Uроn hеаring Pei Wеnхuаn's nаmе, Li Rong instinctivelу turnеd to loоk back, оnlу tо sее him сollaрse straight backward. Thе оfficiаl behind him quiсklу саught him, pаniсking, "Lоrd Реi?"
Thе court fell intо mоmentаry chaоs. Seeing this, Li Rоng steadiеd hеrsеlf аnd hurriеd tо Рei Wenхuаn's side, simultаnеоusly summоning the imреrial phуsiсian.
Shе knelt down, eхamined him cаrеfullу for а moment, and аftеr сonfirming thе situаtiоn, stооd uр and аddrеssed Li Мing, "Your Мajestу, the Imреriаl Son-in-Lаw hаs fаintеd. I request yоur permission to takе him to the side hаll to rest."
"Find оut what hарpеned quickly," Li Ming frowned, "don't let this turn into a bigger issue."
Li Rong bowed respectfully, then had Pei Wenxuan carried out of the main hall and settled in the side chamber. The imperial physician arrived shortly after. As they performed acupuncture and conducted their examination, Li Rong watched from the side. Once they finished, she quickly looked up, "Well?"
"Your Highness," the physician replied formally, "the Imperial Son-in-Law has been overworked for days, burdened with excessive worry, which has strained his mind and spirit. A few days of rest and recuperation should suffice."
Li Rong nodded. She had guessed as much. With Pei Wenxuan's nature—toiling like an ox by day and brooding sentimentally by night—it was a wonder he hadn't collapsed sooner.
She acknowledged the diagnosis and asked, "Is there anything else to be mindful of?"
The physician hesitated for a moment. Seeing no one else around, he reluctantly added, "Matters of yin and yang should not be overly avoided. Like water..."
"That's enough."
Li Rong knew what he was about to say and raised her hand to cut him off. "Anything else?"
"More sleep, more nourishment," the physician, sensing Li Rong's impatience, braced himself and replied succinctly. "If possible, spending time outdoors to relax and ease the mind would also be beneficial."
Li Rong nodded, understanding the gist. She waved her hand, dismissing the physician, and instructed someone to prepare the medicine. She then ordered Jing Lan to discreetly inquire about Consort Rou's activities the previous night through their palace contacts. Once the room was empty, she sat down beside Pei Wenxuan and studied him closely.
Compared to his previous life at this age, he seemed thinner now. But that was hardly surprising. In his past life, at this age, after marrying her, he hadn't dwelled on much. He had simply fulfilled his role as the Imperial Son-in-Law, striving only for a bit of self-respect in his endeavors.
But now, both she and he lived with a sword hanging over their heads, uncertain when it might fall. Having been reborn less than a year ago, he had already secured his position in the Censorate. Though his rank was not high, in the court, there was no one who did not know of him or show him some deference—Censor Pei, whom none dared to slight.
Now, leaping eight ranks at once was even more astonishing.
The position of Vice Minister of Personnel was clearly beyond Pei Wenxuan's current qualifications.
Su Rongqing could become Minister of Justice because he had participated in court affairs since the age of twelve, became a fifth-rank Remonstrance Official at fourteen, and had served as Vice Minister of Justice since seventeen. Backed by the century-old prestigious Su family, no one dared to say he was "unworthy" of becoming Minister of Justice.
But what about Pei Wenxuan?Graduated as the top scholar from Bailu Academy at fourteen, recommended for the Spring Imperial Examination the following year, achieving first place in both the written and palace examinations, he rode through Huajing as the newly crowned top scholar. At fifteen, he first entered the court, originally appointed as a fifth-rank Secretariat Drafter, but before he could assume the position, Pei Lizhi passed away. He had to return to Luzhou to observe mourning for three years. After three years, upon his return, his second uncle arranged for him to take a lowly ninth-rank position in the Ministry of Justice. A year later, her father finally remembered him, pulled him out of the Ministry of Justice, and made him her Imperial Son-in-Law.
By scheming against the Yang family, he gained the opportunity to become a Supervisory Censor. From the Qin Shi case to the establishment of the Supervisory Department and up to now, on one hand, he stayed in the Censorate to cooperate with her—without him in the Censorate, she would lose a sharp blade. On the other hand, Li Ming intentionally restrained his promotion speed, verbally claiming he wanted to wait for a suitable position to promote him by leaps and bounds. But what Li Ming truly meant...
Who knew?
