Chapter 109: Where Did This Talisman Paper Come From?

Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words in the dark night and watched him get into bed.

She closed her eyes and rested for a moment before finally returning to the bedside. Sitting there for a while, she finally spoke: “Don’t overthink it. I remember.”

“You didn’t let me down,” Li Rong said calmly, “and I won’t let you down either.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond. He waited until she got back into bed, then reached out and pulled her into his arms.

After sleeping soundly through the night, the two of them went to court together. In the imperial court, it was as if nothing had happened—officials performed their duties, and Li Ming showed no sign of anything unusual.

After court, Li Rong personally ordered an investigation into the people and events related to Master Hongde from her previous life.

Master Hongde was originally just a fortune teller from Qingshui Town. After accidentally killing someone in a dispute, he fled. He later studied Buddhism for a few years under an Indian monk and returned claiming to be a high-ranking monk from India with accumulated merit from past lives, deceiving people in Huajing.

In her previous life, Li Rong exposed his crimes and personally expelled him from the capital. Because he had many followers, executing him would have caused unrest. So, before he left Huajing for the southwest, Li Rong arranged for him to be assassinated.

With the help of her past life’s knowledge, Li Rong quickly located these people and began collecting their testimonies. By the time she finished, it was already the afternoon of the next day. Without delay, she headed to Huguo Temple, where, as expected, the abbot nervously informed her that Master Hongde had already been summoned to the palace.

Upon hearing this, Li Rong immediately rushed to the palace.

As soon as she set out, the news reached the palace.

Consort Rou, who had been napping, was startled awake upon hearing that Li Rong was going to arrest Hongde. She sat on her chaise lounge, composed herself, and quickly instructed a servant: “Go ask the master immediately. Tell him Li Rong has found evidence against Hongde and is coming to the palace to arrest him. He must think of a way—right now.”

The maid hurried off. After she left, Hua Le approached, visibly anxious: “Mother, why is she arresting Hongde now?”

“If she arrests Hongde now, everything we said before might be invalid.”

Consort Rou pressed her lips together: “Hongde told His Majesty that Li Rong secretly asked him to delay Li Chuan’s marriage. But those are just words—no proof. The only evidence is that someone from the Princess’s residence went to see him. That part has witnesses, so it can be proven. But if Li Rong is investigating Hongde, then her visit to him wouldn’t seem suspicious. Li Rong is good at twisting the truth—if she cries a little, His Majesty might think she’s been wronged.”

“His Majesty already harbors doubts about us,” Consort Rou frowned uneasily. “If Li Rong overturns this matter, we won’t be able to speak freely about her in the future. Pei Wenxuan might secure the position of Vice Minister of Personnel.”

“What should we do then?” Hua Le panicked. “What should we do next?”

Consort Rou didn’t respond. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath: “Let’s wait. If the master doesn’t have a good solution…”

She hesitated before saying, “Then we’ll have to rely on ourselves.”

They waited for a while. When they heard that Li Rong had entered the palace, Hua Le grabbed Consort Rou’s sleeve, nearly in tears: “Mother, she’s already in the palace. What do we do? Will Father punish us again?”

“Your Grace.” As Hua Le spoke, the maid rushed in and handed Consort Rou a talisman—a pale apricot-colored paper with intricate patterns and the birth dates of Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan written beneath.

Consort Rou stared at it for a moment, then asked, “What is this?”

“The master sent it. He said to give it to Master Hongde. He also said that Hongde can’t be saved now. The most important thing is to prevent Pei Wenxuan from becoming Vice Minister of Personnel.”

“What use is this talisman?”

Consort Rou frowned. The maid leaned in and whispered in her ear for a long time.

Consort Rou listened carefully, and after hearing everything, she couldn’t help but praise, “The master truly is clever and resourceful.”

She handed the talisman back and instructed, “Deliver this to Master Hongde in secret. Say what needs to be said—make sure he remembers it well.”

The attendant respectfully accepted the order, took the talisman, and left.

Once Consort Rou’s people had made the arrangements, Li Rong arrived at the imperial study.

She had already notified them in advance, so when she arrived, she entered directly and respectfully saluted Emperor Li Ming, saying loudly, “Greetings, Father Emperor. Long live Your Majesty.”

