"You're saying," Li Rong looked at Shanghai Yue and couldn't help but laugh. He said in disbelief, "He's dead?"
"Yes," Shanghai Yue said coldly, "I'm here to tell you about this matter. You should reflect on it."
Shanghai Yue finished speaking and turned to leave. Li Rong stopped her and said indifferently, "Did you do it?"
Shanghai Yue stopped in her tracks. After a long time, she said slowly, "If we didn't do it, someone else would."
"Was it you?"
Li Rong asked stubbornly. Shanghai Yue was silent for a moment and finally said, "No."
"Rong 'er," Shanghai Yue seemed to be unable to hold on and said tiredly, "Mother isn't as … as you think … as …"
"Mother," Li Rong took a cup and poured some tea. He said slowly, "Actually, I understand your position. To you, from the moment you married into the palace, you represented the Shangguan family. If something happens to the Shangguan family, it also means that something will happen to you. Your relationship with the Shangguan family is much closer than mine and Chuan 'er's. "
"This is your position. You can never stand against the Shangguan Clan."
"Aren't you the same?"
Shanghai Yue suddenly turned around and stared at Li Rong. She stood in front of the high gate. The wind gently swayed her golden hair ornament with her wide sleeves and the copper bells around her jingled. She looked at Li Rong and said in a low voice, "Do you think I don't know what you and Chuan 'er are thinking? But do you think you're worthy?! Suppressing the aristocratic families and dividing the court is something only the monarch thinks about! What are you and Chuan 'er now? You're not the emperor, you're the aristocratic families! You can only become the emperor by relying on the aristocratic families. Only Chuan 'er can sit on that throne. What are you doing? "
Shanghai Yue walked in and looked at Li Rong oppressively, "You're a princess. Today, you're a member of the aristocratic families to Li Ming. In the future, you'll also be a member of the aristocratic families to Li Chuan. Can you stand against the Shangguan Clan? "
"You're the same as me, you can't. The Shangguan Clan is finished. You'll have nothing. "
Li Rong didn't say anything. She drank her tea.
After a long time, she suddenly said, "This Northern Yan Pagoda was built by my father Emperor.
Shanghai Yue was slightly stunned. Li Rong poured a cup of tea for herself and said slowly, "You two used to be very close. But later, you only thought about the Shangguan Clan, and my father only thought about his own power. You two drifted further and further apart. You even forgot the origin of this pagoda."
"I used to think like my mother." Li Rong raised her hand to pour a cup of tea for Shanghai Yue and asked her to sit down. Shanghai Yue's expression was too calm. It made her look more like a young person. Shanghai Yue looked at her daughter in front of her and listened to Li Rong slowly say, "We'll be tied together with the aristocratic families. We'll stabilize the situation and steadily assist Chuan 'er to become the emperor. Then, we'll work together with the aristocratic families and assist Chuan' er."
"With me around, if Ah Ya marries Chuan 'er, Chuan' er's sister and Chuan 'er's wife are both members of the Shangguan Clan. No matter what, Chuan' er won't do anything to his mother's family. In the future, if we work together, Chuan 'er will be a very good emperor."
"Isn't this good?" Shanghai Yue frowned and said somewhat angrily, "The Shangguan Clan is your mother's family. Do you even suspect your mother's family?"
Li Rong said calmly, "But this is what we think."
"We think that everyone in a clan will act like us. They will know when to stop and when to advance and when to retreat. But in reality, when a clan is too big, there will be many side branches that you can't imagine. The more prosperous the Shangguan Clan is, the more stable its foundation will be. Those side branches will grow crazily in places that you don't know about. "
"They won't tell you. But when something happens, you can't refuse to help them. Just like this time, do you know what exactly happened behind the Qin Family case? Does uncle know? Now that things have come to this, can you deal with the people involved at this time? If you deal with anyone who supports you at this time, regardless of the reason, you and uncle will be devoured by these people. "
Shanghai Yue didn't say anything. For a moment, she didn't dare to respond.
Li Rong didn't force her. She looked away and said slowly, "Today's emperor is Imperial Father. In the future, the emperor will be Chuan 'er. If we continue to follow the path that Imperial Mother said, Ah Ya and I will be in your position in the future, and Chuan' er will be Imperial Father today. Li Rong smiled bitterly. "Isn't this kind of future sad?"
