"Pei Wenxuan?!"
Wang Houmin was the first to react. He shouted, "You dare to come here?!"
"Even a rebel dares to enter the palace." Li Rong glanced at him coldly. "Why wouldn't he dare?"
"He's so stubborn. Capture both of them and send them to the gate tower!"
"Wait!" Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and stood in front of Li Rong to stop the soldiers. "Lord Wang, I entered the city alone. Naturally, I have something to discuss with you. Why don't you listen to what I have to say?"
"You have a glib tongue. I'm afraid you don't have good intentions …" Gu Zichun stood out from behind Wang Houmin. Just as he was about to speak, Pei Wenxuan took out a hairpin from his sleeve. "Lord Gu, Old Madam Gu wants to know when you will return home."
Seeing the hairpin, Gu Zichun's expression changed dramatically. Gu Zidao also lost his composure. He anxiously asked, "What did you do to my wife?!"
"Minister Gu, don't panic." Pei Wenxuan leisurely put away the hairpin and smiled gently. "Right now, Madam Wang and the head of the Su Family have brought their relatives to the Princess Residence as guests. I have already instructed my subordinates to treat them well. Of course, courtesy demands reciprocity. The Princess Residence will treat them the same way you treat me and His Highness. I believe that everyone is a person who follows etiquette and will not be too negligent."
"My father is with you."
Su Yongqing stared at Pei Wenxuan and said coldly.
Pei Wenxuan smiled and said gently, "Your whole family is with me."
After that, he pulled Li Rong and swaggered towards Fu Lai who was tied to the corner of the wall. He raised his sword and cut the ropes on Fu Lai's body. He helped him stand up. As he helped him up, he whispered, "If Xiao Qian has a conflict with the ministers, kill one of them."
He spoke quickly and softly. From the angle where he was supporting Fu Lai, no one noticed this short conversation.
Fu Lai's expression did not change. After Pei Wenxuan helped him up, he said apologetically, "Father, I've troubled you."
Fu Lai smiled faintly, not showing any fear on his face. "Eldest Young Master is too polite."
"Everyone." After Pei Wenxuan helped Fu up, he turned to look at the crowd. "It's cold outside the hall. Why don't we talk inside?"
"Pei Wenxuan, cut the crap," Wang Houmin said anxiously. "If you have something to say, just say it. Stop stalling."
The sound of the siege outside was like a knife hanging over everyone's heart. It was on the verge of falling, as if it would fall at any moment.
Everyone's hearts were a little unsettled. They couldn't decide whether to advance or retreat. Scolding Pei Wenxuan was just to give them some time to figure out what to do.
Pei Wenxuan smiled gently and ordered Fulai to find a stool for Li Rong. Fulai complied and retreated.
The others wanted to stop them, but Pei Wenxuan raised his voice, "It seems that you don't intend to treat me and His Highness well? Her Highness is now pregnant, yet you still let her stand like this. Do you not want to talk? "
Everyone froze for a moment, and Fulai retreated.
After Fulai left, Pei Wenxuan turned his head and looked at Wang Houmin. "Actually, I'm not here to be your enemy. On the contrary, I'm here to help you."
"Help?" Gu Zidao frowned. "Lord Pei, what do you mean?"
"Your heads are now on the guillotine." Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and slit his neck. "I'm here to give you a suggestion. At least leave your corpses intact."
"Pei Wenxuan!"
Wang Houmin was furious. Pei Wenxuan's face instantly turned cold. He scolded loudly, "A group of rebels, traitors, and vermin of the country. You're ashamed to face the Emperor and the people. Now that His Highness the Crown Prince's army has entered the city, if you surrender without resistance, you may still have a chance to live. Otherwise, even if your nine generations are exterminated, it won't be enough to atone for your crimes!"
"Take him down."
Su Yongqing raised his hand and ordered coldly. The soldiers rushed forward. Pei Wenxuan suddenly pulled out a firework from his chest and pointed at everyone. "Let's see who dares!"
"With this as a letter, if His Highness and I are buried here today," Pei Wenxuan looked at everyone coldly. "Your three clans will be buried with me."
The three clans' faces were very ugly, but the other aristocratic families who had left the city early didn't care about this. Cui Bin stepped forward and said anxiously, "Daren, His Highness the Crown Prince has already attacked the city. If you're too soft-hearted, no one can protect you! Hurry up and tie them up. Find His Majesty and get the posthumous edict. Quickly leave the palace! When the time comes, there's hope. When all the clans gather, it won't be too late to make a move! "
As he spoke, a guard rushed back and lowered his head to talk to Su Yongqing. When Su Yongqing heard this, his eyebrows relaxed. He turned to look at Cui Bin. "Lord Cui, you don't have to worry. The Crown Prince didn't have an army to help him when he attacked the city. It's just a group of tired soldiers with less than ten thousand men and horses. They're like arrows at the end of their flight."
Everyone looked at each other. Su Yongqing looked at Pei Wenxuan. "Pei Wenxuan, don't make useless efforts. Just let yourself be captured."
"Su Yongqing," Pei Wenxuan stared at him. "You're really stubborn. There's clearly a path you don't choose, but you insist on walking down the path of death. "
"Choose?" When Su Yongqing heard this, he laughed in a low voice. "When did I ever have a path to choose? I was born to be the young master of the Su Clan. I was born to walk this path. How do you want me to choose! "
"Then I'll choose for you." Pei Wenxuan said calmly. He turned to look at everyone. "Everyone, let's not beat around the bush. The reason why the Crown Prince left the palace early today and why I ambushed everyone in the city and kidnapped everyone was because someone leaked information and informed everyone of our plan in advance."
"Who?" Wang Houmin frowned. Pei Wenxuan smiled, raised his hand, and pointed at Su Yongqing. "It's the eldest son of the Su Clan, Su Ronghua. Everyone, the Su Clan doesn't want to participate in this matter. The Su Clan is a noble clan. For hundreds of years, we've never participated in the struggle for the throne. Do you think that Su Yongqing represents the position of the Su Clan? No, never! "
"Take him down!"
Su Yongqing shouted. However, this time, it was Wang Houmin who stopped him. "Wait!"
As he spoke, Wang Houmin stared at Pei Wenxuan. "Continue speaking."
"Su Yongqing poisoned Prime Minister Su and obtained the Clan Head Order. The eldest son of the Su Clan fled overnight and rushed to Tianshou Pass. He persuaded General Su to help the Crown Prince clean up the rebels to show his loyalty. Today's rebellion, what's the use of following Su Yongqing all the way to the end? Su Yongqing was the only one in the Su Clan who rebelled. What's the use of listening to him and sacrificing the entire clan? Why don't you listen to what I have to say next? It's still not too late to surrender now. "
"Surrender?"
When Gu Zidao heard this, he couldn't help but ask back, "How? Withdraw from the palace? "
"You've all rebelled. If you're exempted from punishment just by withdrawing from the palace, won't the world follow suit?"
"Then what do you want?" Gu Zidao frowned. Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly. "To pay taxes."
"Consort Rou's previous decree was His Majesty's wish. Why don't you follow His Majesty's wishes and pay taxes and tribute and change the election system to the imperial examination system? This will please His Majesty and give him a way out of the embarrassing situation. You won't be punished. Wouldn't this be a win-win situation for everyone?"
No one spoke. After a moment, Wang Houmin laughed and turned to Su Yongqing. "Assistant Minister Su, you've always said that Consort Rou was tricked and deceived by the Crown Prince and Pei Wenxuan. This old man has always had doubts in his heart. Now it seems that Assistant Minister Su's vision is sharp and far-sighted."
"My aristocratic family has been established for thousands of years." Wang Houmin stared at Pei Wenxuan. "Pei Wenxuan, I'm afraid you've forgotten that Madame Li," Wang Houmin lowered his voice, "wasn't the Son of Heaven."
"Then Official Wang means," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "that you won't choose this path?"
"If we chose," Gu Zidao stroked his beard, "we wouldn't be here. However, Lord Pei is right about one thing. "Gu Zidao turned to look at Su Yongqing." Lord Su, what is the position of the Su Clan? I hope that Lord Su can make a statement? "
Su Yongqing understood Gu Zidao's meaning when he heard their words.
The determination on their faces was just a show for Pei Wenxuan to see. Pei Wenxuan's words were always in their hearts.
No one was stupid. Li Chuan had run away at the right time. Li Ming hadn't died yet. In this situation, if the Su Clan's army didn't come, then they would die.
In the end, it was just a posthumous edict. There was no difference between leaving one person behind and leaving a group of people behind. What they needed was Su Yongqing to make a statement.
Su Yongqing lowered his head and smiled. "Daren, please leave the palace first to see the situation. I'll stay here and wait until I get the posthumous edict, then I'll meet with everyone."
"That's great." When the others heard this, they felt relieved.
They left the palace first. No matter what happened later, at least they had a way out.
After they finished speaking, everyone hurriedly ran out.
Su Yongqing turned his head and looked at Pei Wenxuan, who was standing in front of Li Rong. The two silently looked at each other for a moment. Su Yongqing said calmly, "I know you won't light the fireworks in your hand."
"Oh?"
"You're not that kind of person."
