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Chapter 15: They Always Held Some Hope For Their Parents Deep In Their Hearts

Li Chuan was not very old, and he was not as tall as Pei Wenxuan. However, having practiced swordsmanship since childhood, he had considerable strength. With a sudden punch, Pei Wenxuan was caught off guard and fell backward.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan fall, Li Chuan was still not satisfied. He rushed up and kicked and punched again. Su Rongqing hurriedly stepped forward to stop Li Chuan, anxiously saying, “Your Highness, calm down! Be calm, Your Highness. This is an imperial official, you can’t act like this!”

“Let go! I want to beat this scoundrel to death! Let go! Bring a sword! Let me kill him! Scoundrel, you wretched thing…”

Li Chuan punched and kicked into the air. Su Rongqing and the guards firmly blocked him. After being stunned by Pei Wenxuan, he slowly regained consciousness. After taking a deep breath, he hurriedly said, “Your Highness, please listen to me explain…”

“I want to kill him! Let go of me! Let go…”

“Chuan.”

Li Rong finally reacted. Seeing Pei Wenxuan being beaten, especially Li Chuan taking action, she felt a sense of joy. She thought he truly deserved to be her brother, speaking to the dog-like person in a similar tone. However, she still pretended to be calm on the surface, hiding the slight joy in her heart. She coughed lightly and said, “You are the crown prince, be more composed.”

Upon hearing Li Rong’s admonition, Li Chuan’s movements froze. Su Rongqing and others cautiously released him. Seeing Li Chuan clenching his fists and glaring at Pei Wenxuan, they stepped back.

Pei Wenxuan was helped up, calm in demeanor. He bowed to Li Chuan and was about to explain when he heard Li Chuan say, “I won’t listen to your explanation. If you have something to say, go talk to father and mother!”

Pei Wenxuan choked up and could only say, “Yes.”

“Back to the palace!”

Li Chuan shouted, and he turned to leave with his entourage. Pei Wenxuan thought for a moment, walked to Li Rong’s side, and began, “Princess…”

Before he could finish speaking, Li Chuan suddenly turned back, blocking in front of Li Rong, and warned, “You, stay away from my sister, you dog!”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

After saying that, Li Chuan pulled Li Rong, walked fiercely towards his chestnut horse, and helped Li Rong onto the horse. He said, “Sister, ride my horse.”

Li Rong smiled, took the reins, and said gently, “Okay.”

Li Rong rode Li Chuan’s horse, and Li Chuan took Su Rongqing’s horse. So, Su Rongqing and Pei Wenxuan led the servants, walking behind Li Rong and Li Chuan.

Li Rong and Li Chuan walked side by side, walking fast, gradually distancing themselves from the people behind. Li Chuan spoke lowly to Li Rong, inquiring about her situation before asking about the events of the previous night, “Did you see who those people were last night?”

“I saw them,” Li Rong replied, then realized the issue, “You didn’t catch anyone?”

“Where could we catch them?” Li Chuan exclaimed angrily, “They ran so fast! In the blink of an eye, they were gone.”

“Did they leave any evidence?”

“No.”

“Hmm,” Li Rong wasn’t very surprised. The Yang family wouldn’t hastily undertake such actions. They must have prepared in advance. She nodded and said, “Well, that’s a bit regrettable.”

“Why do you think,” Li Chuan curiously asked, “Yang Quan did all this? What does he want?”

“Can’t you see?” Li Rong chuckled, “He wants to marry me. Once he marries me, he’ll be tied to you, my little brother.”

“Why would they want to tie themselves to me?” Li Chuan furrowed his brows. “Now everyone knows father dislikes me, always looking for an opportunity to get rid of me. If it weren’t for the rule against unfounded removal of the crown prince, he would have issued a decree long ago. Why are they leaning towards me now? Is the Yang family out of their minds?”

“What’s wrong with the Yang family’s minds?” Li Rong reminded Li Chuan, “They are quite clever. If you don’t win father’s favor, they make father hate them even more. Remember the events a few years ago when they sought rewards for their achievements? Father was forced to reward them with 300,000 taels of silver for the border regions. Knowing father’s temperament, do you think he’d let that matter rest? Recently, the Yang family suffered a defeat, the main force almost depleted on the battlefield. Now they finally realize father wants to deal with them. Isn’t it the perfect time for them to come and seek your favor?”

