Pei Wenxuan was handsome with a pleasant voice. Li Rong couldn’t see his face, but just hearing this voice, she felt somewhat moved.

As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he released the hand covering Li Rong’s mouth. Li Rong pretended to be composed: “You deliberately waited for me?”

“Your Highness overthinks,” Pei Wenxuan withdrew half an inch, appearing quite proper. Li Rong turned over and looked at Pei Wenxuan lying on his side with one hand pillowed under his ear. His white inner garment lay open, exposing a large expanse of chest. He gazed at her lazily and smiled: “This humble minister merely heard a cat push open the window and wanted to open his eyes to look. As a result, he saw a big cat come in.”

Rather than teasing, Pei Wenxuan’s words were more like flirting. Li Rong listened to his low, husky, seductive voice. After thinking for a moment, she smiled with pursed lips, pillowed her hands in front of herself, and leaned her entire body over. Soft yet carrying a touch of charm, she nestled against Pei Wenxuan’s chest, raised her head to look at him, and batted her eyes: “Then does elder brother want to discipline this little cat?”

These words instantly provoked a reaction in Pei Wenxuan—a real one. He immediately became embarrassed, unable to advance or retreat.

Seeing his predicament, Li Rong immediately felt delighted. Pei Wenxuan saw her smile smugly and couldn’t help but sigh. He raised his hand to press down the quilt on Li Rong, ensuring she was wrapped tightly before saying: “On such a cold day, why did Your Highness come over wearing only this single garment?”

“You wouldn’t come back,” Li Rong felt somewhat stifled mentioning this. “So I had no choice but to come over.”

“If Your Highness wanted me to return, you need only say the word.” Pei Wenxuan smiled. “How can you let yourself get cold?”

“I can’t afford to repay the peony debt,” Li Rong buried her head into the quilt. “Aren’t you still angry?”

“Where am I angry?” Pei Wenxuan’s voice was gentle. Li Rong raised her eyes to glare at him: “Then why won’t you acknowledge me?”

“Where haven’t I acknowledged you?”

“You’re even sleeping in separate beds with me.” Li Rong spoke in muffled tones. Pei Wenxuan felt torn between tears and laughter: “Your Highness, you told me to wait. I’m sleeping in a separate bed just to give Your Highness some time.”

Li Rong said nothing. Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to brush Li Rong’s hair, smoothing her disheveled strands behind her ear. Li Rong’s face remained buried in the quilt. She wasn’t afraid of Pei Wenxuan speaking boldly or doing outrageous things to her—she feared him touching her so properly and tenderly like this.

She probably just couldn’t handle good people—didn’t know how to deal with this kind of gentleman in bed.

Pei Wenxuan explained: “I know that after Your Highness said those words that day, you felt embarrassed. So I thought the relationship between us would be more appropriate if placed in Your Highness’s hands. If Your Highness wants me to move back, then I’ll move back. If Your Highness doesn’t want me to, then I can sleep in the study.”

“Don’t make it sound so proper, as if everything is for my benefit,” Li Rong raised her eyes to glare at him. “If you really thought this way, why not sleep in the guest room? Sleeping on this small, hard couch—isn’t it just to make me come coax you while you act aloof?”

Li Rong seemed to have become smarter.

Pei Wenxuan was momentarily speechless, feeling the embarrassment of being seen through. He casually averted his eyes and cleared his throat lightly: “Your Highness thinks too badly of me.”

“Do I think badly of you?”

Seeing Pei Wenxuan still wouldn’t admit it, Li Rong simply sat up wrapped in the quilt and patted the small couch with her hand: “You old scoundrel are exactly this calculating! Now you’re telling me you’re not ignoring me, that it’s just this or that, playing the good person. During the day you maintained distance and deliberately gave me the cold shoulder. When I got injured you didn’t ask about me. When my eyes were red you didn’t feel sorry that I’d been crying. When you came to apply medicine for me, you still had to wrap me up like this to let people laugh at me!”

Li Rong raised her hand to point at the bow swaying on her head, saying with dissatisfaction: “You clearly treated me like some eighteen-year-old girl who understands nothing and needed managing. Playing what hard-to-get, welcoming yet refusing games, singing both good cop and bad cop by yourself to trap me!”

