When Li Rong heard this, she knew that Pei Wenxuan was asking about Hua Le. She didn't care and smiled: "It was just a scratch, how could I really let her hit me?"
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything, he just looked at her. After a moment, he lowered his head and gently kissed her wound.
That kiss was a little itchy, it made Li Rong's whole body tremble and she couldn't help but take a step back.
As soon as she took a step back, Pei Wenxuan came forward and pressed her against the door. He used his lips to brush across her face and fell on her lips.
He held her waist and wanted to rub her into his bones and blood. Li Rong felt his strength and gently pushed him. She vaguely said: "We still have to go to the palace."
Pei Wenxuan knew what she meant. As long as the memorial was sent to the palace, she had to go to the palace to find Li Ming. If she left any traces at this time, it would be hard to explain.
So he straightened up and hugged her tightly in his arms. He took a deep breath and said: "You've been wronged."
"How is this considered a grievance?" Li Rong laughed. She raised her hand and poked Pei Wenxuan's shoulder: "I thought you were going to ask about Su Yongqing."
When he heard Su Yongqing's name, Pei Wenxuan coldly snorted and lowered his head to kiss her: "You still dare to say it?"
"As soon as I saw you, I smelled a strange smell."
"What kind of dog nose do you have?" Li Rong laughed out loud: "You can smell it from outside the carriage?"
It wasn't strange for her to smell it when she was close to Su Yongqing, but Pei Wenxuan could smell it when they met. This was a bit shocking.
However, she was not surprised that Pei Wenxuan had such a keen sense of smell. After all, Pei Wenxuan was an expert in perfumery. If his sense of smell was not keen, he would not be able to learn this.
Pei Wenxuan kept a straight face and did not say anything. Li Rong knew that he was a little angry, so she hooked her arms around his neck and hung herself on him. "I pretended to be asleep in the carriage, so he covered me with a coat," she explained, her face full of grief as she leaned against Pei Wenxuan's chest. "Brother Pei, I'm dirty. What should I do?"
Pei Wenxuan was amused by her and lowered his head to kiss her. "Dirty? Come, Big Brother will wash you. "
The two laughed and fooled around for a while, from the door to the bed. Pei Wenxuan knew that news from the palace would come at any time, so he did not go too far. At the end, he only took off his outer coat. His clothes were intact, and Li Rong leaned against his chest as if she had scattered.
Pei Wenxuan got up to get some water and helped her wipe her sweat. She did not sweat much, so after a while, she was no different from usual.
Pei Wenxuan lay next to her and stroked her arm to let her feel that he was still by her side. He thought for a while and said: "Why did Su Yongqing look for you?"
"He was afraid that Hua Le would be at a disadvantage," Li Rong said lazily, "Even you could guess that I was scheming. After all, he has been with me for so long, how could he not guess?"
Pei Wenxuan's movements slowed, but before Li Rong could notice, he continued to stroke her hair and said calmly: "He was probably also worried that you would be at a disadvantage in the hands of Consort Rou and Hua Le, right? The reason they went through so much trouble to bring you to the Inspectorate is probably because they want to think of a way to link you to the Crown Prince for killing Chen Houzhao. If you fell into their hands, no one would feel uneasy. "
Li Rong did not speak. She closed her eyes. Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes and said in a low voice: "I originally wanted to go immediately, but I was afraid that I would disturb your plans, so I arranged everything …"
"You did very well."
Li Rong grasped his hand and pulled him forward. She nestled in his arms: "You don't need to explain these things to me. What you did was what I wanted."
Pei Wenxuan did not speak. Li Rong leaned in front of him and comforted him greatly.
"I didn't go immediately." Pei Wenxuan sighed. "I felt guilty."
Li Rong reached out and wrapped her arms around his waist.
She knew that he was not only guilty, he was also afraid.
He was afraid that he was one step too late. He was afraid that he did not give as much as Su Yongqing. He was afraid that he did not do as well as Su Yongqing.
But she did not know how to persuade him. There were many reasons, but most people in this world understood reason better than anyone else. But all wounds could only be healed by events and experiences.
She did not speak and just hugged Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment and knew that it would be unreasonable to talk about these things. He changed the topic and asked: "Did you talk to him about anything?"
