Su Ronghua’s loud shout brought Su Rongqing back to his senses. Su Rongqing raised his hand and knelt down respectfully and composedly, bowing to Li Rong: “This humble subject Su Rongqing greets Your Highness.”

Li Rong nodded and raised her hand. Jing Mei and Jing Lan beside her released Chang Le, and Matron Sizheng also stood to the side. Li Rong turned to look at the two Su brothers, asking with confusion: “Why are you two gentlemen here?”

By rights, men from the outer palace were not permitted to enter the inner palace. How were these two brothers here?

“Reporting to Your Highness,” Su Ronghua spoke first, his manner quite respectful. “We two subjects were ordered by His Majesty to teach Prince Su. Every afternoon we hold lessons here. Usually we come early and wait here first.”

Hearing this, Li Rong wasn’t surprised. In the previous life, Su Ronghua had been Prince Su’s teacher. Because of this connection, when Prince Su rebelled, he spoke some words on Prince Su’s behalf that angered Li Chuan. However, she didn’t know that earlier on, Su Rongqing had also been Prince Su’s teacher.

Using members of the Su family as Li Chun’s teachers had very obvious significance. Xiao Rou came from ordinary status. If Prince Su was to gain support in the court and contend with the Empress, he had to cultivate sufficient followers. Now Li Ming had placed Xiao Ping in the Northwest, giving Prince Su military authority. Having Su family members as his teachers was to win the support of aristocratic families. Five years ago, when the imperial examination system was opened, poor scholars flooded into the court. Although their numbers weren’t many and their official positions were quite low, given time, they would also become a new force in the court. These poor scholars naturally had favorable feelings toward someone like Consort Rou with a similar background. In the same situation, they would prioritize choosing Consort Rou.

To pave the way for Prince Su, Li Ming could be said to have racked his brains. And the core of going to such lengths to pave this road was probably that Li Ming felt…

He could live for ten thousand years.

Li Rong felt somewhat helpless. If Li Ming knew he would die in three years, perhaps he wouldn’t make such a fuss.

But if Li Ming knew he would die in three years, perhaps… he wouldn’t use such gradual methods either.

Li Rong’s thoughts shifted slightly. On the surface, she only nodded slightly at Su Ronghua and Su Rongqing, then said to the eunuch beside her: “Since it’s afternoon time, you two gentlemen came early. Please go rest somewhere else first.”

“Yes.”

After the two responded, they stood up and were led away by someone. Once the two left, Li Rong raised her head to see Huale’s face was still somewhat pale. As soon as Chang Le saw her look over, she was about to speak. Li Rong said directly: “Must I slap your mouth today before you’ll give up?”

Hearing this, Chang Le froze. She knew that today Li Rong would truly slap her mouth. Li Rong lowered her head to look at the Buddhist scripture and said flatly: “Matron Sizheng, I need to lecture the other younger sisters on scripture.”

Hearing these words, Matron Sizheng responded respectfully and made a “please” gesture toward Princesses Chang Le and Huale. Chang Le flicked her sleeves and rushed outside.

Li Rong turned her head to look at several clearly frightened little princesses: “Younger sisters, come, let’s first recite it once through.”

With both ringleaders dealt with, the group of little princesses was scared stiff. Like a bunch of little radishes lined up in a vegetable field, they quickly lowered their heads and began reciting scripture.

The sound of children reciting scripture in unison traveled from the water pavilion, accompanied by summer insect chirps and bird calls. Li Rong fanned herself with her small fan in the morning breeze, lowering her head to peruse the Buddhist scripture.

“Thus have I heard, all conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, shadows…”

Listening to the recitation, Li Rong casually raised her head and saw in the distant pavilion, the Su brothers sitting opposite each other in conversation.

Su Ronghua sat carelessly with many movements, laughing and slapping his knee, without half a bit of propriety—truly an anomaly in the Su family.

