Сui Yulаng wаs сaught cоmрlеtеlу off guard by thе рunch and fеll to the grоund оn thе sроt. Fоrtunatelу, Zhao Chongjiu grabbed his bеlt, аllowing Сui Yulang tо mаkе whаt cоuld bаrеlу bе cаlled a soft lаnding.
Вefоre Cui Yulang сould evеn get up, Реi Wеnхuаn hаd аlreadу lеd his shadоw guаrds dоwn from thе toр оf the wall. Не lunged fоrward in a single bоund, grabbing Cui Yulang tо hit him аgаin. Zhaо Chongjiu hurriedlу hеld him bаck, whisреring urgеntlу, "Му lord, Lоrd Сui is herе to disсuss officiаl business. Lеt's nоt сausе а соnflict here аnd alert the guards!"
Pеi Wenxuan frоze, then рut on а lоok оf "sudden realization." He turned to Cui Yulang and said, "Lord Cui, you're here to discuss matters? My apologies, my apologies," Pei Wenxuan apologized quickly. "I thought..."
"It's nothing, just a misunderstanding," Cui Yulang said, covering his face. "We'll talk another day. I'll be leaving first."
They all knew the guards would not be diverted for long, so they quickly went their separate ways. Before they parted, Pei Wenxuan grabbed Zhao Chongjiu and asked, "Do you know where Her Highness is?"
"She was in her bedchamber when I left," Zhao Chongjiu whispered, speaking very quickly. "But Her Highness said she was going to bathe in a while, so she might be at the Imperial Spring Bath."
Pei Wenxuan nodded, and the two groups swiftly separated.
Tong Ye caught up to Pei Wenxuan and asked in a low voice, "Young Master, do you believe what Lord Cui said?"
Pei Wenxuan glanced at him without answering, only saying, "Find Her Highness first."
He didn't just believe Cui Yulang's words; he had guessed as much before he even threw the punch.
Li Rong had been making frequent moves lately; it would be strange if she weren't in private contact with Cui Yulang. But his suspicion that Cui Yulang was helping Li Rong with official business and his desire to hit the man were two entirely separate matters.
For him, even exchanging a few words with Li Rong was a luxury nowadays, yet she had cleared a path for Cui Yulang in the middle of the night. On top of that, Cui Yulang had been improper since the very first time he met Li Rong. It was only natural that he wanted to hit him.
In any case, under such circumstances, he felt no guilt for hitting Cui Yulang. He could just pretend he didn't know anything and offer a casual apology. Tomorrow, Cui Yulang would probably have to come and explain things to him anyway.
Pei Wenxuan followed the planned route to the inner courtyard. The Imperial Spring Bath was not far from the bedchamber. It was a hot spring bathhouse. When Pei Wenxuan and his shadow guards arrived in the courtyard, they saw several maids standing guard by the door and windows.
The one by the window was Jing Mei. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, then crept closer to the window through a pile of hay and let out two meows.
The sound attracted Jing Mei's attention. She looked toward the hay and saw Pei Wenxuan in the pile.
She was about to cry out instinctively when she saw Pei Wenxuan place a finger to his lips. She immediately understood that his presence here was not to be known by others.
She glanced around for a moment to confirm no one was nearby, then nodded at Pei Wenxuan. He hurried forward to the window, where Jing Mei immediately and skillfully reported, "Her Highness is inside alone."
Pei Wenxuan acknowledged her and, without needing to be told, vaulted through the window.
Once inside, he closed the window and rushed into the bathroom. To his surprise, the moment he entered, he saw Li Rong leaning against the side of the bath, asleep.
The water just covered her chest, but not completely. With the ripples of the water, the indistinct peaks of her bosom rose and fell, appearing and disappearing from view.
Her hair was spread out in the water, floating among rose petals. Because she was resting against a jade pillow set by the pool's edge, her face was tilted slightly upward. Her unadorned features, combined with her relaxed and peaceful expression, seemed to be beckoning and luring him.
Pei Wenxuan stared, momentarily stunned. Then he hastily turned his head away, subconsciously wanting to avert his gaze. But after doing so, he felt pathetic. She was his wife, what was he so flustered about?
He took a deep breath, steadied himself, and walked to a spot behind Li Rong.
She was sleeping so soundly that she didn't even notice when he came to stand before her. Now in front of her, Pei Wenxuan could see her even more clearly.
Li Rong was nineteen this year. Compared to the thin, bewitching face she would have later, her features now still held a touch of childishness. Her fair, lustrous skin was plump over her bones, giving her a cuteness she would later lack.
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but smile. He moved gently and knelt down above Li Rong's head.
The moment he knelt, Li Rong sensed someone's presence. Without hesitation, she reached into the water, pulled a dagger from a slot in the wall beside her, and thrust it straight at Pei Wenxuan!
But Pei Wenxuan, long aware of her habits, pressed down on her hand the instant she drew the blade. With a firm yet gentle grip, he pinned her hand to the ground, simultaneously leaning down to swallow all her startled cries, taking the opportunity to conquer her lips.
