Li Rong helped Qin Zhenzhen over and immediately summoned the others. She ordered someone to fetch the carriage while she also ordered someone to check the surroundings. After confirming that no one was around, she let Qin Zhenzhen get on the carriage and immediately rushed back to the Princess Residence.
Qin Zhenzhen was injured. Li Rong took out some medicine from the drawer and bandaged Qin Zhenzhen's wounds. Qin Zhenzhen gritted his teeth and didn't say a word. After arriving at the Princess Residence, Li Rong called the Princess Residence's physician over for a consultation. After the physician cleaned the wounds and prescribed some medicine, he turned to Li Rong and said, "This young lady's wounds are all superficial. She will be fine after some rest. Your Highness, you don't have to worry about her."
Li Rong nodded and asked the physician to leave first. She stood by the bed for a moment. Qin Zhenzhen's eyes were closed and he seemed to be resting. She thought for a moment and was about to speak when she heard a commotion outside. Li Rong hurried out of the inner room. Just as she walked around the screen, she saw Pei Wenxuan and Li Chuan walking in.
"What's going on?"
Li Rong immediately looked up at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan was still wet from the rain and his expression was grave. "There's no problem with the process of arresting the Qin Family. Now, His Majesty can only send an intermediary to ensure that they don't make any mistakes."
"Who's the intermediary?"
"Su Yongqing. He's the assistant minister of the Ministry of Justice. He has a high status and he didn't participate in this dispute. "
Li Rong's heart calmed down when she heard Su Yongqing's name. Pei Wenxuan saw the change in Li Rong's expression. He paused for a moment and then said, "I met the Crown Prince in front of the palace gate. He wanted to look for you, so I brought him back with me."
Li Rong nodded and turned to Li Chuan. Li Chuan's eyes were slightly red, but his expression was extremely cold. Li Rong knew that something must have happened to him in the palace. She asked, "Why are you in the palace?"
"I went to find Imperial Mother."
Li Chuan said in a hoarse voice. Li Rong paused and hesitated. "And?"
Li Chuan didn't say anything. After a long time, he suddenly said, "Sister, you can investigate this case."
Li Rong froze in place. Li Chuan calmly said, "I can't do it. If I do, the aristocratic families will retaliate. I'm afraid that they will immediately think of a way to depose me. Right now, Imperial Father doesn't trust me. I can't be too forceful against the aristocratic families."
"You want to make a move against the people involved in this case."
Li Rong said with certainty, "These are all uncle's people. Have you thought it through?"
"I have."
Li Chuan calmly said, "I don't want a disobedient knife that doesn't have its sharp edges sharpened."
Li Rong was silent. After a moment, she slowly said, "What did Imperial Mother say to you?"
"After I found out about the Qin Family, I went to the palace to question her. This matter is too risky. If you can turn black into white and turn a case of a lesser aristocratic family into an ironclad case just by relying on the connections of the aristocratic families, Imperial Father will be afraid of this. Moreover, it's a dispute in the imperial court to frame and exterminate the entire family. "Li Chuan closed his eyes." This method is too much. "
"What did Imperial Mother say?"
"She asked me if I had an affair with Qin Zhenzhen." Li Chuan laughed, as if he felt that it was absurd. "She asked me if I was unwilling to marry Shangguan Ya because of this."
"She sent someone to investigate me. She found out that I went to look for Qin Lin previously. She thought that I went to look for Qin Zhenzhen because of Qin Lin. Later, during the palace banquet, Qin Zhenzhen took second place in the mixing of incense. Qin Zhenzhen and I exchanged a few more words, and she found out about it. "
"In addition, Qin Zhenzhen has been in the limelight recently because of the mixing of incense. There are rumors in the palace that Imperial Father seems to have the intention of making her the Crown Princess. Imperial Mother is worried that Qin Zhenzhen will threaten Shangguan Ya's position, so she sent the news to Uncle."
Li Chuan smiled bitterly. "Uncle was preparing to punish a family as an example to others, so he chose the Qin Family."
"I'm not surprised that they want to punish a family. I just didn't expect that they would use such a ruthless method. "
Li Rong also guessed that the Shangguan Family would choose a family to suppress, but she didn't expect that they would be charged with treason.
