At the end of winter, it was the coldest time in Huajing. The ice and snow melted, bringing with it a chill.
In the Eldest Princess Palace, Li Rong was lying on the bed with a thick blanket covering her. There were many braziers in the room, heating the room up like it was summer.
There were many people standing in the room, but not a single person spoke. Li Rong's entire body was dizzy. This feeling could not be considered comfortable, but compared to the previous days when she was hot and cold and coughing up blood, it was much better.
"Change to another handkerchief."
An elegant male voice rang out. The maid on the side gave a "here" sound and the sound of water could be heard.
After that, Li Rong felt someone wiping the sweat off her forehead. The person's movements were gentle, as if they were wiping a porcelain doll, afraid that it would be accidentally broken.
Li Rong opened her eyes in a daze and saw a white clothed man.
This man looked to be in his early forties and had an elegant temperament. His handsome face was gentle and his movements were filled with indescribable elegance. Just looking at him, she felt that he was very good looking.
He noticed that she opened her eyes and looked up at her. Seeing Li Rong staring at him, he was stunned for a bit before revealing a smile. He gently said, "The princess is awake?"
Li Rong heard this and was stunned for a bit. The man reached out to help her up and placed a pillow behind her back. He took a bowl of pear soup from the maid and brought it to her lips. He softly said, "Drink some first and moisten your throat."
As he spoke, he fed her mouthful by mouthful. The perfect amount of sweet soup entered her mouth and slowly woke her up.
She finally recognized the person in front of her. This was the princess palace's steward who had served her for many years, Su Yongqing.
This was her most trusted aide and the person closest to her.
Li Rong wanted to say something, but she felt her throat itch. She raised her hand to push away his hand that was feeding her soup and used the handkerchief to cover her mouth as she began to cough.
Su Yongqing gently patted her back to help her breathe. After a long time, she finally calmed down. She opened her mouth to ask about the matters in the imperial court. She directly said, "How is the matter of the Crown Prince?"
"They're still in a stalemate." Su Yongqing spoke slowly about what she was worried about. She said calmly, "Prime Minister Pei refuses to relent and insists on supporting the First Prince as the Crown Prince. I've already ordered people to arrest the First Prince's subordinates for a scandal. Tomorrow, I'll report it."
"He really won't give up." When Li Rong caught her breath, Su Yongqing let her lean on his body. Li Rong could feel the warmth of this person. She coughed softly and said, "Didn't he want to establish Li Ping because of Qin Zhenzhen? She had been dead for so many years, yet she was still unwilling to let go. Yan 'er is the legitimate son of the Empress. How could the position of Crown Prince fall to Li Ping? "
"You're just saying things out of anger."
Su Yongqing chuckled and raised his hand to massage her temples. Li Rong felt much better. She leaned on Su Yongqing and listened to him softly say, "Pei Wenxuan wants to support the First Prince. Naturally, he has his own intentions. The First Prince's maternal family is not strong. He has a good relationship with Pei Wenxuan since childhood. In the future, if the First Prince becomes the Emperor, he can only rely on Pei Wenxuan. For Pei Wenxuan, he can continue to hold power and be stable until he's old. "
"How is the Emperor now?"
Li Rong listened to Su Yongqing's words and calmed down a lot. Su Yongqing continued, "The Emperor is still the same. He's unconscious. I'm afraid he won't be able to last more than a few days. Yesterday, the Empress sent a letter from the palace. She wants you to prepare early. The matter of the Crown Prince cannot be delayed. "
Li Rong didn't speak. She leaned on this person for a long time. Then she slowly said, "Rong Qing."
"Yes?" Su Yongqing responded. Li Rong was silent for a long time. Then she said, "I think I won't be able to last much longer."
Su Yongqing's hand that was pressing her acupuncture points paused. Li Rong didn't speak.
She really felt this way. When she opened her eyes this morning, she felt that she couldn't go on.
"Actually, I've lived enough in this life."
Li Rong slowly said, "I'm just worried about the Empress and Yan 'er. If I'm gone, Pei Wenxuan will cover the sky with one hand. I'm afraid they won't be able to fight against him."
"Don't worry." Su Yongqing's voice deepened, "If you die, he won't be able to live either. I'll kill him and bury him with you. "
When Li Rong heard Su Yongqing's words, she laughed softly. She raised her head and looked at the person's face in front of her.
In fact, he was almost fifty-one years old, but he didn't look old at all. If it weren't for the few strands of white hair on his forehead, it would be impossible to tell his true age. When he stood out, he still looked like a popular young girl on the streets.
