As shе sроkе thеse words, Pеi Wеnxuan сould no lоngеr rеstrаin himsеlf. Нe hurriedlу picked her up, and thеу tumbled tоgethеr bу thе bеdside.
Li Rоng соuldn't hеlр but giggle, аsking, "What are уоu afrаid of?"
Pei Wеnxuan didn't аnswer. Hе rеstеd his hеаd оn hеr shoulder fоr а momеnt bеfоre sрeаking hоarselу, "Wаit until I marrу you prоperly."
"Аfrаid I might gеt prеgnant?"
Li Rong prоррed hеr fасе with hеr hаnd, smiling as shе lоokеd at him. Рei Wenхuan gаvе hеr a hеlрlеss glаnce, not wаnting to discuss this further. He сlosed his eуes and sаid, "You'rе just tаking advаntage of my caution."
"I know," Li Rong raised her hand, tracing her fingertips across his chest, "You have your limits."
"Don't tease me," Pei Wenxuan felt her fingertips brush against his skin and couldn't help reacting again. He reached out and grasped her hand, his voice still hoarse, "We don't have that much time."
"Alright, let's talk business," Li Rong knew he was right and immediately changed the subject. "Since you've been jealous for so long, you must know I've met Cui Yulang."
"I know," Pei Wenxuan said decisively, "I'm aware of everything you discussed with him."
"What are your plans regarding this matter?" Li Rong didn't want to waste time asking how Pei Wenxuan knew. She only wanted to know, "Wang Houwen suddenly inserting himself to become the Chief Examiner for the imperial examinations must be due to Su Rongqing's instigation. This year's Dragon and Tiger List is crucial for your future, and Su Rongqing is targeting exactly that. We need to act quickly and settle things before Wang Houwen actually takes charge of the examinations."
"Hmm."
"Wang Houwen is a greedy old turtle," Li Rong sat up slowly, analyzing the situation leisurely. "Su Rongqing must have told him there's profit to be made from the examinations, which is why he's stepping in. Cui Yulang's friend had his spot taken, so if we have him file a complaint now, and I announce a strict investigation into the examination affairs, Wang Houwen will likely back out once he sees there's no money to be made. Without profit, overseeing the examinations becomes a thankless task, and it will probably be pushed onto you, the newcomer at the Ministry of Personnel."
Li Rong laughed and turned to look at him, "What do you think?"
"Does Your Highness truly intend to investigate this matter?"
Pei Wenxuan rolled onto his back, resting his hands behind his head as he stared at the canopy above the bed.
Li Rong thought for a moment before replying slowly, "I've been considering that as well."
"Oh?"
"The noble families' tolerance toward me is likely at its limit. If I investigate the examination case again..."
Li Rong furrowed her brows, "It's not impossible, but..."
"Take a step back."
Pei Wenxuan spoke decisively. Li Rong looked up at him, and sensing her gaze, Pei Wenxuan turned to meet her eyes, his expression calm. "Your Highness, you've already secured control of the Supervisory Department. Letting go for a while won't hurt."
"But the examination matter..."
Li Rong hesitated, "Someone still needs to investigate it."
"Your Highness wants to send Cui Yulang to Consort Rou's side."
Pei Wenxuan stated this as a fact. Li Rong nodded, and Pei Wenxuan simply said, "Why not use something you no longer need as a gift to recommend him to Consort Rou?"
Li Rong remained silent. Pei Wenxuan sat up, kissed her gently, and said softly, "You don't need to worry about me. I have my own methods. Go back and think it over carefully."
"With Su Rongqing around, we can't be too aggressive."
Li Rong fell silent. After a long while, she responded, "Hmm."
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "Rest for a while. I have to go."Since Pei Wenxuan had spoken up, Li Rong wouldn’t be so tactless as to continue the conversation. She leaned against his chest.
“It’s inconvenient today,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice carried a hint of apology. “I won’t be able to help you clean up. Bear with it and wash yourself when you get back, alright?”
“It’s not like I’m disabled and need you to attend to everything,” Li Rong said lazily, her eyes closed as she listened to his heartbeat. “Stop worrying about trivial matters.”
Hearing her words, Pei Wenxuan chuckled softly. “You’re so stubborn even when showing concern.”
Li Rong couldn’t be bothered to respond. She simply listened to his heartbeat—steady and deep.
Every time she listened to his heartbeat and felt his warmth, she experienced an indescribable sense of calm. This tranquility made her feel exceptionally peaceful, and she soon drifted off to sleep.
Noticing she had fallen asleep, Pei Wenxuan looked down at her. He couldn’t bear to sleep himself. Once they parted this time, meeting again would be difficult.
