"What...what are you not letting go of?"

Li Rong's entire senses were focused on Pei Wenxuan's actions, and she found it difficult to understand what he said. Although she could understand every word, she always felt as if she had misunderstood him.

Pei Wenxuan held her quietly. Li Rong asked with difficulty, "Do you want to hold me forever?"

As she spoke, she smiled and said, "I know you feel bad tonight, so if you want to hug me, go ahead. Okay, I won't say any more. I have to go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, your family will definitely report me. I won't say any more."

After Li Rong finished saying these words, she turned her back to Pei Wenxuan and pretended to fall asleep.

Pei Wenxuan held her for a while, but when he saw that she was stiff and motionless, he relaxed his hold, lay down behind her, and looked at her quietly.

He couldn't lie flat at night and could only lie on his stomach or on his side. The pain from the wound was so severe that he couldn't sleep. He couldn't go to court the next morning anyway, so he just looked at Li Rong, combing her hair from time to time with his hands.

He has always been a cautious person, and he would not do anything without confidence. He knew that Li Rong definitely didn't have any feelings for him now. If he asked for it rashly, they might not even be friends anymore. It would be better for him to stay by her side and persuade her bit by bit.

A drop of water can wear away a stone, and a piece of iron can be turned into a needle. He has a goal and enough patience.

After making up his mind, Pei Wenxuan seemed to feel relieved. He reached out his hand, scooped up a strand of Li Rong's hair, and gently put it to his nose and sniffed it.

The fragrance from Li Rong's hair penetrated into his heart. He moved closer, gently held the sleeping person in his arms, and rested his head on hers.

When Li Rong woke up, she found herself in Pei Wenxuan's arms. She was sobered up instantly, and then secretly scolded herself for being so surprised. Pei Wenxuan encountered all these bad things at home last night, and it was normal for him to want someone to accompany him. Not to mention Pei Wenxuan's chaste and loyal character, even if Pei Wenxuan really had some ideas, she was not afraid of him.

Li Rong calmed down and stood up. The servants helped her put on her clothes. Pei Wenxuan noticed the light, lifted the bed curtains, and stuck half of his head out. He seemed to be still half asleep, and squinted his eyes and said, "Your Highness, it may not be easy to go today."

"Don't worry." Li Rong comforted him, "I'll have someone notify your mother in a moment and have someone send her over from Pei's house. I'll deal with the palace first. If you can resolve your mother's issue, you can let her come into the palace."

Li Rong didn't say much, but Pei Wenxuan was very clear in his mind. He knew what Li Rong wanted him to say. He put half of his hand under his body, supporting his upper body, and said solemnly: "Don't worry, Your Highness, I will take care of it."

Although he looked serious when he said these words, his hair was scattered around him and his clothes were torn open in front of his chest, revealing his lean and fair chest, and his usually handsome face showed an indescribable charm.

This kind of charm is different from feminine charm. It's like a dashing young man deliberately flaunting himself to deceive a girl. It's a kind of temptation from a man to a woman.

Li Rong quickly scanned his face, looked away, and said, "Lie down and have a good sleep. I'm leaving now."

Having said that, Li Rong led the people out of the room.

As soon as Li Rong left the house, she ordered someone to notify the secret agent in the Pei Mansion, trying to find a way to tell Pei Wenxuan that he was seriously injured, and coax Wen to come to the princess's mansion.

Only after she had done all this did she go to court.

The Pei family must have done these things under pressure from other families. After her rebirth, her temperament changed too quickly, and it just happened to coincide with her marriage. Everyone probably thought that it was Pei Wenxuan who instigated her. The families found trouble with the Pei family, and the Pei family found trouble with Pei Wenxuan, hoping to put pressure on Pei Wenxuan to change her attitude.

The Pei family might have been thinking of giving Pei Wenxuan a beating. On the one hand, to let Pei Wenxuan know how powerful he was and to give her a warning; on the other hand, to show the attitude of their Pei family to the aristocratic families, to show that this was Pei Wenxuan's own idea and to appease the aristocratic families.

But Shangguan Xu and the others might have more in mind. They might be planning to save Pei Wenxuan...

