Pei Zhi's writing of these four characters was tantamount to cursing Emperor Xiao back.

Emperor Xiao did not step forward to stop the palace servants this time either.

The palace maid straightened her posture. "Do you know who is standing before you?"

Pei Zhi pouted. Here it comes, it's finally here.

The palace servant walked up to Emperor Xiao and knelt down, saying, "This is His Majesty the Emperor. How dare you act so wildly here!"

Emperor Xiao put his hands behind his back, coughed lightly twice, and had a smug expression on his face.

Pei Zhi was stunned at first, then showed a shocked expression.

Pei Zhi immediately knelt before Emperor Xiao, "This humble girl was truly blind, not knowing that it was Your Majesty who graced us with your presence. I deserve to die a thousand deaths."

After Pei Zhi finished speaking, she obediently knelt on the ground.

Emperor Xiao was waiting for Pei Zhi to continue with some words of trepidation, but that was the end of it.

Emperor Xiao raised an eyebrow. "Did you recognize me a long time ago?"

Emperor Xiao did not see Pei Zhi appear to be particularly terrified.

Pei Zhi asked in surprise, "How could that be?"

"If my daughter had known it was His Majesty, where would she have gotten the audacity to win three games of chess against His Majesty in a row?"

Pei Zhi then asked, "What if His Majesty becomes enraged and orders my daughter to be executed?"

The palace servant kneeling to the side stared in shock, wondering if this girl was truly unable to speak, or if she was doing it on purpose.

If it was unintentional, then this girl is utterly foolish.

If it was intentional, then this girl is incredibly audacious.

Emperor Xiao said with a half-smile, "Do you think I am such a petty and narrow-minded person?"

"If I were to kill someone just because they've won a few games of chess, wouldn't I be a tyrant?"

Pei Zhi nodded with trepidation, "It was my daughter who was narrow-minded."

Now that things have come to this point, if Emperor Xiao really punishes Pei Zhi, wouldn't he become the one with a narrow mind?

Emperor Xiao said helplessly, "Get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After Pei Zhi stood up, she obediently lowered her head and stood aside without saying a word.

Emperor Xiao pointed to the seat opposite him: "Sit."

Emperor Xiao picked up his teacup and took a sip. "I have come here today to discuss the matter between the Crown Prince and you."

Emperor Xiao was too lazy to beat around the bush with Pei Zhi.

This woman is a smart one; she might as well be more direct.

Pei Zhi feigned ignorance: "What business is there between my daughter and the Crown Prince?"

"You..." Emperor Xiao did not expect that Pei Zhi would deny the things between her and the Crown Prince.

"My daughter is already married and has a husband's family."

"The Crown Prince was just a few days ago..." Emperor Xiao wanted to ask, "Whom was Xiao Chengci serving by learning those ways of serving others?"

But Emperor Xiao couldn't bring himself to say those words.

"Can you swear that you have no affair with the Crown Prince whatsoever?"

Emperor Xiao said with a hint of threat, "I am the Son of Heaven. If you dare to deceive the Emperor, it is a capital offense!"

Pei Zhi answered decisively, "No."

Pei Zhi said with clear eyes, "My daughter and His Highness the Crown Prince have no romantic relationship!"

Emperor Xiao sneered, "You dare to deceive me? Do you really think that just because the Crown Prince is protecting you, I can't kill you?"

“Of course not,” Pei Zhi said sincerely. “Your Majesty is the emperor. Killing someone is just a matter of a word for you. But everything my daughter said is true.”

“My daughter and the Crown Prince have no romantic relationship. If there is any, it is only His Highness’s affection for my daughter on his own.”

When Emperor Xiao heard this, he understood that Pei Zhi meant that Xiao Chengci was unilaterally harassing her.

"This is utterly ridiculous!"

Emperor Xiao angrily said, "You mean that my son, whom I have carefully raised, is harassing you, a married woman?"

"Yes," Pei Zhi said frankly, "Your Majesty has really picked the wrong person to discipline my daughter."

Pei Zhi meant that it was useless for Emperor Xiao to approach her.

If Emperor Xiao really wanted to get involved, he should have gone after Xiao Chengci.

Emperor Xiao was instantly embarrassed. If he could control Xiao Chengci, why would he come to find Pei Zhi?

Isn't it because they can't control Xiao Chengci that they're threatening Pei Zhi?

Unexpectedly, Pei Zhi remained neither humble nor arrogant.

The one who's now in a difficult position has become Emperor Xiao.

A commotion arose outside the door, and the palace servants immediately shouted, "How dare you! Who is making such a racket here?"

Xiao Chengci kicked aside the guards blocking his way and swaggered in.

After exchanging greetings, Xiao Chengci asked in surprise, "Father, what brings you here? I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Emperor Xiao flicked his sleeves: "What do you want with me?"

Xiao Chengci replied matter-of-factly, "Of course, it's a matter of the imperial court."

"I wonder what brings Father Emperor here?"

"All land under heaven belongs to the emperor. Do I need to report to you where I go or what I do?"

Xiao Chengci quickly cupped his hands and bowed to apologize: "Of course not, I was just worried about Father Emperor."

"Hmph." Emperor Xiao snorted.

He wasn't blind; the first thing Xiao Chengci, that rebellious son, looked at after barging in was that girl Pei Zhi.

Xiao Chengci continued, "Father, next time you go out of the palace, you can let me accompany you, so that I won't worry."

Emperor Xiao wasn't buying it. Pointing at Pei Zhi, he asked, "Are you worried about me, or about this girl?"

Xiao Chengci glanced at Pei Zhi, then turned to answer Emperor Xiao.

“Father, if you want to ask me anything about what happened between me and her, just ask me. She is innocent.”

Emperor Xiao sneered, "You're so protective of her, but do you even know what she said?"

"She told me that between you and her, it was you who was entangled with her."

Emperor Xiao said sarcastically, "Is a woman like this even worth protecting?"

Pei Zhi stood calmly behind Xiao Chengci, completely unconcerned as Emperor Xiao recounted her words to him.

"Father, she's right!"

Emperor Xiao frowned, wondering if he was hallucinating: "What?"

Xiao Chengci said loudly, "Your subject says she is right."

"It was me who was bothering her," Xiao Chengci said, somewhat aggrieved. "She doesn't even want to talk to me. Father, you must put in a good word for me."

Emperor Xiao's expression grew increasingly grim and puzzled. How on earth had he raised such a son?

Xiao Chengci continued shamelessly, "Father, just tell her that if she ignores me again, you should punish her and scare her!"

Pei Zhi couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Xiao Chengci pointed at Pei Zhi and complained to Emperor Xiao.

Xiao Chengci complained, "Father, look at her, she even laughed at me. It's too much. She doesn't care about me at all."

Emperor Xiao couldn't listen to this any longer. "Come on, come on, you're coming back to the palace with me right now!"

Emperor Xiao's purpose in coming here was to intimidate Pei Zhi.

As it turned out, Xiao Chengci arrived and trampled on his dignity and pride.

Consequently, Emperor Xiao also felt that he had lost face.

Emperor Xiao was well aware that Xiao Chengci was acting on purpose.

For a prince of such stature to go to such lengths for a woman is truly infuriating.