Li Rong looked into Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, listening to his inquiry that seemed both playful and serious. After a long while, she smiled gently. “Lord Pei’s question is strange. How could I have never given my true heart? I’ve given my true heart to every good-looking man.”

“Does Your Highness know what true heart means?”

Pei Wenxuan continued his questioning. Li Rong lightly tapped her palm with her small fan and replied, “What does Lord Pei consider to be true heart?”

“This humble subject believes that so-called true heart means placing that person in one’s heart, trusting them, cherishing them, asking for nothing in return, fearing nothing of the future. Wholehearted and sincere, without the slightest flaw. One lifetime, one person only. Your Highness says you’ve given your true heart before—may I ask to whom Your Highness gave this heart?”

Hearing these words, Li Rong pressed her lips into a smile. She lowered her head, as if finding this amusing.

Pei Wenxuan frowned. “What is Your Highness laughing at?”

“Pei Wenxuan,” Li Rong raised her head, using her golden fan to cover half her face, her eyes full of teasing, “I never imagined that at your age, you’d still harbor such youthful dreams.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan’s expression stiffened momentarily. Then he withdrew his smile, turned around calmly, pressed his hands behind his head, and said indifferently, “It’s simply that Your Highness has never bothered to consider such things.”

“Indeed,” Li Rong replied with a smiling squint, “this palace doesn’t have Chancellor Pei’s leisure and elegance to contemplate such matters. Worthy indeed of someone who guarded one love for an entire lifetime.” Li Rong nodded. “Such innocence of heart—this palace admires it.”

Hearing her mockery, Pei Wenxuan opened his mouth to say something, but then felt that whether he explained or refuted, it would put him at a disadvantage. So after holding back for a long time, he swallowed all his words, turned away, and said nothing more, pretending to sleep.

Li Rong watched him turn his back to her, lightly tapping her small fan, slowly retracting her smile.

Pei Wenxuan and she had vastly different approaches to matters of the heart. She was calculating and decisive about emotions—she would always give back less than what others gave her, never more. Between two people, there was only “you” and “me.” She was stingy with her feelings and had high demands. She feared giving but wanted wholehearted devotion in return.

Pei Wenxuan, on the other hand, was much more generous. Once he determined he liked someone, he could pour everything out for them. He could like Qin Zhenzhen for a lifetime. Even if she married another man, even if she never responded, he could silently guard this feeling, giving wholeheartedly. Even nearly twenty-seven years after Qin Zhenzhen’s death, he could remain faithful to her memory, offering sacrifice to her departed soul.

When she broke things off with Pei Wenxuan decisively back then, first, it was because she herself couldn’t tolerate even the slightest impurity in her emotions, having misplaced her affection. Second, she vaguely sensed that perhaps Pei Wenxuan wasn’t entirely indifferent toward her either, but because Pei Wenxuan had first promised his affection to Qin Zhenzhen, he couldn’t allow himself to like anyone else.

They each had their own stubbornness, and thinking about it now, this deeply ingrained obstinacy had long determined that even without Qin Zhenzhen, the two of them would never have been together.

Her true heart was too scarce. Even if she offered everything she had to Pei Wenxuan, to him it would forever be an unfair emotion. Even if Pei Wenxuan accepted it, she herself would find it hard to balance.

She and Su Rongqing were different. Su Rongqing was more similar to her—both born into prestigious families. Their true hearts were already rare treasures in this world. Before them came power, family, and life and death. To be able to offer even a little genuine feeling amidst all this was already everything. Li Rong didn’t need someone to give her much, but if they could give her all they had, that was enough.

So even though she knew Su Rongqing might kill her, even knowing that Su Rongqing’s feelings for her might be separated by layers of calculation and hatred, she never resented him. Because Su Rongqing had given all the true heart he could give to her alone.

Though Pei Wenxuan in their previous life had never really done anything to her, never truly betrayed her, when it came to matters of the heart, she always felt that Pei Wenxuan fell short.

