After Li Rong received Sun Wen’s complaint and sent him away, Cui Yulang immediately contacted Consort Rou. Consort Rou met with Cui Yulang under Prince Su’s name, and Cui Yulang told her everything about Sun Wen in detail.

“This Sun Wen is a fellow townsman of this humble minister. His spot to come to Hua Jing for the spring examinations was stolen by a local gentry, so he came to Hua Jing to find me. I then had him go file a complaint with Princess Pingle. Just as this humble minister expected, Princess Pingle received the complaint this morning and sent him out of Hua Jing. Now the boat that took him out of Hua Jing can no longer be found.”

Hearing Cui Yulang’s words, Consort Rou immediately sat up straight. “Is what you’re saying true?”

“It’s true.”

As Cui Yulang spoke, he took out a complaint. “This is a complaint Sun Wen left for this humble minister. Tomorrow Your Ladyship can find an opportunity to summon Princess Pingle into the palace. First show her this complaint, then we’ll find someone to impeach her over this matter.”

“Why would I first inform her of this?” Consort Rou frowned. “Since she dared to directly kill someone filing a complaint, wouldn’t it be better if I just told His Majesty directly?”

“If Your Ladyship tells His Majesty directly about this matter, at most His Majesty will reprimand Princess Pingle and will suspect Your Ladyship has ulterior motives. Your Ladyship has already been through the Hongde case. It’s best not to get involved in this matter again.” Cui Yulang knelt on the ground, analyzing calmly. “But if Your Ladyship first lets Princess Pingle know that you already know about her killing someone, she’ll be frightened. When court impeaches her tomorrow, fearing the investigation into Sun Wen’s death, she’ll resign from her position as head of the Constabulary Bureau before everything happens, to avoid being held accountable.”

“Is she really that timid?”

Consort Rou frowned. “Pingle is a cunning little fox. I’m afraid your method won’t work.”

Cui Yulang picked up his teacup and smiled gently. “Does Your Ladyship know why Princess Pingle had to kill Sun Wen?”

“Please elaborate.”

“Princess Pingle is ultimately the Crown Prince’s sister. No matter how much she appears to oppose the aristocratic families, she is still one of them. So she can investigate a Qin family case, investigate an army provisions case, but she cannot touch the aristocratic families’ foundations. The examination case involves too many people high and low. She’s already in a precarious position now, so naturally she doesn’t dare take it on. Not only does she not dare take the case, she needs to protect it. If the aristocratic families are unstable, the Crown Prince is unstable, so she must kill Sun Wen.”

As Cui Yulang spoke, he took a sip of tea. Consort Rou pondered. “Before you even sent Sun Wen over, you already predicted she would kill Sun Wen?”

“I said I would give the Constabulary Bureau to Your Ladyship.” Cui Yulang raised his eyebrows. “Did Your Ladyship think this humble minister was joking?”

Consort Rou was stunned. Cui Yulang put down his teacup, picked up his fan again, and said slowly, “We lured her into killing Sun Wen, and we’ve already got her weakness. Then we force her to take the examination case. She doesn’t want to take the examination case, and we have leverage over her, so leaving the Constabulary Bureau is her safest option. Once she leaves, the Constabulary Bureau needs someone to control it. Whoever is willing to investigate the examination case,” Cui Yulang looked at Consort Rou, “becomes the new master of the Constabulary Bureau.”

“But,” Consort Rou hesitated, “if even Li Rong doesn’t dare investigate the case, and I go investigate…”

“Princess Pingle isn’t that she doesn’t dare, but that she doesn’t want to. The aristocratic families are the Crown Prince’s support.” Cui Yulang leaned forward slightly. “But are the aristocratic families your support?”

Consort Rou’s body stiffened. Cui Yulang’s words were like poisonous snakes drilling into her heart, coiling there. “Your Ladyship, given your background, even if aristocratic families respect and assist you, they’re completely just using you as a chess piece in their game. The aristocratic families will never become your support. You and Princess Pingle are different.”

“What you’ve achieved today doesn’t rely on maintaining relationships with aristocratic families. Quite the contrary, it relies on your weakening of the aristocratic families. What His Majesty values is your humble scholar background—this is Prince Su’s foundation. The more ruthless you are toward the aristocratic families, the deeper His Majesty’s favor for you will be. Princess Pingle was able to establish the Constabulary Bureau because she investigated aristocratic family cases. If you want to gain His Majesty’s protection, you must be more ruthless than Princess Pingle.”

