The rain became heavier, and Li Ming's indistinct curses were incessant. Pei Wenxuan withdrew his gaze from Su Yongqing and turned to look at the eunuch guarding the door. He went forward and handed the booklet in his sleeve to the eunuch, asking him to pass it to Li Ming. Then he turned around and said to Li Rong: "Your Highness, let's go."
Li Rong looked hesitantly at the imperial study, but finally nodded. She turned to the eunuch next to her and said that she would leave in advance. Then she walked out with Pei Wenxuan.
The two walked through the wind and rain. After they left the palace, Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and put it on Li Rong's shoulder, using his wide sleeves to shield her from the rain that flew in.
"Why are you here?"
Li Rong said in a low voice: "Coming to the palace to pick me up so casually, aren't you afraid that Fuhuang will be suspicious?"
"I handed him the booklet, requesting to be the chief examiner of the imperial examinations," Pei Wenxuan explained patiently, "Tomorrow, the various positions will be confirmed. It is normal for me to come tonight to express my loyalty. Moreover, "Pei Wenxuan turned to look at the palace," he is not in the mood to pay attention to us right now. "
"Su Ronghua has entered the palace," Li Rong reminded him. Pei Wenxuan's expression did not change, only saying: "I know."
"Right now, in Fuhuang's eyes, the only things he can find out are that someone sent Hong De into the palace, that Hong De's child was taken away by the Su Family, that the confession was missing, that the meeting room was flooded, and that Hong De was killed. These three events corroborate with the previous two events. Although they are not ironclad evidence, Fuhuang can convict Su Yongqing in his heart. Now that Su Ronghua has come out and admitted to the first two events, it contradicts the last three events. These three events are too sudden … "
Li Rong frowned: "At that time, Fuhuang will probably think that we are deliberately framing him."
"What do you think?" Pei Wenxuan said flatly. Li Rong thought carefully, "From Imperial Father's point of view, you can say that Su Yongqing did these three things to cover up what he did, but it could also be that we did it to frame Su Yongqing. Why wouldn't Imperial Father think that we deliberately framed Su Yongqing? "
"Firstly, we have no reason to frame Su Yongqing. If we want to frame someone, we should frame Su Ronghua, who is Prince Su's teacher."
"Secondly, Su Ronghua's arrival is too coincidental and deliberate. It's not believable."
"Thirdly," Pei Wenxuan turned his head and said softly, "Su Ronghua brought Hong De's children into the palace."
Upon hearing this, Li Rong was stunned.
Pei Wenxuan tilted the umbrella in Li Rong's direction and said softly, "Their best plan was to kill the child. As long as the child didn't come out of the Su residence and they refused to admit it, His Majesty wouldn't have any solid evidence to deal with them. However, Su Ronghua not only didn't kill the child, but also brought the child into the palace to return the hostage and admit his mistake. "
"Hong De committed suicide. Unless there was a threat, he wouldn't commit suicide. Now that Su Ronghua brought the child into the palace, Hong De's death is definitely related to the Su Family. Therefore, His Majesty is 80% sure that Hong De's death wasn't done by us. As for the remaining 20%, it's just because he's always been suspicious. "
Li Rong slowly calmed down after hearing Pei Wenxuan's words. Pei Wenxuan escorted Li Rong to the carriage and then closed the umbrella. He left the umbrella outside the carriage and stepped inside.
Li Rong's outer clothes were a bit wet, so he helped Li Rong take off his outer clothes and took out spare clothes from the carriage for Li Rong to change into.
Li Rong sat in the carriage and looked at the person who was busy half-kneeling in front of him. He listened to Pei Wenxuan continue, "Now that Su Ronghua has confessed, Su Yongqing should be fine."
"Then what about Su Ronghua?"
Li Rong asked softly. Pei Wenxuan was silent for a moment, then he slowly said, "Leaving the officialdom may not be a bad thing for him."
"Then you took such a big detour." Li Rong smiled bitterly. "Didn't you waste your efforts?"
"Who said I wasted my efforts?" Pei Wenxuan looked up and smiled. "Did you think that I spent so much effort just to make Su Yongqing take the blame?"
These words were indeed out of Li Rong's expectations.
Although Pei Wenxuan didn't say what he did, Li Rong guessed most of it. She originally thought that Pei Wenxuan wanted to seize Su Yongqing's position as the Minister of Justice. She didn't expect that it wasn't the case.
"So your real goal is …"
"Your Highness." Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and took the hairpin on Li Rong's head. His black hair fell down, and he looked at the beautiful treasure in front of him. He said softly, "Su Yongqing never caused trouble for us for ourselves. And I also didn't cause trouble for Su Yongqing for Su Yongqing for himself. "
"His goal," Li Rong smiled bitterly. "Is it to Chuan'er?"
