After the establishment ceremony, the Constabulary Bureau officially began operations.
That winter was the most turbulent winter for the Great Xia court. Starting with the Qin family case, Li Rong worked vigorously on both cases together with the military provisions case, successively investigating and prosecuting nearly seventy officials.
When Li Rong emerged from these two cases, the distribution of military authority positions in the Northwest finally had results. As compensation to the Qin family, Qin Feng was promoted to Loyal and Martial General, with Qin Lin as his deputy general. Meanwhile, Consort Rou’s older brother, Xiao Su, became the Northwest Grand Marshal, stationed in Chenzhou to command all Northwest armies.
Things progressed urgently, and everyone was busy. Li Rong was busy investigating cases, arresting people, and organizing evidence.
Pei Wenxuan was busy cooperating by submitting memorials, engaging in verbal battles with those who opposed Li Rong, and finding ways to smooth over private relationships.
Memorials cursing Li Rong flooded the court like an avalanche. Pei Wenxuan countered them ten-to-one, impeaching whoever impeached Li Rong, cursing whoever cursed Li Rong. Before year’s end, he alone had impeached more people than the entire Censorate combined did in a year.
After battling the masses with his tongue at court, Pei Wenxuan returned home not wanting to say another word. Sometimes, after finally getting a moment to rest while waiting for Li Rong, she would come back, take a bath, collapse on the bed, and before he could say more than a couple sentences, she would be asleep.
With no time to spend together, there was nothing they could do. Fortunately, Pei Wenxuan wasn’t in a hurry—busy times always ended. Besides, if there was no time for major matters, he could start with small things.
So Pei Wenxuan rose early each day to help her dress, arranged for afternoon snacks and sweet soups to be sent to her in the afternoon, conveniently including affectionate poems, carefully attending to various details of her life, attempting to silently seep into her existence like gentle rain.
As they struggled through to the days before the Spring Festival, matters were finally mostly handled. The court officials were also exhausted, knowing that no matter how much they impeached Li Rong, she fundamentally hadn’t committed any major errors. She was determined to handle the cases, the Emperor was determined to protect her, the Shangguan family played dead and made no sound, and even the Crown Prince couldn’t dissuade Li Rong. Unless they raised troops to directly overthrow the court, nothing could stop Li Rong from arresting people.
With the new year approaching, court officials also lost patience and were unwilling to argue further. Thus, Pei Wenxuan finally had some leisure. After morning court, calculating that Li Rong should be free today, he specially returned from his office and waited at home.
He had people prepare Li Rong’s favorite dishes in advance, personally and quite romantically blended calming incense, and dressed himself up nicely.
It was now the coldest time of winter, but he still wore a white undershirt with a sapphire blue brocade cloak embroidered with white plum blossoms over it.
When he selected this outfit, Tong Ye shuddered and couldn’t help reminding: “Young Master, it’s very cold today.”
Pei Wenxuan adjusted his collar. After a moment, he pointed to the wardrobe: “Get me a thicker padded jacket.”
Pei Wenxuan had the charcoal fire in the room burn more vigorously, wrapped himself in the padded jacket, and read in the room. When dinner time arrived, he finally heard the sound of Li Rong returning to the residence. He threw off the jacket, shoved it at Tong Ye, and said: “Quickly hide this.”
Tong Ye looked bewildered as he watched Pei Wenxuan straighten his clothes in the mirror and hurry out to greet her.
Pei Wenxuan rushed urgently toward the entrance. Just reaching the front courtyard, he heard Li Rong talking to someone from afar: “Land seizure and murder cannot be treated lightly—this is a grave crime. If his father can’t bring himself to do it, get some slow-acting poison from the palace and have someone feed it to him. Just say he fell gravely ill and handle it that way. Afterward, you can find his father and persuade him that since his son is already dead, he shouldn’t cause more trouble. Have the Shangguan family people privately apologize to the victim’s family and compensate them with silver. This way, if investigated later, they can say he committed suicide out of guilt and remorse, and it won’t be traceable.”
As Li Rong spoke, Pei Wenxuan saw her walking in with Shangguan Ya.
