Аftеr Реi Wenxuаn finishеd sреаking, he and Li Rong turnеd аround togеther with smiles. Shаngguаn Хu аррroaсhed Li Rong, bowed to her, аnd withоut evеn glanсing аt Реi Wenхuаn, sаid, “Yоur Нighness, might уou sparе а momеnt to speаk with this old minister?”
“Unсle, yоu аrе tоо роlite.”
Li Rong smilеd, turnеd to Реi Wеnxuаn, and sаid, “Yоu may wаit fоr me аt the palаce gatе first.”
Реi Wenхuan cupреd his hаnds in aсknоwlеdgmеnt, bоwеd to Shаngguаn Xu, аnd then dеpartеd ahеаd оf them. Li Rоng turnеd bасk to Shangguan Хu and asked, “Does Unсle intend to rеturn to yоur residеnсe оr go to the government office?”
“This old minister plans to return home. Is Your Highness leaving the palace?”
“Yes.”
“Then let us go together.”
Shangguan Xu gestured for Li Rong to accompany him out.
The two walked out together. Li Rong held a folding fan in her hand as they exited the main hall. Shangguan Xu then spoke slowly, “Why did Your Highness suddenly decide to intervene in the Qin family’s affairs this time?”
“Didn’t I already explain earlier?” Li Rong replied unhurriedly. “Miss Qin sought me out, and I could not bear to see the Qin family wronged.”
“Your Highness is already married,” Shangguan Xu sighed. “Why trouble yourself with so much?”
“Uncle…” Li Rong hesitated, turning to look at him. “Are you suggesting I should not interfere?”
“This matter in the northwest,” Shangguan Xu said as they descended the steps together, “was originally a mess handed to the Crown Prince by His Majesty. Concerned for Your Highness, this old minister contacted several clan relatives and exhausted all means to stabilize the northwest. Before the great victory, His Majesty abruptly replaced the commander, forcibly appointing Xiao Su as the chief general. The list of commendations Xiao Su submitted to His Majesty contains many issues. I wonder if Your Highness is aware of this.”
Li Rong lowered her head slightly. “I would like to hear the details.”
“Most of the names on that list are from humble backgrounds. This time, the scions of noble families have largely been excluded from the rewards. That is why there is such contention in the court. Your Highness wishes to seek justice for the Qin family—this old minister understands. However,” Shangguan Xu looked at Li Rong, his expression carrying a hint of pressure, “how does Your Highness intend to deliver the justice that this old minister seeks?”
Li Rong listened quietly to Shangguan Xu’s words. For a moment, she seemed to understand the inner turmoil Li Chuan must have felt when he first ascended the throne in her previous life.
If she tried to control them, these people were not only relatives but also benefactors.
If she did not, they would act without restraint.
Li Rong remained silent for a long while before she finally spoke slowly, “Then, is the Qin family truly guilty or not?”
Shangguan Xu did not answer. The two walked across the square. Li Rong raised her eyes to gaze at the distant palace gate, watching birds flutter their wings as they flew over the vermilion walls. Softly, she said, “I know Uncle cares deeply for me and Chuan’er, and we, too, remember Uncle’s kindness. The court collects taxes, yet exempts noble families. The Shangguan family holds nearly half the land in Youzhou. The annual tax revenue, even exceeding that of the court, is exempted from taxation.” Li Rong smiled faintly. “However, when the border is harassed and natural disasters strike, and the court is stretched thin on both fronts, Father intended to forcibly levy contributions from the noble families. It was Chuan’er, mindful of Uncle, who discussed it with His Majesty and persuaded him otherwise.”
Li Rong’s words seemed casual, but Shangguan Xu’s expression turned cold.
The noble families held vast lands exempt from taxes and enjoyed numerous privileges. The court lacked sufficient tax revenue, short on both manpower and funds. When the Rong state invaded, the noble families hid behind the court, letting the court bear the expenses. When the court allocated funds to the border, it was the Yang family—another noble house—that controlled the region. Fearing their own power would be weakened, the Yang family resorted to the absurd scheme of bribing the enemy state to stage a false conflict.The Shangguan family supported Li Chuan, and in turn, Li Chuan had to protect the Shangguan family. Even though the aristocratic families were plagued by numerous entrenched issues, Li Chuan still had to uphold them.