"I asked him if he could stop."
Li Rong sighed: "He did this mainly because he did not trust the Chuan'er. If he could help the Chuan'er ascend the throne with us, it would be much easier."
"What did he say?"
Pei Wenxuan already knew the answer and asked casually.
"Naturally, he did not allow it." Li Rong lazily replied, "He said that all the monarchs would not let the aristocratic families go. He had no choice."
"His best choice is to assist Prince Su. Prince Su was born in a poor family. Xiao Su does not have much ability. After ascending the throne, he will inevitably rely on the aristocratic families. He is only eleven years old now. Two years later, when he ascends the throne, he will only be a thirteen year old baby. At that time, we will see if he will be obedient or not. If he is obedient, he will stay. If he is not obedient, we can just wait until he has a child and find another baby. "
Li Rong said lightly: "You have a very good plan."
Pei Wenxuan heard this and nodded: "There is no need to force him. He is different from us. He has no choice. "
"How is it that he has no choice?" Li Rong laughed, "He is just unwilling to give up the benefits in his hands."
Pei Wenxuan did not speak. He hesitated for a moment and finally said: "Your Highness, the Su Clan is different from the Shangguan Clan and the Pei Clan. The Shangguan Clan is originally one of the eight clans, and the Pei Clan is also a poor family. Both of them relied on the imperial family to reach where they are today. Therefore, we do not have many choices. Whether it is changing the Crown Prince or accepting government orders, the losses are not much different. But the Su Clan is different. It is the head of the prominent families in Jiangnan. For these century-old aristocratic families, not to mention the change of princes, even the change of dynasties did not affect them. "
"So?" Although Li Rong asked, she knew what Pei Wenxuan was talking about. She laughed bitterly, "Whether the Su Yongqing fights or not, the majority of the people in the Su Clan and other clans will not retreat. Rather than letting the Chuan'er ascend the throne to that step, it would be better to directly abolish the Chuan'er to prevent greater losses, right? "
Pei Wenxuan did not speak. Li Rong turned to look at him and said with a smile that was not a smile: "You are very considerate. Didn't you not like him? Why do you speak up for him every day?"
"I don't like him," Pei Wenxuan smiled gently and raised his hand to comb the messy hair on her forehead, "But I hope that Your Highness will feel that there are many people in this world who like you."
He wanted to let Li Rong see a better and warmer world. He did not want her to think of everything in an extreme way.
In this world, there were too many people who taught her how to judge others with malice, but he wanted to teach her to open her eyes and look for all the possible good in this world.
Even if this person was Su Yongqing.
Li Rong knew what he meant. She reached out and hugged Pei Wenxuan, acting coquettishly in his arms.
"I know that Brother Pei is the best."
Pei Wenxuan smiled and looked at the girl who was acting coquettishly in front of him. He lowered his head and kissed her: "It's good that you know."
As soon as he said this, the voice of the Jing Lan came from outside: "Your Highness, news from the palace has arrived. His Majesty has already read the memorial. The Empress is rushing over to make a fuss."
When Li Rong heard this, she quickly got up and ordered the Jing Lan: "Prepare the carriage. I will go to the palace now."
As she said this, Pei Wenxuan also stood up and helped her tidy up her clothes. Li Rong quickly dressed up and turned to order him: "Don't stay in the Princess Residence for too long. Go back."
Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly and replied: "I know."
Li Rong saw that he seemed to be unhappy, so she tiptoed and kissed him to comfort him. She took her small fan and walked out.
As soon as she left the room, Li Rong immediately stopped acting coquettishly in front of Pei Wenxuan and led the others out. As she walked forward, she asked the Jing Lan: "Did you ask what the Empress is doing?"
"She did." The Jing Lan followed Li Rong and lifted the curtain of the carriage to let Li Rong in. He said in a low voice: "The Empress is going over because of your matter. I'm afraid that there will be a fuss in the palace."
Li Rong nodded and didn't say much. Her mother was extremely unyielding when it came to her and her brother's matters.
Li Rong took a small mirror and looked at the wounds on her face. Then, she hurriedly entered the palace.
