Li Rong helped Qin Zhenzhen up and immediately summoned others. While having someone fetch a carriage, she had people clear the surrounding area. After confirming no one nearby had seen them, she had Qin Zhenzhen board the carriage and immediately rushed back to the Princess’s Manor.

Qin Zhenzhen had injuries on her body. Li Rong took out commonly prepared medicine from a drawer and bandaged Qin Zhenzhen’s wounds. Qin Zhenzhen gritted her teeth without making a sound. After arriving at the Princess’s Manor, Li Rong called for the manor’s physician to examine her. After the physician cleaned the wounds and prescribed medicine, he turned to Li Rong and said, “This young lady’s injuries are all superficial wounds. With a bit of rest she’ll recover. Your Highness need not worry.”

Li Rong nodded and had him withdraw first. She stood beside the bed for a moment. Qin Zhenzhen had her eyes closed, seemingly resting. Li Rong was just about to speak when noisy sounds came from outside. Li Rong hurried out of the inner chamber. Just as she rounded the screen, she saw Pei Wenxuan and Li Chuan walking in.

“What’s the situation?”

Li Rong immediately looked up at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan still had rain on him, his expression grave: “There were no problems with their procedures for sealing off the Qin family. Right now, His Majesty can only send additional personnel to supervise, trying to ensure they don’t make mistakes.”

“Who did he add?”

“Su Rongqing. He’s the Vice Minister of Justice, has high status, and hasn’t participated in this dispute.”

Hearing Su Rongqing’s name, Li Rong felt somewhat more at ease. Seeing Li Rong’s expression change, Pei Wenxuan paused in his movements, then continued, “I encountered His Highness the Crown Prince at the palace gates. He wanted to come find you, so I brought him back together.”

Li Rong acknowledged this. She turned to look at Li Chuan. His eyes were slightly red, but his expression was extremely cold. Li Rong knew something must have happened to him in the palace, so she said, “Why did you enter the palace?”

“I went to find Mother Empress.”

Li Chuan spoke hoarsely. Li Rong paused, then asked hesitantly, “And then?”

Li Chuan didn’t speak. After a long while, he suddenly said, “Sister, you handle this case.”

Li Rong froze in place. Li Chuan said calmly, “It’s not convenient for me to act. If I act, the backlash from the aristocratic families will be too great. I’m afraid they’ll immediately consider ways to depose me. Right now, Imperial Father doesn’t trust me. I cannot be too forceful with the aristocratic families.”

“You want to move against those who submitted the impeachment.”

Li Rong stated with certainty, “These are all uncle’s people. Have you thought this through?”

“I have.”

Li Chuan said calmly, “A blade that won’t obey—if I don’t grind off its sharp edges, I don’t want it.”

Li Rong remained silent. After a moment, she said slowly, “What did Mother Empress say to you?”

“After I learned about the Qin family matter, I entered the palace to question her. This matter is too risky. If black and white can be so reversed, if just through aristocratic family internal connections a case against a humble family can be made ironclad, how wary must this make Imperial Father? Moreover, in court struggles, to fabricate charges and exterminate an entire clan like this,” Li Chuan closed his eyes, “the methods are too extreme.”

“What did Mother Empress say?”

“She asked if I had a secret relationship with Qin Zhenzhen.” Li Chuan laughed, as if he found it absurd. “She asked if this was why I was unwilling to marry Shangguan Ya.”

“She sent people to investigate me. The matter of me going to find Qin Lin was discovered by her. She thought I went to find Qin Lin for Qin Zhenzhen’s sake. Later at the palace banquet, when Qin Zhenzhen placed second in the incense blending and I exchanged a few more words with Qin Zhenzhen, she found out about that too.”

“Combined with how Qin Zhenzhen has been in the spotlight recently due to incense blending, it’s been rumored throughout the palace that Imperial Father seems to intend to make her Crown Princess. Mother Empress worried that Qin Zhenzhen threatened Shangguan Ya’s position, so she passed word to uncle.”

Li Chuan smiled bitterly, “Uncle just happened to be preparing to make an example of one family, so he chose the Qin family.”

“I’m not surprised they would pick a family to target. I just didn’t expect it would be with such thunderous methods.”

Li Rong had also guessed the Shangguan family would select one family to suppress, but she hadn’t thought they would slap on the crime of colluding with the enemy and betraying the country.

Such a serious crime—anyone could see this was the Shangguan family’s warning to Li Ming.

