Реi Wеnхuаn heard Li Rоng's wоrds аnd nоtiсed her unusual ехpressiоn. After giving hеr а оnсе-оver, he сouldn't help but ask, "What's wrong? Did sоmеonе bully уоu in thе рalасе?"
"Whаt nоnsensе are yоu thinking?" Li Rоng taрped Pеi Wenxuаn's head with hеr fаn аnd turnеd аwау. "Let's go."
Тhе cаrriаgе was wаiting outsidе thе palасe gаtes. Pei Wеnxuan hurried аftеr Li Rоng, holding аn umbrella ovеr hеr hеad, аnd sаid with sоmе disрlеasurе, "Whу do уou hаve to hit mу heаd whеn уou tаlk?"
"Весause I feеl like it."
Li Rong shot him a sidelоng glance. Рei Wenхuan sighеd hеlplеssly, "I've noticed you're perfectly polite with everyone else, but as soon as you see me, you start hitting, poking, and talking back. Your Highness, you really need to fix this habit."
"If there's a problem, look for the cause within yourself," Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan's complaints and, for some reason, felt her earlier mood lighten. All she wanted now was to tease the person in front of her. As she stepped into the carriage, she lectured him, "Think about why I don't bother anyone else—only you."
"Ah, that question is quite clear to me," Pei Wenxuan sighed. The two settled into the carriage, and Pei Wenxuan closed the umbrella. Li Rong poured herself some tea as Pei Wenxuan continued with a resigned tone, "It must be because I'm too likable, and even Your Highness finds it hard to resist."
Hearing this, Li Rong nearly spat out her tea. She managed to hold it back just in time, but it went down the wrong way, causing her to cough violently.
Seeing her cough so urgently, Pei Wenxuan stopped joking and quickly leaned over, gently patting her back. "Next time, don't drink tea while talking."
Li Rong glared up at him. Her beautiful, bright eyes were tinged with moisture from the coughing, and for once, she lost her usual imposing demeanor. Instead, her gaze seemed to hold a pool of autumn water, a mix of reproach and anger that, for some reason, sent a shiver through Pei Wenxuan, spreading from his heart to his fingertips. When his hand touched the warm, soft skin beneath, the sensation traveled back, leaving his bones half-melted and his mind unsettled.
Once Li Rong caught her breath, she noticed Pei Wenxuan staring at her blankly. She poked him with her fan and asked curiously, "What are you looking at?"
Pei Wenxuan snapped back to his senses, calmly stood up, and moved to sit farther away from Li Rong. With a smile, he said, "Nothing much. I just suddenly remembered something. Oh," he changed the subject, "what were you daydreaming about earlier at the palace gates?"
When Pei Wenxuan asked this, Li Rong smiled faintly and replied, "Today, I asked Her Majesty about the palace banquet. She said it was proposed by Consort Rou to His Majesty. I suspect Consort Rou intends to request an imperial marriage decree during the banquet."
"Something so trivial has you this worried?" Pei Wenxuan looked her up and down in disbelief. "That doesn't seem like you."
Li Rong couldn't be bothered to respond. She retrieved the chess set from the side and said, "It's boring on the road. Let's play a game."
At her invitation, Pei Wenxuan gladly accepted, sitting opposite her. They drew lots for black and white stones and began placing them on the board.
As the black and white stones intersected, Li Rong watched the board, her emotions gradually calming. Whether joy or sorrow, everything seemed to grow distant. Only then did she finally ask, "Actually, I've always been curious."
"Hmm?"
"In our previous life, why did Chuan'er turn out that way?"Li Rong spoke slowly, "He became emperor, unified the north, and eradicated the noble families. He has everything he wanted." She lifted her gaze to Pei Wenxuan. "Why is he still living in such agony?"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Li Rong frowned. "Is it because Qin Zhenzhen died? But can love for one person be remembered for so long?"
"Does Your Highness know why His Majesty was so determined to unify the north?"