Li Ming didn't expect Li Rong to enter the palace at night and was arguing with Shangguan Yue. When she heard Li Rong arrive, Shangguan Yue reacted first. She sniffed and pretended to be calm: "Let His Highness come in first."
Li Rong stewed outside for a while. Then, she walked in with half anger and half grievance.
When Shangguan Yue saw Li Rong enter, the first thing she saw was the bloodstains on her face. She couldn't hold herself back and turned to look at Li Ming. She said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, look at what is on Rong 'er's face! Do you still dare to say that nothing happened?! "
Li Ming saw the wounds on Li Rong's face and froze for a moment. Li Rong knew that her mother had made a fuss. She knelt down and respectfully said: "Greetings to Imperial Father."
"Ping L E, why did you enter the palace so late?"
Li Ming pretended that he didn't know anything about what happened and didn't say anything. Li Rong's expression was calm as she lightly said: "This son entered the palace to discuss the investigation of the Inspectorate."
Li Ming was silent for a moment. He originally thought that Li Rong would come in crying. He didn't expect Li Rong to be so calm. After a moment, he slowly said: "Then … Empress, you can leave first. Zhen will talk with Ping L E and give Ping L E justice."
Shangguan Yue looked at Li Rong and then looked at the Emperor. She saw that Li Rong didn't seem to want her here, so she didn't stay. She sniffled and got up to leave.
After Shangguan Yue left, Li Ming quickly went forward and helped Li Rong up: "Ping L E, what happened to you? Talk to Imperial Father."
"Imperial Father should have heard," Li Rong restrained her anger and looked up to say, "Today, Hua Le brought people to my fu and had a conflict with my fu's soldiers. She beat me in front of everyone. This son has been recuperating until now and has just recovered. Now, I'm entering the palace."
"Hua Le dared to treat you like this?" Li Ming pretended to be angry, "Zhen will call her over and scold her."
"Imperial Father," Li Rong looked up at him and said calmly, "This son's matter is a small matter. This son didn't enter the palace for such a small matter. This son came here because I'm worried that if Cheng di acted like this, the Bureau of Investigation won't be able to be saved."
Li Ming heard Li Rong's words. He paused and then slowly said: "What do you mean by can't be saved?
"Imperial Father, Hua Le acted like this. Today, she entered my fu. If it was another official, and she beat an official in the fu when the other party was only involved in the case, does Imperial Father think this matter can be settled? "
"Taking a step back," Li Rong continued, "If it wasn't me today, but any other official, does Imperial Father think that Hua Le would be able to take the other party out of the fu? Even the people of the Bureau of Investigation would fall there. "
"How could that be possible," Li Ming laughed, "You're worrying too much."
"Imperial Father," Li Rong's expression was calm, "This son established the Bureau of Investigation single-handedly. This son knows better than anyone how difficult it is. This son is a princess, the eldest sister of the Crown Prince, the daughter of the Empress, and has the backing of the Shangguan Clan. In the process of investigating a case, this son encountered countless assassination attempts. With Hua Le's actions, this son is afraid that it will be very dangerous. "
"This son asks, in this large aristocratic family, who can withstand a slap from Hua Le?"
Li Ming didn't speak. He thought about Li Rong's words. Li Rong continued: "This son knows that Imperial Father doesn't trust this son. This son's original intention in establishing the Bureau of Investigation was for this son's selfishness, but other than this, this son also hoped that in the imperial court, there would be someone who could control the power of the aristocratic families. Although this son has left the Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Investigation has always been this son's painstaking effort, "Li Rong said with some sadness," If it's gone like this, this son's heart will pass. "
"What you said makes sense."
Li Ming pondered and said: "Then according to what you mean, should we have Hua Le restrain his actions and not be so forceful in the future?"
"When Hua Le needs to be forceful, he should still be forceful. However, he shouldn't humiliate people like this," Li Rong said solemnly, "In addition, Imperial Father needs to send more people to the Bureau of Investigation. Firstly, Imperial Father needs to ensure the safety of Consort Rou and the others. Secondly, the Bureau of Investigation will have confidence in doing things. These aristocratic families all have their own soldiers. If Hua Le can't suppress them, I'm afraid that he won't even be able to bring them out, let alone handle the case. "
Li Ming heard Li Rong's words and understood what she was hinting at.
