Chapter 105: Shangguan Ya, You Have A Lot Of Nerve

Li Rong didn’t speak. She didn’t know why, but when she heard Pei Wenxuan say those words, she suddenly felt a strange pang of sadness in her heart.

She found the emotion unsettling, so she pulled her hand out of Pei Wenxuan’s and stood up, saying, “At our age, still talking about this? So pretentious.”

Then she stood up and said, “I’m going to find Ah Ya. You should rest more. The imperial physician said you’ve been overworked lately. Get some sleep.”

“I’ll go with Your Highness.”

Pei Wenxuan stood up with her. Just as Li Rong was about to speak, Pei Wenxuan said, “The sooner we go, the sooner we return. Let’s go together.”

Seeing Pei Wenxuan’s determination, Li Rong realized he must have something to do, so she didn’t stop him and nodded. Together, they went to the Inspectorate.

Shangguan Ya had already received Li Rong’s message and was investigating the officials listed in the Ministry of Personnel’s recent appointments. When Li Rong arrived, Shangguan Ya was listening to a report. Upon seeing Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan enter, she quickly stood up and said, “Your Highness, Consort Prince, what brings you here?”

“I came to ask about the situation.”

Li Rong entered the room and sat down with Pei Wenxuan. “Now that Father wants to investigate who arranged for Pei Wenxuan to be appointed as Assistant Minister of Personnel, do you have any leads?”

“I’ve already had people review everyone involved in the recent appointments. So far, no suspicious individuals have been found.”

Shangguan Ya frowned. “If they dared to do this, they must have come prepared. It’s hard to trace things after the fact.”

“What if we check their financial records?”

Li Rong frowned. “They wouldn’t have helped Consort Rou for free, right?”

“We can check the accounts.”

Shangguan Ya considered it. “But without evidence or a search warrant, we probably can’t get access to their internal records.”

What Shangguan Ya said reflected the real difficulty.

If no suspicious individuals can be identified among those involved, it will be very hard to determine who arranged Pei Wenxuan’s appointment.

It’s hard for Shangguan Ya to investigate, and it’s likely just as hard for Li Ming. Without prior surveillance, investigating after the fact is always difficult.

“I was careless,” Li Rong tapped the table lightly. “I should’ve kept an eye on everyone in the Ministry of Personnel.”

“You’re joking, Your Highness,” Shangguan Ya poured tea for Li Rong. “Even if we had suspected they’d promote the Consort Prince, we don’t have enough people. At most, we could’ve monitored a few key figures. There are seven officials who decide promotions for fifth-rank and above in the Ministry. We couldn’t possibly watch all of them.”

As she spoke, Shangguan Ya glanced at Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan. “That’s the situation. What does Your Highness plan to do now?”

Li Rong didn’t respond. She rubbed her teacup, seemingly deep in thought.

Pei Wenxuan looked at her and said directly, “Finding hard evidence is difficult. But does His Majesty really need hard evidence?”

Shangguan Ya looked confused. Li Rong explained, “Father is suspicious by nature. Now that I’ve accused Hua Le, he already has suspicions. We don’t need solid proof—just something that confirms what he’s already thinking.”

Shangguan Ya didn’t speak, pondering the idea. Pei Wenxuan said softly, “Just give him something to work with.”

“I understand.”

Shangguan Ya steadied herself and said, “Do you think if the eldest son of the Su family and the Left Assistant Minister of Personnel, Xia Wensi, were caught soliciting courtesans together, that would be enough for His Majesty to believe what he suspects?”

Su Ronghua is the tutor of Prince Su and has always stayed out of politics. If no one can be identified as the person who arranged Pei Wenxuan’s appointment, and suddenly Su Ronghua and Xia Wensi are caught soliciting courtesans together, it would certainly raise eyebrows.

Li Rong frowned in thought, but Pei Wenxuan responded decisively, “It’s enough.”

As he spoke, Pei Wenxuan raised his eyes to look at Shangguan Ya: “But I wonder, Miss Shangguan, how you plan to accomplish this? Although Eldest Young Master Su is unruly, he has always stayed away from court politics and rarely associates with court officials—let alone cavorting with courtesans alongside the Left Vice Minister, who holds sway over the appointment of the Vice Minister of Personnel, at such a critical juncture.”  

“I have a way,” Shangguan Ya said, raising her hand decisively. “Since the Imperial Consort is still at the Censorate, this works out perfectly. I’ll go arrange things right away to confirm the matter. I’ll handle setting up the situation where Eldest Young Master Su and the Left Vice Minister are caught with courtesans. As for how to bring it to the Emperor’s attention—that’s Your Highness’s responsibility.”  