The carriage swayed and rocked. Li Rong closed her eyes and rested for a while. Moments later, the carriage suddenly stopped. A shadow guard lifted the curtain and jumped into the carriage, saying softly, “Your Highness, we’ve obtained the invitation cards.”

As he spoke, the shadow guard handed over the invitation cards and documents detailing the identities of these two people, while also presenting clothing and explaining, “These are from the Crown Prince’s side. They’re a wealthy merchant couple from Yangzhou who trade in silk. They shouldn’t be recognized by many.”

“Good.” Li Rong looked over the invitation cards, confirmed the names, then nodded. “You may go.”

“Your Highness,” the shadow guard hesitated for a moment, “Tuoba Yan has an extremely complex network of connections. His residence is likely quite dangerous. Are you certain you want to put yourself at such risk…”

“No matter.” Li Rong said calmly. “I’m carrying signal flares. If anything happens, you can directly surround the residence.”

Seeing Li Rong’s firm resolve, the shadow guard acknowledged and left. Beside her, Pei Wenxuan was still sleeping with his head down. Li Rong tapped him with her fan, driving him out. “I’m changing clothes. Get out.”

Pei Wenxuan opened his eyes somewhat bewildered. He seemed to have fallen asleep just now and wasn’t quite awake after being suddenly roused. Seeing him like this, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh.

When he was young, he loved to sleep in. In the early days of their marriage, waking him each morning to go to court had been quite the ordeal.

Li Rong gently waved her small fan and said warmly, “What’s this? After all these years, has Lord Pei still not changed his habit of sleeping in?”

Hearing Li Rong’s question, Pei Wenxuan became more alert. He sat up, shook his head, then efficiently rolled up the curtain and said indifferently, “Call me when you’re done changing.”

Then he jumped down from the carriage.

After Li Rong changed her clothes and got down from the carriage, she saw that servants had already prepared a merchant’s carriage beside them.

This carriage wasn’t as luxurious and spacious as Li Rong’s carriage, and many of its features were designed according to a merchant’s status. After Li Rong boarded the carriage and waited for a while, she saw Pei Wenxuan walk up.

The two sat in the carriage. Li Rong took out the documents describing this couple’s background and went over them with Pei Wenxuan for a while before Pei Wenxuan asked, “What do we do once we arrive at the villa?”

“Tuoba Yan’s secret chamber is built in the rear courtyard. After we enter, you should first approach Tuoba Yan and find a way to have him lead us into the rear courtyard. I’ll use the excuse of going to the privy to circle around to the secret chamber. After I obtain the account books, we’ll leave.”

“How do I get him to lead us to the rear courtyard?” Pei Wenxuan frowned. Li Rong rolled her eyes at him. “Figure it out yourself.”

As they talked, the carriage arrived at Tuoba Yan’s villa.

This estate was built in the outskirts of Hua Jing, backed by mountains and facing water, with an extremely large scale.

The two got down from the carriage and saw people coming and going all around. Though it was late at night, it was still quite bustling. Just at the entrance, the sounds of silk, bamboo, and wind instruments were already resounding.

Li Rong followed Pei Wenxuan. The two took out their invitation cards and, leading the shadow guards disguised as servants, walked forward. After the doorkeeper verified their cards, someone was assigned to lead them into the compound.

Upon entering the villa, they saw a chaotic mix of people everywhere, with various national accents and clothing styles interwoven. Persian dancing girls moved back and forth all around, and even many women from the Great Xia nation wore Persian dancer costumes, accompanying people as they walked through the long corridors.

In such a place of sensual pleasures, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan walking properly and properly made them stand out as somewhat incongruous.

Among this group of merchants, Pei Wenxuan looked far too upright, and being handsome besides, coupled with the beautiful and alluring Li Rong following behind him, they attracted quite a few glances.

Sensing something was wrong, Pei Wenxuan was about to do something when he felt Li Rong reach out and take his arm, leaning her whole body against him as she said coquettishly, “You’re walking so fast, I can’t keep up.”

Pei Wenxuan’s body stiffened slightly, but he immediately reacted. He smiled warmly, as if doting on her, “Madam is right. It’s this husband’s fault.”

