Li Rong gave Pei Wenxuan the sword and had someone take her around the palace. She had been walking in the Yu Garden for a while and was squatting on the ground fiddling with a newly blossomed crabapple tree when she saw the person assigned to Pei Wenxuan return and be led to her, saying respectfully, "Your Highness, it's done."

Li Rong nodded, took the handkerchief from Jinglan, and said, "Yang Quan still can't keep his cool."

If he had acted later, he might have lived a few more days. But Pei Wenxuan was a man who would not say what he wanted to do, and would definitely do what he said. Since he had said he would kill Yang Quan, he would not leave Yang Quan a single breath.

Just thinking back to what the Yang family did in the previous life, Li Rong felt that keeping such people around would indeed be a disaster.

In the previous life, the Yang family fought hard on the border for a long time, causing Daxia to lose five cities in a row. It was not until five years after Li Chuan ascended the throne that he led an army to attack the Rong people and regained the five cities.

It’s a good thing that the Yang family can calm down sooner.

She roughly guessed what Pei Wenxuan had done, but she was also a little curious about what Pei Wenxuan had said. She wiped her hands with a handkerchief, stood up, and said to Jingmei, "Go and inform them first. I plan to go to Yu's study to talk to my father."

Jingmei responded, and Li Rong, supported by Jinglan, slowly went to Yu's study.

When she arrived at the door of Yu's study, she saw Fu Lai waiting for her at the door. He smiled and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty is discussing matters with several adults. Please wait at the door for a moment."

Li Rong clapped her hands lightly with her small fan, nodded, and replied, "It's okay. I'll wait here for a while."

"Then I will bring a chair to His Highness?" Fulai knew that His Highness was used to being pampered, so he hurriedly asked in a flattering way. Li Rong nodded and simply replied, "Good."

Fulai called someone over, moved a stool for Li Rong, and put a small table on it, with tea and cakes on it. Li Rong asked someone to bring a book, and she sat in the sun, drinking tea, waiting for Li Ming to call her.

After a while, an eunuch came over in a hurry and whispered something in Fulai's ear. Fulai's face changed drastically. After a moment's silence, he whispered, "Bring the person in first. I will go and report to His Majesty first."

After finishing speaking, Fulai went back to Yu's study. Li Rong pretended that she hadn't heard anything and leisurely turned a page of the book.

After a while, Li Rong saw Pei Wenxuan being led over. Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and seemed a little flustered. The corners of his clothes were stained with blood, and he looked quite frail. The eunuch led him up the stairs. When he saw him, Pei Wenxuan said respectfully, "Hello, Princess."

Hearing this, Li Rong looked up at him, looked him up and down, and smiled: "I just saw Lord Pei leave the palace, how come you are back again?" As she spoke, Li Rong half-opened her folding fan, folded half of her face, and whispered, "Did you miss me?"

Pei Wenxuan lowered his head, as if he was a little embarrassed by Li Rong's words, but he still said calmly: "Your Highness, please don't laugh. I dare not have any desire for your Highness. It's just that something happened on the way, so I hurried back to tell Your Majesty."

“Tsk.”

Li Rong couldn't help showing a look of disdain when she saw Pei Wenxuan's expression. Pei Wenxuan had been dealing with her for many years and had long been immune to her mouth. Not to mention such a casual joke, even if she told a dirty joke in front of him, Pei Wenxuan would probably be able to accept it without changing his expression, or he would be like those enlightened monks in the temple and seriously scold her: "Ridiculous."

Of course, she also understood Pei Wenxuan. After all, the way he lived was not much different from that of a monk.

But now Pei Wenxuan was pretending to be young and innocent, which really annoyed her. She raised her hand to cover her face with the fan and ordered, "The emperor is still discussing matters. Find him a stool and wait for him."

After she finished speaking, she put away her fan, took the book and started reading.

Pei Wenxuan glanced at the books she was reading. They were some messy storybooks. She had never given up this hobby since she was young.

She is also nostalgic.

Someone beside him served him tea, and the two of them sat there as if they were strangers. Pei Wenxuan had just sat down when Fulai came out a moment later and looked at him and said, "Master Pei, His Majesty wants you in."

