Тhе Еmрrеss аnd Li Rong loсkеd еуеs, neither yiеlding. Аfter a mоment, the Еmрrеss still rеtrеаted. Aftеr all, Li Rong had spoken thus; if shе insistеd on fоrcing Li Rоng tо stер baсk, it wоuld nоt оnlу embаrrass Li Rong but alsо mаke thе situation toо awkward.
In аny cаsе, thе саndidаtе Li Chuan wоuld сhoоsе wаs alrеadу dеcided. It wоuldn’t hurt tо let Li Rоng join in.
So the Еmpress smiled аnd mеrеly sаid, “You are sо misсhiеvous. Тhеn bring аn inсеnsе burner fоr Рrincеss Ping Lе as well.”
“Тhank уоu, Мothеr Еmрrеss.” Li Rong smiled and bоwed.
Soon after, inсense burners аnd commоnly usеd inсensе materials were placed on trays and brought up, set before each young lady.
When it came to identifying scents, most noblewomen knew how, but actually blending incense was not something every young lady could do. However, being able to distinguish scents provided a foundation, so everyone began to work, at least able to blend some of their commonly used incense pouches and place them into the burners.
Li Rong was no expert in this, but Pei Wenxuan had been skilled in blending incense in the past and had once prepared several incense pouches for her. Following one of the recipes Pei Wenxuan had given her back then, she leisurely blended the incense while keeping an eye on her surroundings.
Everyone was lowering their heads, selecting and sniffing the materials before them, especially Shangguan Ya and Xiao Wei, the daughter of the Xiao Clan recommended by Consort Rou. They were clearly experts in this art, their movements elegant and practiced, quite beautiful.
Meanwhile, Qin Zhenzhen behind Shangguan Ya seemed unsure of what to do, keeping her head down and grinding the materials beside her as if trying hard to blend into the group and find something to occupy herself.
As Li Rong selected materials, she pondered the intentions of everyone in this scene.
Consort Rou had recommended her niece, while her mother, the Empress, was supporting Shangguan Ya. As for Emperor Li Ming, he didn’t particularly care whether the Crown Prince married Consort Rou’s niece or someone else, as long as he didn’t marry someone from a major clan like Shangguan Ya or Su Rongwen.
Moreover, Consort Rou’s methods had always been far more sophisticated than her mother’s. It was impossible that she hadn’t guessed the Empress would secretly instruct the Crown Prince in advance, telling him which incense Shangguan Ya would blend so he could choose hers.
Therefore, Consort Rou must have her own arrangements.
Li Rong observed the incense burners before her. They were all identical, with a section of pale yellow silk underneath, beneath which lay a scented card bearing each young lady’s name. Later, palace attendants would carry the incense burners on trays to Li Chuan, who would select someone by scent and then retrieve the name from underneath to send back.
If she were Consort Rou, she would certainly arrange for someone to intercept Shangguan Ya’s incense midway and swap it with Xiao Wei’s.
If Li Chuan chose Shangguan Ya’s incense, it would mean he had chosen Xiao Wei’s.
After guessing the thoughts of everyone present, Li Rong remained expressionless. While blending her incense, she wrote and sketched on paper as if recording something.
Soon, the time was almost up. The Empress announced that the attendants should collect the incense burners and bring them one by one to the front hall.
The scene became momentarily chaotic as everyone relaxed. Li Rong glanced at Xiao Wei and saw a confident smile on her face, then looked across at Shangguan Ya.
The attendants collecting the incense burners were almost in front of Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya closed the lid of her incense burner, lifted it, and then seemed to have dropped something. She turned to look behind her at Qin Zhenzhen and said, “Second Miss Qin, could you lend a hand?”Qin Zhenzhen looked up to see Shangguan Ya smiling with a hint of apology as she said, "My sachet rolled over to your side. Could I trouble Miss Qin to help pick it up?"
