Chapter 81: An Attempted Assassination Is Underway

Both had their own thoughts and began to make their preparations.

Li Rong’s case was coming to an end. Everyone had been convicted: over seventy officials, more than forty demoted, thirteen exiled, seven executed, and a few who committed suicide during the investigation were not counted.

The report reached Li Ming, who deliberated for a day before finally approving it.

After the report was submitted to the Ministry of Personnel for review, it was immediately rejected, listing the past achievements of those officials and concluding that the punishment was too severe.

Li Rong, not wanting to argue with the civil officials, asked Pei Wenxuan to write a report to scold them.

Pei Wenxuan, who had been in a good mood lately, sat beside her in the evening. She would curse, and he would elegantly rephrase it in writing.

When she got tired of cursing, he would bring her a cup of water to soothe her throat.

On the surface, she was verbally sparring with the aristocrats, but secretly, she had people set up an ambush in Butterfly Gorge. The day before going to Butterfly Gorge, she instructed Shangguan Ya to bury gunpowder there just in case. That night, Shangguan Ya reported to her: “Your Highness, did you mention the ambush in Butterfly Gorge to anyone else?”

Li Rong looked up from her documents, “What’s wrong?”

“There is another group doing something in Butterfly Gorge.”

“Something else?” Li Rong became alert, “Do you know who they are?”

“I thought you knew,” Shangguan Ya smiled, “It seems to be the Prince Consort’s people.”

“The Prince Consort?” Li Rong was a bit surprised, “What are his people doing there?”

“Not sure yet, but they transported a lot of flowers today, as if setting up something.”

Li Rong thought for a moment and said, “Transporting a lot of flowers would make quite a commotion, wouldn’t it?”

“Exactly,” Shangguan Ya seemed pleased, “I was worried that if the Chen family didn’t react to Your Highness’s outing, it would be a problem. Now there’s no need to worry. The Prince Consort’s actions today have already alarmed the Chen family. Their informants reported tonight that many people visited the Chen residence today, and Madam Chen withdrew a large amount of gold and silver from the treasury, likely preparing for something.”

“Old ginger is spicier,” Li Rong sighed, “Pei Wenxuan really can’t be kept in the dark.”

“The Prince Consort is a smart man,” Shangguan Ya smiled, “Your Highness has come this far, he knows he can’t stop you, so he might as well help you.”

“If things go well tomorrow, everyone will be rewarded.”

Li Rong was pleased and then remembered, “Is the gunpowder buried?”

“It’s buried,” Shangguan Ya said, taking out a map of Butterfly Gorge and pointing out the locations to Li Rong, “It’s placed at these three points. After Your Highness enters Butterfly Gorge, jump into the third pool, swim west for ten zhang, and you’ll see a hidden cave. You can hide there in case of any emergency.”

Li Rong nodded and, after confirming the entire process with Shangguan Ya, saw that it was late and went out with her. At the door, they met Su Ronghua, who was about to leave. Su Ronghua bowed respectfully, “Your Highness.”

Li Rong nodded, “Is Lord Su leaving?”

“Yes,” Su Ronghua smiled, “Is Your Highness and Miss Shangguan also leaving?”

The three of them stepped out of the Supervisory Office together. Li Rong smiled, “It’s getting late.”

“It’s been cold lately,” Su Ronghua said as he helped Li Rong into the carriage, “Your Highness should go out less often.”

Li Rong paused at his words, then turned to look at Su Ronghua. After a long time, she smiled gently, “Thank you for the reminder, Lord Su. It’s late, you should also avoid traveling at night.”

Su Ronghua chuckled, a bit helpless, “Your Highness, whether I travel at night is not up to me. The only thing I can do is…”

“…but all I can do is try to walk under the lights.”

“Even someone as bold as Lord Su,” Li Rong was puzzled, “can’t choose whether to walk or not?”

Su Ronghua didn’t respond. He raised his hand in salute and said softly, “Farewell, Your Highness.”

Li Rong looked at Su Ronghua for a moment before finally nodding and bidding farewell to Shangguan Ya and Su Ronghua.

When Li Rong returned to her residence, she saw Pei Wenxuan waiting for her as usual. He had heard she was coming back and was waiting at the door. As soon as Li Rong entered, she saw the young man in blue standing in the corridor.

Seeing Pei Wenxuan, Li Rong couldn’t help but smile. She walked up to him, patted his shoulder, and encouraged him, “Well done.”

Pei Wenxuan was a bit confused and cautiously asked, “Your Highness, what do you mean by ‘well done’?”

“I know what you did in Butterfly Gorge.”

Pei Wenxuan was shocked to hear this. He hadn’t expected Li Rong to care so much about him, even to the point of finding out such details. He couldn’t help but ask, “Since Your Highness knows, then tomorrow…” Pei Wenxuan was a bit uneasy, “Are you still planning to go?”

“After putting in so much effort, how could I not go?”

Li Rong smiled, “Just follow your plan, but make sure it’s done beautifully.”

Pei Wenxuan was stunned for a moment. His heart raced as he watched Li Rong walk away with her hands behind her back. He wanted to ask many questions but felt it would be inappropriate.

