“Longing to see, promised at peach blossom time.”

Pei Wenxuan glanced at the characters above and looked down at his teacup with a soft laugh: “In the previous life when you went on the southern inspection tour with me, Su Rongqing wrote you love poems. Are you still practicing calligraphy with them now?”

Pei Wenxuan had sharp eyes—he could tell at a glance which line Li Rong had truly written. Li Rong coughed lightly, her expression composed: “Just writing casually. I’ve written all the poems I remember.”

With that, Li Rong quickly added: “I’ve written yours too.”

Pei Wenxuan gave her a bland glance without pursuing the matter, only saying: “The ‘Ode to the Goddess of the Luo River’ was originally titled ‘Lament at Juancheng.’ Many say it was written by Cao Zhi lamenting Lady Zhen’s death, with the Luo River Goddess secretly referring to Lady Zhen. Now that you’re about to marry, in others’ eyes, you’re probably this Goddess of the Luo.”

“Meet at water pavilion, cannot miss the Goddess of the Luo,” Pei Wenxuan smiled mockingly. “Good thing you hid it well. Otherwise today, even if you jumped into this lake, you probably couldn’t wash away the gossip.”

“So I knew what I was doing,” Li Rong knew Pei Wenxuan was also annoyed at her boldness. She fanned herself: “Didn’t I have you leave me a letter early on? Rear palace schemes are just so much—either drugging or catching adultery. Don’t worry, nothing major will happen.”

“Do you still remember how you died?” Seeing her like this, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but remind her. Li Rong smiled faintly: “So aren’t I learning from that lesson, focusing on clearing out the people around me?”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing more. Li Rong leaned forward to take a cup, raising the small cup to her lips, when she heard Pei Wenxuan suddenly say: “What do you think is Su Rongqing’s reason for coming?”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She sipped her tea, listening to Pei Wenxuan say: “With his intelligence, why would he risk coming deep into the palace?”

“What exactly are you trying to say?”

Li Rong set down her cup, smiling somewhat helplessly. Pei Wenxuan looked at her and only said: “Have you ever considered…”

“No.”

Li Rong interrupted him, looking at him seriously: “I know what you want to say. You want to say Su Rongqing likes me. But whether in the previous life or this life, at this moment, whether he likes me or not doesn’t matter.”

“Because you’re marrying me.”

Pei Wenxuan looked at her calmly. Li Rong became somewhat irritated. She fanned herself: “Yes, this is already a fact. So Pei Wenxuan, I’m asking you to take that clever little brain of yours and wash it in water. Don’t always think about things that don’t exist. Forget about Su Rongqing not possibly liking me—even if he did like me,” Li Rong looked up at him, only saying, “his feelings would definitely only stay in his heart. He would absolutely never do anything harmful to his family. Is that clear?”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. Li Rong raised her hand to her forehead: “If you don’t have anything else, hurry up and leave. Looking at you gives me a headache. Also,” Li Rong raised her head, staring at him, “we can argue all we want, but don’t go back and waste money.”

She didn’t worry about other things. Li Rong was just more concerned about her money.

Though she had a fief, it wasn’t particularly wealthy. Usually maintaining so many people in the Princess’s mansion, and now having to fund Pei Wenxuan’s shadow network and raise shadow guards—these were all expensive matters.

Pei Wenxuan remained silent, stood up, bowed, and prepared to leave.

Walking to the doorway, Pei Wenxuan suddenly stopped. With his back to Li Rong, looking at the corridor beyond, he suddenly said: “Li Rong, do you think you’re always right?”

Li Rong was stunned. Pei Wenxuan only said: “If Su Rongqing truly is the person you think he is, he wouldn’t have entered the palace today. Do you really know what the twenty-year-old Su Rongqing is like?”

“Whatever he’s like,” Li Rong’s voice turned cold, “has nothing to do with me. If you mention the character ‘Su’ one more time, I’ll have someone throw you in the lake today!”

“Su Rongqing, Su Rongqing, Su Rongqing.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke extremely quickly, even saying it three times, turning to look at her: “You can have someone throw me in now.”

Li Rong: “…”

“Pei Wenxuan,” Li Rong smiled. She gripped her fan tightly. “If you have the guts, don’t marry me. As soon as you enter my Princess’s mansion…”

“I’ll jump into Tranquil Heart Lake myself.”

Pei Wenxuan turned and walked away, saying flatly: “Every day, once a day.”

Tranquil Heart Lake was the lake in the Princess’s mansion’s rear courtyard. Hearing this, Li Rong was immediately so angry her head spun. Supporting herself, she stood up wanting to chase after Pei Wenxuan and scold him. But as soon as she stood, she became somewhat more clear-headed. She was in the Imperial Garden after all, not some shrew. Why lower herself to his level?