With this exchange of arm-linking and smiling, they immediately blended in much better with their surroundings. Though Pei Wenxuan was incompatible with this environment, Li Rong was charming and alluring. With Pei Wenxuan softening his demeanor slightly to cooperate, they seemed like a refined merchant bringing his wife along, which was less conspicuous. After all, aside from merchants, few from noble families would marry women of such improper appearance.

The servant led them into a room. Upon entering, they heard someone laughing loudly. Li Rong looked up and saw a man with thick eyebrows and a full beard sitting above, holding a dancing girl, laughing and talking with others. The two were led forward by the servant, who said to Tuoba Yan, “Master, these are Master Wang and his wife from the Wang Family Silk Shop in Yangzhou.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong bowed to Tuoba Yan, respectfully saying, “Sixth Master.”

Tuoba Yan was sixth in his family, and because his name was a foreign clan surname that was inconvenient for Great Xia people to pronounce, he was called Sixth Master. Tuoba Yan looked the two up and down, his gaze lingering on Li Rong for a moment longer before he laughed, “Brother Wang, I didn’t expect you and your wife to be so young. I thought you were some decrepit old man. Come, sit.”

As he spoke, Tuoba Yan pointed to a seat beside him, having wine poured as he said, “Come, have a drink.”

The Rong people loved wine. Pei Wenxuan didn’t decline and immediately drained his cup. Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s boldness, Tuoba Yan’s eyes brightened. “I didn’t expect Brother Wang to look so refined yet be such a man. Come, this elder brother will drink with you.”

Having won Tuoba Yan’s favor, Pei Wenxuan immediately began chatting freely with him, the two drinking wine while conversing. When Pei Wenxuan didn’t engage with people, he could infuriate them to death, always seeming like someone who didn’t know his place. But when he deliberately tried to get close to someone, with his broad knowledge, there was no topic he couldn’t handle.

The two hit it off immediately. Pei Wenxuan kept the wine flowing. Li Rong poured for both of them, and after several rounds, Tuoba Yan was calling Pei Wenxuan brother. Seeing the timing was about right, Li Rong gave Pei Wenxuan a meaningful look. Receiving Li Rong’s signal, Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained unchanged as he continued chatting and laughing with Tuoba Yan, but gradually steered the conversation toward flowers and plants.

“This younger brother enjoys flowers and plants, especially peonies. I once purchased several Wei Purple peonies at great cost and raised them in my courtyard. When they bloomed, they were the very picture of national beauty and heavenly fragrance. I wonder if elder brother has any favorites?”

Among merchants, rare treasures were common topics—antiques, paintings, flowers, and exotic birds. Any merchant with some money would collect such things, let alone a wealthy magnate like Tuoba Yan. Hearing Pei Wenxuan mention flowers and plants, Tuoba Yan laughed heartily. “Little brother simply hasn’t seen good peonies. Wei Purple is nothing! Come,” Tuoba Yan stood up, “let this elder brother take you to the courtyard to see what it means when flowers bloom and shake the capital.”

“What treasure does elder brother have?” Pei Wenxuan laughed. “Though this younger brother may not be as wealthy as elder brother, I’ve seen countless flowers and plants. Elder brother speaks so highly of them—could it be you’ve been deceived?”

“Ignorant!” Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Tuoba Yan immediately felt somewhat dissatisfied. He grabbed Pei Wenxuan and said, “Come, come with me and see whether I’m deceiving you.”

“Elder brother, slow down,” Pei Wenxuan was being pulled along by Tuoba Yan. He looked back at Li Rong. “Madam, hurry and follow. Elder brother, don’t rush, take it slower.”

While walking, Pei Wenxuan followed Tuoba Yan. Li Rong smiled and stood up, saying to a nearby maid, “Sixth Master truly has an impatient temperament.”

The maid smiled and said softly, “Master has always been like this.”

With that, Li Rong led her people following the maid, going together with Pei Wenxuan and Tuoba Yan to the rear courtyard.

