Chapter 69: She Had Figured It Out—That Old Fox Pei Wenxuan Was About To Make His Move On Her

Li Rong still remembers Pei Wenxuan’s youthful inexperience.

Although many years have passed, she still recalls how cautious and flustered he was when they shared their first kiss.

At first, their lips merely brushed together lightly. It felt soft but nothing particularly special—nothing as mysterious as the rumors claimed.

Later, things became more reckless and clumsy, tinged with desire. But even then, Li Rong never found much joy in it. It was simply part of marriage, a duty to be fulfilled.

Pei Wenxuan, however, was always a diligent student. Just as he had learned to do her makeup and paint her brows, he was determined to perfect this as well. Every night, he tried different approaches, always earnestly asking her, “Your Highness, what do you think?”

It was almost laughable in hindsight. But his persistence paid off—he found his way.

He could craft over a dozen different makeup looks for her.

He could also, with a single kiss, send her into a realm of unparalleled pleasure.

Su Rongqing had kissed her before. In their long embraces, he fulfilled the duties of a partner.

Yet his kisses were always restrained, measured—just like the man himself, just like his feelings for her. They allowed her to remain clear-headed, making her acutely aware that everything she felt was simply an inherent human response.

But what Pei Wenxuan gave her was different. Beyond raw desire, he bestowed something else—something that could unravel even the most composed mind, turning reason into tangled, lingering emotions.

When he kissed her, Li Rong was initially stunned. Yet the shock lasted only a moment before her mind completely unraveled. Decades of unfelt pleasure exploded in her consciousness, rendering her too weak to even push him away.

It wasn’t until Pei Wenxuan’s lips trailed down her neck, his teeth undoing the fastenings of her robes, his hands tugging at her waistband, that Li Rong finally regained a sliver of clarity. She caught his hand in a firm grip.

Both of them were breathing heavily. Pei Wenxuan paused for a moment before slowly lifting his head.

There was a smile on his face—one tinged with pride, barely concealing the smoldering passion beneath.

“You…” Li Rong’s voice was hoarse. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Li Rong was no fool. She refused to believe that Pei Wenxuan merely wanted to “be friends.”

What kind of friend does this?

It was one thing for him to steal kisses and touches, but to go this far and still claim friendship—did he take her for an idiot?!

What enraged her even more was that, despite knowing his intentions were anything but pure—she had actually let him!

She hadn’t pushed him away immediately. She had accepted it.

Li Rong was furious at herself, but even more so at Pei Wenxuan. She glared at him, eyes burning.

Pei Wenxuan noticed the wariness in her gaze. She seemed terrified that he would kiss her again. Seeing her on guard like this, and knowing exactly why, he couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

“What are you laughing at?”

Li Rong slowly raised her hand and shoved Pei Wenxuan, who followed the force of her push and fell back onto the bed, laughing uncontrollably. She grabbed the soft pillow beside her and hurled it at him. Pei Wenxuan shielded his head, allowing her to pummel him as much as she wanted.

She knew he was laughing at her momentary loss of composure—how she had completely forgotten herself over just a kiss. The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became, both at herself and at Pei Wenxuan. Furious, she threw the pillow aside and raised her hand to hit him. Pei Wenxuan let her strike him a few times before finally catching one of her hands.

Li Rong glared at him, her breath uneven. Pei Wenxuan propped himself up slightly, bringing her hand to his lips. He gently blew on it, then lifted his gaze to hers with a smirk. “Don’t hurt your hand.”

“Pei Wenxuan!”

Li Rong’s voice was sharp with anger. “You’re being insolent!”

“Does Your Highness not like it?” Pei Wenxuan lounged on the bed, propping his head up with one hand, his eyes filled with amusement. “I thought Your Highness should be quite pleased just now.”

Li Rong scoffed coldly. “The Imperial Censor Pei certainly has excellent skills in serving others. How could I not be satisfied?”

“That’s good to hear.” Pei Wenxuan chuckled as he looked at her. “If Your Highness ever requires my service, I am always at your disposal.”

