“Your Highness has laid everything so bare—it takes away the intrigue.”

Hearing Li Rong’s words, Cui Yulang showed no embarrassment. He leisurely stepped back, sat on the bench to the side, leaned against the railing, and fanned himself with his hand, smiling cheerfully. “However, Your Highness is quite right. I do indeed wish to attach myself to Your Highness, so this case is my gift to Your Highness.”

“A gift to me?” Li Rong chuckled lightly. “How so?”

“I know Your Highness has designs on Consort Rou,” Cui Yulang covered half his face with his fan and lowered his voice. “This Xiao Pingzhang who stole the scholar’s examination slot is precisely Consort Rou’s relative.”

Having one or two evil-doing relatives was quite normal. Given that Consort Rou had risen from being a palace maid, it wasn’t surprising that her relatives in the countryside would abuse their power.

However, to uproot a tree, one must first loosen its soil. If Consort Rou had no foundation, then this one matter would be enough to bring her down. But if Consort Rou was currently in high favor, not only would this matter come to nothing after being exposed, but those investigating would be secretly punished by Li Ming instead.

Li Rong believed Cui Yulang understood this point. She sat beside Cui Yulang, separated from him by the pavilion’s pillar, and said casually, “Lord Cui jests. What does Consort Rou’s affairs have to do with this palace?”

Cui Yulang looked back with a half-smile and examined Li Rong.

Watching from afar, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but break off another section of the branch.

Sitting so close, even Cui Yulang’s gaze was wrong. How were these two discussing serious business while exchanging meaningful glances?

Having received Cui Yulang’s look, Li Rong knew he understood clearly. She glanced at the sky and realized they didn’t have much time to spar verbally, so she said directly, “Why would you help me?”

“Your Highness need not concern yourself with that.”

Cui Yulang looked down and stroked the folding fan in his hand. “Your Highness need only know that Cui has the sincere intention to pledge allegiance to Your Highness, even if it requires some sacrifices.”

“If you don’t explain clearly, how dare I accept this goodwill from you?”

“Then I’ll say it’s because Your Highness is more attractive,” Cui Yulang looked up at Li Rong, waving his fan. “Is that reason sufficient?”

“What do you mean by that?”

Li Rong was somewhat puzzled. Cui Yulang sighed and said, “Think about it, Your Highness. My father is merely a tutor. I was able to pass the top examination only because when I came to Hua Jing, my poetry was outstanding and I gained the appreciation of a noble. I have neither wealth nor astonishing talent. My only asset is this face, isn’t it?”

As Cui Yulang spoke, he smiled with considerable confidence. “I won’t hide it from Your Highness—when I had just passed first in the examinations, Princess Imperial Deyang had already extended an invitation to me. However, Cui’s fortune was too meager to dare accept such great affection, so I declined. Then I was placed in the Ministry of Rites and have been handling inconsequential minor matters ever since.”

Li Rong nodded. Princess Imperial Deyang was her aunt, now nearly fifty years old. Given Cui Yulang’s age, he was almost of her grandson’s generation—declining was normal.

“I’ve long heard that Your Highness appreciates talented and handsome men, but I never dared to confirm it. Some time ago at the Prince Consort’s literary gathering, the Princess was pushed out from the crowd, and later Your Highness secretly visited the pleasure boat. So I thought I would try.”

“What a pity.” Li Rong looked at the golden fan in her hand, knowing he wasn’t telling the truth, and said indifferently, “I’m not interested in such matters.”

“That is indeed a pity.” Cui Yulang sighed. “Your Highness invited me here, and I thought Your Highness had agreed.”

Li Rong waved her hand and stood up. “Since you won’t tell the truth, forget it.”

With that, she prepared to walk out. Hearing her words, Cui Yulang’s movements paused. Listening to Li Rong about to walk out of the pavilion, he suddenly said, “Your Highness, this humble minister is not as incompetent as Your Highness imagines. Won’t Your Highness reconsider?”

“I don’t doubt your ability.” Li Rong’s expression was calm. In her previous life, although Cui Yulang had resigned from office early, he had also experienced several struggles and emerged almost unscathed, which showed his intelligence. After returning home, he had lived quite smoothly. Though he had no achievements in officialdom, in his previous life, he at least had a peaceful death.

“I simply can’t fathom the reason for your loyalty. I don’t believe your reason. If your reason were true, I wouldn’t dare use someone like you, nor would there be any need.”

Having said this, Li Rong prepared to leave. Cui Yulang finally called out to stop her. “I can tell you, but I fear that once I do, Your Highness won’t believe me.”