Consort Rou didn’t speak. She digested Cui Yulang’s words. Cui Yulang leaned on the armrest, observing Consort Rou’s expression, and said slowly, “I know Your Ladyship has connections with some aristocratic family members. If Your Ladyship doesn’t believe my words, why not think about it—throughout this cooperation, have those aristocratic family people brought Your Ladyship any benefits?”

Hearing this, Consort Rou’s whole body shook.

She suddenly realized—yes, although the Su family was powerful, since cooperating with Su Rongqing, she had never gained any benefits.

Not only had she gained no benefits, she had earned the Emperor’s disfavor. When problems arose, to protect themselves, Su Ronghua had immediately exposed her and used her as a shield to win Li Ming’s forgiveness.

She had originally been the shadow ruler of the six palaces. Now she had been demoted all the way to consort rank and was suspected by Li Ming. Was cooperating with aristocratic families truly better for Li Cheng?

Seeing Consort Rou’s expression waver, Cui Yulang struck while the iron was hot, continuing his analysis. “Actually, His Majesty has already paved Prince Su’s path long ago. For all emperors, the most important things are military power and money. His Majesty gave the northwestern military power to your brother to construct military power for Prince Su. As for money, that comes down to court affairs. Now with His Majesty supporting Your Ladyship, what you should do is not depend on aristocratic families, but take advantage of His Majesty still protecting you to construct power you truly hold in your hands.”

“Humble scholars,” Cui Yulang enunciated each word carefully, “are Your Ladyship’s ultimate belonging. As for aristocratic families, Your Ladyship only needs to maintain good relations and deal with them superficially.”

“Sir, I understand your meaning.” Having heard Cui Yulang’s analysis, Consort Rou had made her decision. “I’ll make arrangements tomorrow.”

Getting Consort Rou’s agreement, Cui Yulang planned with her for a while longer. After Cui Yulang left, Consort Rou sat in the room. Her maid Chunxi came forward, brought tea to Consort Rou, and said somewhat worriedly, “Your Ladyship, should we inform Lord Su about this matter?”

“He won’t agree.”

Consort Rou said leisurely, “Cui Yulang said one thing correctly. To someone like Su Rongqing,” Consort Rou laughed mockingly, “I’m far less important than his aristocratic family interests. They don’t want Li Rong to investigate, so they’d be willing to let me investigate?”

“Go prepare an invitation,” Consort Rou instructed. “Invite Pingle into the palace for a chat.”

Consort Rou’s invitation arrived in Li Rong’s hands the next day. After court, Li Rong saw the invitation and smiled, knowing Cui Yulang had persuaded Consort Rou.

She didn’t refuse. She accepted the invitation directly and went to Consort Rou’s palace.

When Li Rong arrived, only Consort Rou was in the palace. Seeing Li Rong enter, she looked up and smiled. “Pingle has come?”

She knew how to handle people. Even facing Li Rong, whom she detested, her face carried an extremely sincere smile.

Li Rong nodded, which counted as a bow. Consort Rou invited her to sit down. Li Rong looked at the tea leaves and pastries prepared on the table. Discovering they were all things she liked, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat impressed by Consort Rou’s magnanimity.

Even at her age of fifty, she couldn’t achieve Consort Rou’s tolerance toward enemies.

“Since you married, you haven’t entered the palace much. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you. I rather miss you.” Consort Rou poured tea for Li Rong, caring for her like an elder, saying gently, “After the divorce, are you doing well?”

“Thank you for Your Ladyship’s concern.” Palace people were used to being insincere. Li Rong was accustomed to it too, smiling as she replied, “The Constabulary Bureau’s affairs are busy. I don’t have any other feelings.”

“Though official duties are busy, you still need to pay attention to your health.” As Consort Rou spoke, she pushed the teacup to Li Rong. Li Rong picked up the cup and blew on the tea. Consort Rou observed her and said slowly, “I called you here this time because there’s actually a matter I’d like your help with. I have a distant relative who studied hard for ten years, finally passed last year’s autumn examinations and became a provincial candidate, preparing to participate in this year’s spring examinations. Who would have thought his spot would be stolen. He traveled all the way to Hua Jing to file a complaint. After thinking about it, I didn’t have a suitable person to help, so I thought of you.”

