Li Rong jumped down from the bed and rushed outside. After taking just a few steps, she suddenly reacted and turned back: “Don’t go to the palace. Quickly find out where Lord Pei is and have someone protect him first. I’ll go there immediately.”

“Your Highness,” Jing Mei was somewhat bewildered, “we’re not entering the palace?”

“No.” Li Rong’s eyes showed a rare hint of panic. “Call a physician and come with me immediately to find Pei Wenxuan.”

Upon receiving the order, Jing Lan immediately had someone bring the horses. Li Rong mounted and charged toward the Ministry of Justice.

Her understanding of Su Rongqing far exceeded Pei Wenxuan’s.

Su Rongqing had worked for her for many years. His style of doing things was completely different from Pei Wenxuan’s.

It was just that back then, he had always been under her command and she had deliberately suppressed him, so Pei Wenxuan couldn’t detect the difference. But she understood it far too clearly.

Those minor details buried in the past—back then, she had repeatedly made herself not care about them, but they would all clearly resurface in this life when she saw him standing on the opposing side.

Su Rongqing had once been utterly loyal to her.

One year when they encountered an assassination, he had decisively blocked in front of her, allowing the blade to pierce through his body without retreating even half a step.

When ordinary people blocked a sword, it was to protect the person behind them. But when Su Rongqing blocked that sword, it was to drive the blade through the opponent’s chest.

She had hidden behind him, watching blood drip from the sword tip onto her body. The young man before her could still pull out the blade and stab again, and even when reinforcements arrived, he still gripped the dagger in his hand.

Back then, she had thought—so there really was someone willing to give up their life for her.

But recalling it now, she couldn’t help but feel somewhat afraid.

Su Rongqing was like a venomous snake. When he bit someone to death, he would fiercely coil his own body around them and strangle them.

Including killing her.

Twenty-five years—who could remain unmoved?

Yet he had been able to act with such composure, calmness, and determination when killing her.

He was an elegant gentleman, but also a demon from hell.

Now that things had reached this point, with the Wang family as a cover, if Pei Wenxuan fell into his hands, how could he let him go?

Not even for a moment could she leave Pei Wenxuan in Su Rongqing’s hands.

As Li Rong urgently pursued Pei Wenxuan, Pei Wenxuan sat leisurely in the carriage.

Wearing shackles on his hands, he raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain and smiled as he observed the people coming and going on the street.

It was already evening now. There were no stars or moon in the sky. Instead, cold wind mixed with moisture swept over, as if heavy rain would arrive before long.

Su Rongqing sat nearby, pouring tea for himself. His movements were very steady, the sound of water mixing with his voice: “Lord Pei seems not at all worried.”

Hearing Su Rongqing’s words, Pei Wenxuan turned his head and smiled slowly: “What do I have to worry about?”

“Lord Pei has probably offended quite a few people recently.”

“Then Vice Minister Su, being in the Ministry of Justice, has probably offended even more people recently.”

Su Rongqing pushed the tea toward Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head to glance at the tea and didn’t move.

Su Rongqing didn’t urge him either. He sat before the small table, his expression calm and composed, showing no joy or anger: “Today, Vice Minister Pei kicked down the Wang family’s gate but was then so easily taken away by me. You must have other schemes. I just don’t know what Vice Minister Pei is scheming.”

“Why don’t you guess?”

Pei Wenxuan leaned against the carriage, his expression lazy: “Isn’t Vice Minister Su supposed to be extraordinarily perceptive? Take a guess.”

“Vice Minister Pei has a mind of exquisite intricacy. I cannot guess.”

Su Rongqing rubbed the teacup in his hand, indifferent: “Then why doesn’t Lord Pei guess why I’m bringing you back to the Ministry of Justice?”

“I naturally know why you’re taking me back.” Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan smiled and leaned forward slightly. “But before that, I want to ask Vice Minister Su one question.”