Everyone could see that such a serious crime was a warning from the Shangguan Family to Li Ming.
And now, it seemed that it was also a warning to Li Chuan, who was unwilling to accept the Crown Princess.
Li Chuan looked a little tired. Li Rong didn't speak. Li Chuan looked up at her and said slowly, "Sister, you said that a person has the right to choose when he is strong enough."
"Yes."
"Then, let me ask you today," Li Chuan looked at her, "Are you willing to be involved in this case?"
Li Rong was silent. Li Chuan looked at her calmly and continued, "If you are willing, I will do my best to support you. Today, you can find a suitable reason to ask His Majesty to surrender. Take this opportunity to thoroughly investigate this case and establish the Monitoring Department. This department will be directly under His Majesty and will not be under the jurisdiction of the three provinces. It will be independent of the imperial court and have the right to kill. "
"You are a princess. For the sake of me and Imperial Mother, no one will dare to do anything to you. You are the most suitable person to do this. "
"And in the future, if I ascend the throne," Li Chuan lowered his voice and promised, "the Monitoring Department will still be yours."
This was the power that completely belonged to her.
Li Rong didn't speak. Li Chuan immediately said, "But this is too risky. Sister, you don't have to rush to make a decision. If you are not willing, it's okay, "Li Chuan looked at her and paused. His expression was solemn," No matter what, you are a princess. "
Li Chuan finished speaking and turned to look at the heavy rain outside the room. He said in a low voice, "I have to prepare for the morning court. Sister, have a good rest. I will leave first."
Li Rong finally responded. Together with Pei Wenxuan, she bowed and sent Li Chuan off.
After Li Chuan left, Li Rong stood in the same place and didn't speak. Pei Wenxuan quietly accompanied her.
After a long time, he said, "You go back and put on another set of clothes. The Qin Family is already in prison. This matter is not urgent …"
Before he finished speaking, a soft voice came from the side, "Your Highness."
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan turned their heads and saw Qin Zhenzhen standing next to the screen.
Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong in surprise. He wanted to ask something, but he didn't dare to say anything. He just quietly took a step back and stood behind Li Rong.
Li Rong quietly looked at Qin Zhenzhen. Then she saw Qin Zhenzhen kneeling in front of her with his sword.
"This humble girl begs Your Highness to start the construction of the Monitoring Department."
"You beg me? What can you give me?" Li Rong sneered. Qin Zhenzhen pursed his lips and could only grit his teeth and say, "I'll go through fire and water without hesitation."
"Go through fire and water?" Li Rong chuckled. "You're just a girl from a poor family. What can you do? Do you think I'll ask you to marry someone else? "
"This humble girl has a poor life. I have nothing but the sword in my hand. If Your Highness is willing," Qin Zhenzhen raised his head and looked directly at Li Rong, "there will be no more Second Miss Qin in this world."
Li Rong looked into Qin Zhenzhen's eyes. She suddenly knew what Qin Zhenzhen wanted.
Qin Zhenzhen didn't belong to Huajing, nor did he belong to the imperial court.
"What if I want you to kill someone?"
"Okay."
"What if I want you to go to the northwest?"
"Okay."
"Qin Zhenzhen, I won't make this decision for you alone."
"I understand. But I have to try. "
Li Rong didn't say anything. They looked at each other quietly. After a long time, Li Rong flung her sleeves and turned around. "You can rest now. I'll think about it."
Li Rong ordered the people next to her to take care of Qin Zhenzhen and walked out.
Pei Wenxuan walked beside Li Rong. They walked side by side in the corridor. Li Rong touched the golden fan in her hand and didn't say anything.
It was raining heavily outside. Dark clouds covered the sky and the lanterns swayed gently in the wind. Pei Wenxuan walked beside Li Rong, shielding her from the cold wind.
They were silent for a long time. Li Rong suddenly said, "Do I have a choice?"
"Your Highness, as long as you're willing to give up your power," Pei Wenxuan looked at the end of the corridor and said slowly with her hands in her sleeves, "why can't you choose?"
"If you don't set up the Monitoring Department and don't care about the Crown Prince, you'll still be my wife, Princess Ping L E."