As she spoke, Consort Rou took a copied version of Sun Wen’s complaint from beside her and handed it to Li Rong. “I previously had him go find you. Did you see him? His name is Sun Wen.”

Hearing this name, Li Rong’s movements froze.

Consort Rou looked at Li Rong, tilted her head, and smiled as if completely unaware of what Li Rong had done. “Looking at your reaction, you must have seen him.”

“I have not.” Li Rong seemed to just come to her senses, pretending to be composed. “What Your Ladyship mentioned should be handled by the Ministry of Justice. Your Ladyship should have him go to the Ministry of Justice. It’s getting late.” Li Rong stood up. “Pingle will take her leave first.”

“That’s true.” Consort Rou smiled. “You’re also busy. Go ahead.”

With that, Consort Rou called someone to see her out. As soon as someone came, Li Rong couldn’t wait to leave. Consort Rou leisurely called out to her, “Pingle.”

Li Rong stopped. Consort Rou turned the teacup in her hand. “If you don’t want others to know, don’t do it yourself. What’s yours is yours. What isn’t yours, you can’t hold onto.”

Li Rong turned back to see Consort Rou looking at her with a smile. “Take care of yourself.”

“Thank you for Your Ladyship’s concern.”

Li Rong said with a cold face. After thanking her, she walked out.

Once she left, Consort Rou stroked her teacup and couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

In all these years, this was the first time she’d seen Li Rong panic.

After Li Rong left the palace and boarded her carriage, she immediately resumed her usual leisurely appearance. Sitting in the carriage drinking tea, she had Jing Lan massage her shoulders. Her previously panicked appearance was completely swept away, looking quite relaxed.

“Why is Your Highness so happy?”

Jing Lan couldn’t help but ask. Li Rong smiled. “I hooked a fish.”

Li Rong had fooled Consort Rou. That evening, she summoned Cui Yulang over again.

To make it convenient for Cui Yulang to come and go, she specifically had guards change their shift times, leaving one path that guards wouldn’t patrol, specially reserved for Cui Yulang.

At night, Cui Yulang skillfully scaled the wall and entered the Princess Manor. After discussing with Li Rong how to coordinate in court the next day, he climbed out again at midnight.

As soon as he left, Pei Wenxuan’s people reported to Pei Wenxuan about Li Rong adjusting the guards’ patrol schedule.

Although Pei Wenxuan had left the Princess Manor, he had quite a few people arranged there. It could be said that in all of Hua Jing, the place where he had the most intelligence was the Princess Manor. This was the third time recently Li Rong had adjusted the guards’ patrol schedule, and all at night. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but have some thoughts.

He immediately had people investigate the specific circumstances of the three guard patrol schedule adjustments, then went to sleep. But after lying down, he couldn’t fall asleep no matter what.

He trusted—he trusted Li Rong. With their relationship, Li Rong shouldn’t do anything to betray him.

But he also worried. Li Rong was naturally beautiful. With him not by her side, what if, what if she had some idea, encountered some bad people, and was deceived? What then?

When Pei Wenxuan thought of this possibility, he was so worried he couldn’t sleep. He wanted to get up right now and go find Li Rong, but also felt he was overthinking.

Li Rong wasn’t a foolish girl. How could she be so easily deceived?

After tossing and turning all night, the next day finally came. He arrived early at the palace gates and waited there. Finally seeing Li Rong’s carriage, he quickly had someone drive his carriage up to Li Rong’s, arriving at the palace gates at the same time, then lifting their carriage curtains together.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile. “Lord Pei, what a coincidence?”

In front of others, Pei Wenxuan still had to pretend to be aloof. He nodded and said nothing.

Just receiving this greeting made him feel somewhat happy.

The two attended court. Pei Wenxuan secretly used his peripheral vision to steal glances at Li Rong standing at the front.

Now that he had been promoted, he was somewhat closer to Li Rong.

Li Rong was completely unaware of Pei Wenxuan’s emotions. She lightly tapped her palm with her small fan, waiting for today’s performance.

When court matters were half over, Li Ming routinely inquired if there were any other matters. A minor official from the Censorate suddenly stepped forward.

“Your Majesty,” that minor official said calmly, “this humble minister has a memorial to present.”

