"Вut I hаve alrеаdу sаvеd you," the rаin grеw heaviеr, thunder rumbling outsidе. Li Rоng lооkеd аt the elеgant young man beforе hеr, her jеst cаrrуing а hint оf seriоusnеss. "Саn уou rеturn your life tо mе?"
Su Rongqing rеmained silent. Нe met Li Rоng's gaze, thеir еуеs сlаshing in midаir—interrogаting, bаttling.
Neithеr уiеlding an inсh.
Aftеr а long while, Su Rоngqing smilеd. "Fine."
Нe seemеd to make а mоmеntous dеcision. "Onсе I еscоrt Yоur Нighnеss tо thе heights, I will rеturn mу life tо yоu."
"Do yоu think I would bеliеvе that?"
Li Rоng's ехрression turned mоcking. Su Rongqing reachеd for a piеce оf woоd, stirring thе fire. "Whеther Your Highness believes it or not is unimportant. All that matters now is that Your Highness gives me an answer."
As he spoke, Su Rongqing lifted his head, his gaze settling on Li Rong's face. "Does Your Highness intend to stand with that Li Chuan who killed you and oppose me to the end? Or would you prefer to withdraw from the conflict and await an outcome? Or perhaps," Su Rongqing said calmly, "join forces with me—support Li Cheng's ascension, then depose Consort Rou, eliminate Li Cheng, install a young emperor, and hold the Son of Heaven to command the nobles, allowing Your Highness to become the true ruler of the nation."
"But Li Cheng is already dying," Li Rong said with a smile.
"He will never die."
Su Rongqing responded decisively, and Li Rong immediately understood the implication of his words.
If Su Rongqing was betting on Li Cheng, he would have made extensive preparations—arranging a double for Li Cheng would be a common measure.
Once Li Cheng died before everyone's eyes, then Li Cheng would truly never die.
Listening to Su Rongqing calmly utter such shocking words, Li Rong found it unsurprising. She merely smiled and said, "You truly dare to imagine."
"Does Your Highness not dare?"
Su Rongqing only countered, "Or does Your Highness not wish to?"
His words were like a curse. "No matter who ascends the throne, as long as Your Highness still covets power, you will remain a thorn in their side. This has nothing to do with how much Your Highness has sacrificed. Throughout history, many kings and generals have discarded their loyal hounds once the cunning hare was caught. If Your Highness cannot relinquish power, why not seize it?"
"Li Chuan will ultimately ascend the throne, and Shangguan Ya is no benevolent person. Your Highness misplaced trust in them in your previous life—will you trust them a second time?"
"Then can I trust you?"
Li Rong found it utterly laughable that such words came from Su Rongqing. "They betrayed me—would you not?"
"Therefore, I do not require Your Highness's trust. This is merely the most advantageous transaction for Your Highness."
"Advantageous?"
"Your Highness," Su Rongqing's voice remained steady, "Cui Qinghe has long been my person."
Hearing this, the mockery on Li Rong's face finally shifted. Her expression turned cold as she stared intently at Su Rongqing, listening as he spoke calmly. "Qin Lin should already be dead."
"Without Qin Lin, relying solely on the Shangguan Clan, the Pei Clan, and your Qingzhou troops, you have at most sixty thousand men. Setting aside the Su Clan's forces and the troops under His Majesty, Xiao Su alone commands fifty thousand soldiers. If open war breaks out, you stand no chance of victory. Moreover, would Your Highness truly be willing to wage war for personal gain?"
Li Rong said nothing, her fists clenched, her eyes cold as ice.
"Beyond that, I have long laid plans in Huajing and made preparations," Su Rongqing feigned ignorance of her hostility. "Allow me to remind Your Highness—the military checkpoint closest to Huajing outside the capital is commanded by a general surnamed Su.""The game is set," Su Rongqing seemed to cast everything aside, lifting his gaze to Li Rong. "Li Chuan is already in a hopeless situation. Does Your Highness still need to choose?"
"So this," Li Rong seemed to understand something, "is your final plan."
"Then, Your Highness," Su Rongqing lowered his eyes, "how will you choose?"
After Su Rongqing finished speaking, both fell into silence.
The voices calling Li Rong's name grew closer from outside. Knowing Li Rong needed time to decide, Su Rongqing stood up and went to retrieve the clothes drying by the fire, putting them on. "Your Highness may take your time to think. Whatever decision you make—whether to leave or stay—send word to me through the Su Clan incense shop. I," Su Rongqing raised his hands in front of him, performing a deep bow, "await Your Highness's command."
