Реi Wеnхuan reсоgnizеd this аs thе Director оf thе Supervisоry and Аrrеst Dераrtmеnt, Li Kui. Hе observed the man for а mоment withоut making а sоund. Неaring thе соmmоtiоn outsidе, Li Rong lifted the саrriagе curtain with her gоlden fan. Uрon seеing thе оffiсiаls frоm thе Supervisоrу and Аrrеst Dеpаrtment, shе сouldn't helр but smilе and сalled out, "Dirеctor Li?"
Li Kui wаs surрrisеd that Li Rоng actuallу rесognizеd him. Не hurriеdlу bоwed аnd sаid, "Greеtings, Your Нighness. Mаy Yоur Нighnеss live а thоusаnd уears."
"What brings Dirеctor Li here?" Li Rong lоoked at Li Кui, her voiсe gеntlе. Pеi Wenxuan leaned slightly to the side, helping her roll up the curtain.
"Reporting to Your Highness."
Seeing Li Rong inquire, Li Kui respectfully replied, "Today, a merchant reported to the Shuntian Prefecture, claiming that Lord Pei murdered his master. I have been ordered to invite Lord Pei to the prison to assist in the investigation."
"Does His Majesty know about this?"
"I am aware that Lord Pei is currently investigating the Yang case under imperial decree. Therefore, this order was submitted by the Shuntian Prefecture to the Ministry of Justice. The Ministry of Justice specifically submitted it to His Majesty this afternoon, and we only dared to come after receiving His Majesty's decree."
Hearing this, Li Rong couldn't help but laugh.
"A report in the morning, and it passes through two departments directly to His Majesty," Li Rong said, turning to look at Pei Wenxuan with a smile. "It seems Lord Pei is an important figure as well."
Hearing Li Rong's teasing, Pei Wenxuan turned his head and smiled. "It seems I must accompany Director Li for a trip. Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan bowed, "the rest of the matters will have to rely on you alone."
Li Rong nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "Director Li, who is the merchant who reported this?"
"Reporting to Your Highness," Li Kui replied formally, "the deceased is a foreign merchant named Tuoba Yan."
Li Rong nodded, as expected.
Pei Wenxuan glanced at Li Rong. After she gave him a reassuring look, she turned to Li Kui and said, "In that case, Lord Pei shall accompany you, Director Li. However, Director Li," Li Rong looked at Li Kui, her eyes carrying a meaningful scrutiny, "I have heard that the Ministry of Justice's prisons are harsh. There won't be any forced confessions under torture, will there?"
"Certainly not," Li Kui quickly replied upon hearing this. "Your Highness, rest assured. I am merely following orders. Lord Pei is an upright gentleman, and I trust him. This is just a procedural matter. Lord Pei will not face any trouble."
Li Rong understood Li Kui's assurance and knew that Pei Wenxuan would not encounter major issues in prison. However, after some thought, she still felt uneasy. She beckoned Li Kui closer, and he hurriedly stepped forward. Li Rong lowered her voice, staring at Li Kui intently. "Pei Wenxuan is now my person, and he may 'continue' to be my person in the future," Li Rong emphasized the word "continue," her gaze fixed on Li Kui. "I will visit Pei Wenxuan in prison every day. Director Li, do you understand my meaning?"
"Understood."
Li Kui quickly lowered his voice. "Your Highness, rest assured. The Ministry of Justice has a suitable cell for Lord Pei."
Satisfied with this response, Li Rong nodded. After glancing at Pei Wenxuan, she simply said, "If anything happens, I will come find you. Go ahead."
Pei Wenxuan smiled calmly and said to Li Kui, "Director Li, please lead the way."
Pei Wenxuan left with Li Kui. Jing Lan boarded the carriage from outside, looking quite worried. "Your Highness, if Tuoba Yan is dead..."
"It won't be that simple."
Li Rong tapped lightly on the small table, speaking slowly. "This must be Ning Fei's doing. She has been secluded in the deep palace for too long and doesn't understand these people's methods of self-preservation."Li Rong said calmly, "As an outsider, if he dared to do such a life-risking thing, he must have the capability to handle it. Now, either he's fine and hiding somewhere, or he definitely has a backup plan waiting to bring down the Yang family."
