Li Rong said nothing, she just stared at Su Rongqing quietly.

Su Rongqing continued to let her look at him, and did not say a word.

After a long while, Li Rong spoke slowly: "I remember that the Su family is used to being loyal only to His Majesty."

"Yes." Su Rongqing said calmly, "So Rongqing is just Rongqing, and does not represent the Su family."

Li Rong understood what Su Rongqing meant. She tapped on the small table. Outside, there was the noise of the street. Su Rongqing waited quietly for Li Rong's response.

"Why choose a crown prince now?"

Li Rong spoke slowly, Su Rongqing lowered his eyes and said calmly, "When your majesty was in his prime, he loved war, which made the people of Daxia suffer. Now he favors powerful ministers, which makes the people suffer more. The crown prince is kind and virtuous, and advocates Confucianism on the outside and Taoism on the inside, and cultivates life and rest. Rongqing hopes to see the world like this, so he follows your highness."

"Why don't you just tell the prince directly?" Li Rong brought the tea. "Why are you telling me this?"

"The Crown Prince is open-minded and cannot hide anything. Rongqing's current position should not be known to the Crown Prince."

Li Rong understood.

Even if Su Rongqing was representing himself, as a member of the Su family, if Li Ming knew that he had defected to the prince, Li Ming would probably be even more suspicious of the prince.

Now that he has found the opportunity to make his position clear to her, she can at least use Su Rongqing when helping Li Chuan with his plans in the future.

Li Rong listened without saying anything. Su Rongqing looked up in confusion. He couldn't help but ask, "Your Highness?"

"You don't need to do this," Li Rong came back to his senses and said calmly, "The Su family has always been upright. His Majesty trusts you because of this loyalty. You don't have to take sides. Just do your job well. If something happens to the crown prince in the future, you can take care of yourself. If the crown prince ascends the throne," Li Rong looked at him and said, "As long as you do your job well like you do now, as long as I am still here, the Su family will always be the Su family."

After hearing this, Su Rongqing remained silent, as if he was thinking.

Seeing that he seemed uneasy, Li Rong soothed him, "I am not saying this to reject your joining me, but I think," Li Rong hesitated for a moment before speaking slowly, "Mr. Su is a gentleman, so don't get involved in these things."

Although she and Su Rongqing only met after he fell into poverty, and the Su Rongqing she knew and saw was the politician he is today, she would still remember the soft light in Su Rongqing's eyes when he talked about his youth.

When she and Pei Wenxuan came back, they were already old, there was nothing they could do about it, but looking at the still young Su Rongqing in front of her, she couldn't help but feel a little bit of love for him.

Su Rongqing was in a trance for a moment after hearing her words. Li Rong twirled the fan in her hand, coughed lightly, and changed the subject: "Lord Su, please tell me about the situation of the Ministry of War's accounts."

Hearing this, Su Rongqing came back to his senses, responded respectfully, and counted the current accounts of the Ministry of War one by one.

The two of them entered the Ministry of War one after the other. Su Rongqing had already arranged for the officials. Li Rong went to the room where the accounts were placed, retrieved all the accounts related to the northwest border, and took everyone to check the accounts.

There were so many accounts that Li Rong stayed in the Ministry of War for two days. After checking the accounts, she immediately brought people and, under the order of the Ministry of Justice, brought all the relevant persons for collective interrogation.

At the same time, Li Rong also instructed Jinglan to arrange all the personnel in the Princess's Mansion, keep an eye on all the unusual movements in Tuoba Yan's Mansion, and inquire about Li Chuan's visit to Jiulu Mountain every day.

She knew that in five days at most, news would arrive from the border, and these five days were the time she had to arrange everything.

Her actions were not too big. Checking the accounts and interrogating those officials were not fatal to the Yang family. There could not be any problems with their accounts. In Concubine Ning's view, Li Rong's actions were even in the wrong direction. She was happy to see Li Rong fluttering around like a headless fly.

Li Rong's investigation into Tuoba Yan was carried out quietly. Even Su Rongqing, who followed her to check the accounts every day, didn't know that she was still holding on to Tuoba Yan.

After four days of working on the case, Li Rong had almost figured out the entire process and amount of the military pay allocated to Yang by the Ministry of War. When she walked out of the Ministry of War with a satisfied heart and the confession in hand, it was already midnight. As soon as she walked out of the door, Jinglan came up to her and whispered, "Your Highness, Tuoba Yan has been found."

