Li Rоng did nоt sреаk. For somе rеаsоn, whеn she heard Реi Wenxuаn say thоsе wоrds, shе fеlt аn inexрlicable pang of bittеrnеss in her hеart.
Yеt, suсh еmоtions mаdе hеr unсоmfortаble. She withdrew hеr hаnd from Рei Wenxuаn’s grasp аnd stood uр, sауing, “Аt оur аgе, why talk аbоut such things? It’s sеntimеntаl.”
With that, Li Rоng rosе tо her feеt. “I’m gоing to find Аya. You shоuld rest more. Тhе imрeriаl physiciаn sаid уou’vе bееn оvеrwоrking yоursеlf latеly, sо get somе eхtrа slеeр.”
“I’ll ассompanу Your Highness.”
Pei Wеnxuan stoоd up as wеll. Just as Li Rоng wаs abоut to speak, he added, “We’ll go and return together. It’s more efficient.”
Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s resolute demeanor, Li Rong understood he likely had matters to attend to. She did not object further and simply nodded, then accompanied him to the Supervisory Department.
Shangguan Ya had already received Li Rong’s message and was investigating the officials involved in drafting the recent Ministry of Personnel transfer list. When Li Rong arrived, Shangguan Ya was listening to a report from her subordinates. As Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan entered, Shangguan Ya quickly stood up. “Your Highness, Imperial Son-in-Law, what brings you here?”
“I came to inquire about the situation.”
Li Rong entered the room and sat down with Pei Wenxuan. “His Majesty now wants to investigate who was responsible for transferring Pei Wenxuan to the position of Vice Minister of Personnel. Do you have any leads?”
“I’ve just had my people review all the officials in charge of this Ministry of Personnel transfer. So far, no suspicious individuals have been identified.”
Shangguan Ya furrowed her brows. “Since they dared to do this, they must have been prepared. Investigating after the fact is difficult.”
“What if we examine their financial transactions?”
Li Rong frowned. “They wouldn’t have worked for Consort Rou without compensation, would they?”
“Examining accounts is possible,” Shangguan Ya said thoughtfully. “But without evidence or a search warrant, obtaining their private ledgers would be challenging at the moment.”
Shangguan Ya’s concerns reflected the practical difficulties.
If no suspicious individuals could be identified among those involved, uncovering who decided on Pei Wenxuan’s transfer would be exceedingly difficult.
If Shangguan Ya found it hard to investigate, Li Ming would likely face the same challenge. Without prior surveillance, retroactively tracing individuals was a daunting task.
“I was careless,” Li Rong said, lightly tapping the table. “I should have kept an eye on everyone in the Ministry of Personnel.”
“Your Highness, you jest,” Shangguan Ya said as she poured tea for Li Rong. “Even if we had anticipated they would push the Imperial Son-in-Law upward, we don’t have enough personnel to monitor everyone. At most, we could only focus on a few key figures. There are seven officials responsible for the promotions of fifth-rank and above officials in the Ministry of Personnel. We couldn’t possibly monitor all of them.”
As she spoke, Shangguan Ya glanced at Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan. “That’s the situation. What does Your Highness plan to do now?”
Li Rong remained silent, gently stroking her teacup as if deep in thought.
Pei Wenxuan glanced at her and spoke directly. “Finding direct evidence is difficult, but is His Majesty someone who requires concrete proof?”
Shangguan Ya looked puzzled. Li Rong explained, “His Majesty is suspicious by nature. Now that I’ve accused Hua Le, he already has his own suspicions. We don’t need ironclad evidence—just traces that confirm his suspicions.”
Shangguan Ya fell silent, deep in thought. Pei Wenxuan spoke calmly, “We just need to present him with one.”
“I understand.”Shangguan Ya steadied her mind and said, "Do you think if it's reported that the eldest son of the Su family and Xia Wensi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, were caught soliciting prostitutes together, would that evidence be enough for His Majesty to confirm his suspicions?"
