On the seventeenth day of the third month in the eighteenth year of Kangxing, Pei Wenxuan received the first imperial edict of his life.

At that time, he had only returned from mourning in Luzhou for a year. He had just been broken off from his childhood engagement to the Qin family. He was still a minor official in the Ministry of Justice. Logically speaking, it was impossible for him to encounter something like an imperial edict. But unexpectedly, for some unknown reason the Emperor had taken a fancy to him, and suddenly decided to bestow his precious pearl, the most noble princess in all of Great Xia—Princess Pingle—in marriage to him.

Thus an imperial edict suddenly fell upon the Pei household. He received the edict in a daze and had his fate decided.

The night he received the edict, he couldn’t sleep. Lying in bed, he felt somewhat disoriented. He held himself in the night, looking at the moon, with an indescribable feeling of oppression and curiosity in his heart.

He had never clearly seen Princess Pingle’s appearance.

He had never had any interaction with her.

His impression of her all came from others’ tales. He heard she was domineering and willful, hitting people at the slightest provocation, arrogant and overbearing, terrifying to the extreme.

Such a person was suddenly going to become his wife, and he had no way to refuse.

He had originally planned to visit the Qin family again. The Qin family’s breaking off their engagement was handled entirely by his second uncle. He always felt something wasn’t quite right. But now he didn’t need to worry about anything.

His destiny, his marriage, had already been decided by others.

This matter was very uncomfortable. What was even more uncomfortable was the next morning when he opened his door to see the courtyard entrance packed full of people.

These people were sent from the palace to teach him propriety.

They said it was learning propriety, but it wasn’t just propriety. The first thing these people did upon arrival was inspect his body.

He was examined from head to toe. Only after confirming there were no problems was he allowed to dress amidst the low laughter of these servants and leave the room.

Then he began learning the Prince Consort’s rules—from greeting the Princess to consummating the marriage with her, everything had detailed regulations.

Such tedious etiquette made him develop aversion before even meeting Li Rong.

He thought to himself that a princess raised with such endless favor must have such a terrible temper, must be so disagreeable.

But no matter how disagreeable, she was still the Princess, still the person marrying him. He could only respectfully follow the rules and learn.

By the wedding day, this aversion gained several measures of unease.

His father had no other children. According to protocol, his brothers should replace him in greeting the bride at the palace gates, but he had no brothers he could trust. For such a major matter, he could only come himself.

For this he composed a brilliantly written “Phoenix Summoning Ode,” attempting to cover his awkwardness.

But somehow, when he stood at the palace gates to receive Li Rong, he felt inexplicably afraid.

He began to worry—coming to fetch the bride himself didn’t conform to propriety. Would Li Rong be angry? Would she hit him?

If Li Rong hit him once, would she often hit and scold him in the future?

Everything else could be endured, but if Li Rong hit and scolded him, how could he endure it?

His mind imagined Li Rong’s terrifying nature. His heart unsettled, he waited in a daze. Then he heard the palace gates slowly opening. He saw the wedding carriage slowly approaching. The woman wore wedding robes, held a golden round fan covering her face, and knelt behind the carriage curtain, slowly emerging from the palace gates.

There was no legendary fierce demon, no imagined extraordinary ugliness. The woman sitting behind the carriage curtain even presented a beauty beyond ordinary people. Even showing only a pair of eyes was enough to make Pei Wenxuan stare somewhat dazed.

Fortunately, he quickly collected himself. Before everyone, he pretended to be composed, unrolled a long scroll, and recited that “Phoenix Summoning Ode” for Li Rong.

His literary talent was extraordinary. After he finished, applause surrounded him. He didn’t know why, but possessed by some impulse, he couldn’t help but raise his head to glance at the carriage.

Thus he happened to see the young lady also stealing a look at him. A pair of eyes full of curiosity fell on his face. The two briefly met eyes, then pretended to be composed and looked away.

Only Pei Wenxuan knew in his heart that though he appeared calm, his heartbeat was strangely somewhat fast.

The “Phoenix Summoning Ode” was a great success, which gave this marriage a good start. He mounted his horse and led Li Rong toward the Princess’s residence.

Upon reaching the Princess’s residence, he and Li Rong performed the wedding bows.

He secretly raised his eyes to look at the young lady’s appearance, but her fan blocked very well. Finally, when bowing, she revealed a little of her appearance. But at that very moment, he was pricked by the decorative hairpin on the Princess’s head, the pain sharp on his scalp.

But he couldn’t cry out. He could only forcibly endure it and complete the husband and wife bows with Li Rong. Li Rong seemed to also notice he’d been pricked by the hairpin. She pressed her lips, suppressing a smile. Her eyes were full of mirth, extraordinarily beautiful.

Before removing the fan she was already like this. When the fan was finally moved aside and the young lady sat on the bed edge, half shy and half curious as she raised her head to look at him, he simply couldn’t speak at all.

For a moment, he couldn’t remember his vexation from before meeting Li Rong. After drinking the nuptial wine with Li Rong and dismissing the servants, leaving only the two of them in the room, he didn’t dare do anything.

The two sat at either end of the bed. Li Rong was too embarrassed to speak. Pei Wenxuan also didn’t dare open his mouth. After sitting for a long while, Li Rong finally spoke softly: “Won’t my lord rest?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan’s heart jumped to his throat.

He naturally knew what “rest” meant. He stood up and, according to the rules, respectfully said: “Please allow this humble subject to remove Your Highness’s hair ornaments.”

