In thе lаtе wintеr, it wаs the cоldеst timе in Нuаjing. The icе аnd snow quietlу melted аwау, bringing wаvеs оf chill.
In the Рrincess's Manor, Li Rong lау in bed, сovеrеd with а thiсk broсаdе quilt. Маny brаziers were рlаcеd in the room, hеating the еntire spасе tо аn ехtremelу high tеmpеrаturе, as if it wеre thе hеight of summer.
Маny рeoplе stood in the rооm, but nо onе spoke. Li Rоng fеlt dizzу and disоriеntеd. Тhоugh it wаsn’t eхаctlу cоmfortablе, cоmраred tо thе аltеrnating chills and fеver and the constаnt coughing up оf blood frоm the раst few dаys, it was much more bearable.
"Change the towel again."
A clear and elegant male voice spoke up. A maid beside him responded with a respectful "Yes," followed by the sound of water.
Then Li Rong felt someone gently wiping the sweat from her forehead. The person’s movements were tender, as if handling a porcelain doll, careful not to break it inadvertently.
Li Rong hazily opened her eyes and saw a man dressed in white.
The man appeared to be in his early forties, with an elegant demeanor, handsome and gentle features, and an indescribable grace in his every gesture. Just looking at him, he seemed extraordinarily pleasing to the eye.
Noticing she had opened her eyes, he lifted his gaze to meet hers. Seeing Li Rong staring intently at him, he paused for a moment before smiling gently and saying, "Has the Princess awakened?"
Hearing this, Li Rong remained dazed for a while. The man reached out to help her sit up, propping a pillow behind her back. He took a bowl of pear soup from a maid and brought it to her lips, softly saying, "Drink a little first to soothe your throat."
As he spoke, he fed her spoonful by spoonful. The perfectly sweetened soup entered her mouth, gradually bringing her back to clarity.
She finally recognized the person before her—Su Rongqing, the steward who had served her for many years in the Princess's Manor.
He was her most trusted advisor and closest confidant.
Just as Li Rong was about to say something, she felt a sudden itch in her throat. She raised her hand to push away the spoon he was feeding her, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and began coughing violently.
Su Rongqing gently patted her back to help her catch her breath. After a long while, she finally calmed down and immediately asked about matters at court, getting straight to the point: "How is the matter of the crown prince progressing?"
"It remains deadlocked," Su Rongqing calmly relayed the news she was worried about. "Prime Minister Pei refuses to yield and insists on supporting The First Prince as the crown prince. I have already arranged for someone to expose a scandal involving The First Prince’s subordinates, and a memorial will be submitted tomorrow."
"He truly refuses to give up." Li Rong caught her breath. Su Rongqing let her lean against him, and Li Rong, feeling his warmth, coughed lightly and said, "The reason he wants to establish Li Ping is all because of Qin Zhenzhen, isn’t it? She’s been dead for so many years, yet he still clings to her memory and refuses to let go. Yan'er is the legitimate son born of the Empress, the rightful heir. How could Li Ping ever be worthy of the crown prince position?"
"You’re just speaking out of anger."
Su Rongqing chuckled softly, raising his hand to massage her temples. Li Rong felt much more comfortable. Leaning against Su Rongqing, she listened as he whispered, "Pei Wenxuan’s intention to support The First Prince naturally has its reasons. The First Prince’s maternal clan is not influential, and he has been close to Pei Wenxuan since childhood. If The First Prince becomes emperor in the future, he will have to rely solely on Pei Wenxuan. For Pei Wenxuan, this means he can continue to hold great power and live out his days in peace."
"How is His Majesty now?"
Listening to Su Rongqing’s words, Li Rong calmed down considerably. Su Rongqing continued, "His Majesty remains the same, unconscious and unlikely to last more than a few days. The Empress sent a message from the palace yesterday, urging you to prepare early. The matter of establishing the crown prince can no longer be delayed."Li Rong did not speak. She leaned against this person for a long time before slowly saying, "Rongqing."
"Hmm?" Su Rongqing responded. Li Rong remained silent for a long while before finally saying, "I feel that I won’t last much longer either."
Su Rongqing’s hands, which were pressing on her acupoints, paused for a moment. Li Rong said nothing.
She truly felt this way. When she opened her eyes this morning, she already felt she was at her limit.
"Actually, I’ve lived enough in this lifetime."
Li Rong spoke slowly, "I’m just worried about the Empress and Yan’er. If I’m gone, Pei Wenxuan will dominate everything. I’m afraid they won’t be able to contend with him."
"Don’t worry," Su Rongqing’s voice deepened, "If you die, he won’t live either. I will kill him to accompany you in death."
Hearing Su Rongqing’s words, Li Rong chuckled softly. She lifted her head and looked at the face before her.