“Three counts,” Li Rong didn’t want to waste words with him. “Three, two…”

“Because Your Highness handled the Qin family’s case.” Cui Yulang finally spoke. Li Rong turned back in confusion to see Cui Yulang turn his head away, looking at the small river beside them, and said slowly, “I thought Your Highness was a good person.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. Cui Yulang gave a mocking laugh. “You see, I told you Your Highness wouldn’t believe me.”

“I believe you.”

Li Rong spoke calmly. Cui Yulang looked up in surprise. Li Rong said evenly, “I understand your meaning. Then I’ll be direct—I don’t want to directly recruit you.”

Cui Yulang didn’t speak. He waited for Li Rong. Li Rong walked forward and said softly, “But I can arrange for you to go to Consort Rou’s side.”

Cui Yulang looked at Li Rong in surprise. After a moment, he understood. “Your Highness hopes I’ll be your informant?”

“You need only answer whether you will or won’t.”

“Since Your Highness has spoken, naturally I can.”

“Then to put my mind at ease, you must swallow this.” Li Rong took out a medicine bottle she had prepared early, half-crouched down, and handed it to Cui Yulang. “From now on, on this day each month, you come find me and I’ll give you a temporary antidote. Once I’ve eliminated Consort Rou, I’ll give you the complete antidote. Of course, I’ll also give you corresponding benefits. If you have ability, regardless of your background, you can reach for the position of Chancellor.”

Hearing Li Rong’s words, Cui Yulang thought for a moment, then let out a light laugh. He grabbed the bottle, poured the pill directly into his mouth, then tossed the bottle into the lake and sighed, “Women truly are suspicious creatures.”

Li Rong smiled and straightened up. “In the future if there’s urgent business, you can directly contact me at the manor. For now, you should head back.”

“Where are Your Highness’s guards?” Cui Yulang asked this question unexpectedly. Li Rong paused in her movements, only then remembering she had run here alone. She thought for a moment and speculated, “The carriage couldn’t come in here. They should be on the main road not far away.”

“It’s improper for Your Highness to be alone,” Cui Yulang shook his head. “Allow me to escort Your Highness back.”

Li Rong didn’t refuse. She nodded and turned, saying, “Let’s go.”

Hearing her words, Cui Yulang went forward and broke off a tree branch from the side, walking ahead to clear the way for Li Rong.

He used the branch to push aside thorns that reached across the path, making it easier for Li Rong to walk.

As they walked, he chatted with Li Rong. His conversation was witty and full of compliments. Setting aside business matters, within just a few sentences he had Li Rong laughing.

The two talked and laughed as they walked away. Pei Wenxuan finally straightened up from the grass. He patted his numb legs and tossed away the last section of branch in his hand. After recovering for a while, Tong Ye finally found his way over. Seeing Pei Wenxuan standing at the pavilion entrance, Tong Ye quickly approached and said carefully, “Young Master, what are you looking at here?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Only after the last bit of numbness left his legs did he turn around and say slowly, “Where is Her Highness?”

“Just now Her Highness and Cui Yulang walked past. They should be close to finding their carriage by now.” Tong Ye answered very carefully. He understood his master’s temperament too well. Though he appeared calm now, only Pei Wenxuan himself knew what was happening in his heart.

“How did Cui Yulang get here?”

Hearing Tong Ye’s words, Pei Wenxuan turned and followed Tong Ye toward the main road. Tong Ye quickly said, “He rented a carriage and just parked it by the roadside. I heard the driver complaining, saying he looked respectable enough but haggled over the carriage rental for nearly half a shichen. I tell you, this Lord Cui is quite down-to-earth.”

“That’s because he’s poor.”

Pei Wenxuan understood this deeply from experience. He thought for a moment and instructed, “In a bit, go over there and have someone leave two taels of silver in the carriage, then find a way to lure the driver away and steal the wheels.”

“Steal… steal the wheels?”

Tong Ye was somewhat shocked. Pei Wenxuan frowned. “Do you have an objection?”

“No, no.” Tong Ye stammered. How would he dare have an objection? He was just somewhat shocked.

To avoid Pei Wenxuan’s anger landing on him, he quickly said, “This servant will do it right away.”

Having said this, Tong Ye ran off at a trot and relayed Pei Wenxuan’s orders to the guards. After a brief discussion, while Cui Yulang was still escorting Li Rong, Tong Ye ran to the roadside and started throwing copper coins, shouting loudly, “Silver? Whose silver is this?”