Entering the courtyard, Li Rong quickly swept her gaze over it. This courtyard was exactly as it was in her memory, with no major changes. Back when she investigated Tuoba Yan, she had gone over this courtyard inch by inch and was very familiar with it. She noticed there still seemed to be some people in the courtyard and couldn’t help asking, “Are there others in the rear courtyard?”

“Many at the banquet get drunk,” the maid smiled. “If they’re close friends of the master, they’re brought to the rear courtyard to rest.”

Li Rong nodded, having a fair idea in her mind. While considering the route, she slowed her pace. After a moment, she showed difficulty on her face. The maid beside her, seeing her expression change, couldn’t help asking, “Is something wrong, Madam?”

“I need to use the privy. I wonder where…”

Hearing Li Rong’s inquiry, the maid quickly said, “Madam, please follow me.”

Li Rong nodded, turned her head to give instructions to those behind her, saying to her attendants, “Anxiang, just follow me. The rest of you follow the master.”

The other three acknowledged and stayed behind, leaving only the female attendant Anxiang to follow Li Rong. The two followed the maid toward the privy. As they walked, Li Rong calculated the distance to the artificial mountain. When they reached the most suitable position, Li Rong gave Anxiang a look. Anxiang raised her hands and with two quick chops, knocked out the two maids walking ahead.

Li Rong and Anxiang dragged the maids to a hidden spot, quickly changed into their clothes, then headed straight for the artificial mountain.

Reaching the back of the artificial mountain, Li Rong entered a cave and felt her way according to memory. Then, stepping on a hollow spot, Li Rong crouched down, pressed a button beside it, and said to Anxiang, “Sword.”

Anxiang handed the sword to Li Rong. Li Rong inserted the sword into the ground and pried, pulling open an iron plate. Below the iron plate was a staircase. Anxiang took the sword and said, “This subordinate will go down first.”

With that, Anxiang nimbly jumped down. Soon after, several muffled sounds came from below, and Anxiang said, “Your Highness, it’s safe.”

Li Rong acknowledged and descended.

Below was a dungeon. The guards had been knocked unconscious on the ground. Li Rong paid no attention to those imprisoned inside and headed straight for the side door. On the side door was a rotating dial, with Persian script beside it. Li Rong tilted her chin toward Anxiang. “Go get the token from that guard and bring it to me.”

Anxiang acknowledged and went to retrieve the token from the guard’s body.

This door required a password—the names of the daily guards in Persian. Having obtained these guards’ names, Li Rong translated them into Persian, rotated the dial to align with the Persian script beside it, and the door opened wide.

Beyond the door was an extremely small room with bookshelves on all four sides, densely packed with ledgers above.

Tuoba Yan arranged these account books according to a pattern. Li Rong, following the pattern based on her understanding of Tuoba Yan from memory, quickly found the Yang Family’s accounts. She pulled out the ledgers, flipped through them briefly, confirmed they were the Yang Family accounts, then placed them in her sleeve and said, “Let’s go.”

Anxiang acknowledged. Li Rong closed the door and returned to the artificial mountain. The two had barely left the artificial mountain when they heard voices behind them. “Two maids are ahead—catch them!”

Hearing this, Li Rong knew the two maids must have been discovered. She instructed Anxiang, “Split up.”

Then she rushed toward the guest rooms. Anxiang stayed behind, briefly blocking those people before heading in another direction.

Li Rong burst onto the corridor, running frantically, desperately trying to reach the front courtyard and then escape. The sounds of pursuers behind her grew louder. Her heart raced. Hearing those people chasing from behind, she hastily turned around the corridor. As she ran forward, a door to a guest room beside her suddenly opened. Someone pulled her forcefully inside and closed the door.

That person covered her mouth with one hand and embraced her waist with the other. Li Rong leaned against him as he pressed against the door.

Li Rong could clearly sense that person’s warmth, her nose filled with his familiar clear fragrance. She stiffened, not daring to move. Outside were the sounds of pursuers shouting as they ran past. That person lowered his head, leaning close to her ear, and whispered softly, “It’s me, Your Highness.”