Cui Yulang came at night.
His arrival was rather tortuous. He changed his clothes several times, and after confirming that no one was following him, he was led by Zhao Chongjiu over the wall of the Princess Residence's backyard. They entered Li Rong's room without making a sound.
Li Rong had already talked to Zhao Chongjiu and knew that Cui Yulang was coming. He didn't go to sleep, and only undid his hair, lit the lamp, and waited in the room.
When night fell, the sound of footsteps came from outside. Li Rong reclined on the small bed. He raised his eyes and saw Cui Yulang push open the door and come in. He knew that it was inappropriate to meet Li Rong in private at night, so he didn't have his usual sloppy appearance. He knelt on the ground and respectfully saluted. Without raising his eyes, he said in a low voice, "This humble subject greets Your Highness."
"I called you over because there is an urgent matter."
Li Rong's voice was very faint. Cui Yulang didn't say anything. Li Rong slowly said, "The matter of me handing the Inspectorate to Consort Rou needs to be expedited."
"Your Highness, did something happen?"
"Go do it first. It's best if it's done within three days."
Cui Yulang thought for a moment, then said in a low voice, "This humble subject understands."
Cui Yulang and Li Rong had already prepared for this matter. The next morning, Li Rong arrived at the Inspectorate. As soon as he reached the door, he saw Shangguan Ya hurriedly greet him. She said in a low voice, "Today, a scholar came to the Inspectorate. He said that the quota for entering the capital for the examination had been changed. I kept him."
Li Rong nodded and walked into the Inspectorate with Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya said in a low voice, "I don't know what this scholar is thinking. He didn't kneel in front of Shuntian Prefecture or the Ministry of Justice, but he kneeled in front of the Inspectorate. This matter isn't easy to investigate. I'm afraid that we'll have to go beyond Huajing …"
"It's fine."
Li Rong raised his hand to stop Shangguan Ya from speaking and entered the room with her.
The scholar was drinking tea in fear and trepidation. When he saw Li Rong, he hurriedly got up and knelt on the ground. "Greetings, Your Highness."
"You are Sun Wen?"
Li Rong said directly. This was Cui Yulang's good friend's name.
The other party hurriedly replied, "Yes, it is this commoner."
"You've brought the complaint?"
"It's done."
"Alright."
Li Rong nodded and asked Shangguan Ya to collect his complaint. He directly said, "Give him five taels of silver to leave Huajing first. On the moat of Huajing, there is an old man named San Ye. Get on his boat and let him take you away. When we approach Zhang County halfway, the boat will sink. You follow San Ye and swim to the shore. Someone will come to your rescue. You hide for a while and listen to the arrangements later. "
Sun Wen had already received Cui Yulang's arrangements. After he bowed, he was taken away.
As soon as Sun Wen left, Shangguan Ya immediately came over. "Why are you keeping me in suspense?"
Li Rong took Sun Wen's complaint and looked at it seriously. He slowly replied to her, "You will soon change your master. Prepare well."
Hearing this, Shangguan Ya thought for a while and understood. "You want to let go of the Inspection Department?"
"Su Yongqing recently opened an inn to let the examinees who came to the capital to participate in the imperial examination live there. He also deliberately found the examinees who came to complain. What do you think he wants? "
Shangguan Ya frowned. She didn't understand.
The imperial examination wasn't a big deal. It was just a formality. The children of ordinary families were admitted to the imperial court just to find some people to help them do things.
There were always some dirty and tiring work in the imperial court that no one did. The imperial examination's purpose was just that. For Shangguan Ya, who was born to be a top aristocrat, she really couldn't figure out the meaning of Su Yongqing going through so much trouble on this matter.
Li Rong glanced at her and knew that she didn't understand.
If she hadn't seen the influence of the imperial examination system after the rise of the cold clan, and if she didn't know about the storm that the so-called Longhu List caused in the imperial court this year, she probably wouldn't understand.
But she knew, so she naturally understood the crux of the dispute between Pei Wenxuan and Su Yongqing.
"The first thing Su Yongqing wants to do is to win over people's hearts."
