Li Rong didn’t speak. Somehow, when she heard Pei Wenxuan say these words, inexplicably, her heart ached.

But she felt this emotion made her somewhat uncomfortable. She pulled her hand from Pei Wenxuan’s grasp and stood up. “At our age, still talking about such things? How affected.”

With that, Li Rong stood up. “I’m going to find Aya. You should rest more. The imperial physician said you’ve been overworking these past days. Sleep more.”

“I’ll go with Your Highness.”

Pei Wenxuan followed Li Rong to his feet. Li Rong was about to speak when she heard Pei Wenxuan say, “Go early, return early. We’ll go together.”

Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s firm resolve, Li Rong knew he must have matters to attend to. She no longer tried to stop him, nodded, and went with Pei Wenxuan to the Constabulary Bureau.

Shangguan Ya had received Li Rong’s message early and was investigating the officials involved in drafting the Ministry of Personnel transfer list. When Li Rong arrived, Shangguan Ya was listening to her subordinates report the situation. When Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan entered, Shangguan Ya quickly stood up. “Your Highness, Prince Consort, why have you come?”

“I came to ask about the situation.”

Li Rong entered the room and sat down with Pei Wenxuan. “Now Father Emperor wants to investigate who transferred Pei Wenxuan to the Vice Minister of Personnel position. Do you have any leads?”

“Just now I had people review everyone involved in the Ministry of Personnel transfers. Currently, no suspicious persons have been found.”

Shangguan Ya frowned. “Since they dared to do this, they must have come prepared. Investigating after the fact is difficult.”

“What if we investigate their financial transactions?”

Li Rong frowned. “They couldn’t have done work for Consort Rou for nothing, right?”

“Investigating accounts can be done.”

Shangguan Ya spoke carefully. “But without evidence or searching residences, these internal accounts would be difficult to obtain right now.”

Shangguan Ya was stating the realistic difficulties.

If they couldn’t find suspicious persons among those contacted, discovering who decided Pei Wenxuan’s transfer would be extremely difficult.

If Shangguan Ya found it difficult to investigate, Li Ming would likely find it difficult too. Without advance surveillance, investigating people after the fact was challenging.

“I was careless,” Li Rong tapped the table lightly. “I should have had everyone in the Ministry of Personnel watched.”

“Your Highness jests,” Shangguan Ya poured tea for Li Rong. “Not to mention we couldn’t have imagined they’d push the Prince Consort upward like this—even if we had thought of it, we don’t have that many people. At most, we could watch a few key figures. There are seven officials who decide Fifth Rank and above promotions in the Ministry of Personnel. We couldn’t possibly watch them all.”

As Shangguan Ya spoke, she observed Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan. “The situation is what it is. What does Your Highness plan to do now?”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She rubbed her teacup, seemingly deliberating.

Pei Wenxuan glanced at Li Rong and said directly, “Finding evidence directly is difficult, but is His Majesty someone who needs evidence?”

Shangguan Ya was somewhat confused. Li Rong explained, “Father Emperor is suspicious by nature. Now that I’ve accused Huale, he already has thoughts in his heart. We don’t need ironclad proof. What we need is just traces that confirm his suspicions.”

Shangguan Ya didn’t speak, thinking. Pei Wenxuan said slowly, “Just give him one, and it will be enough.”

“I understand.”

Shangguan Ya steadied herself, only saying, “Do you think if Su family’s eldest young master and Ministry of Personnel’s Left Vice Minister Xia Wensi are caught soliciting prostitutes together, would this evidence be enough for His Majesty to confirm his thoughts?”

Su Ronghua was Prince Su’s teacher and had always stayed out of court politics. In a situation where they couldn’t find who arranged Pei Wenxuan’s entry into the Ministry of Personnel, Su Ronghua suddenly being caught soliciting prostitutes with Xia Wensi would invite wild speculation.

Li Rong thought and frowned. Pei Wenxuan decisively responded, “Enough.”

Then Pei Wenxuan looked up at Shangguan Ya. “I just don’t know, Miss Shangguan, how will you accomplish this? Although Young Master Su is unruly, he’s always stayed far from court and rarely associates with court officials. Even less likely at such a critical juncture would he solicit prostitutes with the Left Vice Minister who can decide the Vice Minister of Personnel position.”

“I have a way.”

Shangguan Ya raised her hand and said directly, “Since the Prince Consort is still at the Censorate, that works perfectly. I’ll go find someone now and finalize things. I’ll be responsible for creating a situation where Young Master Su and the Left Vice Minister solicit prostitutes together. How to get it to His Majesty—that’s Your Highness’s matter.”

“You go handle it first.”

Li Rong said decisively, “As long as this truly happens, I can arrange for someone to file a complaint.”

“Alright.”

Shangguan Ya nodded. She thought for a moment, then said, “Your Highness and the Prince Consort should go rest first. I’ll arrange this matter.”