Su Ronghua was Prince Su's teacher and had always stayed away from court politics. With no way to determine who had arranged for Pei Wenxuan to enter the Ministry of Personnel, the sudden arrest of Su Ronghua and Xia Wensi together for soliciting prostitutes would certainly raise suspicions.
Li Rong frowned in thought, while Pei Wenxuan decisively responded, "It would."
As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan looked up at Shangguan Ya. "But I wonder, Miss Shangguan, how will you accomplish this? Although the eldest son of the Su family is wayward, he has always kept his distance from the court and rarely associates with court officials, let alone soliciting prostitutes with the Left Vice Minister—who can decide the position of the Ministry of Personnel's Vice Minister—at such a critical time."
"I have a way," Shangguan Ya raised her hand and said directly. "Since the Imperial Son-in-Law is still in the Censorate, that works out perfectly. I'll go find someone now to confirm the matter. I'll take care of arranging for the eldest son of the Su family and the Left Vice Minister to be caught soliciting prostitutes together. How to bring it to His Majesty's attention will be up to Your Highness."
"Go ahead and handle it," Li Rong said decisively. "As long as it truly happens, I can arrange for someone to report it."
"Alright," Shangguan Ya nodded. After a moment's thought, she added, "Your Highness and the Imperial Son-in-Law should go rest first. I'll take care of the arrangements."
Li Rong agreed and stood up to leave with Pei Wenxuan.
Once they were outside, Li Rong couldn't help but wonder, "How do you think Aya will arrange it? Will Su Ronghua listen to her?"
Pei Wenxuan's expression remained calm, his hands tucked into his sleeves, revealing neither joy nor anger. "Don't worry, Miss Aya will handle it herself."
After the two left, Shangguan Ya sent someone to inquire about the recent free time of Xia Wensi, the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. Then she sat down and wrote a note to Su Ronghua:
"I have a favor to ask. Would you be willing to dine with me at a restaurant? I hope the eldest son of the Su family will honor me with his presence."
After writing it, she had it delivered to Su Ronghua, who was working nearby.
Su Ronghua usually just went through the motions at the Supervisory Department, yawning and taking afternoon naps. When Shangguan Ya's note arrived, he felt he had finally found something to do. As soon as he saw the note, he knew Shangguan Ya must be asking him to get poetry signatures from scholars. He chuckled lightly and picked up his brush to reply:
When and where?
Seeing Su Ronghua's reply, Shangguan Ya quickly wrote another note and sent it back: "You decide."
Su Ronghua looked at Shangguan Ya's note and thought for a moment. Dining with a young lady naturally called for a more romantic setting.
So he wrote boldly:
Tomorrow at dusk, Wangdeng Tower.
Wangdeng Tower was a famous spot in the capital for romantic rendezvous. As soon as Shangguan Ya saw the location, she felt troubled.
Arranging to be caught soliciting prostitutes at such a place seemed rather odd.
But if she declined, she feared it might arouse Su Ronghua's suspicions.
Su Ronghua didn't care about most things, but he wasn't foolish. After much deliberation, Shangguan Ya could only reply: See you tomorrow.
Su Ronghua received the reply and, looking at Shangguan Ya's elegant handwriting, let out a soft chuckle.
This girl Shangguan Ya was interesting and amusing. With nothing else to do, teasing her a bit would add some vitality to his life.
Huajing was too dull. When someone so vibrant appeared out of nowhere, it was hard not to take notice.
Su Ronghua closed his eyes, unaware that he was smiling.The hour of You was when most court officials engaged in social interactions outside. After receiving Su Ronghua's confirmation, Shangguan Ya folded his note together with the portrait he had previously given her, added a tael of silver, and had them all sent to Xia Wensi.
Once this was done, Shangguan Ya took the initiative to go to the Princess's Manor and explained her arrangements to Li Rong.
"Tomorrow at You hour, I will reserve a room at the Wangdeng Tower in Su Ronghua's name in advance and arrange for the girl to wait inside. As soon as the two arrive, we will apprehend them directly."