"Principles are often talked about in the imperial court. Everyone knows what it means to serve the country and the people. In the end, in life, the first thing one wants in life is to live well for oneself and for one's family. After that, some morals and principles are more or less the same. "
"But Imperial Mother," Li Rong looked up at Shanghai Yue. "Are you living well?"
Shanghai Yue didn't say anything. She tried her best to calm down and act as arrogant and cold as usual. However, when she met Li Rong's gentle and calm eyes, Shanghai Yue was stunned. Li Rong sighed and said slowly, "Imperial Mother, the Shangguan Family needs a scabbard. Otherwise, sooner or later, it will either hurt Chuan 'er or he will be killed by Chuan' er."
"What I did today wasn't to oppose the aristocratic families, nor was it to stand on Imperial Father's side to hurt you and uncle." Li Rong's voice was gentle and serious. "On the contrary, I just hope that my family can live well."
"I hope that Chuan 'er can choose the person he likes and live the life he wants. As long as he fulfills his responsibilities as the Crown Prince and the Emperor, he can live like a normal person."
"I hope that Uncle, Aya, and the other clansmen can live a peaceful life in the years I see."
"I hope that the people of Da Xia can live a peaceful life. I hope that the country I live in can be stable and prosperous."
"I even hope that one day, you and Imperial Father can come back to the Northern Yan Pagoda to look at the stars and talk to each other."
Li Rong couldn't help but laugh. "I know that my hopes are extravagant, but this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And the first step I want to take is to use the power of the Shangguan Family to not hurt Chuan 'er and me. "Li Rong looked at Shanghai Yue seriously. "The Shangguan Family needs the power that the Chuan 'er brings to the Shangguan Family. This power is given to the Shangguan Family by us, so it must be controlled by us."
"This is the reason why the Chuan 'er refuses to marry Aya?" Shanghai Yue frowned and seemed to understand. Li Rong calmly said, "This is a touchstone. Marriage may not be a big deal in the imperial court, but if the Chuan 'er can't even control this matter, then it is a big deal. "
"Moreover, if the Chuan 'er marries Aya, then the Chuan' er will definitely not be able to inherit the throne."
"Imperial Mother," Li Rong was a little tired at this point. She looked up at Shanghai Yue. "You don't have to worry about the matter between me and Uncle. You just have to understand that in my heart, "Li Rong reached out and grabbed Shanghai Yue's hand somewhat awkwardly.
Ever since she became an adult, she rarely acted like a spoiled child. Shanghai Yue trembled slightly and heard Li Rong say, "Imperial Mother and family have always been very important."
Shanghai Yue didn't say anything and lowered her head. After a long time, she looked up and smiled bitterly. "You and your Imperial Father are really too similar."
Li Rong looked up in confusion. Shanghai Yue said in a low and hoarse voice, "You always mix feelings and power. Many times, I don't understand whether you are telling the truth or not."
"You said in the imperial court that you are doing this for the sake of Da Xia's country. Now, you are telling me that you are doing this for your family. I don't even dare to believe your words."
Li Rong didn't say anything. Shanghai Yue stood up and said in a low and hoarse voice, "I won't say anything else. I will go back first. You don't have to be too sad about Pei Wenxuan's death. In the future, I will find another husband for you. "
Li Rong looked down and didn't say anything else. Shanghai Yue seemed to want to say something, but in the end, she didn't say anything. She turned around and walked out.
Li Rong sat alone in the same place. Jing Lan came up and said hesitantly, "Your Highness, something happened to the Prince Consort. Should we …"
"Go and find some plain clothes," Li Rong said calmly. "Change into them."
"We haven't found the corpse yet," Jing Lan said anxiously. "We should go and find the person first. Your Highness, don't be too sad …"
"He won't die."
Li Rong said with certainty. Jing Lan was stunned. Li Rong's expression was full of confidence. "You don't know what kind of person he is. How can he die?"
Jing Mei panicked when she heard this. She didn't dare to say anything and turned to look at Jing Lan. Jing Lan hesitated for a moment and finally said, "Your Highness, he hasn't come back yet. Let's go and look for him."
Li Rong didn't say anything else. After a while, she said, "You all can leave. I will take some time to calm down."
The bystanders only thought that she was too sad and retreated.
After everyone left, Li Rong sat quietly for a long time. Finally, she got up and sat at the desk.
