Chapter 37: Starting From Today, We Are Best Friends

Li Rong dozed off for a while, her hand unconsciously touching her face. Suddenly, in a half-awake state, she remembered something and abruptly sat up!

No, she hadn’t removed her makeup yet. If she slept like this, she would surely develop pimples.

This sudden realization instantly made her fully awake. The brief rest had given her strength. She was about to get out of bed when she noticed someone sleeping next to her. Pei Wenxuan lay under the blanket, sleeping soundly.

Li Rong was stunned. She never expected Pei Wenxuan to actually get onto her bed. It showed that he was really exhausted; otherwise, with his personality, he would never do something so impolite.

Pei Wenxuan slept too comfortably, and the soothing sound of his breathing made Li Rong feel a bit drowsy. She quickly slapped his body to wake him up, saying, “Pei Wenxuan!”

Pei Wenxuan abruptly sat up, startled. “What’s the matter?!”

Li Rong lifted his face with her hands, turning it towards her. She stared at Pei Wenxuan and said, “We haven’t freshened up yet. There’s still water in the clean room. Go take a bath.”

Pei Wenxuan was a bit stunned. After a moment, he sighed and said helplessly, “Your Highness, it’s so late. Can’t we leave it for tomorrow?”

Li Rong had been eating well and sleeping soundly recently. She could quickly regain her combat power with just a short nap. However, Pei Wenxuan had hardly slept well since the day they separated at the waterside. Today, he finally sorted out his thoughts and was looking forward to a good night’s sleep. But now, after just a short while, he was being woken up. It was more uncomfortable than not sleeping at all.

However, Li Rong paid no attention to his feelings.

Her mind was filled with the fact that they had worn formal attire all day, and Pei Wenxuan had put on makeup today as well. If they didn’t clean up, not only would they be covered in sweat, but they might also develop facial blemishes. Her own beauty should not be ruined by such things. Moreover, Pei Wenxuan was someone she had to look at every day. If that divine face of his was marred by a few pimples, it would be a pity.

So, she squeezed Pei Wenxuan’s face, staring at him and said, “Pei Wenxuan, are you still a man?”

Upon hearing her question, Pei Wenxuan knew she was up to something. He immediately felt the pain and covered his face with his hands, groaning as he fell over to the side, “I’m not, Your Highness, just send me to the palace to be castrated tomorrow. I want to sleep…”

Before he could finish his sentence, Li Rong forcefully lifted him up, and he tumbled off the bed.

Pei Wenxuan lay on the floor, holding the blanket, while Li Rong descended from the bed, looking down at him. She said, “Hurry up and clean yourself in the clean room. If you’re not clean by the time I come back, don’t blame me for dealing with you.”

Pei Wenxuan, upon hearing these words, curled up on the ground with a blanket, looking quite aggrieved.

“Your Highness, the water is cold.”

“You are warm.” Li Rong put on her coat, looking at him with disdain, as if looking at a fool, “Just cover the blanket to stay warm, isn’t that easy?”

Saying that, Li Rong lightly kicked him: “Hurry up.”

After Li Rong finished speaking, she flipped her hair back and opened the door to leave.

The maidservant standing at the door quickly came up with a lamp and respectfully said, “Your Highness.”

“Have someone prepare, I’m going to the Imperial Spring Bath.”

Upon hearing this, the maids exchanged glances, seeming to understand something, and smiled: “Yes.”

For the matter of Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan getting up to bathe in the middle of the night, it seemed that the princess’s residence had long been prepared. There was a natural hot spring in the princess’s residence, and a bathhouse was specially built. When Li Rong entered, everyone was already prepared. After changing for Li Rong, they served her into the pool.

Li Rong lay in the pool, closing her eyes to rest, with a maid helping her remove makeup and another using soap to clean her hair, gently massaging her scalp.

Li Rong enjoyed lying there, listening to Jingmei, who was removing her makeup, smiling and asking, “How does Your Highness feel today?”

“What feeling?”

Li Rong didn’t react for a moment, and the maidservant beside her chuckled. Li Rong suddenly realized and felt somewhat helpless. These maidservants around her, though unmarried, were quite knowledgeable.

But she couldn’t tell them the truth, so she could only casually respond, “It’s fine.”

“The prince consort must be very gentle, right?”

While Jinglan massaged Li Rong’s scalp, she suddenly came up with this sentence. Li Rong found it somewhat strange, “Why are you all concerned about this?”