Qin Zhenzhen didn’t say much in response. She turned to retrieve Shangguan Ya’s sachet, and as she lowered her head, Shangguan Ya swiftly swapped the two incense burners. She then turned and placed Qin Zhenzhen’s burner on her own tray, handing it to a servant who had just approached.
Shangguan Ya’s movements were lightning-fast. By the time Qin Zhenzhen turned back, the servant had already carried the incense burner away.
Qin Zhenzhen handed over the dropped sachet, and Shangguan Ya nodded, saying, "Thank you."
Just as she was about to turn away, Qin Zhenzhen whispered, "You shouldn’t have swapped my incense burner."
Shangguan Ya hadn’t expected Qin Zhenzhen to notice so quickly. She froze momentarily before immediately feigning confusion, as if unaware of what had happened. "What does Miss Qin mean?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked at her, her clear eyes seeming to understand everything. At that moment, a servant bent down to collect Qin Zhenzhen’s tray. Qin Zhenzhen turned to the servant, about to say something, when Shangguan Ya suddenly grabbed her wrist. Speaking rapidly, Shangguan Ya said, "What scent was in Miss Qin’s incense burner just now? It smelled quite intriguing."
Distracted by this interruption, Qin Zhenzhen watched as the servant carried the incense burner away.
Only after the servant had left did Shangguan Ya release her, whispering, "Don’t worry, I won’t harm you. Please, do me this favor."
With that, Shangguan Ya let go and turned away.
All of this happened in a matter of moments. From a distance, Li Rong observed. Though she couldn’t clearly see what exactly had transpired between the two or what they had said, she noticed Shangguan Ya’s swift exchange of the incense burners and Qin Zhenzhen’s apparent intention to speak, which allowed her to piece together the situation.
Shangguan Ya must have been persuaded by her earlier words, but she lacked the ability to convince the Shangguan family or the Empress. Thus, she had resorted to this method.
Now, if Li Chuan were to select any young lady from a second-tier noble family, Li Ming would immediately bestow the marriage. Qin Zhenzhen’s status was just right for this. Moreover, the Qin family was a military household. Though Qin Zhenzhen’s father had passed away, her uncles were still alive. If Li Chuan married Qin Zhenzhen, he would gain additional leverage in military power.
Shangguan Ya knew the Empress was paving the way for her. By giving this opportunity to Qin Zhenzhen, as long as Qin Zhenzhen was betrothed today, Shangguan Ya’s status would prevent her from becoming a concubine, effectively dissolving the marriage alliance between the Shangguan family and Li Chuan. And Qin Zhenzhen’s status was certainly better than Xiao Wei’s. This decision, indeed, seemed to consider everyone’s interests.
However, Li Rong remained concerned that Qin Zhenzhen and Li Chuan might repeat past mistakes. As soon as Shangguan Ya turned back, Li Rong lowered her gaze to sip her tea and quietly instructed Jing Lan beside her, "Go find the Imperial Son-in-Law. Have him give my incense recipe to the Crown Prince and ask the Crown Prince to choose my incense."
Jing Lan acknowledged the order, discreetly taking the incense ingredients Li Rong had written down earlier before silently withdrawing.
Messages from various parties were relayed to the main hall. Servants brought the Empress’s instructions and the incense offerings from the noble families’ daughters to the banquet. Upon hearing the Empress’s suggestion, the Emperor laughed heartily and said, "Today is a gathering for you young people. Since you wish to choose, let everyone participate. The top incense will be selected by the Crown Prince, while the next two will be chosen by everyone’s recommendation. How does that sound?"
The attendees immediately voiced their agreement. Thus, starting from the highest seat in the hall, each incense burner was passed down in turn, and the top three were selected and recorded by number on paper.Li Chuan sat on the high seat, his expression unreadable as neither joy nor sorrow. Long before the banquet began, he had received the Empress's instructions, confirming the person to be chosen today. He felt as if something heavy weighed on his heart. While everyone else was rejoicing, he alone felt a sense of bewilderment mixed with an indescribable oppression.