"Then you're wrong." Pei Wenxuan's eyes were cold. "For His Highness, I can do anything. You have a family, so do I. "
Su Yongqing didn't speak. He looked at Pei Wenxuan with a bit of envy and a bit of bitterness.
"I hope you'll keep your word."
"Then you can try. Guards, come and take them down!"
Su Yongqing gave the order. The imperial bodyguards no longer had any scruples and rushed toward the two people.
Pei Wenxuan saw the situation and hurriedly handed the fireworks to Li Rong. The moment before the swords were cut down, he pushed her into the main hall.
Li Rong didn't have time to react before the door slammed shut. Then he heard the sound of swords cutting the door and Pei Wenxuan shouting, "Close the door!"
Li Rong anxiously slammed the door and shouted, "Su Yongqing, stop! Your Su Family's troops won't come. You can't win with just the 10,000 troops in the inner palace and the 10,000 troops in the Wang Family! Whether the Su Family's troops will come or not, they don't know, but you know it! If you stop now, I'll save your life. "
"Your Highness," Su Yongqing looked at Pei Wenxuan, who was guarding the palace gate and leading a few troops to fight with the enemy. His voice was very calm. "As long as you reform the system, there will be thousands of Rongqings in this world. As long as I get the posthumous edict, I can form the Alliance of Aristocratic Families again. Your Highness, stay here. Don't get involved in disputes and hurt yourself. "
After saying that, Su Yongqing was about to leave. Li Rong heard his words and couldn't help but shout, "You're obstructing the reform to stabilize the country and prevent war! If you take the posthumous edict out today, the war in Da Xia won't stop! "
Hearing this, Su Yongqing stopped. With his back to Li Rong, he looked a little absent-minded. "Does Your Highness still want to reform the system?"
Li Rong was stunned. Su Yongqing's voice was very clear in the midst of the fighting, "Your Highness, as long as you don't reform the system, the posthumous edict will never appear."
After saying that, Su Yongqing stepped forward. Li Rong couldn't help but shout, "Su Yongqing, do you still know what you're doing?! You're the root of the chaos in Da Xia's people. You're the evil in this world! You don't admit it because you can't face it, but you can turn back! "
"The past is the past, and the new is the new. Su Yongqing, why do you keep living in the past?!"
"It's a new world now. I'm the new Li Rong …" Li Rong's voice was a little dazed. "Why can't you be the new Su Yongqing?"
Abandon the teachings of the aristocratic families.
Abandon the knowledge of the past.
Abandon faith and persistence.
Be the new Su Yongqing. Why can't I be?
Li Rong didn't understand.
Su Yongqing walked on the promenade. He listened to Li Rong's every word. His muscles trembled slightly, but he forced himself not to look back.
He had no way out. He couldn't turn back. The sounds of fighting continued. Li Rong sat on the black marble floor, listening to the sounds of fighting outside.
She raised her hand and covered her stomach. She used the strength of her life to absorb calmness and tenacity.
Wait a little longer.
Pei Wenxuan will be fine.
He will live. He will live well.
Li Rong's hand kept trembling. For the first time, she felt such a deep sense of powerlessness and fear. She wasn't afraid of death or loss. The only thing that made her so afraid was the end of another person's life.
She listened to the fighting outside. She felt as if she was being pressed into the water and falling into an endless abyss.
At this time, Wang Houmin and the others arrived at the palace gate. Xiao Qian saw them come out together and couldn't help but frown. "What are you planning to do?"
"General Xiao." Wang Houmin and the others smiled. "Now, only the posthumous edict hasn't been collected. We'll go back to the residence first to check on the situation of our family. When Lord Su collects the posthumous edict, we'll meet up again."
Xiao Qian heard Wang Houmin's words and stared at him. There were shouts of attacking the city outside. Xiao Qian's gaze was cold. "Are you abandoning my second sister and running away?"
Hearing this, Wang Houmin's expression turned ugly. "What are you saying? We are doing our best for Consort Rou. Is that not sincere enough? "
"If you are sincere, you should live and die with the Xiao clan."
"Lord Xiao's meaning," Gu Zidao said coldly, "is to imprison us in the palace and tie us together with Consort Rou?"
"Yes."
Xiao Qian nodded without hiding anything. The guards behind the ministers instantly drew their swords. Xiao Qian's people also drew their swords. The two sides were at loggerheads. Xiao Qian said straightforwardly, "Today, there are only two ways for you to leave. Follow the Xiao clan and leave alive, or lie down and be carried out. I hope that you won't fail to appreciate our kindness. "
The Xiao clan was originally a cold clan. How could the Noble Families tolerate such humiliation? Wang Houmin laughed coldly and raised his hand. "Charge! I don't believe that he really dares to kill anyone! "
"You dare!" Xiao Qian heard Wang Houmin's mockery and instantly drew his sword. "Come forward and try!"
Wang Houmin ignored him and led his people forward. It was at this time that a scream came from behind. No one knew who made the first move, but blood splattered all over the ground.
"Murder!" Someone was shocked and shouted. Xiao Qian's expression changed greatly. The others also reacted after a short moment of shock.
"Kill our way out!"
Wang Houmin shouted in panic. For some reason, everyone suddenly started fighting.
"Hey," Pei Wenxuan saw the chaos in the distance. He shouted at the soldiers who were fighting with him. "Your master is in trouble. Why aren't you helping?"
Pei Wenxuan's shout shocked everyone. Other than the original Su Clan soldiers, everyone else hesitated for a moment before turning and charging towards the palace gate.
When the front of the palace gate was in chaos, Huajing was finally broken through. Li Chuan led his people forward. Shangguan Ya stood outside the city, beating the drum as he watched Li Chuan's troops disappear into the horizon.
At this time, an army with a flag embroidered with the word "Wang" came from afar.
There were many people coming from the other side. They came down the mountain with a rumbling sound.
Seeing the flag, the guard hurriedly advised Shangguan Ya, "Shangguan Ya, the Wang Clan's reinforcements are here. Let's retreat first."
"No."
Shangguan Ya's gaze did not move. She looked at the army in the distance. She stood on the chariot and finally put down the war drum in her hand. She raised her hand and pulled out her sword. Looking at the direction of the army, she shouted, "Those who retreat will be killed. Fight!"
Shangguan Ya did not retreat. The soldiers who had already cut off their provisions and had no way out did not dare to retreat.
Tens of thousands of soldiers galloped towards the 2000 people in front of the city gate. In the early morning, dust flew and the ground trembled. Shangguan Ya's heart was beating fast. Seeing the army getting closer and closer, her hands could not help but tremble.
She had always been taught to live for the clan. For the first time in her life, she felt that her fate was in her own hands.
Even if she chose to die instead of live.
Even at this moment, she did not feel any regret.
She even felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction. In this world, freedom and dignity were far more important than life.
Her breathing became more rapid. When the two armies were less than ten feet away from each other, she suddenly heard a loud shout from the crowd, "There's more! There's also an army! "
Shangguan Ya suddenly turned around and saw the "Su" flag fluttering on the mountain behind her. A young man dressed in luxurious jade-colored clothes, holding a sword in his hand and a bow on his horse, was riding towards the battlefield in the morning light!
Shangguan Ya could not help but laugh. It was also at this moment that someone beside her shouted, "Be careful!"
As soon as she finished speaking, she was pushed away. The two armies instantly clashed. Shangguan Ya rolled on the ground. She desperately waved her sword and ran towards the young man on the horse.
The other party obviously saw her too. He passed through the crowd and rushed towards her.
Shangguan Ya had never felt so awake. She shouted the other party's name in the crowd, "Su Ronghua!"
Her hair bun was cut loose in order to avoid the weapons. She rushed forward without hesitation in the midst of the killing.
She saw that the person was getting closer and closer. At the last moment, he reached out his hand to her.
She looked up at the young man on the horse and hurriedly reached out her hand.
The moment he held her hand, it was as if a long-cherished wish that had been passed down for two generations had finally been fulfilled.
Su Ronghua pulled her onto the horse. Before Shangguan Ya could say anything, she heard him urging the horse to rush towards Huajing City. He comforted her, "Don't worry, I've already made things clear to my cousin. I'll bring soldiers to reinforce you. He'll inform the family to let Qin Lin pass."
"You …" Shangguan Ya's voice trembled when she opened her mouth. She paused for a moment before she calmed down, "Have you decided?"
Su Ronghua didn't say anything. He hugged her and rushed into Huajing City with the soldiers. When the horse galloped on the imperial road, he looked at the familiar Huajing City and said slowly, "It's done."
"I'll ask His Highness for a decree to take the Su Clan back to their hometown. All the people of the land will pay the taxes like ordinary people in exchange for Rong Qing's life."
Shangguan Ya wasn't surprised when she heard this. She looked up at him in his arms. The young man had a rare seriousness, which made him have a determination that she had never seen before.
"Now," Shangguan Ya's voice was very soft, "Do you still want to save Su Yongqing? If you don't save him, the Su Clan will be considered meritorious. "
"Everyone in the world can give up on Rong Qing," Su Ronghua heard this and said calmly, "Only I can't. It doesn't matter whether I'm a meritorious person or not. The only pity is that … "
Su Ronghua paused. After a long time, he seemed to adjust his mood. He pretended to be indifferent and smiled, "With such a status, I'm afraid I can't propose marriage to Miss Shangguan."