As Li Rong pondered Pei Wenxuan’s inclusion in the list for the Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister position, somehow, the more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt.
She suddenly recalled what Pei Wenxuan had said to her before.
He told her, Your Highness, we are different kinds of people.
She hadn’t thought so in the past, but upon careful reflection today, she suddenly felt that compared to Pei Wenxuan, Su Rongqing’s path had been far too smooth.
Su Rongqing had the protection of his father and elder brother. Even after they were gone, with his family’s century-old traditions and values, his uncles would still support him.
But what about Pei Wenxuan?
Once his father was gone, he had nothing left. No so-called family legacy, no so-called family values—only his second uncle scheming to exploit him and his widowed mother, forcing the fifteen-year-old to return for mourning, swindling property from his mother’s hands, and dismissing the family retainers.
It was too difficult.
Li Rong reached out and took Pei Wenxuan’s hand. Pei Wenxuan’s eyelashes fluttered slightly as he opened his eyes and saw Li Rong looking down at their clasped hands.
“Your Highness…”
Pei Wenxuan spoke hoarsely. Li Rong looked up, saw he was awake, and smiled. “Awake? Would you like some water?”
After asking, she reached to the side for water and brought it to Pei Wenxuan’s lips. Pei Wenxuan drank from her hand, paused for a moment, then urgently asked, “Your Highness, did you hear the subsequent list?”
“It’s fine. I’ll go directly to the Ministry of Personnel to retrieve it later.”
“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan frowned, “I know you mean well, but skipping eight ranks…”
“I arranged for you to be the Examination Merit Secretary.”
Li Rong interrupted him, explaining directly, “The Ministry of Personnel Vice Minister wasn’t my doing.”
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan was stunned. After a moment, his voice turned cold. “How did Your Highness handle this matter?”
“You know I approached Liu Hanchun. He oversees promotions for officials below the fifth rank. I gave him a heavy bribe and also threatened him—if he didn’t place you as the Examination Merit Secretary, I’d invite him to the Supervisory Department. His hands aren’t clean, so he agreed.”
Pei Wenxuan nodded and only said, “And then?”"The Ministry of Personnel lost one Vice Minister and one Vice Director in the military provisions case, so they must fill these vacancies in this round of transfers. Therefore, I used other connections to move the original Examination Merit Secretary into the Vice Director position, leaving the Examination Merit Secretary role open for you. Your qualifications are among the best in this transfer list, so entering the Ministry of Personnel should have been a given as long as they didn’t deliberately obstruct you. With the Examination Merit Secretary position now vacant, and having taken care of Liu Hanchun and the relevant decision-makers, a sixth-rank official position shouldn’t have been a problem."
Li Rong analyzed the situation while Pei Wenxuan remained silent in thought.
After a moment of contemplation, Pei Wenxuan confirmed once more: "You haven’t contacted anyone who can decide appointments for officials of the fifth rank or above?"
"No," Li Rong confirmed. "Your rise in rank has been too rapid and too high lately, and I was afraid it might arouse His Majesty’s suspicion."
Pei Wenxuan fell silent again. Li Rong poured tea for him. "Now we can be sure that someone is trying to harm you. But I don’t understand—if they wanted to harm you, why not simply keep you out of the Ministry of Personnel? Why go to such lengths to push you into the Vice Minister position?"
Pei Wenxuan lowered his gaze. Li Rong continued slowly, "Aren’t they afraid of overplaying their hand and actually letting you become the Vice Minister of Personnel?"
"The greater the stakes, the greater the reward if they succeed," Pei Wenxuan mused softly. "It seems the person behind this wants more than just preventing my promotion."
"What do they want, then?"
Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. He chuckled softly, raising his eyes to meet hers with a fox-like, half-smiling expression. "That depends on who made the move."
"Who do you think it is?"
Li Rong frowned. She already had a rough idea in mind but needed confirmation. Yet, judging by Pei Wenxuan’s tone, it seemed he had more than one suspect.
Pei Wenxuan smiled without answering. He leaned gently against the headboard, closed his eyes, and rested as he said, "We’ll know who it is once the information from tonight’s inquiries comes in."
Li Rong said nothing. She watched Pei Wenxuan closely. Even in such adversity, he showed no sign of anger. Instead, he exuded a calmness as if facing a worthy opponent, leaning against the headboard with the ease of someone quietly listening to the wind and rain.
He had tossed and turned, unable to sleep the night before. But once the situation unfolded, he grew calm again.