“Aren’t you going to ask what will happen to the Princess afterward?”

As soon as these words were spoken, Su Rongqing’s movements froze.

Pei Wenxuan’s gaze lightly swept over his obviously paused hand, and the smile on his lips deepened.

He was actually just probing.

He was testing a possibility, and Su Rongqing had given him a definite answer.

“You want to kill me.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke softly. Su Rongqing looked up at him.

“Don’t you know,” Pei Wenxuan’s face bore a smile, but his eyes were somewhat cold, “you are the official escorting me. If I die here, your official career will probably be finished for this lifetime.”

“So what?” Su Rongqing didn’t deny it at all and spoke directly: “Isn’t my official career worth exchanging for your life?”

“You seem to think I’m certainly doomed?” Pei Wenxuan looked at Su Rongqing with interest.

Su Rongqing’s expression was bland: “If you don’t die, what does it have to do with me?”

The killers weren’t his people. If Pei Wenxuan didn’t die, what did it matter to him?

But hearing this, Pei Wenxuan laughed.

“If it has nothing to do with Lord Su,” Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and threw out the cup of tea Su Rongqing had just poured. The teacup fell to the ground, as if startling something. In an instant, the carriage suddenly stopped. Both their bodies swayed. Pei Wenxuan steadied himself against the table and looked up at Su Rongqing. “What does Lord Su think I’m here for?”

Su Rongqing’s expression turned cold. The sound of fighting suddenly erupted from the surroundings. Arrows struck the carriage fiercely with a “clang,” making the carriage violently shake.

The two men inside the carriage seemed completely unaffected by the outside world, each sitting on one side as if engaged in idle chat.

Su Rongqing listened to the sounds of killing outside, his voice very light: “You set up an ambush.”

Pei Wenxuan turned over a new cup, raised his hand to lift the teapot, first pouring tea for Su Rongqing, then filling his own cup.

“Lord Su came in person. How could I dare be negligent?”

Pei Wenxuan spoke as he pushed Su Rongqing’s teacup toward him: “Drink tea.”

“You knew early on there was an ambush on the road.”

“I didn’t know originally. As soon as Vice Minister Su came over, I guessed it.”

“You’ve been observing the whole way.”

“Could Vice Minister Su really think I’m someone who enjoys watching excitement?”

Pei Wenxuan laughed. Su Rongqing’s expression remained calm: “So you stormed Minister Wang’s estate also to lure me over.”

“Not exactly.” Pei Wenxuan shook his head. “I never thought Vice Minister Su would personally come over for this matter. But once Vice Minister Su came, I had other ideas.”

Pei Wenxuan raised his tea and took a light sip: “It seems Lord Su has cultivated quite a network at court. You shouldn’t be so familiar with Minister Wang’s role.”

When he had stormed Wang Houwen’s estate, Wang’s first reaction was to find Su Rongqing, showing they were extremely familiar.

“I remember Vice Minister Su is noble and upright, has always disdained cultivating relationships at court, and only wanted to work diligently. How is it that now you’ve learned these base methods that you’ve always looked down upon? Forming cliques and pursuing private interests,” Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice, his face bearing a smile, “is not a glorious thing.”

Su Rongqing said nothing. The carriage was violently struck by someone and jolted. Pei Wenxuan looked back and saw the outside in complete chaos. He secretly weighed the situation in his heart.

His people and the killers were evenly matched, but the problem was that Su Rongqing’s people were still here.

If time dragged on and most of the passersby fled, it would be hard to say which side Su Rongqing’s people would take.

Right now, his greatest hope was Li Rong.

If Li Rong received the message that he had been taken away by Su Rongqing, she should rush over immediately.

In this gamble between him and Su Rongqing, the key lay with Li Rong.

Whether Li Rong came early or late would determine his loss or victory.

His face remained impassive, always bearing a smile. Su Rongqing watched him for a moment and said slowly: “What are you looking at now?”

