“You’re saying,” Li Rong looked at Shangguan Yue, unable to help laughing. With disbelief in her voice, she said, “he’s dead?”

“Yes,” Shangguan Yue replied coldly, “That’s exactly what I came to tell you. Reflect on yourself properly.”

After Shangguan Yue finished speaking, she turned to leave. Li Rong called out to stop her, saying calmly, “Did you have him killed?”

Shangguan Yue’s steps halted. After a long while, she said slowly, “In this matter, even if we didn’t act, someone else would have.”

“Was it you?”

Li Rong stubbornly pressed the question. Shangguan Yue remained silent for a moment before finally saying, “No.”

“Rong’er,” Shangguan Yue seemed unable to hold on any longer. She spoke wearily, “Your mother isn’t as… as…”

“Mother,” Li Rong took a cup and poured tea, speaking slowly, “Actually, I understand your position. For you, from the moment you married into the palace, you have represented the Shangguan family. If something happens to the Shangguan family, it means something happens to you. Your relationship with the Shangguan family is far closer than mine with Chuan’er.”

“This is your position. You can never stand opposite to the Shangguan family.”

“Aren’t you the same?”

Shangguan Yue turned around sharply. She stared at Li Rong. Standing before the tall door, the wind blew her golden hairpin ornaments swaying gently along with her wide sleeves, the surrounding copper bells chiming softly. She looked at Li Rong and lowered her voice, “You think I don’t know what you and Chuan’er are thinking, but do you deserve to? Suppressing aristocratic families, dividing court officials—those are things only a monarch should consider! What are you and Chuan’er now? You’re not the emperor, you’re aristocratic family members! You can only reach the emperor’s position by relying on aristocratic families, and only Chuan’er can sit in that position. What are you doing?”

Shangguan Yue walked closer, looking down at Li Rong with pressure, “You’re just a princess. Today, to Li Ming, you’re a member of the aristocratic families. In the future, to Li Chuan, you’ll also be a member of the aristocratic families. Can you stand opposite to the Shangguan family?”

“You’re the same as me—you cannot. If the Shangguan family falls, you’ll have nothing.”

Li Rong said nothing and continued drinking her tea.

After a long while, she suddenly said, “This North Swallow Pagoda was built by Father Emperor for you back then.”

Shangguan Yue was slightly startled. Li Rong poured tea for herself, speaking slowly, “You two were once very good together. It’s just that later, you focused solely on the Shangguan family, while Father Emperor focused only on his own power. You grew further and further apart, until you even forgot the origins of this pagoda.”

“I used to think the same way as Mother,” Li Rong raised her hand to pour tea for Shangguan Yue, gesturing for her to sit. Her demeanor was so composed that it made Shangguan Yue seem more like the younger person instead. Shangguan Yue looked at her daughter and heard Li Rong continue slowly, “Bind myself together with the aristocratic families, stabilize the situation, steadily assist Chuan’er in becoming emperor, then work together with the aristocratic families to support Chuan’er.”

“With me present, and if Aya also marries Chuan’er, then Chuan’er’s elder sister and Chuan’er’s wife would both be from the Shangguan family. No matter what, Chuan’er would never act against his maternal family. In the future, if we work together with one heart, Chuan’er will be an excellent emperor.”

“Isn’t this good?” Shangguan Yue frowned, speaking with some anger, “The Shangguan family is your maternal family. Do you even doubt your own maternal family?”

Li Rong replied calmly, “But this is what we imagine.”

“In our imagination, everyone in a family would be like us—knowing propriety and when to advance or retreat. But in reality, when a family becomes too large, there will be many unexpected offshoots. The more prosperous the Shangguan family becomes, the more stable its foundation, the more these branches will grow wildly in places you don’t know about.”

