The General of the Northern Garrison proposed that the army escort Shang Huai's grandparents back to the capital.

Whether Pei Zhi should go with the army or not, it would be good to have some protection.

Pei Zhi realized that the general was trying to get rid of her.

Even if the General of the North didn't send Pei Zhi away, Pei Zhi was planning to leave in the next few days.

Shang Huai's injuries have almost healed, so there's no need for her to stay here.

To express his apology, the General of the Northern Garrison sent Pei Zhi a lot of gold and silver jewelry as compensation.

Upon learning that Pei Zhi was returning to the capital, Shang Huai went to pack his luggage without saying a word.

When the General of Zhenbei tried to stop him, Shang Huai said that he wanted to return to the capital in person to apologize.

Now, the General of the North could no longer stop them.

"Alright, this time when you go to the capital, stay with your grandparents for a while longer and avoid causing trouble."

Shang Huai replied, "Understood."

The General of the Northern Garrison continued to instruct, "Your injuries haven't healed yet, so you're already riding in a carriage."

Shang Huai grew impatient to listen any longer and sped up his packing.

The General of the North said, "What's yours is yours, and what's not yours, don't force it."

The group then set off for the capital.

Shang Huai's grandparents were old and unaware of the truth.

They genuinely believed they were going to Beijing to retire.

Perhaps they could guess some of it, but they simply pretended not to know.

Shang Huai and Pei Zhi squeezed into a carriage. Shang Huai sighed, "My injury hasn't healed yet, otherwise, we could ride horses together."

"There will always be opportunities in the future."

Before Shang Huai could even ask, he asked, "You probably won't be able to go back to the Duke's mansion this time you return to the capital, right? Why don't you come and stay at my residence?"

Pei Zhi didn't intend to hide it from Shang Huai, "I'm married."

Shang Huai didn't react for a while. "You...you said you're married? Is that what I mean?"

Pei Zhi nodded decisively: "Yes."

"So soon..." Shang Huai hesitated for a moment, "Then after we return to the capital, could you introduce me to someone?"

Pei Zhi readily agreed: "Of course."

"Don't be too disappointed, he's just an ordinary person."

Shang Huai shook his head in disbelief, "If he was chosen by you, he must be extraordinary."

Shang Huai was also somewhat annoyed. "You know, Xiao Chengci and I had a huge fight, and in the end, you turned around and got married. We've become a laughing stock."

Pei Zhi could only say, "I didn't expect that my departure would cause such a reaction."

During her stay at the Zhenyuan Marquis's residence, Pei Zhi heard Pei Minxue recount many things that happened after her "death."

For her sake, Xiao Chengci burned down the temple, and for her sake, he even lived in the temple for half a year, just to pray for her.

What Pei Zhi heard was like a fairy tale.

Could someone with Xiao Chengci's personality really stay in a temple for half a year?

It is also said that Xiao Chengci cut off a large bowl of blood in his attempt to revive himself, making himself look neither human nor ghost.

After hearing this, Pei Zhi was also unsure how to face Xiao Chengci.

Shang Huai took it all in stride, saying, "None of this matters. Your well-being is the most important thing."

Shang Huai said with some distress, "But now that you're married, does that mean I can't go out and travel with you anymore?"

Pei Zhi smiled and said, "No, he's a very good person."

Shang Huai felt a strange mix of bitterness and jealousy in his heart.

But on the surface, Shang Huai still pretended that nothing was wrong.

In Beijing, Pei Minxue has been paying special attention to the newly appointed top scorer these past few days.

Pei Minxue has reviewed all the matters that Lu Xiuyuan has handled since taking office.

Lu Xiuyuan handled official matters very well.

Even though it wasn't his job, he completed it diligently whenever it was assigned to him.

Regardless of the difficulties posed by his superiors or the cold treatment from his colleagues, Lu Xiuyuan was able to complete his duties.

Pei Minxue also noticed that Lu Xiuyuan never went drinking or fooling around with his colleagues.

Pei Minxue nodded unconsciously; this "brother-in-law" seemed alright.

“You stare at Lu Xiuyuan every day after work, but is there something wrong with him?”

Pei Minxue hurriedly replied, "Ah, I just thought he had a bright future, so I took a second look at him."

Xiao Chengci asked, puzzled, "His future prospects are probably not as good as yours."

Pei Minxue is now a key minister under Xiao Chengci, waiting for Xiao Chengci to ascend the throne.

In the future, Pei Minxue will definitely become a cabinet minister.

Lu Xiuyuan is still far inferior to Pei Minxue.

Pei Minxue didn't know if he was acting crazy or what.

"Your Highness, what do you think of Scholar Lu? Would you be willing to let your sister marry him?"

Xiao Chengci found Pei Minxue's question utterly baffling.

However, with nothing else to do at the moment, Xiao Chengci was in high spirits when he learned that Pei Zhi had already set off to return to the capital.

Xiao Chengci first commented on his appearance: "Among men, Lu Bianzhuan's appearance is considered excellent."

"When I returned to the capital, I heard from my advisors that Compiler Lu had remained neither humble nor arrogant these past few days."

"His character should be considered acceptable."

Pei Minxue nodded repeatedly; His Highness's words made perfect sense.

"I have heard that Lu, the compiler, lost his father at a young age and came from a poor family, yet he was still able to pass the imperial examination with top honors. His perseverance must be truly outstanding."

Xiao Chengci remembered hearing someone mention it, "However, it seems that Editor Lu is already married, and the couple seems to be very loving."

Pei Minxue laughed heartily, "It seems that Lu, the compiler, married his wife before he became the top scholar in the imperial examination."

Xiao Chengci commented: "After he became the top scholar, he did not divorce his wife or take a concubine, which shows that he was morally upright."

Pei Minxue desperately held back his laughter: "According to Your Highness, he is a good man?"

Xiao Chengci looked at Pei Minxue with a strange gaze, "You're so interested in Editor Lu, are you going to arrange a marriage for him?"

"Of course not." Pei Minxue quickly shook his head. "I was just chatting with Your Highness because I had nothing else to do."

"If you have nothing to do, you should write to Zhizhi and ask her when she will return to Beijing."

Xiao Chengci paused for a moment, then said, "Otherwise, you can ride your horse to meet her halfway there."

Pei Minxue was unwilling to bother Pei Zhi: "Your Highness writes almost three letters a day, so I'll pass on the task of writing letters."

Pei Minxue, unafraid of death, said, "As for picking her up, she's returning to the capital with General Shang, so I won't bother them."

"Disturbing?" Xiao Chengci scoffed. "What's so disturbing about those two?"

What could that big, dumb guy Shang Huai possibly know?

Xiao Chengci scoffed: "What can they do? They just ride horses and chat, what else could they do?"

Pei Minxue casually remarked, "Maybe we can even have grilled fish together."

"Are you looking for death?"

Xiao Chengci looked at Pei Minxue with a cold gaze. Pei Minxue shrugged and slipped away as if nothing had happened.

Pei Zhi is back, and Pei Minxue now has a powerful backer, so he's no longer as respectful to Xiao Chengci.