Chapter 128: He Has Already Seen The View From The Heights Of Power; What He Longs For Most Is Simply The Warmth Of Ordinary Life

Cui Yulang arrived at night.

His arrival was rather convoluted—he changed clothes several times and took detours to ensure he wasn’t being followed. After confirming he was safe, Zhao Chongjiu led him over the back wall of the Princess’s residence. They entered Li Rong’s room almost without a sound.

Li Rong had already been informed by Zhao Chongjiu that Cui Yulang would be coming, so she hadn’t gone to bed. She had only taken down her hair and was waiting with a lit lamp.

Late at night, footsteps were heard outside. Li Rong, reclining on a small couch, looked up and saw Cui Yulang push the door open. Knowing that a private meeting with Li Rong at night was inappropriate, he abandoned his usual carefree demeanor, knelt respectfully on the ground without raising his eyes, and said in a low voice, “Your humble servant greets Your Highness.”

“I called you here because there’s an urgent matter,” Li Rong said calmly.

Cui Yulang remained silent. Li Rong continued slowly, “We need to speed up the process of handing the Inspectorate over to Consort Rou.”

“Is something wrong, Your Highness?” he asked.

“Just proceed. Preferably within three days.”

Cui Yulang thought for a moment and replied softly, “Understood.”

This matter had already been prepared between Cui Yulang and Li Rong. The next morning, Li Rong arrived at the Inspectorate. Just as she reached the entrance, Shangguan Ya hurriedly came to greet her and whispered, “A scholar came to the Inspectorate today. He said his spot for the imperial exam was swapped out. I’ve kept him here.”

Li Rong nodded and entered the Inspectorate with Shangguan Ya, who whispered, “I don’t know what this scholar was thinking. He didn’t go to the Shuntian Prefecture or the Ministry of Justice—he came straight to the Inspectorate and knelt at the door. This case is hard to investigate. It might lead us out of Huajing…”

“No matter,” Li Rong said, raising her hand to stop Shangguan Ya and entered the room with her.

The scholar was nervously sipping tea. When he saw Li Rong, he quickly stood up and knelt, saying, “Greetings, Your Highness.”

“You are Sun Wen?” Li Rong asked directly. That was the name of Cui Yulang’s friend.

“Yes, that’s me,” he replied quickly.

“Did you bring your petition?”

“It’s already written.”

“Good.”

Li Rong nodded and instructed Shangguan Ya to collect the petition. Then she said directly, “Give him five taels of silver. Leave Huajing. On the city moat, there’s an old man named Third Master. Get on his boat and let him take you away. When you’re near Zhang County, the boat will sink. Follow Third Master and swim to shore. Someone will meet you there. Hide for a while and wait for further instructions.”

Sun Wen had already received arrangements from Cui Yulang. After bowing, he was led away.

As soon as Sun Wen left, Shangguan Ya immediately came over. “What are you hiding from me?”

Li Rong was carefully reading Sun Wen’s petition and replied slowly, “You’ll be changing bosses soon. Better start preparing.”

Hearing this, Shangguan Ya thought for a moment and understood. “You’re stepping away from the Inspectorate?”

“Su Rongqing recently opened an inn to house candidates coming to the capital for the imperial exams. He even deliberately sought out those who came to file complaints. What do you think he’s after?”

Shangguan Ya frowned, puzzled.

The imperial exams weren’t considered a major affair—mostly a formality. Those from common families who passed and entered court usually just helped with menial tasks. There were always dirty and tiring jobs no one wanted, and the exams served to fill those roles. For someone like Shangguan Ya, born into elite nobility, it was hard to grasp why Su Rongqing was making such a fuss over it.

Li Rong glanced at her, knowing she didn’t understand.

If she hadn’t seen the later rise of the cold clans and the impact of the imperial examination system, or witnessed the storm stirred by this year’s so-called “Dragon-Tiger List” in court, she probably wouldn’t understand either.

But Li Rong did know—and thus understood the core of the struggle between Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing.

“Su Rongqing’s first goal is to win public support.”

“That’s typical of the Su family,” Shangguan Ya replied.

After all, it was the Su family who started the porridge kitchens. Other noble families only followed once the public opinion turned favorable.

“Secondly,” Li Rong lowered her voice while looking at the petition, “Su Rongqing won’t let go of what happened last time.”

Shangguan Ya paused, then looked up at Li Rong. Li Rong said calmly, “His Majesty stripped him of his position as Minister of Justice and granted a divorce between me and Pei Wenxuan. That means His Majesty doesn’t trust anyone. So there will definitely be a next move. Su Rongqing’s goal is to undermine Chuan’er’s foundation. By gathering all these complaining scholars, what do you think he plans to do?”

