she heard he was unwilling to visit the Central Palace. She went to persuade him. He smiled bitterly and asked her: “Elder Sister, tell me—what’s the difference between me and those prostitutes selling themselves in brothels?”

Finally, on the day Qin Zhenzhen died, he held her body refusing to let go. She rushed forward and slapped him across the face, grabbed his collar and cursed furiously: “Becoming like this over a woman—Li Chuan, do you still remember who you are? Do you still remember what you should be doing?”

At that time, he raised his head and smiled, asking her: “Who am I?”

She coldly replied: “You are the emperor.”

He laughed upon hearing this, laughed very loudly, shaking his head as he laughed: “No,” he raised his head, very seriously telling her, “I am Li Chuan.”

I am Li Chuan.

Li Chuan closed his eyes. The sword fell swiftly, but at the last moment turned sharply, slicing through the crown atop his head.

Li Chuan’s hair scattered down. He opened his eyes. Li Rong gripped the sword, breathing rapidly.

She looked at Li Chuan before her, tears falling uncontrollably.

She had to admit one thing—

She had driven Li Chuan to his death.

It was her, her mother, the entire palace, the entire capital of Hua Jing—together they had driven young Li Rong, Li Chuan, Shangguan Ya, Su Ronghua, Su Rongqing, Xie Lanqing to their deaths…

Enormous helplessness and anguish welled up. Her mind filled with the image of Pei Wenxuan standing quietly with hands folded in his sleeves, smiling gently, as if saying: Your Highness, don’t be afraid.

This was her only support. She held the sword, staring at the person kneeling before her.

Li Chuan looked at her bewildered. “Elder Sister?”

Li Rong said nothing. She slowly closed her eyes as tears fell like rain.

“Qin Lin was killed by Cui Qinghe,” Li Rong spoke rapidly. “But I left Xun Chuan in the northwest. The situation there is unclear—don’t consider it for now.”

“Li Cheng is dead. They’ve created a fake Li Cheng intending to seize the throne. Su Rongqing should have already secretly contacted noble families. The nearest military checkpoint outside Hua Jing has ten thousand Su clan troops—they can arrive in a single night. His Majesty may hope you’ll continue as Crown Prince, provided I and the Shangguan family are gone. Whether you can accept this—think it through carefully.”

After saying this, she opened her eyes. “I’ll give you all the Constabulary Bureau’s forces, and also the forces from Qingzhou. I’ll return to Qingzhou. For this entire life, I will never enter Hua Jing again. I’m letting you go.”

She pressed her lips together, gripping the sword tightly. “If you survive, please—in the future, let me go as well.”

Having finished, Li Rong threw the sword to the ground and turned to leave. Li Chuan knelt on the ground. As she placed her hand on the door, he spoke hoarsely: “Elder Sister, why can’t you trust me a little more?”

“It’s not that I can’t trust you,” Li Rong lowered her eyes. “It’s that I can’t trust this world.”

This world held too much filth and corruption. She didn’t know what Li Chuan would become once seated in a position of supreme power.

The moment he became emperor, she represented the noble families. They would never have unified positions and would constantly have to suspect each other in this deep palace.

She understood very clearly what kind of person she was. Actually, Li Chuan killing her back then was right.

If Li Chuan died, whether Li Ping or Li Xin, when they threatened her, she might very well depose them.

For the sake of interests, she should kill him. But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

She couldn’t convince herself to make him alone bear the mistakes of two people.

Li Rong steadied her mind. Her expression slowly returned to calm, and then she pushed hard with both hands, forcefully opening the door.

Cold wind suddenly swept in, lifting her wide sleeves to flutter. She raised her head to look ahead and saw Pei Wenxuan with hands folded in his sleeves, turning to look back.

“All settled?”

Pei Wenxuan wore a smile. Li Rong nodded. “Let’s go.”

After speaking, Li Rong stepped forward. Pei Wenxuan walked along the corridor at neither too far nor too close a distance from her.

“I’m returning to Qingzhou.”

“All right.”

“You stay in Hua Jing. I know you’re good friends, and he’s always been the ideal monarch in your heart. Stay and assist him. With you here, I can be at ease.”

“That won’t do.”