"I am indeed not very clear about the situation on the northwest border during wartime. However, based on my limited understanding, the court is responsible for managing everything. Although Rong State is a small country, it likely involves many complexities. Uncle, as the Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs, has worked diligently and achieved much. It was my father’s oversight not to recognize this."
"Your Highness flatters me." Shangguan Xu replied stiffly. Though Li Rong’s words seemed understanding, he could hear the underlying meaning.
According to the operational mechanisms of the entire court, if the aristocratic families did not obstruct matters in the middle, and everyone worked together to attack Rong State, there would indeed be no major issues. However, everyone had their own calculations, which led to various problems at every stage—from the decision to engage in battle, to the preparation and allocation of military funds, and the transportation of provisions. If the Shangguan family had not persuaded the other aristocratic families by promising various benefits, things would not have proceeded so smoothly.
The northwest was a mess, and Huajing was also a mess.
But this mess originated from the aristocratic families. The Shangguan family stepping in to clean it up was a merit, but they were also one of the instigators.
Shangguan Xu gripped his court tablet so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Li Rong felt a momentary pang of pity. As they approached the palace gate, she suddenly said, "Uncle."
Hearing this address, Shangguan Xu looked up. Li Rong gazed at him and spoke slowly, "When I was young, Uncle often brought me pinwheels when he visited the palace. I loved them very much."
Shangguan Xu was taken aback. Li Rong looked at him intently and said earnestly, "Uncle will always be family to me. I hope all my family members can be well. When water is full, it overflows; when the moon is full, it wanes. I hope Uncle will keep the wisdom of the sages in mind."
Shangguan Xu remained silent. Li Rong took a deep breath, turned, and smiled. "We’ve reached the palace gate. I won’t escort Lord Shangguan any further. I shall take my leave now."
With that, Li Rong bowed and departed first.
After Li Rong had walked away, several ministers approached Shangguan Xu and asked anxiously, "Lord Shangguan, what did Her Highness say?"
Shangguan Xu remained silent for a long time before finally speaking slowly, "Her Highness said many things to me just now. Given her usual insight, she likely wouldn’t have spoken this way."
The officials exchanged glances. After a moment, Shangguan Minzhi said calmly, "We should probably inform Pei Lixian. That child of his is becoming rather presumptuous."
"Young people," Shangguan Xu chuckled. "Still full of vigor."
After bidding farewell to Shangguan Xu, Li Rong walked out of the palace gate and saw Pei Wenxuan waiting at the entrance.
He stood by the carriage in his black court robes with red patterns, waiting for her. When he saw Li Rong emerge, Pei Wenxuan smiled.
Though Pei Wenxuan was full of cunning, he had a handsome and upright appearance. When he smiled, it was like a spring breeze sweeping across green fields in April—gentle yet brimming with vitality.
Seeing his smile, Li Rong’s mood lightened.
Pei Wenxuan walked up to her and looked at her with a smile. "Does Your Highness need this humble official to assist you?"
"Why do you ask?" Li Rong was puzzled.
Pei Wenxuan extended his hand and said simply, "If Your Highness is tired, please lean on me."
Li Rong looked at him, placed her hand in his, and allowed him to help her into the carriage.
Once inside the carriage, Pei Wenxuan said, "Let’s return home first. By the time we arrive, His Majesty’s decree and token should have arrived. Then we’ll go to the Ministry of Justice to retrieve Qin Shi’s case file and check on the Qin family’s situation."Li Rong acknowledged and returned home with Pei Wenxuan. After waiting a short while at the Princess's Manor, the imperial edict arrived—Li Ming had ordered her to specifically investigate Qin Shi's case, and no one at any level was to obstruct. Along with the edict came a specially crafted Supervisory Department token bestowed by Li Ming.
With the edict and token in hand, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan hurried together to the Ministry of Justice. Just as they reached the entrance, they were stopped by the ministry's personnel. Li Rong displayed the token in her hand and stated directly, "This princess has come by imperial decree to retrieve the case files from the Document Secretary."
