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Hey friends!

Guess what? After wrestling with my old hosting site (it was not a pretty fight), I’ve finally moved the blog to a shiny new home! The old site is still limping along, but it won’t be for much longer—so this is where the magic will happen from now on.

Now, full disclosure: I’m not a tech genius. There were tears. There was confusion. There may have been snacks used as emotional support. But we made it through!

If you spot anything weird or glitchy, please holler in the comments. I’m still tidying things up and trying to make this place look cute again.

I know I went quiet for a while—life threw some curveballs and I needed a minute (or several). But I’m back, and ready to start fresh. Thanks a million for sticking around. You’re the best.

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Chapter 100: Since You All Have Reached An Agreement, We Have Reached One Too

Pei Wenxuan looked at Li Rong in silence.

Li Rong quickly said, “Five taels per sheet—look how many sheets there are here.”

“I can’t help.”

Pei Wenxuan’s smile faded. He stood up directly. “I’m going to sleep.”

“Hey, wait,” Li Rong hurried after him. “Weren’t we just talking fine? Why are you suddenly going to sleep?”

Pei Wenxuan ignored her, got into bed, lifted the quilt, lay down, pulled the quilt over himself, and closed his eyes.

Li Rong sat beside him and gently nudged him. “It’s not a big deal. Just say a word to them—they wouldn’t dare disrespect you. If those noble sons won’t sign, surely the regular scholars will?”

“No. It’s embarrassing.”

Pei Wenxuan kept his eyes closed and spoke decisively. Li Rong thought for a moment—maybe there were some unspoken rules among men that she didn’t understand. Pei Wenxuan usually went along with her, so if he said he couldn’t go, it probably really wasn’t convenient. It wasn’t a big deal anyway, so she let it go. She placed the stack of papers on the table, washed up, undressed, and returned to the bed.

Pei Wenxuan had taken up the edge of the bed and fallen asleep. Li Rong patted him. “Move over, I want to get in.”

Pei Wenxuan, with his back to her and wrapped in the quilt, didn’t move. Eyes still closed, he said, “No. Climb over.”

Li Rong was irritated by his attitude. She stood by the bed and said coldly, “Are you moving or not?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond. Li Rong reached out to pull him. Sensing she was about to act, Pei Wenxuan sat up cross-legged, making space.

Li Rong gave him a mocking glance and gracefully got into bed. Pei Wenxuan felt a bit stifled by that look, as if he had lost somehow. Watching her lie down, he muttered under his breath, “Fine, I moved. Why be so fierce?”

After saying that, he felt like he had regained some ground. Satisfied, Pei Wenxuan finally lay down and went to sleep.

The next morning, Li Rong got up early and took the stack of papers back to the Inspectorate. Seeing her arrive, Shangguan Ya approached eagerly. “Your Highness, how did it go? So quickly?”

“Pei Wenxuan didn’t want to do it. Said it was embarrassing.”

Li Rong handed the papers to Shangguan Ya and said directly, “Stop wasting time on this. Give me Liu Hangchun’s file right away.”

When Shangguan Ya heard this, she wailed, “Your Highness, you’re going back on your word…”

“When did I ever promise I’d definitely bring it back?”

Li Rong raised her hand and tapped Shangguan Ya on the head with her fan, then sat back down at her desk. “I said I’d try to help—don’t push your luck.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya sighed and didn’t dare trouble Li Rong further. She sat down and placed Liu Hangchun’s file on the table, sighing again. “It’s all here.”

In the court, the longer one held office, the more likely there would be something to investigate. Li Rong had the Inspectorate specifically look into Liu Hangchun, and Shangguan Ya quickly compiled a batch of documents.

Liu Hangchun worked in the Ministry of Personnel. While he hadn’t committed any major offenses, he had a pile of minor ones. Normally, Li Rong wouldn’t even bother looking at such a case. But this time, Liu Hangchun happened to be in charge of personnel transfers for officials below the fifth rank within the ministry. Pei Wenxuan was entering the Ministry of Personnel, and if he could bypass Wang Houwen’s authority, it would be best to keep him under the fifth rank. That way, the list wouldn’t need to go through Minister Wang Houwen for review.

At this time, the imperial examination wasn’t yet highly valued. Once in the Ministry of Personnel, even a minor position like Assistant Director of Merit Evaluation could allow Pei Wenxuan to oversee the exams and serve as chief examiner.

In her previous life, this year’s imperial exam was known as the “Dragon-Tiger List,” producing many outstanding talents. If Pei Wenxuan became the chief examiner for this round, his pupils would later fill the court, strengthening his influence.

In that past life, before so many events unfolded, those pupils had to toil in unimportant positions for years before making a name for themselves. But in this life, with so many officials purged, numerous vacancies had opened up. If those pupils entered the court now and were maneuvered strategically, their rise would be much faster than before.