She took out a piece of paper and wanted to write something. She didn't know what to write, so she just wrote randomly. After a long time, when she finally realized what was going on, she saw that the paper was filled with Pei Wenxuan's name.
Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan's name quietly for a long time.
She suddenly realized that she had a lot to say to him.
She wanted to talk to him about her mother, and she also wanted to talk to him about her father.
She had a lot to say to him. The only person in the world she could talk to was Pei Wenxuan.
Because no one else understood, she couldn't say it out loud.
Pei Wenxuan was the only one who could understand. She felt that if she told him, he would understand.
He would know that every word she said was true.
Unfortunately, he wasn't here.
Li Rong thought about it. She looked up and looked at the copper bell hanging on the eaves outside the window.
It made a crisp sound in the wind, as if it was calling one's soul back.
"Pei Wenxuan …"
She whispered softly.
That night, it rained again in Huajing.
It was drizzling. At this time, a person dressed in green and wearing a bamboo hat sped along the muddy road. Before dawn, he knocked on the gate of the first city between Huajing and Huangping County.
The soldiers poked their heads out and heard the person take out a token. He shouted at the city gate, "Supervising Censor Pei Wenxuan is here to check on the grain under the orders of the Crown Prince!"
Hearing this, the city guards quickly opened the city gate. After checking Pei Wenxuan's identity, they hurriedly led him into the county yamen.
When the magistrate heard that the envoy had come, he hurriedly got up. After Pei Wenxuan explained the purpose of the audit, the magistrate hesitated for a moment and said softly, "Lord Pei, it's not that I don't trust the Lord Pei, but since the Lord Pei said that the Crown Prince is checking the accounts, may I ask if you have a token?"
The magistrate was the son of an aristocratic family who supported the Crown Prince. If Li Chuan really wanted to check, he wouldn't refuse. Pei Wenxuan said softly, "This is the Crown Prince's private matter. As a member of the Censorate, I have to do something."
Pei Wenxuan hinted that he was working for the Crown Prince in the Censorate. If he wanted to overthrow others, he naturally needed some evidence.
"This matter shouldn't be publicized. I can't bring the Crown Prince's token, but I can bring the Princess' token." As Pei Wenxuan spoke, he took out Li Rong's token and showed it to the magistrate. "Daren, you won't deny it, right?"
The magistrate hesitated. Pei Wenxuan laughed, "Her Highness Ping L E is the Crown Prince's elder sister. Daren wouldn't think that Her Highness Ping L E would harm the Crown Prince, right?"
"I wouldn't dare." As the magistrate spoke, he thought for a moment. Pei Wenxuan was Li Rong's son-in-law and could be considered the Crown Prince's brother-in-law. After straightening out the relationship, he bowed his head and said, "My son-in-law, please follow me."
Pei Wenxuan checked for less than an hour and copied down the records of the grain transportation in Huangping County. Then, he quickly left and went to the next place.
At this time, the sky was already bright. Shangguan Ya sat in a carriage and waved a round fan. She smiled and walked into the Juxian Teahouse. As soon as she pushed the door open and entered the private room, she saw a young man wearing a mask sitting in the room. The other party sat behind a small table and looked up at Shangguan Ya.
Shangguan Ya held the round fan and smiled. She raised her hand and closed the door of the room. She said softly, "I knew that His Highness would send you to find me."
As she spoke, she walked to the table and sat down gracefully. She looked up and said, "Tell me, what do you want me to do?"
"This list was written by Qin Lang. The defeat of the Huangping County army was caused by the lack of grain at the front line. These are all related officials. His Highness wants their statements."
Shangguan Ya twirled her fan and scanned the names on the list one by one. She said slowly, "We can't touch the senior officials on the list. We can only pick a few."
As she spoke, Shangguan Ya raised her finger and pointed at a few names. "Just these few."
"His Highness asked me to listen to your arrangements."
Xun Chuan said calmly. Shangguan Ya smiled. "She really knows how to be lazy."
Shangguan Ya thought for a moment and said, "Let's start with this Tanaka. He's only a seventh-rank official. He's in charge of keeping accounts in the Ministry of War. He's naturally timid."
Shangguan Ya said and smiled. "Find a time to catch him, knock him out, and tie him up. Then, find a random girl and pretend to be killed. Put her on the bed."
"You want to frame him?"
