Тhе twо fоllоwеd behind Fulai, stауing quitе сlоse to eасh other. Li Rоng leanеd in tоwаrd Реi Wеnxuan аnd whispered in an extrеmеly sоft voiсе, "Соoреrаtе а bit."
Bеfore Pеi Wеnxuаn could reаct, he sаw Li Rong cаtсh sight оf Li Мing. Shе thеn stеppеd fоrward, hurriеdlу knеlt down, аnd loudlу еxclаimеd, "Fathеr! Pleasе come аnd uрhоld justicе for your subjесt!"
Тhis startlеd Li Мing, саusing his hаnd tо tremblе. Рei Wеnxuаn was alsо takеn аbаck, but hе shоwеd nо sign of it on his faсe, instead respеctfully saluting Li Мing first. "Your Mаjestу."
"Whаt majоr incident has occurred?" Li Ming raised his eyes and frowned. "Such a fuss—do you still have any semblance of a princess?"
Li Rong wore an angry expression and said, "Father, listen to your daughter's detailed report. Today, as soon as I woke up, I heard that the Qin family..."
"Don't speak yet," Li Ming interrupted Li Rong as soon as he heard it was about the Qin family. He gestured for the two to rise and take their seats, then turned to Pei Wenxuan and said, "You came to see me about this matter last night. You speak."
"Yes," Pei Wenxuan replied calmly. "Last night, while I was at the Princess's Manor with Her Highness, we heard that the Ministry of Justice had surrounded the Qin residence with men. I immediately entered the palace overnight to seek an audience with Your Majesty. Your Majesty dispatched Minister Su to intervene, but the Ministry of Justice had all the proper documents in order. The arrest of Qin Shi was entirely lawful and reasonable, so Minister Su had no choice but to let them proceed."
In Great Xia, the process for handling cases generally involved lower-level prefectural offices or the Shuntian Prefecture in Huajing dealing with ordinary cases. If lower-level authorities were unable to handle a case or if it involved officials, they would submit a request to the Ministry of Justice or the Dali Court for review and case filing. The Ministry of Justice primarily handled ordinary cases and cases involving officials, while the Dali Court dealt with cases involving the imperial clan or relatives.
Once the Ministry of Justice filed a case and decided to make an arrest, they would directly issue an arrest warrant through their internal officials. If the individual's rank was too high, the matter would be reported upward to the Left and Right Deputy Directors, commonly referred to as the Left Chancellor and Right Chancellor.
For the Dali Court to file a case and issue an arrest warrant, they needed to report to the emperor.
Qin Shi was not a member of the imperial clan, and the highest rank in his family was only a fourth-grade official. The Censorate submitted a request to file the case, the Ministry of Justice filed it, and the request was reported to Left Chancellor Shangguan Xu for the issuance of the arrest warrant. The entire process was flawless. Even if Li Ming had gone there personally, he would have had no grounds to forcibly stop it.
Under normal circumstances, this process would have been unremarkable. However, its timing—coinciding with both sides being entangled in the issue of appointing officials in the northwest—made its intent all too clear.
Li Ming had already learned of this matter in the morning. He picked up his tea and said calmly, "So, why have you rushed in here like this?"
"After informing Your Majesty, on my way back to the manor, I suddenly encountered a woman seeking help. I rescued her and discovered she was the second daughter of the Qin family. The Qin family and my father were old acquaintances, and I had known the second young lady since childhood. She told me that the Qin family had been wronged, so I brought Miss Qin back to the Princess's Manor and entrusted her to the princess. After questioning her, the princess learned of the Qin family's grievances and was outraged by the matter," Pei Wenxuan said, glancing at Li Rong before continuing, "Thus, she came to the palace with me."
"Miss Qin escaped?" Li Ming pondered, raising his eyes. "Where is she?"
"Outside."
Pei Wenxuan responded. Li Ming glanced at Fulai, who hurried out and brought the person back.
Qin Zhenzhen was covered in wounds, her white clothes long stained with blood. She knelt before Li Ming, her face pale, and said respectfully, "I greet Your Majesty."
Seeing her condition, Li Ming sighed. "How did a young lady end up in such a state?"With that, he raised his hand. "Rise."