According to the laws of Great Xia, officials were allowed to exchange courtesans at banquets but were forbidden from soliciting prostitutes outside. However, this rule was rarely enforced, as it was considered a minor offense.
After hearing Shangguan Ya's plan, Li Rong frowned. "You used the note Su Ronghua gave you to send to Xia Wensi. Did Su Ronghua sign his name on it?"
"The note with the paper wasn’t signed, but the portrait was."
"How can you be sure Xia Wensi will attend?"
"Besides the portrait, I also included silver in what I sent him," Shangguan Ya reminded Li Rong. "The Su family has always been on good terms with the major noble families. Xia Wensi should give Su Ronghua face. Even if he doesn’t, Su Ronghua is now in the Supervisory Department. If he suddenly invites Xia Wensi and sends silver along, what do you think Xia Wensi will assume, Your Highness?"
Many things in the court were left unsaid. But if someone who had engaged in corruption suddenly received an invitation from the deputy head of the Supervisory Department, accompanied by silver, they would naturally suspect it was about their corrupt dealings, discussed privately.
"I understand," Li Rong nodded.
When it concerned his official career and future, Xia Wensi would definitely attend.
"My arrangements are set. I wonder how Your Highness plans to proceed?" Seeing that Li Rong had confirmed her plan was sound, Shangguan Ya directly inquired about Li Rong's plans.
Li Rong smiled. "There’s no need to arrange anything."
"Hmm?" Shangguan Ya was puzzled. Li Rong, still smiling, said, "His Majesty’s people are watching more closely than we are. Don’t worry."
With Li Rong’s hint, Shangguan Ya immediately understood. She raised her hand and said, "Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Highness."
Li Rong nodded. Shangguan Ya bid farewell, stood up, and left.
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan waited for a day, while Li Ming’s people also began secretly investigating the entire process and personnel involved in the Ministry of Personnel’s recent transfers.
However, just as Shangguan Ya couldn’t find anything, Li Ming’s people also came up empty-handed.
Unable to produce results, they had no choice but to keep a close watch on key individuals. Several covert agents monitored Xia Wensi and, by Shen hour, saw him quietly slip out through the back door.
Two agents exchanged glances and quickly followed.
Xia Wensi, dressed in a black cloak, boarded a carriage. Once seated, his attendant couldn’t help but ask cautiously, "My lord, why did Young Master Su choose a place like Wangdeng Tower for the meeting?"
Hearing the question, Xia Wensi was also somewhat puzzled. But considering Su Ronghua’s personality, anything was possible. After a moment’s thought, he could only chide in a low voice, "This is precisely Young Master Su’s brilliance. Meeting at Wangdeng Tower is also a way to avoid drawing attention."
The attendant was taken aback. Two grown men reserving a private room at a place meant for couples to dine—how could that not attract more attention?
As Xia Wensi hurried toward Wangdeng Tower, Su Ronghua was also at home, changing his clothes.
He had spent nearly an hour selecting this outfit.He usually dressed in a slovenly manner, but today, thinking of dining with a young lady, he took out all his clothes and picked through them carefully. In the end, he chose a deep blue formal robe, put on a silver crown adorned with gemstones, held a folding fan in his hand, and wore a scented sachet and jade pendant before stepping out with a spring in his step.
Just as he reached the gate, Su Rongqing was returning from outside and saw Su Ronghua humming a tune as he walked out. He couldn’t help but smile: “Where is Elder Brother going, dressed so formally?”
“Formal?” Su Ronghua spread his arms and looked himself over before waving a hand dismissively. “It’s just passable.”
Su Rongqing chuckled softly and said, “It’s for a meal with a young lady, isn’t it?”
“You may not have much experience with young ladies, but your eyes are sharp indeed.”
“Then I won’t keep Elder Brother any longer,” Su Rongqing said with a smile, stepping aside. “I wouldn’t want to make the young lady wait.”
“Alright, I’ll tell you all about it when I return.” Su Ronghua thought for a moment and chuckled softly. “Who knows, I might even bring back a sister-in-law?”