Having been completely exposed by Li Rong, Pei Wenxuan could no longer maintain his noble young master act. In the night his face flushed red then white. After holding it in for a long time, he could only try to pull Li Rong’s quilt away: “If you’re going to talk, just talk. Don’t hog the quilt.”

“What do you need a quilt for?” Li Rong clutched the quilt tightly and glared at Pei Wenxuan: “Aren’t you fox fur? Go warm yourself!”

“It’s cold in the middle of the night,” Pei Wenxuan frowned. “If I get sick from the cold, I still have morning court tomorrow. Let’s argue under the covers.”

Li Rong hesitated for a moment, feeling Pei Wenxuan’s words made some sense. She couldn’t let such matters interfere with proper business.

So she shared the quilt with him, and the two got under the covers together.

The small couch in the study was meant for one person. With two people lying down, they couldn’t even lie flat—they could only lie on their sides facing each other. In such a cramped space, a young man and woman wearing only inner garments should logically feel some impulse. But when Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes and saw Li Rong’s eyes shining frighteningly bright in the darkness, full of reproach, he immediately lost all feeling. His instinct was to retort, but before opening his mouth he calmed down somewhat, thinking that advancing their relationship to this point wasn’t easy—he absolutely must not let his sharp tongue ruin it.

So after a long silence, Pei Wenxuan finally spoke quietly: “Your Highness, leave me some face.”

“Did you leave me any face?” Li Rong wouldn’t let it go. “Old scoundrel.”

“No,” Pei Wenxuan couldn’t hold back anymore. “Li Rong, why won’t you take any olive branch I offer? Do you have to keep arguing like this? I admit I had some little schemes in mind, wanting you to coax me. But dare you say you didn’t know and weren’t cooperating? Must I spell everything out to make everyone uncomfortable?”

“What do I have to be uncomfortable about?” Li Rong sneered coldly. “I’m not like you, one way openly and another secretly.”

“Oh, you’re not like me,” Pei Wenxuan laughed with a touch of mockery. “I openly like you and secretly like you too. Where am I like you? You openly say you’ll keep me, but secretly when you knew I was sleeping in the study, you were probably so happy inside.”

“You judge a gentleman’s heart with a petty person’s mind.”

Li Rong raised her hand to poke his chest: “If I was happy, why would I come here?”

“You don’t want me to return,” Pei Wenxuan said directly. “You’re afraid I’ll run away.”

Li Rong’s movement froze. Seeing her freeze, Pei Wenxuan realized he’d misspoken. His heart softened somewhat and he sighed, reaching out to hold Li Rong’s hand: “Don’t worry. I understand everything.”

“What do you understand?”

Li Rong lowered her eyes. Pei Wenxuan softened his voice: “What I said wasn’t entirely to deceive you. I slept in a separate bed because I truly wanted to give you some time. After what you said to me that day, I understood in my heart. You asked me to wait for you because you yourself know that letting go of past matters in your heart isn’t something that can happen overnight. Before that, you can’t give me the feelings I want.”

“I’m not…”

“Don’t speak.” Pei Wenxuan placed his hand on her lips, saying gently: “That you could say those words to me shows you care about me—I don’t blame you. Your current feelings toward me—you can’t let go, but you can’t accept them either. So you desperately try to treat me well, but actually in your bones you’re only doing it to keep me.”

“I don’t understand these words you’re saying,” Li Rong smiled. “For example?”

“For example, Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan’s hand slid to the tie at her waist. “If this humble minister wanted to serve Your Highness, would Your Highness permit it?”

“Minister Pei is skilled in this area—it would make both of us happy,” Li Rong raised her eyebrows. “Why wouldn’t I permit it?”

“There you have it.” Pei Wenxuan withdrew his hand. “But if I were to share intimate pleasures with Your Highness here, I might never be able to enter Your Highness’s heart for the rest of my life. Because I would have ignored what Your Highness truly wants emotionally. In this relationship between Your Highness and me, Your Highness would feel wronged.”

“In matters of the heart, Your Highness has suffered too many wrongs. If I can’t make Your Highness feel this is something where you needn’t wrong yourself, that it’s within Your Highness’s control, Your Highness will never be able to place your heart in my hands.”