"That's something the Su Clan would do."
After all, the Su Clan was the one who started the porridge. The other big clans saw that it was good and followed.
"Secondly," Li Rong looked at the complaint and lowered his voice, "Su Yongqing won't let go of the matter from last time."
Shangguan Ya paused. She raised her head and looked at Li Rong. Li Rong said calmly, "His Majesty took away his position as the Minister of Justice and granted me and Pei Wenxuan a peaceful divorce. Even if he doesn't want to believe anyone, His Majesty will definitely take the next step. Su Yongqing's purpose is to seize the foundation of the Chuan 'er. This time, he found so many scholars who complained. What do you think he wants to do? "
Shangguan Ya didn't say anything. Li Rong smiled and gave her an answer, "He wants to sue this case."
"What's his purpose?" Shangguan Ya frowned. Li Rong put his hand on the table, "If this case comes out, who do you think His Majesty wants to deal with it?"
Shangguan Ya instantly understood. She raised her head and looked at Li Rong, "The Crown Prince?"
Once Li Chuan dealt with this case, although it wasn't a big case, it was against the interests of the aristocratic clans.
Li Chuan already had a gap with the aristocratic clans because of Li Rong's Inspectorate. If he personally stood up for the Han Clan, his relationship with the aristocratic clans would be further severed.
The Han Clan hadn't formed yet. If Li Chuan really severed ties with the aristocratic clans and Li Ming didn't trust Li Chuan enough, then Li Chuan's only political capital was the Shangguan Clan.
But if Li Chuan didn't accept this case, or even if Li Chuan didn't accept this case, this case wouldn't get a fair trial, then Li Chuan's reputation as the Crown Prince would be greatly reduced.
"Then there are only two ways left."
Shangguan Ya quickly said, "Or, let this case not be reported."
"Or," Li Rong continued, "let this case fall into the hands of others."
Currently, the only government offices that could handle this case were the Censorate, Ministry of Justice, Supreme Court, and Inspectorate.
The Censorate's supervisor was Shangguan Min Zhi. In the eyes of the aristocratic clans, the Censorate's case was Li Chuan's case.
The Ministry of Justice and Supreme Court were under the control of the aristocratic clans, so they wouldn't take the initiative to investigate this hot potato.
Finally, the only one left was her Inspectorate.
Shangguan Ya understood Li Rong's meaning. She hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "But, handing over the Inspectorate for an imperial examination case, isn't the price too high?"
Li Rong didn't say anything. She wanted to tell Shangguan Ya, but she didn't say much. After thinking about it, she only said, "It's dangerous for me to be in this position. Imperial Father wants me to fight to the death with the aristocratic clans, but I can't go to this step. Although I'm temporarily leaving, our people are still here. What should be done and what shouldn't be done, everyone is clear in their hearts. "
Shangguan Ya made a sound of agreement. Li Rong saw her worried expression and smiled. He patted her shoulder and said, "Hurry up and do your work. After you're done, you can go drink and gamble."
Shangguan Ya laughed when she heard this and responded, "Okay."
After she finished speaking, Shangguan Ya leaned in front of her and whispered, "How do you feel after your separation?"
Li Rong raised his eyebrows. Shangguan Ya looked around and leaned forward, "Do you have a night date with your lover? Something exciting?"
Li Rong smiled and took a booklet from the side. He slapped it on Shangguan Ya and said, "Get lost."
Shangguan Ya smiled and stood up. He waved his hand and said, "I'm leaving."
After he finished speaking, he went back to his room. After Shangguan Ya left, Li Rong picked up his teacup and took a sip of tea.
Actually, Shangguan Ya's concerns weren't wrong. It was indeed a bit risky to hand over the Department of Inspection over an imperial examination case.
In the beginning, it was Pei Wenxuan's suggestion to hand over the Department of Inspection over.
Now that it was decided to hand it over to the Department of Inspection …
Li Rong looked at the tea leaves floating in the teacup with a cold gaze.
— — This was because Pei Wenxuan's people were mixed in with the scholars who complained.
