Looking at Shangguan Ya, Su Ronghua felt both angry and amused.

How could he not know how terrible her gambling skills were? If she wanted to gamble, she was simply handing the outcome over to him.

Seeing him silent, Shangguan Ya pushed the cards forward. “Come bet once.”

Su Ronghua sat up and turned to look at the person in front of the cell. Shangguan Ya extended her hand, her eyes full of flattery as she pushed the cards forward. “Do you want to or not?”

Su Ronghua hesitated for a long time before finally standing up and taking Shangguan Ya’s cards.

“Do you think your card is bigger, or mine?” Shangguan Ya asked him with a smile. Su Ronghua rubbed the card surface. Looking at the person before him, after a long while, he lowered his eyes and said slowly, “Yours is bigger.”

“Then let’s see our luck.”

As Shangguan Ya spoke, she turned over her card, revealing the tiger face on it.

Su Ronghua flipped his card, revealing the dog head on his.

“Oh,” Shangguan Ya became delighted, “this seems to be the first time I’ve won against you?”

Su Ronghua said nothing. He sat down calmly, leaned against the wall, bent one leg up, placed his hand on his knee, and said slowly, “Alright, I’m not angry anymore. You can go back.”

Shangguan Ya thought for a moment. She took a small stool from the side, brushed off the dust on it, and sat down. “Let’s chat for a bit?”

“I don’t dare chat.”

Su Ronghua refused decisively. Shangguan Ya laughed. “What, still afraid I’ll scheme against you?”

“Shouldn’t I be afraid?” Su Ronghua coldly glanced at her. “Haven’t I been schemed against enough by you?”

“But I apologized, didn’t I?” Shangguan Ya said shamelessly. “Actually, I’m not that bad a person. I’m only bad to enemies. Since we’ve talked things through and we’re not really enemies, I just won’t scheme against you in the future.”

“I say I’m not an enemy, and you just believe it?” Su Ronghua looked at her coldly, using her own words against her. “Do you take me for a fool?”

“You are a bit foolish.” Shangguan Ya laughed embarrassedly. Su Ronghua angrily stood up to leave, but Shangguan Ya grabbed his sleeve and said urgently, “Wait until I finish speaking! We finally have this kind of deep exchange—don’t leave so easily.”

Hearing this, Su Ronghua’s movements paused. Finally, he took a deep breath and sat back down.

Shangguan Ya leaned forward, placed both hands on her knees, propped up her chin, and looked at Su Ronghua in front of her. “Actually, you shouldn’t blame me. I’ve truly never met anyone like you before. Look, you come from a great aristocratic family, you’re intelligent, and you have so many identities, so I could only be suspicious of you. Since I was small, my family told me that the first thing you can’t trust in this world is politicians, and the second is men. You fit both categories completely.”

“So now it’s my fault?” Su Ronghua scoffed. “Learning a bunch of twisted logic yourself.”

“You’re the abnormal one.” Shangguan Ya immediately retorted. Su Ronghua didn’t respond to her. Shangguan Ya thought for a moment and asked cautiously, “Speaking of which, from what I hear, you don’t seem like someone who pursues fame and profit. Why did you become Prince Su’s tutor and come to the Constabulary Bureau?”

“His Majesty specifically appointed me—could I refuse?” Su Ronghua looked at her as if she were stupid.

Shangguan Ya became more curious. “But once you became his tutor, you’re bound to him. Aren’t you worried about your future prospects?”

“Future prospects?” Su Ronghua laughed aloud. “Do I look like someone with prospects? If I wanted prospects, I would have studied hard back then, like my younger brother, accepted careful cultivation from the family, shouldered family responsibilities, and entered the court. Why do you think I became Prince Su’s tutor? Because His Majesty needed someone from the Su family to be Prince Su’s tutor. The Su family couldn’t refuse, but they didn’t want to be too closely connected with Prince Su, so they threw me out as a discarded piece. I’m a maverick who never represents the Su family’s attitude. Can’t you see that?”

“I understood before,” Shangguan Ya leaned against the cell door, “but after you entered the Constabulary Bureau, I didn’t understand anymore. What did you come to the Constabulary Bureau for?”

Su Ronghua didn’t speak. He looked up at the sky. After a long time, he said slowly, “My brother asked me to come, so I came. But deep down inside, perhaps I also wanted to see what you and Her Highness,” Su Ronghua turned to look at Shangguan Ya, “truly want to do.”

“Since childhood, everyone has said I’m abnormal, that I lack responsibility. But I often wonder, what is responsibility? Is family responsibility? Aren’t the common people under officials also responsibility? Are the common people responsibility? Aren’t wives, children, friends, and their bonds also responsibilities on a person’s shoulders? I’ve seen countless people who in their youth saw things in black and white, were wild and unbridled, but gradually, it’s as if they became different people, always talking about status, responsibility, duty, then doing dark and despicable things. If a person can live well, fulfill their duties in their position, manage themselves well, care for their parents above and nurture their children below, show righteousness to friends and loyalty as a subject, follow the court’s laws and respect propriety, righteousness, benevolence, and trust—beyond that, what can’t they do whatever they want?”

