After responding to Li Rong, Pei Wenxuan returned to his desk, lifted his brush, and began thinking about how to help Li Rong write this memorial.
For the two of them to leave, if Li Rong took the initiative to write, it wouldn’t be good—it would make her seem too eager to destroy the Yang family. Given Li Ming’s personality, he would likely overthink it.
The role Li Rong needed to play now was that of a somewhat clever princess who, due to trust in her parents, was almost completely ignorant of the struggles between Crown Prince and Emperor.
Just like her past eighteen years—what she saw before her eyes was what it was, nothing more.
Investigating the Yang family was because Yang Quan had been insubordinate. Beyond that, there couldn’t be more connections. If Li Chuan received news of victory ahead and she immediately went to investigate, it might provoke suspicion.
So Li Rong wanted him to write this memorial. But if he wrote it, the first thing he’d need to explain was how he knew the news.
He could say he used Li Rong, or that it was through secret channels his father left behind, but one lie always required countless lies to cover it up. The more lies told, the more loopholes there would be.
Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, then put down his brush.
“Your Highness,” he called to Li Rong beside him. Li Rong was waiting for him to write the memorial when she heard him say, “I can’t write this memorial.”
“Mm?” Hearing this, Li Rong knew Pei Wenxuan had other considerations and said directly, “Then what do you plan to do to get out?”
Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and said in a low voice, “Go to the Empress.”
Hearing this, Li Rong immediately understood. Just as she was about to respond, she heard Pei Wenxuan explain in detail, “First have the Crown Prince provide a list. Anyone the Crown Prince feels is unsuitable should be placed on this list, and have the Crown Prince request rewards from His Majesty. This list should include many people from northwestern aristocratic families, as well as some generals loyal to His Majesty.”
“His Majesty has had little contact with the northwestern border. His true confidants were framed by the Yang family in earlier battles. His Majesty isn’t actually familiar with the ordinary lower-ranking generals. When these people appear on the Crown Prince’s list requesting rewards, His Majesty will definitely suspect they’re the Crown Prince’s people and instead remove them.”
Li Rong contemplated and picked up Pei Wenxuan’s thread. Pei Wenxuan knew that discussing such matters with Li Rong was most effortless—without needing to say much, the other party could understand what you were thinking. This tacit understanding made Pei Wenxuan’s heart feel somewhat comfortable. He relaxed and said, “Right, and if these people come from aristocratic families—though not too prominent ones—when His Majesty removes them, it will naturally alienate those northwestern aristocratic families.”
“Once His Majesty removes these people, he’ll naturally think about dealing with the Yang family,” Li Rong tapped her small fan against her palm. “At that time, His Majesty will definitely first send people to the border to replace the Crown Prince’s personnel, then summon the Crown Prince back and have us begin investigating the Yang family case to uproot them.”
“So actually, right now remaining unchanged in response to all changes is best for us. When His Majesty thinks of us, he’ll naturally come help. At that time, you release Tuoba Yan proactively. When His Majesty’s people find Tuoba Yan, there won’t be much of a problem.” Pei Wenxuan chuckled lightly. “We don’t even need to touch the account books. When His Majesty sends people to the border, we’ll ask His Majesty for those account books.”
“What you say makes sense.”
“However, there’s one thing,” Pei Wenxuan became serious. “Tuoba Yan—can you control this person?”
“I’ve already had people find his wife and child,” Li Rong said flatly. “It’s not a big problem.”
“That’s good then.” Pei Wenxuan nodded. “You should have people handle this right away.”
So Pei Wenxuan didn’t write the memorial. Instead, the next day when Jing Lan came, Li Rong had her bring a message to the Eastern Palace. People from the Eastern Palace sent a carrier pigeon from Hua Jing, conveying Li Rong’s meaning to Li Chuan.
After receiving the news at the border, Li Chuan worked through the night with Qin Lin, Cui Qinghe, and others to secretly draft a list. They retained some talented generals, selected several from moderate aristocratic families and generals loyal to Li Ming, chose a few generals Li Chuan was using as decoys, mixed them all together, and sent it to Hua Jing to request rewards from Li Ming.
