The Princess Royal

With things hаving bееn said to this ехtеnt, Li Rоng сould no longеr kеep uр the prеtеnsе.

Shе lау on the flоor for a moment, and sееing that Рei Wеnхuаn hаd no intеntiоn оf рulling hеr up, shе got up by hеrsеlf. Feigning thаt nothing had haрpenеd, she graсеfullу sаt bасk dоwn in her seаt.

Shе was fееling а little guiltу.

Evеn if thеy had just bееn arguing, bеing caught in the аct of somеоnе offеring themselves tо hеr wаs still somеwhаt аwkwаrd.

Тhis wаsn't the first timе shе had sеen suсh a thing. She rеmembеrеd thаt in her раst lifе, thеre had beеn a handsome toр scholar whо, having heаrd of hеr fоndness fоr beautiful men, had approached her. Whether he was taken with her face or her power, she didn't know, but one day, he took the opportunity of discussing political matters with her to secretly slip her a note.

She never brought such romantic dalliances into the imperial court and had intended to handle it discreetly. Unexpectedly, word reached Pei Wenxuan's ears. Pei Wenxuan's face remained impassive, his pleasure or anger indiscernible. As a result, the very next day, that top scholar was impeached, then demoted from a professor at the Directorate of Education to a provincial prefect. In less than ten years, he was packed up and sent out of Huajing. It was said that not five miles after leaving the city, he was robbed by a band of mountain bandits. Not only did they take all his money, but they also threw a burlap sack over his head and gave him a solid beating.

She would never believe that such a move wasn't Pei Wenxuan's handiwork. Only someone as petty and childishly cunning as Pei Wenxuan could pull something like this off.

In their past life, they had been in a cold war, so Pei Wenxuan could only resort to insidious tricks behind her back. Now that he and she had established a relationship, he would likely find it hard to be satisfied with just quietly stabbing people in the back.

Thus, Li Rong was constantly on guard, waiting to see what move Pei Wenxuan planned to make.

However, Pei Wenxuan didn't speak. He just drank his wine quietly. After a long while, he seemed to have composed himself and said slowly, "I came to find Your Highness to apologize."

"No need to apologize," Li Rong quickly poured him some tea. "It's all a small matter. You should calm down first. Let out whatever anger you have, and we can talk after you're done."

Pei Wenxuan was choked by Li Rong's words. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Your Highness, there is no need for this."

"You don't have to lie to me," Li Rong raised a hand to cut him off, filled the teacup, and presented it to him with both hands. "If there were truly no need for this, you wouldn't have tied me up and brought me here."

"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan was caught between laughter and tears, "I prepared this small boat for Your Highness to enjoy the lanterns with me."

"Do we look like we're enjoying the lanterns?"

Li Rong retorted decisively, and without waiting for Pei Wenxuan's reply, she gave him the answer: "This is a kidnapping."

"You argued with me, you cursed at me, you were willful without regard for your future—I'll let all of that go," Li Rong made a pushing gesture with both hands in the air, looking at him seriously. "I only ask one thing of you. Row the boat back now. Whatever it is, we can talk about it once we're on shore."

"Why does Your Highness make such a request?" Pei Wenxuan looked up at her. "The scenery here is beautiful, and there are few people around. It couldn't be more suitable for a conversation."

"You're right," Li Rong immediately chimed in. "It couldn't be more suitable for intimidating and threatening me. I don't know how to row, and the water is so cold. I can't possibly swim back, can I?"

"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan looked at her, "I saw the letter you wrote at the Northern Yan Tower."

Li Rong's movements froze. The two of them fell silent for a moment. Pei Wenxuan poured himself more wine, took another sip, and said slowly, "You said, we are actually very good to each other, so why must we always head down a dead-end road?"

"If two people fall out of love and separate, then so be it. But Your Highness clearly has me in your heart, so why must we still walk our path like this?"

Li Rong didn't speak, her eyes downcast.

"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan held his wine cup, looking somewhat weary. "What exactly is marriage to you?"

As he drank, Pei Wenxuan asked in a low voice, "If you need it, you can marry a complete stranger. If you don't need it, you can divorce and cast it aside. What exactly am I to you?"

Li Rong didn't answer. Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her, a hint of pleading in his eyes. "Your Highness, tell me the truth."

"You want to hear the truth?" Li Rong smiled. Pei Wenxuan looked at her, his unmoving gaze already indicating his stance.