At his shout, the drivers resting in the teahouse quickly gathered to watch the commotion. The guards sneaked to the carriage, quietly pulled it away, and left.

They pulled the carriage into the woods, where one person held the horses while two dismantled the wheels. In no time they had removed the wheels, shouldered them, and quickly left the scene.

By this time, Cui Yulang had already escorted Li Rong to the carriage. The two had conversed very pleasantly all the way. Upon boarding the carriage, Cui Yulang joked, “Your Highness, won’t you really reconsider me? You’ve already divorced the Prince Consort, and I’m not inferior to him, am I?”

Li Rong knew he was joking. She smiled lightly and only said, “Don’t say such things in front of others in the future, or someone might hold a grudge against you.”

“To compete for the favor of a beauty like the Princess and incur jealousy—Yulang feels it’s worth it.”

“Enough,” Li Rong had someone lower the carriage curtain. “Go back now.”

Cui Yulang smiled and stepped back, watching Li Rong’s carriage depart.

Meanwhile, Pei Wenxuan stood in the reed marsh not far away, staring at Cui Yulang who was seeing Li Rong off.

The guards who had carried the wheels back stood behind him. Tong Ye said in a small voice, “Young Master, what should we do with these wheels?”

“These drivers will lodge here,” Pei Wenxuan said calmly. “Leave someone here and have them reinstall the wheels for the drivers tomorrow.”

“Ah?”

Tong Ye was somewhat confused. Then he heard Pei Wenxuan say, “Also leave one tael of silver for the drivers as their lodging fee and compensation.”

He only wanted to punish that lecher Cui Yulang, not implicate the innocent.

At this hour, if he had to walk back, it would take until evening. The drivers would surely need to stay here overnight, but Cui Yulang still had to attend court tomorrow, so he could only choose to walk back.

After haggling with the driver over the fare, attempting unsuccessfully to get more money back for the return journey, Cui Yulang had no other option but to decide to walk back himself.

Calling another carriage wasn’t impossible, but at this hour, going back and catching a ride halfway would be uneconomical for him.

Confirming that Cui Yulang was going to walk back, Pei Wenxuan finally felt somewhat satisfied. He led the others back to the carriage. After boarding, he led his people and happily passed by Cui Yulang.

As the carriage approached Cui Yulang, Pei Wenxuan deliberately instructed, “Go faster.”

The driver didn’t understand the meaning but still sped up as instructed. When passing Cui Yulang, dust rolled on the road, covering Cui Yulang’s face with ash.

Cui Yulang stopped in his tracks amid the dust, holding his breath. Once the dust settled, he looked at the distant departing carriage and first told himself that heaven was about to confer a great responsibility upon him…

But halfway through reciting this phrase, he really couldn’t hold it in anymore. Seeing no one around and unable to care about maintaining decorum, he couldn’t help but shout loudly, “Running so fast—are you rushing to be reincarnated? Just because you have money makes you so great?!”

Hearing Cui Yulang cursing behind him, Pei Wenxuan finally felt the tightness in his chest dissipate. He picked up tea from the side, took a sip, and was quite pleased.

Tong Ye observed Pei Wenxuan’s expression and couldn’t help but say, “Young Master, what are you so happy about?”

Pei Wenxuan held his tea, tilted his head slightly, and praised, “Good tea.”

After talking with Cui Yulang, Li Rong returned to the Princess Manor. She sat alone in her room for a while, thinking about the current situation.

It was now less than two years until Li Ming’s death.

In her previous life, Li Ming’s deposition of Li Chuan had taken three steps.

First, he eliminated the Yang family, sent Xiao Su to the Northwest, made him Prince Zhenbei, and gave him control of the Northwest military forces.

Second, he had Consort Rou establish the Constabulary Bureau. Using the Bureau’s capabilities, he allowed Consort Rou to gain political capital, obtain support from the humble families, and have her own supporters at court.

Third, the Constabulary Bureau began thoroughly investigating people around Li Chuan, pulling out cases involving the Shangguan family both large and small. Meanwhile, Li Chuan’s inner palace was full of constant struggles. What had originally been an attempt to use marriage to connect with aristocratic families became a struggle between several consorts’ families within the Eastern Palace. When all this mess was dragged out, it finally gave Li Ming reason to depose the Crown Prince.

But now the situation was vastly different.

