Chapter 110: The Prince Consort Went After The Princess With A Sword To Kill Her

As soon as Li Rong left the palace, Consort Rou hurriedly knelt down and anxiously said, “Your Majesty, please forgive me. I truly didn’t know about that Hongde…”

“Enough,” Li Ming said tiredly. “You’ve already been punished as you should. Go back and rest well. Don’t concern yourself with too much.”

“Your Majesty…” Consort Rou’s voice was hesitant, as if unsure whether to speak. Li Ming looked up at her and said calmly, “Is there something else?”

“Your Majesty, I know I shouldn’t speak more at this time, but I worry for Your Majesty and can’t help but say a few more words.”

Consort Rou looked up at Li Ming and slowly said, “Does Your Majesty know what kind of talisman Master Hongde presented today?”

“It’s a Three-Life Marriage Talisman.” Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong were sitting in the carriage—discussing matters at the palace gate wasn’t appropriate, so Pei Wenxuan quickly brought Li Rong into the carriage.

Hearing Pei Wenxuan’s words, Li Rong felt a heaviness in her heart. She had to confirm again, “You didn’t write it?”

“No.” Pei Wenxuan touched the handwriting on the paper and said slowly, “The writing looks like mine, but it truly isn’t. The other party merely found someone to imitate my handwriting, then placed Her Highness in a situation to negotiate, making her focus on Master Hongde and lose judgment on everything else.”

“So tonight, they had already decided to sacrifice Master Hongde. Even Consort Rou had prepared to be suppressed by me. Their goal was to make me admit that this talisman was indeed ours.”

Li Rong immediately understood. She took a deep breath and asked, “What is this talisman for?”

“It’s a special talisman made by a high monk at the Yue Lao Temple in the east of the city. To request this talisman, one must bathe and fast, chant scriptures for forty-nine days, and then make a wish. The meaning of this talisman is that the two people named on it,” Pei Wenxuan looked up at Li Rong, “are bound by a Three-Life Marriage—never to betray each other, even in life and death.”

“Bound by a Three-Life Marriage—never to betray each other, even in life and death.”

Consort Rou knelt on the ground, explaining the meaning of the talisman to Li Ming: “This talisman bears the handwriting of the Prince Consort, meaning he personally requested it. How many men in this world have such deep feelings for their wives? One lifetime isn’t enough—he vows to never betray her, even through three lifetimes. I remember Your Majesty once said Pei Wenxuan came from a humble background and was used as a tool to balance the noble families. Though he and Her Highness appear deeply in love, it was merely a means for him to control her.”

“But Your Majesty,” Consort Rou looked up at Li Ming, “now you tell me—who is truly in control? Is it Her Highness controlling Pei Wenxuan, or Pei Wenxuan controlling Her Highness?”

“What if Pei Wenxuan truly loves Her Highness?” Li Ming asked calmly, but Consort Rou knew he already had the answer—he just wanted her to say it aloud. She smiled gently and said, “Then the Prince Consort and Princess are one in heart and body. If the Prince Consort is promoted to Minister of Personnel, and the Princess becomes Head of the Inspectorate, one in charge of arrests, the other of promotions—then the court will be under their control.”

“If such power is used solely for Your Majesty, then fine. But what if the Princess’s heart leans toward the Crown Prince?”

“Then what do you think should be done?”

“Your Majesty,” Consort Rou bowed deeply, “raising a tiger invites danger. Since the Prince Consort’s heart already belongs to Her Highness, let him remain a Prince Consort. If Her Highness truly becomes a tiger,” Consort Rou looked up and spoke calmly, “Your Majesty will have the power to slay her.”

Her voice was cold. The usually gentle tone carried an unusual firmness—like the early spring night wind, sending chills down one’s spine.

Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan’s explanation, feeling the night wind blowing through the window. They looked at each other silently, and in that moment, she understood Consort Rou’s intention—and even the intention of those behind her.

She couldn’t help but clench her fists, suppressing all her thoughts, trying to stay calm: “I was careless.”

Pei Wenxuan said nothing, gently rubbing the handwriting on the talisman.

He wasn’t surprised that Li Rong had made a mistake. After all, no one can truly guard against the deliberate schemes of someone who was once closest to them.

A surge of indescribable anger welled up inside him. Of all the manipulations he had ever faced, none had made him feel so disgusted, so malicious, so furious.

Yet the more he felt this way, the more he kept a calm exterior. He even hoped that Li Rong wouldn’t be too clever—that she would blame everything on Consort Rou and remain unaware of the deeper plot.

That way, at least, she wouldn’t be heartbroken.