“They won’t tell you anything. Only after something happens, if you don’t help, that becomes unacceptable. Just like this time—do you know what really happened behind the Qin family case? Does Uncle know clearly? And having reached this point, can you handle the related people now? If you deal with any of the people supporting you at this time, regardless of the reason, whether it’s you or Uncle, you’ll be devoured by these people.”

Shangguan Yue didn’t speak. For a moment, she didn’t dare to respond.

Li Rong didn’t press her. She shifted her gaze and spoke slowly, “Today the emperor is Father Emperor. In the future, the emperor will be Chuan’er. If we continue down the path Mother mentioned, in the future Aya and I will be in Mother’s position, and Chuan’er will be in today’s Father Emperor’s position. Such a future,” Li Rong smiled bitterly, “isn’t it tragic?”

“Grand principles are spoken plenty in court—what serving the country and the people, everyone knows in their hearts. In the end, people live their whole lives primarily wanting themselves to live well, wanting their families to be well. Beyond that, having some righteousness and principles is about enough.”

“But Mother,” Li Rong raised her eyes to look at Shangguan Yue, “are you living well?”

Shangguan Yue didn’t speak. She tried hard to remain composed, to be as proud and cold as usual, but when she met Li Rong’s gentle eyes that carried a measure of peace, Shangguan Yue froze. Li Rong sighed and said slowly, “Mother, the Shangguan family needs a scabbard for its blade. Otherwise, sooner or later, either it will harm Chuan’er, or it will be broken by Chuan’er.”

“What I’m doing today is not to oppose the aristocratic families, nor am I standing on Father Emperor’s side wanting to hurt you and Uncle.” Li Rong’s voice was gentle and earnest, “Quite the opposite—I only hope that my family members can all live well.”

“I hope Chuan’er can choose the person he likes, the life he wants. As long as he fulfills his responsibilities as Crown Prince and monarch, he can live like a normal person.”

“I hope Uncle and Aya and these clan members can live peacefully through their years that I can see, without facing storms.”

“I hope the people of Great Xia can live stable lives, and hope the country I’m in can be peaceful and prosperous.”

“I even hope that one day, you and Father Emperor can return to this North Swallow Pagoda together, look at the stars together, and speak what’s in your hearts.”

Li Rong spoke and couldn’t help but smile, “I know all my hopes are extravagant, but this is actually what I want to do with my entire life. And the first step in doing these things,” Li Rong looked earnestly at Shangguan Yue, “is that the Shangguan family’s power cannot become a blade that will hurt Chuan’er and me. As you said, it’s the maternal family we rely on. The Shangguan family needs the power that Chuan’er brings. Since this power is given by us, it must be controlled by us.”

“This is the reason Chuan’er refused to marry Aya?” Shangguan Yue frowned, seeming to understand. Li Rong said calmly, “This is a touchstone. The marriage might not count as a major matter in court, but if Chuan’er can’t even control this matter, then it becomes a major matter.”

“Moreover, if Chuan’er marries Aya, then in His Majesty’s eyes, Chuan’er absolutely cannot inherit the throne.”

“Mother,” Li Rong reached this point and felt somewhat tired. She raised her eyes to look at Shangguan Yue, “You don’t need to worry about matters between Uncle and me. You only need to understand that in my heart,” Li Rong extended her hand, somewhat awkwardly grasping Shangguan Yue’s hand.

Since becoming an adult, she rarely made such childlike gestures resembling acting spoiled. Shangguan Yue trembled slightly, then heard Li Rong say, “Mother and family have always been very important, that’s all.”

Shangguan Yue said nothing. She kept her head lowered. After a long while, she raised her head and smiled bitterly, “You’re really too much like your father emperor.”

Li Rong looked up in confusion. Shangguan Yue said hoarsely, “You always mix feelings and power together. Many times, I can’t tell whether you’re speaking the truth or lies.”

“In court you said you’re doing this for Great Xia’s realm. Now you tell me you’re doing this for family. Your words are mixed with truth and falsehood—I don’t dare believe them anymore.”

