Pei Wenxuan was slightly stunned. Looking at the girl in red palace robes before him, somehow he saw an indescribable tenderness in that person’s eyes.

This kind of tenderness was something the young Li Rong never had. The Li Rong standing before him now carried the mellow richness of having lived through the years. Even in these moments when she revealed her tender feelings, she possessed a resilience and steadiness that youth could never match.

Pei Wenxuan’s heartstrings stirred slightly. He smiled softly. “Then when I return, will Your Highness have a reward?”

“At a time like this, you’re still asking me for rewards?”

“Your Highness knows this humble subject,” Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes gently, “never accepts a loss.”

“Fine,” Li Rong also smiled. “If you accomplish it well, there will be a reward.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to bow. Then he looked up at Li Rong. After watching for a long time, just as Li Rong was about to urge him on, she saw this person take three steps as two, coming forward and pulling her into his embrace.

“Be well. Don’t worry about me.”

“You old fox,” Li Rong was held in his arms, her head pillowed on his shoulder. “What is there for me to worry about?”

“That’s good then,” Pei Wenxuan released her and straightened her clothes, his gaze carefully sweeping over her eyebrows, eyes, nose, lips—not missing a single detail. Finally, he said, “Then I’m leaving.”

After saying this, he finally let go. This time, he seemed not to dare look back and hurriedly left.

After Pei Wenxuan had been gone for a long while, Li Rong finally came back to her senses. She felt as if winter was approaching—the night wind had grown much colder.

She took a deep breath before turning and getting into the carriage.

That midnight, Xun Chuan brought the Qin family back to the Princess Manor. Li Rong had people settle the Qin family, then mobilized all the Constabulary Bureau personnel and the Princess Guard to station at the manor gates.

The Qin family had suffered much punishment in prison. Qin Lang especially had been tortured to the point of being barely alive. The entire family was examined by physicians one by one—it took a long time.

The entire Princess Manor was lit up all night. Li Rong didn’t sleep either. After thinking in her study for a while, she had someone summon Xun Chuan.

Xun Chuan had just finished watching the physician examine Qin Lang’s condition. The expression beneath her mask showed some fatigue. She entered the room and bowed to Li Rong. Li Rong, while looking at intelligence reports in her hand, raised her hand to let her sit, not lifting her head as she asked, “How is Lord Qin?”

“Alright,” Xun Chuan sat down, her voice somewhat hoarse. “His life is saved, but he’ll likely need continued care afterward. He is advanced in years, after all.”

“He raised you, didn’t he?” Li Rong spoke while putting down the intelligence report in her hand, looking up at Xun Chuan. “Haven’t you thought about telling him about yourself?”

“Let’s not talk about that for now.” Xun Chuan’s voice was very flat. “If I told him, he wouldn’t let me work outside. As long as I tell him I’m still alive so the old man doesn’t worry, that’s enough.”

Li Rong pondered for a moment, nodded without asking further questions, and raised her hand to pass Qin Lang’s written list to Xun Chuan, saying quietly, “Take this list. After tomorrow, I may be confined in the palace. At that time, you’ll have two responsibilities. First, protect the Qin family well. Absolutely do not let anyone take them even half a step from the Princess Manor.”

“Yes.”

“Second, find Shangguan Ya. From the list, screen out suitable candidates and obtain witness testimonies about the embezzlement of military provisions at Huangping County that year.”

“Understood.”

“That’s all then,” Li Rong looked up to see light rain had begun falling outside at some unknown time. Quite wearily, she asked, “Is it almost dawn?”

Before she finished speaking, the sound of troops and horses came from outside.

Xun Chuan raised her hand to grip her sword. Li Rong pressed down on her sword, saying calmly, “Don’t be alarmed. Someone will come.”

Hearing Li Rong’s words, Xun Chuan gradually calmed down. Li Rong withdrew her hand, looking at the lanterns swaying in the wind along the corridor, simply saying, “Pour tea.”