“I detest those hypocrites. I don’t want to become like them, living as monsters in this city. I want to live like a person, freely like whoever I like, freely choose whatever I like to do.”

“But there are too few like me. Until last year’s Qixi palace banquet, at the feast I smelled a particular incense blend,” speaking of this, Su Ronghua smiled. “That incense had a familiar scent to me. I voted for that incense, and later I wanted to find the creator, only to discover this incense was blended by Second Miss Qin. But when I investigated further, I found that Second Miss Qin wasn’t skilled at blending incense at all. Finally I discovered that there was a young lady who didn’t want to enter the palace, and that Princess Pingle was helping the Crown Prince delay his marriage.”

“You see,” Su Ronghua spread his hands, “it turns out everyone in this imperial city is struggling desperately. So I really wanted to come see what you and Her Highness are trying to accomplish.”

Shangguan Ya listened to Su Ronghua’s words as she hugged her knees. Su Ronghua turned to look at her. “Why did you enter the Constabulary Bureau?”

“At the root of it, perhaps like you,” Shangguan Ya smiled, “I want to live like a person.”

“I don’t want to change either, but I know I’m actually not some saint. If I entered the palace, I’d probably be no different from those elders I see now. Using any means necessary for family interests, able to compromise on anything. But I don’t want that.”

“So I have to be useful,” Shangguan Ya looked at Su Ronghua seriously. “I have to provide irreplaceable value to the family, value more important than marrying someone for a political alliance. Only this way,” Shangguan Ya smiled, “will I always be Shangguan Ya.”

“In the future, I can gamble with you, drink some wine with you, have an argument,” Shangguan Ya smiled as she described her imagined future. “Never marry my whole life, have my own estate, adopt a few boys from the family—girls would be fine too. Be an old spinster for life, then cultivate many young ladies like me.”

“You can still think of gambling and drinking with me,” Su Ronghua raised his eyebrows. “Seems your impression of me isn’t bad.”

“Probably,” Shangguan Ya shrugged, “we’re both abnormal?”

“Su Ronghua,” Shangguan Ya thought for a moment, then extended her hand. “Let me make a pinky promise with you.”

“Hmm?”

“In the future, I won’t use your kindness toward me to set traps for you.” Shangguan Ya gazed at him. “And you won’t deceive me either. Is that alright?”

“Alright.”

Su Ronghua extended his hand and hooked his pinky with hers.

When their skin touched, Shangguan Ya involuntarily trembled. She couldn’t describe what this feeling was. Just then, she heard noisy sounds from outside. Shangguan Ya quickly stood up and said nervously, “I need to leave now. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

With that, Shangguan Ya hurriedly left by another route.

Moments later, a group of guards walked in. Those people were clearly from the palace. Su Ronghua glanced at them sideways and said indifferently, “What is it? For finding a few dancing girls, if you want to detain me or punish me, just do it. Don’t interrogate me over and over—it’s annoying.”

“Take him away.”

The guard spoke directly, entered the cell, pulled Su Ronghua out, and began interrogating him.

Su Ronghua openly admitted that he had invited Xia Wensi to a meal and called some dancing girls, only saying he hadn’t solicited prostitutes and nothing else.

After the guards interrogated him and Xia Wensi and obtained their statements, they sent the statements into the palace. Li Ming read through the statements carefully and placed them on the table.

Fulai brought in calming soup that Consort Rou had sent over. Seeing Li Ming’s furrowed brows, he couldn’t help but say, “Your Majesty, it’s already late at night. Consort Rou just had someone send over calming soup. Please drink it and rest early.”

Li Ming raised his eyes and shifted his gaze to the calming soup. He furrowed his brows. Seeing his displeased expression, Fulai asked hesitantly, “Your Majesty?”

“Do you think Consort Rou has gone too far?”

“Your Majesty refers to?”

Fulai hesitated without speaking directly. Li Ming threw the statement on the ground, closed his eyes and leaned back against the chair, saying irritably, “See for yourself.”

Fulai placed the calming soup on the table, bent down to pick up the statement, and after reading it carefully once through, said incomprehensibly, “Your Majesty, why would Young Master Su do such a thing?”

“Why would he do such a thing?” Li Ming spoke mockingly. “He’s a young master from an aristocratic family—doesn’t he care about his reputation? I’m afraid soliciting prostitutes is false, but private scheming is true.”

Fulai didn’t dare speak. Li Ming went through everything from beginning to end in his mind.

Someone deliberately elevated Pei Wenxuan to Vice Minister of Personnel to make him suspicious of Li Rong. After he became suspicious of Li Rong and felt uneasy about the Constabulary Bureau being in Li Rong’s hands, who was the greatest beneficiary?

If Li Rong wanted Pei Wenxuan to become Vice Minister of Personnel, she couldn’t possibly avoid alerting him. For such an important position, Li Rong could have just asked him directly—why be so secretive about it?

And now Su Ronghua had even met with Xia Wensi. What kind of person was Su Ronghua? In all his years at court, whom had he ever privately invited to a banquet alone?

Meeting privately with Xia Wensi—if there weren’t some secret scheme, that would be truly unbelievable!