Li Rong didn’t speak. Shangguan Yue stood up and said hoarsely, “I won’t say more. I’m returning first. Since Pei Wenxuan is dead, you needn’t be too sad. We’ll select another husband for you in the future.”

Li Rong lowered her eyes without saying more. Shangguan Yue seemed to want to say something but ultimately didn’t speak. She turned around and walked straight out the door.

Li Rong sat alone in place. Jing Lan came forward, hesitating as she said, “Your Highness, now that the Prince Consort has met with misfortune, should we not…”

“Go get mourning clothes,” Li Rong said calmly, “and change into them.”

“Right now we haven’t seen the body,” Jing Lan said urgently, “we should search for him first. Your Highness, please don’t be too grief-stricken…”

“He won’t die.”

Li Rong stated with certainty. Jing Lan was stunned, then saw Li Rong’s expression full of conviction, “You don’t know what kind of person he is. How could he possibly die?”

Hearing this, Jing Mei became somewhat panicked. She didn’t dare speak and turned to look at Jing Lan. Jing Lan hesitated for a moment before finally saying, “Your Highness, he still hasn’t returned. Let’s go search for him.”

Li Rong agreed without further words. After a moment, she said, “You may all withdraw. I need to compose myself alone for a while.”

The others, thinking she was overcome with grief, withdrew.

After everyone left, Li Rong sat quietly for a long time before finally standing and moving to sit at the writing desk.

She took out paper, wanting to write something. She didn’t know what to write and just wrote randomly. After a long while, when she came to her senses, she saw that the paper was densely covered entirely with Pei Wenxuan’s name.

Li Rong quietly gazed at Pei Wenxuan’s name for a long time.

She suddenly realized she had so many things she wanted to tell him.

She wanted to tell him about her mother, and also about her father.

She had many words stored in her heart. In this world, the only person who could let her speak them aloud was Pei Wenxuan.

Because others wouldn’t understand, and she couldn’t speak them either.

Only with Pei Wenxuan, she felt that as long as she opened her mouth and told him, he would understand.

He would surely know that every word she spoke was true.

It was a pity he wasn’t here.

Li Rong thought this as she raised her head to look at the copper bells on the eaves outside the window.

They made clear sounds in the wind, as if summoning a person’s soul to return.

“Pei Wenxuan…”

She murmured softly.

That night, it rained again in Hua Jing.

The fine rain fell continuously. At this time, a person wearing green robes and a bamboo hat rode swiftly through the muddy roads in the rain, then before dawn knocked on the gates of the first city between Hua Jing and Huangping County.

Soldiers poked their heads out one after another and heard the person take out a token. Below the city gate, he called out loudly, “Censorial official Pei Wenxuan, here on orders from the Crown Prince to inspect grain supplies!”

Hearing this, the gate guards hastily opened the city gates. After verifying Pei Wenxuan’s identity documents, they quickly led him into the county office.

Upon hearing of the arriving emissary, the magistrate hurriedly rose. After Pei Wenxuan explained his purpose for auditing the accounts, the magistrate hesitated for a moment before saying quietly, “Lord Pei, it’s not that this humble official doesn’t trust Lord Pei, but since Lord Pei says the Crown Prince is auditing accounts, may I ask if you have any proof?”

This magistrate was originally a son of an aristocratic family supporting the Crown Prince. If it was truly Li Chuan who wanted the audit, he wouldn’t refuse. Pei Wenxuan said quietly, “This matter is the Crown Prince’s private action. I’m a member of the Censorate and need to accomplish something.”

Pei Wenxuan hinted to the other party that within the Censorate, he was working for the Crown Prince. To bring down others, he naturally needed some evidence.

“This matter shouldn’t be publicized. I cannot bring the Crown Prince’s orders, but I have the Princess’s token,” Pei Wenxuan said, taking out Li Rong’s token and showing it to the magistrate, “Surely Your Excellency recognizes it?”

