Аs sооn аs Li Rоng lеft the pаlасе, Сonsort Rou hurriеdlу knelt down, рleading аnхiоuslу, "Yоur Мajestу, please forgive mе. I trulу had nо ideа аbоut thаt Hоngdе..."
"Еnоugh," Li Мing said wеarily. "You'vе аlreаdy been рunished as уou desеrvеd. Gо bасk аnd rеst well, don't соncеrn уоurself with tоo muсh."
"Yоur Majеstу..." Cоnsort Rou's voiсe trembled with unсеrtаinty, аs if hesitating whethеr tо sрeаk furthеr. Li Мing glаnсеd at hеr аnd said сalmlу, "Is there sоmething еlsе?"
"Yоur Mаjеstу, I knоw this is not the time tо speak out of turn, but I wоrry for Your Мajestу and саnnot hеlp but say a few more words."
Consort Rou looked up at Li Ming and spoke slowly, "Does Your Majesty know what kind of talisman that was that Hongde presented today?"
"This is the Three Lives Marriage Talisman." Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong sat in the carriage. The palace gates were not a place for conversation, so Pei Wenxuan had quickly escorted Li Rong into the carriage.
Upon hearing Pei Wenxuan's words, Li Rong's heart sank. She could only confirm once more, "It wasn't written by you?"
"No," Pei Wenxuan replied, tracing the handwriting on the paper. "These characters look like mine, but they are indeed not written by me. The other party simply found someone to imitate my handwriting, then placed Your Highness in a situation to negotiate, making you focus solely on the matter of Hongde and lose judgment on other things."
"So tonight, they had already abandoned Hongde from the start. Even Consort Rou was prepared from the beginning to be suppressed by me, all for the purpose of making me admit that this talisman was indeed ours."
Li Rong immediately understood. She took a deep breath and asked, "What exactly does this talisman do?"
"It is a specially crafted talisman paper from the high monk at the Matchmaker Temple in the eastern part of the city. To request this talisman, one must bathe, fast, and chant sutras for forty-nine days before making a wish. The meaning of this talisman is that the two people named on it," Pei Wenxuan looked up at Li Rong, "are bound for three lifetimes of marriage, never to betray each other in life or death."
"Bound for three lifetimes of marriage, never to betray each other in life or death."
Consort Rou knelt on the ground, explaining the meaning of the talisman paper to Li Ming: "This talisman bears the Imperial Son-in-Law's own handwriting, meaning he went to request it himself. How many men in this world have such feelings for their wives? One lifetime is not enough—never to betray in life or death, and three lifetimes of marriage, meeting again and again in each life. I remember Your Majesty once said that Pei Wenxuan comes from a humble background and is a blade used by Your Majesty to balance the noble families. Although he and Princess Pingle appear deeply affectionate, in reality, it is merely a means for him to control her."
"But Your Majesty," Consort Rou looked up at Li Ming, "now tell me, is Princess Pingle controlling Pei Wenxuan, or is Pei Wenxuan controlling Princess Pingle?"
"What if Pei Wenxuan truly loves Princess Pingle?" Li Ming asked calmly, but Consort Rou knew that he already had an answer in his heart and merely wanted her to voice it. She smiled gently and said, "Then, the Imperial Son-in-Law and the Princess would be united as one. In the future, when the Imperial Son-in-Law is promoted to Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and the Princess becomes the head of the Supervisory Department, one would be responsible for arresting people, and the other for overseeing promotions. In the imperial court, they would have the final say."
"Such great power would be one thing if it were entirely for Your Majesty's use, but what if the Princess's heart leans toward the Crown Prince?"
"Then what do you think should be done?""Your Majesty," Consort Rou bowed deeply, her expression solemn. "Raising a tiger invites disaster. Since the Imperial Son-in-Law's heart belongs to Princess Pingle, let him remain a proper Imperial Son-in-Law. If Princess Pingle truly becomes a tiger in the future," Consort Rou lifted her gaze, her voice calm and resolute, "Your Majesty will still have the power to cut her down."
