Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan's words in the dark night and watched as Pei Wenxuan climbed onto the bed.
Li Rong closed her eyes and rested for a moment before finally returning to the bedside. She sat on the bedside for a while before finally speaking: "Don't think too much, I remember."
"You didn't let me down." Li Rong was very clear about her calculations: "I won't let you down either."
Pei Wenxuan didn't respond to her. Only when she returned to the bed did Pei Wenxuan reach out and wrap his arms around Li Rong's chest.
The two slept until dawn and went to court together. It was as if nothing had happened in court. The officials carried on with their duties and Li Ming's expression didn't change in the slightest.
After court, Li Rong personally ordered people to investigate the people related to Master Hong De in her previous life.
Master Hong De was originally a fortune-teller in Qingshui Town. During a dispute, he accidentally committed a murder and escaped. After learning Buddhism from an Indian monk for a few years, he came back and said that he was an Indian monk with great merit and was swindling people in Huajing.
In her previous life, this person's crimes were exposed by Li Rong and she personally banished him from Huajing. He had many followers and directly killing him would cause unrest. As a result, when he left Huajing for the Southwest, Li Rong found people to assassinate him.
With the help of her previous life, Li Rong quickly determined the whereabouts of these people and began to collect their confessions. When Li Rong finished her work, it was almost the afternoon of the next day. But she still went to Huguo Temple without stopping. As she expected, the head of Huguo Temple fearfully told her that Master Hong De had been invited to the palace.
Li Rong hurried to the palace as soon as she heard that.
As soon as she moved, the news had already reached the palace.
When Consort Rou received the news that Li Rong wanted to capture Hong De, she was still taking an afternoon nap, but she immediately woke up with a start. She sat on the chaise lounge, and after resting for a while, she immediately ordered a servant, "Go and ask Sir immediately. Tell him that Li Rong found something that could be used against Hong De and is going to the palace to capture him! Tell him to think of a way, think of a way immediately! "
The maid hurriedly rushed out after receiving the order. After everyone left, Hua Le came forward and asked somewhat anxiously, "Mother, why did she capture Hong De now?"
"Now that she's captured Hong De, I'm afraid that what we said before doesn't count anymore."
Consort Rou pursed his lips and said, "Hong De told His Majesty that Li Rong secretly asked him to postpone Li Chuan's wedding. These are all empty words and there is no proof. The only thing that can be proven is that the people from the Princess' residence went to look for him. There are witnesses, so this can be proven. However, if Li Rong is investigating Hong De, then it's not strange that she went to look for Hong De. Li Rong is a person who distorts the truth. I'm afraid that when she cries, His Majesty will feel that she has been wronged. "
"His Majesty is already holding a grudge against us because of what happened before." Consort Rou frowned uneasily. "If Li Rong turns the tables on us again, I'm afraid that we won't be able to say anything about Li Rong's matters in the future. Pei Wenxuan's position as the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel will be secured! "
"Then what should we do?" Hua Le panicked. "What should we do later?"
Consort Rou didn't speak. She closed her eyes and rested for a moment. She took a deep breath and said, "Let's wait first. If Sir doesn't have any good ideas."
Consort Rou hesitated for a moment before saying, "Then we can only rely on ourselves."
The two of them waited for a while. When they heard that Li Rong had entered the palace, Hua Le grabbed Consort Rou's sleeve and was so anxious that she was about to cry. "Mother, she has already entered the palace. What should we do? Is Imperial Father going to punish us again? Mother … "
"Consort." As Hua Le spoke, a maid rushed in and hurriedly handed a piece of talisman paper to Consort Rou. This was a light apricot-colored talisman paper with complicated patterns drawn on it. Under the patterns, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan's birth characters were written.
Consort Rou was stunned for a moment. She took the talisman paper and looked up. "What's this?"
"Sir sent it over and asked you to give it to Master Hong De. Sir said that now that Master Hong De is no longer safe, the most important thing now is to prevent Pei Wenxuan from becoming the Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel. "
"Then what's the use of this talisman paper?"
Consort Rou frowned. The maid came forward and whispered in Consort Rou's ear for a long time.
Consort Rou listened attentively. When she was done, Consort Rou couldn't help but praise, "Sir is indeed resourceful."
She handed the talisman paper back and ordered, "Secretly hand it over to Master Hong De. Tell him everything that needs to be said and let him remember it."