The magistrate was somewhat hesitant. Pei Wenxuan smiled, “Princess Pingle is the Crown Prince’s elder sister. Surely Your Excellency doesn’t think Princess Pingle would harm the Crown Prince?”

“I wouldn’t dare.” The magistrate spoke. He thought for a moment. Since Pei Wenxuan was Li Rong’s prince consort, he was the Crown Prince’s brother-in-law. After sorting through the relationships, he bowed his head and said, “Prince Consort, please follow this official.”

Pei Wenxuan reviewed the records for only half an hour before copying down the grain transport records from before and after Huangping County that year, then quickly departed for the next location.

By this time, the sky had already brightened. Shangguan Ya sat in her carriage, waving her fan with a smile as she entered the Gathering Virtue Teahouse. Just as she pushed open the door to a private room, she saw a masked young man sitting inside. He was seated behind a small table and raised his eyes to look at Shangguan Ya.

Shangguan Ya held her fan with a light smile, raised her hand to close the room door, and said softly, “I knew His Highness would send you to find me.”

Speaking thus, she walked to the table and sat down elegantly, raising her eyes and saying, “Speak. What do you need me to do?”

“This list was written by Qin Lang. The defeat at Huangping County that year was due to insufficient grain supplies at the front lines. These are all the related officials from that time. His Highness wants their confessions.”

Shangguan Ya turned her fan. Her eyes swept over the names on the list one by one as she spoke slowly, “We can’t touch the major officials on the list. We can only select a few.”

Speaking thus, Shangguan Ya raised her finger and pointed at several names, “Just these few then.”

“His Highness told me to follow your arrangements.”

Xun Chuan spoke calmly. Shangguan Ya laughed lightly, “She really knows how to be lazy.”

Shangguan Ya thought for a moment, then said, “Let’s start with this Tian Zhong. He’s only a rank seven minor official in the Ministry of War, in charge of overseeing account records. He’s naturally timid.”

Shangguan Ya spoke and then smiled, “Find a time to capture him, knock him unconscious and tie him up, then find some young woman at random, make it look like she was killed, and place her on the bed.”

“You want to frame him?”

Xun Chuan frowned. Shangguan Ya chuckled softly, “Just joking. We’re just scaring him. When the time comes, I’ll go with you. We’ll record his confession on the spot, then promise to help him cover up the murder. With this as leverage, it’ll be convenient in the future.”

“What about the others?”

“Everyone has weaknesses,” Shangguan Ya traced over those people’s names, her eyes carrying coldness, “There are still nineteen days. We’ll arrange them one by one.”

While storm clouds gathered in Hua Jing, Li Rong had rare peace and quiet in the North Swallow Pagoda.

Outside, rumors spread that something had happened to Pei Wenxuan. She didn’t respond. She only inquired about Pei Wenxuan’s whereabouts, then had someone request leave on Pei Wenxuan’s behalf, sent people to search everywhere at the place where Pei Wenxuan had fallen off the cliff, and then changed into mourning clothes.

Everyone thought she was disturbed by Pei Wenxuan’s death. Li Chuan specially came to comfort her but was blocked outside by her people. She shut herself in her room. Each day, aside from messages coming from Shangguan Ya and Xun Chuan’s side, she ignored everything, only quietly copying scriptures.

In her entire life, she rarely had such leisure time. She didn’t need to do anything—only copy scriptures over and over. As she copied, she heard Jing Mei say with some surprise, “Your Highness, your handwriting—how does it resemble the Prince Consort’s so much?”

Li Rong’s movements paused. Jing Mei hastily knelt down, hurriedly saying, “This servant spoke out of turn. Please punish me, Your Highness.”

“What did you say wrong?”

Li Rong smiled and said gently, “You may withdraw.”

Jing Mei knelt on the ground. After a long while, she hesitantly said, “Your Highness, now that the Prince Consort is gone, you don’t need to…”

“He’s not dead.”

