When Pei Wenxuan rushed toward the dock with his sword, Li Rong had already arrived at the lakeside.

While still in her carriage, she noticed the streets were different from usual days—men and women coming and going, far more lively than normal. When she reached the lakeside, it was even more so. The usually spacious area by the lake had long been filled with carriages from various families. As Li Rong stepped down from her carriage, she couldn’t help but frown, asking with some puzzlement, “Why are there so many people?”

“Reporting to Your Highness,” a guard following Li Rong immediately stepped forward, “today is the sky lantern festival. With the crowds being so mixed and chaotic, please be careful, Your Highness.”

Only upon hearing these words did Li Rong remember—this was the lantern festival Pei Wenxuan had mentioned before.

Thinking of Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong felt a sourness in her heart. She turned her head away, feigning composure, and simply asked, “Has the flower boat been arranged?”

“Everything has been arranged. We’ve hired performers with tight lips. Your Highness, please wear your veil, and this subordinate will lead you there now.”

Li Rong acknowledged with a sound, then was escorted by her attendants toward a less crowded area, boarding the reserved flower boat.

With so many people today, there were quite a few boats of various sizes. Along the shore, many men and women, taking advantage of the sky lanterns not yet being released, were placing river lanterns by the lakeside. The river lanterns on the lake’s surface resembled scattered starlight, with boats of all sizes weaving across the water.

Li Rong’s boat was neither large nor small, inconspicuous among the crowd of vessels. After she boarded, the boat began rowing toward the center of the lake. As an attendant led Li Rong toward the boat cabin, he explained, “Today, all the good spots for viewing the lanterns have been reserved in advance by various families, who had their servants mark out areas. We arrived late, so we can only squeeze onto this lake with the common people. It might be somewhat noisy—please don’t blame us, Your Highness.”

“No matter,” Li Rong said calmly, “as long as the people are here.”

As Li Rong spoke, the attendant pushed open the cabin door. Li Rong then saw inside the cabin a group of refined and handsome men kneeling in two rows. Seeing Li Rong enter, they all kowtowed respectfully, saying, “We greet the Young Miss.”

When out in public, Li Rong naturally couldn’t use her real identity to receive these performers, so she fabricated the title of “Young Miss” and brought them over.

Li Rong had seen such scenes before in her previous life, but this was her first time since being reborn. These men couldn’t compare to the top-tier looks of Pei Wenxuan or Su Rongqing, but they made up for it in numbers.

One beautiful person placed before you is simply beautiful.

A group of beautiful people placed before you creates several times the visual impact.

Even though she had come with ulterior motives, Li Rong couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat when she saw a group of handsome men kneeling on the ground, lifting their heads to gaze at her with deep affection.

She suddenly felt her choice was very correct. She smiled and walked inside, raising her hand, “Everyone, please rise.”

With that, Li Rong walked directly to the main seat. As soon as she sat down, those men immediately understood and came forward to pour wine and massage her shoulders.

These men didn’t know Li Rong’s limits and didn’t dare make too many moves. Li Rong raised her hand and scattered a few pieces of broken silver on the ground, lifting her chin, “Those who can play the zither, play the zither. Those who can sing, sing. Those who can dance, dance. Even if you can’t do anything, just entertain yourselves—it doesn’t matter. Just make it lively.”

Once Li Rong spoke and scattered the silver, everyone immediately became cheerful. The boat cabin was soon filled with songs and laughter as they sailed toward the center of the lake.

Amidst the sounds of strings and wind instruments, Li Rong reclined half against a pillow, smiling as she watched everyone. From time to time, she would drink from someone else’s hand, eat a grape, listen to the performers tell jokes, and gradually her anger dissipated considerably.

She didn’t want to think about Pei Wenxuan’s matters anymore. In any case, once she boarded this flower boat, news would reach the palace tomorrow. As long as Pei Wenxuan calmed down, he would still use this pretext to explain to Li Ming that their relationship actually wasn’t that good.

She couldn’t let Pei Wenxuan ruin his future prospects for her sake.

While thinking this, Li Rong applauded and called out loudly, “Good! A reward!”

Just as she finished speaking, she saw a performer step down and another come up. Li Rong was lowering her head to eat grapes fed by a nearby performer when she heard a somewhat familiar voice speak with a laugh, “Your Highness, this humble one cannot play the zither or dance. How about I tell Your Highness a story instead?”