The attendant respectfully complied, took the talisman paper, and retreated.
After Consort Rou's people had arranged everything, Li Rong arrived at the imperial study.
She had already notified Li Ming in advance. When she arrived at the imperial study, she went straight in and bowed respectfully to him. She said loudly, "Greetings to Imperial Father. Long live Imperial Father. "
Li Ming looked up at her and said, "I heard that you entered the palace to arrest someone?"
"Yes," Li Rong looked up and met Li Ming's gaze, "This son is currently investigating the case of the demonic monk Hong De. I've been collecting evidence for nearly three months. Now that I've finally collected all the evidence, I'm going to Huguo Temple to arrest him. I didn't expect this demonic monk to enter the palace. Imperial Father didn't hear any slander from him, did you? "
Li Rong said proudly. Li Ming's expression didn't change. He looked at the booklet and said, "Consort Rou brought him in. She said that she wanted to hear him preach Buddhism. There wasn't any slander, but there was an interesting matter. "
"What interesting matter?" Li Rong didn't seem to know anything. Li Ming looked up at Li Rong and said in a low voice with a hint of warning, "I heard that you sent someone to find him and told him to lie and postpone the Crown Prince's wedding?"
"Postpone the Chuan'er's wedding?" Li Rong was surprised, "He's a monk. How can he affect the Crown Prince's wedding?"
Li Rong said it so naturally that Li Ming stared at her for a long time. Li Rong met his gaze and raised her eyebrows, "Imperial Father, why are you looking at me like that?"
"It's nothing," Li Ming saw that Li Rong's scrutiny didn't affect him, so he explained, "He has a great reputation among the people. Any prophecy he makes can gain the support of many people. If he really says that the Chuan'er shouldn't get married in the near future, or else there will be a natural disaster, more people will believe him. The Chuan'er's wedding will have to be postponed. "
"So it's like that. He's such a senior monk," Li Rong suddenly understood and said, "Then why did he frame me?"
"He framed you?" Li Ming smiled, his eyes meaningful, "Why don't we call him over and you two confront each other?"
"That would be great," Li Rong said happily, "I'd like to see how this demonic monk will justify himself."
"Go, call Master Hong De over," Li Ming saw that Li Rong agreed and turned to order the little eunuch next to him to call Hong De over.
The little eunuch accepted the order and hurriedly retreated. When only Li Rong and Li Ming were left in the room, the father and daughter didn't speak. They each did their own thing, as if they didn't know each other.
After a while, Consort Rou and Hong De rushed in.
Although Hong De was born in the countryside, he was very good at disguising himself. When he came in, he had the demeanor of a senior monk. Consort Rou and he bowed to Li Ming together. Li Ming raised his hand to let them rise and said directly, "Today, His Highness Ping L E said that you committed a crime and came to detain you. If there is a misunderstanding, please clarify it. If there is no misunderstanding …"
Li Ming looked up at Consort Rou. Consort Rou coughed lightly and said slowly, "If there is no misunderstanding, it's only right that His Highness Ping L E took him away. But His Highness Ping L E asked for help, and now you're burning the bridge after crossing the river. What are you doing? "
"Asking for help?" Li Rong laughed, "Who did I ask for help? This old bald donkey? "
Li Rong turned to look at Master Hong De and looked him up and down, then laughed, "Why do you say that I asked him for help? Just based on what he said? "
"Master Hong De," Li Ming heard Li Rong's words and looked at Li Ming, "Ping L E is right. I can't just listen to you. You said that the people from the Princess' residence asked you to discuss the Crown Prince. Do you have any evidence?"
Hearing this, Master Hong De paused. After a while, he slowly said, "His Highness is very meticulous. This old monk didn't leave any keepsake. But this old monk knows the Crown Prince's birth characters. Does this count as evidence? "
Birth characters were a person's most confidential information, especially for someone with the Crown Prince's status. Most people might know the exact date of the Crown Prince's birth, but it was very difficult to pinpoint the exact time.
The fact that he could recite Li Chuan's birth characters was indeed a piece of evidence.
"Knowing the Crown Prince's birth characters can prove that I met you?" Li Rong laughed and directly retorted, "What if someone deliberately told you to frame me?"
Li Rong's hint was very obvious. Consort Rou's expression instantly became ugly. Li Ming coughed lightly and could only defend Li Rong, "Ping L E's words aren't without reason. Do you have any other evidence?"