When Li Rong thought of this, she felt a little impulsive.

If they hadn't forced their way to rescue Pei Wenxuan last night, the Pei family would never have beaten Pei Wenxuan to death. When Pei Wenxuan came back injured, they went to talk to someone. Since she hadn't done anything wrong, they were on their side. Revenge was a matter for the future, but she still wanted to make trouble last night. She didn't realize that the mantis stalks the cicada, while the oriole is behind. After she kidnapped the person, she remembered that the noble family might be waiting for her.

Now the key point of the Qin case has long been concentrated on her Supervisory Department (the Supervisory Department was changed to the Supervisory Department). Trying every possible way to find trouble with her and abolish this Supervisory Department is what the court wants to do most now.

She brought people to break into the Pei family, which might be the reason for their actions today.

Li Rong had already imagined the scene where the memorial papers would fly onto Li Ming's desk like snowflakes. Li Rong tapped her small fan and thought about how to organize the language.

After thinking for a while, she sighed. Jinglan placed cakes on a plate for her and said with a smile, "Your Highness is sighing so early in the morning. What are you worried about?"

"I..." Li Rong was about to say that she had no confidence in what happened in the morning court today, but before she could finish her words, Jinglan said, "But I was wondering how to explain what happened yesterday to Lord Su when I meet him today?"

Li Rong froze. After a moment, she sighed again: "Why do you bring this up?"

I don't want to go to court anymore.

But she had to face it. Li Rong prepared herself mentally and finally arrived at the palace gate. She got off the carriage and walked into the square. Ministers were standing in groups of three or four in the square. Li Rong took a few steps and saw Su Rongqing who had just arrived.

After hesitating for a while, she stepped forward and called Su Rongqing, "Master Su."

Su Rongqing saluted Li Rong, and Li Rong smiled awkwardly: "Yesterday..."

"I have just finished my meal with my brother and will leave now," Su Rongqing said respectfully, "I have not delayed anything, Your Highness, do not worry."

"I'm sorry," Li Rong saw that Su Rongqing looked calm and not at all dissatisfied, so she felt even more embarrassed and could only say, "Something did happen yesterday. I'll host you another day."

"Actually, it's not necessary," Su Rongqing said calmly, "Your Highness's current status is sensitive, and I shouldn't have too much contact with you, so as not to cause criticism from the court officials. When I agreed to your brother's visit yesterday, I didn't know that Your Highness was coming, and if I had known, I would not have agreed."

Su Rongqing refused bluntly, and almost said "It's better if you don't come."

Li Rong felt like she was being slapped in the face, but her skin had long been toughened by Pei Wenxuan, so she pretended she didn't hear anything and said with a smile, "Okay, let's make an appointment next time. Lord Su is busy now, I'm leaving first."

Having said that, Li Rong did not give Su Rongqing a chance to refuse and turned around and returned to her seat.

After a while, Li Ming was escorted into the court by his attendants. Li Ming sat down as usual and asked as usual: "Is there anything important today?"

As soon as she finished speaking, Li Rong saw Pei Lixian move. Pei Lixian moved quickly, but she moved even faster. She knelt on the ground in a hurry and said loudly: "Father, please make the decision for your son!"

Li Rong's voice was filled with sorrow, which frightened Pei Lixian so much that he trembled. He looked up at Li Rong, then at Li Ming. Li Ming calmly served tea and said calmly, "Have you been bullied?"

"It's not me, it's my husband," Li Rong said, her voice tearing up. "Last night, Pei Nayan had someone call my husband back to the Pei family, saying that my mother-in-law was seriously ill. My husband was anxious to go back, but after he got back, he was beaten by Pei Nayan. Now he's lying at home with wounds all over his body, and he can't go to court at all. You know my husband's temper. He has always been filial and respectful to his elders. He was only implicated because of me and suffered such a beating. Even if the other party is an elder, my husband is also the son-in-law of the royal family. Although the Pei family beat my husband now, it's my son's face that is damaged, and it's the dignity of the royal family!"

