Cui Yulang came at night.
He came in quite a tortuous way. After detouring several times and changing his clothes, after confirming that no one was following him, he was led by Zhao Chongjiu over the wall of the backyard of the Princess Mansion, and entered Li Rong's house without making a sound.
Li Rong and Zhao Chongjiu passed their breath early, and knew that Cui Yulang was coming, so she didn't fall asleep, only took off her hair bun, lit the lamp and waited in the room.
When night came, there were footsteps outside, Li Rong was lying on the couch, looked up, and saw Cui Yulang pushing the door in. He knew that it was inappropriate to see Li Rong privately at night, so he didn't have the usual dangerlang appearance. Kneeling to the ground and saluting respectfully, without raising his eyes, he whispered: "Wei Chen has seen His Highness."
"It's urgent to call you here."
Li Rong's voice was very light, Cui Yulang did not say anything, Li Rong said slowly: "I need to speed up the matter of handing over the supervisory department to Concubine Rou."
"Your Highness said so, but what happened?"
"You do it first, preferably within three days."
Cui Yulang thought for a while and whispered, "Wei Chen understands."
Cui Yulang and Li Rong had already made preparations for this matter. The next morning, Li Rong arrived at the inspectorate and just arrived at the door when Shangguan Ya hurriedly greeted him and said in a low voice, "Today, the inspector has a scholar. , Said that the place to go to Beijing to take the exam was changed, and I left the person behind."
Li Rong nodded and walked into the Inspectorate with Shangguanya, Shangguanya suppressed her voice: "I don't know what this scholar thinks, the Shuntian Palace does not kneel, the Punishment does not kneel, so he knelt to the door of the Superintendent, he It's hard to investigate this matter, I'm afraid I will go to Huajing..."
"It's okay."
Li Rong raised her hand, stopped Shangguanya's words, and entered the room with her.
The scholar was taking the tea with sincerity and fear. When he saw Li Rong coming, he hurriedly got up, knelt on the ground and said, "I have seen Your Highness."
"Are you Sun Wen?"
Li Rong spoke directly, this was the name of Cui Yulang's friend.
The other party quickly said: "Yes, it is the grass people."
"Did you bring the paper?"
"It's already written."
"Fine."
Li Rong nodded and asked Shangguanya to collect his letter and said directly: "Give him five taels of silver, go out to Huajing first, there is an old man named Sanye on the moat of Huajing, you can get on his boat. , let him take you away. The boat will sink when you approach Zhangxian halfway. You follow the third master to the shore, and someone will pick you up. You hide for a while and then listen to the arrangements. "
Sun Wen had already received Cui Yulang's arrangement, and after saluting, he was led back by someone.
As soon as Sun Wen left, Shangguanya immediately came up and said, "What are you selling?"
Li Rong took Sun Wen's paper and looked at it carefully, then slowly returned to her: "You will change employers soon, so be prepared."
Hearing this, Shangguanya thought for a while, and then she understood: "Inspector, do you want to let it go?"
"Su Rongqing recently opened an inn, where all the candidates who came to Beijing to participate in the imperial examinations lived there. He also specially searched for the candidates who came to complain. What do you think he was trying to do?"
Shangguanya frowned, she couldn't understand.
The imperial examination was not a big deal. It was just a passing game. The children of ordinary people were admitted to the court just to find some people to help with things.
There is always some dirty work that no one does, and the role of the imperial examination is only here. For a born top noble like Shangguanya, it is hard to fathom the meaning of Su Rongqing's troubles in this matter.
Li Rong glanced at her and knew she didn't understand.
If she hadn't seen the influence of the imperial examination system after the rise of the Han clan, and didn't know the situation that the so-called dragon and tiger rankings swept up in the court later this year, she probably wouldn't understand.
Only she knew, and naturally she also understood where the key to Pei Wenxuan and Su Rongqing's contention lies.
"The first thing Su Rongqing has to do is to win people's hearts."
