The Princess Royal

Li Rоng did nоt sреаk, quietly wаtсhing Su Rоngqing.

Su Rоngqing аllowed her tо оbserve him, аlso remаining silеnt.

Аftеr а lоng while, Li Rong sрoke softly, "I recаll thаt the Su fаmily hаs аlwауs beеn lоуаl оnly tо His Majеstу."

"Thаt is correсt," Su Rongqing reрlied cаlmlу. "Тhus, Rоngqing is mеrеlу Rongqing and dоеs not rерrеsent thе Su familу."

Li Rоng understoоd Su Rоngqing's meаning. She lightly taрped the smаll tаblе as thе clamor оf thе strеet есhоеd оutsidе. Su Rongqing wаitеd quietlу for Li Rоng's respоnse.

"Whу сhоosе thе Сrоwn Prince аt this time?"

Li Rong spoke sоftly. Su Rongqing lowеred his gazе and rерlied with stеady composure, "His Majesty, in his prime, favored warfare, causing the people of Great Xia to suffer greatly. Now, he favors powerful ministers, further increasing the hardships of the people. The Crown Prince is benevolent and virtuous, advocating Confucianism externally and Daoism internally, promoting rest and recuperation. Rongqing wishes to see the world governed in such a manner, and thus follows His Highness."

"You could speak directly to the Crown Prince," Li Rong picked up her tea. "Why tell me all this?"

"The Crown Prince is open-hearted and cannot conceal matters. Rongqing's current position should not be known to the Crown Prince."

Li Rong understood.

Even if Su Rongqing represented only himself, as a member of the Su family, if Li Ming were to learn of his allegiance to the Crown Prince, Li Ming's suspicions toward the Crown Prince would likely deepen.

Now that he had found an opportunity to declare his stance to her, she could at least make use of Su Rongqing when planning for Li Chuan in the future.

Li Rong listened without speaking. Su Rongqing looked up in confusion and could not help but ask, "Your Highness?"

"There is no need for you to do this," Li Rong returned to her senses and said plainly. "The Su family has always been impartial through the generations. His Majesty trusts you because of this loyalty and righteousness. You need not take sides; simply fulfill your duties. If the Crown Prince encounters trouble in the future, you can protect yourselves. If the Crown Prince ascends the throne," she looked at him and said, "as long as you continue to perform your duties as you do now, and as long as I am still here, the Su family will remain the Su family."

Upon hearing this, Su Rongqing fell silent, seemingly deep in thought.

Seeing his apparent unease, Li Rong reassured him, "I say this not to reject your allegiance, but because I believe," she hesitated for a moment before continuing softly, "that a gentleman like you, Young Master Su, should not be tainted by such matters."

Although she had truly come to know Su Rongqing after his decline, and the Su Rongqing she knew and saw was the politician he had become, she still remembered the faint, gentle light in his eyes when he spoke of his youth.

She and Pei Wenxuan had returned, and they were already old—there was nothing to be done about that. But looking at the still-young Su Rongqing before her, she could not help but feel a sense of protectiveness.

Su Rongqing seemed momentarily dazed by her words. Li Rong twirled the fan in her hand, cleared her throat lightly, and changed the subject, "Minister Su, please brief me on the situation regarding the Ministry of War's account books."

Hearing this, Su Rongqing finally regained his composure, respectfully acknowledged her request, and began detailing the current state of the Ministry of War's accounts.

The two entered the Ministry of War one after the other. Su Rongqing had already arranged matters with the officials. Li Rong arrived at the room where the account books were stored, retrieved all the accounts related to the northwestern border, and began cross-checking them with her team.

The accounts were numerous, and Li Rong remained at the Ministry of War for two full days. After completing the cross-checking, she immediately led her team, using a transfer order from the Ministry of Justice, to collectively interrogate all relevant individuals.At the same time, Li Rong instructed Jing Lan to deploy all personnel from the Princess's Manor to keep a constant watch on any unusual movements in Tuoba Yan's residence and to inquire daily about Li Chuan's situation at Nine Lu Mountain.

She knew that within five days at most, news from the border would certainly arrive, and these five days were the time she had to arrange everything.

Her actions were not particularly conspicuous. Investigating accounts and interrogating those officials were not fatal blows to the Yang family. Their surface-level accounts could not possibly have any issues. From Ning Fei's perspective, Li Rong's actions were even misguided, and she was content to watch Li Rong flail about like a headless fly.

As for Li Rong's investigation into Tuoba Yan, it was carried out even more quietly. Even Su Rongqing, who accompanied her daily to examine the accounts, was unaware that she was still relentlessly pursuing Tuoba Yan.