“Go ahead and handle it,” Li Rong said decisively. “As long as this incident truly happens, I can arrange for someone to file a formal accusation.”  

“Understood.”  

Shangguan Ya nodded, then added after a moment of thought, “Your Highness and the Imperial Consort should rest first. I’ll take care of the arrangements.”  

Li Rong acknowledged her words, then stood up and left with Pei Wenxuan.  

Once they stepped outside, Li Rong couldn’t help but voice her confusion: “How do you think Ah Ya will arrange this? Will Su Ronghua even listen to her?”  

Pei Wenxuan’s expression remained indifferent, his hands tucked into his sleeves, revealing neither joy nor anger. He merely said, “Don’t worry, Miss Ah Ya will handle it herself.”  

After the two left, Shangguan Ya sent someone to inquire about the schedule of Xia Wensi, the Left Vice Minister of Personnel, during his free time. Then she sat down and wrote a note to Su Ronghua:  

“I have a favor to ask. Would you honor me with a shared meal at a restaurant?”

Once finished, she had it delivered to Su Ronghua, who was working not far away.

Su Ronghua usually just went through the motions at the Surveillance Bureau—yawning, napping, and idling away his time. When Shangguan Ya’s note arrived, he felt like he’d finally found something to do. At a glance, he guessed Shangguan Ya was probably going to ask him to collect poetry or signatures from scholars. He chuckled lightly, picked up his brush, and replied:  

“When and where?”

Seeing his response, Shangguan Ya quickly wrote another note and sent it back: “You decide.”  

Su Ronghua looked at her words, then considered. Since he was dining with a young lady, naturally, it should be somewhere romantic.  

So with a flourish of his brush, he wrote: “Tomorrow at You hour, Wangdeng Tower.”

Wangdeng Tower was a renowned spot in the capital for romantic rendezvous. The moment Shangguan Ya saw the location, she felt uneasy. Arranging for him to be caught with courtesans at such a place seemed… odd.  

But if she refused, she risked making Su Ronghua suspicious.  

Su Ronghua might appear indifferent to everything, but he wasn’t foolish. After much deliberation, Shangguan Ya could only reply: “See you tomorrow.”  

When Su Ronghua received her response, he gazed at her delicate handwriting and let out a quiet laugh.  

This Shangguan Ya—she was interesting, amusing. With nothing better to do, teasing her a little would add some liveliness to his dull days.  

The capital was too dreary. Now that such a vibrant person had appeared, it was hard not to take notice.  

Su Ronghua closed his eyes, unaware that he had started smiling.  

The You hour was when most court officials socialized outside. Once Shangguan Ya confirmed Su Ronghua’s agreement, she folded his note together with the portrait he had once given her, added a tael of silver, and sent them all to Xia Wensi.  

After finishing her preparations, Shangguan Ya went to the Princess’s residence and explained her plan to Li Rong.  

“Tomorrow at You hour, I’ll reserve a room at Wangdeng Tower under Su Ronghua’s name in advance and arrange for courtesans to wait inside. The moment the two of them arrive, we’ll catch them red-handed.”  

Under the laws of Great Xia, officials were allowed to exchange courtesans at banquets but were forbidden from hiring them privately—though this rule was rarely enforced, as it was considered a minor offense.  

Li Rong frowned after hearing Shangguan Ya’s plan. “You sent Xia Wensi the note from Su Ronghua—did Su Ronghua sign his name?”

“The note didn’t have his name, but the portrait did.”

“How can you be sure Xia Wensi will show up?”

“I sent him the portrait along with some silver,” Shangguan Ya reminded Li Rong. “The Su family has good relations with many noble families. Given Su Ronghua’s reputation, Xia Wensi should give him face. Even if he doesn’t, Su Ronghua is now at the Inspectorate. If he suddenly invites Xia Wensi and includes silver, what do you think Xia Wensi will assume?”

In court, many things are left unsaid. But if someone with a history of corruption suddenly receives an invitation from the Deputy Director of the Inspectorate, along with silver, it’s natural to suspect the meeting concerns his misconduct.

“I understand,” Li Rong nodded.

Since it concerns his career, Xia Wensi would definitely attend.

“My part is arranged. What about Your Highness?” Shangguan Ya asked, now that Li Rong had confirmed the plan.

Li Rong smiled. “There’s no need to arrange anything.”

“Hm?” Shangguan Ya was puzzled. Li Rong smiled and said, “His Majesty’s people are watching more closely than we are. Don’t worry.”

