Pei Wenxuan endured most of the night and finally fell into a dazed sleep. It felt like he hadn’t slept long before he was called awake to prepare for morning court.

When he got up, Li Rong was sleeping sweetly. Pei Wenxuan’s anger suddenly surged. He couldn’t help but reach out and pinch Li Rong’s cheek. Li Rong furrowed her brows, raised her hand to hit him, and mumbled, “What are you doing?”

Hearing Li Rong seem displeased, Pei Wenxuan finally felt somewhat better. He stood up and left.

Li Rong was somewhat dissatisfied at being pinched by Pei Wenxuan, but she was truly too sleepy, so she didn’t bother with it and fell back into a dazed sleep.

After waking up, Li Rong finally remembered what Pei Wenxuan had done. While washing her face, she let out a cold laugh. Seeing the smile carry a chill, Jing Mei couldn’t help but say, “Has Your Highness thought of something vexing?”

Generally when Li Rong showed this kind of expression, someone was about to be unlucky. Li Rong took a towel from the side and said flatly, “It’s nothing. When the Prince Consort returns, replace his tea with salt water.”

Jing Mei was stunned and quickly glanced at Jing Lan. Then the two pressed their lips together and smiled. Li Rong glanced at them: “Laughing at me? Getting bold?”

“Recently Your Highness has been acting much more maturely,” Jing Lan quickly interjected. “Now you finally have a bit of your former temper. We just couldn’t help feeling nostalgic.”

Hearing this made Li Rong feel somewhat pleased, as it proved she was living younger and younger. She waved her fan and didn’t pursue the topic further, turning around and entering the room. She called someone over: “Have the physician go check on Miss Qin, and send word to the Ministry of Justice saying I want to visit the Qin family members. See what they say.”

Jing Mei acknowledged and went down to have people handle it.

Li Rong sat in the courtyard, lying on a reclining chair, suddenly feeling like she was stealing half a day of leisure from a floating life.

Previously she had been busy first with the arranged marriage and Yang family matters, then with the wedding and Li Chuan’s selection of consorts. Now that all decisions had been made about establishing the Constabulary Bureau, the earlier matters were resolved. Next she still had to wait for Li Ming’s reply. For the moment, she surprisingly had rare free time. Lying on the reclining chair looking at the blue sky, she didn’t quite know what to do.

She rarely had such free time. After lying in the courtyard for a while, she simply had someone bring out a story book, along with some fruit and melon seeds. While cracking seeds, she read the book.

When Pei Wenxuan returned, he saw Li Rong lying on the rocking chair, reading the book with great amusement. Pei Wenxuan walked to her side and lightly tapped her with his court tablet: “What are you reading that makes you smile like that?”

“This story book is too interesting,” Li Rong laughed and put down the book, sitting up straight. “A princess, a chancellor’s daughter, and a famous courtesan from a pleasure house—all three chasing after a poor scholar relentlessly. The chancellor’s daughter elopes with him, the princess commits suicide for him. I laughed until tears came out. Tell me, where did this poor scholar come from? How could he dream like this all day long? Has he even seen a princess?”

“What respectable person writes these things?” Pei Wenxuan placed a memorial in Li Rong’s lap, smiling. “His Majesty has responded. The Constabulary Bureau matter is up to you. But to establish such a thing, you still need a justification.”

“His Majesty said,” Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves, saying leisurely, “think of a way to give him some face, and he’ll not only approve your establishment of the Constabulary Bureau but also grant you ten more counties as fiefdom.”

“Really?”

Li Rong sat up straight, her eyes brightening. Pei Wenxuan was amused by her: “Just ten counties, and Your Highness is this happy?”

“One who doesn’t run a household doesn’t know how expensive rice and firewood are.” Li Rong glared at him. “Always asking me for money—how would you know my difficulties?”

Pei Wenxuan leaned against the tree, smiling: “I’m destined to live off a woman. I’ll have to trouble the Princess to take care of me more.”

“Go on with you.” Li Rong stood up and walked toward the dining hall. Pei Wenxuan followed behind her, saying softly, “Going to make trouble now isn’t quite appropriate. Wait until the Qin family case is decided, then overturn it. Make a bigger commotion. Only then can you establish this Constabulary Bureau properly.”