Winter had grown colder, but unlike others, Li Rong wasn’t wearing thick padded clothing. Her garments only looked slightly heavier, with a white fox fur draped outside, making her whole appearance fluffy and lending her a touch of cuteness.
Pei Wenxuan smiled as he waited for her in the corridor. Li Rong was still earnestly talking with Shangguan Ya. The two young women seemed completely oblivious to him. Shangguan Ya said in a low voice: “I understand. I’ll clean up the Shangguan family before His Majesty officially moves against the Crown Prince.”
“Will they listen to you?” Li Rong furrowed her brow. Shangguan Ya smiled: “I’m investigating cases while also promoting some previously overlooked illegitimate sons to help. Your Highness has helped with recommendations. They see that those who follow me get benefits, while those who don’t get trouble from me. So far they’re cooperating fairly well. After all, at most it’s just asking for resignation—no lives are taken, so it’s manageable.”
“Then you need to keep your tracks clean.” Li Rong instructed. Shangguan Ya nodded.
The two talked as they walked past Pei Wenxuan. He silently followed them. The two completely failed to notice an extra person following behind, only continuing their discussion of serious matters.
“Have those aristocratic family people approached your father?”
“They have,” Shangguan Ya smiled. “How could they not? They wanted to find someone to persuade you. I heard even the Empress Dowager in the palace tried to speak up. I went to the Empress Dowager and Empress ahead of time to give them a heads up. The Empress Dowager has now closed her doors to visitors. Don’t worry.”
“That’s good.”
Li Rong spoke with Shangguan Ya. She pondered for a moment: “Then they only have one path left to take.”
Shangguan Ya nodded. She understood Li Rong’s meaning and said gravely: “Your Highness must take extra care.”
“Mm.” Li Rong thought it over: “You as well.”
As they talked, Shangguan Ya sat down and went over many more details. By the time Shangguan Ya finished discussing everything with Li Rong, night had fallen. When Shangguan Ya took her leave and stood up, she finally realized Pei Wenxuan was standing there. She was stunned, then smiled at Pei Wenxuan and cupped her fists: “Apologies for the intrusion, apologies. Prince Consort, please don’t take offense.”
Pei Wenxuan smiled and raised his hand: “Miss Shangguan, take care.”
Shangguan Ya quickly left. Li Rong took a breath, sipped some tea, and raised her head somewhat wearily, saying slowly: “I heard you plan to transfer to the Ministry of Personnel?”
“His Majesty plans to hold a special imperial examination this year.”
Pei Wenxuan walked behind Li Rong, raised his hand to her forehead, and said calmly: “Now that you’ve prosecuted so many people, the court lacks personnel. His Majesty plans to hold the civil service examination early to select a batch of people. If I transfer to the Ministry of Personnel now, I can have a group of protégés.”
Great Xia’s method of selecting talent relied first on family background, second on imperial examinations. Perceptive people mostly understood that the imperial examinations were originally a means for the Emperor to suppress the aristocratic families, but currently those who emerged from successive examinations were mostly aristocratic family children. Even on the rare occasion when someone from a humble family passed, they were usually placed in insignificant positions.
For example, last year’s top examination scholar Cui Yulang was placed in the Ministry of Rites as a fifth-rank Supervisor—it sounded impressive but was insignificant and without real power.
So now, as for the imperial examinations, if you called them important, the powerful and influential ministers at court didn’t care much and couldn’t be bothered to compete for the examiner position. If you called them unimportant, since it was a time to select people and profit from it, some people would still want to take a bite.
Both Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong knew that the most important aspect of becoming an examination official was never the immediate profits one could extract from humble family candidates, but rather that those officials who passed through one’s hands and ultimately flowed into officialdom would naturally have a bond with this examiner. If the examiner knew how to cultivate these relationships, these people would even regard the examiner as their “teacher” in court, and fellow students would mutually promote and support each other.
This was one source of Pei Wenxuan’s large following in the past. Li Rong wasn’t surprised at all that Pei Wenxuan wanted to manage the examinations.
Especially now that she had cleared out a large batch of vacancies.
“Transferring directly from the Censorate won’t be easy.” Li Rong thought it over. “Many people are annoyed with you now.”