Upon hearing this question, everyone burst into laughter again.

“Your Highness,” Jingmei smiled and said, “We were waiting just now, thinking that the prince consort would come to the Imperial Spring Bath. Unexpectedly, it was you who walked over, leaving the prince consort in the inner chamber.”

Li Rong: “…”

Li Rong felt a bit awkward for a moment. She didn’t know whether to say that Pei Wenxuan was not feeling well or that she was in excellent health.

Fortunately, these were all unmarried young girls, and she cleared her throat, casually saying, “It’s not as exaggerated as you imagine. The water here is warm. Don’t ask so much, just give me the bath beans.”

Li Rong’s attempt to divert attention with humor made everyone laugh heartily, but they didn’t say much. They continued to serve Li Rong to finish bathing, dried her hair, and escorted her back to her room.

When Li Rong returned to her room, Pei Wenxuan had already finished bathing. He had someone change the water in the room, but because his bathing time was shorter, when Li Rong came back, he was sitting cross-legged on the bed, drying his hair.

As Li Rong entered, he glanced up, said nothing, and continued to dry his hair.

The maid closed the door behind them, and Li Rong walked to the bedside. Pei Wenxuan’s movements stiffened a bit. Li Rong sat gracefully on the edge of the bed, and when Pei Wenxuan tried to get up, she raised her hand, pressing it on the bed rail, directly blocking his way. She said calmly, “Sit down, I have something to discuss with you.”

“It’s late now…”

Pei Wenxuan, seeing that Li Rong’s expression wasn’t great, forced a smile, “How about we talk tomorrow after a good rest?”

“My hair is not dry yet.” Li Rong shifted her legs onto the bed, lying sideways, blocking Pei Wenxuan’s path with the bedpost. Pei Wenxuan knelt back down, took a deep breath, and said, “I can get off the bed to talk.”

“I want to talk to you in bed.”

“No…” Pei Wenxuan stuttered, “Isn’t that inappropriate?”

“You’re already sitting here, what’s inappropriate? Why are you so nervous?” Li Rong assessed him from head to toe, leaned in, and as she did, a fragrance wafted over. Pei Wenxuan, startled, leaned back hastily, his breathing becoming somewhat hurried.

With Li Rong so close, staring at him, Pei Wenxuan feigned composure, locking eyes with her. After a moment, Li Rong smiled gently. That smile, in the dim light, reflected a touch of brilliance, displaying a hint of charm. She tenderly lifted her hand, brushing his hair sticking to his face behind his ear, “Don’t be afraid,” she elongated her voice, typically soft but now carrying a hint of chilly tone. It sounded somewhat alluring to Pei Wenxuan. Then, her hand rested on his face, and before Pei Wenxuan could regain his composure, she started lightly patting his face, “Confession earns leniency, I am quite magnanimous.”

This patting brought him back to his senses. He quickly collected himself, sat upright, and calmly said, “What does Your Highness want me to confess?”

“What’s the matter with Su Rongqing?” Li Rong stared at him. “I had a grand wedding, and you had him come to escort me. Are you mocking me?”

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan kept his eyes straight ahead, “could you speak to me from a distance?”

“If I keep my distance, will you answer me?”

Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Seeing this as consent, Li Rong straightened up, changed to a more elegant posture, and knelt on the opposite side of Pei Wenxuan.

The couple knelt on either side of the bed, facing each other. Li Rong stared at Pei Wenxuan, who kept his eyes lowered. After a moment of hesitation, he organized his thoughts and said, “I just hope that you can be happier.”

“I had a grand wedding,” Li Rong tapped the bed with her fan, angrily said, “and you had Su Rongqing come to escort me. Whom are you humiliating? Do you still want me to be happy?”

“You and him just don’t have fate,” Pei Wenxuan raised his head, earnestly looking at Li Rong. “In the previous life, there was no suitable opportunity, but in this life, you can have one, can’t you?”

Li Rong was somewhat stunned by Pei Wenxuan’s words. After a pause, she felt like she understood every word he said but still couldn’t comprehend his meaning.

“Can you,” Li Rong frowned, “use language that I can understand and tell me what you’re thinking?”

“My meaning is, in this lifetime, you can start anew with Su Rongqing.”

“Why would I want to start anew?” Li Rong asked instinctively.

“Because you love him,” Pei Wenxuan answered earnestly.

