The Princess Royal

Li Rоng listened tо Реi Wеnхuan's words, her smilе bright аs she glanсed ovеr. "Whаt's thе hurrу, Lоrd Рei?"

Seеing Li Rong's unhurried demeanor, Shаngguаn Ya сouldn't hоld bасk hеr anхiеtу. Еvеn suspеcting that Li Rong might hаvе long bеen preрared, shе couldn't hеlр but аdvisе, "Yоur Нighnеss, we must makе рreраrаtions еarlу. Тhe Xiе fаmily hаs now caрtured Lin Feibai аlivе. I'm аfraid hе will confess Yоur Нighnеss's involvеmеnt."

"Did уоu sеnd him tо assаssinаte Хie Lаnqing?"

Pei Wеnxuаn turnеd bаck in shосk. Li Rоng ignоred him, twirling a fan in hеr hand as she instructed Shаngguan Ya, "Go аnd preрarе аll the еvidence from their previous attempt to assassinate me. Do we still have Lin Feibai's confession?"

"We do," Shangguan Ya frowned. "But among the evidence that can point to Xie Lanqing, only Lin Feibai's confession remains. For the Butterfly Gorge assassination, all the assassins were hired by the Chen family—from the flow of silver to the contacts, everyone involved was from the Chen family. If Lin Feibai retracts his confession, I'm afraid..."

"Afraid of what?" Li Rong laughed. "Prepare whatever evidence you have. Just make sure the Chen family is pinned down. You don't need to worry about the rest."

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya hesitated for a long time before finally agreeing and withdrawing.

As soon as Shangguan Ya left, Pei Wenxuan spoke directly. "What are you planning?"

"Hmm?" Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, only to see him frowning as he said, "How could you send Lin Feibai to assassinate Xie Lanqing? Xie Lanqing is the Minister of Justice. Is he so easy to assassinate? Now that Lin Feibai has been captured alive and will confess your involvement, with all the other troubles you're entangled in, I fear even His Majesty won't be able to protect you!"

After speaking, Pei Wenxuan felt his words were too harsh. Li Rong shouldn't be so foolish.

He pondered carefully, analyzing as he spoke. "The Seven Stars Hall's headquarters is built in the area where the Xie clan resides, with countless ties to the Xie family. You want to kill Xie Lanqing because he sent these people?"

Li Rong remained silent, searching the room for all the case files she needed to hand over to Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan followed behind her, continuing, "The Seven Stars Hall is famously tight-lipped. Even if they die, they would never reveal their employer. How did you get Lin Feibai to confess Xie Lanqing's involvement and leave a written testimony?"

Without waiting for Li Rong's reply, Pei Wenxuan immediately added, "Did you threaten him with knowledge of their hideout? But that shouldn't work. Lin Feibai should know the power of the noble families in the region. Even if you dispatched troops immediately, they could retreat safely with the Xie family's help. Lin Feibai isn't a fool. He wouldn't succumb to such a threat, yet he still confessed Xie Lanqing..."

"He took me for a fool," Li Rong turned around with a smile, handing a scroll of case files to Pei Wenxuan. "Together with Xie Lanqing, they were plotting against me.""There are many possibilities regarding the assassination attempt," Li Rong said as she continued pulling scrolls from the wall and placing them into Pei Wenxuan's hands. Pei Wenxuan held the scrolls, following Li Rong as she spoke. "With an old fox like Xie Lanqing, it's impossible that he wouldn't have a backup plan in case of failure. Lin Feibai confessed so easily precisely because he was prepared in advance. According to Xie Lanqing's thinking, if Lin Feibai confesses, I will most likely pursue his responsibility. But if I can't find any evidence other than Lin Feibai's testimony, then when I accuse him in court, Lin Feibai could suddenly retract his confession, claiming he was tortured under duress. Combined with Chen Guang's use of torture to extract confessions, the two major charges of false accusation and forced confession would be firmly pinned on me."

"Since you know this, why did you let him go to assassinate Xie Lanqing? Are you just serving him up on a platter?"

