Li Rоng rесеived Pеi Wеnхuаn's rеply the nехt day. Shе glancеd аt thе wеdding drеss hе had markеd, thought for a moment, then рullеd out thе design fоr аnоthеr wedding drеss аnd hаndеd it tо Jing Lan: "Тell the Ministrу оf Rites thаt I want the onе embroidеred with phоеniхеs."
Jing Lаn wаs tаken abасk and соuldn't hеlp sаying, "Didn't Yоung Мaster Реi chоose the оne with peоniеs?"
"Аctuаlly, either оnе wоuld do," Li Rоng sаid аs shе wаshеd her hаnds. "I'm just using thе prоcеss of eliminаtion."
Неаring this, the mаids nеаrbу lowered thеir heads and smiled. Aftеr the group hаd their fun, Li Rong сheсkеd the timе. Her mother, the Empress, should be awake by now, so she went as usual to Weiyang Palace to pay her respects.
Normally, she visited the Empress every day, but recently, between investigating cases and being imprisoned, she hadn't seen her mother for quite some time. She took a handkerchief from the side, dried her hands, then turned and led her attendants to Weiyang Palace.
Just as she reached the entrance of Weiyang Palace, she heard bursts of women's laughter from inside. Li Rong smiled as she entered and saw that nearly all the imperial consorts were present. Her mother, Shangguan Yue, was seated in the highest position, laughing along with everyone else.
"What amusing topic has all the noble consorts laughing so heartily?" Li Rong walked in, smiling as she asked. Then she bowed to the Empress on the throne: "Greetings, Mother Empress."
Next, she turned and bowed to the four noble consorts seated above: "Greetings to all the noble consorts."
"So our little Ping Le has arrived," a gentle voice spoke up as soon as she rose. Li Rong looked up and saw Consort Rou gazing at her with a warm smile. "Come, take a seat."
The character "Rou" in her title came from her original name, Xiao Rou. She came from an ordinary family and entered the palace at a young age to serve as a palace maid. Because of her cleverness, she began serving Li Ming in his youth. It was said that when Li Ming was still a prince, his life was not easy, and Xiao Rou accompanied him through his adolescent years in the cold palace, which gave Li Ming a peculiar affection for her. Later, when Li Ming was still the Crown Prince, Xiao Rou was married off to a high-ranking official by the then Empress. However, not long after the marriage, Li Ming ascended the throne as Emperor. Some years later, that official died of illness at home. Xiao Rou first shaved her head and became a nun, but later encountered Li Ming at a temple. After a romantic encounter, she returned to the palace and has enjoyed favor in the harem for decades without decline.
With such abilities, her appearance was naturally extraordinary. Now nearing fifty, she was still exceptionally well-preserved, retaining her charm. Compared to the Empress, who was a full seven years younger, she was not at all inferior.
As the highest-ranking of the four noble consorts, she assisted the Empress in managing the harem and was skilled in social interactions. When Li Rong entered, the Empress remained silent, but Consort Rou was the first to speak.
Li Rong smiled lightly and nodded slightly in gratitude.
A maid set up a small table at the nearest spot to the left of the Empress. Li Rong went and sat behind it. As soon as she took her seat, she heard Consort Rou above asking the Empress: "I heard Ping Le's marriage has been settled recently. Is that true?"
"The imperial decree of marriage has been issued," Shangguan Yue said calmly. "It is Pei Wenxuan, the eldest legitimate son of the Pei family."
"Pei Lizhi's son?" Consort Rou smiled. "I met that child three or four years ago. He is indeed very handsome. Ping Le," Consort Rou turned to look at Li Rong, "I heard you investigated the Yang family case with him?"
"Noble Consort," Li Rong said gently, "It is improper to discuss such matters before the marriage has taken place. Let's change the subject.""Ping Le is shy," Consort Duan interjected to smooth things over, looking up at Consort Rou. "Look how you've embarrassed the child, Sister Rou. She's not like us old folks—asking like that, which young lady would respond?"