Shangguan Ya didn't say anything. She just stared at Su Ronghua.
The smile in her eyes didn't reach her eyes anymore.
Huajing's noble son, who only cared about the wind and the moon, was finally gone.
Waiting was the longest thing in life.
Especially waiting helplessly.
Li Rong didn't know how long he had waited. Finally, he heard a loud shout from the door. After a long time, the noise outside suddenly quieted down.
The door opened suddenly. She saw Pei Wenxuan standing at the door, unharmed.
Li Chuan, Lin Chuan, and a group of reinforcements were standing behind him. Pei Wenxuan saw her standing calmly in the hall and couldn't help but smile. When he was about to speak, Li Rong suddenly rushed to him and hugged him tightly.
This was the first time she showed such a fragile posture in front of him.
With this hug, it felt like a silent wall had collapsed. Pei Wenxuan looked down at Li Rong. He tried his best to control his emotions. He raised his hand and hugged her gently. He said softly, "Go to a safe place to rest first. I'll go find Su Yongqing."
"I'll go too."
Li Rong knew that this wasn't a good time to talk. In fact, everything was fine as long as Pei Wenxuan was alive.
She let go of Pei Wenxuan and looked up at Li Chuan and Xun Chuan. She couldn't help but ask, "Where's Lin Feibai?"
"Lead the troops to the inner palace first."
"Where's Qin Lin?"
Li Rong rushed directly to the inner palace and turned to ask Xun Chuan. Xun Chuan lowered his voice. "General Qin suffered some injuries, but it's not serious. At this moment, he's facing the Su Clan's Chen Army. He sent this subordinate to lead 10,000 troops to climb the snow mountain in advance."
Xun Chuan explained the situation clearly in a few words. Li Rong nodded and said, "Thank you for your hard work."
"For Your Highness." Xun Chuan looked up at her, his eyes full of sincerity. "It's not hard."
Li Rong led everyone to the inner palace. In the bedroom, Consort Rou pressed Li Ming on the table. "Where's the imperial jade seal?"
Li Ming didn't speak. He closed his eyes. Su Yongqing and Hua Le rummaged around the room. Su Yongqing was also a little anxious.
He had to find the imperial jade seal. He had to find the imperial jade seal.
The sound of fighting came from outside. Su Yongqing immediately raised his head and looked at Consort Rou. "Li Chuan's men are here. Hurry!"
Consort Rou gritted his teeth and took out a knife. He pressed it against Li Ming's neck. "Didn't you say that you wanted to pass the throne to Cheng 'er? Didn't you say that you loved me? Where's the imperial jade seal?! Take it out! "
"My position." Li Ming's expression was indifferent. "I can give it to you, but you can't take it."
Looking at Li Ming's attitude, even at this moment, he still looked so high and mighty. Consort Rou couldn't help but tremble. "In your heart, whether it's me, Cheng 'er, or Hua Le, we're all nothing."
Li Ming raised his turbid eyes and looked at her coldly. "We're lowly and petty. We're nothing but playthings that do our best to please you. You hate the high and mighty aristocratic families, but from the bottom of your heart, you also love that high and mighty status. "
"Shut up."
Hearing this, Li Ming's face was filled with anger. "You've done these things, and you still want my throne? Dream on! "
"Dream on?" Consort Rou laughed. "Yes, I'm dreaming. I've been dreaming for many years."
Consort Rou raised his knife and chopped down on Li Ming's finger. Li Ming howled in pain. "Bitch!"
Hearing Li Ming's cry, Consort Rou suddenly felt an indescribable sense of carefreeness. For a moment, she suddenly felt that it didn't matter whether she had the imperial jade seal or not.
In the end, she was at the end of the road.
At this moment, she only cared about trampling Li Ming under her feet.
The Emperor, the person whom everyone bowed down to, was abused by her.
It was as if this kind of behavior could sever the humiliation of being despised by others, mocked by others, and trampled under others' feet.
"Imperial jade seal."
She raised her hand and cut off a piece of flesh from Li Ming's back. Li Ming cursed. As Xiao Rou cut, she couldn't help but cry. She repeatedly called out, "Imperial jade seal, give me the imperial jade seal."
"Cheng 'er wants to ascend the throne."
"I want to be the Empress Dowager."
"Hua Le wants to be the Princess Royal."
"My Xiao family wants to become the top aristocratic family in the Da Xia! Imperial jade seal! Give me the imperial jade seal!! "
"It's there."
Li Ming finally couldn't take it anymore. He howled and pointed to a box on the floor. "Don't touch me again." He gasped for breath. "The imperial jade seal is there."
Hearing this, Su Yongqing hurried forward and opened the box on the floor in the direction Li Ming pointed. He saw a jade box inside. Su Yongqing hurriedly took out the jade box and took out the imperial jade seal. He took out the posthumous edict from his chest pocket and stamped it.
The moment he stamped it, the door opened with a bang. Li Rong led everyone in. Su Yongqing grabbed the posthumous edict, turned around, and ran towards the window.
Pei Wenxuan reacted the fastest. He only said, "I'll chase after him."
With that, Pei Wenxuan followed Su Yongqing and disappeared through the window.
As soon as Su Yongqing left, he took a large group of people with him. Li Rong raised his head and saw Li Ming sitting on a chair. Consort Rou had a sharp blade against Li Ming's neck. Hua Le stood beside her, her body trembling slightly.
"Let us go."
Consort Rou spoke calmly. Li Rong's expression was calm. She waved her hand. Xun Chuan responded and led the people out.
Only Li Rong and Li Chuan were left in the room. Li Chuan pulled a stool for Li Rong to sit down, then stood behind her without saying a word. Li Rong sat elegantly in her seat and smiled at Consort Rou.
Consort Rou grabbed Li Ming's hair. Looking at Li Rong like this, he couldn't help but feel a little scared.
Li Rong smiled and raised her hand gently. "Do it."
"Li Rong," Consort Rou gritted his teeth. "This is your father."
"Father?" Li Rong lowered her head and laughed. "This is also Hua Le's father. Why is my father your husband? What does it have to do with me if you do it? "
"Ever since he was young, his favorite son was Li Cheng, his favorite daughter was Hua Le, and the woman he truly loved was you. Now you want to kill him, and you're telling me that he's my father, and you want me to let you go?"
Li Rong seemed to find it funny. "Do you think I'm weak and easily bullied, or stupid and ignorant?"
"If you want to do it, then do it quickly. Slit his neck here so that I can quickly let the Chuan 'er ascend to the throne. For your contribution, I'll leave your corpse intact. "
"Mother."
Hearing this, Hua Le panicked.
She looked at Xiao Rou, then looked at Li Rong. Then, for some reason, she suddenly knelt down.
"Your Highness," she said in a trembling voice, her eyes full of pleading. "Please, for the sake that we're both of the Li bloodline, let me go. I'm your sister. If you let me go today, I promise that I'll never argue with you again. I'll always be your most loyal, most filial, and most obedient sister. "
"I was wrong in the past," Hua Le said as she crawled towards Li Rong. "Please forgive me, I beg you, forgive …"
Before she could finish, the sword fell in front of Hua Le. Hua Le was stunned. She looked up blankly and saw Li Chuan looking at her coldly. "Stay away from my sister."
Hearing this, Consort Rou suddenly laughed.
"Son," she called out to Hua Le. "Do you understand? Begging for mercy won't bring you any results. People like us can't beg for mercy in our entire lives."
With that, she put down Li Ming and walked towards Hua Le. She seemed to want to help Hua Le up, but her eyes were fixed on Li Rong.
"You're wrong. Actually, you should care about him."
"He doesn't love me, or Cheng 'er, and definitely doesn't love Hua Le. In the palace, we're just a stain in his eyes. It's just that he needs us and uses us. "
"He never wanted me to repair Northern Yan Pagoda."
"He never gave me any respect."
"He never controlled his temper in front of me. He hit and scolded me whenever he wanted."
Consort Rou stopped in front of Li Rong. She looked at Li Rong and slowly smiled. "I've tolerated him my whole life. I've waited for him my whole life. I've loved him my whole life. But he doesn't care about me because I was born lowly. I'm just a servant. But your mother was born into a noble family. She was born with the blood of the Shangguan Clan. She will never make a mistake. She must be respected. "
"But why?"
Consort Rou stared at Li Rong. "Why? Are you born to be above others? But I was born to be trampled in the mud. Is God fair? "
"It's not fair."
Li Rong said decisively. Consort Rou was stunned. Li Rong said softly, "So, you should fight for it. But you can't do evil without any scruples just because you have a reasonable reason. "
"I sympathize with you." Li Rong looked at her quietly. "But I can't support you."
"Sympathize with me?" Consort Rou couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, you people should sympathize with us. I should thank His Highness Ping L for giving me this … "
Consort Rou looked up as she spoke. Her eyes were cold. The moment she spoke, she took a step forward and stabbed with the dagger in her hand!
At that moment, an arrow shot out of the window and pierced Consort Rou's head!
Consort Rou's blood sprayed onto Hua Le and Li Rong's face.