Li Ming glanced at her and said, “I heard you came to the palace to arrest someone.”

“Yes,” Li Rong met his gaze, “I’m currently investigating the case of the fraudulent monk Hongde. I’ve been gathering evidence for nearly three months and finally completed it. I went to Huguo Temple to arrest him, but unexpectedly, this charlatan had entered the palace. Father, I hope you haven’t been misled by him?”

Her words carried a subtle implication. Li Ming’s expression remained unchanged. He looked at the memorials and replied, “It was Consort Rou who brought him in. She said she wanted to hear him speak on Buddhism. No slander, but there was an interesting matter.”

“What interesting matter?” Li Rong acted as if she knew nothing.

Li Ming looked up at her, his voice low and slightly warning: “I heard you asked someone to find him and have him lie to delay the Crown Prince’s wedding.”

“Delay Chuan’er’s wedding?” Li Rong looked genuinely surprised. “He’s just a monk—how could he influence the Crown Prince’s marriage?”

Her reaction was so natural that Li Ming stared at her for a long moment. Li Rong met his gaze calmly and raised an eyebrow: “Why is Father looking at me like that?”

“Nothing,” Li Ming, seeing that his scrutiny had no effect, explained, “He has great influence among the people. A single prophecy from him can gain widespread support. If he were to say that Chuan’er shouldn’t marry this year or there would be disasters, many people would believe it. That would force the wedding to be postponed.”

“I see. So this so-called high monk…” Li Rong feigned realization, then asked, “Then why did he falsely accuse me?”

“He accused you?” Li Ming chuckled, his eyes full of meaning. “Why don’t I summon him so you two can confront each other?”

“That would be perfect.” Li Rong smiled. “I’d love to see how this fraud plans to justify himself.”

“Go, summon Master Hongde,” Li Ming instructed the eunuch beside him.

The eunuch received the order and quickly left. With only Li Rong and Li Ming left in the room, the father and daughter didn’t speak, each minding their own business as if they were strangers.

Before long, Consort Rou and Master Hongde arrived.

Though Hongde came from humble origins, he was skilled at pretending. As soon as he entered, he carried himself with the demeanor of a noble monk. He and Consort Rou saluted Li Ming, who raised his hand to let them rise and said directly, “Today, Princess Pingle says you’ve committed a crime and came to arrest you. If there’s a misunderstanding, clarify it. If not…”

Li Ming looked at Consort Rou, who coughed lightly and said gently, “If there’s no misunderstanding, then it’s only right for Princess Pingle to take him away. But Princess, you asked for help and now you’re burning bridges—what’s the meaning of this?”

“Asked for help?” Li Rong laughed. “Who did I ask for help from—this bald fraud?”

She turned to look at Master Hongde, sizing him up before laughing again: “What proof is there that I asked him for help? Just his baseless words?”

“Master Hongde,” Li Ming turned to him, “Pingle is right. We can’t rely solely on your word. You said someone from the Princess’s residence came to discuss the Crown Prince’s marriage—do you have any evidence?”

Hearing this, Master Hongde paused. After a long moment, he slowly said, “Her Highness is meticulous. I didn’t keep any tokens. But I do know the Crown Prince’s birth details—does that count as evidence?”

A person’s birth details (date and time) are highly confidential, especially for someone like the Crown Prince. Most people might know the general date, but few would know the exact time.

That he could recite Li Chuan’s birth details was indeed a form of evidence.

“Just knowing the Crown Prince’s birth details doesn’t prove we’ve met,” Li Rong laughed and directly refuted. “What if someone deliberately told you that to frame me?”

Her implication was clear, and Consort Rou’s expression instantly turned sour. Li Ming coughed lightly and, siding with Li Rong, said, “Pingle makes a fair point. Do you have any other evidence?”

“Knowing the Crown Prince’s birth details is one thing,” Hongde sighed. “But what if I also know the birth details of the Princess and her consort?”

“I said, I only know—”

“What if it’s more than just knowing?” Hongde interrupted Li Rong, leaving her momentarily stunned.

If it was more than just knowing, then Hongde had actual evidence.

But where would he get it? Did Pei Wenxuan leave something behind?