He was nearly fifty-one years old, yet he showed no signs of aging. If not for the few strands of white hair at his temples, one could hardly guess his true age. Standing out in public, he still looked like the kind of man young girls would adore.
Thirty years ago, Su Rongqing, the eldest son of the Su family, just past his coming-of-age, was the dream lover of every woman in Huajing.
Even now, as he aged, he remained the nostalgic dream in many hearts.
"I never knew," Li Rong said with a smile as she looked at him, "that our Minister Su could also get angry."
"There are many things that make me angry," Su Rongqing laughed softly. Just as he was about to say more, a maid’s voice came from outside: "Your Highness, Prime Minister Pei requests an audience."
Hearing this, Li Rong glanced at Su Rongqing, somewhat puzzled. "What could he be here for at this time?"
"If Your Highness does not wish to see him," Su Rongqing said calmly, "you may decline."
Li Rong thought for a moment, then smiled. "Never mind. After all, we were once husband and wife. Let’s meet one last time. Who knows, this might be our final meeting."
Su Rongqing said nothing. He sat quietly. Li Rong turned to look at him, somewhat confused. "Rongqing?"
As if snapping back to reality, Su Rongqing stood up and said respectfully, "Then this subordinate will go invite Prime Minister Pei."
With that, Su Rongqing helped Li Rong settle comfortably against the pillow, adjusted her clothing, and then left.
Li Rong had someone bring a bronze mirror and touched up her makeup slightly. Not long after, Su Rongqing led Pei Wenxuan inside.
Pei Wenxuan was still dressed in his black court robes, with wide sleeves and a fitted waist. Red swirling cloud patterns adorned the broad sleeves, paired with a red inner robe, making him appear even more slender. He had been exceptionally handsome in his youth, and now, at the age of knowing his fate, though not as strikingly handsome as he once was, he carried a steadiness that few young men possessed.
He entered the room and bowed to Li Rong. With every movement, a faint, refreshing fragrance wafted toward her. Li Rong couldn’t help but glance at him a few more times. Pei Wenxuan was always reserved—where would he get such a noticeably scented sachet?
Feeling something was off, she kept her expression neutral, her eyes curving into a smile. Just as she was about to ask him to sit, she couldn’t help but cough lightly.
Su Rongqing hurried forward to pat her back. Pei Wenxuan watched coldly. After a long while, Li Rong finally recovered and looked up at Pei Wenxuan with a smile. "No one visits the temple without a reason. Prime Minister Pei hasn’t returned to the Princess’s Manor for many years. You must have important matters to discuss today."Pei Wenxuan remained silent, his eyes fixed calmly on Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing pretended not to notice Pei Wenxuan’s gaze, standing motionless to the side.
After a long while, Pei Wenxuan finally spoke, his voice cold. “Have him leave.”
Li Rong was not surprised by this. Pei Wenxuan disliked Su Rongqing, and the fact that he hadn’t directly cursed him out was already a sign of respect for her. After all, she and Pei Wenxuan were still nominally husband and wife, even if they had long since separated. They were still allies, so she didn’t make things difficult. She glanced at Su Rongqing and gently advised, “Rongqing, please wait outside for a moment.”
Only after Li Rong spoke did Su Rongqing bow to the two of them, rise, and withdraw.
Once he left, everyone else in the room followed, leaving only Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong. Li Rong coughed lightly, while Pei Wenxuan remained silent. After a long while, Li Rong finally said, “If you have something to say, speak.”
“Regarding the matter of appointing the crown prince,” Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, immediately diving into political affairs, “I came today to discuss it with you.”
“What is there to discuss?” Li Rong feigned ignorance of court matters, speaking lightly. “Xin’er is the legitimate son of the empress, gentle and virtuous. What more is there to consider?”
“We’ve cooperated for many years. I don’t want to beat around the bush with you.” Pei Wenxuan’s eyes held a hint of coldness, his tone growing heavier. “The Third Prince is arrogant and willful, unsuited for the position of crown prince. Moreover, his maternal clan is too powerful. If anything were to happen to us, the influence of the empress’s family in the court would likely become uncontrollable.”
“What difference is there between the empress’s family and us?” Li Rong laughed mockingly. “You speak so righteously, but you know perfectly well what you’re after! Rather than discussing it with me, why don’t you tell me what you’ll do if I refuse?”
“Are you determined to have Li Yan ascend the throne?”
“Nonsense!” Li Rong raised her voice. “Yan’er is the legitimate son of the empress. Should we let the son of a concubine take the throne instead?!”
Pei Wenxuan fell silent. After a long while, he said, “Are you holding a grudge against Zhenzhen?”
“Can’t you call her Consort Qin?”