Li Rong looked expressionlessly at Consort Rou lying on the ground. Hua Le was stunned for a moment, then suddenly screamed.
She screamed crazily and retreated in the pool of blood. Then, she crazily rushed to the door, opened it, and rushed out.
After a moment, the screams stopped. Li Rong looked at Consort Rou lying on the ground and felt her blood soak into the soles of her shoes.
She looked at her for a long time, then spoke softly.
"I hope that you'll be born in a better world in your next life."
A world where everyone, regardless of their birth or bloodline, would be respected regardless of whether they were male or female. A world where they could obtain a better life through hard work.
After Li Rong finished speaking, she looked up at Li Ming.
His dragon robe was already soaked in blood. Father and daughter looked at each other quietly.
After a long time, Li Ming said weakly, "You're not going to kill me?"
Li Rong thought for a moment, then stood up and turned around. "Rest well. I'll call the imperial physician."
"Why aren't you killing me!"
Li Ming couldn't help but roar when he saw Li Rong turn around without a care. Li Chuan turned around and saw Li Rong standing at the door.
Li Rong's gaze fell on Hua Le, who was lying in the snow. She looked at her for a long time, then said softly, "You don't deserve to die."
"You're not a very good father, and you're not a good ruler. If it was in the past, I would have killed you, but someone taught me that remembering a person's good is more important than remembering a person's bad. If you always remember the bad, you won't remember your good after a long time. "
Li Rong looked up and took a deep breath. "Besides, you don't need me to do anything, right? Imperial Father, rest well. "
Li Rong pushed the door open and walked out.
When she was outside, she turned to Xun Chuan. "Where's Pei Wenxuan?"
"I heard that he's in Weiyang Palace."
"Stay here and keep Chuan 'er company. Don't leave him."
After Li Rong gave her instructions, she walked out of the room.
When Li Rong rushed to Weiyang Palace, Pei Wenxuan carried his sword and walked in the most estranged bedroom in Weiyang Palace.
He chased after Su Yongqing all the way here. The guards were fighting outside the palace. At this moment, only he and Su Yongqing were in Weiyang Palace.
Su Yongqing chose to escape from Weiyang Palace because there was a secret passage in Weiyang Palace. In Li Rong's previous life, Shangguan Ya had been in charge of the Central Palace for so long, and Su Ronghua could enter and leave the palace freely. There must be a special way to get in and out.
In the innermost room of Weiyang Palace, light came in through the screen window, forming a dusky color. The light gauze fluttered in the wind, and a screen embroidered with landscape figures separated the room. The fighting outside continued, but the room was so quiet that even the sound of dripping water could be heard.
Su Yongqing was here.
Pei Wenxuan knew, but he didn't know where he was hiding.
Su Yongqing was the same.
Both of them were hiding in the dark, observing their surroundings while hiding their figures.
The lanterns suddenly exploded, and Pei Wenxuan suddenly saw a figure fall from the screen. He stabbed his sword forward, and the other party obviously noticed his presence. The two swords stabbed through the screen at the same time, crossed the screen, and cut across the mountain ink painting. When they reached the end, Pei Wenxuan's wrist pressed down, and his sword directly pressed against Su Yongqing's sword!
However, Su Yongqing's reaction was extremely fast. He lifted his sword and kicked from the side. Then, taking advantage of Pei Wenxuan's dodge, he turned around and directly chopped down with his sword!
The screen was knocked over by the two of them, and their swords collided fiercely. When they came face to face, Pei Wenxuan could clearly see the cold killing intent in his opponent's eyes.
Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly, "I heard that Lord Su always gets first place in the examination every year. Lord Su's swordsmanship is really extraordinary."
"Thank you for letting me win."
Su Yongqing didn't say much. He raised his hand and hurriedly chopped down!
The light muslin in the room fluttered, and the two fighting figures were faintly discernible. Their swordsmanship was equally matched, and it was difficult to separate them.
Neither of them could be considered top experts, but among the civil officials, they could be considered to be skilled fighters. Their swords chopped down, counteracted, and separated. Every move carried the intent to kill, without the slightest bit of forbearance.
"You wanted to kill me long ago."
Su Yongqing sensed Pei Wenxuan's killing intent and said coldly. Pei Wenxuan heard this and sneered, "When you held the umbrella for His Highness for the first time," their swords collided again, and both of their arms were numb from the shock, "I wanted to kill you."
"What a coincidence," Su Yongqing raised his hand and said, "On the day you and His Highness got engaged, I also thought so."
"Then I have to thank Second Young Master for not killing me."
Pei Wenxuan went straight for Su Yongqing's neck, and Su Yongqing hurriedly retreated. When he was in front of the pillar, Su Yongqing suddenly dodged. Pei Wenxuan didn't have time to withdraw his sword and stabbed into the pillar. Su Yongqing took the opportunity to chop down Pei Wenxuan's hand. Pei Wenxuan hurriedly raised his sword, grabbed Su Yongqing's wrist, and threw him over his shoulder to the ground!
Su Yongqing's hand was forced to let go of his sword, and he used all his strength to bring Pei Wenxuan to the ground.
Both of them were forced to abandon their swords, and they fought with their bare hands on the ground.
This was the first time in fifty years that they fought head-on, and it was a matter of life and death. They didn't say anything else. Pei Wenxuan grabbed his hair and slammed his head to the ground. Su Yongqing grabbed Pei Wenxuan's wrist with both hands, twisted it, and kicked him in the stomach!
They were like two wild beasts, two country bumpkins, without any manners at all. They punched and kicked each other fiercely.
There seemed to be more and more people outside. Su Yongqing was obviously anxious. He grabbed Pei Wenxuan's throat and tried to kill him.
Pei Wenxuan grabbed his neck and refused to let go.
"You … Why are you still struggling …"
Pei Wenxuan felt that it was difficult to breathe. "You can't leave, and that fake Li Cheng can't be used. His Highness has already made up his mind, and a posthumous edict can't force him. "
Su Yongqing didn't say anything. He was also having difficulty breathing because of Pei Wenxuan's choking. He gasped and refused to let go. He heard Pei Wenxuan say, "You clearly have so many choices, but you refuse to take them. Since you were reborn early, you clearly can propose marriage to her, but you don't dare. "
"You clearly can let go and assist Li Chuan together with her, but you don't want to."
"You clearly know that the aristocratic families are wrong. Although Li Chuan is wrong, he can change, but you don't want to."
"In the end, you have nothing, and you say that you have no choice. Su Yongqing, isn't it ridiculous?"
"Ridiculous."
As soon as Su Yongqing opened his mouth, he instantly released his strength. Pei Wenxuan rolled over and kicked him away!
The two of them rolled to the side and quickly got up. They knelt on the ground and coughed rapidly.
Pei Wenxuan looked up at him and saw Su Yongqing squatting on the ground. "But what should I do …"
"I am the young master of the Su Clan. How can I ignore the clan's interests?" Su Yongqing coughed and raised his head. "I have already lost His Highness. I have already lost everything. I contacted the aristocratic families to rebel, and I put my life on the line. Now you tell me that I was wrong?"
Su Yongqing said and laughed out loud. "Then what about what I lost? Wasn't it a waste? I could have married His Highness. I could have been like my eldest brother, willfully kneeling in front of father and begging to marry His Highness. But I didn't. In my previous life, I watched her marry you. On the day of her wedding, "Su Yongqing's voice choked with sobs," I followed her flower carriage all the way to the Princess Residence. In this life, I personally persuaded you to marry her. I picked you up and handed you over to her personally because I chose this path. "
"I have already given up my most precious thing." Su Yongqing stared at Pei Wenxuan. "I can't be wrong."
"You.
Remember one thing. "Pei Wenxuan's voice was calm." His Highness, it wasn't you who gave up. I fought for it. Whether you choose to fight for it or not, "Pei Wenxuan stared at him." His Highness is still my Highness. "
Su Yongqing heard this and didn't say anything.
The two of them looked at each other quietly. Pei Wenxuan stood up and raised his hand to pull out the sword that was still stuck in the pillar. "Remember this well."
"You were wrong, so you have to admit it."
"She loves me, so you have to get lost."
"In this life, whether you live or die, don't even think about getting close to His Highness." He pointed his sword at him. "Not even an inch."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and slashed at him. Su Yongqing rolled on the ground and took out his sword to block the attack.
The sound of swords clashing resounded through the room. This time, the two of them used all their strength, as if they were enraged by something. They slashed at each other without caring about anything else.
The veil was cut and fell everywhere. More than half of the screen was damaged. The sound outside was getting quieter and quieter. In the end, Li Rong's voice was faintly heard. "Where is she?"
The moment Li Rong's voice sounded, Su Yongqing's hand trembled. Pei Wenxuan's sword brushed past his sword and pierced through his chest.
Blood slowly flowed out. The two of them stopped moving.
Li Rong pushed the door open and entered the room. He saw Pei Wenxuan's sword pressed against Su Yongqing's chest.
When Li Rong entered, Pei Wenxuan quickly pulled out his sword. Su Yongqing slid to the ground and leaned against a pillar. He looked at Li Rong, who was walking over, and gasped softly.