Li Rong acknowledged and stood up with Pei Wenxuan to return together.

After leaving, Li Rong was quite puzzled. “How do you think Aya will arrange this? Will Su Ronghua listen to her?”

Pei Wenxuan’s expression was calm. He clasped his hands in his sleeves, showing neither joy nor anger, only saying, “Don’t worry. Miss Aya will arrange it herself.”

After the two left, Shangguan Ya had people inquire about Left Vice Minister Xia Wensi’s free time recently. Then she sat down and wrote a note to Su Ronghua:

“I have a matter to request. Would you honor me with dinner at a restaurant? I hope Young Master Su will grace me with his presence.”

After writing, she had someone deliver it to Su Ronghua, who was working nearby.

Su Ronghua usually just went through the motions at the Constabulary Bureau, yawning and taking afternoon naps. As soon as Shangguan Ya’s note arrived, Su Ronghua felt he’d found something to do. Upon seeing Shangguan Ya’s note, he knew she must be asking him to get poetry and autographs from those scholars. He smiled lightly and picked up his brush to reply:

When and where?

Seeing Su Ronghua’s reply, Shangguan Ya quickly wrote another note to send back: “You decide.”

Su Ronghua looked at Shangguan Ya’s note. He thought for a moment—dining with a young lady naturally required a more romantic venue.

So with a bold stroke, he directly wrote:

Tomorrow at the hour of the rooster, Wangdeng Tower

Wangdeng Tower was the capital’s holy land for courting couples. Upon seeing this location, Shangguan Ya was troubled.

Arranging to be caught soliciting prostitutes at this location seemed somewhat strange no matter how one looked at it.

But if she declined, she feared arousing Su Ronghua’s suspicion.

Su Ronghua didn’t care about most things, but he wasn’t stupid. After much deliberation, Shangguan Ya could only reply: See you tomorrow.

Receiving this reply, Su Ronghua looked at Shangguan Ya’s elegant handwriting and chuckled softly.

This girl Shangguan Ya was interesting and fun. With nothing to do, teasing her added some vitality to life.

Hua Jing was too boring. The occasional appearance of such a lively person made one involuntarily take notice.

Su Ronghua closed his eyes. He didn’t even notice that he was actually smiling.

The hour of the rooster was when most court officials socialized outside. Having received Su Ronghua’s confirmation, Shangguan Ya folded his note together with the portrait he’d given her earlier, added a tael of silver, and had it all delivered to Xia Wensi.

After finishing this, Shangguan Ya proactively went to the Princess Manor and told Li Rong all about her arrangements.

“Tomorrow at the hour of the rooster, I’ll book a room at Wangdeng Tower in advance using Su Ronghua’s name, then arrange for girls to wait in the room. As soon as the two arrive, we’ll arrest them directly.”

According to Great Xia law, officials could exchange dancing girls at balls but were forbidden from soliciting prostitutes outside. However, this matter was trivial, and few people investigated it.

Hearing Shangguan Ya’s arrangement, Li Rong frowned. “You’re using the note Su Ronghua gave you to send to Xia Wensi. Did Su Ronghua sign his name?”

“The note with writing didn’t have a signature, but the portrait did.”

“How can you be certain Xia Wensi will keep the appointment?”

“Besides the portrait, I also included silver.” Shangguan Ya reminded Li Rong, “The Su family is on good terms with all the major aristocratic families. Xia Wensi should give Su Ronghua face. Even if he doesn’t, Su Ronghua is now at the Constabulary Bureau. He suddenly invites Xia Wensi and sends silver—what do you think Xia Wensi will think?”

Many things at court weren’t said explicitly, but if someone who had taken bribes suddenly received an invitation from the Constabulary Bureau’s Deputy Director along with silver, naturally they would speculate this was Su Ronghua privately wanting to discuss matters related to his corruption.

“I understand.” Li Rong nodded.

Concerning his own official career and future, Xia Wensi would definitely keep the appointment.

“I’ve arranged things on my end. I wonder how Your Highness plans to arrange things on your side?” Seeing Li Rong had confirmed her plan was sound, Shangguan Ya began inquiring directly.

Li Rong smiled. “No arrangements necessary.”

“Hmm?” Shangguan Ya was somewhat puzzled. Li Rong smiled, “His Majesty’s people are watching even more closely than us. Don’t worry.”

With Li Rong’s hint, Shangguan Ya immediately understood. She raised her hand. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Highness.”

Li Rong nodded. Shangguan Ya took her leave, stood up, and left.

Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan waited one day. Li Ming’s people also began secretly investigating the Ministry of Personnel’s transfer process and all personnel involved.

But what Shangguan Ya couldn’t find out, Li Ming’s people also couldn’t discover.

