When Li Rong heard this, she knew Pei Wenxuan was talking about Hua Le. She smiled nonchalantly, "It was just a scratch. How could I really let her hit me?"

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. He just looked at her. After a moment, he lowered his head and kissed her wound gently.

The kiss was a little itchy, causing Li Rong to shiver all over and take a step back.

As soon as she stepped back, Pei Wenxuan followed her and pressed her against the door panel. He stroked her face with his lips and landed on her lips.

He grabbed her waist, wishing he could rub her into his bones and blood. Li Rong sensed his strength, gently pushed him, and said vaguely: "We still have to go to the palace."

Pei Wenxuan knew what she meant. As long as the memorial arrived at the palace, she would have to go into the palace to find Li Ming. If she left any traces at this time, she would not be able to explain it clearly later.

So he stood up, held the person tightly in his arms, took a deep breath and said, "You have been wronged."

"How can this be considered a grievance?" Li Rong laughed. She raised her hand and poked Pei Wenxuan's shoulder. "I thought you were going to ask Su Rongqing?"

Hearing Su Rongqing's name, Pei Wenxuan snorted coldly, lowered his head and kissed her hard: "How dare you say that?"

"As soon as I saw you, I felt a strange smell."

"What kind of dog nose do you have?" Li Rong laughed out loud, "You can smell it even outside the carriage?"

It's not surprising that she could smell it when she was close to Su Rongqing, but it's a bit scary that Pei Wenxuan could smell it as soon as they met.

But she was not surprised that Pei Wenxuan had such a keen sense of smell. After all, Pei Wenxuan was good at perfume making, and if her sense of smell was not keen, she would not be able to learn it.

Pei Wenxuan had a stern face and didn't say anything. Li Rong knew that he was a little angry, so she raised her hands and hooked his neck, hanging on him, and explained, "I pretended to sleep in the carriage, and he covered me with a piece of clothing." As she spoke, she looked sad and leaned against Pei Wenxuan's chest, "Brother Pei, I'm dirty, what should I do?"

Pei Wenxuan was amused by her and lowered his head to kiss her: "Dirty? Come, brother will wash it for you."

The two of them laughed and joked for a while, from the door to the bed. Pei Wenxuan knew that the news from the palace would come at any moment, so he didn't do anything too extreme. In the end, he just took off his coat and his clothes were intact. Li Rong leaned on his chest, as if everyone had left him.

Pei Wenxuan got up to get some water and wiped her sweat. She wasn't sweating much, and after a moment's rest, she looked no different from usual.

Pei Wenxuan lay beside her, raised his hand and stroked her arm, letting her feel that he was still by her side. He thought, "Why did Su Rongqing come to you?"

"He's afraid that Huale will suffer a loss," Li Rong said lazily, "You can already guess that I'm scheming against him. After all, he's been with me for so long, how could he not guess it?"

Pei Wenxuan slowed down his movements, but before Li Rong noticed, he continued to stroke her hair and said calmly, "I'm afraid he's worried that you'll suffer at the hands of Concubine Rou and Hua Le. They went through so much trouble to get you to the Inspection Department, and I'm afraid they're trying to link your murder of Chen Houzhao to the Crown Prince. If you fall into their hands, everyone will feel uneasy."

Li Rong didn't say anything, she closed her eyes. Pei Wenxuan lowered his eyes and whispered: "I wanted to go there right away, but I was afraid of disturbing your plan, so I arranged everything..."

“You did a great job.”

Li Rong raised her hand and held his, then moved him forward a little, and nestled herself in his arms: "You don't need to explain this to me, you are doing what I want."

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. Li Rong leaned in front of him and gave him great comfort.

"I didn't go there the first time," Pei Wenxuan sighed, "I feel guilty."

Li Rong stretched out her hands and put them around his waist.

She actually knew that he not only felt guilty, but also afraid.

I was afraid that I was a step late again, afraid that I didn’t give as much as Su Rongqing, afraid that I didn’t do as well as Su Rongqing.

