The Princess Royal

Lооking аt Shangguan Yа's ехрrеssion, Su Ronghua fеlt bоth annoуed and аmusеd.

Ноw соuld he not knоw how terrible her gambling skills werе? If shе wantеd to gаmblе, it wаs simрly hаnding thе оutсоme оver to him.

Seеing him silеnt, Shangguаn Ya handed thе cards оver: "Why dоn't уоu рlау а round?"

Su Ronghuа sаt up аnd turnеd tо loоk at thе рerson in frоnt оf the сell. Shangguan Yа extendеd hеr hаnd, her еyes full of рlеаding, and shе рushеd thе саrds forwаrd а little: "Wаnt to?"

Su Rоnghua hesitаted fоr а lоng time bеfоrе finаlly standing up аnd taking the cards from Shаngguan Ya.

"Do уou think yоur hand is bеttеr, or minе?" Shangguan Ya asked with a smile. Su Ronghua rubbed the surface of the cards, looking at the person before him. After a long while, he lowered his gaze and slowly said, "Yours is better."

"Then let's see our luck."

As she spoke, Shangguan Ya flipped her card, revealing the tiger face on it.

Su Ronghua turned his card over, showing the dog head on his.

"Ah," Shangguan Ya cheered, "This seems to be the first time I've won against you?"

Su Ronghua didn't reply. He calmly sat back down, leaning against the wall, bending one leg and resting his hand on his knee, saying slowly, "Alright, I'm not angry anymore. You can go back."

Shangguan Ya thought for a moment, then fetched a small stool from the side, brushed off the dust, and sat down on it: "Shall we chat?"

"Not daring to."

Su Ronghua firmly refused. Shangguan Ya laughed: "What, still afraid I'll trick you?"

"Shouldn't I be?" Su Ronghua glanced at her coldly, "Haven't I been tricked enough by you?"

"No, didn't I apologize?" Shangguan Ya said shamelessly, "Actually, I'm not that bad of a person. I'm only harsh to enemies. Now that we've cleared things up, we're not enemies anymore, so I won't trick you from now on."

"You believe me just because I say I'm not an enemy?" Su Ronghua looked at her coldly, using her own words against her, "Do you think I'm a fool?"

"You are a bit foolish." Shangguan Ya laughed awkwardly. Su Ronghua, angered, stood up to leave, but Shangguan Ya grabbed his sleeve in a hurry, saying, "Wait until I finish speaking. We've finally had such a deep exchange—don't leave so easily."

Hearing this, Su Ronghua paused, then took a deep breath and sat back down.

Shangguan Ya leaned forward, placing both hands on her knees and propping her chin up as she looked at Su Ronghua: "Actually, don't blame me. I've never met someone like you before. Look, you come from a prominent family, you're smart, and you have so many roles, so I could only be suspicious of you. Since I was little, my family told me that the first people you can't trust in this world are politicians, and the second are men. You happen to be both."

"And that's my fault?" Su Ronghua scoffed, "You've learned a bunch of nonsense."

"You're the odd one." Shangguan Ya retorted immediately. Su Ronghua ignored her. Shangguan Ya thought for a moment, then cautiously asked, "By the way, from what I've heard about you, you don't seem like someone who pursues fame and fortune. Why did you become Prince Su's teacher and join the Supervisory Department?"

"The Emperor appointed me. How could I refuse?" Su Ronghua looked at her as if she had lost her mind.

Shangguan Ya grew even more curious: "But once you became his teacher, you were tied to him. Aren't you worried about your own future?""Future prospects?" Su Ronghua laughed. "Do I look like someone with prospects? If I wanted a future, I would have studied hard back then, like my younger brother—accepting the family's careful cultivation, then taking on family responsibilities and entering the court. Why did I become Prince Su's teacher? Because His Majesty needed someone from the Su family to serve as Prince Su's teacher. The Su family couldn't refuse, but they didn't want to get too involved with Prince Su, so they threw me out—a discarded piece. I'm a madman, never representing the Su family's stance. Can't you see that?"

"I used to understand," Shangguan Ya leaned against the prison door. "But after you joined the Supervisory Department, I stopped understanding. What did you come to the Supervisory Department for?"

Su Ronghua fell silent. He tilted his head back, gazing at the sky. After a long while, he said slowly, "My younger brother asked me to come, so I came. But deep down, maybe I also wanted to see... what you and Her Highness," Su Ronghua turned to look at Shangguan Ya, "are really trying to do?"

"Since childhood, everyone said I was an oddity, that I lacked responsibility. But I often wonder, what is responsibility? Is family responsibility, but the people in official positions not? Are the people responsibility, but the affection of a wife, children, friends—are they not responsibilities on one's shoulders? I've seen countless people who, in their youth, were clear about right and wrong, wild and unrestrained, but slowly, they seemed to become different people, always talking about status, responsibility, duty, and then doing dark, filthy things. If a person can live well, fulfill their duties in their position, manage themselves well, care for their parents above, raise their children below, be loyal to friends, faithful to their lord, follow court laws, and uphold propriety, righteousness, benevolence, and trust—beyond that, why can't they do whatever they want?"