Those nearby helped Qin Zhenzhen up, and she took her seat. Seeing her settled, Li Ming said, "Tell me what happened."
Qin Zhenzhen spoke softly, "Your Majesty, last night soldiers surrounded the Qin residence, accusing the Qin family of colluding with the Yang clan in treason and selling out the country. This is utter nonsense. In the midst of the crisis, my grandfather wrote this blood-written petition to plead our innocence and entrusted it to me, ordering me to find an opportunity to present it directly to Your Majesty."
As she spoke, Qin Zhenzhen knelt again, holding out a box with both hands. Fulai hurried forward to take the box and deliver it to Li Ming.
Li Ming opened the box and saw a bright red blood-written petition inside, containing the Qin family's declaration of their absolute lack of rebellious intent. Alongside this petition was another stack of signed and thumbprinted papers, each detailing the battlefield conditions of several campaigns in which members of the Qin family had participated. These "confessions" were all signed with the names and dates of the Qin family members, accompanied by a note stating that regardless of any future confessions, these documents would serve as the definitive account.
Li Ming read through them one by one. After a moment of silence, he glanced around at the young people present and said, "Miss Qin is severely injured. Ping Le, first take care of Miss Qin and escort her out."
Upon hearing this, Li Rong stood up and helped Qin Zhenzhen to leave. Qin Zhenzhen's gaze lingered on the box containing the confessions. Li Rong patted her hand and whispered, "Don't worry."
Qin Zhenzhen took a deep breath and finally walked out with Li Rong.
After Li Rong left, only Li Ming and Pei Wenxuan remained in the hall. Li Ming slowly closed the box and said calmly, "You brought this girl here too early."
At this point, the Qin family's case had not yet been fully investigated, and these pieces of evidence were ineffective. Only when the case was finalized could these confessions serve as grounds for an appeal.
Pei Wenxuan understood Li Ming's meaning and replied with a smile, "It may be too early to overturn the Qin family's case, but if we are to prepare, it is not too early at all."
Li Ming looked up at Pei Wenxuan, who lowered his voice as if hinting at something. "Your Majesty, Princess Ping Le has arrived."
"What are you being so cryptic about?" Li Ming scoffed. "Young as you are, you've already learned the tricks of those old ministers who pretend to be mysterious."
Pei Wenxuan was not angered by Li Ming's criticism and continued smiling. "Your Majesty, when Yang Quan's case was being investigated, Her Highness was imprisoned for nearly two months, yet the Empress showed no concern. Now that Princess Pingle is married and has witnessed such injustice, it is only natural for her to feel resentment."
Listening to Pei Wenxuan's words, Li Ming understood somewhat. He realized that Pei Wenxuan was hinting at the rift between Li Rong and the Empress. Now that Li Rong was married, Pei Wenxuan was fanning the flames, harboring other intentions. He likely wanted to use the Qin family's case to gain something.
Li Ming did not mind his subjects seeking benefits from him, as long as they offered enough in return. Moreover, this subject was Li Rong.
After all, Li Rong was his daughter. If she could align with his wishes, that would be even better.
Li Ming picked up a cup of tea from the table and said, "What does she want to do?""Your servant has discussed with Her Highness," Pei Wenxuan said respectfully. "Currently, the noble families in the court are too powerful, and governance is weak. We need a few people to act as icebreakers. Her Highness is of noble status, being the Crown Prince's elder sister. In terms of rank, aside from matters concerning Your Majesty, as long as Your Majesty is willing, Her Highness has the authority to oversee anyone in the court."
Li Ming rotated the sandalwood beads in his hand as he listened to Pei Wenxuan continue his analysis: "What Her Highness lacks now is only an official position."
"She wants power," Li Ming said softly. "How much power?"
"That depends on what Your Majesty wishes Her Highness to do."
Pei Wenxuan replied calmly. Li Ming looked up at him. "What do you think she can do?"
As he spoke, Li Ming chuckled. "If I grant her power, can she hold onto it?"
"Isn't there still your servant?" Pei Wenxuan smiled, reminding him. "Your servant is, after all, Her Highness's husband. Moreover, the Crown Prince is also Her Highness's younger brother."