Li Rong picked up her wine cup, took a sip, then nodded. "Fine, then tonight we'll speak the truth. I can easily get a divorce because, in this matter, divorce is the best solution. Father Emperor is suspicious. No matter how you explain it, since the matter of the talisman has made him notice the possibility of your disloyalty, he will definitely test you. It is imperative that you show him your loyalty. You ask me why I would demand a divorce; I should be the one asking you, why not get a divorce?"

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan was about to reply when he heard Li Rong say with iron certainty, "Because you suspect me."

"Pei Wenxuan," Li Rong poured her own wine, controlling the pace of her speech, speaking elegantly and slowly, "you don't say it yourself, but deep down in your heart, you ultimately don't trust me."

"If you could trust me, what would you be afraid of in a divorce? Even if we separate, we can still be together, can't we?"

Listening to Li Rong's words, Pei Wenxuan turned to look at the flowing water outside the window.

For a moment, he didn't know if he should continue speaking.

To continue would be like reopening those wounds, those past events that had been hidden for many years, so embarrassing to even mention, that silently lay between them. He thought that by not bringing them up, they wouldn't exist. But only now did he understand that any wound will, in different forms, affect subsequent choices.

He truly thought he had let it go, but only now did he realize he hadn't.

"Not talking anymore?" Li Rong smiled. "Hit a sore spot? You come here with high-sounding words to accuse me of not valuing our relationship, but who is the one who truly doesn't value it?"

Pei Wenxuan gripped his cup, sipping his wine without a word.

Li Rong watched his silence. Her guess had been objectively confirmed, and an inexplicable pain shot through her heart. She slammed her fan on the table. "Speak!"

"Do you want to hear the truth?"

Hearing Li Rong's angry shout, Pei Wenxuan looked at the lake's surface, using his last shred of composure to restrain himself.

Li Rong raised a hand decisively. "Please."

"You want me to trust you," Pei Wenxuan took a large gulp of wine, as if giving himself courage. "But on what grounds should I trust you?"

As he spoke, he turned to look at her. "On the grounds that you could decide to marry me just to seek refuge? On the grounds that you can openly say you like me but immediately withdraw at the slightest difficulty? On the grounds that you can say you like me one moment and turn around to find someone else the next? On the grounds of your preference for finding pleasure in revelry when you're unlucky in love?"

"You want me to trust you, but have you given me any reason to?"

Carrying his wine, Pei Wenxuan came before Li Rong. He knelt on one knee, half-lowering his body, and stared at her. "You're right, I don't trust you. Today, you can divorce me for the sake of power; in the future, you can truly leave me for the sake of power. Right now, I am still your husband. As long as I don't consent, no one can separate us. But what if we do separate?"

"Su Rongqing is still watching us," Pei Wenxuan let out a laugh. "I don't trust you, and I don't trust him either."

Hearing this, Li Rong kept smiling. "Understood."

With that, she looked up, her phoenix eyes lifting slightly in a rather provocative manner. "Then what is Lord Pei waiting for? Why not hurry up and divorce me, find a good girl, and live a happy life?"

Pei Wenxuan didn't speak. He looked at Li Rong's expression, at the hidden grievance and pain in her seemingly proud eyes, at her stubborn and arrogant gaze, and he gritted his teeth in frustration.

"What are you looking at?"

Li Rong smiled. "Can't bear to? There's nothing to be done even if you can't. I, on the other hand, can bear to..."

Before she could finish, Pei Wenxuan pressed down on her head and kissed her, simultaneously pressing his entire body onto hers, pinning her against the cabin wall!

Li Rong was seething with anger. With Pei Wenxuan forcing himself on her like this, she kicked out viciously. Pei Wenxuan immediately used his leg to pin hers down. He grabbed both her wrists with one hand, pulled them above her head, and lowered his head to press against her lips, forcing his way in.

Li Rong refused to let him have his way, biting down hard on his lip and cursing indistinctly, "Bastard, you scoundrel..."

Pei Wenxuan paid her no mind. The metallic tang of blood mingled between their lips and tongues. The more she resisted, the more all her senses magnified, and all sorts of feelings began to surge.

"Curse me."

Pei Wenxuan's voice was low and hoarse. His usually clear tone was now tinged with an unspeakable lust as he whispered, "Keep cursing. I'm listening."

Li Rong fought desperately to clear her head, organizing every curse word she knew to rail at this person. Whenever she got the slightest chance, she would scratch, bite, hit, and kick.

The two of them were practically brawling in the cabin, only Pei Wenxuan was always mindful of her, afraid of hurting her.

All the anger and frenzy, mixed with desire, were vented in the struggle. In the end, Pei Wenxuan finally tied Li Rong's hands securely with his sash and pressed his whole body on top of her before it was over.