But she didn't know how to persuade him. She said a lot of truths, but most people in this world understood the truth better than anyone else. However, all wounds can only be changed through events and experiences.

She didn't say anything, just hugged Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan thought about it and realized that it would be hypocritical to talk about this, so he changed the subject and asked, "Did you talk about anything with him?"

"I asked him if he could stop."

Li Rong sighed: "The main reason he wants to do this is that he doesn't trust Chuan Er. If he can work with us to help Chuan Er ascend the throne, it will be much easier."

"What did he say?"

Pei Wenxuan already knew the answer and asked nonchalantly.

"Of course he won't allow it," Li Rong replied lazily, "He said that all monarchs would not let go of the aristocratic families, and he had no choice."

"His best option is to assist Prince Su. Prince Su was born in a poor family, and Xiao Su has no ability. After ascending the throne, he will have to rely on the aristocratic family. He is only eleven years old now. When he ascends the throne in two years, he will be a young child of thirteen. Then we can leave the mother and keep the child, and see if he is obedient. If he is obedient, we can keep him. If not, we can replace him with another baby after he has a child."

Li Rong said calmly, "You have made a very good calculation."

Pei Wenxuan nodded after hearing this: "There's no need to force it. He's different from us, and he doesn't have much choice."

"How can you say you don't have a choice?" Li Rong laughed, "It's just that you can't bear to give up the benefits in your hands."

Pei Wenxuan did not speak. He hesitated for a moment, and finally spoke: "Your Highness, the Su family is different from the Shangguan family and the Pei family. The Shangguan family is the lowest of the eight surnames, and the Pei family is also a poor family. Both rely on the royal family to get to where they are today, so we don't have many choices. Whether it is changing the crown prince or accepting the government order, the losses are almost the same. But the Su family is different. It is the head of the Jiangnan family. These centuries-old families have not changed the princes, let alone the dynasties for hundreds of years. They have never been hurt."

"So?" Although Li Rong asked, she knew what Pei Wenxuan was talking about. She smiled bitterly, "Whether Su Rongqing fights or not, most people in the Su family and other clans will not retreat. Instead of letting Chuan'er ascend the throne to that point, it is better to abolish Chuan'er first to avoid greater losses, right?"

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. Li Rong turned to look at him, half smiling, "You are very considerate. Don't you dislike him? Why do you say good things about him every day?"

"I don't like him," Pei Wenxuan smiled gently and raised his hand to comb her messy hair, "but I hope Your Highness feels that there are many people in this world who like you."

He wanted Li Rong to see a better and warmer world, and didn't want her to think too radically about everything.

Too many people in this world taught her how to assume malice towards others, but he wanted to teach her to open her eyes and look for all the possible beauty in this world.

Even if this person is Su Rongqing.

Li Rong knew what he meant. She reached out, hugged Pei Wenxuan, and acted coquettishly in his arms.

"I know Brother Pei is the best."

Pei Wenxuan smiled, looked at the girl in front of him who was becoming more and more coquettish, lowered his head and kissed her: "It's good that you know."

As soon as he finished speaking, Jinglan's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, there is news from the palace. His Majesty has read the memorial, and the Empress has rushed over to argue."

When Li Rong heard this, she quickly stood up and told Jinglan, "Prepare the carriage. I will go to the palace right away."

Pei Wenxuan also stood up and helped her put her clothes in order. Li Rong quickly dressed and turned to tell him, "Don't stay in the Princess's Mansion for too long. Go back."

Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly and replied, "I understand."

Seeing that he seemed unhappy, Li Rong stood up and kissed her as a comfort, then took her small fan and walked out.

As soon as they left the room, Li Rong immediately put away the coquettishness she had shown in front of Pei Wenxuan, and led the group out. As they walked forward, she asked Jinglan, "Did the Queen go to ask anything?"

"I told you," Jinglan followed Li Rong, lifted the carriage curtain to let Li Rong in, and whispered, "The Queen went there because of your matter. I'm afraid there will be a quarrel in the palace."

