If shе didn't сhoosе Реi Wеnхuan, what othеr оptions did shе have?
А fооl, а mаdmаn, a plаyboy—compаrеd to thеse, еvеn thоugh Рei Wеnхuаn hаd оncе fed her a bоwl оf Fragrаnt Beautу, she aсtually fеlt... it wаsn't thаt unассеptablе?
Аfter аll, Реi Wenхuan hаd оne fatаl аdvantаge: he was gоod-looking.
А gооd-loоking person, whеthеr mаle оr fеmаlе, wаs рleаsing tо the еyе, and she сould fоrgivе mаny things thеу did.
Ноwever, living with Pеi Wenxuan in her prеvious life wasn't рarticulаrly uрsеtting, but it cеrtainly wasn't very joyful either. There was too much scheming and plotting, and just thinking about it felt exhausting. To live another lifetime and follow the same path as before seemed somewhat pointless.
She hadn't really understood the other three candidates, so why not... see them with her own eyes this time?
Lost in thought, Li Rong walked into the Taiqing Hall. By this time, Li Ming was already seated, having changed into casual attire. He was chatting with the chief eunuch, De Song, while wiping his freshly washed hands with a handkerchief.
Li Ming was not yet forty, in the prime of his life, appearing quite spirited. He possessed a vigor unlike that of old age and a composure absent in youth—truly the most glorious time of a man's life.
Naturally handsome, he had grown a beard to appear more dignified, giving him a uniquely mature and steady aura. As Li Rong entered the room and glanced at Li Ming, her expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she felt somewhat dazed.
After all, she hadn't seen Li Ming for nearly thirty years. Suddenly seeing her biological father again, regardless of what had happened in her previous life, she couldn't help but feel emotional.
Recalling her childhood behavior, she respectfully bowed. Li Ming smiled and motioned for her to sit beside him. Li Rong picked up her chopsticks, blinked, and said coquettishly, "What has inspired Your Majesty to invite your daughter for a meal today?"
Hearing Li Rong's girlish, charming tone, even when discussing serious matters, Li Ming softened his voice. Watching the eunuch test the food for poison, he leisurely replied, "Today, the court discussed your marriage. I thought you're not young anymore, so I called you over to talk about it."
"Marriage?"
Li Rong feigned surprise, then lowered her head as if embarrassed. "Shouldn't this matter be discussed with the Empress?"
"You are my daughter," Li Ming said with a tone of dissatisfaction, though his eyes showed appreciation for her obedience. "Your marriage should be decided by yourself. You must choose someone you like."
With that, Li Ming turned and instructed De Song, "Bring the portraits."
De Song acknowledged the order and had four portraits brought forward. He then unrolled them, revealing the faces of four men.
Li Rong instinctively glanced over but immediately felt it was improper. As an eighteen-year-old young lady, she should avoid looking at portraits of men. So she tried her best to appear shy, turning her head away and coughing lightly. "Who are these four..."
"They are the candidates I have selected for your husband. Take a look and choose one."
"Yes."
Li Rong replied softly before turning back to examine the four portraits.
She actually didn't remember the appearances of the candidates from that year very clearly. After so many years, she only recalled the stunningly handsome Pei Wenxuan. Back then, she had been too embarrassed to look closely, merely glancing briefly before settling on Pei Wenxuan. Now, however, she felt no such embarrassment and stared intently at the portraits of the four men, studying them carefully.It must be said, her father had not treated her poorly. Although these four men collectively represented the four extreme options of a fool, a madman, a libertine, and a fallen noble son, they all shared one common trait: handsome faces. Perhaps Li Ming had considered their appearances from the start, fearing that if they were too ugly, she might throw a fit. Thus, while these four gentlemen differed slightly in looks, each had his own unique charm.
Lu Yu, the heir of the Marquis of Ningguo, possessed a gentle and refined appearance, looking clean and pure like the boy next door, radiating an air of innocent simplicity.
Yang Quan, the second son of General Yang, had sharp, star-like eyebrows and piercing eyes, carrying with him the weathered aura of the battlefield. Setting aside the fact that he was a murderous madman, his appearance could indeed be described as handsome.
The newly appointed top scholar, Cui Yulang, wore a peach-blossom smile as gentle as the spring breeze, clearly the image of a charming libertine, one who was adored by women.