"I despise those hypocrites. I don't want to become a monster like them in this city. I want to live like a human being, to freely love whom I like, to freely choose what I like."

"But people like me are too few. Until last year's Qixi Palace Banquet, where I caught the scent of a certain perfume," Su Ronghua smiled. "That fragrance had a familiar note. I voted for it, and later I wanted to find its creator, only to discover that this particular incense was blended by the Qin family's second young lady. But as I investigated further, I found that the second young lady of the Qin family wasn't skilled in perfume blending at all. Finally, I realized—there was a young lady who didn't want to enter the palace. It turned out that Princess Pingle was helping the Crown Prince delay his marriage."

"You see," Su Ronghua spread his hands. "Everyone in this palace is struggling desperately. So I really wanted to come and see—what exactly are you and Her Highness planning?"

Shangguan Ya listened to Su Ronghua's words, hugging her knees. Su Ronghua turned to look at her. "Why did you join the Supervisory Department?"

"In the end, perhaps it's the same as you," Shangguan Ya smiled. "I want to live like a human being."

"I don't want to change either, but I know I'm no saint. If I entered the palace, I'd probably be no different from the elders I see now—stopping at nothing for family interests, willing to compromise on anything. But I don't want to be like that."

"So I have to be useful," Shangguan Ya looked seriously at Su Ronghua. "I have to provide irreplaceable value to my family, something more important than marrying for an alliance. Only then," Shangguan Ya smiled, "will I always be Shangguan Ya."“In the future, we could gamble a bit, share a drink, have a little quarrel,” Shangguan Ya said with a smile, imagining the future. “Never marry, have my own estate, adopt a few boys from the family—or girls would be fine too. Be an old spinster for life, and raise many girls just like me.”

“You even thought of gambling and drinking with me,” Su Ronghua raised an eyebrow. “Seems you have a good impression of me.”

“Probably,” Shangguan Ya shrugged. “We’re both odd ones?”

“Su Ronghua,” Shangguan Ya thought for a moment, then extended her hand. “Let’s make a promise.”

“Hmm?”

“In the future, I won’t use your kindness toward me to set traps for you.” Shangguan Ya looked at him intently. “And you mustn’t deceive me either, alright?”

“Alright.”

Su Ronghua reached out and hooked his little finger with hers.

At the touch of their skin, Shangguan Ya involuntarily trembled. She couldn’t quite describe the feeling, but just then, noise erupted from outside. Shangguan Ya quickly stood up, flustered. “I should go now. I’ll treat you to a meal another day.”

With that, Shangguan Ya hurriedly left by another path.

Not long after, a group of guards entered. They clearly looked like people from the palace. Su Ronghua glanced at them sideways and said indifferently, “What is it? I just invited a few dancers. If you want to detain or punish me, just do it. Don’t interrogate me back and forth—it’s annoying.”

“Take him away.”

The guards spoke directly, entered the cell, pulled Su Ronghua out, and began the interrogation.

Su Ronghua openly admitted that he had invited Xia Wensi for a meal and called a few dancers, insisting he had not hired prostitutes and nothing more.

After the guards interrogated him and Xia Wensi, they sent the testimonies to the palace. Li Ming read through the testimonies carefully and placed them on the table.

Fulai brought in the calming soup sent by Consort Rou. Seeing Li Ming’s furrowed brow, he couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, it’s already late. Consort Rou just sent calming soup. Please drink it and rest early.”

Li Ming shifted his gaze to the calming soup, his brow still tightly knit. Fulai, noticing his displeasure, asked nervously, “Your Majesty?”

“Don’t you think Consort Rou has gone a bit too far?”

“Your Majesty means…?”

Fulai hesitated to speak. Li Ming threw the testimonies to the ground, leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and said irritably, “See for yourself.”

Fulai placed the calming soup on the table, bent down to pick up the testimonies, and read them carefully. Puzzled, he asked, “Your Majesty, how could Young Master Su… do something like this?”

“How could he do something like this?” Li Ming sneered. “He’s a scion of a noble family—doesn’t he care about his reputation? Hiring prostitutes is likely just a cover; his real aim is personal gain.”

Fulai dared not speak. Li Ming mentally pieced together the events.

Someone deliberately promoted Pei Wenxuan to the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel just to make him suspicious of Li Rong. Once he became suspicious of Li Rong, who would benefit the most from him not trusting the Supervisory Department in her hands?

If Li Rong wanted Pei Wenxuan to become Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, she couldn’t possibly do it without alerting him. For such an important position, she could simply ask him directly. Why go about it so secretly?

And now, Su Ronghua had met with Xia Wensi. What kind of person was Su Ronghua? In all his years at court, who had he ever invited to a private banquet?

Meeting alone with Xia Wensi—if there weren’t some hidden scheme behind it, that would be truly unbelievable!

