“Yes,” Li Rong knelt and spoke calmly. “In the city outskirts, they were collectively slaughtered and their bodies abandoned in the wilderness. Your son searched bitterly for a long time before finally finding the bodies. Father Emperor, now that all the witnesses are gone, if we put the Qin family back in the Ministry of Justice, your son is not at ease.”

“So what Your Highness means is that now all the witnesses are dead, there’s no possibility of overturning their testimonies, both witness and physical evidence exist, and the Qin family’s guilt cannot be changed.”

Xie Lanqing spoke slowly. “The Qin family’s guilt cannot be changed, yet Your Highness firmly believes the Qin family is innocent, so now you must protect them well. Then may I ask Your Highness, why exactly do you firmly believe the Qin family is innocent? Right now, have you obtained any evidence?”

“In any case,” Li Rong’s voice was calm, “when all the witnesses are killed, doesn’t that case have problems?”

“Who killed them?” Xie Lanqing raised his voice, as if reminding her of something. Li Rong turned her head back, looking coldly at Xie Lanqing. Xie Lanqing smiled. “Your Highness, to speak with great disrespect, if all the witnesses are dead, the case could have problems, but it could also have no problems.”

Xie Lanqing didn’t finish, but Li Rong already understood his meaning. A young court official seemed puzzled and said quietly, “How could the case have no problems?”

Immediately another court official laughed, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, as if privately discussing yet just loud enough for everyone to hear. “Lord Zhang doesn’t understand. When all the witnesses in a case die, it naturally appears there must be problems, but what if there actually aren’t any problems, and certain people insist on preventing the case from being judged?”

If people were dead, everything became uncertain. If Li Rong insisted, it would mean postponing the case indefinitely without any evidence.

“So Your Highness, the witnesses being dead proves nothing. Even if the witnesses are dead, the physical evidence remains. Yang Lie’s letter is real, the gold they received as bribes was also found at the Qin residence. These pieces of evidence were all examined by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review. Does Your Highness think all Three Judicial Offices are deceiving you?”

As Xie Lanqing spoke, he laughed coldly. “Your Highness, you’ve just gotten married. You shouldn’t participate in court affairs. You should go back and do what women should do—embroidery and reading sutras, cultivating body and mind.”

After Xie Lanqing finished, the court officials all quietly echoed him.

Li Rong knelt on the ground, pretending not to hear.

This was how the world treated women. Even if one was exceptionally talented, if mistakes were made, one’s identity became the original sin.

When Li Rong was young and heard such words, she felt indignant and constantly wanted to prove something. But now hearing these words, though unfair, she remained calm.

She only said, “Since all Three Judicial Offices think there are no problems, why is it so difficult for me to obtain case files, retrieve evidence, and interrogate prisoners?”

“Your Highness jests,” Xie Lanqing said calmly. “The Ministry of Justice has always operated according to rules and regulations. We would never deliberately make things difficult for anyone.”

“Lord Xie is truly a senior minister of two reigns, firmly seated as Minister of Justice,” Li Rong spoke. Supporting herself on her knee with one hand, she slowly stood up. Xie Lanqing frowned as he watched Li Rong turn around, look up at him, and say calmly, “With a clever tongue you deceive people’s hearts. You can’t do your work well, but your lips are quite nimble.”

“Is Your Highness angry because this old subject struck a nerve?”

“Angry? Of course I’m angry. How could I not be angry?!” Li Rong shouted loudly. “You’re the dignified Minister of Justice, yet facing a case full of doubts, instead of thinking about how to investigate, instead of thinking about restoring the truth, you only think about playing power games, treating human lives like grass. How can I not be angry?!”

“This Princess established the Constabulary Bureau, and all of you,” Li Rong raised her hand, pointing one by one at the court officials, “think day and night about how to seize power, how to make this Princess retreat in the face of difficulty. When this Princess requests case files, the Ministry of Justice makes things difficult, you push to me and I push to you—spending an entire afternoon unable to get a single approval. If this Princess doesn’t force her way in, how can she obtain the case files?”

“The Ministry of Justice’s evidence is still being delayed and refused to be shown to me. How do I know if it’s real or fake?”

“You keep talking about procedures and protocols. If everyone investigating cases has procedures where even the chief investigator needs a month to obtain evidence, I say your Ministry of Justice isn’t needed anymore—rebuild it!”