Pei Wenxuan looked at the chessboard and asked only this. Li Rong pondered. "Because the northern border has long been unstable, causing suffering for the people?"
"That is certainly one reason," Pei Wenxuan smiled, glancing at Li Rong before adding, "But aside from that?"
Li Rong shook her head. "He never told me."
"One year, while drinking with the Crown Prince, he mentioned to me that in the eighth year of Xuanzhi, the northern border and Great Xia were locked in fierce conflict. To seek stability, the noble families chose peace talks. Thus, Princess Yunyan was sent to marry into the northern border, with Great Xia offering twenty million taels of silver, five hundred beauties, along with livestock, horses, silks, and satins. A year later, Princess Yunyan died in the northern border. His Majesty publicly declared it was due to illness, but everyone in the palace knew—Princess Yunyan died in the harem of the Rong Kingdom."
"The Crown Prince told me that you were so frightened that night you couldn’t sleep. You kept asking the Empress whether one day you, too, would be sent to marry in the north like Princess Yunyan, never to return."
Li Rong’s eyelashes trembled slightly, her voice calm. "I’ve forgotten."
"Your Highness remembers. From that moment on, you told yourself that one day, you would lead a northern expedition, forcing those northern barbarians to bow in submission, never daring to invade again."
"I never knew," Li Rong chuckled softly. "That his desire for a northern expedition began so early."
"Thus, the Crown Prince is different from you," Pei Wenxuan surrounded Li Rong’s pieces on the chessboard, lifting one as he spoke slowly. "Most of what he wanted to achieve in the court, most of what he wanted to do, stemmed from certain emotions deep within his heart. He wanted the northern expedition to protect his subjects and his family. He opposed the noble families to ensure that what he wished to accomplish could be realized. But in the end, while his political goals seemed achieved, he also lost forever what he had originally wanted. How could he be joyful?"
"Lost Qin Zhenzhen?" Li Rong laughed mockingly.
"He lost you, lost his mother, lost his wife, lost himself. Even if he possesses the entire realm, for the Crown Prince, it holds little meaning."
"He cannot find his way back, nor does he have a path forward. If you cannot see this, you will never understand the Crown Prince."
Li Rong said nothing, quietly watching Pei Wenxuan. "What do you mean, lost me?"
Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes, gazing at Li Rong.
"Your Highness," he smiled bitterly in resignation. "Time has changed not only the Crown Prince."
Li Rong was taken aback. Pei Wenxuan lowered his gaze, speaking lightly. "It has changed you and me as well."
Li Rong remained silent, her expression composed. Pei Wenxuan’s words seemed to have no effect on her. Calmly, she placed a piece on the board, then reached for her teacup. But the moment her fingers touched it, she noticed her hand trembling faintly, involuntarily.
Pei Wenxuan pretended not to see, his gaze fixed on the chessboard, his demeanor unruffled.
After studying the game for a moment, he lifted his hand, gently adjusting his wide sleeve before placing a piece on the board.
"What has left me cannot be retained. What is past, is past.""Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, a smile in his eyes, "it doesn't matter if you lose this game, shall we start over?"
Li Rong didn't speak. After a long while, she smiled and raised her hand to place a piece on the board.
In an instant, Pei Wenxuan lost most of his territory.
Li Rong looked at the board, picked up a piece, and while removing captured stones, she glanced at Pei Wenxuan with a smile and said, "You're the one who lost, not me."
Pei Wenxuan stared blankly at the board before finally realizing: "You were deliberately distracting me with conversation just now?"
Seeing Pei Wenxuan's shocked expression, Li Rong burst into laughter, delighted. "All's fair in war. If I hadn't chatted with you today, how could I have won?"
"Indeed, only women and petty men are hard to deal with," Pei Wenxuan said, shaking his head as he tucked his hands into his sleeves. "Today I've learned my lesson. From now on, I won't talk to you during chess games."
"Don't be like that," Li Rong said with a beaming smile. "I really enjoy it when you talk to me more."