"Knowing the Crown Prince's birth characters is one thing," Hong De sighed, "What if I also know the birth characters of the Prince Consort and the Princess?"
"I already said, I only know …"
"What if you don't only know?" Hong De interrupted Li Rong. Li Rong was momentarily stunned.
Not only did he know, but Hong De also had evidence in his hands?
But where did Hong De get the evidence? Was it because Pei Wenxuan didn't do a clean job?
Li Rong's mind was in a mess. At this moment, he saw Hong De holding a talisman with both hands and kneeling in front of Li Ming.
"The people of the Princess Residence told me to do this. They said that the Prince Consort specifically ordered me to do this. This old man agreed and just recently finished drawing it. I was planning to give it to the Prince Consort. "
Li Ming didn't say anything. He took the talisman and hurriedly looked at it, then frowned.
It was indeed Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan's birth characters. When Li Rong married Pei Wenxuan, he had seen both their birth characters.
Li Ming was silent for a long time. Finally, he handed the talisman to Li Rong. He said somewhat helplessly, "Ping L E, actually, it's not a big deal even if you admit it."
"This son really has nothing to admit." Li Rong answered firmly. As he spoke, Li Rong took the talisman in his hand.
She hurriedly glanced at the contents and confirmed that it was indeed the birth characters of the two people. And the handwriting did indeed look like Pei Wenxuan's handwriting.
Although Li Rong's mouth was tough, he was somewhat uneasy.
Pei Wenxuan might have asked Hong De to calculate his marriage, but it was reasonable to say that he shouldn't have left anything behind.
But Pei Wenxuan was always a little silly when it came to relationships. He might have forgotten.
She stared at the handwriting on the talisman and thought about how to argue. Everyone was waiting for her answer. After a long time, just as she was about to speak, she suddenly smelled the scent of incense from the temple on the talisman.
Li Rong touched the talisman and instantly realized that it was a marriage talisman unique to Huajing's temple!
"This talisman doesn't belong to Hong De's master." After Li Rong reacted, she raised the corner of her mouth and looked at Hong De. She smiled and said, "This is just a talisman that the prince consort asked for in the temple when he was traveling. We left the talisman in the temple. I wonder what master Hong De wants to do by stealing this thing and framing me here?"
"But it doesn't matter. I've been with you for a long time. Since you can't produce any strong evidence, then I'll have to report you to His Majesty."
"What does Your Highness want to report to this old monk?"
Hong De put his hands together in front of his chest. His expression was calm. "If you want to condemn someone, you can easily find a pretext. Your Highness, please."
Li Rong smiled and raised her hand. "Madam Wang, please."
Hearing this, Hong De's expression changed dramatically. Li Rong observed his expression and said with a smile, "Wang Caishan, you've been a Hong De master for a long time. Have you forgotten where you came from?"
As Li Rong spoke, a woman walked into the hall, trembling. The moment she saw Hong De, her eyes lit up.
"Husband!" The woman rushed up and said excitedly, "Husband, are you still alive?! Husband, how did you become a monk? You … "
Before she could finish, Hong De pushed her away and shouted, "Who's your husband?!"
The woman who was pushed away was stunned. Then she glanced at the gorgeous cassock Hong De was wearing. She suddenly reacted and stood up from the ground. She raised her hand and pointed at Hong De. She trembled and said, "You … So you didn't have an accident outside. You just didn't want to come back! Good, very good. Wang Caishan, I've served your mother in your house for more than ten years. You've lived a comfortable life outside and never come home. Now you want to pretend in front of me? Wang Caishan, even if you turn into ashes, I'll still recognize you! "
"You … You're talking nonsense!" Hong De was shocked by his wife's sudden appearance and stuttered.
Madam Wang heard this and became agitated. She rushed toward Hong De and shouted, "Bastard, I'll kill you! I'll kill you! "
But before she could do anything, she was pressed to the ground by the guard next to her. Madam Wang struggled and cursed on the ground. Li Ming frowned.
He didn't want to care about Hong De anymore. He waved his hand and said, "Fine, fine. Take him away."
Li Rong smiled. She raised her hand and said respectfully, "Imperial Father, since you've made your decision, I'll go back first."
Li Ming waved his hand. Consort Rou quickly stood up. Just as she was about to say something, Li Rong immediately shouted, "Imperial Father has already agreed. Consort Rou, what else do you want to say?"