"Exactly. So I have two choices: believe his words and fall into their trap, or disregard Lin Feibai's testimony and fail to catch the old wolf, Xie Lanqing. Since they want to set a trap for me, I'll play along—not only will I jump into it, but I'll jump even deeper. I sent Lin Feibai to assassinate Xie Lanqing. Tomorrow, Xie Lanqing will inevitably accuse me in court. By exposing himself from the shadows, he gives me the chance to pin him down for good."

Hearing Li Rong's clear calculations, Pei Wenxuan felt somewhat reassured. Holding the scrolls, he respectfully asked, "Then where are Your Highness's fangs?"

Li Rong turned around and beckoned him over. Pei Wenxuan, still holding the scrolls, lowered his head and leaned in as Li Rong whispered a few words into his ear.

Pei Wenxuan looked up in shock. "Is it true?"

Li Rong lowered her voice. "Absolutely true. Back then, this case was investigated by Su Rongqing. Since it wasn't something to be proud of, he only reported it to me, but the matter was confirmed by three parties."

"Does Lin Feibai know?"

Pei Wenxuan frowned. Li Rong shook her head. "He only found out before his death."

"What about Xie Lanqing?"

"At least not yet."

Pei Wenxuan fell silent. After thinking for a long while, he said slowly, "If it truly is as Your Highness says, then Xie Lanqing will indeed have tried to steal a chicken only to lose his rice."

"So don't worry," Li Rong said, patting Pei Wenxuan on the shoulder. "Think about it—once the Minister of Justice is gone, who would be better to replace him?"

With that, Li Rong leaned closer to Pei Wenxuan and whispered, "I can't afford to compensate you for the peonies, so how about I compensate you with the position of Minister of Justice?"

"Then those peonies are truly priceless," Pei Wenxuan laughed. He carried the scrolls to the table, pondering as he said, "But given my qualifications, it won't be easy for Your Highness to push me into that position, will it?"

"Choose someone from your family," Li Rong suggested, following him to the table and leaning against its edge. She gently tapped her shoulder with a small fan and said gently, "You've already taken back some of the money from your second uncle. Shouldn't he return the power as well?"

Pei Wenxuan paused for a moment. After a while, he slowly looked up, meeting Li Rong's suggestive gaze. He smiled faintly. "It seems Your Highness doesn't think much of what I currently have in my hands."

"Ah, I never said that," Li Rong pointed at Pei Wenxuan and quickly added, "Don't go throwing dirty water on me."

"I'm not throwing dirty water on Your Highness—I'm expressing my loyalty," Pei Wenxuan said, placing both hands on the table and leaning closer to Li Rong. "Your Highness, rest assured. I am yours, and the Pei family is also yours.""Lord Pei never makes a loss in his dealings," Li Rong said as she sat on the table, folding her hands in front of her, smiling brightly. "Lord Pei has offered such a generous gift—what does Your Highness wish in return?"

"Your Highness, care to guess?"

"Glory and wealth?" Li Rong raised an eyebrow, deliberately guessing off the mark. Pei Wenxuan knew she was teasing him and continued, "And what else?"

"High office and generous salary?"

"Isn't that the same as before? It seems Your Highness has nothing else to offer this humble official."

Li Rong sat on the table, slightly taller than the standing Pei Wenxuan. She looked at him with a radiant smile, feeling as though his gaze had taken on a tangible weight. Their eyes met, both wearing their usual smiles, yet an unspoken confrontation began to spread between them.

This confrontation was like intertwined vines, fighting and tangling as they grew, each tightening around the other, strangling one another.

Neither was willing to yield, yet it was precisely this intensity of refusal that stirred an indescribable feeling within Li Rong.

Her heart beat faster, and her palms grew damp. Pei Wenxuan, at times like this, was especially capable of evoking a certain unspeakable desire.

It was seduction, yet within this seduction lay a hint of teasing, as if he were waiting for Li Rong to lower her guard.

If she gave in to his temptation, she would lose.

