The next day, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan woke up together. As usual, Pei Wenxuan got out of bed first. The two acted as if nothing had happened. Pei Wenxuan helped Li Rong put on her clothes and went to court with her.
After the two sat in the carriage, Pei Wenxuan asked pointedly, "Did Your Highness sleep well last night?"
Li Rong looked at the memorial and didn't raise her head. Instead, she asked, "Why do you ask? Did Prince Consort not sleep well? "
Pei Wenxuan saw that Li Rong was so calm. For a moment, he didn't know if she really slept last night or if she was faking it.
Li Rong saw that he was at a loss for words and felt that it was funny. She changed the topic and asked, "Who else in the Censorate is suing me?"
"Only the Chen family's people are left."
Pei Wenxuan saw that Li Rong was asking about serious matters and didn't dare to not answer. He could only change the topic, "It's the family of Chen Guang from the Ministry of Revenue."
"He's going to die."
Li Rong said lightly, "He handled the Qin Family's case and the military pay case at the same time. He was the one who pulled the strings for the military pay case. The Qin Family's case can be said to be unintentional, but he wanted to force the Qin Family to die. Now, it seems that he was worried that the military pay case would be exposed and wanted to take the opportunity to completely silence the Qin Family. In the future, the dead can't tell the truth. "
"The Chen family actually knew that they couldn't save him," Pei Wenxuan said calmly, "But Chen Guang's people refused to let him go. Chen Guang's mother came to the Censorate several times and cried and made a fuss in front of Imperial Censor Chen Hui. Chen Hui was afraid that his aunt couldn't stand it and pleaded for mercy. So, although the memorial was written, it wasn't a big deal.
Li Rong responded. She thought for a moment and smiled. "Once this case is closed, we can celebrate the New Year. The imperial court will give a seven-day holiday. Have you thought about how you're going to spend it?"
When Pei Wenxuan heard this, he didn't expect Li Rong to say such casual words. His heart warmed a little, and he replied, "If Your Highness has any ideas, you can tell this humble subject. This humble subject will make the arrangements."
"I can't go to places far away," Li Rong said regretfully. "After these two big cases, I'm afraid there will be a lot of people who want me dead. I won't be able to leave Huajing."
"Your Highness is right."
Li Rong thought about it and sighed. "Speaking of which, I haven't seen flowers for a long time. This winter has been too long."
"Does Your Highness want to admire the plum blossoms?" Pei Wenxuan pondered. Li Rong laughed. "Plum blossoms are everywhere. There are plum blossoms in the palace. "
"Speaking of which," Pei Wenxuan put his hand on the table and leaned closer to Li Rong. "After knowing Your Highness for so many years, I only know that Your Highness loves peonies the most. I wonder if Your Highness has any other flowers that you like?"
"I like a lot of flowers. Peach blossoms, pear blossoms, orchids, they are all good. However, my favorite flowers are gaudy. I like peonies, peonies, peonies, and roses. "
Li Rong answered casually. After she finished speaking, she suddenly remembered something. "Why are you asking these questions?"
As she spoke, she became vigilant. "Don't give me these. It's a waste of money. Now is the time to spend money."
Pei Wenxuan felt a little guilty. He looked away and picked up the tea. He subconsciously said, "Your Highness is thinking too much. This humble subject can't bear to spend so much money to give Your Highness these."
As soon as he finished speaking, Pei Wenxuan immediately felt that his mouth was cheap. He hurriedly turned around and added, "If the price is right, I will still give it to you."
Li Rong didn't speak. Her eyes were full of disdain. Pei Wenxuan was swept by her gaze. He wanted to say something to refute her, but he restrained himself and turned his head away.
Li Rong saw his expression change again and again. She couldn't help but laugh. She poked him with her fan. "If you want to scold me, don't hold it in."
"Your Highness is joking." Pei Wenxuan raised his head and smiled. "Your Highness is this humble subject's darling. How can this humble subject bear to scold Your Highness?"
When Li Rong heard this, she showed an unhappy expression. "Look at you. If you want to talk, then talk. Why do you have to scold me?"
When Pei Wenxuan saw Li Rong mocking him, he sneered. He didn't say anything and went to look at the booklet.