Consort Rou's voice was cold, her usually gentle tone carrying an unusual firmness. It was like the night wind of early spring, chilling one's back.
As Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan's explanation, she felt the night breeze blowing in waves through the window. They gazed at each other quietly, and in that moment, she understood Consort Rou's intentions—and even the intentions of those behind Consort Rou.
She involuntarily clenched her fist, restraining all her thoughts, forcing herself to remain as calm as possible. "I was careless."
Pei Wenxuan did not speak, instead tracing the characters on the talisman with his fingers.
He was not surprised that Li Rong had slipped up. After all, no one could guard against the deliberate schemes of someone who was once closest to them, lurking in the shadows.
An indescribable anger surged within him. Among all the schemes he had encountered, never had one felt so repulsive, so malicious, so infuriating.
Yet, the more he felt this way, the less he showed on his surface. He even hoped Li Rong would not be too clever—that she would attribute everything to Consort Rou and discover nothing.
That way, at least Li Rong would not be hurt.
As Pei Wenxuan pondered the ins and outs of the entire matter, Li Rong waited beside him for a while. Seeing that he remained silent, she slowly said, "You... don't be angry. I'll be more careful in the future."
"Hmm?" Pei Wenxuan smiled, lifting his head gently. "Your Highness jokes. How could I be angry?"
As he spoke, he noticed the suspicion in Li Rong's eyes. After a moment of hesitation, he finally reached out and drew her into his embrace.
The moment Li Rong's warmth pressed against him, Pei Wenxuan felt as if the turmoil in his heart had been gently washed away by a clear spring. He held her without a word. Sensing his emotions, Li Rong did not know what to say either. After a while, she finally spoke: "Now that things have come to this, and Father has seen the talisman you sought, I fear he will no longer believe your previous words. If we do nothing, it will all be over before Chuan'er ascends the throne."
Li Rong closed her eyes, leaning against Pei Wenxuan. "Have you made any plans?"
Pei Wenxuan did not respond.
Su Rongqing's move had been too ruthless—cutting off the fuel beneath the cauldron, completely shaking his foundation.
Resolving this step was simple.
After all, Li Ming had few usable people at his disposal. Pei Wenxuan had played this game for so long; abandoning it outright would be a pity. As long as he demonstrated sufficient loyalty to Li Ming, it would be fine.
If Su Rongqing had made this move earlier, he could have acted without restraint.
If Li Ming feared he was being controlled by Li Rong, he could simply divorce her and show Li Ming his unwavering resolve.
He and Li Rong were merely allies; the form it took did not matter.
But now it was different.
He could not use emotions to pave his way in his official career.
His wife, his love, his Li Rong—these were things in his heart that should not be tainted by even a speck of dust.
He lowered his head, unable to speak.
Li Rong waited quietly for a long time before finally saying, "You are Father's most useful blade. For now, all the evidence can only make him suspicious. Given his nature, he will likely test you once more."Li Rong lowered her head, touching her forehead to his as if coaxing him, saying, "When the time comes, just follow his intentions. Show loyalty however it should be shown, alright?"
Li Rong did not directly utter those two words, but Pei Wenxuan understood completely.
He lowered his head, an indescribable sense of helplessness rising within him.
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan said hoarsely, "don't hold me like this while saying such things."
Li Rong paused for a moment, then after a brief hesitation, she straightened up.
As distance opened between them, Pei Wenxuan looked up at her. He seemed to be struggling to restrain his emotions, speaking calmly, "Your Highness means that if it comes to the point of necessity, I can divorce you, is that it?"
"Yes," Li Rong replied decisively. "But the divorce would be a pretense. Once our plans succeed in the future, we can marry again."