“You bunch of incompetent fools who can’t even protect witnesses and only know how to make things difficult for those trying to work—this Princess calling you ‘my lord’ is already giving you face. Do you really want this Princess to tear your face off and step on it?”

After Li Rong’s tirade, Xie Lanqing’s expression darkened. A Ministry of Justice official stepped forward and said loudly, “Your Highness, this is the great hall, not a place for you to throw tantrums. You…”

“Stand down!” Li Rong angrily shouted at that official. “What are you to dare speak to this Princess like that?!”

“This Princess knows what you want to do.”

Li Rong looked around. “But this Princess must tell you today—the Qin family members you may wrongly execute are not just a few court officials, not just a few human lives. They are also the high walls at the border, the backbone of our Great Xia! What you’re destroying today is Great Xia’s territory, Great Xia’s future! This Princess absolutely cannot yield on this matter today.”

“But the Qin family is guilty,” Xie Lanqing’s expression was steady. “If Your Highness cannot produce evidence, they are guilty.”

“You and I both know clearly whether they’re guilty!” Li Rong’s voice rang out angrily. “Xie Lanqing, this Princess won’t bring up many matters in court. I’ll just ask you one question—can you face your own conscience? Even if you can’t hear the wails of the border people, can’t you see the blood Miss Qin left in front of my Princess Manor?! You’re bullying the Qin family today simply because they’re of humble origins, have no power or influence, and are easy to bully! But have you thought about this—if the Qin family dies with such injustice today, who will be willing to serve loyally at the borders in the future? And in this court from now on, will anyone of humble origins be able to endure such humiliation from you?!”

“Your Highness speaks too extremely,” Right Chancellor Su Minzhi frowned. “Judging cases and determining punishments are based on evidence. Your Highness already has a stance. Acting so emotionally—how can there be justice?”

Su Minzhi’s words were correct, and all the old ministers’ eyes showed agreement. But they didn’t notice that among the young court officials, there was hidden wavering.

Such emotional appeals were naturally not meant for these old foxes to hear. But in this court, there were not only politicians long steeped in power games, but also ministers who worried about the realm. There were not only aristocratic families of a hundred years, but also those scholars from humble families who struggled in lower positions.

After Li Rong’s reminder, seeing her purpose achieved, her gaze returned to Su Minzhi, saying calmly, “Yes, Chancellor Su is right. Everything should be based on evidence. So now that the witnesses have been collectively killed, doesn’t that prove this case is questionable?”

“There’s a connection, but it cannot absolutely prove it,” Su Minzhi said calmly. “Your Highness, you’ve been investigating for so long now. The Qin family case should have been settled long ago. It’s you who insists on overturning it. Now you haven’t discovered anything either. We cannot drag this case on indefinitely because of your inner belief. Please return the Qin family to the Ministry of Justice, return authority to His Majesty, and let rewards and punishments be administered according to law.”

“If Chancellor Su is worried that this Princess will use investigating as an excuse to delay the Qin family’s execution date, then let’s each take a step back,” Li Rong stared at Su Minzhi. “This Princess won’t postpone the Qin family’s execution time, but before the Qin family’s execution, they must be protected by this Princess’s people at the Princess Manor. No one may interrogate them. And this Princess’s people can continue investigating this case. If at any time evidence is found proving the Qin family is wronged, the case can be overturned.”

Hearing this, Su Minzhi hesitated for a moment, but Xie Lanqing firmly said, “No. His Majesty has already given Your Highness many chances, yet Your Highness has repeatedly caused trouble at my Ministry of Justice. What should be discussed today is not the Qin family case at all, but how to deal with Your Highness repeatedly intruding into the Ministry of Justice.”

“I’ll bear the responsibility for intruding into the Ministry of Justice!” Li Rong shouted. “I’m just asking—do you dare let the Qin family stay with me? Do you dare let me investigate the Qin family case! Since you say the witnesses’ deaths don’t prove there are problems with the Qin family case, what are you afraid of me investigating?!”

“This humble subject is not afraid of Your Highness investigating,” Xie Lanqing wouldn’t yield an inch. “This humble subject is afraid of Your Highness causing trouble!”

“Then what do you want?”

Li Rong stared at Xie Lanqing. “I must investigate the Qin family.”

“Your Highness must also be punished.”