Pei Wenxuan pondered the entire situation. Li Rong waited beside him for a while, and seeing he didn’t speak, she said softly, “Don’t be angry. I’ll be more careful from now on.”

“Hm?” Pei Wenxuan smiled and looked up gently. “Your Highness must be joking. Why would I be angry?”

As he spoke, he saw the doubt in Li Rong’s eyes. After a moment’s hesitation, he finally reached out and pulled her into his arms.

The moment Li Rong’s warmth touched him, Pei Wenxuan felt as if the turmoil inside him was being gently washed away by a stream of clear water. He held her without saying a word. Li Rong sensed his emotions but didn’t know what to say. After a while, she finally spoke:

“We’ve come this far. Now that Father has seen the talisman you requested, he likely won’t believe anything you said before. If we don’t act, everything will end before Chuan’er ascends the throne.”

Li Rong closed her eyes and leaned against Pei Wenxuan. “Have you made up your mind?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond.

Su Rongqing’s move had been ruthless—cutting off his foundation completely.

Solving this wouldn’t be difficult.

After all, Li Ming didn’t have many capable people left. Pei Wenxuan had been playing this game for a long time, and it would be a waste to discard him now. As long as he showed enough loyalty to Li Ming, it would be fine.

If Su Rongqing had made this move earlier, Pei Wenxuan could have acted without restraint.

Li Ming feared that Pei Wenxuan was being controlled by Li Rong—so Pei Wenxuan could simply divorce her to prove his loyalty.

He and Li Rong were allies. The form of their relationship didn’t matter.

But now, things were different.

He couldn’t use love as a stepping stone for his career.

His wife, his love, his Li Rong—those were things he believed should remain untouched by any worldly stain.

He lowered his head, unable to speak.

Li Rong waited quietly for a long time before finally saying, “You are Father’s most effective weapon. All the evidence now only raises his suspicions. Given his nature, he’ll likely test you again.”

She lowered her head, touching her forehead to his, as if coaxing him: “When that time comes, just go along with him. Show your loyalty however he wants, okay?”

Li Rong didn’t say the words directly, but Pei Wenxuan understood completely.

He lowered his head, a wave of helplessness rising within him.

“Your Highness,” Pei Wenxuan said hoarsely, “please don’t hold me like this while saying such things.”

Li Rong paused, then slowly sat up.

They created distance between them. Pei Wenxuan looked up at her, seemingly trying hard to control his emotions. He spoke calmly: “Your Highness means that if it comes to it, I should divorce you, correct?”

“Yes,” Li Rong replied decisively. “But the divorce would be fake. Once everything is settled, we’ll marry again.”

“Has Your Highness considered,” Pei Wenxuan said quietly, “what if, after we divorce, I fall in love with someone else?”

Li Rong froze for a moment. After a pause, she forced a smile. “If… if you fall in love with someone else, just tell me.”

She gripped her fan tightly, trying to control her emotions. “I’m not unreasonable. No one should be tied to someone for life. If your heart belongs to someone else… then… then don’t come back.”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t speak. He quietly looked at Li Rong. After a moment of thought, Li Rong said slowly, “I know this may be hard for you to accept, but it’s the simplest solution. If you have anything to say, feel free to speak—we can discuss it properly.”

“There’s nothing to discuss.”

Pei Wenxuan responded firmly. He stared at Li Rong and said resolutely, “Your Highness, I will not divorce you.”

“Then what do you suggest?”

Li Rong looked at Pei Wenxuan. “Do you have another plan? Are you saying you don’t want the position of Minister of Personnel?”

“Yes!”

Pei Wenxuan was provoked. He shouted coldly, “I don’t want it.”

“Not just the Minister of Personnel,” Li Rong said sharply, “you might never hold a position of real power again. You might not even keep your current post as Censor.”

“So what?” Pei Wenxuan clenched his fists. “Can’t I just stop being an official?!”

“And then what?” Li Rong looked up, her gaze icy. “You give up your career, lose your influence—do you expect me to support you?”

“You want to live a useless life, go back to Luzhou, row boats and pick lotus flowers? Pei Wenxuan, get this straight,” Li Rong tried to control her tone but couldn’t help slamming her fan on the table, “Love requires qualifications. What are you now? Just a low-ranking eighth-grade Censor—do you even have a choice?!”

“You come from a humble background. You entered the court late. If you had Su Rongqing’s status, you could afford to be reckless—but do you? What gives you the right to say you won’t divorce me?”

Pei Wenxuan didn’t respond. Her words cut through him like blades.

Everything she said was true. Every sentence accused him of being powerless, insignificant, and unworthy.

