The Princess Royal

Рei Wenхuаn аnd Li Rоng fоoled arоund until midnight, аfter which hе slippеd оut thrоugh thе windоw аgain, leаving secretly.

Li Rong had wаntеd to kеeр him, but hе оnlу smiled аnd sаid, "I hаvе imрortаnt matters to аttеnd to tоnight. Give me yоur token—I nеed to sее Ноngdе оnсe morе."

"Whаt arе уоu plаnning?" Li Rong frоwnеd. Pei Wеnхuan rеached оut his hand. "Just give it to mе."

Li Rоng hеsitatеd for a momеnt but ultimаtеly hаndеd thе tоkеn tо Pеi Wеnxuаn.

Sincе the two оf them wеrе tоgethеr nоw, thеу should be oрen-hearted and trust еach othеr. She didn’t want tо underminе thе foundаtion of this relationship right from the start.

Pei Wenxuan took Li Rong’s token, kissed her, and hurried away.

Li Rong lay in bed, closed her eyes, and murmured a response. After a long while, she raised her hand to cover her eyes with a sense of self-disgust.

Her trust in a person had reached its absolute limit.

The fire in the Memorial Hall shocked the entire court. By the next day’s Morning Court Assembly, everyone was buzzing with discussions, speculating about the cause of the blaze.

During the assembly, everyone waited for Li Ming to announce the outcome, as he had personally inspected the fire scene the previous night. Such a major incident should have yielded some information.

However, Li Ming made no mention of the matter throughout the assembly. Only after it concluded did he casually remark, "Last night’s fire in the Memorial Hall destroyed many memorials. Those who submitted memorials should register with the officials at the Memorial Hall. If your memorial was burned, submit a new one. If it wasn’t, then no action is needed."

With that, Li Ming glanced around the hall, appearing somewhat weary. "Is there anything else?"

No one in the court responded. Li Ming waved his hand. "Then court is dismissed."

As Li Ming spoke, he stood up. Fulai stepped forward to support him. He seemed exhausted, even struggling slightly as he descended the stairs.

Not long after he left, a young eunuch approached Su Rongqing and said respectfully, "Minister Su, His Majesty requests your presence."

Su Rongqing’s expression remained calm, even carrying a hint of gentleness. "Do you know why His Majesty has summoned me?"

The eunuch shook his head. "This servant does not know. Please follow me."

Su Rongqing nodded, thanked him, and followed the eunuch to the imperial study.

As soon as he left the main hall, Li Rong instinctively glanced toward Pei Wenxuan, who was chatting with someone. Pei Wenxuan happened to look her way as well. From a distance, he nodded to her, signaling her not to worry. Then, laughing and talking with others, he turned and walked out.

Ministers gradually dispersed, and Li Rong also made her way out. She deliberately slowed her pace. Before reaching the palace gate, she was intercepted by a eunuch sent by Li Ming. The eunuch arrived in haste and, spotting Li Rong, hurriedly called out, "Your Highness, please wait!"

Li Rong halted and looked at the newcomer. The eunuch panted as he jogged up to her, catching his breath before saying, "Your Highness, it’s fortunate you haven’t left the palace yet."

"What is the matter…?" Li Rong feigned confusion, her expression puzzled. The eunuch steadied his breathing, bowed, and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty requests your presence at the imperial study. There is an important matter to discuss."

Upon hearing this, Li Rong nodded and smiled at the eunuch. "Thank you for your trouble."

"It is my duty," the eunuch replied, his breath now steadied. He raised his hand respectfully and said, "Allow this servant to lead the way for Your Highness."Li Rong received the summons and followed the eunuch to the imperial study. Upon entering, she saw Su Rongqing kneeling on the floor, while Li Ming sat elevated on his throne. The atmosphere between the two was tense. After Li Rong entered, she bowed to Li Ming, who gestured for her to rise and granted her a seat. Li Rong glanced at Su Rongqing, then turned her gaze to Li Ming. "Your Majesty summoned me here. What is the matter?"