Li Rong’s thoughts were in turmoil. At that moment, Hongde knelt before Li Ming, holding a talisman in both hands.

“This was requested by someone from the Princess’s residence, supposedly at the consort’s instruction. I agreed and just finished drawing it recently. I was planning to deliver it to the consort.”

Li Ming didn’t speak. He took the talisman and quickly examined it, frowning.

It indeed contained the birth details of Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan. Li Ming had seen them before when they married.

After a long silence, Li Ming handed the talisman to Li Rong and said with some resignation, “Pingle, even if you admit it, it’s not a big deal.”

“I truly have nothing to admit,” Li Rong replied firmly, taking the talisman.

She glanced over it quickly, confirming it did contain both of their birth details—and the handwriting did resemble Pei Wenxuan’s.

Though she spoke confidently, Li Rong felt uneasy.

Pei Wenxuan might indeed have asked Hongde to calculate their compatibility, but he shouldn’t have left any physical evidence.

Yet Pei Wenxuan could be foolish when it came to love—he might have forgotten.

She stared at the handwriting, calculating how to argue her way out. Everyone was waiting for her response. Just as she was about to speak, she caught a whiff of incense from the paper.

Guided by instinct, she touched the paper and instantly realized—it was a special “matchmaking talisman” unique to the Yue Lao Temple in Huajing.

“This talisman isn’t from Master Hongde,” Li Rong realized. She smiled and looked at Hongde. “This was just a charm my consort picked up while visiting the temple. We left it there. I don’t know how Master Hongde stole it and brought it here to frame me.”

“But that doesn’t matter. I’ve entertained you long enough. Since you can’t provide solid evidence, I’ll have to report you to His Majesty.”

“What does Your Highness intend to accuse this humble monk of?” Hongde asked, hands folded calmly.

“To fabricate charges is easy,” he said, “Please proceed.”

Li Rong smiled and raised her hand: “Bring in Lady Wang.”

At those words, Hongde’s expression changed dramatically. Li Rong watched him closely and smiled: “Wang Caishan—have you been a monk so long you’ve forgotten where you came from?”

As she spoke, a trembling woman entered the hall. The moment she saw Hongde, her eyes lit up.

“Husband!” she cried, rushing forward in excitement. “You’re alive? How did you become a monk?”

Before she could finish, Hongde shoved her away and shouted, “Who’s your husband?!”

The woman who had been shoved aside froze for a moment. Then, her eyes swept over the magnificent kasaya robes worn by Master Hongde, and she suddenly realized the truth. She pushed herself up from the ground, pointed a trembling finger at Hongde, and spat out, “So you—you didn’t meet with some accident outside. You just didn’t want to come back! Fine, very fine, Wang Caishan! After I served your old mother for over ten years in your home, you lived comfortably outside and never returned—fine! But now you even dare to pretend you’re not Wang Caishan? Even if you turned to ashes, I’d still recognize you, you bastard!”  

“You—you’re spouting nonsense!” Hongde stammered, shocked by the sudden appearance of his wife.  

Madam Wang, overcome with fury, lunged at Hongde, shrieking, “You scoundrel! I’ll kill you—I’ll kill you!”  

But before she could act, the guards beside her pinned her to the ground. As Madam Wang struggled and cursed, Li Ming frowned.  

At this point, he no longer cared about Hongde. Waving his hand dismissively, he said, “Enough. Take him away.”  

Li Rong smiled and raised her hand in a respectful salute. “Father, since you’ve already made your decision, this daughter shall take her leave.”  

Li Ming waved her off. Consort Rou hastily stood up, about to speak, but Li Rong immediately cut her off with a sharp rebuke: “His Majesty has already issued his verdict. What more does Consort Rou wish to say?”  

The forceful shout stifled all of Consort Rou’s words. Li Ming glanced at her and said coolly, “Do you have something else to say?”  

His tone made his stance clear. Consort Rou could only swallow her words and finally muttered, “This concubine… has nothing more to say.”  

“Then this daughter bids farewell.”  

Li Rong smiled, bowed, and then gestured to the side. The guards rushed forward, seized Hongde and Madam Wang, and dragged them out of the palace.  

