Hearing this, Li Rong instinctively turned to glance at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan seemed to freeze for a moment. Li Rong looked at the physician again and said quietly, “When you say ‘can’t be rushed for the time being,’ do you mean there temporarily won’t be pregnancy, or possibly there will never be pregnancy for a lifetime?”

The physician paused, seeming to hesitate about giving a moderate answer. Seeing him hesitate, Li Rong said directly, “Speak freely.”

“This madam’s body has excessive cold energy. Looking at the pulse, madam should have undergone treatment in the past. But madam worries too much. Relying solely on medicine, I’m afraid it will be difficult to be effective. If madam can avoid excessive worry, reduce anxieties, and recuperate properly for a period, then there should be no major problems. However, knowing is easy while doing is difficult. If madam could easily do this, I’m afraid this old one wouldn’t need to be sitting here.”

Hearing this, Li Rong nodded. Pei Wenxuan frowned and simply asked, “Will it affect other things?”

“Yin and yang are unbalanced,” the physician nodded. “Not only children—it will also affect lifespan.”

Having received this response, Pei Wenxuan held Li Rong’s hand and said calmly, “Then write out the prescription.”

The physician acknowledged and got up to go out and write the prescription.

Li Rong turned back to look at Pei Wenxuan, pretending to joke, “It seems Minister Pei’s wish for children will be difficult.”

Hearing her words, Pei Wenxuan shook his head and simply said, “Children are a small matter. You should focus on recuperating your body first.”

In the previous life, they had been together for a year without any children. He had also thought about finding a physician to examine her women’s health, but being young then, he had been too embarrassed. Thinking about it now, he had been negligent about many things.

The physician he invited today was the most renowned in Hua Jing for treating women’s health. Since he said so, there shouldn’t be any surprises.

But Pei Wenxuan still had someone take the physician’s prescription out for several physicians to consult on before finally settling on the formula.

That night, when Li Rong slept with him, he seemed not to have slept at all through the middle of the night. Li Rong groggily opened her eyes and couldn’t help asking, “Why aren’t you sleeping yet?”

“It’s nothing,” Pei Wenxuan smiled. He raised his hand to pull up the blanket, wrapping Li Rong’s entire body in it with only her head exposed. He looked down at her with some bitterness. “Did you see physicians about this in the previous life?”

Hearing this, Li Rong knew he was asking about children. Li Rong leaned against his chest. “Naturally I did. After more than a year with no movement, how could that woman in the palace not be anxious? She secretly had physicians examine me long ago.”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

Pei Wenxuan held her with some sadness. Li Rong laughed lightly. “I have difficulty conceiving children—how could I tell my husband? Of course I had to hide it well and treat it myself, to prevent you from having other thoughts.”

“How could you think of me like that?” Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly. Li Rong hugged him, closed her eyes, and replied righteously, “We’d only known each other for over a year. Where would such trust come from?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan didn’t know whether to feel angry or fortunate.

That year with her, fleeting as an evening primrose, was the most beautiful time in his heart. But in fact, during that period, Li Rong had always maintained vigilance and caution toward him.

He shouldn’t really blame Li Rong—he had actually been the same way.

Love could make people pledge life and death in a short time.

But only time and hardship could make people slowly open their hearts to each other.

“From now on, you must tell me everything.”

“I know.”

Li Rong found him annoying. After hesitating for a while, she said quietly, “I’m afraid I won’t be able to conceive children for my entire life.”

“That’s also fine,” Pei Wenxuan said softly. “What I look forward to is only your child.”

“Then why are you making me drink medicine?” Li Rong muttered. “Saying one thing and meaning another. Liar.”

“I’m worried about your health,” Pei Wenxuan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “How can you be so unreasonable?”

Li Rong snorted and didn’t say more. Pei Wenxuan hesitated for a while and slowly said, “Since you’re at my place and have nothing else to do, just focus on recuperating.”

“Don’t worry about other things. I’ll handle everything.”

Li Rong said nothing. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and finally said, “Look, whether previous life or present life, my entire life has always been on your side. No matter how we argue or quarrel, I protect you, right?”

Li Rong closed her eyes. She listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words. After a long time, she said quietly, “I know.”

Having received Pei Wenxuan’s words and having this opportunity, Li Rong truly began to recuperate properly.