Li Rong cried and complained, and Pei Liwen could not help it. He hurriedly stepped out and said, "Your Majesty, the truth is not what Your Highness said. Since the Prince Consort married Your Highness, he has never returned home to visit his mother. Recently, my eldest sister-in-law has been unwell and has summoned her many times, but he ignored her. My eldest sister-in-law was so discouraged that she called the elders of the family to call Wenxuan back to the clan."

"We originally hoped that through persuasion, Wenxuan would turn back from his wrong path and be filial to his mother, but he was so rebellious that he not only refused to listen to our advice, but also insulted the elders. Seeing her son being so unruly, the eldest sister-in-law ordered the servants to take action according to the family rules, but Wenxuan relied on his status as the son-in-law and refused to obey the rules. He had conflicts with the servants in the family, not only injuring many servants, but also boasting that no one could control him because the princess was backing him up. Later, the princess led her troops to forcefully enter the Pei Mansion and took away the son-in-law. Before leaving, she also broke the hands of two servants. She is arrogant and rude, and now she wants to spit blood and slander the Pei family, Your Majesty!"

Pei Liwen bowed his head and said loudly: "If Your Majesty does not punish you for your trip, I am afraid that it will chill the hearts of the court officials."

Li Ming said nothing. He looked up at Li Rong and said, "Pingle, what do you say?"

"Father, he said that they summoned the Prince Consort many times, but he refused. Why not let them call the witnesses up and verify the time, place, and who summoned them. They said that the Prince Consort beat someone. Last night, the Prince Consort heard that his mother was sick, so he rushed over immediately. He didn't bring many people with him. Their whole family surrounded the Prince Consort. The Prince Consort was just a civil official. What made him so brave to attack? After he took the initiative to attack, he was beaten by them and was bedridden? Lord Pei and I have different stories, so why not investigate everything one by one to see who is lying!"

"Call me if you want," Pei Liwen said angrily after hearing what Li Rong said, "Your Highness, please stop confusing right and wrong. You are too arrogant!"

"That's enough," Li Ming listened to the two sides arguing, showing some impatience, "After all, it's all your own business. You guys are arguing about such a small matter in the court. You are shameless, but I still want you to do it. The prince consort was also beaten by you, and Pingle also rescued someone last night. What else is there to quarrel about? Forget it, I heard that there has been no rain in the three states for a long time this year, and there may be a severe drought. Let's not talk about these trivial matters now."

Li Ming brought up national affairs, and Pei Liwen was stifled for a moment. He felt so angry that his face turned red.

Li Rong stood up calmly, and then heard a minister come out and say, "Your Majesty, when Your Highness first established the Inspection Department, he..."

"Is this the end?!" As soon as Li Ming heard that the other party was the inspector, he knew the purpose and said angrily, "Do you really want me to punish him for disrespect? Pei Wenxuan is my son-in-law, a royal relative! I am very generous that I don't care about his beating! Shut up!"

Li Ming's scolding finally silenced everyone. Li Rong tapped her palms lightly with a small fan, lowered her head and said nothing.

After Li Ming finished scolding him, he changed the subject. The courtiers suppressed their anger and followed Li Ming to talk about the matter of rainfall.

Li Rong lowered her eyes and counted the time.

The sky was almost bright at this moment, but it was also covered with dark clouds, and it looked like it would rain at any moment.

Wen sat in front of the mirror and combed her makeup. She looked at the woman in the mirror and sighed softly.

She hadn't slept all night and was not in a good mood. The maid behind her couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so worried?"

"Yesterday," she said slowly, "I don't know whether Her Highness said that or not. I kept thinking last night, if what she said was true, Second Uncle really wanted to harm Wen Xuan..."

"Madam, you are overthinking." The maid interrupted Wen and whispered, "Second Master grew up with First Master. The First Master is the only son of First Master, and Second Master raised him as his own child. You see, Second Master's First Master is also an eighth-rank official. He has an impetuous temperament, so he deserves more training. Your Highness did not understand Second Master's deep meaning and misunderstood."

Wen didn't say anything. She held the small comb in her hand, lowered her eyes and said nothing.