Li Rong interrupted her. Jing Mei boldly said, “Your Highness, it’s already been ten days.”

“I said,” Li Rong stated with certainty, “he’s not dead.”

“If you dare say he’s dead again,” Li Rong raised her head to look at the person kneeling on the ground, her expression calm, “go receive your punishment yourself.”

Jing Mei bit her lip and finally kowtowed, saying, “Yes.”

After speaking, Jing Mei withdrew.

Li Rong sat alone at the table. After a long while, she pulled out a fresh sheet of paper and began writing Pei Wenxuan’s name.

Then she began writing a letter.

This was a habit she had recently developed.

She was used to talking and chattering with Pei Wenxuan every day. Now that Pei Wenxuan wasn’t by her side, she temporarily lost her conversation partner and began writing letters to Pei Wenxuan.

Today was the ninth letter. She still had many things to say.

“Pei Wenxuan, I hope this letter finds you well.

Today they told me again that you’re dead.

I know this is absolutely impossible. With your intelligence, after leaving the city, you must have already begun preparations. This matter was probably orchestrated by you. After all, dead people are the safest.

But it’s also strange. Each time they tell me this, my heart tightens.

I can’t help but think—it’s fortunate that before, we walked together.

If I had walked behind you, presumably those wouldn’t have been good days.

When you’re alive, at least it’s not so lonely.”

She copied the Buddhist scriptures one hundred and seven times.

She wrote to the nineteenth letter. Finally, it was the night before the Qin family’s execution. That very night, Qin Lin and Qin Feng from the frontier were finally escorted into the capital. As soon as they arrived in Hua Jing, Xun Chuan went to receive them and sent them to the Princess’s residence.

Before Qin Lin was locked in his room, he suddenly asked Xun Chuan, “May I ask, sir, do you know how my younger sister Qin Zhenzhen is doing now?”

Xun Chuan’s movements paused. After a moment, she said slowly, “She’s fine. You needn’t worry.”

Hearing this, Qin Lin finally felt relieved.

That night, no one could sleep. The great aristocratic families of Hua Jing kept their lights burning through the night. At the North Swallow Pagoda, Li Rong also waited alone until dawn.

Everyone was waiting for a result.

Waiting for the Qin family’s outcome, and also waiting for Li Rong’s conclusion.

At dawn the next day, the Ministry of Justice led people to the Princess’s residence, and Su Rongqing also came to the North Swallow Pagoda.

Everyone was somewhat surprised by his arrival. He spread his sleeves and bowed respectfully, then spoke deferentially, “This humble official Su Rongqing requests an audience with Your Highness.”

No one responded. After a long while, the great door slowly opened. Jing Lan stood behind the door and bowed, saying, “Young Master, please.”

Su Rongqing followed Jing Lan up the stairs to the top of the pagoda, where he saw Li Rong copying scriptures inside.

She wore a long robe of white gauze with blue edges decorated with white plum blossoms, her long hair loose behind her back—a rarely simple and plain appearance. She looked somewhat austere but gained a transcendent, immortal air.

Su Rongqing stood in the doorway gazing for a moment, then raised his hand and bowed, “Your Highness.”

“Today is the Qin family’s execution. Instead of observing it, what are you doing here?”

“I heard that Your Highness is preparing to leave the capital today,” Su Rongqing spoke calmly, “This official specially came to see you.”

Li Rong’s movements paused. She raised her eyes to look at Su Rongqing. He stood in the doorway with his usual calm expression. Li Rong looked at him for a moment, put down her brush, and instructed someone, “Since you’ve come, bring up the chess table. Let’s have some tea.”

Jing Lan acknowledged. Li Rong stood up and led Su Rongqing to sit before the chess table.

After the two sat down, Li Rong said slowly, “I didn’t expect that Lord Su would come so early to send this palace off. I wonder where Lord Su got his information,” Li Rong raised her eyes to look at Su Rongqing with a smile, “to be so certain this palace would definitely lose?”