As for Pei Wenxuan, a portrait could hardly capture even a tenth of his grace. With phoenix eyes and thin lips, he was as elegant as an immortal. Even in a painting, his eyes were breathtakingly beautiful, and in person, he was utterly captivating, possessing an ethereal beauty that ordinary people could hardly resist.
Of course, it would have been best if he were truly an immortal. Unfortunately, at his core, he was a blind beast—a wolf or a tiger—which ultimately diminished some of the poetic charm.
She lazily glanced over the four men, propping her chin as she pondered. Seeing her look for a while, Li Ming, who had been fiddling with his teacup, couldn’t help but laugh. “Why have you been looking for so long? Is there no one you fancy? I’ve already vetted the family backgrounds of these gentlemen. You just need to choose one you find pleasing to the eye. I’ll take care of everything else.”
“It’s not that I don’t fancy any,” Li Rong said lazily, straightening up with a hint of worry. “It’s just that I think they’re all so handsome, and I want them all.”
Upon hearing this, Li Ming, who was drinking tea, choked on the water in his throat. Li Rong hurriedly stood up to pat his back, flustered as she said, “Your daughter knows she was wrong! I was only joking!”
Li Ming slowly caught his breath. Only after hearing Li Rong say it was a joke did he calm down somewhat. Shaking his head helplessly, he smiled and said, “You must be bored, scaring your father like that.”
“It’s just that I really don’t know how to choose. They all look so handsome,” Li Rong said, thinking for a moment before leaning closer to massage Li Ming’s shoulders, negotiating, “Father, how about giving me a chance to meet them?”
Hearing her words, Li Ming’s gaze grew somewhat profound. On the surface, Li Rong pretended to know nothing, as if she had truly spoken innocently and thoughtlessly.
Her words were somewhat risky.
Her marriage, to Li Ming, was a test—a test of whether the daughter he had personally raised had become the person he wanted her to be.
Back then, she had harbored no suspicions at all, facing her father without a trace of doubt. Only then did Li Ming truly feel at ease, or perhaps, soften his heart.
Within the royal family, it wasn’t just about strategic games; there was also an emotional contest. After all, people were not unfeeling plants or trees. Beneath the power and influence, there always lay a pitiful shred of genuine affection. This was also why her mother, while teaching her to be clever and adaptable in handling matters, never truly discussed too much about the power struggles between the emperor and empress in court.
As long as she remained that innocent and carefree princess, her father would always leave her with some measure of affection. Just like when she married Pei Wenxuan back then—given Pei Wenxuan’s circumstances at the time, marrying a princess was naturally out of the question, and he had no promising future ahead. Yet, living a stable life was still considered secure.Now that she hadn't made a direct choice and had raised objections, Li Ming would naturally become suspicious. Yet, if she were to marry Pei Wenxuan directly in this lifetime, there would still be a hint of regret in her heart.
After all, they were all such handsome young men. What if, by getting to know them, a miracle happened?
Rumors were just rumors—what if there were inaccuracies?
Pondering Li Ming's thoughts, Li Rong raised her hand to massage his shoulders and mumbled, "I've waited so many years already. What matters most in marriage isn't appearance but character. I think it would be better to disguise me as an ordinary girl, have someone introduce me, and let me meet them, chat a bit, and build some feelings first. It would be best if they could take me out of the palace for some fun. I've heard that Linglong Pavilion's roast duck is the most delicious, Huguo Temple's peach blossoms are beautiful, and also—"
"Stop, stop," Li Ming chuckled, amused by her words. "Are you really going to see potential husbands, or are you just looking for an excuse to leave the palace and have fun?"
"Of course, I'm serious about seeing potential husbands," Li Rong blinked, reaching out to hug Li Ming and swaying him as she pleaded, "Father, Father, please! I am your most beloved little daughter, and you love me the most."
"Alright, alright."
Li Ming, coaxed and swayed by Li Rong, couldn't help but laugh helplessly. "Then meet them. It's almost time for the Spring Banquet, isn't it? Didn't I give you a manor in the outskirts of the capital?"
Li Rong blinked, and after a moment, she pretended to have just realized it, exclaiming in surprise, "Father, are you suggesting I host the Spring Banquet?"
"Your aunt hosts a banquet in the royal gardens every year. You're a princess too—what's wrong with hosting a Spring Banquet?" Li Ming smiled. As he spoke, he patted Li Rong's hand and said, "I'll assign some people to help you. When the time comes, host the Spring Banquet and invite all four of them. You can meet them privately behind a curtain and have a chat. However," Li Ming's expression turned serious as he earnestly instructed, "be reserved and don't disgrace the royal family."