“Then I wish Elder Brother a triumphant victory.”
As he spoke, Su Rongqing raised his hands in a respectful salute.
Su Ronghua brightened up and suddenly remembered something: “Ah, speaking of which, you’re not young anymore. The family is watching you closely. Isn’t there a young lady you fancy yet?”
Su Rongqing listened to this but only smiled without responding.
Su Ronghua let out a soft hiss, waved his hand, and said, “Fine, keep it to yourself. Seeing you like this makes my teeth ache. I’m off.”
With that, Su Ronghua happily walked out.
Su Rongqing stood where he was, watching his elder brother’s cheerful retreating figure with a gentle look in his eyes.
A servant beside him sighed as he gazed in the direction Su Ronghua had gone. “The Eldest Young Master is older than the Second Young Master, yet he acts like a child. Who knows when he’ll stop worrying the Master?”
“That’s fine too.”
Su Rongqing turned back and said gently, “As long as Elder Brother, Father, and everyone else can live well and do what they love, that’s enough.”
“But the Su family…”
“Isn’t the Su family here for me?” Su Rongqing walked forward, his smile carrying a resolute determination. “Let Elder Brother do as he pleases. I alone am enough.”
As he spoke, Su Rongqing remembered the affairs of the Ministry of Justice and began inquiring with his attendants about its duties.
Now that the Minister of Justice was about to be transferred, there could be no room for the slightest error.
Su Rongqing discussed matters with those around him as he entered the study. It was only after a long while that he came back to himself. After taking a sip of tea, he noticed the gloomy sky and thought for a moment before turning to instruct the person beside him: “Remember to send someone to fetch the Eldest Young Master.”
“Rest assured, Second Young Master,” the servant said with a smile. “The servants are well aware of such small matters.”
Su Rongqing nodded. After a moment of thought, he found a moment of leisure and asked with concern: “Who is the Eldest Young Master dining with today?”
“According to the Eldest Young Master, it’s the Eldest Miss of the Shangguan family.”
As he spoke, the servant ground ink and chuckled. “I heard the Eldest Young Master is quite serious about this. He spent an entire hour just picking out his clothes.”
Su Rongqing smiled and was about to say something when he suddenly realized something and exclaimed urgently: “Quick! Go and call the Eldest Young Master back!”
The servant was taken aback but quickly responded: “Yes, this servant will go at once.”
As the servant hurried out, Su Rongqing called him back: “Never mind.”
Su Rongqing clenched his fist, deep in thought. “It’s too late to go now.”The servant dared not speak. Su Rongqing pondered for a long time before finally saying, "Prepare the carriage. I'm leaving the city."
"Yes," the servant replied, quickly departing.
As Su Rongqing left Huajing, Su Ronghua had just arrived at the entrance of Wangdeng Tower.
The moment he appeared, everyone in the shadows grew alert.
Xia Wensi had arrived earlier. Led by an attendant into the room, he saw that dancers were already waiting inside. Such scenes were familiar to Xia Wensi, and he even relaxed a little, thinking that Su Ronghua likely wasn’t there to cause trouble for him today—perhaps even to help him.
Xia Wensi waited anxiously for Su Ronghua. Before long, he heard commotion outside and hurried to the window, where he saw Su Ronghua stepping down from a carriage.
As soon as Su Ronghua alighted, a waiter recognized him. Known for his indulgence in food, drink, and entertainment throughout Huajing, he was a familiar face in all related establishments. The waiter approached with a smile and said, "Young Master Su, this way, please."
"Is the person here?"
"Yes, waiting for you."
Hearing this, Su Ronghua smiled, visibly pleased. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Ya to arrive early. After all, young ladies tended to be reserved and enjoyed playing hard to get, but Shangguan Ya not only didn’t deliberately arrive late but even waited for him in advance—a clear sign of sincerity.
Though she had a request to make of him, it was still a gesture of goodwill. Thinking this, Su Ronghua grew even happier. He tossed the waiter a piece of silver and made his way into Wangdeng Tower.