After looking at the booklet for a moment, Pei Wenxuan remembered what he wanted to say. He wanted to talk about what happened last night and ask Li Rong how she felt. But now that he interrupted, the atmosphere just now was diluted. If he asked again, he would feel awkward.
Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but feel a little regretful. He glanced at Li Rong and saw her smiling as she drank tea and looked at the booklet. He thought about the conversation just now and was sure that Li Rong was awake last night.
It was because she was awake that she didn't want to talk about it and deliberately changed the topic.
When he thought about how Li Rong seemed to be shy last night and deliberately changed the topic today, Pei Wenxuan felt that something was amiss.
He suddenly realized that Li Rong was a person who couldn't be forceful, but reminding her in a gentle way seemed to be effective.
In fact, Li Rong seemed to have always been like this, but it was more obvious when she was young. At that time, if he dared to kiss her forcefully, she dared to hold his face and kiss him ten times. She held her momentum and didn't have stage fright. She was arrogant as if she could have ten gigolos at any time. She was very cute.
Now that she was older, she seemed to have restrained her temper and wouldn't kiss him ten times. But in her bones, she hadn't changed at all.
If he dared to kiss her forcefully, she would treat him as a gigolo. What really made her helpless was the intimacy that was more emotional than sexual.
When he kissed her, she would pull his hand and refuse.
When he quietly kissed her forehead, she blushed and didn't dare to look at him. She didn't even mention it.
When he realized this, Pei Wenxuan couldn't help but laugh. He didn't ask any more questions and only lowered his head to look at the booklet in his hand. But his smile couldn't fall.
Li Rong secretly glanced at Pei Wenxuan and saw that Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and smiled without saying anything. Under the candlelight, the youth's face was fair and clean, his expression gentle. His thin and slender hand holding the brush turned the pages of the booklet, silently drawing out an indescribable handsomeness.
Li Rong's heart skipped a beat and she hurriedly averted her gaze.
She didn't even dare to ask him why he was laughing.
The two went to court together. After court, Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan separated and went straight to the Inspection Department.
The Inspection Department was established on the outskirts of the city. Currently, there were two deputy heads. One was Su Ronghua, who had been pushed over by the imperial court, and the other was Shangguan Ya, who had been appointed by Li Rong.
Li Rong came down from court. As soon as he entered the Inspection Department's courtyard, he heard Shangguan Ya's voice from inside: "I said before, I didn't hit him. That wound was caused by himself. This statement was also his own confession."
"Miss Shangguan must be joking. Who would cause a whip wound for no reason?"
Su Ronghua's voice sounded. Li Rong stepped into the main hall. Shangguan Ya saw that Li Rong had arrived and revealed a happy expression. She happily said: "Your Highness."
"I heard you arguing." Li Rong smiled as he walked to the table and looked down at the paper on the table. Li Rong picked up the paper and glanced at it, "The Lord Su seems to have said that this statement can't be used?"
"Your Highness." Su Ronghua bowed and smiled, "According to the 'Da Xia Law', the nobles can't be punished. Today, I went to visit Chen daren. He had whip wounds on his body. I'm afraid this statement was extorted by torture."
"A whip for extorting a confession by torture?" Shangguan Ya sneered, "Is the Lord Su coaxing a child?"
"A whip wound is still a whip wound." Li Rong gently said, "Since the Lord Su feels that this statement is not suitable, then let's reexamine it. I'll do it myself."
As he spoke, Li Rong put down the statement and led Shangguan Ya towards the prison. He said indifferently, "Let's go."
Shangguan Ya coldly glanced at Su Ronghua, "Lord Su, let's go together. Otherwise, you'll say that we beat up Chen daren again. Extorting a confession by torture can't be used."
Su Ronghua smiled and bowed. He raised his hand and said, "Please."
The three of them went to the prison together. Li Rong had someone drag this "Chen daren" out.
Li Rong smiled when he saw him. It was Chen Guang, who Pei Wenxuan had mentioned in the morning.
This person came from a prominent family in Jiangnan and was the manager of the Warehouse Department of the Ministry of Revenue.