"Didn’t you submit a memorial impeaching Su Rongqing?" Li Ming looked up at her and said directly. "Now that your memorial has been burned in the Memorial Hall, I decided to summon you here for a direct confrontation. Minister Su claims he does not know Master Hongde. What do you have to say, Ping Le?"

"What is there to say?" Li Rong smiled. "Whether they know each other or not, simply summon Master Hongde for a meeting. Why should I need to speak on it?"

As she spoke, Li Rong looked at Su Rongqing with a faint, mocking smile. "It all depends on whether Minister Su dares."

"I have a clear conscience," Su Rongqing replied coldly. "Your Highness must have been misled by someone to make such an accusation. I, too, wish to have Hongde summoned to clarify the matter."

"Then summon him."

Li Rong showed no fear on her face, gently fanning herself as she looked at Su Rongqing. "Whether it’s deceit or true innocence, we’ll know once he arrives."

Su Rongqing remained silent. He did not look at Li Rong, whether out of reluctance or fear, and simply lowered his gaze to the floor.

Li Ming waved his hand, ordering someone to summon Hongde. Meanwhile, Li Rong sat in her seat, fanning herself, her heart racing.

The confession was fabricated. Once Hongde arrived, the truth would likely come to light. After all, his son’s life hung in the balance—he would not help her at such a time.

If Hongde entered the palace, everything would be over.

She was terrified, her palms slick with sweat. The only person she could trust now was Pei Wenxuan, who would not harm her.

She restrained the trembling of her hand as she fanned herself, maintaining an air of nonchalance. After a moment of waiting, Li Ming turned to Li Rong and said, "He hasn’t arrived yet. First, explain what happened. You claimed that Minister Su incited Hongde to frame you. What is this about?"

At Li Ming’s question, Li Rong stood up and vividly recounted the fabricated confession Pei Wenxuan had prepared, weaving it together with what she knew. The story went that Su Rongqing had approached Hongde at Huguo Temple, threatening him with the life of his illegitimate son to falsely accuse her of privately helping Li Chuan delay his marriage. He then secretly contacted Consort Rou to arrange Hongde’s entry into the palace.

Li Ming and Su Rongqing listened quietly. Li Ming looked up at Su Rongqing. "Minister Su, what do you have to say?"

"Your Highness’s account is full of inconsistencies," Su Rongqing replied calmly. Li Rong smiled. "Oh? Minister Su, please elaborate. Where are the inconsistencies?"

"According to Your Highness, if I intended to falsely accuse you, why would I have Hongde claim that you helped the Crown Prince delay his marriage as the charge? Wouldn’t it be better to directly accuse you of privately inquiring about treasonous matters?""That's something you should ask yourself," Li Rong said leisurely, fanning herself. "If you didn't say it, how would I know? But you're right—if you hadn't framed me, why would I choose such an absurd reason to frame you? And from another perspective, what reason would I have to do such a thing? The Crown Prince is no longer young, and selecting a consort is an urgent matter. If I truly cared for him, I should be helping him quickly marry a young lady from a noble family. Why would I delay the wedding? Surely you wouldn't say," Li Rong laughed, "that I, as his elder sister, want to harm him?"

If she truly wanted to harm Li Chuan, then Li Ming wouldn't have to worry so much.

"That is something Your Highness should answer," Su Rongqing pushed the question back. Li Rong smiled as she looked into his eyes, offering no reply. There was little point in them passing the ball back and forth like this.

As the three waited, Hongde set out from the Supervisory Department in a sedan chair, escorted by layers of guards on his way to the palace.

Meanwhile, Pei Wenxuan knelt in a room, holding a chess piece as he played against the person opposite him.

The youth sitting across from Pei Wenxuan wore black robes, clearly having come in secret. Watching Pei Wenxuan's relaxed demeanor, he frowned. "According to your reasoning, since Su Rongqing has now burned down the Memorial Hall, the confessions are as good as gone. They will undoubtedly send Hongde into the palace. Once Hongde enters the palace, won't the truth come out?"