Li Rong nodded without saying much. Her mother became extremely tough whenever she encountered matters concerning her siblings.

Li Rong took a small mirror, looked at the wound on her face, and then hurried into the palace.

Li Ming had not expected Li Rong to enter the palace at night. He was arguing with Shangguan Yue. When they heard Li Rong coming, Shangguan Yue was the first to react. She sniffed and pretended to be calm and said, "Let His Highness come in first."

Li Rong was outside brewing for a while, and then walked in with five parts of anger and five parts of grievance.

When Shangguan Yue saw Li Rong coming in, she first noticed the bloodstains on her face. She could no longer hold back her anger, so she turned to look at Li Ming and shouted, "Your Majesty, look at what's on Rong'er's face! Do you still dare to say that everything is fine?!"

When Li Ming saw the blood on Li Rong's face, he froze for a moment. Li Rong knew that her mother had made a scene. She knelt down and said respectfully, "I have seen you, Father."

"Pingle, what brings you to the palace so late? What's the matter?"

Li Ming pretended to know nothing about what happened before and kept silent. Li Rong looked calm and said calmly: "I came to the palace to discuss with my father the current investigation of the Inspectorate."

Li Ming was silent for a moment. He thought Li Rong would come in crying again, but he didn't expect Li Rong to be so calm. After a moment's pause, he slowly said, "Then... Queen, please leave first. I will talk to Pingle and give Pingle justice."

Shangguan Yue glanced at Li Rong, then at the emperor. Seeing that Li Rong didn't seem to want her to be here either, she didn't stay, sniffed, got up and left.

After Shangguan Yue left, Li Ming hurried forward, helped Li Rong up and said, "Pingle, what's wrong with you? Talk to your father."

"Father, you should have heard it," Li Rong suppressed her anger and raised her eyes. "Today, Hua Le brought people to my house and clashed with my soldiers. They beat me in public. I have been recuperating until now and have just recovered. Now I am entering the palace."

"Hua Le actually treated you like this?" Li Ming pretended to be angry, "I will call her over and give her a good scolding."

"Father," Li Rong looked up at him and said calmly, "My son's matter is a small matter. I am not entering the palace for such a small matter. I am here because I am worried that if Brother Cheng acts like this, the Inspection Office may not be able to be saved."

When Li Ming heard what Li Rong said, he paused for a moment before slowly saying, "What do you mean by unprotected?

"Father, Hua Le acted like this. She entered my palace today. If it was another minister, and she beat the minister in my palace when the minister was only involved in the case, would Father think that this matter is justified?"

"Let's take a step back," Li Rong continued, "If it wasn't me today, but any other minister, do you think Hua Le could take him away from the palace? I'm afraid the people from the Inspection Department will die there."

"How is that possible?" Li Ming laughed. "You worry too much."

"Father," Li Rong said calmly, "I established the Inspection Department myself. I know the difficulties better than anyone else. As a princess, the eldest sister of the crown prince, and the daughter of the queen, I have the support of the Shangguan family. I have encountered countless obstacles and assassinations during the investigation process. I am afraid that Hua Le will be in great danger if he does things this way."

"I would like to ask, among these noble families, who can bear such a slap from Hua Le?"

Li Ming was silent. He was thinking about what Li Rong said. Li Rong continued, "I know that the emperor doesn't trust me. I established the Supervisory Department out of my own selfishness, but I also hoped that someone in the court could control the power of the noble families. Although I have left the Supervisory Department, it is still my hard work," Li Rong said with some sadness. "If it is gone, I will feel bad."

"You have a point."

Li Ming thought for a moment and said, "So according to you, you want Huale to be more restrained and not be so tough in the future?"

"Hua Le should be tough when necessary, but he should not humiliate others like this," Li Rong said solemnly, "Besides that, Father needs to send more people to the Inspection Department. First, to ensure the safety of Concubine Rou and others, and second, the Inspection Department will have more confidence in doing things. These noble families have their own palace soldiers. If Hua Le can't suppress them, I'm afraid they won't be able to bring anyone in, let alone handle the case."