Thirty years ago, Su Yongqing, the son of the first wife of the Su Family, who was over twenty years old, was the dream lover of all the girls in Huajing.
Now, even though he was old, he was still the dream of many people.
"I didn't know." Li Rong looked at him with a smile, "Our Lord Su also has times when he gets angry."
"I have many things to be angry about." Su Yongqing laughed. When he was about to say something, he heard the maid outside say, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Pei requests an audience."
When she heard this, Li Rong looked at Su Yongqing and asked curiously, "Why is he here at this time?"
"If Your Highness doesn't want to see him," Su Yongqing said calmly, "you don't have to see him."
Li Rong thought for a moment. After a while, she smiled, "Forget it. After all, we were husband and wife. It's better to see him. Maybe this will be the last time we see each other? "
Su Yongqing didn't say anything. He just sat there quietly. Li Rong turned to look at him and asked curiously, "Rong Qing?"
Su Yongqing seemed to come back to his senses. He stood up and said respectfully, "Then this subordinate will go and invite Prime Minister Pei."
As he spoke, Su Yongqing helped Li Rong to rest on the pillow. He helped her adjust her clothes and then left.
Li Rong asked someone to bring her a bronze mirror and touched up her makeup. After a while, Su Yongqing led Pei Wenxuan into the room.
Pei Wenxuan was still wearing his black court robes. The wide sleeves were tied around his waist. Red cloud patterns were printed on the wide sleeves. When paired with his red undershirt, it made him look even thinner. When he was young, he was very good looking. Now that he was at the age of knowing his destiny, although he wasn't as handsome as he was when he was young, he had a calmness that was rarely seen in young people.
He walked into the room and bowed to Li Rong. His every movement carried a fragrance that spread to her face. Li Rong couldn't help but take a few more glances. Pei Wenxuan was used to being introverted. Why would he use such a fragrant sachet?
She felt that something was wrong, but she didn't show it on her face. Her eyebrows and eyes curved. Just as she was about to ask him to sit down, she couldn't help but cough lightly.
Su Yongqing quickly came forward to pat her back. Pei Wenxuan looked at him coldly. After a long time, Li Rong came back to her senses. She raised her head and looked at Pei Wenxuan. She smiled and said, "Prime Minister Pei hasn't returned to the Princess' residence for many years. Today, you must have something important."
Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. He looked at Su Yongqing quietly. Su Yongqing pretended not to see Pei Wenxuan's gaze and stood motionless.
After a long time, Pei Wenxuan finally opened his mouth and said coldly, "Ask him to leave."
Li Rong didn't find this strange. Pei Wenxuan didn't like Su Yongqing, so Pei Wenxuan didn't directly scold him. This was already giving her face. After all, she and Pei Wenxuan were husband and wife in name. Even if they had been separated for many years, they were still allies. She didn't make things difficult for him. She looked at Su Yongqing and gently persuaded him, "Rong Qing, you go out and wait for a while."
After Li Rong spoke, Su Yongqing bowed to the two of them, got up, and left.
As soon as he left, everyone in the room followed. Only Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong were left. Li Rong coughed lightly. Pei Wenxuan was silent. After a long time, Li Rong said, "What's the matter? Say it."
"It's about the appointment of the Crown Prince." Pei Wenxuan looked at her and said, "I came to discuss it with you today."
"What are you discussing?" Li Rong pretended not to know what was going on in the court and said lightly, "Xin 'er is the legitimate son of the Empress. He's gentle and modest. What else is there to consider?"
"We've worked together for many years. I don't want to beat around the bush with you." Pei Wenxuan's eyes were cold. His tone was much heavier, "Third Prince is arrogant and willful. He's not suitable for the position of Crown Prince. Moreover, his mother's family is too powerful. If something happens to you and me, in the future, in the court, the relatives of the Empress won't be able to suppress them."
"What's the difference between the relatives of the Empress and you and me?" Li Rong sneered, "You make yourself sound so dignified. You know very well what you're trying to achieve! Instead of discussing with me, why don't you tell me what you're going to do if I don't agree? "
"Do you have to let Li Yan ascend the throne?"
"Nonsense!" Li Rong raised his voice, "Yan 'er is the legitimate son of the Empress. Do you want him to let a concubine's son ascend the throne?!"
Pei Wenxuan didn't speak. After a long time, he said, "Do you hold a grudge against Zhenzhen?"
"Can you call her Imperial Concubine Qin?"