And from the current situation, it was also a warning to Li Chuan, who was unwilling to take a Crown Princess.

Li Chuan looked somewhat weary. Li Rong didn’t speak. Li Chuan looked up at her and said slowly, “Sister, you said that only when a person is strong enough do they have the power to choose.”

“Yes.”

“Then today, I ask you one question,” Li Chuan gazed at her. “Are you willing to get involved in this case?”

Li Rong remained silent. Li Chuan looked at her calmly and continued, “If you’re willing, I will fully support you. Today you can find a suitable reason to pledge allegiance to His Majesty and take this opportunity to establish the Constabulary Bureau in the name of thoroughly investigating this case. This bureau can be directly under His Majesty’s jurisdiction, not included in the scope of the Three Departments, serving as independent supervision outside the court, with the power of life and death.”

“You are a princess. For my sake and Mother Empress’s sake, no one dares casually do anything to you. You are the most suitable person to do this.”

“And in the future, if I ascend the throne,” Li Chuan lowered his voice, promising, “the Constabulary Bureau will still be yours.”

This was power that belonged completely and directly to her.

Li Rong said nothing. Li Chuan immediately added, “However, this matter is extremely risky. Sister need not rush to decide. If sister is unwilling, it doesn’t matter.” Li Chuan looked at her, paused, his expression solemn. “No matter what, you are a princess.”

After Li Chuan finished speaking, he turned to look at the heavy rain outside, saying in a low voice, “I need to prepare for morning court. Sister, rest well. I’ll leave first.”

Li Rong finally responded, and together with Pei Wenxuan, paid respects as they saw Li Chuan off.

After Li Chuan left, Li Rong stood in place without speaking for a long time. Pei Wenxuan quietly kept her company.

After a long while, he finally said, “You should go back and add a layer of clothing. The Qin family has already been imprisoned. This matter isn’t urgent…”

Before he finished speaking, a soft call came from the side: “Your Highness.”

Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan turned their heads together and saw Qin Zhenzhen standing beside the screen.

Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong in surprise, wanting to ask something but not daring to say much. He just imperceptibly took a step back, standing behind Li Rong.

Li Rong looked quietly at Qin Zhenzhen. Then she saw Qin Zhenzhen, gripping her sword, kneel down before her.

“This commoner woman begs Your Highness to establish the Constabulary Bureau.”

“You beg me? What can you give me?” Li Rong scoffed. Qin Zhenzhen pressed her lips together and could only grit her teeth and say, “Through fire and water, without hesitation.”

“Through fire and water?” Li Rong laughed lightly. “You’re just a young lady from a humble aristocratic family. What can you do? Could I possibly have you make a marriage alliance?”

“This commoner woman’s fate is meager and person insignificant. Apart from the long sword in my hand, I have nothing else. If Your Highness is willing,” Qin Zhenzhen raised her head, looking directly at Li Rong, “from this life forward, there need be no Second Miss Qin.”

Li Rong looked into Qin Zhenzhen’s eyes. She suddenly understood what Qin Zhenzhen wanted.

Qin Zhenzhen indeed didn’t belong to Hua Jing, nor did she belong to the court.

“What if I want you to kill someone?”

“I can.”

“What if I want you to go to the Northwest?”

“Good.”

“Qin Zhenzhen, I won’t make this kind of decision for you alone.”

“I understand. But I must try.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. The two gazed at each other quietly. After a long while, Li Rong turned with a sweep of her sleeves: “Go rest. I’ll think about it more.”

With that, Li Rong instructed the people nearby to care for Qin Zhenzhen and walked directly outside.

Pei Wenxuan walked beside Li Rong. The two walked side by side along the corridor. Li Rong touched the gold fan in her hand without making a sound.

Outside, heavy rain pattered down. Dark clouds pressed the sky into pitch blackness. Lanterns in the corridor swayed gently in the wind. Pei Wenxuan walked beside Li Rong, blocking the cold wind that assailed her.

The two remained silent the entire time. Li Rong suddenly said, “Do I still have a choice?”

“As long as Your Highness is willing to give up power,” Pei Wenxuan looked toward the end of the corridor, hands tucked in his sleeves, speaking slowly, “what can’t you choose?”

“Don’t establish the Constabulary Bureau, or even ignore the Crown Prince altogether. You’ll still be my wife, Princess Pingle.”

