Аs Реi Wenxuаn hurriеd tоwаrd thе dock with his sword, Li Rоng hаd alreаdy arrivеd аt thе lаkеsidе.
While still in her сarriage, she noticеd thе streеts werе unusuаllу сrowdеd соmраred tо usual, bustling with men and wоmеn cоming and going. Bу the time shе reaсhеd thе lаkе, it wаs еven morе sо. Thе usuаllу spаciоus lаkeside wаs аlreаdy paсked with carriаgеs frоm variоus households. Li Rоng stерpеd dоwn frоm hеr саrriagе аnd cоuldn’t helр but frown, murmuring in cоnfusion, “Whу аrе therе sо mаnу peoрle?”
“Your Highness,” the guаrd accоmpanуing Li Rong immеdiаtelу stepped forward, “today is the Sky Lantern Festival, so the crowd is dense. Please be cautious.”
Only then did Li Rong remember—this was the lantern festival Pei Wenxuan had mentioned earlier.
Thinking of Pei Wenxuan, a pang of bitterness stirred in her heart. She turned her head away, feigning calm, and asked, “Is the pleasure boat arranged?”
“Yes, Your Highness. We’ve hired discreet performers. Please wear your veil, and I will escort you there.”
Li Rong acknowledged with a nod and, escorted by her attendants, headed toward a less crowded area to board the reserved pleasure boat.
With the large crowd today, boats of all sizes filled the lake. Along the shore, men and women took advantage of the time before the sky lanterns were released to float river lanterns on the water. The lanterns dotted the lake like scattered stars, while boats of varying sizes glided across the surface.
Li Rong’s boat was neither too large nor too small, blending inconspicuously among the others. Once she boarded, the boat began rowing toward the center of the lake. As the attendant led her down into the cabin, he explained, “The best spots for viewing the lanterns were reserved in advance by various households, with their servants marking out areas. We arrived late, so we’ll have to share the lake with the common folk. It might be a bit noisy—please forgive the inconvenience.”
“It’s fine,” Li Rong replied calmly. “As long as the person is here.”
As she spoke, the attendant pushed open the cabin door. Inside, rows of handsome young men knelt on either side. Upon seeing Li Rong enter, they all bowed their heads respectfully and said in unison, “Greetings, Young Miss.”
When meeting these performers outside, Li Rong naturally couldn’t use her true identity, so she had adopted the title of “Young Miss” to receive them.
Such a scene was not unfamiliar to Li Rong, though it was her first time since her rebirth. These men couldn’t compare to the exceptional looks of Pei Wenxuan or Su Rongqing, but they made up for it in numbers.
One handsome man might simply be pleasing to the eye, but a whole group of them kneeling and gazing up at her with deep affection created a visual impact many times over.
Even though she had come with other intentions, Li Rong couldn’t help but feel her heart skip a beat at the sight. Suddenly, she felt her choice was quite right. Smiling, she walked further inside and gestured with her hand, “Please rise.”
With that, Li Rong strode directly to the main seat. As soon as she sat down, the men immediately understood their roles and stepped forward to pour wine and massage her shoulders.
Uncertain of Li Rong’s boundaries, they dared not overstep. Li Rong waved her hand, scattering a few pieces of broken silver on the floor, and tilted her chin slightly. “Those who can play the qin, play. Those who can sing, sing. Those who can dance, dance. If you can’t do any of that, just entertain yourselves however you like. Just make it lively.”
With Li Rong’s permission and the scattered silver, everyone’s spirits lifted at once. The cabin filled with joyful songs and laughter as the boat continued toward the heart of the lake.Li Rong reclined against a pillow amidst the sounds of silk and bamboo music, watching everyone with a smile. From time to time, she sipped wine from someone else’s hand or ate a grape, listening to the entertainers tell jokes, and gradually, her anger subsided.
She no longer wanted to think about Pei Wenxuan. After all, once she boarded this pleasure boat, news would reach the palace by tomorrow. As long as Pei Wenxuan calmed down, he would still have to find a way to explain to Li Ming that their relationship wasn’t as close as it seemed.
She couldn’t let Pei Wenxuan sacrifice his future for her.
Lost in thought, Li Rong clapped her hands and exclaimed loudly, “Excellent! A reward!”