While Li Rong was leisurely at home drinking tea, teasing birds, and reading idle books, Consort Rou’s side was bustling with activity.

As a new official, Consort Rou’s first three fires were: she first used Chen Houzhao’s disappearance to surround Li Rong’s residence and confine her, then began ordering arrests all over Hua Jing.

First and foremost among these was the Shangguan family. She had people go directly to the Shangguan family’s main gate to arrest someone, but as soon as they reached the entrance, they were driven out.

Consort Rou was so angry she almost cried. She quickly took the list of people she wanted to arrest into the palace and complained tearfully to Li Ming for a long time.

While reviewing memorials, Li Ming said flatly, “If you can’t arrest people, then think of a way. Did I give you the Constabulary Bureau to cause me trouble? Am I the Constabulary Bureau director, or are you?”

“But the Shangguan family really bullies people too much. I truly have no way.”

“If you have no way, can’t you think of one?” Li Ming was somewhat irritated. “You can’t even arrest one person from the Shangguan family. Previously, Pingle even sent Xie Lanqing to prison. Did she ever mention it to me?”

“But she’s the Shangguan family’s princess,” Consort Rou emphasized. “I come from humble origins. Aside from Your Majesty’s favor, I have nothing. If Your Majesty doesn’t help me, what can I do?”

Hearing this, Li Ming paused in his writing. He looked up at the list, thought about it, and finally said, “Pei Wenxuan is currently managing the imperial examinations. You haven’t confirmed the list of examinees yet, so the examinations can’t begin. He’s capable. I’ll call him to your side to help you.”

Hearing Li Ming’s words, Consort Rou felt somewhat uneasy. Pei Wenxuan had some relationship with Li Rong, and even though they were now divorced, she still felt uncertain.

Seeing her silence, Li Ming couldn’t help saying, “What are you still concerned about?”

Consort Rou smiled reluctantly. “Minister Pei is quite young after all. Why doesn’t Your Majesty send a more experienced minister to help me instead?”

“Do you think those old foxes in court would help you do these things?”

Li Ming’s expression was mocking. “Only these ambitious sons from humble clans will work hard for you. Pei Wenxuan is ambitious. If you give him tasks, he can handle them properly. You need to do this beautifully, but don’t be at the forefront.” As Li Ming spoke, he hinted meaningfully, “You’re Cheng’er’s mother. In all matters, just let Pei Wenxuan take the lead.”

Having received these words, Consort Rou thought seriously.

She wasn’t a fool.

When Li Ming handed the Constabulary Bureau to her, it was never about giving the common people justice. The Emperor couldn’t pay attention to so many individual destinies. What he wanted was the “big picture” in his heart.

The Constabulary Bureau was the source of power Li Ming gave her—to make a show, establish her prestige among the humble-born in their hearts, and to have the Constabulary Bureau as her backing and develop her own faction.

Only by befriending her and receiving actual benefits would people in court truly take her, this humble-born noble consort, seriously.

Now by befriending influential families, using internal conflicts among influential families to bring down the Shangguan family and support King Su’s ascension, then after delivering talent through the examination system reforms, using the humble-born to balance the remaining influential families.

Li Ming’s plans for her were nothing if not far-reaching.

So there was a question of degree in this. In this examination reform, she couldn’t go too far and truly offend the influential families completely. Nor could she scratch an itch through a boot without making the court shed any blood, which would disappoint those humble-born scholars and fail to establish authority in court.

Consort Rou pondered Li Ming’s words in her heart and agreed.

That afternoon, Pei Wenxuan had originally planned to hurry home when the time came, but just as he was packing up, Li Ming sent someone over ordering him to go to the Constabulary Bureau to assist Consort Rou in investigating cases and follow Consort Rou’s orders.

Having received the decree, Pei Wenxuan showed no dissatisfaction on his face. He accepted the decree with a smile. After the person left, his face immediately fell.

Watching Pei Wenxuan’s face change, Tong Ye carefully said, “Young Master, you seem unhappy.”

Pei Wenxuan’s face was cold. After a long while, he finally said, “So annoying.”

As he spoke, he walked out while quietly instructing, “Go back and tell my wife that I’ll return late tonight.”

“Ah?” Tong Ye was stunned and said slowly, “But didn’t Her Highness say today to have you come back early for dinner?”