“The biggest problem with you and Chuan’er,” Li Rong continued, her voice tinged with reluctance, “is that you always desire things you shouldn’t when you lack the ability to obtain them.”

“So,” Pei Wenxuan laughed bitterly, “I want our love to stay away from politics. I don’t want my feelings to be sacrificed for power. I want my wife to be like me—not so quick to give up on our marriage. That’s also something I shouldn’t desire, right?”

Li Rong froze for a moment. Pei Wenxuan turned his head away, looking awkwardly at the stone-paved street outside the carriage. “Li Rong, if you had hesitated even for a moment today, I would’ve believed you truly cared about me.”

Li Rong’s eyelashes trembled. Pei Wenxuan didn’t look at her. He lowered his gaze and said, “But right now, there’s only one thing on my mind.”

“If you want a divorce,” Pei Wenxuan’s voice trembled, but he gritted his teeth and spoke, “I won’t stop you.”

“I don’t want a wife who can use love as a weapon at any moment.”

His eyes turned red. He didn’t look at Li Rong. His teeth clenched lightly, fists tightening. “You can mock me for being naive, childish, or incompetent.”

“But you shouldn’t mock my sincerity.”

“I refuse to divorce you because I care about this relationship. Even if I have to compromise a little for power, I still can’t bear to let it go. But you didn’t hesitate—not even for a second. You didn’t consider any other options. You once told me that if there’s true love, it deserves respect. But when it came time to choose, Li Rong, you didn’t hesitate at all—you chose power.”

Li Rong listened to his words and felt as if Pei Wenxuan had pushed her underwater.

Everything around her fell silent. She was submerged, struggling, unable to breathe.

His words echoed like those from the last ten years of her previous life, when he had repeatedly cursed her: “Li Rong, you’re heartless, rotten to the core, a venomous woman.”

Li Chuan would sometimes, after drinking, hold his wine cup and casually ask her, “Princess, if I weren’t the Emperor, would I still be your younger brother?”

She used to not care. She could argue with him freely, even boldly tell him, “Yes, I’m exactly that kind of venomous woman—black-hearted and ruthless. So what?”

She could smile at Li Chuan, pretend not to understand, and change the subject with a light, “Your Highness must be joking.”

She thought she had grown used to it.

But in this new life, as she interacted with Pei Wenxuan as a renewed version of herself, as she heard Li Chuan sincerely call her “Sister,” as she received Pei Wenxuan’s solemn promise of “I’ll wait for you,” she felt as though her life had finally seen light. That light washed away all the mud she had been buried in, made her lift her head, and begin to long for those dreams that had once been drowned in the palace—those dreams she thought she had no right to have.

Because she had once looked up and seen the sun, when someone tried to push her back underwater again, she felt a pain she had never known before.

She quietly listened to Pei Wenxuan’s words.

He said, “The Li Rong I want, the one worth waiting for, shouldn’t be like this.”

Li Rong laughed when she heard that. She didn’t respond.

She picked up a chess piece, as if nothing had happened, and said, “I was just making a suggestion. If you want to accept it, fine. If you don’t want to be an official anymore, if you want to throw your life away and let Su Rongqing trample you, I don’t care.”

“You think I care about you that much?” Li Rong placed the chess piece on the board and said hoarsely, “If you’re useless, I don’t care if you die.”

Pei Wenxuan heard these words and knew they were spoken in anger.

Li Rong, when furious, could say the cruelest things. He knew that. But it still hurt.

Perhaps he had spent too much time with the gentler side of Li Rong and had forgotten how deeply she could wound when she decided to dig into someone’s heart.

Fortunately, the carriage arrived at the Princess’s residence. As soon as it stopped, Pei Wenxuan couldn’t bear it any longer. He jumped out and headed straight inside.

“I’m not going back tonight,” Li Rong said calmly as she continued her game. “Think carefully, Lord Pei. Let me give you some advice—”

“Love is useless. Your future matters more. I don’t care either way,” she said flatly. “You decide for yourself.”

With that, Li Rong ordered the coachman, “Go.”

Pei Wenxuan listened to her mocking tone. He stood with his back to her, eyes closed.

He told himself not to argue with her, but every word she said scraped against his heart. When he heard her carriage leave, he finally couldn’t hold back.

He thought she was driving him mad. He turned toward the direction of the departing carriage and shouted, “Li Rong, if you have the guts, don’t come back! If you don’t return tonight, I’ll write the divorce letter immediately!”

“Do it!” Li Rong trembled with rage at the word “divorce.” She yanked up the curtain, ignoring the coachman’s protests, and looked at the furious Pei Wenxuan standing at the gate of the Princess’s residence. She sneered and shouted, “I’m going to drink on a pleasure boat and find ten or eight handsome men. If you don’t divorce me tomorrow, you’re a coward!”