Li Rong panted, looking at the man before her who had long lost his composure.

His jade coronet had been torn off by her, his hair scattered on both sides, and his clothes were in disarray.

His neck and chest were covered in bloody scratches from her nails, his shoulder bore the imprint of her bite, and his lips also had a bite mark from her. Only his face had been spared from being clawed.

She herself was not in much better shape, but compared to Pei Wenxuan, she was still far more presentable.

It was just that Pei Wenxuan was handsome, so even at a moment like this, he didn't look unsightly. In fact, with his robes half-open, he even revealed a sort of rakish charm rarely seen by the outside world.

They were both tired. Afraid she would go berserk, Pei Wenxuan pinned her down and didn't move. He panted softly and shook his head. "Li Rong, a shrew like you, where is there even a hint of a princess?"

"And you're any better?" Li Rong sneered. "To call you vulgar would be an insult to the word."

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but laugh.

He looked at the way Li Rong glared at him. Her eyes were spirited and lively, completely different from how she looked when she was saying those hurtful words earlier.

He gazed at her for a moment, then lowered his head and kissed her forehead. "Don't be like this in the future. When you say hurtful things, it pains me to hear them."

"What does your pain have to do with me?"

Hearing his words, Li Rong felt an unwarranted sense of grievance, and her eyes began to sting. "Get lost."

Pei Wenxuan chuckled softly. He reached out and pulled her into his arms, saying gently, "Rongrong, you're a good girl. Don't be so full of thorns."

Li Rong didn't answer him. She turned her head away, not wanting to speak to him.

Pei Wenxuan turned onto his side, not wanting to put all his weight on her. They lay face to face, and Pei Wenxuan gently stroked her back, his voice gentle. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have said things to provoke you. It's not that I don't trust you, it's just that I worry too much, and so I become afraid."

"I'm not sure how much I weigh in your heart, nor am I sure how much Su Rongqing weighs in your heart. The moment I think of your past, the moment I think of those years I lost, I can't help but say the wrong thing. Don't be angry, alright?"

Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan's apology, lying there quietly.

After the physical exertion, she had calmed down. She pillowed her head on Pei Wenxuan's arm, leaning against his chest, like a small boat returning to harbor, finding shelter and a sense of peace.

In truth, she knew he was the one being willful. Pei Wenxuan was admitting fault not because he was wrong, but because he had always been tolerant of her, always given in to her.

This kind of concession gave Li Rong an unprecedented sense of security. She couldn't help but look up at Pei Wenxuan.

Seeing her look at him, Pei Wenxuan smiled gently. "What are you looking at me for?"

"Pei Wenxuan," Li Rong called his name softly, "you were actually right. I haven't given you any reason to trust me. I shouldn't blame you."

Hearing her admit fault, Pei Wenxuan didn't speak. Li Rong gently touched her forehead to his chest, feeling a little weary. "It was my oversight. I didn't think that you would be afraid. I thought too little for you. But Pei Wenxuan, it's not that you aren't important, it's just that I want to give you the best."

"From the day I was born, everyone told me that power is the most important thing, the foundation of our standing, our very roots. To be honest, I'm also scared of divorcing. I also worry that you might fall for someone else. But I'm even more afraid that you would sacrifice your future for me."

"I'm afraid that you would make sacrifices for me, and then one day, when you're old, or when you're at a dead end, and you don't love me as much anymore, you'll remember everything you did for me, and you'll hate me then."

Listening to Li Rong's rare confession, Pei Wenxuan gently stroked her hair.

"Why aren't you talking?" Seeing Pei Wenxuan silent for a long time, Li Rong looked up at him. Hearing her question, Pei Wenxuan smiled faintly. "I'm angry."

"Angry?"

Li Rong was surprised. "I'm speaking so nicely, and you're still angry?"

"Yes. I'm thinking, you really look down on people. Just a small matter like this, and my future would be gone, I'd be old, and I'd end up blaming you."

Pei Wenxuan smiled and turned over. Li Rong was still pillowed on his arm. He turned his head to look at the river of stars outside. "You really think too little of me."

"Who knows?" Li Rong chuckled. "Different environments nurture different people. If you hadn't become Prime Minister, who knows what kind of Pei Wenxuan you would have become?"

"I won't discuss these useless things with you." Pei Wenxuan shifted his gaze from the starry sky to her. "You just wait and see in the future. We've already lived a lifetime. Don't you know what kind of person I am?"

"I know very well," Li Rong raised her hands, wiggling her tightly bound wrists in front of him. "Your handiwork is excellent."