Su Yongqing wanted to take the firewood under Li Chuan's cauldron, and Pei Wenxuan wanted to tear down the stove.
If this was Pei Wenxuan's intention, then no matter what, she couldn't get involved in this whirlpool.
Li Rong stayed in the Department of Inspection for a day. When night fell, she got up and returned to the princess's residence. When she walked out of the door, she saw Shangguan Ya changing into men's clothes. She was swinging her purse and was happily going out. She walked very briskly and looked as if she was about to jump up. Li Rong was waiting for her at the entrance of the inner courtyard. When he saw her humming a little tune, he called out to her, "Where are you planning to go? Why are you so happy?"
When Li Rong spoke, Shangguan Ya realized that she was there. He was shocked and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, you haven't left yet?"
"Aren't you also not leaving?"
The two of them walked out of the courtyard together. Shangguan Ya coughed lightly, "Aren't I leaving now? It's too obvious during the day. "
"How long do you plan to play? If it's too late, I'm afraid your father will scold you. "
"Father knows my temperament." Shangguan Ya said to her rather confidently, "I've already said so."
Li Rong smiled and didn't say anything. When she walked with Shangguan Ya, she would feel like she was a teenager for a moment, but in the next moment, she would clearly notice the difference between the two of them. She felt that looking at Shangguan Ya was like looking at a child.
"Su Ronghua is waiting for you, right?"
Li Rong asked directly. Shangguan Ya's face stiffened. Li Rong lowered his head and chuckled, "You usually just go out to drink and have fun. You're not this happy."
"I'm not either …"
"When did the two of you get so close?"
Li Rong knew that she was shy, so he didn't give her a chance to explain. He cared for her like an elder. Shangguan Ya didn't hide anything and said directly, "In the past, when I was in the Inspection Department, I would often go to the gambling den after I finished my work. The night you and Su Yongqing caused trouble in the palace, I heard that he went to the palace. I knew it wasn't good, so I specially went to the palace gate to pick him up. I took him to climb a mountain and comforted him. After that, our relationship became good. Now that he has nothing to do and is an idle person, he comes to me every day. "
"Play is play," Li Rong reminded her, "Don't delay your work."
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
As Shangguan Ya spoke, the two of them walked out of the Inspection Department's gate. As soon as they walked out, they saw Su Ronghua sitting at the gate, spinning the fan in his hand. Hearing the sound behind him, Su Ronghua turned around and smiled, "Oh, you're out?"
As he spoke, Su Ronghua stood up and bowed to Li Rong.
Li Rong raised her hand to stop him, "You're not afraid of these things. You're here to pick up Ah Ya?"
"Yes." Su Ronghua admitted frankly. Shangguan Ya felt that the two of them were talking awkwardly, so he turned and waved at Li Rong, "Your Highness, let's go."
As he spoke, Shangguan Ya walked forward and grabbed Su Ronghua's sleeve, pulling him along the street.
The two of them talked and laughed along the way. Li Rong stood at the gate and watched them go. Seeing the people coming and going on the street, she felt an indescribable emptiness in her heart.
It was like in the last few years after she grew old in her previous life, she often looked at the hustle and bustle in a daze.
While she was in a daze, she saw a young beggar run to her side. He held a chipped bowl and said in a tender voice, "Madam, can you give me a copper coin?"
Li Rong looked down and saw a note in the beggar's bowl. She didn't know why, but she seemed to know who gave her the note.
She took out two copper coins from her money pouch and put them in the bowl. At the same time, she quietly held the note in her hand.
The young beggar ran away. Li Rong used her finger to open the note in a dark corner and saw Pei Wenxuan's handwriting.
"I'm here."
Li Rong instinctively raised her head and looked around. She saw a young man with two patches of beard standing not far away.
He smiled and met Li Rong's gaze. Li Rong couldn't help but purse her lips. She hid the note in her palm and walked down the steps with her hands behind her back, saying, "Let's go back."
The coachman and attendant were a little surprised, but they didn't say anything. They watched as Li Rong walked forward and walked into the crowd.
After she turned around, a young man in blue also followed her into the crowd.
