Yuan Chengyu hesitated for a moment before saying, "The Xie family has always maintained a neutral image to the outside world."

"I'm afraid His Majesty will..."

Pei Zhi commented, "It seems you and Xie Qi really have a deep brotherly bond."

Yuan Chengyu understood what Pei Zhi meant. "The Xie family has always treated me well."

"The Xie family also provided a lot of help with my father's matter back then."

Pei Zhi knew what Yuan Chengyu wanted to say, "Don't worry, as long as they are helping me, as long as I am alive, I will not let anything happen to them."

Pei Zhi could not have been unaware that the Xie family's siding with the Empress would displease Emperor Pei.

No matter how deep the Xie family's foundation is, it will be troublesome if the emperor holds a grudge against them.

"Come to the manor tomorrow; I have something I need you to give to Xie Qi."

"Tomorrow?" Yuan Chengyu hesitated. "He'll be here tomorrow. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to come?"

"Okay." Pei Zhi nodded and said decisively, "Then don't come here again."

After Pei Zhi said this, Yuan Chengyu dared not say anything more.

"I'm just afraid that if the prince consort sees this, he might overthink things."

Pei Zhi gave a soft hum, saying nothing, but it seemed as if she had said everything.

Yuan Chengyu began to understand Pei Zhi's meaning.

Yes, if he wanted to continue his relationship with the princess, the prince consort would have found out sooner or later.

It's better to know sooner rather than later, so he won't have to sneak around like that.

However, Yuan Chengyu was an upright person, and he felt somewhat guilty about doing such a shameful thing for the first time.

Unlike Xie Qi, who appeared to be a gentleman but was actually a shameless scoundrel, he was not.

As evening approached, Qin Xiangyang arrived home, just as Yuan Chengyu had predicted.

Qin Xiangyang returned to the princess's residence first and handed Pei Zhi a bundle.

“I have done everything the princess asked me to do, and everything is inside.”

Pei Zhi opened it and glanced at it; it contained testimonies and ledgers.

The Zhong family, relying on the Empress's influence, have committed numerous acts of impersonation outside the palace.

For example, if someone passes the imperial examination and gains official rank, but the Zhong family has taken money from others, they can find a student without connections and change the name.

Every year during the Spring Examinations, many people try to squeeze their way into the middle, and the Zhong family is just following suit.

Besides that, there was the matter of the Zhong family accepting money from officials and then helping them get promoted.

This kind of thing was common in the imperial court, and was commonly known as "filial piety money".

You have shown me respect, so I will offer you guidance.

The rest consisted of evidence of crimes committed by a collateral branch of the Zhong family.

Such things happen even among wealthy and powerful families in the capital; if no one exposes them, they just let it go.

"Well done."

Pei Zhi glanced at the accounts; the dates were all clearly recorded.

The transaction amounts between officials, how much money was given, and what items were involved were all recorded in detail.

Once you've spent money, it might be difficult to decide what to do with it.

However, the details regarding whether the precious collection was given away by the Zhong family and whether it still exists in the mansion can be matched up.

"Fortunately, I did not fail the princess's trust, otherwise, I would be guilty of a thousand deaths."

"You've worked hard." Pei Zhi knew that it must have been difficult for Qin Xiangyang to obtain these things.

"Being able to serve the princess, no matter how hard it is, I don't feel it's hard."

Qin Xiangyang looked Pei Zhi up and down, and realized that Pei Zhi hadn't lost weight during the days he hadn't been by the princess's side. Her complexion was also good, and she looked quite radiant.

"Is everything going well for the princess on the battlefield?"

Pei Zhi put down the ledger. "What, haven't you heard?"

"Of course I've heard about it, but there are some things I'd like to hear the princess say for herself."

Although Qin Xiangyang was far from the capital, he knew about the destruction of the Kingdom of Solo.

Qin Xiangyang admired Pei Zhi's abilities, but he was also eager to see the princess.

"I don't know what happened this time. I was supposed to come back earlier, but an accident happened on the way back."

Pei Zhi could only smile and say, "It's good that you're back. Go take a shower and have something to eat. I'll send someone to the Qin family to deliver a message."

"good."

Pei Zhi touched the ledger and handed it to Xie Qi.

Then, let the Xie family expose this matter.

Even if the thirteenth prince becomes Xie Ge Lao's disciple, so what?

The Xie family took the initiative to expose the Zhong family and relentlessly pursued them.

After the Zhong family falls, will people still think that the Xie family is siding with the Empress?

Pei Zhi tapped on the account book, knowing that it would be the Empress who came to beg her for help.

The following day, Yuan Chengyu chose to come to the princess's residence through the secret passage before lunch.

Yuan Chengyu was still pondering what he should say when he actually met Qin Xiangyang.

As it turned out, things went terribly wrong.

As Yuan Chengyu emerged from the secret passage, he bumped into Qin Xiangyang.

Qin Xiangyang frowned when a stranger suddenly appeared at the Princess's residence without prior notice.

Yuan Chengyu quickly replied, "I have an appointment with the princess; we have important matters to discuss today."

Qin Xiangyang cupped his hands and said, "Your Highness, I have long admired your name."

Yuan Chengyu quickly cupped his hands in greeting and replied, "Not at all, I am the one who has long admired your name, Prince Consort."

The two looked at each other, and Yuan Chengyu looked away somewhat awkwardly.

"The princess is in the study. Let me show you the way."

"No need, no need," Yuan Chengyu declined repeatedly. "I can go by myself."

After saying this, Yuan Chengyu cupped his hands in farewell and headed towards the study.

Yuan Chengyu was too skilled; he knew where the study was without even asking.

Upon seeing this, Qin Xiangyang inquired with the servants who were sweeping nearby.

"Does the Crown Prince of Cheng often visit the Princess's residence?"

The entire princess's residence was staffed by Pei Zhi's people. After a moment's hesitation, the servant said, "It's normal for the young master and the princess to meet frequently because they have official business to discuss."

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!