Pei Wenxuan was stunned by Li Rong's actions. After a moment of silence, he finally said, "I'm narrow-minded, but you're not thin-skinned either."
He turned his face away and walked forward slowly with the lantern in his hand. "You're not young anymore. Su Yongqing is still in his prime. Don't think that you're an old cow eating young grass."
Li Rong remained silent. Pei Wenxuan smiled. "Why? Are you unhappy that I said you're old?"
"I'm old, but you're not?" Li Rong glared at Pei Wenxuan and turned his head away. He said calmly, "I just think that you're too filthy. I don't want to talk to you."
"I'm filthy?" Pei Wenxuan sneered. "Do you dare to say that you don't mean that?"
"Then I really dare," Li Rong explained generously. "I let Su Yongqing be the inspector because he's suitable. If you and I were to investigate this case, the officials would not be convinced. If someone else were to investigate, they would either be my uncle's men, or they would definitely side with the Yangs. If they didn't side with the Yangs, they probably wouldn't want to get involved in this mess. Now, other than Su Rongqing, who else would take on this hot potato? Su Minzhi just happened to jump out and say something. If he said something, he would let his son investigate this case. Then, no one else would dare to say anything. "
"You're very confident in him."
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but slow down and speak coldly. Li Rong walked in front. When he heard Pei Wenxuan's words, he couldn't help but smile. "Although the Su Family avoided trouble and returned to the right path, they're still considered noble. Rong Qing is a gentleman. When it comes to him, he won't hide."
"You make it sound so dignified." Pei Wenxuan's voice was calm. "In my previous life, you also said the same thing to me."
"Hmm?"
Li Rong was somewhat at a loss. She turned around and saw Pei Wenxuan standing in the same spot, looking at her calmly. "In my previous life, when you asked me to save Su Yongqing, you also gave me a set of reasons, saying that the Su Clan had been wronged and that if they were to settle old scores in the future, it wouldn't be good for me or for His Majesty. You said that you saved Su Yongqing for the sake of morality and justice, and nothing else, right? "
Li Rong didn't say anything. The spring breeze in April was still a little cold. Pei Wenxuan looked at her quietly and asked, "What happened after that?"
Li Rong was silent. She looked at Pei Wenxuan's indifferent expression and couldn't help but laugh. "Is this why you hate him?"
Pei Wenxuan was stunned. Li Rong looked at his expression and asked, "Because I lied to you?"
Pei Wenxuan laughed mockingly and didn't reply, but it could be considered a tacit acknowledgment. Li Rong raised her hand and tucked her hair behind her ear. She said calmly, "I told you earlier that I really thought so at that time. Didn't you also not believe me? Then what's the point of saying all this? "
"I'm just reminding you." Pei Wenxuan said coldly, "Don't let lust ruin things. In your previous life, you fell into his hands. If you fall into his hands again in this life, then you're stupid."
"Even if that's the case, what does this have to do with you?" Li Rong heard the reprimand in his tone and was rather angry. She looked at him coldly. "In any case, you and I will be separated in a few years. In this life, Lord Pei can rest assured that if I kill you, it won't be because of other people's instigation."
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. He pursed his lips, as if he was angry.
Li Rong laughed mockingly. "You quarrel every time, and when you quarrel, you get angry at yourself. You're really … "
"I won't see you off. You can go back by yourself." Before Li Rong could finish speaking, Pei Wenxuan finally couldn't take it anymore. He quickly stepped forward, stuffed the palace lantern into Li Rong's hand, and turned to leave.
Li Rong didn't expect that even after Pei Wenxuan was reborn and wasn't the Left Prime Minister, his temper could still be so bad. She held the lantern and was momentarily stunned. Pei Wenxuan walked a few steps, then thought of something and turned back. He frowned and stretched out his hand. "Give me some men. I'm afraid that the people of the Yang residence will leave the city tonight."
Being angry was one thing, but asking for men and money wasn't ambiguous.
Li Rong was so angry that she laughed. She reached out and took the token, then slapped it into Pei Wenxuan's hand. "Go and find some men."
Pei Wenxuan didn't reply. He took the token and turned to leave. He went to the princess's residence to look for people.
Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan's back as he left. She was angry, but she didn't know why she was angry. After he left, she held it in for a long time before finally calming down. She advised herself that it wasn't worth it to get angry over this kind of person.
When she calmed down, she said, "Let's go."
The Jing Lan and Jing Mei looked at each other before walking over. The Jing Mei looked at Li Rong and whispered, "Why did Young Master Pei leave?"