As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he turned his head and smiled. "Set up the Monitoring Division. If you win, you will be the Eldest Princess, second only to one person and above all. If you lose, you'll be cut into pieces. "
"If I don't have anything, will I still be your wife?"
Li Rong found it funny. Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything.
When Li Rong asked him that question, he didn't know why, but he subconsciously felt that.
If Li Rong didn't have anything, she might be his wife for life.
But this thought flashed through his mind and he didn't think about it. Whether she was or not, this answer wasn't suitable to tell Li Rong at this time. Because he knew that Li Rong wouldn't believe him and might even step on him.
So he chuckled. "Maybe one day, when that time comes, you'll know?"
"Then forget it," Li Rong laughed. "The price is too high. It's better if I don't know."
As the two talked, they walked to the door. Li Rong said slowly, "Are you ready to go to court? Go to the other room and change. I'll think about it. "
Pei Wenxuan agreed. When Li Rong opened the door, he suddenly called out to Li Rong, "Your Highness."
Li Rong didn't turn around. He heard someone say, "In fact, no matter which path you choose, if you're cut into pieces one day, I'll definitely be in front of you."
If she was only his wife, when she died, it would be someone else stepping over his corpse.
If she established the Monitoring Department, when she was finished, it would be his end too.
Whether it was as husband and wife or as allies, they had lived and died together.
"So," Pei Wenxuan lowered his voice. "Choose the path you like."
Li Rong's back was facing Pei Wenxuan. She couldn't help but smile and say, "I know, noisy."
As she spoke, she entered the room and closed the door.
After entering the room, she stood in the darkness. Then she walked to the desk and found a place to sit down.
Establishing the Monitoring Department. In her previous life, she had done something similar.
The source of a person's power must be the power in their hands to decide the fate of others.
The more people they could decide, the wider the scope of their decisions, and the more power she could control.
For example, Pei Wenxuan was now under her control. The core reason was that Pei Wenxuan needed her money, her people, and her status as a princess. This allowed him to silently intimidate others in the officialdom.
However, money, people, and status weren't scarce resources.
She wanted to establish herself as the core of the power center, so she had to control the power of others. In her previous life, she had established an organization similar to the Monitoring Department. However, most of the time, she had used her status as the eldest princess. She hadn't directly established an organization that was independent of the three provinces.
The Monitoring Department was a sharp blade. If she didn't use it well, she might hurt herself.
Li Rong closed her eyes and tapped her fan against her palm. She sorted out the entire situation.
Now she had three paths to take. The first was to do the same as in her previous life and persuade Li Chuan to marry Shangguan Ya as his first wife and Qin Zhenzhen as his second wife. As long as Qin Zhenzhen didn't affect the Crown Princess, the Empress wouldn't insist on eliminating the Qin Family.
However, this way, Li Chuan would completely expose the card of Qin Lin to the Shangguan Family. He would completely rely on the aristocratic family. Li Ming would find a reason to dethrone the Crown Prince in the future. Li Chuan would have to rely on the aristocratic family's power to ascend the throne again. However, in this life, the Yang Family had fallen too early. She didn't know what would happen in the future. If she relied on the aristocratic family, the conflict between the aristocratic family and Li Chuan would still erupt in the future.
The second path was to ignore everything and let Li Chuan and Pei Wenxuan handle it themselves. Either Li Chuan completely gave up on the Qin Family, or Li Chuan would return to the first path. However, no matter what, Li Chuan still had to be controlled by the Shangguan Family.
The third path was to establish the Monitoring Department.
Li Rong opened her eyes and looked at the faint light shining through the window. Her eyes were bright.
The aristocratic family was a sword, but a sword must have a sheath. The current Han Family wasn't enough to be the sheath, so she had to be the sheath.
She would establish the Monitoring Department and thoroughly investigate the people involved in the Qin Clan case. She would use her Monitoring Department to deter the aristocratic families. Then, she would secretly contact the other members of the Shangguan Family and support the new head of the Shangguan Family.
In this way, she would be able to completely control the Shangguan Family and deter the aristocratic families. She would even have the power to directly overthrow Consort Rou. She wouldn't have to be restrained like now.
The aristocratic families would become sheathed swords under her control. In the future, the conflict between Li Chuan and the aristocratic families would be resolved. The Shangguan Family wouldn't be like in her previous life, where only one Shangguan Ya remained in the palace. If she hadn't risked her life to protect them, most of them would've died miserably.