Just like countless times in his life, he was waiting for the moment when his fate would be decided.
The helplessness of having his destiny controlled surged within him time and again. As he sat in the high seat looking down upon the others, this absurd contrast emerged vividly in his mind.
Along with the incense burner, a note from Li Rong was also brought in. Pei Wenxuan took the note from the attendant, quickly scanned it, and pondered for a moment.
He glanced at Li Chuan seated on the high platform, thought for a while, and then, as the attendant handed him the incense burner, whispered, "Tell the Crown Prince to choose Princess Ping Le, sandalwood incense."
The attendant's expression remained unchanged. Shortly after, when the incense burner was passed to the Crown Prince, the attendant whispered swiftly, "Choose Princess Ping Le, sandalwood incense."
Li Chuan's hand paused slightly, and the attendant rose to move to the next table.
Pei Wenxuan identified the continuously wafting fragrances. Distinguishing scents was an extremely difficult task, especially in such a process of constant identification. Many people could hardly differentiate and even lost their sense of smell.
However, Pei Wenxuan was naturally skilled in the art of incense. He continuously searched for the sandalwood incense Li Rong had mentioned while contemplating what exactly had happened in the ladies' seating area.
The incense burners circulated among the tables. Shangguan Ya's and Xiao Wei's incense burners were brought in one after another. Before even entering the hall, the two attendants swiftly exchanged the names on the notes hidden beneath the burners and passed them upward.
After two consecutive exchanges, Qin Zhenzhen's incense burner was completely transferred to Xiao Wei's name, Xiao Wei's incense burner was transferred to Shangguan Ya's name, and Shangguan Ya's incense burner was transferred to Qin Zhenzhen's name.
The three incense burners were presented in order. Xiao Wei and Shangguan Ya were exceptionally skilled in blending fragrances. Not long after their incense burners were brought into the hall, Su Ronghua exclaimed in admiration, "I wonder whose handiwork this thirty-fourth incense burner is? It deserves to be among the top three today!"
He had always been unruly, so no one was surprised by his outburst. Only Su Rongqing beside him reminded him, "Elder brother, just write it on paper. The final decision should be made by the Crown Prince."
"It's fine," Li Chuan, who had been waiting for messages from various sources and was worried that others might find it difficult to pass messages to him, quickly smiled upon hearing Su Rongqing's reminder to Su Ronghua. "Everyone may express their opinions and discuss freely."
As he spoke, Li Rong's incense was presented.
Li Rong had little talent for blending fragrances and had copied all her formulas from Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan recognized it immediately upon smelling it. He also noticed that Li Rong's hand had trembled, causing her to add one qian less of agarwood.
Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat disdainful, thinking he would have to teach Li Rong properly when they returned. Otherwise, it would be too embarrassing for a princess to always copy his formulas.
While pondering how to teach Li Rong later, he wore an appreciative expression on his face and said calmly, in a voice loud enough for Li Chuan to hear, "This forty-first sandalwood incense is excellent. It should be considered the best."
Hearing this, Li Chuan looked up at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan smiled back at him and nodded subtly.
Li Chuan felt reassured, knowing this was Li Rong's incense burner. For some reason, he suddenly felt a mix of joy and emotion.
After all, she was his elder sister, different from the others in this deep palace.The incense burner passed to Li Chuan, who picked it up, sniffed it, and with feigned solemnity, wrote down its number beside it.
Once all the incense burners had been passed around, the scoring began.
Since Li Chuan was to personally select the top candidate, the others only needed to choose the top two. After the numbers were tallied, Li Chuan handed over the number he had chosen for the top spot. The attendant then drew out the name from the tray corresponding to that number and passed it to Li Chuan, who announced it.
Li Ming waited with a smile as Li Chuan announced the top three. Li Chuan took the name and calmly said, "Third place, Shangguan Ya."
With Shangguan Ya in third place, Li Ming's smile deepened. Li Chuan drew out the second slip of paper: "Second place, Qin Zhenzhen."