As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he turned his head and smiled, “Establish the Constabulary Bureau—win, and you’ll be Her Highness the Princess Royal, below one and above ten thousand. Lose, and you’ll be cut to pieces with nothing left of your corpse.”

“If I had nothing, would I still be your wife?”

Li Rong found this somewhat amusing. Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak.

The moment Li Rong’s question passed through his mind, he didn’t know why, but instinctively felt—

If Li Rong had nothing, perhaps she could be his wife for a lifetime.

But this thought flashed by. He didn’t dwell on it deeply. Whether yes or no, this answer wasn’t suitable to tell Li Rong at this moment, because he clearly knew that not only would Li Rong not believe it, she might even stomp on it a couple times.

So he laughed lightly, “Perhaps one day, when that time comes, you’ll know?”

“Forget it then,” Li Rong smiled. “That price is too high. I’d rather not know.”

As they spoke, they walked together to the door of the room. Li Rong said slowly, “You need to prepare for court, right? Go change clothes in another room. I’ll think it over carefully.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged. As Li Rong pushed open the door, he suddenly called out, “Your Highness.”

Li Rong didn’t turn around. She heard the person behind her say, “Actually, no matter which path you choose, if one day you’re cut to pieces, I’ll definitely be ahead of you.”

If she were only his wife and she died, it would definitely be others stepping over his corpse to get to her.

If she established the Constabulary Bureau and she was finished, it would definitely be because he was already finished too.

Whether as husband and wife or as allies, they had long shared life and death.

“So,” Pei Wenxuan softened his voice, “choose a path you like.”

Li Rong’s back was to Pei Wenxuan. She couldn’t help but raise the corners of her mouth, only saying, “I know. Stop nagging.”

With that, she entered the room and closed the door.

After entering, she stood in the darkness. Then she walked to the desk and found a place to sit down.

Establishing the Constabulary Bureau—she had done similar things in her previous life.

The source of a person’s power must originate from what they hold in their hands that determines power over others.

The more people one could determine the fate of, the larger the scope of determination, the more power she truly controlled.

For example, Pei Wenxuan was currently under her control. The core reason was that Pei Wenxuan needed her money, her people, and her identity as princess, allowing him to silently intimidate others in the officialdom.

But money, people, and status—these things weren’t scarce resources.

To construct a power center with herself as the core, she had to be involved in wielding authority. In her previous life, she had also established organizations similar to the Constabulary Bureau, but mostly borrowing the identity of Princess Royal, never establishing an independent organization outside the Three Departments so directly.

The Constabulary Bureau was a sharp blade. If not used well, she might hurt herself.

Li Rong closed her eyes, lightly tapping her palm with her fan, sorting through the entire situation.

Now she had three paths to take. The first, following the previous life, persuade Li Chuan to marry Shangguan Ya as primary consort and Qin Zhenzhen as side consort. As long as Qin Zhenzhen had no impact on the Crown Princess position, the Empress wouldn’t insist on eliminating the Qin family.

But if this happened, Li Chuan would completely expose the card that was Qin Lin to the Shangguan family and become completely dependent on the aristocratic families. Li Ming would find a reason to depose the Crown Prince in the future, and Li Chuan would have to rely on aristocratic family power to ascend the throne again. But the Yang family fell too early in this life. What changes might occur in the future was unknown. And depending on the aristocratic families, the conflicts between them and Li Chuan would still erupt in the future.

The second path—ignore everything and let Li Chuan and Pei Wenxuan handle it themselves. Either Li Chuan would completely abandon the Qin family, or Li Chuan would return to the first path. But no matter what, Li Chuan would still have to accept the Shangguan family’s control.

And the third path—establish the Constabulary Bureau.

Li Rong opened her eyes and looked at the faint light of dawn penetrating through the window and falling on the floor. Her eyes were completely bright.

The aristocratic families were blades, but blades must have sheaths. The current humble families weren’t sufficient to serve as sheaths, so she had to become that scabbard.

Establish the Constabulary Bureau, thoroughly investigate the personnel involved in the Qin clan case, use her Constabulary Bureau to intimidate the aristocratic families, then secretly make contact with other members of the Shangguan family to support a new Shangguan family head.

This way, she could completely control the Shangguan family, intimidate the aristocratic families, and even have the power to directly topple Consort Rou, instead of being constrained everywhere like now.

The aristocratic families would become blades with sheaths, controlled by her. Only then could the future conflicts between Li Chuan and the aristocratic families be resolved. Only then would the Shangguan family not end up like in the previous life—except for one Shangguan Ya left in the palace, whom she had desperately protected, most of the others met miserable ends.