After four consecutive days of handling the case, Li Rong had nearly sorted through the entire process and amounts of military pay allocated to the Yang family by the Ministry of War. Satisfied, she walked out of the ministry with the confessions in hand late at night. As soon as she stepped out the main gate, Jing Lan approached and whispered, "Your Highness, Tuoba Yan has been found."

Hearing this, Li Rong was delighted. She had known that Tuoba Yan couldn't have died so easily. Restraining her emotions, she led her people forward, asking softly as she walked, "Where is he?"

"In the outskirts of the city. We're still pursuing him."

"I'll go there immediately."

With that, Li Rong arranged her people: one group pretended to escort her back to the Princess's Manor, while another group followed her, riding light horses in plain clothes, and they left the city directly.

Upon reaching the outskirts, someone was waiting there. Seeing Li Rong arrive, they whispered, "Your Highness, we've captured him."

Li Rong nodded and followed the group to a dilapidated house. The room was filled with shadow guards, and in the center, a burly man was tied to a chair. He was drenched, covered in wounds, and looked utterly exhausted.

Li Rong walked up to the man and said with a smile, "It's been a while, Sixth Master."

Hearing her voice, Tuoba Yan lifted his head, panting, and stared at Li Rong for a moment before rasping, "It's you."

"It's me," Li Rong nodded. "These days haven't been easy for you, Sixth Master, have they? I thought you would have left Huajing. Why are you still lingering around the outskirts?"

"Who exactly are you?"

Tuoba Yan stared at Li Rong and asked bluntly, "What do you want?"

"You probably already know who I am," Li Rong chuckled softly. "Right now, I just want Sixth Master to do me a favor. That ledger of yours—just the ledger alone isn't enough. Sixth Master, do you think you could serve as a witness?"

"That's against the rules."

Tuoba Yan whispered, "Since the Princess has managed to find me, you should know that in our line of work, we can die, but we cannot break the rules."

"Sixth Master, they were the ones who tried to kill you first," Li Rong said gently. "They tried to kill you, and you're fighting back. Does that count as breaking the rules?"

As she spoke, Li Rong crouched down, smiling as she looked at Tuoba Yan. "Sixth Master, I know your rules. You can't reveal anything about your clients. But if you had no intention of fighting back at all, why would you hide those ledgers?"

"It's just a threat," Tuoba Yan said calmly. "Once a threat is used, it's no longer a threat."

"You're afraid that if you produce the ledger and testify against the Yang family, the others whose accounts you hold will kill you. But Sixth Master, you have to be alive to have the chance to be killed."

"Then kill me."Tuoba Yan said coldly, "Since I’ve fallen into your hands, I never expected to survive."

"Sixth Master, you jest. Why would I kill you?" Li Rong said gently. "What you fear are the methods of the merchant guild. Do you think," Li Rong placed her hand softly on Tuoba Yan’s shoulder, "that this princess does not know them?"

"Let me tell you quietly," Li Rong leaned close to Tuoba Yan, her voice soft, "the palace has studied torture far more thoroughly than your merchant guild. Guards."

Li Rong straightened up and said calmly, "Start by pulling out his fingernails!"

With that, Li Rong walked to a chair that had already been cleaned, took a cup of tea from the side, and said with a smile, "Sixth Master, it’s almost dawn now. The thirty-nine tortures of the merchant guild probably won’t last until tomorrow night. Shall I add a few more for you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Tuoba Yan let out a scream. Blood splattered onto Li Rong’s skirt, but she lowered her gaze to drink her tea, her expression unchanged.

Beside her, Jing Lan turned pale. Li Rong said calmly, "If you’re uncomfortable, you may leave."

Jing Lan, hearing this, covered her mouth and hurried away. Li Rong held the teacup and said peacefully, "Sixth Master, one cannot live solely by rules. You must learn to assess the situation. If you leave now, you will die. But if you stay by my side, there is still a chance for survival. You may be tough enough to endure the thirty-nine tortures today, but do you think death is the end? Your wife works as an embroiderer in Qingshui Town, Luzhou, and your son is now of school age. I hear you’ve arranged an identity for him and plan to enroll him in Fengshan Academy next year. Some things," Li Rong looked up with a light smile, "should not be clung to so stubbornly. Think about it. Think again."

After speaking, Li Rong turned and ordered, "Apply honey to his wounds."

As soon as she finished, Tuoba Yan’s voice rang out, "I’ll talk!"