When Li Ming received Li Chuan’s memorial requesting rewards, he was so angry he smashed a cup in the imperial study.
The next day, Jing Lan came to deliver news to Li Rong, saying in a low voice, “I heard His Majesty was extremely angry, saying the Crown Prince went to the border and his wings grew strong, wanting to win people’s hearts and gather supporters. Several senior ministers persuaded him for a long time before calming His Majesty down.”
Hearing this, Li Rong nodded. Jing Lan looked at her expression and said softly, “Your Highness shouldn’t be too upset.”
“What is there for me to be upset about?”
Li Rong smiled gently. “His Majesty has this temperament. I’ve known it for a long time.”
Jing Lan was somewhat surprised. She knew well that in the past, the Princess had always had an extremely good relationship with Li Ming. After Li Rong finished speaking, she also knew she had misspoken and sighed, “I’m not stupid. From the arranged marriage matter, how could I not see clearly?”
Hearing this, Jing Lan understood where this Princess’s transformation came from. She quickly said, “As long as Your Highness can see it clearly, that’s good.”
After Li Ming received Li Chuan’s memorial, within a few days, after confirming the frontline war was basically stabilized, he immediately summoned Li Chuan back. At the same time, he dispatched his own direct generals to take over the northwestern military positions, demoted in reality while promoting in name the batch of generals Li Chuan’s memorial had requested rewards for, transferring them from their original northwestern positions and scattering them into civilian positions in other armies.
In the military, when a general was transferred, it was equivalent to stripping their authority. Trees might thrive when transplanted, but people would die. The transferred generals understood clearly in their hearts—no matter how nice-sounding the titles given them, their positions had been revoked. For a time, banquets flourished in the northwest. Many veteran generals wept bitterly at banquets. Though nothing was said explicitly, both sides knew whose hearts had been chilled.
The day Li Chuan returned from the northwest, the newly appointed general led the army to see Li Chuan off from the city. Standing on his carriage, Li Chuan turned back to speak to the general, “Lord Zhang need not see me off further. I’m departing now. May Lord Zhang in the northwest,” Li Chuan smiled meaningfully, “have a smooth official career.”
Zhang Qiu’s expression was respectful. He bowed and said, “Respectfully seeing Your Highness off.”
Li Chuan turned his head to see soldiers kneeling like waves. The northwest summer wind rolled up yellow sand, bringing heat rushing toward him. His gaze swept across the army one by one. Inadvertently, he saw several young faces.
Qin Lin, Cui Qinghe, and others were mixed in the crowd. They secretly raised their eyes, quietly watching Li Chuan. Li Chuan’s expression remained unchanged. He nodded, then turned and entered the carriage.
After boarding the carriage, he turned his head to glance at the desert’s blazing sun.
That endless wilderness carried the fates of tens of thousands. The young Crown Prince who emerged from blood and sword killings had never so deeply experienced how the accumulated bones lay beneath all these words—soldiers, common people, rivers and mountains, imperial authority.
He closed his eyes in silent silence.
After all the orders were issued, seeing Li Chuan finally decide to return, Li Ming’s heart finally relaxed. He knew that this time, the Shangguan clan had admitted defeat.
His people had already clearly investigated—this time the Shangguan family had bled resources. Nearly half of the military forces the Shangguan main line could mobilize had been depleted. Many of their shops had been sold, all to scrape together military provisions to help the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince was the Shangguan clan’s hope, and what Li Ming planned was to gradually wear down the Shangguan clan’s vitality, then destroy the hope the Shangguan family had desperately preserved.
This time destroying the Yang family and weakening the Crown Prince, he could be said to have greatly triumphed.
Thinking of this, Li Ming recalled the person who had given him this idea. He thought for a moment, summoned the eunuch Fulai beside him, and instructed, “Have someone look into Pei Wenxuan’s case.”