The manager of the Warehouse Department was in charge of the warehouse. He had been in this sensitive position for ten years and could be considered a wily old fox.
Li Rong looked at his statement and asked Shangguan Ya to invite him to sit down.
After Chen Guang sat down, Li Rong put down the statement and smiled, "Chen daren."
"Your Highness."
Chen Guang cupped his hands and said with a smile, "Your Highness came at the right time. This humble subject has something to report to Your Highness."
"Chen daren wants to sue Shangguan daren for abusing his authority to punish you," Li Rong said directly. "Is that so?"
"Ah," Chen Guang looked surprised, "Your Highness already knows?"
Li Rong nodded, "I heard. I heard that Chen daren was whipped in prison."
"Yes," Chen Guang unbuttoned his shirt and said hurriedly, "Your Highness, look, this wound is very deep."
"May I know when and where Chen daren was whipped?"
"Last night," Chen Guang immediately said, "when she interrogated me. Look at this wound, it's still fresh."
"Call a doctor over and take a look at Chen daren's wound."
Li Rong raised his hand and called for the people next to him. Then, he turned his head and said in a very good temper, "Chen daren, I'm afraid that your statement can't be used. Let's record another one."
Chen Guang smiled and raised his hand, "Your Highness, please. With Your Highness here, this humble subject will definitely tell the truth."
"Chen daren," Li Rong nodded, touched the statement, and said slowly, "You're also a senior member of the Ministry of Revenue, so you should know a few things."
"What are you talking about, Your Highness?"
"The first thing is, according to the law of the Great Ming Dynasty, officials who confess will have their sentences reduced, and officials who refuse to confess will have their sentences increased."
"I know," Chen Guang nodded, "and then?"
"The second thing is, your current crimes only add up to losing your official position, but if you add another crime, you'll lose your life."
"Your Highness is exaggerating," Chen Guang said with a smile, "Not to mention, this humble subject is innocent. Even if I'm guilty, it's not that serious, right? In the past, many officials have committed more serious crimes than this humble subject, but … "
"But they're being interrogated in the Ministry of Justice," Li Rong looked up, slammed the table, and shouted, "This is the Ministry of Investigation! Do you still think I'm playing with you?! Let me tell you, this is your crime. If you confess today, I can let you go back and enjoy your old age. If you don't confess, I guarantee that you won't be able to roll under my feet in the vegetable market! "
Chen Guang's expression changed dramatically. Li Rong raised his hand and grabbed a stack of statements, "Why do you think I want you to confess? I'm just giving you a way out because of your family. Otherwise, "Li Rong looked up and sneered," Chen daren, think about Wang daren, who was killed by a vengeful spirit. "
Chen Guang didn't speak. Su Ronghua coughed softly, "Your Highness, Chen daren is old, he …"
"Do you have the right to speak here?"
Li Rong looked up and said coldly, "I'm not dead. If I don't let you speak, what are you going to say?"
"If I offend Your Highness again," Shangguan Ya laughed, "I'll have to slap you."
Su Ronghua looked coldly at Shangguan Ya. Shangguan Ya sneered and looked away.
Li Rong waited for a while and quickly looked through the statements. Then, he said casually, "When you were in charge of the warehouse, how much food did you distribute to Huangping County?"
Without waiting for Chen Guang to speak, Li Rong said, "Three thousand."
Chen Guang's expression didn't look good. Li Rong frowned and flipped through a few more pages. He raised his hand and threw the statements away. He stood up and said, "Didn't everyone else confess? Su Lin has already been confessed. Why do you still want Chen daren's statement? This is nonsense! "
Hearing this, Chen Guang hurriedly looked at Su Ronghua. Su Ronghua wanted to say something, but Shangguan Ya blocked Chen Guang's line of sight and said with a smile, "Lord Su is very talkative today?"
Su Ronghua's expression was a little ugly. Li Rong led the people out. Halfway through, Chen Guang suddenly called out to him, "Wait, Your Highness."
Li Rong stopped and turned his head. Chen Guang's face was pale, and he said anxiously, "Your Highness, if I confess, will Your Highness spare my life?"