“I understand. Today I had someone go ask the Ministry of Justice. First, let’s see the situation.” With that, Li Rong remembered, “Did you tell Su Rongqing I want to meet him?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan’s smile faded a bit as he said flatly, “I mentioned it when we left court.”

“Did you arrange it?”

Pei Wenxuan turned his head, showing a smile like he was watching a good show: “He refused.”

“He refused?!”

Li Rong stopped in her tracks, somewhat shocked: “He actually refused to see me?”

“You’re not some celestial fairy,” Pei Wenxuan rolled his eyes seeing her shock. “Why must he agree to see you?”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She truly hadn’t expected Su Rongqing would refuse. Perhaps it was inertia from the previous life, or perhaps in this life Su Rongqing’s initial displays toward Li Rong had always been friendly. This sudden refusal surprised Li Rong. She pursued Pei Wenxuan, her tone full of incomprehension: “Why did he refuse? Did he give a reason?”

“If he refuses, he refuses. Why are you so anxious?” Seeing Li Rong’s unfriendly tone, Pei Wenxuan’s tone also turned unpleasant. He only said, “He said he knows what you want from him. The Qin clan case involves too much. He told you not to get involved.”

Getting this answer, Li Rong pondered for a while and understood Su Rongqing’s meaning.

Previously during the Yang clan case, Su Rongqing helped because the Yang family itself was aristocracy outside Hua Jing, entrenched in the Northwest for years with little contact with Hua Jing’s aristocracy. It could even be said that the Yang family held military power independently, presenting an adversarial yet cooperative relationship with Hua Jing’s aristocratic families. Su Rongqing helping her faced no obstacles.

But this time the situation was different. This time involved complex aristocratic families, and the aristocratic families in Hua Jing had many marriage connections. This time, even the Su family might be implicated. Even if they weren’t helpers, they absolutely wouldn’t be tigers blocking the road.

Li Rong tapped her fan, understanding Su Rongqing’s thoughts. For a moment, she found herself somewhat ridiculous.

She lowered her head and laughed. Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her: “What are you laughing at?”

“I’m just confirming once again,” Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan, “you understand me better than I understand myself.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t understand. He looked at her questioningly. Li Rong sighed, “You said before that I still had feelings for him in my heart. I was somewhat doubtful, but now I believe it. Tell me, if I didn’t still have some sentiment for him, how could I not have realized he couldn’t possibly help me this time?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. Li Rong shook her head with a light laugh: “I was confused. Forget it, let’s take a different path.”

“You…” Pei Wenxuan paused, then said slowly, “don’t need to be sad. He’s not familiar with you now. Proceeding purely from self-interest is normal.”

“Why are you comforting me?” Li Rong raised her eyebrows. “Would I be troubled by such a small matter? Forget it, do you have anything this afternoon?”

“I plan to find Shangguan Ya,” Li Rong waved her fan. “If you’re free, why not accompany me?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan understood Li Rong’s meaning. Shangguan Ya might go to the gambling house. If she went to the gambling house, he indeed needed to accompany her.

So he nodded and responded: “Alright.”

The two went to find Shangguan Ya. As usual, they first went to the Shangguan residence. After learning Shangguan Ya had gone to a teahouse, this time they didn’t take a detour and headed straight to the gambling house.

Pei Wenxuan borrowed a token from a friend again. After entering the familiar way, Li Rong couldn’t help but say, “Next time let’s just make our own token.”

“That works too.”

Otherwise, constantly borrowing tokens was embarrassing for him too.

He protected Li Rong as they searched through the crowd. They found Shangguan Ya at a table playing leaf cards.

Shangguan Ya wore men’s clothing and was playing enthusiastically. When Li Rong walked behind her, she just heard her shout loudly: “Pong!”

Li Rong patted her shoulder. Shangguan Ya said impatiently, “This young master is playing cards…”

Before finishing, Shangguan Ya froze. Li Rong looked at her with a smile: “I need you for something.”

Shangguan Ya forced a smile: “Can you wait until I finish this round? I’m about to win.”

Li Rong smiled lightly and turned around: “Then I’ll wait for you in a private room.”

Gambling houses generally had VIP rooms. As long as the gambling amount reached a certain level, one could enter.

Li Rong went directly upstairs to a private room. After sitting inside and playing with dice cups for a while, she heard Shangguan Ya standing at the door, somewhat anxious: “Um, may I come in?”