“Thanks to Your Highness’s blessing,” Pei Wenxuan smiled. He gently pressed Li Rong’s temples, saying in a low voice: “But it doesn’t matter. I’m already working on it.”
Li Rong acknowledged. As Pei Wenxuan massaged her pressure points and she smelled the incense from his sleeves, she felt a rare sense of peace. Somehow, she didn’t want to think about court politics. She said nothing. Pei Wenxuan observed her expression and said in a low voice: “Your Highness, shall we dine together?”
Li Rong nodded. Pei Wenxuan helped her stand, then his hand slid down naturally and gently grasped hers.
The winter cold made the warmth from his hand feel worthy of attachment. Li Rong was too exhausted to think about it. Seeing she didn’t speak or resist, Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat anxious. He glanced at her sideways, carefully observing her expression, and cleared his throat: “Your Highness, should we eat in the bedroom or go to the dining room?”
“You decide.”
Hearing his words, Li Rong came back to herself and spoke softly. Pei Wenxuan immediately said: “Let’s go to the bedroom.”
Seeing his quick response, Li Rong felt somewhat suspicious. Only then did she focus her attention on examining him. She discovered that in the depths of winter, Pei Wenxuan was dressed so lightly—jade crown and fine robes, as if it were still the height of spring.
But she had to admit, this version of Pei Wenxuan was extremely handsome. Leading her forward, he looked exactly like a romantic young master taking his lover on a spring outing—gentle affection mixed with a silent youthful spirit. If she were a young maiden, one glance up at him like this could last a lifetime.
Li Rong’s gaze fell on his face as he led her into the room. When they opened the door, Li Rong saw the small table set up inside, the newly changed winter plum blossoms, the specially blended incense, and she understood.
She kept her expression neutral, only using her peripheral vision to glance sideways at the utterly serious Pei Wenxuan, pretending not to notice anything as she entered the room, saying slowly: “Today seems colder than usual.”
Pei Wenxuan responded, raised his hand to close the door, entered the room and said: “Indeed. I had them add more charcoal. Does Your Highness still feel cold?”
“I’m not cold,” Li Rong looked up at him with a half-smile. “I just see you’re dressed lightly. Aren’t you cold?”
“My constitution is strong, and I don’t spend much time outdoors anyway,” Pei Wenxuan spoke as he walked into the room and sat across from Li Rong. “This is enough clothing.”
Li Rong nodded, but inside she was laughing her head off.
Pei Wenxuan was a civil official—she knew exactly what his abilities were. But if he wanted to show off, she wouldn’t say anything. She only said: “Let’s eat.”
With that, Li Rong raised her chopsticks.
This meal clearly had thought put into it. She hadn’t noticed before, but today Li Rong paid attention. Looking carefully, she discovered that not only were all the dishes her favorites, but they were also properly balanced between meat and vegetables, accommodating her habits—no cilantro, thinly sliced meat, plenty of scallions.
Looking at this, Li Rong didn’t know whether to be shocked or gratified.
During those years Pei Wenxuan lived with her, he had thoroughly learned all her habits.
Understanding her this well, poisoning her really wouldn’t have been difficult. Fortunately, he hadn’t harbored such thoughts back then. Otherwise, she would probably have departed for the afterlife long ago.
Thinking of this, Li Rong couldn’t help feeling a bit frightened and looked up at Pei Wenxuan.
That gaze was too complex. Pei Wenxuan’s heart felt uneasy. He couldn’t help saying: “Why is Your Highness looking at me?”
“Wanting to advise you to eat more.”
With that, Li Rong casually asked Pei Wenxuan some business matters. Pei Wenxuan answered one by one while also inquiring about Li Rong’s trivial matters: “Your Highness, did you receive yesterday’s candied fruit?”
“I received it.”
“How was the taste?”
“Didn’t get to try it—my subordinates divided it all up.”
Pei Wenxuan was blocked by this answer. For a moment, even the braised pork in his mouth didn’t taste good anymore.
So he couldn’t help asking again: “Your Highness, did you receive the poem I wrote?”
“I received it.”
Li Rong thought of the sappy poems he wrote every day and felt her teeth ache. Seeing her response, Pei Wenxuan asked with some anticipation: “What does Your Highness think of it?”