In matters of romance, the most stirring moments were not those of straightforward passion under the covers, but rather these moments of unspoken words, hesitant advances, and mutual attraction that could not be acted upon.

She could not lose, so she could not touch this man.

Yet she knew full well that this blooming flower had already stretched beyond the wall, swaying gracefully in the wind, tempting her to pluck it.

The only thing she could do was to mirror his actions, to make him fall at her feet and come seeking her willingly.

Li Rong leaned forward, drawing closer to Pei Wenxuan, softening her voice. Her usually aloof tone now carried a hint of coquettishness. "Then what exactly does Lord Pei want?"

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan felt half his bones go weak. He took a sharp breath and straightened up. "I won't discuss this further with Your Highness. I'm going to find my uncle. Have someone send the case files back to the Princess's Manor. I'll come to review them tonight."

With that, Pei Wenxuan hurriedly strode out. Though his steps were steady, his retreating figure carried a hint of fleeing in disarray.

Li Rong sat on the table, leisurely picking up a cup of tea, smiling as she watched Pei Wenxuan's receding figure.

Shangguan Ya led people carrying case files in from outside. Upon entering, she saw Li Rong sitting on the table, sipping tea with a very pleased expression, like a well-fed cat lazily licking its paws.

Shangguan Ya paused in surprise and instinctively remarked, "You two are playing quite openly, aren't you?"

Li Rong's movements halted briefly. Then she raised an eyebrow and shot a cold glance over. "What kind of things have you been reading lately?"

"Since Your Highness understands, it seems we share similar interests."

Shangguan Ya clasped her hands seriously. "A pleasure to meet a fellow enthusiast."

"Such nonsense from someone not yet married for a full day," Li Rong grabbed a book from beside her and threw it over. Shangguan Ya dodged with a laugh, hearing Li Rong scold, "Let's see who would marry you.""Your Highness need not worry about that," Shangguan Ya smiled as she approached Li Rong, having someone place all the previously reviewed testimonies on the table for Li Rong. Leaning against the edge of the table beside Li Rong, she said, "I told my father that I plan to grow old within the Shangguan Clan, living out my days as an old spinster."

"Old spinster?" Li Rong laughed. "Your father agreed to that?"

"Of course, that was just a jest," Shangguan Ya turned serious. "My father naturally wouldn't allow me to grow old within the Shangguan Clan. But if I truly become the person in charge of the Shangguan Clan," Shangguan Ya looked up at Li Rong, "then it won't be up to him anymore."

"However, he still needs me for the next couple of years," Shangguan Ya leaned against the table, speaking slowly. "I can still delay things for a few years."

"Are you really that afraid of marriage?"

Li Rong was somewhat curious. She remembered the Shangguan Ya from her previous life—a perfectly proper noblewoman who did everything by the rules, cold, restrained, strict with herself, and equally strict with others.

Even when the Shangguan Clan was nearly decimated by Li Chuan, not a single fault could be found with her. She even maintained her position as Empress despite Li Chuan's intense dislike for noble families.

She gazed at Shangguan Ya, who thought for a moment before saying, "If Your Highness had a choice, before knowing the Imperial Son-in-Law, would you have chosen to marry?"

Li Rong was momentarily taken aback by the question. Shangguan Ya continued slowly, "What's so good about marriage? If I don't marry, I remain the eldest daughter of the Shangguan Clan, untouchable by anyone. I am my father's treasured pearl. I can study if I wish, work if I wish, and even seek an official position here with Your Highness, holding onto a bit of money for myself, with the gambling house as a pastime."

"And after marriage?"

Shangguan Ya's expression remained calm. "If I marry into an ordinary family, I would have elders above me, a husband beside me, constantly bound by rules. Making a mistake would disgrace the Shangguan Clan. If my husband is decent, we might treat each other with respect. But if he enjoys philandering, or worse, lays a hand on me, what could I do?"

"Even with all my abilities," Shangguan Ya sighed with a bitter smile, "once married, I would no longer be treated as a person. Not to mention other things—if my husband forbids me from returning to my family, I would lose control over the Shangguan Clan. If he forbids me from working here with Your Highness, all my efforts would be for nothing."