“I… I love him?” Li Rong stammered in fright by Pei Wenxuan’s words. She held onto her fan, confusedly spoke, “I… I didn’t know?”

“You’ve been together with him for twenty-five years,” Pei Wenxuan lowered his gaze, “I’ve seen it all. He treats you well, protects you. When you’re with him, you’re happy. Even in this life, seeing him is different for you.”

Listening to Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Rong felt a sense of confusion rising within her.

Pei Wenxuan looked up at her and said softly, “Li Rong, the thing you’re best at is self-deception. Every time, not only do you deceive others, but you also deceive yourself. When you were young, you deceived yourself into thinking you didn’t like me. Now, you deceive yourself into thinking you don’t like Su Rongqing. But the truth is, you’re not disliking, you’re just afraid.”

“What… what am I afraid of?”

Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words, feeling somewhat nervous.

She vaguely felt that what Pei Wenxuan said was right, but at the same time, it seemed not quite right. She only felt that this conversation made her embarrassed and awkward, to the extent that she even regretted why she asked about this in the first place.

But she still wanted to hear more.

She wanted to know what kind of person she was in Pei Wenxuan’s eyes, and what he thought.

“You’re afraid he’ll be the same as before, afraid that the love he gives you in this lifetime will be like the last one, where the family is more important, where power is more important than you. Li Rong, you always say you understand Su Rongqing, you understand his choices, you don’t resent him. But if you don’t resent, why did you decide to give up on him from the beginning?”

Li Rong stood still, and Pei Wenxuan smiled, “You still resent. Because he killed you, made you see that he is a person similar to you. But you know deep down, a love that would easily be sacrificed in front of the family, a love that would be abandoned without hesitation for the sake of power, is not what you want. So even though you know this life is a fresh start, even though you know the fate of the Su family will change, you had countless chances to be with him, to have a better life, but from the beginning, you chose to give up.”

“So after all you’ve said,” Li Rong forced a bitter smile, “what are you trying to say?”

“But Su Rongqing is not like that,” Pei Wenxuan’s words were sincere, “You think he will always choose his family over his wife, you think he won’t truly love anyone. But do you understand the Su Rongqing at the age of twenty? If he didn’t have you in his heart, if he was as calm and indifferent about love as you said, if love didn’t hold such an important place in his life, then he wouldn’t have come on that day at the waterside.”

“Before we got married, I asked him,” Pei Wenxuan had a hint of a smile on his face, “I asked him, in case of conflict between his wife and family, whom would he choose? He told me, the wife is also family, and he would choose reason. He’s not as you imagine, he can give you the love you want.”

“He can give, but why should I want it?” Li Rong felt a bit helpless. 

“Because you want to have a good life,” Pei Wenxuan looked into her eyes. “You don’t want to live like in the previous life. You want a good future for the crown prince, a beautiful family, someone who loves you and whom you love. You want children to bring joy to your knees. You want, in your old age, to have someone to rely on, to journey together into the afterlife, don’t you?”

Li Rong couldn’t find words to respond, and Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath. “You want all of this, and he is the person you could have loved the most. The two of you could have had a good life together. In this life, why not try to fight for it, make an effort?”

“Don’t always think of yourself as old. You’re only eighteen now, in the prime of your life. Why block all possibilities for yourself? When Su Rongqing went to pick you up today, didn’t you ever think that if one day you could marry, wouldn’t you be happy?”

“I… I haven’t thought about it…” Li Rong felt a bit guilty as Pei Wenxuan spoke fervently. She felt like she hadn’t thought about anything in her mind and was perhaps neglecting Pei Wenxuan’s goodwill.

Though what Pei Wenxuan said made some sense, she had no immediate desire to put those thoughts into practice.

Seeing Li Rong still resisting, Pei Wenxuan, somewhat frustrated, said, “Now, think about it. Imagine if you and he were married, wouldn’t you have a better life?”

“I… I’m a bit tired,” Li Rong felt that the topic couldn’t go on. She quickly said, “There’s something tomorrow; let’s sleep for now.”

“No, ” Pei Wenxuan reached out to stop Li Rong from lying down to sleep and helped her sit up. “It’s not easy for me to have a serious talk with you. We need to clarify this issue.”

“What issue?” Li Rong looked bewildered. Pei Wenxuan was serious, “The issue of how you’re going to marry Su Rongqing.”

“Let’s just go to sleep.”