As he spoke, Li Chuan saw the name on the final slip and broke into a smile. He looked up, appearing somewhat delighted, and said, "First place, Princess Ping Le, Li Rong."
Upon hearing this, Li Ming was momentarily stunned, then frowned. "Why is Ping Le among them?"
"Father," Li Chuan replied, as if unaware of what was happening, turning with a smile, "although Sister's incense blending skills were lacking in the past, this time she truly excelled. Father must not let past impressions cloud your judgment."
Li Chuan's words left Li Ming momentarily speechless. He couldn't very well say that this event was meant to select a consort for Li Chuan and that Li Rong shouldn't have participated, much less been chosen by Li Chuan.
Fortunately, while Li Chuan's choice of Li Rong didn't secure him a common-born crown princess, it was still better than choosing Shangguan Ya. Li Ming quickly smiled and said, "You're right. I shouldn't underestimate her. She deserves a reward. Summon them to receive their rewards."
Li Ming's order was relayed by Fulai to the imperial garden.
All the young ladies were waiting for the results. From afar, they saw Fulai walking along the corridor over the lake, crossing the center of the water, and everyone grew tense.
Fulai arrived at the waterside pavilion, first paying respects to the Empress and Consort Rou, then explaining his purpose: "The top three winners have been selected in the front hall. By His Majesty's decree, I am to invite the three young ladies to the main hall to receive their rewards."
The Empress nodded and gestured. "Announce it."
Fulai bowed, turned to the crowd, and said, "Her Highness Princess Ping Le, Miss Qin Zhenzhen of the Qin family, and Miss Shangguan Ya of the Shangguan Clan, please follow me to the main hall to receive your rewards."
Upon hearing this, Consort Rou's expression changed dramatically. Xiao Wei looked up in disbelief, while Shangguan Ya and Qin Zhenzhen both showed surprise. The Empress frowned, visibly uneasy, and asked, "Who won first place in the incense blending?"
"Your Majesty," Fulai replied with a smile, "it is Her Highness Princess Ping Le."
The Empress looked at Li Rong, who immediately feigned surprise and exclaimed happily, "It's me?"
"Indeed," Fulai praised. "Your Highness's incense blending skills are extraordinary, and everyone praised them highly. Please rise quickly and come to the front hall to receive your reward."
"Excellent," Li Rong stood up, her expression joyful. "It's been a long time since I've received a reward. This is truly a joyous occasion."
With that, she turned and bowed to the Empress. "Mother Empress, I am going to Father to receive my reward."
The Empress looked at Li Rong, momentarily at a loss for words. After a pause, she finally restrained herself and said, "Go ahead."
Li Rong bowed and withdrew, leading Shangguan Ya and Qin Zhenzhen as they followed Fulai to the main hall.Li Rong walked ahead, with Shangguan Ya and Qin Zhenzhen standing side by side. Shangguan Ya quietly nudged Qin Zhenzhen and whispered, "Your incense-blending skills are quite good, aren’t they?"
Qin Zhenzhen frowned, lowering her voice as she replied, "I don’t know how. The incense burner was empty."
"And you still got a reward for that?"
Shangguan Ya was incredulous and began quickly pondering what kind of scheme might be at play. Li Rong, listening from ahead, smiled faintly and turned to remind Shangguan Ya, "Could the incense bear your name?"
Shangguan Ya immediately understood, exclaiming in surprise, "It was Xiao—"
Li Rong raised a hand and gently pressed it to her lips. Shangguan Ya caught the hint and promptly fell silent.
Fulai, hearing the three of them talking, stepped forward to give them space. Li Rong retreated a few steps, positioning herself between the two, and turned to Qin Zhenzhen beside her. "Did you know she swapped your incense burner?"
Qin Zhenzhen hesitated for a moment before responding, "Yes."