“Speak then.” Li Ming drank tea listlessly. The minor official lifted his robe hem and knelt down, declaring loudly, “This humble minister wishes to impeach Princess Pingle of the Constabulary Bureau for knowing of a case but not reporting it, and instead threatening and sending away the complainant!”

Hearing this, Li Ming paused in his motion of holding the cup. Hearing this, Li Rong immediately stepped out and knelt on the ground. “Father, your daughter has been wronged!”

Li Rong’s such intense reaction made Li Ming frown. Li Ming glanced at that minor official, put down his teacup, and only said, “How did she know of a case but not report it? You tell us.”

Everyone looked at that minor official. He couldn’t help but tremble somewhat, but working in the Censorate, what they lacked least was courage. So he steeled himself and continued, “Chen County examinee Sun Wen was originally last year’s Chen County autumn examination top scorer and this year’s spring examination provincial candidate from Chen County. However, he was persecuted by local gentry, had his spot stolen, and couldn’t participate in the spring examinations. He came to the capital to file an imperial complaint, seeking justice. However, when the complaint reached the Constabulary Bureau, Princess Pingle not only failed to strictly investigate and report this case, but sent Sun Wen away from Hua Jing. Now his whereabouts are unknown. Such vile behavior—I hope Your Majesty will investigate strictly!”

“Pingle,” Li Ming looked at Li Rong. “What do you have to say?”

“Your daughter… your daughter…” Li Rong was obviously somewhat panicked. She quickly organized her words and finally said, “Your daughter has been wronged. He says this—what evidence does he have?!”

“This humble minister has witnesses.” That minor official spoke neither humbly nor arrogantly. “Many people saw Sun Wen go to the Constabulary Bureau to file a complaint.”

“He did come to file a complaint, that’s true.” Li Rong immediately said. “I also received his complaint. It’s just that before I started investigating, he left the capital on his own. How can you say I coerced him to leave?”

“Enough.”

Li Ming interrupted them. “Censor Wang doesn’t have any evidence for this matter either. Pingle, you explain this matter clearly to me later.”

“Yes.”

Li Rong breathed a sigh of relief and knelt on the ground to thank Li Ming.

Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong kneeling on the ground and couldn’t help but frown.

Seeing Li Rong lower her head made him feel somewhat uncomfortable.

After court was dismissed, Li Rong went to the imperial study. Seeing Li Rong enter, Li Ming said nothing and just had her kneel.

Li Rong knelt in the imperial study for a while before Li Ming spoke. “Sun Wen is dead, isn’t he?”

“Your daughter doesn’t know.” Li Rong knelt on the ground without speaking. Li Ming looked up at her and only said, “I’m clear about all your schemes. I don’t care about one or two deaths either. I only ask you one thing.” Li Ming said coldly, “The examination case—will you investigate it or not?”

Li Rong’s movements froze. Seeing her hesitate, Li Ming looked up and stared at her intensely. “I gave you the Constabulary Bureau, not for you to play around. Sun Wen’s case involves the fundamental basis of Great Xia’s talent selection. I must investigate it thoroughly. But you killed him. Tell me, do you not want to investigate?”

“Your daughter…” Li Rong spoke with difficulty. “Did not kill Sun Wen.”

“I’m asking you about the examination case. Whether Sun Wen is dead or not doesn’t matter at all. Will you investigate or not?”

“Father,” Li Rong hesitated. “Your daughter… doesn’t dare investigate.”

“Doesn’t dare.” Li Ming laughed coldly. “Since you don’t dare, what use do I have for you! Don’t be head of the Constabulary Bureau anymore.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. Li Ming then knew she was determined not to investigate this case.

Li Ming thought for a moment and understood Li Rong’s calculations.

She had probably already seen through his intentions, so at this step, she didn’t plan to further deteriorate relations with the aristocratic families.

He emphasized checks and balances, while what Li Rong talked about in officialdom was balance.

But how could Li Ming tolerate her balance? He laughed coldly and only said, “Write your resignation letter yourself and recommend Prince Su as head of the Constabulary Bureau.”

“Father, but…”

“If you don’t write it,” Li Ming said directly, “Sun Wen’s case won’t stop here.”

Li Rong froze. She seemed to have her weakness grasped, kneeling there in a daze. After a long while, she spoke dejectedly, “Yes.”

“Go.” Li Ming said coldly. “You just divorced recently. You should rest well.”

“Yes.”

Li Rong acknowledged, standing up in a lost state.