Everyone paused. Li Rong looked up at him. The man stared at her with bloodshot eyes and gritted his teeth, "I’ll give you a confession, but you must guarantee one thing."

"Your wife will be brought to my side, and your son will be enrolled in the better Xiangshan Academy." Li Rong knew what he was about to say and spoke directly. "You will work in the Princess’s Manor. As long as you are loyal," Li Rong stared at him, "this princess does not mistreat her own people."

Tuoba Yan remained silent, panting as he stared at Li Rong. After a long while, Li Rong tilted her chin upward. "Give him paper and brush."

A servant brought paper and brush over. Tuoba Yan untied the ropes and, with trembling hands, began to write his confession.

He wrote with great difficulty. When he finished, he handed it to Li Rong. After reading it and confirming there were no issues, Li Rong ordered someone to take Tuoba Yan to Li Chuan. Then, she boarded her carriage and led her people back to the Princess’s Manor.

Having stayed up all night, she closed her eyes to rest in the carriage, contemplating her current arrangements.

The evidence of the Yang family’s embezzlement of military funds was nearly complete in Huajing. With the Ministry of War’s accounts, Tuoba Yan’s confession, and the private ledger, she had already obtained confessions from all relevant participants. Next, she only needed to wait for the border accounts to arrive.

As she was pondering this, the sound of hoofbeats suddenly came from outside. Her carriage abruptly halted, and she heard someone say, "Is that Princess Ping Le in the carriage?"

Li Rong signaled to Jing Lan, who lifted the curtain and leaned out. Outside stood a group from the Ministry of Justice. Jing Lan frowned, "Who are you?""Your humble servant Wang Qing of the Supervisory and Arrest Department conveys His Majesty's oral decree: In recent days, Princess Ping Le has abused her authority for personal gain and perverted the law. Under the pretense of investigating cases, she has in fact oppressed loyal ministers of the court. Furthermore, she has colluded with the suspect Pei Wenxuan and is suspected of plotting to harm others. She is hereby punished with one month of house arrest and transferred to the Ministry of Justice to assist in the investigation of Tuoba Yan's murder case."

Upon hearing this, Jing Lan was momentarily stunned. She glanced back at Li Rong, who had lifted the carriage curtain, unsure of how to respond.

Tuoba Yan was in their hands. As long as they handed him over, Li Rong would not have to enter the Ministry of Justice, and Pei Wenxuan would subsequently be released.

Yet since Li Rong remained silent, Jing Lan dared not say more. Li Rong looked at the man before her, smiled gently, and said, "Does this princess need to be escorted there?"

Wang Qing respectfully stepped aside and hurriedly replied, "This humble officer will simply accompany Your Highness."

Li Rong nodded, then instructed Jing Mei inside the carriage, "You go ahead first with the others and clean up the prison cell."

Jing Mei responded respectfully, quickly disembarked from the carriage, and led the others ahead. Li Rong returned to the carriage, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.

Before long, she arrived at the Ministry of Justice prison. Wang Qing walked ahead, full of deference. Everyone understood clearly that as long as Li Chuan remained in power, Li Rong's arrival at the Ministry of Justice was merely a formality.

"Lord Wang," Li Rong said gently, "may I choose where to stay in this prison?"

"Of course," Wang Qing replied, his heart trembling at the sight of Li Rong, fearful of offending this noble princess. "Which cell has caught Your Highness's eye?"

"May I stay in the cell next to Lord Pei?"

Li Rong smiled. "Having an acquaintance nearby will ease my fears."

"Your Highness speaks wisely," Wang Qing fawned. "Since the princess and Lord Pei are involved in the same case, it is only fitting that you be together."

With that, Wang Qing led Li Rong to the far end of the prison.

The cells at this end were specially arranged, clearly intended for high-ranking officials and nobles. Located in a separate corner with only a few scattered cells, aside from Pei Wenxuan lying inside reading a book, there was no one else.

Pei Wenxuan was lying on the bed reading a travelogue. Seeing Li Rong enter, he stood up, placed the book on a small table, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, and gazed at Li Rong with a smile.

Noticing his gaze, Li Rong first selected the cell next to Pei Wenxuan's. After having it prepared, she walked over to Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan looked her up and down and chuckled, "Your Highness arrived so quickly. Could it be that you missed this humble official?"

Li Rong burst into laughter, covering half her face with a fan. "It seems you haven't learned much else in prison, but Lord Pei's tongue has certainly improved."