Hearing this, Li Rong was happy. She knew that Tuoba Yan would not die so easily. She controlled her emotions and led the group forward, whispering as she walked, "Where is he?"

"On the outskirts of the city, still chasing."

"I'll be there right away."

As she spoke, Li Rong arranged for some people to pretend to escort her back to the princess's residence, while another group followed her, riding light horses and dressed in casual clothes, and went straight out of the city.

When they reached the outskirts of the city, someone was waiting there. When they saw Li Rong coming, they whispered, "Your Highness, we've caught the man."

Li Rong nodded and followed the group to a dilapidated house. The house was full of secret guards. In the middle, a big man was tied to a chair. He was soaking wet, covered with wounds, and looked very tired.

Li Rong walked up to the man and said with a smile, "Sixth Master, long time no see."

When Tuoba Yan heard the voice, he raised his head, panting, stared at Li Rong for a while, and said hoarsely, "It's you."

"It's me." Li Rong nodded. "Sixth Master, have you had a hard time these days? I thought Sixth Master should leave Huajing, so why is he still wandering around Huajing?"

"Who are you?"

Tuoba Yan stared at Li Rong and asked directly, "What are you going to do?"

"You probably already know who I am," Li Rong chuckled. "Now I just want Sixth Master to help me. Your account book alone is not enough. Sixth Master, can you take a look and see if I can serve as a witness?"

“That’s not the norm.”

Tuoba Yan whispered: "Since the princess has found me, she should know that we can die but cannot violate this rule."

"Sixth Master, they were the ones who wanted to kill you first." Li Rong said softly, "They wanted to kill you, and you fought back. Does that count as breaking the rules?"

Li Rong said, squatting down, looking at Tuoba Yan with a smile: "Sixth Master, I know your rules. You can't reveal a single thing about the guests. But if you don't have any thoughts of fighting back, why are you hiding these account books?"

"This is just a threat," Tuoba Yan said calmly, "Once a threat is used, it is no longer a threat."

"You are just afraid that if you give the account books to the Yang family, those other families whose account books you hold will kill you. But Sixth Master, there is a chance to be killed only if you have a life."

"Then you kill me."

Tuoba Yan said coldly: "Even if I fell into your hands, I would never think of living."

"Sixth Master, you must be joking. How could I kill you?" Li Rong said gently, "You are afraid of the methods used by the business. Do you think," Li Rong gently placed her hand on Tuoba Yan's shoulder, "I would not do that?"

"I'll tell you something in secret. Regarding torture," Li Rong leaned against Tuoba Yan, her voice soft, "the palace has studied it much more than your company. Someone, come here."

Li Rong stood up and said calmly, "Pull out his nails for me first!"

As she spoke, Li Rong walked to the chair that had been cleaned, took the tea from the side, and said with a smile: "Sixth Master, it's almost dawn now. I'm afraid the thirty-nine punishments of the company will not be used until tomorrow night. How about I add a few more for you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tuoba Yan screamed, and blood fell on Li Rong's skirt. Li Rong lowered her eyes and drank tea, her expression as usual.

Jinglan's face turned pale, and Li Rong said calmly, "If you feel uncomfortable, just go out."

After hearing this, Jinglan covered her mouth and left in a hurry. Li Rong held the tea bowl and said calmly: "Sixth Master, people can't always live by the rules. You must learn to judge the situation. If you go out now, you will die. If you stay with me, you still have a way to survive. You are stubborn now and can endure the thirty-nine tortures, but do you think that your death is the end? Your wife is an embroiderer in Qingshui Town, Luzhou, and your son is now of school age. I heard that you arranged an identity for him and he wants to study in Fengshan Academy next year. There are many things, don't be too stubborn, think about it." Li Rong raised her eyes and smiled softly, "Think about it again."

After Li Rong finished speaking, she turned around and ordered, "Apply the honey on him."

As soon as the words fell, Tuoba Yan's voice came: "I admit it!"

Everyone froze in their tracks. Li Rong looked up at him. He stared at her with bloodshot eyes and gritted his teeth, "I'll give you a confession, but you have to promise one thing."

"I will bring your wife to live with me, and the child will go to the better Xiangshan Academy." Li Rong knew what he was going to say, and said directly, "You can work in the princess's mansion, as long as you are honest." Li Rong stared at him, "I will not treat my own people unfairly."