Fulai responded with a smile and left. Two days later, a destitute merchant rushed to the Shuntian Prefecture to beat the drum and appeal for justice. The Shuntian Prefecture officials rushed out and frowned, “Who are you? Why are you beating the drum?”
That destitute merchant raised his head and spoke hoarsely, “I am a commoner named Tuoba Yan. I’ve come to accuse the Yang family of the General’s Manor of embezzlement and perversion of law, collusion with foreign enemies, oppression of good people, and harboring murderers!”
Hearing this, the Shuntian Prefecture officials were greatly shocked. Even the onlookers found it somewhat strange—how had someone said to be dead days ago come back to life?
If he wasn’t dead, then who had Pei Wenxuan, now imprisoned, killed?
The Shuntian Prefecture dared not judge the case and directly reported it to the Ministry of Justice. The case transferred from the Ministry of Justice to the Censorate. Finally, that very night, it reached Li Ming’s hands.
Such a major case also implicated his most beloved daughter. Li Ming decided to hold court proceedings. That night he notified the Ministry of Justice to prepare all materials. Three days later, before dawn, while Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan were still sleeping groggily in prison, they heard footsteps outside. Then Su Rongqing entered with guards carrying lanterns, and the entire prison instantly became brilliantly lit.
Li Rong’s cell had curtains drawn. Pei Wenxuan was directly awakened by the firelight. Opening his eyes, he saw guards standing on both sides of the corridor without entering, while Su Rongqing walked to the front of the cell and respectfully bowed toward Li Rong’s cell, “Your Highness, His Majesty requests Your Highness and Lord Pei to attend court to assist in the trial. Please rise and accompany this humble minister to court.”
Li Rong responded from within the cell. Su Rongqing continued, “Your Highness, this humble minister has already brought attendants from the Princess Manor to serve Your Highness. I wonder if it’s convenient to enter?”
This was quite thoughtful.
Pei Wenxuan’s motion of washing his face paused. He couldn’t help but glance at Su Rongqing.
Su Rongqing’s expression remained unchanged. He only heard the sound of curtains being drawn beside him, then saw Li Rong wearing a thin red gauze robe, hair loose, holding a small golden fan in her hand. She leaned casually to the side, yawning, “Come in.”
Su Rongqing didn’t raise his eyes. Keeping his head lowered, he stepped forward to open the cell door. Several maids immediately entered carrying water basins. Su Rongqing drew the curtain for Li Rong, then waited outside.
When Li Rong finished washing and emerged, Pei Wenxuan had also more or less finished washing. The two left their cells together and followed behind Su Rongqing, leaving the prison together.
Though dawn had not yet broken, everyone was quite alert. Li Rong boarded her carriage first. Just as Pei Wenxuan was preparing to walk to the carriage behind, he saw Su Rongqing completely unconcerned about propriety, directly jumping onto Li Rong’s carriage.
Pei Wenxuan’s movements paused. After a moment, he made a decision.
He also boarded Li Rong’s carriage.
When Li Rong first entered the carriage, she was still somewhat drowsy. Then she saw Su Rongqing jump up, startling her. She instinctively said, “What are you doing coming up here?”
“There are many matters to explain to Your Highness. I fear there won’t be time once we reach the palace. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
Su Rongqing answered respectfully. Li Rong relaxed and nodded, “Lord Su is thoughtful…”
Before she finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan rolled up the curtain and jumped in. Li Rong couldn’t help but say again, “What are you coming up here for?”
Pei Wenxuan instinctively wanted to throw out, “If he can come, why can’t I?” But seeing Su Rongqing’s face, he swallowed it back. Bickering in private was one thing, but in front of others, propriety should be maintained. So he said respectfully, “There are some matters to discuss with Your Highness. I fear there won’t be time once we reach the palace. I hope Your Highness will forgive me.”
Li Rong: “…”
The wording was so similar, she couldn’t very well refuse.
“Then Lord Pei, come in too.”
