Chapter 86: Princess, You Visit This Humble Servant’s Bed At Night — What Is It That You Seek?

Li Rong, thinking about repaying the money, unconsciously covered her forehead. She glanced at Pei Wenxuan and then turned away, feeling inexplicably aggrieved.

Pei Wenxuan acted as if he knew nothing, silently flipping through the document in his hand.

They arrived at the princess’s residence in silence. As soon as Li Rong jumped off the carriage, she saw Shangguan Ya waiting at the entrance. Shangguan Ya, seeing Li Rong, exclaimed, “Your Highness, what happened to your forehead?”

Hearing this, Li Rong turned to look at Pei Wenxuan behind her. Even Shangguan Ya, who was usually oblivious, noticed, but Pei Wenxuan seemed blind.

“It’s nothing. Let’s go inside first. Did you hear the news?” Li Rong withdrew her gaze from Pei Wenxuan’s face and led Shangguan Ya into the residence. Pei Wenxuan watched them head to the study, stood in the courtyard for a moment, then turned to instruct someone, “Bring me some Jade Skin Cream and bandages.”

Li Rong and Shangguan Ya entered the room, and Shangguan Ya immediately spoke, “I heard Chen Guang’s mother killed herself in court today.”

“Yes,” Li Rong sat down and explained, “Xie Lanqing came to inquire about the situation this morning. Then in court, they brought out Madam Chen Wang. She insisted we tortured Chen Guang and claimed she hadn’t attempted assassination, wanting to prove her innocence by dying. So she killed herself.”

“That’s ruthless,” Shangguan Ya sighed, sitting opposite Li Rong, “Qin Zhenzhen gave them the idea. You used Qin Zhenzhen’s suicide to force a retrial of the Qin family case, and now they’re using Madam Chen Wang to end this case. Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya leaned back in her chair, “Is this case still ours?”

“Do you think my forehead is injured for no reason?” Li Rong glared at Shangguan Ya, then said, “Father agreed that Pei Wenxuan will handle the case.”

Shangguan Ya nodded, her expression relaxing. She was about to speak when someone knocked on the door. Li Rong called out, “Come in,” and saw Pei Wenxuan enter with ointment and bandages.

He smiled and saluted Shangguan Ya. Li Rong was puzzled, “What are you doing here?”

“Nothing,” Pei Wenxuan smiled, walking to her side, “I’m here to apply medicine to Your Highness. Continue talking, don’t mind me.”

With that, Pei Wenxuan lifted Li Rong’s chin and applied the ointment to her forehead. Before they could react, he wrapped layer upon layer of bandages, finishing with a large bow, as if she had been hit by an inkstone, not a document, and had a bleeding wound instead of a bruise.

After finishing, he didn’t say much, took the ointment and remaining items, and left, closing the door behind him. Shangguan Ya muttered, “What’s wrong with him, acting so strangely?”

“Probably because I haven’t repaid him,” Li Rong said, adjusting the bow on her head, “Ignore him. Let’s continue discussing the matter. Now that Pei Wenxuan is handling the case, we can relax, but I don’t think Madam Chen Wang’s matter will end so easily.”

“What does Your Highness plan to do?” Shangguan Ya asked immediately. Li Rong thought for a moment and said, “Release Lin Feibai tonight.”

“Tonight?” Shangguan Ya exclaimed, thinking for a moment before saying, “Your Highness, it’s too risky to let Lin Feibai assassinate Xie Lanqing now.”

“No problem,” Li Rong said calmly, “Release him secretly, explain everything, and remind him of our agreement.”

“Your Highness…”

“Just do it. Trust me,” Li Rong looked up, “I have confidence.”

Seeing Li Rong’s expression, Shangguan Ya hesitated before respectfully saying, “Yes.”

“One more thing,” Shangguan Ya said after discussing Madam Chen Wang, “Consort Chen went to Ming Le Palace last night.”

Li Rong paused and then replied, “I know.”

“Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya said worriedly, “Should we slow down? If we push too hard, many noble families might defect to Prince Su.”

Hearing this, Li Rong laughed.

“Ah Ya, do you know why Father favors Consort Rou?” Shangguan Ya remained silent. Li Rong played with her teacup, “He gives her unconditional honor and love. Everyone says he dotes on Consort Rou, calling her a seductive enchantress who brings disaster to the country. If he truly cared for her, how could he let her bear such a reputation?”

“Your Highness means that His Majesty doesn’t love Consort Rou as a person, but rather what she represents?”

“Consort Rou’s favor is a means to balance the Empress Dowager,” Li Rong said calmly. “As long as she remains a bargaining chip, no matter what mistakes she makes or how grave Prince Su’s crimes are, Father will never truly abandon them. If he does, it can only be for one reason.”

Li Rong looked at Shangguan Ya, smiling meaningfully, “They are no longer bargaining chips.”

