Human regret is very complex.

He couldn’t say clearly exactly how many things were mixed into that regret.

Perhaps there was some degree of affection, but more than that, perhaps it was that in that moment, he knew he had forever lost Li Rong, his wife.

And Li Rong represented not just someone he might have liked—she also represented a complete family that he could have had.

If back then he had known how to be a good husband, known how a man should conduct himself after marriage, how to bear the responsibilities on his shoulders, if he could have sorted out what matters were his to manage and what weren’t, perhaps he would have had children with Li Rong early on, and they both could have lived their lives well.

This remorse reached its peak when Li Rong was together with Su Rongqing.

He and Li Rong had quarreled. Li Rong had slapped him, and he had shoved Li Rong. They could be said to have shown each other their ugliest sides. Li Rong cursed him as weak, and he called Li Rong wanton. They mutually despised each other. Throughout the long years, they would quarrel whenever they met. He thought this woman was unreasonably fierce, indulgent and depraved; she thought him sinister and cunning, petty and narrow-minded.

After quarreling for so long, he couldn’t even remember what Li Rong had been like back then, much less remember that actually, in the very beginning, he too had possibly liked her somewhat.

The two of them, for most of their later lives, were allies on one hand, discussing political affairs, while on the other hand disapproving of each other’s conduct and mutually suspicious.

From the beginning when he felt unwilling and regretful seeing her with Su Rongqing, to later when seeing them together only left him numb and disapproving.

Because the two of them could nestle together and accompany each other. Even though Su Rongqing ultimately killed Li Rong, Pei Wenxuan knew clearly that even in the moment before acting, Su Rongqing’s feelings for Li Rong should have been genuine.

The two of them had walked together for twenty-five years, while he remained forever alone and desolate.

Every time he saw small children or harmonious families, he would feel confused. Sitting in the homes of friends with many children, he would feel somewhat uncomfortable.

The older he got, the easier it was to recall some fragments from his youth. He would clearly remember that Li Rong had once lain on the bed with him, pondering how many children they should have and whether they preferred boys or girls.

He had once hated Su Rongqing, feeling he had stolen his happiness. But now, having gone through life and death, Su Rongqing was no longer the Su Rongqing of those days, and Li Rong had become the eighteen-year-old Li Rong. Looking back, he discovered that actually, when life reached that point, it wasn’t someone else’s fault—he bore enormous responsibility.

If this life could start over, he wanted to treat Li Rong well. He wanted to be a good husband.

But this life had restarted, yet Li Rong was still the Li Rong from back then.

He would never have that eighteen-year-old wife who was wholeheartedly devoted to him, so he also lost interest in this marriage. Even knowing that this marriage might be unavoidable.

Pei Wenxuan’s mind wandered in confusion as he gradually fell asleep in a daze.

Sleeping through the night until early morning, the two slowly woke in the early cold.

The fire beside them had already gone out, leaving only some warm ashes. The two had unknowingly huddled together in the cold during the night. Li Rong woke up somewhat dazed, leaning on Pei Wenxuan’s arm, and called out, “Pei Wenxuan.”

Pei Wenxuan opened his eyes, immediately felt his arm was numb, then reacted to what had happened. He pretended to be composed, first withdrawing his arm, then sitting up. Li Rong stared at him without blinking. Seeing his very stiff posture, she couldn’t help but say, “What are you so nervous about?”

“I’m afraid you’ll think the wrong thing.”

Pei Wenxuan replied, “So I’m thinking about how to prove my innocence.”

Hearing this, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh aloud. “What innocence?”

“I didn’t do anything last night.” Pei Wenxuan said seriously. “So don’t wrongly accuse me.”

“I know.”

Seeing him so serious, Li Rong lost interest in teasing him. She yawned and got up. “You haven’t reached the point where you’d do something and have no feeling about it.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan first froze, then reacted. His face immediately flushed red. After holding it in for a long time, he finally managed to say, “Li Rong, be more restrained in the future.”