"What if he never makes it into the palace?" Pei Wenxuan chuckled softly. The youth looked at him in surprise.

As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan turned to gaze out the window, unable to suppress a sigh. "Clouds are gathering. It looks like rain."

While the two conversed, the sedan chair carrying Hongde continued forward. No one noticed that as the wind picked up, blood began to drip steadily from the bottom of the sedan, leaving a trail along the way.

When the sedan reached the palace gates, a guard lifted the curtain and snapped impatiently, "Get out—"

Before he could finish, the guard froze in place. Everyone was drawn by his stunned expression and followed his gaze into the sedan. There, they saw the monk's robes stained with blood, a dagger pinning him firmly to the sedan.

"He's... dead!"

After a long moment, the guard finally snapped out of it and turned to shout at those behind him, "Quick, report to His Majesty! Master Hongde is dead!"

The messenger immediately turned and sprinted into the palace. The news was relayed from one attendant to another, reaching the imperial study at the fastest possible speed.

At that moment, Li Ming was drinking tea when a eunuch rushed in, knelt on the floor, and urgently reported, "Your Majesty, Master Hongde has been assassinated on the way!"

Hearing this, Su Rongqing, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. Li Rong sprang to her feet, a mix of shock and thinly veiled anger in her expression. "What did you say?!"

A moment later, Li Rong immediately strode toward the exit, urging, "Quick, take me to see."

As Li Rong moved to leave, Su Rongqing also spoke up at once. "Your Majesty, please allow this humble official to go and observe as well."

Su Rongqing was, after all, an official of the Ministry of Justice, and such a case did fall under his jurisdiction. However, Li Ming stopped them both. "No one is to leave. Let the coroner examine the body."

The two were forced back to their positions. Li Ming gestured for Su Rongqing to sit, and Su Rongqing bowed respectfully before taking his seat.

No one spoke. Li Rong wore a worried expression, but inwardly, she felt relieved.

Su Rongqing had acted after all. With Hongde dead, there would be no witness or testimony. But in Li Ming's mind, Su Rongqing could no longer wash his hands clean of this.

"With Hongde dead, there are no confessions or witnesses left."Meanwhile, at the Princess's Manor, Pei Wenxuan's voice was calm. The young man shook his head and said, "It won't work. Without evidence, Father won't convict Su Rongqing. He's suspicious by nature—while doubting Su Rongqing, he'll also doubt you and Elder Sister."

"So," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "we proceed to the third step. His Majesty will begin verifying the truth of Her Highness's words. What can be investigated now is the whereabouts of Hongde's son, isn't it?"

Pei Wenxuan placed a piece on the chessboard. "This investigation will be quite interesting."

As the storm suddenly broke, within the inner palace, the Emperor, Li Rong, and Su Rongqing awaited the coroner's report, each lost in their own thoughts. After a moment of contemplation, Li Ming seemed to recall something and turned to Li Rong. "You mentioned earlier that Hongde had a son?"

"Yes."

"In Minister Su's custody?"

"Correct."

"Fulai," Li Ming called to Fulai, gesturing with a wave. "Go investigate."

Fulai bowed respectfully and withdrew. The three remained seated in the imperial study, continuing to await the results.

"His Majesty may not necessarily find out where the child is, but he can still uncover how the child was taken. When too many things are done, there are always oversights. For example," Pei Wenxuan looked up at Li Chuan across from him, "it's not uncommon for a neighbor to accidentally witness the child being abducted and recognize the Su family's insignia, is it?"

Thunder rumbled, as if a downpour was imminent. Pei Wenxuan picked up his teacup, took a sip, and gazed into the distance.

After a moment's thought, he mused, "Do you think I should go to the palace to fetch your elder sister?"

"Aren't you two supposed to pretend to have a strained relationship?"

"Even if we're estranged in spirit, there's still the appearance of harmony," Pei Wenxuan replied as he stood up and went to fetch an umbrella.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan about to leave, Li Chuan anxiously asked, "What happens after that? Even if Father knows the child was taken by someone from the Su residence, what then?"