What he feared wasn’t trouble itself, but not knowing what kind of trouble it was.
Now that the other side had made their move, Pei Wenxuan had a clearer understanding and was no longer anxious.
Seeing his composed demeanor, Li Rong knew he had already formed a plan. After a moment’s hesitation, she said softly, "This matter was my fault for not handling it properly."
Pei Wenxuan was somewhat surprised by her words. He opened his eyes to see Li Rong bowing her head, her gaze lowered, as she earnestly promised, "I will take responsibility. You don’t need to worry."
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan laughed. Li Rong frowned and looked up. "What are you laughing at?"
"Your Highness, the opponent struck from the shadows while we were in the open. Even if I had been the one handling this today, I couldn’t have done better than you. Why blame yourself?"
"If I had been more careful..."
"Careful about what?" Pei Wenxuan smiled at her. "We’ve done all we could. After all, we’re not omniscient gods who can foresee everything. If they choose to act, we can’t stop them."Li Rong remained silent, her mind constantly replaying the scenario—if this matter could be redone, where could she intervene earlier to resolve it cleanly.
Seeing her frustration, Pei Wenxuan sighed and shook his head. He reached out, pulling her into his embrace, and comforted her softly, "My dear princess, don’t be upset. You’ve already wronged me, and now you’re unhappy and need me to coax you—isn’t that even more unfair to me?"
Li Rong stiffened slightly. Pei Wenxuan released her, lifted her chin with his hand, and said with a smile, "Give me a smile."
Li Rong forced a faint smile. Seeing she was still unhappy, Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and asked, "Still feeling guilty?"
Li Rong didn’t answer. She composed herself and stood up. "If you have nothing else, go back first. Gather all the information clearly, and then—"
Before she could finish, Pei Wenxuan grabbed her hand, pulling her backward into his arms. He then cupped her chin and leaned in to kiss her.
Li Rong struggled slightly but felt him deepen the kiss. Her heart raced—this was a side hall in the court used to accommodate officials under special circumstances, not the Princess's Manor. What if someone saw them?
But then again, perhaps it didn’t matter.
Even so, Li Rong couldn’t help feeling nervous. This tension almost made her forget her earlier emotions, and soon, she even forgot the nervousness itself.
Feeling her relax, Pei Wenxuan finally stopped. He held her silently, resting his chin on her shoulder. After a long while, he recovered, his voice low and hoarse as he spoke slowly, "I know you like to keep accounts clearly, but Rongrong."
"Calculating every debt precisely is what allies do. I am your husband."
Li Rong remained silent, but Pei Wenxuan seemed to read her mind, as if he knew everything. "If you feel you’ve wronged me," he said, lifting her chin with his finger, "how about letting me kiss you a few more times?"
Li Rong looked at him. Pei Wenxuan wore a smile, seemingly completely unbothered by the matter. She stayed still, watching him for a long time. Just as Pei Wenxuan thought she wouldn’t say anything more and was about to stand up, Li Rong suddenly reached out, cupped his face, and like a child, planted fierce kisses from his forehead to his cheeks, nose, and lips.
This way of kissing made Pei Wenxuan laugh. After the last kiss, Li Rong stood up and looked down at him haughtily. "These kisses are a reward for your good looks. Since they’ve placed you in the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel today, I shouldn’t disregard their goodwill."
"Stop lying around," Li Rong tapped Pei Wenxuan’s leg with her fan. "Get up, let’s go home. Figure out what’s going on, and see how I deal with them."
Pei Wenxuan pretended to be hurt, crying out, "Ouch!" He then stood up, clutching his buttocks, and complained pitifully, "Princess, you hurt me."
Li Rong gave him a cold glance. "I hit your leg."
With that, she raised her hand. Pei Wenxuan looked down. "Princess?"
"Aren’t you in pain?" Li Rong said expressionlessly. "If you can’t walk, lean on me."
"Thank you for your consideration, Princess." Without any hesitation, Pei Wenxuan took Li Rong’s hand and let her support him as they walked out.The two of them walked out of the side hall, just as court had adjourned. Ministers were gradually emerging from the main hall, and many, upon seeing Pei Wenxuan, came forward to offer their congratulations. How could Pei Wenxuan accept such congratulations at this time?
For now, it was merely an initial list. It would only be finalized after three months if no objections were raised, after which the various procedures for the transfer would begin.
But given that someone had clearly set a trap, it would be a miracle if no objections were raised in these three months.