Tuoba Yan didn't say anything. He panted and stared at Li Rong. After a long time, Li Rong raised her chin and said, "Give him the paper and pen."

The servant beside him brought paper and pen to him. Tuoba Yan untied the rope and began to write his confession with trembling hands.

He wrote it with great difficulty, and after finishing it, he handed it to Li Rong. Li Rong read it once, and after confirming that there was no problem with the confession, he told the people around him to place Tuoba Yan with Li Chuan, and then got on the carriage and led everyone back to the princess's mansion.

She stayed awake all night, sitting in the carriage with her eyes closed, thinking about the current arrangements.

The evidence of the Yang family's embezzlement of military pay is basically complete in Huajing, including the Ministry of War's accounts, Tuoba Yan's confession, and the private account book. She has also obtained the confessions of all the relevant participants. Next, she only needs to wait for the border accounts to be obtained.

As she was thinking about it, she heard the sound of horse hooves outside. Then her carriage suddenly stopped and someone asked, "Is that Princess Pingle in the carriage?"

Li Rong signaled Jinglan, who lifted the curtain and stuck her head out. She saw people from the Ministry of Justice standing outside. Jinglan frowned, "Who are you?"

"I, Wang Qing, the Chief of the Police Department, convey your Majesty's order. In recent days, Princess Pingle has abused her power and bent the law for personal gain. She has used the name of investigating a case to oppress her close ministers. She has also colluded with the suspect Pei Wenxuan and is suspected of murdering others. She is sentenced to one month's imprisonment and transferred to the Ministry of Justice to assist in the investigation of Tuoba Yan's murder."

Hearing this, Jinglan was stunned. She turned around to look at Li Rong who lifted the curtain, and didn't know how to start.

Tuoba Yan is in their hands. As long as they hand him over, Li Rong will not be able to go to the Ministry of Justice, and Pei Wenxuan will be released as well.

However, since Li Rong didn't say anything, Jinglan didn't dare to say anything more. Li Rong looked at the man in front of her, smiled, and said gently: "Do I need to be escorted over?"

Wang Qing respectfully stepped aside and said hurriedly, "I will just follow Your Highness."

Li Rong nodded, and then instructed Jingmei in the car: "Take the people over first and clean the cell."

Jingmei spoke respectfully, hurriedly got off the carriage, and led the others past first. Li Rong returned to the carriage, closed her eyes, and said nothing more.

After a while, she arrived at the prison cell of the Ministry of Justice. Wang Qing walked in front, very respectfully. Everyone knew in their hearts that as long as Li Chuan did not fall, Li Rong came to the Ministry of Justice just for show.

"Master Wang," Li Rong said gently, "Can I choose where to live in this cell?"

"Of course you can." Wang Qing was trembling in his heart when he saw Li Rong, fearing that he would offend this golden branch and jade leaf. He hurriedly asked, "Which room does Your Highness like?"

"Can I live in the room next to Master Pei?"

Li Rong smiled and said, "Having someone I know will help me avoid being scared."

"Your Highness is right," Wang Qing said flatteringly, "The princess and Lord Pei are involved in the same case, and they should have been together."

Having said that, Wang Qing led Li Rong to the end of the prison.

The cells at the end were specially designed, obviously for high-ranking officials to live in. There were only a few scattered cells in a single corner, and apart from Pei Wenxuan lying inside reading a book, there was no one else.

Pei Wenxuan was lying on the bed reading a travel book. When he saw Li Rong coming in, he stood up, put the book on the small table, leaned against the wall, and looked at Li Rong with a smile.

When Li Rong saw him looking over, she first chose the cell next to Pei Wenxuan and asked someone to go in and set up the place. Then she walked in front of Pei Wenxuan. Pei Wenxuan looked her up and down and said with a smile, "Your Highness, you came so quickly. Did you miss me?"

Li Rong burst out laughing and covered half of her face with a fan. "It seems that although you haven't learned anything else in prison, Master Pei has made great progress in speaking."

"It's OK," Pei Wenxuan nodded, and said seriously, "Your Highness originally said that you would come to visit me once a day, but I waited for so many days, but I didn't see your Highness at all. I thought about you day and night, couldn't sleep, and looked forward to seeing you. I tried to find joy in the midst of suffering, and thought about the sweetness of the bitterness. Now that I can see Your Highness, I have a thousand words in my heart, which are too exciting and offensive. I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

Li Rong was amused by Pei Wenxuan and kept laughing while covering her face with a fan.