Li Rong couldn’t help but remind him. “Is ‘Zhenzhen’ a name you can use?”
Pei Wenxuan grew quiet again. After a long while, he stood up. “You can still shout like this, so your health must be quite good. Since you disagree, let it be. From now on, we’ll each use our own methods. Don’t blame me for not warning you.”
With that, Pei Wenxuan turned and left. Li Rong watched his retreating figure, her blood boiling with anger, and said coldly, “I’d like to know what kind of methods you’re talking about.”
“Whatever you think they are,” Pei Wenxuan said without turning back, his voice icy, “that’s what they are.”
Li Rong said nothing, letting out a cold laugh. “Could you possibly kill me?”
“Do you think I wouldn’t?”
Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her, his eyes carrying a hint of murderous intent. Li Rong stared into his gaze, momentarily dazed.
That gaze was too cold, snapping her back to reality in an instant. Pei Wenxuan was the kind of person who would do anything to achieve his goals.
There was nothing between them to begin with—only the title of husband and wife binding them together, forcing them to cooperate.
When their interests aligned, Pei Wenxuan could tolerate anything from her. Now that they were at odds, it was no surprise he would resort to any means necessary.
Li Rong watched him storm out, slamming the door behind him, and began to breathe heavily.Su Rongqing entered and, seeing how furious she was, hurried over to soothe her, instructing someone to fetch her medicine. As he gently patted her back, he said, "He must be here for no good reason. You're ill—why bother seeing him?"
Li Rong remained silent, leaning against Su Rongqing as she coughed. A maid brought the medicine, and Su Rongqing first had it tested to ensure it was safe before handing it to her.
Li Rong took a sip of the medicine and was about to speak when, as soon as the liquid reached her stomach, she felt a violent, wrenching pain in her abdomen. Blood surged upward, and she clutched Su Rongqing's sleeve, lurching forward as she spat out a mouthful of blood.
Su Rongqing froze for a moment, then cried out in shock, "Li Rong!"
Li Rong lay over the edge of the bed, gasping desperately. Her insides churned violently. Su Rongqing held her, shouting for the imperial physician while simultaneously placing his fingers on her wrist to check her pulse.
After a moment, Su Rongqing's hand began to tremble.
"It's Fragrant Beauty," he blurted out.
Upon hearing the name of the poison, Li Rong instantly recalled the unusual fragrance on Pei Wenxuan.
Fragrant Beauty—this was the same poison that had killed Qin Zhenzhen in the imperial harem years ago.
Fragrant Beauty was typically placed in incense burners, accumulating over time through its scent to induce poisoning. But there was another method: after being exposed to the fragrance, a medicinal catalyst could be used to trigger it directly.
Gritting her teeth against the abdominal pain, Li Rong swallowed the blood in her mouth.
It was Pei Wenxuan.
She thought with bitter hatred, that wolf cub had finally made his move against her.
He wanted to install Li Ping on the throne. At court, the Emperor was lost in his pursuit of immortality and the Dao, and the Empress's methods were no match for his. She was his greatest obstacle.
In the past, he had tolerated her for years because of her status as the eldest princess. But now that the Emperor was dying, he no longer needed the identity of Imperial Son-in-Law to gain the Emperor's favor. With her as his political rival, it was only natural he would seek to eliminate her.
Only someone who had known her for thirty years, like Pei Wenxuan, could poison her so seamlessly within her own manor. So that unusual scent on him was Fragrant Beauty, and this bowl of medicine had likely been prepared by his people. If she had agreed to his terms earlier, this medicine would never have reached her.
But she hadn't, so he had decided to kill her.
He actually dared to kill her!
As this realization struck her, Li Rong couldn't help but vomit another mouthful of blood. Faintly, she heard the footsteps of the imperial physician approaching from outside. Her mind had never been clearer.
She could not let him live.
The pain made her exceptionally calm—even if she died, she would make sure he accompanied her to the grave!
"Take my token," she gasped urgently, clutching Su Rongqing's hand as the physicians rushed in and began applying acupuncture needles. "Gather the elite guards of the Princess's Manor and set an ambush at White Robe Lane. Under the charge of assassinating the princess, execute Pei Wenxuan."
Blood gushed from her mouth as she spoke. Li Rong covered it with a handkerchief, her words muffled. "His men will certainly retaliate fiercely. Once it's done, inform our advisors and leave immediately. After Pei Wenxuan is dead, the Empress will handle the rest. You must not become targets."
"Stop talking!" Su Rongqing held her tightly, his voice trembling. "I understand. I'll handle it. Just focus on the physician—you'll be fine, you'll be fine..."
"If I die," Li Rong's vision slowly darkened, "Pei Wenxuan must not live."
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