Li Rong remained silent, her gaze fixed on Su Rongqing. Su Rongqing glanced outside. "Pei Wenxuan has arrived. Since he and I have conflicts, I shall take my leave first."
With that, he strode toward the cave entrance. Li Rong listened to his footsteps as she knelt on the ground, asking one final question: "Since victory is already assured, why still give me a choice?"
Su Rongqing halted. Below the cave, he saw Pei Wenxuan in the dense forest, looking up and spotting him standing at the cave entrance.
The moment Pei Wenxuan saw Su Rongqing, he realized Li Rong must be nearby and began frantically rushing toward the cave.
Watching the approaching figure, Su Rongqing knew the moment of parting had come. His voice grew hoarse: "At this point, what meaning is there in asking such a question?"
To answer would only deepen the sorrow.
Not to answer would leave regrets.
Like countless times looking back, countless times watching Li Rong walk away, countless nights in dreams recalling their meeting at the spring banquet, seeing her seated in wedding attire holding a fan on her wedding day, playing chess with her at the Northern Yan Tower, and in their previous life, her softly asking, "Rongqing, should I divorce Pei Wenxuan?"
He, too, had wondered time and again—if he could cut free from all restraints and take one step forward, if he could let go of the past and everything else, might he also have had a chance to possess Li Rong, even once?
But they had already come this far, and no one could turn back.
Nor did he wish to say more, adding complications for both sides.
"Your Highness, please consider carefully," Su Rongqing nodded gently. "Farewell."
With those words, Su Rongqing turned and disappeared into the depths of the dense forest.
Pei Wenxuan reached the cave entrance, paying no mind to Su Rongqing's departure, and hurried inside. As soon as he entered, he stopped in his tracks.
Li Rong was right ahead.
She sat by the fire, gazing up at the dark cave ceiling, lost in thought. Everything seemed fine, yet somehow, an intangible barrier of distance seemed to have formed, keeping everyone outside her world.
"Rongrong..."
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but soften his voice, standing at the cave entrance, not daring to approach. Hearing him, Li Rong turned her head and looked at Pei Wenxuan by the entrance.
Though only a night had passed, it felt as long as decades to her.
She had just endured hell, only to open her eyes and look back to see the twenty-year-old Pei Wenxuan—the best version of him in her heart.
She smiled faintly, suppressing her emotions to avoid letting Pei Wenxuan notice anything amiss, and said softly, "Let's go back."
Upon hearing this, Pei Wenxuan did not move.He seemed to have many questions to ask, yet after struggling for a long time, he finally fell silent. He stepped forward, half-kneeling down, first checked Li Rong's condition all over, and after confirming there were no major issues, he looked up and smiled at her, speaking softly as if coaxing a child: "Your Highness, the carriage is just outside the cliff. Shall I carry you out on my back?"
"What kind of tone is that?" Li Rong detected the caution in his words and couldn't help but laugh. "Do you think I'm a child?"
"I was afraid Your Highness would be stubborn with me," Pei Wenxuan explained carefully, "insisting on pushing yourself beyond your limits."
"I'm not foolish. If I can make you do it, why would I trouble myself?"
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan did not respond. He quietly gazed at Li Rong, who was momentarily stunned by his stare. Then she saw him raise his hand, place it gently beside her cheek, and softly chuckle: "Then you must remember these words. Don't just brush me off."
Li Rong understood his meaning.
How clever Pei Wenxuan was—how could he not know that something significant must have happened last night? In truth, he was waiting for her to speak, yet she simply couldn't bring herself to say it.
She didn't want anyone to know that Li Chuan had killed her, nor did she want anyone to know that Shangguan Ya and Su Rongqing had fueled the flames.
It felt like a colossal joke in her life, and she didn't want to expose such humiliation to others.
Just like when she was eighteen, she hadn't wanted to tell anyone about her separation from Pei Wenxuan.
She didn't dare meet his eyes, so she lowered her gaze. Pei Wenxuan chuckled softly, pinched her cheek as if nothing had happened, and murmured: "Little liar."
With that, he turned his back to her and half-kneeled down. "Come on, I'll carry you out."
This tone was entirely different from his earlier caution, which relaxed Li Rong considerably. She climbed onto Pei Wenxuan's back, wrapping her arms around his neck. Pei Wenxuan stood up with her on his back and led her out of the cave.
He had left marks along the way when he came, and Zhao Chongjiu soon found them, reuniting with Pei Wenxuan. Seeing Li Rong on his back, he hurriedly asked, "Is Your Highness alright?"