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. He was silent for a while, and finally said, "When the Crown Prince was deposed, the Su Clan and Shangguan Clan worked together with the other clans to help the Crown Prince regain the throne. But after the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he repeatedly suppressed the aristocratic clans for the sake of the imperial court … Even if the Su Clan wasn't destroyed, no aristocratic clans would let such a Crown Prince ascend the throne knowing that the Crown Prince wanted to suppress the aristocratic clans. "
Li Rong was speechless. Pei Wenxuan saw that she seemed sad, and he couldn't help but feel a little depressed.
He didn't want to talk for a while. After drying Li Rong's hair, he got up and sat to the side. He took out the booklet and looked down.
After a while, he heard Li Rong return to the topic. He said softly, "So, your goal is to Consort Rou?"
"Yes." Pei Wenxuan answered perfunctorily.
Li Rong continued to think and analyze, "The most troublesome thing right now is actually Su Yongqing and Consort Rou working together. I established the Inspectorate because I wanted to borrow Imperial Father's hand to control the aristocratic clans. According to our plan, you and I will arrange people in the imperial court for the next three years. After three years, if the Crown Prince is deposed again, we don't need the aristocratic clans to do anything. We will directly support the Chuan'er to succeed the throne. "
"The Chuan'er's nature is benevolent. When Imperial Father was alive, we solved the conflicts between the aristocratic clans in advance. At that time, he can directly implement his own decrees. The situation in our previous life might not happen again. But now that Su Yongqing is back, he and Consort Rou are working together. Consort Rou is like a tiger that has grown wings. Su Yongqing is helping him manage the imperial court, and Imperial Father trusts him more than we do. Therefore, whether Su Yongqing becomes a minister or not isn't the most important thing. The most important thing is that he can't work together with Consort Rou. "
"Consort Rou suffered a loss this time, so she will definitely doubt his ability. Moreover, if Su Ronghua wants to admit to his crimes, he will have to prove his relationship with Consort Rou. Consort Rou was implicated because of the two Su Clan brothers. With her personality, I'm afraid that she will have doubts about their future cooperation. If we take advantage of this opportunity to drive a wedge between them, then it will be much easier to defeat them one by one. "
As Li Rong spoke, she became happy. She turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, "Then have you thought about how to exploit this loophole?"
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. She lowered her head to read. Li Rong's smile froze. After hesitating for a moment, she asked hesitantly, "You … why are you angry again?"
"You can still tell that I'm angry?" Pei Wenxuan sneered, "Should I praise you for having good eyesight?"
"That's not necessary," Li Rong smiled and waved her hand, "I'll give you a pair of embroidered shoes tomorrow. Don't thank me."
"Why are you giving me that?" Pei Wenxuan frowned.
"Eldest Miss Pei," Li Rong used her fan to lift Pei Wenxuan's chin, "how many inches is the golden lotus?"
Pei Wenxuan sneered and raised his hand to hit her fan. However, as soon as he raised his hand, it was grabbed by Li Rong. Then, she nimbly slid onto him like a loach and straddled him. She interlocked her fingers with his with one hand and pressed her other hand against his head to kiss him.
Pei Wenxuan wanted to struggle a little to show his backbone, but as soon as he moved, he heard Li Rong coquettishly call out, "Brother Pei."
He suddenly felt that not only did he have no backbone, but he also had no bones.
After Li Rong finished kissing him, she hooked her arms around his neck and looked at his beautiful face under the light. She laughed and said, "Why were you angry just now?"
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything.
Li Rong leaned on his chest and rubbed her face against him, "Tell me. If you tell me, I'll change."
Pei Wenxuan still didn't say anything. Li Rong teased him again, "Tell me. You're not saying anything. Are you still angry with me?"
"I forgot."
Pei Wenxuan said in a hoarse voice. Li Rong looked up and saw his red ears.
Thus, she was sure that Pei Wenxuan had really forgotten.
For Pei Wenxuan to forget why he was angry before because of this kind of thing, it was indeed a bit embarrassing.
He was too spineless.
When the two of them returned to the princess's residence together, Su Ronghua was still kneeling on the ground and listening to Li Ming's interrogation.
"Since it was you, why didn't you say so earlier?"
"This humble subject is guilty."
"Tell me now." Li Ming pointed at him, "Was it you or Su Yongqing who did it?"