Unable to find anything to report back, they could only keep watching key personnel closely. Several secret agents watched Xia Wensi. When the hour of the monkey arrived, they saw Xia Wensi quietly slip out the back door.

The two agents exchanged glances and quickly followed.

Xia Wensi, wearing a black cloak, boarded a carriage. After sitting down, his attendant was somewhat puzzled and asked carefully, “My lord, why would Young Master Su set the location at a place like Wangdeng Tower?”

Hearing his attendant’s question, Xia Wensi was also somewhat puzzled. But thinking of Su Ronghua’s personality, anything he did was normal. After thinking, he could only scold in a low voice, “This is precisely Young Master Su’s brilliance. Meeting at Wangdeng Tower is also a form of misdirection.”

The attendant was stunned. Two grown men going to a couples’ restaurant to book a private room for dinner seemed even more attention-grabbing.

As Xia Wensi rushed toward Wangdeng Tower, Su Ronghua was also changing clothes at home.

He’d already spent nearly an hour selecting these clothes.

He usually dressed carelessly, but today, thinking of dining with a young lady, he took out all his clothes and picked through them. Finally, he selected a brilliant blue robe, donned a silver crown inlaid with gems, held a folding fan in his hand, and wore a sachet and jade pendant before walking out in high spirits.

Just as he reached the entrance, Su Rongqing was returning from outside. Seeing Su Ronghua humming a tune as he walked out, he couldn’t help but smile. “Where is elder brother going, dressed so formally?”

“Is it formal?” Su Ronghua spread his arms, examined himself, then waved his hand. “It’s just okay.”

Su Rongqing laughed softly, only saying, “Dining with a young lady?”

“You have no experience interacting with young ladies, yet your eyes are quite sharp.”

“Then I won’t disturb elder brother,” Su Rongqing smiled and made way. “Lest you keep the young lady waiting.”

“Alright, I’ll tell you all about it in detail when I return.” Su Ronghua thought for a moment and chuckled. “Perhaps I can even bring back a sister-in-law?”

“Then I wish elder brother great success.”

Su Rongqing spoke and raised his hand in salute.

Su Ronghua became pleased. He suddenly remembered, “Hey, speaking of which, you’re not young anymore either. The family is all watching you. Don’t you have any young lady you fancy yet?”

Hearing these words, Su Rongqing only smiled without speaking.

Su Ronghua made a “tsk” sound and waved his hand. “If you won’t say, forget it. Seeing you like this makes my teeth ache. I’m leaving.”

With that, Su Ronghua happily walked out.

Su Rongqing stood in place, watching Su Ronghua’s happy retreating figure, his eyes carrying some warmth.

A nearby servant watched Su Ronghua’s departing direction and sighed. “The eldest young master is older than the second young master, yet he’s like a child. Who knows when he’ll stop worrying the master.”

“This is also good.”

Su Rongqing turned his head back, saying gently, “If elder brother, father, and everyone can live well and do what they love, that’s enough.”

“But the Su family…”

“Doesn’t the Su family have me?” Su Rongqing walked forward, his smile carrying the resolve of splitting stone and opening mountains. “However elder brother wants to be, I alone am enough.”

Su Rongqing spoke, then remembered Ministry of Justice business and began inquiring with his attendant about ministry affairs.

Now that the Minister of Justice transfer was imminent, not the slightest error could occur.

Su Rongqing discussed matters with those beside him as he entered his study. After a long time, he finally came to his senses. After drinking a sip of tea, seeing dark clouds in the sky, he thought for a moment, then turned to instruct those beside him, “Remember to send someone to pick up elder brother.”

“Second young master, rest assured,” the servant smiled. “Such a small matter—the servants remember.”

Su Rongqing nodded. He thought for a moment, having leisure to care, and asked, “Who is elder brother dining with today?”

“The eldest young master said it’s Miss Shangguan.”

The servant spoke while grinding ink with a smile. “I heard the eldest young master was quite attentive, spending an entire hour selecting clothes.”

Su Rongqing smiled, about to say something when he suddenly realized. He said urgently, “Quick! Go call elder brother back!”

The servant was stunned, then quickly responded, “Yes, this servant will go at once.”

The servant rushed out urgently. Su Rongqing called him back. “No need.”

Su Rongqing clenched his fist, pondering. “It’s too late to go now.”

The servant didn’t dare speak. Su Rongqing thought for a long time before finally saying, “Prepare the carriage. I need to leave the city.”

“Yes.” The servant acknowledged and quickly left.

When Su Rongqing left Hua Jing, Su Ronghua had just arrived at Wangdeng Tower’s entrance.

As soon as he appeared, everyone in the shadows became alert.

Xia Wensi had arrived early. Led by an attendant into the room, he saw dancing girls already waiting inside. Xia Wensi was accustomed to such scenes and even relaxed somewhat, thinking Su Ronghua today wasn’t coming to trouble him—perhaps he was even coming to help.