Pei Wenxuan chuckled softly. Li Rong stopped walking. She stood in the courtyard. After a long while, she spoke quietly: “Pei Wenxuan, you needn’t ruin your future prospects for my sake.”

“I’m not doing this for Your Highness.”

As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he stepped forward and wrapped his arm around her waist, gently placing his hand on her abdomen. His voice was very soft. “I’m doing this for my wife and child.”

Hearing these words, Li Rong froze in place, staring ahead in shock.

Sensing her loss of composure, Pei Wenxuan laughed lowly. He lifted Li Rong horizontally in his arms. Li Rong cried out in surprise, hurriedly grasping his neck and scolding lightly: “What are you doing!”

“Come on,” Pei Wenxuan held her and strode outward, saying happily, “let’s go back and celebrate. I’ve wanted to hold you for so long.”

“Wait, Pei Wenxuan, put me down!”

Seeing they were in public, Li Rong grew anxious, but Pei Wenxuan seemed to have been holding back for a long time. Finally getting his chance, happy as a child, he only said: “Won’t put you down. Don’t move around—you might hurt the baby.”

Hearing this, Li Rong immediately became obedient. Pei Wenxuan’s eyes lit up. Looking at the completely bewildered Li Rong, the corners of his lips couldn’t help but curve upward.

He carried Li Rong into the carriage. As soon as he set her down, Li Rong demanded: “When did this happen?”

“You mean… when did what happen?”

Pei Wenxuan dusted off his clothes and sat down, half-smiling. “When did you conceive, or when did I find out?”

“Stop your nonsense.” Li Rong grabbed a cushion from beside her and threw it at him. Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to catch it. Seeing Li Rong was annoyed, he quickly told the truth. “Yesterday when we returned to the mansion, the physicians discovered it. But you suffered some jostling,” Pei Wenxuan spoke with some worry, half-crouching before Li Rong and grasping her hand. “The pregnancy is unstable. You need to rest carefully.”

Hearing this, Li Rong still felt somewhat surreal. After being dazed for a moment, she remembered to ask: “Why only tell me now?”

As Li Rong spoke, she couldn’t help but smile. “This isn’t revenge, is it?”

“Because I didn’t want the child to influence your decision,” Pei Wenxuan said, holding both her hands in his, his voice very soft. “Rongrong, this is the most important time in your life. You shouldn’t let the child, or me, affect your judgment.”

“I hoped at this moment, you could truly understand what you want.”

“You’ve been at odds with yourself for an entire lifetime,” Pei Wenxuan raised his head, holding her hands. “It should come to an end.”

Li Rong looked at the young man before her. He was gentle and composed—different from the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan who still showed some childishness, and different from the fifty-year-old obsessive and cold Chancellor Pei. She didn’t know when Pei Wenxuan had become this way.

“You’ve also been at odds with yourself for an entire lifetime. When did you make peace with yourself? I didn’t even notice.”

“From the moment I admitted I liked you, from the moment I decided no matter what I would win you back.” Pei Wenxuan smiled. “I stopped being at odds with myself.”

Admitting he liked her.

Having the courage to pursue her.

This was his greatest reconciliation with himself in this life.

Li Rong was his moon in the heavens, his unattainable desire, the aristocratic royalty he most despised, the imperial authority that in his youth had been imposed by decree, bending his spine.

He had the courage to oppose the world, but uniquely lacked the courage to face Li Rong, because Li Rong embodied the greatest inferiority in his life.

Li Rong looked into his eyes. She couldn’t help but speak. “What’s so good about me that you should like me?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan laughed out loud. “That’s far too much to say.”

“For example?”

Li Rong tilted her head. She suddenly very much wanted to hear his praise, hear his admiration, hear someone acknowledge her goodness.

Pei Wenxuan lowered his head, thinking seriously for a moment. “The first time I saw Your Highness, I was actually quite apprehensive.”

“I’d heard Your Highness was arrogant and knew my own origins were poor. I thought Your Highness, being married down to me, must be very unwilling. I feared I would suffer.”

“You must have thought about how to deal with me.” Li Rong smiled with pursed lips. Pei Wenxuan had a dog-like nature that wouldn’t accept losses. Since he thought she was difficult, he must have devised methods.