Pei Wenxuan’s movement stopped. After a long time, he still said, “You… you have someone go back and tell the truth. Say I was detained by Consort Rou and have to make a trip. I’ll return as soon as possible. Tell her to eat properly.”

Tong Ye nodded. Pei Wenxuan boarded the carriage himself and sat in it with a cold face, heading toward the Constabulary Bureau.

Li Rong was leisurely at home with nothing to do. She personally went to the small kitchen to direct people in cooking, waiting for Pei Wenxuan to return.

But instead of waiting for him, she first received news that he wouldn’t be coming back. Li Rong had been directing things in the kitchen with great enthusiasm, but instantly lost interest and was even somewhat angry.

She returned alone to the small dining room to eat. She had only eaten a few bites when she saw the steward rush in from outside, somewhat excited. “Madam, you should find somewhere to hide.”

Li Rong looked at the steward blankly and repeated, “Hide?”

“The old madam has come and insists on seeing the young master.”

As soon as the steward finished speaking, Li Rong immediately knew it was Lady Wen. She quickly got up and directed people to clear the dishes, intending to return to the bedroom.

But just as she reached the doorway, she heard Lady Wen’s voice coming from outside. Seeing it was too late to leave, Li Rong simply turned back and hid behind the curtain behind the screen.

She had just hidden when she heard Lady Wen’s voice from outside. “Don’t fool me. Nanny Qian saw it a few days ago. She said Wenxuan had Imperial Physician He enter the residence. Don’t I know what Imperial Physician He does?”

As Lady Wen spoke, she stepped through the door, momentum fierce. “Is he hiding a woman?”

“Madam,” the steward knew Li Rong was behind the screen and was so anxious sweat covered his head. “The young master isn’t that kind of person.”

“He can’t be that kind of person!” Lady Wen said emphatically. “If it’s a proper young lady, he should marry her properly. What does hiding her at home mean? If it’s an improper woman…”

As Lady Wen spoke, her tone carried a sob. She simply sat down to the side and cried. “His father is so good. How could he have such a thing for a son!”

Behind the screen, Li Rong fanned her small fan and silently rolled her eyes.

“Her Highness is such a good daughter-in-law,” Lady Wen said. Li Rong quickly took back her eye roll. She suddenly felt Lady Wen’s words were quite agreeable. Lady Wen complained while sobbing. “How has she been bad to him? Even if she’s a bit fierce and quarrelsome, aren’t all women like that? Her Highness is willing to be considerate of him, understand him—that’s already very difficult. Yet he still insisted on divorcing her… simply unconscionable!”

“Madam, you can’t say it like that.” The steward smiled placatingly. “How about this—you wait for the young master to return and talk to him, alright?”

“I don’t care,” Lady Wen wiped her tears and sat up straight. “Have that woman come out. I’ll make things clear with her. My son has Her Highness in his heart. Right now it’s just a little quarrel between the young couple. She shouldn’t harbor delusions about ruining their marriage.”

“Madam, there really isn’t any woman.”

“I don’t believe it.” Lady Wen sat in the hall. “If there isn’t, I’ll sit here and wait. Wait until Wenxuan comes back!”

Hearing this, Li Rong’s feet went sore.

She looked at the sky outside. To wait from now until Pei Wenxuan returned…

It would be a bit hard to keep standing.

“Bring me some tea,” Lady Wen steadied her emotions. “I’ll wait right here. Either I’ll teach Wenxuan a lesson, or I’ll teach that little hussy a lesson. As long as Her Highness hasn’t died, no one can enter my Pei family’s door!”

The little hussy Li Rong listened to Lady Wen’s words, and a subtle experience slowly rose in her heart.

Pei Wenxuan knew nothing of matters at home. After closing his eyes to rest briefly, he heard the carriage arrive at the Constabulary Bureau. He raised his hand and began rubbing his face. After rubbing his face until it felt softer, he resumed his usual smiling appearance and descended from the carriage.

Shangguan Ya had long heard Pei Wenxuan was coming and waited at the entrance. When Pei Wenxuan got off the carriage, Shangguan Ya greeted him with a smile. “I await Minister Pei here by King Su’s command.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled and said respectfully, “Much obliged.”

Shangguan Ya raised his hand in a gesture of “please” and led Pei Wenxuan into the Constabulary Bureau. As he accompanied him inside, he said quietly, “The dozen or so scholars being interrogated today are all connected to people from the Shangguan faction. Be careful.”