"It was this humble subject who did it." Su Ronghua said decisively, "This humble subject didn't dare to admit it, but I couldn't bear to see my brother being wronged, so I had no choice but to come and confess. Please forgive me, Your Majesty. "
"Since it was you who did it, why did Hong De confess to your brother?"
"When I went to Hong De, this humble subject didn't show up." Su Ronghua lowered his head and repeated, "Hong De might have guessed that I was a member of the Su Family based on something. In Huajing, my brother's reputation is better than this humble subject's. Hong De might have mistaken me for someone else."
"Mistaken you for someone else." Li Ming nodded, obviously not believing his excuse, "Since you've mistaken me for someone else, why did you set the lecture hall on fire and kill him?"
"This humble subject doesn't know about the fire in the lecture hall. As for Hong De, it was really a misunderstanding. This humble subject did tell Hong De that if something happened, he had to protect me. However, this humble subject doesn't understand why he committed suicide on the road. "
These words were half true and half false. Li Ming quietly discerned the truth of his words and stared at Su Ronghua. Su Ronghua kept repentant, "Your Majesty, this humble subject was confused for a moment. This humble subject is the Crown Prince of Prince Su. Naturally, this humble subject is wholeheartedly for Prince Su and Consort Rou. Her Highness Ping L E is the head of the Inspection Department. She has a high position and power. She and the Crown Prince are siblings. How could they be separated? Consort Consort Rou was worried about this, so this humble subject thought of this method … "
"You bastard!" When Li Ming heard this, he was furious. Even if he knew that Su Ronghua did it for Consort Rou and Prince Su, he couldn't help but scold, "You and Consort Rou are simply two idiots! Why did I use Ping L E? Without Ping L E, would the Su Family be willing to fight against a giant like the Shangguan Family? The Shangguan Family can use the power of the entire family for the Crown Prince. Can you? "
"Now, Ping L E is fighting with the aristocratic families for power under the instigation of Pei Wenxuan. Whether they are true or not, the Shangguan Family has now vacated a position in the Imperial Court. The aristocratic families have vacated a position for my people to be promoted. This is the result! Why is she so anxious? It's fine if she's anxious, but why are you also anxious? Is this how you help her?! "
"This humble subject knows his mistake. This humble subject was short-sighted and couldn't understand Your Majesty's deep meaning. This humble subject asks for Your Majesty's forgiveness."
Su Ronghua desperately bowed his head. He seemed extremely flustered.
Li Ming looked at Su Ronghua and felt a little tired. He was silent for a moment. After a long time, he waved his hand and said, "Forget it. You can leave. It's not suitable for you to stay in the Imperial Court. Go. "
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your kindness."
Su Ronghua stood up and turned to leave after hearing Li Ming's words.
After he went out, he saw Su Yongqing waiting outside the Imperial Study. The guards outside the Imperial Study were far away from him. He quietly looked at the rain as if he was waiting for him.
Su Ronghua walked to Su Yongqing's side. The two brothers looked at the rain side by side. After a long time, Su Yongqing said calmly, "You shouldn't have come today."
"If I didn't come," Su Ronghua smiled bitterly, "What would you do?"
"Rong Qing," Su Ronghua looked up at the sky, "Although I don't know what you're doing, don't forget that I'm your brother. You're not walking alone."
"But some roads," Su Yongqing looked calm, "are destined to be walked alone. When I reach the end, if I die there, brother, if you're willing, you can come and collect my corpse. "
"Rong Qing!" Su Ronghua gritted his teeth and frowned, "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
"Don't worry about me in the future."
Su Yongqing turned his head and stared at him coldly, "What happened today will not happen again. I will walk my own path and bear my own sins. If you want to be good to me … "Su Rongqing looked at the stunned young man in front of her. His mind was filled with the image of Su Ronghua cutting her own throat with a tile in her past life. He couldn't help but say in a trembling voice," Please, just be yourself. "
"Go back." Su Yongqing turned his head and walked towards the Imperial Study. He said in a hoarse voice, "Go and have a drink with Shangguan Ya. Find a suitable time to propose marriage."
Su Ronghua stood there in a daze and watched Su Yongqing walk into the Imperial Study. His back was submerged in the darkness. Su Ronghua watched for a long time. Someone gave him an umbrella and reminded him that it was time to leave.
He walked down the stairs and out of the Imperial Palace in the rain. When the door closed behind him and made a creaking sound, he couldn't help but look back.
The towering door was like the mouth of a giant beast. He stood in front of the door in a daze.
He didn't know where to go. He didn't want to go back to the Su Mansion, but he didn't know where to go either.
He watched power and influence corrupt the people he loved the most. The whole Huajing was like a pot of warm water over a fire. Unknowingly, it boiled people beyond recognition.