With this loud shout, Consort Rou choked back all of her words. Li Ming raised his eyes to look at her and indifferently said: "What else do you want?"
Li Ming's tone was very obvious. Consort Rou couldn't say anything. After a long time, she finally said, "I … I'm fine."
"Then I'll take my leave."
Li Rong smiled and bowed. Then she waved her hand. The guards rushed forward and took Hong De and Madam Wang out of the palace.
"You woman," Hong De cursed as soon as they left the palace, "You're brainless. You've ruined me! Ruined me! "
"You bastard, what future do you want?" Madam Wang sneered, "They say that men are heartless. I didn't believe it before, but now I know. You bastard, wait until we leave the palace. I'll skin you alive! "
Both of them were born in the marketplace and had no bottom line when it came to cursing. Even though Hong De had been influenced by the upper class for more than ten years, he still couldn't win against Madam Wang.
The two of them were held down by the guards and followed behind Li Rong. They cursed as they walked.
Li Rong put her hands behind her back and listened to their cursing. She felt that the moon was bright and the stars were sparse. The road ahead was bright.
As soon as she walked out of the palace, she saw Pei Wenxuan waiting at the door. Pei Wenxuan didn't wear his official robe. He only wore a blue coat and a white shirt.
Spring was approaching and Huajing was getting hot. People like Pei Wenxuan who cared about appearance had already taken the opportunity to change into spring clothes.
He stood quietly outside the palace and looked at the silhouette of the distant mountains in the night. His figure was slender, like a pine tree or a crane.
Li Rong saw him from afar and couldn't help but smile. She happily trotted forward and took Pei Wenxuan's hand. She happily said, "Pei Wenxuan!"
Pei Wenxuan calmly turned his head. Seeing the smile on her face, he knew the result. He gently said, "It seems that Your Highness has won a great victory."
Li Rong held Pei Wenxuan's hand and didn't show the slightest modesty, "It's okay, it's okay."
Saying this, Li Rong turned her head and ordered the people behind her, "Lock up Wang Caishan in the Inspection Department. Send Madam Wang to the inn."
The guards respectfully complied. Li Rong turned back and walked with Pei Wenxuan to the carriage. She asked, "You came here specially to wait for me?"
"It's on the way." Pei Wenxuan subconsciously replied. But after he finished speaking, he hesitated and said, "Not really. Actually, I came here specially to wait for you."
"How did you give two answers?" Li Rong raised her eyebrows. Pei Wenxuan helped Li Rong into the carriage and said gently, "The first answer is subconscious. The second answer is true. "
"Don't people say subconscious words that are the truth?"
Li Rong sat in the carriage and asked curiously. Pei Wenxuan sat beside her and shook his head, "Subconscious words might not be the truth. They're just words to protect themselves."
Li Rong thought about it and agreed.
She saw Pei Wenxuan begin to pour tea for her. She pursed her lips and felt a little happy.
Pei Wenxuan realized that she was in a good mood and looked at her, "Are you that happy after winning?"
"Pei Wenxuan," Li Rong propped up her chin, "Tell me the truth. Did you secretly go to the temple to make a wish?"
Pei Wenxuan heard this and was a little puzzled, "Why does Your Highness ask this?"
"Look," Li Rong took out a talisman and handed it to Pei Wenxuan, "What is this?"
Pei Wenxuan was originally smiling, but when his gaze fell on the talisman with their birth characters, his expression changed drastically. He grabbed Li Rong's hand and asked anxiously, "Where did you get this?!"
At the same time, in the imperial study, Consort Rou was massaging Li Ming's shoulders.
Her mind was filled with the words that the maid whispered in her ear.
"Teacher said that the matter in Hong De wasn't done properly. It's enough to arouse His Majesty's suspicion. The most important thing now is to let His Majesty know that the prince consort and Her Highness Ping L E have a deep relationship. His Majesty suspects that the Crown Prince and the Princess are working together. If he knows that Pei Wenxuan has feelings for the Princess, His Majesty is afraid that he won't tolerate Pei Wenxuan. "
"This is the Talisman of Three Lives imitating the prince consort's handwriting. It's a talisman in the temple that promises marriage in the next life. The talisman ceremony is complicated and different from ordinary talismans. As long as you can tempt Her Highness to admit that this talisman is indeed theirs, then tell His Majesty the true meaning of this talisman and guide him. "
"Pei Wenxuan's official road will come to an end."
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