Xie Lanqing returned Li Rong’s gaze, saying coldly, “This humble subject is Minister of Justice and cannot tolerate anyone trampling on royal law like this. Even though Your Highness is a princess, you should also obey the Son of Heaven’s laws.”

“Fine,” Li Rong nodded. “Lord Xie, then I’ll do as you wish.”

As Li Rong spoke, she swept her wide sleeves, turned and kowtowed to Li Ming, raising her voice. “Your Majesty, your son intruded into the Ministry of Justice. This was your son’s error. Your son is willing to request thirty strokes of the cane and one month of sutra copying at North Swallow Tower.”

After Li Rong finished, Xie Lanqing showed a satisfied expression. Then he heard Li Rong say, “But the Ministry of Justice personnel were negligent in their duties. They failed to protect key witnesses or record their whereabouts, indirectly leading to all witnesses being killed by others. This is the first crime.”

“Showing contempt for Father Emperor’s authority—Father Emperor granted your son the position of Director of the Constabulary Bureau, yet the Ministry of Justice refuses to follow the imperial edict’s arrangements and fully cooperate with the investigation. Instead, they use rules and regulations as an excuse to make things difficult for your son. This is the second crime.”

“Now, knowing all witnesses are dead and the case is questionable, yet being lazy and negligent, unwilling to investigate deeply. This is the third crime.”

“Lord Xie is Minister of Justice and manages the Ministry. Yet now the Ministry is riddled with problems from top to bottom. Lord Xie cannot escape blame. Your son is willing to accept punishment, but reorganizing the Ministry of Justice is imperative. Though these three crimes are concentrated in the Qin family case, they reveal the Ministry’s usual case-handling style—a peephole view of the leopard. This endangers the state. Please, Father Emperor, investigate thoroughly from top to bottom. Absolutely do not show leniency!”

As Li Rong stated each point, the Ministry of Justice officials’ faces gradually darkened. Li Rong kowtowed on the ground, saying calmly, “As for the Qin family case, since your son has become involved, your son will not let it go. Please give your son twenty more days…”

“That’s not possible…”

The court officials clamored out. Before they finished speaking, Li Rong shouted loudly, “After twenty days, if this Princess truly cannot discover anything, it will be sufficient proof that the Qin family case has no injustice and that your son has been making trouble. Your son is willing to accept punishment and be expelled from Hua Jing, return to her fief, and never enter the capital again!”

Return to her fief and never enter the capital again.

For a princess, this meant being completely expelled from the center of power, never having a path back for the rest of her life—equivalent to a form of disguised demotion and exile.

Everyone fell silent. Shangguan Xu frowned, showing some reluctance. “Your Highness…”

“I beg Father Emperor’s approval!”

Li Rong knelt on the ground, shouting loudly. Li Ming looked at his kneeling daughter, his expression inscrutable. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice carrying some hoarseness. “Since Princess Pingle is willing to wager expulsion from Hua Jing, I’ll give you a chance to redeem yourself through merit. However, you offended the Ministry of Justice first. To prevent you from causing more trouble, during the investigation period, you’ll be confined to North Swallow Tower to copy sutras and cultivate yourself. The caning is exempted—after all, you’re a young woman. Thirty strokes could cost you your life.”

As Li Ming spoke, he looked up at Xie Lanqing, quite wearily. “Lord Xie, what do you think?”

Xie Lanqing frowned. Li Ming reminded him, “Actually, some of what Pingle said isn’t without reason. The Ministry of Justice has been too rigid in its work these years.”

These words were a veiled threat. If Xie Lanqing continued, he would begin using this as a reason to punish the Ministry of Justice.

Understanding Li Ming’s words, Xie Lanqing respectfully said, “This humble subject is merely a minister. This matter should be discussed collectively by everyone and decided by Your Majesty.”

Li Ming nodded and looked up at everyone. “What do you all think?”

No one spoke. Li Rong knelt on the ground, quietly kowtowing without a word. After a long while, a smiling voice came from below, calling out loudly, “Your Majesty, this humble subject believes this couldn’t be better.”

These words made everyone look over collectively. Li Rong also secretly glanced sideways at the speaker.

The speaker stood at the back of the court hall—actually an insignificant low-ranking official. This person was extremely young, with eyes and brows that seemed naturally smiling, giving him a somewhat rakish air that clashed with his official robes, making him quite conspicuous in this court.