Li Rong didn't want to speak. Feeling somewhat weary, she leaned against Pei Wenxuan's back and pretended to sleep. Pei Wenxuan glanced back at Li Rong, who seemed to have fallen asleep, and frowned. "She's injured her foot, but it doesn't appear serious."
"That's good," Zhao Chongjiu nodded. "I'll go inform the others."
"Wait," Pei Wenxuan called out to him. "Earlier, I encountered Su Rongqing," he gestured with his chin in the direction Su Rongqing had fled. "Chase after him and find an opportunity..."
"Understood," Zhao Chongjiu immediately grasped Pei Wenxuan's meaning. He pointed in a direction and said, "Please, Lord Pei, take Her Highness along the riverbank. The carriage is just ahead. I will go find Su Rongqing."
Li Rong heard all of this clearly, but she pretended to be sound asleep and unaware. Pei Wenxuan glanced at her, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing and carried her out.
By dawn, they began to see people entering the cliff to search for them. Pei Wenxuan carried her to the valley entrance and placed her in the carriage. She kept her eyes closed, appearing deeply tired. Pei Wenxuan bandaged her wounds, changed her clothes, and then left her side.Li Rong heard rustling sounds behind her. With her back to Pei Wenxuan, she didn't know what he was doing. Just as she was about to sneak a glance back at him, she happened to see Pei Wenxuan finishing changing his clothes, his gaze falling directly on her—catching her in the act of peeking.
As their eyes met, Pei Wenxuan looked at the stunned Li Rong and suddenly smiled. He lifted the quilt and slipped in, planting a firm kiss on Li Rong's cheek before wrapping his arms around her from behind. As if unaware of anything, he said with a hint of laughter, "I'll sleep with you."
Li Rong didn't respond. She stared at Pei Wenxuan, who smiled and asked, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing."
Li Rong withdrew her gaze and lay back down. Pei Wenxuan watched her back and couldn't help but hold her a little tighter.
Li Rong lay in the carriage. Even though she had barely slept all night, she didn't feel tired.
Her mind kept replaying memories from her past life, as if trapped in a nightmare she couldn't wake from—no matter how hard she tried to escape, she always returned to the starting point.
She meticulously recalled every detail of her past life, every moment she had spent with Shangguan Ya, every interaction with Li Chuan, and every detail Su Rongqing had mentioned the previous night.
In the last two years of her life, Li Chuan had secluded himself in the Daoist temple, almost completely detached from worldly affairs. He often invited her over, and the two would play chess and drink tea, as close as any siblings could be.
But who could have imagined?
"Every seven days, you went to the palace to play chess with him. On the chessboard lay the Fragrant Beauty."
Thinking of this, Li Rong closed her eyes, and tears streamed down her face.
Her sorrow and joy were silent, emotions she shouldn't have shown. But perhaps because Pei Wenxuan was there, in his embrace, she finally allowed herself a moment of respite.
Still, she didn't want anyone to see her in such a pitiful state—not even Pei Wenxuan.
So she bit her hand to keep from making a sound. Pei Wenxuan seemed to be fast asleep, his soft snores giving her room to breathe. She couldn't help but tremble slightly or swallow back an uncontrollable sob.
Her movements were small and careful, and Pei Wenxuan never woke.
After she finished crying, she wiped away her tears and took a long time to calm down.
I can't live like this anymore in this lifetime, she thought.
Even if Li Chuan hadn't harmed her, she couldn't plan everything for him anymore.
She had to start planning for herself.
Having made her decision, Li Rong took a deep breath and turned over, wrapping her arms around Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan seemed completely unaware of everything. As she hugged him and buried her face in his chest, he naturally reached out and pulled her entirely into his embrace. His wide sleeves draped over her back, leaving no room for wind or rain to intrude.
In his sleep, he murmured "Rongrong," then gently stroked her back. His voice was as gentle as ever, carrying a tone that soothed like a child's lullaby: "Sleep, I'm here."
Exhausted from crying, Li Rong breathed in Pei Wenxuan's scent and finally drifted off to sleep. Once she was sound asleep, Pei Wenxuan listened to the gradually rising clamor of voices outside the carriage and slowly opened his eyes.
Li Rong didn't sleep deeply, and before long, they arrived at the Princess's Manor. Pei Wenxuan carried her inside, and as soon as they entered, Shangguan Ya hurried over with her attendants, looking quite anxious. "How is she? How is Her Highness?"