"Understood!" Li Rong cheered up and quickly added, "I knew Father would be the best to me! I love Father the most!"
"What about your mother, then?" Li Ming asked with a teasing smile. Li Rong straightened her expression and replied, "Of course, I'd say she's wonderful when I see her, but Mother is too strict. How could she compare to how good Father is to me?"
Hearing this, Li Ming burst into laughter, gently tapping her nose and chuckling as he scolded, "Little flatterer."
The meal was filled with joy and harmony. When it was time to leave, Li Rong even had someone take the four portraits and swaggered out, looking like a proud little peacock.
But as soon as she stepped into the sedan chair, Li Rong's smile vanished, and she slumped down, completely drained.
After all, she wasn't truly eighteen years old. Pretending to be charming and likable had to be done with great care, lest she inadvertently overdo it and alert Li Ming.
Between Li Ming and her, it wasn't just about royal power struggles. She was his first child and a daughter at that. His affection for her wasn't false, but power and influence were entangled in their relationship. Her mother's family was too powerful, and as Li Ming grew older, his desire for control over authority only intensified.
Adding to this was her younger brother, Crown Prince Li Chuan, who was now sixteen years old.
Li Ming was a harsh and warlike ruler, while Li Chuan advocated for benevolent governance, garnering significant support in the court. A son with prestige, capability, opposing political views, and approaching adulthood; a maternal relative holding military power; and a suspicious, controlling monarch—these factors had destroyed most of the trust within this palace.Caught in the midst of it all, she had simply been unaware in the past. It wasn’t until she turned eighteen and had a sudden awakening that she realized—eighteen became the most difficult year of her life.
Yet such hardship was relative to the Li Rong of that time. The Li Rong of today handled it with relative ease. After pausing for a moment, she called softly toward the outside, "Jing Lan."
Jing Lan approached the sedan chair and replied in a low voice, "Princess."
"In a while, His Majesty will send someone to oversee the Spring Banquet. Receive them."
Jing Lan was momentarily stunned before understanding dawned on her. She whispered, "Understood."
The so-called assistance was nothing more than surveillance. Li Ming was watching her, so she would have Jing Lan watch those people in return.
She knew Jing Lan was clever; there was no need to spell everything out.
After a while, Li Rong thought for a moment, then lifted the curtain with her golden fan and beckoned Jing Lan closer.
Jing Lan leaned in, puzzled. "Princess?"
"Send a few people," Li Rong lowered her voice and continued, "to keep an eye on these individuals' households. Report every single one of their actions to me in detail." With that, Li Rong paused before adding another instruction, "Especially Pei Wenxuan."
Author's Note: 【Mini Theater 1】
Li Rong: "Judging by appearances, my four prospective husbands cover all the bases: the boy-next-door first-love type Lu Yu, the domineering beauty Yang Quan, the mature womanly charm of Cui Yulang, and the ethereal fairy sister Pei Wenxuan. I think the lineup is quite impressive."
Pei Wenxuan holds up a banner: "Let me emphasize: this site is nicknamed 'Chaste and Devoted Husband.' Only 1V1 relationships are allowed, and descriptions below the neck are prohibited. Detailed descriptions above the neck are also forbidden. No explicit content of any kind is permitted, whether physical or psychological. I am a very generous person. There is no such thing as jealousy or displays of possessiveness. Titles like 'Vinegar King' have nothing to do with me. If you have any issues, take it up with the official platform the author belongs to. Thank you."
Li Rong: "As if I'd believe you, you sly old fox!"
Reviewer: "Chapter locked."
【Mini Theater 2】
Pei Wenxuan: "Didn’t you say you didn’t want to be with me anymore? That you didn’t care about me? That you didn’t want me? Yet here you are, having me specially monitored. Hah, such a contradictory woman. I really am different from those three scoundrels."
Li Rong: "Finding a sense of superiority from picking the best among scoundrels? I’m having you closely monitored precisely because, among the four scoundrels, you stand out as the most outstandingly scummy. I’m afraid you’ll stir up trouble!"
Pei Wenxuan: "You’re going to marry me anyway, so stop making a fuss."
Li Rong: "Why should I marry you?"
Pei Wenxuan: "Just ask around—who among this crowd is as obedient and easy to command as I am?"
Li Rong: "True enough. What a good dog!"
Pei Wenxuan: "..."
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