Li Rong had Pei Wenxuan’s path mapped out clearly in her mind. After skimming Liu Hangchun’s file, she had her secret guards report his location, then went out herself to intercept him.

According to the guards, Liu Hangchun was currently entertaining himself with dancing girls at a restaurant. Li Rong went to the building next door, booked a private room, and had someone summon Liu Hangchun.

She sat alone in the room, sipping tea. Before long, Liu Hangchun rushed in, flustered, and knelt on the floor, saying anxiously, “Greetings, Your Highness. I didn’t know you were here. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly.”

“I’m just here for a meal, Lord Liu. No need to be so formal.”

Li Rong smiled and raised her hand. “Please, have a seat.”

At this time of year, when official appointments were being shuffled, Liu Hangchun, though not of high rank, held a key position in the Ministry of Personnel. He naturally understood that Li Rong wouldn’t seek him out just for tea and small talk.

Li Rong personally poured him tea. Liu Hangchun sat stiffly, wiping the sweat from his forehead, too nervous to speak.

“There’s not much time, so I won’t beat around the bush with you, Lord Liu. I’ll get straight to the point.”

The sound of tea being poured echoed in the room. Li Rong’s tone was calm, as if she were merely making casual conversation. “I came today to ask a favor. I’ve heard that the current personnel transfers for officials below the fifth rank in the Ministry of Personnel are entirely under your control. I have someone—talented and upright—whom I’d like to recommend to you for the position of Assistant Director of Merit Evaluation. Would you be able to help?”

“Your Highness,” Liu Hangchun replied with a troubled expression, “that position is currently filled. The Ministry has no plans to open it up.”

“If there’s no position, one can be created,” Li Rong said with a smile. “Isn’t there a vacancy for a Department Director in the Ministry? Just promote an Assistant Director to that role, then move someone into the Assistant Director’s spot. That opens up the position, doesn’t it?”

“Your Highness is going to such lengths,” Liu Hangchun suggested, “why not just place your recommended person directly into the Department Director’s role?”

Liu Hangchun was trying to avoid this hot potato. Li Rong listened to his words and smiled at him. “Is Lord Liu trying to decline?”

“I wouldn’t dare,” Liu Hangchun quickly knelt down, panicking. “If Your Highness is in need, I will do everything in my power to assist. It’s just that the Assistant Director role is rather minor, Your Highness…”

“But I think his qualifications aren’t enough for more. Assistant Director is just right. That’s the position I want him to have.”

Liu Hangchun fell silent, still kneeling, racking his brain for a response. Li Rong picked up her teacup and said slowly, “Lord Liu, there’s a box on the table. Why don’t you open it and take a look?”

Grateful for the change of subject, Liu Hangchun let out a breath of relief, stood up quickly, and opened the box.

As soon as the lid lifted, the glint of gold bars caught his eye. Liu Hangchun froze for a moment, then panicked. He let go of the lid, which fell shut with a clack, and immediately dropped to his knees again, kowtowing frantically. “Your Highness, please spare me! Please don’t make things difficult for someone like me!”

“Lord Liu, you must be joking. Am I making things difficult for you?”

Li Rong stirred the tea leaves in her cup, leaning against the table, and said leisurely, “I know Lord Liu has his principles, so I brought gold bars especially. Today, I’m giving you a choice. Either you accept the gold bars, or…” She set down the teacup and leaned forward with a smile. “Lord Liu, would you prefer a visit to the Inspectorate?”

Liu Hangchun froze. Li Rong leaned back in her chair, speaking casually, “You know my style. If you help me, even if Wang Houwen questions it, as long as you do your job properly, he can’t do anything to you. If you don’t help me, that’s fine too. I’ll just find someone else to take your place. Lord Liu, you can’t walk both paths—you have to choose one. So, will it be the gold, or a cup of tea at the Inspectorate?”

“My husband is a man of great talent,” Li Rong said, lowering her gaze to admire her painted nails. “As long as no one tries to sabotage him, he’s more than qualified to be Assistant Director of Merit Evaluation. I’m merely asking you to act fairly. Or are you saying, Lord Liu, that you’d rather take the crooked path than the straight one?”

Liu Hangchun was silent for a long time. At last, he made his decision. He took a deep breath and said, “Your Highness, this matter is not for me to decide. Whether the Prince Consort can enter the Ministry and become Assistant Director depends entirely on his own merit. I can only act impartially. Please rest assured.”

Li Rong understood what he meant—since he’d offend someone either way, he chose to help no one.

But with Pei Wenxuan’s talent, even without help, he was more than capable of securing the position.

So Li Rong smiled and replied, “Hearing you say that, Lord Liu, puts my mind at ease.”

Liu Hangchun let out a breath of relief. “As long as Your Highness is satisfied. If there’s nothing else, I’ll take my leave.”