Li Rong said nothing. She stared at Pei Wenxuan, watching his calm and leisurely demeanor. After a long silence, she finally gritted her teeth and said, “What madness has gotten into you?”

“I heard that Lord Su recently proposed to Your Highness.”

Pei Wenxuan held Li Rong’s hand, absentmindedly stroking it, his eyes fixed on where their skin touched. His voice was slow and deliberate. “I was simply reminding Your Highness not to be swayed by Lord Su’s charms.”

“A reminder?” Li Rong let out a bitter laugh. “And this is what you call a reminder?”

“Your Highness, if all you need is someone by your side, I am already here.” Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes, his voice soft. “I told you before—whatever Your Highness desires, I can give it to you.”

Then, with a teasing smile, he repeated her own words back to her: “Including kissing you.”

Li Rong didn’t respond. She stared into Pei Wenxuan’s eyes.

Pei Wenxuan averted his gaze slightly and continued in a quiet tone, “I know that Lord Su is special to you. His willingness to marry you must have been quite a shock. After all, in two lifetimes, you’ve never been able to marry him openly. It must be a regret in your heart.”

“You admired him when you were young. Su Rongqing in white—like an immortal come to life. Later, you spent a lifetime together, but always without an official title. To be able to stand beside him as husband and wife, recognized by heaven and earth, must have been a long-cherished wish of yours. But, Your Highness, now is no longer the right time.”

Pei Wenxuan shifted slightly, straightening his sleeves as if speaking of something insignificant. “If this were before—when you and the Su family had no conflicts of interest—then marrying him would have been a fine match. But now, you want to establish the Supervisory Office and take power from the aristocratic families. If Su Rongqing chooses to stand with you, your relationship will inevitably be tainted by politics, and that’s not the Su Rongqing you once admired.”

“If he refuses to stand with you, then your marriage is doomed from the start. And the worst possibility? If he, like in your past life, uses your feelings to gain power for himself…” Pei Wenxuan’s voice turned cold as he lifted his gaze to her. “What will you do then, Your Highness?”

Li Rong remained silent, watching him speak so indifferently. Pei Wenxuan, seeing that she didn’t refute him, assumed his words had struck a chord. His gaze flickered with something unreadable, and he shifted his tone.

“If Your Highness must choose someone, then between Su Rongqing and me, you might as well choose me.”

“Choose you?” Li Rong’s voice carried a trace of mockery.

“Is it such a bad choice?” Pei Wenxuan turned to look at Li Rong, speaking calmly. “In terms of family background, the Su family may be a prestigious clan, but the Pei family is also a noble lineage. Whatever the Su family can offer Your Highness, the Pei family can provide just as much, if not more. And now that His Majesty is establishing the Supervisory Office and opposing the aristocratic families, the Pei family is far more willing to pledge full loyalty. Compared to the Su family, we are much easier to control.”

“And if we talk about personal merit,” Pei Wenxuan raised an eyebrow, “in what way am I inferior to him?”

“You’re being ridiculous.”

Li Rong could see that Pei Wenxuan was speaking nonsense, and she could not be bothered to continue the conversation. She turned over, lying on her side with her back to him. “Go to sleep.”

“No, you don’t get to sleep!” Pei Wenxuan was dissatisfied with her evasion. He reached out to pull her, trying to turn her back over as he pressed, “Tell me—how am I any worse than him?”

Li Rong ignored him, covering her ears as if refusing to listen. Pei Wenxuan grew frustrated and gritted his teeth. “I excelled in all six arts of a gentleman—I ranked first every year. I am not inferior to him in that. In terms of looks, I am no worse than him. As for personality, does he treat you better than I do? He couldn’t even bring himself to propose marriage to you, so what are you holding onto?”

“Not listening, not listening—you’re just a nagging turtle,” Li Rong teased, hearing the irritation in his voice and feeling pleased by it.

“Li Rong, say it clearly!” Pei Wenxuan flipped her over, exasperated. “How exactly am I not as good as him?”