Li Rong couldn't help but remind him, "Is Zhenzhen a name you can call?"
Pei Wenxuan quieted down again. After a long time, he stood up, "You can still make such a big fuss. Your body is not bad. Since you don't agree, then forget it. In the future, we'll each have our own means. Don't blame me for not reminding you. "
Pei Wenxuan turned and left. Li Rong looked at his back. His blood boiled. He said coldly, "I want to know what kind of means you're talking about."
"What do you think?" Pei Wenxuan said coldly with his back to her, "What do you think?"
Li Rong didn't say anything. She sneered, "Can you kill me?"
"Do you think I won't?"
Pei Wenxuan looked back at her with a murderous look in his eyes. Li Rong looked into his eyes. For a moment, she was dazed.
His eyes were too cold. It made her wake up in an instant. Pei Wenxuan was a person who could do anything to achieve his goal.
There was nothing between them. They were just bound by the title of husband and wife and cooperated together.
With the same interests, Pei Wenxuan could tolerate her. Now that they were tit for tat, it wasn't surprising that he would use all kinds of means.
Li Rong watched him smash the door and go out. She gasped for breath.
Su Yongqing walked in. Seeing that she was furious, he hurriedly came up to her and asked someone to bring her medicine. He patted her back and said, "He must be up to no good. You're sick. Why do you want to see him?"
Li Rong didn't say anything. She leaned against Su Yongqing and coughed. A maid came up with the medicine. Su Yongqing asked someone to test the medicine. After confirming that she was fine, he gave it to her.
Li Rong drank a mouthful of medicine. She wanted to say something. As soon as the medicine entered her stomach, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. Then, blood rushed to her head. She grabbed Su Yongqing's sleeve and threw herself forward. A mouthful of blood spurted out.
Su Yongqing was stunned for a moment. He shouted in shock, "Li Rong!"
Li Rong lay on the bed and gasped for breath. Her stomach was turning upside down. Su Yongqing hugged her and shouted for the imperial physician. At the same time, he put his hand on Li Rong's pulse.
After a moment, Su Yongqing's hand trembled.
"It's fragrant beauty."
He blurted out. When Li Rong heard this poison, the fragrance on Pei Wenxuan's body appeared in her mind.
Fragrant beauty. Back then, Qin Zhenzhen died from this poison in the harem.
Fragrant beauties were placed in an incense burner. Through the accumulation of the fragrance, the poison would be triggered. But there was another way to use it. After smelling the fragrant beauty, the poison would be directly catalyzed.
Li Rong endured the pain in her stomach and swallowed the blood.
It's Pei Wenxuan.
She gritted her teeth. In the end, this wolf cub still did it to her.
He wanted to help Li Ping ascend the throne. Now, in the imperial court, the Emperor was obsessed with cultivation. The Empress's methods were not as good as his. She was his biggest obstacle.
In the past, he tolerated her for many years because of her status as the eldest princess. Now that the Emperor was about to die, he didn't need to be the Emperor's son-in-law to obtain the Emperor's favor. She also became his political enemy. Naturally, he wanted to get rid of her.
Only Pei Wenxuan, who had known her for thirty years, could poison her so naturally in her residence. Therefore, the strange fragrance on his body was fragrant beauty. And now, this bowl of medicine was probably brewed by his people. If she had just agreed to his request, this bowl of medicine would not have been delivered to her.
But she didn't, so he killed her.
He actually dared to kill her!
When Li Rong realized this, she couldn't help but vomit another mouthful of blood. She faintly heard the imperial physician's footsteps outside. Her mind was unprecedentedly clear.
She couldn't let him live.
The pain made her exceptionally calm — even if he died, she would bury him with her!
"Take my token." The imperial physician rushed over and began to perform acupuncture on Li Rong. Li Rong grabbed Su Yongqing's hand with difficulty and hurriedly said, "Gather the Princess's Residence's elites and immediately set off. Set up an ambush in Bai Yi Alley. In the name of assassinating the Princess, we will kill Pei Wenxuan."
Blood came out of her mouth. Li Rong covered her mouth with a handkerchief and vaguely ordered, "His people will definitely fight back crazily. When you're done, inform the staff and immediately leave. Pei Wenxuan is dead. The Empress will take care of the rest. You can't be a target. "
"Don't say anymore!" Su Yongqing hugged her and said in a trembling voice, "I know, I will take care of it. You should see the doctor first. You're fine, you're fine …"
"If I die," Li Rong's eyes slowly darkened, "Pei Wenxuan can't live."
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