Li Rong looked at the sorry state of this familiar person. For a moment, she didn't know whether to be resentful or sad. She walked in front of Su Yongqing and slowly squatted down. Su Yongqing's eyes fell on her.
"It's over."
She looked at him, her voice calm.
When Su Yongqing heard this, he slowly smiled. "Your Highness is here. I'm very happy."
"Say goodbye."
Li Rong looked at him as if he was an old friend, with pity and sadness.
Su Yongqing looked into Li Rong's eyes. He gasped and finally asked, "Your Highness, must we restructure the system?"
"We must," Li Rong answered affirmatively. "I hope that in this world, there will be no more Hong De and Xiao Rou."
"I also hope that in this world, there will be no more Ah Ya, Su Ronghua, you, me, my father, mother, Xie Lanqing …"
"Don't use high-sounding words to cover up the fact that you ate people. People are people. All feelings and all power should be respected. "
Su Yongqing didn't say anything. He stared at Li Rong.
Li Rong waited for him. After a long time, he said in a trembling voice, "The biggest fight between the noble families is between the legitimate and the concubines."
Li Rong didn't expect that Su Yongqing's final farewell would be this. She was stunned. Then, she heard Su Yongqing look at her and say softly, "Your Highness, I've never thought of harming you. I've always hoped that you can live well."
"Even if I'm with Pei Wenxuan," he smiled, "I want to live well."
"When I was reborn, I didn't ask for your hand in marriage. It's not because I'm a coward. It's because I know that you like him. I also know that I've harmed you. Moreover, I wanted to kill Li Chuan. You won't forgive me."
"I stopped you from building the Inspection Department because the noble families are powerful. I don't want you to be threatened."
"I asked for your hand in marriage at the Northern Yan Pagoda," Su Yongqing gasped softly. He didn't dare to blink. He was afraid that every glance would be the last. He used all his strength to speak with difficulty. "It's also because the noble families wanted to expel Your Highness from Huajing. I thought that Your Highness had lost the bet with the imperial court because of Pei Wenxuan's death. The only way to protect Your Highness was to use the identity of the Su Clan to ask for a favor for Your Highness. I didn't offend you. "
"I know."
Li Rong's voice was somewhat hoarse. He lowered his eyes. Su Yongqing laughed. He looked at her for a long time. He used all his strength to take out a small golden fan from his sleeve.
"This was left behind by Your Highness that night at the cliff."
Su Yongqing raised his hand and handed it to Li Rong. "I originally wanted to secretly hide it. In the end, I still had to return it to Your Highness."
Just like his intentions.
He originally wanted to keep it in his heart for a long time. No one would disturb him, and no one would know. But in the end, he was still an ordinary person.
Li Rong lowered her head and looked at the small fan in her hand. She did not say anything. Su Rongqing looked at her. After a long time, he said in a trembling voice full of hope and despair, "I like you, Your Highness."
Li Rong's hand stiffened.
This was the first time in two lifetimes that he said these words.
"When I was twelve years old, we first met in front of the imperial study." There were tears in his eyes. "I love Your Highness. In one lifetime, two lifetimes, I only love Your Highness. "
Li Rong's words made her eyes sting. She didn't know why.
She nodded as if she understood.
Su Yongqing saw her appearance and smiled gently. "Your Highness, have you been well in this lifetime?"
"Yes." Li Rong said in a hoarse voice. "Very well."
"That's good." Su Yongqing nodded. "I'm relieved."
"Your Highness." Pei Wenxuan walked to Li Rong's side and helped her up. "Don't squat for too long."
Li Rong responded and was helped up by Pei Wenxuan.
"Let's go." Pei Wenxuan said in a low voice. Li Rong nodded and the two walked out together. After a few steps, Li Rong suddenly stopped. She turned around and looked at Su Yongqing. "Rong Qing." She looked at him as if she was sharing some happy news with a friend. "I have a child."
Su Yongqing was stunned.
He suddenly remembered Li Rong's biggest regret in his previous lifetime.
She often talked about children. It was their pain.
At this moment, he finally understood that she was living a good life. It was different from his previous lifetime.
He smiled and nodded. "Good. Congratulations, Your Highness."
As he spoke, he struggled to get up and looked at Pei Wenxuan: "Young Master Pei, may I trouble you?" He raised his hand and pointed at the zither on the side: "I would like to play one last song for His Highness."
Pei Wenxuan nodded and let go of Li Rong. He went to get the zither for him.
When he placed the zither in front of Su Yongqing, he put two bottles of medicine on it.
"After today, Su Yongqing is dead."
Su Rongqing was stunned. Pei Wenxuan stood up. As he stood up, he carelessly brushed the candle flame to the ground.
The flames licked the gauze on the ground. Pei Wenxuan turned around and left. He walked to Li Rong's side and hugged Li Rong's shoulders.
Li Rong was in his arms, and they walked forward together.
Su Rongqing turned her head and looked at the rising fire beside her. After a long while, she plucked the first string.
Li Rong heard the sound of the guqin behind her. She didn't turn back. The two of them were together, leaving this past together.
When they walked out, the fire was already burning.
Li Rong stood in the courtyard with her back to Weiyang Palace. She listened to the song "Farewell".
It was a short farewell song. It was light and beautiful.
The sound of the zither mixed with the crackling of the fire. Li Rong stood quietly at the door. She didn't turn around until the music stopped. She saw that Weiyang Palace was completely on fire.
She looked at it for a long time. Pei Wenxuan waited quietly.
After a long time, Li Rong came back to her senses. She walked forward as if nothing had happened. She said, "Let's go."
The two of them had only taken a few steps when Su Ronghua hurriedly rushed in. As soon as he entered the courtyard, he saw the burning Wei Yang Palace. He was stunned and hurried forward. Pei Wenxuan stopped Su Ronghua and said anxiously, "Brother Su! It's dangerous inside! "
"Is Rong Qing inside?" Su Ronghua was panicking. "Is she?"
"Su Yongqing is inside?"
Shangguan Ya followed in. He heard Su Ronghua's words and asked. Li Rong nodded and said, "He's gone. We'll die if we go in. Let's go."
With that, Li Rong walked out. Hearing Li Rong's words, Su Ronghua stared blankly at the fire. Her eyes were filled with shock and pain.
Shangguan Ya came in front of him and said in a low voice, "I have something to tell you."
Su Ronghua didn't listen. Shangguan Ya pursed his lips and said, "There's a secret passage in Weiyang Palace. I know where the exit is. If Su Yongqing is still inside, he'll die. If he goes out …"
Shangguan Ya looked up at him and said, "He'll live."
The fire covered the top of Weiyang Palace. Li Rong stopped and looked back with Pei Wenxuan.
In the palace, Li Ming was surrounded by doctors. He couldn't hold on until Li Rong came back. He slowly closed his eyes.
Li Chuan stood in front of the bed and heard the doctor cry, "Your Highness, His Majesty … has passed away."
He didn't say anything. He just watched quietly. After a long time, he asked everyone to leave with a hoarse voice.
Everyone went out and closed the door. Xun Chuan was left alone behind Li Chuan.
"Why didn't you leave?"
Li Chuan asked hoarsely.
"His Highness asked me to stay with you."
Li Chuan didn't say anything. He felt the person behind him.
He walked forward step by step and knelt in front of the bed. He held Li Ming's old hand and pressed it against his forehead.
He heard Li Ming's last sentence.
He said, "I'm sorry."
The news of Li Ming's death came quickly. Li Rong heard it and just nodded.
Then she turned and walked forward aimlessly. Pei Wenxuan walked beside her and walked forward with her.
They didn't say anything.
The palace was completely quiet. The palace servants came out one after another to clean up the snow. They walked together, shoulder to shoulder, their sleeves rubbing against each other.
As they walked, it was unknown who reached out first, but under their sleeves, they silently pulled the other person's hand.
The power that came from their hands gave them an invisible support.
Li Rong listened to the sound of snow. She suddenly felt that she could walk on this road well.
Walk very far, very good, very long.
In the winter of the 20th year of Kang Xing, the treacherous concubine Xiao colluded with the aristocratic families to rebel and murder the emperor in the palace. History called it the Kang Xing Palace Rebellion.
Princess Royal Ping L E and the prince consort quelled the rebellion and assisted Crown Prince Li Chuan to ascend the throne. They changed the reign name to De Xu.
The new emperor didn't have the talent to rule the country and liked to play. The previous emperor knew his son very well. Before he passed, he made Princess Ping L E the Royal Regent Princess to assist in governing the country. Pei Wenxuan, the former Minister of Appointments, was promoted to Right Minister.
On the day of the ascension, the officials entered the palace and waited respectfully for the emperor's arrival. But after waiting for a long time, they only received an imperial edict and a red-crowned crane.
The emperor's heart wasn't in politics. On the day of his ascension, he announced that the red-crowned crane would take his place. He wanted to cultivate and seek the Dao in order to ascend as soon as possible. The affairs of the court were handed over to the Princess Royal.
No one present dared to speak. Only the newly appointed Right Minister Pei Wenxuan immediately knelt down and bowed to the red-crowned crane.
From now on, the Princess Royal was in charge of the court.