Pei Wenxuan made a face of disdain and sat to the side, not wanting to engage with Li Rong.
They continued to tease each other, exchanging occasional remarks until they arrived at the Princess's Manor. After getting off the carriage, Li Rong went to her room first and settled down to sleep early. Pei Wenxuan busied himself for a while longer before returning to their quarters. At the door, he saw Jing Mei and Jing Lan standing guard. He beckoned Jing Mei over, and she approached with a puzzled look. Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice and asked, "Did Her Highness have a conflict with the Crown Prince in the palace today?"
"Not exactly," Jing Mei shook her head honestly. "They just talked for a while. It seemed to be about the Crown Prince not wanting to take a concubine. After the conversation, Her Highness seemed quite upset. You should comfort her properly."
As she spoke, Jing Mei winked. "Her Highness always cheers up when she talks with the Imperial Son-in-Law."
Pei Wenxuan smiled but didn't say much, only adding, "Don't tell Her Highness I asked you about this."
"This servant understands. The Imperial Son-in-Law is quietly concerned."
Pei Wenxuan felt a bit embarrassed by Jing Mei's remark. He cleared his throat lightly and waved his hand. "Stop joking around. Go back to your post."
Jing Mei suppressed a low laugh and returned to her position. Pei Wenxuan pushed the door open and entered. Li Rong was already asleep. He washed up in the darkness and then returned to bed.
After lying there for a while, Li Rong mumbled sleepily, "Are you just going to bed now?"
Pei Wenxuan responded softly in the darkness. Li Rong lay with her back to him, nestled in her own quilt. Her silhouette looked slender, and her whole figure seemed small.
In truth, as soon as Jing Mei mentioned it, Pei Wenxuan had a good idea of what Li Rong and Li Chuan had discussed. He knew how much Li Chuan meant to Li Rong and understood her temperament. After today's conversation, Li Rong was likely thinking about Li Chuan's fate in her previous life, which must have left her feeling down.
He instinctively felt he should console Li Rong but wasn't sure what to say. When Li Rong was sad or upset, she preferred to hide it, not letting anyone see even a hint of her pain. If he spoke too directly, she might become embarrassed or annoyed, potentially making things worse.
But if he said nothing at all...
Then it seemed this life's Li Rong would be no different from the previous one. Whether he was there or not, Li Rong would still have to endure all the bitterness and sorrow alone.
Thinking this, he felt he was being unfair.
Although Li Rong could be somewhat willful, she had a good heart and had treated him well. Since he owed her kindness, he ought to take better care of her.After thinking for a moment, he finally spoke somewhat awkwardly, "Your Highness."
"Hmm?"
"Are you happy that I came to pick you up today?"
Upon hearing this, Li Rong slowly opened her eyes in the darkness.
She wanted to tease him a bit, but suddenly remembered the warmth he had briefly offered by standing behind her when the storm arrived. Unable to bring herself to speak, she softly replied, "It was alright."
Pei Wenxuan smiled, propping himself up as he cheerfully said, "Then from now on, I’ll pick you up every time you go out. That way, when you return, you’ll have company and won’t feel bored."
Listening to Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong turned over and looked at him seriously.
"Pei Wenxuan," she stared at him, "tell me the truth."
"Hmm?"
"Are you asking for money again?"
Pei Wenxuan met Li Rong’s earnest gaze and was momentarily speechless. Feeling his goodwill had been taken for granted, he simply turned over, pulled the blanket up, and muttered, "Biting the hand that feeds you."
Li Rong was amused by this. Lying flat on the bed, she kicked Pei Wenxuan after a moment and said, "From now until we part ways, come pick me up every day, understand?"
"I won’t."
Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes. "Go to sleep. You can dream about it."
Li Rong knew he was being sarcastic and didn’t bother responding. Smiling, she drifted off to sleep.
As she lay in bed, for some reason, her heart felt much lighter. It seemed that even the worst parts of her past life could be changed.
If even a scoundrel like Pei Wenxuan could speak to her so kindly, what couldn’t be changed?