“Observing the battle situation,” Pei Wenxuan turned his head to look at Su Rongqing. “Watching to see when Vice Minister Su’s people will make their move.”

“Lord Pei is probably not observing the battle situation,” Su Rongqing looked up and smiled slowly, “but waiting for someone, right?”

“Oh?” Pei Wenxuan’s heartbeat quickened slightly. He raised an eyebrow. “Does Lord Su think I have someone to wait for?”

“I know you’re waiting for Her Highness,” Su Rongqing’s expression was calm, “but I’m afraid you won’t be able to wait for her. Do you have any words you want to leave for Her Highness?”

“I have no words to leave for Her Highness.” Pei Wenxuan placed his hands in his sleeves and stared at Su Rongqing. “But there’s one thing I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead.”

Su Rongqing seemed to know what he wanted to ask.

“When did you come back?”

Hearing this, Su Rongqing laughed softly: “You’re quite certain I came back.”

“Was it before I married Her Highness?”

“One month before Her Highness held the spring banquet,” Su Rongqing’s voice was very low as he looked at his water cup, “I woke up, as if from a great dream.”

“You had already come back,” Pei Wenxuan frowned, “so why…”

He hesitated for a moment. Su Rongqing looked up, his face bearing a smile, but his eyes couldn’t help but show some desolation: “Why still let you marry her?”

Pei Wenxuan fell silent. Su Rongqing stood up and looked at Pei Wenxuan: “If I said I’ve always hoped you two would be well, would you believe me?”

“The premise being that Li Chuan doesn’t ascend the throne, right?”

Pei Wenxuan laughed mockingly. Su Rongqing said nothing. He quietly said, “I’m sorry.”

Then he suddenly struck out, grabbing toward Pei Wenxuan!

Pei Wenxuan was prepared. The moment he struck, Pei Wenxuan kicked out!

The two grappled together in the carriage, exchanging punches and kicks. Pei Wenxuan wore shackles on his hands, making it inconvenient to move, but he used all his strength. For a time, he fought Su Rongqing to a draw. His entire body pressed down on Su Rongqing, and he used his head to ram straight into Su Rongqing with a “bang”!

Su Rongqing was dazed by this impact. Pei Wenxuan also gasped from the pain, but after all, he was the one who initiated the attack. In the moment Su Rongqing was dazed, he used his shackles to strike wildly!

After being struck several times, Su Rongqing recovered. He had trained under famous masters and had never seen such chaotic fighting. For a moment, he was thrown into disarray but quickly adjusted.

Taking advantage of Pei Wenxuan’s restricted hands and exhausted strength from striking, he suddenly flipped over and kicked Pei Wenxuan away.

Before Pei Wenxuan could stand up, he immediately rose and delivered another kick, directly kicking Pei Wenxuan out of the carriage!

The instant Pei Wenxuan was kicked out of the carriage, arrows immediately rained down like rain!

Pei Wenxuan rolled along the ground, barely dodging the arrow shower, only to see a long blade slashing toward his face!

Fortunately, a guard raised his hand to block. Another guard grabbed him and helped him up. But before they could say half a word, the guards were scattered by the killers.

Pei Wenxuan was protected by guards as they rushed outward, not even having time to remove his shackles.

A sword suddenly slashed across his crown, splitting it in half. He crawled and scrambled through the killing, fleeing in disarray. After a short while, he faintly heard the sound of horse hooves in the distance.

Pei Wenxuan quickly looked up and saw a figure in red riding toward him, their robes fluttering fiercely in the wind.

“My lord,” Su Zhizhu jumped into the carriage and said urgently, “the Princess has arrived.”

Su Rongqing’s movements paused. After a moment of hesitation, he finally spoke: “Protect Pei Wenxuan well. Don’t let anything happen to him.”

“What about… those killers?”