"Not bad, not bad," Pei Wenxuan nodded, his expression serious. "Your Highness originally promised to visit this humble official once a day, yet after waiting all these days, I haven't seen a trace of you. I've thought of you day and night, tossed and turned in sleeplessness, gazed until my eyes grew weary, found joy in hardship, and reflected on bitterness to appreciate sweetness. Now that I finally see Your Highness, the myriad words in my heart are too overwhelming. If I have been presumptuous, I beg Your Highness's forgiveness."

Li Rong was thoroughly amused by Pei Wenxuan, laughing behind her fan without pause.

Seeing Li Rong's cheerful expression, Pei Wenxuan knew that all was well outside and whispered, "Everything is settled?"

"One of the two matters is settled."

As she spoke, Li Rong glanced around and lowered her voice. "We'll talk later."Jing Lan and Jing Mei brought in supplies, tidied up the entire cell, placed incense burners, and prepared curtains to hang at the entrance. In less than a quarter of an hour, the cell was nearly indistinguishable from Li Rong’s usual bedroom. Once everything was arranged, Jing Lan agreed on daily visiting hours with Li Rong. After Li Rong settled into the cell, everyone finally left.

The clamor of voices that had filled the space moments earlier vanished in an instant, leaving only Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan, separated by a wall. Pei Wenxuan leaned against the wall and continued, “Which matter is settled?”

No one answered. Pei Wenxuan found it strange and was about to ask again when a hand with red-painted nails extended a slip of paper toward him. Pei Wenxuan bent down to take it, unfolded it, and saw Li Rong’s handwriting: “Evidence collection.”

“That’s not important,” Pei Wenxuan shook his head, glancing to the side. Though he couldn’t see Li Rong, the gesture brought him some comfort. “What about the person? Has His Highness managed to invite him?”

“Still in the process,” Li Rong replied, seeing that Pei Wenxuan made no attempt to conceal their conversation, she deduced the place was safe. She abandoned the slips and spoke directly, “Is he the kind of person who’d easily come down the mountain?”

“Not entirely unexpected,” Pei Wenxuan tore the slip into pieces, frowning as he did so. He asked Li Rong, “How did you manage to invite him in our previous life? I don’t recall it being this difficult.”

In their past life, though Qin Lin had also put on airs, it hadn’t felt this excessive. Now, Li Chuan had been trying for four days without any progress—why was there still no movement?

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s question, Li Rong felt uneasy. She couldn’t help but wonder, “Could it be that advancing this matter has affected things?”

Just as her spring banquet had stirred up Yang Quan, now they were inviting Qin Lin earlier…

“Could it be that we won’t be able to invite him?” Li Rong couldn’t help but voice her doubts.

Pei Wenxuan quickly interjected, “Don’t jinx it.”

“What if we can’t invite him?” Li Rong ignored Pei Wenxuan’s attempt to stop her and frowned. Seeing that she paid him no heed, Pei Wenxuan could only say, “What can we do? Let it be.”

“Pei Wenxuan,” Li Rong said coolly, tapping her fan lightly against her palm, “if Qin Lin doesn’t come down, I’ll send you to the northwest. Either bring the northwest back to me, or I’ll bury you there.”

Li Rong’s voice remained steady, but when she uttered the word “bury,” Pei Wenxuan detected a hint of bloodlust in her tone.

A chill ran down Pei Wenxuan’s spine, but he wasn’t one to be easily intimidated. He cleared his throat, somewhat awkwardly, and said, “It’s mainly that you mind. If you didn’t, I might still have a way.”

“Such as?”

“After all, he’s truly…” Pei Wenxuan trailed off, but Li Rong pressed, “Truly what?”

Pei Wenxuan shifted his words and changed his phrasing: “The elder brother of the Second Miss Qin.”

“So?”

Li Rong fanned herself, her voice tinged with laughter, yet Pei Wenxuan sensed an indescribable coldness in her tone. For some reason, Pei Wenxuan felt a pang of anxiety, but he steeled himself and said with difficulty, “I think… I might still have some face in this matter?”

“Ha,” Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh. “What face does a man who’s been rejected in marriage have? Have you no shame?”

“About the rejection… she must have been forced into it.”"I've noticed something about you, Pei Wenxuan. Your other abilities are mediocre at best, but you excel at self-deception." Li Rong couldn't take it anymore, tapping her fan on the ground. "Her feelings for Chuan'er are as clear as day—what does that have to do with you? Honestly, if she weren't so devoted to Chuan'er, you wouldn't even have a sliver of a chance. In our past life, if she had dared to respond even slightly to your help while keeping it from me, I would have ruined her!"