"That depends on what you confess. If there's nothing new in your confession …"
Li Rong smiled, "I don't like people who waste my time."
"I have ironclad evidence." Chen Guang said anxiously, "Your Highness, what you have now is a statement, right? I have evidence! "
Li Rong turned back and sat down, "Speak."
As he spoke, Li Rong turned his head and looked at Su Ronghua, "Lord Su, this involves the children of nobility. Do you want to leave?"
Su Ronghua didn't speak. He stared at Chen Guang. Chen Guang didn't dare to look at him. Shangguan Ya raised his hand and said, "Lord Su, please."
Chen Guang did have ironclad evidence. Su Lin of the Su Family was considered a distant relative of the Su Family. However, the Su Family was a noble family. Anyone from the Su Family was not a small figure.
Su Lin was in the Ministry of War. In fact, he only helped to open a pass. However, if he was investigated, he would definitely be demoted.
Li Rong quietly listened to him confess everything. She signed and stood up. Chen Guang said anxiously, "Your Highness, my crime …"
"Wait for the verdict." Li Rong's voice was flat, "How the law is written, I will not be biased."
Chen Guang's expression didn't look good. However, he lowered his voice and continued to plead, "Your Highness, you are young and have just entered the imperial court. You don't know the dangers involved. We're all relatives, so you can't really sentence me to death … "
"Why not?" Li Rong looked up at him and chuckled, "Does Lord Chen think that I won't?"
"Your Highness," Chen Guang frowned, "If you really kill me, how will you explain it to the aristocratic families?"
"When you were doing this," Li Rong said coldly, "have you ever thought of giving an explanation to the soldiers who died at the border?"
"That's because they were too greedy!" Chen Guang said angrily. He seemed to be extremely dissatisfied. Li Rong glanced at him coldly and said, "You all say that to me again. Isn't it annoying?"
After saying that, Li Rong walked out. After a few steps, Chen Guang couldn't control his emotions, "Your Highness, you are digging your own grave!"
Li Rong stopped in her tracks. She turned her head and sneered, "I'm afraid that you are the one digging your own grave!"
After saying that, she walked out of the door. When she reached the door, Shangguan Ya came up to her. Li Rong took a look and didn't see Su Ronghua. She couldn't help but ask, "Where is she?"
"She went to pass on the information."
As Shangguan Ya spoke, he took Li Rong's statement and praised, "Your Highness, I really admire you. You said that you knew that the grain that was sent out from his warehouse was three thousand dan, but you also knew that he was related to Su Lin? How did you know? "
"Three thousand dan was the result of Pei Wenxuan's calculation. As for Su Lin …"
Li Rong didn't continue speaking.
That was what Su Yongqing told her in her past life.
Su Lin was once involved in a case of the Northwest Army's salary. The Su Family later dealt with him internally.
With Su Ronghua around, Chen Guang wouldn't believe that he was exposed unless he was given some unusual details. If Su Lin and the three thousand dan were exposed, Chen Guang would guess that he was betrayed. Su Ronghua had been lying to him because she didn't want him to expose Su Lin.
As long as Chen Guang had doubts about Su Ronghua, he would easily collapse.
Li Rong thought of what Su Yongqing told her in her past life. She felt a little tired and didn't say much. After a while, she ordered, "Go and find out who was on duty last night. He couldn't have whipped himself. Find the person and tell him to either whip him more or whip himself. After he's done whipping him, dismiss him and kick him out. "
Shangguan Ya nodded. Li Rong looked at the confessions in her hand and asked, "Who else is left?"
Shangguan Ya reported a few names. Li Rong nodded and said, "Let's go together."
Li Rong and Shangguan Ya were busy dealing with the remaining prisoners who had not confessed. In the afternoon, a guard suddenly rushed in from outside and said anxiously, "Your Highness, there's something."
Li Rong sat on a chair and held a cup of tea. She shifted her gaze to the guard's hand.
The guard was holding a kite with the word "Stop" written in blood red on it.
Shangguan Ya saw the kite and his face changed. He asked coldly, "Who did it?"
"I don't know," the guard said while kneeling. "Just now, the kite suddenly fell into the courtyard. I've already sent people to catch the culprit, but they couldn't."