Li Rong rapidly fanned herself with her fan, wanting to use the cool breeze to calm herself down. Jing Lan walked in. Seeing Li Rong’s appearance, she couldn’t help but laugh: “Lord Pei made you angry again?”

“Troublesome commoner.”

Li Rong shook her head: “This palace cannot lower herself to a troublesome commoner’s level.”

The troublesome commoner Pei Wenxuan also walked out from the water pavilion. When he reached the forest path, he suddenly stopped again. He turned to glance at the water pavilion, seeing Li Rong walking out laughing and talking with someone. For a moment, he felt somewhat regretful.

Originally when he came out this morning, he had wanted to ask her which wedding robe she chose. Today when they met, they argued again about Su Rongqing, and he actually forgot.

In the morning when thinking about this matter, he had felt somewhat happy. But somehow, at this moment, he felt he didn’t want to think about it anymore.

The set he chose was the one she wore in the previous life.

In the previous life, they married two months earlier. The Ministry of Rites only prepared one set. Now the Ministry of Rites had much more preparation time, so they made another set. He liked familiar things, so he chose the familiar one. He just didn’t know what Li Rong chose. But no matter what Li Rong chose, thinking about it now, somehow it all felt somewhat unimportant.

He clearly knew that actually, no matter what Li Rong wore, after marrying him, in the end they would still separate.

This wasn’t a wedding ceremony, just a transaction.

In this transaction, what Li Rong wanted was only power and protection. Everything else was irrelevant.

Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath and stopped dwelling on it. Returning to the government office, he repeatedly reviewed his memorials.

After arguing with Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong returned to her own palace. When she arrived, her anger still hadn’t subsided. She called everyone over, had each person report on today’s situation, then rewarded a batch and punished a batch. She dragged out Qiufeng to be beaten with rods. After interrogating for less than an afternoon, Qiufeng confessed everything.

As expected, it was Chang Le who had privately bribed Qiufeng, having Qiufeng not report Consort Rou’s orders to Li Rong, and also stole Li Rong’s unburned draft manuscripts.

Li Rong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. She didn’t know whether to say Qiufeng’s luck was good or bad—she just happened to steal the one where she wrote about Su Rongqing. If she had stolen others, perhaps Pei Wenxuan wouldn’t have such a temper, and her days would be easier.

Li Rong felt somewhat helpless. She had someone take Qiufeng away. After resting for a moment, listening to the crying sounds in the courtyard, Jing Lan stepped forward, brought her a bowl of sweet soup, and probed: “Your Highness, after handling the palace people, is there anything else to do?”

Though Chang Le was confined, Li Rong had previously clearly stated this matter couldn’t be separated from Consort Rou.

Li Rong thought for a moment and said slowly: “Today Chang Le caused trouble. His Majesty’s mood must not be very good. Will His Majesty still go to Consort Rou’s place today?”

“Yes,” Jing Lan said in a low voice. “When His Majesty is troubled, he always goes to Consort Rou.”

“Take the copy of the Filial Piety Classic that Huale personally copied before and have it mounted,” Li Rong immediately said. “Later send it to the Empress Dowager. Say that I heard the Empress Dowager hasn’t been well recently. Previously His Majesty said Princess Huale’s copied scripture had spiritual power. I’m sending this over for her.”

“Your Highness’s meaning is?”

“Consort Rou sent me such a gift,” Li Rong chuckled softly. “I should beat the grass to startle the snake and give her a reminder. When you act like a rabbit too long, people think you won’t bite.”

Jing Lan acknowledged and, following Li Rong’s instructions, had the Filial Piety Classic mounted before sending it to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager took one look and directly bestowed this Filial Piety Classic on Consort Rou. That very night came news that Li Ming had confined Chang Le and made her copy scripture one hundred times.

Li Rong was soaking her feet when she received this news. Listening to Jing Mei’s vivid description: “When His Majesty entered, seeing the Filial Piety Classic on the wall, his expression was still quite good. Later when he saw the signature was Princess Chang Le, he immediately became furious. He scolded saying ‘None of them are learning properly, can’t even copy scripture and have to find someone to do it for them.’ Princess Chang Le was scolded to tears on the spot.”

“Such a small matter.” Hearing this from the side, Jing Lan sighed: “Princess Chang Le is too delicate.”

“Isn’t she just?” Jing Mei spoke frankly. “Spoiled rotten.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the two quickly glanced at Li Rong, only to see Li Rong supporting her head, humming opera in smug satisfaction.

Seeing Li Rong wasn’t displeased, the two finally relaxed.

Having thoroughly dealt with people in one day, Li Rong’s heart was extremely satisfied. Every day she ate well and slept soundly. Pei Wenxuan, however, was somewhat uncomfortable.