"And you didn’t say anything?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked up at Shangguan Ya, who stood nearby with her arms crossed and a faint smile. She shook her head. "I didn’t put anything in the incense burner. If she meant to harm me, I could prove the burner wasn’t mine. If she didn’t, she must have had her own difficulties. Helping her out in passing was no trouble."
Hearing this, Li Rong felt a twinge of helplessness.
Shangguan Ya sighed and said, "Well, you should be glad it was me you ran into today."
Qin Zhenzhen smiled. "If it weren’t for Miss Shangguan, I might not have helped at all."
"Oh?" Li Rong was curious. "Why would you help if it was her?"
"Because my father once said," Qin Zhenzhen gazed at the moon reflected in the water, her eyes tinged with nostalgia, "if you want to know whether someone is trustworthy, look into their eyes."
"Then what do you see in mine?" Li Rong asked curiously. Qin Zhenzhen turned to look at her, studying her quietly for a long moment before replying gently, "Your Highness is a very good person."
"In that case, you’ve misjudged her," Shangguan Ya said, resting a hand on Li Rong’s shoulder and leaning in with a smile. "This princess is someone who devours people without leaving even the bones."
Li Rong glanced coolly at Shangguan Ya, who met her gaze without fear. After a moment, Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh and gave Shangguan Ya a light shove, whispering, "You certainly have quite the nerve."
Shangguan Ya giggled at the push and said, "Well, you’ve already seen the worst of me, so I might as well be a little bold. If Your Highness is interested, why not find some time another day to join me for tea at the poetry club?"
"Tea?" Li Rong scoffed. "Should we bring extra silver to bet on dice while we’re at it?"
Shangguan Ya was momentarily embarrassed by the question and scratched her nose, murmuring, "Couldn’t you have phrased it more subtly, especially here in the palace?"
The three of them chatted and joked all the way to the main hall. Li Rong first glanced at Li Ming seated on the high throne, then at Li Chuan, followed by Su Rongqing, and finally Pei Wenxuan.
Noticing Li Rong’s gaze, Pei Wenxuan raised his wine cup with a slight lift of his brow, as if hinting at some credit he deserved.
Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s expression, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile. Her eyes swept over him almost imperceptibly before returning to Li Ming. She bowed gracefully and said with a smile, "Greetings, Father.""Rise." Li Ming, seated on the high platform, gestured for her to stand. He then rested his hands on his knees and smiled, "I recall you were never particularly skilled in the art of incense. Today, however, you truly shone."
"I must thank the Imperial Son-in-Law for that," Li Rong said, turning her gaze toward Pei Wenxuan. "The incense recipes I used today were actually taught to me by him."
"I thought as much," Li Ming remarked, glancing at Li Chuan beside him. "With your sister's limited abilities, how could I not know?"
He then slowly examined Qin Zhenzhen and Shangguan Ya standing behind Li Rong. "I've heard of Ya'er's talents, but this Second Miss Qin is rather unfamiliar to me. Miss Qin," Li Ming called out, gesturing for her to step forward, "come closer and let me see what kind of young lady can create such exquisite incense."
Qin Zhenzhen frowned, glanced at Shangguan Ya, and stepped forward.
Li Ming observed her quietly, while everyone's hearts raced with tension.
Li Rong quickly pondered how to respond if Li Ming were to use this moment as an excuse to arrange a marriage.
Instinctively, she looked up—not toward Pei Wenxuan, but directly at Su Rongqing, who was also watching her. Their eyes met, and Li Rong froze.
Su Rongqing seemed to understand her concerns. Before she could react, he suddenly spoke up, "Your Majesty, the three young ladies have been standing for quite some time. They must be tired. Perhaps it would be best to reward them and allow them to retire early."
His words were somewhat improper. Had they come from Su Ronghua, it might not have been surprising, but coming from the usually reserved Su Rongqing, it felt strange.
Everyone turned to look at him. Su Rongqing wore a faint smile as he respectfully regarded Li Ming.
After a moment of thought, Li Ming chuckled, "Minister Su is right. Chuan'er, you shall present the rewards to the three ladies on my behalf."