Thus, Pei Wenxuan merely exchanged pleasantries and modestly said, "It's just a list for now. I am inexperienced and may not be fit for such a great responsibility."
After greeting the familiar officials, Li Rong helped Pei Wenxuan out of the square. Just as they reached the palace gate, they saw Su Rongqing, who was also preparing to leave.
Noticing the two approaching arm in arm, Su Rongqing glanced over. As soon as Pei Wenxuan saw Su Rongqing looking their way, he immediately leaned his entire body against Li Rong. Li Rong frowned and looked up, asking, "What's wrong with you? Are you crippled?"
"Ah," Pei Wenxuan raised a hand to his forehead, "I'm dizzy."
"Dizzy again?" Li Rong grew somewhat anxious. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and said, "Let's go, let's go. Hurry home."
Su Rongqing stood by a distant carriage, watching the two leaning against each other. After a long while, he lifted the curtain and stepped into the carriage.
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan returned to the Princess's Manor. Li Rong had sent someone ahead to fetch Liu Hanchun, and as soon as they arrived, they saw Liu Hanchun already waiting in the main hall. When Li Rong entered, he immediately knelt down and said anxiously, "Your Highness."
"Kneeling just like that?"
Li Rong smiled. "So you know what you've done?"
Liu Hanchun dared not answer. Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan took their seats together, looking at Liu Hanchun kneeling on the ground. Li Rong picked up her cup and said leisurely, "Tell me what you did."
The position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was much higher than Liu Hanchun's current post. Logically, this matter should have had little to do with him, but the fact that he knelt as soon as he was summoned told Li Rong he must have done something.
Trembling, Liu Hanchun knelt before Li Rong, sweat beading on his forehead as he said urgently, "Your Highness, last night someone brought me the list of transfers within the Ministry of Personnel for positions of the fifth rank and above and demanded that I remove Lord Pei's name from the Examination Merit Secretary position. I dared not defy Your Highness's orders, but they said it was for the Imperial Son-in-Law's own good. I thought that if the Imperial Son-in-Law could serve as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, it would surely be better than being an Examination Merit Secretary. Moreover, the list for positions of the fifth rank and above is submitted to His Majesty in advance. If His Majesty first sees the Imperial Son-in-Law as a candidate for Vice Minister and then sees the list I drafted, he might think I was negligent in my duties, so..."
"So you removed the Imperial Son-in-Law's name from the Examination Merit Secretary position."
Li Rong chuckled lightly. "That's a good thing, isn't it? The Imperial Son-in-Law is now set to become Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Why are you so afraid?"
Liu Hanchun dared not answer. Li Rong lowered her head, fiddling with her teacup, and said slowly, "Who came to you, and what exactly did they say?"
"The... the person who came to me was Her Highness Hua Le."Hearing that name, Li Rong halted her movements. Liu Chunhang mustered his courage and spoke with difficulty: "Her Highness Hua Le said that Consort Rou wishes to appoint someone to the position of Examination Merit Secretary and asked me to arrange it. This humble official dared not agree, so I informed Her Highness Hua Le that the Examination Merit Secretary had already been decided. She asked me who it was, and I told her. Then Her Highness Hua Le informed me that the Imperial Son-in-Law had already been designated as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel."
"To be honest, this humble official also sensed something was amiss," Liu Chunhang trembled all over, "but since the Imperial Son-in-Law had already been appointed as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, it would be useless for me to insist on keeping him. Having the Imperial Son-in-Law appear on both lists would only raise suspicion. So, I followed Her Highness Hua Le's arrangement..."
"To place her own person."
Pei Wenxuan's voice rang out. Liu Chunhang hurriedly protested, "No, no, the Imperial Son-in-Law wrongs me. Although I removed the Imperial Son-in-Law's name, I merely filled in the original candidate. I am well aware of the relationship between Her Highness Hua Le and Your Highness. With Your Highness holding the Supervisory Department, even if I had ten times the courage, I would never dare to help Her Highness Hua Le oppose Your Highness."
"So, you removed the Imperial Son-in-Law's name."
"Yes," Liu Chunhang said urgently, "that is the only thing I did. Today, I heard that the Imperial Son-in-Law fainted in court. The ministers are all saying it was from overwhelming joy, but I know in my heart that it was likely because I made a mistake. I beg Your Highness and the Imperial Son-in-Law for forgiveness!"
Liu Chunhang kowtowed repeatedly. Li Rong sighed, waved her hand, and said somewhat helplessly, "Rise. You may leave for now."