Although he didn't understand Su Yongqing's words, he vaguely knew one thing.
His younger brother was walking on a completely different path from him. In this lifetime, they would never cross paths.
Su Ronghua couldn't help but look up, trying to see the dark sky. At this moment, he heard a delicate female voice. "Oh, you didn't get flogged?"
Su Ronghua heard this and slowly turned his head.
The woman was dressed in blue and had a bamboo hat on her head. She held an extra paper umbrella in her hand and a wine gourd hanging from her waist.
"What are you dressed up for?"
Su Ronghua couldn't help but laugh. "It's the middle of the night. You're a lady from a respectable family. Are you going to wander the Jianghu?"
"Lord Su guessed correctly."
Shangguan Ya looked up at him and said with a smile, "I originally planned to spend the night on the mountain and wait for the sun to rise tomorrow. But when I heard that Lord Su sacrificed himself to save his younger brother and entered the Imperial Palace, I passed by to take a look. I didn't expect Lord Su to be in such a good mood. It's raining like this. Aren't you afraid of catching a cold? "
"That's because I thought Shangguan Daren would come to pick me up." Su Ronghua smiled and walked in front of Shangguan Ya. He held the umbrella she was holding and looked down at her with a smile. "Do you want Shangguan Daren's heart to ache a little?"
"Then you're wrong. I'm not someone who'll feel sorry for others."
"It's fine." Su Ronghua tilted his head. "This humble one did a good job."
"I brought wine. Lord Su, do you have time to wait for the sun to rise together?"
Shangguan Ya patted the wine gourd. Su Ronghua laughed. "Of course. Shangguan Daren went up the mountain alone without a flower protector. How can I be at ease?"
"Then I'll have to thank Lord Su." Shangguan Ya turned around and swung the jade pendant on her waist. She waved her hand as if she was ordering a waiter. "Let's go."
Su Ronghua smiled. He held the umbrella and followed behind Shangguan Ya.
He suddenly felt as if he had found a guide. He didn't need to think about anything. He just needed to follow the girl's footsteps and walk forward step by step.
At this time, Su Yongqing knelt in front of Li Ming. "This humble subject knows that Your Majesty doesn't trust anyone now. But since Your Majesty doesn't trust anyone, why don't you give it a try?"
Li Ming stared at Su Yongqing. "Try what?"
Su Yongqing raised his head, his eyes full of determination. "Try everything that Your Majesty has doubts about."
Pei Wenxuan thought he had won. But how could it be so easy?
He didn't crawl out of the purgatory burned by karmic fire for twenty-five years just to repeat the past.
He wanted to drag the people who destroyed his faith and glory, his family, and his hopes to hell with him.
At this moment, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan also arrived at the Princess Residence together. The two of them entered side by side. Pei Wenxuan's mood improved. He finally remembered the matter that bothered him in the carriage. "What were you thinking about in the carriage? I saw that you were in a daze for a long time. Did my heart ache? "
"What's there to ache about?"
Li Rong laughed. After she finished speaking, she immediately understood what Pei Wenxuan meant. She sighed. "What's there to ache about? I was just thinking that everyone is fine now. How could they become like in my previous life? "
"Su Ronghua is now willing to put himself in danger to save the children in Hong De. Later, he poisoned Qin Zhenzhen for Shangguan Ya."
"Ah Ya is now able to distinguish right from wrong. Later on, he manipulated many things in the palace."
"Chuan'er is benevolent by nature. In the end, he implicated the entire Su Clan for Qin Zhenzhen's death."
"Su Yongqing … the noble young master of the Su Clan. In the end, he became an Asura with a sharp blade in his hand."
Li Rong smiled bitterly. "Who do you think is wrong? Is it Father? "
"Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan's voice was gentle. "Those who emerge from the mud untainted are saints. Most people, like you and me, are ordinary people. "
"What we are doing now is to dig away the mud." Pei Wenxuan said. He raised his hand and held Li Rong's hand. "The people of the previous life are the people of the previous life. In this life, it has just begun. "
"What about you?"
Li Rong suddenly asked. Pei Wenxuan looked at her. "What?"
"You said that those who emerge from the mud untainted are saints. Did you do evil in your previous life? "
Li Rong turned to look at him curiously. Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. The two of them walked along the corridor. Li Rong felt strange. "Pei Wenxuan?"
"I was also an ordinary person."
Pei Wenxuan's voice was very light. There was no sadness or joy in it. "But in my previous life, every time I wanted to do evil, I would think of you."
Li Rong was stunned. Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly. "I don't know why. Even when I hated you the most, I didn't want you to look down on me."
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