They didn't talk to each other. One in front of the other, they walked on opposite sides of the road. It was as if they were two people who didn't interact at all.
However, the young man would walk by every stall that Li Rong walked past and buy the things that Li Rong saw.
Li Rong also noticed Pei Wenxuan's actions. She walked to a lantern stall that sold riddles. She raised her hand and touched the lantern that looked like Chang 'e flying to the moon.
She stood in front of the lantern stall for a while. The young man stopped behind her and casually looked at the comb on the opposite stall.
After Li Rong left, the young man followed her.
Li Rong walked out of the busiest street and felt tired. She called for a carriage and got on the carriage while yawning. Before she got on the carriage, she saw the young man standing not far away and looking at her with a smile. Li Rong pursed her lips and smiled. Suddenly, she was in the mood to play and threw the handkerchief in her sleeve.
The wind blew the silk handkerchief across the street. The light shone through the soft gauze. The young master hurriedly walked forward. The soft gauze brushed past his face and left a lingering fragrance.
The young master raised his hand and caught the fluttering handkerchief.
When he turned back, the carriage had already left, just like the woman in his dream.
Pei Wenxuan stared blankly at the departing carriage. After a long time, she lowered her head and smiled. She carefully folded the handkerchief and put it in her heart. Only then did she return to the lantern riddles stall.
When Li Rong returned to the princess's residence, she had just rested. She was soaking her feet and reading a book when she heard the Jing Lan say, "Your Highness, Lord Zhao requests an audience."
Li Rong looked up. "Let him in."
Zhao Chongjiu received permission and walked in.
As soon as he came in, Li Rong saw that he was holding more than a dozen lanterns in his hand.
Li Rong saw the lanterns and almost laughed out loud. Zhao Chongjiu's face darkened. He put the lanterns on the ground, then picked up the lantern that Chang 'e was flying to the moon and put it in front of Li Rong. "Just now, the Lord Pei urgently looked for me and gave me so many lanterns. He specifically told me that I must personally hand this lantern to Your Highness."
"He said that he won that stall."
When Li Rong heard this, she finally couldn't help but laugh.
She took the lantern that Pei Wenxuan won and looked at Chang 'e on the lantern. She laughed for a long time.
She suddenly felt that some things, even if two people didn't get along, were not unforgivable.
A person's life was just to live a good life. With this lantern here, even if there were some run-ins, she still wanted to continue.
She vaguely realized that the biggest difference between her and when she was young was perhaps that.
When she was young, she always thought of throwing away anything bad that she encountered.
Now, when she encountered something bad, she would think of cultivation.
She didn't know if this was a compromise or a maturity, but it seemed that this was an inevitable path in life.
If she thought of throwing away something bad, Pei Wenxuan and her would have ended a long time ago.
She wasn't perfect and flawless, and Pei Wenxuan wasn't flawless.
However, Pei Wenxuan never thought of giving up. She was forced to persist in going around in circles, and she finally found out.
This relationship was worth it in the end.
After Pei Wenxuan delivered the lanterns, he walked on the long street with his hands behind his back. He couldn't help but laugh when he imagined Li Rong's appearance when he received the lanterns.
Dong Ye yawned behind him and muttered, "Gongzi, you're too idle. Is there not enough work in the Ministry of Personnel, or are you too energetic? You changed your clothes and waited for so long. It wasn't easy to send His Highness back, but you still went to guess the riddles. You're a top scholar, but you went to guess the riddles. Isn't this bullying? People will laugh at you if this spreads. "
Pei Wenxuan knew that Dong Ye was guessing that he was in a good mood, so he dared to be so impudent.
He didn't respond to Dong Ye. He just looked up at the bright moon in the sky with a smile.
Thinking that Li Rong was also under the moonlight with him, his gaze couldn't help but soften a few inches.
"Laugh if you want," Pei Wenxuan's voice was full of laughter, "As long as Madam is happy. What's the use of learning so much talent if Madam can't coax you? "
In any case, he had already seen the scenery of ascending to the top. What he coveted the most was this world of fireworks.
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