The Crown Prince represented the noble families. No matter what, the noble families had to consider the Crown Prince and the Empress to some extent.
There were many things that, if done by others, might result in death. But if Li Rong did them, killing her would incur the wrath of the Crown Prince, the Empress, and the Emperor himself. Unless pushed to an extreme, Li Rong could do far more than an ordinary person.
Li Ming thought for a moment, then said, "Do you already have a plan?"
"We do," Pei Wenxuan replied respectfully. "It's all in the memorial Her Highness intends to submit."
"Then," Li Ming hesitated, speaking slowly, "give the memorial to me. I'll think it over. Take Ping Le back first and have her take good care of Miss Qin."
Pei Wenxuan acknowledged the order. Fulai, having received Li Ming's instructions, hurried out to retrieve the memorial Li Rong had prepared and then returned.
Pei Wenxuan took his leave of Li Ming. Before departing, his gaze lingered on the evidence in Li Ming's hand. Seeing that Pei Wenxuan hadn't left and was staring at the wooden box beside him, Li Ming understood and said with a mix of amusement and exasperation, "If you want it, just say so. Why stare at it like that?"
Pei Wenxuan smiled respectfully. "If Your Majesty bestows it upon your servant, then your servant dares to accept it. If Your Majesty does not speak, how could your servant presume to ask?"
Pei Wenxuan skillfully flattered him. Though Li Ming knew Pei Wenxuan was merely pandering, he still felt pleased and waved for Pei Wenxuan to leave first.
Pei Wenxuan took the wooden box and respectfully withdrew. After he left, Fulai poured tea for Li Ming and said with a smile, "Minister Pei is young, but he is a sensible man."
"A little rascal," Li Ming chuckled. After a moment's thought, he nodded. "Indeed, he is capable of getting things done."
Pei Wenxuan emerged with the wooden box and saw Li Rong waiting for him at the entrance. He handed the box to her and said, "It's almost done. Let's go back."
"How confident are you?" Li Rong lightly tapped her palm with her small fan. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment before replying slowly, "Judging by His Majesty's tone, there shouldn't be much of a problem. I took all the responsibility upon myself, saying I encouraged you. This way, he won't think you're too clever and will feel more at ease."
Li Rong acknowledged this. After a moment's thought, she suddenly realized that Li Ming and Pei Wenxuan seemed to be on good terms. She couldn't help but find it strange and turned to look at Pei Wenxuan. "I find it odd. You say you can please any emperor, so why don't you try pleasing me?""Am I not already trying to please you enough?" Pei Wenxuan turned back in astonishment.
Li Rong raised an eyebrow. "When have you ever tried to please me?"
"Every moment, without fail," Pei Wenxuan said earnestly. "Your Highness, you truly are too difficult to please."
"Nonsense."
Li Rong lightly tapped Pei Wenxuan's head with her small fan, then walked forward with a smile.
Pei Wenxuan followed behind Li Rong, somewhat displeased. "Your Highness, I'd like to discuss something with you."
"Refused."
Li Rong drew out her words. "It's definitely not something good."
"Don't tap my head anymore in the future."
Li Rong glanced sideways at him, raising an eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Seeing her expression, Pei Wenxuan took a step back and negotiated, "At least not in front of others."
As soon as he finished speaking, Li Rong's small fan gently tapped his head again. "Silly," she said softly. "What can you do even if I tap you?"
Pei Wenxuan: "..."
Seeing his speechless expression, Li Rong laughed out loud. She opened her fan, waved it, and walked out. Pei Wenxuan quietly watched her retreating figure. In the late days of July, the young woman wore a maple-red thin gown that outlined her enchanting and graceful curves. Paired with the courtyard beginning to show hints of autumn colors and the red corridor pillars, the entire scene carried a bold, warm atmosphere.
Pei Wenxuan felt his heart like the warm autumn sun, radiating a perfectly temperate gentleness.
The two left the palace gates together and went their separate ways. Li Rong returned to the Princess's Manor with Qin Zhenzhen, while Pei Wenxuan went to the government office to continue his work.