"Wait," Li Rong interrupted Fu Lai, "I have been sitting here for a long time. Why did the emperor summon him first instead of me?"

"Princess," Fulai smiled bitterly, "Master Pei has something urgent to do."

"What urgent matter could he have?" Li Rong looked surprised. "He...his matters are all..."

Li Rong pointed at herself and didn't say anything. She just stared at Fulai, as if she would not stop until she let her in.

Fu Lai had a bitter look on his face. Just as he was about to say something, he heard Li Ming's voice from inside, "Call them all in together."

Fulai breathed a sigh of relief and quickly invited the two to go in.

Li Rong glanced at Pei Wenxuan with a smug look on her face. Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows and chuckled silently.

After entering the room and paying respects to Li Ming, he discovered that a group of important officials were sitting next to him. Li Ming seemed to be discussing something important. The seven ministers of the left and right courts, as well as several powerful figures in the Ministry of Shangshu, were all here. When Li Rong saw them, she was immediately shocked and said awkwardly, "Father, how about I go back first?"

Li Ming couldn't help but laugh after hearing what Li Rong said: "Weren't you very arrogant when you came here? Now that you're here, why are you leaving? Get up," Li Ming raised his chin to the side, "Stand behind me."

Li Rong stood up somewhat embarrassedly, and stood obediently behind Li Ming. Li Ming turned to look at Pei Wenxuan and said calmly, "Didn't you just leave the palace? Why are you back again?"

"Your Majesty," Pei Wenxuan's voice trembled, "I just left the palace and was ambushed by Second Young Master Yang. In order to protect myself, I accidentally killed Second Young Master Yang..."

Pei Wenxuan kowtowed as he spoke. A clang resounded throughout the room, causing Li Rong's scalp to go numb. She felt pain just thinking about it. Then she heard Pei Wenxuan say, "Kill him!"

When these words came out, everyone present was shocked. The left prime minister Shangguan Xu shouted in surprise: "What did you say?! Who did you kill?!"

"Yang..." Pei Wenxuan's voice trembled, as if his emotions had not yet subsided. He was unable to speak for several times, "Yang..."

"Sir Shangguan," the Right Prime Minister Su Minzhi, who was sitting at the side, said slowly, "This young master is still young and has suffered a great disaster. Sir Shangguan, you are scaring him like this, how can he explain it clearly? Young Master Pei," Su Minzhi turned his head and soothed, "Don't be afraid, tell me clearly, who did you kill?"

Pei Wenxuan did not answer. After a long while, he took a deep breath, looked up at Li Ming and said, "Your Majesty, I have killed Yang Quan, the second son of the Yang family."

The whole audience was silent. This time Pei Wenxuan seemed to be determined to die. Liu Chang told the whole story, from how he rescued the princess, the conflict with Yang Quan, to the conversation with Yang Quan in front of Yu's study today, Yang Quan threatened to kill him, and then he was ambushed by Yang Quan and his men on the way home, and then how he killed Yang Quan.

Pei Wenxuan finished speaking and whispered, "I know I am guilty today. Although it was Second Young Master Yang who set an ambush for me first, the Yang family has made great contributions to Daxia. Now there is a war ahead. Second Young Master Yang wants to take my life. For the sake of the country, I should not fight back. But I didn't have time to think deeply at that time. I just wanted to survive. Now I have committed such a heinous crime. Your Majesty..."

Pei Wenxuan choked up and bowed his head: "I am not sorry to be chopped into pieces. I only hope that Your Majesty can know it earlier to avoid a disaster."

Every word Pei Wenxuan spoke fell into the ears of the crowd, making everyone tremble with fear.

Although Pei Wenxuan said that he deserved to be killed, which of his words was not heartbreaking? Yang Quan was just a son of the Yang family, yet he dared to kidnap the princess and kill the official of the dynasty out of jealousy. All of these were capital crimes that must be put to death.

But Pei Wenxuan was right about one thing. The Yang family had been commanding troops at the border for many years and had accumulated great prestige. Even if they had done these things, they would have to think carefully before punishing them.