Li Rong observed for a moment and recognized the person. Then she heard Minister of Rites Gu Zidao rebuke in a low voice, “Cui Yulang, what madness are you spouting?”

The young official held his tablet, smiling broadly. “Lord Gu, this humble subject speaks from the heart. Look, Her Highness has been punished as she should be, and the Qin family’s execution time hasn’t been postponed. Her Highness is a princess using her entire future to protect a military family—what’s wrong with that? If the Qin family is guilty, Her Highness hasn’t delayed anything. If the Qin family is innocent, then Her Highness will have accumulated great merit. Such a beneficial and harmless matter—isn’t it excellent?”

As Cui Yulang spoke, he smiled and knelt down, kowtowing. “Your Majesty, this subject believes what the Princess said is very true. Please show mercy, Your Majesty, and accept the Princess’s proposal.”

After Cui Yulang spoke, before long, a young official stepped forward, closed his eyes and knelt down. “We beg Your Majesty to show mercy and accept the Princess’s proposal.”

Then in twos and threes, several officials stepped forward. Though not many in number, kneeling in that great hall, they seemed to possess a silent power.

Li Ming looked at those people. After a long while, he looked at Li Chuan who had been standing to the side. “What does the Crown Prince think?”

“Your son…” Li Chuan seemed troubled. After a long while, he finally said, “Your son will follow Father Emperor’s decision entirely.”

“In that case, let’s do as the Princess proposed.”

Li Ming said indifferently, “Starting today, Princess Pingle will be confined to North Swallow Tower to copy one hundred sutras to pray for the Empress Dowager and demonstrate filial piety. Go there directly after court—have servants fetch what you need. The Qin family’s execution date remains unchanged and they’ll temporarily be supervised by the Princess. The Ministry of Justice will be reorganized top to bottom, and procedures streamlined. After streamlining, submit a memorial to me about the entire case-handling process.”

“Yes.” Xie Lanqing bowed respectfully.

After Li Ming handled these matters, he inquired about other political affairs before finally announcing the end of court.

After court dismissed, Li Rong turned her gaze toward Cui Yulang in the crowd, who was chatting and laughing with people beside him as he walked out. She hesitated for a moment and didn’t approach, only turning to look at Li Chuan walking toward her.

Li Chuan’s expression didn’t look good. Li Rong glanced at Shangguan Xu behind him and knew it must have been Shangguan Xu who sent Li Chuan to find her.

Li Chuan still needed to maintain pretenses with the aristocratic families. Since Li Rong now stood opposite them, Li Chuan needed to make things clear in front of them.

So as soon as Li Chuan approached, Li Rong’s expression turned cold. She said directly, “You needn’t say much to me. Those whose paths differ cannot make plans together. Forget it.”

“Elder Sister,” Li Chuan frowned. “You’ve gone too far.”

The siblings’ words drew the attention of ministers who hadn’t yet left. Li Rong laughed coldly. “Is it that I’ve gone too far, or that they have? Those who should be punished have been. I’m leaving. The Crown Prince can do as he pleases.”

After Li Rong finished, she directly left. Li Chuan frowned tightly, seeming to want to say something, but ultimately couldn’t.

As soon as Li Rong walked out the door, many ministers surrounded Li Chuan, faces bitter. “Your Highness, even a princess’s willfulness has limits. What is she trying to do!”

“Everyone, I’ll properly advise her, but she is my elder sister after all…” As Li Chuan spoke, he showed a troubled expression. “She was spoiled too much before. When I find a private opportunity, I’ll speak with her properly. After all,” Li Chuan lowered his voice, “she is also a princess of the Shangguan family.”

Hearing these words, everyone calmed down somewhat and sighed. “We also hope Her Highness can come to her senses. If she really ends up expelled from Hua Jing…”

As he spoke, the speaking minister shook his head and left with a sigh.

Li Rong didn’t need to hear these ministers’ conversation with Li Chuan to guess it was pretty close.

She was the best candidate to establish the Constabulary Bureau, not because of how capable she was, but because she was the Shangguan family’s princess, the Crown Prince’s elder sister.

This was her protective talisman. The things she did today—if it had been someone else, would the aristocratic families so easily let them go?

It was only because they believed that ultimately she would still hold back for the Crown Prince’s sake, that for the Shangguan family’s face she wouldn’t dare act.

This was why Li Ming was willing to use her, but also why Li Ming wouldn’t help her completely and always observed and tested her from behind.