Consort Rou raised her round fan with a light laugh, and the hall immediately filled with laughter. Li Rong held her teacup, taking a few sips, smiling without speaking.
After the concubines had laughed and chattered for a while, the Empress dismissed them. Consort Rou remained seated, unmoving. Once everyone had left, the Empress turned to Consort Rou and asked, "Do you have something to say?"
"I just wanted to ask Ping Le for a favor."
Consort Rou smiled as she looked at Li Rong. "Ping Le has always preferred to keep to herself and isn’t very close to her other sisters and brothers. Now that she’s about to marry, many of the younger sisters want to spend some time with their elder sister during these last days, to learn from her guidance. So I thought, perhaps Ping Le could set aside some time each day to regularly interact and exchange with the other princesses in the palace." As she spoke, Consort Rou turned to the Empress. "What does Your Majesty think?"
The Empress frowned. She knew Consort Rou’s intentions were far from good and was about to refuse when she heard Li Rong say, "Alright."
Consort Rou was slightly taken aback. Li Rong looked up at her and asked, "What expression is that, Your Highness? Did you think Ping Le wouldn’t agree?"
"How could I?" Consort Rou laughed. "I always knew that although Ping Le may seem aloof on the surface, she truly cares for her siblings in her heart."
"Your Highness speaks as if I usually have no regard for my siblings in my heart," Li Rong said, lightly tapping her golden fan against her palm. "That’s really quite disparaging of me."
Consort Rou, having been rebuffed by Li Rong, found it difficult to maintain her smile and could only turn to the Empress, saying, "Look at this child—just two months apart, and she’s become so sharp-tongued."
"I’ve always been concerned about all my younger sisters," Li Rong said, picking up her teacup, her tone gentle. "There are many things I’d like to teach them. Why doesn’t Consort Rou organize it? I could give lectures to the younger sisters for two hours each day. How does that sound?"
"Lectures?" Consort Rou was puzzled. "What would you lecture about?"
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has always been devoted to Buddhist teachings. I could teach the younger sisters about Buddhism, as well as daily etiquette and conduct—cultivating the mind and refining manners, so they avoid making mistakes. I heard recently that Hua Le beat a maid to death in her courtyard?"
Hua Le was Consort Rou’s eldest daughter, known for her arrogance and willfulness. Upon hearing this, Consort Rou’s expression changed drastically, and she immediately said, "Such a thing happened?! Then you should discipline her properly."
"Good," Li Rong smiled. "With Your Highness’s words, Ping Le will do her best."
Hearing this, Consort Rou felt a sudden unease. Li Rong glanced at the sky and then said, "Does Consort Rou wish to stay for a meal?"
This was clearly a hint for her to leave. Having said what she needed to, Consort Rou stood up and said, "No, you came for Her Majesty the Empress. I won’t intrude on your mother-daughter bonding."
After exchanging a few pleasantries with the Empress, Consort Rou left, swaying her fan.
Seeing the Empress about to rise, Li Rong stepped forward to support her. The Empress allowed herself to be helped up and said with some dissatisfaction, "Why did you agree just now? She clearly has ill intentions."
"If her intentions are ill, does it matter whether I refuse or not?"Li Rong supported the Empress as they walked toward the courtyard, speaking soothingly, "If I refuse now, she’ll go whisper in Father’s ear again, talking about fostering sisterly bonds. Father always listens to her, and by tomorrow, the decree will likely be issued."
"How utterly disgusting."
The Empress frowned, her expression filled with disgust. Li Rong chuckled softly, "So let’s not waste our thoughts on that wretched pair. You are the Empress, the most honored woman in the realm. Just focus on being the Empress. If that woman wants me to foster bonds, we’ll agree. Father will even think I’m more reasonable."
"But what if she—"
"She won’t act directly." Li Rong walked alongside the Empress through the garden, speaking calmly. "After all these years, haven’t you seen through her methods? This time, having me bond with the princesses is really just an opportunity for them to get close to me. Some of them are foolish enough—she won’t need to lift a finger; others will act on their own."
