Pei Minxue boarded the carriage and immediately opened the book.

There are two letters in the book, one to him and one to Shang Huai.

Pei Minxue opened the letter that Xiao Chengci had written to him.

Xiao Chengci instructed Pei Minxue to tell the Duke's Mansion not to hold a funeral for Pei Zhi, so as not to anger Emperor Xiao.

Emperor Xiao was furious and had nowhere to vent his anger, so he beat Xiao Chengci half to death, but Xiao Chengci refused to back down.

If the Duke of Pei's mansion dares to hold Pei Zhi's funeral at this time, wouldn't they be slapping Emperor Xiao in the face? Wouldn't they be inviting trouble from Emperor Xiao?

The letter instructed Pei Minxue to find Shang Huai and deliver the letter to him.

After reading the letter, Shang Huai understood that Pei Minxue should keep quiet.

Although Pei Minxue was curious about the contents of Xiao Chengci's letter to Shang Huai, he didn't dare to open it.

The Zhenbei Army had been encamped outside the city, and Shang Huai should also be in the army camp.

The situation was critical, and Pei Minxue couldn't worry about anything else. He didn't go back to his residence, but sent the groom directly to the place where the Zhenbei Army had set up camp.

The carriage traveled for more than an hour before finally arriving outside the military camp.

Pei Minxue was stopped by soldiers outside the military camp, but fortunately, he had an official seal on him.

Moreover, Pei Minxue's scholarly air made the soldiers lower their guard, allowing Pei Minxue to wait outside while he went in to announce their arrival.

Pei Minxue took a jade pendant from his waist and handed it to the soldier, saying, "Thank you for your trouble, young man."

The soldiers reacted as if they'd been given a hot potato: "What are you doing?"

Pei Minxue was puzzled. "It's just that it's troubled for you to make the trip, sir. Consider this jade pendant as a gift to buy you some wine."

The soldier said sternly, "We, the Zhenbei Army, don't do these things. Don't drag me into being punished."

Pei Minxue didn't dare to offer any more and obediently accepted it.

The soldiers announced Pei Minxue's name, and Shang Huai didn't have anyone announce it; he personally came out to meet Pei Minxue.

Upon seeing Pei Minxue, Shang Huai cupped his hands in a respectful greeting, "Brother-in-law."

Pei Minxue really didn't dare to accept the title of "brother-in-law," and given the current situation, Shang Huai probably wouldn't be able to become his brother-in-law.

"I need to talk to you about something. Could we find a quiet place?"

"Then come with me, brother-in-law." Shang Huai quickly led the way for Pei Minxue.

Along the way, Shang Huai encountered many soldiers and greeted them one by one.

Pei Minxue observed that these soldiers should be ordinary soldiers in the military camp.

But Shang Huai had no airs at all and greeted everyone with a smile.

I passed a platform where two soldiers were fighting, surrounded by a group of soldiers shouting orders.

"A fight breaks out in the military camp, and the general doesn't care?"

Shang Huai glanced at it and scoffed, "What's so special about this? A group of men living together, how can there not be some conflicts? Just beat them into submission."

Upon entering Shang Huai's camp, Pei Minxue glanced around and found it to be extremely simple.

There was a bed, a table, and a washbasin. The clothes were all on the table; there wasn't even a cabinet.

Shang Huai asked expectantly, "Brother-in-law, did Zhizhi send you to see me?"

Before Pei Minxue could deny it, Shang Huai continued, "Later, could you apologize to Zhizhi for me? I've been too busy at the military camp lately."

"I need to finish what I'm doing and go up north to bring my grandparents over so we can prepare for my wedding banquet."

Pei Minxue took out the letter that Xiao Chengci had given him and handed it to Shang Huai, saying, "This is what His Highness the Crown Prince asked me to give to you."

When Xiao Chengci was mentioned, Shang Huai's face darkened.

"He finally remembered to apologize to me?" Shang Huai took the letter. "However, he should apologize to Zhizhi the most."