The Princess Royal was swift and decisive in her work. After she took office, she quickly dealt with all the people involved in the rebellion in Kang Xing Palace. Those involved in the rebellion were beheaded and exiled, and their families were expelled from Huajing.
The rebel Xiao Su led troops to rebel, but Qin Lin led troops to quell the rebellion.
The court began to operate normally. Li Rong was extremely busy. Even with Pei Wenxuan's help, she often left early and returned late.
After an unknown number of days, Pei Wenxuan suddenly told her that the day of Su Yongqing's funeral had arrived.
Li Rong was stunned. Pei Wenxuan walked behind her and took a cloak for her. "After all, he's been an old friend for many years. Go and send him off."
Li Rong couldn't go up the mountain because of her body, so she could only visit with Pei Wenxuan and burn incense for Su Yongqing.
Su Yongqing didn't have a corpse. It was burned to ashes in the palace, and Su Ronghua buried him with his clothes.
Li Rong came over, and Su Ronghua personally led Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan to visit the Su residence. As they walked, she told them about Su Yongqing's childhood.
"When I was young, I was disobedient. Father saw it and knew that I was useless, so he strictly disciplined Rong Qing. Every morning, he would recite the family's teachings in front of the ancestral hall. Every day, he would listen to father emphasize that he was the young master of the Su Clan. The rise and fall of the Su Clan was the most important thing in life. "
Su Ronghua led Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan across the small bridge to the ancestral hall.
In front of the ancestral hall, there were candlelight shadows, and the Su Clan's memorial tablets were displayed.
The newest one was Su Yongqing.
Su Ronghua stopped in front of the ancestral hall and looked at it. After a long time, he said in a low and hoarse voice, "It's my fault."
If he didn't run away when he was young and fought to the end, Su Minzhi wouldn't have blamed Su Yongqing so harshly.
If he could have taught his younger brother more, Su Yongqing wouldn't have ended up in such a dead end.
He stood in front of the ancestral hall for a long time before he came back to his senses. He smiled and led the two of them forward. He said apologetically, "I'm sorry. It was a moment of sadness."
After that, he quickly led the two of them to the next place.
A few days after Su Yongqing's burial, the entire Su Clan moved out of Huajing.
Then, the new dynasty began.
Less than two months after the start of the new dynasty, there was the first joyous event. The Eldest Princess, who had great power in the court, got married again.
The groom was the same as last time.
This time, Princess Ping L E's status was higher, and the person she married was the youngest prime minister in Da Xia.
Thus, the wedding of the two was even more grand than the first.
This time, Pei Wenxuan personally went to the palace gate to welcome Li Rong. He watched as the palace gate slowly opened. Li Rong was dressed in a wedding robe and held a golden fan that covered half of his face. He knelt on the golden and jade-carved imperial carriage.
When the veil fluttered, he could vaguely see her face. Her eyes were smiling as she looked at him quietly through the crowd.
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but laugh. He raised his hand and bowed. He said loudly, "This official, Pei Wenxuan, welcomes the Phoenix!"
Planting a parasol tree under a tree, the Phoenix will finally return.
The fireworks suddenly exploded and the petals hidden in the fireworks flew into the spring Huajing.
Everyone looked up and watched the petals drift in all directions. Lin Feibai turned his head and looked at Shangguan Ya, who was sending Li Rong off with a smile.
Her eyes were full of smiles. Lin Feibai was silent for a long time before he suddenly said, "Shangguan Ya."
"Hm?"
"Have you liked anyone before?"
Shangguan Ya was silent. Lin Feibai smiled and suddenly said, "Forget it, let's not delay each other."
As he spoke, Lin Feibai took out a set of leaf cards and handed it to Shangguan Ya. "I'll return this to you. Thank you and His Highness for saving me back then. "
"You …"
Shangguan Ya hesitated. Lin Feibai didn't look at her. The two of them walked on the long street and followed Li Rong's carriage. Lin Feibai smiled. "I can see that Su Ronghua is willing to die for you."
As he spoke, Lin Feibai turned to look at her and raised his eyebrows. "But my life is precious. I won't die for any woman, so I won't delay you."
"Let's forget about the marriage. In any case, I didn't send any betrothal gifts, so let's just treat it as if nothing happened. I plan to return to the southwest. The girls there are warm and cheerful. They're much more refreshing than your Huajing girls. "
Shangguan Ya didn't say anything. After a long time, she said in a low and hoarse voice, "Thank you."
After Li Rong got married, Lin Feibai left Huajing.
Xun Chuan saw that it was about time and also decided to return to the northwest.
Li Rong and Shangguan Ya sent him off Huajing. Shangguan Ya was rather reluctant. "You haven't been back for long and you're leaving again. Isn't it good to stay in Huajing?"
"Huajing doesn't belong to me." Xun Chuan looked at Li Rong with a smile on his face. "I've traveled so much that I don't want to stay in one city."
"But," Xun Chuan thought for a while and smiled again. "I'll come back to see you every year in the future."
"Okay." Shangguan Ya nodded. "Get married early and bring one more person back."
Xun Chuan pursed his lips and chuckled. "Okay, I'll try my best. Then … "Xun Chuan looked up at the two girls." Shall we bid farewell here? "
"Before we bid farewell, I'll give you something." Li Rong smiled and took out an appointment document from his sleeve.
"You've been conferred the title of Northern General this time. I haven't given you the appointment document yet."
As he spoke, he handed the document to Xun Chuan. "Take a look."
Xun Chuan was a little confused. He didn't understand what was so good about this thing. He opened the document and finally saw three words: Qin Zhenzhen.
She thought that she would never get her name back in her life, but at this moment, she finally got it back.
"Let's go."
Li Rong patted her shoulder. "In the future, you will be you. Live for yourself."
Xun Chuan thanked Li Rong and didn't say anything else. He rode his horse and left Huajing.
Li Chuan stood on the Northern Yan Pagoda and looked into the distance. He watched as one person and one horse left Huajing.
Everything seemed to be settled.
In the winter of the first year of De Xu, Li Rong gave birth to his first child. The child was a princess. Li Chuan loved the child very much. He gave the child the surname Li and named her Li Xi.
On the day of Li Xi's one-month birthday, Pei Wenxuan held a banquet for her. After the banquet, he held Li Xi in his arms and chatted with Li Rong who was lying on the bed.
"Qin Lin gave us a battle report. He said that the north is fighting again. Fortunately, the Wang and Gu families are fighting for a while. But we can't go on like this. We have to think of a way."
Pei Wenxuan said while patting the child. Li Rong saw that it was time to feed the milk. He put down the booklet and held the child in his arms. He patted the child and said softly, "You want to change the system again? Have you thought of how to change it? "
Pei Wenxuan pondered for a moment and said, "We have to think of a way to make them pay taxes. The imperial examination isn't done in a day or two. If we don't collect taxes and land, they will always have money. With money, they will have more land. With more land, they will have more soldiers, money, and power. In the end, it's not a way. "
"I have an idea. I've been thinking about it for a long time."
Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Xi drinking milk and couldn't help but feel thirsty. He took a cup of tea and drank it to calm himself down. "What's the idea?"
"The legitimate son will inherit the title of nobility, but the property can be divided equally. As long as the legitimate son proposes to separate, after the separation, taxes will be paid according to the law."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan choked on the mouthful of water in his throat.
He coughed rapidly, but as he coughed, he understood Li Rong's meaning.
The foundation of aristocratic families was land and property. Over the years, land and property had always been inherited by the eldest son. Except for Su Ronghua who gave up the right to inherit, the eldest son would generally inherit all the property, and the rest of the family would rely on the inheritor.
This directly led to the long-term preservation of the aristocratic family's property, and each generation was stronger than the previous.
However, if the illegitimate son divided the property equally and the property was divided according to the law, it would indirectly weaken the aristocratic family. The original 100 mu of land was not taxed. After the four brothers divided it equally, only 25 mu of land was not taxed. After a few generations, the aristocratic family's power could be fundamentally weakened from the property.
Although the illegitimate son's status in the family was low, he was still human. After interacting for a long time, he would have feelings. Although his status was low, he would still have some power. Just like the Pei family, although Pei Liming was a illegitimate son, he still became the Minister of Justice with the help of the family. Once they were given a law to follow, the capable illegitimate sons would definitely think of ways to enforce it.
In the past, when the aristocratic family was suppressed, the conflicts were mostly between the imperial family and the aristocratic family. However, this method placed the conflicts between the illegitimate sons and the illegitimate sons. Instead of overthrowing Li Rong and arguing with Li Rong, they would rather have internal strife with their illegitimate sons.
However, regardless of whether they fought or not, it was still an internal matter of the aristocratic family.
With this method, coupled with the imperial examination system and other methods, the aristocratic family would probably not have today's status for the next three generations.
Pei Wenxuan understood and calmed down. He couldn't help but ask: "How did you think of this method?"
"You used to tell me that after power is the human heart," Li Rong said. Seeing that Li Xi had finished drinking the milk, she lightly patted Li Xi's back and said in a low voice, "When Su Yongqing left, he told me that the aristocratic family's greatest weakness was the illegitimate sons. He came from an orthodox aristocratic family, so he naturally had his reasons for what he said. If you think about it from their point of view, you will understand. "
"I'm the one who told you this," Pei Wenxuan smiled, "I didn't think of it myself."