“Then tell me this,” Li Rong suppressed a smile and pretended to be serious. “In every aspect, you’re merely on par with him, yet he comes from a prestigious family. What makes you think you’re better than him?”

That question stumped Pei Wenxuan for a moment. Li Rong sighed. “See? You can’t even say it. If you can’t answer, then don’t bother me. I’m going to sleep.”

She lay down again. Pei Wenxuan sat behind her in silence for a while. Li Rong, after some thought, worried she might have teased him too much and was about to offer some words of consolation when she suddenly heard Pei Wenxuan say, “But I dared to marry you.”

“What kind of nonsense is that?”

Li Rong sat up in annoyance. “Is marrying me some kind of sacrifice?”

“I was willing to risk my life to marry you,” Pei Wenxuan looked at her seriously. “Would he dare to do the same?”

Li Rong froze upon hearing those words. Pei Wenxuan gazed at her steadily.

“Li Rong, I fought to have you.”

He had only himself to rely on. He had risked his life to bring down the Yang family and shake the court—only then was he able to claim her as his wife.

“But he never dared.”

Despite his noble status and the power in his hands, Su Rongqing never dared.

Li Rong listened to his words, watching the young man before her. He was like a lone blade, carving his path through past and present, always forging ahead alone.

And she knew.

She had always known.

This man, who had clawed his way up from nothing, possessed a courage and ambition that few noble sons could match. And yet, when it came to her, he retained a trace of youthful sincerity.

“So,” Li Rong finally let go of her teasing. She smiled bitterly. “I married you.”

She reached out, taking his hand into hers. “Pei Wenxuan, do you know?” She sighed. “You’re perfect in every way, except for one thing.”

She looked at him, her voice soft yet certain.

“You always think you’re not good enough.”

“If you’re going to praise yourself, you always have to back it up with some kind of achievement,” Li Rong said. “You ranked first in the Six Arts of a Gentleman, you excel at everything, you’ve held high office, you write beautifully, you’re incredibly talented, and even—” she paused, eyes glinting with amusement, “your skills in certain areas are top-notch.”

Pei Wenxuan’s face immediately heated up. He forced himself to remain composed. “One shouldn’t speak without reason. If I claim to be good at something, naturally, I should have proof.”

“But I don’t think it’s necessary.”

Li Rong spoke plainly. “You are Pei Wenxuan, and that is enough.”

Pei Wenxuan’s body stiffened slightly. Li Rong continued, “You once told me that your mother always compared you to your father, to other people. But now, listen to me—you don’t need to compare yourself to anyone, least of all Su Rongqing.”

“You’re afraid that if Su Rongqing proposes, I might be swayed. I know what you’re worried about. But rest assured,” Li Rong said calmly, “I won’t ruin my future for the sake of a man.”

Pei Wenxuan: ”…”

“That’s not what I meant…”

Ruin her future for a man? It wasn’t impossible. It was just that the only man she could do it for… was him.

That thought flashed through Pei Wenxuan’s mind, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it outright. He struggled to find the right words, carefully weighing how he should speak.

Li Rong lifted her gaze to him, her eyes clear and penetrating. She seemed to know everything yet chose not to say a word.

Pei Wenxuan fell silent, torn between speaking up and keeping quiet. If he said it out loud, would she push him away, severing even their friendship? But if he didn’t say it, what if she never understood?

After a brief hesitation, his gaze flickered over her lips before he smiled and said, “I know Your Highness understands things clearly. I was overthinking it.”

“You have business to attend to tomorrow,” he murmured, lying down beside her. “Get some rest.”

Li Rong had spent the whole night dealing with him and was already exhausted. As she lay down, barely a moment passed before she felt him pressing up against her from behind.

Pei Wenxuan wrapped his arms around her. She tensed, bracing herself for his next move.

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan noticed her stiffness and chuckled softly, whispering near her ear, “we have a long road ahead of us.”

Li Rong said nothing.

But she had figured it out.

This cunning old fox, Pei Wenxuan, was truly making a move on her now.

Tch.

She cursed him in her mind.

Scoundrel.

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