"Has Your Highness ever considered," Pei Wenxuan said calmly, "that after our divorce, if my heart belongs to someone else, what would you do?"
Li Rong was taken aback. After a moment, she forced a smile. "If... if your heart belongs to someone else, just tell me."
Li Rong clutched her fan, trying to control her emotions. "I am not an unreasonable person. No one should be bound to another for a lifetime. If your heart belongs to someone else... then... then you don't have to come back."
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, quietly watching Li Rong. After some thought, Li Rong spoke slowly, "I know this may be difficult for you to accept, but it is the simplest solution. If you have anything to say, feel free to speak. Let's discuss it properly."
"There is nothing to discuss."
Pei Wenxuan spoke resolutely, his gaze fixed on Li Rong. "Your Highness, I will not divorce you."
"Then what do you propose?"
Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan. "Do you have another solution? Do you not want the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel?"
"Yes!"
Pei Wenxuan was provoked by Li Rong's words, his voice cold and sharp. "I don't want it."
"Not just the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel," Li Rong said coldly, speaking rapidly. "You may never hold a position of real authority again. You might not even be able to keep your current role as Supervisory Censor."
"So what?" Pei Wenxuan clenched his fists. "Can't I just not be an official anymore?!"
"And then?" Li Rong raised her eyes, staring at him coldly. "If you're not an official, if you have no real power, do you expect me to support you?"
"Will you spend your whole life in such a pitiful state, returning to Luzhou to row boats and pick lotus seeds? Pei Wenxuan, you need to understand," Li Rong tried to control her tone but couldn't help slapping the fan on the table, "to talk about feelings, you need to have the qualifications. What are you now? An eighth-rank Supervisory Censor—do you even have a choice?!"
"You come from a humble background, you entered the court so late. If you had Su Rongqing's status, you could afford to be reckless today. But do you? What right do you have to tell me you won't divorce?"
Pei Wenxuan said nothing. He felt Li Rong's words cut through his heart like blades.
Everything she said was the truth. Each sentence accused him of his incompetence, his lowliness, his unworthiness.
"The biggest problem with you and Chuan'er," Li Rong said, looking at his expression, her heart filled with reluctance but still forcing herself to speak, "is that you always crave things you shouldn't when you lack the ability to attain them.""So," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "I hope our feelings can stay far from this court. I hope my emotions won't have to yield to power. I hope my wife, like me, won't so easily give up on our marriage—is that too much to ask?"
Li Rong's movements froze. Pei Wenxuan seemed to find it absurd; he turned his head away, looking somewhat disheveled at the bluestone street outside the carriage window. "Li Rong, if you had hesitated even for a moment today, I would have thought you cared for me."
Li Rong's eyelashes trembled slightly. Pei Wenxuan didn't look at her, his gaze lowered. "But right now, there's only one thing on my mind."
"If you want a divorce," Pei Wenxuan's voice trembled, but he gritted his teeth and spoke, "I don't care."
"I don't want a wife who can treat emotions as a weapon at any time."
Pei Wenxuan's eyes reddened. He didn't look at Li Rong, his teeth lightly clenching as he tightened his fists. "You can laugh at my naivety, mock my childishness, ridicule my incompetence."
"But you shouldn't mock my sincerity."
"I don't want a divorce because I value this relationship. Even if it means yielding a little to power, I can't bear to let it go. But you didn't hesitate at all, not even considering other options. You once told me that if there is sincerity, it deserves respect. But at moments like this, Li Rong, you've always chosen power without hesitation."
Listening to these words, Li Rong felt as if Pei Wenxuan had pushed her underwater.
Everything around her slowly quieted down. She was submerged, struggling desperately, unable to breathe.
His words reminded her of the last ten years of her previous life, when he had repeatedly berated her: "Li Rong, you're utterly heartless, venomous to the core."
And Li Chuan would occasionally ask her after drinking, holding his cup as if casually: "Elder Princess, if I weren't the emperor, would I still be your brother?"