"You are a good person and the eldest son of the illegitimate son," Li Rong looked up and smiled at him, "It's normal that you don't understand this. In the past, I also didn't understand others, ever since … … "
Li Rong paused, and Pei Wenxuan understood.
The life and death of her last life was her threshold. She stood up after collapsing, and that was her new life.
Pei Wenxuan raised his hand to hold Li Rong and said in a low voice: "I understand."
Li Rong lowered his head and smiled: "Ever since I argued with Chuan'er, I can think from other people's point of view. If you think this is feasible, then it's decided. "
Pei Wenxuan naturally had no objections. Thus, the next day, in order to celebrate Li Xi's birth, Li Rong issued a "decree of peace and grace."
When the decree of peace and grace was issued, people with discerning eyes could see the intention of this decree. In the imperial court, everyone argued fiercely. Pei Wenxuan was the one who promoted this decree, and often appeared in person to argue with the other ministers.
Li Rong took the child to the imperial court and sat behind the curtain to listen to their arguments.
Sometimes, when they argued loudly, it would scare Li Xi, and Li Xi would cry. When Pei Wenxuan heard the child cry, he didn't care about arguing with them. He turned around and went directly behind the curtain to help Li Rong carry the child.
The child was also strange. Li Rong couldn't coax him, so when Pei Wenxuan carried him, he stopped crying.
Pei Wenxuan had no choice but to carry the child out. While patting Li Xi's back, he continued to argue with the minister: "What you said just now is simply ridiculous. This is a blessing for the aristocratic families. The aristocratic families should be grateful. If you don't believe me, you can let everyone express their opinions and see if the aristocratic families are willing or not."
Although Pei Wenxuan's words were harsh, his tone was a lot softer, as if he was afraid of scaring Li Xi. When the minister heard his soft voice, he couldn't argue for a while.
After a few rounds, no one wanted to argue in the imperial court.
After all, everyone knew that the decree of peace and grace was an open conspiracy. Li Rong had grasped the weakness of the aristocratic families, and they couldn't resist.
In the past, the decree that suppressed the aristocratic families was implemented by the people of the poor and aristocratic families. But now, the aristocratic families were arguing about this decree.
From the central government to the local government, the direct descendants and concubines showed their abilities. In less than five years after the decree of peace and grace was issued, large and small clans scattered all over the country, and the national treasury was full.
After this, Li Rong gradually restricted the election system, promoted the poor, and promoted the imperial examination system.
The south dealt with the flood, and the north resisted foreign enemies.
Step by step, he removed the poison from Da Xia's body and treated his injuries.
In these years, Li Chuan often disguised himself as a commoner and traveled around. In the third year of De Xu, Li Chuan said that he wanted to go to the north.
When Li Rong heard this, he had a big argument with him. Pei Wenxuan was still working in the palace, and when he heard the two quarrel, he hurried back to mediate. Even through the palace gates, he could hear the siblings scolding each other.
Li Rong scolded Li Chuan for seeking death. If something happened outside, don't say your name. If the emperor of a country was kidnapped, she couldn't afford to lose face, and she didn't want to spend money to ransom him.
Li Chuan packed his luggage and muttered, "I didn't ask you to ransom me. If someone kidnaps me, just say that you don't know me and kill the hostage."
These words made Li Rong's blood boil. Pei Wenxuan hurriedly supported Li Rong and scolded Li Chuan for her, "Your Majesty, your words are too willful. How can His Highness leave you alone? When you were kidnapped, remember that the other party said that your brother-in-law is a wealthy merchant and can ransom you with 100 taels of gold? "
"Brother-in-law is the best."
Hearing this, Li Chuan immediately became happy. He stuck his head out of the door and said with a smile, "I brought you a gift."
"Pei Wenxuan!"
Li Rong roared. Pei Wenxuan hurriedly said, "If they ask for too much money, don't write back. Let them kill the hostage."
Li Chuan: "… …"
With Pei Wenxuan's teasing, the atmosphere between the siblings eased a lot. However, Li Rong still kept a straight face, "You are in Da Xia. You can go anywhere, but you can't go out."
"Sister," Li Chuan smiled bitterly, "You said that I can choose my life."
"But you are choosing to die now!"
"Sister," Li Chuan smiled, "I just want to do what I want to do. I want to go to the north and find out what is there, where is the Rong tribe in the north, and if there is anything good in the north. I have lived in Huajing for more than 20 years. I want to go out and see. "
"What if … …"
"What if I die," Li Chuan's voice was calm, "Then I won't live in vain."
Li Rong was speechless. She stared at Li Chuan. Pei Wenxuan held Li Rong's hand and comforted her softly, "Your Highness, His Majesty will be fine. He is not a child anymore."
"Get out!"
Li Rong wiped her tears and turned to leave.
That night, Li Chuan left the palace.
Half a year later, Li Rong received news from Xun Chuan from the northwest that she had escorted Li Chuan out of Da Xia and went to the north.
After that, there was no more news about the two of them.
Li Rong often sat alone in Li Chuan's palace for a long time before leaving. Sometimes, she blamed Pei Wenxuan and Pei Wenxuan for letting Li Chuan leave. But every time she wanted to say something, she would think of her previous life.
She decided everything about Li Chuan and killed the young man named Li Chuan with her own hands.
Everyone could only be themselves. They could not decide the life choices of others, nor could they understand that for an individual, only they knew whether their choice was right or wrong.
In the fourth year of De Xu, Li Rong gave birth to a boy named Pei Qingyun.
In the seventh year of De Xu, Li Rong suddenly received news that Qin Zhenzhen had returned to Huajing.
The moment she heard the news, she rushed out of her high seat and ran all the way to the palace gates. She saw a young man and a young woman standing in front of the palace gates.
The young man looked to be in his mid-twenties. He had some stubble on his face and looked travel-worn, but his smile was unrestrained.
The girl beside him was dressed in black and carried a sword. She was like a silent guardian, standing quietly beside him.
Li Rong did not dare to go forward. After a long time, she heard the young man speak. He called out gently, "Sister."
In four years, Li Chuan drew a map of the entire northern territory. He found out the locations of the northern tribes and their relationships. He also brought back new seeds and spices from the north.
In addition, he also brought back a child named Li Xun.
He and Qin Zhenzhen did not stay in Huajing for long. After leaving behind a map of the northern territory, the two of them left with Li Xun. Before they left, Li Rong and Li Chuan talked for an entire night, hoping to persuade Li Xun to stay. Li Chuan only smiled and said, "Sister, I don't want to stay in Huajing because I'm afraid that we will fight. If I leave Xun 'er in Huajing, won't you and Xun' er fight? "
Li Rong paused for a moment. Li Chuan sighed and said, "Moreover, I'm not suitable for this place, and neither is Xun 'er. Forget it."
Not long after receiving the map of the northern territory, Shanghai Xu retired and returned to his hometown. Pei Wenxuan became the Left Prime Minister, and Shanghai Ya was promoted to the Right Prime Minister.
As the first female Prime Minister of Da Xia, Shanghai Ya submitted a petition to the North on the first day she took office.
At this time, Da Xia had been recuperating for many years and had a strong military. When Shanghai Ya proposed it, no one in the imperial court objected.
Li Rong decided to lead Shanghai Ya to the North.
On the night she made the decision, Pei Wenxuan paced in front of her door for a long time. Li Rong saw someone pacing in front of her door. She opened the door with a bang. Pei Wenxuan was shocked. Li Rong stared at him and said, "If you have something to say, say it."
"I just thought," Pei Wenxuan's expression was a little forced, "Xi 'er and Qing Yun are still young. They rely on their mother. Why don't … why don't I go on the North Expedition for you?"
Li Rong didn't say anything. She quietly watched the two little fellows stumble in. Li Xi ran in front and shouted for Pei Wenxuan, "Daddy, daddy, come and play with us."
As she spoke, the two children ran in front of Pei Wenxuan. They each held one of Pei Wenxuan's legs and looked up at him.
Pei Wenxuan had a bitter expression and said with difficulty, "They rely on you more, really."
Li Rong lowered her head and smiled. She reached out and hugged Pei Wenxuan.
"Don't worry, I won't go to the battlefield."
"I just want to see it."
"I want to see the mountains and rivers of Da Xia and see the suffering of the people. I can't sit in Huajing forever, right? "
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. One adult and two children hung on his body. Li Rong looked up at him and said, "Moreover, I also rely on you. I will definitely come back."
Hearing Li Rong acting like a spoiled child, Pei Wenxuan was helpless for a moment. He sighed and could only hug Li Rong and whisper, "Okay, go."
He prepared all the logistics for her. Li Rong and Shangguan Ya headed north.
With Li Rong personally coming, the morale was greatly boosted. Li Rong and Shangguan Ya took charge of the frontlines. Qin Lin and Qin Zhenzhen led the troops deep into the north. They were determined to take down the Imperial Court of the Northern Region and completely conquer the north.
The news of the Northern Expedition spread all over Da Xia. Su Ronghua was sitting at home. When he heard that the Right Prime Minister Shangguan Ya had personally come to the north to supervise the battle, he sat in his room for a long time. He stood up and grabbed his coat. He quickly ordered the people around him, "Prepare all the food in the warehouse. I will bring it to the northwest."