“Yes, I made full preparations. But when you moved aside your fan and quietly glanced up at me, I suddenly forgot everything. The entire evening I only remembered you were beautiful. Then you looked at me and your face turned red.”

“Mm,” Li Rong’s face felt hot, her voice very low. “At that time I thought… you were good-looking, so I wasn’t at a loss.”

Hearing her words, Pei Wenxuan laughed out loud. He pressed his lips together and continued. “Then you properly drank the matrimonial cup with me and sat with me on the bed. I didn’t dare speak, fearing you disdained me in your heart. But after sitting with me for most of the day, you asked quietly, ‘Won’t my lord rest?’ “

Pei Wenxuan imitated Li Rong’s voice. Li Rong pushed him. Pei Wenxuan smiled even more broadly. “I never imagined a princess wouldn’t disdain my humble family origins. That night when you said it hurt, I broke out in cold sweat, thinking I might be caned the next day. I had memorized that book of rules for prince consorts backward and forward. But the next morning when you got up, not only did you not beat me, you personally rose to arrange my crown for me. You didn’t know how at all but pretended to be virtuous and gentle, fussing for ages until your face turned red.”

“That was so long ago,” Li Rong felt somewhat embarrassed and turned her head to look outside the carriage, pretending to be calm. “Why are you telling me all this?”

“At that time, you accompanied me to the Pei family without any airs and even knelt to serve tea to my family elders. After returning, you cared for me attentively. When I coughed, you had people prepare pear water for me. When I had internal heat, you had them boil mung bean soup. I often drank alcohol, and every time I came back, it was you personally caring for me. Knowing my stomach was poor, you specifically had people prepare medicinal ingredients. When I vomited and made a fuss, you tolerated me.”

“Back then, everyone looked down on me. Even though I was top scholar at the academy for three years, in the court, I was actually nothing. But you didn’t think so. You always praised me for doing well. You were the first person to praise me as better than Su Rongqing, the first person who when discussing me didn’t say ‘what a pity,’ and the first person who when mentioning me didn’t bring up my father. Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, “actually, it was you who helped me emerge from the shadows of my humble origins and my father. Don’t think I’m so good. I was once extreme, had low self-esteem, was cowardly—I just never showed it.”

“What else?”

Li Rong asked Pei Wenxuan with rare patience. Pei Wenxuan seemed to smile, seemed somewhat shy. “Must you have me say everything?”

“Are you unwilling?”

Pei Wenxuan paused, looking at Li Rong’s curious expression, and said gently: “I’m willing.”

“Later, after we separated, I served in the court and saw many things. You are the purest person I’ve seen in court.”

“You’re lying.” Li Rong smiled. “I count as pure?”

“Your Highness, you always speak poorly of yourself because you hold yourself to too high a standard. You’re human, not a saint. Having some desires—what does that matter? Being able to maintain your principles and the gentleness deep in your heart is already not easy.”

“You punish corrupt officials, you cry out against injustice, you detest scheming. Even your support of noble families isn’t to protect your interests, but because you believe stable governance is better for the common people.”

“The Su clan’s case—everyone in court knew Su Ronghua hadn’t colluded with Prince Su, but no one dared speak. Only you dared confront His Majesty. Even facing caning, you protected his family, young and old.”

“In this rebirth, in the court hall, when Consort Ning took her own life in the great hall, everyone avoided her, but you would still drape clothing over her.”

“You claim to care about power, but you’ve always treated the Crown Prince as your younger brother, Shangguan Ya as your friend, and extended trust to Su Rongqing. Loyal to your sovereign, righteous to friends—in this deep palace, you’ve always practiced your code of honor in your own way. Look—in thirty years, besides you, who in this dye vat has managed it?”

“Aren’t you the same?” Li Rong lowered her head with a bitter smile. “These are things that should be done. How did they become virtues?”

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan shook his head. “What should be done and what can be done are different.”

“If maintaining complete purity in clear water—that’s easy. But remaining unstained emerging from mud—that’s difficult.”

“Actually, I nearly went down wrong paths countless times. But when facing those temptations, I would think of Your Highness. Each time I would remember how you would view me. Your Highness is like a mirror, correcting my appearance and dress. What I do is much easier than what Your Highness does. I follow Your Highness, but you walk forward alone. My perseverance is because I have Your Highness as constraint, but Your Highness’s perseverance comes from your true heart.”