Li Rong said nothing. She quietly looked at Pei Wenxuan.

She suddenly felt that Pei Wenxuan was like someone living inside her heart. What he could see was even clearer than what she herself could see.

Many things confused even her—like why she both wanted Pei Wenxuan to return to her room yet feared his return.

Why she felt happy when he treated her well, yet also felt anxious.

At the root of it all, she simply couldn’t give Pei Wenxuan the feelings he hoped for, yet feared he would leave.

Even she hadn’t noticed that she was vaguely trying to please Pei Wenxuan, resisting everything that made her feel Pei Wenxuan might leave.

“I can joke with Your Highness, let Your Highness give me a little sweetness. That Your Highness secretly came to find me tonight—I’m extremely happy inside.”

“But I can’t truly disregard Your Highness’s real inner emotions. After Your Highness opened your heart to me that day, you’ve been very nervous. If I hadn’t left, Your Highness might have remained nervous like this. Your Highness can rest assured—I’m not being sulky with you. I’m waiting for you.”

“Then you should return.” Li Rong raised her head to look at him. Pei Wenxuan smiled: “Naturally. I’m sleeping in the study precisely to make Your Highness feel sorry for me. When Your Highness truly wants me to return, I’ll give Your Highness an out to make it convenient for Your Highness to summon me.”

“Your Highness is someone who values face.” Pei Wenxuan pressed his lips together, not wanting to embarrass Li Rong at this moment, restraining his smile. “I’m paving the way for Your Highness.”

“Cunning old fox.”

Li Rong muttered. Pei Wenxuan smiled without speaking. After a moment’s pause, Li Rong hesitantly reached out her hand and raised it to encircle Pei Wenxuan’s neck.

Her soft body pressed against his as she gently rested her head on his chest, saying quietly: “Then come back.”

“Is Your Highness saying this sincerely? If this humble minister returns, will Your Highness feel it’s too intimate and feel nervous?”

Speaking thus, Pei Wenxuan added: “No matter how Your Highness decides, this humble minister won’t be unhappy.”

Li Rong leaned against Pei Wenxuan. She thought very seriously for a long time. She listened to Pei Wenxuan’s heartbeat, feeling a kind of silent security surrounding her.

She rarely felt this stable—just leaning against this person, it seemed wind and rain no longer existed in this world.

After a long while, she said quietly: “Not anymore.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan raised his hand. He drew the person into his embrace, saying mildly: “Then let’s sleep. I’ll move back tomorrow.”

“No,” hearing this, Li Rong immediately sat up wrapped in the quilt, saying seriously: “I can’t sleep here, otherwise they’ll know tomorrow.”

“Then Your Highness means…”

“You come back with me.”

Li Rong spoke seriously: “We’ll retrace our steps and not alert anyone.”

That way no one would know she had taken the initiative to find Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong’s appearance and showed an expression beyond words. Li Rong’s expression was resolute. After the two confronted each other for a moment, Pei Wenxuan looked at his small couch and finally nodded: “Fine, fine, fine. Then let’s go back now.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan got out of bed with Li Rong. He draped his own clothes over Li Rong, then said: “Let’s go quickly.”

The two made their plan and climbed out the window again quietly, then tiptoed all the way while avoiding servants, sneaking back to Li Rong’s room and returning to bed.

After reaching Li Rong’s large bed, the two finally relaxed. They lay on the bed looking at each other and smiled. Pei Wenxuan pulled the quilt over to cover Li Rong: “Sleep now.”

With Pei Wenxuan back, the bed suddenly felt much smaller. But somehow, Li Rong felt the bed seemed warmer, softer—in short, more comfortable.

With Pei Wenxuan sleeping beside her, she couldn’t help but turn over. She smiled as she lay on the bed, looking at Pei Wenxuan: “Pei Wenxuan.”

“Hm?” Pei Wenxuan had one hand behind his head, looking at her sideways. Li Rong said with a beaming smile: “According to what you said, if the time isn’t right,” Li Rong spoke as she raised her hand to lightly tap Pei Wenxuan’s chest, “wouldn’t you be unmoved by temptation, unswayed by any wind from any direction—a gentleman in bed?”