He had originally thought that the divorce was merely a temporary measure, and there was no need for reluctance as long as their hearts were aligned.
But now, with her truly and soundly asleep in his arms, he realized that when two people are in love, separation is nothing short of torment.
Pei Wenxuan stayed with her for a long time. When the time was almost up, he finally got up.
Seeing Li Rong sleeping soundly, he didn’t disturb her. As he had often done in the Princess’s Manor, he bent down and kissed her forehead before quietly leaving. Once outside, he instructed someone to guard the door and wake him before dawn.
Not long after Pei Wenxuan left, Li Rong’s people climbed in through the window. At the sound, Li Rong opened her eyes and saw the female guard who had brought her standing nearby, whispering, “Your Highness, it’s time to return.”
Li Rong lay on the bed, the scent of Pei Wenxuan still lingering at the tip of her nose. If not for the discomfort lingering on her body, she might have thought everything was just a fleeting dream.
She lay on the bed for a while longer before finally getting up. Enduring the stickiness on her body, she took the clothes from the female guard, changed, and hurried back.
Upon returning to the Princess’s Manor, Li Rong quickly washed in the bath before lying down alone.
Once alone in bed, she began to ponder Pei Wenxuan’s words.
In truth, Pei Wenxuan was right. The Supervisory Department was now firmly in her hands—the sharpest blade that had once belonged to Consort Rou in her previous life had changed owners. Continuing down this path would indeed be dangerous.
Li Ming’s plan was to make her completely break with the noble families, leaving both sides weakened. When neither side could gain an advantage, he would reclaim the Supervisory Department.
But Li Rong couldn’t give him that opportunity. She had to gauge the situation carefully. If the Supervisory Department pushed further, it would truly sever ties with the noble families. After all, Great Xia was still a nation of noble families. If they truly turned against her, even Li Chuan wouldn’t be able to protect her.
The Shangguan family could tolerate her aggressive tactics because they couldn’t replace Li Chuan.
But others might not.
The military provisions case, which resulted in Xie Lanqing’s exile, had already put the court officials on alert. If she were to pursue the imperial examination case, it would inevitably implicate some high-ranking officials. By then, if everyone united against her, and Li Ming likely harbored suspicions about her, the two forces combined could gradually erode her control over the Supervisory Department.
For now, it was indeed best for her to take a step back.
Not only did she need to step back, but she also had to let the court officials see the consequences of her retreat.As long as the entire court realized that the Supervisory Department was indispensable and that having Li Rong serve as its head was the best outcome, their goal would be achieved.
This was why she could not retreat in vain. Since she intended to send Cui Yulang to Consort Rou’s side, the Supervisory Department would likely be the best gift for Consort Rou.
After careful consideration, Li Rong finally settled on her plan.
She closed her eyes without saying another word and slept soundly until dawn. As usual, she attended the Morning Court Assembly.
While still on her way, she faintly heard voices outside. The sky was still dark, and hearing so many sounds, Li Rong curiously lifted the carriage curtain and asked, "Why are there so many people today?"
"It’s not just today," the coachman chuckled. "With the imperial examinations approaching, many people have come to the capital. The inns are full, and some scholars are even sleeping on the floor."
"Is that so?" Li Rong frowned, somewhat incredulous.
Those who could participate in the imperial examinations usually came from families with some wealth, so it was unlikely they would have to sleep on the floor.
But what she knew might not be the whole truth, and unexpected circumstances were always possible.
Lost in thought, Li Rong entered the palace. After the Morning Court Assembly, she ordered an investigation into the origins of these scholars and instructed Cui Yulang to write a memorial criticizing Li Chuan.
Upon receiving the letter, Cui Yulang was puzzled. Criticizing the Crown Prince—wasn’t that risking his life?
But since Li Rong had given the order, he had to carry it out, even if it meant risking everything.
Thus, he spent the entire night desperately searching for faults in Li Chuan’s conduct.
But Li Chuan was too clean—so clean that even those around him could find no major flaws.
After much struggle, Cui Yulang managed to dig up a few old grievances to criticize.
For instance, minor irregularities during rituals, or the fact that he remained unmarried at his age, and so on.
In the end, out of desperation, he even linked natural disasters to the Crown Prince’s lack of virtue, crafting a memorial that read more like a fictional tale, largely fabricated.
The next day, after hearing the court affairs, Li Ming prepared to adjourn the assembly as the time seemed appropriate.
Just then, Cui Yulang suddenly stepped forward and declared loudly, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present!"
At these words, everyone turned to look. Li Ming frowned. "What do you wish to present?"
Facing so many gazes, Cui Yulang showed no trace of fear. He knelt respectfully and said, "The person I wish to report is the Crown Prince!"
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