His generous attitude drew a click of the tongue from Shangguan Ya, who was watching from a nearby teahouse. She turned to Li Rong, who had come along to watch the spectacle, and said, "Look at him. He’s probably taken plenty of young ladies out to eat."
Li Rong chuckled while cracking melon seeds. "What does it matter to you whether he’s taken anyone out to eat?"
"Just saying."
As she spoke, Shangguan Ya turned back to observe the movements at Wangdeng Tower.
As soon as Su Ronghua went upstairs, several people followed him into the tower.
Their upright posture and light steps marked them as martial artists, distinct from ordinary people.
Su Ronghua ascended the stairs, following the waiter to the door. Just outside, he faintly heard the sound of music and strings. He raised an eyebrow, somewhat puzzled, but the waiter bowed respectfully and tactfully withdrew.
After a moment’s thought, he decided not to overthink it and simply pushed the door open.
Upon entering, he saw Xia Wensi seated in the room with a young lady on his lap, surrounded by a group of others playing music and singing—a lively scene indeed.
Su Ronghua immediately felt awkward and quickly clasped his hands in apology. "My apologies, wrong room."
With that, he turned to leave, but Xia Wensi hurriedly stood up and called out to him, "Young Master, didn’t you summon me here?"
Hearing this, Su Ronghua froze. He turned back, frowning. "I summoned you?"
At these words, both their expressions changed drastically. Su Ronghua urgently said, "Pretend you never saw me."
He turned to leave, but as he did, someone blocked his path with a blade and said coldly, "By imperial order, I am investigating a case. I request that Young Master Su and Vice Minister Xia accompany us."
Xia Wensi’s face turned ashen. Su Ronghua faced the guard, his expression shifting several times before he finally said, "On what grounds are you arresting me?"
"Young Master Su and Vice Minister Xia have violated the laws of Xia by openly consorting with courtesans," the guard replied calmly. "Minister Su, please come with us."Su Ronghua's expression shifted several times. Xia Wensi knelt down swiftly and immediately said, "Your Honor, I know nothing. Minister Su sent me here. I have his handwritten letter as proof."
As he spoke, Xia Wensi spread out the two sheets of paper that Shangguan Ya had delivered.
The moment Su Ronghua saw the pages, his gaze fixed on them. A guard stepped forward to take the papers, but Su Ronghua was quicker. He reached out and snatched them, then, before anyone could react, strode directly onto the table, vaulted over the windowsill, and leaped from the second floor, grabbing the eaves as he descended!
The guards rushed after him, but all they saw was Su Ronghua's retreating back. They turned to their superior and frowned, "Sir, he got away."
"No matter," the leader said calmly. "First, take Vice Minister Xia back. We'll wait for him at the Su residence."
With that, two guards dragged Xia Wensi up and escorted him out.
Meanwhile, Su Ronghua sprinted through the streets. Before long, he spotted his servant waiting in an alley. Seeing him, the servant asked with some surprise, "Young Master, you're out so soon?"
Without a word, Su Ronghua detached a horse from the carriage and, without further ado, mounted it and rode off.
The servant was bewildered and cried out urgently, "Young Master, where are you going? Young Master?!"
Su Ronghua did not respond. He rode his horse, galloping straight toward the Shangguan residence.
Shangguan Ya had just bid farewell to Li Rong and was returning to the Shangguan home. Sitting in the carriage, she hummed a little tune to herself. Not long after, she heard the driver outside shout "Whoa—" and the carriage abruptly halted. Her head slammed against the carriage wall. Clutching her head, she gasped in pain and was about to curse when the carriage curtain was suddenly yanked open.
A pair of beautiful phoenix eyes, blazing with anger, stared intently at her. Shangguan Ya was stunned for a moment, then saw Su Ronghua crouching outside the carriage, letting out a cold laugh. "Shangguan Ya," he said, his tone carrying a chill for the first time, "you have quite the nerve!"
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