“Is that how you use that poem?”

Pei Wenxuan’s face held a smile as he let Li Rong draw circles on his chest.

Li Rong lay on the bed, propping up her chin while her feet swayed idly in the air. Her finger lightly slid across Pei Wenxuan’s chest: “Does that matter? I’m just asking you.”

“Since I promised Your Highness, naturally I’ll do it.”

As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he propped himself up to lean closer to Li Rong: “However, Your Highness, if you actively flirt with me, that’s all debt. I’m keeping careful count—it all has to be repaid in the future.”

Speaking thus, he leaned close to Li Rong’s ear: “This humble minister remembers very clearly the days after our wedding when Your Highness didn’t leave the room for several days.”

Receiving these words, Li Rong’s movement froze. After a moment, she scoffed: “Just bullying me for being young back then.”

But though she said this verbally, she still behaved herself, lying back down, closing her eyes, and pulling up the quilt: “Sleep!”

Pei Wenxuan laughed quietly but didn’t say anything more.

Li Rong had her back to Pei Wenxuan. She kept her eyes open in the darkness.

She was very happy that night. She didn’t even know what she was happy about. When Pei Wenxuan asked about it many years later, she thought for a long time before understanding.

That was the first time in her life she felt truly cherished.

Being pampered was easy—like her Father Emperor occasionally showering favor upon her.

Being loved wasn’t difficult either—like her mother carefully protecting her in the palace.

But being cherished meant having someone unconditionally tolerant of you, allowing you to make mistakes, allowing you to disregard equality, allowing you to raise hell and still finding you adorable. He sought nothing and wanted nothing from you.

He loved you simply for being you.

But Li Rong didn’t understand all this at the time. She just pulled up the quilt, closed her eyes, and even while sleeping, couldn’t help but smile.

The two slept until just before morning court. Jing Lan knocked on the door first, saying quietly: “Your Highness, time to rise.”

Li Rong drowsily woke up. Before she could get up, she felt Pei Wenxuan cover her eyes with something, saying gently: “Sleep a bit more.”

Hearing this, her already weak determination to get up instantly crumbled. She immediately fell back asleep, vaguely hearing Pei Wenxuan get up and call to those outside: “Come in.”

Jing Lan outside was stunned for a moment, then showed a joyful expression. She exchanged glances with Jing Mei, suppressing their smiles as they pushed open the door to enter the room.

After entering, they saw Pei Wenxuan dressing Li Rong. Li Rong leaned on Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder, still keeping her eyes closed to grab a bit more sleep.

After Pei Wenxuan finished dressing Li Rong, he said softly: “Time to wash up.”

Only then did Li Rong finally get up, with Jing Lan attending to her washing.

Pei Wenxuan glanced at the attendant beside him and raised his chin, saying as he washed his face: “Go fetch my official robes from the study.”

Hearing this, everyone smiled quietly, seeming to know what had happened last night.

Pei Wenxuan discreetly glanced at Li Rong. Li Rong cleared her throat lightly and scolded: “What are you laughing at? How dare you laugh at your master’s business.”

Hearing this, everyone quickly apologized with smiles, but showed no fear whatsoever. Li Rong didn’t know why, but she couldn’t bring herself to scold them harshly. Perhaps because she was in a good mood, she only said: “No manners.”

After saying this, the attendants hurriedly apologized again. Li Rong pretended not to see. After they finished washing up, Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong went out together. Pei Wenxuan sighed: “This humble minister took the blame for Your Highness today—shouldn’t that count as meritorious service?”

“Let’s note it down for now.” Li Rong smiled as she glanced at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan looked at the white cloth wrapped around Li Rong’s head again, and seeing her lively expression, he couldn’t help but want to laugh.

Seeing him suppress his laughter and lower his head, Li Rong suddenly remembered: “Speaking of which, Huale being beaten yesterday—that was your doing?”

“You came last night because of that?”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan immediately knew the reason for Li Rong’s visit to the study last night. Li Rong cleared her throat: “I’m asking you a question.”

“Yes.” Pei Wenxuan said leisurely. “You don’t like dealing with these matters, I know. But I’m quite petty.”