She had to have the power in her hands. Only then would she have the leeway to choose.
When Li Rong thought of this, she felt a familiar sense of hot blood boiling in her veins.
Just as Pei Wenxuan said, the Monitoring Department was the best path, but also the most dangerous one.
"Death by a thousand cuts …"
Li Rong tapped her fan against the palm of her hand. After a while, she chuckled softly.
She stood up and walked to her desk. She envisioned the establishment plan of the Monitoring Department and wrote it down. As she wrote, she ordered the Jing Lan outside, "Jing Lan, go and invite Miss Qin. Tell her to come here. Then, send someone to the palace to stop the Prince Consort from leaving the morning court. Tell him to come to me."
The Jing Lan acknowledged her order. Not long after, Qin Zhenzhen was led into the room.
Qin Zhenzhen had changed into a new set of clothes. His face was still a little pale. When he came in, he bowed to Li Rong. Li Rong raised her hand and gestured for him to stand up. As she wrote the report, she said, "I'll enter the palace later and request to investigate the Qin Family's case. Do you have anything to give me?"
When Qin Zhenzhen heard this, he raised his eyes and looked at Li Rong. There was a hint of expectation in his eyes. "Your Highness agreed?"
"I'll discuss the matter of the Monitoring Department with His Majesty. As for you, "Li Rong looked at Qin Zhenzhen." I'll give you a choice. "
Qin Zhenzhen was stunned. Li Rong said directly, "You're not suitable for Huajing, nor are you suitable for an aristocratic family's marriage. Today, you have two choices. Give me the things you took from the Qin Family. I'll send someone to protect you and send you back to the Qin Family. You'll still be the Second Miss of the Qin Family. In the future, you'll marry into a good family in Huajing.
"What's the second choice?"
Qin Zhenzhen looked at Li Rong and asked directly. Li Rong stared into Qin Zhenzhen's eyes. She remembered the moment when Qin Zhenzhen closed the coffin in her previous life.
She was lying in the coffin with a long sword in her arms. It was not an ordinary imperial concubine ritual. Li Chuan had forced her to put it in the coffin.
Li Rong looked at her. After a long time, she said, "If the Monitoring Department is established, they may use some extreme methods to investigate the Qin Family case. I need someone skilled in martial arts to help me. After the operation, the aristocratic families may take extreme revenge. They won't dare to come after me, but they'll come after my subordinates."
"You want me to be that person," Qin Zhenzhen said immediately.
Li Rong replied, "Yes. After the Qin Family case, you can't stay in Huajing anymore. I'll send you directly to the Northwest. The Yang Family has fallen and the Northwest is in chaos. You'll set up a branch of the Monitoring Department there and help Qin Lin obtain military power in the Northwest to stabilize the situation there. When I'm fully developed in the future, I'll make plans. "
"But from now on," Li Rong said in a low voice, "your surname is no longer Qin, and you're not a daughter of the Qin Family. This is to prevent your actions from implicating the Qin Family. I'll arrange a reasonable death for Qin Zhenzhen. "
Qin Zhenzhen remained silent. Li Rong lowered her head and wrote down the last sentence of the memorial. Then, she put down the pen and looked up, "Give me an answer."
Qin Zhenzhen opened his wide sleeves, knelt down, and respectfully said, "Your Highness, please give me a name."
Li Rong was not surprised by Qin Zhenzhen's choice. She looked at Qin Zhenzhen quietly and said, "You won't regret it?"
"Your Highness has walked the path of thorns for the Qin Family. How can this humble woman dare to stay out of harm's way? This humble woman is willing to use her body as a sword. "Qin Zhenzhen looked up with a serious expression," To help Your Highness lead the world with your sword. "
"I'm not doing this for the Qin Family." Li Rong met her gaze. "If you're repaying a debt of gratitude, you don't have to do this."
"I'm also doing this for myself."
Qin Zhenzhen answered seriously.
Li Rong looked at her. After a long time, she took the memorial and walked past Qin Zhenzhen, "From now on, your name will be Xun Chuan. Get up and come with me to the palace."