During the day at work, he was still alright. But once deep night and quiet came, his thoughts became somewhat scattered.

For two consecutive nights, he dreamed of the previous life. He dreamed of hearing news that Li Rong had been punished and rushing over in a hurry. Each time he ran very fast. In the dream, he didn’t know what was happening, but just knew he had to be faster. Yet each time he frantically ran over, he would see two people, one kneeling and one standing.

Those two people stood together. It seemed there was no one else around them.

He was like a lonely ghost drifting beside them, in a flash half a lifetime passed.

Sometimes he would see them drinking wine in the corridor. Sometimes he would see them playing chess. Sometimes he would see heavy rain, Su Rongqing holding an umbrella, Li Rong running over with small steps, squeezing beside him, raising her hand to hold his arm.

The dreams weren’t long, so he would always wake up at night. Upon waking, it was an empty room, moonlight shining in, exactly the same as countless nights in the previous life.

In this loneliness, he would feel afraid and ashamed. As the wedding day approached, this shame became increasingly obvious.

He vaguely knew what he cared about, yet was somewhat unwilling to face it.

He felt like a thief, as if he had stolen something.

In the previous life, Li Rong was actually different from him.

The more he lived, the narrower he became. Until being reborn, seeing clouds and moon, mountain sparrows, hearing the breeze of youth, in a dreamlike chase at Tuoba’s mansion, he suddenly awakened to the wrong path he had taken.

But in the previous life, Li Rong’s state of mind was much broader than his.

Except for the moment before death, Li Rong’s latter half of life was probably happy.

He had seen Su Rongqing take care of Li Rong, seen them in love.

Li Rong said she wouldn’t be with Su Rongqing in this lifetime because she was old, she couldn’t love a twenty-year-old Su Rongqing.

But actually Pei Wenxuan knew, deep in Li Rong’s heart, perhaps there was a fear in her bones.

She feared repeating the same mistakes. The Su Rongqing in her imagination was so calm he didn’t know emotions.

But Pei Wenxuan knew this prejudice was, at its core, just Li Rong’s extreme form of self-protection.

A Su Rongqing who could be confused by a letter—how could he be the cold-blooded tool Li Rong thought he was, who had nothing but his family?

Su Rongqing was good.

Better than Li Rong imagined.

It was just that Li Rong didn’t dare think it. It was just that he, Pei Wenxuan, happened to exploit this gap and obtained an imperial marriage decree. This marriage of his was itself obtained through Li Rong’s misfortune.

And in Li Rong’s misfortune, how could he sleep peacefully, turning a blind eye?

The more Pei Wenxuan thought at night, the more awake he became. During the day, he forced himself to work. Everyone who saw him congratulated him. Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained unmoved as he smiled and responded to all. Following Great Xia’s usual customs, he gave money to everyone who came to offer congratulations.

He just didn’t expect that distributing all the way to the end, he would actually meet Su Rongqing.

When he saw Su Rongqing, he couldn’t help but be stunned. Su Rongqing smiled and spread his hands: “Could it be Lord Pei doesn’t want to give this humble one wedding money?”

“Not at all?” Pei Wenxuan quickly came back to himself and hurriedly said: “I just didn’t expect Lord Su would be here. Isn’t Lord Su working?”

“Passing by coincidentally, seeing everyone here, I came to join the excitement.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan handed the wedding money to Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing looked at the silver in his hand and said seriously: “May you be together for a hundred years.”

“Thank you.”

“After marrying,” Su Rongqing half-joked, “you must draw clear boundaries with other young ladies. Don’t offend the Princess.”

Pei Wenxuan was stunned. He stared blankly at Su Rongqing. Seeing him freeze, Su Rongqing quickly said: “Just joking, don’t take it seriously.”

Though the words were a joke, it was indeed the beginning of his break with Li Rong back then.

Su Rongqing bowed and turned to leave the crowd. Pei Wenxuan suddenly called out: “Lord Su.”

Su Rongqing turned back. He heard Pei Wenxuan say seriously: “If your wife conflicted with your family, what would you do?”

Su Rongqing hadn’t expected Pei Wenxuan would suddenly ask this question. Someone beside them quickly said: “Is Lord Pei seeking advice? If the Princess conflicts with family members, better endure it.”

With this interruption, Pei Wenxuan’s question didn’t seem strange. Pei Wenxuan watched Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing thought for a moment, finally saying: “I’ll see who’s right and stand on that side.”

“Shouldn’t one value family more?” Pei Wenxuan pressed urgently.

“Isn’t a wife family?”

Su Rongqing asked in return.

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. Su Rongqing smiled, bowed, and walked outside.