She had always ignored these things before. When Pei Lizhi was around, he would arrange everything for her. She had never thought that the people around her would have second thoughts, nor had she ever thought about what she needed to fight for.

In the four years since Pei Lizhi passed away, what she did most every day was to eat vegetarian food and chant Buddhist scriptures, hoping that Pei Lizhi would have a better life in the underworld.

After being scolded by Li Rong last night, she finally had some ideas. She looked around and realized that many of the people around her were no longer elderly.

For example, the person who helped her with her makeup was arranged by the housekeeper. But the housekeeping power had been in the hands of her sister-in-law for a long time. She didn't like to take care of these trivial matters, and she thought Pei Lixian's wife Qin was better at it. Now that she thought about it carefully, she felt a little scared. There were actually many people around her who were not sent by Qin.

She was afraid, but dared not say much. After she had done her makeup, the servants brought up the bird's nest as usual. As soon as Wen took the bird's nest and opened the lid of the bowl, she saw a line of small words written on it: "The eldest son wants to see the lady, see you at the princess's mansion."

When Wen saw this line of words, she panicked. She looked around and saw the servant who served the swallow's nest looking at her. Wen's heart was beating fast. Her hand shook and the swallow's nest bowl fell to the ground. The servant who served the swallow's nest knelt down hurriedly and said anxiously: "This servant deserves death."

"You clean up first." Wen Shi calmed her voice and asked the maid to go down and get another bowl of bird's nest. When the maid left, Wen Shi immediately asked, "What happened to my son?"

"Madam, the eldest son is seriously injured. Please go to bed secretly first and come out from the back window. I will lead you out."

After hearing this, Wen suppressed her rapidly beating heart and dared not ask any more questions. After the people came back, she ate a few mouthfuls of bird's nests, said she wanted to sleep for a while, and sent everyone out. Then she opened the back window as requested. As soon as she opened the back window, she saw the servant waiting for her at the door. He stuffed a bag of clothes into her and whispered, "Please change, hurry up."

Wen nodded, changed her clothes quickly, and then, led by the servant, she disguised herself as a servant buying groceries and walked out through the back door.

When they got out and into the carriage, Wen asked hurriedly, "What happened to my son?"

"The eldest master needs your help, so I'll let you go over and take a look." The attendant soothed him, "Please be patient, you will see the eldest master soon."

When Mrs. Wen found that she could not get any information from her questions, she stopped talking and just tied her handkerchief in her hand, looking anxious.

In the court, after reviewing matters such as rainfall, Li Ming finally announced the end of the court session.

Li Rong smiled and turned around, preparing to leave the hall. Before she left, she heard Pei Liwen calling her and said loudly, "Your Highness, don't you feel guilty for lying like this today?"

Li Rong heard his words, turned around, looked at Pei Liwen, and couldn't help laughing: "I didn't bother you at all, how dare you take the initiative to bother me? This is what I'm asking you. Don't you feel guilty for lying today?"

"Whether it's a lie or not," a minister came up and said coldly, "It's natural for a mother to teach her son, but it's inappropriate for Your Highness to break into a minister's home without permission."

"Why didn't you tell my father about this?" Li Rong turned to look at the person who was speaking, smiling, "You didn't dare to say a word in the court just now, but now you come to trouble me? If you think you are so right, go ahead and say it."

"Your Highness," one of the courtiers frowned, "You are too arrogant."

"Then you can report me." Li Rong looked over again, "If you really can't stand it, why don't you hit me a couple of times?"

"You!" The minister took a step forward and was stopped by the people around him. Li Rong saw the angry minister and smiled while twirling her fan. "I really love the way you guys can't stand me and can't do anything about me. You are blind about this matter. I won't bother with you. Sooner or later," Li Rong pointed at the ministers surrounding her one by one, "you will have to say sorry to me."

As she spoke, Li Rong folded her fan and walked out with a smile: "Okay, everyone, please go away. I still have to go to work on a case."

"Your Highness Pingle!" Pei Liwen shouted at Li Rong's back, "The world will not tolerate your insolence and not give you justice. I will go to the Yu Study to beg His Majesty. If you are not punished today, I will hit my head against the dragon pillar in the Yu Study and die to persuade the emperor with my death!"