Pei Wenxuan saw Li Rong's happy expression and knew that nothing serious was going on outside. He whispered, "Is everything done?"

"One of the two things has been done."

Li Rong said, looked around, and whispered, "I'll tell you later."

Jinglan and Jingmei brought some things and cleaned the cell, put incense, and prepared a curtain to cover the door. In less than a minute, the cell was almost the same as Li Rong's bedroom. After everything was arranged, Jinglan and Li Rong agreed on a time to visit each day. Li Rong moved into the cell, and then everyone left.

There was a bustling crowd just now, but in a moment, only Li Rong and Pei Wenxuan were left. The two were separated by a wall. Pei Wenxuan leaned against the wall and continued, "Which one have you done?"

No one answered. Pei Wenxuan was a little surprised. Just as he was about to ask again, he saw a hand with red nails holding a piece of paper stretched out to him. Pei Wenxuan bent down to take the paper, opened it, and saw Li Rong's handwriting, which read: "Evidence collection."

"It's not important." Pei Wenxuan shook his head and looked to the side. Although he couldn't see Li Rong, this action made him feel at ease. "Where is the person? Has His Highness invited him?"

"Still inviting him." Li Rong saw that Pei Wenxuan was not hiding anything, so she knew that this place should be safe. She did not write a note, but simply asked, "Is he so easy to invite down the mountain?"

"Not surprising." Pei Wenxuan tore the note into pieces, frowning as he tore it, and asked Li Rong, "How did he get here in his last life? I remember he wasn't that hard to get here."

Although Qin Lin also took advantage of Qiao in his previous life, it didn't seem to be that excessive. Now Li Chuan has been inviting him for four days, so why is there no movement at all?

Li Rong felt a little uneasy when she heard Pei Wenxuan ask this. She couldn't help but ask, "Did our early preparation affect us?"

Just like when she held a spring banquet, she provoked Yang Quan, and now they invited Qin Lin in advance...

"Will it be possible that we can't invite someone?" Li Rong couldn't help but feel a little skeptical.

Pei Wenxuan hurriedly said, "Don't be so crow-mouthed."

"What if we can't hire one?" Li Rong completely ignored Pei Wenxuan's words and frowned. Pei Wenxuan saw that Li Rong didn't listen to him at all, so he could only say, "What can we do? Just ignore it."

"Pei Wenxuan," Li Rong listened to Pei Wenxuan's frivolous words. She tapped her palms with her fan and said leisurely, "If Qin Lin can't come down, I will send you to the northwest. Either bring the northwest back to me, or I will bury you there."

Li Rong's voice was very calm, but when she said the last syllable of the word "bury", Pei Wenxuan heard some blood in it.

Pei Wenxuan felt a little cold in his heart, but he was not scared by such things. He coughed lightly and said a little embarrassedly: "It's mainly because you mind. If you don't mind, I still have a way."

"for example?"

"He is really..." Pei Wenxuan didn't finish his words when Li Rong asked, "Real what?"

Pei Wenxuan changed the subject and addressed him as "Second Miss Qin's biological brother."

"so what?"

Li Rong fanned herself with a smile in her voice, but Pei Wenxuan could still hear a hint of coldness in her voice. Pei Wenxuan felt a little flustered for some reason, but he still gritted his teeth and said with difficulty: "I think I may still have some dignity?"

"Ha," Li Rong couldn't help laughing, "How can a man like you who was broken off an engagement have any dignity? Do you still have any shame?"

"She must have been forced into breaking off my engagement."

"Pei Wenxuan, I've discovered that you are average in other aspects, but you are particularly good at deceiving yourself." Li Rong couldn't stand it any longer and knocked on the ground with her fan. "Her feelings for Chuan'er are obvious to all, what has it got to do with you? To be honest, if she wasn't devoted to Chuan'er, there would be no place for a piece of shit like you. She dared to hide it from me because you helped her in her last life. If she dares to respond at all, I will kill her!"

"Your logic is wrong," Pei Wenxuan listened to Li Rong's words and said seriously, "She fell in love with His Highness later. I had just returned from mourning when she broke off my engagement. She hadn't met His Highness at that time. She must have been forced by her family to break off my engagement."