Li Rong closed her eyes and fell asleep with a smile.
The two spent a few days at home, drinking tea, playing chess, and wandering around until their wedding leave ended.
Pei Wenxuan began attending court, and during his absence, Li Rong visited various teahouses to listen to scholars’ discussions, hoping to find a few capable individuals. She also paid visits to her aunts who lived outside the palace to strengthen their bonds.
Before long, it was the seventh day of the seventh month. The Empress held a banquet in the palace, inviting all eligible young men and women from the families of court officials to celebrate the Qixi Festival. Li Rong had long awaited this day and prepared early, leading Pei Wenxuan into the palace ahead of time. Once inside, she mentally reviewed her connections within the palace before looking up at Pei Wenxuan. "With all the money I’ve given you, it should be of some use now, right?"
Pei Wenxuan sighed helplessly and mentioned two names. "These two are serving today. If anything happens, you can find them."
Li Rong nodded, then added, "Have you found out if there’s anything unusual about tonight’s banquet?"
"Everything else seems normal, but I did hear one thing," Pei Wenxuan leaned against the table, glancing at the memorial in his hand as he spoke leisurely. "They’ve prepared many identical incense burners for the banquet and brought in a large amount of incense."
"Hmm?"
Li Rong thought for a moment and said, "Are they planning to blend incense during the banquet?"
"If they intend to request an imperial marriage arrangement, they’ll naturally need a reason."
Pei Wenxuan stated plainly, "I heard that Consort Rou plans to recommend a young lady who is exceptionally skilled in blending incense."
Li Rong understood and smiled. "It seems tonight might be quite interesting."
Pei Wenxuan acknowledged with a sound but said nothing more. Li Rong leaned over to see what memorial he was reading and noticed they were all impeachment reports.In his previous life, Pei Wenxuan had started out in the Censorate—it was his old trade. Li Rong propped her chin on her hand and said, "You're quite busy."
"New officials light three fires," Pei Wenxuan chuckled. "Since His Majesty intends to use me as a blade, I naturally have to help him draw some blood. If I don't work hard, how can I get promoted? Move over a bit." Pei Wenxuan lifted his hand to pull the carriage curtain open wider, giving Li Rong a disdainful glance. "You're blocking my light."
Li Rong shrugged, shifting her position. She pulled out a book from the side and read for a while, but soon grew bored again. The thought of the palace banquet made it impossible for her to settle down. She turned to Pei Wenxuan and said, "Don't you have any other feelings about this?"
"What feelings?" Pei Wenxuan replied calmly, still looking over the official documents. Li Rong poked him with her fan. "You're going to see your dear Zhenzhen today, you know."
Pei Wenxuan stiffened, raising his head with a frown. "Are you that bored?"
Seeing that he was genuinely annoyed, Li Rong quickly straightened up and cleared her throat. "Just making conversation. It's the Qixi Festival today—stop reading those documents for now." As she spoke, she took the memorial from his hands and looked at him. "Let's talk about something personal. Qin Zhenzhen is going to see Chuan'er today—aren't you worried?"
"Why should I be worried?"
"What if they take a liking to each other?"
"Isn't that what you should be worried about?" Pei Wenxuan gave her a cold glance and reached for his memorial. Seeing that he had no intention of engaging with her, Li Rong propped her chin on her hand again. "I'm thinking of you. If you don't make a move first and build some rapport with Qin Zhenzhen, what if she gets married after we divorce?"
"What does that have to do with me?"
Pei Wenxuan spoke bluntly, then immediately added before Li Rong could respond, "Instead of worrying about that, you should be more concerned about the fact that Su Rongqing will also be here tonight. How are you going to talk to him more?"
Li Rong was left speechless. Seeing her silenced, Pei Wenxuan raised an eyebrow and smiled. "But it wouldn't be appropriate for you to talk to him too directly now. Don't worry, I'll help you hint at it tonight."