Li Rong nodded and raised her hand. “Take care, Lord Liu.”

Liu Hangchun bowed respectfully, then wiped the sweat from his brow and left. After he exited, Shangguan Ya entered. Seeing the smile on Li Rong’s face, she knew the matter was settled. She sat down, visibly pleased. “The Ministry of Personnel’s transfer list is nearly finalized. In just a few days, as long as Liu Hangchun adds the Prince Consort’s name, even if Wang Houwen finds out later, it’ll be a done deal.”

Li Rong nodded and said calmly, “Once Pei Wenxuan enters the Ministry, and with Xie Lanqing gone, the Ministry of Justice is now temporarily under Pei Liming. When the personnel list from the Ministry of Personnel is released, the Ministry of Justice’s list should follow. Pei Liming’s position as Minister of Justice should be secure.”

“The Pei family filling the positions vacated by the Shangguan family will also put His Majesty more at ease. But, Your Highness, I have a question.”

Shangguan Ya lifted her cup. Li Rong responded, “Go ahead.”

“Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya looked up at her, “are you confident you can fully control the Pei family?”

Li Rong didn’t answer immediately. She sipped her tea, her expression calm.

“Your Highness, if I may offer a word of caution,” Shangguan Ya said gently after taking a sip of tea, “I fully support you building a harmonious relationship with your husband. That’s a good thing. But raising a cat is cute—raising a tiger, however, requires much more thought.”

“I understand your concern,” Li Rong replied softly. “But these are extraordinary times, and we must make use of people. The Shangguan family holding those positions was too conspicuous. Once the Pei family fills them, His Majesty’s suspicions will ease. In the past few years, he’s been constantly trying to suppress the Shangguan family and shift military power to Consort Rou. But in the past six months, aside from Chuan’er’s marriage, hasn’t he largely stopped interfering?”

“He now believes that, under Pei Wenxuan’s influence, I’m fighting Chuan’er for power. He thinks Pei Wenxuan, being from a humble background, is willing to use me for his own gain. So let’s put on this show for him. The Shangguan family steps back, and we support the lower-born officials, just as he wants. And when he finally realizes that Pei Wenxuan is actually one of ours…” Li Rong smiled, “I wonder what he’ll think then.”

“He might want to kill Pei Wenxuan,” Shangguan Ya said with a laugh. But after a moment’s thought, she added, “Still, His Majesty will never fully trust Pei Wenxuan. Right now, he’s indulging Your Highness only because, whether or not you and Pei Wenxuan are truly loyal, you are indeed cleaning out the court’s corruption. If Pei Wenxuan ever shows disloyalty, His Majesty will cut his losses. But Your Highness, while the Emperor can afford to cut his losses—you must also be prepared.”

Li Rong listened, then looked up at her. “What exactly are you worried about?”

“That Your Highness might be swayed by his charm.”

“Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya said seriously, “I hope your relationship is harmonious and fulfilling. But I also hope you never forget your identity. After all, the honor and disgrace of the entire Shangguan family rests on your shoulders.”

“Don’t worry,” Li Rong said calmly. “I’m more clear-headed about this than you are.”

“Good,” Shangguan Ya nodded, pleased. “With such a wise master leading the way, I’m reassured. Well, today’s business is done. I’ll get back to work.”

Li Rong, curious, asked, “What else are you working on?”

“A favor for a friend. Since Your Highness won’t help, I’ll have to find another way.”

Li Rong raised an eyebrow and watched as Shangguan Ya cupped her hands in farewell. “Your Highness, I take my leave.”

As Shangguan Ya turned to leave, Li Rong, curious about her behavior, couldn’t help but send someone to follow her and see what she was up to.

The secret guard trailed Shangguan Ya all the way to a gambling house, where she found Su Ronghua. She handed him a thick stack of papers and said, “Here—find the people whose names are written on these pages and get them to sign and write a few words. Five taels per sheet. Once it’s done, we split the profits fifty-fifty.”

Su Ronghua raised an eyebrow at the thick stack of papers. “The eldest daughter of the Shangguan family, and you’re working this hard for such a small amount?”

“I lost everything gambling a few days ago. I’ve got nothing to live on this month,” Shangguan Ya said seriously. “I’m trying to raise some capital so I can go back and win it all back!”

“Maybe stop throwing money away?” Su Ronghua frowned. Shangguan Ya looked up at him. “Lord Su, are you helping me or not?”

“Hmm…” Su Ronghua thought for a moment. “Whose signatures do you want?”

“You’re helping?” Shangguan Ya brightened. She handed him the stack of papers. “These are mine. Have them write a few more words if they can. I want Cui Yulang, Lin Zifan, and that Xie Shangqing…”

She rattled off a list of names. Su Ronghua kept smiling. When she finished, he nodded, took the papers, and said with a smile, “Don’t worry. Leave it to me.”