Especially now that the situation at the border is tense, if the Yang family is angered and something happens, no one would dare to take the responsibility.

No one spoke, and everyone was silent. Li Ming looked calm. He picked up the cup and drank a sip of tea. After a while, he said slowly, "What are you afraid of?"

Pei Wenxuan lowered his head and dared not speak. Li Ming raised the cup and smashed it down, shouting: "You are an official appointed by the Great Xia court. If Yang Quan dares to assassinate you in the street, you can kill him. What are you afraid of?"

"Your Majesty..." Pei Wenxuan trembled, "Border..."

"Does the Yang family dare to rebel again?!" Li Ming shouted excitedly, and then looked at the ministers around him, "I have already told you just now that the Yang family was so vulnerable to the invasion of Rong State this time, which simply brought shame to our Great Xia! Fifty thousand defenders could not withstand the 20,000 troops of the enemy! Attack the city! Now they dare to kidnap the princess and assassinate officials in Huajing. Do they think I am dead?!"

"Your Majesty, calm down."

Seeing Li Ming so angry, everyone knelt down in a hurry. Shangguan Xu quickly spoke up and advised: "Your Majesty, victory and defeat are common in the military. Now the Rong country's invasion was sudden, and the Yang family was caught off guard. Now the Yang family is still on the front line, so it is better to deal with this matter..."

"Shut up!"

Li Ming picked up a book and threw it over, hitting Shangguan Xu in the face. Li Rong showed a panic expression, looked at Shangguan Xu, then looked at Li Ming, wanted to say something, but didn't dare to say it. Li Ming panted, stared at the people present and said: "I have decided to handle this case. The Yang family has insulted the royal family to this extent, I want to investigate them, thoroughly investigate! Who will handle this case?!"

No one dared to speak, everyone was thinking about their own things.

A centipede is still alive even after it has died. The fact that Shangguan Xu spoke for the Yang family shows that the Shangguan family might join forces with the Yang family. In such a situation, no aristocratic family would be willing to get involved in such a fight.

Li Ming nodded: "Okay, very good, you are all afraid of him. Pei Wenxuan," Li Ming turned his head and stared at Pei Wenxuan, "Since you dare to kill people, I ask you, this case is handed over to you to investigate, do you dare?"

"Your Majesty!" Upon hearing this, the Minister of Works Pei Liwen, who had been silent, raised his head and said anxiously, "Wenxuan is young now and can't do it..."

"Did I ask you?" Li Ming shouted over and calmed Pei Liwen. Pei Lixian, the Minister of the Secretariat who had been kneeling beside him, gave Pei Liwen a look and shook his head.

Pei Liwen didn't dare to speak. Li Ming stared at Pei Wenxuan and said, "Speak."

Pei Wenxuan took a deep breath and stood up: "I am willing to share your worries!"

"Okay." Li Ming said directly, "From now on, you will go to the Yushitai and serve as the Supervisor Yushi, and work with the Ministry of Justice to investigate the Yang case."

"Your Majesty," Shangguan Xu couldn't help but speak, "Pei Wenxuan said that he was the victim, and you asked him to investigate the case. I'm afraid it's not appropriate."

"Then Sir Shangguan will investigate?"

Li Ming asked back. Shangguan Xu was silent for a moment. Just as he was about to speak, he heard Li Rong's voice: "How about this case be judged by me and Lord Pei assist?"

Hearing this, everyone looked over. Li Rong coughed lightly and said seriously, "This matter also started with me. I am a princess, so it is not a problem to investigate the Yang family from the perspective of rank. Since you gentlemen don't have a suitable candidate, I will supervise the investigation and Lord Pei will handle the case. What do you think?"

Li Rong spoke, and everyone fell silent. Li Ming frowned, and Shangguan Xu was also in deep thought.

Su Minzhi hesitated and said, "But the princess is also a victim in this case..."

"Then let Minister Su supervise the investigation?" Li Rong looked at Su Minzhi. Su Minzhi was stunned for a moment. Li Rong said directly, "I have always heard that Minister Su is fair and upright. If the Left Prime Minister is still worried, why not let Minister Su preside over the case?"