Li Rong nodded with a flushed face. Pei Wenxuan then knelt behind Li Rong to remove her hairpin for her.

As he did these things, his hands couldn’t stop trembling slightly. Li Rong obediently lowered her head, as if completely unaware of his nervousness. Instead, she herself tightly gripped the corner of her garment, looking extremely nervous.

Discovering Li Rong was also nervous, Pei Wenxuan relaxed somewhat. He remembered Li Rong was only eighteen this year. Counting, he was still two years older. He should act as an older brother and take good care of her.

Thinking this in his heart, he calmed down. After removing Li Rong’s hair, he fetched water and removed her makeup. After completing all this, when it came to the final step, he looked at the young lady sitting on the bed edge. After a long while, he knelt on the ground, his voice hoarse, respectfully saying: “Please allow this humble subject to help Your Highness undress.”

Li Rong completely didn’t dare look at him. She turned away to look at the window and spoke softly: “Mm.”

This time, no matter how he comforted himself, he couldn’t control his trembling hands.

He removed her clothing piece by piece, then removed his own clothing and lowered the bed curtain.

After the two were behind the bed curtain, they lay quietly together. After a long while, Li Rong gently grasped him and asked softly: “Won’t my lord rest?”

Pei Wenxuan’s heart tightened. He felt the cloth beneath them and knew that tomorrow many people would be waiting for a result.

He felt somewhat indescribably uncomfortable in his heart. But when he turned and saw Li Rong’s eyes, he suddenly felt this discomfort disappear without a trace.

He looked at Li Rong. After a long while, he spoke earnestly: “Is Your Highness willing?”

Hearing this, Li Rong seemed somewhat shy.

“If it’s my lord,” her voice was very soft, “naturally I’m willing. But I wonder,” Li Rong raised her eyes with some trepidation, “does my lord have other concerns?”

Her eyes were very bright, carrying some girlish charm and gentleness, like clear skies after rain, making one’s heart soften.

Pei Wenxuan gazed at her. At that moment, he suddenly had the impulse to accept his fate.

Li Rong was also someone in an arranged marriage. Ultimately, she was also a victim. Since he couldn’t defy the imperial decree, then he needn’t disappoint this young lady either. Living well together for a lifetime would also be good.

His heart seemed bewitched by something. He couldn’t help but lean closer.

An inexperienced kiss, then touch.

When they made love, he was very nervous, afraid of hurting her. The young lady wrapped her arms around his neck, bit her lip with white teeth, and shook her head slightly. He felt his heart tighten.

The two struggled through the night. The early part was mutual torment. Later it gained some pleasure.

But since it was Li Rong’s first time, he didn’t dare go too far. Seeing blood had stained the white cloth, he bit his teeth and asked if she wanted to continue.

Li Rong opened her dazed eyes to look up at him. His throat tightened. Li Rong looked at him and only asked: “Are you uncomfortable?”

“Not uncomfortable.”

He spoke an insincere lie: “Everything depends on Your Highness.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She looked at him. After a long while, she extended her hand, embraced him, and only said softly: “I’m fine. My lord, please do as you wish.”

Just this one sentence made Pei Wenxuan suddenly feel all his defenses completely collapse. He didn’t continue. He only lowered his head to kiss her and said gently: “I’m afraid Your Highness will hurt. Your Highness should rest well.”

The two were considerate of each other. By the next day, Pei Wenxuan woke first. As soon as he woke, Li Rong also awoke. Pei Wenxuan knelt beside the bed according to the rules and performed a grand bow: “Good morning, Your Highness. May you live a thousand years.”

Li Rong was somewhat confused. She stared at Pei Wenxuan for a while before reacting. Then she smiled: “No one’s watching. Why are you doing this?”

“This is the rule.”

“You and I are husband and wife,” Li Rong lay on the bed, pillowing her arm as she looked at him. “Not sovereign and subject. What need is there for so many rules? Please rise, my lord.”

Pei Wenxuan hesitated for a moment. Li Rong spoke softly: “Is my lord unwilling?”

“Not exactly.” Pei Wenxuan made his decision. If she wanted to be husband and wife with him, then they would be husband and wife. So he rose and helped her get up.

Li Rong wasn’t as domineering as he’d imagined.

In fact, she was very gentle and considerate, with some young girl’s petulance and more of an intelligence rare among ordinary people.

They played together outside and enjoyed marital pleasures.

She was refined at home, but in her bones carried some wildness.

One night, she told him she’d been in the palace all these years but had never visited the Lantern Festival. Hearing this made his heart ache. On Qixi, he took her out of the palace.

She ran and jumped along the streets like a nimble bird. She even changed into Persian dancer’s clothing and mixed in the crowd, drawing gazes that couldn’t look away.

She had motion and stillness.

She liked the characters he wrote. She secretly took his writing to practice. He walked behind her and watched her practice for a long time, never getting the form right. He couldn’t help but raise his hand to grasp hers and say softly: “I’ll teach you.”

Li Rong’s hand paused. Her ears reddened. She lowered her head and softly responded.

Mm.

Such a small sound clutched at his heart.

Sweet and ticklish.

He didn’t think much else. He only felt this young lady was extremely adorable.