As for military power in the Northwest, although Xiao Su held it nominally, she had secretly arranged for Qin Lin to enter the ranks early and had Li Chuan personally go to the battlefield to fight through the most difficult first half. Although the Qin family case had caused people to discover her relationship with the Qin family too early, because Xiao Su had relied on Qin Lin early in the campaign and later as compensation after the Qin family case was overturned, the Qin family had also established a stable position in the Northwest.

And although Xiao Su controlled the vast majority of the Northwest army, these people had all come from the Yang family era and belonged to their respective families. They had absolutely no loyalty to a humble general like Xiao Su who had parachuted in halfway through the battle to steal credit. As long as she cut off support from Consort Rou and Li Ming at court, with Xiao Su’s money and provisions cut off, those troops would immediately lose their value.

So this move regarding military power had already been half-neutralized by her use of Qin Lin.

As for the Constabulary Bureau, she had also seized control of it in advance.

Li Ming’s plan was to have her establish the Constabulary Bureau first, then transfer it to Consort Rou when the time was right. But only what one built oneself truly belonged to oneself. The reason the Constabulary Bureau could become Consort Rou’s political capital back then was because all the people inside were humble-born individuals she had personally led up, so the humble families trusted her. But now the Constabulary Bureau was built by her, Li Rong, with personally selected people. The reputation was also earned through her own actions. Even if Consort Rou were directly promoted to Director of the Constabulary Bureau, Li Rong could quickly render her powerless.

So this move with the Constabulary Bureau was also gone.

Finally, there was undermining Li Chuan’s popular support and using the aristocratic families supporting Li Chuan through the inner palace. Now Li Chuan wasn’t marrying so many women, and after Shangguan Ya’s self-investigation, the Shangguan family was squeaky clean with nothing wrong to be found. Li Chuan had personally gone north to supervise the army and fought through the most difficult battle. After this, wanting to damage Li Chuan’s reputation would be nearly impossible.

As things stood now, as long as they steadily moved forward, Li Chuan’s position as Crown Prince would be difficult to shake.

But the problem was that Su Rongqing had also returned.

Li Rong wasn’t certain when Su Rongqing had returned, but at least by the time of her marriage, he should have already been back.

Since he was back, he couldn’t possibly just watch her make arrangements without any action.

If nothing else, at least he had blocked Pei Wenxuan from becoming the chief examiner for the imperial examinations.

If he hadn’t been causing trouble behind the scenes, why would Minister Wang, perfectly fine as he was, volunteer to manage the examination affairs?

Li Rong pondered these miscellaneous matters. She began to feel somewhat of a headache. She suddenly very much wanted Pei Wenxuan to be there—the two of them could chat together and perhaps come up with more ideas.

She watched the candlelight flicker without speaking. Jing Mei brought water for washing feet and, looking at Li Rong, smiled with pursed lips. “Is Your Highness thinking of the Prince Consort?”

Hearing this, Li Rong came back to her senses. She let out a soft laugh. Somehow, she instinctively felt a bit embarrassed and only said, “What’s there to think about? Won’t I see him tomorrow?”

Jing Mei smiled cheerfully without speaking. Li Rong just had a feeling she was laughing at her, so she couldn’t help but say, “What are you laughing at?”

Jing Mei lowered her head to wash her feet and quietly reminded her, “Today the Prince Consort arranged to meet Your Highness, but you couldn’t go. This servant thought Your Highness had it on your mind.”

If Jing Mei hadn’t mentioned it, Li Rong wouldn’t have thought about it. But once Jing Mei brought it up, Li Rong missed Pei Wenxuan even more.

She didn’t show it on her face and only said, “You’re more concerned than I am.”

Jing Mei smiled cheerfully without speaking. Li Rong tried hard to think about serious matters to avoid dwelling on Pei Wenxuan and losing control of herself, wanting to go see him.

But having just divorced, going to see him at such risk didn’t seem proper either.

They had been husband and wife for so many years—where did all this melodrama come from?

After washing her feet, Li Rong lay down on the bed. She tossed and turned, thinking this way and that, and finally made a decision.

She had to see Pei Wenxuan.

Of course, it wasn’t just to see him. Li Rong consoled herself—she wasn’t such an irrational person. It was just to discuss Cui Yulang’s matter with Pei Wenxuan.

Cui Yulang would be useful. Arranging him at Consort Rou’s side would take some effort. And while the information Cui Yulang brought wouldn’t be much use for bringing down Consort Rou, it would be useful for causing trouble for Wang Houwen.

Whether arranging Cui Yulang or scheming against Wang Houwen, written correspondence wasn’t secure. She had to meet with Pei Wenxuan face-to-face. Even if it meant taking some risks, she had to see him.