"Princess, you are joking," Su Minzhi said hurriedly, "My son is too young to handle such a serious case."

"So he's the supervisor." Li Rong interrupted Su Minzhi and looked directly at Shangguan Xu, "What do you think, uncle?"

Shangguan Xu pursed his lips, glanced at Li Rong, hesitated for a moment, and finally said, "I think what the princess said makes sense."

Li Rong turned to look at Li Ming and blinked: "Father?"

Li Ming glanced at Shangguan Xu and knew that if he continued, Shangguan Xu would probably recommend one of his own people to investigate the case. Now that he has confirmed the connection between the Shangguan family and the Yang family, he is afraid that it will be difficult to deal with.

So Li Ming nodded and said, "There is no other way now, so let's do as you say."

Then, Li Ming frowned again: "Don't mess around."

"Don't worry, Father," Li Rong said with a smile, "I know what's going on."

Li Ming's emotions gradually calmed down. He looked around, then comforted Shangguan Xu with a few words, and asked everyone to leave, leaving Li Rong alone in the room.

The father and daughter were silent for a long time before Li Ming asked, "Why did you suddenly want to come see Father today?"

Li Rong lowered her eyes and whispered, "My daughter was kidnapped last night. I should have come to my father first to report the situation. It's too late to come now."

Li Ming didn't say anything. He saw that Li Rong looked tired and seemed to have a lot on her mind.

Li Ming couldn't figure out his daughter's stance. He was used to doting on Li Rong, but Li Rong's younger brother was the crown prince. Now he had a conflict with Li Chuan, and he didn't know what Li Rong was thinking.

Li Rong is smart, but also sentimental. Li Ming has held her in his hands for many years and has developed feelings for her. If power was not involved, he would also hope that this child would live a good life.

He was silent for a long time, and finally did not ask directly, but asked in a roundabout way: "I looked at four people this time, which one did you like?"

Li Rong didn't say anything. Li Ming hesitated and said slowly, "What do you think of Pei Wenxuan?"

Li Rong lowered her head and said nothing. Li Ming raised his eyes and said impatiently: "Answer me."

"I think he is a very good person."

The person is very good, but other things are not good. Li Ming thought about it for a moment and then said slowly: "You only need to think about whether this person likes it or not, and don't worry about the rest."

Hearing this, Li Rong burst into tears, as if she had suffered a great injustice.

Li Ming saw Li Rong crying and asked hurriedly, "Why are you crying?"

"Father," Li Rong sobbed, "I just feel that as a family, why can't we just be good to each other..."

Li Ming understood what Li Rong said, and thought that it was the Queen who put pressure on Li Rong to let her speak well of Yang Quan. Although he and the Queen had many disputes, they never involved this daughter. Now that it was time for marriage, they had to weigh their options. Seeing Li Rong crying, he felt distressed, and finally said, "Your mother and I were wrong about this matter. You don't have to think too much about it, just pretend you don't know. Choose someone you like, and your father will always agree with you. You and Pei Wenxuan spent a night together, and logically, you should be considered his. He is a good child and a good-looking man. You will not suffer any loss if you marry him."

Li Rong nodded in response. Li Ming sighed, "Don't cry anymore. Pack yourself up and think about what I said. I will arrange a marriage for you after Yang Quan's case is over."

"yes."

Li Rong controlled her voice, raised her head and said, "I will listen to you, father."

Li Ming comforted Li Rong for a while, then asked her to stand up and called Fu Lai to escort Li Rong out. Fu Lai smiled and said, "How can it be my turn to escort you out? Master Pei is waiting for the princess outside for a long time."

Hearing this, Li Ming and Li Rong were both a little stunned. After a moment, Li Ming laughed and said, "This kid is trying to kidnap my daughter right in front of me."

Even so, Li Ming still urged, "Okay, go ahead. Don't let an old man like me delay you young people."

Li Rong looked embarrassed, bowed, and retreated.