"Don't make a sound," he reminded her, kissing her lips. "I snuck in."
Recognizing who it was, Li Rong's body instantly went soft, accepting Pei Wenxuan's actions.
She panted softly. A long while later, she felt Pei Wenxuan straighten up. She opened her eyes, her lashes damp with steam, and looked at Pei Wenxuan on the bank. He was wearing a black robe over a moon-white long shirt, kneeling by the pool and smiling at her.
Although she wondered why he had come today, Li Rong didn't feel displeased. In fact, a small, ineffable joy bloomed in her heart. She didn't let it show on her face, merely straightening up and beckoning to him from the water.
Pei Wenxuan raised an eyebrow and pointed at the bath. Li Rong nodded and moved closer to the edge, emerging from the water like a siren. She propped her hands on the jade floor and whispered in his ear, her voice husky, "You're too far away for us to talk properly."
Pei Wenxuan chuckled lightly. Without another word, he stood up and, right in front of Li Rong, began to slowly and methodically remove his clothes, one piece at a time.
His movements were unhurried, a graceful elegance tinged with a hint of rakish charm. As Li Rong watched the clothes fall away one by one, her heart began to beat faster.
She suddenly remembered the time Pei Wenxuan had been injured at the Pei estate. In the carriage, he had also undressed just like this, bit by bit. At the time, she hadn't understood what he was doing, but now she did.
She said nothing, waiting for Pei Wenxuan to enter the water. Once he was in, he pulled her directly into his arms and chuckled. "Is it easier to talk now?"
As he spoke, he began to move. Li Rong's expression remained unchanged as she wrapped her arms around his neck to keep from slipping.
"What are you doing here tonight?"
"I missed you."
Pei Wenxuan's voice was husky, and his entire being exuded patience. Li Rong let out a soft laugh. "Are you sure you didn't come to catch someone?"
To have timed his arrival so perfectly, Pei Wenxuan must have known she had cleared a path for Cui Yulang. In their past life, when they were enemies, he had managed to plant people in the Princess's Manor. It was no surprise that he would have even more in place this life.
Exposed, Pei Wenxuan didn't deny it. He simply informed her, "I ran into Cui Yulang at the gate just now. I gave him a punch."
Li Rong's hands, hooked around Pei Wenxuan's neck, tightened. She controlled her voice, her nails digging into his skin.
Sensing her reaction, Pei Wenxuan chuckled. "It's fine if you don't see me for a long time, but you can't bear to not see Cui Yulang, even clearing a special path for him. Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan deliberately provoked, "have you grown tired of the old and fond of the new?"
Li Rong looked up at him. Seeing the smile on his face, she knew he had already vented his anger. She placated him with a kiss and said, "Rest assured, you will always be the principal wife."
Pei Wenxuan didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Seeing Li Rong leaning on his shoulder, panting softly, he felt a pang of tenderness. He had already taken his anger out on Cui Yulang, and that wasn't why he had come. He sighed, wrapped his arms around Li Rong, and said slowly, "You had Chen Hozhao file a complaint with the Supervisory Department, then you sent him out of Huajing. After that, you had someone impeach yourself, forcing you to resign from the Supervisory Department... All these recent moves, they were to let Consort Rou take over the Supervisory Department, weren't they?"
Li Rong didn't speak, her body draped over his, her jaw clenched tight. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and kissed her, asking with considerable heartache, "Are you tired?"
"I'm fine," Li Rong rasped. Pei Wenxuan held her as the water lapped slowly against their skin. He hesitated, but finally asked the question that worried him most. "Did His Majesty ask you to recommend Prince Su?"
"Yes," Li Rong said without elaborating. Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes.
He wanted to offer a few words of comfort, but felt that since Li Rong hadn't brought it up, his words would seem abrupt. So he simply tightened his arms, held her closer, and whispered, "Do you want to go faster?"
If there is no love between two people, the act of passion is nothing more than animalistic procreation. But for most couples, it is a silent form of communication.
A plea for forgiveness, a reconciliation, a sharing of sorrow and joy—the process of physical union is, in essence, a transmission of the heart.
Though Pei Wenxuan said nothing, Li Rong somehow understood his reason for coming.
They were both well aware of the matters at court; each had their own calculations.
The matter with Cui Yulang was just a trifle; Pei Wenxuan should have been clear about their relationship.
What truly made Pei Wenxuan risk coming here was Li Ming forcing her to hand the Supervisory Department over to Prince Su. Even if it was just a slight possibility, he didn't want to be absent when Li Rong was hurting.
He had her turn her back to him, taking her in the most intense way, the way she liked best.
They listened to the gentle sloshing of the water. Pei Wenxuan covered her mouth, afraid she would cry out.
Outside, a maid faintly heard a noise from the room and couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness?"
Pei Wenxuan released his hand. Li Rong controlled her voice and said calmly, "It's nothing."
The words had barely left her lips when the moment of greatest intensity arrived. Pei Wenxuan clamped his hand over her mouth, then quickly pulled out.