Hearing this, Liu Chunhang breathed a sigh of relief. After bowing respectfully, he was about to leave when Li Rong whispered, "Since the matter was not accomplished, return the money. There will be turmoil soon, and Minister Liu likely won't be able to escape it. If anything unexpected happens, you should think carefully about what to say and what not to say."
"Your Highness need not worry," Liu Chunhang understood Li Rong's meaning and replied respectfully, "this humble official knows what to do."
"Go."
After Li Rong finished speaking, Liu Chunhang withdrew.
Once Liu Chunhang had left, Li Rong looked up at Pei Wenxuan, who was deep in thought across from her. "Do you have an idea now?"
Pei Wenxuan looked up and smiled lightly. "Who does Your Highness think it is?"
"From the looks of it now, Consort Rou is certainly involved. But what does she want to achieve?"
Li Rong pondered. "I can understand her fear that our influence is growing and that we might help Chuan'er in the future. So, I can also understand why she would obstruct your entry into the Ministry of Personnel. But why would she now want you to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
"If I become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, what do you think will happen, Your Highness?"
Pei Wenxuan picked up a chess piece and gently placed it on the board. Li Rong understood that he wanted her to deduce what would happen next.
"The ministers will not agree. They will submit a joint petition, and you won't be able to take the position."
Li Rong placed her chess piece. "What's the point?"
"How will His Majesty view this matter?"
Pei Wenxuan continued placing chess pieces, his expression calm. Li Rong whispered, "He will think that your ambitions are too great, that you want to rise to the top in one step."
"I am His Majesty's blade, completely reliant on him. Yet now I can be directly arranged to become the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. How is that possible?"
"It's me," Li Rong placed her chess piece firmly, her expression turning cold. "It's me who helped you.""Your Highness, how could you so effortlessly arrange a sixth-rank promotion for your husband to become a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel? Where does such power come from?"
"Either through the Crown Prince," Li Rong held a chess piece, looking up at Pei Wenxuan, "or the authority of the Supervisory Department has already grown powerful enough to intimidate court officials."
"Does Your Highness remember why His Majesty permitted you to establish the Supervisory Department?"
"He wanted to use my status and abilities to counterbalance the noble families. With me and the noble families in a power struggle, he reaps the benefits."
"In the previous life, the Supervisory Department was managed by Consort Rou, who ultimately used it to imprison the Crown Prince. Does His Majesty not harbor similar intentions now?"
Pei Wenxuan gave a light smile: "He merely handed the Supervisory Department over to Your Highness, intending to use you as a hen to hatch eggs. Once the eggs are hatched, the chicks must be handed over to someone else. A Supervisory Department capable of threatening court officials and securing a sixth-rank position for one's husband—in His Majesty's eyes, would you say this is not a chick that has already hatched?"
Li Rong remained silent. After a moment of contemplation, she tossed the chess piece into the box and stood up.
"I must go to the palace."
Pei Wenxuan did not look up, his gaze fixed on the chessboard as he said calmly, "Take care on your way, Your Highness."
Li Rong left directly. Pei Wenxuan rubbed the chess piece in his hand.
There was one thing he hadn’t mentioned earlier.
All their considerations, perspectives, and decisions were based on their foreknowledge of the future, which they used to deduce the thoughts of those in the present.
They knew the emperor was now wholeheartedly determined to balance the power of the noble families and the imperial authority, even at the cost of deposing the crown prince. But back then, everyone had believed Li Ming was merely excessively doting on Consort Rou. No one had imagined that Li Ming had long harbored intentions to shake the foundations of the noble families.
Because the noble families were intricately intertwined with Li Ming, no one in the Shangguan family could believe that Li Ming would even consider striking down his own uncles, cousins, wife, and even his son.
They knew the imperial examinations would be crucial in the future, so they were determined to secure the position of Examination Merit Secretary, who would oversee the examinations that year.
But at this moment, no one knew.
Whether it was Consort Rou, the Empress, the noble families, or the court officials—none of them truly understood Li Ming’s real intentions.
Yet now, Consort Rou had taken action by placing her own person in the role of Examination Merit Secretary. Then, she promoted him to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel to provoke Li Ming, hoping to force him to suspect Li Rong and hand the Supervisory Department over to Consort Rou.
Pei Wenxuan gazed at the black-and-white chessboard before him and couldn’t help but smile.
“Interesting.”
How many players were truly moving the pieces behind the scenes?
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