Uрon heаring this, Соnsоrt Rоu's exprеssiоn turned stern. Рei Wenхuаn smilеd аnd sаid, "Yоur Highness nеed not be nervous. Onlу thе two оf us arе hеrе, sо yоu mау sреak frеely."
"Sincе Lоrd Pеi asks this, you must аlreadу have аn аnswеr in mind."
Соnsоrt Rоu pickеd uр her tеасup, рondеring аs she spоkе: "Thе Shangguan Clаn has produсеd еmprеsses for threе gеnеratiоns. Нis Маjеstу has оnlу two рrincеs—one frоm the Shаngguаn fаmily, аnd thе оthеr is my son."
As shе spoke, Consоrt Rou lookеd up at Рei Wеnхuan. "Мy son is only eleven years old, yet he is already a prince. His Majesty has also entrusted him with the Supervisory Department, which he has long planned. What His Majesty intends, Lord Pei must surely understand."
"I naturally understand. His Majesty has already spoken to me about this matter."
Hearing this, Consort Rou's eyes lit up with joy. Just as she was about to speak, Pei Wenxuan shifted the topic. "However, if Your Highness harbors such ambitions, you must not interfere in the imperial examinations."
"Why is that?" Consort Rou set down her teacup, somewhat anxious.
She had already made agreements with those noble families and accepted their money. Pei Wenxuan smiled and explained, "Your Highness, the imperial examinations are His Majesty's lifelong endeavor. For most of his life, His Majesty has prepared troops, reformed the tax system—all to pave the way for the imperial examinations. Now, His Majesty has appointed you as head of the Supervisory Department, made me the Chief Examiner, and issued orders to limit the quotas for noble families. For what purpose?"
As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan tapped the table. "It is to allow more commoners to enter. These are the people Prince Su can truly rely on in the future. Those noble scions are merely befriending you now because you are in favor, but deep down, they value legitimacy, lineage, and the eldest son above all else. No matter how much you try to please them, when the time comes to contend for the throne, will they truly help you?"
Consort Rou remained silent. Pei Wenxuan continued to persuade her: "Positions in the court are like a carrot filling a hole. If you let more noble family members in, there will inevitably be fewer commoners. Which group will Prince Su be able to rely on in the future? Isn't that clear to you, Your Highness?"
"Lord Pei speaks wisely," Consort Rou said, conflicted. "I will think it over."
"Please do consider it carefully, Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan said respectfully. "Then I shall take my leave."
Pei Wenxuan stood up and bid farewell to Consort Rou. Once outside, he instructed his attendant, "Notify Cui Yulang and have him persuade Consort Rou not to interfere in the imperial examinations."
Consort Rou thought it over for several days and then began returning the money to the noble families.
Not accepting the money would have been fine, but accepting it and then returning it only bred resentment. However, with Wang Houwen's precedent, no one dared to say much and could only target other avenues.
But with Pei Wenxuan overseeing every aspect of the imperial examinations, the entire process became as tight as an iron barrel—not a single copper coin could slip through.
Li Rong spent her days at home cultivating her mind, inquiring about Pei Wenxuan's news, and finding time to visit him. Every day, he would maintain a stern face in public, only teasing and joking with her in private.
From the initial registration of candidates to the completion of grading and the palace examination before Li Ming, the entire process concluded with the release of the examination results around the seventh month.
With the imperial examinations completed and the Minister of Personnel yet to be appointed, Pei Wenxuan, as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, began working with the Left Vice Minister, Xia Wensi, to decide the official appointments for the successful candidates.Li Rong had people keep an ear out for news. She heard that Pei Wenxuan and Xia Wensi had been arguing in the Ministry of Personnel for several days. Eventually, word reached Consort Rou, who actually found an excuse to have Xia Wensi arrested.
With Xia Wensi imprisoned, Pei Wenxuan took charge of the Ministry of Personnel. He quickly assigned each candidate to their appropriate positions. By the time everything was settled and the candidates had grown familiar with their posts, it was nearly the end of August.
Last year, Li Rong’s Supervisory Department had arrested a group of people. This year, Consort Rou had arrested another batch. The entire court in Huajing originally had only a little over seven hundred official positions, and many officials had long been forced to take on multiple roles.
Now, with the imperial examination bringing in a new wave of officials, these individuals immediately became part of the "Prince Su faction." They gathered with the common-born officials already in the court and, favored by the emperor, grew into a force that could not be underestimated.