At that time was when the Shangguan clan’s power was at its zenith. Having become Li Rong’s Prince Consort, the Shangguan clan wasn’t pleased—after all, he came from a humble family with lowly status. But since the marriage was done, the Shangguan clan couldn’t bear letting Li Rong be a ninth-rank minor official’s wife. Thus, receiving the Shangguan clan’s favor, he jumped directly from ninth rank to sixth rank and entered the Censorate—it was merely a matter of morning and evening.

But he wasn’t stupid. He clearly knew that the Shangguan clan having him enter the Censorate—once he accepted this olive branch, it meant joining the succession struggle in court.

He actually saw clearly that Li Ming’s heart belonged to Li Cheng. Li Chuan’s family was massive. Sooner or later they would fail.

So after being summoned by Shangguan Xu for inquiry that day, he stayed in his study all night without sleeping, thinking for most of the night. When he returned to the room and saw Li Rong—

He felt he’d thought in vain.

He was ultimately Li Rong’s husband. Li Rong couldn’t abandon Li Chuan. He couldn’t possibly abandon Li Chuan either.

So by the next day, he agreed to Shangguan Xu’s request and entered the Censorate.

Joining the court disputes, he couldn’t slack off. After entering the Censorate, he worked very hard, networking with influential people above and below. The matters in his hands always exceeded expectations in completion.

For this he left early and returned late. Li Rong never complained at all.

Once when he drank too much, afraid of disturbing Li Rong, he slept on a small couch himself. In the middle of the night, he vomited incessantly, finally vomiting blood. When he woke, he felt someone had lit a lamp. He turned around to see Li Rong standing imposingly before him and shouting: “Go back!”

That night, he learned Li Rong also had a temper.

Quite a big temper.

He apologized in a low voice. Li Rong seemed somewhat sad. When she fetched water for him, Pei Wenxuan said quietly: “I was wrong. I won’t drink so much in the future. Don’t be angry with me.”

“I’m not angry with you,” Li Rong’s voice was hoarse. “I’m angry with myself, angry that I’m useless.”

But he knew she wasn’t useless. She was extremely capable.

At that time, newlywed bliss—their feelings weren’t at their best, but they were advancing hand in hand.

Until early August, when the news of Li Chuan’s marriage was announced, he heard Qin Zhenzhen’s name again.

Li Rong was casually chatting with him at the time, talking about Empress Shangguan’s selections: “Mother selected five young ladies this time. Two from humble families. Don’t look down on humble families—they hold military power. Giving them to Chuan’er is also an aid.”

Humble families, military power—hearing this, Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat uneasy and couldn’t help but ask more: “Who?”

“There’s one you might know—the daughter of your father’s old friend, called Qin Zhenzhen.”

Li Rong spoke casually: “Her status is a bit low. Mother wants to make her a secondary consort. She was summoned into the palace to meet some days ago. I heard everything was good, except she’s a bit too straightforward.”

Pei Wenxuan couldn’t listen. He understood—Qin Zhenzhen’s temperament, how could it merely be straightforward?

His heart panicked somewhat. He only asked: “What about her brother?”

“Still at the border. Her family makes the decisions.”

Li Rong just thought he cared about an old friend and said casually: “This matter is also settled. It’ll be announced soon. I hope Chuan’er’s marriage goes smoothly.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He stared blankly. Li Rong turned around and felt he was somewhat strange: “Wenxuan?”

“Oh,” Pei Wenxuan came to his senses and only said, “It’s nothing.”

After all, it had nothing to do with him anymore. It wasn’t really anything.

The matter of Qin Zhenzhen flashed through his mind but he didn’t think much of it. He continued his days with Li Rong, not noticing time passing.

He only heard along the way that Li Chuan had married, occasionally hearing of some struggles in Li Chuan’s inner palace.

He didn’t take it to heart. Until one day, when he came out from Li Chuan’s residence, Qin Zhenzhen’s servant blocked his path.

“Young Master, please save our young lady, Young Master.”

Hearing this plea for help, Pei Wenxuan hurried to see Qin Zhenzhen.

She had caught a cold and had a high fever that wouldn’t break. She’d already been burned delirious.

She had fallen in the water saving someone but was falsely accused of pushing someone. After being punished, she fell ill. She had no medicine and no physician.

Seeing an old friend in such condition, how could Pei Wenxuan feel at ease? With Qin Lin absent, he naturally looked after her. He immediately thought of ways to get her medicine and find a physician.

After doing all this, he felt somewhat improper. Some unknown guilt made him instruct that servant: “Don’t tell your young lady I came. Just say you requested it. If word gets out, it’s bad for both me and her.”

The servant quickly agreed. After Pei Wenxuan arranged everything, he returned from the Crown Prince’s residence. When he returned, he saw Li Rong was waiting for him to eat. She had specially ordered ginger soup prepared, saying she was afraid he’d catch cold.

“You stayed at Chuan’er’s place a long time today,” Li Rong smiled. “He’s a reincarnated fire god. He always keeps minimal charcoal fires. I was afraid you’d get cold.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t know why, but his heart suddenly raced. He lowered his head and responded with an “Mm.”

Not knowing Qin Zhenzhen’s circumstances would have been fine.

Now that he knew her situation, Pei Wenxuan found it somewhat hard to let go.

They’d known each other since childhood. He knew Qin Zhenzhen’s temperament well. Having fallen to such circumstances, his heart felt uneasy. Having helped once, he gritted his teeth and helped a second time.

He deliberately led Li Chuan to Qin Zhenzhen, creating their chance encounter. Back and forth, Qin Zhenzhen finally caught Li Chuan’s eye and her days improved.

