"Yеs," Li Rоng knеlt, sреaking cаlmlу, "Тhеу were cоllеctivelу slaughterеd in thе оutskirts оf thе сity and thеir bodies abandoned in thе wildеrness. I invеstigatеd fоr а lоng time bеfоrе finаllу reсovering the rеmаins. Fathеr, now that all thе witnesses аre gonе, I аm unеаsу аbоut keeрing thе Qin familу in thе Мinistry оf Justicе."
"Sо Your Highnеss mеans thаt since all thе witnesses arе nоw dеad, thеir testimonies саn nо longеr bе оvеrturnеd. With bоth witnessеs аnd evidеncе presеnt, the Qin fаmilу's guilt сannоt bе сhаnged."
Xie Lаnqing slowly spoke: "If thе Qin family's guilt cаnnot be сhangеd, аnd Your Нighness firmly believes they are innocent, then they must be protected now. May I ask, Your Highness, why are you so convinced of their innocence? Have you obtained any evidence at all?"
"In any case," Li Rong's voice remained steady, "when all the witnesses are killed, doesn't that indicate problems with the case?"
"Who killed these people?" Xie Lanqing raised his voice, as if hinting at something. Li Rong turned to look coldly at Xie Lanqing, who smiled and said, "Your Highness, forgive my impertinence, but when witnesses die, it could mean there are issues with the case—or it could mean there are none."
Xie Lanqing did not finish, but Li Rong already understood his implication. A young court official seemed puzzled and whispered, "How could there be no issues with the case?"
Immediately, another court official chuckled softly, his voice neither too loud nor too soft, as if discussing privately yet just audible enough for everyone to hear: "Lord Zhang doesn't understand. When all the witnesses in a case die, it certainly seems suspicious. But what if there actually are no issues, and someone is deliberately trying to prevent the case from being concluded?"
With the witnesses dead, everything became uncertain. If Li Rong insisted, she would be indefinitely postponing the case without any evidence.
"So, Your Highness, the death of the witnesses proves nothing. Even if the witnesses are dead, the evidence remains. Yang Lie's letters are genuine, and the gold they received as bribes was found in the Qin residence. These pieces of evidence have been examined by the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, and the Court of Judicial Review. Does Your Highness believe that all Three Judicial Departments are deceiving you?"
As Xie Lanqing spoke, he sneered: "Your Highness, you have just married. It would be best not to involve yourself in court affairs. Return to what women ought to do—embroidery, reading scriptures, cultivating virtue and tranquility."
After Xie Lanqing finished, the court officials murmured in agreement.
Li Rong knelt on the ground, pretending not to hear.
This was how the world treated women. Even as a daughter of heaven, if one day she made a misstep, her identity would become her original sin.
When Li Rong was young, hearing such words would fill her with indignation, often wanting to prove something. But now, even though she felt injustice, she remained calm.
She only said, "If all Three Judicial Departments believe there are no issues, why is it so difficult for me to retrieve case files, transfer evidence, or interrogate prisoners?"
"Your Highness jests," Xie Lanqing said calmly. "The Ministry of Justice has always operated according to rules and regulations and would never deliberately obstruct anyone."
"Minister Xie truly lives up to being a veteran of two dynasties, firmly seated as the Minister of Justice," Li Rong said, placing one hand on her knee as she slowly rose. Xie Lanqing frowned as he watched Li Rong turn to face him, lifting her eyes to meet his gaze calmly. "Such a clever tongue to deceive minds. Unable to handle matters properly, yet so skilled with words."
"Is Your Highness angered because this old minister has struck a nerve?""Angry? Of course I am angry! How could I not be?!" Li Rong shouted. "You, the esteemed Minister of Justice, faced with a case full of doubts, do not think about how to investigate or how to uncover the truth. Instead, you only think about playing political games, treating human lives as worthless grass. How could you expect me not to be angry?!"
"When I established the Supervisory Department, all of you," Li Rong raised her hand, pointing one by one at the officials in the court, "spent your days and nights thinking about how to seize power, how to make me back down in the face of difficulties. When I requested the case files, the Ministry of Justice hesitated and stalled, pushing responsibility back and forth. I spent an entire afternoon without obtaining a single approval. If I hadn't forced my way in, how could I have gotten the files?"
"As for the evidence from the Ministry of Justice, you are still evading to this day, refusing to let me see it. How am I supposed to know whether it is true or false?"