In the past, the Bureau of Investigation only needed these few people because Li Rong had face. Even if the aristocratic families didn't respect her, they had to respect Li Chuan.
Now that Consort Rou was doing things, he didn't have face. Naturally, he could only rely on more people to do things.
Li Ming thought that Li Rong was asking for credit. However, when he heard this, he had other thoughts in his mind.
The aristocratic families all had soldiers.
Now that he had established the Bureau of Investigation and changed the imperial examination system, the soldiers in the aristocratic families' hands were a big taboo in his heart. No one knew if these aristocratic families would join forces one day and overthrow his position.
This possibility made Li Ming somewhat anxious. He couldn't help but want to increase the number of soldiers and food for his own troops.
However, this was all money.
Strengthening the soldiers in his hands required money.
Just now, the Imperial Censorate had sent a report saying that the northwest Qin Lin didn't receive any food. It was estimated that there would be another war this autumn. There hadn't been any farming last year. There were too many refugees and they needed to be appeased. They needed money.
Now that the Bureau of Investigation wanted to expand the number of soldiers, they needed money.
It was all money.
When Li Ming thought about this, he felt a headache coming on. He raised a hand and rubbed the space between his eyebrows. Li Rong sized him up and carefully said, "Does Father Emperor have any concerns?"
"What you said is very reasonable. However, increasing the number of soldiers in the Bureau of Investigation is a matter of money. Since the establishment of the Bureau of Investigation, it has spent a lot of money. If we increase the number of soldiers now, I'm afraid that the Ministry of Revenue won't allow it. "
Li Rong listened and used a small fan to lightly tap the palm of his hand. He slowly said, "Father Emperor is right. In fact, when I was in the Bureau of Investigation, Son Chen privately subsidized a lot."
When Li Ming heard Li Rong's words, he couldn't help but feel a little guilty.
However, Li Rong didn't say anything else. He turned his head and thought for a moment before saying, "How about this, Father Emperor, you give younger brother Cheng a conscription order. When the time comes, if younger brother Cheng feels that he doesn't have enough manpower, he might as well conscript some civilians himself. During the chaos of last year's war, there were many refugees in the city. The cost of conscripting refugees was low. These civilians only needed to be fed. This way, the people's livelihood would be stabilized and the Bureau of Investigation would have more manpower. In terms of money, younger brother Cheng is also a prince. He can't always expect Father Emperor to pay for everything. What does Father Emperor think? "
"A conscription order?" Li Ming listened and shook his head. "This is something from the military. How can it be brought to the Bureau of Investigation?"
"Special circumstances require special treatment."
Li Rong smiled. She hesitated for a moment before reminding him with some hesitation, "After all, the imperial examinations are about to be reformed. This is also a special period."
When Li Ming heard Li Rong's words, his heart sank. He sized up Li Rong. When he saw Li Rong in a daze, he couldn't help but sigh. He probed, "You are Chuan'er's older sister. Zhen didn't expect that you would miss Cheng'er so much."
"We are all brothers of the same family." Li Rong smiled and looked at Li Ming. "He is still young, and he is taking over my Bureau of Investigation. How can I not miss him?"
"He …" Li Ming hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, "Usually, Zhen favors Cheng'er and Hua Le more. Zhen thought that you would be somewhat uncomfortable."
"Father Emperor is thinking too much." Li Rong sighed. "When I was young, I was still a little uncomfortable. But when I grew up, I understood Father Emperor's difficulties. Chuan'er is the crown prince, and I am the eldest princess of the first wife. We have already received a lot. Father Emperor dotes on the other sisters-in-law so that we won't make enemies. "
Li Rong spoke so sincerely that Li Ming felt a little awkward. Li Rong smiled and said sincerely, "In any case, Father Emperor won't depose Chuan'er. How can Chuan'er and I not know of Father Emperor's love?"
"You are right." Li Ming nodded and smiled with some difficulty. Li Rong looked at him gently. "I came here today to tell you about some things that I am worried about. As for other things …"
Li Rong looked a little sad. "It's not good for me to pursue this matter. Hua Le just took office. If I pursue this matter with her, it will be even harder for her to get along with others in the future. "
"You are magnanimous. Hua Le is really …" Li Ming was a little disappointed. "She is too much."