Xun Chuan frowned. Shangguan Ya chuckled. "You're joking. I'm just scaring him. When the time comes, I'll go with you and record his statement on the spot. Then, I'll promise to help him cover up the murder. With this, it'll be much more convenient in the future. "
"What about the others?"
"Everyone has weaknesses." Shangguan Ya crossed the names of those people. Her eyes were cold. "There are still nineteen days. We'll arrange them one by one."
While the situation in Huajing was turbulent, Li Rong had a rare moment of peace in the Northern Yan Pagoda.
The outside world spread rumors that something had happened to Pei Wenxuan. She didn't respond. She only inquired about Pei Wenxuan's whereabouts. Then, she asked someone to ask for leave for Pei Wenxuan. She asked someone to search the place where Pei Wenxuan fell from the cliff. Then, she put on a plain dress.
Everyone thought that she was upset because of Pei Wenxuan's death. Li Chuan came to comfort her, but she stopped him outside. She locked herself in the room. Every day, except for the news from Shangguan Ya and Xun Chuan, she ignored everything and just quietly copied the scriptures.
She rarely had such leisure time in her life. She didn't need to do anything. She only needed to copy the scriptures over and over again. As she copied, Jing Mei said in surprise: "Your Highness, why does your handwriting look so much like the Prince Consort's?"
Li Rong paused. Jing Mei hurriedly knelt down and said: "It's this servant's slip of the tongue. Your Highness, please punish me."
"What did you say wrong?"
Li Rong smiled and said gently: "Withdraw."
Jing Mei knelt on the ground. After a long time, she hesitated and said: "Your Highness, the Prince Consort has passed away. You don't have to …"
"He's not dead."
Li Rong interrupted her. Jing Mei bravely said: "Your Highness, it's already been ten days."
"I said," Li Rong said with certainty, "He's not dead."
"If you dare to say that he's dead again," Li Rong looked up and looked at the person kneeling on the ground with a calm expression, "you can go and receive your punishment."
Jing Mei bit her lip and finally kowtowed: "Yes."
After saying that, Jing Mei withdrew.
Li Rong sat by the table. After a long time, she took a new piece of paper and wrote down Pei Wenxuan's name.
Then she began to write letters.
This was a habit that she had recently started.
She was used to talking to Pei Wenxuan every day. Now that Pei Wenxuan wasn't by her side, she didn't have anyone to talk to. So she began to write letters to Pei Wenxuan.
Today was the ninth letter. She still had a lot to say.
"Pei Wenxuan, I'm well.
Today, they told me that you're dead.
I know that this is impossible. With your intelligence, you must have started to prepare after leaving the city. I'm afraid that you're the one who planned this. After all, a dead person is the safest.
But it's strange. Every time they tell me these things, my heart tightens.
I can't help but think that it's fortunate that we left together.
If I were to walk behind you, I don't think I would have a good life.
You're not that lonely when you're alive. "
She copied the Buddhist scriptures 107 times.
When she wrote the nineteenth letter, it was finally the night before the Qin Family's execution. On this night, Qin Lin and Qin Feng from the border were finally escorted to the capital. As soon as they arrived in Huajing, Xun Chuan went to pick them up and sent them to the Princess' residence.
Before Qin Lin was locked in the room, he suddenly asked Xun Chuan: "Daren, do you know how my little sister, Qin Zhenzhen, is doing?"
Xun Chuan paused. After a moment, she slowly said: "She's fine. You don't have to worry."
Hearing this, Qin Lin finally felt relieved.
That night, no one could sleep. The Huajing aristocratic families were brightly lit in the middle of the night. Li Rong was also alone in the Northern Yan Pagoda.
Everyone was waiting for a result.
They were waiting for the Qin Family's result, and also waiting for Li Rong's result.
The next day, at dawn, the Ministry of Justice led people to the Princess' residence. Su Yongqing also came to the Northern Yan Pagoda.
Everyone was surprised by his arrival. He spread his sleeves and saluted, then respectfully said: "This humble subject, Su Yongqing, requests an audience with Your Highness."
No one answered. After a long time, the door slowly opened. Jing Lan stood behind the door and saluted: "Young master, please."
Su Yongqing followed Jing Lan all the way up the stairs. When he reached the top of the pagoda, he saw Li Rong copying scriptures inside.