Li Rong invited both in. Without needing to discuss it, the two each found a side to sit on. Li Rong sat in the main seat above. For some reason, she experienced a strange anxiety and awkwardness.
The three fell into silent silence. Su Rongqing lowered his eyes without speaking. Pei Wenxuan opened and closed the fan in his hand, also not making a sound.
Li Rong idly poured herself tea. The sound of flowing water arose. Both looked at her. Li Rong’s motion of holding the teapot froze. After a moment, she revealed an awkward smile and urged them, “Have tea.”
With that, she personally poured a cup of tea for each of them. Then when lifting the cup, whom to give it to first became a problem.
Give it to Su Rongqing first—with Pei Wenxuan’s pettiness, he would definitely find a way to retaliate later.
Give it to Pei Wenxuan first—Su Rongqing was higher in both official rank and status than Pei Wenxuan. This didn’t quite conform to propriety.
She held the cup with frozen movements. Both quietly watched the tea in her hand. For an instant, Li Rong felt what she held wasn’t tea, but a firecracker that could explode at any moment.
After a moment, Li Rong gritted her teeth and simply drained the tea in her hand, saying calmly, “A bit thirsty. I’ll have another cup. Lord Su,” she cast aside this awkward atmosphere and got straight to the point, turning to look at Su Rongqing, “what matters do you need to inform me about?”
Su Rongqing’s matters were well-organized. He essentially told Li Rong everything he knew, no matter how small. After finishing, he summarized, “The northwestern border sent over the past account books yesterday. Because this humble minister was supervising this matter before, and now Your Highness and Lord Pei are both imprisoned, I took over. I worked through the night to have the Ministry of War accounts, Tuoba Yan’s records, and the frontline accounts cross-checked. Combined with Tuoba Yan’s confession and the confessions of people Your Highness previously investigated, this case shouldn’t have major problems.”
Li Rong nodded and said gratefully, “Lord Su is thoughtful.”
“Serving Your Highness is this minister’s duty.”
As the two talked, Pei Wenxuan quietly listened beside them. After Su Rongqing and Li Rong finished chatting, Li Rong turned back to look at Pei Wenxuan and smiled, “What matters does Lord Pei need to inform me about?”
“Oh, this matter isn’t major,” Pei Wenxuan smiled and raised his fan, pointing at the hairpin on Li Rong’s head. “Your Highness’s hairpin is crooked.”
Li Rong: “…”
He really didn’t give her any face—too lazy to even bother feigning it.
Li Rong was just thinking about stopping the carriage and kicking Pei Wenxuan out when she suddenly sensed the person beside her rise. One hand pressed against a sleeve as the other hand lifted to gently straighten her hairpin, saying peacefully, “Your Highness, all done.”
Li Rong sat stunned, unable to react. Pei Wenxuan looked coldly at Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing calmly returned to his seat, his expression peaceful, completely ignoring Pei Wenxuan’s gaze.
Seeing the atmosphere become awkward again, Li Rong coughed lightly. Both looked over. Li Rong quickly picked up her teacup and urged, “Have tea.”
Neither spoke. Li Rong felt even more awkward.
Fortunately, the carriage soon arrived at the palace. As soon as they reached the imperial palace, Li Rong quickly said, “We’re here. Let’s hurry in.”
With that, she didn’t even bother to see if the two had stood up, quickly jumping down from the carriage. Emerging from the carriage, the early morning breeze struck her. Li Rong immediately felt refreshed and invigorated. She grasped her fan and stepped forward, saying to Jing Lan, “Let’s go. We’ll go in first.”
“Not waiting for the two lords?”
Jing Lan was somewhat bewildered. By rights, having come together, Li Rong should enter the palace with them. But hearing her words, Li Rong quickly covered half her face with her fan, revealing a disgusted expression, “Let’s hurry. Keep away from them.”
With that, Li Rong led Jing Lan ahead.
Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing walked side by side into the palace city. Su Rongqing spoke gently, “Does Lord Pei seem to have many opinions about me?”