In the past, she didn't care. She could argue with him freely, even boldly admit: Yes, I am that venomous, heartless woman, so what?
She could smile at Li Chuan, pretending not to understand, and change the subject: "Your Highness jests."
She thought she was used to it.
But after being reborn in this life, after interacting with Pei Wenxuan as a new Li Rong, after hearing Li Chuan sincerely call her "Elder Sister," after receiving Pei Wenxuan's solemn promise of "I'll wait for you," she felt as if her life had finally found light. That light washed away the grime covering her, allowing her to lift her head and begin yearning for those long-drowned, forbidden desires that the palace had suffocated.
Because she had once looked up and seen the sunlight, when someone pushed her underwater again, she felt an unprecedented surge of pain.
She listened quietly to Pei Wenxuan's words.
He said, "The Li Rong I want, the Li Rong worth waiting for, shouldn't be like this."
Li Rong smiled as she listened. She didn't respond, didn't answer.
She picked up a chess piece as if nothing had happened and said, "I was merely making a suggestion. You can accept it if you wish. If you don't want to be an official anymore, if you want to court death and be trampled by Su Rongqing, I don't care either.""Do you think I care that much about you?" Li Rong placed a chess piece on the board, her voice low and hoarse. "If you're useless, I wouldn't care if you died."
Pei Wenxuan heard these words and knew they were spoken in anger.
When Li Rong was furious, she could say the cruelest things. He knew this well, yet the words still stung.
Perhaps it was because they had been getting along peacefully for too long that he had forgotten just how deeply she could dig into one's heart and how much it could hurt.
Fortunately, the carriage arrived at the Princess's Manor. As soon as it stopped, Pei Wenxuan could not bear it for another moment. He jumped out of the carriage and strode directly into the manor.
"I won't be returning tonight," Li Rong said calmly as she continued playing chess. "Think it over carefully, Lord Pei. I advise you—"
"Love is pointless; your future is what matters. Anyway, I don't care," Li Rong said flatly. "You weigh it for yourself."
With that, Li Rong directly ordered the coachman, "Go."
Pei Wenxuan listened to her mockery, his back turned to her as he closed his eyes.
He told himself not to take Li Rong's words to heart, yet each of her sentences scraped back and forth across his chest. When he heard the sound of her carriage departing, he finally couldn't hold back.
He thought she had driven him mad. He turned around and shouted toward the direction of the receding carriage, "Li Rong, if you have the guts, don't come back! If you don't return today, I'll write a letter of divorce immediately!"
"Write it!" Hearing the words "letter of divorce," Li Rong trembled with anger. She yanked up the carriage curtain, ignoring the coachman's attempts to dissuade her, and leaned out to look at Pei Wenxuan standing at the entrance of the Princess's Manor, furious and flustered. She sneered and raised her voice, "I'm going to a pleasure boat to drink, and I'll find eight or ten handsome men. If you don't divorce me tomorrow, you're a coward!"
After saying this, Li Rong "swished" the curtain down. Then she lifted her hand, pressed it to her forehead, and leaned against the table.
"Your Highness," the coachman asked nervously, "where to?"
Li Rong took a moment to compose herself before replying in a low, hoarse voice, "Go to the lake, find a boat, and hire a few skilled gentlemen from the Southern Breeze Pavilion. Preferably ones who can play music."
Li Rong sniffled and raised her head. "I refuse to believe there's anyone who can't live without another."
Hearing her words, the coachman dared not say more and could only follow Li Rong's instructions.
Li Rong closed her eyes as the carriage hurried toward the lake.
Pei Wenxuan returned to the Princess's Manor alone. He first fetched some memorials, intending to review them to calm himself down.
He couldn't argue with Li Rong.
There had to be a way. There was always a way.