During this time, Li Rong began seeking physicians everywhere.

They’d been together nearly a year. Li Rong’s belly remained quiet. She couldn’t help but feel worried.

She didn’t dare tell Pei Wenxuan, and Pei Wenxuan never cared about such things, so he didn’t notice her strangeness. Only by chance did he discover she was drinking medicine. He asked, and she answered: “It’s some beauty formula. I heard it can make one more attractive.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan smiled and only reminded her: “Don’t eat these things randomly. Have the imperial physician verify them. It would be bad if you ate something harmful.”

Li Rong stuck out her tongue like a child.

With Qin Zhenzhen’s days improving, Pei Wenxuan felt relieved. He thought that from now on he’d just watch her fortune unfold and needn’t care anymore.

Who could have known that at the Beginning of Autumn, the palace held a banquet to celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday. Civil and military officials were invited. Li Rong attended with him. While still at the banquet, he received news that Qin Zhenzhen had been drugged and locked in a side hall.

Who didn’t know the filthy methods of the palace? Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan knew Qin Zhenzhen’s circumstances.

If he didn’t save her, Qin Zhenzhen would be finished today.

If he saved her…

Somehow, Pei Wenxuan’s heart panicked.

But matters had reached this point. He had to save her.

So he calculated the time, used the excuse of relieving himself to leave the banquet, then hurried to the side hall, wanting to rescue her first.

Li Rong was drinking wine with people at the banquet when she discovered Pei Wenxuan had disappeared. Her heart felt inexplicably uneasy. Before long, she couldn’t help but ask Tong Ye: “Where’s the Prince Consort?”

Tong Ye panicked somewhat. This panic fell in Li Rong’s eyes. Li Rong’s expression instantly turned cold. She led Tong Ye out of the great hall and lowered her voice: “Where is the Prince Consort!”

Tong Ye immediately knelt down and confessed everything. Hearing this, Li Rong took a deep breath and ran, lifting her skirts.

She ran wildly all the way to the side hall and pushed open the door. Then she saw Pei Wenxuan standing beside the bed. On the bed lay a man and woman. Pei Wenxuan turned at the sound. Seeing who came, his expression revealed shock.

“Rong Rong…”

“Shut up.”

Li Rong said no more, only: “You go out.”

“But…”

Before Pei Wenxuan finished speaking, he heard footsteps outside. Li Rong’s expression changed dramatically. She immediately went up and dragged the man down.

Pei Wenxuan hadn’t reacted when Li Rong shouted: “What are you staring at! Come drag him. Beat him hard to leave marks. In a moment, just say you came to find me, discovered this lecher sneaking around the door, and you knocked him unconscious. Understand?!”

After saying this, Li Rong stomped madly on the man’s face, then took a censer and sniffed hard before collapsing on the bed.

As soon as she collapsed, the door was kicked open. It was one of the Crown Prince’s secondary consorts, Lady Jiang, standing at the door with Li Chuan and Empress Shangguan.

Everyone saw the scene in the room. Everyone froze. Li Chuan was first to react, rushing urgently inside to help Li Rong up: “Sister? What happened, Sister?”

Hearing this call, Pei Wenxuan quickly reacted and said what Li Rong had told him. Empress Shangguan’s expression instantly became extremely ugly. What hadn’t she seen in the palace? She immediately understood it was Lady Jiang’s scheme against Lady Qin that implicated Li Rong. She raised her hand and slapped Lady Jiang across the face, then quickly ordered the news sealed.

She wouldn’t let Li Rong’s reputation suffer even the slightest damage.

This farce came to an abrupt end with Li Rong’s awakening. Li Rong seemed tired and took early leave from Empress Shangguan, then led Pei Wenxuan back.

On the way back, Pei Wenxuan felt very panicked. His heart was somewhat afraid and somewhat bitter.

Li Rong sat in the carriage. Her face showed no expression. She was completely different from the young lady who usually joked and played with him. She sat without speaking, carrying the innate nobility of a princess.

When they got off the carriage, he got off first to receive her, but she treated him as if he didn’t exist and walked straight past.

This feeling of being ignored made his heart ache. He wanted to explain but couldn’t explain.

Explain what?

It was he who wanted to save someone. Li Rong had indeed been implicated. What was there to explain?

He remembered that night’s events very clearly.

She asked him what his relationship with Qin Zhenzhen was.

He said he couldn’t let her go.

Not that he liked her, nor that he didn’t like her—he couldn’t let her go.

Actually, for so many years, whoever asked him about his relationship with Qin Zhenzhen, he would answer: childhood sweethearts, the one his heart admired.

But that time, facing Li Rong, he couldn’t say it.

But Li Rong couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand. So his wife, his Rong Rong, his Li Rong, personally proposed divorce to him.

He refused. They changed from divorce to allies.

At that time, he hadn’t truly realized what allies meant. He himself didn’t know that deep in his heart, Li Rong would forever be his wife.

He accepted her proposal. That very night, they began sleeping in separate beds.

He slept on the small couch. Li Rong slept on the bed.

That night his heart ached with choking pain. He somewhat wanted to seek reconciliation, but he didn’t know what to seek.

He only remembered Li Rong’s words, echoing repeatedly in his heart—

This arranged marriage, actually neither you nor I had a choice. We’re both doing this for power. Actually speaking of it, there are no romantic feelings between man and woman. You have someone in your heart. I also have someone in my heart.