Xun Chuan steadied her mind and raised her hand to pour tea for Li Rong.

Li Rong listened to the sound of tea pouring steadily as she heard chaos outside. A moment later, Jing Lan entered the room and said coldly, “Your Highness, Vice Minister of Justice Su Rongqing has led troops to surround the manor, coming to demand the criminal prisoners.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She raised her hand to grasp the teacup beside her, calmly taking a sip, then looked at Xun Chuan and simply said, “If you die, remember to pour the corpse-burning powder on your face.”

Xun Chuan understood Li Rong’s meaning. She was a “dead” person. If her corpse appeared elsewhere, it would bring trouble to Li Rong.

She responded respectfully, “Yes.”

Li Rong was silent for a moment, then said, “Also, don’t think about destroying your face beforehand. If you do that, you needn’t stay in the Constabulary Bureau.”

Xun Chuan stiffened, but finally said, “Yes.”

Li Rong said no more. She changed into a scarlet palace robe embroidered with gold-threaded peonies, put on golden hairpins, and led people out along the corridor.

The main gate had just opened. Cold wind mixed with rain rushed toward her face. Outside the gate, Su Rongqing stood in plain robes, holding a paper umbrella, leading a group of soldiers arrayed outside, calmly watching Li Rong.

One person inside the gate, one outside—the cold wind blew the lanterns before the gate swaying back and forth. Li Rong smiled lightly. “Vice Minister Su has such impressive official authority, leading so many people to stand before the Princess Manor before dawn. Has this Princess violated some law? This should be a matter for the Court of Judicial Review. I wonder what reason Vice Minister Su has used to come?”

“Your Highness,” Su Rongqing’s voice was very steady. “Hand over the Qin family now, and I’ll pretend your prisoner abduction never happened.”

“Prisoner abduction?” Li Rong laughed. “The Qin family case was originally a case being tried by my Constabulary Bureau. This Princess felt the people I needed were in mortal danger, so I specially brought them in for interrogation and safekeeping. What’s wrong with that?”

“Even if Your Highness wants to interrogate prisoners, you should follow proper procedures and have relevant officials approve it.”

Su Rongqing’s voice gradually turned cold. “Your Highness, you should still hand them over. You need to think clearly—” Su Rongqing looked up. Rain fell from the umbrella like a curtain, making Su Rongqing’s features behind the umbrella curtain somewhat blurred.

Li Rong had never seen this person look at her with such eyes. He seemed to be warning her as he spoke, “The Constabulary Bureau hasn’t been established yet.”

The Constabulary Bureau had no achievements to show, so no one would accept it. No matter how much Li Ming supported her, her steps would be difficult. Now that she had committed such a great error, Li Ming would probably be thoroughly enraged.

Li Rong looked at him. After a long while, she smiled. “You’re threatening me.”

Su Rongqing didn’t speak. He only looked at Li Rong. Somehow, Li Rong actually smiled and repeated, “You’re actually threatening me?”

Su Rongqing pressed his lips together and said slowly, “Your Highness, I’m doing this for your own good.”

“You’re not doing it for my good,” Li Rong spoke slowly, stating with certainty. “You’re doing it for the Su family behind you, for the aristocratic family power behind you. Su Rongqing, actually, there’s nothing wrong with people having selfish motives. There’s no need to be so sanctimonious.”

With that, Li Rong stepped forward. Jing Lan immediately raised an umbrella and escorted Li Rong toward the carriage at the gate.

Li Rong walked with her head held high, saying slowly, “Vice Minister Su need not threaten me either. If you want to file a complaint, go ahead and do it. Morning court is about to begin. This Princess will be waiting for Vice Minister Su in the great hall.”

As Li Rong spoke, she brushed past Su Rongqing.

Su Rongqing unconsciously clenched his fists. At the moment before she left, he suddenly spoke out, “Why won’t you believe it?”