"Hint... hint at what?" Li Rong grew uneasy. Seeing her discomfort, Pei Wenxuan pursed his lips into a smile, lowered his head to look at the memorial, and said nothing more.
Li Rong stayed quiet for a moment but couldn't resist poking Pei Wenxuan with her fan again. "What are you going to hint at?"
"Hint that we're a fake couple and will divorce in the future. That way, when you interact with him later, he won't have to worry about me."
Pei Wenxuan kept his head lowered, reading the memorial. For some reason, saying these words made his chest feel tight.
But he restrained his emotions. He thought to himself that he had disliked Su Rongqing for so long that it had become a habit. If he wanted to help Li Rong, he needed to adjust his mindset.
Hearing Pei Wenxuan's well-planned and decisive approach, Li Rong cleared her throat softly. "Actually, I think that Su Rongqing and I aren't really..."
Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, and in that instant, Li Rong remembered what he had said that night.
She was afraid Pei Wenxuan would lecture her like chanting sutras again, and deep down, she also felt that perhaps following Pei Wenxuan's advice and giving it another try might not... be a bad thing?
One cannot see the true face of Mount Lu because one is standing on the mountain itself. Pei Wenxuan was an outsider—perhaps he saw things more clearly than she did.
Just as she understood Pei Wenxuan better than he understood himself.Though she felt a bit strange inside, she reluctantly accepted: "Then I'll also have a proper talk with Qin Zhenzhen."
"No need," Pei Wenxuan immediately said. "It's not time for that yet."
"Indeed," Li Rong nodded. "I also think it's a bit early. So you don't need to say too much to Su Rongqing either."
"Just mention it casually."
They spoke in unison, reaching a strange, unspoken understanding.
They chatted casually all the way to the palace. By the time they arrived, many people were already there. Pei Wenxuan saw his colleagues and began greeting them with a smile. Li Rong bid him farewell and headed to the women's seating area.
The men's banquet was held in the main hall, while the women's banquet was set up in the imperial garden. When Li Rong arrived, many noblewomen had already gathered.
Shangguan Ya, coming from a prestigious family, was speaking with the eldest daughter of the Su family and several princesses. Her voice was not loud, and she spoke calmly, but her clear tone made her voice stand out. As soon as Li Rong entered the garden, she recognized Shangguan Ya's voice. She glanced over and saw that Shangguan Ya, upon hearing the announcement of her arrival, looked over briefly before turning her gaze away as if she had never seen her before.
Then, along with the others, she stood up and bowed to Li Rong.
Her elegant posture and dignified manners were no different from the person Li Rong remembered, yet they bore no resemblance to the girl from the gambling den earlier.
Li Rong felt a sudden urge to laugh but suppressed it. She walked over to Shangguan Ya, took her hand, and said, "Sister Aya, you've come today as well."
Shangguan Ya stiffened slightly, forcing a smile as she replied, "Your Highness has arrived quite early."
"Sister Aya isn't late either. Is this your first time entering the palace?"
"I came once when I was a child," Shangguan Ya gradually calmed down, relaxing as she conversed politely with Li Rong.
After they had spoken for a while, most of the guests had arrived. Li Rong glanced over and saw Qin Zhenzhen entering with several other girls, laughing and chatting, before being escorted to a seat behind Shangguan Ya.
With so many female guests, the seating was arranged in several rows. Given Qin Zhenzhen's status, she naturally could not sit in the first row on either side, so she was placed in the first seat of the second row, right behind Shangguan Ya.
Li Rong observed Qin Zhenzhen discreetly and saw that she acted as if she had never seen her before, keeping her gaze straight ahead as she bowed respectfully and said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
Then she turned to Shangguan Ya and bowed politely: "Greetings, Miss Shangguan."
Li Rong and Shangguan Ya returned the greeting, completing the formalities. Qin Zhenzhen took her seat and, with her eyes lowered, remained silent and composed.
Outside, the announcement of the Empress's arrival was heard. Li Rong did not linger any longer. She stood up and smiled at Shangguan Ya, saying, "I shall return to my seat now. Sister Aya, please make yourself comfortable."