"He's sick."
Li Rong replied without hesitation. The maids looked at each other and didn't dare to say anything.
Li Rong walked in the night breeze. After a while, his mood was much better. He said calmly, "Let's go back to the palace. We'll meet again tomorrow."
In fact, Pei Wenxuan didn't like Su Yongqing. It wasn't a matter of a day or two. Even if she was reborn, she knew that it couldn't be changed.
The two of them didn't get along from the beginning. Pei Wenxuan felt that Su Yongqing was pretentious. Su Yongqing never said anything about Pei Wenxuan, but when the two of them stood side by side, anyone with a discerning eye could see that there was an invisible force between the two of them.
This was the case before Su Yongqing came to Li Rong's side. After Su Yongqing came to Li Rong's side, it was even more so. For a long time, there was Su Yongqing but not Pei Wenxuan, and there was Pei Wenxuan but not Su Yongqing.
At the beginning, Li Rong wondered if Pei Wenxuan liked her a little and was jealous.
But after a long time, she could see that Pei Wenxuan's hostility towards Su Yongqing was probably due to jealousy at the beginning. Later on, it was just because he was unwilling to accept it.
Su Yongqing became famous at a young age. He was born into a noble family and was given the love of his father and mother. Almost all the best things in the world were given to him. On the other hand, Pei Wenxuan was also a son of a noble family, but he had been through a lot. When Pei Wenxuan was young, he was jealous of Su Yongqing.
Later on, he finally married her and supported his family all by himself. He could be said to be a handsome man. But at this time, she chose Su Yongqing and not him. This was a great humiliation to Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan wasn't jealous. Pei Wenxuan just hated Su Yongqing.
In the early years, Pei Wenxuan might have had a good impression of her, but this kind of good impression had long been worn down over the years.
Li Rong was used to knowing her own limits. She wasn't a likeable girl, and Pei Wenxuan and Pei Wenxuan were fighting for power and benefits. She was afraid that Pei Wenxuan had long been tired of her.
It was just that Pei Wenxuan was a kind person. They had been together for a long time, and now that they had returned together, he probably felt some sympathy for those who had fallen into the same predicament. That was why he took the initiative to propose cooperation.
But the two of them had long understood each other's disgust deep in their bones.
If two people who knew each other well hated each other, that would be the scariest thing. Because they knew each other's weaknesses and moves too well, every time they made a move, they would ruthlessly stab at the other's heart. A casual word or a glance would be able to point at the other's sore spot.
Sprinkling salt on the wound and attacking the heart with words. This was what a husband and wife who had spent most of their lives were best at.
Li Rong leisurely returned to her palace and rested while thinking about what happened during the day.
Although her Princess Residence had been built many years ago, she had always lived in the palace. Only the Princess Residence's Zhan Shi and Li Ming's two thousand bodyguards and a group of servants were settled there. It could also be considered one of her properties. Pei Wenxuan took her command tablet, gathered his men, and waited outside the Yang Family's door for the night.
As Pei Wenxuan expected, almost all of the Yang Family's people left that night. Only the Old Madame and a few womenfolk stayed at home to cover their eyes and ears. Pei Wenxuan waited outside the city like this, like catching a turtle in a jar. He caught one who came, one who came, one who came, one who came, and he caught them all night.
Li Rong had a good night's sleep. When it was morning, she got up, washed up, and went to the door of the main hall early. At this time, the morning court hadn't started yet. The civil and military officials were standing outside, chatting in twos and threes. Li Rong's arrival made everyone feel a little strange. Princess Da Xia participated in politics, but unless she was specially summoned, she wouldn't directly go to court. Thus, when Li Rong came, everyone began to guess what Li Rong was doing here.
The officials who heard Li Ming's anger yesterday didn't find it strange. The old monk sat still and stood in place, not even looking at Li Rong.
Li Rong scanned the crowd, but didn't see the person she was looking for. After waiting for a while, she saw Pei Wenxuan yawning as he walked in.
According to his rank, a small official like him wouldn't even be able to enter the main hall. Li Rong saw him yawning as he walked in, ignoring the gazes of the people around them. He walked directly to her side and stood still. His hands were in his sleeves, and he said vaguely, "It's done."
"Did you sleep last night?"
Li Rong looked him up and down. She saw that his eyes were dark, as if he had been beaten. She couldn't help but ask, "You didn't sleep again, right?"
"Thanks to the princess," Pei Wenxuan woke up and looked a little better. He said clearly, "I didn't sleep last night again."