"You keep talking about procedures and regulations. If everyone handling cases had to go through a month-long process just for the presiding judge to obtain evidence, then I think your Ministry of Justice is unnecessary—it should be rebuilt!"
"With a bunch of useless fools like you who can't even protect witnesses and only know how to obstruct those trying to do their jobs, I'm already showing you respect by calling you 'Your Excellency.' Do you really want me to tear off your face and trample on it?"
After Li Rong's furious outburst, Xie Lanqing's expression darkened. An official from the Ministry of Justice stepped forward and said loudly, "Your Highness, this is the court, not a place for you to throw a tantrum. You—"
"Step back!" Li Rong roared at the official. "Who do you think you are to speak to me like that?!"
"I know exactly what you are trying to do."
Li Rong looked around the court. "But today, I also want to tell you this: the Qin family, whom you might wrongfully condemn to death, are not just a few court officials, not just a few lives. They are the high walls at the border, the backbone of our Great Xia! What you are destroying today is the foundation and future of Great Xia! Today, standing here, I absolutely will not yield on this matter."
"But Qin Shi is guilty," Xie Lanqing said calmly. "Your Highness cannot produce evidence, so he is guilty."
"Whether he is guilty or not, you and I both know the truth!" Li Rong shouted angrily. "Xie Lanqing, there are many things I haven't brought up in court. I just want to ask you one thing: can you face your own conscience? Even if you can't hear the cries of the people at the border, can't you see the blood Qin Er-guniang left in front of my Princess's Manor?! The reason you are bullying the Qin family today is simply because they come from humble origins, without power or influence, making them easy targets! But have you ever considered this: if the Qin family is wronged and destroyed today, who in the future will be willing to serve loyally at the border? And in this court from now on, will anyone from humble origins have to endure such humiliation from you?"
"Your Highness is going too far," Right Chancellor Su Minzhi frowned. "In trials and sentencing, evidence is what matters. Your Highness has already taken a stance, and acting so emotionally—how can that be fair?"
Su Minzhi's words were reasonable, and the older officials all showed agreement. However, they failed to notice that among the younger court officials, there were signs of wavering.
Such an emotionally charged speech was naturally not meant for these old foxes. In this court, there were not only politicians long immersed in power games but also ministers who genuinely cared about the state of the nation. There were not only those from centuries-old noble families but also scholars from humble backgrounds who struggled and maneuvered in lower positions.After Li Rong finished her reminder and saw that her objective had been achieved, her gaze returned to Su Minzhi. Calmly, she said, "Yes, Prime Minister Su is right. Everything should be based on evidence. Now that all the witnesses have been collectively killed, doesn’t that prove that this case is questionable?"
"There is a connection, but it does not absolutely prove it," Su Minzhi replied calmly. "Your Highness, you have been investigating for so long. The Qin family’s case should have been closed long ago, but you insisted on reopening it. Yet, you have not uncovered anything substantial. We cannot delay this case repeatedly just because of your personal convictions. I implore Your Highness to return the Qin family to the Ministry of Justice, restore authority to His Majesty, and let rewards and punishments be carried out according to the law."
"What Prime Minister Su fears is that I am using the investigation as an excuse to delay the Qin family’s execution. In that case, why don’t we each take a step back?" Li Rong stared at Su Minzhi. "I will not postpone the Qin family’s execution date. However, before their execution, they must remain under the protection of my people at the Princess’s Manor, and no one may interrogate them. Meanwhile, my people can continue investigating this case. If at any point evidence of the Qin family’s innocence is found, the case can be overturned."
Upon hearing this, Su Minzhi hesitated for a moment, but Xie Lanqing firmly declared, "No. His Majesty has already given Your Highness many opportunities, yet you have repeatedly caused disturbances in my Ministry of Justice. What we should be discussing today is not the Qin family’s case, but how to deal with Your Highness’s repeated violations of the Ministry of Justice."
"I will take responsibility for trespassing into the Ministry of Justice!" Li Rong shouted. "I just ask: do you dare to place the Qin family under my custody? Do you dare to let me investigate the Qin family’s case? If the death of the witnesses does not prove that the Qin family’s case is problematic, what are you afraid of me investigating?"
"This humble official is not afraid of Your Highness investigating the case," Xie Lanqing stood his ground. "This humble official is afraid of Your Highness causing trouble!"
"Then what do you want?"
Li Rong stared at Xie Lanqing. "I must investigate the Qin family."