Li Chuan acknowledged the order, stood up, and led attendants carrying the gifts to Li Rong. He handed her a pair of golden phoenix hairpins adorned with pearls, winked at her, and whispered, "Sister, thank you."
He seemed genuinely pleased. Li Rong was taken aback, not expecting him to be so delighted.
After handing her the gift, Li Chuan smiled and moved on. Li Rong remained in place, following his gaze as he approached Qin Zhenzhen.
Qin Zhenzhen stood respectfully, but Li Chuan's eyes held a hint of teasing. "I never imagined that Second Miss Qin is not only skilled in martial arts but also excels in the art of incense."
"Your Highness flatters me," Qin Zhenzhen replied, lowering her eyes to the ground without any hint of impropriety.
Li Chuan presented the gift to her. Qin Zhenzhen thanked him properly, and he then moved on to Shangguan Ya.
Shangguan Ya was a distant relative but not particularly close to him. Li Chuan treated her with more formality, handing her the gift before returning to his seat.
After the three had received their rewards, Li Ming appeared somewhat weary and announced, "The night is growing late, and I am tired. You young people may do as you please."
With that, Li Ming rose, supported by Fulai, and departed amidst a chorus of respectful farewells.
Once Li Ming had left, the three young ladies walked out of the hall together. Shangguan Ya glanced at the other two and asked with a smile, "Are you both heading back now?"
"I should return on my own," Qin Zhenzhen replied, looking up at Shangguan Ya. "What about you?""My father might still be a while," Shangguan Ya pointed toward the main hall. "I'll return to the imperial garden to chat with a few friends for a bit longer. Please make yourselves at home."
"Go ahead," Li Rong nodded. "I'll wait for the Imperial Son-in-Law to return together."
"You two seem quite close," Shangguan Ya remarked with a raised brow. Li Rong nearly felt the urge to kick her, clearly sensing that Shangguan Ya seemed to think they shared some secret, growing bolder as a result. She urged impatiently, "Hurry along, I'll find you at the teahouse another day."
"Very well."
Shangguan Ya agreed and turned to leave.
After Shangguan Ya departed, Qin Zhenzhen turned to Li Rong, bowing respectfully and saying, "Your Highness, if there is nothing else, this humble woman will take her leave."
"Wait!" Li Rong called out to her. Qin Zhenzhen turned back, looking up at Li Rong standing on the steps.
Qin Zhenzhen was dressed simply and elegantly, her features delicate and understated. A gentle breeze stirred, lifting the hem of her plain robe.
Perhaps due to her martial arts training, she carried an indescribable uprightness about her, like a pine or bamboo standing tall, or a sword unsheathed.
Even just standing there in the palace, she seemed distinctly out of place—both similar to and different from the Qin Zhenzhen Li Rong had seen years ago.
Her heart suddenly trembled. In an instant, the image of Li Chuan joking with her earlier flashed through her mind, overlapping with the later scene of Qin Zhenzhen’s funeral procession. The thought tightened her throat, and an invisible dread spread densely through her.
She gazed at the young woman waiting quietly under the moonlight for her to speak. After a long while, she finally said, "Today, Shangguan Ya swapped your incense burner, intending for you to take her place in being betrothed as the Crown Princess."
Qin Zhenzhen showed a look of surprise. Li Rong continued, "I helped you because someone asked me to. Pei Wenxuan and I have no feelings for each other. We agreed that once we free ourselves from these constraints, we will divorce."
As she listened, Qin Zhenzhen slowly widened her eyes. Li Rong smiled and said, "The palace is full of complications. In the future, if you come here, you must be careful."
With that, Li Rong didn’t wait for Qin Zhenzhen’s reply. She turned and entered the main hall to find Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan had just finished bidding farewell to others. Turning around, he saw Li Rong waiting for him at the entrance. A warmth filled his heart as he smiled and approached, stopping beside her. He looked her up and down, his eyes curving with amusement. "Your Highness achieved a great victory today and seem quite pleased?"