Su Zhizhu hesitated somewhat. Su Rongqing looked up at him: “What do they have to do with us?”

Su Zhizhu was stunned, then reacted and quickly said: “Yes.”

As soon as Li Rong appeared, the surrounding situation instantly changed. Su Rongqing’s people finally joined the battle. Seeing the battle situation change, Pei Wenxuan turned and whispered to the guard beside him: “Push me onto a blade—stab my shoulder.”

The guard was slightly stunned. Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice: “Don’t hit anything vital.”

The guard finally understood. When the next killer approached, he pulled Pei Wenxuan to the side. The killer’s blade instantly pierced Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder. As the killer tried to withdraw the sword to stab again, the guard kicked the killer away and stabbed forward!

Li Rong led her people breaking through everything like bamboo. From afar, she saw Pei Wenxuan. Seeing that sword pierce his body, Li Rong’s eyes nearly split with rage. She spurred her horse into a gallop, dismounted amidst the crowd, and charged straight down.

Pei Wenxuan softly fell backward. Li Rong caught him in one motion. Pei Wenxuan collapsed in Li Rong’s embrace, blood staining Li Rong’s clothes. Li Rong couldn’t help but tremble all over. Her voice began to shake, yet she still tried to appear calm: “Have the physician come over.”

As soon as Li Rong’s people arrived, the killers fled hastily, and the entire scene was immediately brought under control.

Li Rong had Pei Wenxuan lie down. She watched as blood trickled continuously from Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder, feeling somewhat panicked.

But she didn’t show it on her face. She just had Pei Wenxuan lean against her and had the physician hurry over.

The Princess estate’s physician was an old man over fifty. Carrying his medicine box, he ran extremely fast. Gasping for breath, he sprinted madly to Li Rong’s side and raised his hand to examine Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan didn’t want to stay here long, but also needed to feign serious injury. He pulled at Li Rong and smiled bitterly: “Your Highness, please take me back first.”

“First examine the wound and confirm the injury before moving.”

Li Rong gripped his hand and spoke with finality.

Pei Wenxuan was afraid the physician would say right here that he was fine. He coughed a few times, somewhat weakly: “Your Highness, I’m afraid I’ll die outside…”

“Don’t you dare speak nonsense!”

Li Rong shouted. The physician couldn’t help but glance at Pei Wenxuan once more.

Pei Wenxuan secretly signaled to the physician with his eyes and gripped Li Rong’s hand tighter, pleading: “Your Highness, please get in the carriage first. Let’s go back.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s hint, Li Rong hesitated for a moment. Seeing she still couldn’t make up her mind, and hearing Su Rongqing dismount from the carriage, Pei Wenxuan simply closed his eyes and leaned against Li Rong, fainting.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan faint, Li Rong tensed completely. Su Rongqing walked behind Li Rong and bent down to pull her, quite worried: “Your Highness, you should first…”

Before he finished speaking, Li Rong backhanded a slap across his face!

The crisp “smack” landed on Su Rongqing’s face. Su Rongqing’s movements froze. Su Zhizhu rushed forward urgently: “Young Master…”

“Stand back.”

Su Rongqing’s voice was very cold. Su Zhizhu’s face showed anger, but he still obeyed Su Rongqing’s words and stepped back.

Li Rong turned back to look at Pei Wenxuan being examined by the physician and calmly ordered: “First put Lord Pei in the carriage. Physician Lin will accompany him.”

Hearing Li Rong’s order, those nearby quickly came over to lift Pei Wenxuan onto a stretcher. Accompanied by the physician, they walked toward the carriage.

Lying on the stretcher, Pei Wenxuan quietly lifted his eyelids and secretly looked at Li Rong.

He saw Li Rong still remaining in place, looking coldly at Su Rongqing. Facing Li Rong’s cold gaze, Su Rongqing acted as if he heard nothing and smiled: “I didn’t expect Your Highness to arrive so early.”