"And Your Highness must also be punished."
Xie Lanqing met Li Rong’s gaze and said coldly, "As the Minister of Justice, I cannot tolerate anyone trampling on the law. Even though Your Highness is a princess, you should still abide by the laws of the Son of Heaven."
"Fine," Li Rong nodded. "Minister Xie, I will grant your wish."
As she spoke, Li Rong spread her sleeves wide, turned, and knelt before Li Ming, raising her voice to declare, "Your Majesty, your daughter trespassed into the Ministry of Justice, which is her fault. She willingly accepts thirty strokes of the cane and one month of scripture recitation at the Northern Yan Tower."
After Li Rong finished speaking, Xie Lanqing showed a satisfied expression, only to hear her continue, "However, the officials of the Ministry of Justice have been negligent in their duties. They failed to adequately protect key witnesses or record their whereabouts, indirectly leading to the deaths of all witnesses at the hands of others. This is the first offense."
"They have shown contempt for Your Majesty’s authority. Your Majesty appointed your daughter as the head of the Supervisory Department, yet the Ministry of Justice refused to follow the imperial decree and fully assist in the investigation. Instead, they used regulations as an excuse to repeatedly obstruct your daughter. This is the second offense."
"Now, knowing that all witnesses are dead and this case is questionable, they are lazy and negligent in their duties, unwilling to investigate thoroughly. This is the third offense."
"Minister Xie is the Minister of Justice, in charge of the ministry. Yet, the Ministry of Justice is now riddled with flaws, and Minister Xie cannot escape responsibility. Your daughter is willing to accept punishment, but rectifying the Ministry of Justice is imperative. Although these three offenses are concentrated in the Qin family’s case, they reveal the usual working style of the Ministry of Justice. This is a matter that endangers the state. I implore Your Majesty to conduct a thorough investigation from top to bottom and show no leniency!"Li Rong continued her statement sentence by sentence, and the expressions of the Ministry of Justice officials gradually darkened. Li Rong kowtowed to the ground and calmly said, "As for the Qin Shi case, since I have intervened, I will not let it go. I beg Your Majesty to grant me another twenty days..."
"Impossible..."
The court officials clamored in protest, but before they could finish, Li Rong shouted loudly, "If after twenty days, I truly find nothing, it will be sufficient proof that the Qin Shi case holds no injustice, that I have acted recklessly. I willingly accept punishment, am willing to be expelled from Huajing, return to my fief, and never enter the capital again!"
Return to my fief, never enter the capital again.
For a princess, this meant being completely expelled from the center of power, with no chance of return for the rest of her life—equivalent to a disguised form of demotion and exile.
Everyone fell silent. Shangguan Xu frowned, showing a hint of reluctance. "Your Highness..."
"I beg Your Majesty to grant your approval!"
Li Rong knelt on the ground, shouting loudly. Li Ming looked at his daughter kneeling before him, his expression inscrutable. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice slightly hoarse: "Since Princess Ping Le is willing to stake expulsion from Huajing as her wager, I will grant you a chance to redeem yourself through merit. However, as you have offended the Ministry of Justice first, to prevent further trouble during the investigation, you shall be confined to the Northern Yan Tower. Copy Buddhist scriptures and cultivate your character. The flogging is waived—after all, you are a young woman. Thirty strokes would be tantamount to taking your life."
As Li Ming spoke, he looked up at Xie Lanqing, appearing somewhat weary. "Minister Xie, what do you think?"
Xie Lanqing frowned. Li Ming reminded him, "In truth, some of Ping Le's words are not without reason. The Ministry of Justice has been somewhat too rigid in its work these past years."
Li Ming's words carried an implicit threat: if Xie Lanqing continued to press the matter, he would use this as grounds to reprimand the Ministry of Justice.
Understanding Li Ming's meaning, Xie Lanqing replied respectfully, "I am merely a subject. This matter should be decided through collective deliberation, as determined by Your Majesty."
Li Ming nodded and glanced at the assembled officials. "What do all of you think?"
No one spoke. Li Rong knelt on the ground, quietly kowtowing without a word. After a long while, a voice filled with laughter rang out from below, proclaiming loudly, "Your Majesty, this subject believes this arrangement could not be better."
Everyone turned to look at once. Li Rong also stole a glance toward the speaker.