Li Rong put down the dice cup and sat up straight: “Come in.”

Shangguan Ya pushed open the door and entered. She closed the door and walked to the table with a smile: “Seeing you in this place always feels somewhat unaccustomed.”

With that, she sat down. Pei Wenxuan stood to the side and poured tea for Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya looked Pei Wenxuan up and down, picked up the tea and smiled at Li Rong: “Your Prince Consort is quite good. I like him.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking, standing behind Li Rong, looking at Shangguan Ya without saying anything.

Li Rong looked back at Pei Wenxuan, then at the loose-lipped Shangguan Ya before her, and laughed lightly: “So bold.”

“I know the Princess won’t mind.” Shangguan Ya raised her teacup as if raising a wine glass. After taking a sip, she put down the cup and leaned against the armrest, smiling: “Your Highness, speak. You came to find me to discuss the Qin clan case?”

“How does the whole world know I want to handle this case?”

Though Li Rong wasn’t surprised Shangguan Ya knew about this, she was somewhat curious. Shangguan Ya propped her chin, looking at Li Rong: “Your Highness handled Yang Quan’s case last time and interfered with the selection of consorts in the palace. If Your Highness didn’t interfere with the Qin clan case, I would find that strange.”

“Oh?”

Li Rong raised her eyebrows: “Then what do you think I’m interfering for?”

“Doesn’t Your Highness think,” Shangguan Ya looked at her, her eyes full of understanding, “the aristocratic families are managing too much?”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She looked at Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya sat up straight, bringing some of the propriety she had in the palace: “His Majesty forced Princess Pingle to marry Lord Pei because of the aristocratic families. Now the aristocratic families want to force His Highness the Crown Prince to take a consort. Tell me, with fate in others’ hands, can Your Highness endure it? Can His Highness the Crown Prince endure it? Can His Majesty endure it?”

“Is this why you switched the incense burners in the palace?”

“Your Highness is clever.” Shangguan Ya complimented. “Last time, what Your Highness said to A-Ya, A-Ya took to heart. It’s just that the Shangguan family isn’t in A-Ya’s hands after all. A-Ya cannot make the decisions.”

Shangguan Ya’s last sentence was meaningful. Li Rong looked at Shangguan Ya. She clearly knew Shangguan Ya’s control over the Shangguan family.

Right now Shangguan Ya was still too weak, but in the previous life later on, though Shangguan Ya was in the rear palace, she was actually the one who controlled the Shangguan family.

Shangguan Ya’s relationship with the Shangguan family was completely opposite to Shangguan Yue’s relationship with the Shangguan family. Shangguan Yue lived for the Shangguan family, while the Shangguan family existed for Shangguan Ya.

Li Rong opened and closed the folding fan in her hand, saying slowly, “So what do you plan to have the Shangguan family do?”

“I’m of the same mind as Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya put away the smile on her face and said seriously. “The Shangguan family should slowly withdraw from court. So I hope to establish a better relationship with Your Highness.”

“What kind of relationship?”

“Has Your Highness considered supporting someone more controllable to control the Shangguan family?” Shangguan Ya’s voice was calm. “This way, the Shangguan family can be completely loyal to Your Highness, help Your Highness assist the Crown Prince in ascending the throne, then slowly withdraw from court, leaving only a few people at court to maintain face. Everyone else will return to Youzhou.”

“Why not withdraw now?” Li Rong’s lips held a smile. Shangguan Ya stroked her teacup. “Why ask what you already know? His Majesty has been suppressed by the Shangguan family for over ten years. The resentment is stuck in his heart. Can the Shangguan family withdraw? If the Shangguan family withdraws now, there’s probably only one path—death. The only solution is to establish a better relationship with the Crown Prince and you, to make you two trust the Shangguan family. Then in the future when the Crown Prince ascends the throne, allow the Shangguan family to withdraw on their own.”

Hearing Shangguan Ya’s words, Li Rong laughed out loud: “You want to become the head of the Shangguan family?”

“Not now,” Shangguan Ya raised her eyebrows. “But in the future?”

“Why should I help you?”

“Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya leaned forward, smiling. “You and I are both women with compatible ideas. If I want to become the head of the Shangguan family, I must rely on Your Highness. Wouldn’t such a Shangguan family be much easier to control than now?”