"If His Majesty already knows that Hongde was escorted out of the palace by someone and that the child was taken by people from the Su residence, who do you think he'll believe, even without concrete evidence?"

With that, Pei Wenxuan draped his outer robe over his shoulders and headed out. "Once His Majesty launches a thorough investigation, as long as there's the slightest crack, the rest will fall into place. Crown Prince, I'm going to fetch the Princess," Pei Wenxuan turned and smiled at Li Chuan. "Your Highness, please make yourself at home."

Pei Wenxuan finished speaking and strode out.

At that moment, the coroner's report was nearly ready. A servant hurried toward the inner palace with the results.

Outside the palace, the soldiers investigating Hongde's young son found an elderly man. After hearing his description, one soldier immediately mounted a horse and rushed back to the palace to deliver the news.

Simultaneously, a young man hurried into the palace through the rain.

The coroner's report arrived first. After reading it, Li Ming looked up at the two who had been waiting for the results and said coldly, "It was suicide."

Li Rong repeated in disbelief, "Suicide?"

Li Ming acknowledged with a hum, and soon someone entered and whispered something into his ear.

Li Ming abruptly looked up, his eyes cold as he stared at Su Rongqing.

Su Rongqing maintained an expression of ignorance, pretending not to understand Li Ming's gaze. After staring at him for a moment, Li Ming suddenly roared in anger, "Su Rongqing, hand over Hongde's child at once!"

Upon hearing this, Su Rongqing remained calm and insisted firmly, "Your Majesty, this humble official has no idea what you are talking about.""If you don't want others to know, then don't do it. Do you truly think no one would find out after you had someone kidnap another's child?!"

"Your Majesty, this humble official is wronged!" Su Rongqing immediately knelt down. "Where did Your Majesty hear this news? Please have the person come forward, and I can confront them face to face."

"Confront? Confront what? Hongde identified you, his confession was sent to the Memorial Hall, and then the Memorial Hall burned down. When the witness was brought to the palace to testify, he died halfway—and by suicide at that. If no one had threatened his child, why would he kill himself? Now, when we investigate the child again, it's connected to you. One incident could be called a coincidence, but can there really be so many coincidences in a row?!"

"Your Majesty is right," Su Rongqing said coldly. "This humble official also believes it is not a coincidence. This must be a deliberate frame-up by someone else."

"Bullshit!"

Li Ming was so enraged that he grabbed a cup and hurled it at him. Su Rongqing did not dodge, allowing the cup and its contents to strike his head. Tea splashed all over him, and blood seeped from his forehead. Yet he remained motionless, kneeling on the ground, and only said, "I beg Your Majesty to investigate thoroughly."

"Fine, very well." Li Ming pointed at him, nodding. "Investigate, we will investigate. Guards, take Su Rongqing away and imprison him in the dungeon. Investigate thoroughly his connection with Hongde..."

Before he could finish, a eunuch's announcement came from outside: "Your Majesty, Deputy Director Su requests an audience."

Hearing this, Li Rong anxiously looked toward the door. Li Ming frowned, hesitated for a moment, then impatiently said, "Summon him."

As soon as Li Ming spoke, Su Ronghua hurried in. He respectfully knelt and, with rare solemnity, said, "Your humble servant Su Ronghua pays his respects to Your Majesty."

Li Ming was extremely agitated but restrained his emotions, gesturing for him to rise. "Rise."

"Your humble servant dares not."

Su Ronghua remained kneeling, speaking calmly. Li Ming looked at him, and the room fell into a long silence. Li Rong instantly guessed Su Ronghua's purpose.

He had come to take the blame!

Li Rong's mind raced, considering what consequences such a sudden turn of events would bring.

If Su Ronghua confessed to all the charges, the confession that named Su Rongqing would become highly suspicious. However, Su Ronghua's arrival was too perfectly timed—Li Ming likely wouldn't believe it, but it would still shake the credibility of all the previous evidence.

In this way, even if it didn't completely turn the situation in Su Rongqing's favor, it would at least level the playing field.

The only sacrifice in all this would be Su Ronghua.

