The end of winter is the coldest time of the year in Huajing. The ice and snow melt quietly, bringing with them a chill.

In the Princess's mansion, Li Rong was lying on the bed, covered with a thick quilt. There were many braziers in the room, which made the whole room extremely hot, just like a scorching summer day.

There were many people standing in the room, but no one was talking. Li Rong felt dizzy and dazed. It was not a comfortable feeling, but compared to the days before when she had hot and cold sensations and coughed up blood, it was much better.

"Change the handkerchief."

A clear and elegant male voice was heard, and the maid next to him said "yes", and then the sound of water was heard.

Then Li Rong felt someone wiping the sweat from her forehead. The person's movements were gentle, as if he was wiping a porcelain doll, afraid of breaking it accidentally.

Li Rong opened her eyes in a daze, and saw a man in white.

The man seemed to be in his early forties, with an elegant temperament, handsome and gentle features, and indescribable grace in every move he made. Just by looking at him, one could tell that he was extremely handsome.

He noticed that she had blinked, and he raised his eyes to meet her gaze. Seeing Li Rong staring at him, he was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said gently, "Princess, are you awake?"

Li Rong was in a trance for a moment after hearing this. The man reached out and helped her up, put a pillow behind her back, and took a bowl of pear soup from the maid, brought it to her lips, and said softly, "Drink some first to moisten your throat."

As he spoke, he fed her mouthful by mouthful. The just-right sweet soup went into her mouth, slowly sobering her up.

She finally recognized the person in front of her. It was Su Rongqing, the steward of the Princess Mansion who had served her for many years.

This is her most trusted aide and the person closest to her.

Li Rong was about to say something when she felt an itchy throat. She raised her hand to push away his hand that was feeding her soup, covered her mouth with a handkerchief, and began to cough rapidly.

Su Rongqing patted her back gently to calm her down. After a long time, she finally came to her senses and asked about the court. She said directly, "How is the matter with the prince?"

"It's still sticking," Su Rongqing said calmly, slowly talking about her worries, "Prime Minister Pei refuses to give in and insists on supporting the eldest prince as the crown prince. I have already had someone catch one of the eldest prince's men doing something scandalous, and I will report it tomorrow."

"He really won't give up." Li Rong caught her breath, and Su Rongqing let her lean on him. Li Rong felt the warmth of this man, and coughed softly, "He wants to establish Li Ping, isn't it for Qin Zhenzhen? The person has been dead for so many years, but he still cares about her and won't let go. Yan'er is the legitimate son of the Queen, and the throne of succession, how can Li Ping be the one to take it?"

"You were just saying that out of anger."

Su Rongqing chuckled and raised her hand to rub her temples. Li Rong felt much more comfortable. She leaned against Su Rongqing and listened to him whispering, "Pei Wenxuan wants to help the eldest prince, so he naturally has his own intentions. The eldest prince's mother's family is not prosperous, and he has been good friends with Pei Wenxuan since childhood. If the eldest prince becomes emperor in the future, he can only rely on Pei Wenxuan. For Pei Wenxuan, he can continue to hold power and live a stable life until he grows old."

"How is your Majesty now?"

Li Rong calmed down after listening to Su Rongqing's words. Su Rongqing continued, "Your Majesty is still the same, unconscious, I'm afraid he won't last for a few days. The Queen sent a message from the palace yesterday, asking you to make preparations early. The matter of establishing a crown prince cannot be delayed any longer."

Li Rong didn't say anything. She leaned against this person. After a long time, she slowly said, "Rong Qing."

"Hmm?" Su Rongqing responded. Li Rong remained silent for a long time before she said, "I don't think I can hold on for much longer."

Su Rongqing paused his hand that was pressing on her acupoints, and Li Rong said nothing.

She really believed that. When she opened her eyes this morning, she realized she was dying.

"Actually, I've had enough of this life."

Li Rong spoke slowly: "I am just worried about the Queen and Yan'er. If I am gone, Pei Wenxuan will be able to control everything, and they may not be able to defeat him."

"Don't worry," Su Rongqing's voice sank, "If you die, he won't be able to survive. I will kill him and bury him with you."

Li Rong laughed softly after hearing Su Rongqing's words. She raised her head and saw the face of the person in front of her.

In fact, he is almost 51 years old, but he doesn't look old at all. If it weren't for the few strands of white hair on his forehead, you can't tell his real age at all. When he stands out, he still looks like a man that young girls on the street like.