“Only this way,” Shangguan Ya’s expression was meaningful, “will the Shangguan family be Your Highness’s Shangguan family.”

Li Rong completely understood Shangguan Ya’s meaning.

Currently, the Shangguan family’s relationship with Li Rong and Li Chuan was that the Shangguan family controlled them, not that they controlled the Shangguan family.

In the long run, whether Li Chuan or Li Rong, sooner or later they would become like Li Ming now.

Shangguan Ya saw clearly, but she couldn’t change her father’s arrogance. She could only find another path.

Shangguan Ya was now placing the Shangguan family’s future in Li Rong’s hands. First, to show weakness. Second, to seek a protective umbrella.

If the Shangguan family was completely in Li Chuan’s or any monarch’s hands, the other party would infinitely weaken the aristocratic families for their own power and the court.

But in Li Rong’s hands, the Shangguan family and Li Rong shared prosperity and adversity. Li Rong couldn’t completely weaken the Shangguan family, only control them. Facing the Shangguan family controlled by Li Rong, as long as the monarch trusted Li Rong enough, they would relax their guard against the Shangguan family. If the monarch didn’t trust Li Rong, before toppling the Shangguan family, they would have to move against Li Rong first.

Currently, Li Ming and the Shangguan family were already in a fight to the death. Li Rong and Shangguan Ya’s goal was to support Li Chuan, then ensure Li Chuan and the Shangguan family wouldn’t fall into the current situation again. After that, Shangguan Ya would find a safer position for the Shangguan family, so they wouldn’t be as precarious as today.

Whether Shangguan Yue or Shangguan Xu, they were born during the Shangguan family’s most prosperous time. Deep down, they didn’t believe Emperor Li Ming could do anything to them. They firmly believed that in the confrontation between the Shangguan family and Li Ming, they still held the advantage.

So the Empress’s method of protecting the heir position was to infinitely depend on the aristocratic families, making them an inseparable part of Li Chuan. In her heart, this was the best way to protect her son. This method both ensured Li Chuan ascended the throne and guaranteed the Shangguan family’s continued glory.

She just overlooked that those born into the imperial family valued dignity and autonomy of fate far more than they imagined.

And Shangguan Ya clearly saw this.

Because she herself was like Li Rong. She clearly knew Li Rong and Li Chuan’s thoughts, and thus understood the Shangguan family’s precarious fate.

Li Rong looked at her friend from the previous life across from her. She wasn’t surprised by her perceptiveness. After a moment, she smiled: “Excellent. What you need, you can tell me.”

“Most of the time I won’t need Your Highness’s help,” Shangguan Ya seemed to have known Li Rong would agree and wasn’t surprised. She leaned back in her chair, one hand unconsciously playing with dice, only saying, “Occasionally when I need help, it might be a big favor.”

“I’ll need your help with many things.” Li Rong wasn’t polite either. “Have you thought this through?”

“Rest assured, I’ll follow Your Highness’s instructions.” Shangguan Ya looked up. “So this time, what does Your Highness want me to do?”

“Do you know which people are involved this time?”

“Recently, three families have been visiting my home—the Wen clan from Xingyang, the Cui clan from Qinghe, and the Wang clan from Longxi. You can follow up and check which people from these families are serving in the Ministry of Justice and Censorate. Then you’ll roughly know who’s handling the Qin clan case.”

Shangguan Ya was clearly prepared. Li Rong felt much relieved seeing her so cooperative.

“Any other information?”

“Things have just started. I’ll keep watch for you. If there’s news, I’ll notify you immediately.”

“Good.” Li Rong nodded and exchanged: “Whatever else you need, feel free to tell me.”

“Twenty people,” Shangguan Ya wasn’t polite at all. “I want to arrange them into the Shangguan residence.”

“Fine.” Li Rong immediately agreed. After both sides reached the deal, Shangguan Ya stood up. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll go play another round. Time is limited. After playing I need to return to the manor. You opened this room, so I’m not paying.”

Hearing the word “money,” Li Rong felt somewhat pained. Fortunately, gambling money was a drop in the bucket for her. She waved her hand and sighed: “Go ahead.”