The speaker stood at the rear of the court hall—a minor official of low rank. The man appeared extremely young, his eyes and brows seemingly naturally inclined to smile, lending him a somewhat charming air that clashed with his official robes, making him stand out conspicuously in the court.
Li Rong observed him for a moment before recognizing him. Then, she heard the Minister of Rites, Gu Zidao, shout sharply, "Cui Yulang, have you lost your mind?"
The young official held his court tablet, smiling brightly. "Minister Gu, I am speaking from the heart. Look, Her Highness has been duly punished, and the execution date for the Qin family has not been postponed. As a princess, is it not permissible for her to stake her entire future to protect a military family? If the Qin family is guilty, Her Highness has not delayed anything. If the Qin family is innocent, then Her Highness will have accumulated immense merit. Such a situation, with benefits and no harm, is truly excellent, is it not?"
As Cui Yulang spoke, he knelt down with a smile and kowtowed. "Your Majesty, I believe the princess's words are most reasonable. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and accept her proposal."After Cui Yulang spoke, it wasn’t long before a young official stepped forward, closed his eyes, and knelt down. “I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and heed the princess’s words.”
Then, one after another, several officials came forward. Though their numbers were few, kneeling there in the grand hall, they seemed to carry a silent force.
Li Ming watched them for a long while before turning his gaze to Li Chuan, who had been standing beside him all along. “What does the Crown Prince think?”
“Your son…” Li Chuan seemed troubled. After a long pause, he finally said, “Your son will follow Your Majesty’s decision in all matters.”
“In that case, let it be as the princess says.”
Li Ming spoke calmly. “From today onward, Princess Ping Le is confined to the Northern Yan Tower. She is to copy one hundred Buddhist scriptures to pray for the Empress Dowager’s blessings and demonstrate her filial piety. She will go there directly after court adjourns, and her servants may fetch whatever she needs. As for the Qin family, their execution date remains unchanged, and they shall remain under the princess’s custody for now. The Ministry of Justice is to undergo a thorough reorganization, streamlining its procedures. Once the process is refined, submit a memorial to me detailing the entire case-handling process.”
“Yes,” Xie Lanqing replied respectfully.
After dealing with these matters, Li Ming inquired about other state affairs and finally announced the adjournment of court.
Once court was dismissed, Li Rong turned her gaze toward Cui Yulang, who was walking out of the hall, laughing and chatting with those around him. She hesitated for a moment but did not approach him. Instead, she turned to look at Li Chuan, who was walking toward her.
Li Chuan appeared to be in poor spirits. Li Rong glanced at Shangguan Xu behind him and understood that it must have been Shangguan Xu who had urged Li Chuan to seek her out.
Li Chuan still had to maintain a facade with the noble families. Since Li Rong now stood in opposition to them, Li Chuan had to make his stance clear in their presence.
Thus, as soon as Li Chuan approached, Li Rong’s expression turned cold. She said bluntly, “You need not say much to me. Our paths diverge, and there is no need for further discussion. Let it be.”
“Elder Sister,” Li Chuan frowned, “you’ve gone too far.”
The siblings’ conversation drew the attention of the ministers who had yet to leave. Li Rong sneered, “Is it me who has gone too far, or them? Those who deserve punishment have been punished. I’m leaving now. The Crown Prince may do as he pleases.”
With that, Li Rong turned and left. Li Chuan frowned deeply, as if wanting to say something, but in the end, no words came out.
As soon as Li Rong stepped outside, many ministers surrounded her, their faces filled with distress. “Your Highness, even if the princess is willful, there must be limits. What is she trying to do?”
“Everyone, I will speak to her properly, but after all, she is my elder sister…” Li Chuan said, showing a troubled expression. “She was simply spoiled too much in the past. When the opportunity arises in private, I will have a serious talk with her. After all,” Li Chuan lowered his voice, “she is also a princess of the Shangguan family.”
Hearing this, the crowd calmed down slightly, sighing, “We can only hope Her Highness comes to her senses. If things truly escalate to the point of being expelled from Huajing…”
As he spoke, the minister shook his head, sighed, and left.
Li Rong didn’t need to hear the conversation between these ministers and Li Chuan to guess its content with near certainty.
She was the best candidate to establish the Supervisory Department, not because of her abilities, but because she was a princess of the Shangguan family and the Crown Prince’s elder sister.
This was her protective talisman. If anyone else had done what she did today, would the noble families have let them off so easily?