She had someone in her heart. Who was it?

She had someone in her heart. He shouldn’t delay her, much less should he like her.

Liking her meant that ultimately he still obeyed imperial power, couldn’t even guard his own heart.

Liking her—she ultimately didn’t like him either. In the end, it would probably just be heartbreak.

Liking her—what would his past feelings for Qin Zhenzhen count as? He said he would like one person for a lifetime, said he would take care of Qin Zhenzhen. But after barely a year, he’d shifted his affections. What kind of thing was he?

His mind was muddled. His heart felt stifled with panic.

The next day when he woke, he saw Li Rong sitting before the mirror painting her brows as if nothing had happened. He spoke in a low voice: “Let me paint them for you.”

“No need.” Li Rong raised her head with a smile. “I don’t like other men painting my brows.”

Other men?

How did he count as another man?

This one sentence made Pei Wenxuan’s heart ache. He knew Li Rong was being contrary out of anger. His temper also rose. He turned and walked out the door.

From that day on, the two slept in separate beds.

Sometimes he also wanted to please her, only to discover that Li Rong had not only gentleness and kindness but also aggressive confrontation.

His goodwill was either met with her coldness or disdain. Sometimes she would even look at the things he sent and say softly: “Disgusting.”

Even though he was at fault, he was still human. After several times, he also developed a temper.

At first, he gave her the cold shoulder, not speaking to her.

She acted as if nothing happened, doing whatever she should do. At public occasions they attended together, she would actively take his arm as if their relationship was very good. But in private, she showed a cold face, acting as if she saw nothing.

One day she went out and didn’t return until midnight.

He searched frantically. When she returned alone at midnight, she was distraught, as if she’d been crying.

He panicked somewhat and couldn’t help but ask: “What happened?”

Li Rong raised her eyes. She stared at him. For a long while, she said nothing.

The next day when he returned from court, he discovered she had moved to another room.

He had people investigate, only to learn Li Rong had sent people to investigate him and Qin Zhenzhen.

Hearing this matter, he felt she was being unreasonable, yet knew he was at fault. He didn’t know what to do. When Tong Ye asked him what to do, he could only say hoarsely: “As she wishes.”

Li Rong couldn’t tolerate even a grain of sand. He indeed had sand. This was the deadlock between them.

He didn’t know how long it would take to break through. He was waiting. Li Rong was also waiting.

He thought, surely one day they would get there?

But they didn’t.

Autumn of the twentieth year of Kangxing.

Her relationship with him grew increasingly tense. They were already sleeping in separate courtyards in the Princess’s residence. She didn’t want to see him. Every time he went to find her, she had people close the gates. Except for official business, she never spoke privately with him.

That day it rained heavily. He heard someone bring news from the palace saying Li Chuan and Li Ming had a conflict. Li Ming vented his anger on Li Rong, making her kneel outside the imperial study.

“How long has she been kneeling?”

“One shichen.”

“Why wasn’t this said earlier?”

“Her Highness’s people didn’t come notify us. The news came from palace people.”

Hearing this, he felt choked with anger. He hadn’t expected that even at such a time, Li Rong wouldn’t think of him.

He knew Li Rong’s legs weren’t good. He didn’t have time to be angry. He hurried into the palace.

When he arrived, he saw Li Rong kneeling on the ground. Su Rongqing held an umbrella for her. The two stood in the rain, beautiful as a painting, a match made in heaven.

His heart suddenly ached sharply, the pain accompanied by some measure of fear.

He suppressed his emotions and went in. Using both soft and hard approaches, he persuaded Li Ming. Finally, Li Ming released her.

When he came out, he saw Su Rongqing’s cold eyes.

“Why did you only come now?”

Su Rongqing opened his mouth to question. Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan lowered his head first to help Li Rong up, then coldly swept his gaze over: “What business is it of yours?”

Fury instantly erupted in Su Rongqing’s eyes. That sudden anger stunned Pei Wenxuan.

But before he could speak, he heard Li Rong’s weak voice: “Thank you today, Lord Su.”

“I couldn’t help Your Highness with anything,” Su Rongqing’s tone was hoarse. “Your Highness needn’t offer thanks.”

“That Lord Su could be here,” Li Rong smiled lightly—a smile Pei Wenxuan hadn’t seen in a long while. He felt jealous, uneasy, but he still had to maintain propriety. He heard Li Rong offer thanks: “I’m already extremely grateful.”

The two briefly exchanged pleasantries before parting.

Nothing seemed wrong, yet Pei Wenxuan always felt something stuck in his throat.

His instinct told him something had happened, but he didn’t know what. He escorted Li Rong home. Once in the carriage, he finally erupted: “Why didn’t you have someone tell me when something happened?”

“It’s not a big matter. Why must I tell you everything about my affairs?”

“Li Rong,” Pei Wenxuan momentarily lost his head and couldn’t help but ask her, “do you remember I’m your husband?”

Hearing this, Li Rong showed a surprised expression: “Pei Wenxuan, have you lost your mind? What kind of husband are you to me? If you think this in your heart, then let me say clearly—we should just divorce.”

He didn’t know what possessed him. The moment he heard “divorce,” he suddenly lost the courage to argue. He turned away and only said: “As you wish. Just leave me some face. Don’t casually provoke others.”

Hearing his words, Li Rong only felt he was sick. She found a spot herself and fell asleep immediately.