Thirty years ago, Su Rongqing, the young eldest son of the Su family, was the dream lover of all the women in Huajing.

Even though he is old now, he is still an old dream in the hearts of many people.

"I didn't know that," Li Rong looked at him with a smile, "Our Lord Su also gets angry sometimes."

"I have a lot of things to be angry about." Su Rongqing laughed and was about to say something when she heard the maid outside say, "Your Highness, Prime Minister Pei wants to see you."

After hearing this, Li Rong looked at Su Rongqing and was a little surprised: "Why is he here at this time?"

"If Your Highness doesn't want to see me," Su Rongqing said calmly, "You don't have to."

Li Rong thought about it for a moment, then she smiled: "Forget it. After all, we are husband and wife, so we should still meet. Maybe this will be the last time we meet."

Su Rongqing didn't say anything. He just sat there quietly. Li Rong turned to look at him, a little puzzled: "Rongqing?"

Su Rongqing seemed to come back to his senses. He stood up and said respectfully, "Then I will go and invite Prime Minister Pei."

As he spoke, Su Rongqing helped Li Rong to lean back on the pillow, pulled her clothes in place, and then stood up and left.

Li Rong asked someone to bring a bronze mirror and put on some makeup. After a while, Su Rongqing led Pei Wenxuan in.

Pei Wenxuan was still wearing a black court robe, with wide sleeves and a waistband, and red cloud patterns printed on the wide sleeves, paired with a red undershirt, which made him look even thinner. He was very good-looking when he was young, and now that he is at the age of knowing his destiny, although he is not as handsome as he was when he was young, he has a bit of calmness that is rare in young people.

He walked into the room and saluted Li Rong. Every time he moved, a fragrance spread out. Li Rong couldn't help but look at him a few more times. Pei Wenxuan was usually reserved, so why would he use such a strong scented sachet?

She felt something was wrong but didn't show it on her face. Her brows furrowed and she was about to ask him to sit down when she couldn't help coughing lightly.

Su Rongqing hurried forward to pat her back, Pei Wenxuan watched coldly, and after a long time, Li Rong finally came to her senses, looked up at Pei Wenxuan, and said with a smile: "No one comes to visit you for no reason. Prime Minister Pei has not been back to the Princess's Mansion for many years. He must have come here for something important today."

Pei Wenxuan said nothing, but looked at Su Rongqing quietly. Su Rongqing pretended not to notice Pei Wenxuan's gaze and stood aside motionless.

After a long time, Pei Wenxuan finally spoke, and said in a cold voice: "Let him go."

Li Rong was not surprised to hear this. Pei Wenxuan did not like Su Rongqing, so he did not scold her directly. This was a face-saving move. After all, she and Pei Wenxuan were still nominally married. Even though they had been separated for many years, they were still allies. So she did not make it difficult. She looked up at Su Rongqing and gently advised, "Rongqing, go out and wait for a while."

After Li Rong spoke, Su Rongqing bowed to the two of them, stood up and left.

As soon as he left, everyone in the room left, leaving only Pei Wenxuan and Li Rong. Li Rong coughed softly, and Pei Wenxuan remained silent. After a long time, Li Rong said, "What's the matter? Tell me."

"Regarding the matter of establishing a crown prince," Pei Wenxuan looked up at her and started talking about government affairs. "I came to discuss this with you today."

"What are you discussing?" Li Rong pretended to be ignorant of the court affairs and said lightly, "Xin'er is the legitimate daughter of the empress, gentle and respectful. Is there anything else to consider?"

"We have cooperated for many years, and I don't want to beat around the bush with you." Pei Wenxuan's eyes were a little cold, and his tone was much heavier. "The Third Prince is arrogant and unfit for the throne. Moreover, his mother's family is too powerful. If something happens to you and me, I'm afraid that the in-laws won't be able to suppress us in the court in the future."

"What's the difference between you and me and my relatives?" Li Rong laughed sarcastically. "You speak so righteously, and you know why in your heart! You should talk to me instead of discussing it with me. What will you do if I don't agree?"

"Do you really want Li Yan to ascend the throne?"

"Nonsense!" Li Rong raised her voice, "Yan'er is the legitimate son of the empress, are we really going to let the son of a concubine ascend the throne?!"

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything for a long time before he asked, "Do you hold a grudge against Zhenzhen?"

"Can you please call me Concubine Qin?"