“Really? Thank you so much!”

“No need to thank me,” Su Ronghua said gently. “Helping you correct your taste is the least I can do. Otherwise, if the eldest daughter of the Shangguan family goes blind at such a young age, that wouldn’t be good.”

Shangguan Ya looked a bit confused as she watched Su Ronghua walk off with the papers.

That evening, Su Ronghua had the papers delivered back to Shangguan Ya. She was so excited she came to the door herself to receive them. But the moment she opened the package, her expression changed.

Every single sheet had the exact same handwriting.

Su Ronghua — the most handsome man in Huajing
Su Ronghua — dashing and charming
Su Ronghua — talented and beautiful
Su Ronghua…

Shangguan Ya flipped through the pages quickly, hoping to find at least a few written by someone else. At the very end, she saw a wildly scrawled note:

Please recite and memorize the above.

And attached was a portrait of Su Ronghua’s handsome side profile, with a note beside it:

Recommended for framing in your bedroom—for daily visual enjoyment.

Shangguan Ya was so furious at this level of narcissism that she tore up all the papers on the spot—right there at the front door—leaving only the portrait intact. Pointing at the servant who delivered them, she shouted, voice trembling:

“Go back and tell him—tell him to wait. He’s dead. He! Is! Dead!”

That night, the entire incident was relayed to Li Rong by her spies. Upon hearing the full report, Li Rong spat out her tea, laughing and crying at once. “Su Ronghua… is he always this ridiculous?”

Pei Wenxuan, sitting nearby reviewing memorials, overheard and looked up at her. Li Rong continued, “But seriously, how was the portrait Su Ronghua gave Shangguan Ya? Was it good-looking?”

The secret guard thought for a moment and replied, “It seemed pretty good.”

“Now I’m curious. Did she tear it up?”

The guard shook his head. “No. Miss Shangguan had it framed.”

“She really framed it and put it up?”

Li Rong was baffled by Shangguan Ya’s intentions. Pei Wenxuan, still listening, put away the memorials and said calmly, “Enough talk. Time to sleep.”

Seeing that it was getting late, Li Rong waved her hand to dismiss the others.

After a good night’s sleep, Li Rong went to the Inspectorate to see Shangguan Ya. Before heading home, she cleared her throat and casually brought something up. “So… I heard Su Ronghua gave you a portrait. You had it framed? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know why I framed it?” Shangguan Ya sneered. Li Rong turned to look at her. Shangguan Ya clenched her fist. “I put it in my bedroom. Whenever I’m upset or annoyed, I throw darts at it. Or whip it. It helps me vent!”

“You…” Li Rong was momentarily speechless. After a long pause, all she could say was, “That’s… creative.”

Shangguan Ya nodded, her smile cold. “He better hope I never catch any dirt on him. If I do, he’s finished.”

Li Rong let the comment slide and nodded. “Mm, I know. You’re strong.”

The two chatted idly as they returned home. Lately, Pei Wenxuan had been coming home early. When Li Rong entered the princess’s residence and didn’t see him there to greet her, she turned to Jingmei and asked, “Where’s the Prince Consort? Why didn’t he come greet me?”

“He’s busy,” Jingmei said with a smile. “Today, he brought home a bunch of portraits of himself. He’s hung them in the bedroom, dining hall, main hall, and even the garden.”

“What is he doing?!” Li Rong exclaimed in shock. As she spoke, she saw Pei Wenxuan painting something on the screen in the bedroom. Alarmed, she rushed over. That screen—embroidered with golden peonies and butterflies—was her favorite. Afraid he’d gone mad, she called out, “Pei Wenxuan! What are you doing?!”

Pei Wenxuan turned back with a brush in hand, smiling. “Your Highness.”

Through the gap between him and the screen, Li Rong saw a self-portrait of Pei Wenxuan admiring the moon from a high vantage point. With a gentle smile, he explained, “Yesterday I heard about Young Master Su’s deeds and thought he had a point. Lately, scholars have been visiting the capital frequently, and women’s hearts are easily swayed. I feared that the unsightly faces of the outside world might offend Your Highness’s eyes. So I thought it best to place more portraits of myself wherever Your Highness goes—to help refine your aesthetic and clear your mind.”

“You two…” Li Rong stared at the screen in disbelief. “Did you plan this together?”

“I did consult a few close colleagues,” Pei Wenxuan replied. “Lately, many of them have been gifting self-portraits to their wives.”

Li Rong: “…”

After a long silence, Li Rong, trying to bring him back to his senses, raised her hand and said to someone nearby, “Bring me the darts.”

Pei Wenxuan looked confused.

Li Rong said seriously, “Since you’ve all agreed on this, then we’ve agreed too.”

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