While Su Rongqing sat properly across from him, his expression carrying its usual composure. Although his behavior was impeccable, it was also somewhat different from usual. It was a relaxed posture Li Rong had never seen before. Even watching from afar, able only to outline a silhouette, one could feel that person’s peaceful and gentle attitude.

Li Rong quietly watched, listening to the sound of Buddhist scripture recitation. For a moment she felt somewhat dazed, as if it were a dream on the path of reincarnation—one dream returning to youth.

She couldn’t quite collect herself, so she simply closed her eyes, pretending to listen carefully to the scripture. Just then, an announcement came from outside, saying in a low voice: “Your Highness, His Majesty has arrived.”

Hearing this, Li Rong hurriedly stood up and led several little princesses out of the water pavilion.

Li Ming stood at the entrance with Pei Wenxuan. Seeing Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong was quite surprised. She first bowed to Li Ming, then said: “What wind brought Father Emperor here?”

“I was just strolling in the Imperial Garden with Minister Pei, discussing some matters,” Li Ming raised his hand to point at Pei Wenxuan, then looked toward the water pavilion. “Hearing the sound of reading from your place, I came over to take a look.”

“How long have you been here?”

Li Rong walked outside with Li Ming, instructing Jing Lan to watch over the princesses. Li Ming thought for a moment: “Not long, just before you were daydreaming.”

Hearing this, Li Rong’s heart jumped. She didn’t know if Li Ming had seen her watching Su Rongqing, but she showed nothing on her face, only smiling: “You’ve been here so long, Father Emperor, yet didn’t let me know.”

“Usually these children are quite mischievous,” Li Ming smiled. “Today you’ve managed to discipline them into obedience.”

“I didn’t really manage them before, thinking there were teaching matrons in the palace. When Consort Rou came to ask me to discipline them, I was still wondering what to discipline,” Li Rong raised her hand to tuck her hair behind her ear, her movements elegant, her voice gentle. “But seeing them today, I understand—Consort Rou has her difficulties too. They’re all children’s matters. Sometimes My Lady can’t manage them either. It’s better for me, their older sister, to do it. I should have come earlier.”

Though these words expressed sympathy for Consort Rou, to others’ ears, they implied Consort Rou couldn’t manage the children well.

That Consort Rou’s discipline was lax naturally made people think of her background. Li Ming remained silent, seemingly contemplating.

Li Ming secretly glanced at Pei Wenxuan following behind her, but couldn’t tell what Pei Wenxuan was thinking. His expression was distant, as if he hadn’t heard their conversation at all.

Li Rong accompanied Li Ming for two rounds. Li Ming then instructed her to leave first. Li Rong bowed to Li Ming, then heard Li Ming say: “Pingle, won’t you say a few more words to Lord Pei before you go?”

Li Rong seemed embarrassed as she smiled. She pressed her lips together and bowed to Pei Wenxuan: “Lord Pei, have a safe journey.”

Pei Wenxuan’s expression was calm as he bowed to Li Rong.

Li Rong couldn’t help but feel strange. At a time like this, Pei Wenxuan would at least wink at her playfully.

She couldn’t help but worry a bit, wondering if Li Ming had said something to Pei Wenxuan.

After the lessons ended, Li Rong had someone send a letter to ask about the daytime events. Pei Wenxuan only replied with two words: “Nothing wrong.”

Along with a pile of receipts.

Looking at the speed at which Pei Wenxuan was spending money, Li Rong drew in a sharp breath, thinking something must be wrong.

She hurriedly sent another letter. When Pei Wenxuan’s letter came back the next day, it was somewhat more normal, roughly saying:

“Money flows like water, my heart is troubled.”

This was indeed something Pei Wenxuan had worried about for a lifetime. Li Rong felt relieved, knowing no major court matters she didn’t know about had occurred.

With the words Li Rong and Li Ming had exchanged, before Chang Le could go complain to Li Ming, Li Ming first bestowed a discipline ruler on Li Rong, instructing all the princesses to properly listen to their eldest sister. Thus Chang Le no longer dared get angry with Li Rong and every day obediently learned rules and recited scripture.