Shangguan Ya paid respects and withdrew. Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, saying helplessly, “Tell me, why is each and every one of you always reaching out for money? When will someone give me a god of wealth to relieve the pressure of being the head of this household?”

Pei Wenxuan found it amusing and walked out the door with her: “Work harder. Get His Majesty to grant you those ten counties, and the silver will come.”

Hearing this, Li Rong looked back, examining Pei Wenxuan up and down. Being stared at like this made Pei Wenxuan uneasy. He couldn’t help but say, “Why are you looking at me?”

“I just suddenly remembered…” Li Rong raised her hand to link arms with Pei Wenxuan, smiling: “Wenxuan, don’t you still have family property to inherit?”

Being linked arms by Li Rong like this, Pei Wenxuan’s whole body froze. His brain felt like it had been covered in paste, all stuck together. He couldn’t even speak anymore.

Li Rong thought of Pei Wenxuan’s family property and became momentarily happy: “Most of your Pei family’s assets were earned by your father, right? Logically, since you’ve come of age, it’s improper for your uncle to keep managing them. Let’s find an opportunity to discuss with your family. What do you think?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. All his senses were focused on where Li Rong touched him.

Li Rong truly didn’t treat him as an outsider, linking arms with him like this, like two young ladies talking. Pei Wenxuan could see Li Rong was driven crazy by money. Thinking of his family’s wealth, even Li Rong’s tone became much gentler: “Father-in-law was quite capable. Back then, with his own ability, he forcibly pushed the Pei family from a second-tier aristocratic family into first-tier. I imagine he left behind considerable family property. You should learn from him. You can’t always think about asking me for money. You should learn to have some manly dignity. Don’t you think?”

Hearing her mention men, Pei Wenxuan finally somewhat came to his senses. He glanced up and down at Li Rong, turned his head away, and said directly, “I have no dignity.”

Hearing this made Li Rong angry. Knowing Pei Wenxuan was refusing her suggestion, she reached out to pinch and twist Pei Wenxuan’s soft flesh, saying indignantly, “Why are you so useless?!”

“Aiya, my dear ancestor,” Pei Wenxuan sighed. “Can you be a bit more realistic? My second uncle is Chancellor of the Secretariat, only a little bit worse than people like Shangguan Xu. Going to ask for money now is like snatching food from a tiger’s mouth. If you want money, fine, but can you think of some easier methods?”

Li Rong also understood this principle. She sighed, saying worriedly, “Making money is so hard.”

Hearing Li Rong’s words, Pei Wenxuan turned to glance at her. Seeing Li Rong seemed genuinely seriously troubled by this, he couldn’t help but laugh out loud.

Li Rong looked up at him, somewhat displeased: “What are you laughing at?”

Being linked arms by Li Rong, after chatting and getting distracted like this, Pei Wenxuan no longer felt nervous. Linking arms with Li Rong, they walked toward the carriage together as he laughed softly: “I didn’t expect Your Highness would also have days of worrying about money.”

“Are you mocking me?”

Li Rong raised her eyebrows. Pei Wenxuan quickly said, “I wouldn’t dare. I just think this appearance of Your Highness is rare. Quite cute.”

“Tsk,” Li Rong showed a disdainful expression. “Pei Wenxuan, when you flatter, you can say anything.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled and turned his eyes to look at the carriage ahead, saying slowly, “Actually, Your Highness needn’t worry. Some of the businesses I invested in before have already started turning a profit. Next year there should be surplus. Your Highness’s fiefdom Qingzhou has fertile soil. After taking over Your Highness’s business, I had people invite Gu Chenzi. Now he should already be in Qingzhou teaching the common people how to farm.”

Gu Chenzi was the previous life’s famous “Rice Saint.” He researched agriculture his entire life, especially in growing rice with considerable research. In the previous life, it would be some more years before he wrote “Agricultural Arts” and became famous throughout Great Xia. But now he had already been invited early by Pei Wenxuan to Qingzhou.

“All things are difficult at the beginning,” Pei Wenxuan consoled Li Rong. “It’ll be better next year.”

“Alright, I know,” Li Rong sighed. “I’m just saying casually. You’re terribly good at making money. It’s not like I haven’t seen it.”

As Li Rong spoke, they reached the carriage. Pei Wenxuan helped her board, then rolled up the curtain and entered the carriage.