“But their attitude could be better,” Li Chuan immediately remarked, “Instead of directly trying to bind you, they’re out of their minds!”

“Perhaps they’re not trying to bind me,” Li Rong said leisurely, “The best scenario for them is to scare me a bit, then stage a heroic rescue. Who knows, I’m too clever for that. So, the only option left for them is to ruin my reputation, force me to marry. If I marry him, can I still easily divorce? If I have a child, can you still ignore me?”

“Despicable!” Li Chuan immediately rebuked. Li Rong nodded, agreeing, “Indeed, despicable! Worse than a dog.”

“Yes,” Li Chuan nodded, “Even worse than that Pei Wenxuan.”

Saying this, Li Chuan suddenly remembered and looked at Li Rong, hesitating, “Um, sister…”

“Yeah?”

“Pei Wenxuan…” Li Chuan pursed his lips, finding it difficult, “Did he… did he…”

“Yeah?”

“Did he… bully you?”

“You mean…” Li Rong looked at Li Chuan, who seemed conflicted, and cautiously asked. Li Chuan felt a bit embarrassed but continued, “Did he… kiss you?”

Li Rong: “…”

She thought he was asking about some form of mistreatment.

She cleared her throat and then said, “Well, Pei Wenxuan is a talented person. He wouldn’t do such things. If you treat him well, maybe he can be useful to you in the future?”

She wasn’t trying to speak well of Pei Wenxuan, but he was indeed a sharp tool for Li Chuan. She didn’t want any misunderstandings between Li Chuan and Pei Wenxuan. However, after hearing this, Li Chuan didn’t change his attitude. Instead, he lowered his head in silence, seeming disappointed.

Li Rong couldn’t help asking, “What’s wrong with you?”

“Ah, mother said, a sister who has been married is like spilled water. Now you haven’t even married yet, and you’re already speaking up for other men.”

“Of course,” Li Rong immediately responded to Li Chuan’s words, “If you really don’t like that dog, I would fully support you beating him to death!”

“That’s more like it,” Li Chuan raised an eyebrow. He leaned in and whispered, “Sister, you have to promise me one thing.”

“Go ahead.” Li Rong was quite pleased with Li Chuan’s attempts to please her. When Li Chuan smiled, revealing a somewhat adorable pair of tiger teeth, he said, “Even if you get married in the future, I still have to be the most important man in your heart!”

Hearing this, Li Rong couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Seeing her laughing, Li Chuan felt a bit dissatisfied, but he also felt that showing this dissatisfaction would make him appear too childish. So, he put on a stern face and remained silent. Li Rong noticed his unhappiness and quickly said, “Alright, alright, don’t worry. You will always be the most important man in my heart, okay?”

Li Chuan sighed and said with a pretense of composure, “I know you are just trying to deceive me, but hearing these words, I am quite satisfied.”

Li Rong, listening to Li Chuan’s affected speech, couldn’t stop laughing.

Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing followed behind. They saw Li Rong laughing ahead and Su Rongqing said gently, “The crown prince and the princess indeed have a deep sibling bond. Even among our noble families, such feelings are rare.”

“They grew up together since childhood,” Pei Wenxuan casually commented, “The princess is a person who values relationships.”

“Young master Pei knows quite a bit about the princess,” Su Rongqing nodded, seemingly recalling something, “However, young master Pei, do you know that last night, consort Ning visited both the Ming Le Palace and the Wei Yang Palace consecutively?”

Consort Ning was a noble concubine from the Yang family, while Ming Le Palace and Wei Yang Palace were the residences of concubine Rou and the empress, respectively.

Concubine Rou was currently highly favored. Her son, Li Chang, was only ten years old but exceptionally intelligent, deeply favored by the emperor, and was already granted the title of a prince, making him the youngest prince since the establishment of the dynasty.

Last night, people from the Yang family visited two places in a row. Although it was unclear what they specifically did, it was undoubtedly connected to Li Rong in numerous ways.

Su Rongqing’s words were a reminder, and after a moment of contemplation, Pei Wenxuan inquired, “Does His Highness know?”

“I have already reported to His Highness,” Su Rongqing nodded, “But I think, young master Pei, should also be aware.”

Hearing this, Pei Wenxuan looked at Su Rongqing and the latter, with a smile that seemed ambiguous, said, “If Su Rongqing is helping, what does he seek?”