He didn't sleep much the night before, and he was tense the whole day yesterday. Pei Wenxuan thought of this cruel fact and couldn't help but say, "If this continues, the princess doesn't need to do anything. This official is afraid that he won't be able to hold on for much longer."
Li Rong covered her face with a small fan and laughed softly. Pei Wenxuan was already used to her being happy when she saw him unhappy. He only said softly, "Last night, they moved like ants. Those young masters are all here. The family should be neat and tidy. Let's put them together today?"
"Up to you." Li Rong said softly, "Let's talk about it after the court."
As the two were talking, they saw Su Minzhi leading Su Yongqing in. The Su Family had a good reputation in the court. When they came in, they were the center of attention. Su Yongqing followed his father and greeted the people around him, then he stood in front.
As soon as Su Yongqing came in, everyone couldn't help but look over. Li Rong was naturally no exception. Pei Wenxuan saw Li Rong looking at Su Yongqing as he walked past. He quietly approached Li Rong and said softly, "I have to remind you. Don't say anything when you see him. His position is still unclear."
As he said that, Su Yongqing looked over. He saw Li Rong from afar. He was stunned at first, then he smiled and bowed to Li Rong.
Li Rong nodded her head in return. Pei Wenxuan snorted softly at the side. Li Rong ignored him, afraid that they would quarrel again, so the two of them stood side by side at the edge of the square. Then, they heard the eunuch announcing the start of the court. The officials stood in two rows and slowly walked in amidst the chanting.
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan didn't have an official position that allowed them to enter the imperial court. They stood at the door and waited for Li Ming to summon them.
Pei Wenxuan was a little sleepy. He simply closed his eyes and said, "I'm going to sleep for a while. Call me if there's anything."
After saying that, he didn't wait for Li Rong's reply. He leaned against the wall and directly closed his eyes and fell asleep.
There wasn't anyone outside the main hall. It was empty. On the contrary, the main hall was bustling with noise. The officials were chattering. To Pei Wenxuan, it was an excellent lullaby.
He was standing and leaning against the wall, but once he fell asleep, he couldn't control himself and involuntarily fell towards Li Rong.
Li Rong was still thinking about something when he felt Pei Wenxuan gradually approaching. Then, he seemed to feel weightless. He suddenly woke up and hurriedly sat up.
Li Rong saw that he was so sleepy and felt quite disgusted. He couldn't help but say, "Are you that sleepy?"
"You try." Pei Wenxuan didn't sleep well and was in a bad mood. Li Rong laughed, "Pei Wenxuan, you're really delicate."
"Who am I doing this for?"
Pei Wenxuan immediately retorted. After that, he froze. He seemed to feel a little embarrassed. He turned his head and said, "You slept well. I'm too lazy to care about you."
Li Rong didn't say anything. Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes again. After a moment, he suddenly heard Li Rong say, "Lean on me."
Pei Wenxuan ignored him. Then, he felt Li Rong lean over. They were shoulder to shoulder. Li Rong's usually cold voice seemed to have a hint of warmth. He said calmly, "I'm standing firm. Lean on me. You won't fall."
Pei Wenxuan pretended not to hear. They leaned shoulder to shoulder. He squinted his eyes and said. The morning light sprinkled on the white jade steps. It slowly went up and then fell on the two people.
The morning light was warm, but it couldn't compare to the warmth of Li Rong's shoulder. Pei Wenxuan seemed to be extremely sleepy. Even though he was just standing there, he felt a rare sense of peace.
He felt as if he had fallen asleep, but also as if he hadn't. He could vaguely hear the voices of people and birds, but he also felt as if he was in a dream.
Li Rong crossed his arms and listened to the officials in the court.
Li Ming told them about how the Yang Family had lost three cities at the border. The court was shocked. Li Ming asked for the Yang Family to be put on record. Naturally, everyone had to quarrel.
Most of the officials didn't say anything. Some of them thought that Li Ming's request was unreasonable. The Yang Family had outstanding military achievements. Now that the frontline war was still ongoing, they couldn't imprison the families of the frontline soldiers just because they had lost a few battles.
Li Ming listened to these officials defending the Yang Family and sneered, "Then what if the Yang Family was accused of deceiving the Emperor, kidnapping the Princess, assassinating the Imperial Court's officials, and colluding with the enemy? Then, can they still be interrogated?! "
No one dared to speak. After a long time, one of the officials hesitated and said, "Your Majesty, where did you hear these rumors?"