He leaned his entire body against her back, panting softly. After a moment, he pressed his cheek against hers, rubbing it gently, and asked in a husky whisper by her ear, "Rongrong, did that feel good?"
Li Rong couldn't speak, her body trembling lightly, tears streaming over the hand that covered her mouth. Pei Wenxuan took his answer from her silence. He smiled softly and held her tight.
Pei Wenxuan's visit this time was purely personal; he barely mentioned any political matters.
After helping Li Rong clean up, he dressed her and then carried her to a lounge chair to rest.
Li Rong lay on the chair, watching him. Pei Wenxuan crouched before her, chatting with her in a low voice.
After talking for a while, Pei Wenxuan glanced at the sky and said softly, "I have to go."
"You came all this way just for this?" Seeing that he hadn't mentioned any real business, Li Rong couldn't help but laugh. She reached out and poked his forehead. "You lecher."
Pei Wenxuan smiled without replying. After a moment of silence, he took her hand and said gently, "Rongrong, no matter what, I will always be by your side."
Li Rong didn't speak, simply looking at Pei Wenxuan crouching before her.
She understood what he meant. The most important reason he had come in the middle of the night was that he was worried she was upset about losing the Supervisory Department and being forced by Li Ming to personally write a letter recommending Prince Su.
"It's all just a small matter," she said with a small smile, looking down. "You don't have to come for such trivial things in the future."
Pei Wenxuan smiled without a word, and Li Rong knew she couldn't persuade him. She sighed and said, "In a moment, I'll call the guards over to ask about the situation. You can return the way you came."
Pei Wenxuan agreed but didn't move. Both were reluctant to part, but neither was bold enough to say it. Li Rong studied him for a long time before saying, "You're dressed quite handsomely today."
"I had to, since I was seeing you."
Li Rong's lips curved into a smile. She sat up, leaned forward, and kissed his forehead. "Go on."
Pei Wenxuan couldn't delay any longer; dawn was breaking. He stood up and climbed out the window. Once he was hidden outside, Li Rong summoned the guards on duty.
While Li Rong was occupied with the guards, Pei Wenxuan slipped away.
After their meeting in the night, it wasn't until the next morning that Li Rong left her manor. She saw Zhao Chongjiu waiting at the gate. He came forward and said in a low voice, "Your Highness, the scholars the Su family has been sheltering have been up very early. Their residence is now brightly lit. I fear something is about to happen."
Li Rong had long had people keeping an eye on the group Su Rongqing had taken in. Now that there was such a clear anomaly, it was immediately reported.
Li Rong's eyes turned cold. She said in a low voice, "Inform Cui Yulang that he doesn't need to attend court today. Have him prepare a way into the palace. He will likely have to meet with Consort Rou today."
Zhao Chongjiu nodded and went to carry out her orders. Li Rong returned to her carriage and closed her eyes.
Jing Lan poured tea for Li Rong and asked hesitantly, "Does Your Highness know what's happening today?"
"Just wait," Li Rong said, her eyes still closed. "We'll know what they're up to soon enough."
Li Rong sat in her carriage as it slowly made its way to the palace. Pei Wenxuan had a carriage ready and waiting at the palace gates. When he saw Li Rong arrive, he quickly followed, creating the illusion of a chance encounter where they arrived at roughly the same time.
Li Rong saw through his trick and gave him a faint, knowing smile before proceeding.
Once the court session began, Li Rong took the initiative to submit her resignation, transferring the Supervisory Department to Prince Su.
"Although Brother Cheng is young, he is, after all, an imperial prince and should participate in court affairs. Entrusting the Supervisory Department to him will also be a form of training."
Li Rong spoke respectfully, "Your daughter-subject is feeling unwell and can no longer serve Your Imperial Father. I hope Your Imperial Father will forgive me."
Li Ming grunted in acknowledgment and said slowly, "You are a girl, after all. It's good for you to go back and rest and recuperate."
"Your Majesty," Li Ming had agreed, but Shangguan Xu couldn't sit still. He stepped out from the ranks of officials and frowned. "His Highness Prince Su is still young. Entrusting such a weighty matter to him is likely improper."
"You have a point," Li Ming nodded. Shangguan Xu breathed a sigh of relief, only to hear Li Ming continue, "Then let Consort Rou assist Prince Su and support him from behind."
"Your Majesty," Shangguan Xu looked up in shock, his voice urgent. "Her Ladyship Consort Rou is, after all, a noble consort of the inner palace. How can she interfere in the affairs of the court?"
"Isn't Ping Le just a princess?" Li Ming glanced at Li Rong. "She had almost no involvement in court politics in the past, and isn't she doing quite well now?"
The officials were momentarily silenced, at a loss for words.
It was at this exact moment that a palace attendant rushed in, knelt in the great hall, and said, "Your Majesty, this is bad."
Li Ming frowned. The attendant continued anxiously, "A group of scholars has led a large crowd to block the palace gates! They claim their spots in the Spring Imperial Examination were stolen and are begging Your Majesty to grant them justice!"
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