The most prominent among them was naturally Pei Wenxuan.
Li Rong heard that whenever he went out now, he was surrounded by attendants, his presence imposing. If even he was like this, Consort Rou was even more impressive.
She had successively imprisoned Wang Houwen and Xia Wensi and even rejected the gentry’s attempts to bribe her, yet nothing major happened to her. Emboldened, Consort Rou now held absolute authority in the court. If a minor official offended her, they would be scolded at best or directly detained in the Supervisory Department for questioning at worst.
As a result, the officials grew increasingly fearful of her, avoiding her whenever they saw her.
By the end of August, Huajing had grown somewhat cold. Li Rong draped a cloak over her shoulders and played leaf cards in the courtyard with Shangguan Ya, Su Ronghua, and Li Chuan. Ever since she left the Supervisory Department, Li Ming’s surveillance of her had lessened considerably. These three took advantage of the opportunity to visit often, playing leaf cards and chatting, which became a pleasant diversion in their lives in Huajing.
Su Ronghua now had absolutely nothing to do. Shangguan Ya was merely coasting along in the Supervisory Department. Li Chuan was the busy one, but he was at an age where he loved to have fun. In other places, everyone reminded him of the expectations for a crown prince, which he found exhausting. So, whenever he could, he would hide away at Li Rong’s place.
The three of them were happily shuffling the cards when Jing Lan hurried over and whispered, "Your Highness, several officials outside request an audience."
Hearing this, Li Rong paused and exchanged a glance with Shangguan Ya.
At the word "officials," Li Chuan stood up without another word and ran toward the backyard. "I’ll go hide first."
Su Ronghua chuckled at this and cupped his hands. "Then I’ll take a stroll in the garden as well."
"I’ll join Young Master Su."
Shangguan Ya stood up and left the courtyard with Su Ronghua.
Li Rong took a sip of tea, picked up a fan from beside her, and stood up, instructing Jing Lan, "Have them all go to the main hall."
Jing Lan acknowledged the order and turned to relay the message.
When Li Rong leisurely entered the main hall, she glanced around and saw over a dozen people already seated. At the forefront were Wang Houmin, Gu Zichun, and Zheng Qiu.
Among the seven great clans of Great Xia—Su, Wang, Xie, Cui, Gu, Zheng, and Shangguan—three were represented here.
Although these three were not the heads of their families, they were influential figures within their clans. The other eleven individuals were also notable representatives from various prominent families in Huajing.
Li Rong had a rough idea of their purpose. Swinging her fan, she entered the room and smiled. "What brings so many of you here today, esteemed officials? Is there something important?"As she spoke, Li Rong raised her hand to signal for tea to be served to everyone. No one spoke for a moment, exchanging glances among themselves. Wang Houmin was the first to break the silence: "We have come to congratulate Your Highness on a joyous occasion."
"Oh?" Li Rong smiled, picking up her teacup. "What joyous occasion might that be?"
"We are here to congratulate Your Highness in advance for taking over the Supervisory Department from Consort Rou and resuming the position of its head."
Wang Houmin spoke each word with extreme caution. Li Rong blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface of her cup and remained silent.
Everyone observed Li Rong's movements. They watched as she slowly took a sip of tea, placed the cup beside her, leaned back in her chair, and lazily said, "You jest, gentlemen. The Supervisory Department is currently in Consort Rou's hands and functioning well. What does it have to do with me?"
"Your Highness, since so many of us have come together, let us dispense with formalities." Gu Zichun rested his hands on his cane and spoke slowly. He was the eldest among them, and the Gu family placed great emphasis on etiquette. Hearing him speak, Li Rong instinctively straightened her posture out of respect.
"Consort Rou is a woman of the inner palace, different from Your Highness's status as a princess. She should not be involved in politics. It was already improper for His Majesty to forcibly allow a consort to participate in governance, but Consort Rou is of lowly birth and lacks proper manners. Since taking charge of the Supervisory Department, she has acted perversely, causing widespread dissatisfaction among the officials. Today, we have come to discuss with Your Highness how we might assist you in reclaiming the Supervisory Department."
Listening to their words, Li Rong maintained a smile on her face. "Minister Gu misunderstands. When the Supervisory Department was first established, I was merely following orders. I am but a woman with no great ambitions. With Consort Rou and Prince Su managing the department, I am quite at ease and have no desire to interfere."