Li Ming ignored her. Li Rong walked out in a daze. Just as she exited, she saw Consort Rou carrying soup and entering.

Consort Rou looked at Li Rong’s appearance, only smiled and nodded at her, then walked into the imperial study.

Li Rong looked at Consort Rou’s proud and confident smile. Suppressing her laughter, she pretended to be bitter and resentful, clenching her fists as if trying her utmost to control her emotions.

At that moment, she felt her acting skills were simply miraculous, as if reaching their peak.

Such a dedicated performance also pleased Consort Rou. By evening, when Li Rong’s resignation letter and recommendation for Prince Su arrived in Consort Rou’s hands, Consort Rou couldn’t stop laughing.

She praised repeatedly, “Cui Yulang really has methods. Look at him—with one move, he delivered the Constabulary Bureau.”

“A talent like Cui Yulang,” Consort Rou sighed. “Why didn’t I notice him earlier? What a pity.”

While Consort Rou and Huale were overjoyed in the palace, Cui Yulang headed to the Princess Manor to discuss the next steps with Li Rong.

When Pei Wenxuan received news that Li Rong had lost the Constabulary Bureau, he was meeting with several trusted subordinates discussing the next steps. Hearing this news, he felt somewhat restless.

He knew this was Li Rong’s scheme, but he still couldn’t help thinking that Li Rong would ultimately be sad.

Losing the Constabulary Bureau was because Li Ming purely treated her as a chess piece. If Li Ming had considered her feelings even slightly, she wouldn’t have lost the Constabulary Bureau so quickly, and she wouldn’t have had to personally write a letter recommending Prince Su.

His heart was concerned about Li Rong. In the evening, when he learned Li Rong had adjusted the guards again, he finally couldn’t bear it anymore.

He had already obtained the guard adjustment times for these three days. After a brief comparison, he discovered that when these guard patrol times and locations were staggered, they actually created an open path—a path with no guard surveillance.

After pondering for a moment, he finally changed into different clothes, put on a black cloak, and left through the back door in a carriage under cover of night.

He had people clear the route, confirming there was no surveillance along the way, before secretly arriving at the Princess Manor.

Outside he wore a black cloak, but inside was a moon-colored robe with silver patterns. His hair was half bound with a jade crown, combed neatly. Before going, he even specially bathed and applied incense. Watching this, Tong Ye couldn’t help but ask, “Young Master, are you going to discuss serious matters or going to a secret rendezvous?”

Pei Wenxuan was too lazy to respond to him. Finally getting to see Li Rong once, how could he lose face?

In any case, Li Rong’s guard adjustment schedule only had two time slots. The first slot had already passed. He was waiting for the second.

Moreover, he’d also check to see which divine being Li Rong had adjusted this schedule for.

Thinking of this, Pei Wenxuan’s eyes carried some coldness.

As he hurried to the Princess Manor, Cui Yulang had almost finished discussing matters with Li Rong. Seeing the second guard shift change time, Cui Yulang said respectfully, “Your Highness, since we’ve finished discussing, this humble minister will take his leave first.”

Li Rong also felt tired. She nodded and had Cui Yulang withdraw.

Cui Yulang respectfully left. Li Rong stood up and had people prepare flower petals and bath beans at the Imperial Spring Bath. She took down her hair and walked toward the bath, planning to take a bath to relieve her fatigue.

She had talked too much today. Not really wanting to see people, she had the maids withdraw and attend her outside the door.

As Li Rong closed her eyes and soaked in the bath, Pei Wenxuan also arrived at the back wall of the Princess Manor. He had calculated that schedule—at this time, an area that wasn’t patrolled would open up at the southwest corner of the back courtyard wall.

Pei Wenxuan arrived at the wall and had Tong Ye bend over. He stepped on Tong Ye to climb up.

At this time, after Cui Yulang thanked Zhao Chongjiu, he also stepped on Zhao Chongjiu’s shoulder and climbed up the wall with difficulty.

So Pei Wenxuan and Cui Yulang simultaneously climbed the high wall. In the moonlight, they both simultaneously discovered that someone like a mushroom sprouting from the dark night was rising from the other side of the wall.

The two stared at each other briefly. Pei Wenxuan struck first, cursing quietly, “So it’s you!”

At the same time, without hesitation, he threw a heavy punch fiercely at him!

Meeting at the wall, throwing a heavy punch.