When De Shun saw this, his hand, which was grinding ink, trembled slightly, and a few drops of ink spilled out.

Your Highness is really... afraid of angering His Majesty to death.

For a woman, observing three years of mourning is enough.

How could a prince, in his esteemed position, openly and legitimately marry a memorial tablet into the palace?

They also want to give the memorial tablet the title of Crown Princess, and even want His Highness to be buried with her in the future.

Immediately afterwards, Xiao Chengci wrote down the third point.

Pei Zhi will always be the Crown Princess of the Eastern Palace, and will also be the only Empress in the future.

These three demands are all outrageous, each one more so than the last.

Regarding this third request, let's not even discuss whether Emperor Xiao would explode.

Those ministers were all ready to bang their heads against the wall and die trying to remonstrate.

Many people are eyeing the position of Crown Princess.

Their goal was certainly not just to become the Crown Princess, but to become the future Empress.

And now Xiao Chengci is actually saying that he wants to leave the future empress, the future mother of the nation, to a dead person.

De Shun lowered his head, not daring to say another word.

After Xiao Chengci finished writing, he waited for the ink to dry, put it in an envelope, and handed it to Deshun.

De Shun's hands were trembling when he received the letter.

If His Highness the Crown Prince dared to mention it, he wouldn't dare to accept this letter.

De Shun summoned someone to deliver the letter back to the palace.

The newcomer was an unfamiliar eunuch, De Shun's godson whom he had only recently taken in six months ago.

He is efficient and keeps his mouth shut.

De Shun gave two special instructions: "After you send the letter, come back quickly. Don't wait for the Emperor to reply."

De Shun was worried that His Majesty would be furious and would severely reprimand the messenger.

"Godfather, I've got it."

After waiting for Deshun to return, the young eunuch turned and left the courtyard.

After leaving the courtyard, the young eunuch went down the mountain.

After descending halfway down the mountain, the young eunuch took a detour from the back and arrived at Consort Shu's courtyard.

Consort Shu is pointing at Pei Yin and scolding her.

"Isn't Pei Minxue your own brother? How come he can't even handle such a small matter?"

Pei Minxue has recently gained the Emperor's favor and has been given a significant position in the Ministry of Revenue.

Consort Shu thought about it and then asked Pei Yin to go back to her parents' home and mention it.

Arrange for Consort Shu's nephew to work in the Ministry of Revenue, regardless of his position, just find him some work to do.

Pei Yin had been dragging her feet for a long time, but was forced to return to the Duke's mansion.

As a result, Pei Yin sat alone in the council hall for the entire day.

Neither Pei's father nor Pei's mother came to see Pei Yin.

When Pei Yin asked, the servants replied that everyone was busy and had no time to see Pei Zhi.

Pei Yin was turned away and had no choice but to run back to the Second Prince's residence.

Later, Pei Yin visited again.

This time, Pei Yin learned her lesson and drove her carriage early, waiting at the entrance of the Duke's mansion.

Pei Minxue and Duke Pei both had to attend the morning court session, so Pei Yin waited for that time.

Pei Minxue rejected Pei Yin without hesitation.

Pei Minxue spoke directly, telling Pei Yin that Pei Yin had fallen out with the Duke's mansion.

From now on, Pei Yin should not return to the Duke's mansion unless necessary, as no one will have time to see her.

Furthermore, even if Pei Yin hadn't fallen out with the Duke's mansion, he wouldn't give anyone special treatment, so he told Pei Yin to give up on that idea.

If Pei Yin fails to complete her task, she will naturally be scolded by Consort Shu.

"You're a useless thing too. You're not their biological child, so there's still a gap between you. If it were Pei Zhi, do you think they would still refuse?"

After saying that, Consort Shu chuckled to herself, "If it were Pei Zhi, she wouldn't need to go back to her family to beg."

"Just whisper sweet nothings in the Crown Prince's ear, and you'll have everything you need. Why go through all this trouble?"

After Consort Shu finished speaking, she took the letter from the eunuch beside her and opened it.

Pei Yin stood aside and read the contents of the letter thoroughly out of the corner of her eye.

After reading it, Consort Shu took a new envelope, stuffed the letter inside, and said, "You must make sure this letter reaches His Majesty."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After spending half a year in the temple, Consort Shu finally managed to gain access to the Crown Prince's side.

Unfortunately, this little eunuch could only do jobs like delivering letters and guarding the gate.

"This Xiao Chengci is truly devoted to your sister."

Pei Yin gripped the handkerchief tightly, not daring to utter a single word.

Consort Shu said sarcastically, "Tell me, wouldn't it be better if your dear sister were alive? You'd have someone to rely on, wouldn't you?"

"I am truly curious, just how beautiful is your younger sister that Xiao Chengci is so infatuated with her?"

"Your Majesty," Pei Yin said softly, "The Crown Prince has made such an outrageous request, will His Majesty grant it?"

In Pei Yin's view, any one of the three demands made by Xiao Chengci was a serious offense.

Would their emperor really agree to that?

Consort Shu said fiercely, "Of course he would agree. After all, Xiao Chengci is his most beloved son. He would love to abdicate now and let Xiao Chengci ascend the throne."

Pei Yin's mind raced, and she said, "Your Majesty, the girl's facial injury has healed. Shouldn't we arrange for her to approach the Crown Prince?"

Previously, Consort Shu had instructed Pei Yin to send up a girl who resembled Pei Zhi.

She would find an opportunity to meet him first, and then, under the moonlight, escort him to Xiao Chengci's room.

However, Pei Yin said that the girl had eaten something bad a while ago, and her face was covered in red spots.

The plan had to be abandoned.

"That's fine. If His Majesty agrees to Xiao Chengci's request, Xiao Chengci won't be able to stay in the temple for more than a few days."

Consort Shu murmured, "Once Xiao Chengci returns to the capital, I will have no chance to make a move."

Pei Yin nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty, just give the orders, and I will make the arrangements."

"Bring the girl to me first." Consort Shu was still uneasy about Pei Yin's work.

Pei Yin hesitated and said, "It's fine for Your Majesty to see it, but I'm worried that if someone sees you, Your Majesty will be in trouble later."

Consort Shu found some merit in what she said.

When the affair was exposed, the woman was found lying in the same bed with Xiao Chengci.

She had met the woman beforehand in case someone reported her.

No matter how Consort Shu tries to prove it, Emperor Xiao will still pin the blame on her.

"You're right."

"Give me a location, and I'll arrange for someone to pick up the girl. Then I'll disappear."

Pei Yin breathed a sigh of relief and gave Consort Shu an address.

Pei Yin had previously considered seeking refuge with Xiao Chengci.

He requested an audience several times, but was refused each time.

Pei Yin then thought, since Consort Shu is going to send a woman to the Crown Prince, why can't this woman be her?

Pei Yin hesitated and couldn't make up her mind.

She worried that even if something really happened between her and Xiao Chengci, what if Xiao Chengci turned his back on her like the Second Prince did back then?

Upon seeing the letter the Crown Prince wrote to the Emperor, Pei Yin made up her mind completely.

Xiao Chengci could be so obsessed with Pei Zhi. He even made such an outrageous request for her sake.

The Crown Prince must be different from someone as despicable as the Second Prince. Pei Yin decided to take a gamble on herself.