"It's something that Su Clan would do."
After all, the matter of making porridge was started by the Su Clan, and the other big clans followed after seeing the favorable comments.
"Secondly," Li Rong lowered her voice as she looked at the things on the paper, "Su Rongqing won't finish what happened last time."
Shangguanya paused, she raised her head and looked at Li Rong. Li Rong said calmly: "Your Majesty took his position as the Minister of Punishment, and gave me and Pei Wenxuan a reconciliation, but no one wants to believe it, then His Majesty will definitely make the next move. Su Rongqing's purpose is to take Sichuan The foundation of my son, this time he has found so many scholars who have complained, what do you think he is going to do?"
Shangguanya didn't speak, Li Rong laughed and gave her the answer: "This case, he wants to sue."
"What's the purpose?" Shangguanya frowned, and Li Rong put her hand on the table, "Do you think that if this case comes out, who would your Majesty want to handle the case?"
Shangguanya understood instantly, she raised her eyes and looked at Li Rong: "Prince?"
Once Li Chuan handles this case, although the imperial examination case is not big, it is the interests of the aristocratic family that are confronted.
Because of Li Rong's inspector, Li Chuan had already had a gap with the aristocratic family. If he did this for the Han clan in person, his relationship with the aristocratic family would be further separated.
The Han family has not yet formed a climate. If Li Chuan is really separated from the aristocratic family, and Li Ming does not give Li Chuan enough trust, then Li Chuan's political capital will only be left with the Shangguan family.
But if Li Chuan doesn't take this case, or even because Li Chuan doesn't take the case, the case cannot get a fair trial, then Li Chuan's wiseness as a prince will be greatly reduced among the people.
"Then there are only two options left."
Shangguanya said quickly: "Or, let this case not be brought up at all."
"Either," Li Rong answered, "let this case fall into the hands of others."
Today, the official offices that can handle this case are nothing more than the Censor Desk, the Ministry of Punishment, the Dali Temple, and the Division of Inspectors.
The supervisor of the censorship desk was Shangguan Minzhi, and the censorship desk took over the case. In the eyes of the family, it was Li Chuan who took over the case.
The Ministry of Punishment and Dali Temple are both under the control of the noble family, and they will not take the initiative to investigate this hot potato.
In the end, all that was left was her inspector.
Shangguanya understood what Li Rong meant. After hesitating for a moment, she said slowly, "But, for a case involving the imperial examination, is it too expensive to hand over the supervisory division?"
Li Rong didn't speak. She wanted to tell Shangguanya, but she didn't say much. After thinking about it, she only said: "I am in this position, and I am a little dangerous. The father wants me and the family to die, but I We can’t go this far. Although I’m leaving temporarily, our people are still there, and everyone knows what to do and what not to do.”
Shangguan Ya responded, and Li Rong saw her sad face, smiled, and patted her on the shoulder: "Hurry up and do things. After you're done, you can go drink and gamble."
Shangguanya laughed when she heard this, and replied, "Okay."
After finishing speaking, Shangguanya leaned in front of her and whispered, "How are you feeling recently and after leaving?"
Li Rong raised her eyebrows, Shangguanya looked around, and leaned forward: "Is there a night-time lover for something exciting?"
Li Rong smiled and took Zhang Zhezi from the side, patted Shangguanya, and said, "Go away."
Shangguanya got up with a smile and waved, "Let's go."
After finishing speaking, she went back to her own room. After Shangguanya left, Li Rong took a cup of tea and took a sip of tea.
In fact, Shangguanya's concerns are not wrong. It is indeed a bit risky to hand over the supervisory division for an imperial examination case.
At the beginning, it was Pei Wenxuan's suggestion.
And now it's decided to hand over to the Superintendent...
Li Rong looked at the tea leaves floating in the tea bowl with cold eyes.
- It's because Pei Wenxuan's people were among the scholars who complained.