Li Rong immediately lay down again, but Pei Wenxuan intercepted her once more, helping her sit up. “Don’t play around. Listen to me. Facing your feelings for Su Rongqing is the first step in opening your heart. You have to learn to face yourself before you can live a good life.”

Li Rong felt overwhelmed by these words. She took a deep breath, sat cross-legged, and rolled up her sleeves. “Fine, you talk, I’ll listen. Let’s see who can outlast whom tonight. Whatever profound insights you have, bring them on! First, tell me, what are the benefits of marrying Su Rongqing?”

“Firstly, your identities match, and your thoughts are similar. When you’re together, you can be like confidantes, like good friends, making music together for a lifetime, becoming immortal partners.”

“Secondly, Su Rongqing has a noble status, originally from the aristocracy. Being with him is like adding wings to a tiger. Whatever the future crown prince wants to do, it becomes much easier with Su Rongqing by his side.”

“Thirdly, you already have a compatible emotional foundation…”

Pei Wenxuan fully utilized his political instincts, listing one advantage after another, painting a beautiful future for Li Rong and Su Rongqing after marriage.

Li Rong stared wide-eyed, continuously looking at Pei Wenxuan.

She couldn’t believe that Pei Wenxuan, who seemed so tired just a moment ago, was now wide awake.

However, Pei Wenxuan was fully aware of Li Rong’s intentions. He was accustomed to being strong when faced with challenges, and he wouldn’t let Li Rong have her way if she wanted to outlast him.

So he gathered his spirits, locked eyes with Li Rong, and exerted great effort in expressing himself slowly, thoroughly demonstrating the necessity for Li Rong to marry Su Rongqing.

Pei Wenxuan was quite eloquent. On his own stage, he gradually spoke about the crowing of the rooster. Li Rong, supporting her head with her hand, began to doze off, listening to Pei Wenxuan’s mesmerizing voice. 

As Pei Wenxuan spoke more energetically, he noticed Li Rong showing signs of falling asleep. Immediately, he shook her awake and earnestly asked, “Your Highness, have you considered it?”

Then, Li Rong jolted awake, instantly becoming serious again, raising a question, “Ignoring the questionable authenticity of your claims, even if it’s true, now that I am already married to you, how can I marry him?”

“I’ve thought about that for Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan said. He got off the bed, and Li Rong, relieved to see him leave, was about to lean to the side when Pei Wenxuan returned, presenting a document respectfully. “This is the plan I’ve drafted for Your Highness. I’ve considered it thoroughly. To renew the ties between Your Highness and Su Rongqing, we need to go step by step. The first step is self-awareness. Your Highness needs to truly understand your own mindset, let go of the wariness from the past, and have a correct understanding of Su Rongqing.”

Li Rong took the document and, in the dark night, listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words. She was astonished as she unfolded the detailed plan on how to marry Su Rongqing. The document was long enough to reach Li Rong’s hand, and under the moonlight, she saw the densely packed words. Pei Wenxuan continued, “The second step is understanding the enemy. We need to ascertain Su Rongqing’s current attitude towards Your Highness and his emotions. Leave this to me.” Pei Wenxuan placed his hand on his chest, looking serious and trustworthy. “I will establish a good relationship with Su Rongqing and determine his thoughts towards Your Highness.”

“After confirming Su Rongqing’s thoughts, we move on to the third step, confronting the enemy. This step is also my responsibility. The main goal is to let Su Rongqing know that I and Your Highness are allies, and he still has a chance.”

“The fourth step is capturing the enemy. Once Su Rongqing has a chance, we create some opportunities for Your Highness and Su Rongqing to interact. With Your Highness’s abilities, capturing Su Rongqing will be a piece of cake. Then, Your Highness can make further arrangements with him.”

“You…” Li Rong listened, wide-eyed and speechless. “Do you… have too much confidence in me?”

“Yes,” Pei Wenxuan replied seriously, “this is a comprehensive evaluation of Your Highness. Considering Your Highness’s appearance, methods, and temperament, if there’s a suitable opportunity, who wouldn’t admire you? Your Highness, please don’t underestimate yourself.”

“You say it so convincingly…” Li Rong murmured. “I’m almost starting to believe it.”

“Your Highness, do you doubt my sincerity?” Pei Wenxuan had the look of a loyal advisor offering frank advice, causing Li Rong to take in a sharp breath. Listening to the rooster crowing outside, holding the document in her hand, she suddenly realized that Pei Wenxuan had come prepared. In this game of wits, she feared she might not come out victorious.