Shangguan Ya bowed as Li Rong left. Li Rong took her seat opposite Shangguan Ya, and soon the Empress entered with four other imperial consorts. Everyone stood and bowed. Once the Empress was seated, she gestured for everyone to rise and take their seats.
"Today is the Qixi Festival. You should all be celebrating at home, but I thought it would be more lively to gather everyone together," the Empress began with a smile. "I hope you don't resent me for it."
"Your Majesty jests," Li Rong responded from her seat. "Young ladies love excitement. Everyone is delighted that you invited us here."Li Rong spoke thus, and from below came successive murmurs of agreement, making the scene lively for a moment. With one word from you and another from me, a topic of conversation was sparked.
The Empress relaxed and, following the procedure, announced the commencement of the banquet. Meanwhile, in the main hall ahead, Li Ming presided, leading Li Chuan in hosting the banquet for the young officials.
After the meal, a group of young ladies began to play around. They took out needles and thread, threading them for a while before starting to make wishes.
Li Rong was already married, and she had genuinely lost interest in such activities, so she remained seated, watching the lively group of girls.
Consort Rou had drunk a little wine and seemed slightly intoxicated. She looked up at the Empress and said, "Your Majesty, it seems about time. Why not have someone bring up the incense burners and let everyone compete?"
Hearing this, Li Rong glanced at Consort Rou. Others also looked puzzled, but the Empress seemed to have known about it all along and nodded, saying, "Then have them brought up."
Upon receiving this response, Consort Rou immediately called everyone back to their seats and announced, "In past Qixi Festival banquets, we always found ways to have fun. Today, with so many people at the palace banquet, the usual games like passing the drum while composing poems might be too chaotic. So, Her Majesty the Empress has decided to replace poetry with incense blending. All unmarried ladies present today will blend incense, and the results will be sent to the main hall, where His Highness the Crown Prince will select the top three. There will be generous rewards. How does that sound?"
Everyone was taken aback by this announcement, and soon, different expressions appeared on their faces.
Anyone with a bit of sense could understand Consort Rou's implication. The Empress had summoned unmarried noble ladies to the palace, asked them to blend incense, and had the Crown Prince select the best. With the Crown Prince still unmarried and Li Rong recently wedded, the meaning was all too clear.
Thus, some looked delighted and eager, while others appeared bewildered and unsure.
Noble ladies like Shangguan Ya and Su Rongwen mostly remained calm and composed, likely having known about this beforehand. Others, like Qin Zhenzhen, seemed completely detached, their expressions radiating a serene indifference that said, "This has nothing to do with me."
Observing everyone's reactions, Li Rong smiled playfully and suddenly spoke up, "Mother, I don’t think this is appropriate."
As soon as she spoke, all eyes turned to her. Li Rong continued with a smile, "Everyone is here for the banquet. Why should they get to blend incense and win prizes while I can’t? I want to join too."
"Rong’er, what nonsense are you talking?" the Empress frowned, signaling her not to cause trouble.
Seeing the Empress’s expression, Li Rong realized that this was likely a plan devised by both the Empress and Consort Rou.
Consort Rou’s goal was simple: she wanted to arrange a marriage for her niece and needed a pretext. Having Li Chuan select her niece’s incense blend would be the perfect excuse.
As for the Empress, she agreed because she believed she could control the situation, ensuring Li Chuan selected Shangguan Ya’s incense. The Shangguan family would then seize the opportunity to propose a marriage between Shangguan Ya and the Crown Prince.
Each had their own calculations, treating the position of Crown Princess as a prize and making the same decision.
Li Rong didn’t know whether Li Chuan was aware of this, but she was certain of one thing: today, anyone could be chosen except Shangguan Ya, Consort Rou’s niece, and Qin Zhenzhen.
So Li Rong stood her ground, smiling at the Empress. "One more person won’t make a difference, Mother. Won’t you let me join?"
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