"Summon!" Li Ming raised his hand. Then, a eunuch's sharp voice sounded, "Summon Princess Ping L e and Pei Wenxuan to the palace — —"
Hearing their names called, Li Rong turned his head and saw the young man slowly open his eyes under the morning light.
His facial features were three-dimensional. From the side, he looked like a mountain range. His eyelashes were very long. When he opened his eyes under the morning light, he looked like a butterfly flapping its wings, lightly leaping in the light.
"Let's go."
Li Rong smiled gently, stood up straight, and walked towards the palace. Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong's thin back and felt a little dizzy for a moment. He vaguely felt a little absent-minded. After a moment, he recovered and couldn't help but smile. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening them again. Then, he straightened his expression and walked inside. Following Li Rong, he knelt on the ground and shouted, "Erchen (humble official) greets Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty!"
"Rise." Li Ming raised his hand and said, "Pei Wenxuan, read the memorial to them."
If they wanted to make a case against Madame Yang, they naturally needed someone to be the executioner. Other people didn't dare to write this memorial, but Pei Wenxuan had already finished writing it last night.
His pen was sharp and without any concealment, he vehemently criticized Madame Yang for deceiving the emperor, being tyrannical and unreasonable, colluding with the enemy, and disregarding the law. After a series of scoldings, the entire palace was silent. After a while, the Censorate finally reacted and began to argue with Pei Wenxuan.
When Li Rong saw Pei Wenxuan arguing with the Censorate, he consciously took a step back towards Pei Wenxuan and watched as Pei Wenxuan argued with the crowd.
Pei Wenxuan was a tough person, but his mouth was even tougher. In the past, Pei Wenxuan had always argued with him, regardless of whether it was in the imperial court or not, he could always argue with him until he vomited blood. Now, when he saw Pei Wenxuan arguing with the people in front of him, Li Rong actually felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
The entire Censorate took turns to fight. Pei Wenxuan fought with the crowd alone. Li Ming originally wanted to intervene, but when he saw that Pei Wenxuan was truly formidable, he finally fell silent and drank his tea while listening to these people ridicule him.
Li Rong retreated to the side and had someone prepare tea. When Pei Wenxuan finished scolding these people in one breath, he coldly said, "Does anyone have any objections?" When no one made a sound, Li Rong silently brought the tea over. Pei Wenxuan habitually took the tea and drank it. After drinking it, he felt that something was wrong. When he turned his head, he saw Li Rong's smiling eyes, as if saying to him, "Continue."
Pei Wenxuan didn't know why, but when he saw Li Rong like this, he suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. He pretended to be calm and turned his head to look at the officials arguing with him across from him.
In the imperial court, most of the arguments were about making a big point and putting a big hat on it. It didn't matter if it was feasible or not, as long as one stood on an "absolutely correct" principle, no one could say anything about it.
Pei Wenxuan was familiar with the ways of the imperial court, and because he was young and vigorous, he argued with these people all morning in one breath. His sleepiness had completely disappeared and he was in high spirits.
The officials on the other side either couldn't win or couldn't persuade him. In the end, they were all defeated. Li Ming saw that it was about time and said, "Alright, since everyone has discussed it, then it's decided."
As he said this, Li Ming pointed at three people, "Ping Lue, Pei Wenxuan, Su Yongqing."
The three people who were named stood up. Li Ming said calmly, "This matter concerns the Yang family, so this case will be handled by Ping Lue. Pei Wenxuan will be appointed as the Imperial Censor to assist Ping Lue. Because the two of you are involved in this case, the Ministry of Justice's assistant minister, Su Yongqing, will be appointed to supervise this case. What do you think?"
No one spoke.
The argument stopped.
Li Ming nodded with satisfaction and said to the side, "Write the decree. The Yang family's Yang Quan attempted to murder the princess and assassinate the officials. The Yang family can be spared the death penalty, but they cannot escape punishment. Because of the meritorious service of the Yang family, they will not be transferred to prison. After searching for evidence, they will be temporarily placed under house arrest in the mansion. "
As he said this, Li Ming raised his head and said calmly, "Ping Lue, zhen will give you another five hundred people, is that enough?"
"Thank you, fuhuang." Li Rong happily replied, "Erchen will definitely handle it properly for you."
The officials didn't speak. Li Ming seemed to be tired. He nodded and waved his hand, announcing, "Let's go."
Everyone bowed and respectfully sent Li Ming off. After Li Ming left, Li Rong stood up and looked at Pei Wenxuan and Su Yongqing. He smiled and said, "Now, zhen gong plans to search the Yang family. What do you two plan to do?"