“Your Highness said His Highness the Crown Prince is the best monarch in my heart. Actually, he isn’t. The Crown Prince has excessive benevolence but insufficient resilience. He easily goes astray.”

“But Your Highness—”

Li Rong was startled, not expecting Pei Wenxuan to mention her. Pei Wenxuan gazed at her, his expression serious. “If one day Your Highness can understand what the human heart is, can leave Hua Jing, see the suffering of common people, hear the cries of ordinary folk, with Your Highness’s heart that remained clear for thirty years—that would be the best monarch in Wenxuan’s heart.”

Li Rong said nothing. From Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, she saw herself at nineteen, without makeup, most genuine.

In his eyes, she appeared at her best.

After a long time, she came to her senses. “What a pity I’m not an imperial prince, otherwise I could compete.”

“Competing or not doesn’t matter,” Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment. “If Your Highness were an imperial prince and I weren’t a woman, that would be troublesome.”

Hearing him joke, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh.

The two chatted casually all the way back to the Princess’s mansion. Once back at the residence, Pei Wenxuan accompanied Li Rong in organizing their luggage.

Whether because of having a child or because her heart’s knot had been released, the gloom suppressed these past two days finally swept clear from her heart. Apart from the melancholy of leaving Hua Jing, there weren’t too many other emotions.

“After you leave, travel slowly toward Qingzhou. If the journey becomes too bumpy, find a small town to rest. Don’t exhaust yourself.”

Pei Wenxuan helped Li Rong organize documents while watching her direct servants in packing her clothes, instructing about the journey. “I’ll help the Crown Prince here in Hua Jing finish handling matters and confirm everything is safe, then come fetch you.”

“All right, I know,” Li Rong saw him being long-winded and turned to glare at him. “I’m going to be a mother too. I’ll be careful.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but smile. He glanced at Li Rong and lowered his head to collect the papers properly.

They couldn’t leave immediately. After all, Li Rong was a princess—leaving the city directly would be too conspicuous. They could only wait for an incident to occur and leave amid the chaos.

So they only packed necessary items. But Li Rong had lived in Hua Jing for nineteen years. She had many frequently used possessions. Looking at everything, she couldn’t bear to part with anything. She would pick things up to look at them, then have to put them down again.

Seeing her sadness, Pei Wenxuan comforted her. “You’re only leaving temporarily.”

“What ‘temporarily,'” Li Rong sighed. “Once I go to Qingzhou, I won’t return. You know my temperament. Staying in Hua Jing, I’d inevitably interfere. One mountain cannot accommodate two tigers. If I remain here, over time, problems will arise.”

“Then I’ll bring it to you.” Pei Wenxuan took her most beloved vase from her hands, poking his face out from behind it. “Your husband included in the package deal.”

As the two were talking, Tong Ye hurried in. He entered, bowed to Li Rong, then went to Pei Wenxuan’s side and spoke a few words in a low voice.

Pei Wenxuan’s expression changed dramatically. Li Rong waved her hand, dismissing the others. Once everyone had left, Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong. “His Majesty plans to summon the Crown Prince into the palace tonight.”

Li Rong thought for a moment. “Notify Chuan’er and Shangguan Ya now. I’ll leave the city tonight.”

Pei Wenxuan nodded and immediately had people notify Li Chuan and Shangguan Ya.

Before long, while Li Rong was still in her room, she heard commotion outside. She was selecting books to take with her. Hearing Li Chuan and Shangguan Ya’s voices, her movements couldn’t help but pause.

Jing Lan saw her movement and inquired carefully: “Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Shangguan have both arrived and are in discussion. Will Your Highness not go over?”

Li Rong hesitated, thought for a moment, then shook her head with a light smile. “No, I won’t go over.”

Li Rong directed the packing of several more jewelry boxes in her room. Finally, all items were accounted for. She looked at the somewhat empty room, feeling somewhat dazed for a moment.

While lost in thought, she heard a clear female voice behind her. “Leaving just like that? Didn’t you say you’d conspire to overthrow the Crown Prince?”

Li Rong paused. She turned around to see Shangguan Ya with arms crossed, leaning sideways against the doorway.

The two gazed at each other quietly for a moment. Shangguan Ya conceded first. “I heard you’re pregnant.”