Only with power in her hands would she have room to choose.

Thinking of these things, Li Rong felt a familiar hot blood surging through her veins.

As Pei Wenxuan said, the path of the Constabulary Bureau was the best path and also the most dangerous path.

“Cut to pieces…”

Li Rong’s fan lightly tapped her palm. After a moment, she laughed softly.

She stood up and came to the desk, envisioning the entire establishment plan for the Constabulary Bureau, then wrote it into a memorial. As she wrote the memorial, she instructed Jing Lan outside, “Jing Lan, go request Miss Qin. Have her come once. Also send someone to the palace—when the Prince Consort leaves court, intercept him and have him come find me.”

Jing Lan acknowledged. Before long, Qin Zhenzhen was brought to the room.

Qin Zhenzhen had changed into a set of clothes. Her complexion was still somewhat pale. Upon entering, she first paid respects to Li Rong. Li Rong raised her hand to have her rise. While writing the memorial, she said, “In a while I’ll enter the palace to request to review the Qin family case. Do you have anything to give me?”

Hearing this, Qin Zhenzhen looked up at Li Rong, her eyes carrying some hope: “Your Highness has agreed?”

“I will discuss the matter of the Constabulary Bureau with His Majesty. As for you,” Li Rong looked up at Qin Zhenzhen, “I’m giving you a choice.”

Qin Zhenzhen was stunned. Li Rong said directly, “You’re not suited to Hua Jing, nor to marriage alliances within aristocratic families. Today you have two paths. Give me what you brought out from the Qin family, I’ll have people protect you and send you back to the Qin family. You’ll still be Second Miss Qin. In the future, you’ll marry into a good family in Hua Jing, support your husband and educate children, and thus spend your life.”

“And the second path?”

Qin Zhenzhen looked at Li Rong and asked directly. Li Rong gazed into Qin Zhenzhen’s eyes. She thought of the moment in the previous life when Qin Zhenzhen’s coffin closed.

She lay in the coffin, a long sword held in her arms. That wasn’t according to the ordinary etiquette for imperial consorts. It was something Li Chuan had forcibly placed in her coffin.

Li Rong looked at her. After a long while, she spoke, “If the Constabulary Bureau is established and we investigate the Qin family case, we may use some extraordinary means. I need someone with high martial arts skills to help me. After taking action, the aristocratic families may retaliate extremely. They won’t dare target me, so they’ll trouble my subordinates.”

“You want me to be that person.” Qin Zhenzhen immediately spoke.

Li Rong acknowledged, “Yes. After the Qin family case ends, you cannot stay in Hua Jing any longer. I’ll send you directly to the Northwest. The Northwest is now in chaos after the Yang family’s fall. You’ll establish a branch of the Constabulary Bureau in the Northwest and assist Qin Lin in gaining control of the Northwest military power and stabilizing the Northwest. Later, when my wings are full, we’ll make further plans.”

“But from then on,” Li Rong made her tone grave, “you won’t have the surname Qin, nor will you be a daughter of the Qin family, to avoid your actions implicating the Qin family. I will arrange a reasonable death for the person called Qin Zhenzhen.”

Qin Zhenzhen remained silent without speaking. Li Rong lowered her head to write the last line of the memorial. Then she set down her brush and raised her head: “Give me an answer.”

Qin Zhenzhen spread her wide sleeves, knelt down and kowtowed, speaking respectfully: “Please, Your Highness, bestow a name.”

Li Rong wasn’t surprised by Qin Zhenzhen’s choice. She looked quietly at Qin Zhenzhen, only saying, “No regrets?”

“Your Highness walks a thorny path for the Qin clan. How dare this commoner woman preserve only herself? This commoner woman is willing to become a sword,” Qin Zhenzhen raised her head, her expression serious, “to assist Your Highness in pointing the blade toward all directions.”

“I’m not doing this for the Qin clan,” Li Rong met her gaze. “If you’re repaying a debt of gratitude, there’s no need for this.”

“I’m also doing this for myself.”

Qin Zhenzhen answered earnestly.

Li Rong looked at her. After a long while, she took the memorial and walked past Qin Zhenzhen: “From now on you’re called Xun Chuan. Get up and enter the palace with me.”

Qin Zhenzhen stood up and followed behind Li Rong. Li Rong held the memorial: “What did your family give you?”