“Doesn’t Lord Su feel,” Pei Wenxuan turned to look at him, saying flatly, “that Lord Su’s care toward the Princess is somewhat excessive?”
“Oh?” Su Rongqing smiled, completely unconcerned. “Is it? I’m merely fulfilling a minister’s duty.”
“Does Lord Su plan to marry?”
Pei Wenxuan suddenly inquired. Su Rongqing found it strange, “Why does Lord Pei ask this?”
“I hope Lord Su continues to uphold this duty as a minister,” Pei Wenxuan turned his head with a light smile, “especially in front of your honored wife.”
Su Rongqing’s expression remained unchanged. Pei Wenxuan bowed and said, “Lord Su still needs to enter the hall. This subordinate won’t disturb Lord Su any further.”
With that, Pei Wenxuan straightened and walked to the side.
Su Rongqing, like ordinary ministers, needed to enter the hall at the beginning of morning court, so he went first to stand properly in the queue. Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan waited at the entrance for their summons. Seeing Pei Wenxuan approach with a smile on his face, Li Rong knew his mood probably wasn’t very good.
When Pei Wenxuan was truly happy, his smile wasn’t like this. His current smile, placed in his last life when he was Chancellor, generally meant trouble was coming.
Li Rong’s expression remained unchanged as she waited for Pei Wenxuan to make his move. Pei Wenxuan came to stand beside Li Rong, holding his tablet, not saying a word.
If the enemy doesn’t move, I don’t move. Since Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak, Li Rong began thinking about other matters. She mentally went through everything that might happen today. Just as she was thinking, she heard Pei Wenxuan unable to hold out first, saying, “Does Your Highness have nothing to ask this humble minister?”
“Mm?” Li Rong came back to her senses. Hearing Pei Wenxuan ask this, she said decisively, “Don’t want to ask. Not interested.”
Pei Wenxuan: “…”
Li Rong continued her mental wandering. After holding it in for a while, Pei Wenxuan said, “But this humble minister wants to speak.”
“I know I can’t stop you,” Li Rong sighed. “Go ahead. If you don’t speak, I’m afraid you’ll suffocate.”
“Your Highness’s words,” Pei Wenxuan said without warmth, “have already nearly suffocated this humble minister.”
“Want to try holding it in a bit more?”
Li Rong sincerely suggested. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t stand it anymore. He said directly, “I think Su Rongqing has ulterior motives toward you.”
“Really?” Li Rong’s voice held no ripples. “I’m so happy.”
“Li Rong,” Pei Wenxuan called her name. “I’m being serious. Su Rongqing is too good to you.”
Hearing Pei Wenxuan speak, Li Rong also stopped playing around with him. Listening to the eunuch announcing court, watching ministers filing in, she spoke calmly, “Pei Wenxuan, do you know what the greatest difference between Su Rongqing and you is?”
Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Following Li Rong’s gaze, he looked toward those ministers whose expressions in the morning light showed worry or joy, numbness or flamboyance. He heard Li Rong say flatly, “He’s more ruthless than you.”
“Family, glory, legacy.” Their gazes both fell on the distant young man. In the morning light, the young man wore crimson official robes, held a tablet, his bearing elegant and proper, his manner noble and distinguished. Following in the crowd, he ascended the white jade steps and entered the great hall representing the nation’s power vortex.
“These are what Su Rongqing has carried all his life. Beneath these things, what he learned from childhood was restraint, composure, and forbearance.”
Li Rong’s voice was somewhat distant, floating with a hint of pity and vague mutual understanding.
“He won’t possess the emotions you imagine.”
“He won’t be good to me because of feelings,” Li Rong spoke with particular calmness. “What he values isn’t me, but Chuan’er. I remember this at all times, and you,” Li Rong raised her eyes to look at him. Her phoenix eyes were like an ancient well or cold pool—restrained and calm. Under this absolute “stillness,” they carried a captivating beauty one couldn’t escape. She emphasized each word, “must also remember this.”