Li Rong taught these princesses to recite scripture. Counting the days, it was almost time for the wedding. Under Li Rong’s instruction, these princesses behaved properly and copied ten volumes of scripture. Li Rong collected, bound, and sent them to Cining Palace.

The Empress Dowager was originally from the Shangguan clan and had a good relationship with Li Rong and the Empress. However, because Li Ming disliked them always gathering together these years, the Empress Dowager claimed illness to outsiders and secluded herself in Buddhist practice.

Now that Li Rong had sent some scripture to her, the Empress Dowager showed no reaction. But soon Li Ming’s reward came down. It was said the Empress Dowager had been unwell, but after receiving the scripture books, she improved greatly. After Li Ming heard of this, deeply feeling Li Rong’s filial piety, he commended Li Rong.

But he rewarded not only Li Rong. He also specially commended Princess Huale, saying her scripture copying was beautiful and the Empress Dowager was extremely pleased. It was her sincerity that moved heaven, allowing the Empress Dowager’s condition to improve.

Hearing this in the palace, Li Rong couldn’t stop laughing. Li Ming probably didn’t know that Huale’s scripture books weren’t copied by herself at all. But once the decree was issued, Huale could only steel herself to accept it. After accepting, she began kneeling in her room begging Buddha to protect her, praying that no one would expose her.

If it were her younger self, Li Rong would definitely have wanted to expose this matter immediately. But now she knew that exposing it would damage Huale’s reputation, but wouldn’t benefit her much either. It was better to keep it as leverage to slap Consort Rou’s face at the appropriate time.

In the blink of an eye, it was her last day giving lessons to the princesses. Getting up early in the morning, she came to the water pavilion early. Unexpectedly, there wasn’t a single person in the water pavilion. Li Rong turned her head to look at Jing Lan beside her: “Did you confirm today is the last day?”

Hearing Li Rong ask this, Jing Lan immediately knew there was a problem. She then said: “The one who delivered the message was Qiufeng.”

“Follow the trail.”

Li Rong looked up at Jing Mei: “Go notify Lord Pei. Have him wait for me at the place he wrote about before. Also send someone to watch by His Majesty’s side to see who goes to report to His Majesty. Keep a close eye on Qiufeng while you’re at it.”

Getting the instructions, Jing Mei immediately withdrew. Only Li Rong and Jing Lan remained in the water pavilion. Jing Lan said somewhat anxiously: “Your Highness, now that we know it’s a trap, shouldn’t we still…”

“No harm,” Li Rong smiled. “The methods of these princesses in the rear palace won’t be serious matters. But we can take the opportunity to see how people around us are. There must be some incident to see people’s hearts, right?”

Jing Lan was slightly stunned. After a moment, she understood.

In this world’s struggles, most losses weren’t due to how brilliant the schemes were, but rather due to those close by.

Though Jing Lan didn’t know why Li Rong trusted her so much, since Li Rong spoke, she quietly waited with Li Rong.

The master and servant blew in the wind in the water pavilion for a while, then heard footsteps behind them. Li Rong turned around to see Su Rongqing appear in the courtyard. Seeing Li Rong, he was slightly stunned. Li Rong hadn’t expected Su Rongqing to come. She thought that with Chang Le and those people’s abilities, if they wanted to frame her, they would probably find a guard or something. She never expected they could summon Su Rongqing?

Li Rong smiled faintly: “How did Lord Su come?”

Su Rongqing’s expression changed drastically. He turned to leave, but heard Li Rong say: “Lord Su, don’t be hasty. Come forward first. This palace will give you something.”

Seeing Li Rong’s composed expression, Su Rongqing stepped forward and said respectfully: “Your Highness.”

His movement had his back to the pavilion. Li Rong raised her hand to help him up, saying in a low voice: “Just say Pei Wenxuan asked you to deliver a letter to me.”