Shangguan Ya didn’t respond. Li Rong smiled and gave her the answer: “He’s going to file a case.”

“What’s the goal?” Shangguan Ya frowned.

Li Rong tapped the table. “Who do you think His Majesty would want to handle the case if it goes through?”

Shangguan Ya instantly understood. “The Crown Prince?”

If Li Chuan takes on the case, even though it’s just about the imperial exams, it pits him directly against the interests of the noble families.

Because of Li Rong’s Inspectorate, Li Chuan already had tensions with the aristocracy. If he now publicly supports the cold clans, the rift with the noble families will deepen.

The cold clans haven’t yet gained enough power. If Li Chuan truly breaks ties with the nobles and His Majesty doesn’t fully trust him, then Li Chuan’s political capital would be reduced to just the Shangguan family.

But if Li Chuan refuses to take the case, and that refusal leads to an unjust outcome, his reputation for wisdom as Crown Prince would suffer greatly among the public.

“So now there are only two options left.”

Shangguan Ya quickly said, “Either make sure the case never gets filed…”

“Or,” Li Rong continued, “we need to make sure this case falls into someone else’s hands.”

Currently, the offices capable of handling this case were the Censorate, the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Inspectorate.

The Censorate was overseen by Shangguan Minzhi. If they took the case, the noble families would see it as Li Chuan taking the case.

The Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review were both under the control of the noble families—they wouldn’t touch this hot potato voluntarily.

That left only her Inspectorate.

Shangguan Ya understood what Li Rong meant. After a moment of hesitation, she said slowly, “But handing over the Inspectorate for a single imperial exam case… isn’t that too high a price?”

Li Rong didn’t respond immediately. She wanted to explain but chose not to say too much. After thinking it over, she simply said, “My position is already precarious. Father wants me to go head-to-head with the noble families, but I can’t afford to go that far. Even if I step away for now, our people remain. Everyone knows what should and shouldn’t be done.”

Shangguan Ya acknowledged this. Seeing her worried expression, Li Rong smiled, patted her shoulder, and said, “Get to work. Once you’re done, you can go drink and gamble.”

That made Shangguan Ya laugh. “Alright then.”

Then she leaned in and whispered, “So… how are you feeling after the divorce?”

Li Rong raised an eyebrow. Shangguan Ya glanced around and leaned closer. “Any secret rendezvous with a lover? Something exciting?”

Li Rong smiled and pulled out a folded document, smacking it playfully against Shangguan Ya. “Scram.”

Shangguan Ya laughed and stood up, waving as she left. “I’m off!”

She returned to her own room. After she left, Li Rong picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Shangguan Ya’s concern wasn’t unfounded. Giving up the Inspectorate for an exam case was indeed risky.

Originally, the idea to hand over the Inspectorate had come from Pei Wenxuan.

But now, the decision to go through with it…

Li Rong stared at the tea leaves floating in her cup, her gaze turning cold.

—was because Pei Wenxuan’s people were mixed in among the complaining scholars.

Su Rongqing wanted to remove the firewood from under Li Chuan’s pot. But Pei Wenxuan seemed intent on tearing down the entire stove.

If Pei Wenxuan’s intentions lay there, then no matter what, she couldn’t get caught in that whirlpool.

Li Rong stayed at the Inspectorate for the day. That evening, she finally got up to return to the Princess’s residence. As she stepped outside, she saw Shangguan Ya dressed in men’s clothing, swinging her coin pouch and happily heading out. She walked with such a spring in her step she looked ready to leap into the air.

Li Rong waited at the inner courtyard gate. When Shangguan Ya came humming a tune, Li Rong called out, “Where are you off to, looking so cheerful?”

Hearing her voice, Shangguan Ya jumped in surprise. “Your Highness, you haven’t left yet?”

“You haven’t left either,” Li Rong replied.

The two walked out of the courtyard together. Shangguan Ya cleared her throat. “Well, I’m leaving now. Daytime’s too obvious.”

“How late are you planning to stay out? If it’s too late, your father might scold you.”

“My father knows my temperament,” Shangguan Ya said confidently. “I’ve told him already.”

Li Rong smiled but didn’t respond. Walking beside Shangguan Ya, she sometimes felt like she was a teenager again, and other times she clearly sensed the difference between them—watching Shangguan Ya felt like watching a child.

“Su Ronghua’s waiting for you, isn’t he?”