“Mm.” Li Rong smiled. “Just found out.”

“Pregnant women are easily angered and irritable. I…”

“I’m sorry.”

Li Rong didn’t wait for her to provide an excuse and spoke first. Shangguan Ya froze. After reacting, she became somewhat at a loss.

“It’s also… not really a big matter. You… don’t need to be so serious about it.”

“What I said yesterday morning was inappropriate. Please forgive me.”

Li Rong spoke gently. Shangguan Ya stood quietly at the door. Li Rong lowered her head with a light smile. “I know someone who has a grievance with me. She and I were good friends, but in the end, she betrayed me for power. So thinking about you and Su Ronghua’s situation, it stirred old feelings and hurt an innocent person.”

Shangguan Ya said nothing. She thought for a moment. “Actually, I thought about what Your Highness said after returning home. Though Your Highness spoke unintentionally, my actions indeed were inappropriate as Your Highness said.”

Li Rong quietly watched her, listening as she asked: “Coming today, I actually wanted to ask Your Highness—do you truly believe in your heart that my abandoning Su Ronghua was wrong?”

Li Rong said nothing. She looked at the young woman waiting for her answer. After a long time, she spoke softly. “Do you still remember why you gave up being Crown Princess to come to my Constabulary Bureau?”

“You said a woman’s power is her right to choose. You wanted to choose.”

“If you want something, go get it. Why give up?”

“But,” Shangguan Ya spoke hoarsely, “it’s merely a man…”

“Merely a man,” Li Rong interrupted her, smiling as she spoke, “and you don’t even dare to want him?”

“If you don’t have the capability now, then wait until you do. If you can’t wait one year, wait ten years. If you can’t wait ten years, wait a lifetime. Shangguan Ya,” Li Rong looked at Shangguan Ya standing backlit, “you are the legitimate daughter of the Shangguan clan, but you’re also a person. Remember your title—that’s your responsibility. But don’t forget your name either—that’s your rightful power.”

“Love is the most seemingly worthless thing in this world, yet also a person’s most basic choice. A world where people don’t even have the power to choose their feelings is one that doesn’t treat people as human.”

After Li Rong finished speaking, the two stood without talking.

After a long while, Shangguan Ya lowered her head with a smile. “You always tell me these heretical theories. Before, you taught me not to exploit feelings. Now you tell me not to forget myself.”

Shangguan Ya’s voice was somewhat hoarse. “You’ve completely corrupted me.”

“That’s good,” Li Rong nodded. “At least now you probably won’t feed me a cup of poison.”

“You say it as if I’ve done it before.”

Shangguan Ya’s eyes held moisture. She glanced up at her. “All right, you’re pregnant. Given the current situation, you really aren’t suitable to stay in Hua Jing. Hurry and leave.”

Having said this, Shangguan Ya was about to leave. After walking a few steps, she suddenly seemed to remember something and turned back. Before Li Rong could react, she was suddenly pulled tightly into Shangguan Ya’s embrace.

Li Rong rarely had such intimate contact with others. For a moment, she was startled.

Shangguan Ya held her tightly, speaking in a low, hoarse voice. “Your Highness, I received Xun Chuan’s letter. She’ll return soon. I’ll also wait for you to return. When that time comes, the three of us will drink together again.”

Shangguan Ya left these words without giving her any chance to refuse and ran out.

Seeing her like this, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing Shangguan Ya run out impetuously, Pei Wenxuan entered the room, somewhat puzzled. “What’s with her?”

“A child,” Li Rong smiled and shook her head. “Acting crazy.”

Speaking of which, Li Rong remembered. “She just said she received a letter from Xun Chuan. Do you know what that’s about?”

“Oh, just received news. Xun Chuan appeared with ten thousand troops at the Shangguan clan’s territory. The Shangguan family sent word to Shangguan Ya. Xun Chuan is on her way here. She had someone relay a message to you, saying Xun Chuan has fulfilled her mission and not disappointed Your Highness.”

Hearing this, Li Rong couldn’t help but freeze. Then she immediately understood—climbing over the snowy mountains from the northwest, one could reach Shangguan clan territory directly. This way, there was no need to pass through Su or Xie clan territories.

