Pei Zhi quickly apologized, "Father, my second brother insisted on rushing in, and I had no choice."

The second prince entered the tent and saw Emperor Pei's weak appearance; a complex look flashed in his eyes.

Upon seeing this, Emperor Pei shouted, "Who let you in?"

The second prince hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects, speaking words of concern while his eyes kept scanning Emperor Pei's injuries.

Emperor Pei originally thought that he only had one grown-up prince.

He is currently seriously injured, so some things naturally need to be handled by the second son.

Seeing his second son's anxious appearance, Emperor Pei couldn't help but feel disappointed.

"As you can see, I am fine. You may leave now."

Before the second prince could say anything more, Emperor Pei gave him a stern look.

The second prince shut his mouth completely and left the tent.

As soon as the second prince left, Emperor Pei suddenly coughed.

Pei Zhi hurriedly stepped forward, "Father, are you alright? Let me get you some water."

"No need."

Emperor Pei beckoned to Pei Zhi, signaling her to come forward.

Pei Zhi knelt before Emperor Pei's bedside, "Father is seriously ill now, and there are many things that need to be done by you."

Pei Zhi immediately replied, "Whatever Father Emperor needs me to do, I will do it for you, even if it means going through fire and water."

Emperor Pei nodded in satisfaction, "My injuries are quite severe, and there are some matters of state that require your attention."

Pei Zhi was shocked and exclaimed, "Father, I am just a woman, I don't understand these things at all!"

"Chang Le," Emperor Pei raised his voice, "In this world, I can't trust anyone but you."

"Your second brother seems to care about me, but actually he wants to see if I will die. Only you can help me."

Emperor Pei spoke a string of words, unable to hold back his heavy breathing.

“I…” Pei Zhi looked at his father in a panic, and finally gritted his teeth, “What Father has instructed me to do, I will do my best to do.”

Emperor Pei nodded in satisfaction, "Good child."

"You don't need to worry. You can discuss matters of state with the Grand Secretaries, or if all else fails, you can ask me."

"Your subject understands."

After Emperor Pei finished giving his instructions, and with everything outside almost packed up, they prepared to return to the capital.

Pei Zhi returned to the capital and was extremely busy.

The fourth prince died, and Emperor Pei was seriously injured.

Pei Zhi asked her father, the Emperor, how the Fourth Prince's funeral should be handled.

Emperor Pei simply told Pei Zhi to handle it himself.

After careful consideration, Pei Zhi decided not to posthumously confer the title of Fourth Prince.

It is said that the fourth prince accidentally fell from his horse while hunting and died from his injuries.

The funeral was held according to standard protocol.

After the funeral, Xie Qi submitted a memorial to the throne, in which he listed several major crimes committed by the Minister of Revenue.

Pei Zhi immediately imprisoned the Minister of Revenue.

Several ministers tried to plead with Emperor Pei, but Pei Zhi ruthlessly rejected them, saying that his father was recovering from his injuries and should not be disturbed by such trivial matters.

Several ministers remained silent, but knelt outside Emperor Pei's bedchamber, insisting on seeing him.

The ministers kept insisting that Princess Chang Le was a woman.

Your Majesty should not allow a woman to manage the court under any circumstances.

Pei Zhi saw that the group of old-fashioned people were about to kneel, but she did not stop them. She leisurely ate her dinner in Changqiu Palace.

The Empress placed a piece of meat on Pei Zhi's plate: "These ministers must have been instigated by the Second Prince, right?"

Pei Zhi replied while eating, "I guess so."

"Isn't the princess in a hurry?"

Pei Zhi wiped her mouth with a handkerchief. "I'm not the one who's in a hurry right now."

Pei Zhi's governance of the court was at the behest of his father, the emperor.

It's understandable that the Second Prince is anxious.

Emperor Pei preferred to have a princess handle these matters rather than have his own son do it.

What does this mean?

Emperor Pei did not trust the Second Prince, and Emperor Pei did not think highly of the Second Prince.

When people are anxious, they'll resort to any means necessary.

"If they like to kneel, then let them kneel."

Seeing that Pei Zhi was confident, the Empress did not say anything more.

"The position of Minister of Revenue has become vacant, so the princess should be careful."

Pei Zhi looked at the Empress in confusion: "?"

"Don't blame your mother for sowing discord."

The Empress hesitated for a moment before saying, "I heard that the Xie family is choosing a wife for Xie Qi. Princess, you should carefully consider the candidate for Minister of Revenue, as this position is of great importance."

Pei Zhi had never heard Xie Qi mention "choosing a wife" before.

Pei Zhi, although he has no morals...

But there is one point.

Pei Zhi wouldn't touch a man who was already in a relationship.

Pei Zhi disdained to compete with other women for a man.

With so many men in the world, who could she not have if she wanted one?

Seeing Pei Zhi's bewildered expression, the Empress exclaimed in surprise, "The princess doesn't know anything at all?"

"The rumors are circulating everywhere, and the princess hasn't heard a thing?"

Pei Zhi has been so busy these past few days, she has no time to listen to any rumors.

"I'm just reminding the princess not to trust Xie Qi too much. The Xie family is a century-old family, and it's possible that Xie Qi might use the princess."

Pei Zhi understood the Empress's meaning, regardless of whether the Empress meant well or was genuinely instigating.

Pei Zhi listened attentively and said, "Thank you, Mother. I understand."

The Empress didn't say anything more and personally escorted Pei Zhi out.

"Why didn't the Empress mention giving someone in the Zhong family an official position?"

The Zhong family had been imprisoned, and the Empress had no choice but to agree to cooperate with Pei Zhi.

Pei Zhi kept her promise, and the Zhong family members were released, but they were now commoners.

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