"This humble official will listen to His Highness's arrangements." Pei Wenxuan respectfully said. Su Yongqing smiled gently, "This official will also follow."
Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan and then looked at Su Yongqing. After so many years, this was the first time he saw the two smiling and standing together so harmoniously. Li Rong didn't know why, but he suddenly felt a strange guilty conscience. She coughed lightly and stepped forward, saying, "There's no time to lose. Let's go."
Li Rong hurriedly distanced himself from them. Su Yongqing and Pei Wenxuan followed behind Li Rong. Li Rong couldn't explain why his heart was beating so fast.
The three of them walked out of the palace and boarded the carriage. Li Rong led Jing Lan and Jing Mei to the front carriage and said to Pei Wenxuan and Su Yongqing, "Zhen gong will go first. The two of you, please wait."
As he spoke, Li Rong boarded the carriage. After instructing someone to transfer the fu soldiers to the Yang family's entrance, she hurriedly lowered the curtain and used a small fan to fan herself. It seemed that she had been holding back for a long time.
"What's wrong with Princess?"
Jing Mei saw Li Rong's appearance and poured tea for Li Rong. She couldn't help but smile, "Why are you like this?"
Li Rong shook his head and took the tea from the side. After a while, she sighed and said, "I suddenly admire those men who have three wives and four concubines."
"Why does Princess say that?" Jing Mei didn't understand. Li Rong sighed as if she had just survived a disaster, "My heart is beating too fast. I can't stand it."
In her previous life, there was a time when she had thought about having many male companions. It would be best if they all looked like Pei Wenxuan and Su Yongqing. Perhaps it would be a kind of happiness to have one on each side every day.
Today, she suddenly realized that sometimes, having too many people around you might not be a happy thing.
At least at this moment, she only felt afraid, flustered, and guilty. There was no happiness to speak of.
Li Rong's emotions were fluctuating, but Pei Wenxuan and Su Yongqing were unusually calm. The two of them rode in the same carriage and had nothing to do, so they played chess.
"I'm afraid the marriage between Young Master and Princess has been set."
Su Yongqing twisted a chess piece and said in a flat voice, "I heard that the palace was very noisy last night."
"Lord Su is very concerned about the Princess's marriage."
"Who doesn't care about this in Huajing?" Su Yongqing smiled, "Lord Pei is now a hot topic in the capital."
"Hot topic? Hot topic about whether or not I will marry the Princess?" As Pei Wenxuan spoke, a chess piece fell on the chessboard. He looked up at Su Yongqing, "Then I'll be frank with Young Master Su."
"Her Highness the Princess, I will definitely marry her."
Su Yongqing laughed and tapped the fan in his hand on the palm of his hand, "That's true. But I'm a bit curious, "Su Yongqing said as he placed a chess piece," What does Lord Pei think of the Princess? "
"She's very good," Pei Wenxuan said calmly, "She's good with words."
As Pei Wenxuan spoke, another word appeared in his mind — sharp tongue.
"She's considerate."
She could always step on his most heartbreaking points.
"She's an excellent girl."
After praising Li Rong, Pei Wenxuan suddenly felt like he didn't want to speak anymore. He felt that saying these words almost exhausted him.
Su Yongqing listened to Pei Wenxuan's words, nodded, and said gently, "But I heard that Lord Pei had a child betrothal. Lord Pei and that girl …"
When Pei Wenxuan heard this, he coldly looked up at Su Yongqing in front of him. Su Yongqing understood Pei Wenxuan's warning when he saw this look. He nodded and said, "I understand. Some people are just like the bright moon. They can be seen but not reached."
"Lord Su, don't remind Your Highness so much," Pei Wenxuan said calmly, "Otherwise, I won't be able to figure out who the Lord Su's bright moon is."
"I'm just joking." Su Yongqing waved his fan, "Let's continue playing chess."
The two played chess, but their moves were a mess. Pei Wenxuan lost interest and directly said, "Young Master Su, I'm very sleepy. I'll sleep for a while. I won't accompany you."
Su Yongqing smiled and said gently, "Please."
Pei Wenxuan responded, leaned against the side, closed his eyes, and fell asleep.
Before he fell asleep, he did not know why, but he thought of Li Rong in the morning. She stood by his side and allowed him to lean on her, but she was able to stand steadily. He did not know how she could stand so steadily, even though she was so thin, as if the wind could blow her away.