Xia Wensi waited anxiously for Su Ronghua. Before long, he heard commotion outside. He hurried to the window and saw Su Ronghua descending from his carriage.

As soon as Su Ronghua got off the carriage, the waiter recognized him. He ate, drank, and played in Hua Jing—a familiar face at all related establishments. The waiter came forward, smiling, “Young Master Su, this way please.”

“Have they arrived?”

“Arrived, waiting for you.”

Hearing this, Su Ronghua smiled, quite pleased. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Ya to arrive early. After all, young ladies liked to be reserved and play hard to get. But not only did Shangguan Ya not deliberately arrive late, she waited for him in advance—showing her sincerity.

Though she was asking something of him, it was still an attitude. Thinking of this, Su Ronghua became even more pleased. He raised his hand and rewarded the waiter with a piece of broken silver before walking into Wangdeng Tower.

His generous attitude made Shangguan Ya, watching from a teahouse in the distance, click her tongue in wonder. She turned to Li Rong, who had come to watch the show. “Look at him—he’s probably dined out with many young ladies.”

Li Rong smiled, cracking melon seeds. “Whether he’s dined with others or not—what’s it to you?”

“Just saying.”

Shangguan Ya spoke, then turned her head again to observe Wangdeng Tower’s movements.

As soon as Su Ronghua went upstairs, several people followed into Wangdeng Tower.

Those people had upright postures and light steps—clearly martial artists, different from ordinary people.

Su Ronghua ascended the stairs, following the waiter to the entrance. Just at the door, he faintly heard the sound of strings and wind instruments inside. He raised an eyebrow, quite puzzled, but the waiter had already bowed respectfully and tactfully withdrawn.

He thought for a moment, didn’t speculate further, and simply pushed the door open.

Upon opening the door, he saw Xia Wensi sitting in the room with a girl on his lap. Around them, a group of girls played, plucked, and sang—quite lively.

Su Ronghua immediately felt awkward and quickly cupped his hands. “Sorry, wrong room.”

With that, Su Ronghua was about to withdraw. Xia Wensi hastily stood up and called out, “Young Master, didn’t you summon me here?”

Hearing these words, Su Ronghua stopped his steps. He turned around, frowning. “I summoned you?”

Upon these words, both men’s expressions changed dramatically. Su Ronghua said urgently, “Pretend you never saw me.”

With that, he turned to leave. But as soon as he turned around, he saw a person place a blade before him, saying coldly, “This humble officer is investigating a case by imperial decree. Please accompany us, Young Master Su and Vice Minister Xia.”

Xia Wensi’s expression was extremely ugly. Su Ronghua faced the guard before him, his expression changing several times before finally saying, “On what grounds do you arrest me?”

“You two gentlemen violated Great Xia law by openly soliciting prostitutes,” the guard said calmly. “Young Master Su, please come with us.”

Su Ronghua’s expression changed several times. Xia Wensi knelt extremely quickly, immediately saying, “This official, I knew nothing. Young Master Su summoned me here. I have his personal letter as proof.”

With that, Xia Wensi spread out the two papers Shangguan Ya had sent.

Upon seeing those pages, Su Ronghua’s gaze fixed deadly upon them. The guard stepped forward to take the pages, but Su Ronghua was faster, raising his hand to snatch them. Then, before anyone could react, he stepped up onto the table, flipped over the window, grabbed the eaves, and jumped down from the second floor!

The guards rushed after him urgently, only seeing Su Ronghua’s retreating back. They turned to look at their commander, frowning. “Commander, he’s escaped.”

“No matter.” The leader spoke calmly. “First take Vice Minister Xia back. We’ll wait for him at the Su residence.”

With that, two guards dragged Xia Wensi up and took him away.

Meanwhile, Su Ronghua ran wildly through the streets. Before long, he saw his family’s servant waiting in an alley. Seeing him, the servant was quite surprised. “Young master, you’re out so quickly?”

Without a word, Su Ronghua directly detached a horse from the carriage and, without another word, rode off.

The servant was somewhat bewildered, calling urgently, “Young master, where are you going? Young master?!”

Su Ronghua didn’t speak. He rode his horse, galloping urgently toward the Shangguan residence.

Shangguan Ya had just finished saying goodbye to Li Rong and was returning to the Shangguan home. She sat in her carriage humming a tune to herself. Before long, she heard the driver outside call “Whoa—” and the carriage abruptly stopped. Her head struck the carriage wall directly. Covering her head, she gasped in pain. Just as she was about to curse, she saw the carriage curtain violently thrown open.

A pair of beautiful phoenix eyes stared at her deadly with anger. Shangguan Ya was stunned. Then she saw Su Ronghua half-crouching outside the carriage, laughing coldly. “Shangguan Ya,” for the first time his tone carried coldness, “you have quite the audacity!”