Qin Zhenzhen was injured, so after returning, Li Rong had someone bandage her wounds, allowing her to rest completely. Then Li Rong began checking her accounts to see how much silver she had left.
After all, whether it was supporting informants or establishing the Supervisory Department, it all required money.
Li Rong had risen early in the morning, and as soon as night fell, she grew drowsy. She forced herself to stay awake to review the latest intelligence reports, but as she read, her vision blurred. After yawning several times, she unconsciously closed her eyes and dozed off.
When Pei Wenxuan returned from the government office, he initially thought Li Rong had already gone to sleep. Unexpectedly, upon reaching her door, he saw the lights still brightly lit inside, with Jing Lan and Jing Mei waiting outside. Feeling puzzled, he removed his outer cloak and quietly asked Jing Lan, "Has Her Highness not slept yet?"
"Not yet," Jing Lan replied softly. "She's still handling official matters."
Pei Wenxuan nodded and pushed the door open to enter.
As soon as he entered, he saw Li Rong sitting at the desk, propping her chin with her hand, seemingly looking at something absentmindedly. Pei Wenxuan walked over without making a sound, about to speak, when he noticed that although she was holding her head up, her eyes were already closed.
She was naturally beautiful and imposing, usually appearing aloof and authoritative. But now, with her eyes closed and head propped up, struggling to stay awake, she unconsciously carried an indescribable cuteness. This softness transformed her striking beauty into spring blossoms gently stirring the heart's waters, lightly falling upon rippling waves, evoking an involuntary smile.
Seeing her asleep, Pei Wenxuan quietly took away the account book beside her hand. He initially intended to wake her but hesitated, thinking that being abruptly awakened might make her uncomfortable. After a moment's thought, he simply picked her up in his arms.He picked up Li Rong, and she opened her eyes. Seeing it was Pei Wenxuan, she naturally leaned into his embrace, yawning as she asked, "You're back?"
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but smile as he saw her nestling against his chest like a kitten. "How can you be so unguarded? I've already picked you up, and you're not even a little flustered?"
"Why should I be flustered?" Li Rong mumbled drowsily. "Am I supposed to be afraid of you?"
"I am, after all, a man," Pei Wenxuan said, both amused and exasperated. "Could you at least show a little caution?"
"What does being a man matter?" Li Rong bantered with him, caught between sleepiness and the urge to talk. "Anyway, you're good-looking. I wouldn't mind having you as a kept man."
Li Rong's words left Pei Wenxuan speechless.
At first, he felt helpless, but then he remembered that it wasn't surprising for Li Rong to say such a thing.
After all, she had indeed kept male companions before.
They were called advisors, but everyone knew the true nature of their relationship. And given Li Rong's temperament, if she hadn't once developed feelings for that person, it wouldn't have been strange for her to keep eight or ten such companions.
For a moment, Pei Wenxuan couldn't decide whether it was better for Li Rong to have one kept man she cared about or a group she didn't.
Either way, it made his chest feel tight. Especially when he thought about where Li Rong's habit of leaning into someone's embrace when half-asleep came from, his heart grew heavy with discomfort.
But he couldn't say anything about it. After all, he and Li Rong were only a couple in name. He couldn't control her back then, and he certainly couldn't now.
He supposed he was just used to it—used to being jealous of the people around Li Rong and used to disliking Su Rongqing.
He would have to break this habit in the future.
After all, in this lifetime, they were bound to part sooner or later.
Pei Wenxuan gently laid Li Rong on the bed. Watching her sleep so soundly, he felt somewhat resigned, thinking that while he spent his days lost in thought, she probably never gave these matters a second thought.
Pei Wenxuan sighed. Noticing that Li Rong's makeup was still on, he got up to fetch water, wiped her face, and removed the hair ornaments from her head. Softly, he said, "Take off your clothes and sleep."
Li Rong mumbled an acknowledgment, and Pei Wenxuan went to wash up. By the time he returned from his bath, Li Rong had already changed into a light sleeping gown and was lying in bed.
Pei Wenxuan lifted the covers and slipped in, only to see Li Rong roll over. She seemed to have woken up, turning her head to look at him as she asked, "Did you pass on the message for me today?"