"But this was Your Highness's hard work," Zheng Qiu interjected, attempting to persuade her. "We are also thinking of Your Highness's interests. Putting aside other matters, even if Your Highness does not crave power, should you not consider Crown Prince? Even if Your Highness and the Crown Prince have been at odds these past two years, he is still your own brother. Your fates are intertwined—prosperity and loss are shared. How can Your Highness stand idly by while Prince Su cultivates his own faction in the court?"
"Minister Zheng speaks of things Ping Le does not understand. The Crown Prince has his own destiny to fulfill; why should I worry on his behalf? There is no need for you all to trouble yourselves over my brother and me."
Seeing that Li Rong remained unmoved, the officials exchanged glances. Li Rong observed them, smiling without a word.
After a moment of hesitation, Gu Zichun finally said, "If Your Highness has any requests, please speak plainly."
"Minister Gu is wise."
Li Rong gave a slight nod, leaned back in her chair, glanced around, and leisurely said, "I am well aware of the true reason for your visit today. Rather than helping me, are you not helping yourselves? Autumn is approaching, and the large number of officials Consort Rou intends to deal with are all awaiting execution at that time. You gentlemen are merely hoping to push me forward to overturn the sentences and spare your family members from the death penalty."
No one spoke. Li Rong smiled and continued, "Moreover, you must all have realized that Consort Rou is ambitious and harbors resentment toward the noble families. If she is not stopped now, it will be like nurturing a tiger to become a threat. Today, she is reforming the imperial examinations. In the future, she may set her sights not on the examinations but on the military power, authority, and resources in your hands."
"Your Highness sees things clearly," Gu Zichun praised.
Li Rong lightly tapped her folding fan against her palm."But Consort Rou is protected by Father Emperor. To move against her is to move against Father Emperor. Unwilling to confront him directly, you wish to push me forward, using me as a puppet to manipulate in your struggle against Father Emperor."
"So, as for being a puppet," Li Rong said with a faint, ambiguous smile, "why should I rush to take on such a role?"
"Your Highness misunderstands," Wang Houmin hurriedly explained. "We are here to assist Your Highness, not to manipulate..."
"Then will you listen to me?"
Li Rong's question left everyone stunned. She shook her head. "If you won't listen to me, what is there to discuss?"
With that, Li Rong stood up. "See our guests out."
"Your Highness!" Wang Houmin rose urgently. "The Supervisory Department was founded by your own hand. Can you truly bear to relinquish it so easily?"
"Rather than stir up conflict with Father Emperor," Li Rong tilted her chin slightly, "I would prefer to rest well. After all, I am still a princess, am I not?"
"It is all of you who should think carefully," Li Rong reminded them. "Consort Rou's ambitions likely do not end here."
Without looking back, she walked inside.
The guests exchanged glances. Jing Lan stepped forward and said respectfully, "Esteemed lords, this way, please."
After seeing them off, Li Rong returned to the rear courtyard. The interruption had dampened their enthusiasm for cards. Both Shangguan Ya and Li Chuan had questions, but with Su Ronghua present, it was not the time to speak freely. Sensing the atmosphere urging his departure, Su Ronghua cupped his hands and said, "The hour grows late. I shall take my leave now."
Li Rong gave a slight nod in acknowledgment. "I will not see you out."
Once Su Ronghua had left, Shangguan Ya immediately spoke up. "I heard many elders from the noble families came. What did they want?"
"They said they want to help me reclaim the Supervisory Department," Li Rong replied, glancing at Shangguan Ya with a smile. Shangguan Ya chuckled. "They couldn't hold back in the end. Did Your Highness agree?"
"They themselves don't want to take the lead. They want to use me as their vanguard. Without showing some sincerity, I naturally wouldn't agree."
"What does Elder Sister want then?" Li Chuan asked curiously. Li Rong shot him a sidelong glance with a smile, picked up her teacup, and said, "How are your studies lately?"
Li Chuan immediately made a pained expression. "Don't bring that up."
Shangguan Ya looked from Li Rong to Li Chuan, then stood up. "Your Highness, I shall take my leave as well. You and the Crown Prince can talk."
"Keep a closer eye on the Supervisory Department lately," Li Rong instructed. "Don't let our family members suffer any injustice there."