Li Rong ignored him, lightly scoffed, and walked to the riverside by herself, crouching down to wash up.

Pei Wenxuan stood in place hesitating for a while, but ultimately chose to join Li Rong and went to the riverside to wash up.

After the two finished grooming themselves, they got up and walked along the river toward the outside. At sunrise, a sudden sound of horse hooves came from the surroundings. Pei Wenxuan grabbed Li Rong and immediately said, “Hide first!”

The two quickly entered the nearby grass. Pei Wenxuan broke off a leafy branch and gave it to Li Rong. Li Rong was somewhat confused. “What’s this for?”

Pei Wenxuan seriously raised the branch and whispered, “Cover.”

Li Rong fell silent.

She suddenly knew what those reeds swaying all over that she had seen in her daze earlier were. She had thought it was a hallucination.

Though Li Rong felt Pei Wenxuan’s behavior seemed truly foolish, she still involuntarily raised the branch, comforting herself that it was better to be cautious—better safe than sorry.

The two crouched holding branches for a long time before finally seeing who had come. They saw Su Rongqing riding a horse in front, leading some Su family servants behind him, searching for something.

Seeing Su Rongqing, Li Rong relaxed considerably. The Su family was a prestigious and upright clan. Su Rongqing especially had a gentleman’s bearing, never participating in any factional struggles. Moreover, the main culprit this time was Yang Quan. Su Rongqing’s people should pose no threat at all.

She immediately wanted to stand up, but Pei Wenxuan grabbed her and shook his head, indicating to wait a bit longer.

Li Rong knew Pei Wenxuan was always extremely cautious and didn’t object. She crouched back down and waited with Pei Wenxuan.

After a short while, several Eastern Palace attendants rushed over. Then a young voice rang out, shouting from far away, “Young Master Su, I heard you found elder sister?”

As he spoke, a youth dressed in white robes embroidered with four-clawed dragon patterns and wearing a pearl-studded gold crown rushed into Li Rong’s view on horseback, stopping in front of Su Rongqing.

Su Rongqing bowed respectfully. “Your Highness.”

“No need for ceremony,” the youth said on horseback, looking around. “Where is elder sister?”

“We found traces of a fire earlier. She must have gone downstream.” Su Rongqing answered steadily, then asked somewhat puzzled, “Why did Your Highness come in such haste?”

As Su Rongqing and Li Chuan spoke, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan hid in the shadows. Seeing who had arrived, Li Rong no longer hesitated. She turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, asking, “Shall we go?”

Pei Wenxuan nodded. Li Rong then stood up and calmly walked out of the grass pile, calling toward the distance, “Chuan’er.”

Hearing this, everyone looked over in unison. Li Chuan froze, then excitedly dismounted and ran directly toward Li Rong at a trot.

Li Rong watched the youth rushing over urgently. He appeared only sixteen or seventeen years old. Perhaps because he was running too hastily, his slightly pale complexion was rarely tinged with a faint blush.

His eyes held unconcealed worry. He ran all the way to Li Rong, panting, “Elder sister, are you, are you alright?”

“What could happen to me?” Li Rong examined the young Li Chuan, smiling. “Rather, it’s you—running so hastily, don’t get a stitch in your side.”

“I’m fine,” Li Chuan waved his hand. “I just heard someone say you were assassinated and now couldn’t be found. I was frightened. Sister, are you alright? You didn’t let anyone…”

Before he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan walked out from behind the grass.

His clothes were stained with mud and his hair wasn’t very neat either. However, his features were too handsome. Even in such a disheveled state, he still displayed an overwhelming composure and steadiness.

Li Chuan’s voice was cut off. Everyone stared blankly as Pei Wenxuan emerged. Pei Wenxuan saw Li Chuan and respectfully bowed to him. “This humble subject Pei—”

Hearing the voice, Li Chuan finally reacted. Without a word, he raised his fist and swung it at Pei Wenxuan, shouting loudly, “You lecherous scoundrel bastard, today I will kill you!!”