Hearing this voice, Li Rong was momentarily dazed, then immediately realized—it was Su Rongqing!

Why was he here?

This question flashed quickly through Li Rong’s mind, but she also relaxed. Since it was Su Rongqing, there should be no immediate threat for now.

Neither spoke. Outside, the pursuers rushed past. Su Rongqing released Li Rong, hurriedly stepped back, and performed a deep bow. “The matter was urgent. I’ve offended Your Highness. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Li Rong nodded. She swept her gaze around the room. This appeared to be a guest room. Su Rongqing looked somewhat different from usual—his hair was disheveled, his clothing loose, similar to those attending the banquet in the hall, as if he had gotten drunk and was resting here.

Li Rong held her fan in contemplation. She had specifically sent Su Rongqing to the Ministry of War to investigate the account books. Not only was it unclear why Su Rongqing hadn’t gone to the Ministry of War and had come here instead, but given Tuoba Yan’s style of conducting business, Su Rongqing shouldn’t have any dealings with him either.

For a moment she didn’t know how to begin her inquiry. As she was deliberating her words, she heard Su Rongqing say, “Your Highness, just now this humble subject was in the guest room when I heard commotion outside. Attendants mentioned that maids had been knocked unconscious, suggesting someone had infiltrated the premises. They’re currently searching everywhere. Just now, this humble subject also saw Your Highness being pursued and guessed that the person who knocked out the maids must be Your Highness. Tonight, Tuoba Yan’s residence is full of distinguished guests, so his people probably won’t dare to search too thoroughly for the time being. Your Highness should change clothes now, and this humble subject will escort Your Highness out of the residence. As for other matters, Your Highness can discuss them with this humble subject on the road.”

Su Rongqing’s arrangements were thorough. Li Rong didn’t hesitate and immediately said, “Good.”

Su Rongqing turned around, immediately produced a set of Persian dancing girl’s clothing, and presented it with lowered eyes, saying respectfully, “Please condescend to temporarily change into this outfit, Your Highness. It will be convenient for this humble subject to lead Your Highness away.”

Persian dancing girls’ costumes had face veils. If Li Rong changed into these clothes, she could openly follow Su Rongqing out. She wasn’t one to fuss over clothing. She acknowledged, took the clothes, and went behind the folding screen. Su Rongqing turned his back as he heard Li Rong say softly from behind the screen, “Why are you here?”

“This humble subject thought that investigating the Ministry of War’s account books would be meaningless now, so I wanted to try a different approach. This Tuoba Yan has close associations with Hua Jing’s nobility. Rumor has it that most of the capital’s illicit money passes through his hands. In the past, the Ministry of Justice had this humble subject interact with Tuoba Yan while investigating other cases, and we developed some rapport. Therefore, now that we need to investigate the Yang Family accounts, this humble subject thought to try my luck here at Tuoba Yan’s, never expecting to encounter Your Highness.”

When Su Rongqing finished speaking, Li Rong had also finished changing. As she put on her veil and walked out, she said indifferently, “You are indeed thoughtful.”

Hearing this, Su Rongqing turned around. Just as he was about to say something, he raised his eyes and froze in place.

Persian dancing girls’ costumes were quite revealing. For a woman as beautiful and alluring as Li Rong, compared to palace dress, they accentuated her beauty even more. The short top and long skirt, with beaded ornaments hanging at her waist, half-concealing and half-revealing her waistline that swayed with Li Rong’s movements, made it difficult to look away.

“Lord Su?” Seeing Su Rongqing in a daze, Li Rong couldn’t help but call out, “Aren’t we leaving?”

At these words, Su Rongqing came to his senses, forcibly averted his gaze, and stepped aside. “Your Highness, please.”

With that, Su Rongqing opened the door and led Li Rong out.

While Li Rong was busy, Pei Wenxuan accompanied Tuoba Yan in the courtyard admiring flowers.

Pei Wenxuan calculated Li Rong’s timing, leading Tuoba Yan to walk far in the opposite direction from the artificial mountain. After walking for a while, Pei Wenxuan saw what seemed to be people holding torches running in the distance. Knowing something was wrong and seeing a water pavilion ahead, he exclaimed in admiration, “The scenery here is excellent. What a pity there’s no wine.”

“In my courtyard, how could there be no wine?”

Tuoba Yan laughed heartily, pointed to the pavilion ahead, and pulled Pei Wenxuan along. “Come, little brother, I’ll take you for a drink at the water pavilion.”

Tuoba Yan had drunk quite a bit and walked somewhat unsteadily. Though Pei Wenxuan’s alcohol tolerance was decent, after drinking all evening, he too felt uncomfortable. He forced himself to follow Tuoba Yan forward, entering the pavilion together.