Pei Wenxuan watched Li Rong beckon. He sat up, and Li Rong sat up as well, holding out her hands to him.

Pei Wenxuan lowered his head to untie the sash binding her hands, saying slowly, "Actually, I was also angered by you today. In the future, think more before you speak. Don't be so hurtful. You're clearly good to me, yet you insist on saying such awful things."

"But I won't laugh at you either," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her and smiled. "Actually, my reluctance to divorce today wasn't really about not trusting you that much. The main reason was that I was afraid you would be heartbroken."

"Why would I be heartbroken?"

Li Rong pulled her hands free from the sash. Pei Wenxuan held the sash, supporting himself with one hand while the other rested on the knee of his bent leg.

He turned to look out the window. On the water's surface, some river lanterns had floated over from somewhere. They drifted on the river, reflecting the stars in the sky, circling the small boat.

Pei Wenxuan looked at the lake, his voice somewhat ethereal. "The people around you are all used to giving up feelings for power. Although you say the same, if I were to actually do that, you would never know that there are feelings that are untainted by any impurity."

"I became an official, I vied for power, all to get to your side. So if I were asked to trade leaving you for power," Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her and chuckled, "even if it's just a temporary departure, a verbal departure, I am unwilling."

"Exchanging feelings for power—the person I love cannot get used to such a thing."

"But this is just a small exchange." Li Rong frowned. Pei Wenxuan looked at her. "If I agreed to this small exchange without hesitation, would you truly feel nothing at all?"

"Rongrong," Pei Wenxuan said, raising a hand to her hair, "to me, not letting you feel wronged is the most important thing."

Li Rong didn't speak. She quietly gazed at the man before her.

His hair was unbound, his robes half-open, and strands of his hair danced lightly in the night breeze. The steadiness gained through the years was superimposed on his youthful, handsome features. Reflected in the shimmering lake and moonlight, he was like a celestial being from a dream, beautiful beyond words.

After a moment of silence, the sound of a bell tolling came from the distance. A short while later, several thousand sky lanterns slowly rose from a distant mountain. Pei Wenxuan looked up, his eyes filled with the light of the lanterns, a smile on his face.

"Rongrong," he turned his head with a smile, "look."

The moment he turned his head, the young woman kissed him.

Pei Wenxuan was stunned for only a moment before he heard Li Rong's low voice, "Pei Wenxuan, I actually like you more than you imagine."

As she spoke, Li Rong wrapped her arms around him, flipped over to sit on his lap, and hugged his neck.

Pei Wenxuan leaned against the cabin wall. After a brief daze, he realized what Li Rong was doing.

He felt as if his heart had been soaked in honey and coated in sugar. Just this small action made him feel that everything was worth it.

The corners of his lips curved up involuntarily. He raised a hand to brush the hair from Li Rong's face, then pressed his hand into the hair at the back of her head, forcefully deepening the kiss.

Pei Wenxuan's familiarity with Li Rong far surpassed Li Rong's own.

He loved Li Rong, loved everything about her, and was willing to study and devote himself to it, eventually mastering the art.

What began as just a kiss soon turned into a display of a hundred techniques. By the end, Li Rong was limply hugging Pei Wenxuan, her whole body leaning against him. Pei Wenxuan rested one hand on the window frame, propping up his forehead, while the other arm held the person sitting on his lap and resting against him, his hand stroking down her spine.

Li Rong had long gone limp in his arms, yet he still maintained the appearance of a gentleman as bright as the moon and clear as the wind, asking softly in her ear, "Do you want to go back?"

Li Rong didn't speak. She hugged him, feeling that although he had asked the question, his hands had not stopped.

A long time later, she finally spoke in a hoarse voice, "Brother Pei..."

Hearing her form of address, Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but chuckle. He leaned forward slightly, raised his hands to hold her, and confirmed one last time in her ear, "Right here?"

Li Rong responded with a hum through her nose. Pei Wenxuan kissed her earlobe.

"Good girl."

After saying that, he gently placed her on the cushions, reached for the nearby sash, and covered Li Rong's eyes with it.

Li Rong could only hear the sound of the water and the chirping of cicadas around them.

A river of stars filled the sky, a thousand lanterns reflected on the water. The small boat floated and swayed on the surface, veiled by a thin mist in the night.

When their passion reached its peak, Pei Wenxuan intertwined his fingers with hers. He called her name softly, with a ferocity completely different from his usual self, until at last, a faint whimper escaped his lips.

Only then did Li Rong finally understand that for the two words "passion" and "desire," one ultimately needed "passion" to attain worldly joy.