Just as she finished speaking, she saw the entertainer step down and another person take the stage. Li Rong lowered her head to eat a grape fed to her by a nearby performer when a somewhat familiar voice rang out, laughing as it said, “Your Highness, I don’t know how to play the zither or dance. How about I tell you a story instead?”
Hearing this voice, Li Rong felt as though she had heard it somewhere before. A sense of caution rose within her, and when she looked up, she saw a young man dressed in white, with a face as fair as jade, standing in the center, smiling at her.
At the sight of him, Li Rong was so startled that she choked on the grape, coughing violently.
Pointing at the man while still coughing, she stammered, “You… you…”
The young man smiled without speaking, as if he knew exactly what Li Rong was afraid of. Seeing her choke, the nearby entertainer hurriedly patted her back, asking anxiously, “Your Highness, what’s wrong?”
“Out… get out…” Li Rong waved her hand frantically, urging, “Everyone, leave.”
The entertainer was taken aback, glancing at Li Rong and then at the young man in white in the center. After a moment’s hesitation, the entertainer stood up and left with the others.
Only after everyone had gone did Li Rong finally catch her breath. The young man in white leisurely approached her, half-kneeling as he offered a cup of tea, smiling brightly. “Your Highness, would you like some water?”
Li Rong didn’t take the cup. After a moment, she turned her head and frowned. “What are you doing here?”
As Li Rong’s small boat drifted toward the center of the lake, Pei Wenxuan had already arrived at the shore.
Pei Wenxuan found the servant from the Princess’s Manor who had been ordered to wait by the shore and asked breathlessly, “Where is Her Highness?”
The servant stared at Pei Wenxuan, seemingly surprised by his arrival, and froze, unsure whether to answer.
Seeing the servant hesitate, Pei Wenxuan knew he was debating whether to cover for Li Rong. Suppressing his emotions, he said, “I know Her Highness called for entertainers from the South Wind Pavilion. I’m not here to cause trouble. Where is she?”
The servant remained silent, his gaze pointedly dropping to the sword Pei Wenxuan held in his hand.
It hardly looked like he was here for a peaceful conversation.
Noticing the servant’s expression, Pei Wenxuan didn’t want to waste time. He pressed the sword against the servant’s neck and demanded, “Speak!”
This time, the servant was certain—the Imperial Son-in-Law was here for a fight. Not daring to hide anything, he immediately knelt and kowtowed. “Your Grace, the princess’s boat has already set sail.”
“Which one?”
“The… the one in the center of the lake, painted with flowers, the two-story one.”
The servant raised his hand, pointing toward the center of the lake. Having gotten his answer, Pei Wenxuan ignored him and hurried to the lakeside, finding the boatman he had arranged earlier. “Where’s my boat?”
“Young Master, are you alone?” the boatman asked, puzzled. “Didn’t you say you were bringing your wife?”
“Plans have changed. I’ll go alone.”Pei Wenxuan leaped onto the boat. The boatman untied the rope and asked worriedly, "Young master, do you know how to row?"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, hanging his sword at his waist. With a push of the oar, he began rowing toward the center of the lake.
As Pei Wenxuan made his way to the middle of the lake, Li Rong looked at the young man crouching before her and listened as he spoke with a hint of helplessness, "This humble official has long wished to speak with Your Highness, but never had the opportunity. Today, upon seeing Your Highness come to the lakeside, I hurriedly followed and slipped onto this pleasure boat, only to discover it was Your Highness hosting a banquet. Your Highness's free-spirited nature truly broadens this humble official's horizons."
As the young man spoke, he sat down. Seeing his audacity, Li Rong let out a cold laugh. "Since you know it is I, why do you not bow? Cui Yulang, you are quite bold."
"Your Highness does not wish to reveal your identity. This humble official is merely respecting Your Highness's wishes."
Cui Yulang fanned himself casually as he spoke. Li Rong had no desire to engage further and cut straight to the point. "What do you want from me?"
"I wish to ask Your Highness for a favor."
Cui Yulang's expression turned serious. "This humble official seeks justice for my good friend, Chen Hozhao, a scholar from Qingcheng."
"What kind of justice," Li Rong said lightly, "requires you to come to me?"