Pei Wenxuan knew that now, forget letting him touch her—she even found his approach annoying. He could only sit to the side, toss dry clothes to her, and walk out himself.

This cold war was prolonged and drawn out. They assisted Li Chuan in ascending the throne together, then stood on different positions. They argued in court, finished arguing in court and argued at home. When he didn’t argue with Li Rong, Li Rong couldn’t be bothered with him. Seeing Li Rong ignore him made him more vexed, to the point he preferred arguing.

Third year of Dexu, Qin Zhenzhen died by poisoning. Li Rong slapped Li Chuan twice. That night, Li Rong rarely didn’t argue with him. They drank wine in the courtyard. This rarely peaceful time actually made him feel an indescribable emotion.

He couldn’t help but ask her: “Your temper seems very good today?”

“I’m not an unreasonable person,” Li Rong smiled. “I know you’re sad, so I’m giving you some leeway.”

These words choked Pei Wenxuan somewhat. Actually, he wasn’t that sad.

After all these years, Qin Zhenzhen’s life or death seemed to no longer matter.

Each person had their own fate. He couldn’t manage that much.

He couldn’t even manage himself.

But he didn’t know why, he also didn’t speak.

He didn’t want Li Rong to know he no longer liked Qin Zhenzhen. This made him feel an indescribable shame.

After all… Li Rong also didn’t like him.

Who did Li Rong like?

He always had an answer in his heart, but he didn’t dare think it.

After all, that person was now nearly thirty. With such noble birth, he still hadn’t married. What was it for? He knew clearly in his heart.

He feared this answer, to the point he’d rather not know.

During those years, he and Li Rong argued while depending on each other.

Too much happened in those years. Li Chuan and the Shangguan family slaughtered each other. Empress Shangguan and Shangguan Xu died in succession. Pei Wenxuan became Li Rong’s only reliance.

Though she almost never relied on anyone.

Only the night Empress Shangguan died, she cried inconsolably. Pei Wenxuan held her in his arms without saying a word.

At that time, Pei Wenxuan had a moment where he thought she had returned.

But later he understood—some injuries, once they create a wound, never heal.

Seventh year of Dexu, the Su clan collapsed.

For the Su family, Li Rong cursed Li Chuan in court, even brought up Empress Shangguan, saying she would depose Li Chuan.

Li Chuan flew into a rage and had Li Rong beaten with the rod in court. When Pei Wenxuan heard, he rushed over. When he arrived, he saw Li Rong prone on the bench, covered in blood.

He’d never seen Li Rong like this. Seeing her, he panicked. But Li Rong grabbed his hand and only said to him: “I must preserve the Su family.”

His hands trembled. Li Rong raised her head and stared at him: “I’m begging you.”

This was the first time she opened her mouth to beg him. He couldn’t refuse, didn’t dare refuse.

He was afraid that if he didn’t help, Li Rong could do something even more extreme.

Li Chuan had beaten Li Rong and already felt somewhat apologetic. He gave him a way out. Li Chuan took it. But though the death penalty could be avoided, punishment was inevitable. The entire Su clan was castrated. The men committed suicide in prison. Only Su Rongqing survived.

Li Rong insisted on bringing Su Rongqing back to the residence. When he learned of this, he rode directly from the palace back to the Princess’s residence. Pushing open the door, he cursed: “I heard you want to keep Su Rongqing in the residence? I don’t agree!”

“What does your agreement or disagreement have to do with me? This is the Princess’s residence, not Pei Manor. If you don’t agree,” Li Rong raised her hand, pointing at the gate, “then get out.”

Pei Wenxuan stared at Li Rong. Jing Mei quickly came, saying urgently: “Your Highness, trouble! Young Master Su woke and wants to commit suicide again…”

Hearing this, Li Rong quickly wanted to leave. Pei Wenxuan grabbed her: “Don’t go!”

“What madness are you having?!”

Li Rong frowned: “The entire Su clan is dead. Only he remains. Right now I can’t let him have an accident.”

“I won’t allow him to stay in the Princess’s residence. If you keep him,” Pei Wenxuan stared at her, “I’ll leave.”

Hearing this, Li Rong was stunned. A moment later, she laughed once and pulled away from him, only saying: “Then leave. There’s something wrong with you.”

With that, Li Rong walked out.

Pei Wenxuan stood in the great hall.

She didn’t care.

She didn’t try to keep him.

Whether he left or stayed, she didn’t care.

What was he? She was right. There was something wrong with him—something wrong to stay at the Princess’s residence, humiliating himself like this.

He couldn’t endure staying one more moment with Su Rongqing. That very night, he packed up and returned to Pei Manor.

He thought returning to Pei Manor would let him let go, would make things better. But it didn’t.

He would wake every night, thinking of Li Rong, wondering what she was doing, wondering if she was with Su Rongqing.

He was especially grateful Su Rongqing was a eunuch who couldn’t do anything. This was his only consolation.

He tried to distance himself from Li Rong. Not listening, not seeing, not thinking.

He didn’t know how long this went on. Tenth year of Dexu, he was thirty-four. That year’s Qixi had lanterns hung, very grand. Led by Tong Ye, he went out on the street.

He walked alone on the street, watching young people come and go. He remembered that Qixi when he was twenty—he and Li Rong walking together.

Thinking of this, he couldn’t help but smile. He raised his head and saw Li Rong.