Shangguan Ya immediately understood and raised her hand in farewell. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow, Your Highness.”

Li Rong nodded, and Shangguan Ya took her leave.

Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan waited through the day, while Li Ming’s people began secretly investigating the Ministry of Personnel’s recent appointments and those involved.

But neither Shangguan Ya nor Li Ming’s agents could uncover anything substantial.

With no results to report, they focused on monitoring key individuals. Several spies kept watch on Xia Wensi, and by late afternoon, they saw him quietly leave through the back door.

Two spies exchanged glances and quickly followed.

Xia Wensi, wearing a black cloak, boarded a carriage. Once seated, his attendant asked cautiously, “Sir, why did Su Ronghua choose a place like Wangdeng Tower?”

Xia Wensi was also puzzled, but knowing Su Ronghua’s eccentric nature, he replied, “That’s precisely Su Ronghua’s brilliance. Meeting at Wangdeng Tower is a way to avoid suspicion.”

The attendant was confused—two men meeting at a romantic venue seemed more suspicious.

Meanwhile, Su Ronghua was at home, changing clothes.

He spent nearly an hour choosing an outfit. Normally dressed casually, today he was meeting a young lady, so he carefully selected a sapphire-blue formal robe, a silver crown adorned with gemstones, a folding fan, and accessories like a scented pouch and jade pendant. Feeling pleased, he headed out.

At the door, Su Rongqing was returning home and saw Su Ronghua humming happily. He laughed, “Where are you off to, dressed so formally?”

“Formal?” Su Ronghua looked himself over and waved it off. “It’s not too much.”

Su Rongqing chuckled, “Meeting a lady, I assume?”

“You’ve got no experience with women, but your eyes are sharp.”

“Then I won’t keep you,” Su Rongqing smiled, stepping aside. “Wouldn’t want to keep the lady waiting.”

“Right. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back,” Su Ronghua laughed. “Who knows, maybe I’ll bring back a sister-in-law.”

“Then I wish you success.”

Su Rongqing raised his hand in salute.

Su Ronghua, now in high spirits, suddenly remembered, “Hey, you’re not young anymore. Everyone’s watching you. Still haven’t found a girl you like?”

Su Rongqing just smiled silently.

Su Ronghua clicked his tongue and waved. “Fine, don’t say. That look of yours makes my teeth ache. I’m off.”

With that, he happily walked away.

Su Rongqing stood there, watching his brother’s cheerful figure, his gaze softening with warmth.

The servant beside Su Rongqing watched Su Ronghua walk away and sighed, “The eldest young master is older than the second, but he’s like a child. I wonder when he’ll stop making the master worry.”

“This isn’t a bad thing.”

Su Rongqing turned back with a gentle expression. “As long as my brother, father, and everyone else can live well and do what they love, that’s enough.”

“But the Su family…”

“Doesn’t the Su family have me?” Su Rongqing walked forward, his smile carrying a resolute strength. “Let my brother do as he pleases. I alone am enough.”

As he spoke, he remembered his duties at the Ministry of Justice and began discussing official matters with his attendant.

The Minister of Justice was about to be reassigned, and there could be no mistakes.

Su Rongqing entered the study while talking with his aide. After a long while, he paused to drink some tea and noticed the sky turning gloomy. He thought for a moment and instructed, “Make sure someone goes to pick up the eldest young master.”

“Don’t worry, Second Young Master,” the servant smiled. “That’s a small matter—we’ll take care of it.”

Su Rongqing nodded, then asked casually, “Who is the eldest young master dining with today?”

“I heard it’s Miss Shangguan.”

The servant chuckled as he ground ink. “I heard the eldest young master was quite invested—he spent an hour picking out his outfit.”

Su Rongqing laughed and was about to respond when he suddenly realized something and said urgently, “Quick! Go bring the eldest young master back!”

The servant was stunned but quickly replied, “Yes, I’ll go right away.”

Just as he was about to leave, Su Rongqing stopped him. “No need.”

Su Rongqing clenched his fist, thinking deeply. “It’s too late now.”

The servant didn’t dare speak. After a long pause, Su Rongqing finally said, “Prepare the carriage. I’m going out of the city.”

“Yes,” the servant replied and hurried off.

As Su Rongqing left Huajing, Su Ronghua had just arrived at the entrance of Wangdeng Tower.

His appearance immediately put everyone in the shadows on alert.