Pei Wenxuan scoffed: “You got hit with a document folder, and she thinks she can get away with just copying the Women’s Precepts ten times? Dream on.”

“Tell me, what did you say to His Majesty that made him slap Huale right after meeting you?”

Li Rong was somewhat curious. Pei Wenxuan smiled: “I merely mentioned in a memorial to His Majesty the matter of Kunzhou white jade prices skyrocketing, giving His Majesty an example of the price of buying a Kunzhou white jade hairpin, and the Xie family’s relationship with these jade hairpins.”

Hearing this, Li Rong thought of yesterday’s message saying Huale wore a white magnolia jade hairpin and immediately understood.

Kunzhou white jade was the Xie family’s business. The Xie family owned jade shops producing various jewelry, quite famous in Hua Jing. The most sought-after item was the white magnolia jade hairpin.

Buying this white magnolia jade hairpin wasn’t easy—not only was it expensive, but status mattered too. With Consort Rou’s background, Huale not only lacked money, but even if she had money, the Xie family might not sell the hairpin to her.

Yet Huale possessed a white magnolia jade hairpin.

Where this white magnolia jade hairpin came from, combined with Huale speaking ill of her the day before yesterday and Chen Wang Shi’s performance in court yesterday forcing her to hand over the Qin family case and military provisions case—it wasn’t hard to guess.

A hairpin alone wasn’t a major matter. But Consort Rou, as Li Ming’s knife for cutting down aristocratic families, had actually gotten involved with the Xie family and even suppressed Li Rong who was helping Li Ming with matters. Combined with Li Ming probably being angered by Xie Lanqing and others during the day, when Pei Wenxuan subtly hinted and Li Ming went back to question her, Huale certainly wouldn’t tell the truth. With all these frustrating matters piling up, Li Ming slapping Huale was actually quite restrained.

Thinking through the sequence of events, Li Rong couldn’t help but feel Pei Wenxuan was truly deep in thought and skilled in methods.

He never directly said a single bad word about Huale, only discussed court affairs lightly and casually, yet directly caused this favored princess to be bound and slapped by the Emperor. This slap struck not only Huale but also Consort Rou. Most importantly, it thoroughly planted seeds of suspicion toward Consort Rou in Li Ming’s heart.

Li Ming’s favoritism was Consort Rou’s greatest support. Pei Wenxuan wasn’t just venting for her—he was striking the snake at its vital point, calculating against Consort Rou step by step.

Now Pei Wenxuan was merely a censor, yet could already manipulate situations so skillfully. That he became Minister of the Secretariat in his previous life was only natural.

Seeing Li Rong remain silent for a long time, Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her and smiled: “What is Your Highness thinking about again?”

“I’m thinking,” Li Rong sighed, “Minister Pei’s intelligence borders on the demonic—it’s unsettling.”

Li Rong spoke so frankly that Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help but laugh: “I thought you would coax me again.”

“Coax you how?”

Li Rong raised her eyebrows. Pei Wenxuan actively raised his hand to link arms with Li Rong. Before Li Rong could react, she heard Pei Wenxuan pinch his voice: “Pei Wenxuan, you’re so smart—I admire you so much.”

Li Rong was amused by him and pushed him: “Nonsense. Am I that kind of person?”

“More or less,” Pei Wenxuan returned to his normal tone and spread his hands. “Now you and I are allies. In the past, you wouldn’t tell me the truth.”

“Then this counts as progress now.” Li Rong spoke with weight and significance. “You should be content.”

“Thank Your Highness.” Pei Wenxuan displayed an expression of receiving great favor, holding his tablet respectfully and bowing. “For giving this humble minister this opportunity to let you scold me.”

Li Rong bantered with him, laughing uncontrollably. When they reached the entrance, Pei Wenxuan helped her into the carriage. Only then did Pei Wenxuan speak seriously in a low voice: “Rest assured.”

“As long as you are my wife for one day, I will never use these schemes and plots against you.”

“What if I’m not anymore?” Li Rong turned sideways, looking at him coldly.

Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly, saying gently: “Then at that time, a thousand calculations and ten thousand schemes would likely all be directed at Your Highness alone.”