Shangguan Ya said nothing, staring at Li Rong. After a long time, she raised her hand and pointed at the bow on Li Rong’s head, “Your Highness, please fix your head before saying such things. Otherwise, I might laugh and seem disrespectful.”

Li Rong’s expression changed, and she shouted, “Get out and do your work!”

Shangguan Ya laughed, stood up, and saluted, “Your Highness, I’ll go release the rats. You rest well.”

Li Rong nodded. Shangguan Ya walked out, then suddenly remembered something, leaned back in, and smiled, “By the way, aren’t you angry about your head being hit? Want me to vent your anger?”

“Such a small matter doesn’t need your intervention,” Li Rong waved her hand, “Go quickly.”

Shangguan Ya laughed, “Then I’m leaving.”

With that, Shangguan Ya disappeared at the door. Li Rong thought for a moment, touched her forehead, and looked at Jinglan, “Is my head really that ugly?”

“Should I get you a mirror?” Jinglan hesitated. Li Rong paused, then waved her hand, “Forget it, it’s not a big deal.”

She stood up and instructed Jinglan, “Find the accountant and ask how much the Prince Consort spent on peonies. Return the money to him. I’ll take a nap.”

“Your Highness,” Jinglan looked at Li Rong and whispered, “Maybe you shouldn’t think about this.”

Li Rong paused, “Why?”

“I asked about the flowers. It’s half a year’s expenses for the princess’s residence. The accountant can’t come up with that much money right now.”

Hearing this, Li Rong almost fainted.

Since her rebirth, she had been frugal with money to save silver for developing her power. Funding secret guards, intelligence organizations, and official connections—all required money. Now she had to fund the Supervisory Office too. Pei Wenxuan’s expenditure was half a year’s budget for the princess’s residence. Hearing this, all romantic feelings vanished, and she wanted to scold him.

But as she took a step forward, she quickly calmed down. She had already clashed with Pei Wenxuan over this matter. It was over; saying more was useless.

Pei Wenxuan wasn’t someone who didn’t know the importance of things. He spent this money thoughtfully. She ruined his flowers, and if she accused him of extravagance, it would cause more conflict.

Li Rong realized Pei Wenxuan knew her finances and how much he spent. He probably knew she couldn’t afford to repay him.

Now that she couldn’t repay, Pei Wenxuan was angry and avoiding her, which was understandable.

Her anger turned to guilt in a moment. But thinking about Pei Wenxuan’s distant attitude these days, especially today, her dissatisfaction returned.

Jinglan observed Li Rong’s changing expressions and cautiously said, “Your Highness, you don’t need to be so clear-cut with the Prince Consort. If you send the money, he might get angrier. I think you should be nicer to him. The Prince Consort has a good temper. Say some kind words, be soft, and he might be happy.”

“Be soft? How much softer should I be?”

Li Rong spoke coldly, “I haven’t been soft enough?”

“Your Highness,” Jinglan said helplessly, “The Prince Consort is still sleeping in the study. Is this what you call being soft?”

“What should I do? Should I carry him back in a grand sedan chair?” Li Rong’s temper flared as she walked to the small couch and lay down. Jinglan quickly covered her with a blanket and gently said, “Just talk to the Prince Consort nicely.”

“What’s there to talk about?” Li Rong closed her eyes, “I can’t afford to repay him, and he’s upset. Why should I subject myself to this? Today, I was wronged, and he didn’t comfort me. He saw my injury and acted like he didn’t see it, even wrapped my head so ugly. Clearly, he’s not in the right mindset. I won’t go to him to be mistreated.”

Li Rong’s words left Jinglan speechless. She felt a hint of grievance in Li Rong’s tone but knew Li Rong wasn’t usually so delicate. She couldn’t persuade her, so she sighed and said, “Rest well, Your Highness.”

Li Rong responded and closed her eyes to rest.

After Jinglan left, Li Rong felt irritated. She grabbed one of Pei Wenxuan’s favorite books and threw it, then lay down to sleep.

After a restless day, nothing had gone smoothly, and she was frustrated.

She fell asleep in a daze and woke up at night, hearing that Pei Wenxuan was still at the office and hadn’t returned.

She ate alone, then went to the study to handle Supervisory Office matters. After a while, Jinglan brought in a pile of small scrolls and respectfully placed them before Li Rong, “Your Highness, these are today’s intelligence reports.”

Every day, Li Rong’s informants would compile valuable information from the capital and send it back. Li Rong acknowledged and began reading the scrolls.

She already knew about Li Ming punishing Hua Le at Consort Rou’s place yesterday. It seemed insignificant. Then she read, “Princess Hua Le dined with the Emperor, was reprimanded for wearing a white magnolia hairpin, accused of deceiving the Emperor, and was bound in anger.”