Li Rong turned her head to look at Su Rongqing not far away. His body trembled slightly, as if trying his utmost to control his emotions, speaking with difficulty, “Why must Your Highness treat everyone’s good intentions as malice? What Your Highness is doing now has a hundred harms and not a single benefit. What are you seeking, Your Highness?”

“I don’t know either.”

Li Rong smiled bitterly. “Perhaps, just peace of mind?”

Su Rongqing was stunned. Li Rong walked to stand before him. Su Rongqing held up the umbrella. Li Rong stood before him. Heavy rain fell along the umbrella’s surface, isolating them in a separate small world.

Li Rong looked up at him. At that moment, time seemed to suddenly lose all boundaries. Past and present lives blended together. Su Rongqing’s eyes showed a moment of confusion. Li Rong smiled and spoke, “Vice Minister Su, I once thought we were the same kind of people, but I thought about it for many years before I realized we actually aren’t.”

“You can abandon everything for your family, including conscience and righteousness. In your life, in the future someday, perhaps you’ll become someone like Yang Lie. He too was once a passionate youth, but in the end, for his family’s prosperity, he sold out his country for glory.”

“But I cannot.”

“If I did that, my entire life, here—” Li Rong raised her hand and placed it on her chest, her voice calm, “—would never be at peace. I cannot violate my righteousness. Today I cannot watch the Qin family fall to ruin because of factional strife. If someday your Su family faces injustice,” Li Rong looked at Su Rongqing’s gradually shocked expression and slowly smiled, “I won’t sit idly by either.”

“Actually, you’re right. If it were only for power and position, what I’m doing today doesn’t have much benefit. I should bind myself together with the aristocratic families. I shouldn’t establish the Constabulary Bureau, and I shouldn’t investigate the Qin family case. But I want power and position not merely because I want to be above others.”

“I also want to live in the world I want to live in.”

Su Rongqing stared at her blankly. Li Rong knew he couldn’t understand. She raised her hand and gently brushed away the withered leaf on his shoulder, saying in a low voice, “So, Vice Minister Su need not persuade me, and there’s no need to block me. You cannot persuade me, cannot block me. The Crown Prince and I are not on the same path. You can rest assured assisting him. I’ll walk my own road. If Vice Minister Su doesn’t agree,” Li Rong looked up and smiled, “feel free to come at me.”

After speaking, Li Rong turned and hurried onto the carriage.

After getting on the carriage, she closed her eyes to rest.

At this time, Pei Wenxuan had already led people out of the city.

He carried the Constabulary Bureau’s token and the Princess’s token, bringing elite shadow guards as they traveled rapidly. Shortly after leaving the city, a shadow guard came forward and said to him, “My lord, someone is following us.”

Pei Wenxuan glanced around. After thinking for a moment, he said in a low voice, “Find an inn and rest first.”

“Rest?” The shadow guard was somewhat surprised. Pei Wenxuan acknowledged, “Mm, go.”

Pei Wenxuan had made up his mind, so everyone could only follow. The group found an inn to rest. As soon as they entered the inn room, Pei Wenxuan found a shadow guard with a build similar to his own, then had another person prepare a rope tied to a large tree at a nearby cliff edge.

When everything was ready, day had also broken. At this moment, clouds parted and the sun emerged. The night rain had just stopped. Pei Wenxuan’s troops set out again. This time, Pei Wenxuan’s procession changed carriages. Pei Wenxuan sat in the carriage, heading into the distance.

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace, with a voice chanting “Enter the hall,” ministers uniformly dressed in black robes with red borders, holding tablets, filed into the great hall one after another.

Li Rong walked at the very front. The ministers behind her all secretly observed her. After entering the great hall, Li Rong elegantly stood beside Li Ming. As soon as court opened, Li Ming directly called Li Rong’s name. “Pingle.”

Li Rong stepped forward. Then she heard Li Ming suppressing his anger as he said, “Last night I received a memorial saying you broke into the Ministry of Justice at night and abducted the entire Qin family?”