"What message?" Pei Wenxuan frowned.
Li Rong raised an eyebrow. "You forgot?"
After a moment of recollection, Pei Wenxuan remembered the matter from the Imperial Study that morning. He turned away, facing his back to Li Rong, and said sullenly, "I'll tell him for you tomorrow."
"Your memory is usually quite good," Li Rong chuckled. "I only reminded you this morning, and you already forgot?"
"Too many things on my mind," Pei Wenxuan replied.
After a pause, he turned back to look at Li Rong. "Why do you suddenly want to contact him?"
"Suddenly?" Li Rong found it strange. Propping her chin on her folded hands as she lay on the pillow, she thought for a moment and said, "Isn't it only natural? If I want to establish the Supervisory Department, I'll need some manpower. Su Rongqing is the Vice Minister of Justice and one of the investigators handling the Qin family case. If I can get him to cooperate with me, I'll have someone in the Ministry of Justice."As she spoke, Li Rong raised her hand and counted on her fingers: "Not just Su Rongqing, but also the Dali Temple, the Censorate, the Shuntian Prefecture... I need to have some connections in all of these. I’ll have to make the rounds one by one when I find the time."
Pei Wenxuan listened to Li Rong’s words and, imitating her, turned over to lie on his stomach on the bed. As he listened, he said slowly, "Is that all you’re worried about?"
"What else could there be?"
Li Rong seemed puzzled. After a moment of thought, she remembered: "Of course, interaction is also important. It wouldn’t be bad to chat with him while working."
Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond. Li Rong glanced up at him: "Why aren’t you saying anything?"
"Oh," Pei Wenxuan pretended to snap out of his thoughts and said calmly, "I was just thinking that if you really want to develop something with Su Rongqing, you should have a plan."
"That’s true too," Li Rong propped her chin on her hand and said slowly, "I used to be very resistant to marrying him, but thinking about it today, it wouldn’t be so bad if I could really be with him. In our past life, we just lacked a bit of fate. He’s bound to inherit the Su family in the future, and with me having the Supervisory Department and coming from the Shangguan family, if I could marry into the Su family, my position would be secure."
Pei Wenxuan listened quietly. Li Rong seemed quite pleased as she spoke: "I’ve always liked him anyway, so by any measure, it’s a good match."
"You didn’t think that way before," Pei Wenxuan said flatly. Li Rong thought for a moment and replied slowly, "Maybe it’s because the knot from my past life is slowly unraveling in my heart."
With that, Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan and smiled: "Actually, I have to thank you for that. Ever since coming back to life, I feel like I’ve experienced a lot."
"What do you mean?"
"I’m not sure exactly," Li Rong lowered her hand, resting her head on her arm as she looked sideways at Pei Wenxuan. "It’s just that I feel like I’ve gradually let go of many things. My heart has grown calmer, and many matters no longer feel so awkward. Looking at you, Qin Zhenzhen, and Chuan'er from a different perspective, it’s like seeing a whole new world. So, if I look at Su Rongqing from a different angle," Li Rong’s voice carried a hint of anticipation, "maybe I’ll discover something new?"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Li Rong thought for a moment, then moved closer and nudged him with her elbow: "Speaking of which, Qin Zhenzhen plans to abandon her identity as a member of the Qin family, so she and Chuan'er won’t have a chance anymore. Are you really not considering it?"
"Not considering it."
Pei Wenxuan answered decisively. Li Rong hummed softly, her interest piqued: "So, what kind of person do you like? Do you have any idea? I can help you look around."
"Not planning on it for now," Pei Wenxuan said calmly. "My current situation is awkward. Let’s leave these matters for later."
"That’s true," Li Rong nodded. "You’re different from me. I have to worry about Su Rongqing accidentally getting engaged to someone else, but since you don’t have anyone in mind, it doesn’t matter."
Pei Wenxuan gave a low hum. Not wanting to dwell on the topic, he changed the subject: "What do you plan to do about the Qin family’s case?"