Hearing this voice, Li Rong felt she had heard it somewhere before. She grew alert and looked up to see a white-robed young man with a face like jade standing there, smiling at her.

The moment Li Rong saw this person, she was so frightened she choked on the grape, coughing urgently.

She pointed at that person while coughing, “You… you…”

The young man smiled without speaking, as if he knew what Li Rong was afraid of. The performers beside her saw Li Rong choking and quickly patted her back, asking urgently, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”

“Get… out…” Li Rong quickly waved her hand, saying urgently, “All of you, leave.”

The performers froze, looking at Li Rong, then at the white-robed young man in the middle. After a moment, the performers hesitantly stood up and left together.

Only after everyone had left did Li Rong catch her breath. The white-robed young man slowly approached her, half-crouching down and holding up a cup of tea, saying with a smile, “Your Highness, would you like some water?”

Li Rong didn’t take the water. After recovering for a moment, she turned her head and frowned, “What are you doing here?”

When Li Rong’s small boat was sailing toward the center of the lake, Pei Wenxuan had already reached the shore.

Pei Wenxuan found the Princess Manor servant who had been ordered to wait at the shore, saying breathlessly, “Where is Her Highness?”

The servant looked at Pei Wenxuan, seemingly not expecting him to come, and froze for a moment, not knowing whether he should answer.

Seeing the servant still in a daze, Pei Wenxuan knew he was considering whether to cover for Li Rong. He suppressed his emotions and said, “I know Her Highness summoned people from South Wind Pavilion. I’m not here to cause trouble for her. Where is she?”

The servant didn’t speak, only meaningfully lowered his head to look at the sword Pei Wenxuan was holding.

No matter how you looked at it, this didn’t seem like someone coming for a civil conversation.

Seeing the servant’s gaze, Pei Wenxuan didn’t want to waste time arguing. He directly pressed his sword against the servant’s neck and shouted, “Speak!”

This time the servant was certain—the Prince Consort really had come to fight to the death. Not daring to hide anything, he immediately knelt down, kowtowing as he said, “Prince Consort, the Princess’s boat has already departed.”

“Which one?”

“The… the one in the center of the lake that’s painted with flowers and has two levels.”

The servant raised his hand, pointing toward the center of the lake. Getting his answer, Pei Wenxuan paid him no more mind and hurried to the lakeside, finding the person he had originally arranged, saying directly, “Where’s my boat?”

“Young master, is it just you alone?” The boatman saw Pei Wenxuan and asked strangely, “Didn’t you say you were bringing your wife?”

“Plans changed. I’ll go by myself.”

Pei Wenxuan jumped onto the boat. The boatman untied the rope, asking worriedly, “Young master, do you know how to row a boat?”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. He hung his sword at his waist, pushed the pole, and rowed toward the center of the lake.

As Pei Wenxuan headed toward the center of the lake, Li Rong looked at the young man half-crouching before her, hearing him say somewhat helplessly, “This official has wanted to speak with Your Highness for a long time, but there’s never been an opportunity. Today, seeing Your Highness come to the lakeside, I quickly mixed in with the crowd and boarded this flower boat, not expecting Your Highness had arranged a banquet. Your Highness’s romantic lifestyle truly opens this official’s eyes.”

As the young man spoke, he sat down. Seeing his audacity, Li Rong laughed coldly, “Since you know it’s this palace, why don’t you bow? Cui Yulang, you have quite the nerve.”

“Your Highness doesn’t want to expose her identity. This official is merely respecting Your Highness’s wishes.”

Cui Yulang fanned himself, speaking carelessly. Li Rong didn’t want to waste words with him and asked directly, “What do you want from this palace?”

“I wish to ask Your Highness to handle a matter.”

Cui Yulang spoke, his expression becoming serious, “This official wishes to seek justice for a good friend of mine, Chen Houzhao, a scholar from Qingcheng.”

“What kind of justice,” Li Rong said calmly, “requires coming to this palace?”

