Episode 19 recap: Princess Li Rong officially took charge of the Supervision Office.
Watching Li Rong take complete control of the Supervision Office, Pei Wen Xuan smiled indulgently beside her, willing to become her most solid backup, helping her seize the world or protect a region's stability. Moreover, as a husband's love for his wife, it was not to put her in a gilded cage, but to let her do whatever she wanted, as long as she had the ability.
On the Mid-Autumn Festival, Pei Wen Xuan and Li Rong were inseparable in the mansion, but Li Rong did not understand Pei Wen Xuan's romance, always making him feel embarrassed. The Emperor did not expect the subsequent case would involve more than seventy officials in the court. Li Rong took this opportunity to persuade him to eradicate them, fearless of official denunciations, and even wishing to lure the enemy deeper, to catch them in a snare.
Xun Chuan was about to personally thank the Princess, but heard Shang Guan Xu's voice from the room. Shang Guan Xu reminded Li Rong that she became the master of the Supervision Office today, relying entirely on the Emperor's grace and decree, and that under the infighting of the aristocratic factions, whether from the noble families or the humble clans, they were all just ants.
However, Li Rong believed that she and the Shang Guan family both had the ability to change the rules, but he was intent on maintaining the current situation, unwilling to break this balance, which in the end was just the Emperor and the aristocratic families playing against each other, until the Shang Guan family gradually decayed and became inactive. So Li Rong wanted Shang Guan Xu to understand that the Great Xia Dynasty had gone through four generations of rulers, almost a hundred years since its founding, with turmoil in the northwest and frequent natural disasters, it was no longer a new dynasty just starting out, and could no longer tolerate their constant struggles.
Li Rong stated that she had never wanted to mutually destroy the Shang Guan family, but rather to preserve their upright and aloof character, and restore their integrity. To this end, Li Rong appointed Shang Guan Ya to take over the Shang Guan family, and Shang Guan Ya directly expressed his willingness to cooperate with the Princess to protect the stability of the Great Xia, and Shang Guan Xu no longer objected, sighing that he was old and it was time to empower these young people.
Soon, the Supervision Office was fully prepared in terms of numbering, banners, and uniform specifications. Li Rong selected her trusted confidants to form a team, marking the official establishment of the Supervision Office. Pei Wen Xuan stood beside her, smiling indulgently. Shang Guan Ya wondered if he would feel pressured by his wife's strong personality, but Pei Wen Xuan believed that only those without ability would try to assert their own worth by emphasizing their wife's weakness, and what he wished for was for his wife to achieve her desires.
It was precisely for this reason that Pei Wen Xuan was willing to become Li Rong's most solid backup, helping her seize the world or protect a region's stability. Moreover, in Pei Wen Xuan's view, a husband's love for his wife was not to put her in a gilded cage, but to let her do whatever she wanted, as long as she had the ability.
After the founding ceremony, Li Rong invited the main officials of the Supervision Office to dine at the Princess's mansion. Now Xun Chuan had been appointed as the inspector responsible for supervising the local areas, and was originally supposed to set off for the northwest, but Li Rong insisted on hosting a farewell banquet for her, and also invited Shang Guan Ya, determined to have a good time. This parting, the three did not know when they would meet again. Li Rong reminded Xun Chuan to be careful and not too straightforward while traveling alone.
Xun Chuan actively toasted Li Rong three times: first to Li Rong for plotting against the Qin family; second to Li Rong's grace in understanding her, letting her know that women should have a different way of living; third to herself for having the good fortune to meet Li Rong and Shang Guan Ya, already considering them as close friends, hoping that the three of them would have a long journey together and not waste this life.
After the banquet, the people dispersed. Li Rong returned to the long gallery alone, sweeping her sleeve across the steps and sitting down. Pei Wen Xuan sat beside Li Rong to gaze at the night sky. Li Rong was happy that she had a family, friends, and even Pei Wen Xuan by her side in this lifetime. Their gazes met, soft and gentle like a net gently falling to envelop them both.
Seeing Shangguan Ya completely drunk, staggering as she walked, Su Rong Hua had no choice but to help her onto the carriage. After watching the carriage leave, Su Rong Hua turned around to find his own carriage parked nearby, with Su Rong Qing standing beside it, smiling meaningfully, as the brothers headed home together.
That night, Xun Chuan was packing his belongings to leave, when he saw Qin Lin waiting for him in the courtyard. Qin Lin knew that Xun Chuan was actually Qin Zhen Zhen, and she was deeply saddened by how much Qin Zhen Zhen had sacrificed for the family, but Qin Zhen Zhen had no regrets. After bidding farewell to Qin Lin, Xun Chuan saw the Crown Prince Li Chuan waiting outside.
Through this incident, Li Chuan realized that he had failed to protect Qin Zhen Zhen, yet he still hoped she would stay and give him a chance. Xun Chuan tearfully refused, unwilling to back down, and they parted ways, knowing there could be no future between them.
After the Grand Investiture Ceremony, the Supervisory Office began operating in full force. With Shangguan Ya's help, Li Rong started with the Qin family case, and along with the military pay case, she investigated over 70 officials, much to the Emperor's surprise.
Li Rong seized the opportunity to persuade the Emperor to take drastic measures, but the Emperor told her that more officials would come to accuse her. True enough, the next day in the court, memorials criticizing Li Rong poured in from the aristocratic officials. Li Rong and the Crown Prince staged a performance of sibling rivalry in front of the outsiders.
Remembering the Qin family's contributions, the Emperor promoted Qin Lin to Loyal and Martial General, Qin Feng to Deputy General, and Xiao Su to Northwest Grand Marshal to guard Chenzhou and lead the Northwest army.
As these matters were settled, Pei Wen Xuan began planning to improve his relationship with Li Rong. He had her favorite dishes prepared in advance and carefully brewed calming incense, dressing up nicely.
On an extremely cold winter day, he insisted on wearing a thin white robe. Li Rong pretended to be confused, until Pei Wen Xuan could no longer bear the cold and hurried to put on his fur coat.
Soon after, a kite appeared in the sky with the word "Stop" written on it, but the kite flyer had disappeared without a trace. Li Rong didn't bother with it, and left with Shangguan Ya after finishing her duties.
As Pei Wen Xuan went out shopping, he was attacked by an assassin child. Fortunately, he reacted quickly and only sustained minor injuries. Li Rong hurried back home and personally tended to Pei Wen Xuan.
Although Li Rong initially wanted to let them go, Pei Wen Xuan's injury made her unwilling to be merciful. She ordered an investigation. Li Rong then told Pei Wen Xuan that she would be leaving the capital in a couple of days, and Pei Wen Xuan insisted on accompanying her. He asked Tong Ye to find a suitable place for their romantic getaway.
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