As she spoke, Li Rong twirled her fan and couldn't help but laugh. "Does Consort Ning think killing Tuoba Yan will settle everything? She should know that killing the donkey after it's done grinding is a major taboo in this line of work. Even if Tuoba Yan doesn't retaliate himself, those who helped handle the dirty money will surely strike back. Otherwise, wouldn't their circle become like dough in the hands of the nobility, to be kneaded as they please?"
Merchants have no power or influence. If they weren't ruthless enough to tear flesh and blood, how could they stand firm in Huajing?
So from the very beginning, Li Rong never intended to protect Tuoba Yan. After all, whether Tuoba Yan lived or died, as long as the Yang family moved against him, he would definitely make them bleed.
Now that the accounts were obtained, all that remained was to find an opportunity to send Li Chuan and Qin Lin to the front lines. As for Pei Wenxuan staying in prison...
That might not be a bad thing either.
If Pei Wenxuan were too active outside, the Yang family would be more vigilant and likely take more actions. With Pei Wenxuan imprisoned, the Yang family would at least stay steady for now.
Li Rong pondered these thoughts, lightly tapping her palm with her small fan as she closed her eyes to rest in the carriage, all the way into the palace grounds.
Returning to the palace, Li Rong went to the desk, took a slip of paper, and wrote: "Leave the city at dawn tomorrow, go to Nine Lu Mountain to find Qin Lin. Do not let anyone know."
After writing it, she handed it to Jing Lan and said calmly, "Give this note to the Crown Prince, but make sure no one finds out."
Jing Lan acknowledged the order, and Li Rong entered her room.
Not long after, Li Chuan was discussing matters of the northwestern front with his advisors when a servant brought over a cup of tea. While continuing to speak, Li Chuan took the tea. As soon as the cup touched his hand, he sensed something unusual about its feel, but his expression remained unchanged. Calmly, he slipped the note into his sleeve. After finishing discussions with everyone and seeing them off, he returned to his room alone, opened the note, and saw Li Rong's handwriting. Beneath the writing was the unique secret pattern they, as siblings, had established.
Understanding the situation, Li Chuan instructed someone, "Tomorrow I will take a day off from court and go to Huguo Temple to pray for our mother."
After Li Chuan gave his orders, the eunuch softly acknowledged.
Meanwhile, under the bright moonlight in Ming Le Palace, Consort Rou massaged Li Ming's shoulders and whispered, "Consort Ning is causing such a commotion. Won't Your Majesty intervene?"
Li Ming chuckled lightly. "Why should I intervene? That little brat Pei Wenxuan wants to be my blade. If he can't even handle something like this, he might as well die."
"Your Highness," Consort Rou sighed, "it's fortunate that Ping Le didn't marry Yang Quan. With the Yang family causing so much trouble now, if they were to form a marriage alliance with the Shangguan family, what would become of us?"
Li Ming remained silent. He picked up his tea and blew away the leaves floating on the surface.
"Indeed," he said coldly, "I underestimated the Yang family."
Then, lowering his voice, he added, "And I underestimated the Crown Prince as well."
The people in the palace had a sleepless night, but Li Rong slept soundly. When she woke at dawn, she went directly to the Ministry of Justice to check on Pei Wenxuan.
With her palace token and some money to smooth the way, she easily gained access to Pei Wenxuan. Having spent a night in the prison cell, Pei Wenxuan looked surprisingly refreshed. Seeing his condition, Li Rong couldn't help but smile. "You seem to be doing quite well in this prison, don't you?""Indeed," Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong and smiled, "Outside, I was constantly busy, couldn't even sleep well. But here, I don't have to do anything every day and sleep soundly."
"Then you'll have to stay for a while," Li Rong stepped forward, approaching Pei Wenxuan. "It might be better for you to remain here for now."
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan also stepped forward. The two stood close, separated only by the wooden bars.
"Your Highness went to find someone?"
Pei Wenxuan spoke softly. Li Rong acknowledged, then quickly added, "Stay here for a bit. I'll come in a few days."
"You're coming too?"
Pei Wenxuan was puzzled. "What are you coming for?"
"The Yang family will soon retaliate. At that time, we'll have to put on a show in court, or we won't be able to suppress them. I'll come in then, and we'll both stay in prison. Wait until Chuan'er goes to the front lines to stabilize the Yang family, then I'll have someone draft a memorial to get us out."