Pei Wenxuan didn't realize that his thoughts were running wild. He smiled lightly.
When Pei Wenxuan woke up, he went to Yang Fu. Li Rong had already sent people to surround Yang Fu. When he got off the carriage, he saw Yang Fu's soldiers and Imperial Bodyguards confronting each other.
Yang Fu's gate was tightly shut. The soldiers on both sides didn't dare to move. Li Rong walked to the side of the guards. Her Imperial Bodyguard Captain Jiang Ping came forward and said respectfully, "Princess."
"Where are the Yang Fu's people?"
"They're all inside. They don't want to come out. Princess isn't here. This subordinate doesn't dare to make a move."
Li Rong nodded. She looked at Yang Fu's gate and held her fan in front of her chest. The fan gently tapped on her arm, but she didn't say anything. Su Yongqing and Pei Wenxuan came over. Su Yongqing was puzzled, "Your Highness, why is Yang Fu's gate locked?"
"Oh," Li Rong thought, "They don't dare."
Li Rong turned around and waved at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan came forward and said respectfully, "Your Highness."
"Tell me, if I want to reason with Yang Fu, can you win?"
"No." Pei Wenxuan said decisively, "There's a hierarchy in the imperial court. Your Highness can win. But now, Yang Fu's gate is in front of the common people. Yang Fu's reputation is very high. If we don't have enough evidence, I'm afraid we'll be cursed. "
"Mm." Since Pei Wenxuan said that she couldn't win, Li Rong didn't struggle anymore.
She thought for a while and said to Jiang Ping, "Jiang Ping, guard the Yang Family well. If they don't come out, don't come out."
Jiang Ping agreed. Li Rong looked around and checked the situation. Then, she said to Su Yongqing, "Lord Su, in this situation, it's not appropriate to search the residence. I want to go to the Ministry of War to get some account books. I wonder if Lord Su can help?"
"I'll listen to Your Highness' orders." Su Yongqing said respectfully. Li Rong nodded and said, "Then I'll have to trouble Lord Su to go to the Ministry of War to coordinate. If the Ministry of War is willing to check the accounts, I'll go there."
Su Yongqing agreed. Li Rong turned to Pei Wenxuan and said, "Lord Pei."
"I'm here."
"Lord Pei didn't bring a carriage. I'll send you off."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
Pei Wenxuan bowed and thanked Li Rong. Then, he followed Li Rong's arrangement and got into Li Rong's carriage. Li Rong told Jiang Ping to treat the Yang Family members well before rolling up the curtain and getting into the carriage.
The two of them sat on opposite sides of the carriage. The Jing Lan and Jing Mei didn't come in. Li Rong poured tea for himself. Pei Wenxuan asked directly, "Where are we going?"
"Why don't you think I'll send you home?"
Li Rong raised his eyebrows. Pei Wenxuan shook his head and said, "You didn't get anything today. You can't go back like this."
"As expected of someone who's known me for many years. You really know me well," Li Rong picked up the teacup and blew away the green leaves on it. Then, he said slowly, "Do you remember Tuoba Yan?"
Pei Wenxuan thought carefully and finally remembered, "She's the boss of a private bank that you caught before?"
"Yes." Li Rong nodded and said, "This person travels between the northwest and Huajing all year round. She has properties in several countries. On the surface, she does business, but in reality, she makes a living by laundering money. Huajing's nobles have a lot of dealings with her. "
"Including the Yang Family."
Pei Wenxuan said affirmatively. Li Rong responded, "Although the Yang Family was destroyed by my father, the investigation wasn't very clear. Later, when I investigated Tuoba Yan for Chuan'er, I really found out about the Yang Family's operations. Tuoba Yan is able to stay in various countries not only because he's good at business, but also because he has a life-saving talisman — "
Li Rong approached Pei Wenxuan and said softly, "The account book."
"So you're not in a hurry to investigate the Ministry of War's account book." Pei Wenxuan understood. Li Rong sneered, "What's there to investigate about the Ministry of War and the Yang Family's account book? How can it be true when there are people investigating it every year? Moreover, if we can't get the evidence ourselves, those old foxes in the Ministry of War, who would dare to give you the account book? We're not like before, where we could have hundreds of people responding to a call. Now, no one in the imperial court likes us. It's just the two of us who have formed a group for warmth. "
Pei Wenxuan listened to Li Rong's words and analyzed, "We got the account book of money laundering from Tuoba Yan, which corresponds to the account book of the northwest military and the Yang Family's account book. After comparing, we can more or less figure out the flow of money in and out of the account book. The Yang Family's crime of embezzling money is more or less confirmed."