In the previous life, she had climbed over snowy mountains to reach the northwest. This time, she had brought people and come from the northwest.

“She…” Li Rong smiled. Somehow, she felt…

“Then I’ll go count the troops,” Pei Wenxuan smiled gently. “Tonight, the Crown Prince enters the palace.”

Hearing those four words “Crown Prince enters the palace,” Li Rong looked toward Pei Wenxuan. She repeated: “Tonight?”

“Yes,” Pei Wenxuan nodded. “The Shangguan clan and Imperial Guards will attack the palace together. The Pei clan and Constabulary Bureau will cut off reinforcements from outside. I won’t escort you.”

“All right.” Li Rong nodded. “I’ll leave on my own.”

Pei Wenxuan responded. He looked at Li Rong before him and reached out to embrace her.

After a long time, he asked quietly: “Your Highness.”

“Mm?”

“I have a very foolish question.”

“What?”

“If I die today, what will Your Highness do?”

Hearing this sentence, Li Rong stopped. She slowly raised her eyes, staring at Pei Wenxuan.

“If you die in Hua Jing,” Li Rong’s voice was very soft, “I’ll slaughter Hua Jing. Do you understand, Lord Pei?”

Pei Wenxuan laughed out loud. He shook his head. “Your Highness wouldn’t.”

“However,” just before Li Rong could get angry, he quickly changed course, “that Your Highness would say this makes me very happy.”

“I love Your Highness more than life itself,” Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to grasp Li Rong’s hand and placed it over his heart. “Even if Your Highness’s love for me doesn’t reach this level, I’m still willing and content.”

Li Rong said nothing. She raised her eyes to look at Pei Wenxuan. After a long time, she smiled gently. “I’ll wait for you in Qingzhou. Go handle your business.”

“All right.” Pei Wenxuan tilted his head to kiss Li Rong, saying happily, “Then I’m off.”

After saying this, Pei Wenxuan embraced Li Rong one last time, took a deep breath, held Li Rong’s hand, seemed to want to say something, but ultimately only said: “I’m leaving.”

Then he turned and departed.

After he walked out the door, Li Rong stood in the empty room. After composing herself for a long while, she found a stool and slowly sat down.

Pei Wenxuan left the Princess’s mansion, immediately adopting a cold expression. Tong Ye looked at Pei Wenxuan’s face and asked in a low voice: “Young master, where to now?”

“Count our people,” Pei Wenxuan glanced at Tong Ye. “First privately notify several uncles and older cousins. Today I’m taking the family head’s token. After informing them, notify the clan members—ancestral hall assembly.”

As Pei Wenxuan rushed toward the Pei residence, Su Rongqing sat at his desk, looking at a note sent from the palace.

The note bore Consort Rou’s own handwriting: If the Su clan assists, Su and Li shall share the realm.

Looking at these words, Su Qingzhu, who had been following Su Rongqing, frowned. “This Consort Rou has quite some audacity. Since Prince Su is fine, what’s she scheming now?”

“What do the others say?” Su Rongqing’s voice was very soft. Su Qingzhu didn’t dare be negligent and immediately replied: “Consort Rou has already promised substantial benefits to each family. Princess Pingle has served as Constabulary Bureau Director but keeps dragging her feet on releasing people. At the training grounds, His Highness the Crown Prince showed extraordinary concern for Princess Pingle. Many noble families have become disheartened. With your previous persuasion, Young Master, plus Consort Rou’s willingness to pay such a price, the families’ meaning is…”

Su Rongqing raised his eyes. Su Qingzhu hesitated before speaking: “They request Young Master to take the lead and preside over matters.”

“A bunch of old foxes.”

Hearing this, Su Rongqing folded the paper and threw it into the charcoal brazier.

The paper was licked and curled by flames. Su Rongqing watched the scene in the brazier. Footsteps sounded outside. Soon, a servant appeared respectfully at the door, bowing first before speaking: “Young Master, the family head requests Young Master’s presence.”

Su Rongqing nodded. “Please ask Father to wait a moment.”

The attendant obeyed, bowed, and withdrew.

After the attendant left, Su Qingzhu looked toward Su Rongqing. “Young Master, what now?”

“Burn incense, prepare water, bathe, change clothes.”