Su Rongqing’s expression shifted slightly. He secretly received Li Rong’s letter while simultaneously passing a note to Li Rong.

Li Rong took the note. Under her sleeve, she moved aside the pattern on the side of her golden fan, placed the note into the pattern, and restored the cover. Li Rong smiled and raised her hand to point outside: “Let’s go see Lord Pei together.”

Su Rongqing acknowledged and followed Li Rong out. The two had just reached the water pavilion when they heard a loud shout: “You still want to run!”

Li Rong raised her head to see Chang Le leading Li Ming and a group of people charging toward her aggressively. Li Rong feigned surprise and stepped forward to greet Li Ming: “Father Emperor…”

“Elder Sister, how could you do this?!”

Chang Le spoke excitedly: “You’re about to marry Lord Pei. Even if Lord Su is good, you can’t have such a private meeting…”

“Watch your words!”

Li Rong looked coldly at Chang Le: “You’re a dignified princess speaking such common marketplace gossip. Have you forgotten all the rules you learned these past days?!”

“You still have the face to talk to me about rules?” Chang Le turned to look at Li Ming. “Father Emperor, look at her…”

“Pingle,” Li Ming looked at Li Rong, frowning. “What are you doing here with Su Rongqing?”

“Father Emperor,” Li Rong bowed. “Lord Su was entrusted by someone to deliver a message to your daughter.”

“To deliver a message to you, why not directly find someone in your palace to relay it?”

Li Ming was quite displeased. Li Rong was about to speak when she saw Su Rongqing kneel down and say respectfully: “Your Majesty, this is this humble subject’s fault. Only because this humble subject usually lectures in the water pavilion in the afternoon, I came to the water pavilion early. Hearing that the Princess generally plays with other princesses in the water pavilion in the morning, I wanted to be lazy and personally deliver the letter to the Princess. Usually there are other princesses present…”

“Lord Su is really talking nonsense,” Chang Le interrupted him. “Yesterday Consort Rou already had everyone stop lessons so Elder Sister could properly prepare for her wedding. What lessons could there be today?”

“But how would he know?” Li Rong looked directly at Chang Le, mocking: “Did Consort Rou specially go inform Lord Su that I wouldn’t be coming?”

Chang Le choked. Then she immediately reacted: “Then what are you here for?”

“What, the Imperial Garden can’t be visited? I was thinking fondly of the time spent with my younger sisters. Now with my wedding approaching, feeling sentimental, I came to walk around. Encountering Lord Su by chance, in broad daylight, with maids present, chatting a few words—is that also a crime?”

Li Rong spoke openly and honestly. Her words blocked Chang Le until her face turned white then red, red then white. Chang Le truly couldn’t understand how Li Rong, who was clearly like fire and water with her, could say such nauseating words.

Li Rong looked at Chang Le with a smile, then swept her gaze around: “But I’m quite puzzled. My meeting with Lord Su—why did everyone come as if catching criminals? Father Emperor, why are you here?”

Hearing this, Li Ming looked at Chang Le. Only then did Chang Le react, saying urgently: “I saw someone from your side pass a note to Su Rongqing inviting him to a private meeting! If you don’t believe it, search him!”

“Search him?” Li Rong laughed. “Lord Su is the Vice Minister of Justice, a minister of the court. You actually want him publicly searched over such a matter?!”

This reminder from Li Rong made Li Ming’s expression change. He spoke: “Chang Le, don’t be rude.”

“But…”

Chang Le was about to speak urgently when Su Rongqing knelt down first: “Your Majesty, today this humble subject was truly entrusted by Lord Pei to deliver a letter to Her Highness. Lord Pei cannot enter the inner palace, so this humble subject delivered it on his behalf. Because this humble subject was momentarily lazy, it caused such a misunderstanding. The Princess’s reputation is paramount. Please allow Your Highness to search this humble subject publicly to prove innocence.”

With that, Su Rongqing looked toward Li Rong: “Please, Your Highness, take out Lord Pei’s letter.”