Hearing Li Rong praise him, Pei Wenxuan was quite pleased. After sitting down, he looked up at Li Rong finding a comfortable position, lazily nestling in the carriage. He couldn’t help but smile: “Since you know, Your Highness should rest assured. These years I’ve been managing Your Highness’s business. In the future,” Pei Wenxuan opened a teacup, his voice gentle, “the extra silver can be considered this subject’s gift to Your Highness as dowry.”

Hearing this, Li Rong laughed out loud: “Pei Wenxuan, you’re really something, even preparing my dowry for me.”

“After all, we’ve known each other for one lifetime,” Pei Wenxuan smiled and looked up at Li Rong laughing happily beside him. “Giving you a set of dowry ensures you can get married and don’t stick to me for a lifetime.”

“Shameless,” Li Rong poked him with her small fan. “Who wants to stick to you for a lifetime?”

Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking, lowering his head to pour tea.

Li Rong turned her fan beside him. With a glance of his peripheral vision, he could see those slender, beautiful fingers turning the golden small fan, like some peculiar dance, carrying wordless aesthetic beauty.

His gaze paused on those slender fingers. Somehow, he thought of the previous life. Back when they first married, sometimes when Li Rong had her monthly courses, those beautiful hands had their uses.

Pei Wenxuan’s gaze darkened slightly. He hurriedly lowered his eyes and said in a low voice, “Your Highness, let me discuss something with you.”

“Mm?”

“I think we should still sleep in separate beds.”

“Oh?” Li Rong turned to look at him, somewhat curious. “Don’t you find it troublesome?”

They hadn’t separated before. Why separate now?

Li Rong was somewhat puzzled. After a moment, she showed some teasing: “Pei Wenxuan, could it be you have designs on me?”

“Your Highness thinks too highly of yourself.”

Pei Wenxuan answered quickly: “Someone I’ve looked at for decades—what designs could I possibly have?”

Answering this, Pei Wenxuan’s heart beat rapidly. Li Rong nodded and said slowly, “That’s true too. You and I are too familiar. If you could have designs even like this, it shows you men are truly indiscriminate omnivores, worse than beasts.”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Hearing Li Rong scold him, Pei Wenxuan somehow felt somewhat guilty.

He felt Li Rong was right. With such a pure friendship with Li Rong now, how could he develop such thoughts just from looking at hands?

Truly he was too base.

So he nodded heavily and agreed: “Your Highness is absolutely right!”

“Then why do you want separate beds?”

Li Rong looked up at him, blinking. Pei Wenxuan was momentarily stumped. After holding it in for a long time, he finally said, “I get up too early every morning for court. I’m afraid of disturbing Your Highness.”

“Just that?” Li Rong smiled and waved her hand grandly. “No problem. You getting up generally doesn’t disturb me. Don’t worry too much. Sleeping separately is too troublesome. If people discover it and rumors spread that we’re not harmonious, His Majesty will suspect how much water is in my Constabulary Bureau. After all, his trust in me now partly depends on your face, thinking that since I married you, I’ll follow my husband whether a chicken or a dog.”

Hearing Li Rong’s words, Pei Wenxuan didn’t dare say more. He nodded and pulled out memorials from the drawer, saying flatly, “If you don’t mind, then forget it.”

He’d just take a few more cold baths.

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater 1]

Pei Wenxuan: “I’ve prepared your dowry for you.”

Li Rong: “You’re so good?! Thank you! You’re truly my good close friend.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Don’t mention it. You’ll bring it back anyway.”

Li Rong: “???”

[Mini Theater 2]

Li Rong: “You and I are so familiar. If you could have designs even like this, it shows you men are truly indiscriminate omnivores, worse than beasts.”

Pei Wenxuan: “Your Highness is absolutely right! I’m that beast! I actually have thoughts about you. I’m base! I’m shameless! I’m not a good close friend!”

[Mini Theater 3]

Pei Wenxuan’s vlog: “Hello everyone, I’m Pei Wenxuan. Today’s the second attempt at sleeping separately. I failed again. The Princess can always find reasons for us not to sleep separately. I find them very reasonable. I can’t refuse. Let me see if I can think of other methods. After all, if we keep sleeping like this, I’ll soon fall in love with her. I don’t want to, wahhh. I really only see her as a brother, wahhh…”