"You don't strike me as someone who would obey so easily, do you?"

Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Shangguan Ya smiled faintly. "Of course not. If I truly encountered such a husband, I would find a lover outside, get pregnant, poison him, and then use the child's name to become the matriarch of the household. How wonderful would that be?"

A chill ran through Li Rong's heart. She asked cautiously, "What if you were to marry into the palace?"

"Marrying into the palace," Shangguan Ya said calmly, "would mean I am not marrying a man, but a throne. I would no longer be just Shangguan Ya, but the honor and disgrace of the Shangguan Clan."

Li Rong wanted to ask more, but the words died on her lips. What was the point of asking so many detailed questions about the past life?

It would only hurt their feelings.

Li Rong fell silent. Shangguan Ya smiled and asked, "Your Highness, why are you suddenly asking these things?"

"I just wanted to understand you better." Li Rong stepped away from the table and placed a hand on Shangguan Ya's shoulder. "We're good sisters, after all. We should talk more heart-to-heart."

With that, Li Rong guided Shangguan Ya to sit down, propped her chin on her hand, and flipped through the case files. "Tell me the specifics of the situation."While Li Rong and Shangguan Ya were discussing how to deal with Xie Lanqing in the next day's court session, Pei Wenxuan took a carriage and traveled all the way to the Pei residence.

He first went to see Madam Wen, then paid a visit to Pei Xuanqing. Pei Xuanqing was in poor health and had retired from his official position early, spending his later years in leisure at home. As his children and grandchildren were usually busy with their own affairs, few people came to see him.

When Pei Wenxuan arrived, Pei Xuanqing was having tea brewed while playing chess by himself. Pei Wenxuan approached respectfully and said, "Grandfather."

"I heard you are quite the popular figure these days, so you must be very busy," Pei Xuanqing said calmly. "What brings you to see this old man today? Is there something you need help with?"

"It has been a long time since we last met, and today I found some free time," Pei Wenxuan knelt and sat opposite Pei Xuanqing, smiling. "So I came to see the family."

Hearing this, Pei Xuanqing looked up at Pei Wenxuan.

Pei Wenxuan greatly resembled his father. Pei Xuanqing’s gaze lingered on his face for a moment before he chuckled softly, "You look like your father, and your temperament is similar too."

As he spoke, Pei Xuanqing gestured to the chess pieces beside him. "Playing chess alone is dull. Why don’t you join me?"

Pei Wenxuan respectfully agreed and played a few rounds with Pei Xuanqing. Throughout the game, he avoided mentioning any serious matters. Instead, Pei Xuanqing asked a few questions about Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong’s marriage.

The relaxed atmosphere put Pei Xuanqing at ease. He smiled and said, "You are already twenty-one. It’s time to have a child. Don’t always be so busy with official duties and neglect the princess. Bring a child home sooner, and I’ll be happy to have a great-grandson."

"This isn’t something that can be rushed," Pei Wenxuan replied with a smile. "Her Highness is currently very busy with affairs, so it’s not the right time for a child."

Hearing that Pei Wenxuan seemed reluctant to discuss the topic of children, Pei Xuanqing did not press further. The two played a quiet game of chess. After a while, Pei Wenxuan glanced at the sky and said calmly, "It’s getting late, Grandfather. I should take my leave now."

Pei Xuanqing nodded. Pei Wenxuan stood up, bowed to him, and prepared to leave. As Pei Wenxuan walked away, Pei Xuanqing frowned and asked, "Are you really here for nothing?"

"Grandfather," Pei Wenxuan sighed, "I came simply because I am a member of the Pei family. After all, we are family."

With that, Pei Wenxuan bowed again. Pei Xuanqing watched him silently as he withdrew.

A servant stepped forward to pour tea for Pei Xuanqing and said respectfully, "The eldest young master brought your favorite tea. Among all the young masters, only he knows this. He truly is filial to you, sir."

Pei Xuanqing remained silent. He glanced at the tea for a long while before softly responding, "Hmm."