Li Rong sighed and bowed: “I’ve implicated Lord Su.”

“Villains create trouble,” between Su Rongqing and Li Rong, rules and respect were proper, expressions open and honest. He only said, “The Princess is not to blame.”

Hearing this, Chang Le looked at Li Ming urgently: “Father Emperor, he’s willing to be searched himself!”

Li Ming looked at Chang Le with the gaze one uses for fools, finally saying: “Since Minister Su is willing to prove his innocence himself, Fulai, go ahead.”

With that, Fulai stepped forward and searched Su Rongqing in front of everyone. Li Rong handed over Pei Wenxuan’s letter.

Everyone stared at this letter. Even Chang Le showed some disbelief. The most taboo thing in this matter was probably it reaching Pei Wenxuan’s ears. Even with the Princess’s noble status, meeting privately with an outside man before marriage—even if others believed it was a chance encounter, Pei Wenxuan would probably harbor resentment. But if Pei Wenxuan’s letter was real, then no one in the world would believe Su Rongqing and Li Rong had a private meeting.

After all, there was no man in this world who could be this tolerant.

Li Ming dubiously took the letter and scanned it. Before finishing, a eunuch rushed over and said quietly: “Your Majesty, Lord Pei requests an audience in the outer palace.”

Because of the Yang family case, Pei Wenxuan had been promoted to Censorate Inspector. Though this position’s rank wasn’t high, it was one with real power. Li Ming had specially bestowed him a golden fish pouch allowing him to walk before the imperial presence. Now he could be considered greatly favored.

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s name, Li Rong’s expression shifted. Chang Le was somewhat surprised. Then she heard Li Ming say: “Bring him in.”

Before long, Pei Wenxuan followed the eunuch in. Walking near the water pavilion, from afar he saw Su Rongqing and Li Rong, one kneeling and one standing. Both were calm and composed. Standing there, they seemed like a painting, completely out of place with their surroundings.

Pei Wenxuan’s steps paused slightly. In that instant, it was as if he saw time rewind. A very familiar scene from many years ago surged up.

At this moment, Li Ming turned around. Seeing Pei Wenxuan arrive, he called: “Minister Pei.”

Pei Wenxuan instantly reacted and quickly walked forward. After bowing to Li Ming, Li Rong, and the others, he stood up.

At this time, Su Rongqing’s search was also complete. Fulai turned to Li Ming: “Reporting to Your Majesty, there’s nothing.”

“Impossible,” Chang Le panicked. “I clearly…”

“Minister Pei,” Li Ming looked up at Pei Wenxuan. “Why have you come?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Pei Wenxuan said respectfully, “today I had some matters I wished to discuss with Her Highness. Therefore, I asked Lord Su to help me deliver a letter to the Princess, arranging to meet Her Highness before Xuanwen Pavilion for a conversation. This humble subject waited for a long time but didn’t see Her Highness arrive. This humble subject guessed Her Highness might have encountered some trouble and hurried over.”

Li Ming looked up at the location Pei Wenxuan had specified in the letter. After contemplating for a moment, he turned to look at Chang Le: “Chang Le, when and where did you see Pingle’s person deliver a letter to Vice Minister Su? Do you recognize the person who delivered the letter?”

“I…” Chang Le stammered. Li Rong said gently: “That’s right, younger sister. Speak up. We’ll investigate slowly to see who so foolishly manipulated and sowed discord through you to frame your elder sister.”

Chang Le froze.

The more lies told, the harder to maintain them. After Chang Le remained deadlocked for a long time, she suddenly said: “But even if it’s not Lord Su but Lord Pei, you still shouldn’t have such private exchanges…”

“What nonsense are you spouting!”

Li Ming couldn’t listen anymore. Private contact with Su Rongqing versus private contact with Pei Wenxuan were completely different in nature.

Meeting after engagement, though somewhat improper, wasn’t a major taboo. And Xuanwen Pavilion wasn’t a place for private meetings either. Pei Wenxuan choosing this location couldn’t be considered improper.