Li Rong asked directly. Shangguan Ya’s expression froze. Li Rong chuckled softly. “You don’t usually get this excited just to go drinking and playing around.”

“I’m not…” Shangguan Ya began.

“When did you two get so close?”

Li Rong could tell she was embarrassed and didn’t give her a chance to explain, speaking with the tone of a caring elder. Shangguan Ya didn’t hide it and replied, “Back when we were at the Inspectorate, we’d often go to gambling houses after work. That night when you and Su Rongqing caused a stir in the palace, I heard he went there and knew it wouldn’t end well. I waited for him at the palace gate, took him hiking to cheer him up. We got along well after that. Now he’s got nothing to do, just a free spirit, so he hangs out with me every day.”

“Play all you want,” Li Rong advised, “just don’t let it interfere with your duties.”

“Don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

As they stepped out of the Inspectorate’s gate, they saw Su Ronghua sitting outside, spinning a fan in his hand. Hearing footsteps, he turned around and immediately smiled. “Ah, you’re out?”

He stood up and bowed to Li Rong.

Li Rong raised her hand to stop him. “No need for that. You’re here to pick up Ah Ya?”

“Yes,” Su Ronghua replied openly.

Shangguan Ya felt the conversation was getting awkward, so she waved at Li Rong and said, “Your Highness, I’m off.”

She walked up, grabbed Su Ronghua’s sleeve, and pulled him toward the street.

The two chatted and laughed as they walked away. Li Rong stood at the gate, watching them disappear into the crowd. Seeing the bustling street, she suddenly felt a strange emptiness inside.

It reminded her of the final years of her previous life, when she often sat in silence, watching the noisy world around her.

As she was lost in thought, a young beggar ran up to her, holding a chipped bowl and said in a soft voice, “Madam, could you spare a coin?”

Li Rong looked down and saw a slip of paper in the bowl. Somehow, she instinctively knew who had sent it.

She took two copper coins from her pouch and placed them in the bowl, quietly slipping the paper into her hand.

The beggar ran off. Li Rong unfolded the note in the shadows with her fingers—and saw Pei Wenxuan’s handwriting.

“I’m here.”

Li Rong instinctively looked up and scanned her surroundings. She spotted a young man not far away, wearing two fake mustaches.

He smiled as their eyes met. Li Rong couldn’t help but press her lips together. She hid the note in her palm, clasped her hands behind her back, and stepped down from the platform. “Let’s walk back,” she said.

The coachman and attendants were a bit surprised but didn’t question her. They watched as Li Rong stepped forward and disappeared into the crowd.

A young man in blue followed her into the crowd after she turned.

They didn’t speak. One walked ahead, the other behind, each on opposite sides of the street, like two strangers with no connection.

But every stall Li Rong passed and glanced at, the young man would stop by and buy the item she had looked at.

Li Rong noticed Pei Wenxuan’s actions. She walked to a lantern stall with riddles and touched the most beautiful lantern—one depicting Chang’e flying to the moon.

She lingered at the stall for a while. Behind her, the young man paused, casually browsing combs at the opposite stall.

When Li Rong moved on, he followed again.

After leaving the bustling main street, Li Rong felt tired. She called for her carriage, yawning as she looked toward it. Just before getting in, she saw the young man standing nearby, smiling at her.

Li Rong smiled faintly, suddenly feeling playful. She tossed a silk handkerchief from her sleeve.

The wind caught the delicate silk, sending it fluttering through the air. The lantern light shone through the gauzy fabric. The young man hurried forward, the silk brushing past his face, leaving behind a lingering fragrance.

He reached out and caught the drifting handkerchief.

When he looked back, the carriage was already rolling away like a dream.

Pei Wenxuan stood there, staring at the departing carriage. After a long moment, he smiled softly, folded the handkerchief carefully, and placed it over his heart. Then he returned to the lantern riddle stall.

When Li Rong returned to the Princess’s residence, she had just settled in. She was soaking her feet and reading when Jinglan entered and said, “Your Highness, Lord Zhao requests an audience.”

Li Rong looked up. “Let him in.”

Zhao Chongjiu entered, and as soon as he did, Li Rong saw he was carrying more than a dozen lanterns.

She nearly burst out laughing. Zhao Chongjiu, face dark, set the lanterns down and held up the one with Chang’e flying to the moon, placing it before her. “Lord Pei sent these urgently. He told me this one must be delivered to Your Highness personally.”

“He said he won every riddle at that stall.”

Li Rong couldn’t help but laugh.

She took the lantern Pei Wenxuan had won, gazing at the image of Chang’e. She laughed for a long time.

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