Li Rong lowered her head with a smile. "Lord Pei also seemed very happy today."
"Unless Your Highness bullies me, when am I ever unhappy?"
Pei Wenxuan walked back with Li Rong, curious. "What happened in the imperial garden today? It seemed quite lively."
Li Rong recounted the events in the imperial garden to Pei Wenxuan as they boarded the carriage together. Pei Wenxuan sighed, "The world of women is always so fascinating."
"You could join in," Li Rong teased with a laugh.
Pei Wenxuan quickly waved his hand. "No, no, that’s quite all right. Such situations are best handled by someone of Your Highness’s caliber."
Li Rong chuckled softly without replying, turning to look out the window.
They had already left the palace grounds. Outside, the bright moon hung high in the sky. She gazed quietly at the moon and said softly, "The waning moon will always wax full again. Pei Wenxuan, do you think what is destined is always difficult to change?"
Pei Wenxuan found Li Rong’s sudden question strange and couldn’t help asking, "What are you referring to?"
"Today, I suddenly understood why Chuan'er likes Qin Zhenzhen."
Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. "Given Chuan'er’s nature, meeting someone like her in the palace, it’s no surprise he would fall for her."Pei Wenxuan did not speak. He looked into Li Rong's eyes, and in that instant, he seemed to understand her meaning. "Why are you telling me all this?"
"Have you thought about what you'll do after we divorce?"
Li Rong looked at him curiously. Pei Wenxuan gazed quietly at Li Rong, feeling a sour bitterness welling up inside him, yet the smile on his lips did not fade. "I haven't thought about it in detail."
"In your previous life, Qin Zhenzhen died. Don't you regret it?"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent, still smiling as he looked at Li Rong. Li Rong continued, "I know she's in your heart. In your previous life, she passed away early, and you feel guilty toward her. You're the kind of person who, when you like someone, never thinks about asking for anything. But in this life, for her sake, you should make a little more effort."
"Effort to do what?"
Pei Wenxuan tucked his hands into his sleeves and leaned against the carriage wall, listening as Li Rong spoke calmly. "She's at a marriageable age now. If our divorce goes smoothly, it will probably take about three years. If you don't make arrangements with her now, I'm afraid she might marry someone else before then. Most of what I've said to you before was in jest, but today I'm speaking seriously to you." Li Rong lifted her eyes to look at him. "You should do something."
"Like what?"
"I told her today that I helped her because of you. I also told her that we have no feelings for each other and will divorce in three years. She didn't react in time, so I left first. Later, we can arrange some opportunities for you to get close to her. You already have feelings for each other. Treat her well, confess your feelings, and once you've settled your relationship, we'll inform Qin Lin and send her to the north to avoid these three years. After we divorce," Li Rong smiled, looking up at Pei Wenxuan, "I'll go propose to her on your behalf."
Pei Wenxuan did not speak. He simply watched Li Rong quietly.
Li Rong was somewhat puzzled. "Why aren't you saying anything?"
"What is there for me to say?" Pei Wenxuan smiled. "Hasn't Your Highness already arranged everything? Isn't it clear in your mind what role each person should play?"
"If you're dissatisfied," Li Rong said slowly, "you can tell me. Do you think sending her to the north would be unfair to her?"
Pei Wenxuan could no longer listen. He stood up and called out, "Stop the carriage!"
The carriage came to an abrupt halt. Pei Wenxuan lifted the curtain and jumped out.
Li Rong was stunned. She only caught a glimpse of Pei Wenxuan's back as he left the carriage.
She didn't know what was wrong, but she felt as if they had suddenly returned to their previous life—when Pei Wenxuan was displeased, he never spoke much, and after arguing and losing his temper, he would simply leave.
But in the past, arguments were just arguments. Today, when Pei Wenxuan left like this, she actually felt a pang of sadness. Perhaps it was because the day had been too eventful, leaving her mentally exhausted.