Shangguan Ya's face was cold and she didn't say anything. She wanted to scold the guard, but she knew that it wasn't easy to investigate this matter. She turned to look at Li Rong. Li Rong held his tea and thought for a moment. She laughed and said, "They're at their wits' end, so they're playing tricks. When you go back, bring a few more people with you. Let them be."
After Li Rong finished speaking, he took a sip of tea and placed the teacup on the table. He turned to look at the official who was being interrogated and continued to work.
She was never afraid of assassination. In her previous life, she lived like this for a lifetime and was already used to it.
After all, Shangguan Ya had just encountered this kind of thing. She took a moment to calm herself down and finally felt relieved.
The two of them worked until midnight. Pei Wenxuan finally finished his work and came out of the palace. He took a carriage and went to the princess's residence.
Pei Wenxuan was a little tired. He leaned against the wall of the carriage and closed his eyes to rest. He didn't have much time to rest, so he had to make use of the time to rest.
Halfway through the journey, the carriage suddenly stopped. Pei Wenxuan folded his hands and slowly opened his eyes. Dong Ye rolled up the curtain and whispered, "Daren, it's the person who blocked the street to lodge a complaint."
Pei Wenxuan frowned. As an imperial censor, receiving a complaint was a common thing. He nodded and tiredly said, "Bring up the complaint."
Dong Ye responded and jumped down from the carriage. He walked to the child who blocked the street to lodge a complaint.
However, at that moment, an arrow flew out from the crowd and directly fell into Pei Wenxuan's carriage through the window. Pei Wenxuan's hands were faster. He raised his hand and closed the window.
At the same time, a silver sword opened the curtain and forced its way in. Pei Wenxuan coldly looked at the long sword in front of him. Pei Wenxuan raised his hand and grabbed the hidden sword. When the other party's sword was in front of him, he bent down and took a step forward. The sword pierced the other party's abdomen. That person desperately slashed at him. Pei Wenxuan tried his best to push him out, but the sword still cut his arm. Blood instantly spread out.
Although Pei Wenxuan usually only had Dong Ye with him, in fact, his men were everywhere. When the other party made a move, Pei Wenxuan's men rushed up. Except for this fish that escaped the net, the others were blocked outside. In a moment, the murderers were restrained.
Dong Ye hurriedly lifted the curtain and came in. He held his sword and said, "Young Master, are you okay?"
Pei Wenxuan covered the wound on his hand and didn't say anything. He stepped down from the carriage. The others were already dead. Only the child who had lodged a complaint was left. He directly walked to the child. However, when the child saw Pei Wenxuan walking over, he gritted his teeth and struggled. He really broke free from the imperial guard's control and rushed towards Pei Wenxuan. Fortunately, the imperial guard's reaction was very fast. He caught up with the sword and pierced through the child.
Pei Wenxuan was shocked and said, "Wait … …"
Before he finished speaking, the child was already dead. The imperial guard squatted down and quickly checked the child's mouth. He then raised his head and said, "Daren, it's a dwarf."
Jianghu's assassins liked to train dwarves as assassins. These people looked like children and were easy to let people's guard down. However, in terms of strength and movements, they were like adults.
Pei Wenxuan's expression was somewhat ugly. He stared at the assassin for a moment and could only say, "Go and investigate. Send more people to protect His Highness."
"Yes."
The imperial guard responded and immediately rushed to inform Li Rong.
However, Li Rong's informant had already gone to the Inspectorate. Li Rong had just walked out of the Inspectorate. He was wiping his hands with a hot handkerchief and talking to Shangguan Ya about the follow-up matters.
The two had just walked out of the hall when Jing Lan walked in and said anxiously, "Your Highness, it's not good."
Li Rong looked up. Jing Lan hurriedly said, "Prince Consort was assassinated."
Hearing this, Li Rong suddenly opened his eyes.
Shangguan Ya was also shocked. She immediately reacted and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, don't panic. You go back to the residence to check on Prince Consort first. I will investigate."
Li Rong regained her senses and rushed out. She pulled the reins of her horse and mounted it. She shouted, "Dig them out! I want to kill them!"
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