What Su Rongqing wanted to do was to take Li Chuan's salary, and what Pei Wenxuan wanted to do was to dismantle the stove.
If Pei Wenxuan intends to be here, then no matter what, she cannot get involved in this whirlpool.
Li Rong stayed in the Superintendent for a day, and at night, she got up and went back to the Princess Mansion. When she walked out, she saw that Shang Guanya had changed into men's clothes, was throwing her wallet, and was happily going out. She walked very briskly and looked like she was about to jump. Li Rong was waiting for her at the gate of the inner courtyard. Seeing her humming a little tune, she called out to her, "Where are you going, so happy?"
When Li Rong opened her mouth, Shangguanya realized she was there and was taken aback, and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, haven't you left yet?"
"Didn't you go too?"
The two walked out of the yard together, and Shangguanya coughed lightly: "Didn't I leave now? It's too obvious during the day."
"What time are you going to play? It's too late, your father is afraid to scold people."
"Father knows my temperament." Shangguanya said to her, quite confident, "I said it earlier."
Li Rong smiled and didn't speak. When she walked with Shangguanya, she would instantly feel that she was a teenager, and then she would clearly notice the difference between the two. She felt that looking at Shangguanya was like looking at a child.
"Su Ronghua is waiting for you?"
Li Rong spoke directly, Shangguanya's face froze, Li Rong lowered her head and chuckled: "You usually go to drink and play, but you are not so happy."
"Neither do I… "
"When did you get so close?"
Li Rong knew she was embarrassed, so she didn't give her a chance to explain, and cared like an elder. Shangguanya didn't hide it, and said directly: "I used to be in the Superintendent of Investigations, and I often made appointments to go to the casino after finishing things. The night you and Su Rongqing were making trouble in the palace, I heard that he went to the palace, and I knew it was not good. I picked him up at the gate of the palace, took him to climb a mountain, and comforted him. After that, the relationship became good, and now he has nothing to do, and he is an idle person, so he will come to me every day."
"Let's play," Li Rong urged, "Don't delay the business."
"Don't worry, I know what to do."
As Shangguanya said, the two walked out of the gate of the Superintendent together. As soon as they went out, they saw Su Ronghua sitting at the door, turning the fan in his hand. Hearing the voice behind him, Su Ronghua turned around and smiled instantly: "Yo, come out?"
With that said, Su Ronghua stood up and saluted Li Rong.
Li Rong raised her hand to stop him: "Isn't it true, came to pick up Aya?"
"Yes." Su Ronghua admitted frankly. Shangguanya felt embarrassed by the two of them talking, turned her head and waved with Li Rong, and said straight, "Your Highness, let's go."
With that said, Shangguanya stepped forward, tugged at Su Ronghua's sleeve, and dragged him down the street.
The two talked and laughed all the way. Li Rong stood at the door and watched them walk away. Seeing people coming and going on the street, she felt a little empty in her heart.
It seems that in the last few years after her old age, she often stared at the hustle and bustle in a daze.
She was stunned when she saw a little beggar running up to her. He held a bowl with a gap and said in a tender voice, "Madam, give me a copper plate?"
Li Rong lowered her eyes and saw a note in the beggar's bowl. She didn't know what to do, as if she knew who gave her the note.
She took two copper plates from the purse, put them in the bowl, and silently held the paper in her hand.
The little beggar ran away, and when Li Rong opened the paper in the dark with her finger, she saw Pei Wenxuan's handwriting.
"I am here."
Li Rong raised her head subconsciously, and after looking around, she saw a young man with two beards standing not far away.
He smiled and took Li Rong's gaze. Li Rong couldn't help but pursed her lips. She hid the note in her palm and walked down the steps with her hands behind her back. She said, "Go back."
The driver and attendant were a little surprised, but they didn't say much, just watched Li Rong step forward and walk into the crowd.
After she turned around, a young man in blue also followed her into the crowd.