"Just wait," Li Rong said lightly, swinging her feet in the air. "Once my uncle’s people wrap up the case, we’ll investigate. The Qin family definitely has no issues—what solid evidence could they possibly produce? If we dig deeper, it’ll probably be full of surprises."Pei Wenxuan grew much more cheerful upon hearing Li Rong mention the case. After a moment of contemplation, he asked curiously, "Speaking of which, why didn’t you choose another path?"
"Which one?"
"Not establishing the Supervisory Department," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her. "Given our relationship and your status, even without the Supervisory Department, it wouldn’t be a problem. You are Princess Ping Le now, and if I gain influence in the future, I will protect you."
"If you gain influence?" Li Rong laughed. "Lord Pei is quite confident in himself. What if you fail?"
Pei Wenxuan was momentarily speechless. Li Rong turned away and said softly, "Pei Wenxuan, I don’t like entrusting my life to others."
"I prefer to be the master of my own fate, which inevitably means I must crave power and possess it."
"Why should I need your protection?" Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, her face wearing a childlike smile. "I feel happy when I can protect others."
Pei Wenxuan didn't speak, his gaze fixed on Li Rong before him.
Li Rong was dressed in a thin white robe, her hair loosely cascading down. The collar of her robe was slightly open, revealing a hint of gentle curves.
Her arms emerged from the sleeves, her feet bent in the air behind her, swaying unconsciously with her words. Her plump, clean little feet shimmered with a faint glow under the moonlight.
As she spoke these words, her frankness carried a touch of innocence, her movements and tone imbued with a childlike quality, as if a young girl were describing the most beautiful of fantasies.
Yet Pei Wenxuan understood the weight of her words all too well. He didn't know what came over him, but seeing Li Rong display such a naive yet ambitious demeanor, watching her turn to him with a smile under the moonlight, her moist lips parting and closing, her small tongue inadvertently brushing the corner of her mouth as she called his name: "Pei Wenxuan."
His body suddenly underwent a change.
He suddenly realized that Li Rong at this moment—a blend of unguarded girlish innocence and desire-filled ambition, like a rose trembling at its peak bloom under the spring sun—held an indescribable allure for him.
This was Li Rong as she belonged solely to him. Anyone else would likely never see her like this.
He felt his mind growing somewhat hazy, finding it difficult to shift his gaze away from her.
Noticing Pei Wenxuan staring at her in a daze, Li Rong raised her hand and waved it. "What are you spacing out for? Did you even hear what I said?"
"Hmm?"
Pei Wenxuan forcibly withdrew his gaze, subtly changing his position as he lowered his head to look at the embroidery on the pillow before him, speaking lightly, "What did you say just now?"
"Forget it, you're always spacing out. How boring."
Li Rong sighed and lay down. "Let's sleep."
Pei Wenxuan acknowledged with a sound. After a while, Li Rong couldn't help but ask, "What were you thinking about just now? You seemed so lost in thought."
"I was thinking," Pei Wenxuan's voice was somewhat hoarse, but he controlled it so that unless one listened carefully, the huskiness was imperceptible. Li Rong, preoccupied with other matters, listened casually as Pei Wenxuan continued, "Her Highness is incredibly beautiful."
Hearing this, Li Rong laughed.
"You said this morning that you flatter me all the time, and now I believe it. Fine then," Li Rong settled down contentedly. "I pardon you for your distraction. Let's sleep."
Pei Wenxuan knew Li Rong thought he was joking. He smiled wryly in resignation, lying awake in the night, his body stiff.
After a long while, he finally closed his eyes.
They really should sleep in separate beds.
Before closing his eyes, Pei Wenxuan clearly realized that he was, after all, no Liu Xiahui.
Li Rong, even as a friend, possessed an inadvertent allure. For a man, if he wasn't careful, it was all too easy to develop feelings.
Author's Note: [Mini Theater]
Pei Wenxuan: "Your Highness, I think we should sleep in separate beds."
Li Rong: "Hmm? Why? Do you want to break ties with me again?"
Pei Wenxuan: "No, I don't want to break ties with Your Highness."
Li Rong: "Then what do you want?"
Pei Wenxuan: "I want to develop something else with Your Highness."
Li Rong: "Don't. I have plenty of men to choose from, but a close female friend isn't easy to come by."Pei Wenxuan: "..."
It seems I need to start developing other options earlier.
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