Li Rong smiled and lowered his head without speaking.
Li Ming was silent for a while. He thought about it and knew that he couldn't just let it go like this. If he didn't appease Li Rong, the Empress would continue to cause trouble for him. Also, Li Rong was right. Even if Hua Le was wrong, he couldn't slap her face. Otherwise, if she continued to handle cases, everyone would sing a different tune from her.
Li Ming thought about it again and again. Finally, he said, "You have been wronged. What do you want? Father will give it to you."
"What I want, I'm afraid Father will be embarrassed."
Li Rong smiled bitterly. When Li Ming heard Li Rong's sigh of relief, he knew that she wanted something from him. He immediately said, "Tell me, Father will definitely agree."
"Father," Li Rong looked sad. "Prince Consort … Can you let him come back?"
Li Ming didn't expect her to say this. He looked at Li Rong's gloomy face and felt a little distressed. But thinking about the worries in his heart, he could only say, "Ping L, a forcibly picked melon is not sweet. Forget it."
Li Rong looked sad. Li Ming thought for a while. "Do you have anything else you want?"
"It's nothing, I'm just a little short of money. In the past, the Inspection Department spent a lot of money. In the past, it was all given to Prince Consort. Now that Prince Consort and I are divorced, such a big princess fu, we need to spend money on food and clothing. A few hundred taels of gold a year will be gone in a flash. "
"You should have told Father earlier."
Li Ming understood Li Rong's meaning and hurriedly said, "How can Father let you suffer? Fu Lai, "Li Ming turned his head and called Fu Lai over." Let the Imperial Household Department inventory the warehouse, take … "
Li Ming paused. Li Rong turned his head and looked over. Li Ming gritted his teeth and finally forced a smile. "One hundred taels of gold. Send it to Prince Ping L E."
"Father is so good."
When Li Rong heard that it was one hundred taels of gold, she immediately became happy. She stood up and said, "Then this subject will not disturb Father. This subject will leave first."
"Go."
Li Ming smiled reluctantly. "It's not early anymore."
Li Rong happily left. Li Ming stopped her. "That, about Hua Le's matter, give her some face. She is also investigating the case. Just put on an act and seal the fu. "
Li Rong knew that these one hundred taels of gold were not given for free. Li Rong smiled and respectfully said, "This subject understands."
After saying that, Li Rong left.
Li Rong happily took the money back. Li Ming stayed in the palace for a while, thinking about the one hundred taels of gold. He thought about Qin Lin, Xiao Su, and the Inspection Department asking for money. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became. His chest tightened and his head hurt.
Fu Lai brought over a cup of tea and rubbed Li Ming's head. He comforted, "Your Majesty, don't be too angry. Anger will harm your body. That will be a disaster for the country."
"One by one, they ask for money every day. Those bastards from aristocratic families. They have so much military pay, but they don't leave any for the people at the border. They bully people and send Qin Lin to the front line. What can people do without soldiers and food? "
"Then …" Fu Lai hesitated. "Why don't we let General Xiao …"
"How can we let Xiao Su go?!" Li Ming sat on the chair and slapped the armrest. He cursed, "Now that the imperial examination is reformed, who knows what these bastards will do! If Xiao Su goes to the front line, it will be my soldiers who will die. If these aristocratic families make a move, how can I fight them? "
Fu Lai stopped talking. Li Ming thought about it and heard Fu Lai remind him in a low voice, "Then, is there really no way to let the national treasury pay for it and let General Qin have enough strength to fight the enemy and settle the people down?"
Li Ming fell silent. After a while, he slowly said, "There is one."
"Your Majesty, do you have an idea?"
Li Ming didn't speak. His fingers unconsciously rubbed the jade ring on his finger.
Li Rong's words were still in his ears, "There are many refugees in the city. The cost of conscripting refugees is low. These people just need to be fed. This way, the people's livelihood will be stabilized, and the Inspection Department will have more manpower …"
Deal with the refugees, little money, and increase the military strength.
The Inspection Department couldn't use this method, but Qin Lin couldn't be more suitable.
Li Ming slowly said in a cold voice, "The conscription order."
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