Pei Zhi was about to say, "When did Qin Xiangyang become so glib?"

A servant came to announce, "Princess, a distinguished guest has arrived."

Pei Zhi had no idea where this distinguished guest from the capital had come to visit her.

"Distinguished guest?"

Qin Xiangyang tactfully said, "Princess, please go and greet the guests. I will go and make the arrangements first."

After Qin Xiangyang left, the servant said, "Young Master Xie Qi, the eldest son of the Xie family, has come to visit. This servant has already settled him in the hall."

Pei Zhi frowned; she shouldn't have any dealings with the Xie family.

Why did Xie Qi rush to see her as soon as she returned? Could it be that Old Master Xie has lost his mind again?

Upon entering the hall, Pei Zhi looked at Xie Qi, who was dressed in plain clothes.

When Xie Qi saw Pei Zhi looking him up and down, he chuckled and said, "There are many eyes and ears in the capital. I have important matters to discuss with the princess today, so I had no choice but to disguise myself to maintain decorum."

“Not at all,” Pei Zhi exclaimed. “Young Master Xie, dressed in casual clothes, has a unique charm.”

Xie Qi was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Pei Zhi to speak so directly.

Pei Zhi sighed inwardly, realizing she had spoken too quickly without thinking.

"Young Master Xie, what brings you to the Princess's residence?"

Xie Qi snapped out of his daze, took out a booklet, and handed it to Pei Zhi.

"Please take a look, Your Highness."

Pei Zhi took it and started looking through it.

The document records some of Pei Yuanze's crimes.

It was common for servants in the mansion to be beaten and killed.

They forcibly abducted the woman, even beat her husband to death, and then set fire to the woman's parents-in-law's house.

In order to seize the wealthy merchant's property, they framed him, resulting in the death penalty for the old man and the exile for the young man.

"What is the meaning of showing these to me, Young Master Xie? If you have evidence, you should report it to the authorities."

Pei Zhi glanced at it briefly and then closed the booklet.

"The Fifth Prince was ruthless, but there is insufficient evidence to convict him."

Xie Qi added, "He is a prince, and there is insufficient evidence to arrest him."

Pei Zhi remembered that Xie Qi seemed to be in charge of maintaining order in the capital.

Pei Zhi picked up the hot tea: "This is Young Master Xie's business, what does it have to do with me?"

"Princess Chang Le is willing to enter the city alone, and I, as a man, admire her courage."

"I have come here today to show the princess what the Fifth Prince is really like. If such a person were to ascend the throne, the consequences would be unimaginable."

Pei Yuanze had been adopted by the Empress, and gradually the ministers began to mention him as a candidate for the throne.

This time, Pei Zhi made a great contribution, and many ministers advised that the fifth prince should be made crown prince.

Princess Chang Le is so righteous; the Fifth Prince, as her elder brother, will surely surpass her.

The previously neutral ministers all began to speak up.

Suddenly, the Fifth Prince's prestige surpassed that of the Fourth Prince.

"I believe that the princess has a compassionate heart, but the fifth prince is truly unworthy."

"Young Master Xie flatters me." Pei Zhi leaned back in her chair. "But no matter what, he is still my elder brother. Blood is thicker than water."

"Hasn't the Xie family always been neutral? Whoever becomes emperor, the Xie family will pledge allegiance to them?"

Xie Qi said urgently, "Even so, it can't be someone as cruel as Pei Yuance."

Pei Zhi stood up and sneered, "Young Master Xie comes to me with these one-sided statements. Do you think I should believe my elder brother or Young Master Xie?"

Xie Qi was speechless; clearly, he hadn't considered this situation either.

Yes, he was not familiar with Princess Chang Le.

However, Pei Yuance was Princess Chang Le's elder brother, so Princess Chang Le naturally trusted Pei Yuance.

Xie Qi insisted, "Your Highness has known the Fifth Prince for so many years, I don't believe that Your Highness doesn't know the Fifth Prince's character."

"Young Master Xie, please leave. Without any evidence, I cannot believe you."

Xie Qi sighed, finally picked up the booklet, bowed to Pei Zhi, and turned to leave.

It wasn't that Pei Zhi didn't trust Xie Qi; rather, Pei Zhi wanted to keep Pei Yuanze around so they could make something big happen.

Pei Zhi still remembers how Pei Yuanze treated the original owner of this body.

Also, she had just arrived, and was almost dead from her injuries. Pei Yuance slapped her to the ground, and she couldn't even get up.

Pei Zhi is nothing special, except that he holds grudges.

First, elevate Pei Yuance to a high position, and then let him fall hard.

After Pei Zhi returned to the capital, the princess's residence was bustling with activity for several days.

One after another, wives of officials came to visit, praising Pei Zhi to the skies, saying that he was the best in the world.

Apart from visiting Pei Yuance's residence once, Pei Zhi stayed in the princess's residence the whole time and didn't go anywhere else.

On this day, Pei Yuance came to the princess's residence to see Pei Zhi.

After exchanging only a few words, Pei Yuance revealed his purpose.

"Father is selecting people to transport military equipment and provisions today, and my brother and the fourth prince are vying for this job."

Pei Zhi asked curiously, "Was it sent to the border?"

"Yes, the General of the Escort Flag recommended the elder brother to Father, but the Minister of Revenue recommended the fourth brother. Father is also hesitant."

It's normal for the fourth prince to recommend the fourth prince after the minister of the Ministry of Revenue married the legitimate daughter of the minister.

Pei Zhi frowned and said, "Transporting military supplies, weapons and provisions is a major task. If we are not careful, it will be a serious crime. Why did you take on this difficult task, Your Majesty?"

“In the end, you’re still a woman.” Pei Yuance said with disdain, “I’m going to deliver food and weapons to the border troops. I’ll be escorted by guards all the way. Who would dare to rob me? It’s just a trip. If I succeed, I’ll have a good reputation.”

Pei Zhi said with concern, "But the journey has been arduous, with wind and sun everywhere we go."

"According to the rules passed down from our ancestors, a prince may only enter the court after he has married."

Pei Yuance continued, "The destinations for the fourth prince and me have been decided. He will go to the Ministry of Revenue, and I will go to the Ministry of War, but Father has not yet decided on our official positions."

Pei Zhi continued, "If this matter is accomplished, it will be a great achievement, and I imagine that Your Majesty's official position will be higher than that of the Fourth Prince."

Pei Zhi stopped pretending to be stupid. "Is my brother telling me all this so that I can say a few good words for him to our father?"

"Yes, Father Emperor dotes on you now and sends gifts to the Princess's residence from time to time. Just ask, and he will surely grant your request."

Although Pei Zhi has not gone to the palace to pay his respects since returning to the capital.

However, Emperor Pei would occasionally send some fruit and fabric to the princess's residence.

This also lets outsiders see that Emperor Pei now likes Princess Chang Le.

Pei Zhi hesitated for a moment, then said, "If Your Majesty is not afraid of hardship, then Chang Le is willing to make the trip for Your Majesty."

Pei Yuance immediately laughed, "As expected of my good sister, don't worry, I will definitely remember this favor."

Pei Zhi said unhappily, "My brother and I are siblings, why does my royal brother have to say such distant things to me?"

Pei Yuance slapped his mouth: "Yes, yes, it was my fault, brother. I slapped my mouth."

"Then I'll pack my things and go to the palace tomorrow?"

Pei Yuance hurriedly said, "Forget tomorrow, let's do it today. The sooner the better. What if Father has already decided on the candidate?"

Pei Zhi pondered for a moment, then agreed. After tidying up, Pei Yuance escorted Pei Zhi to the palace.