“Chen Houzhao is this official’s old friend, extremely talented. In this year’s imperial examinations, he originally won first place in the provincial examination, becoming a provincial tribute scholar eligible to enter the capital for the spring examination. Unexpectedly, the local gentry Xiao Pingzhang colluded with officials to seize his place and let his own son Xiao Shunwen become the provincial tribute candidate to participate in the spring examination. My friend traveled all the way to the capital to file a complaint, was pursued and attacked along the way, and after reaching the capital, no official was willing to accept his case. This official has long heard of Your Highness’s name, knowing Your Highness has a chivalrous heart and distinguishes clearly between good and evil. Please, Your Highness, deliver justice for this commoner friend of mine!”

Hearing Cui Yulang’s words, Li Rong didn’t immediately respond.

Without understanding the case clearly, she wouldn’t casually reply. She carefully considered the value of this case. As she was thinking, she faintly heard noisy sounds coming from outside.

At this time, Pei Wenxuan’s small boat had already pulled alongside Li Rong’s flower boat. Li Rong’s boat had long since found a position and was firmly anchored. Pei Wenxuan brought his small boat alongside and directly jumped aboard.

The guards stationed at the bow saw Pei Wenxuan, their expressions changing drastically, saying urgently, “Prince Consort…”

“Move aside.”

Pei Wenxuan shoved the guards aside and headed straight inside. The attendants hurriedly tried to block Pei Wenxuan, but he directly drew his sword and shouted, “Move!”

Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s imposing manner—and he was the Prince Consort after all—no one dared to stop him for a moment. They could only let Pei Wenxuan proceed all the way into the boat cabin and straight up to the second floor.

Li Rong was still hesitating over Cui Yulang’s words when Cui Yulang, seeing her hesitation, sneered and said leisurely, “Is Your Highness thinking that there’s no benefit in this case?”

Li Rong looked up at Cui Yulang, couldn’t help but smile, “What, do you have benefits to offer me?”

“What Cui can offer Your Highness, Your Highness mostly wouldn’t value. There’s only one thing—let’s see if Your Highness wants it or not?”

“Go ahead and tell me?”

Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Cui Yulang smiled, leaned his body forward, moving closer to Li Rong while untying his belt, saying in a low voice, “Your Highness holds high position and great power. Now you’re touring the flower boat at night—could it be you lack a bedchamber companion? If Your Highness doesn’t mind, Yulang is willing to offer himself to your pillow and mat…”

Before he finished speaking, the door was kicked open. Both Cui Yulang and Li Rong turned their heads to see Pei Wenxuan standing at the doorway holding his sword.

Both Cui Yulang and Li Rong froze. Cui Yulang’s hand was still on his half-untied belt, and his already somewhat loose clothing, due to his leaning posture, had slipped down from his shoulder.

Pei Wenxuan was so angry he laughed, “Bedchamber companion, offering yourself to pillow and mat.”

Pei Wenxuan repeated it once, sneering coldly, “Cui Yulang, you’re quite something.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan raised his sword and brought it down, slashing straight at Cui Yulang.

Li Rong reacted quickly, crying urgently, “Stop him! Quickly stop him!”

When people blocked Pei Wenxuan, Cui Yulang was so frightened he rolled on the spot and hurriedly began tying his belt. Pei Wenxuan chased Cui Yulang around the room hacking wildly. Cui Yulang said in panic, “Prince Consort, let me explain…”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing, chasing Cui Yulang and swinging his sword. The room was in complete chaos. Li Rong tried her best to calm herself down. She couldn’t panic—she had to stay calm. She took a deep breath and shouted, “Everyone stop right now!”

Hearing this great shout, Pei Wenxuan’s movements finally stopped. Li Rong exhaled in relief. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Pei Wenxuan seem to realize something. In three steps made into two, he stepped forward, grabbed her by the arm, and dragged her outside.

Li Rong didn’t want to make too much of a scene in front of outsiders, so she let him drag her downstairs and all the way out of the flower boat. Seeing they were about to leave the flower boat, Li Rong panicked a little and said urgently, “Pei Wenxuan, whatever you have to say, say it on the boat! Let go! Let…”

“Get on the boat!”

Pei Wenxuan pulled her directly onto his own boat, forcing Li Rong aboard his small boat.

Everyone was intimidated by Pei Wenxuan’s imposing manner and no one dared step forward. Pei Wenxuan dragged Li Rong into the small boat’s cabin. Li Rong immediately began struggling, shouting angrily, “Pei Wenxuan, what are you…”

Before she finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan’s sword crashed down with a “clang” beside Li Rong’s hand. He stared at her like a wolf, warning, “If you make another scene, tonight either you or I will definitely die.”

