Each harboring their own thoughts, the two began making their respective preparations.
The case in Li Rong’s hands had reached its conclusion. All involved had been sentenced—over seventy officials in total. More than forty were demoted, thirteen were exiled, seven were executed, and several others who had committed suicide right after the investigation weren’t even counted among these numbers.
This memorial reached Li Ming’s hands. After deliberating for a full day, he finally inscribed a single character: “Approved.”
However, when the memorial was sent to the Examination Department for review, they rejected it that very same day. Their lengthy rebuttal enumerated the past achievements of those officials, and their conclusion boiled down to two words: too severe.
Li Rong couldn’t be bothered to engage in verbal sparring with these civil officials, so she had Pei Wenxuan write memorials to rebuke them on her behalf.
Pei Wenxuan’s temper had been remarkably good lately. In the evenings, he would sit beside her, and whenever she cursed someone out, he would elegantly rephrase it into refined prose for the memorial.
When she grew tired of scolding, he would bring her a cup of water to soothe her throat.
On the surface, she engaged in a war of words with these aristocratic families, but secretly she dispatched people to set an ambush at Butterfly Gorge. The day before she was scheduled to go to Butterfly Gorge, she instructed Shangguan Ya to plant explosives there as a precaution. That very evening, Shangguan Ya came to report: “Your Highness, regarding the ambush at Butterfly Gorge—have you mentioned this to anyone else?”
Li Rong looked up from her documents. “What’s wrong?”
“There’s another group of people already doing something else at Butterfly Gorge.”
“Something else?” Li Rong became alert. “Have you determined who they are?”
“I thought you knew,” Shangguan Ya smiled. “They appear to be the Prince Consort’s people.”
“The Prince Consort?” Li Rong was somewhat surprised. “What are his people doing there?”
“We don’t know yet, but today they transported a large quantity of flowers into the gorge. It seems they’re arranging something.”
Hearing this, Li Rong pondered for a moment before asking, “If they’re transporting many flowers, wouldn’t that create quite a commotion?”
“Precisely.” Shangguan Ya seemed rather pleased. “I had been worried about what we would do if the Chen family showed no reaction to Your Highness’s outing. Now there’s no need to worry. With the Prince Consort’s actions today, he’s already alerted the Chen family’s people. Our informant in the Chen residence reported tonight that many people visited the Chen mansion today. Madam Chen withdrew a large sum of gold and silver from the accounts—they’re likely making preparations.”
“Old ginger is still the spiciest,” Li Rong said helplessly. “Sure enough, we still can’t hide anything from Pei Wenxuan.”
“The Prince Consort is a clever man,” Shangguan Ya smiled. “Your Highness has already reached this point—he understands he can’t stop you, so he’s simply decided to help you instead.”
“If tomorrow’s affair succeeds, everyone will be rewarded.”
Li Rong cheered up, then remembered to ask, “The explosives have been planted?”
“They’ve been planted.” As she spoke, Shangguan Ya produced a topographical map of Butterfly Gorge and pointed out the locations to Li Rong. “They’re placed at these three points. After Your Highness enters Butterfly Gorge, at the third pool, dive down and swim west. After ten zhang, when you see light, surface, and you’ll find a concealed small cave. In any emergency, Your Highness can take shelter in this cave.”
Li Rong nodded and asked Shangguan Ya for detailed clarification of the entire process. Seeing it was already late, she left with Shangguan Ya. Just as they reached the entrance, they encountered Su Ronghua, who was also about to leave. Su Ronghua bowed to Li Rong respectfully. “Your Highness.”
Li Rong nodded. “Lord Su is heading home?”
“Yes.” Su Ronghua smiled. “Are Your Highness and Miss Shangguan also returning?”
The three of them walked out of the Supervisory Bureau together. Li Rong smiled. “It’s getting late.”
“The weather has been cold lately,” Su Ronghua said as he helped Li Rong into her carriage, speaking respectfully. “Your Highness should venture out less frequently these days.”