Pei Wenxuan nodded without saying much and stepped into the room.

As soon as he entered, he saw Consort Rou sitting in the high seat with Li Cheng, while Huale sat to one side. Beside them stood guards they habitually used in the palace. Below them were the Constabulary Bureau personnel.

Currently Li Ming lacked funds and couldn’t help them increase personnel for now. As long as nothing major happened, Consort Rou could only use the people Li Rong had used before. This was also why Shangguan Ya was still there.

Pei Wenxuan first paid respects to Consort Rou. Consort Rou raised her hand to let him rise and smiled. “Minister Pei received the imperial decree?”

“Yes,” Pei Wenxuan said respectfully. “Serving Your Ladyship is this subject’s good fortune.”

“I’m imposing on you, Minister,” Consort Rou seemed embarrassed and sighed. “I’m just a woman. I can’t do many things well. In the future, I hope you’ll help me more and not take offense.”

“Your Ladyship is too kind,” Pei Wenxuan glanced at Consort Rou meaningfully. “This subject also comes from humble origins. Naturally I should help Your Ladyship more. Please rest assured.”

Consort Rou naturally didn’t believe Pei Wenxuan’s words, but she didn’t completely refuse either. She nodded and simply said, “Then bring them in first.”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. He took tea from the side and watched as a dozen scholars were brought in.

These scholars knelt one by one. Consort Rou said gently, “Everyone, please explain how you discovered you were replaced.”

After Consort Rou finished speaking, she pointed at the person at the far end. “You start.”

The scholar at the far end stepped forward in response and knelt. “This commoner is scholar Zhang Wenzhi from Youzhou. I participated in the county examination last year. Usually, this commoner was known for studying in my hometown. Since childhood, I was a good student at the academy. After participating in this county examination, I failed to pass. Instead, the county magistrate’s son Zhao Ping passed. This Zhao Ping was my classmate and habitually lazy in his studies. I found it very strange. Later, the bulletin board posted articles by those who passed. I could recognize the handwriting—this article’s characters were definitely not written by Zhao Ping. Feeling indignant and having heard of replacement incidents elsewhere at the time, I went to the bulletin board at night and carefully examined the article. I discovered that where the name was written, the paper was slightly thin with ink bleeding, clearly showing someone had scraped off the name and repaired it. So I contacted friends in various places to help me examine articles on bulletin boards in various locations. Finally, on a neighboring county’s bulletin board, I found my article. Thus I learned that someone had replaced my qualification to participate in the spring examinations.”

According to Great Xia’s examination regulations, to ensure local areas wouldn’t engage in favoritism and fraud, for all local examinations—from chief examiners to proctors—Hua Jing would send people to manage them. After the examinations, examinees’ papers were collected and sent to Hua Jing uniformly, where the Ministry of Personnel sealed names and graded them. Results were then directly transmitted back to local areas, and successful candidates’ articles were posted on bulletin boards—first to showcase the scholarly talent of examination candidates for public appreciation, and second to prevent this kind of replacement.

But the ability to enter officialdom was too great a temptation for local influential families. So even though Great Xia repeatedly issued strict prohibitions, it couldn’t stop them from continuously sending money into Hua Jing.

The examinations had long been a grand trading floor between upper and lower influential families, almost openly selling official positions at marked prices.

Pei Wenxuan listened to these scholars explain one by one how they discovered the exam fraud and wasn’t surprised at all.

But after listening for a while, he discovered problems.

First, all these people came from Youzhou, which was Shangguan family territory.

Second, these people’s methods of discovery were almost all from finding problems with articles posted on bulletin boards.

Before test papers entered Hua Jing, no one knew who would pass, so no one should have tampered with them then.

To alter names on test papers and replace the qualifications, there were only two points: the first point was after grading, when names were revealed and papers were sorted by region; the second point was when test papers were transported back to local areas.

And the people managing these two points were often the major clans managing those territories.

Pei Wenxuan roughly guessed Consort Rou’s intentions. He listened to Consort Rou’s words while silently drinking tea. After everyone finished speaking, Consort Rou looked at Pei Wenxuan with a smiling expression. “Minister Pei, you understand now?”

“This subject understands.” Pei Wenxuan put down his teacup with a focused expression. Consort Rou looked at him and probed, “Then what does Minister Pei think we should do next?”