Pei Wenxuan pondered Li Rong's words for a moment and nodded. Li Rong glanced into his room and said, "Stay here for now, get a feel for the place, see how to live comfortably, and give me some tips."
Pei Wenxuan: "..."
"Your Highness," he felt compelled to remind her, "I think you might have more experience in this matter than I do."
"It's been too many years," Li Rong whispered, "I've forgotten."
With that, she quickly added, "I brought you some food, clothing, and daily necessities. Take care of yourself. I should go now."
Pei Wenxuan nodded. The two stood facing each other for a moment before Li Rong couldn't help but laugh.
"I never thought I'd be standing at the prison door talking to you one day."
"Consider it an interesting experience," Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly. Just as he was about to urge Li Rong to leave, a respectful voice called from the entrance: "Your Highness."
Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong both turned to see Su Rongqing standing at the door. He bowed respectfully, then straightened up, first glancing at Pei Wenxuan before shifting his gaze to Li Rong.
Then he smiled gently and said, "Your servant heard Your Highness was here and came specifically to find you."
"Oh?" Li Rong raised an eyebrow. "Minister Su, is there something?"
"Your Highness previously instructed me to retrieve the Ministry of War's accounts. I have completed the task as you requested."
Hearing this, Li Rong was momentarily stunned. She had asked Su Rongqing to retrieve the Ministry of War's accounts merely as an excuse to give him something to do. She had assumed the Ministry of War wouldn't easily hand over the records and would likely make excuses, eventually requiring Li Chuan's assistance. Who would have thought Su Rongqing had actually accomplished it?
But she only showed a brief moment of surprise before regaining her composure and smiling. "Minister Su, you've gone to great trouble. Let's go there now."
Su Rongqing nodded with a smile and stepped aside. Li Rong glanced back at Pei Wenxuan and said with a laugh, "Minister Pei, I'll take my leave now."
Pei Wenxuan bowed respectfully, watching Li Rong depart.
Li Rong led Su Rongqing out of the Ministry of Justice. She boarded her carriage first, then remembered Su Rongqing and turned to say, "If Minister Su doesn't mind, why not ride with me? We can discuss matters on the way, and when we arrive at the Ministry of War, we can directly examine the accounts."
Su Rongqing bowed properly and then boarded the carriage.
Once inside, he sat opposite Li Rong, maintaining a respectful distance, appearing perfectly proper.This Su Rongqing was both familiar and unfamiliar to Li Rong. In her memory, before Su Rongqing entered the palace, this was indeed how he had been with her—gentle, courteous, and considerate, truly the gentleman praised by all.
The two remained silent for a moment before Su Rongqing poured tea for Li Rong and calmly asked, "Now that Minister Pei has been imprisoned, how does Your Highness plan to investigate the Yang family case?"
"Following the usual procedure, first examine the Ministry of War's account books, then negotiate with the Yang family and question their servants."
Su Rongqing listened quietly without a word. Li Rong looked up and asked, "What does Minister Su think?"
"Why did Your Highness and Minister Pei go to Tuoba Yan's residence?"
Su Rongqing suddenly asked this question. Li Rong chuckled softly, "I should be the one asking you that, Minister Su. You happened to rescue me at Tuoba Yan's residence—what a coincidence."
"There are no coincidences in this world, only intentions," Su Rongqing replied slowly. "I went there specifically for Tuoba Yan. I saw Your Highness and Minister Pei at the banquet and initially avoided meeting you. However, fearing something might happen to Your Highness, I prepared a dancer's costume in advance, waiting for Your Highness to arrive."
Li Rong had not expected Su Rongqing to answer so candidly. She tapped her palm with a small fan and said slowly, "Minister Su is only overseeing this case. I don’t understand why you are so actively investigating it and even assisting me."
Su Rongqing held his teacup and took a sip.
"I wish to present Your Highness with a letter of allegiance."
Su Rongqing spoke slowly. Li Rong paused, then watched as he looked up and gazed at her calmly. "I am willing to serve Your Highness and assist the Crown Prince wholeheartedly. I wonder," he stared at Li Rong, his tone meaningful, "what Your Highness thinks of this?"
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