Hearing this, Li Rong’s movements involuntarily paused. She turned around, her gaze settling on Su Ronghua. After a long moment, she smiled faintly. “Thank you for the reminder, Lord Su. It’s late at night—Lord Su should also avoid traveling after dark.”
Su Ronghua chuckled softly, his expression showing some helplessness. “Your Highness, whether or not I travel after dark isn’t something this humble subject can decide. The only thing I can do is try my best to walk under the lamplight.”
“Even someone as unrestrained as Young Master Su,” Li Rong said with some puzzlement, “cannot choose whether or not to walk?”
Su Ronghua said nothing. He raised his hands in salute and said quietly, “I respectfully send off Your Highness.”
Li Rong looked at Su Ronghua. After a moment, she finally nodded and bid farewell to both Shangguan Ya and Su Ronghua.
When Li Rong returned to the mansion, she saw Pei Wenxuan waiting for her as usual. Having heard in advance that she was coming home, he waited at the entrance. As soon as Li Rong entered the residence, she saw the blue-robed young man standing in the corridor.
Seeing Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile. She walked up to him, clapped her hand on his shoulder, and said encouragingly, “Well done.”
Pei Wenxuan looked somewhat bewildered. He asked carefully, “When Your Highness says ‘well done,’ you’re referring to…”
“I know about what you’ve been doing at Butterfly Gorge.”
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan’s heart jumped. He hadn’t expected Li Rong to care about him so much that she would even investigate such details. Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but say, “Since Your Highness knows, then tomorrow…” Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat uneasy. “Does Your Highness still plan to keep the appointment?”
“After going through so much trouble, how could I not go?”
Li Rong smiled. “Just proceed according to your ideas, but you must do it beautifully.”
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan was momentarily stunned. His heartbeat quickened as he watched Li Rong, hands clasped behind her back, walk toward the front. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask many things, yet felt it would be presumptuous.
Since Li Rong knew what he was doing at Butterfly Gorge, with her intelligence, she naturally also knew what was in his heart. That she could still permit this—did it perhaps indicate… another kind of response?
Pei Wenxuan didn’t dare think too much. He feared his imagination would run wild and he would end up saying too much. But he had already prepared himself to save his words for tomorrow, so he smiled and said solemnly, “Your Highness can rest assured, I will arrange everything properly.”
Li Rong nodded and said cheerfully, “Good, let’s eat.”
That evening Li Rong was in high spirits. Pei Wenxuan could see her happiness, which made his heart somewhat uneasy.
He thought Li Rong must be very much looking forward to his performance tomorrow. If he didn’t perform well, would he disappoint Li Rong?
He understood Li Rong’s temperament—she was guarded and wouldn’t let down her defenses just because of one confession from him. Yet she seemed very much to be looking forward to tomorrow. She must be anticipating what he could do for her.
Young ladies always have a bit of vanity, wanting to receive special care and attention. But Li Rong had witnessed many grand occasions, so Pei Wenxuan wasn’t sure whether he could deliver the answer Li Rong desired.
Thinking about tomorrow’s matters, Pei Wenxuan actually couldn’t sleep all night. He tossed and turned in the dark, afraid of disturbing Li Rong, only simulating tomorrow’s events over and over in his mind—every word he should say tomorrow, every thing he should do, every detail…
After confirming everything one by one, dawn was already approaching.
Both of them had specifically requested leave. Li Rong stayed in bed, continuing to sleep, while Pei Wenxuan rose early and went to the adjacent room. After washing and dressing, before the sky had even brightened, he left the city ahead of schedule.
Li Rong slept drowsily. When she woke, the sun was already high. As she yawned and got up, she saw Jing Lan come forward to serve her. She couldn’t help but ask, “Where’s the Prince Consort? Why don’t I see him?”
“The Prince Consort already left early this morning.”
Jing Lan smiled. “He left word saying he would wait for Your Highness at Butterfly Gorge in advance.”
“How many people did he bring?”
Hearing this, Li Rong’s first concern was for Pei Wenxuan’s safety. Understanding Li Rong’s meaning, Jing Lan smiled and replied, “The Prince Consort brought out all the elite shadow guards under his name. Your Highness can rest assured, the Prince Consort will arrange everything properly.”