It was simply because they believed she would eventually rein herself in for the sake of the Crown Prince and refrain from taking action out of respect for the Shangguan family.
This was why Li Ming was willing to employ her, but it was also why he refused to fully support her, always observing and testing her from behind the scenes.
Lost in thought about everything that had transpired in court, Li Rong made her way toward the Northern Yan Tower.Northern Yan Tower was a stargazing pavilion that Li Ming had built for his mother when he was young. Later, both the emperor and empress rarely visited it, and over time it fell into disrepair. Eventually, due to its remote and quiet location, it became the palace's customary place for confinement.
Li Rong instructed Jing Mei on what she needed to bring and chattered all the way to the tower. Northern Yan Tower was the tallest structure in the imperial palace, with towering gates, a slender body, and bronze bells hanging from its eaves. Li Rong looked up at it for a moment before leading her attendants inside.
She followed the staircase all the way up to the top floor, where her usual living quarters were located. A servant pushed open the door for her, and as soon as she entered, she saw Li Ming sitting inside, sipping tea with his head lowered.
Li Rong paused for a moment, then showed a surprised expression and couldn't help but say, "Father?"
Li Ming was sitting at the table brewing tea and said calmly, "Come in."
Li Rong remained silent. She lifted her skirt and entered, kneeling respectfully beside Li Ming. Li Ming personally poured tea for her and said slowly, "It has been several years since I last visited Northern Yan Tower."
Li Rong dared not respond. Li Ming's voice carried a hint of nostalgia: "When this tower was built, your mother had just become pregnant with you. I was overjoyed to become a father for the first time. Back then, your mother and I were very close. On her birthday that year, I didn't know what she liked, but I often saw her looking at the sky, so I thought she enjoyed stargazing. In the first year of my reign, I mobilized great efforts to build this Northern Yan Tower."
A small fire boiled water, emitting a faint bubbling sound as if it had just begun to simmer. Li Ming turned his head to look at the open window in the distance.
The windows in this room were all very large, and when opened, the sky outside looked like a painting. Li Ming said slowly, "Sometimes I wish I could remain as I was back then—carefree and ignorant—perhaps then life would have been better. At the very least, I would have been deeply devoted to my wife, and with you and Chuan'er," Li Ming turned to look at Li Rong, gazing at her for a long time before continuing slowly, "our relationship would have been good. I would have been a good father."
"Father has always been good."
Li Rong offered words of comfort, but Li Ming waved his hand and smiled, "I know what kind of person I am. There's no need for you to say it."
After a pause, Li Ming continued, "You are a clever child, smarter than Chuan'er."
"Father, Chuan'er is still young."
"You are also young," Li Ming chuckled, "but you see things much more clearly than he does. If only you were a boy."
Li Rong remained silent.
In truth, she wasn't much smarter than Li Ming. If anything, it was only because she had lived through a lifetime and knew the outcome in advance.
In her previous life, like Li Chuan, she had chosen a seemingly easier path, relying entirely on others. As the years passed, Li Chuan became the next Li Ming, repeating the cycle.
"I used to think you were just somewhat clever, no different from your mother. You helped me suppress the Yang family, but it was only for the sake of your marriage. Establishing the Supervisory Department was merely because Pei Wenxuan encouraged you, wanting to grasp more power. But today, I suddenly realized that you are even better than I imagined. Rong'er," Li Ming sighed, "many things were forced upon me. I don't expect you not to blame me, but I hope that one day, when I pass away, you will know that deep down, I also wished for you and Chuan'er to live well."Li Rong quietly watched Li Chuan. In truth, Li Chuan was not yet forty, yet he looked like a man past his fifties.
His days were numbered.
Li Rong knew clearly—in her previous life, Li Ming had died in the winter two years later.
She had always thought her feelings for Li Ming had long faded, but now, watching this person apologize to her, even though she knew that power in his heart far outweighed her, she still felt an indescribable bitterness welling up.
"Why are you telling me all this now, Father?"
Li Rong smiled bitterly. "You never spoke of it before."
“I didn’t speak of it before because I feared it would one day cause you pain.” Li Ming’s expression was calm. “In the past, I didn’t know what you would ultimately do. What if, in the end, you and Chuan’er were the ones to send me off? If I had spoken these words, you would have carried them in your hearts, suffering for a lifetime. What would have been the point?”
“Today is different,” Li Ming smiled as he looked at Li Rong. “I am truly overjoyed.”