This was Su Rongqing’s customary habit before making major decisions. Upon hearing this, Su Qingzhu steadied himself and followed Su Rongqing’s instructions—lighting incense, preparing water. After Su Rongqing performed a simple cleansing ritual, he rose from the bath.

Formal robes, jade crown, pendants at his waist, sleeves pressed with the incense burner—appearance impeccable—only then did Su Rongqing finally open his eyes and step outside.

Attendants followed behind Su Rongqing. At this time, having received responses from several uncles and older cousins, Pei Wenxuan’s carriage also arrived at the Pei residence.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s carriage stop, a servant from the Pei residence quickly came forward to open the door and lead the way. Pei Wenxuan led six people arranged in two columns, stepping through the long corridor.

“The eldest young master has arrived.”

“The eldest young master has arrived!”

The servants led them in all the way. Before long, Pei Wenxuan stopped before the Pei clan’s ancestral hall. Inside the hall, Pei Xuanqing sat on the left, Pei Lixian on the right, with others arranged in two rows. Those inside the hall were seated, while those outside stood in a line extending outward. Pei Xuanqing and Pei Lixian sat with the Pei clan memorial tablets behind them. Pei Wenxuan’s gaze swept across and landed on his father’s tablet.

He looked at his father’s name “Pei Lizhi” reflected in the candlelight, raised his hand, and performed a deep bow toward Pei Xuanqing at the front. “Grandson Wenxuan arrives late. Please forgive me, Grandfather.”

Currently, Pei Wenxuan held high position and great authority in court. No one dared show negligence. Pei Xuanqing smiled and said: “Wenxuan, calling an ancestral hall assembly today—what are your plans?”

“Grandfather, Wenxuan has come with an impertinent request.”

“Oh?”

“My father’s family head token from years ago,” Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes to look at Pei Lixian, “can it now be handed to Wenxuan?”

“Absolutely not!”

Hearing this, Pei Lixian’s face turned cold. “What are you? You want the family head token now?”

“Second Uncle, I can do without the family head token, but given the current extraordinary circumstances, the Pei family must have someone to lead. I won’t handle it—will Second Uncle?”

Pei Lixian remained cold-faced. Pei Wenxuan stepped forward. The great doors closed behind him as he entered. Pei Wenxuan stood in the center of the hall, his wide sleeves sweeping out. “Everyone, don’t tell me you think I came here to joke around? Today is an extraordinary time. Our Pei clan must choose a position.”

“We won’t choose anything,” Pei Lixian interrupted Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly. “Choosing nothing is the same as choosing everything. We have deep connections with Princess Pingle. These past two years, thanks to the Crown Prince and Princess Pingle’s care, everyone’s days have been quite good. Our Pei clan’s ascension to first-tier aristocracy is within reach.”

“But conversely, if something unexpected occurs, having the entire clan executed and exterminated is not impossible either.”

“What you’re doing now is exactly what will get the clan executed and exterminated!”

Pei Lixian shouted loudly. Pei Wenxuan turned to look at him. “What does Second Uncle say I’m doing?”

“I know your intentions. The palace has already sent word that Prince Su is safe. You’ve always assisted the Crown Prince and fear His Majesty will now depose him, so you want to commit regicide…”

“Second Uncle, watch your words!” Pei Wenxuan raised his voice to remind Pei Lixian. “Currently, the court is completely peaceful. Second Uncle is talking utter nonsense.”

With Pei Lixian making Pei Wenxuan’s intentions clear, combined with Pei Wenxuan’s desire to obtain the family head token that would allow him to mobilize all family resources, everyone understood the implications and grasped the situation. People exchanged glances. Pei Wenxuan looked at Pei Xuanqing. “Grandfather, my father Lizhi was the legitimate eldest son. I am his only heir. After coming of age, receiving the family head token is ancestral law. Right now, Grandson isn’t fighting for the family head token—it’s just that in these special circumstances, the Pei family must choose a path.”

“The Pei clan emerged from humble origins, different from other capital noble families. Our foundation came from risking our lives. If we want to climb higher, we need extraordinary means. Today, Wenxuan dares ask everyone in the clan,” Pei Wenxuan rose and turned to face the crowd, “will you spend your entire lives as humble folk bowing and scraping, or will you take the ascending dragon’s great road and gamble on the family’s fortune!””