"Call the physician first," Pei Wenxuan instructed, turning to Jing Lan, who was following nearby.Li Rong was nestled in Pei Wenxuan's arms. She glanced up at the anxious Shangguan Ya beside them and waited until Pei Wenxuan carried her into the bedroom and set her down before the physician hurried in.
Since Li Rong had just returned, her condition was of utmost importance. Everyone waited as the physicians examined her. Several imperial physicians from the Princess's Manor took turns checking her pulse. After a while, the lead physician, Physician Zhao, stepped forward and respectfully addressed Li Rong, "Your Highness, I and the other physicians will first adjourn to the side chamber to discuss the results."
Li Rong nodded. Shangguan Ya grew anxious. "Your Highness, is there—"
"Lady Shangguan need not worry," Physician Zhao said respectfully. "Her Highness is not in any serious danger. It is merely a matter of prescribing the appropriate remedy, which I and the other physicians need to deliberate on."
Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Pei Wenxuan personally opened the door for the physicians and said courteously, "Please, everyone."
The physicians thanked Pei Wenxuan and filed out of the room. Once they had all left, Shangguan Ya immediately dismissed the attendants nearby and said urgently, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is safe. Please do not worry."
Upon hearing this, Li Rong paused briefly before returning to her usual demeanor and nodding.
Shangguan Ya did not notice anything unusual in Li Rong's reaction and asked, "Your Highness, last night, Su Rongqing fell with you. How is he?"
"I don't know."
Li Rong shook her head. "He saved me and then ran off."
Shangguan Ya pursed her lips. Seeing her troubled expression, Li Rong asked, "Is something wrong?"
"It's not really about Su Rongqing," Shangguan Ya said, her lips pressed tightly together. "Yesterday, Li Cheng did not die. He is currently clinging to life in Prince Su's residence."
"He didn't die?"
Li Rong's tone was calm, as if she had already known. Shangguan Ya, preoccupied with her own thoughts, completely missed the strangeness in Li Rong's voice. Pei Wenxuan glanced up at Li Rong but quickly averted his gaze and began pouring tea for the two of them.
Shangguan Ya nodded, looking deeply concerned. "He survived at the time. Hua Le said Prince Su kept calling for Consort Rou. The Emperor, moved by Prince Su's plight, had Consort Rou released from prison to care for him. Now, Consort Rou controls Prince Su's residence, and no one is allowed to enter."
Li Rong remained silent. Pei Wenxuan handed her a cup of tea, and Li Rong gave a slight nod of thanks. She cradled the warm cup in her hands and asked softly, "What are you worried about?"
"Your Highness," Shangguan Yi said, biting her lip, "what if Li Cheng lives... What will His Majesty..."
"This is the perfect excuse for His Majesty to eliminate the Crown Prince."
Li Rong finished the thought, understanding Shangguan Ya's meaning. Hearing Li Rong voice it so directly, Shangguan Ya clenched her teeth and said bluntly, "Exactly. Xiao Su's thirty thousand troops are already on the march. Now, with Li Cheng as a pretext, Your Highness, isn't it clear what His Majesty plans to do next?"
"So?"
Li Rong traced the rim of her teacup, her expression devoid of emotion. "What exactly are you trying to say?"
"Your Highness," Shangguan Ya took a deep breath and got straight to the point, meeting Li Rong's gaze. "Currently, in Huajing, those with military power are His Majesty's Imperial Guards, the Crown Prince's Imperial Guard, the generals from the Shangguan Clan, the Pei Clan, the Su Clan, Prince Ning's Four City Defense Armies, and... Your Highness's Princess's Manor and the Supervisory Department."Hearing the mention of the Supervisory Department, Li Rong couldn't help but smile. Shangguan Ya sensed a hint of mockery in that smile, but she dismissed it as her own unsettled state of mind, unable to grasp Li Rong's meaning. She pressed on, "I believe we are fully capable of putting up a fight. Rather than waiting passively, we should take the initiative."
"Take the initiative?" Li Rong cradled her warm tea, her expression ambiguous.
Shangguan Ya's heart trembled, but she had to continue, "If His Majesty were to move against the Shangguan Clan or the Crown Prince first, the Shangguan Clan is willing to join forces wholeheartedly with Your Highness and the Imperial Son-in-Law, holding nothing back, to assist the Crown Prince in ascending the throne!"
After these words, a long silence followed.
Shangguan Ya waited for Li Rong's response, her heart racing.
Just then, Jing Lan's announcement came from outside: "Your Highness, Lord Cui Yulang requests an audience."
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