Li Rong stood in the crowd. She hadn’t aged at all. Compared to when she was eighteen, she had gained some gentle softness given by time. She raised her head watching foreign people performing acrobatics on stage. At exciting moments, she loudly cheered and applauded.

Pei Wenxuan watched from afar. That was his most satisfied moment after leaving the Princess’s residence.

He discovered he still had to go back. He was ultimately still her husband.

However, when he stepped forward wanting to greet Li Rong, just as he moved forward, he saw Su Rongqing carrying a flower lantern, appearing behind Li Rong.

Li Rong turned to look at him. Her gaze fell on the lantern in Su Rongqing’s hands. Suddenly her eyes lit up.

Then like a young girl, she threw herself into his embrace. Su Rongqing held the lantern in one hand and wrapped his other arm around the young lady, saying softly: “Your Highness, be careful.”

He was no different from before—still so noble and elegant. Even though he was already half-disabled, his grace remained undimmed.

They embraced under the lanterns. Nothing could be more beautiful.

He was like a superfluous person. He shouldn’t exist in the first place.

His heart convulsed. He didn’t know what was wrong with him. Masochistically watching those two people, his eyes wouldn’t move.

They held hands, just like when he was twenty.

They walked along the main street, just like when he was twenty.

Li Rong smiled and clung to him playfully, just like when he was twenty.

Under the fireworks, Li Rong stood on tiptoe and gently kissed him.

Just like what he had possessed when he was twenty.

He escorted them back to the Princess’s residence, then returned to the main street.

Along the way, he guessed lantern riddles and won a street full of flower lanterns.

Tong Ye couldn’t watch anymore. He spoke softly: “Young Master, why don’t we go back?”

“Go back where?”

Pei Wenxuan was somewhat bewildered.

He didn’t know where to go back to.

Tong Ye looked at Pei Wenxuan’s appearance and finally urged him: “Go back to the Princess’s residence. After all, you’re the Prince Consort. If you go back, no one can stop you. Su Rongqing is a eunuch. He can’t do anything. If you go back and apologize to Her Highness, you can live well together.”

Apologize and live well together.

Admit fault. Admit defeat.

As long as he admitted it, perhaps she would turn back.

He stood on the main street. For the first time, he wanted so badly to turn back, to go back, to retrieve everything that belonged to him.

When he came to his senses, he ran wildly all the way. He rushed back to the Princess’s residence and knocked on the gate.

The gatekeeper saw him and froze: “Prince Consort?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He pushed the door to enter. The gatekeeper reacted and quickly said: “Prince Consort, please wait while this servant goes to announce you.”

“Announce what?” Pei Wenxuan was enraged by this statement. “This is my home. I’m coming back to find my wife. Do you still need to announce me?! Everyone stand down!”

With Pei Wenxuan’s loud shout, guards all rushed in and blocked the Princess’s residence people.

Pei Wenxuan hurried along. He had decided—he would apologize to Li Rong, he would admit defeat to Li Rong, he would…

But all his fantasies stopped the moment he heard Li Rong’s soft gasps.

His footsteps halted at the bedroom door. He heard the sounds inside—sounds he was all too familiar with.

Only this time, Li Rong wasn’t calling his name. She was calling Su Rongqing.

She said: “Rongqing, faster, gentler.”

He wanted to go in.

Wanted to kill Su Rongqing.

He had never wanted to kill someone so much.

He should have thought of it earlier, but he didn’t dare think.

Even if he was a eunuch, as long as they were in love, there were always ways.

But what right did he have?

What status could he claim?

She had once treated him well, had loved him. It was he who hurt her.

When she fought desperately to save Su Rongqing, he suffered. When he saved Qin Zhenzhen, how could she not suffer?

He stood at the door, listening to Li Rong and Su Rongqing’s voices. After a long while, he finally turned back.

He seemed to suddenly awaken and left dejected.

He walked aimlessly along the road for a long while. He clearly realized—Li Rong had left, left their world. She had found a new person. She truly, completely, let go.

This realization stuck in his throat like a bone. He couldn’t help but remember that tonight a minister had invited him to a banquet. He had originally refused because that place was in a brothel. At this moment, he suddenly decided to go.

He thought he should also move on.

He went to that minister’s banquet. The other party arranged for him a courtesan who was having her first time. He sat on the bed with that person. The other party appeared only eighteen or nineteen years old. Sitting on the bed edge, they sat one on each side. When he turned around, he felt as if Li Rong was sitting there.

Eighteen-year-old Li Rong, on the night of their wedding, had sat just like this.

His mind was full of her shadow. He simply couldn’t touch anyone else. So he had someone take that young lady away. He himself drank until dead drunk alone in the brothel.

In his early years in officialdom, he drank too heavily and damaged his stomach. Now with high position and great power, few people dared force alcohol on him. He’d been recuperating all along.

But suddenly he didn’t want to recuperate anymore. He drank cup after cup. Later he vomited blood while prone on the ground. When he regained consciousness, he was already lying in Pei Manor. As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw Li Rong beside him, head lowered reading a book. Seeing him awake, she raised her eyes to look over and smiled: “Awake? You can drink yourself into this state at that kind of place. You’re really something.”

“Why are you here?”

Pei Wenxuan spoke hoarsely. Li Rong put down the book: “Last night Lord Wang came to find me, saying something happened to you. You were so drunk, but you kept calling my name. Never forget to cause me trouble. You’re really something.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He was brewing up to say something with a smile when he heard Su Rongqing’s voice from outside: “Your Highness, it’s time. We should return to the residence.”