They never talked, one after the other, each on the side of the road, like two people who do not meet at all.
It's just that every stall Li Rong walked by, the young man would walk by and buy what Li Rong had seen.
Li Rong also noticed Pei Wenxuan's movements, so she walked to a lantern stand where she guessed lantern riddles, raised her hand and touched the lantern on the lantern stand that was the best to see Chang'e flying to the moon.
She stood in front of the lantern booth for a while, and the young man stopped behind her, casually looking at the combs on the opposite booth.
After Li Rong left, the young man followed.
Li Rong felt tired when she walked out of the busiest long street. She called a carriage and yawned as she took a fancy to the carriage. Before she got into the carriage, she saw the young man standing not far away, looking at her with a smile. He pursed his lips and chuckled, suddenly in the urge to play, he threw the handkerchief from his sleeve.
The wind blew the silk handkerchief lightly across the street, and the light shone through the soft yarn.
The son raised his hand and grabbed the handkerchief that was flying.
When he turned back, the carriage had already left like a dreamer.
Pei Wenxuan stared blankly at the carriage that went away. After a long time, he lowered his head and chuckled, carefully folded the handkerchief, and put it to his heart before returning to the booth where he guessed lantern riddles.
When Li Rong returned to the Princess Mansion, she had just rested and was soaking her feet while reading a book, when she heard Jing Lan say, "Your Highness, Master Zhao is asking to see you."
Li Rong raised her eyes: "Call him in."
Zhao Chongjiu got permission and walked in.
As soon as he came in, Li Rong saw a dozen lanterns in his hands.
Li Rong almost laughed out loud when she saw the lantern, Zhao Chongjiu put the lantern on the ground with a dark face, and then brought the one that Chang'e flew to the moon, and reached in front of Li Rong: "Just now, Master Pei hastened to find me, and gave it to me. I have so many lanterns, and I specifically told me that this one will be handed over to His Royal Highness."
"He said, he won that stall."
Li Rong finally couldn't help laughing when she heard this.
She took the lantern that Pei Wenxuan won, and looked at Chang'e on the lantern, she laughed for a long time.
She suddenly felt that some things, even if the two were at odds, were not unforgivable.
A person's life, but just to have a good life. With this lamp here, even if she was a little bit run-in, she still wanted to go on.
She found in a trance that the biggest difference between herself and when she was young might be that.
When she was young, she encountered something bad and always wanted to throw it away.
Now that something is wrong, she will think of repairing it.
She didn't know if this was a step back and compromise, or a kind of maturity and perfection, but it seemed to be an inevitable path in life.
If it's not good, think about throwing it away, Pei Wenxuan and her should have ended a long time ago.
She is not perfect, and Pei Wenxuan is not flawless.
But Pei Wenxuan never wanted to give up, and she finally found out after being forced to persist.
This feeling is worth it after all.
And after Pei Wenxuan delivered the lanterns, he walked down the long street with his hands behind his back, imagining Li Rong taking away the lanterns, he couldn't help laughing.
Tong Ye yawned behind his back and muttered: "Young Master, you are too busy, it's because you don't have enough affairs in the Ministry of Officials, or you have too much energy. You have changed your clothes and waited so long, you finally sent His Highness back, and you are going to guess what lantern riddles. .You are a champion to guess lantern riddles and win the lanterns, isn't that bullying people? It's going to make people laugh."
Pei Wenxuan knew that Tong Ye thought he was in a good mood, so he dared to be so presumptuous.
He didn't respond to the child's karma, but just raised his head and smiled and glanced at the bright moon in the sky.
Thinking that Li Rong was also under the moonlight with him, his eyes couldn't help but soften a few inches.
"Just laugh," Pei Wenxuan's voice was full of laughter, "It's good that Madam is happy. After learning all the talents, Madam can't coax her, so what's the use?"
Anyway, he has seen the scenery of ascending the top, and the most coveted is this world of fireworks.