"Chen Hozhao is an old friend of mine, a man of great talent. In this year's imperial examinations, he placed first in the provincial exam, earning the title of provincial tribute scholar and the right to come to the capital for the Spring Imperial Examination. Unexpectedly, a local gentry named Xiao Pingzhang colluded with officials to steal his spot, allowing his own son, Xiao Shunwen, to become the provincial tribute scholar and participate in the Spring Imperial Examination. My friend traveled all the way to the capital to file a complaint, pursued by assassins along the way. Upon reaching the capital, no official was willing to accept his case. I have long heard of Your Highness's reputation, known for your chivalrous spirit and clear distinction between right and wrong. I implore Your Highness to uphold justice for my humble friend!"
Li Rong listened to Cui Yulang's words but did not respond immediately.
Without clarity on the case, she would not reply carelessly. She carefully considered the value of this case, deep in thought, when she faintly heard commotion from outside.
By now, Pei Wenxuan's small boat had pulled up alongside Li Rong's pleasure boat. Having already found a stable position to anchor, Pei Wenxuan secured his boat and leaped aboard.
The guard at the bow of the boat saw Pei Wenxuan and his face changed drastically. He exclaimed urgently, "Imperial Son-in-Law..."
"Step aside."
Pei Wenxuan pushed the guard aside and strode directly inside. Attendants hurriedly tried to block him, but Pei Wenxuan drew his sword and shouted, "Move!"
Seeing Pei Wenxuan's imposing manner and knowing he was the Imperial Son-in-Law, no one dared to stop him for the moment. They could only let Pei Wenxuan proceed into the cabin and ascend directly to the second floor.
Li Rong was still hesitating over Cui Yulang's words. Seeing her indecision, Cui Yulang scoffed and said leisurely, "Does Your Highness feel this case offers no benefit?"
Li Rong looked up at Cui Yulang and couldn't help but smile. "Oh? Do you have something to offer me?"
"What Cui can offer, Your Highness likely finds beneath notice. There is only one thing—perhaps Your Highness might consider it?"
"Speak, then."
Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Cui Yulang smiled, leaning forward as he approached Li Rong. While loosening his sash, he whispered, "Your Highness holds a high position and great power. Tonight, as you wander the pleasure boats, might you be lacking a companion to share your bed? If Your Highness does not disdain me, Yulang would gladly offer himself..."
Before he could finish, the door was kicked open with a crash. Cui Yulang and Li Rong both turned to see Pei Wenxuan standing at the doorway, sword in hand.Both Cui Yulang and Li Rong were stunned. Cui Yulang’s hand still rested on his half-undone belt, and the already loose robe on his shoulders slipped down further due to his leaning posture.
Pei Wenxuan was so furious he laughed. Though he had only caught half of the conversation, he understood perfectly.
“A favored guest, offering oneself to share the bed.”
Pei Wenxuan repeated the words, letting out a cold laugh. “Cui Yulang, you’re truly something.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan raised his sword and slashed straight toward Cui Yulang.
Li Rong reacted quickly, shouting urgently, “Stop him! Hurry, stop him!”
Blocked by others, Pei Wenxuan’s attack was halted. Cui Yulang, terrified, rolled on the ground and hastily began fastening his belt. Pei Wenxuan chased Cui Yulang around the room, swinging his sword wildly. Cui Yulang cried out in panic, “Imperial Son-in-Law, let me explain—”
Pei Wenxuan said nothing, continuing to pursue and slash at Cui Yulang. The room descended into chaos. Li Rong tried her best to stay calm. She couldn’t panic; she needed to keep her composure. Taking a deep breath, she shouted at the top of her lungs, “Everyone, stop right now!”
At her roar, Pei Wenxuan finally halted. Li Rong caught her breath and was about to speak when Pei Wenxuan seemed to realize something. In three quick strides, he strode forward, grabbed her, and dragged her outside.
Not wanting to make a scene in front of others, Li Rong allowed herself to be pulled downstairs and out of the pleasure boat. As they were about to leave the boat, Li Rong grew anxious and cried out, “Pei Wenxuan, if you have something to say, say it on the boat! Let go! Let—”
“Get on the boat!”
Pei Wenxuan yanked her directly onto his own small boat.