Moreover, Su Rongqing wasn’t someone Li Ming wanted to protect, but Pei Wenxuan was different. If Pei Wenxuan’s advancement were affected by such matters, Li Ming would be quite displeased.

Plus, Li Ming had long seen that this matter was probably entirely plotted by Chang Le to frame Li Rong. Investigating deeply wouldn’t look good for anyone. So he didn’t entangle further and decided decisively: “You, a princess, listened to villains’ slander and accused your eldest sister like this—simply outrageous. You being young is one thing, but what kind of people surround you? Send all the people around you to the Laundry Bureau. Have Consort Mei come,” Li Ming turned to Fulai, “take Chang Le back, confine her for a month, and have Consort Mei properly teach her the rules!”

“No, Father Emperor…” Chang Le spoke urgently. Li Ming looked over coldly. Sensing Li Ming’s anger, Chang Le didn’t dare say anything more. She stepped back and said quietly: “Yes…”

Li Ming irritably waved his hand, having someone take Chang Le away.

After Chang Le left, Li Ming looked at the three young people, raised his hand to poke Pei Wenxuan’s forehead, somewhat exasperated: “About to get married, what’s your hurry!”

Pei Wenxuan quickly knelt: “Your Majesty, please calm your anger. This humble subject also had some details from the Yang family old case that remained unclear and wanted to verify with the Princess…”

“Details?” Li Ming looked at Li Rong, then at Pei Wenxuan, finally saying: “I’ll believe you for now. I’m not some old fogey. Your marriage is already decided. If you want to meet, it’s not impossible. Coming so openly like this, would I not agree?”

Li Ming saying this was giving Pei Wenxuan an out. Pei Wenxuan hurriedly said: “It’s this humble subject who was narrow-minded. Your Majesty is a magnanimous sovereign, caring for subjects like a father. It’s this humble subject who didn’t understand Your Majesty’s intentions. Please punish this humble subject, Your Majesty.”

Pei Wenxuan’s string of flattery made Li Ming feel comfortable, while Li Rong got goosebumps. Li Ming waved his hand and instructed people: “Alright, Rongqing, come with me first. This matter made Minister Su suffer. You two must thank him properly.”

“Naturally,” Pei Wenxuan bowed to Su Rongqing. “Many thanks, Brother Su, for this.”

Su Rongqing returned the bow calmly. Li Ming glanced at Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan still standing there, hesitating a moment: “Forget it. If you want to talk, talk. Bring more people to avoid idle gossip.”

“Yes. Respectfully seeing off Your Majesty/Father Emperor.” Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong bowed together. Li Ming waved his hand and left with Su Rongqing.

After the group left, Pei Wenxuan turned to look at Li Rong. He hesitated for a moment, finally saying: “Shall we walk around casually or sit in the water pavilion?”

“Let’s sit in the water pavilion. I’m tired from all the commotion.” Li Rong looked fatigued. Pei Wenxuan nodded, maintaining half a zhang’s distance from her, raising his hand: “Your Highness, please.”

Li Rong followed his steps back to the water pavilion. By now it was nearly noon. Cool breezes blew gently through the water pavilion. Whether it was the wind or the person, Li Rong relaxed considerably. Pei Wenxuan had tea brought in and brewed tea for her across from her.

Pei Wenxuan wasn’t wearing official robes today, only a blue silk outer robe embroidered with white plum blossoms. His hair was half-bound with a wooden hairpin crown. Born with upright features, sitting properly behind the tea table like this, eyes lowered gazing at the tea implements in his hands, expression calm, posture elegant and graceful, combined with the tea fragrance and faintly rising white steam, he carried a dreamlike, immortal-like handsome beauty.

Li Rong propped her head up watching Pei Wenxuan. After resting a moment, she said: “Lord Pei seems to be greatly favored now. My father emperor is even willing to break rules for you. I’m getting a bit jealous.”

