"That's right. The princess was able to kill her own brother with an arrow. She was truly righteous."

Xie Qi's words seemed to be praising Pei Zhi, but they sounded full of sarcasm.

Yuan Chengyu was displeased to see Xie Qi mocking his beloved in such a way.

"What do you mean by this? If you're not going to help, then don't."

Yuan Chengyu glared at Xie Qi, "Doesn't the Fifth Prince, such a coward who clings to life, deserve to die?"

“He deserves to die.” Xie Qi looked at Yuan Chengyu. “But the princess must have wanted to kill him for a long time, right?”

"It's all thanks to the princess's skill; she's worked so hard to portray the deep bond between brother and sister for so long."

Yuan Chengyu was about to say something when Pei Zhi grabbed his arm. "It seems Lord Xie isn't planning on helping?"

Xie Qi replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "The appointment and removal of officials in the court is not something that I, Xie, can decide with a single word. The princess thinks too highly of me."

Xie Qi was being far too modest in saying that.

The Xie family were veterans of several dynasties, and it can be said that many civil officials in the court had benefited from their kindness.

If Xie Qi wanted to accomplish what Pei Zhi had asked him to do, all he needed to do was to say a word to someone in private.

It's not a big deal.

Yin Lu's resume was more than sufficient; it was just that Xie Qi was unwilling to help him with this task.

Since that's the case, Pei Zhi didn't bother with any more words.

"Alright, then thank you, sir."

Xie Qi was stunned for a moment, not expecting Pei Zhi to turn on him so directly.

He said he wouldn't help, and the princess just told him to get lost?

Xie Qi chuckled softly, seemingly mocking Pei Zhi's magnanimity.

After Xie Qi left, Yuan Chengyu quickly apologized.

"Don't worry, I'll talk to him again later."

"No need." Pei Zhi shook her head. She had already said that even if Yuan Chengyu went to Xie Qi, Xie Qi would not help him.

Yuan Chengyu slammed his fist on the table. "Most of my father's connections are military officers, and there's really not anyone who can influence his appointment."

King Cheng was a military officer and had not held any official position in the court in recent years.

My close friends were military officers more than a decade ago.

Pei Zhi gently patted Yuan Chengyu's hand, "It's not a big deal, I have a way to handle it."

Pei Zhi hadn't expected Xie Qi to agree as soon as he arrived.

"What can the princess do?" Yuan Chengyu asked curiously.

Pei Zhi chuckled lightly: "It won't work if you say it out loud."

Before his death, Dekang wanted Consort Gao to die.

Pei Zhi has been back in the capital for a few days now, and it's time to fulfill his promise.

Coincidentally, Pei Zhi hadn't yet chosen a scapegoat.

And sure enough, Xie Qi delivered himself right to our doorstep.

The Xie family has been a clan for centuries, and Xie Qi is clearly the direct grandson of the Xie family.

Following this trend, the foundation of the Xie family's next generation will also be handed over to Xie Qi.

Pei Zhi is about to ascend the throne, but Xie Qi has become her enemy.

Since that's the case, Xie Qi cannot be allowed to live.

Pei Zhi didn't want to leave herself a source of trouble for the future.

Those who are not loyal to her are only a nuisance; it's better for them to die.

After the annihilation of the Solo Kingdom, Emperor Pei did not hold a victory celebration banquet upon his return.

Emperor Pei was finally relieved to know that Pei Zhi had no ulterior motives and that Yuan Chengyu was behaving the same as before after returning to the capital.

Pei Zhi was a meritorious contributor, so she naturally needed to attend the victory celebration banquet.

Pei Zhi attended the banquet alone, and Emperor Pei asked her a few more questions, wondering why her husband hadn't come along.

Pei Zhi simply said that the prince consort had gone to another place to do business.

Consort Gao laughed without restraint, "Isn't the Qin family being far too petty? They really can't tell what's important."

Pei Zhi lowered her head and did not argue with Consort Gao.

Emperor Pei also frowned slightly, clearly displeased that Qin Xiangyang had not accompanied Pei Zhi to the palace banquet.

However, Pei Zhi's marriage was arranged by him, so he couldn't say anything and just asked Pei Zhi to sit down.

There were quite a few people attending the palace banquet today, and Pei Zhi, as a married woman, didn't have as many taboos regarding her status.

Emperor Pei said a few nice words, praising Princess Chang Le for her courage and resourcefulness, and Yuan Chengyu was naturally a perfect example of a tiger father having no dog son.

After the praise was finished, it was time to reward those who had contributed.

Pei Zhi gave Yuan Chengyu the official position of Commander of the Capital.

He was mainly responsible for maintaining order in Kyoto, and his official position was not very high.

This position is usually reserved for rich young men who have powerful family connections but lack education.

Emperor Pei seemed to know what everyone was thinking, "Prince Cheng only has you as his son. Although I feel it's a pity, I can't let you take any more risks."

Upon hearing Emperor Pei's words, the ministers immediately understood.

Yes, Yuan Chengyu was the only son of King Cheng.

King Cheng became a cripple in order to save His Majesty. If Yuan Chengyu were to die on the battlefield, King Cheng would be too pitiful.

Pei Zhi looked at the pastries in front of her and only slightly curled her lips.

Father is really something, he knows how to contradict himself.

On the surface, they said they were afraid that Yuan Chengyu would be in danger if he went to the battlefield again.

So when Yuan Chengyu volunteered to go to the border, why didn't the Emperor have this concern?

Emperor Pei was simply worried that if Yuan Chengyu were sent to the battlefield and repeatedly achieved great feats, he would lose control of him.

He was also afraid that Yuan Chengyu knew the truth of what happened back then and would come looking for revenge.

Yuan Chengyu gave a bright smile and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you."

Yuan Chengyu didn't think there was anything wrong with this position.

In the capital, he could still stay by Pei Zhi's side.

Halfway through the victory celebration banquet, amidst the singing and dancing, Consort Gao suddenly burst into tears.

The palace maids who were dancing didn't know what they had done wrong, and they all knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

Emperor Pei looked at Consort Gao with a puzzled expression. "What's wrong, Consort Gao?"

Consort Gao wiped away her tears with a handkerchief. "I was just watching them dance and it reminded me of Dekang."

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten? Last year on your birthday, Dekang danced this dance to celebrate Your Majesty's birthday."

Consort Gao wept and said, "At that time, Dekang practiced for three months and fell countless times."

Emperor Pei was too busy, and even though Consort Gao explained it in such detail, he couldn't remember much of it.

Emperor Pei touched his nose and said, "Is that so?"

Pei Zhi knew from the moment Consort Gao started crying that Consort Gao was targeting her.

Pei Zhi calmly picked up her chopsticks and ate, seemingly oblivious to Consort Gao's performance.

Seeing this, the Empress calmly wiped her hands with a handkerchief, showing no intention of helping Pei Zhi out of the predicament.

“Dekang was married off as a princess for a political marriage, and now she has died abroad. As her mother, I have not been able to sleep well for several days.”

Emperor Pei coughed lightly, "If you can't sleep, go to the imperial physician to get some calming medicine. Don't overthink things."

When Consort Gao saw that Emperor Pei was not responding, she lifted her skirt and knelt down in front of him.

"Your Majesty, have you forgotten the days when Dekang was by our side, enjoying our company?"

Consort Gao cried with tears blurring her vision, "I only had one princess, Dekang, but I didn't even get to see her one last time."

Emperor Pei's eyes showed impatience, but he could not reprimand Consort Gao in public, after all, she also loved her daughter deeply.

Pei Zhi laughed out loud without any politeness: "Tch."