“For Your Majesty to be so open with your daughter,” Li Rong smiled in return, “brings me great happiness as well.”
“As long as you hold no resentment in your heart, that is enough.” Li Ming sighed. “In today’s court, I could not show you too much favor. If the noble families were to think I am determined to deal with them, I fear they might resort to overly drastic schemes.”
“I understand,” Li Rong said softly. “The noble families are deeply entrenched; their influence is not a flaw that can be remedied overnight. We must proceed gradually. Moreover, your daughter was indeed reckless and deserves punishment.”
“Why weren’t you born a son?” Li Ming expressed some regret, to which Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh. “Your Majesty, in truth, Chuan’er is very capable. If you take the time to understand him better, you will see.”
“He is capable,” Li Ming’s voice grew somewhat distant, “but he is too much like me. If he continues down this path, I fear he will become the next version of me—perhaps even worse.”
Li Ming chuckled, then seemed to remember something and waved his hand dismissively. “But he is still young; we shall see in time. After all, he is the Crown Prince. As long as he does not commit any grave mistakes, I will not interfere.”
“Your daughter understands,” Li Rong knew Li Ming was worried she might overthink things, so she added, “Your Majesty simply wishes for Chuan’er to do better.”
Li Ming acknowledged her words but did not elaborate. After a moment of silence, he slowly continued, “In the court today, you witnessed it. Why I argued with your mother, I believe you understand. In the future,” he hesitated briefly before finally saying, “let us, father and daughter, be of one mind and harbor no resentment.”
“Your Majesty need not worry,” Li Rong said calmly. “In your daughter’s heart, Great Xia comes first.”
Li Ming smiled, reached out, and patted her shoulder. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, “Has Pei Wenxuan left the capital?”
“Yes,” Li Rong replied calmly. “Your Majesty need not worry; he will return.”
As she spoke, she looked up, hinting, “He will bring back what Your Majesty desires.”
“Good.” Li Ming clapped his hands and laughed heartily. He took a sip of tea and said cheerfully, “How satisfying.”
“Very well,” Li Ming stood up and glanced around. “Rest well here. If you need anything, have someone inform Fulai. I will wait with you for Pei Wenxuan’s return.”
Li Rong rose and bowed respectfully. “I bid Your Majesty farewell.”
Li Ming nodded, looking quite pleased as he walked out.
After Li Ming left, Li Rong sat back down and took a light sip of her tea.
She did not believe Li Ming’s words.
She knew him all too well. He held affection for both her and Li Chuan, but in the face of power, such feelings were insignificant. His reassurance today stemmed partly from his joy at her decision to align with him, and partly from his newfound certainty that she was useful, prompting him to deliberately cultivate their bond.
Li Rong held her cup, feeling a chill and a pang of bitterness in her heart.
She didn’t know why, but she suddenly missed Pei Wenxuan intensely. It was as if he were sitting across from her, his handsome face wearing a gentle smile as he asked, “Your Highness, what troubles you?”
Thinking of Pei Wenxuan’s tone, she couldn’t help but smile.
Just as she finished pouring her tea, the door creaked open.Li Rong looked up to see Shangguan Yue standing at the door in court attire.
Li Rong was taken aback for a moment, then smiled. "Mother Empress."
Shangguan Yue appeared weary as she stood at the doorway, gazing at Li Rong without moving.
After a brief pause, Li Rong spoke softly, "Would Mother Empress like to come in and sit?"
"Rongrong," Shangguan Yue said in a low, hoarse voice, "do you admit your mistake?"
"What have I done wrong?"
Li Rong's voice remained calm. "Have I blocked your path, or have I seized your power?"
Shangguan Yue remained silent. Seeing her prolonged silence, Li Rong reminded her, "Will Mother Empress not come in?"
"No," Shangguan Yue's voice choked with emotion. "I came only to relay a message from your uncle."
"Pei Wenxuan is dead."
Li Rong froze. A bird chirped as it flew past the window. Slowly, incredulously, she lifted her head to look at the woman at the door.
Shangguan Yue feigned composure, appearing no different from her usual lofty demeanor.
"Every act that goes against the tide comes at a price."
"Rong'er, from now on," Shangguan Yue spoke with great difficulty, "do not be willful anymore."
Author's Note:
Li Rong: "First day without my husband, missing him a little. Let me ask how he's doing."
Shangguan Yue: "He's dead."
Li Rong: "...Then I won't ask."
OpenNovel