“You really are…”

“Only so that Your Highness might return and once again respectfully address me as Madam Pei.”

Li Rong froze. Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to lift the carriage curtain, smiling: “Madam Pei, please—don’t catch cold outside.”

“What Madam Pei,” Li Rong scoffed. “You’re my Prince Consort. I’m not your Madam Pei.”

With that, Li Rong bent down and entered the carriage.

After boarding the carriage, they began handling their respective official duties. They were both accustomed to dealing with matters during any spare moments—this was how they maintained their efficient lives. Before long, they arrived at the palace. The two separated, with Pei Wenxuan going to chat with his acquaintances while Li Rong stood in her position with closed eyes, resting.

Soon morning court began. With Li Ming’s call of “Present memorials if you have them,” many officials immediately stepped forward.

These officials spoke one after another, either demanding a thorough investigation into whether Li Rong had extracted confessions from Chen Guang through torture, or requesting a retrial of the military provisions case.

Li Ming showed some impatience on his face but still listened patiently. Li Rong sat as still as a monk in meditation, her expression calm. After all these people finished their accusations, Li Ming finally spoke: “What you esteemed ministers say all has some merit. Whether Pingle extracted confessions through torture should indeed be investigated. Let the Censorate handle it.”

With that, Li Ming raised his eyes toward Censorate Chief Shangguan Minzhi: “Minister Shangguan, you arrange this matter.”

Shangguan Minzhi respectfully accepted the order. Xie Lanqing spoke coldly: “Your Majesty, Minister Shangguan is Her Highness’s uncle—he should avoid involvement. This case should be handed to the Ministry of Justice instead.”

“Maternal uncle,” as soon as Xie Lanqing finished speaking, Li Rong opened her mouth. Xie Lanqing frowned as he heard Li Rong smile: “According to clan relationships, you’re also my maternal uncle. Everyone in this court is related, aren’t they? If you talk about avoiding involvement with relatives, would any court business get done?”

“But…”

“Pingle speaks reasonably.” Li Ming directly cut off Xie Lanqing, saying impatiently: “It’s settled then. The Censorate will investigate whether Pingle extracted confessions through torture. As for the Qin family case and military provisions case in Pingle’s hands—they’ve dragged on long enough. No need to retry them. Investigating once after each death—wouldn’t that be laughable? Retry if there’s evidence. If there’s no evidence, set a date for sentencing.”

“But if Her Highness is involved in extracting confessions through torture…”

Another minister spoke urgently. Li Ming said directly: “So transfer the case to someone else for review.”

Hearing this, many ministers instantly breathed a sigh of relief. Then they saw Li Ming raise his hand to point at Pei Wenxuan: “Pei Wenxuan, you were originally a censor, and you helped with this case from the beginning. I’ll transfer it to you.”

“Your Majesty!” Several ministers spoke anxiously: “The Prince Consort and the Princess are husband and wife—giving it to him to review, how is it different from the Princess reviewing it?”

“Then give it to the Princess to review?” Pei Wenxuan replied directly. The speaking minister immediately said: “That certainly won’t do.”

“If it can’t be given to the Princess to review, then there is a difference between the Princess reviewing it and this humble official reviewing it. So what’s the problem with transferring the case to this humble official?”

Pei Wenxuan’s words left the man confused. After a moment, the minister finally reacted and quickly said: “You’ll definitely favor them.”

“Why is that?”

“You and the Princess are husband and wife!”

“Minister Chen, you once spent lavishly at a certain brothel. Your wife led people to storm the brothel. You and your wife confronted each other in the street. Aren’t you and your noble wife husband and wife? Why does one want to beat the other while the other doesn’t want to?”

“You you…” The named minister’s face turned bright red with shame and anger. Taking advantage of his speechlessness, Pei Wenxuan turned around, respectfully knelt and bowed: “This humble minister accepts the decree.”

This settled the matter.

This matter had clearly been discussed between Li Ming and high-level ministers yesterday. After Pei Wenxuan rebutted these small fry, no one else spoke up. After Pei Wenxuan received the decree and stood up, he returned to his position, and the matter was concluded.