Pei Wenxuan spoke seriously, and Su Rongqing, holding a folding fan, walked leisurely through the woods. After a while, he spoke slowly, “If the princess needs to choose between Yang Quan and young master Pei, I would bet on young master Pei.”

As he spoke, Su Rongqing turned to look at Pei Wenxuan, his beautiful eyes carrying a hint of solemnity, “I wonder, young master Pei, how confident are you?”

Upon hearing Su Rongqing’s words, Pei Wenxuan silently stared at Su Rongqing. He didn’t let any expression escape his face, while Su Rongqing, as always, maintained a smiling demeanor, revealing no emotional ripples in his eyes.

The two remained silent for a moment before Pei Wenxuan bowed to Su Rongqing, saying, “Pei acknowledges young master’s favor, but the matter of the princess’s marriage should be decided by the princess herself. Pei is just a low-ranking official and doesn’t dare to presume.”

“Young master Pei is correct,” Su Rongqing nodded casually, “We were just talking casually, no need to mind.”

As the group chatted, they emerged from the woods and saw a long procession occupying the official road. The distinctive carriage of the crown prince was in the middle, surrounded by guards, with the crown prince’s black flag held high at the front, presenting a majestic sight.

Li Chuan and Li Rong boarded the crown prince’s carriage, while Su Rongqing and Pei Wenxuan rode their horses separately at the front.

After boarding the carriage, attendants offered tea and snacks. Li Chuan dismissed them once everyone had left. As the carriage slowly set off, Li Chuan looked up and said, “There’s something I need to tell you.”

“What did the Yang family do last night?”

Li Rong leaned lazily against a spot, casually opening the conversation. Li Chuan paused, then smiled, “Elder sister is truly clever.”

After a moment, Li Chuan showed a serious expression, “Last night, consort Ning visited the empress mother and then went to Ming Le Palace. After she left, the empress mother’s expression was extremely poor. She didn’t tell me what consort Ning said, but I guess the Yang family might be seeking a marriage alliance.”

Li Rong nodded. Li Chuan contemplated for a moment and sighed, “The Yang family is too anxious.”

“It’s because father emperor is pressuring them too tightly.”

Li Rong spoke calmly, “I heard some time ago that father emperor withheld one-third of the Yang family’s military funds.”

“Father emperor shouldn’t have done that.” Li Chuan shook his head, “Even if he wants to weaken the Yang family, he should do it gradually, step by step, slowly marginalize them, and then lower them to commoners. Such aggressive actions might lead to chaos in the Yang family.”

Listening to Li Chuan’s words, Li Rong absentmindedly played with the Buddhist beads in her hands.

Seeing Li Rong silent for a while, Li Chuan couldn’t help but ask, “Does elder sister think I’m wrong?”

“Not really,” Li Rong smiled, turning to look at Li Chuan, and said gently, “It’s just that, Chuan, being so kind, might be the aspect that father emperor is dissatisfied with.”

“He’s dissatisfied, isn’t he?” Mentioning Li Ming, Li Chuan’s face revealed a hint of disgust. “If he has the ability, let him depose me.”

“Don’t talk nonsense.” Li Rong smiled helplessly, but she didn’t directly tell Li Chuan that their father might indeed think that way.

At sixteen, Li Chuan still held hope for Li Ming, just like the young Li Rong.

They knew the ruthless nature of royal struggles, but deep down in their hearts, there was still some hope for their parents. It was because of this hope that they dared to rebel. Saying “If he has the ability, let him depose me,” but deep down, they still believed it was their father.

Because of hope, the moment the ruthless blades fell, they truly experienced despair.

In the previous life, Li Chuan had indeed come close to being deposed. If it weren’t for Pei Wenxuan and her efforts to turn the tide, Li Chuan’s grave would have long been overgrown with weeds.

But Li Rong didn’t point this out because she knew that, no matter how adept Li Chuan was in discussing politics now, he was still just a sixteen-year-old child. If she really laid it all bare, Li Chuan might think she was too indifferent and cunning, with depths of schemes.

She didn’t want herself and Li Chuan to end up like they did in the previous life, with deep estrangement between siblings despite the blood ties.

She looked at Li Chuan, lightly tapping the little golden fan in her hand. Li Chuan, eating lychees, turned to her and asked, “Sister, how do you plan to speak when we meet the empress mother in the palace later?”

“Speak about what?”

Li Rong turned to look at Li Chuan, who had lychee juice on his mouth, and he quickly said, “About your marriage. Who do you want to marry?”

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