Indeed, there was wine in the pavilion. Pei Wenxuan laughed, “How is this wine enough? Go,” he turned to instruct others, “bring more wine. I want to drink heartily with elder brother.”

The guards acknowledged and went to fetch wine. Knowing Li Rong probably couldn’t stay much longer, Pei Wenxuan poured wine for Tuoba Yan and said leisurely, “Elder brother’s alcohol tolerance isn’t that good.”

“Nonsense!” At these words, Tuoba Yan was quite displeased. “I’ve traveled to various countries, and few can outdrink me.”

“Then let me make a wager with elder brother. I’ll drink two cups to elder brother’s one. Let’s see who falls first. How about it?”

“You’re looking down on me too much.” Tuoba Yan picked up the wine pot, filled his cup, drained it in one gulp, then poured a cup for Pei Wenxuan, slammed it on the table, and shouted loudly, “Drink!”

Pei Wenxuan’s expression didn’t change as he drank it all.

The two drank urgently. Pei Wenxuan felt his internal organs churning violently, his complexion extremely poor. After three cups, Tuoba Yan couldn’t hold on and rushed toward the edge of the water pavilion. Pei Wenxuan gave a nearby guard a look, then stood up as if to support Tuoba Yan. Understanding Pei Wenxuan’s meaning, the guard quickly entered as Pei Wenxuan rose, pretending to serve but invisibly blocking the steps and sight lines of Tuoba Yan’s guards.

Reaching Tuoba Yan’s back, Pei Wenxuan gave him a push. Tuoba Yan fell straight into the lake. Pei Wenxuan cried out, “Sixth Master!”

The surroundings instantly erupted into chaos. Tuoba Yan’s guards hurried into the water. Pei Wenxuan called anxiously, “Save him! Quickly save him!”

As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan felt uncomfortable. He turned, leaned against the pavilion, and vomited.

This commotion alarmed the steward who had been guarding not far away. The steward hurried forward, saying urgently, “How did you drink so much!”

Then, seeing Pei Wenxuan leaning to the side vomiting severely, he quickly said, “Quickly bring clean water and help Master Wang to a guest room!”

At these words, attendants rushed up. While offering Pei Wenxuan water to rinse his mouth, they pulled Tuoba Yan from the lake.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan finish rinsing his mouth and leaning against the attendants, appearing quite exhausted, the steward bowed respectfully. “Tonight our master got extremely drunk and alarmed Master Wang. Please forgive us, Master Wang. If you don’t mind, why not rest in the residence tonight and return tomorrow?”

“No need.” Pei Wenxuan shook his head and waved his hand. “It’s getting late. Wang has business in the city early tomorrow morning. Please trouble the steward to notify my wife. I’ll return to the carriage first and wait for my wife to go home together.”

As they spoke, Tuoba Yan was pulled from the water. Pei Wenxuan quickly said, “Sir, you should hurry and see how Sixth Master is. I’m fine.”

The steward was concerned about Tuoba Yan. He nodded without saying more. Pei Wenxuan gave his guard a look and took advantage of the chaos to leave.

After walking a short distance, having just passed the corridor, someone suddenly emerged from the crowd and followed behind Pei Wenxuan’s guard, head lowered, saying softly, “My lord, Her Highness and I split up and ran. She went toward the guest rooms.”

Having just vomited, Pei Wenxuan was more sober, but still felt his head aching, his lungs and organs churning. He forced himself to endure the discomfort. Just as he was about to give orders, he saw Su Rongqing wearing a loose robe, holding a folding fan, with a dancing girl in his arms, saying something to the guards at the rear courtyard entrance before walking out with a smile.

“Let’s go.” Seeing Su Rongqing, Pei Wenxuan immediately followed. Anxiang said softly, “Your Highness…”

“She’s fine.”

Pei Wenxuan strode forward rapidly, leading people to chase Su Rongqing out of the rear courtyard.

Upon reaching the front courtyard, it immediately became lively, with crowds everywhere. Pei Wenxuan vaguely saw Su Rongqing leading what appeared to be Li Rong’s back, then they turned around the corridor and disappeared from view.

His head was splitting with pain, yet his steps were urgent. On one hand, he controlled his posture so people wouldn’t notice anything wrong, while on the other hand, he had to chase the people ahead.

All around, fleeting lights and shadows, nothing but the sounds of silk, bamboo, and wind instruments. Dancing girls’ light gauze rose with the wind, occasionally brushing past pedestrians’ faces with fragrant breezes. For a moment, Pei Wenxuan felt as if he were in a long, prolonged dream. He couldn’t distinguish between illusion and reality for a time, yet clearly knew that the person beside Su Rongqing was Li Rong, and he needed to catch up and call Li Rong back.