“The Qin family’s internal family token,” Qin Zhenzhen said in a low voice, “and grandfather’s blood letter proclaiming his innocence. Originally meant for me to bring to the Northwest to give to third uncle and older brother.”

“Good.”

Li Rong nodded and led Qin Zhenzhen out. The wounds on Qin Zhenzhen’s body seeped blood. She instinctively raised her hand to cover them. Li Rong glanced over and smiled, “Today you may have to be wronged. The more miserable you look, the better.”

“I will follow Your Highness’s instructions.”

The two boarded the carriage. Before long, they arrived at the palace gates. Li Rong waited at the palace gates for a while. Pei Wenxuan had just left court when he received word from Li Rong’s people to meet her at the palace gates. Getting the message, Pei Wenxuan rushed over enthusiastically after court. He happily rolled up the curtain and jumped into the carriage, saying cheerfully, “Today, do you need something from me…”

Before he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan froze. He looked up and saw Qin Zhenzhen sitting inside. He glanced at Li Rong, hesitated for a moment, then turned around: “How about I get a different carriage…”

“Sit down.”

Li Rong spoke directly. Pei Wenxuan immediately sat beside Li Rong, as if being closer to her could give him some sense of security.

Li Rong looked at him strangely, then continued, “I’m entering the palace to see His Majesty. Say that Qin Zhenzhen is your old acquaintance who found you after escaping and was rescued by you. You introduced her to me. I couldn’t bear to see the Pei family’s tragic scene, so I decided to seek justice for the Qin family.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged, only saying, “Mm, I’ll explain to His Majesty that I instigated conflict between you and the Empress, making you want to grasp your own power, which is why you had the idea of establishing the Constabulary Bureau.”

“Good.”

“Look at the memorial,” Li Rong handed it to Pei Wenxuan. “See if there are any problems.”

Pei Wenxuan acknowledged and took it, scanning through Li Rong’s memorial. Then he said, “That’s fine.”

The two discussed and aligned the details of their statements. Qin Zhenzhen just needed to tell the truth, only changing the person who rescued her to Pei Wenxuan instead of Li Rong.

After the three parties aligned their statements, they arrived at the Imperial Study. Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong got down. Since Qin Zhenzhen was injured, they had her rest in the carriage first. The two stood at the entrance to the Imperial Study and had someone notify Li Ming.

Standing at the door, Pei Wenxuan was obviously much more relaxed. Li Rong glanced at him and said flatly, “What were you so nervous about in the carriage?”

“I don’t know either,” Pei Wenxuan sighed. After thinking, he couldn’t help saying, “Probably the same feeling you had when Su Rongqing was in the carriage.”

Li Rong immediately understood this feeling. After thinking for a moment, she leaned over and said in a small voice, “I need to trouble you with something.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan instinctively felt uneasy. He turned his head, looking at Li Rong somewhat warily: “When you talk like this, it’s never a good thing.”

Li Rong smiled, showing an ingratiating expression: “When you go to the government office later, could you arrange a meeting with Su Rongqing for me?”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Li Rong raised her eyebrows: “You won’t even help with this little favor, yet you dare call yourself a friend?”

“Time and place.” Pei Wenxuan turned his head away, his face completely casual. “If you don’t know where to set it, I can even help you with that.”

“Then could you recommend something for me?”

“The top floor of Tingfeng Tower. Listen to the wind, admire the moon, and talk heart-to-heart. Very classy.”

Pei Wenxuan’s suggestion sounded good to Li Rong. Even when discussing serious matters, Li Rong preferred something elegant. So she tapped her small fan against her palm, saying happily, “Excellent! Let’s set it for this afternoon at Tingfeng Tower. Drinking wine at dusk—quite tasteful.”

“Stop dreaming.” Pei Wenxuan glanced at her sideways with a mocking look. “That place is popular. You need to book a month in advance. Just randomly find a teahouse to finish your discussion. Why do you need class?”

“That’s not right.”

Li Rong immediately corrected him: “Young Master Su…”

Before she finished, Fulai walked out, interrupting them both.

“Princess, Prince Consort, His Majesty requests both of you to enter.”

The two looked at each other. Li Rong nodded and stepped forward to enter.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Pei Wenxuan: “My wife came to pick me up from work today—so happy! Taptaptap, I’ll hurry to find her~”

(Lifts the curtain, sees two women inside, freezes)

Pei Wenxuan lowers the curtain: “Sorry, pardon me, this is a death trap question.”