After morning court ended, Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong walked out of the great hall together. Pei Wenxuan remained silent for a long time. Seeing him not speak, Li Rong asked curiously: “What are you thinking about?”

Pei Wenxuan put his hands behind his back and turned to look at her: “The assassination matter—is that the end of it?”

“Of course it won’t end like this.”

Li Rong said with a beaming smile: “Just wait and see.”

With that, Li Rong patted Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder: “There are many case files for these two cases. Minister Pei, why not go directly to the Constabulary Bureau?”

“Naturally.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan bowed to Li Rong: “Your Highness, please.”

Li Rong stepped down the stairs. Pei Wenxuan followed behind her. The two left the palace together. After boarding the carriage, Li Rong gave Pei Wenxuan a general overview of the case details.

Pei Wenxuan nodded, then remembered something: “Speaking of which, Su Ronghua didn’t stop you during all this?”

“He tried to stop us a little,” Li Rong smiled. “But he knows what’s what—he won’t interfere with crucial matters.”

“He knows what’s what?” Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows. “You certainly trust him greatly.”

“The Su family won’t act recklessly—even if it’s Su Ronghua.”

Li Rong spoke flatly. Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained as usual. He lowered his eyes and poured himself tea, saying mildly: “Actually I’ve never understood why Your Highness has such confidence in the Su family. Can’t Your Highness see the drawbacks of aristocratic families?”

Li Rong said nothing. She opened and closed her small fan. After a long while, she spoke slowly: “Everything has advantages and disadvantages. Aristocratic families have their drawbacks, but don’t forget—Great Xia’s golden age originated from these aristocratic families. Those who embezzle at the borders are aristocratic family disciples, but those who fight and die on the battlefield are also aristocratic family disciples. Those who scheme in court are aristocratic families, but those who compiled the Great Xia Code and hold Confucian principles, conducting themselves as gentlemen—they’re also aristocratic families.”

“Then how do you know whether the Su family represents that drawback or that benefit?”

Pei Wenxuan’s voice was cold. Li Rong thought for a long time. She looked at the carriage curtain rising and falling outside, her expression somewhat distant.

“Do you know when I first met Su Rongqing?”

Pei Wenxuan hadn’t expected her to bring this up. He looked up somewhat strangely and heard Li Rong say calmly: “I was very young then, and he was very young too. Father Emperor wanted to launch a northern expedition, so he and his grandfather knelt outside the palace gates. At that time I couldn’t even write properly yet, but he was already in court, kneeling with his father outside the imperial study door.”

“Then I asked him why he was kneeling. He said it was because His Majesty wanted a northern expedition, and he was trying to dissuade him.”

“So I asked why he would dissuade it. Northern expeditions are for fighting bad people. He seriously told me that an emperor’s achievements are written in the blood of common people. That year was the third year of drought in the south. Compared to launching a northern expedition against foreign enemies, he hoped more that the common people could fill their bellies.”

“I asked him if he was afraid—that Father Emperor might beat him with boards or even kill people. He looked at me and said, ‘Those of the Su family live for the people and die for the nation.'”

Speaking thus, Li Rong smiled. She turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, her expression rarely gentle: “Pei Wenxuan, actually within these century-old prestigious families, they hold higher principles and moral standards than ordinary people. Among them are bad people, but what’s bad isn’t them—it’s the human heart. Su Lin was involved in the military provisions case, but only as the most insignificant link. And the Su family protecting him wasn’t favoritism, but rather an internal family rule.”

“If I don’t take action against Su Lin, the Su family will act themselves—it’s just that outsiders cannot be the ones to act. Such a family, even if it has some unsavory individuals, I still hold respect for them. They have their bottom line. As long as I don’t cross it, there’s no problem.”

Pei Wenxuan listened quietly. As they spoke, they arrived at the Constabulary Bureau. Li Rong led Pei Wenxuan inside. Just as they reached the entrance, they heard Su Ronghua’s somewhat agitated voice: “You’re telling me he escaped on his own? I’d believe it more if you said you were seduced by his beauty and let him go!”

“If you don’t believe me, so be it,” Shangguan Ya’s leisurely voice responded. “I’m not begging you to believe me.”

Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong exchanged glances. Li Rong led Pei Wenxuan inside. Hearing Li Rong enter, Shangguan Ya quickly stood up respectfully and bowed: “Your Highness.”

“Your Highness.”

Su Ronghua’s face looked extremely unpleasant. Li Rong smiled at Shangguan Ya: “Fighting again? What about this time?”

“Reporting to Your Highness, last night Minister Shangguan privately released the serious criminal Lin Feibai. I request Your Highness immediately issue orders for a citywide search to capture Lin Feibai!”

Su Ronghua was clearly furious, not giving Shangguan Ya any chance to speak as he continued directly. Li Rong’s expression remained unchanged as she turned to Shangguan Ya: “You privately released a serious criminal?”

“I’ve been wronged,” Shangguan Ya pulled out a pitiful tone. “Last night I was just rather busy and didn’t return to the manor. Lin Feibai injured someone last night and ran away. How can that be blamed on me?”

“Who unlocked his chains?” Su Ronghua immediately retorted. “Why were all the guards on duty last night suddenly your people? You’re fooling ghosts!”

“Whoever thinks they’re being fooled is the ghost.”

Shangguan Ya spread her hands with an innocent expression: “How would I know who unlocked his chains? What do you mean ‘all my people’? Everyone is from the Constabulary Bureau, everyone is Her Highness’s people. Why divide between you and me?”

Watching Shangguan Ya act shamelessly, Su Ronghua felt his anger rise. He pressed his lips tightly together, holding it in for a long time before finally saying: “You’re going to cause trouble with this!”

Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong glanced coldly at Su Ronghua. He clearly knew something, appearing exceptionally anxious.

Li Rong’s face showed nothing as she only said: “Since the person has already escaped, there’s no point in pursuing who’s responsible. Issue a notice—citywide manhunt.”

“Your Highness, a notice isn’t enough,” seeing Li Rong agree with him, Su Ronghua quickly continued. “A citywide search is needed.”

“If Minister Su feels it’s necessary, then lead people yourself.”

Li Rong sounded rather helpless: “The Constabulary Bureau has been quite busy recently—I’m afraid we don’t have many people to spare.”

This wasn’t entirely false. Su Ronghua couldn’t determine for certain whether Li Rong was being genuine or putting him off.

After holding it in for a long time, he could only say: “This humble minister will go investigate now.”

“Minister Su, you’ve worked hard.”

Li Rong raised her hand in a “please” gesture.

Su Ronghua bowed respectfully and hurriedly left. After he departed, Shangguan Ya came forward and said quietly: “Released at dawn. You can rest assured.”

Li Rong acknowledged, then turned to Pei Wenxuan: “Come on, I’ll show you the case files.”

With that, Li Rong instructed Shangguan Ya: “Go bring all the case files from these two recent cases. Have the people ready for Minister Pei to interrogate.”

Shangguan Ya bowed in acknowledgment and withdrew. Li Rong led Pei Wenxuan toward the records room. Pei Wenxuan kept his hands tucked in his sleeves, saying coldly: “You deliberately let Lin Feibai out?”

“Yes.”

“He’s the Deputy Hall Master of Seven Star Hall with countless connections to Xie Lanqing, yet you still let him out. What are you plotting?”

“You’ll know tomorrow.”

Li Rong spun her fan, quite confident. Pei Wenxuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying: “Su Ronghua knows something.”

“What he knows, I probably know as well.”

Li Rong spoke, turning to him: “Just wait and watch the show.”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing more. He lowered his eyes, seemingly pondering. They had just reached the records room when urgent footsteps came from outside.

A moment later, Shangguan Ya’s figure appeared. She walked straight to Li Rong, her brow tightly furrowed: “Your Highness, something’s happened to Xie Lanqing.”

Pei Wenxuan whirled around. Li Rong’s expression remained composed: “Oh? Alive or dead?”

“Alive.” Shangguan Ya spoke concisely. “Lin Feibai’s assassination attempt on the street failed. He’s now been captured alive.”

“What a pity.” Li Rong clicked her tongue. Pei Wenxuan frowned, wanting to say something but finding it awkward. After holding it in for a long time, he could only say: “This is too reckless!”