"You’ve thought it all through." Hearing Li Rong’s reasoned analysis, the Empress sighed in relief. "Then you must handle it well."
"Don’t worry."
Li Rong’s voice was even. "The schemes in the rear palace are just the same old tricks. There’s no need for concern. In fact, we should be pleased."
"What is there to be pleased about?" The Empress looked weary. "I don’t see anything to be happy about these days."
"Think of it this way: if my marriage held no value, Consort Rou wouldn’t be scheming to ruin it. The fact that she’s causing trouble now proves only one thing."
"What?" The Empress turned her head. Li Rong smiled. "Pei Wenxuan is likely about to be promoted."
The Empress was taken aback. After a moment, she sighed softly. "You young ones, I find you harder to understand with each passing day. Sending Chuan’er to the northwest—it truly frightened me these past two months. I was afraid something might happen to him on the battlefield, and worried he wouldn’t handle matters well there, giving His Majesty a reason to punish him. I could only beg your uncle for help. After all that turmoil, the Shangguan family has been severely weakened, Chuan’er gained no credit at all, and yet you two seem quite pleased." The Empress’s eyes reddened. "I’m starting to doubt which side that Pei Wenxuan is really on."
"Mother," Li Rong reached out to embrace the Empress’s shoulder, comforting her. "Don’t worry. Actually, you should consider this: if even you can’t see through it, that’s even better—it means Father will find it even harder to understand. The Shangguan family losing a little strength now isn’t a bad thing, Mother. There’s a simple principle," Li Rong advised. "Only by hiding the blade can you strike a fatal blow when the time comes."
"But you still need a blade."
The Empress grew anxious. Li Rong only smiled without answering as they arrived at the dining area. The two sat down together. The Empress washed her hands in the copper basin, pouring water over them as she spoke. "This time, when your uncle helped, he made a request."
"Oh?"
"He wants to send Ya’er into the palace."
Hearing this, Li Rong paused in washing her hands. The Empress took a towel from the side and glanced back at her. "You remember Ya’er, don’t you? You met when you were children."
"Oh, I remember."
Li Rong snapped back to attention and quickly replied, "I recall she returned to Youzhou a long time ago.""He'll be returning to the capital next month and will attend your wedding along the way." The Empress chatted idly, "Chuan'er is not young anymore. I plan to select consorts for him next year and have already begun looking for suitable candidates. The Crown Princess will definitely be Ya'er. As for other good families, you should also help keep an eye out."
Li Rong remained silent. The Empress picked up her chopsticks and ate as she spoke, "After marrying Ya'er, I want him to take four more concubines. For the concubines, the girl's background is more important than her character. Help me look—it would be best to choose two from military families. Chuan'er lacks military power, which is always a weakness."
The Empress chatted with Li Rong while they ate.
Li Rong spoke little in front of the Empress, mostly listening as the Empress talked. After the meal, the Empress grew tired and decided to take a midday rest, so Li Rong excused herself and left.
On her way back, she sat in her sedan chair, pondering the Empress's words.
In her previous life, Li Chuan had indeed married Shangguan Ya and then taken four concubines. Shangguan Ya had a temperament similar to hers, and they had known each other since they were young. They had parted ways when Shangguan Ya went to Youzhou, but after she returned and became her sister-in-law, it did not affect their relationship.
Taking concubines had little impact on Shangguan Ya. She was a woman of strong will, appearing noble and aloof on the surface but revealing a fiery temper once familiar. Family always came first for her, and everything else was her own hobbies—drinking, playing chess, painting—living a carefree and unrestrained life.
When Li Chuan showed her no favor, Li Rong had even tried to think of ways to help her, but Shangguan Ya just waved her hand while looking at the household accounts, saying, "As long as my position as Empress isn’t affected and he gives me face, that’s enough. The rest of the time, he can stay as far away from me as possible. If he weren’t the emperor, who would bother with him?"