“Xiao Ping successfully assumed the position of Northern Pacification General and just won a victory.” Pei Wenxuan poured tea for Li Rong, his voice flat. “You’re devoted to me, seeming to obey my every word, while my position appears to be with the Crown Prince but is actually with His Majesty. Giving me face can paralyze the Crown Prince while also honing me as a blade,” Pei Wenxuan blew on his hot tea. “Why not?”

“Most important is still Lord Pei’s skill at flattery. Having lived most of a lifetime, you’ve truly made great progress. No wonder Chuan’er was closer to you later.”

Getting these words, Pei Wenxuan paused. After a moment, he said flatly: “His Majesty being close to me isn’t because I say nice things. It’s only that I understand His Majesty. And moreover, His Majesty doesn’t know about our relationship. For your sake, he treats me a bit better.”

Hearing Pei Wenxuan answer seriously, Li Rong suddenly felt irritated. She waved her hand: “Forget it, forget it. Let’s not be so serious. What’s wrong with you today?” Li Rong leaned closer, scrutinizing him. “You look unhappy.”

Pei Wenxuan’s movements stiffened. After a moment, he looked up with a smile: “Maybe a bit tired. Recently dealing with His Majesty during the day, at night having to find former subordinates, recruiting them one by one, and still busy with your wedding.”

“Isn’t the Ministry of Rites handling the wedding? What do you have to be busy with?”

“Of course there are things to handle,” Pei Wenxuan said gently. “The palace sends people to teach some palace etiquette and instructions for taking care of you. Imperial physicians have also come several times. Although I’ve studied it all before and it doesn’t take much time, it’s still work.”

Hearing this, Li Rong covered half her face with her fan, laughing softly: “Being a prince consort isn’t easy, is it?”

Seeing Li Rong laugh happily, Pei Wenxuan’s expression also softened: “It’s alright. I have experience. Let’s talk about today’s events,” Pei Wenxuan lowered his head. “Chang Le gave you trouble?”

“Third-rate petty tricks, probably Consort Rou’s doing. I wasn’t bothered to make a fuss either, just wanted to clear out the people around me and give Chang Le a lesson.”

“How did Su Rongqing end up here?”

Pei Wenxuan took a sip of tea. Li Rong was also puzzled: “You’re right to ask. I’m also wondering. Chang Le said she saw my person give him a letter, so someone must have disguised themselves as me to send him a letter. He’s such a smart and cautious person—could he not see it was a trap? Why rush over like this?”

“Where’s the letter?”

“Here.” Li Rong opened her fan, somewhat proudly. “You didn’t expect this, did you?”

“Let me see.”

Pei Wenxuan raised his chin. Li Rong opened the mechanism on the fan and pulled out a slip of paper from inside.

After pulling it out, she saw it was indeed in Li Rong’s handwriting, neatly written in one line:

Longing to see, promised at peach blossom time.

The next line was in forged handwriting, somewhat sloppy:

Meet at water pavilion, cannot miss the Goddess of the Luo.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater 1]

Li Rong: “Explain why you’ve been spending so much money lately.”

Pei Wenxuan: “I saw you and Su Rongqing in the water pavilion, I got emotional!”

Li Rong: “So you maxed out my card?!”

Pei Wenxuan: “Yes!!”

[Mini Theater 2]

Pei Wenxuan: “You need to take responsibility for me.”

Li Rong (shocked): “Why?!”

Pei Wenxuan: “You flirted with me.”

Li Rong: “I… I haven’t even started flirting yet, and you’ve already entered the post-flirtation stage? Aren’t you a bit fast?”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Contemplating for a moment.

Pei Wenxuan: “No, Your Highness, you can take your time. I can hold on until the day you flirt with me before entering the post-flirtation state.”

Li Rong: “I think you can’t hold on anymore…”

Pei Wenxuan: “Give me some confidence, I’m your bestie.”

Su Rongqing: “Hello, elder sister.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Get lost!”