Xie Lanqing first sued Li Rong and was counter-sued by Li Rong. This matter happened under the noses of the court officials, and everyone was waiting for a result.
Pei Wenxuan had already informed Pei Liming, so Pei Liming didn't have any intention of covering up and wholeheartedly handled the case. With Lin Feibai's cooperation, in less than three days, the case of Xie Lanqing instigating Chen Guang to assassinate Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan was finalized.
Seeing that the Spring Festival was approaching, Li Rong handled the Qin Clan case, the military salary case, and Xie Lanqing's case together. He invited the Censorate, Ministry of Justice, and Inspectorate of Investigation to conduct a joint trial, and the court decided the cases one by one.
Xie Lanqing was still an old official who had served the two dynasties. His merits and demerits offset each other, and he was finally sentenced to exile. As for the other two cases, three of the seventy people were executed, and the others were exiled or demoted according to their respective punishments.
When the verdict was announced, Xie Lanqing appeared unusually calm.
He seemed to have walked out of all his previous emotions and showed a detached attitude of disregard for life and death. After the verdict, he bowed respectfully, then got up with the help of someone and turned to leave.
By the time all the cases were finished, it was already night. When Li Rong walked out of the door, she felt ice shards falling on her face. Li Rong raised her head and looked at the night. Only when the snow passed through the faint light around the lanterns could she see their appearance. Li Rong looked up for a moment and felt someone walk behind her. He raised his hand and covered her back with his wide sleeve, pulling her into his arms. "Let's go home."
Pei Wenxuan spoke. Li Rong turned around and smiled. "Aren't you going back to the Censorate with Imperial Censor Shangguan?"
Pei Wenxuan came with Shangguan Minzhi to listen to the trial, so it was reasonable for him to go back with Shangguan Minzhi. Pei Wenxuan walked out of the court with Li Rong in his arms and walked towards the carriage. He smiled and said, "It's the holidays tomorrow and the Spring Festival is coming soon. He can't wait to go home himself, so why would he care about us? He would have let us go home by ourselves. "
"I heard that although Uncle Min Zhi looks cold, he cares about his family very much."
Li Rong nodded and walked out with Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan sighed, "The court is so cold, how can I not be greedy for Madam's warmth?"
"That's really a pity." Li Rong knew what he was hinting at and said with a faint smile, "The Lord Pei doesn't have a wife who can give him a gentle home."
"I can't give you a gentle home." Pei Wenxuan smiled. "But my wife's arms are as big as a mountain bear, and she's as fierce as a tiger. She can give me a sense of security, and I think it's not bad."
Li Rong knew that Pei Wenxuan was secretly scolding her for being fierce and mighty. She sneered and said, "In the past, you only said that I was an adult peony. Now you dare to directly call me a beast. Pei Wenxuan, do you drink bear bile every day? His mouth is bitter and poisonous, and his guts are fat and big. "
"Why does Your Highness need to ask?" Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong walked to the door together and crossed the threshold together. Pei Wenxuan whispered in Li Rong's ear, "Won't you know after you try it?"
Li Rong heard his words and turned her head. She raised her eyebrows and raised her hand to pinch his chin.
Pei Wenxuan knew that she was bold, but he didn't expect her to be so bold. He was so scared that he quickly retreated. Li Rong saw that there was a bit of panic in his restrained expression as he hurriedly dodged her hand. She couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Pei Wenxuan froze. Li Rong lightly scraped his chin with her fan, "What are you trying to play with me for?"
With that, Li Rong turned around and walked down the stairs.
Pei Wenxuan's ears turned red. He felt that he had lost face, but he still pretended that nothing had happened. He chased after her and whispered, "We're outside. Don't be so presumptuous."
Li Rong won a round, so she stopped while she was ahead. She didn't say much and smiled as she walked to the side of the carriage. Li Rong had just reached the side of the carriage when she heard a calm voice call out, "Your Highness."
Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan looked up at the same time and saw Su Yongqing standing on the side. He bowed to Li Rong. Li Rong was a bit surprised, "Assistant Minister Su?"
"Your Highness." Su Yongqing smiled and said with a gentle expression, "I wonder if Your Highness has time?"
"Does Lord Su have something to say?" Pei Wenxuan took a step forward and stood in front of Li Rong. He smiled and said, "Now that the case has been investigated, the court will be closed tomorrow to welcome the Spring Festival. If Lord Su has something to say, why don't you wait until after the Spring Festival?"
"It's not about me," Su Yongqing said calmly. He looked at Li Rong and said slowly, "It's about Lord Xie. He wants to see the Princess."
"Xie Lanqing?"
Pei Wenxuan was a bit surprised. Su Yongqing nodded, "Lord Xie has many questions and wants to ask the Princess."
Li Rong thought for a moment and nodded, "Assistant Minister Su, have you arranged it?"
"Lord Xie is at the Ministry of Justice. I'll take Your Highness there."
"Then let's go now."
Li Rong made up his mind and invited Su Yongqing, "Assistant Minister Su, can we go together?"