“I’ll go!”

"I'm going too!"

As they spoke, the court officials became so enraged that they seemed to be about to collide with each other on the dragon-guarding pillar.

Li Rong nodded and said, "Very good. I don't want to bother with you anymore, but you still want to rush into the sword. I will accompany you to the front of the study." Li Rong raised her hand and pointed at Pei Liwen, "Today, either you will be carried out or I will be carried out. Let's go!"

Having said that, Li Rong shouted loudly, turned around and walked towards Yu's study.

When she left, a strong wind mixed with autumn leaves blew in, and thunder roared. The ministers were stunned for a moment after she scolded them, and then they ran after her, cursing. The two teams arrived in front of Yu's study, kneeling on each side. However, Li Rong was the only one kneeling alone, while Pei Liwen led a large number of court officials to kneel on the other side.

"His Majesty!"

"Father!"

People on both sides started shouting, and the voices became mixed.

"I beg Your Majesty to severely punish Princess Pingle for intruding into my house without any guilt. Such an arrogant and unruly princess who has no regard for the law must not hold such an important position in the Inspection Department!"

"I beg the Emperor to severely punish the brothers Pei Lixian and Pei Liwen. They deceived their brother and his wife, treated their brother's orphan badly, seized their deceased brother's property, and beat their son-in-law to commit crimes against the emperor. Such shameless and unethical behavior must not be tolerated!"

"His Majesty!"

"Father!"

The two sides shouted for a long time, and Fulai finally came out. He looked apologetic: "Your Highness, everyone," Fulai said with a wry smile, "His Majesty said that this is a family matter, he has no say, please go back."

"Your Majesty, the princess is the head of the Inspection Department. How can this be just a family matter? If Your Majesty does not give me justice today, I will kneel here until I die!"

"Kneel down to death?" Li Rong laughed. "Didn't we agree to hit the pillar? The dragon pillar is there, hit it."

"You!" Pei Liwen's eyes widened. Li Rong smiled and said, "Minister Pei, you must keep your word."

"Women and villains are hard to raise," Pei Liwen said through gritted teeth, "I don't care about women."

"Even women say he can't win," Li Rong said leisurely, fanning herself with a fan. "It seems that Lord Pei is really unreasonable. It's better to just kill myself and leave a good reputation behind."

Pei Liwen ignored Li Rong. He was breathing heavily, as if he was about to explode at any time. He only said to Fu Lai, "Please tell Eunuch Fu that if the princess is not punished today, we will not leave."

"Please tell Eunuch Fu to tell you," Li Rong said slowly, "If you don't give justice to the Prince Consort today, I will kneel here until I die."

Fu Lai listened to the words and said bitterly: "Your Highness, what are you talking about?"

"They are the ones causing the trouble." Li Rong sneered, "Just let the eunuch pass on the message."

Li Rong and Pei Liwen knelt at the door of Yu's study, and the news spread quickly.

At this time, Pei Wenxuan also changed his clothes and sat in the lobby, watching Wen Shi being helped in.

When Wen saw Pei Wenxuan, her eyes turned red. She came forward and asked anxiously, "Wenxuan, what's wrong with you?"

"Mother, please sit down." Pei Wenxuan smiled and asked Wen to sit down. Wen looked at Pei Wenxuan anxiously, "What happened last night..."

Pei Wenxuan didn't say anything. He looked at Wen quietly. The way Wen looked at Pei Wenxuan made her heart turn cold. She stared at him blankly and shuddered, "Are you blaming me?"

Pei Wenxuan smiled but said nothing. His calm gaze was a little distant, which made Wen Shi tremble. "You also think that your second uncle treats you badly and wants to harm you, right?"

"Mother," Pei Wenxuan smiled bitterly, "I don't just think so, but it is the fact that it is so."

"This may be a misunderstanding..." Wen felt a sinking feeling in her heart, but she couldn't help but explain, "Your second uncle told me..."

"It doesn't matter what he said," Pei Wenxuan interrupted her and said seriously, "The important thing is what he did."