“That person is already dead.”

Su Rongqing spoke evenly, “The evidence collected by Your Highness’s people—Your Highness cannot produce it.”

“Why can’t I?”

Li Rong laughed lightly. Su Rongqing took a chess piece first and placed it on the board, speaking slowly, “Because Your Highness doesn’t dare. There are too many people on that list. If Your Highness really produces it, you probably won’t be able to leave Hua Jing.”

Li Rong’s expression remained calm. After a long while, she said slowly, “You know who’s on it.”

“I know.”

“I thought,” Li Rong considered and smiled, “that Lord Su wouldn’t tolerate this matter.”

“Embezzling military provisions—whether it’s me, my father, or Lord Shangguan, none of us can tolerate this.”

Su Rongqing spoke slowly. Li Rong lowered her eyes to watch him place his pieces, hearing him speak in an emotionless voice, “But this matter shouldn’t be handled by Your Highness. It should be done internally by us. If Your Highness handles this matter, it’s equivalent to us giving ourselves an additional blade overhead. So we cannot possibly hand this power over to Your Highness.”

“You’re telling me all this so clearly,” Li Rong placed her chess piece, somewhat puzzled, “aren’t you worried I’ll be angry?”

“If I don’t say it, would Your Highness not know?”

Su Rongqing responded quickly. Li Rong thought about it and laughed, “That’s true.”

“So then,” Li Rong looked at the other party with a half-smile, “Lord Su came today to show off to this palace? This palace lost to you all. The Constabulary Bureau can’t be established, and in the future His Majesty will have difficulty finding another reason to establish a second Constabulary Bureau. Is Lord Su satisfied?”

Su Rongqing’s movements halted. After a long while, he slowly raised his eyes to look at the woman opposite him with black hair flowing loose before her, mockery filling her features.

He gazed at her. Countless emotions seemed to surge in his eyes before finally returning to complete calm.

“This official has one question and wishes Your Highness to answer it.”

“Speak.”

“Your Highness opposes the aristocratic families,” Su Rongqing softened his voice, “is it for Lord Pei?”

Hearing these words, Li Rong was slightly stunned.

At this moment, the Qin family members were pushed onto the execution ground one by one and pressed down to kneel.

Outside the execution ground, Xun Chuan mixed into the crowd, hand on sword hilt, quietly watching the scene at the execution ground.

A young man in green robes rode his horse from outside the city gate, galloping through the long street and charging into the palace city.

“Why does Lord Su ask such a question?”

Li Rong recovered after a moment, finding it rather strange. Su Rongqing looked at her and only said, “Because I want to discuss something with Your Highness.”

“Please speak plainly, Lord Su.”

“Right now the court aristocratic families are angry with Your Highness and want to expel Your Highness from Hua Jing. This official has an excellent plan that can spare Your Highness from difficulty.”

“Oh?”

Li Rong was somewhat surprised. Su Rongqing lowered his eyes and said coldly, “This official is willing to seek Your Highness’s hand in marriage.”

Li Rong froze in place. Su Rongqing raised his eyes, “I wonder if Your Highness would consent?”

Su Rongqing’s expression was very calm, but the moment he spoke, Li Rong clearly sensed from him an indescribable, restrained, tremendously surging emotion.

Li Rong couldn’t articulate what it was. She only stared at him blankly. Su Rongqing fixed his eyes on hers. Neither spoke. Then hurried footsteps came from outside.

“Your Highness,” Jing Lan rushed in, unusually flustered and breathing heavily, “the Prince Consort—the Prince Consort has returned to the capital!”

Author’s Note: Su Rongqing: “This official is willing to seek Your Highness’s hand in marriage.”

Li Rong: “I’m already married.”

Su Rongqing: “He’s already dead.”

Pei Wenxuan: “You could die and I still wouldn’t! You crawl away! Crawl away from here!”