"Your logic is flawed," Pei Wenxuan responded seriously to Li Rong's words. "Her affection for His Highness came later. When she broke off our engagement, I had just returned from mourning. She hadn't even met His Highness yet. She must have been forced by her family to break it off."

Listening to Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong nearly choked on her anger. The key point was, when did Qin Zhenzhen ever like Li Chuan? The truth was, she simply didn't like Pei Wenxuan! Breaking off the engagement was entirely voluntary, spontaneous, and a clear statement of her own will!

She took a deep breath, restraining her emotions. "Pei Wenxuan, you should really be grateful that we're in prison right now."

"Otherwise?" Pei Wenxuan didn't understand Li Rong's meaning. Still preoccupied with thoughts of Qin Lin, he heard Li Rong say darkly, "If it weren't for these wooden bars, I'd go over there and gouge your eyes out right now!"

Pei Wenxuan: "..."

He felt that Li Rong was particularly irritable today. After a moment of silence, he cautiously said, "You're a princess. You should mind your status. Resorting to violence... doesn't look good."

"It may not look good if I do it myself," Li Rong sneered, "but I can have others do it for me."

"For a young lady," Pei Wenxuan replied casually, "fighting and killing aren't proper. Have a sip of tea, calm down, and let's continue our conversation."

"I have nothing to say to you."

Li Rong stood up, her voice cold. "Go talk to your Zhenzhen."

"Why are you so irritable today? I thought we'd argued enough about this topic," Pei Wenxuan sighed. After a moment's thought, he couldn't help but ask, "Have you been interrogating people recently?"

Li Rong froze. Seeing her lack of response, Pei Wenxuan understood.

Li Rong had always been like this—seeing blood easily unsettled her.

It was the same in their past life, though back then, even as allies, they still had their own considerations. Li Rong didn't trust him enough to let him handle many matters, so he couldn't help her.

Fortunately, this life was different. At least now, they were absolutely on the same side.

Pei Wenxuan fell silent for a moment before speaking gently, "Let me handle these things from now on. Don't touch them."

"No need," Li Rong replied coldly. "It's none of your business."

"Consider it a favor to me, alright?" Pei Wenxuan sighed, knowing Li Rong was still angry. He spoke softly, "We'll be living together from now on. Let's not keep quarreling like this. If you interrogate people and come back upset, taking it out on me, won't I be the one suffering?"

"I'm begging you, Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan drew out his words, "give your humble servant a way out. Let me handle these things for you, alright?"

Li Rong snorted coldly but didn't reply. She walked to the bed and was about to lie down when she heard voices from outside.

Soon, Li Chuan entered with someone in tow. Li Chuan was still wearing commoner's clothes, clearly not having come from the palace. He hurried to the door of Li Rong's cell and anxiously said, "Sister, I heard something happened to you and rushed back from Nine Lu Mountain. Are you alright?""Alright," Li Rong nodded. "As expected, no need to worry. Has Qin Lin been invited?"

"Not yet," Li Chuan shook his head, then seemed to remember something and quickly added, "But he will be invited soon."

Li Rong acknowledged with a sound, then heard footsteps approaching from the side.

The person brought by Li Chuan wore a black cloak, with her features hidden beneath the hood, making her face indistinguishable. As soon as she entered, Li Rong noticed her. Li Rong had initially wondered about this person's identity, but when she saw her walk up to Pei Wenxuan's cell, she understood.

Pei Wenxuan likely guessed the visitor's identity as well, but he remained silent, simply watching quietly.

The woman said nothing. She merely lifted her pale, slender hand and removed the large hood above, revealing her delicate and elegant features.

She was not exceptionally beautiful, but she was extremely pleasant to look at—plain yet carrying a sense of tranquility. Most remarkable was her ethereal aura, as if she existed in the mundane world yet transcended it.

Pei Wenxuan watched her quietly, seemingly surprised yet also as if he had long sensed her presence.

The woman smiled gently.

"It’s been a long time," she said calmly, "Brother Pei."

Author's Note: The life-or-death question is here!!

【Mini Theater】

(Mo Shubai sits on the steps smoking)

Pei Wenxuan: "Dabai, stop smoking. It’s bad for your health."

Mo Shubai: "No, I’m under too much pressure."

Pei Wenxuan: "Why?"

Mo Shubai: "You’re too much of a scoundrel. It worries me."

Pei Wenxuan: "..."

Mo Shubai: "Son, promise me, don’t add fuel to your own funeral pyre anymore, okay? Mom’s kidneys aren’t good, and now her lungs aren’t either. Please spare me..."