After visiting Pei Xuanqing, Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and then turned back toward the Supervisory Department.

By the time Pei Wenxuan arrived at the Supervisory Department, Li Rong was still busy. She and Shangguan Ya had confirmed the assassin’s confession and the financial records from the Chen family. After that, she began reviewing the self-investigation of the Shangguan family that Shangguan Ya was overseeing.

Li Rong’s intention was to clean up the Shangguan family before Li Ming made his move, so that Li Chuan would not be implicated by the family’s troubles as he had been in her previous life.

Li Chuan was an exceptionally steady Crown Prince. As far as the position of Crown Prince was concerned, there were almost no faults to be found in him. Deposing a Crown Prince was a major affair, and as long as Li Chuan did not make any mistakes, it would be difficult for Li Ming to act against him.Clearing out the Shangguan family in advance would also resolve Li Chuan's future concerns.

When Pei Wenxuan arrived at the Supervisory Department and heard that Li Rong was still busy, he said nothing more. He had someone bring him tea, sat in the front hall, picked up a casual book, and began flipping through it.

He hadn't been reading for long when he saw a guard hurriedly walk in from outside. Pei Wenxuan looked up and heard the guard urgently say, "Your Highness, something terrible has happened, Your Highness."

Hearing this from inside the inner room, Li Rong exchanged a glance with Shangguan Ya, then straightened up and walked out. Seeing Li Rong emerge, the guard knelt on the ground and said urgently, "Your Highness, Xie Lanqing has gone to the palace to file an imperial complaint. His Majesty is now urgently summoning Your Highness to the palace."

"So eager to come and die?"

Li Rong laughed out loud. The guard dared not respond. Pei Wenxuan stood up, walked behind Li Rong, and said quietly, "I will accompany Your Highness into the palace."

"Your Highness," Shangguan Ya frowned, "Xie Lanqing likely comes with ill intentions."

"Don't worry," Li Rong smiled, "I am going to send him on his way."

With that, Li Rong turned around, flicked her wide sleeves behind her back, and led the way forward, saying cheerfully, "Let's go."

Li Rong led her people out of the Supervisory Department and headed straight for the palace. When she arrived at the imperial study, she saw Xie Lanqing lying weakly in a chair, clutching his stomach.

Li Rong walked into the room with a smile and respectfully said, "Your daughter greets you, Father."

Pei Wenxuan also followed Li Rong in bowing: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Many people were standing in the room—Su Minzhi, Shangguan Xu, Su Rongqing, and others were all present. Xie Lanqing's chair was placed to one side, and kneeling at his feet was Lin Feibai, covered in wounds.

Li Ming looked at Li Rong, seemingly somewhat weary. After motioning for Li Rong to rise, he went straight to the point: "Ping Le, Minister Xie says you instructed this assassin to kill him. Do you admit to this crime?"

Hearing this, Li Rong looked at Lin Feibai with a half-smile. "I instructed this gentleman to kill Minister Xie?"

With that, she walked over to Lin Feibai, knelt on one knee, and squatted down, resting her hands on the knee of her upright leg. She smiled and said, "I would like to ask this gentleman: how did I come to know you, and how did I instruct you?"

"This commoner is a jianghu assassin. Half a month ago, Your Highness sent someone to find me and asked me to kill a person. At that time, Your Highness wore a veil over her face. Although I could not see Your Highness, I remembered her voice."

"Your hearing is quite good," Li Rong nodded. "And then?"

"Why is Your Highness asking so many questions?" Xie Lanqing interrupted Li Rong directly. "Could it be that Your Highness is feeling guilty and wants to first confirm whether there is anything in the witness's testimony that you can use to argue your way out?"

"Minister Xie, watch your words," Pei Wenxuan glanced coldly at him and said calmly. "The matter is not yet clear, and you are already saying Her Highness is arguing her way out. What, does Minister Xie treat this place as the Ministry of Justice, having already decided the case himself?"

"Minister Pei is truly eloquent," Xie Lanqing sneered. "My meaning is clear to everyone present. Minister Pei need not be so pedantic."