The Northern Expedition lasted for two whole years.
In the first half of the year, after conquering the Imperial Court, Li Rong and Shangguan Ya returned in advance.
Not long after returning, Su Ronghua proposed marriage to the Shangguan Clan.
Although the Su Clan was no longer as glorious as before, the wedding was still sensational. On the night of the wedding, Shangguan Ya raised her head and looked at the young man in front of her. "After so many years, I thought you wouldn't come back."
"I didn't want to come back." Su Ronghua smiled. "But when I saw Miss Shangguan waiting for me, I didn't dare to care about Miss Shangguan's feelings."
"Nonsense." Shangguan Ya sneered. "I'm busy with official business and have no time for romance. Tell me, you didn't come before. Now that you're here, are you interested in my status as the Prime Minister? "
Hearing this, Su Ronghua couldn't help but laugh. He leaned against the bed and nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. I like your noble status, so I'm here to climb up the social ladder."
Shangguan Ya heard his ridicule and snorted coldly. She turned her head away.
Su Ronghua didn't say anything. He quietly looked at her for a long time.
"Originally, I thought that Her Highness the Eldest Princess was weakening the aristocratic families. The Su Clan had once disobeyed her, so even if they retreated, it would still be difficult to appease Her Highness. I was afraid that the marriage between our two clans would cause you trouble."
Shangguan Ya listened but didn't say anything. Su Ronghua lowered his head. "But when I heard that you went to the north, I thought that one day you might die in a place that I can't see. I suddenly felt that I should be selfish and cause you some trouble."
"I hope that Madam." Su Ronghua squatted in front of Shangguan Ya and raised his head. "Please don't take offense."
"I won't." Shangguan Ya's voice was calm. "You don't know what kind of person Her Highness is."
"What kind of person?"
"She's not the previous monarch. She has the world in her heart, not political schemes."
"As long as she's here." Shangguan Ya raised his hand and gently placed it on Su Ronghua's face. "As long as you like me, we can always be together."
This might not be the best era.
It had many drawbacks that people criticized.
However, it was like a switch. Someone used their blood and life to push the button of history.
For the sake of fate, freedom, and dignity, history was forced to move forward.
In the 14th year of De Xu's reign, the officials argued endlessly over the issue of the heir apparent. They requested that if Li Chuan didn't plan to marry, he should adopt a descendant of the imperial family as the heir apparent.
Li Rong found Li Chuan to discuss the details. After a night of discussion, they finally reached a conclusion.
The Xianwen Emperor, Li Chuan, who had been absent from the morning court for 14 years, abdicated due to illness. He passed the throne to Eldest Princess Li Rong.
Li Rong became the first Empress in Da Xia's history. The era was renamed Xin Qian, and Princess Li Xi was appointed as the heir apparent.
Li Xi was born in the imperial court. Although she was only 14 years old, she had followed Li Rong in the imperial court for many years.
The officials weren't surprised by this result. However, they still advised Li Rong in private: "Your Highness ascending the throne is what everyone wants. However, I'm afraid it's not appropriate for Her Highness to be the heir apparent."
When Li Rong heard this, she lowered her head and didn't say anything. After two months, Li Rong heard that the officials who didn't allow Li Xi to be the heir apparent all changed their minds. As for how they changed their minds, she didn't ask Li Xi.
When Pei Wenxuan came to talk to her about this, he was still quite worried: "You letting Xi Er become the heir apparent is still too rash."
"That's up to her."
Li Rong smiled: "Do you think that not letting her become the heir apparent isn't too rash?"
Pei Wenxuan was stunned for a moment. These years, Li Rong's understanding of people's hearts had become more and more accurate. For a moment, he couldn't be sure.
After the matter of Li Xi being the heir apparent was decided, Li Rong held a coronation hall for her.
On the day of the coronation ceremony, Li Rong received a gift from afar. The gift was sent by Su Ronghua. There was no name of the sender, so she didn't know what it was.
Li Rong opened the box and saw a book and a map inside.
This was a map of the entire southern waters, as well as notes on the river management plan. There was also a proposal for controlling the southern floods and a construction plan.
The content was extremely detailed. Someone must have spent most of their life writing it.
Li Rong looked at the familiar handwriting on the map. After a long time, she chuckled and closed the map.
That night, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan lay in bed. Li Rong asked softly: "Why did you let him go?"
"First, I felt that it was a pity. Second …" Pei Wenxuan put his hand under his head and chuckled. "If he had died then, wouldn't you have remembered him for the rest of your life? I'm very narrow-minded. "Pei Wenxuan turned to look at her." I didn't want to leave any space for him. "
Li Rong heard his words and laughed: "I know what you're thinking. Were you the one who instigated the Censorate to act against me today?"
Pei Wenxuan heard this and stiffened. He quickly turned his back to her: "It's late. Don't think too much. Go to sleep."
"I say, Pei Wenxuan." Li Rong saw his attitude and suddenly reacted, "Are you not cherishing me now that you have me?"
"Your Majesty." Pei Wenxuan quickly turned and reminded her, "There's still morning court tomorrow. I'm very sleepy. Go to sleep."
"No." Li Rong felt that she had encountered a big problem. "Tell me clearly. Were you the one who instigated the Censorate to act against me today? Why did you go against me? Pei Wenxuan, do you not want to live anymore? "
"Great aunt …" Pei Wenxuan heard Li Rong's impulsive question and was about to cry: "The Censorate has nothing to do with me. Please go to sleep …"
The two of them quarreled in the night. Li Xi and Pei Wenxuan, who originally ran over to find Li Rong, stood at the door. After a while, Li Xi decisively turned around with her brother: "Come another day. They're already asleep."
Pei Qingyun heard Li Xi's words and frowned: "Sister, I heard them quarreling inside. Will they divorce?"
"They won't." Li Xi was very calm: "They're cultivating their relationship."
Li Xi knew her parents very well. They often quarreled like this and hugged each other after quarreling. She was used to it.
Pei Qingyun was still worried. The next day, after Li Rong left court, he went to find the two of them again. But as soon as he went over …
A book flew out of the room. Li Rong was cursing inside: "Get out! Get out! You didn't give me face today. That's too much. "
"If you want to say something, just say it." Pei Wenxuan covered his face and retreated: "Why do you want to hit me? Won't it be bad if other people see? "
"Get out!"
Li Rong slammed the door: "We agreed that we'll divorce when we're both in power. I'll write a divorce agreement as you wish!"
Pei Wenxuan was about to retort when he suddenly realized that there was someone beside him.
He turned his head and saw Pei Qingyun staring at him blankly.
Pei Wenxuan was a little embarrassed. He straightened his body and coughed lightly: "Qingyun, you …"
Before he could finish speaking, Pei Qingyun turned around and ran away.
Pei Wenxuan froze. He looked at Li Rong's door and wanted to say something, but he felt that he couldn't say it.
He felt sullen and embarrassed.
He endured for a long time. Then, he turned around and went to his study.
From his study, he could see Li Rong's side window. He saw Li Rong writing furiously inside.
Pei Qingyun ran all the way to Li Xi's room and hurriedly pulled Li Xi: "Sister, it's not good. Go and take a look. Father and Mother are going to divorce. They don't want us anymore!"
Li Xi was very calm, but she was still dragged out by Pei Qingyun. As she walked, she said carelessly: "Calm down. Walk slowly. Don't panic."
The two children rushed to the imperial study. Pei Wenxuan was in the room. He couldn't sit still and finally stood up. He went to Li Rong's door and knocked.
Li Rong didn't say anything, so Pei Wenxuan knocked again.
Li Rong was annoyed by his noise and opened the door: "Is there anything else?"
"Well," Pei Wenxuan coughed softly and turned his head away. He said stiffly, "Well, I was thinking that since the child is already so big … let's not write a divorce document and just make do with it."
As he said that, Pei Wenxuan forced a smile: "Otherwise, the children will be sad."
"You're right." Li Rong's face was stiff: "For the sake of the children, let's just make do."
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but laugh when he heard Li Rong say one thing and mean another.
He always felt that the girl in front of him, no matter how old she was, was like a child.
He looked down at her and couldn't help but pull her into his arms: "Then can I sleep on the bed tonight?"
Li Rong turned his head and ignored him. Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Pei Qingyun shout: "Ah!"
Pei Wenxuan was so scared that he let go. The two of them quickly separated and pretended to be calm. Then, they turned to look at the two children standing at the door.
Li Xi bowed respectfully: "This son and Qingyun wandered here and disturbed father and mother, please forgive us. This son will take Qingyun and leave first. "
As he said that, Li Xi pulled the stunned Pei Qingyun and left.
When the two children stepped out of the palace, Pei Qingyun reacted: "Well, are they still going to divorce?"
"Divorce?" Li Xi laughed mockingly: "Since I was born, how many divorce letters have they written? Don't worry, they won't be separated. "
"Just like the two of them, even if you give them two more lifetimes, three more lifetimes, they won't be able to separate."
Some love transcends mountains and rivers, some love transcends time.
And some love transcends life and faith, tempered thousands of times, never to be separated.
[End]
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