Consort Rou had recently investigated and punished many from the Shangguan Clan. Those demoted or exiled had already been sent away; only those awaiting execution after autumn remained in prison.
Consort Rou had wanted to carry out the executions immediately, but with so many involved, the noble families had repeatedly delayed the process with various excuses.
Shangguan Ya understood Li Rong's reminder. Those from the Shangguan family who had truly committed offenses had long been dealt with by Shangguan Ya herself; she would not leave them for Consort Rou to handle. Most of those Consort Rou had convicted were victims of fabricated evidence and wrongful accusations.
They were merely putting on a show for Consort Rou, setting the stage for her performance. How could they actually let her harm anyone?
Shangguan Ya acknowledged the instruction and stood to leave. After she was gone, Li Rong looked at Li Chuan and asked with a smile, "And when do you plan to leave?"
"Elder Sister is chasing me away." Li Chuan climbed onto the table, blinking his eyes at Li Rong. "This lonely one is unhappy."“How old are you?” Li Rong reached out and poked his forehead. “You’re about to marry and have children, yet you’re still acting like a spoiled child?”
“I’m not that old,” Li Chuan argued earnestly. “I’m only seventeen, haven’t even had my capping ceremony yet. I’m still a child.”
“Don’t let anyone hear you say that,” Li Rong laughed. “If people knew the Crown Prince was like this, I doubt anyone would still support you.”
“I only act this way in front of you,” Li Chuan said, sounding a bit downcast. “How a Crown Prince should behave—I’ve heard it so many times my ears are calloused. I’ll do my best, but can’t I at least let loose just a little in front of my sister?” He pinched a tiny bit of his fingertip. “Just a little?”
Li Rong had intended to scold him further, but then she remembered her past life.
In her previous life, she had always scolded him, corrected him, rarely praised him, and seldom listened to what he had to say.
So the words of admonishment on the tip of her tongue stopped. Li Chuan, completely unaware of the shift in her mood, rested his chin on his hand and mused, “That was such a good opportunity just now. Why didn’t you agree right away, Sister?”
“If I agreed now, bringing down Consort Rou would be easy,” Li Rong said softly, responding to his question. “But dealing with those people in the future would become troublesome. Right now, they’re locked in a fierce struggle with Consort Rou. To secure my help, they’d naturally be willing to sacrifice something. If I don’t set my terms now, when will I?”
“What terms do you plan to set, Sister?”
“Chuan’er, the relationship between the noble families and the emperor is one of dominance—either you suppress them, or they suppress you.” Li Rong twirled the leaf cards in her hand, tracing the patterns on them as she spoke leisurely. “So remember this: we will never beg the noble families. It’s always them begging us. Only when they beg will they lower their heads. Otherwise, they’ll remain wild horses that can never be tamed.”
Li Chuan listened quietly, seemingly lost in thought. Li Rong turned to look at him and, noticing his distraction, couldn’t help but ask, “What are you thinking about?”
Li Chuan snapped back to attention and smiled. “Nothing. I just think you’re right, Sister.”
“You seem preoccupied.” Li Rong knew Li Chuan too well—he wouldn’t space out for so long without a reason.
Li Chuan looked a bit embarrassed but still said, “I was just thinking about something impossible.”
“What?” Li Rong grew curious. Li Chuan hesitated for a moment before finally admitting, “I was just letting my thoughts wander, really. It’s nothing serious.”
“Just say it,” Li Rong said, seeing how he kept beating around the bush. “I won’t overthink it.”
Reassured, Li Chuan sighed in relief. “Sister, I was just thinking… what if one day, you and I end up like Father and Mother?”
Li Rong was taken aback. Li Chuan continued awkwardly, “Sister, if I become emperor, one day… you’ll be one of those noble families too.”
Li Rong didn’t respond. She simply watched Li Chuan quietly.
In politics, Li Chuan sometimes seemed naive, but at other times, he displayed an extraordinary sharpness.
If she were truly just nineteen, hearing his words, she would have thought him foolish—how could such a day ever come?
But having weathered so many storms over the years, having once held power herself and knowing the fatal allure it brings, she could only think that Li Chuan was wise in his simplicity, perhaps even precociously insightful."Sister?" Li Chuan called out, seeing Li Rong remain silent, a hint of worry in his voice. Li Rong gave a bitter smile, rising to her feet with a weary sigh. "By then, the one asking 'what should we do' will likely be me."