He didn’t know where this obsession came from—it seemed deeply rooted yet arrived silently. His steps grew more and more urgent. The two ahead were occasionally captured in his vision for brief moments, laughing and walking together, intimate and inseparable.

He didn’t know how long had passed or how far he’d walked. Finally reaching a place with fewer people, he suddenly called out, stopping the people ahead: “Rongrong!”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s voice from behind, Li Rong immediately stopped. She turned her head and saw the young master in blue robes and white inner garments, jade crown inlaid with pearls, looking at her under the lamplight.

He seemed to have been searching for her for a long time, yet in the instant she turned back, all that restless urgency of searching settled down.

Persian dancing girls excelled at the Sogdian whirl dance. The melody was lively and cheerful, accompanied by the sounds of people clapping and laughing from afar. Yet on this corridor, under the reflected candlelight, Pei Wenxuan was surrounded by a tranquility like moonlight.

He strode toward her, then stopped before her. His warm outer robe traced an arc through the air, gently falling over her, covering her skin exposed to the night air that had absorbed the evening chill. He seemed drunk, barely able to stand steady. His hands rested on Li Rong’s shoulders, and as he spoke, his breath still carried some wine vapor. He frowned. “Shall we go back?”

“Alright.”

Li Rong smiled. She turned to look at Su Rongqing standing to the side and nodded. “Lord Su, we’ll meet again another day.”

Su Rongqing smiled gently, hands clasped before him, and bowed. “Farewell.”

With that, Li Rong pulled down Pei Wenxuan’s hand and walked forward. “Let’s go.”

Pei Wenxuan forced himself to follow behind her. The guards were waiting for them at the far end of the corridor. Seeing them move, they hurried forward.

Pei Wenxuan didn’t want to show weakness before Su Rongqing. He couldn’t say where this temper came from—he was simply accustomed to competing with Su Rongqing in all things, so he didn’t let anyone support him.

Li Rong walked ahead of him. After taking two steps, seeing Pei Wenxuan following behind her with some apparent difficulty, she glanced sideways at him, remembering this person’s stubborn habit of always competing with Su Rongqing for superiority. She found it somewhat funny yet also somewhat helpless.

She cleared her throat lightly and reminded him in a low voice, “You following behind me—don’t you think it makes this dancing girl appear too arrogant and conspicuous?”

Pei Wenxuan looked up at her. Li Rong had expected him to say something, to hold on for another moment—she was prepared to reason with him further. Who knew that Pei Wenxuan would simply walk right up, raise his hand to rest on her shoulder, and draw her into his embrace.

His warmth blocked the cold of the night wind. Li Rong wore his clothes, her face smiling as she strolled with him along the corridor, saying with a laugh, “You drank quite a lot tonight, didn’t you?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Li Rong continued, “But rest assured, your drinking wasn’t in vain. We got the account books. Tomorrow we’ll begin looking for Qin Lin. When the Yang Family puts pressure on the court, we’ll have Chuan’er take Qin Lin to handle matters at the front.”

Pei Wenxuan still didn’t open his mouth. Li Rong glanced at him, seeing his complexion extremely poor. She raised an eyebrow. “What, has your aversion to Su Rongqing reached the point where you’re unhappy even if I exchange a few words with him?”

Pei Wenxuan looked at her. The two crossed the threshold together, walking out of Tuoba Yan’s estate. Li Rong said slowly, “You’re not young anymore either. Don’t act like a child. What happened in the previous life isn’t important. What’s important is whether he can be useful now…”

Before she finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan suddenly released her, rushed to a nearby tree, leaned against it, and began vomiting violently.

Li Rong was startled, then realized that Pei Wenxuan’s silence earlier was because he wanted to vomit.

Pei Wenxuan vomited until he was kneeling on the ground, as if he wanted to expel his very lungs and organs. Li Rong panicked, quickly crouched down to rub his back, and said to those nearby, “Go get some water from the carriage!”

The attendants went to fetch water from the carriage. When Pei Wenxuan finished vomiting, his strength completely exhausted, he pitched forward. Li Rong hurriedly pulled him toward herself. Pei Wenxuan simply leaned straight against Li Rong, completely collapsing onto her shoulder.

The smell of alcohol assaulted her face. Li Rong frowned. Just then, an attendant brought water. Li Rong hastily helped Pei Wenxuan drink. Pei Wenxuan leaned on Li Rong’s shoulder to recover. Li Rong said gently, “Feeling better?”

Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes to recover, then finally spoke, his voice hoarse. The first thing he said was, “That bastard Su Rongqing—what kind of ridiculous outfit did he have you wear?”

Li Rong: “…”

She fed Pei Wenxuan water with an expressionless face and said flatly, “Rinse your mouth again. I don’t like what you’re saying.”

Author’s Note: Li Rong: Your breath is too strong. I can’t take it anymore.

Pei Wenxuan: …