Thinking that she must see Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong’s mood suddenly became much more cheerful. She turned on her side, hugged the quilt, closed her eyes, and happily fell asleep.

The next morning at court, Li Rong arrived at the palace at her usual time. Just as she got off the carriage, she saw Pei Wenxuan who had just arrived.

Taking advantage of the sparse crowd, she blinked at Pei Wenxuan in the still-dark morning light. Seeing her “flirtatious glance,” Pei Wenxuan actually pretended he hadn’t seen anything and turned to walk inside.

Li Rong was stunned. She looked around, confirmed there was no one nearby, and couldn’t help but feel somewhat surprised. Was Pei Wenxuan acting too thoroughly?

Meanwhile, Pei Wenxuan walked forward holding his tablet, feeling somewhat stifled inside.

Pushing back their meeting over such a trivial matter as Cui Yulang, and now acting as if nothing had happened when seeing him—she probably didn’t feel the slightest bit guilty.

This Li Rong really was utterly heartless.

The two of them passed through morning court without even a glance at each other. After returning to the Princess Manor, Li Rong quickly had Zhao Chongjiu relay a message to Pei Wenxuan, wanting to arrange a meeting.

Having received Li Rong’s message, Pei Wenxuan knew what Li Rong wanted to discuss. He had heard her conversation with Cui Yulang, and though it was fragmented, he had understood most of it—nothing more than recruiting Cui Yulang and the matter concerning Wang Houwen.

He had arrangements for all of this. It wasn’t anything particularly urgent. So he decisively had someone reply, “Tell Her Highness to think carefully about what she’s done recently, reflect properly, and once she’s figured it out, we’ll meet then.”

Zhao Chongjiu nodded and turned to leave, not giving Pei Wenxuan any chance to reconsider.

Having spoken, Pei Wenxuan stood in the courtyard for a while. After a moment, he still couldn’t help but turn to Tong Ye and say, “Go back and find Zhao Chongjiu. Tell him not to relay those words just now. Just tell him to have Her Highness leave a way for me at the manor tonight—I’ll go find her.”

Tong Ye nodded and quickly went to chase after Zhao Chongjiu.

Pei Wenxuan stood alone in the courtyard thinking that Li Rong couldn’t figure this out on her own—he still needed to discuss it with her in person.

But before he could get this thought conveyed, after Tong Ye went out for a while, he returned, saying urgently, “Young Master, Lord Zhao walked too fast—I didn’t catch up.”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Somehow, he felt a bit afraid.

He had a feeling those words just now had been a bit too harsh.

Tong Ye glanced at Pei Wenxuan. He couldn’t help but say, “Well, Young Master, if you’re afraid, why not have someone relay another message back?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan gave Tong Ye a cold glare. “What do I have to be afraid of? If it wasn’t relayed, then so be it. Let’s see what she thinks.”

Pei Wenxuan turned around and only said, “Isn’t Lord He hosting a banquet tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Prepare for it. We’re attending the banquet tonight.”

“Young Master,” Tong Ye said carefully, “are you really going?”

“Why couldn’t I go?” Pei Wenxuan glanced over coolly. Tong Ye stammered, “Lord He set the location at Spring Breeze Tower.”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

While Pei Wenxuan was still struggling over whether to attend tonight’s banquet, Zhao Chongjiu returned to the Princess Manor.

He reported Pei Wenxuan’s words to Li Rong word for word, not missing a single character.

Li Rong took a sip of tea and only said, “Those were his exact words?”

“Yes.” Zhao Chongjiu said calmly. “His exact words.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She placed the tea on the table and said to Jing Mei, “Go change it to chrysanthemum tea.”

Jing Mei quickly went to change the tea. Li Rong looked up at Zhao Chongjiu. “Do you know where he’s going tonight?”

“I asked earlier,” Zhao Chongjiu had already received Li Rong’s instruction to keep an eye on Pei Wenxuan at all times. He knew about Pei Wenxuan’s evening banquets, so he replied directly, “Lord He is hosting a banquet.”

“Fine,” Li Rong nodded. “I’ll go wait for him.”

With that, Li Rong stood up. “Where is the banquet being held?”

“Spring Breeze Tower.”

Zhao Chongjiu said it very calmly. Li Rong’s eyes suddenly widened. “Say that again?”

This time Zhao Chongjiu spoke very slowly, as if afraid Li Rong couldn’t hear clearly, enunciating each word: “Hua… Jing’s… largest… pleasure… establishment—”

“Spring… Breeze… Tower.”