"Mother, father, how many of you are still around?" Pei Wenxuan asked, and Wen was stunned. Pei Wenxuan said slowly: "I encountered an assassination on my way back from Luzhou. I was lucky enough to return home, and I heard that my second uncle planned to train me and arrange a small official position for me."

"Assassination?" Wen was shocked. "Why...why didn't you tell me?"

"Because it's useless." Pei Wenxuan smiled, "I know what kind of person you are. When I came back, there was no one around you. I was afraid that after you knew it, you would do something and end up getting murdered. It would be better for you to be like now, not knowing anything, and live a good life."

Wen looked at him blankly. Pei Wenxuan continued, "When my father was alive, he often reminded me that we men should shoulder our responsibilities and work hard to make the people around us live well. If they don't live well, it's our fault. My father has been taking care of you and caring about you all his life. You don't have to worry about anything."

Pei Wenxuan was speaking, for some reason, but the image of Li Rong flashed through his mind. He suddenly felt a little sad, a little distressed, and a little indescribable guilt.

"My father asked me to continue to shoulder his responsibilities and take care of you. I always thought that this was my struggle. Whether I was doing well or not, I shouldn't disturb you. You live well. If I lose, it's my incompetence."

Wen looked at Pei Wenxuan, tears falling from her eyes: "Then... why are you saying it now? Did I harm you and leave you with nowhere to go?"

"Not really," Pei Wenxuan laughed, "There was someone who told me that you should be given a choice."

"Father did not give you the choice of becoming a lady or a wife. He treated you like a canary and spoiled you all your life. He took all the responsibilities on himself, yours, the family's, and mine."

"I once thought that I should be this kind of person, and I tried hard, but I gradually realized that I am not my father, and my father's approach may not be right."

"People are human, and they have their limits. If I want to be responsible for everyone around me and take on the responsibilities that they should bear, I will not be able to live a good life."

"So, I want to give my mother a choice."

Pei Wenxuan looked at Wen. He took a step forward, knelt on one knee in front of Wen, looked up at her, and said seriously, "Can you help your son?"

As Wen listened to Pei Wenxuan's words, she cried so hard that she couldn't see what was ahead.

"You told me that morning..." Wen said hoarsely, "I have been waiting for your father to say this all my life. But he never told me, and I have forgotten it."

"Wenxuan... I'm sorry..." Wen knelt on the ground crying, "I'm sorry, it's mother's fault, I'm sorry..."

Pei Wenxuan said nothing. He just looked at Wen who was crying in front of him.

It was raining outside, the sound of rain mixed with Wen's crying. Pei Wenxuan looked at Wen crying and whispered, "Mother, stop crying and get up."

As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed in.

"My dear Prince Consort," Tong Ye panted, "there is news from the palace."

Tong Ye said anxiously, "The Third Master brought many court officials to kneel at the door of Yu's study and demanded that His Highness be punished. His Highness also knelt at the door of Yu's study and demanded that the Second and Third Masters be punished. Now they are in a stalemate and have been kneeling for a long time."

Pei Wenxuan got up immediately after hearing this. He was so violent that his wound broke out suddenly, and blood was reflected on his white clothes. Pei Wenxuan said coldly: "Prepare the carriage and enter the palace."

Pei Wenxuan turned around and said respectfully to Wen: "Mother, please come with me into the palace."

"I'll do as you say." Wen sniffed. "I'll do as you say."

Pei Wenxuan responded, and Wen stood up. Seeing the bloodstains on Pei Wenxuan's back, she wanted to ask something but didn't dare to, so she held back her tears and just cried.

After a while, everything was arranged. Pei Wenxuan took the umbrella and got on the carriage with Wen.

He looked at the heavy rain falling in the courtyard, and the scene in his previous life where Su Rongqing held an umbrella for Li Rong flashed through his mind.

His heart suddenly tensed.

This will never happen again.

He told himself that he would never allow such a thing to happen again in his life.

The author has something to say: Pei Wenxuan: "Su Rongqing please keep three feet away from my wife, otherwise I will open fire."