Li Rong’s tearful recounting of Hua Le’s mockery was still vivid in Li Ming’s mind. He closed his eyes.He actually wasn't intolerant of Consort Rou's petty schemes. If she could cultivate her own faction to contend with the Empress, he would be quite pleased to see it.

What he couldn't tolerate was Consort Rou exceeding his control.

The previous emperor had already nurtured a Shangguan Clan; he didn't want to raise another Xiao Clan. Consort Rou could only be a tool for balancing the court. If she schemed beyond his control, that would be unforgivable.

The more Li Ming thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. He stood up and headed straight for Ming Le Palace.

Consort Rou hadn't expected Li Ming to come so late and was chatting idly with Hua Le.

Li Ming was furious, striding swiftly into Ming Le Palace. The palace attendants didn't even have time to stop him before he marched inside. As soon as he entered the inner courtyard, he heard the sounds of Hua Le and Consort Rou laughing and joking in the room.

When the attendants saw Li Ming, they immediately knelt. Li Ming raised his hand to silence them, and the entire courtyard fell quiet. He allowed no one to make a sound or move, listening only to the mother and daughter's playful conversation in the room. Hua Le said quite happily, "If I marry, I absolutely cannot marry someone like Pei Wenxuan. Aside from being somewhat good-looking, he has no real ability. He comes from a humble background, married the eldest princess, and now can't even secure a position as Examination Merit Secretary. To think the eldest princess, who has been spoiled her whole life, ended up marrying someone like this..."

Hua Le couldn't stop laughing. Li Ming, burning with rage, kicked the door open and stormed in. Seeing Li Ming enter, Consort Rou and Hua Le instantly paled.

"Your Majesty," Consort Rou quickly recovered, rising with a smile, "what brings you here?"

"You've taught your daughter well," Li Ming said, pointing at Hua Le and staring at Consort Rou. "Is this how a princess gossips behind others' backs?"

"It's Qiong'er's fault," Consort Rou admitted readily, hurrying to add, "Hua Le, quickly apologize to your father."

"Apologize?" Li Ming nodded. "Is she the one who should apologize? Get out!"

Li Ming glared at Hua Le. Hua Le glanced at Consort Rou, who gave her a meaningful look. Hua Le quickly stood up and respectfully withdrew.

When only Li Ming and Consort Rou remained in the room, Consort Rou poured tea for him and said softly, "Hua Le is young and doesn't understand things. She's been corrupted by the palace attendants. I was just about to scold her..."

"Was it you who arranged for Pei Wenxuan to serve as Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"

Li Ming spoke decisively. Consort Rou looked horrified: "Why would Your Majesty say such a thing? This humble consort stays in the rear palace all year round. How could I decide such an important matter? Where did Your Majesty hear such rumors, to misunderstand me like this?"

"Rumors?" Li Ming sneered. "I know your capabilities all too well. If not for your skills, do you think someone of your lowly status could hold this position?!"

Consort Rou's smile remained unchanged as she replied respectfully, "Your Majesty is right, but this matter truly has nothing to do with me. If Your Majesty has heard slander from some petty person, why not summon them to confront me..."

Before she could finish, Li Ming raised his hand and slapped her hard across the face.

Consort Rou staggered from the blow, kneeling on the floor motionless. Li Ming stood up, looking down at her coldly. "I can allow you to scheme and play your games in this rear palace. But I cannot allow you to deceive me. I raised you up with one hand, and I can bring you down with the same hand.""I do not like lies. Today I will give you this face, and for now I will not pursue the matter further." Li Ming half-crouched down, staring at Consort Rou. "But Xiao Rou, remember what you said to me back then. You were willing to become my blade—do not forget your place."

"Your servant remembers it well."

Consort Rou spoke softly. Seeing her obedience, Li Ming's anger subsided considerably. He stood up, gazing steadily at the delicate, flower-like woman seated on the ground, her skirt spread like a blooming lotus. Even at this moment, she still possessed a heartbreaking beauty.

Li Ming remained silent for a long while before finally turning and leaving.

After he had gone, Hua Le rushed in anxiously, forgetting all decorum as she blurted out, "Mother, are you all right, Mother?"

Consort Rou clenched her fists, slowly raising her head with a smile on her face. "I'm fine."

She was a blade—she would always remember that.

Seeing Consort Rou's smile, Hua Le relaxed and hurried forward to help her up. "Mother, what did Father say just now?"

Consort Rou's expression remained unchanged. Just as she was about to give an order, a servant hurried in from the corridor outside.

He approached Consort Rou and whispered something in her ear. Consort Rou looked up in surprise, a note of urgency in her voice. "Is it true?"

The servant nodded and said softly, "Absolutely true. The person is already outside the palace."

"Excellent!" Consort Rou exclaimed joyfully. "I will go see His Majesty at once. Li Rong dares to do such a thing," she laughed, "this time, she will likely lose a layer of skin."