Li Rong looked up at him. Seeing that Pei Wenxuan seemed to plan on writing her poems every day from now on, she quickly said: “Write less of these things.”
Li Rong spoke in an elder’s tone, earnestly advising him: “You have great talent for governing the world. Always indulging in these refined literary pursuits will likely affect your aspirations. If others see it, they’ll think you’re just a poet, inevitably believing you only know poetry and not political affairs. Look at successful politicians—how many of them write such romantic verses?”
Pei Wenxuan felt stifled by Li Rong’s lecture. He couldn’t help saying: “I only write them for Your Highness to see.”
“I understand,” Li Rong nodded, pretending not to understand his meaning, and said with comprehension: “You wouldn’t dare show them to others either. I know you have propriety.”
Pei Wenxuan was speechless. Li Rong finished eating, put down her chopsticks, and said calmly: “I’m going to read a few more memorials to aid digestion. You go ahead with your business.”
With that, Li Rong stood up and walked out. Pei Wenxuan sat alone at the dining table, feeling somewhat vexed.
A meal had become like this—truly without any romantic atmosphere at all.
Li Rong walked a few steps, then turned back to see Pei Wenxuan still sitting in his seat, his back showing a bit of disappointment. This made Li Rong feel somewhat tender-hearted. She couldn’t help smiling and reminded: “You should wear more layers.”
Pei Wenxuan said nothing. Li Rong watched as he stood up, expertly walked to the side, opened the wardrobe, pulled out a thick padded jacket, expertly threw it on, and said expressionlessly: “Your Highness can rest assured—I won’t catch cold.”
With that, Pei Wenxuan, wearing his padded jacket, returned to the dining table, picked up his chopsticks, and began eating.
Seeing how expertly he put on the jacket, Li Rong was fairly certain he truly wouldn’t catch cold.
Li Rong went back to review a few memorials. After half an hour, she felt tired. She went to the bath to wash up, then leisurely strolled back.
When she returned to the room, Pei Wenxuan had already gone to bed. He had been exhausted recently and hadn’t slept well, so Li Rong wasn’t surprised.
Li Rong didn’t light a lamp. She felt her way into the room and gently lay down to sleep.
She hadn’t been asleep long when she felt the person beside her turn over. Li Rong assumed it was unintentional and continued sleeping with her eyes closed.
After a while, the person turned over again, seeming somewhat unhappy.
Li Rong pretended to sleep soundly and didn’t plan to acknowledge him.
Who knew what he was thinking about to make himself angry. She had offended him plenty—he could think it over himself.
Pei Wenxuan tossed and turned, seemingly unable to let it go. After waiting a long time, Li Rong was drowsy when she felt the person beside her suddenly get up and abruptly approach her.
He came with fierce momentum. Before Li Rong could react, the person stopped.
Pei Wenxuan hung suspended above her. Li Rong held her breath, uncertain whether she should open her eyes to defend something or keep them closed to avoid awkwardness.
The two were at an impasse for a moment. Pei Wenxuan furrowed his brow tightly. After a long time, Li Rong felt the person lower his head and kiss her forehead gently and tenderly.
He seemed afraid of waking her, kissing so carefully.
People were strange indeed. If Pei Wenxuan had placed this kiss on her lips, or even explored with his tongue in a struggle of desire, she wouldn’t have felt anything particular. A direct confrontation—she wasn’t afraid of that.
But kissing her forehead so restrainedly and carefully, then laughing softly once before leaving satisfied—she felt that person hadn’t kissed her forehead, but rather her heart.
Like a wave of autumn water brushed by wind, rippling layer upon layer.
Somehow, Li Rong blushed in the night. She couldn’t help turning over to face away from Pei Wenxuan.
Seeing her turn over, Pei Wenxuan lay on his side in bed, propping up his head, his gaze falling on her back. He lowered his head and laughed softly.
Author’s Note:
Mini Theater
Li Rong: “Aren’t you cold?”
Pei Wenxuan: “My body is very healthy. I’m not cold.”
Li Rong: “I just love you young people—you’ll say anything to show off.”