The Ministry of Justice personnel were momentarily stunned, clearly not yet having received notification. Li Rong glanced at them and said, "What? Do you distrust this princess, or do you distrust the imperial decree?"
"We dare not," the guards at the gate quickly stepped aside and said to Li Rong, "Your Highness, please come in."
By protocol, these people should have escorted Li Rong inside to find the Document Secretary, but not a single one made any move to lead the way. Fortunately, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan had thoroughly familiarized themselves with all the ministries in their previous life and couldn't be bothered to argue with them. They strode in on their own and went directly to the archive storage area.
Upon reaching the archive warehouse, Li Rong had the subordinate officials summon their superior. After presenting the imperial edict, she stated directly, "Retrieve the Qin Shi case files. This princess will take them."
Hearing this, the Document Secretary hesitated for a moment before smiling and saying, "Your Highness, it's not that this humble official wishes to make things difficult for you, but the Ministry of Justice has its own regulations. To remove case files, Your Highness must obtain an approval order."
"Approval order? The imperial decree appoints this princess to preside over this case, and no one at any level is to obstruct. Given this princess's rank, would I still need an approval order?"
"Your Highness," the Document Secretary said with a bitter smile, "this is also regulation. Unless His Majesty comes in person, an approval order is required. Even if the Minister himself were to come, he would have to follow the rules."
Li Rong fell silent. Both she and Pei Wenxuan clearly understood that this was the lower-level officials creating obstacles.
While it's easy to find the King of Hell, it's the little demons that are hard to deal with. Li Rong hadn't tangled with such petty demons in many years, and she couldn't help but laugh. "Then who should I go to for this approval order?"
"You should find Chief Clerk Gao. Inform him, and once Chief Clerk Gao issues the approval order, this humble official will immediately hand over the Qin Shi case files to Your Highness."
"Where is Chief Clerk Gao?" Li Rong continued to inquire. The Document Secretary gestured and said, "He should be working in the room to the left up ahead. Please proceed, Your Highness."
"Very well," Li Rong nodded. "This princess will go take a look."
After saying this, Li Rong went with Pei Wenxuan to find Chief Clerk Gao. Upon reaching Chief Clerk Gao's room, they found it empty. Li Rong raised an eyebrow and glanced at the guard at the door. "Where is Chief Clerk Gao?"
"Chief Clerk Gao has gone out on official business," the guard said cautiously. "Your Highness... perhaps Your Highness could come back tomorrow?"
Li Rong didn't speak. She looked up at Pei Wenxuan, who gazed at the guard and said calmly, "What official business has Chief Clerk Gao gone out for?"
"This... this humble official doesn't know."
The guard looked troubled. Pei Wenxuan fell silent. After a long while, Li Rong laughed. "Alright then, this princess will return another day."
With that, Li Rong turned and led Pei Wenxuan straight out of the Ministry of Justice.
Once outside, Pei Wenxuan hurriedly said, "Your Highness need not be angered. The Supervisory Department was only established at today's Morning Court Assembly. It's likely the Ministry of Justice hasn't yet received the news...""What news!" Li Rong snapped in a low voice. "Are these people treating me like a fool? Looking for some Manager Gao—if Su Rongqing were here today, do you think he’d need Manager Gao?! Clearly, they’re just taking advantage of our inexperience!"
Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Seeing Li Rong storming off in anger, he quickly followed and asked quietly, "What does Your Highness intend to do?"
"What do I intend to do? They think I’m young and easy to fool? I’ll show them what it means to be young!"
As she spoke, Li Rong reached the carriage and strode up into it. Pei Wenxuan, worried that her anger might lead to reckless actions, hurriedly grabbed her and asked, "Where are you going, Your Highness?"
"To find someone! Don’t follow me. Go to the barracks and bring ten of the skilled fighters I previously selected. Wait for me over there," Li Rong pointed to a nearby teahouse, "I’ll meet you there."
"If I go to find people, what about you, Your Highness?"
"I—"
Before Li Rong could finish, Shangguan Ya’s cheerful voice rang out: "Ah, Your Highness," Shangguan Ya waved from not far away, "what a coincidence!"
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