Since Li Rong knew what he was doing in Butterfly Gorge, with her intelligence, she naturally knew what he was thinking. Her approval might mean… another kind of response?

Pei Wenxuan didn’t dare to think too much. He feared that overthinking would lead to saying too much. He had already prepared to speak his mind tomorrow, so he smiled and said solemnly, “Rest assured, Your Highness, I will arrange everything.”

Li Rong nodded, pleased, “Alright, let’s eat.”

That night, Li Rong was in high spirits. Pei Wenxuan noticed her happiness and felt a bit uneasy.

He thought Li Rong must be looking forward to his performance tomorrow. If he didn’t do well, would she be disappointed?

He understood Li Rong’s cautious nature. She wouldn’t let her guard down just because of one confession. But she seemed to be looking forward to tomorrow, expecting him to do something for her.

Young girls always have a bit of vanity, wanting special care and attention. But Li Rong had seen many grand scenes, and Pei Wenxuan wasn’t sure if he could give her the answer she wanted.

Thinking about tomorrow, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t sleep all night. He tossed and turned, afraid of disturbing Li Rong, and kept rehearsing in his mind every word he should say, every action he should take, every detail…

After confirming everything, it was almost dawn.

Both had taken leave. Li Rong slept in, while Pei Wenxuan got up early, went to the next room, washed up, and left the city before dawn.

Li Rong woke up groggily when it was already bright. As she yawned and got up, Jinglan came forward to serve her. Li Rong asked, “Where is the Prince Consort? Why don’t I see him?”

“The Prince Consort left early this morning.”

Jinglan smiled, “He left a message saying he is waiting for Your Highness in Butterfly Gorge.”

“How many people did he take?”

Li Rong first thought about Pei Wenxuan’s safety. Jinglan understood her concern and replied with a smile, “The Prince Consort took all his elite guards. Rest assured, Your Highness, he will arrange everything.”

“That’s good.”

Hearing that Pei Wenxuan took all his elite guards, Li Rong felt relieved and was more certain about today’s events. Pei Wenxuan probably had everything under control.

She was assisted by Jinglan to get dressed, went to the dining hall to have porridge, and then was led by Jinglan to the carriage, heading out of the city.

Li Rong brought many people, making quite a grand procession. Jinglan and Jingmei sat with Li Rong in the carriage. Jingmei couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness, with so many people, who would dare approach you?”

Li Rong was drinking tea and, hearing Jingmei’s words, looked at her with a half-smile, “You’re still too young. If I didn’t bring anyone, others might not dare to approach.”

“Huh?” Jingmei was puzzled, “I don’t understand what Your Highness means.”

Li Rong smiled and patiently explained to Jingmei, “Given my status, especially at this critical moment in the case, if I go out so openly without strict precautions, it must mean I have a backup plan. Compared to overt strength, secret arrangements make assassins more fearful. With so many people visibly around, the level of danger is clear, and they can easily assess whether they have the ability to act.”

“What if they see Your Highness is well-guarded and decide not to act?”

Jingmei was still confused. Li Rong sighed, tapping Jingmei’s head with a fan, “I received information, which is why I’m so cautious. Don’t worry.”

Li Rong’s eyes turned cold, “Chen Guang is the only heir of the Chen family. The old lady would risk her life to save him. If someone is willing to be the knife, those who want to act won’t miss this opportunity.”

“Just right for a cleanup,” Li Rong smiled, “They always want to make an example for the Emperor and me, thinking I’m easy-going and can’t deal with them.”

Jingmei listened and glanced at Jinglan. She didn’t fully understand but seemed to get the gist.

Jinglan poured tea for Li Rong and said softly, “Your Highness is right.”

While Li Rong chatted with Jinglan and Jingmei, Pei Wenxuan was busy in Butterfly Gorge.

Peonies bloomed in the gorge, and Pei Wenxuan directed people to place them, turning the gorge into a sea of flowers.

“Master,” Tongye came from a small path, reaching Pei Wenxuan in the flower sea, “Your Highness has arrived.”

Pei Wenxuan smiled and said, “Then I’ll start warming the wine. When Your Highness arrives, there will be warm wine to drink.”

He instructed people to place a small stove for warming wine beside the long table he had set up and began warming a pot of peach blossom wine.

After setting up the stove and placing the wine, Pei Wenxuan knelt at the long table and touched the ancient zither on it.

He hadn’t played the zither for many years.

Li Rong used to like listening to him play, so he often played for her after court sessions. She would lean on the table, quietly watching him. When the song ended, she would smile and say, “Pei Wenxuan, you look so good.”

He never knew if she truly liked the music or just thought he looked good playing, but it didn’t matter. She liked it, and that was enough.

Pei Wenxuan gently brushed the strings, and at that moment, Li Rong’s carriage left the city, getting farther from Huajing.

As they approached Butterfly Gorge, arrows rained down, piercing the walls of Li Rong’s carriage.

Outside, people and horses were in chaos, and the sound of fighting erupted.

Li Rong remained calm inside the carriage and coldly reminded those beside her, “They’re here.”

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