Li Rong responded and continued, "Now that we've trapped the Yang Family's people, they'll definitely ask for help from the border. When General Yang receives the urgent report from his family, he'll probably do something to pressure His Majesty. If they resign and lose their city, I'm afraid that all the civil and military officials in the imperial court will use us to appease the Yang Family and beg them to fight the war."
"When the time comes, we'll let the Crown Prince take over this matter." Pei Wenxuan spoke calmly, as if everything was going according to his plan, "Let's invite Qin Lin and Cui Qinghe to come out of the mountain and follow the Crown Prince to the front line. As long as the front line lasts for another half a month, Rong Country's weapons will be almost exhausted. At that time, it'll be the Crown Prince's time to make a contribution."
Qin Lin and Cui Qinghe were the most capable generals under Li Chuan in his previous life. One was civil and the other was military. During Li Chuan's era, they almost pacified the entire north.
If they could invite them out of the mountain in advance, with their abilities, along with the information provided by the Shangguan Clan, Li Chuan, Li Rong, and Pei Wenxuan, it shouldn't be a problem to take down the remnants of the Yang Family in the northwest.
Li Rong nodded and replied, "Once Chuan 'er stabilizes the Yang Family, he'll be able to give us the accounts in the northwest. As long as we reconcile the accounts, the Yang Family will be completely gone. Now, our first step is still to get the accounts of the money laundering. With this account, when the Yang Family puts pressure on us, we'll have a reason to continue detaining them. "
"Okay," Pei Wenxuan nodded, then looked at the people coming and going outside the window. He was a little puzzled, "Then what are we going to do now?"
"Tuoba Yan's residence will hold a private party on the 10th of every month. Wealthy merchants from all over the world will be invited."
As he spoke, Li Rong reminded Pei Wenxuan, "Today is the 10th."
"You're going?"
Pei Wenxuan asked in surprise. Li Rong nodded, "I know where he keeps the accounts. I'm going to get it."
"This kind of thing," Pei Wenxuan frowned, "Just leave it to the shadow guards. You're a golden branch and jade leaf, I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
"I don't know that I'm precious?"
Li Rong rolled his eyes at Pei Wenxuan, then said, "There's a mechanism in his room. In order to open the door, you have to press the correct button, and the button is in Persian. Can you find anyone among my shadow guards who knows Persian?"
Pei Wenxuan choked, then could only helplessly say, "Okay …"
"Why?" Li Rong laughed, opened the fan to cover half of his face, "Damn, are you worried about me?"
"I'm worried about myself." Pei Wenxuan looked at him and quickly said, "If something happens to you, how can I live?"
"That's a good idea." Li Rong nodded, pointed at his chest with the fan, and joked, "From today onwards, Lord Pei, remember that I, Ping L, will be your life in the future."
Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan's heart couldn't help but beat faster.
He stepped back secretly and said impatiently, "Stay away from me, don't play this game with me."
Li Rong knew that he usually didn't like her teasing, so she laughed even more happily. Pei Wenxuan saw her arrogance and ignored her, only saying, "He's having a private banquet, how are we going to go in?"
"Don't worry about this, I've asked someone to prepare the invitation. Later, we'll change our clothes and disguise ourselves before going in. "
"Okay." Pei Wenxuan nodded, thinking that Li Rong was used to doing things properly, he didn't have anything to worry about, so he relaxed a little, and said to Li Rong, "Then I'll sleep for a while, wake me up when we arrive."
"Okay." Li Rong took a storybook from the side, leaned against the side, and said slowly, "I'll read the storybook, you sleep."
Pei Wenxuan agreed, and found a place to lie down.
Li Rong's carriage was already very comfortable, but it was still a little bumpy. Pei Wenxuan closed his eyes, smelling Li Rong's faint fragrance not far away, he didn't know why, but he didn't feel too sleepy, and opened his eyes.
Looking over the small table, he saw Li Rong's red and white robe embroidered with peonies. The robe had wide sleeves and was tied at the waist, revealing Li Rong's slender waist. That waist was small, and compared with the slightly undulating mountain range above, it showed a kind of charming charm.
Pei Wenxuan felt that it was inappropriate, so he didn't dare to look too much, and hurriedly looked up, only to see Li Rong's hands. Her hands were like a pair of white jade carvings, without any blemishes, and her nails were painted red. Just looking at them seemed to be enough to stir people's hearts.