Li Rong couldn't help but remind him: "Is this the name you can call me?"

Pei Wenxuan fell silent again. After a long while, he stood up and said, "You are still able to make such a fuss. You are in good health. Since you don't agree, then forget it. We will each have our own methods in the future. Don't blame me for not reminding you."

Pei Wenxuan turned and left. Li Rong looked at his back, her blood boiling. She said coldly, "I want to know what you mean by this method."

"Whatever you think," Pei Wenxuan said coldly, with his back to her, "that's what it is."

Li Rong didn't say anything. She sneered and said, "Can you kill me?"

"You think I wouldn't?"

Pei Wenxuan turned around and looked at her, his eyes were a little murderous. Li Rong looked at him and was distracted for a moment.

That look was so cold that it made her sober up in an instant. Pei Wenxuan was a man who would do anything to achieve his goals.

There was nothing between them, they were just bound by the title of husband and wife and worked together.

Since they have the same interests, Pei Wenxuan can tolerate anything she wants. Now that they are at loggerheads, it is not surprising that he will use all kinds of methods.

Li Rong watched him break down the door and go out, breathing rapidly.

Su Rongqing walked in and saw that she was furious, so he hurried over to comfort her and asked someone to bring her medicine. He patted her back and said, "He must be here for no good reason. You are sick, why do you want to see him?"

Li Rong didn't say anything, but leaned against Su Rongqing and coughed. A maid came up with the medicine. Su Rongqing asked someone to try the medicine first, and after confirming that it was okay, she gave it to her.

Li Rong took a sip of the medicine and was about to say something, but as soon as the medicine entered her stomach, she felt a severe pain in her abdomen, and then blood rushed up. She grabbed Su Rongqing's sleeve, rushed forward, and spat out a mouthful of blood.

Su Rongqing was stunned for a moment, then he shouted in shock, "Li Rong!"

Li Rong lay on the bed, gasping for breath, her abdomen churning. Su Rongqing held her and shouted for a doctor, while putting his hand on Li Rong's pulse.

After a moment, Su Rongqing's hands began to tremble.

"It's Xiang Meiren."

He blurted out, and when Li Rong heard the word poison, the fragrance of Pei Wenxuan instantly appeared in her mind.

Lady Xiang, Qin Zhenzhen died of this poison in the harem back then.

The fragrant beauty is usually placed in an incense burner, and the accumulated fragrance will induce the poison to be released. However, there is another way to use it, which is to use the medicine to directly catalyze the poison after smelling the fragrant beauty.

Li Rong endured the abdominal pain and swallowed the blood.

It’s Pei Wenxuan.

She gritted her teeth and thought, this wolf cub finally attacked him.

He wants to help Li Ping ascend the throne. Now in the court, His Majesty is obsessed with cultivating immortals, and the Queen's means are not as good as his, so she is his biggest obstacle.

In the past, he tolerated her for many years because of her status as the eldest princess. Now that the emperor is dying, he does not need the status of a son-in-law to gain the emperor's favor. She has become his political enemy, so naturally he wants to get rid of her.

Only Pei Wenxuan, who had known her for thirty years, could poison her so naturally in her house. So the strange fragrance on his body was from the beautiful lady, and now this bowl of medicine was probably boiled by his people. If she had agreed to him just now, this bowl of medicine would not have been delivered to her.

But she didn't, so he killed her.

He actually dared to kill him!

Li Rong realized this and couldn't help but spit out a mouthful of blood. She vaguely heard the footsteps of the imperial physician outside, and her mind was clearer than ever.

She couldn't keep him.

The pain made her especially calm—even if he died, she wanted him to be buried with him!

"Take my token," the imperial physician rushed forward and began to give Li Rong acupuncture. Li Rong held Su Rongqing's hand with difficulty and said hurriedly, "Gather the elites of the princess's mansion and set out immediately. Set up an ambush in Baiyi Lane and kill Pei Wenxuan in the name of assassinating the princess."

Blood gushed out of her mouth. Li Rong covered her mouth with a handkerchief and gave a vague order: "His people will definitely fight back like crazy. When you are done, inform the staff and leave immediately. Pei Wenxuan is dead. The Queen will handle the rest. You can't be a target."

"Don't say anything!" Su Rongqing hugged her and said in a trembling voice: "I know, I will take care of it, you go see a doctor first, you are fine, you are fine..."

"If I die," Li Rong's eyes slowly darkened, "Pei Wenxuan, you can't live."