In the past few days, Shen Xu has not been idle for long, and has been investigating all the relationships with important figures in the capital.

Even though Xuan Jing Si is full of men, when it comes to gossip, women really have no place to go.

If you want to dig up something about someone, you can find out all sorts of bad things.

Xiao Zheng, who was in charge of delivering meals to Shen Xu, was talking excitedly about anecdotes in the capital.

"Miss Song, I didn't realize you only came to the capital a few days ago, and you already know this! Let me tell you..."

Shen Xu joined in the conversation enthusiastically, and then talked about Pei Zhiyuan, "Hey, I see that Master Pei is quite old, about twenty-five or twenty-six years old, why hasn't he got married yet?"

Seeing the beauty chatting with him excitedly, Xiao Zheng was so happy that he was dizzy, so he said a few more words: "Who said you don't have a family? You have one!"

It is said that Pei Zhiyuan was the adopted son of General Yu, the old general who defended the country, and was raised by the old general since childhood.

General Yu had adopted many adopted sons, among whom Pei Zhiyuan was the most promising. He passed the military examination and became the top scorer at a young age. His career was originally going smoothly and he could have held a good position in the royal army, but he chose the job of Xuanjing Sijingshi.

But he was very diligent, and with his connections in the General's Mansion, he soon became the deputy commander.

The old general had no sons, only twin daughters. The eldest daughter married the crown prince and became his consort, while the second daughter was betrothed to Pei Zhiyuan, the old general's most favored adopted son.

Originally, he and the old general's daughter were very much in love, and the old general also intended to pass on the family business of the General's Mansion to him.

Unfortunately, after His Majesty was injured and unconscious during hunting and was rescued by Master Hua, his temperament changed drastically. Not only did he depose the crown prince, he also executed many ministers.

At that time, the General's Mansion had lost its power due to the dethronement of the crown prince, and its military power had been seized by the current Grand Marshal of the Royal Army, Su Yi. Although it enjoyed the emperor's salary, it no longer enjoyed the emperor's favor.

Later, His Majesty passed away, the Seventh Prince ascended the throne, and Imperial Preceptor Hua became favored. The deposed Crown Prince was sentenced to death, and the eldest daughter of the Yu family, who was the Crown Princess, was also taken over by the new emperor and became Concubine Yu.

Xiao Zheng suddenly lowered his voice as he spoke, "In order to blackmail these loyal ministers, Imperial Master Hua forcibly abducted the officials' beautiful families into the palace, claiming they were serving the emperor, but in reality, they were serving him."

Shen Xu nodded and said, "I know this. Master Hua imprisoned all the beauties he abducted in Xuanhe Palace. Xuanhe Palace is where he takes a nap every day. He sleeps on the dragon bed and is extremely licentious!"

"Girl, you really dare to scold me."

When Xiao Zheng heard her scolding the Imperial Master, he suddenly became much more serious and continued, "That's right. Lord Pei's wife was also abducted. It is said that she couldn't bear the torture and swallowed gold to commit suicide."

Shen Xu covered his mouth and uttered a cry, then asked in a low voice: "Then why did he kill General Yu later?"

"Lord Pei didn't know. He thought his wife was still alive, so he was threatened by Imperial Advisor Hua to kill General Yu. To save his wife, he had no choice but to work for Imperial Advisor Hua, and was even accused of killing his father for fame and fortune, and was cursed by the world as a lackey."

Xiao Zheng sighed deeply, feeling deeply sorry for their envoy. "He didn't even realize his wife was dead until after he killed the old general. But then Imperial Master Hua used the old general's last daughter to blackmail him, forcing him to continue killing people."

Shen Xu pursed his lips and was silent for a long time before asking again, "Doesn't he have ten concubines?"

"Those were all given to him by the Imperial Master. He placed these people in his private residence in the western suburbs, and he rarely returned to that house."

Xiao Zheng said angrily, "It's called a reward, but in reality it's a humiliation. Every time Master Pei kills a high-ranking official who disobeys him for the Imperial Master, he gives him some beauties and gold. Every time he gets these, Master Pei always feels unhappy for a while."

"No wonder..." Shen Xu took a deep breath and carefully savored Xiao Zheng's words. Judging from his appearance, he was only about seventeen or eighteen years old, so he asked, "Are you also General Yu's adopted son?"

Xiao Zheng was slightly stunned and asked, "Why do you ask such a question, young lady?"

Shen Xu did not answer, but continued to ask: "Is Xiao Ba also General Yu's adopted son?"

"How did the girl know?"

Chen Xu replied, "Because everyone is scolding him. The attitudes towards him in the Xuan Jing Division range from flattering to disdainful and even outright abusive. Only you two are defending him, so I guessed."

Xiao Zheng frowned as he recounted the story, his tone filled with heartache. "The General Envoy was very kind to us. He was a very sentimental person, but he was forced by State Master Hua to become an emotionless killer, and he was even cursed by the world. Back then, the State Master wanted to arrest and torture everyone connected to my adoptive father, but the General Envoy had a hard time saving us."

Shen Xu nodded thoughtfully as he listened, and asked, "Then how can he ensure that General Yu still has a daughter alive? If she ends up like his wife, wouldn't he be aiding and abetting the tyrant in vain?"

"The General Envoy is allowed to visit Concubine Yu every once in a while. But every time he comes back, he's in a very bad mood, probably because he's been humiliated enough. Even worse, the Imperial Master once rewarded him with a golden bone, clearly calling him a dog."

Shen Xu pursed her lips and remained silent, listening to Xiao Zheng chattering with her about Master Hua's crimes, and thinking about the details of her time with Pei Zhiyuan.

......

Xuanhe Palace

Pei Zhiyuan waited outside the hall with an indifferent expression, and only heard the occasional laughter of men and women coming from inside the hall.

He stood up straight under the scorching sun, sweat dripping from his forehead, but he did not wipe it off with his sleeves. He just stood outside the hall woodenly, waiting to be summoned.

At this time, a handsome man with bare upper body and bare feet came out and said, "Master Pei, please come in."

Pei Zhiyuan was asked to take off his shoes, socks and outer clothes, remove his hairpin, and was led into the Xuanhe Hall by two handsome men with his hair loose.

As soon as I entered the hall, I felt a cool breeze that swept away the heat on my body and made me feel much more comfortable.

The hall was magnificent and golden, with white smoke billowing from the hot spring pool in the middle. Delicacies were placed on the small tables beside the pool. Beautiful women were sitting by the pool, wearing revealing clothes and lying on their bodies, making it look like a fairyland.

Master Hua leaned on the throne in the hall, his face with prominent cheekbones painted an exceptionally pale pink. His small, focused triangular eyes squinted sharply at Pei Zhiyuan, who was wearing a middle-length robe and barefoot. His rosy lips parted slightly, and a hoarse voice came from above the hall, "The Thirteenth Prince is lost?"

Pei Zhiyuan lowered his head, knelt on one knee and apologized: "I have failed to perform my duties well, please punish me, Master Imperial Master."

"Punish? Pei Qingruo always fails to do his job well. Master, I really have to punish him severely." He emphasized the word "severely".

Pei Zhiyuan's face was gloomy, and he replied nervously, "I found a folk craftsman on this trip. She said she has a way to help the royal army repel the enemy. Can you make amends for your mistake?"

"Interesting, how do we repel the enemy?"

Pei Zhiyuan informed Master Hua that Shen Xu was capable of manufacturing two pieces of weapons and equipment. Master Hua did not show much appreciation, but just supported his head and responded indifferently.

"Can I please let you meet him..."