Pei Wenxuan frowned, he thought that it was probably because he hadn't looked at Li Rong properly for many years. Only now did he remember that Li Rong was a woman who was born like a seductress.
Unlike other Huajing girls who were thin and elegant, Li Rong's beauty had always been gorgeous, flamboyant, and charming. Other beautiful women, at a glance, would be like a painting, and you would want to frame them, hang them on the wall, and look at them every day.
Li Rong, on the other hand, walked to the extreme. For ordinary men, they didn't dare to look directly at her, they didn't even have the courage to look at her. For people like Pei Wenxuan who dared to look at her, as long as they looked at her, it was easy to draw out the unspeakable darkness in their hearts.
No one would think of looking at her like a painting from afar, they only wanted to get close to her, to possess her, to hold her in their arms, and to become the only one in her eyes that could be seen.
This kind of contradictory charm made her dazzling and lonely. Few people dared to get close to her, look at her directly, and not to mention accompany her.
Pei Wenxuan looked at her, his thoughts a little distant. Li Rong noticed that Pei Wenxuan wasn't asleep, she turned a page and said lightly, "Can't sleep?"
"Yes."
Being discovered, Pei Wenxuan didn't feel shy and said generously, "I don't know why, but I'm sleepy and can't sleep."
"Can I talk to you?"
Li Rong put down the book and looked at Pei Wenxuan.
Pei Wenxuan turned over, looked at her, and said warily, "Do you have something to ask of me?"
"Indeed." Li Rong dusted her sleeves, tidied her clothes, leaned against the small table, and looked at Pei Wenxuan with a smile. "I just want to know, why does the Lord Pei have to kill Yang Quan?"
"Yes?"
"I just thought about it." Li Rong said seriously, "In fact, the Lord Pei doesn't have to kill Yang Quan to marry me. If it's just to marry me, the Lord Pei has many ways. Now that he killed Yang Quan, either you die, or the Yang Family dies. What is the Lord Pei asking for by doing all this? "
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. Li Rong waited quietly. Pei Wenxuan said slowly, "Don't you want military power?"
Li Rong raised her eyebrows. Pei Wenxuan looked at her. "If you want it, I'll give it to you. What's wrong with that?"
Li Rong was stunned for a moment. Then, she said hesitantly, "I think, the friendship between the Lord Pei and I doesn't seem to be worthy of such a heavy gift."
"This has nothing to do with our friendship." Pei Wenxuan laughed. "I just don't want to repeat the life of my previous life."
Pei Wenxuan looked out the window and said slowly, "I don't want the Yang Family to continue to stay and cause trouble. I don't want the Emperor and the Yang Family to fight. In the end, the Rong Kingdom will benefit and cede five cities until I become the Prime Minister to clean up this mess."
"I don't want the Crown Prince to be almost dethroned by the Emperor because he doesn't have military power. You and I met in prison and listened to you say goodbye to me. If necessary, I can behead you with my own hands."
"Since life is starting over, I think," Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong with a serious expression, "I can live a better life."
Li Rong didn't say anything. She opened and closed the small fan in her hand. After a long time, she laughed softly, lowered her head, and said softly, "In the end, Prime Minister Pei is paving the way for himself. Just now, you said it was for me. I listened." Li Rong looked up at him with charming eyes. "I'm almost moved."
"Oh?" Pei Wenxuan looked up, as if he was very honored. "So this can move Your Highness? Then Your Highness is moved. "
Pei Wenxuan didn't care. He joked, "If Your Highness is moved by this humble subject, this humble subject can at least guarantee that I won't kill Your Highness."
Li Rong heard this and laughed mockingly. "I'm afraid that when the time comes and I want to take your life, you'll have to bury me with you."
Just like in her previous life, as soon as he thought she was the one who killed him, he immediately sent someone to bring her poison. Unfortunately, she was one step too early and didn't drink the poison he gave her.
"Li Rong, I'll tell you. I can make a bet with you." Pei Wenxuan reclined on the couch, one hand supporting his head and the other bending his leg. He looked seriously at Li Rong. "If you can move my heart, I can give you my life."
"But, Your Highness," Pei Wenxuan leaned over and moved closer to Li Rong. The two were so close that Li Rong could even feel their breaths intertwining. However, there wasn't the slightest bit of romance between them. Pei Wenxuan's eyes were clear. He looked at her and softly said, "After so many years, have you ever been sincere to anyone?"
You've already exceeded your reading limit for today. If you want to read more, please log in.
Login
Select text and click 'Report' to let us know about any bad translation.