Li Ming understood what Li Rong was hinting at after hearing what she said.

In the past, the Inspection Department only needed such a small number of people because Li Rong had face, and even if the noble families did not respect her, they had to respect Li Chuan.

Now that Concubine Rou has no face to do things, she can only rely on more people to get things done.

Li Ming thought that Li Rong was taking credit for it, but when he heard it, he had other thoughts in his mind.

The aristocratic families all have palace soldiers under their command.

Now he has established an inspection office and changed the imperial examination system. The troops in the hands of the aristocratic families are a taboo in his mind. Who knows when these aristocratic families may unite and overthrow him.

This possibility made Li Ming somewhat anxious, and he couldn't help but want to send more troops and food to his own army.

But this is all money.

It costs money to strengthen the troops in your hands.

The memorial just sent by Yu Shi Tai said that Qin Lin in the northwest was not getting any food, and it was estimated that there would be another war this autumn. There was no farming last year, and there were too many refugees who needed to be appeased and money was needed.

Now the Inspection Department wants to expand its forces and needs money.

It's all money.

Li Ming felt overwhelmed when he thought about this. He raised his hand and rubbed his brow. Li Rong looked at him and asked carefully, "Does the emperor have any concerns?"

"You make a lot of sense, but increasing the number of troops for the Inspection Department will cost money. The Inspection Department has cost a lot of money since its establishment. If we increase the number of troops now, I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue will not allow it."

Li Rong listened, tapped her palms with a small fan, and said slowly: "Father is right. In fact, when I was in the Inspection Department, I also subsidized a lot of money privately."

Li Ming couldn't help feeling a little guilty when listening to what Li Rong said.

But Li Rong did not say anything more. She turned her head and thought for a while and said, "How about this, Father, you give Brother Cheng a conscription order. If Brother Cheng feels that there are not enough people during the actual process, he can simply recruit some civilians himself. There were many refugees in the city during the war last year. The cost of recruiting refugees is low. These civilians just need to be fed. In this way, people's livelihood will be stabilized and the Inspection Department will have more manpower. In terms of money, Brother Cheng is also a prince. He can't expect Father to pay for everything. What do you think?"

"Conscription order?" Li Ming listened and shook his head. "This is something for the military. How can I get it to the Inspection Department?"

"Special circumstances call for special treatment."

Li Rong smiled, she hesitated for a moment, and reminded him hesitantly: "After all, the science examination system is undergoing a reform, and it is also an extraordinary period."

Li Ming's heart sank as he listened to Li Rong's words. He looked at Li Rong and saw that she was in a daze. He couldn't help but sigh and said tentatively, "You are Chuan'er's sister. I didn't expect that you miss Cheng'er so much."

"We are all brothers." Li Rong smiled and looked at Li Ming. "He is still young, and he is in charge of my Inspection Department. How could I not miss him?"

"He..." Li Ming hesitated for a while, then slowly spoke, "Usually, I favor Cheng'er and Huale. I thought you would feel a little uncomfortable."

"Father, you think too much," Li Rong sighed. "I felt a little uncomfortable when I was young. But when I grew up, I understood the difficulties of father. Chuan'er is the crown prince, and I am the eldest princess. We have already got a lot. Father loves other brothers and sisters more to avoid making enemies for us."

Li Rong spoke so sincerely that Li Ming was a little embarrassed for a moment. Li Rong smiled and said sincerely, "Anyway, the emperor will not abandon Chuan'er. How could Chuan'er and I not know how much the emperor loves us?"

"You're right." Li Ming nodded, smiling with some difficulty. Li Rong looked at him gently: "I came here today just to talk about my worries. As for the rest..."

Li Rong looked a little sad: "I can't pursue it. Hua Le is a new manager. If I pursue her like this, she will have a hard time getting along with others in the future."

"You are so generous. Hua Le is really..." Li Ming was a little disappointed. "It's too much."

Li Rong smiled, lowered her head and said nothing.