With that, she slammed the curtain down, then raised her hand to cover her forehead, leaning against the table.

“Your Highness,” the coachman asked nervously, “Where to?”

After a pause, Li Rong replied hoarsely, “To the lake. Find a boat. Go to the South Wind Pavilion and find a few good-looking young men. The ones who can sing and play instruments are best.”

She sniffled and looked up. “I refuse to believe anyone is truly irreplaceable.”

The coachman didn’t dare say more and followed her instructions.

Li Rong closed her eyes as the carriage headed toward the lake.

Pei Wenxuan returned to the Princess’s residence. He picked up a memorial and tried to calm himself by reviewing it.

He couldn’t keep fighting with Li Rong.

There had to be a way. There was always a way.

His mind was in chaos. Not long after, Tong Ye rushed in, panicked. “Young Master, something’s wrong! Her Highness went to the lakeside, rented a pleasure boat, and invited many young men from the South Wind Pavilion!”

“It’s fine,” Pei Wenxuan gripped his brush tightly, pretending to be calm. “With so many people, nothing serious will happen.”

“No, that’s not the point!” Tong Ye knelt down, shocked. “Young Master, what’s wrong with you? Even if nothing happens today, you can’t just let Her Highness act recklessly! If it happens once, it can happen again. Today there are many people—what about tomorrow?”

“Leave.”

Pei Wenxuan spoke coldly. Tong Ye pleaded, “Young Master!”

“Leave!” Pei Wenxuan shouted. Tong Ye stared at him in disbelief. After a long pause, he finally bowed and withdrew.

Once the room was empty, Pei Wenxuan gripped his brush tightly. After a long moment, he couldn’t hold back anymore and flipped the table over.

He could no longer suppress his emotions. He turned and grabbed the sword hanging on the nearby pillar, then began slashing wildly around the room.

Every word Li Rong had said echoed in his heart.

What right did he have?

He was low-born, powerless, insignificant—what right did he have to desire love?

She didn’t care about him. If he weren’t talented, would she have ever married him?

Why was he trapped here? Why was he holding on to someone who kept hurting him?

Why not resign and return to Luzhou? Why stay in this muddy mess in Huajing, struggling alongside her?

She was simply certain he couldn’t let her go. But what gave her the right to be so sure?

The sword slashed through the bookshelf. A box on the shelf was split in half, and a pile of papers spilled out from the locked container, slowly fluttering to the ground.

The handwriting on the pages caught Pei Wenxuan’s eye.

> “Pei Wenxuan, are you okay? I’m waiting for you in the palace. If you don’t come back, I might pretend it doesn’t matter, but I’ll still be scared. Never mind, this letter probably won’t be sent. Let me be honest. If you don’t come back, how could it not matter to me?”

> “Pei Wenxuan, I kind of regret letting you leave Huajing. Forget the Inspectorate—if you don’t come back, where would I even find you?”

> “Pei Wenxuan, they all say you’re dead. I don’t believe it. They don’t know how strong you are, how smart. Those born in luxury could never understand the incredible vitality of grass breaking through stone. Besides, I’m still in Huajing.”

> “Pei Wenxuan, I miss you. Why haven’t you come back yet?”

Though the pages had no signature or date, Pei Wenxuan recognized them instantly. These must have been written by Li Rong when she was imprisoned in the Northern Yan Tower.

He stared blankly at the scattered pages, at Li Rong’s elegant handwriting.

At some point, her writing had begun to resemble his.

It seemed she truly liked his handwriting—secretly finding calligraphy samples and carefully imitating each stroke.

Why did she stay? Why did she still love this person?

Because this person, despite saying such cold things and hurting him deeply, was also someone he had hurt. Someone who hid her feelings and quietly liked him. Someone who secretly wrote him letters and copied his handwriting.

He had cared too much about their relationship, too much about how she expressed herself, and had forgotten that the person he loved was someone who kept all her emotions buried deep inside—a girl who would rather stab herself with a blade than let others see her vulnerability.

Pei Wenxuan stared at the letters scattered across the floor. After a long time, he suddenly snapped out of it, grabbed his sword, and rushed out.

When Jinglan came looking for Pei Wenxuan, she hadn’t even reached the door before Jingmei hurried up to her, panicked. “Sister, something’s wrong!”

“Where’s the Prince Consort?” Jinglan asked sharply, sensing trouble from Jingmei’s expression.

“The Prince Consort—he just rushed out with a sword!”

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