Su Yongqing bowed and thanked him.
The three of them got on the carriage together. After getting on the carriage, Li Rong felt that the atmosphere was familiar. Fortunately, she didn't have to think about the order of taking care of the two people this time. As soon as Su Yongqing sat on the side of the carriage, Pei Wenxuan sat next to Li Rong. They were separated by a tea table in the middle from Li Rong. He and Su Yongqing sat on the other side, separating Su Yongqing and Li Rong.
Su Yongqing glanced at Pei Wenxuan. Li Rong pretended that he didn't know what was going on and was about to lower his head to pour tea. Pei Wenxuan took the initiative to lift the teapot and poured a cup of tea for Li Rong, "Your Highness, have some tea."
"Uh, thank you."
Li Rong took the tea. She was afraid that Pei Wenxuan would take the opportunity to take revenge on Su Yongqing and embarrass him, so she quickly said, "Pour a cup for Assistant Minister Su as well."
"Of course."
Pei Wenxuan said and poured a cup of tea for Su Yongqing. He handed the tea to Su Yongqing as if he was the host, "Assistant Minister Su, have some tea."
Su Yongqing nodded, "Thank you."
Then Pei Wenxuan put down the teapot. Li Rong felt strange, "Why didn't you pour a cup for yourself?"
"I'll drink from Your Highness' cup." Pei Wenxuan said gently, "There aren't enough cups."
Li Rong heard this and turned to look at the cup on the table. Pei Wenxuan noticed her gaze and explained with a smile, "This cup has a gap."
How could there be a cup with a gap on her table?
But she didn't dare to ask. She was afraid that after she asked, Pei Wenxuan would immediately smash a hole in her cup.
Su Yongqing held the cup and lowered his head to look at the ripples. Pei Wenxuan saw that the two of them didn't speak, so he introduced the tea to Su Yongqing.
When he spoke, the atmosphere was no longer as awkward. Su Yongqing was also tactful. The two of them began to chat while drinking tea. Li Rong lowered his head and pretended to read, not saying anything.
Finally, they arrived at the Ministry of Justice. Pei Wenxuan helped Li Rong down and Su Yongqing led them into the prison.
Xie Lanqing sat in the prison. The people next to her arranged a stool for Li Rong. Li Rong sat down and looked at Xie Lanqing, who was sitting on the bed. "I heard that Lord Xie was looking for me?"
Xie Lanqing looked at Li Rong. He didn't salute. Li Rong spun his fan and didn't care about his rudeness. The two of them looked at each other quietly for a long time before finally saying, "Have you seen her?"
Li Rong didn't speak. Xie Lanqing continued to ask in a hoarse voice, "Lin Xia, you've seen her, right?"
"I haven't." Li Rong said calmly, "I've always been in Huajing. She died two years ago. She even sent people to Huajing to look for you. You know, but you didn't go back. It's impossible for me to have seen her. "
Xie Lanqing listened to his words and widened his eyes. "She died two years ago?"
"You didn't know?" Li Rong laughed, then nodded as if he understood. "That's true. You haven't seen her in twenty years. But Lord Xie, "Li Rong held his chin." Although I haven't seen her, I might know what Lord Xie wants to know. "
After all, Su Yongqing had investigated almost everyone around Lin Xia and pieced together this woman's wandering life.
He was born in a high family and accidentally entered Huajing when he was young. He was the hero who saved the damsel in distress and accidentally met the son of a noble in Huajing.
A century-old family gave the man elegance and the innocence of a young man. Even the resolute heart that had been honed since childhood could not help but soften.
"Feibai," Xie Lanqing stared at Li Rong. "Is he really my child?"
"Do you still think that I'm lying to you?" Li Rong was helpless. "Lord Xie, I won't use this to frame you. Back then, when you fell in love with Lin Xia, you were pressured by your family to break up with her. When Lin Xia was together, she gave you three wishes. Your second wish was to let her leave. "
"At that time, she was already pregnant with Lin Feibai."
"But she didn't tell me!" Xie Lanqing roared. Li Rong was a little puzzled. "Why should she tell you? You can't marry her and she doesn't intend to marry anyone else. This child is her only hope. She won't harm him. And if he enters the Xie family after birth, he will be an illegitimate child of a lowly mother. Why should she tell you? "
Xie Lanqing looked at Li Rong in a daze. Li Rong said calmly, "She left with the child and was not tolerated by her family or sect. So she and her junior sister went into hiding. She had no choice but to write a letter and ask you for money."
"When she asked for money, you should feel relieved. You finally don't feel guilty towards this woman. So you gave her Mount Qinqu with a wave of your pen. "
"Later, she established the Seven Stars Hall and had her left and right protectors. There were rumors in the pugilistic world that she and her right protector, her senior brother, had an ambiguous relationship. So you thought that Lin Feibai was Lin Fei's child. After all, Lin Feibai was known to you by a full year. "
"Lin Feibai's real age is not 20. He is only 19 years old this year."