“You never thought I would think of you as being this vile in my heart, did you?”

Li Rong spoke directly, making Su Rongqing’s expression stiffen. Li Rong laughed lightly: “You still thought I would enter the palace first.”

“Your Highness knows me.”

“But you never knew me.”

“Su Rongqing,” Li Rong looked at him seriously, “I never hated you.”

Su Rongqing looked up at her. Li Rong said slowly: “Even when you killed me, I only felt you had your reasons. But I’m telling you now—if you kill Pei Wenxuan,” Li Rong stared at him, word by word, “I will hate you.”

“I will hate you for the rest of my life. When that time comes, I will personally drag you onto the execution platform, slice open your neck cut by cut, then dismember your corpse, burn you to ashes with one fire, and scatter your ashes handful by handful into different rivers across the land to feed the fish! I want you to have no remains, unable to reincarnate, sinking in an ocean of suffering for all eternity.”

“Do you understand?!”

After Li Rong finished speaking, she turned to leave. Su Rongqing suddenly spoke: “The reason Your Highness doesn’t hate me…”

Li Rong stopped in her tracks. She heard Su Rongqing’s tone carry a laugh: “Is merely because you never loved me.”

Li Rong said nothing.

In the carriage, Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to lift the curtain, quietly gazing at the two of them.

“Perhaps.”

Li Rong’s tone was very light.

With that, she walked toward Pei Wenxuan’s carriage.

“After I’m gone, there’s still Pei Wenxuan,” Su Rongqing watched Li Rong leave. He couldn’t help but speak out. “After Pei Wenxuan is gone, there will be others. Your Highness, why be so attached?”

“It’s different.”

Li Rong turned her head and looked at Su Rongqing. She rarely smiled at him.

“Pei Wenxuan, in my heart,” Li Rong raised her hand and gently placed it on her chest, “is different from anyone else.”

“Su Rongqing,” Li Rong looked at him, her eyes showing some disappointment, “actually, all these years, you never truly understood me.”

“I understand Your Highness!”

Su Rongqing suddenly raised his voice, as if that was his only conviction.

Li Rong smiled bitterly: “No, you don’t.”

“If you understood me, at the very least, you would have made your move to kill him much earlier.”

“And the reason you never thought I would arrive this quickly is because you always thought I never knew what kind of person you are.”

“But Su Rongqing,” Li Rong looked at him quietly, “I know your ugly side very clearly.”

“It’s just that before, I didn’t care.”

Finishing speaking, Li Rong turned and returned to the carriage. Seeing her approach, Pei Wenxuan was so frightened he quickly lowered the curtain and lay in the carriage pretending to be unconscious.

Physician Lin looked at him helplessly. After Li Rong entered, Li Rong asked with some concern: “How is he?”

“He’s fine. It’s just flesh wounds that don’t injure tendons or bones.” Physician Lin had already bandaged Pei Wenxuan’s wound. He packed up his medicine box and said respectfully: “He just needs good rest.”

“Thank you for your hard work, Elder Lin.”

“How could Your Highness’s affairs be considered hard work?”

Physician Lin spoke and bowed to Li Rong before withdrawing.

For a moment, only Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan remained in the carriage. Li Rong felt the carriage start moving again. Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes, thinking about how to open them naturally and reasonably. But before he could move, he felt Li Rong’s hands grasp his hands and gently place them on top of her head.

“I’m sorry. I came too late.”

Li Rong’s voice was hoarse.

Hearing Li Rong’s voice, Pei Wenxuan felt that if he opened his eyes at this moment, he would probably be beaten to death.

But if he didn’t open his eyes…

“I’m fine.” Pei Wenxuan suddenly spoke. Li Rong looked up in confusion and saw Pei Wenxuan prop himself up to sit, looking at the young woman crouched before him with slightly red eyes, her expression still showing surprise and confusion.

Compared to being scolded by Li Rong, ultimately he feared her worry more.