Her words left Li Rong speechless, but Li Rong knew Shangguan Ya was not putting on a brave face. With her scholarly temperament, she probably genuinely found Li Chuan annoying.
But just because it didn’t affect Shangguan Ya didn’t mean it didn’t affect others. The four concubines fought among themselves until, in the end, two died, one became a nun, and the last one, more open-minded, stayed in the palace with Shangguan Ya, living out their later years together.
Thinking about it this way, in her previous life, no one had a good ending.
Knowing the outcome, should she still follow the same path and let everything repeat itself?
Li Rong lightly tapped her fan against her palm, deep in thought.
Qin Zhenzhen absolutely must not enter the palace again. In fact, it would be best if she and Li Chuan never met again from now on.
As for Shangguan Ya...
Li Rong hesitated for a moment, unsure how to decide.
She took a deep breath, lifted the curtain, and instructed Jing Lan, "Send someone to the Shangguan residence. If Lady Shangguan Ya has returned, report it to me immediately."
"Yes."
"And," Li Rong thought for a moment, "tell Pei Wenxuan to write me a letter. The general idea should be to entrust the messenger to deliver the letter to me, asking me to meet him somewhere we can both go, saying he has something to give me. After that, have him carry that item with him every day, ready to respond to my summons at any time."
"Yes."
Jing Lan acknowledged the orders.
After giving these instructions, Li Rong lowered the curtain and leaned back to rest.
The next day, Pei Wenxuan’s letter was delivered through someone from the Princess's Manor. Pei Wenxuan’s letter contained a lot of things. Li Rong glanced at the letter he had written according to her requirements, confirmed that he had grasped the key points without any mistakes, and then tucked the letter away.Then she opened Pei Wenxuan's letter and saw it contained only three sentences: "How is the wedding dress decided? Have you encountered any troublesome matters? And, Your Highness is quite wealthy."
Seeing the phrase "Your Highness is quite wealthy," Li Rong couldn't help but laugh. She set the letter aside and looked through the miscellaneous items Pei Wenxuan had sent her, discovering that they were his calculations of her assets and an expense budget.
As Li Rong reviewed the list, she took a teacup from Jing Lan. Seeing Li Rong's smile, Jing Lan couldn't help but ask, "What is Your Highness looking at? You seem so happy."
"Lord Pei is quite capable."
Li Rong held the cup with one hand, took a sip of tea, then set it down and tossed the accounts Pei Wenxuan had sent into the brazier used for burning paper.
After washing up, Li Rong received news that Consort Rou had already decided on the teaching location for several princesses. Li Rong nodded, got up, and went over, finding that Consort Rou had chosen a waterside pavilion in the imperial garden.
"Her Ladyship said," the eunuch guiding her explained, "that summer is hot and dry, and the waterside pavilion is cool. It is the perfect place for Your Highness to lecture the princesses on the classics."
Li Rong acknowledged this and stepped into the pavilion. As soon as she entered, she saw that her six younger sisters had already arrived.
Among these six sisters, two—Changle and Hua Le—were already past the age of fifteen. Changle was the daughter of Consort Mei, one of the four highest-ranking consorts, and was of noble status, highly favored, and had never gotten along well with Li Rong. Hua Le was Consort Rou's daughter, inheriting her mother's habit of smiling like a tiger while being privately cruel and violent. The remaining four princesses were all under fifteen, appearing as mere children with too great an age gap to have much interaction with Li Rong.
After Li Rong entered, Changle turned to look at her and immediately smiled. "Oh, elder sister is here."
Li Rong smiled back. "You all arrived quite early. Please, sit."
With that, Li Rong took the seat of honor. After the princesses had settled in, Changle looked at Li Rong and said with a smile, "I heard elder sister has been betrothed to the eldest son of the Pei family. Since elder sister has always been favored, the one you are betrothed to must surely be an extraordinary talent of exceptional status, right?"