Li Rong’s tearful complaint about Huale mocking her was vivid in his mind. Li Ming closed his eyes.

Actually, he could tolerate Consort Rou playing little tricks. If Consort Rou could cultivate her own power to contend with the Empress, he would be pleased to see it.

What he couldn’t tolerate was Consort Rou exceeding his control.

The late Emperor had already raised up the Shangguan clan—he didn’t want to raise up another Xiao clan. Consort Rou could only be a tool for court balance. If she calculated beyond his control, that would be unforgivable.

The more Li Ming thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He stood up and headed directly toward Mingle Palace.

Consort Rou hadn’t expected Li Ming to come so late and was chatting idly with Huale.

Li Ming was in the midst of his anger and strode rapidly into Mingle Palace. The palace servants couldn’t even stop him before they saw Li Ming stride in with large steps. Just as he entered the inner courtyard, he heard Huale and Consort Rou’s laughing voices in the room.

Upon seeing Li Ming, the palace servants immediately wanted to kneel. Li Ming raised his hand to stop them from making any sound. The entire courtyard quieted down. Li Ming didn’t let anyone make a sound or move, only listening to the mother and daughter joking in the room. Huale said quite happily, “If I marry, I absolutely cannot marry someone like Pei Wenxuan. Besides being somewhat good-looking, he has no ability at all. Coming from a humble family, he married Elder Sister, and now he can’t even become a Chief of Merit Assessment. You say Elder Sister has been arrogant her whole life, yet she married such a person…”

Huale couldn’t stop laughing. Li Ming burned with rage, kicked the door open with one foot, and rushed in. When Consort Rou saw Li Ming enter, she and Huale instantly paled.

“Your Majesty,” fortunately Consort Rou quickly reacted, stood up with a smile, and said, “Why have you come?”

“You teach your good daughter.” Li Ming raised his hand and pointed at Huale, staring at Consort Rou. “Is this how a princess spreads gossip behind people’s backs?”

“It’s my fault,” Consort Rou admitted her mistake readily and quickly said, “Huale, quickly apologize to Father Emperor.”

“Apologize,” Li Ming nodded. “Is she the one who should apologize? Get out!”

Li Ming looked at Huale. Huale glanced at Consort Rou, who gave her a look. Huale quickly stood up and respectfully withdrew.

After only Li Ming and Consort Rou remained in the room, Consort Rou poured tea for Li Ming and said gently, “Huale is young and doesn’t understand things. She was taught badly by palace servants. I was just about to scold her…”

“Was it you who made Pei Wenxuan Vice Minister of Personnel?”

Li Ming spoke decisively. Consort Rou showed a terrified expression. “Why does Your Majesty say this? I’ve stayed in the rear palace for years—how could I decide such important matters? Where did Your Majesty hear such gossip to misunderstand me like this?”

“Gossip?” Li Ming laughed coldly. “I know your capabilities very well. If you weren’t capable, do you think you could occupy this position with your insignificant origins?!”

The smile on Consort Rou’s face didn’t diminish. She only said respectfully, “Your Majesty is right, but this matter truly has nothing to do with me. Which petty people has Your Majesty listened to? Why not call them out to confront me…”

Before she finished speaking, Li Ming raised his hand and heavily slapped Consort Rou across the face.

Consort Rou was struck so hard she staggered. She knelt on the ground, motionless. Li Ming stood up and looked down at her coldly. “I can allow you to play tricks and scheme in this rear palace. But I cannot allow you to deceive me. I can lift you up with one hand, and I can drag you down with one hand.”

“I don’t like lies. Today I’m giving you face—I won’t pursue this matter.” Li Ming crouched down and stared at Consort Rou. “But Xiao Rou, remember what you said to me back then. You’re willing to be my blade—don’t forget your identity.”

“I will keep it in my heart always.”

Consort Rou spoke softly. Seeing her obedient, Li Ming’s anger subsided considerably. He stood up and stared fixedly at the woman as delicate as a flower sitting on the ground, her skirt spreading like a blooming lotus. Even at this moment, she still possessed a heartbreaking beauty.

Li Ming remained silent for a long time before finally turning to leave.

After he left, Huale rushed in urgently, so anxious she lost all propriety and said directly, “Mother, are you alright, Mother?”

Consort Rou clenched her fists. She slowly raised her head, a smile appearing on her face. “I’m fine.”

She was a blade. She always remembered it.

Seeing Consort Rou’s smile, Huale relaxed. She quickly stepped forward to help Consort Rou up. “Mother Consort, what did Father Emperor say just now?”

Consort Rou’s expression remained unchanged. She was about to give some instruction when she saw a servant hurry in from outside the corridor.

He rushed to Consort Rou’s side and whispered something in her ear. Consort Rou looked up in surprise, with some urgency asking, “Really?”

The servant nodded and said softly, “Absolutely true. The person is already outside the palace.”

“Excellent!” Consort Rou exclaimed happily. “I’ll go find His Majesty immediately. If Li Rong dares to do this,” Consort Rou smiled, “this time she’ll probably lose a layer of skin.”