“Alright,” hearing Su Rongqing’s words, Li Rong stood up. She said farewell to Pei Wenxuan. “I need to go back first. In the future when you go to that kind of place, sleep with a girl. Don’t just drink. If you drink yourself to death…”

“What if I drink myself to death?”

Pei Wenxuan cut her off. Li Rong smiled: “If you drink yourself to death, finding someone else who coordinates so well with me won’t be easy. Lord Pei, please live a long life.”

“Why don’t you call me Prince Consort?”

Pei Wenxuan suddenly asked about forms of address. Li Rong was somewhat confused. After pausing for a moment, she remembered: “Our relationship is like this now. Calling you that isn’t appropriate. Moreover…”

Li Rong thought about it and said hesitantly: “I’m together with Rongqing now. Speaking of it, I’m somewhat apologetic,” Li Rong raised her head and smiled, “but… perhaps one day, I’ll have to trouble you.”

“Trouble me with what?”

“I still think that if you like someone, you should be able to be together.”

“Together?” Pei Wenxuan spoke mockingly. “Aren’t you already together?”

“We’re not married yet,” Li Rong thought about it. “If possible, I’d still like to marry him and properly be together.”

Pei Wenxuan couldn’t speak. Under the blanket, he couldn’t help but clench his fist.

“He’s a eunuch.”

Li Rong fell silent. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but remind her: “You’re a princess. If you marry him, you’ll be the laughingstock of the world.”

“I also know it’s very difficult.” Li Rong lowered her head with a smile, like a young girl.

He hadn’t seen her like this in many years. Li Rong spoke softly: “I’m just thinking about it. Alright, I won’t talk more with you. I still have matters to attend to.”

With that, Li Rong stood up and walked out.

When she walked out the door, Li Rong extended her hand toward Su Rongqing without any concern. Su Rongqing was stunned. Li Rong actively grabbed him and said happily: “Let’s go.”

He watched them walk away. He lowered his head. He felt afraid.

He was so afraid.

He began like a person sentenced to death, began counting his days. He planted many people in the Princess’s residence, gathering news of Su Rongqing and Li Rong.

Su Rongqing never took initiative. Li Rong also seemed very reserved. They never brought up the marriage issue.

He was very pleased, yet felt pathetic.

That winter, Lady Wen finally passed away.

The day he kept vigil for Lady Wen, Li Rong came to accompany him. He was somewhat surprised. The two knelt before the spirit hall, watching the flames of the seven-star lamp dance. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but ask: “Why did you come?”

“When Mother passed that year, you accompanied me,” Li Rong raised her eyes and smiled at him. “This time I’ll accompany you.”

Having someone accompany you is different.

She accompanied him, talking about Lady Wen. Just such simple things. When she was about to leave the next day, he suddenly grabbed her.

He grabbed her like the last piece of driftwood in this world.

He suddenly felt nothing else mattered anymore.

Whether Su Rongqing existed, whether Su Rongqing was there—none of it mattered.

He didn’t want to walk alone anymore. He was like a lonely ghost in this world. He couldn’t continue walking alone.

He grabbed her hand, his voice hoarse: “Don’t leave.”

“Rong Rong, I was wrong. Let’s reconcile, okay?”

Li Rong was stunned. At that very moment, the spirit hall door was suddenly pushed open. Like a beautiful dream suddenly awakening, Su Rongqing stood at the doorway, quietly looking at Li Rong.

“Your Highness,” his voice was very soft, “it’s time to go.”

Li Rong came to her senses. She seemed embarrassed. She wanted to push away his hand. But Pei Wenxuan refused to let go. He had never been so wretched. He held her tightly.

“I was wrong,” he cried and begged her, “Rong Rong, I was wrong. Don’t leave. Stay.”

But she didn’t respond.

She didn’t respond to his final plea for help and cry. She only treated it as his grief from losing his mother. So she had people forcibly pry open his hands and told them to take good care of him.

Many people restrained him, treating him as if he’d gone mad, not letting him go find her.

They said he didn’t like her. Told him to be dignified. Told him not to pester her desperately.

He spent who knows how long in a daze. One day he woke and looked at Lady Wen’s memorial tablet, discovering it was the day of Lady Wen’s burial.

He carried Lady Wen up the mountain, watching white flowers dance all over the sky. He knew that no matter what, his life had to continue.

Had to continue. So he began lie after lie.

He loved Qin Zhenzhen.

He didn’t love Li Rong.

This way, he never admitted defeat to imperial power. He would never suffer. He would never regret.

He wasn’t wrong. Losing Li Rong—he had no regrets, no remorse. It was fine.

Day after day, he told himself this.

The last ten years, both he and Li Rong became increasingly perverse.

Su Rongqing ultimately still rejected Li Rong. So Li Rong still had to endure with him.

One year, ten years.

A full thirty years passed in the blink of an eye. Until the final moment, Li Rong died by poison. He died by the blade.

Both died to imperial power, then were reborn together.

Reborn and meeting again, spring of the eighteenth year of Kangxing.

This time she didn’t choose him. He held a palace banquet.

And over a decade of denial—denying until he himself forgot his true heart.

But true feelings always exist. No matter how many times denied, he still madly caused chaos at the spring banquet where she selected her husband.

No one should approach Li Rong.

She was his wife.

[End of Extra]