Li Rong was puzzled. Hua Le, as Consort Rou’s daughter, was usually favored. How could a hairpin lead to Li Ming beating her?

Li Rong pondered, reading all the messages but finding no reason for Hua Le’s punishment. She reviewed Li Ming’s schedule and saw he had summoned Pei Wenxuan before dinner.

Li Ming met Pei Wenxuan, then Hua Le, and then punished Hua Le. Li Rong thought for a moment and guessed Pei Wenxuan might have done something.

Pei Wenxuan usually didn’t interfere in palace affairs. Why did he get involved with Hua Le today?

This question led Li Rong to a vague answer, which stunned her until Jinglan asked, “Your Highness, why are you daydreaming?”

Li Rong snapped out of it, “Nothing.”

She reorganized her things, wanting to ask Pei Wenxuan about it but feeling awkward about such a small matter. She decided to ignore it and focus on her work.

She worked until Pei Wenxuan returned. As soon as he entered the residence, Jingmei ran back excitedly, “Your Highness, the Prince Consort is back.”

Li Rong remained calm, reading her document, “He’s back, so what?”

“Your Highness,” Jingmei knelt before Li Rong, “Aren’t you going to see him?”

“He doesn’t come to greet me, and I should go see him?” Li Rong mocked, “Such arrogance.”

Jingmei and Jinglan exchanged glances. Li Rong kept her head down, “You may leave. I’ll sleep soon.”

Pei Wenxuan returned late and didn’t come to greet Li Rong. She washed up and went to bed.

After the lights were out, Li Rong lay in bed for a while, then turned over.

With Pei Wenxuan not there, the bed felt much larger, but she couldn’t sleep.

She had grown accustomed to having him beside her, feeling everything was natural—seeing her injury and asking about it, letting her have her way, laughing and joking with her, and lying beside her at night.

When something taken for granted is silently taken away, even though reason tells her it’s within Pei Wenxuan’s rights, she still feels a bit of unreasonable discomfort.  

She dislikes the feeling of her emotions being manipulated by others, yet she has no choice but to accept it.  

Whether it’s the heartfelt confession in the corridor or the inexplicable daze and secret joy when she noticed traces of Pei Wenxuan’s involvement in Hua Le’s punishment, all these signal the loss of control in this relationship.  

Li Rong tries to force herself to close her eyes, but her mind is a chaotic mess. After a long while, for some reason, she keeps recalling Hua Le being tied up. Finally, unable to bear it, she throws off the blanket and sits up.  

She has to go find Pei Wenxuan and get answers.  

In her mind, she plans to clear things up. If Pei Wenxuan’s attitude is good, she’ll take the chance to bring up moving back to their shared room. If his attitude is poor, she’ll let him grow old alone in the study.  

After all, she promised him she’d try to change her temperament.  

Pei Wenxuan said he’d wait, so she can’t keep acting like before, stubbornly waiting for him to yield.  

As this thought surges, Li Rong feels a bit unable to restrain herself. It’s as if she’s found a justification for all her actions, a reason with a magical pull, luring her to get up. She quietly moves to the window.  

Even if she’s proactively seeking out Pei Wenxuan, she doesn’t want others to see. So, she pushes open the window, peeks out, and looks around. Seeing no one outside, she slips out in just a thin robe, hurrying toward Pei Wenxuan’s study.  

When she arrives outside the study, she surveys the area. Only two guards stand at the door, dozing off. She circles to the back of the building, reaching the window.  

It’s nighttime, and with a brazier burning inside, Pei Wenxuan has left the window open for ventilation. Li Rong gently pushes it open and climbs inside.  

The room is pitch black. Relying on memory, Li Rong cautiously moves toward the small couch. After a couple of steps, her sleeve knocks a few books off a shelf. She hurriedly catches them, unsure if she’s woken Pei Wenxuan.  

Clutching the books, she freezes for a moment. Hearing no movement, she breathes a sigh of relief and continues forward.  

By now, her eyes have adjusted to the dim light, and she can vaguely make out Pei Wenxuan’s direction. Like a cat, she creeps to his bedside. Before she can recall why she came, a hand suddenly reaches out from the bed, pulling her in. In an instant, she’s dragged under the covers.  

Warmth envelops her. Pei Wenxuan covers her mouth with one hand, wraps the other around her waist, and entwines his legs with hers, holding her entirely in his embrace.  

Li Rong’s heart races as Pei Wenxuan leans close to her ear, whispering, “Why is the princess sneaking onto my bed in the middle of the night?”  

As he speaks, he draws closer, his lips nearly brushing her earlobe. His voice carries a hint of amusement, and as his thin lips move, they faintly graze her ear. His usually clear voice is laced with a touch of huskiness, like a gem sliding across silk, producing a luxurious tone: “Miss me?”

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