Li Rong almost vomited blood when she heard Pei Wenxuan's words. The key is when did Qin Zhenzhen like Li Chuan? She didn't like him, Pei Wenxuan, at all! Breaking off the engagement was completely voluntary, spontaneous, and self-expression!

She took a deep breath and said with controlled emotion: "Pei Wenxuan, you should really be grateful that I am in jail now."

"What else?" Pei Wenxuan didn't understand what Li Rong said. He was still thinking about Qin Lin's matter, and heard Li Rong say sinisterly, "If there was no wooden fence blocking you, I would go over and blind you right now!"

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

He felt that Li Rong, who picked you up, was particularly irritable. After a moment of silence, he said cautiously, "You are a princess, so you should be aware of your status. If you take action, it will not look good."

"It won't look good if I take action," Li Rong sneered, "I'll just let someone else do it."

"Girls," Pei Wenxuan replied casually, "it's not good to fight and kill each other. Have some tea to cool down, and we'll continue our conversation."

"I have nothing to talk about with you."

Li Rong stood up and said coldly, "Go talk to your Zhenzhen."

"Why are you so mad today? I thought we had argued enough about this topic," Pei Wenxuan sighed. After thinking for a while, he couldn't help but ask, "Have you been judging people recently?"

Li Rong paused, and when Pei Wenxuan saw that she didn't respond, he understood.

Li Rong is used to being like this, she tends to lose her composure when seeing blood.

It was like this in her previous life, but although she and he were allies at that time, they still had their own considerations. Li Rong did not trust him and would not let him handle many things, so he could not help her.

Fortunately, this life is different. At least now, the two of them are absolutely on the same side.

Pei Wenxuan was silent for a while, then he said slowly, "I'll do this from now on, you don't have to touch it."

"No need." Li Rong said coldly, "It's none of your business."

"Can I treat you?" Pei Wenxuan sighed. He knew that Li Rong was angry, so he said slowly, "We are going to live together in the future, so don't be so angry all the time. You go to judge people and make yourself uncomfortable. When you come back, you take your anger out on me. Isn't it me who suffers?"

"I beg you, my highness," Pei Wenxuan stretched out his voice, "give me a chance to live, and let me do this for you, okay?"

Li Rong sneered and did not answer. She walked to the bed and was about to lie down when she heard voices coming from outside.

After a while, Li Chuan came in with a man. Li Chuan was still wearing civilian clothes, and it was obvious that he had not come from the palace. He hurried to the door of Li Rong's cell and said hurriedly, "Sister, I heard that you were in trouble, so I rushed back from Jiulu Mountain. Are you okay?"

"Okay," Li Rong nodded, "It's as expected, don't worry. Has Qin Lin been invited?"

"Not yet," Li Chuan shook his head, then seemed to remember something and said hurriedly, "But it will be here soon."

Li Rong responded and heard footsteps nearby.

The person Li Chuan brought was wearing a black cloak, with his facial features hidden under the cloak, so his face could not be seen clearly. As soon as she came in, Li Rong noticed her. Li Rong was still guessing about this person's identity, but when she saw this person walking in front of Pei Wenxuan's cell, she knew what was going on.

Pei Wenxuan should have guessed the identity of the person who came, but he did not say anything and just watched quietly.

The person did not say anything. She just raised her slender white hands and took off the large hat on top, revealing her delicate and elegant facial features.

She was not beautiful, but she made people feel very comfortable. She was plain yet peaceful. The most precious thing about her was that she had an otherworldly air. Although she was in the secular world, she seemed to be detached from it.

Pei Wenxuan looked at her quietly, seemingly surprised, yet also as if he had already noticed it.

The woman smiled gently.

"It's been a long time," she said calmly, "Brother Pei."

The author has something to say: Here comes the fatal question!!

【Small Theater】

(Mo Shubai sits on the steps and smokes)

Pei Wenxuan: "Dabai, please stop smoking. It's not good for your health."

Mo Shubai: "No, I'm under too much pressure."

Pei Wenxuan: "Why?"

Mo Shubai: "You are such a bitch. I am worried when I see you."

Pei Wenxuan: “…”

Mo Shubai: "Son, promise me that you won't add fuel to your own funeral, okay? Mom's kidneys are not in good condition, and now her lungs are not in good condition either. Please let me go..."