Taking a deep breath, she decided to use a strategy of turning the tables on the enemy, attacking with the enemy’s spear against their own shield. She nodded and said, “Lord Pei’s words make a lot of sense. I have suddenly seen the light, as if awakened from a dream. Starting a new life is to rectify regrets. Lord Pei, for your thoughtful consideration, I am truly grateful. To repay your sincere intentions, I have decided to take charge of your marital destiny.”

Pei Wenxuan stood frozen in place, repeating, “My marital destiny?”

“Yes,” Li Rong nodded earnestly, “Lord Pei, just like the unfortunate circumstances between you and Miss Qin in the previous life, now, with a second chance, Miss Qin has not entered the palace yet. Lord Pei, you should gather your courage and pursue her!”

“No… no need,” Pei Wenxuan, upon hearing Li Rong mention Qin Zhenzhen, suddenly became uneasy. “Let’s talk about Your Highness…”

“No, Lord Pei,” Li Rong pressed her hand on Pei Wenxuan’s shoulder, speaking sincerely, “you have thought so much for me. How can I not think for you? Lord Pei, there’s no need to decline. If you decline, I won’t understand why you insisted on helping me plan to marry Su Rongqing.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Wenxuan stiffened. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, “Your Highness is right. However, the immediate priority is master Su. Miss Qin can wait.”

“In fact, master Su is not in a hurry either.”

With that, both fell into silence. Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath. “Your Highness, rest assured. Leave master Su to me, and I will surely handle it for you.”

“Lord Pei, rest assured,” Li Rong immediately responded, “Leave Miss Qin to me, and I will make sure to help you.”

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Li Rong: “…”

The rooster crowed again, and Pei Wenxuan hesitated, saying, “Since Your Highness has agreed to this, why don’t we go to sleep?”

Li Rong nodded, and the two quickly got into bed, closing their eyes to make the most of the time.

After closing her eyes, Li Rong couldn’t help but ask again, “Pei Wenxuan.”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you doing all this?” she inquired.

Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Li Rong thought for a moment, realizing she didn’t need him to answer; she could guess. Pei Wenxuan was indeed doing it for her sake. Perhaps the approach was a bit unconventional, but in his heart, he genuinely wanted her to have a good life.

She couldn’t help but laugh silently in the night. “Our relationship is strange, isn’t it? Not quite husband and wife, not purely allies either. We’ve been through thirty years of ups and downs, criticizing each other while also wanting the best for each other. After getting married, we still have to plan each other’s marriages with other people. What kind of relationship is this?”

Pei Wenxuan remained silent. Listening to Li Rong, he felt a bit stifled. Facing away from her, he spoke in a low voice, “If you think highly of me, you can consider me as a brother.”

“No, thanks,” Li Rong immediately rejected. “I’m not into having a brother.”

“Suit yourself.”

Pei Wenxuan couldn’t be bothered to deal with her. Li Rong thought for a moment, suddenly turned around, and moved closer to Pei Wenxuan, joyfully saying, “Can you be considered my confidant in the women’s quarters now?”

“Stay away from me,” Pei Wenxuan shrank back, “don’t come too close; you’ll scare me.”

Li Rong laughed and rolled over, putting some distance between them. Somehow, she felt like she had stumbled upon a new term, defining her and Pei Wenxuan’s relationship.

“Pei Wenxuan,” she poked Pei Wenxuan’s back with her hand, “I think this term suits you well. Starting today, you are my best friend.”

“What does that make you then? Are you my sworn brother?”

Pei Wenxuan countered, and Li Rong burst into laughter. Suddenly not feeling tired anymore, she continued to chatter, “Now you are in my boudoir, you…”

“Oh, my goodness,” Pei Wenxuan couldn’t help it, turned over, and covered her mouth with his hand, seriously saying, “Let’s sleep, okay?”

Li Rong blinked, and Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath, “Alright, I am your best friend, let’s sleep?”

Li Rong smiled with closed eyes, content.

Watching Li Rong close her eyes, Pei Wenxuan sighed and even forgot to turn around, sleeping face to face with her.

Before falling asleep, he vaguely thought—

Tomorrow, I have to get more bedding. It’s much better when sleeping on the floor.

If this goes on, he’s afraid he might die young.

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