Thinking about everything in court, Li Rong walked toward North Swallow Tower.

North Swallow Tower was a stargazing place Li Ming had specially built for her mother when he was young. Later, the imperial couple rarely went there. Over time it fell into disrepair. Even later, because it was remote and quiet, it became the palace’s customary place of confinement.

Li Rong instructed Jing Mei about the things she needed to bring, chattering all the way to the tower. North Swallow Tower was the tallest building in the imperial palace—high gates and long body, copper bells hanging from the eaves. Li Rong looked up for a moment before leading people inside.

She followed the stairs all the way up to the higher floors. When she reached the top floor, she arrived at her daily living quarters. Servants pushed open the room door for her. As soon as she entered, she saw Li Ming sitting inside, head lowered, drinking tea.

Li Rong paused for a moment, then showed a surprised expression and couldn’t help but say, “Father Emperor?”

Li Ming sat at the table making tea, saying flatly, “Come in.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. She lifted her skirts and entered, kneeling respectfully beside Li Ming. Li Ming personally poured her tea, saying slowly, “It’s been several years since I came to North Swallow Tower.”

Li Rong didn’t dare respond. Li Ming’s voice carried some nostalgia. “When this tower was being built, your mother had just become pregnant with you. As a first-time father, I was very happy. Back then, your mother and I had a good relationship. That year on her birthday, I didn’t know what she liked. I always saw her looking at the sky, so I thought she liked looking at stars. Thus in the first year of my reign, I mobilized great forces and built this North Swallow Tower.”

Water boiled on a small flame, making faint boiling sounds as if just beginning to rise. Li Ming turned his head to look at the open window in the distance.

The windows in this room were all very large. When opened, the sky outside looked like a painting. Li Ming said slowly, “Sometimes I wish I could remain as I was then—thinking about nothing, knowing nothing. Perhaps I would have lived very well. At least, my wife and I should have been very loving, and with you and Chuan…” Li Ming turned his head to look at Li Rong. He gazed at her, and after a long while, said slowly, “We should all have had good relationships. I would have been a good father.”

“Father Emperor has always been very good.”

Li Rong spoke to comfort him. Li Ming waved his hand and smiled. “I know what kind of person I am in my heart. You needn’t say it.”

As Li Ming spoke, he paused for a while. After a long time, he said, “You’re a clever child, more clever than Chuan.”

“Father Emperor, Chuan is still young.”

“You’re also young,” Li Ming laughed lightly. “But you see through things much more clearly than he does. If only you had a male body.”

Li Rong didn’t speak.

Actually, she wasn’t much cleverer than Li Ming. If she was, it was only because she had lived through one lifetime and knew in advance how that lifetime ended.

In her previous life, she was like Li Chuan. Together they chose what seemed like an easier path, completely relying on others. Then as the years passed, Li Chuan became the next Li Ming, cycling repeatedly.

“I always thought you were just somewhat clever, no different from your mother. When you pacified the Yang family, it was just for your own marriage. Establishing the Constabulary Bureau was also just because Pei Wenxuan instigated you, wanting to grasp more power. But today I suddenly feel that actually, you’re better than I imagined. Rong’er,” Li Ming sighed, “many things—I had no choice. I don’t ask that you not blame me, but I ask that if one day, after my hundred years, you can know that actually in my heart, I also hope you and Chuan can live well.”

Li Rong quietly looked at Li Chuan. Actually, Li Chuan wasn’t yet forty, but he looked like someone past fifty.

His days were numbered.

Li Rong clearly knew—in her previous life, Li Ming would die in the winter two years from now.

She used to think her feelings for Li Ming had long faded, but now watching this person apologize to her, though she knew that in his heart power was far above her, she still felt an indescribable sourness welling up.

“Why is Father Emperor telling me these things now?”

Li Rong smiled bitterly. “You never said them before.”

“I didn’t say them before because I was afraid you’d feel sad one day,” Li Ming’s expression was flat. “Before, I didn’t know what you’d ultimately do. What if in the end, you and Chuan saw me off? If I said these things and you remembered them in your hearts, suffering for the rest of your lives afterward—why bother?”

“Today is different,” Li Ming smiled. He looked at Li Rong. “I’m very happy.”

“That Father Emperor can be frank with your son,” Li Rong smiled, “makes your son very happy too.”