Intimidated by Pei Wenxuan’s imposing presence, no one dared to step forward. Pei Wenxuan dragged Li Rong into the cabin of the small boat. Li Rong immediately struggled, shouting angrily, “Pei Wenxuan, what are you—”
Before she could finish, Pei Wenxuan’s sword slammed down beside her hand with a clang. He stared at her like a wolf, warning, “If you keep making trouble, one of us will surely die tonight.”
“You’re… insane.”
Li Rong stammered in fear.
Pei Wenxuan stood up, rolled up the curtain, and stepped outside. Raising the boat pole, he instructed the guards on the boat, “I’m taking her away. Go ashore and find Tong Ye—he’ll make arrangements.”
With that, Pei Wenxuan pushed off with the bamboo pole, steering Li Rong’s small boat away from its original position and rowing deeper into the center of the lake.
He didn’t enter the cabin but stayed outside, rowing the boat. As Li Rong listened, the surrounding voices grew fainter, gradually replaced only by the chirping of insects, the calls of birds, and the sound of water. Her heart couldn’t help but grow uneasy.
She glanced around. The small boat wasn’t large but was arranged quite cozily. A delicate table held a fresh bouquet of flowers, with tea, wine, snacks, and blankets all prepared.
Two large windows on either side of the boat offered views of the outside scenery, allowing her to clearly see that their surroundings were growing increasingly desolate and the boat was drifting farther and farther from the shore.
Li Rong told herself she needed to stay calm. Pei Wenxuan was a man who knew his limits; even in his madness, he followed reason. Even if he had gone mad tonight and intended to perish together with her, he would have a method to it.
She shouldn’t panic just yet. First, pour a cup of tea, take a sip of wine, eat some snacks, and steady her nerves.
As she thought this, she began eating. The action distracted her, helping her calm down and ponder Pei Wenxuan’s intentions.
They had already argued to this extent, and now Pei Wenxuan had come to seize her. Could it be that he was truly provoked by the news of her summoning someone?To what extent had he been provoked, to resort to such an act of holding her hostage?
While pondering what Pei Wenxuan might do next, Li Rong nibbled on a plum blossom cake.
This was her favorite pastry, and judging by the taste, it still came from her favorite bakery.
Unable to resist, Li Rong took another bite just as Pei Wenxuan entered. She quickly looked up, and Pei Wenxuan saw crumbs at the corner of her mouth, her eyes betraying a hint of panic before she feigned composure to look at him.
They had now reached the center of the lake he had reserved. No other boats were in sight—only their lone vessel drifted on the water, reflecting the moonlight and the chill of the lake, as if forming a world of its own.
Pei Wenxuan stared at Li Rong, and Li Rong stared back at Pei Wenxuan.
After a long while, Li Rong finally swallowed the plum blossom cake in her mouth and stammered, "You... you're here."
Pei Wenxuan felt a slight urge to laugh, but he kept his expression stern, simply stepping inside and sitting down opposite Li Rong.
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, making Li Rong increasingly nervous. She stole a glance at him and thought for a moment.
Pei Wenxuan must have come to her with the intention of cooperation, not just to cause trouble. His agitation was likely due to stumbling upon the incident with Cui Yulang.
To break the awkward silence, Li Rong spoke first, clearing her throat softly. "About what happened earlier, there’s a misunderstanding. I can explain."
"No need to explain," Pei Wenxuan said, holding a teacup and taking a slow sip. "Your Highness has always been like this. I’m used to it."
"Don’t say that," Li Rong replied, feeling no relief at his words but instead growing more flustered. "Actually, Cui Yulang came to report a case."
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her. He scrutinized her from head to toe before letting out a derisive laugh.
"Do you think I’m easily fooled?"
"No," Li Rong said, growing annoyed at his stubbornness. "Why won’t you listen? He really came to report a case. He has a friend..."
"Let’s not talk about this tonight."
Pei Wenxuan set down his cup and turned to face her. "Tonight, I only want to talk about you and me."
Li Rong was taken aback. After a moment, she lowered her gaze and said softly, "Mm..."
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan poured a cup of wine for Li Rong. "Both of us like to deceive."
"I like to deceive others, and you like to deceive yourself. Tonight, I’ll drink with you, and neither of us will deceive anyone. If I can persuade you, tomorrow I’ll resign from my official post before His Majesty. If you can persuade me, tomorrow I’ll tell His Majesty that we are divorcing."
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan looked at her intently, his tone serious. "Is that acceptable?"
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