Hearing Li Ming’s words, Li Rong knelt down. Li Ming raised his hand and threw the memorial at hand, hitting her squarely, angrily saying, “What, you’ve become addicted to causing trouble at the Ministry of Justice?! I didn’t punish you last time, so you think I truly allow you to be so lawless and do whatever you want?! I sent you to investigate the case, not to throw your weight around. Give me a reason—why did you abduct the Qin family in the middle of the night?!”

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” Li Rong kowtowed respectfully. “Since the Qin family case falls under your son’s jurisdiction, the Qin family should naturally be supervised by your son. Previously, your son couldn’t even see the Qin family, let alone interrogate them. To clarify the truth of the case, your son had no choice but to cause this prisoner abduction incident.”

“Then why don’t you return them?”

Li Ming frowned. Li Rong said calmly, “Based on Lord Qin’s testimony now, your son doesn’t dare.”

“What does Your Highness mean by this?”

Minister of Justice Xie Lanqing spoke with some mockery. “Are you saying my Ministry of Justice intends to harm Lord Qin?”

“I have this concern.”

Li Rong responded directly. Xie Lanqing was so angry he laughed. “Good, very good. Since the words have come to this, Your Majesty, this humble subject has something I must say.”

Li Ming frowned tightly and said slowly, “Lord Xie, Pingle is young and speaks without restraint. Please don’t take it to heart.”

“Your Majesty,” Xie Lanqing’s expression was sorrowful, “since you clearly know Her Highness is young, how can you treat the court as child’s play and entrust such a critical matter as the Qin family case to Princess Pingle?!”

“Lord Xie…”

“Your Majesty, this subject can understand your deep love for your daughter, but giving such great power to Princess Pingle is tantamount to giving a sharp blade to a child—it will hurt people. Look at how many absurd things Princess Pingle has done since investigating the Qin family case? Breaking into the Ministry of Justice, beating Ministry of Justice officials, forcibly breaking into ministers’ residences, beating ministers’ servants, and now even abducting prisoners—this is simply lawless disregard for royal law! Not only does Princess Pingle show no remorse, but her wrongful actions are becoming more severe. Your Majesty, if we don’t stop and punish her, a great mistake will arise!”

With that, Xie Lanqing knelt down. A chorus of agreement arose in the court hall. They all knelt down, shouting to “strip away her fief and severely punish” Li Rong.

The entire court was in an uproar. Xie Lanqing, at the height of his emotions, shouted loudly, “Your Majesty, if Your Majesty insists on showing favoritism to Princess Pingle, this old subject will resign today to avoid seeing Her Highness commit evil in court in the future and feeling sorrowful. Please grant Your Majesty’s permission!”

As Xie Lanqing spoke, he removed the crown from his head and placed it beside him.

The ministers around him all removed their crowns and, following Xie Lanqing’s example, placed their crowns at their sides.

Li Ming looked up at his daughter who had remained silent before him. After a long while, he finally said, “Pingle, you heard it all. You’ve caused such great trouble—have you discovered anything?”

“Not yet.”

Li Rong kowtowed on the ground, saying calmly, “After your son investigated the case, your son discovered all the witnesses had been murdered and most of the evidence destroyed. Your son is still pursuing this. Please give your son some time, Your Majesty.”

“All the witnesses are dead?”

Li Ming spoke in shock, asking again, “They’re actually all dead?!”

Author’s Note:

[Mini Theater]

Xie Lanqing: “Your Majesty, if Your Majesty insists on showing favoritism to Princess Pingle, this old subject will resign today! You decide.”

Li Ming: “Hurry up and leave. Looking at you annoys me.”

Li Rong: “Oh? Excellent. Lord Xie, please go. I’ll put my people in your place. I think my consort would be quite good.”

Xie Lanqing: “…Am I not a respectable person? You won’t even consider keeping me?”

Everyone: “Take care, we won’t see you out, goodbye.”

Xie Lanqing: “Well, since everyone is so insistent on keeping me, I’ll stay after all.”

Everyone: “…”