“Lord Pei.” The person beside pushed Pei Wenxuan. “Quick, may you have children early.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled, somewhat helpless, and began distributing money again.

After finishing distributing money, it was nearly nightfall. When Pei Wenxuan came out from the government office, he saw the Princess’s mansion’s Chief Administrator standing at the entrance. Seeing the Princess’s mansion’s Chief Administrator, Pei Wenxuan’s heart skipped a beat.

Usually seeing him was nothing, but seeing him today made him feel somewhat flustered.

But he forced himself to remain calm, walked forward, and bowed to him: “What wind blew you here, sir?”

“Tomorrow you’ll marry the Princess. Thinking you’d be busy today and inconvenient to go to the Princess’s mansion, I came instead.”

The other smiled: “The Princess asked me to relay a message.”

With that, he handed a letter to Pei Wenxuan.

The letter contained Li Rong’s admonishments. The general meaning was that the wedding was approaching, with nothing to do, she felt somewhat irritated. She hoped he would perform well at tomorrow’s wedding and not embarrass her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t just make him jump in the lake—she’d directly sink him in it.

Looking at Li Rong’s letter, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but smile.

The Princess’s mansion’s Chief Administrator stood to the side watching and couldn’t help saying: “Did Her Highness say something joyful?”

“No,” Pei Wenxuan put away the letter, saying directly: “She’s scolding me.”

“Her Highness has always had this temperament,” the other was quite understanding. “She only scolds people she thinks highly of. She doesn’t even bother with those she dislikes.”

“Then I should thank Her Highness for her appreciation.”

“Her Highness is a very good young lady,” for some reason, the other’s tone suddenly shifted. Like an elder, he gently advised: “Though a princess, Her Highness isn’t an arrogant or rude person. Even without the princess status, she would be an excellent wife. Though she usually seems to scold Lord Pei, Her Highness also often instructs us, saying Lord Pei has a weak stomach, to make more soft foods. The tea you drink when you come was also specially instructed by Her Highness, saying it’s the tea you’ve always loved.”

Pei Wenxuan quietly listened to these trivial matters. After a moment, he laughed softly: “Always scolding me, I thought she disliked me so much.”

“Lord Pei is joking,” the other shook his head. “Her Highness once said that you treat her well now, and she also hopes you’ll live well in this lifetime.”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. Hearing this phrase “live well in this lifetime,” for ordinary people, hearing it might just be casual words.

But Pei Wenxuan clearly knew that when Li Rong said this, she truly hoped he would live well in this life.

In their previous life, neither of them was happy. And he especially—alone and solitary, utterly isolated.

Li Rong was the type of person who matched strength with strength. If you treated her badly, she would meet you point for point.

But if you treated her even slightly well, she would be completely soft and tender-hearted.

Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat uncomfortable. He felt something stuck in his chest, unable to spit out or swallow down. After a long while, he finally said hoarsely: “Me too.”

“I hope Her Highness can live well in this lifetime.”

“Since you both think this way,” the Chief Administrator chuckled softly, “then I’m relieved.”

With that, he looked up at the sky, then said: “If there’s nothing else, sir should go back and prepare.”

“Sir,” Pei Wenxuan called out to him. “Could I trouble you to relay a message to the Princess for me?”

“Mm?”

“Just say,” Pei Wenxuan smiled, “I have a gift that she’s probably been anticipating for a long time. I’ll give it to her tomorrow. After she sees it,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was gentle, “tell her not to be too grateful to me.”

Author’s Note:

Pei Wenxuan’s current condition’s other name: Pre-wedding jitters

[Mini Theater 1]

Li Rong: “If you dare mention the character ‘Su’ one more time, I’ll sink you in the lake.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Su Rongqing Su Rongqing Su Rongqing, nyah nyah nyah.”

Pei Wenxuan sinks in lake. The End.

[Mini Theater 2]

Su Rongqing: “May you be together for a hundred years, treat the Princess well.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Wishing you happiness, you too.”

Princess: “???? What are you doing? Harmoniously getting along, good sisters’ grand reunion? Wake up, this is the web novel world of chaste and martyred husbands, no green hats allowed!”

[Mini Theater 3]

Pei Wenxuan: “I know you like Su Rongqing, I’ll push your head down, don’t be afraid.”

Li Rong: “What? Who? I like Su Rongqing? How come I don’t know? Don’t you dare! Don’t touch my head!!”

[Mini Theater 4]

Pei Wenxuan: “Your Highness, I have a gift for you. When you see it, don’t be too grateful to me.”

Li Rong: “Someone, drag him out and sink him in the lake.”

Jing Lan: “Your Highness, why?”

Li Rong: “His brain usually can’t sync with mine. Since he’s saying not to be too grateful, it seems he’s done something worthy of being sunk in the lake.”