“It’s good if you have no misgivings in your heart.” Li Ming sighed. “In today’s court, I couldn’t show you too much favoritism. If I let the aristocratic families feel I’m determined to deal with them, I’m afraid they’ll make overly radical calculations.”

“I understand.” Li Rong said slowly. “The aristocratic families have deep, intertwined roots. This isn’t a problem of one dynasty—it must proceed step by step. Moreover, your son was indeed reckless and deserves punishment.”

“Why aren’t you a son?” Li Ming felt quite regretful. Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh. “Father Emperor, actually Chuan is very good. If you understand him better, you’ll know.”

“He’s very good,” Li Ming’s voice was somewhat flat. “He’s just too much like me. If he continues this way, I’m afraid he’ll be the next me, or perhaps even worse.”

Li Ming smiled, then remembered something and waved his hand. “But he’s still young. We’ll see in the future. After all, he’s the Crown Prince. As long as he doesn’t make major mistakes, I won’t do anything to him.”

“Your son knows,” Li Rong knew Li Ming was worried she’d feel slighted, so she said, “Father Emperor only hopes Chuan can do better.”

Li Ming acknowledged. He didn’t say more. After resting for a while, he spoke slowly. “In the court hall, you also saw. Why your mother and I are at odds—you surely understand clearly. In the future,” Li Ming hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “we father and daughter should be of one heart and not harbor misgivings.”

“Father Emperor, rest assured,” Li Rong said calmly. “In your son’s heart, there is Great Xia.”

Li Ming smiled and raised his hand to pat her shoulder, then remembered something. “Pei Wenxuan left the capital?”

“Yes.” Li Rong said calmly. “Father Emperor, rest assured. He will return.”

As she spoke, she looked up, hinting, “Bringing back what Father Emperor wants.”

“Good.” Li Ming clapped his hands and laughed heartily. He drank some tea and said happily, “Excellent.”

“Alright,” Li Ming stood up and looked around. “Rest well here. If you need anything, just have someone tell Fulai. I’ll wait with you for Pei Wenxuan to return.”

Li Rong stood up and bowed respectfully. “Respectfully seeing off Father Emperor.”

Li Ming nodded, quite pleased, and walked out.

After Li Ming left, Li Rong sat down. She held her tea and took a light sip.

She didn’t believe what Li Ming said.

She understood Li Ming too well. Whether toward her or Li Chuan, he had feelings, but before power, feelings weren’t worth mentioning. His comforting today was partly from confirmed happiness that she had joined his side, and partly because he had finally confirmed she was useful and was deliberately cultivating their relationship.

Li Rong held the cup, her heart feeling a bit cold, and somewhat sour.

She didn’t know why, but suddenly she especially wanted to see Pei Wenxuan. She felt as if Pei Wenxuan was sitting across from her, his handsome features showing some smile, asking her, “Your Highness, what are you worrying about?”

Thinking of Pei Wenxuan’s tone, she couldn’t help but smile.

She had just poured tea when the creaking sound of the door opening came from the entrance.

Li Rong looked up to see Shangguan Yue standing at the door in palace robes.

Li Rong was stunned, then smiled. “Mother Empress.”

Shangguan Yue looked somewhat weary. She stood at the doorway, not moving as she looked at Li Rong.

Li Rong thought for a moment and said slowly, “Won’t Mother Empress come in and sit?”

“Rong Rong,” Shangguan Yue’s voice was low and hoarse. “Do you know your mistake?”

“What mistake have I made?”

Li Rong’s voice was calm. “Have I blocked your path, or have I seized your power?”

Shangguan Yue didn’t speak. Seeing her remain silent for so long, Li Rong reminded her, “Won’t Mother Empress come in and sit?”

“No.” Shangguan Yue’s voice choked. “I came only to relay one message from your uncle.”

“Pei Wenxuan is dead.”

Li Rong’s movements froze. Birds called out as they flew past the window. She looked up incredulously at the woman at the door.

Shangguan Yue feigned composure, as if no different from her usual lofty appearance.

“Every act that goes against the current requires paying a price.”

“Rong’er, in the future,” Shangguan Yue spoke with extreme difficulty, “don’t be willful anymore.”

Author’s Note:

Li Rong: “Husband’s not around on day one. I miss him a bit. Let me check how he’s doing.”

Shangguan Yue: “He’s dead.”

Li Rong: “…Well, guess I won’t check then.”