"Lin Xia lived her life on Mount Qinqu by herself. Before she died, she still thought of you and sent people to find you, but you were unwilling to go."
"After she died, she was afraid that the pugilistic world would seek revenge and bullied Lin Feibai because he was young. So she asked not to announce her funeral to outsiders and always pretended that she was still alive."
"So I went to the Seven Stars Hall at that time …"
"It's not her."
Li Rong said affirmatively. Xie Lanqing sat in the same place. He looked a little absent-minded. Li Rong stared at him. After a long time, she tapped her fan gently and said slowly, "Lord Xie, what else do you want to ask? If you don't want to ask, this Queen will leave. "
"Does she hate me?" Xie Lanqing suddenly asked. Li Rong thought for a while. "I don't know about that. But I'm also very curious. "Li Rong leaned forward slightly." Do you love her? "
Xie Lanqing was silent. After a long time, he smiled. "I don't dare to say that I love her."
"I think so too." Li Rong stood up and said lightly, "Love is cold to you. It's a pity that Lin Xia has been wandering alone for a lifetime and fell for someone like you. "
Xie Lanqing didn't speak. When Li Rong walked out, he said in a low voice, "I hope that she can live a good life."
Li Rong paused. He looked back and saw Xie Lanqing looking up at the sky outside through the window. "I was young and didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. I thought that by risking my life, I could protect the safety of the two of them. I begged her to stay, married her in private, and Huajing with her. I thought that if I didn't care about my life and wealth, I could fall in love with her. "
"But later I found out that under the family, how could I have the right to talk about love? The nobility of the family name, the nobility of the bloodline, and the nobility of marriage. As a disciple of the Xie family, if I casually married a woman from the jianghu, it would bring shame to my family. My hundred years of nobility would become a joke. My marriage would be affected because of this. The Xie family couldn't tolerate her and me. I could die, but what about her? "
"She was originally from heaven, why did she fall to the mortal world?"
Xie Lanqing closed his eyes. "I let her go because I wanted her to live well. I didn't go to see her because I knew that there would be no result. How could I make her sad?"
"It's not that I don't love her. It's just that I don't have the right and I don't dare to say it."
"Sometimes I also ask myself over and over again why. What did I do wrong? I like someone and she likes me. Why do so many people have to be punished? Why do so many people have to live unhappy lives? Is this my fault or their fault? "
"But my parents didn't do anything wrong, my family didn't do anything wrong, but what about me? It's a sin to like someone outside the family name, but why is it a sin? "
Xie Lanqing seemed to find it ridiculous. He closed his eyes. "I thought about it for a lifetime. Later I understood. Because I was born in the Zhong family and enjoyed such wealth, I must protect this wealth. Pain is nothing. Love is nothing. Protecting the family is righteous. It's been like this for a hundred years, for a thousand years. I want to protect the Xie family, protect this noble family name, noble bloodline. Your Li family originally had a noble stomach. "Xie Lanqing turned his head and looked at Li Rong." But you married someone from the cold family. It's fine if you're from the cold family, but you actually listened to this cold family and separated the Crown Prince from the family. "
"Your Highness, I can't say it in the past, but now I want to ask. Your Highness, what are you doing today for? To let the son of that lowly Prince Su ascend to a high position?! "
Li Rong didn't speak. She quietly looked at this person who was completely contradictory and separated.
She felt that Xie Lanqing was sad, but she didn't know what was sad about him.
Sad that he was bound by rules, just like her in her previous life.
Or sad that he had a heart that didn't follow the rules, just like Li Chuan in her previous life.
She couldn't speak. She quietly looked at Xie Lanqing and fell into some kind of indescribable confusion and sharp pain.
It was also in this moment of silence that she felt someone reach out and quietly hold her hand.
"Your Highness, everything you did today is to let people like Xie daren not ask this question in the future."
Xie Lanqing was stunned. Li Rong turned his head and slowly raised his head.
Pei Wenxuan stood next to her. He was like a tall mountain, sheltering her from the wind and rain. He looked at Xie Lanqing and calmly said, "Liking someone and marrying the person you like represents not only love, but also the most basic right of being born as a person. Xie daren said that love doesn't count for anything. Indeed, but Xie daren didn't realize that under such rules, for the family, not only love doesn't count for anything, but also morality and justice don't count for anything. "
"Your Highness doesn't want the family to be the most important thing in the world, but for everyone to live a happy life and have hope. Perhaps it won't happen today, or even in a hundred or a thousand years. But Your Highness still hopes that one day, there won't be another Xie daren who asks what he did wrong. "
"And there won't be another Xie daren who accuses Your Highness of having a noble stomach and marrying into a poor family."
"Li Rong is married to Pei Wenxuan. Her Highness is married to someone who loves her and is loved by her." Pei Wenxuan's expression was calm and his tone was as steady as a mountain. "He can make her happy for the rest of her life, love her for the rest of her life, protect her for the rest of her life, never let her down, never betray her, and never abandon her."
"Even if it's a poor family, it's not wrong."
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