Li Rong didn't answer, instead spreading open the scroll before her. "Today, let's start by reciting the Diamond Sutra."
"What's wrong?" Changle, seeing Li Rong avoid the question, grew pleased. "Is there something elder sister finds difficult to say? Is that Pei gentleman a high-ranking official at court? Though he is young, even if he can't compare to Vice Minister Su, he must at least hold a sixth-rank position, right?"
"Changle," Li Rong looked up at her gently, "today we are lecturing on the classics. If you don't like that, elder sister can teach something else."
"Oh?" Changle raised an eyebrow. "What else can elder sister teach?"
"Jing Lan, go to Weiyang Palace and summon the Chief Matron."
Jing Lan received the order and left. Changle, still confused, pressed on, "Elder sister, just tell us."
"Changle," Hua Le quickly interjected beside her, "I heard that Pei Wenxuan is only a minor eighth-rank official. Please don't poke at elder sister's sore spot."
Li Rong remained silent, calmly drinking her tea.
After a short while, an elderly woman holding a ruler followed Jing Lan into the room and bowed to Li Rong.
"Your Highness."
"I have been entrusted with teaching the princesses the proper conduct befitting their status. I originally intended to lecture on the classics, but it seems today that my younger sisters have forgotten even the basic palace rules. Therefore, I have asked the Chief Matron to instruct you all once more."Hearing this, everyone paled. Li Rong turned to the younger princesses and said, "Chang Le and Hua Le shall learn. The other younger sisters are still too small, so let it be."
"Ping Le, how dare you!"
Chang Le slammed the table and pointed at Li Rong. Li Rong smiled lightly, calmly sipping her tea. "No respect for superiors or inferiors—what right does a princess have to slam the table? Head Matron, what do you think should be done?"
"Slap her face and strike her hands."
"Slapping the face would disgrace the imperial family," Li Rong said calmly. "Strike her hands instead."
The attendants nearby dared not move. Chang Le sneered, "I’d like to see who dares touch me today!"
"Who dares not touch you?" Li Rong raised her eyes and looked at the crowd. "If you don’t, I will punish you instead. I am the legitimate eldest princess, here by Consort Rou’s order to instruct the princesses. Am I to be unable to enforce even the palace rules today?!"
With that, Li Rong abruptly stood up, pointed at Chang Le, and shouted angrily, "Restrain her!"
As soon as she finished speaking, Jing Lan and Jing Mei rushed forward and seized Chang Le. Chang Le’s maids tried to intervene, but Li Rong swept a cold glance over them and said, "Think carefully. Insolence is punishable by death by beating."
The maids froze in fear. The Head Matron stepped forward and, without mercy, struck Chang Le’s palms ten times with a ruler.
Chang Le screamed in pain. Li Rong’s expression remained as calm as ever. "Once you’re done, leave. I still have to lecture the other younger sisters."
Just as she finished speaking, the sound of a young man’s voice came from outside. Moments later, the curtain was lifted, and everyone froze.
Li Rong looked up and saw a handsome man dressed in a black outer robe embroidered with golden birds, a single-layer inner garment, and holding a small fan. His features bore some resemblance to Su Rongqing’s, but his brows and eyes carried a wild arrogance that Su Rongqing lacked.
Behind him stood Su Rongqing, who had been speaking to him. As the curtain was slowly raised, Su Rongqing’s smile lingered, and his gaze naturally fell upon Li Rong. The conversation abruptly ceased as he and Li Rong quietly looked at each other.
One standing, one sitting—the two faced each other in silence. The man in black was the first to react, hurriedly kneeling on the ground and announcing loudly, "Your humble servant Su Ronghua, accompanied by my younger brother, pays respects to Your Highness!"
Author’s Note: 【Mini Theater】
Empress: "Rongrong, Consort Rou asked you to join the palace intrigue. Aren’t you afraid?"
Li Rong: "What’s there to fear about fighting children in kindergarten?"
Empress: "..."
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