Qin Zhenzhen stood up and followed Li Rong. Li Rong held the memorial and asked, "What did your family give you?"
"The Qin Family's family token," Qin Zhenzhen said in a low voice, "and Grandpa's blood letter from Chen Qingbai. He wanted me to bring it to Third Uncle and Brother in the northwest."
"Okay."
Li Rong nodded and led Qin Zhenzhen out. Qin Zhenzhen's wounds were bleeding and he subconsciously raised his hand to cover them. Li Rong glanced at him and laughed, "I'm afraid you'll have to suffer today. The more miserable you look, the better."
"I'll do as Your Highness says."
The two got into the carriage and soon arrived at the palace gate. Li Rong waited at the gate for a while. Pei Wenxuan had just finished the morning court when Li Rong's men came to inform him that he was to meet her at the palace gate. Pei Wenxuan received the news and rushed over excitedly. He rolled up the curtain and jumped into the carriage. He said happily, "Today you have something to ask …"
Before he could finish, Pei Wenxuan froze. He looked up and saw Qin Zhenzhen sitting inside, then looked at Li Rong. After a moment of hesitation, he turned around and said, "Why don't I change the carriage …"
"Sit down."
Li Rong said directly. Pei Wenxuan immediately sat beside Li Rong, as if he could feel some sense of security by being closer to Li Rong.
Li Rong looked at him strangely and continued, "I'll go to the palace to find His Majesty and tell him that Qin Zhenzhen is an old friend of yours. He ran out to find you and was saved by you. You recommended him to me. I can't bear to see the tragic situation of the Qin Family, so I've decided to make the decision for the Qin Family."
Pei Wenxuan nodded and said, "Okay, I'll explain to His Majesty that I was the one who instigated the relationship between you and the Empress. I made you want to take control of your own power, and that's why you wanted to establish the Monitoring Department."
"Okay."
"Take a look at the booklet." Li Rong handed the booklet to Pei Wenxuan. "See if there are any problems."
Pei Wenxuan took the booklet and scanned through Li Rong's booklet. Then, he said, "That's all."
The two discussed the details of the testimony and decided that Qin Zhenzhen would tell the truth. However, they changed the name of the person who saved Qin Zhenzhen to Pei Wenxuan, not to mention Li Rong.
The three sides discussed their testimonies and went to the Imperial Study. Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong got down. Qin Zhenzhen was injured, so they let him rest in the carriage. The two of them stood together at the door of the Imperial Study and asked someone to inform Li Ming.
Pei Wenxuan stood at the door and was obviously more relaxed. Li Rong glanced at him and said, "Why were you so nervous in the carriage?"
"I don't know." Pei Wenxuan sighed and thought for a while. He couldn't help but say, "It's probably the same as how you felt when Su Yongqing was in the carriage."
Li Rong immediately understood this feeling. She thought for a while, then leaned over and whispered, "I need to trouble you with something."
Pei Wenxuan had a bad feeling when he heard this. He turned his head and looked at Li Rong with some vigilance. "It's not good for you to talk like this."
Li Rong smiled and showed a flattering smile. "Go to the government office later and help me make an appointment with Su Yongqing."
Pei Wenxuan: "… …"
Li Rong raised his eyebrows. "You don't even want to help me with this. How dare you call yourself a friend?"
"Time and place." Pei Wenxuan turned his head and said calmly, "If you don't know where to book, I can help you."
"Then can you recommend it to me?"
"The top floor of Tingfeng Lou. Listen to the wind and admire the moon. It's very stylish."
Pei Wenxuan's suggestion sounded good to Li Rong. Even if they were talking about serious business, Li Rong still liked to be elegant. She tapped her small fan on the palm of her hand and said happily, "Great! Then let's book it this afternoon at Tingfeng Lou. It's quite elegant to drink at dusk. "
"Stop dreaming." Pei Wenxuan glanced at her and said mockingly, "This place is very lively. We have to book it a month in advance. You can just find a teahouse and finish it. Why do you need style?"
"That's not right."
Li Rong immediately corrected him. "Young Master Su …"
Before she could finish, Fu Lai walked out and interrupted them.
"Princess, Prince Consort, His Majesty invites you in."
The two of them looked at each other. Li Rong nodded her head and walked in.
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