Controlling her emotions, she calmly instructed the outside, "Send someone to follow the Imperial Son-in-Law to ensure he doesn't get into trouble. Let's head back first."
A nervous voice responded from outside. Li Rong raised her hand to her forehead, feeling the carriage start moving again.
Pei Wenxuan walked forward with his back to Li Rong's carriage, his anger boiling inside him.
He didn't even know what he was angry about.
He knew Li Rong's temperament.
When Li Rong believed in something, she would arrange everything meticulously.
In her heart, she believed he still cared for Qin Zhenzhen and that Qin Zhenzhen was a lifelong regret for him.
She suspected that Li Chuan would still like Qin Zhenzhen, believing that Qin Zhenzhen and Li Chuan shouldn't be together and that it wouldn't end well.So she chose the best outcome, letting Qin Zhenzhen be with him.
It couldn’t be said she was wrong—she considered everyone, hoping each would live well.
What could be blamed on her?
Yet Pei Wenxuan felt an indescribable ache. He walked away from the carriage, and when he heard it start moving behind him, he suddenly halted.
In that instant, he recalled the countless times he had seen Li Rong’s back in his previous life.
He turned around, watching the carriage grow distant. After a moment, he gritted his teeth, rushed back, caught up to the carriage, and slapped its side, shouting, “Stop! Stop right now!”
Li Rong was startled by Pei Wenxuan. The carriage halted immediately, and she lifted the curtain with her golden fan, glaring coldly at Pei Wenxuan standing beside the carriage. “What madness is this?” she demanded.
Seeing the two about to argue, the coachman quickly jumped down and left, leaving only the two of them. Pei Wenxuan stared at Li Rong and said coldly, “Li Rong, let me tell you this: if you ever decide anything for me again, you must first ask whether I’m willing.”
Li Rong stood frozen. Pei Wenxuan kept his gaze fixed on her. “Whatever you think I am, whatever you believe I want, whatever you assume I should do—you should ask me first.”
“So this is an accusation,” Li Rong said with a bitter smile. “For example? What have I misunderstood about Lord Pei today to anger you so?”
Pei Wenxuan didn’t answer, his eyes locked on her.
He couldn’t say it.
But he knew clearly that if he never spoke, if he kept avoiding it as he had in his previous life—
Then this life would be no different from the last.
He clenched his fists, staring at Li Rong. After a long struggle, he finally forced out the words: “I don’t like Qin Zhenzhen.”
“I know,” Li Rong replied, understanding at once. “After so many years, it’s impossible for you to like her as you once did. But actually—”
“There is no ‘actually,’” Pei Wenxuan interrupted. “Even in my youth, what I felt for her wasn’t affection.”
Li Rong was stunned. Pei Wenxuan continued, “I never missed her. I never thought of her. I never saw a hairpin on the street and wanted to buy it for her. I never once imagined kissing her.”
“It’s just that everyone told me from childhood that she was to be my wife, so I always believed that was what affection felt like.”
“But later, I met someone,” Pei Wenxuan said, his eyes glistening as he looked at Li Rong. “When she was happy, I was happy. When she was sad, I grew anxious. If she glanced at a hairpin, I’d remember it. Her smile made me feel as if winter had vanished from the world.”
“When she wasn’t with me, I missed her. Even at the ministry, I’d think of writing her notes. I’d imagine how many children we might have. I dreamed of growing old with her.”
“Li Rong,” Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath, “I have no regrets about Qin Zhenzhen. When she died, as a friend, as an elder brother, I did all I could. I never wanted to relive a lifetime with her—not from the start, not even for a moment. If I had, I wouldn’t have gone to the Spring Banquet.”
“If I have any regrets,” Pei Wenxuan paused, his gaze fixed on Li Rong. After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice hoarse: “They are only about you.”"Because the person I truly loved and then lost," Pei Wenxuan smiled, a smile that seemed to verge on tears, "is only Li Rong."
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