"And then?" Li Rong stared at Lin Feibai. Lin Feibai remained silent. Li Ming said coldly, "Mr. Lin, speak.""Then, as ordered by my employer, I went to Butterfly Gorge to assassinate the person depicted in the portrait. Afterward, I was ambushed, captured, and imprisoned, eventually ending up in the Supervisory Department. Once there, I was brought before the princess. The moment she spoke, I recognized her voice—she was the same employer who had previously hired me to assassinate the princess. Knowing my capabilities, the princess ordered me to kill Minister Xie directly, threatening to execute me for the crime of attempting to assassinate the princess if I refused!"

Though Lin Feibai’s tone was cold, his composed yet indignant demeanor made it hard not to trust him.

Li Rong listened with a smile and then asked, "So you went ahead and attempted to assassinate Minister Xie?"

Lin Feibai ignored her, kneeling on the ground with his back straight and unwavering.

Seeing that he had finished speaking, Li Rong stood up. Li Ming, noticing her confidence, asked, "Is what he said true?"

"Father," Li Rong replied with a smile, turning around, "his story is full of holes, like poor peasants debating whether the emperor should carry loads with a golden pole or a silver one. Does it even make sense for an emperor to carry dirt with a pole in the first place?"

Upon hearing this, Xie Lanqing’s expression immediately darkened. "Your Highness, please speak plainly. There’s no need for such irrelevant remarks."

"Very well. Minister Xie, having survived an assassination attempt, your mind may not be functioning clearly—this princess can understand that. So allow me to clarify the loopholes in his statement. First, he claims I was his employer. Then may I ask, was I so short of reliable subordinates, or so enamored with the reputation of this Master Lin that I simply had to meet him, that a princess of the realm would not send a trusted agent to hire an assassin but would go in person?"

"Your Highness speaks truly," Pei Wenxuan added. "This humble official would also not wish Your Highness to meet privately with an unrelated man."

Li Rong shot Pei Wenxuan a covert glare, which he pretended not to notice, his expression unchanged.

"What if Your Highness acted cautiously, unwilling to let such an unsavory matter become known to others?"

Xie Lanqing replied coldly. Li Rong gave a light laugh, circling Lin Feibai as she spoke. "Very well, I'll concede this point to Minister Xie. Suppose I was cautious yet incompetent, forced to seek out an assassin myself. Then, according to this gentleman, I hired an assassin to kill myself—I staged my own assassination. Since I knew I would meet this gentleman again, would I have worn a veil but not altered my voice?"

"This commoner has practiced martial arts since childhood and is extremely sensitive to voices," Lin Feibai stated coldly. Pei Wenxuan murmured softly, "What sharp canine ears."

"Alright," Li Rong lowered her head with a chuckle. "Even if Master Lin's martial prowess is exceptional and I miscalculated. But if I had planned for someone to attempt my murder, why would I then pressure you to assassinate Minister Xie, instead of simply having you give false testimony accusing Minister Xie of hiring you to harm me?"

These words caused Lin Feibai to pause, though his expression revealed nothing of his inner thoughts.

Seeing him remain silent, Xie Lanqing spoke slowly, "That is precisely what we must ask Your Highness. Perhaps Your Highness felt that after Chen Wangshi's death, raising the issue of your assassination would not achieve the desired effect, so you directly ordered him to assassinate me instead?"

"Then here lies a crucial question."

Li Rong tapped her fan against her palm, then bent down to look at Xie Lanqing seated in his chair. "Would I send a son to kill his own father?"

At these words, everyone was startled. Xie Lanqing's face paled dramatically, and Lin Feibai abruptly looked up.

Li Rong straightened with a smile, lightly tapping her fan against her palm. "Let's consider this story from another angle."

"Which do you think is more likely: that a princess, repeatedly acting against all reason, ultimately sent a son to assassinate his own biological father, or that a father and son conspired to give false testimony to frame a princess?"

"Master Lin," Li Rong observed the utterly astonished Lin Feibai and said with a smile, "What is your opinion?"