“Naturally, investigate.” Pei Wenxuan immediately gave the answer with firm resolution. “Look at these scholars—Scholar A’s paper appears on Scholar B’s location’s bulletin board. This is sufficient proof that whoever replaced their papers can at least manage the distribution of all Youzhou test papers. We should investigate from there—see which people handled these papers and who’s managing these matters.”

Investigating like this would obviously trace back to the Shangguan family.

The Shangguan family had deep roots and extensive connections. How could there not be people involved in matters of Youzhou territory sending money?

Yet Pei Wenxuan so firmly expressed he would help her investigate. Consort Rou couldn’t help frowning. For a moment, she couldn’t distinguish whether Pei Wenxuan had dug a pit waiting for her to jump into or if she had been misunderstanding him all along.

Seeing Consort Rou not respond for a long time, Pei Wenxuan’s expression was completely clear. He couldn’t help reminding Consort Rou, “Your Ladyship?”

Consort Rou came to her senses and quickly said, “Oh, you’re right. It’s just that many officials are implicated behind this. The capital is full of influential families. To clarify this matter won’t be easy.”

“This subject understands Your Ladyship’s concerns. His Majesty sent this subject here to resolve Your Ladyship’s difficulties,” Pei Wenxuan smiled warmly. “If Your Ladyship trusts this subject, why not entrust everything to this subject? This subject guarantees to handle it beautifully for Your Ladyship.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s promise, Consort Rou smiled.

She was clear in her heart that implicated behind this were Shangguan clan officials.

For Pei Wenxuan to arrest people for her—that was truly excellent.

“Then I thank Minister Pei first. I’m imposing on you.”

“It’s my duty.” Pei Wenxuan nodded. “Your Ladyship need not worry too much.”

After the two exchanged pleasantries, they settled on having Pei Wenxuan handle arresting people. Seeing matters were understood, Pei Wenxuan rose to take his leave. Consort Rou personally accompanied Li Cheng in seeing Pei Wenxuan out. As they walked, she chatted idly with Pei Wenxuan. “After divorcing Pingle, Minister Pei should have no one at home, right? Returning so early—don’t you find the lamps cold and shadows lonely?”

“I still have my elderly mother at home.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled warmly. “I should return home early to serve my mother.”

Hearing this, Consort Rou showed admiring expression. “Minister Pei is truly a filial son. Actually, there’s one matter I’ve never understood.”

“Please speak, Your Ladyship.”

“Previously I observed Minister Pei and Pingle being quite affectionate. Toward me…” Consort Rou laughed without continuing, but both sides understood her meaning. Consort Rou turned her head and continued, “Now Minister Pei has come to assist me and seems completely without grudges. I don’t know—what is Minister Pei’s attitude toward Pingle really?”

“This subject will always follow His Majesty.” Pei Wenxuan answered earnestly. “Does Your Ladyship understand this answer?”

Consort Rou frowned. As they spoke, they reached the entrance. Pei Wenxuan bid farewell to Consort Rou and boarded his carriage.

After the carriage began moving away, Huale stood behind Consort Rou, somewhat confused. “Mother, what did he mean?”

In private, Huale always called Consort Rou “Mother.” Hearing her daughter’s inquiry, Consort Rou smiled. “His meaning is that he treated Pingle well because Your Imperial Father arranged their marriage. When Your Imperial Father didn’t agree to him being with Pingle, he divorced Pingle. He’s always been loyal to Your Imperial Father.”

As she spoke, Consort Rou’s eyes carried undisguisable pride. “He’s expressing his loyalty to us.”

“Then…” Huale hesitated. “Are his words believable?”

As she spoke, Huale was somewhat angry. “He said some days ago he wanted me to go for a marriage alliance!”

“This kind of person,” Consort Rou scoffed, “don’t look at what he says—look at what he does. I’ll just watch how he brings back the Shangguan clan people for me.”

“Mother is right.”

As the mother and daughter discussed Pei Wenxuan’s matters, Pei Wenxuan boarded the carriage and saw Tong Ye hiding inside with a mournful face.

“Young Master, this is bad.”

“What is it?” Pei Wenxuan frowned.

“The old madam came to make trouble,” Tong Ye said sorrowfully. “She’s forced Her Highness to hide in a corner. She’s been hiding for almost an hour.”