“That’s good then.”
Hearing that Pei Wenxuan had brought all his elite forces, Li Rong felt relieved. She became even more certain that Pei Wenxuan probably had a clear understanding of today’s events.
She allowed Jing Lan to help her dress, went to the dining hall to drink some congee, then was led by Jing Lan onto the carriage, and they departed toward the city outskirts.
Li Rong brought many people—the procession looked grand and imposing. Jing Lan and Jing Mei sat with Li Rong in the carriage. Jing Mei couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, if you bring so many people, who would still dare approach you?”
Li Rong was drinking tea. Hearing Jing Mei’s words, she looked up at her with a half-smile. “You’re still too young. If I didn’t bring anyone at all, others would be even less likely to dare approach.”
“Huh?” Jing Mei looked somewhat confused. “Your Highness, I don’t understand what you mean.”
Li Rong smiled. Having nothing else to do in the carriage, she patiently explained to Jing Mei: “My identity is what it is. Right now I’m at a critical juncture in the case, yet I’m making such a high-profile outing. If I weren’t heavily guarded, it would certainly mean I have backup plans. Compared to an open show of strength, secret arrangements are what make those assassins truly afraid. After all, with so many people openly present, the level of danger is laid out right there—they can tell at a glance whether they have the capability to make a move.”
“But what if they see Your Highness is heavily guarded and don’t make a move?”
Jing Mei looked confused. Li Rong shook her head helplessly, took her fan and tapped it on Jing Mei’s head, saying helplessly, “Naturally, I only took such precautions after receiving intelligence. Don’t worry.”
As Li Rong spoke, her eyes took on a cold glint. “Chen Guang is the Chen family’s only heir. Even if the old madam has to risk her life, she’ll save him. When someone is willing to be the blade, how could those who want to make a move pass up this opportunity?”
“Perfect—I’ll clean them all up in one sweep,” Li Rong smiled. “They’re constantly trying to kill chickens to warn the monkeys, putting on shows for Father Emperor, putting on shows for me. Do they really think I have such a good temper and can do nothing about them?”
Listening to these words, Jing Mei couldn’t help but glance at Jing Lan. She didn’t quite understand, yet seemed to comprehend somewhat.
Jing Lan poured tea for Li Rong and said softly, “Your Highness speaks truly.”
While Li Rong chatted with Jing Lan and Jing Mei, Pei Wenxuan was incredibly busy at Butterfly Gorge.
Basin after basin of peonies bloomed throughout the gorge. Pei Wenxuan directed people to position the peonies properly, transforming the entire Butterfly Gorge into a sea of flowers.
“Young Master,” Tong Ye walked over from a small path to Pei Wenxuan, who stood amid the sea of flowers, and said happily, “Her Highness is coming.”
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan pressed his lips into a smile and said quietly, “Then I’ll start warming the wine now. By the time Her Highness arrives, there will be warm wine ready for her to drink.”
With that, Pei Wenxuan had someone place a small heating stove by the long table he had already set up, then warmed a pot of peach blossom wine.
After setting up the heating apparatus and placing the wine on it, Pei Wenxuan knelt beside the long table and raised his hand to touch the guqin on it.
It had been many years since he had played the qin.
In the past, Li Rong loved listening to him play. So he would always play for her after court sessions ended. The young lady would rest her chin on the table edge, quietly watching him. When a piece ended, she would smile and say happily, “Pei Wenxuan, you’re so handsome.”
He never knew whether she truly loved listening to the qin or simply thought he looked good while playing, but none of that mattered. As long as she liked it, that was enough.
Pei Wenxuan gently brushed his hand over the qin strings. At this moment, Li Rong’s carriage had also left the city, moving farther and farther from Hua Jing.
Just as they were about to reach Butterfly Gorge, arrows fell like rain, viciously embedding themselves in the walls of Li Rong’s carriage.
Outside, people and horses tumbled in chaos. The sounds of slaughter suddenly erupted all around.
Li Rong sat calmly inside the carriage, coldly reminding those beside her:
“They’re here.”