She walked out of Yu's study and onto the long corridor, where she saw Pei Wenxuan waiting for her at the railing. He was wearing a deep blue long gown with wide sleeves and silver silk embroidered with cloud patterns, holding a palace lantern and looking up at the bright moon in the sky.

Pei Wenxuan's appearance was born with a fairy-like aura that kept strangers away. At this moment, he was holding a lamp and gazing at the moon, with the wind blowing his long gown, as if he was a person from the Moon Palace who had come down to earth and was ready to ride the wind away at any time.

Fu Lai escorted Li Rong to the door and said respectfully, "Your Highness, I will escort you here. Master Pei will accompany you for the rest of the journey."

Li Rong nodded and said calmly, "Go ahead."

Fu Lai responded and stepped back. Pei Wenxuan turned around and looked her up and down. Then he walked forward with a lantern and stopped in front of her.

He was tall, and when he looked at her, he lowered his head and looked at her seriously.

Li Rong saw him looking at her carefully, and somehow she felt a little embarrassed. She turned away and whispered, "What are you looking at?"

“I’ve cried.”

Pei Wenxuan nodded, stated his conclusion, and said with emotion: "Your Highness is more thoughtful than I am."

After hearing this, Li Rong suddenly became angry and laughed sarcastically: "How can you compare to Master Pei, who is flexible and wise and brave."

He killed someone one step at a time and cried miserably the next. Pei Wenxuan was able to move forward and backward freely with such a double-faced style.

As the two talked, the attendants behind them did not dare to follow too closely, so they walked shoulder to shoulder, half a step into the imperial city. Pei Wenxuan said as he walked, "Let's make it short."

Pei Wenxuan briefly recounted his conversation with Li Ming and concluded, "After the Yang Quan incident, His Majesty will pass the Northwest issue to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. If His Royal Highness the Crown Prince can handle this, His Royal Highness will not have to worry about the military power issue anymore."

"What if he can't do it?" Li Rong tapped her palm with a small fan and said calmly, "Then he will be directly abandoned. Even if he is demoted to a commoner, it would be considered as a mercy for him. Pei Wenxuan," Li Rong squinted at him with a half-smile, "You dare to bet on this, you are really brave."

"If I wasn't brave enough," Pei Wenxuan said calmly after hearing Li Rong's words, "would I dare to marry you?"

"That's true," Li Rong nodded, "It's not easy to marry me. It's very dangerous."

"Marrying you is not dangerous," Pei Wenxuan replied seriously, "it's just that you are too fierce and too dangerous."

"You were the one who begged to marry me." Li Rong glared at him, then quickened her pace and walked forward.

Pei Wenxuan sensed that she was really angry, and fearing that she would lose her composure and do something crazy, he stopped talking back, touched his nose, and hurried after her, saying, "Yes, yes, yes, it is me who is asking for your hand in marriage. However, Your Highness," the smile in his voice gradually disappeared, and he sounded more serious, "I have something I would like to ask Your Highness."

"put!"

Li Rong spoke in a cold voice. Pei Wenxuan smiled lightly and looked at her with a look of scrutiny: "I want to ask, just now in the study, His Highness asked Su Rongqing to supervise this case. What does that mean?"

Li Rong paused. Pei Wenxuan, holding the palace lantern, turned to look at her. "How does Your Highness want to supervise the investigation? Should you investigate the case all day and call Lord Su over to investigate it every day? Or should you invite Lord Su to discuss it every day and meet him every day to investigate it?"

"Also," Pei Wenxuan seemed to remember something and thought seriously, "Princess, do you think it's inappropriate for me to be here to investigate this case? How about you investigate this case with Lord Su together?"

Li Rong didn't say anything. She looked up at Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan was smiling. Li Rong said expressionlessly, "Pei Wenxuan."

"Hmm?" Pei Wenxuan raised his eyebrows, and Li Rong said coldly, "Can you be more pretentious?"

Pei Wenxuan's expression froze. Li Rong raised her hand, pinched a small section with her index finger and thumb, and moved in front of him, saying seriously, "Take a closer look, what is this?"

"What?" Pei Wenxuan frowned.

Li Rong looked very serious and said loudly: "You are so mean!"