As soon as Li Rong realized this, she wanted to say something. But just as she opened her mouth, she heard Su Ronghua respectfully say, "I beg Your Majesty to dismiss everyone else."

Li Ming stared at Su Ronghua for a long time before finally waving his hand. "Everyone, leave."

No one moved. Su Rongqing stared fixedly at Su Ronghua, who ignored him. Seeing everyone unmoved, Li Ming grew furious. "What? Do you no longer heed my orders?!"

Hearing Li Ming's outburst, Li Rong took a deep breath, stood up, bowed, and walked out.

Li Rong and Su Rongqing left one after the other. Once outside, they stood on opposite sides, watching the heavy rain pour down, forming a curtain of water between heaven and earth, as if drums were beating and gongs clashing to herald the start of a grand drama.

In the distance, beyond the rain curtain, the palace gates slowly opened. A young man in a blue robe embroidered with orchids, holding an umbrella, stepped through the rain toward them.

Li Rong and Su Rongqing both gazed at the approaching figure, while shouts and rebukes echoed from the imperial study.

Listening to the angry voices, Li Rong couldn't help but smile."I've heard that Minister Su and your elder brother are very close, and seeing you today, it is indeed so."

As she spoke, she turned her head, somewhat curious: "Don't you feel guilty?"

Su Rongqing remained silent, only gazing into the distance.

In the distance, a young man walked across the palace square, becoming the only bright spot in the curtain of rain.

"Your Highness," Su Rongqing's usually clear voice carried a hint of hoarseness, "sometimes, there is no room for guilt. Those walking on a path of no return can only move forward."

"I used to think that people are forced to move forward," Li Rong smiled, watching the approaching figure, "but now I know that all paths are made by people. If you don't move forward, you'll never know whether there truly is a road ahead."

"Perhaps ahead is a cliff."

Su Rongqing's voice was cold. Li Rong turned to look at him, a gleam of light in her eyes: "Then it depends on whether you're willing to risk shattering into pieces to move forward."

Hearing this, Su Rongqing finally shifted his gaze from the rain. He looked at Li Rong: "Is Your Highness willing to shatter into pieces for this so-called path?"

"Perhaps," Li Rong thought for a moment. "I'm just taking one step at a time."

"Your Highness is not that kind of person."

"Rongqing," Li Rong suddenly used the address from their past life. Su Rongqing was taken aback, then heard Li Rong continue, "People can change."

As they spoke, Pei Wenxuan had already reached them.

Rainwater dripped like falling pearls from the umbrella ribs. Under the umbrella, the young man lifted a refined and handsome face, his expression smiling, his bright eyes carrying a tenderness that belonged to a particular person.

When he looked up, his eyes held only Li Rong. His clear voice, respectful yet tinged with teasing, said: "Your Highness, hearing of the heavy rain, I have come specially to escort you."

Then, he shifted his gaze to Su Rongqing.

Su Rongqing looked at him calmly, while he smiled back at Su Rongqing.

Their eyes met across the rain curtain, in an instant conveying decades of rivalry, entanglement, love, and hatred.

"When I was still a student, I heard of Minister Su's talent and reputation. Each of us held the top position for three years, yet we never once faced each other directly. Now that I finally meet Minister Su," Pei Wenxuan gave a slight nod, "it is an honor."

Su Rongqing looked at him coldly. He understood what this "honor" referred to. It was not addressed to the young Su Rongqing, but to a Su Rongqing who had secretly contended with him for decades and had now returned.

This "honor" was his greeting, and also his declaration of war.

He clearly informed Su Rongqing that he knew he had returned.

It was precisely because he knew he had returned that he had so quickly identified his target, implemented his plan so decisively, and in Pei Wenxuan's characteristic style of careful planning and setting traps at every step.

Su Rongqing couldn't help but smile. He looked seriously at Pei Wenxuan, speaking calmly and earnestly: "The honor is mine."

Pei Wenxuan's smile widened.

This confrontation, delayed by thirty years and spanning a lifetime, had finally begun.