His mind was a mess. Before long, Tong Ye rushed in, exclaiming anxiously, "Young Master, it's terrible! Her Highness went to the lake, rented a pleasure boat, and summoned many gentlemen from the Southern Breeze Pavilion."
"It's fine," Pei Wenxuan tightened his grip on the brush, feigning calm. "With so many people, nothing serious will happen."
"No," Tong Ye knelt down, shocked. "Young Master, what's wrong with you? Even if nothing happens, you can't just watch the Princess act so recklessly! If it happens once, it'll happen again. What if there are fewer people tomorrow?"
"Get out."
Pei Wenxuan spoke coldly. Tong Ye pleaded urgently, "Young Master!"
"Get out!" Pei Wenxuan roared. Tong Ye stared at him in shock for a long time before finally bowing and retreating.
When he was alone in the room again, Pei Wenxuan clenched the brush tightly. After a long while, he couldn't help but overturn the table in a fit of rage.He could no longer restrain his emotions. Turning back, he snatched the sword hanging on the pillar beside him and began wildly slashing at everything in the room.
Every word Li Rong had spoken pierced his heart.
What right did he have?
He was lowly, useless, incompetent—what right did he have to desire affection?
She didn’t care about him. If not for the little talent he possessed, would she have even married him?
Why was he trapped here? Why did he cling to someone who repeatedly hurt him?
Why not resign from his post, return to Luzhou? Why stay in this mire of Huajing, struggling bitterly alongside her?
She was merely certain he couldn’t bear to leave her. But what gave her the right to make him so reluctant to go?!
The sword hacked fiercely through a bookshelf. A box on the shelf split in two, and a pile of papers spilled out from the locked box, drifting slowly to the ground.
The handwriting on the pages caught Pei Wenxuan’s eye.
"Pei Wenxuan, are you alright? I’m waiting for you in the palace. If you don’t come back, I’ll pretend it doesn’t matter, but I’ll still be afraid. Never mind—this letter probably won’t even reach you anyway. Let me be honest: if you don’t return, how could I possibly be indifferent?"
"Pei Wenxuan, I actually regret letting you leave Huajing. Forget the Supervisory Department—if you don’t come back, where will I find you?"
"Pei Wenxuan, everyone says you’re dead, but I don’t believe it. They don’t know how capable and clever you are. Those born among the clouds could never understand the astonishing vitality of tender grass breaking through stone. Besides, I’m still here in Huajing."
"Pei Wenxuan, I miss you. Why aren’t you back yet?"
…
Though these pages bore no signature or date, Pei Wenxuan recognized at once that they must have been written by Li Rong while she was confined in the Northern Yan Tower.
He stared blankly at the papers, at Li Rong’s delicate, graceful handwriting.
Somehow, Li Rong’s writing had begun to resemble his own.
It seemed she truly admired his calligraphy—she must have secretly sought out copies of his script and practiced stroke by stroke, imitating his hand.
Why stay here? Why still care for this person?
Because this person, besides speaking such icy words and wounding him so deeply, could also be wounded by him in return. She hid her feelings, secretly admired him, quietly wrote him letters, and even copied his handwriting.
He had been too fixated on their relationship, too concerned with her outward displays of affection or indifference, forgetting that the person he loved was a young woman who buried all her emotions deep within, protecting herself only by driving sharp blades into her own wounds.
Pei Wenxuan stood dazed, gazing at the scattered letters on the floor. After a long while, he suddenly snapped back to reality, grabbed his sword, and rushed out.
When Jing Lan returned to the room looking for Pei Wenxuan, she hadn’t even reached the door before Jing Mei hurried forward in a panic, exclaiming, "Sister, something’s wrong!"
"Where is the Imperial Son-in-Law?" Seeing Jing Mei’s expression, Jing Lan knew it was serious and raised her voice. "Where is he?"
"The Imperial Son-in-Law, the Imperial Son-in-Law," Jing Mei gasped for breath, "just now, he grabbed his sword and charged out!"
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