“You’re… you’re crazy.”

Li Rong was so frightened she stuttered.

Pei Wenxuan stood up, rolled up the curtain and stepped out, picking up the pole and instructing the guards on the boat, “I’m taking her. Go to shore and find Tong Ye—he’ll make arrangements.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan pushed the pole and led Li Rong’s small boat away from its original position, rowing deeper into the center of the lake.

He didn’t enter the cabin, rowing the boat outside. Li Rong heard the surrounding voices growing smaller and smaller, gradually leaving only the sounds of insects, birds, and water. She couldn’t help but feel increasingly panicked.

She surveyed her surroundings. This small boat wasn’t large, but it was arranged very warmly. On the delicate small table sat a fresh bouquet of flowers, with tea, wine, refreshments, and everything else complete.

The boat had two large windows on either side, through which she could see the outside scenery, and she could clearly see that the surroundings were becoming increasingly desolate, and the boat was getting farther and farther from shore.

Li Rong told herself she needed to stay calm. Pei Wenxuan was a measured person—even in his madness, he was reasonable. Even if tonight he went mad and wanted to die together with her, there would be a proper method to this mutual destruction.

She shouldn’t panic first. First, pour a cup of tea, have some wine, eat some refreshments, and calm her nerves.

As she thought this, she ate some things. This action distracted her attention and helped her calm down, allowing her to think about Pei Wenxuan’s intentions.

Having quarreled to this extent, with Pei Wenxuan coming to seize her, could it be that he was truly provoked by the news of her summoning people?

To what degree was he provoked to do something like kidnapping her?

While Li Rong pondered what Pei Wenxuan might do next, she ate plum blossom cakes.

This was her favorite pastry, and from the taste, it came from her favorite pastry shop.

Li Rong couldn’t help but take another bite. Just then, Pei Wenxuan came in. Li Rong quickly looked up. Pei Wenxuan saw Li Rong with pastry crumbs at the corner of her mouth, a bit of panic in her eyes, yet trying to appear composed as she looked at him.

At this moment, they had reached the center of the lake area he had reserved. There wasn’t a single other boat around—just their one small boat drifting alone on the lake surface. Reflecting the river moon and the cold air rising from the water, it looked as if they formed a world of their own.

Pei Wenxuan stared at Li Rong. Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan.

After a long while, Li Rong finally swallowed the plum blossom cake in her mouth, stuttering, “You… you’re here.”

Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat like laughing, but he still maintained a stern expression, only stepping forward to sit across from Li Rong.

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. Li Rong couldn’t help but feel somewhat nervous. She secretly glanced at Pei Wenxuan, then thought for a moment.

If Pei Wenxuan came looking for her, he must have intended to cooperate and wouldn’t have come specifically to cause trouble. Being so agitated was just because he happened to witness the incident with Cui Yulang.

To break this awkward atmosphere, Li Rong spoke first, clearing her throat lightly, “About what just happened, you’ve misunderstood. I can explain.”

“No need to explain,” Pei Wenxuan held his teacup, took a sip of tea, and said slowly, “Your Highness has always been like this. I’m used to it.”

“Don’t say that either,” hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Rong didn’t feel any relief but rather became more panicked, saying slowly, “Actually, Cui Yulang came to report a case.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her. He looked her up and down, then sneered.

“You think I’m easy to fool, don’t you?”

“No,” seeing Pei Wenxuan completely unreceptive, Li Rong grew somewhat annoyed, “Why won’t you listen? He really did come to report a case. He has a friend…”

“Let’s not talk about these things tonight.”

Pei Wenxuan put down his cup and turned to look at her, “Tonight, I only want to talk with you about matters between you and me.”

Li Rong froze. After a moment, she lowered her eyes and said slowly, “Mm…”

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan poured Li Rong a cup of wine, “we’re both fond of deceiving people.”

“I like to deceive others; you like to deceive yourself. Tonight I’ll accompany you for a drinking session, and neither of us will deceive anyone. If I can persuade you, then tomorrow I’ll resign my position to His Majesty. If you can persuade me, tomorrow I’ll tell His Majesty that you and I should divorce.”

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan gazed at her earnestly, “Will you agree or not?”