She wore a white gauze robe with white plum blossoms embroidered on the edges. Her long hair flowed down her back. It was rare for her to be so simple and clean. She looked a little lonely, but there was a hint of otherworldly immortality.
Su Yongqing stood at the door and stared for a moment. Then he raised his hand and saluted: "Your Highness."
"Today, the Qin Family will be executed. What are you doing here instead of watching?"
"I heard that Your Highness is preparing to leave the capital today," Su Yongqing said calmly. "This humble subject came to see."
Li Rong paused. She looked up at Su Yongqing. Su Yongqing stood at the door with his usual calm expression. Li Rong looked at him for a moment. Then she put down her brush and ordered: "Since you're here, bring the Go table and have a cup of tea."
Jing Lan complied. Li Rong stood up and led Su Yongqing to the Go table.
After the two sat down, Li Rong slowly said: "I didn't expect that Lord Su would come so early to see me off. I don't know where Lord Su got the news." Li Rong looked up at Su Yongqing and smiled: "Are you certain that I will lose?"
"That person is already dead."
Su Yongqing said calmly: "Your Highness can't take out the evidence collected by Your Highness' subordinates."
"Why can't you?"
Li Rong chuckled. Su Yongqing took the lead and placed a Go piece on the Go board. He slowly said: "Because Your Highness doesn't dare. There are too many people on that list. If Your Highness really takes it out, I'm afraid that you won't even be able to leave Huajing. "
Li Rong's expression was calm. After a long time, she slowly said: "You know who it is."
"I know."
"I thought," Li Rong thought for a moment, then smiled: "Lord Su wouldn't tolerate this."
"Embezzling soldiers' pay is something that my father, Shangguan Daren, and I can't tolerate."
Su Yongqing spoke slowly. Li Rong looked down at him and heard him say in an emotionless voice: "But this matter shouldn't be handled by Your Highness. It should be handled internally. If Your Highness handles this matter, it's the same as holding a knife for ourselves. So we can't give this power to Your Highness. "
"You're telling me this so clearly," Li Rong placed a Go piece, somewhat puzzled: "Aren't you worried that I'll be angry?"
"If I don't say it, Your Highness won't know?"
Su Yongqing replied quickly. Li Rong thought for a moment, then laughed: "That's true."
"So," Li Rong looked at him with a smile that wasn't a smile: "Today, Lord Su came to show off in front of me? If I lose to you, the Inspectorate can't be built. In the future, His Majesty won't have a reason to build a second Inspectorate. Is Lord Su satisfied? "
Su Yongqing's movements paused. After a long time, he slowly raised his eyes and looked at the woman opposite him. Her ink-black hair was scattered in front of her body, and her eyebrows were full of mockery.
He stared at her, and there seemed to be countless emotions in his eyes. In the end, they returned to calmness.
"This humble subject has a question that I want Your Highness to answer."
"Speak."
"Your Highness is enemies with the aristocratic families," Su Yongqing softened his voice, "Is it for the sake of the Lord Pei?"
Li Rong was slightly taken aback by these words.
At this time, the Qin Family members were pushed onto the execution field one by one and forced to kneel.
Outside the execution field, Xun Chuan was mixed in with the crowd. He held a longsword in his hand and quietly watched the scene unfold.
A young man dressed in black rode in from outside the city gates. He spurred his horse to gallop through the streets and into the palace.
"Why does Lord Su ask such a question?"
Li Rong paused for a moment before he reacted. It was quite strange. Su Yongqing looked at her and only said: "Because I want to discuss something with Your Highness."
"Lord Su, please speak frankly."
"Right now, the aristocratic families are angry with Your Highness and want to expel Your Highness from Huajing. This humble subject has a good plan that can prevent Your Highness from suffering."
"Oh?"
Li Rong was a bit puzzled. Su Yongqing lowered his eyes and calmly said: "This humble subject is willing to marry Your Highness."
Li Rong froze in place. Su Yongqing looked up: "I don't know if Your Highness will allow this?"
Su Yongqing's expression was very calm, but the moment he spoke, Li Rong could clearly sense an indescribable, restrained, and surging emotion from him.
Li Rong couldn't tell what it was. She just stared at him blankly. Su Yongqing stared into her eyes. Neither of them spoke. Then, the sound of hurried footsteps came from outside.
"Your Highness," Jing Lan rarely lost his composure. He rushed in while panting, "Prince Consort, Prince Consort has returned to the capital!"
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