"After all," Li Rong straightened her dress as she ascended the steps, "Father would never ask such a question."
A man like Li Ming had far too clear a goal—deposing the crown prince, dismantling the Shangguan Clan, and consolidating power. He never needed to ask what to do; he only needed enough time to carry out his plans relentlessly.
"Enough," Li Rong waved her hand dismissively, exhaustion washing over her at the thought of her past life. "Go back now. I'm going to rest."
News of Li Rong's actions spread to the various households, prompting lengthy discussions that lasted late into the night.
Li Rong, however, was in no hurry. While reviewing reports from across the land, she discreetly tasked Shangguan Ya with gathering evidence of Consort Rou's activities within the Supervisory Department.
In early September, Li Ming collapsed in the main hall. Consort Rou personally escorted him back to his chambers, tending to him with meticulous care.
Once Li Ming recovered, whether by his own will or Consort Rou's initiative, she publicly proposed a tax reform!
In Great Xia, lands and servants belonging to noble families were exempt from taxation and conscription. This tax system formed the very foundation of the nobility's prosperity.
With wealth, one could sustain followers.
To evade conscription, many even willingly paid noble families to seek their protection.
Thus, the nobility amassed private armies of servants and established formidable regional influence.
If the imperial examination system had severed the nobility's path to expanding power through politics, then the tax reform proposed by Consort Rou aimed to uproot them entirely.
This news was brought to Li Rong by Pei Wenxuan. As they played chess, she listened quietly until he finished. With a sigh, Li Rong remarked, "It seems Father's health is truly failing."
"After all... it is already the second year."
Pei Wenxuan's voice was soft. "One more year of delay, and it will likely be over."
"So Consort Rou is growing anxious." Li Rong twirled a chess piece between her fingers, her expression calm. "She must take action to gain more power, win Father's favor, and secure Prince Su's position as crown prince before Father passes. If it isn't settled by then, any later attempt by Prince Su to ascend the throne would be seen as rebellion."
"Without just cause and lacking support, even with Xiao Su's army, he would likely fail."
"Those in the court who wish to overthrow Consort Rou have two options."
Pei Wenxuan looked up at Li Rong. "Either take direct action."
"But no one wants to be the first to strike," Li Rong smiled faintly. "They don't want to bear the stigma of defying the emperor."
"Or, they could remain in the shadows and ask Your Highness to act."
Pei Wenxuan studied Li Rong closely. "But will they give you what you want?"
Li Rong smiled without answering. The flickering candlelight danced in her beautiful eyes, and Pei Wenxuan watched her for a moment, his gaze deepening.
He loved this side of Li Rong.
Clever and spirited like a fox, yet noble and graceful like a cat.
"Boiling a frog in warm water," Li Rong said slowly, "to quietly dismantle a house, you must start by removing its nails."
"That's why I never agreed with Chuan'er's approach—it was too rigid." Li Rong placed a chess piece on the board. "It stirred too much unrest. If he hadn't left early to pursue immortality and elixirs, Great Xia would have been ruined in his hands.""Your Highness takes a gentle and steady approach, while the Crown Prince administers strong medicine first and then slowly recuperates. Both are methods, after all."
Pei Wenxuan spoke softly. Li Rong looked up at him. "From what you say, it seems you quite admire him?"
Hearing Li Rong's words, Pei Wenxuan felt his heart tighten, knowing his life now hung by a thread.
But he feigned composure and said gently, "Your Highness's method is naturally the best."
Li Rong tossed the chess piece into the box, rested her arm on the back of the chair, and leaned back, watching Pei Wenxuan rack his brains to flatter her: "It's just that there are too few people like Your Highness, who possess such great talent and vision, capable of seeing what ordinary people cannot see and thinking what ordinary people cannot think. The Crown Prince has done well, but if Your Highness were the Emperor, you would be a sage ruler."
Hearing this, Li Rong finally couldn't hold back a laugh. Just as she was about to reply, a voice called from outside: "Your Highness, many officials have arrived."
Li Rong glanced at Pei Wenxuan. As their eyes met, Pei Wenxuan stood up, fetched a robe, and draped it over Li Rong as she rose.
"The frogs are here," Pei Wenxuan said softly as he placed the robe over her shoulders. "Your Highness, go add water."
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