Li Ming was silent for a while. He thought about it and knew that he couldn't just let it go. If he didn't appease Li Rong, the Queen would find him and make trouble. Besides, Li Rong was right. Even if Hua Le was wrong now, he couldn't slap her in the face. Otherwise, if she continued to handle the case, everyone would go against her.

Li Ming thought about it again and again, and finally said: "You have been wronged, what do you want? Father will reward you."

"I want this, but I'm afraid it will be difficult for my father."

Li Rong smiled bitterly. When Li Ming heard Li Rong's relief, he knew that she had something to ask of him. He immediately said, "You tell me, and the emperor will definitely agree."

"Father," Li Rong said with a sad face, "Prince Consort...can you please let him come back?"

Li Ming didn't expect that this was what he was talking about. He looked at the gloomy look on Li Rong's face and felt a little distressed. However, thinking about the worries in his heart, he could only say, "Pingle, a forced melon is not sweet. Forget it."

Li Rong looked sad. Li Ming thought for a moment and asked, "Is there anything else you want?"

"Nothing much, just a little short of money. The Inspection Office spent a lot before, and it used to be used by the prince consort. Now the prince consort and I are divorced, and such a big princess mansion, food, clothing, and expenses all cost money. Several hundred taels of gold a year, and it's gone in a flash."

"You should have told Father earlier."

Li Ming understood what Li Rong meant and said quickly, "How could the emperor let you down? Fulai," Li Ming turned around and called Fulai over, "ask the Ministry of Internal Affairs to take inventory of the warehouses and bring..."

Li Ming paused, Li Rong turned to look over, Li Ming gritted his teeth, and finally forced a smile: "One hundred taels of gold, send it to His Highness Pingle."

"Father is so kind."

When Li Rong heard about the one hundred taels of gold, he immediately became happy and stood up and said, "Then I will not bother you, father, and I will leave now."

"Go ahead."

Li Ming smiled reluctantly: "It's not too early anymore."

Li Rong happily left, and Li Ming stopped her: "Well, about Hua Le's matter, you should give her some face. She is also investigating the case, so just for show, seal off the mansion."

Li Rong knew that the 100 taels of gold were not given away for nothing. Li Rong smiled and said respectfully, "I understand."

Having said that, Li Rong stepped back.

Li Rong happily took the money back. Li Ming stayed in the palace for a while, thinking about the one hundred taels of gold, Qin Lin asking for money, Xiao Su asking for money, and the Inspection Office asking for money. The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and his chest felt stuffy and his head ached.

Fulai came over with tea, rubbed Li Ming's head, and comforted him: "Your Majesty, don't be too angry. If you get angry, it will harm your health, which will be a disaster for the country."

"One by one, they ask for money every day. Those bastards from the aristocratic families have so much military pay, but they don't leave any for us at the border. They bully people and send Qin Lin to the front line. What can we do without soldiers and food?"

"Then..." Fu Lai hesitated, "Why not let General Xiao..."

"How can Xiao Su move?!" Li Ming sat on the chair, slapped the armrest and cursed, "Now that the imperial examination system has been reformed, who knows what these idiots will do! Xiao Su went to the front line, and it was my soldiers who were killed. If these noble families make a move, what can I do to fight them?"

Fulai stopped talking. Li Ming thought about it for a while, and then he heard Fulai remind him in a low voice: "Then, is there really no way to prevent the national treasury from paying money and allow the Qin generals to effectively fight the enemy and settle the people?"

Li Ming was silent for a moment, then he said slowly, "There is one."

"Your Majesty, do you have an idea?"

Li Ming didn't say anything, his fingers unconsciously stroking the jade ring on his hand.

Li Rong's words were still ringing in his ears: "There are many refugees in the city. The cost of recruiting refugees is low. All we need to do is give these common people a meal. This way, we can stabilize people's livelihood and the Supervision Department will have more manpower..."

Deal with refugees, have little money, and increase military strength.

The Inspection Department cannot use this method, but Qin Lin is the most suitable one.

Li Ming spoke slowly and coldly, "Conscription order."