Xia Wensi had arrived early and was led into the room by his attendant. Inside, a dancing girl was already waiting. Xia Wensi was used to such scenes and even relaxed a bit, thinking Su Ronghua probably wasn’t here to cause trouble—maybe even to help him.

Nervously waiting, Xia Wensi soon heard a commotion outside and rushed to the window, where he saw Su Ronghua stepping down from his carriage.

As soon as Su Ronghua got off, the innkeeper recognized him. Known for his indulgent lifestyle in Huajing, Su Ronghua was a familiar face at all the local establishments. The innkeeper greeted him with a smile, “Young Master Su, this way please.”

“Has the guest arrived?”

“Yes, waiting for you.”

Hearing this, Su Ronghua smiled brightly, clearly pleased. He hadn’t expected Shangguan Ya to arrive early—most young ladies liked to play coy and arrive late. But Shangguan Ya not only didn’t delay, she came early, showing sincerity.

Even if she had a favor to ask, her attitude mattered. Thinking this, Su Ronghua became even more cheerful. He tossed the innkeeper a silver coin and walked into Wangdeng Tower.

His generous gesture made Shangguan Ya, watching from a nearby teahouse, click her tongue in amusement. She turned to Li Rong, who was watching with her, and said, “Look at him—he’s clearly used to dining with ladies.”

Li Rong smiled while cracking sunflower seeds. “Whether he’s dined with ladies or not—what’s it to you?”

“Just saying.”

As Shangguan Ya spoke, she turned again to observe the movements around Wangdeng Tower.

As soon as Su Ronghua entered the building, several men followed him inside. Their upright posture and light steps clearly marked them as trained professionals—very different from ordinary people.

Su Ronghua climbed the stairs and followed the innkeeper to the door. Even before entering, he could hear faint music from inside—silk and bamboo instruments playing. He raised an eyebrow, puzzled, but the innkeeper had already bowed respectfully and quietly left.

Su Ronghua didn’t think too much of it and simply pushed the door open.

Inside, he saw Xia Wensi seated with a woman on his lap, surrounded by other women playing music and entertaining—an extremely lively scene.

Su Ronghua was instantly embarrassed and quickly bowed. “Apologies, wrong room.”

He turned to leave, but Xia Wensi stood up in a panic and called out, “Young Master Su, weren’t you the one who invited me?”

Hearing this, Su Ronghua froze and turned back, frowning. “I invited you?”

Both men’s expressions changed dramatically. Su Ronghua quickly said, “Pretend you never saw me.”

He turned to leave, but just as he did, a blade was suddenly held out in front of him. A cold voice said, “By imperial order, we are investigating a case. Young Master Su, Assistant Minister Xia, please come with us.”

Xia Wensi’s face turned pale. Su Ronghua’s expression shifted several times before he finally asked, “On what grounds are you arresting me?”

“You two have violated the laws of Great Xia by openly soliciting courtesans,” the guard replied calmly. “Young Master Su, please come with us.”

Su Ronghua’s face darkened. Xia Wensi immediately knelt and said, “Sir, I didn’t know anything! Young Master Su invited me—I have his handwritten note as proof!”

He then unfolded the two notes Shangguan Ya had sent him.

Su Ronghua’s eyes locked onto the paper. As the guard stepped forward to take it, Su Ronghua moved faster—snatching the note, stepping onto the table, and leaping out the window from the second floor, grabbing the eaves and jumping down!

The guards rushed after him but only caught a glimpse of his fleeing figure. They turned to their commander and said, “Sir, he escaped.”

“No matter,” the leader replied calmly. “Take Assistant Minister Xia back. We’ll wait for Young Master Su at his residence.”

With that, two guards dragged Xia Wensi away.

Meanwhile, Su Ronghua ran through the streets. Soon, he saw his servant waiting in an alley. The servant looked surprised. “Young Master, you’re back already?”

Su Ronghua said nothing. He unhitched a horse from the carriage and rode off without a word.

The servant was confused and called out, “Young Master, where are you going? Young Master?!”

Su Ronghua didn’t respond. He galloped straight toward the Shangguan residence.

Shangguan Ya had just finished saying goodbye to Li Rong and was heading home in her carriage, humming a tune. Suddenly, the driver shouted “Whoa!” and the carriage came to a sudden stop. She hit her head against the wall, gasped in pain, and was about to scold the driver when the curtain was suddenly flung open.

A pair of sharp phoenix eyes stared at her angrily. Shangguan Ya froze, then saw Su Ronghua crouched outside the carriage, sneering coldly. “Shangguan Ya,” he said, his voice icy for the first time, “you’ve got some nerve!”

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