“You stupid woman!” Hongde cursed the moment they were outside the palace gates. “You’ve ruined me—ruined me!”  

“You worthless piece of trash! What future did you even have left?” Madam Wang sneered. “They say all men are heartless—I never believed it before, but now I know. You bastard! Just wait till we’re out of here—I’ll skin you alive!”  

Both of them came from the rougher quarters of society, and their insults knew no bounds. Even after years of refinement among the upper class, Hongde still couldn’t out-curse his wife.  

The two were dragged along behind Li Rong by the guards, hurling abuse at each other the entire way.  

Meanwhile, Li Rong walked with her hands clasped behind her back, listening to their curses under the bright moon and sparse stars, feeling that the road ahead was clearer than ever.  

Just as she stepped out of the palace, she saw Pei Wenxuan waiting at the gates. He wasn’t wearing his official robes, just a blue outer coat over a plain white shirt.  

Spring was approaching, and the capital was already warming up. For someone like Pei Wenxuan, who cared deeply about appearances, it was the perfect opportunity to switch to lighter spring attire.  

He stood quietly outside the palace, gazing at the distant outline of the mountains against the night sky, his tall figure as poised as a pine or a crane.  

The moment Li Rong spotted him from afar, she couldn’t help but smile. She hurried over happily, looping her arm through his, and exclaimed, “Pei Wenxuan!”  

Pei Wenxuan turned calmly, and seeing the joy on her face, he knew the outcome. Softly, he said, “It seems Her Highness has achieved a great victory.”  

Li Rong clung to his arm, not bothering with modesty. “Not bad, not bad.”  

Then she turned to the guards behind her and ordered, “Take Wang Caishan to the Inspectorate. Escort Madam Wang to an inn.”  

The guards bowed in acknowledgment. Li Rong turned back to Pei Wenxuan, and the two walked toward the carriage together. She asked, “Did you come here just to wait for me?”  

“Just passing by,” Pei Wenxuan answered instinctively. But after a pause, he hesitated and added, “Well… no. Actually, I came specifically to wait for you.”

“How did you manage two answers for one question?” Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Pei Wenxuan helped her into the carriage, his voice gentle. “The first answer was reflexive. The second one is the truth.”  

“Don’t they say that reflexive words are the truest?”  

Li Rong settled into the carriage, looking puzzled. Pei Wenxuan sat beside her and shook his head. “Reflexive words aren’t necessarily the truth—just words meant to protect oneself.”  

Li Rong thought about it and decided he was right.  

She watched as Pei Wenxuan poured tea for her, her lips curving slightly in quiet delight.  

Noticing her mood, Pei Wenxuan glanced at her. “Winning one battle has made you this happy?”  

“Pei Wenxuan,” Li Rong propped her chin on her hand, “tell me honestly—did you secretly go to the Matchmaker’s Temple to make a wish?”  

Pei Wenxuan blinked in surprise. “Why do you ask, Your Highness?”  

“Look,” Li Rong pulled out a talisman from her sleeve and handed it to him. “What’s this?”  

Pei Wenxuan had been smiling, but the moment his eyes landed on the talisman—inscribed with both their birth characters—his expression darkened. He seized her wrist, urgency flashing in his eyes. “Where did you get this?!” 

—  

Meanwhile, in the imperial study, Consort Rou massaged Li Ming’s shoulders.  

Her mind replayed the whispered words of her maid:  

“The master said that even if Hongde’s case can’t be proven, sowing doubt in His Majesty is enough. The most crucial thing now is to make the Emperor realize how deep the bond is between the Princess and her consort. If His Majesty already suspects an alliance between the Crown Prince and Princess Pingle, and then learns that Pei Wenxuan has genuine feelings for her…”  

“Then His Majesty will no longer tolerate Pei Wenxuan.”  

“This is a ‘Three-Life Marriage Talisman’ forged in Pei Wenxuan’s handwriting—a vow made at the Matchmaker’s Temple, pledging a bond in the next life. The ritual to obtain it is complex, different from ordinary blessing talismans. All you need is to coax the Princess into admitting it belongs to them, then reveal its true meaning to His Majesty…”  

“And Pei Wenxuan’s career will be over.”

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