Pei Minxue remained silent, watching Shang Huai open the letter.

Upon seeing the letter, Shang Huai's nonchalant expression vanished, replaced by a serious one.

"His Majesty wants to kill Pei Zhi?"

Pei Minxue nodded, "So His Highness the Crown Prince staged a fake death and took the person away."

Shang Huai paced back and forth in the tent, clutching the letter.

"My cousin actually fell in love with Pei Zhi at first sight, just like me?"

Shang Huai sighed, "No wonder my cousin was in such a hurry when my aunt arranged the marriage between me and Zhizhi."

Pei Minxue asked in confusion, "Your Highness said that he fell in love with Pei Zhi at first sight?"

Shang Huai handed the letter directly to Pei Minxue, "You don't know?"

Pei Minxue took the letter. It didn't contain much information. After glancing at it, Pei Minxue roughly understood its contents.

His Highness took on all the responsibilities himself.

Xiao Chengci said that he fell in love with Pei Zhi at first sight and then created many opportunities to meet her by chance.

When the Empress bestowed a marriage upon Shang Huai and Pei Zhi, Xiao Chengci was so excited that the Emperor discovered it.

The emperor was worried that Pei Zhi would affect the relationship between the cousins, so he wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible.

Xiao Chengci ordered Shang Huai's army to be on standby in case of emergency.

Xiao Chengci will send Pei Zhi to Shang Huai, so that Shang Huai can find a way to secretly send Pei Zhi away.

Didn't His Highness the Crown Prince tell him that he and Zhizhi had... done this and that?

Why does His Highness seem to be only expressing his own wishful thinking in his letter to General Shang?

Pei Zhi is completely innocent and has no idea what happened?

Seeing Shang Huai pacing anxiously back and forth in the tent, Pei Minxue suddenly understood.

His Highness the Crown Prince was worried that he couldn't protect Pei Zhi.

If the Emperor is truly determined to take Pei Zhi's life, he will need a powerful ally.

With his command of a large army and his affection for Pei Zhi, Shang Huai was undoubtedly the perfect choice.

"No, I'm going to the palace now."

Pei Minxue quickly stopped Shang Huai, "General, wait a moment. We really cannot mention Pei Zhi's name in front of the Emperor today."

Shang Huai didn't understand: "Why?"

Pei Minxue recounted how Xiao Chengci had been flogged by the Emperor, carried back to the Eastern Palace, and imprisoned.

Pei Minxue advised, "Your Highness has already offended His Majesty today for Pei Zhi's sake. If you go there, General, you will only be adding fuel to the fire."

Shang Huai murmured, "My cousin actually got beaten up and locked up because of Pei Zhi?"

Pei Minxue sighed, "Yes, His Highness has indeed done a lot for Zhizhi."

Pei Minxue's words carried a hint of implication.

Look, His Highness has gone to such lengths for Pei Zhi. Otherwise, wouldn't you have backed out?

Pei Minxue hoped that Shang Huai would choose an auspicious day to enter the palace and make a promise to the Emperor.

Only if Shang Huai takes the initiative to withdraw will there still be some room for maneuver in this matter.

His Majesty is now being put on a pedestal by His Highness. If Shang Huai makes a guarantee, His Majesty will definitely still feel sorry for His Highness.

Shang Huai said bluntly, "But Zhizhi is in this situation because of him."

Pei Minxue was speechless. Shang Huai's words made sense, and even a civil official like Pei Minxue could not refute them.

"Moreover, Zhizhi is willing to marry me, and I am also willing to marry Zhizhi."

Shang Huai was puzzled: "My cousin was just doing what a man should do."

"If he lets Pei Zhi, a young girl, bear the consequences, does he even deserve to be called a human being?"

Pei Minxue knew the inside story, and Pei Zhi was not innocent either; she was just portrayed by Xiao Chengci as the most innocent person.

If Shang Huai knew the whole story, it's uncertain whether he would help.