Is she one of her own people, or one of Xie Qi's own people?

Pei Zhi admitted that her previous cooperation with Xie Qi was out of necessity.

Now that Pei Zhi has her own power, she wants to keep some things separate from Xie Qi.

She couldn't always obey Xie Qi's orders.

Otherwise, when she reaches a high position, will she still be able to control Xie Qi?

"I heard that Lord Xie will be getting married soon?"

Xie Qi didn't react for a moment: "What?"

Pei Zhi understood when she saw that Xie Qi did not refute her.

"I would like to congratulate Lord Xie in advance. I have already made a decision regarding the selection of the Minister of Revenue. You may go back now."

Xie Qi wanted to say something more, but seeing that Pei Zhi's expression was not good, Xie Qi did not dare to say anything more.

Xie Qi returned to the Xie residence with a belly full of questions.

"Has there been any happy occasions in the household recently?"

Xie Qi's servant hesitated for a moment before stammering, "Young master, do you not know?"

"Know what?"

"The lady is choosing a wife for the young master. I heard that both families have already made an appointment."

Xie Qiteng stood up: "What?"

"You all knew?"

The servant was even more puzzled. "Young master, don't you know? Everyone in the manor knows."

If everyone in the household knows, then it means that the outside world must know as well.

No wonder the princess said these things to him today.

Xie Qi scolded, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I thought you, young master, should already know."

Xie Qi was unaware of such a major event; if word got out, who would believe it?

Xie Qi was unwilling to waste any more words with the servant and quickly got up to go to the main courtyard.

Madam Xie was already preparing to retire for the night when she heard a servant report that Xie Qi had arrived. She quickly had someone invite him in.

"What's the rush so late at night?"

"Son, have you heard that your mother is preparing for your wedding?"

Xie's mother chuckled, "You're only after this?"

Xie's mother stood up, took a booklet, and handed it to Xie Qi.

"It's also Mother's fault. You've been too busy lately and haven't been home much, so Mother made the decision herself."

Xie Qi took the booklet and flipped through it.

The above is a list of the wives Xie's mother chose for Xie Qi, detailing their background, appearance, skills, character, and family members.

Seeing that Xie Qi's expression was not good, Xie's mother explained, "You once told me that I should pay more attention to the marriage."

“Originally, I was planning to discuss this with you, but your father said that I should make the decision, saying that you've been busy lately and that you don't care about these things.”

Xie's mother originally intended to give Xie Qi a veto right.

When Xie Qi's father found out, he said that Xie Qi didn't care about these things.

After thinking about it, Xie's mother agreed. Xie Qi was so grown up, yet he was not interested in women.

His only requirement for his wife was that she be able to manage the household well.

Mother Xie wanted to choose one who suited her taste, as she estimated that she would spend more time with her daughter-in-law in the future.

After hearing his mother's words, what else did Xie Qi not understand?

"Mother, where is Father now?"

"He should still be in the study."

Xie Qi bowed to his mother, then turned and left, rushing to his study.

Xie Qi rushed into the study and immediately questioned, "Father, why didn't you let Mother tell me?"

Grand Secretary Xie put down the rare book in his hand. "Xie Qi, is this how you are raised, to yell at your father like this?"

Xie Qi suppressed his anger, took two steps back, and first greeted his father.

"Father, I don't understand why you chose a wife for me, and why I don't even have the right to know."

"Are you genuinely confused, or are you just pretending?"

Grand Secretary Xie stood up. "If you knew, would you still be able to choose a wife?"

Grand Secretary Xie stared intently at Xie Qi, "Don't think I don't know about your affair with Princess Chang Le."

After Xie Ge Lao noticed this, he did not reprimand Xie Qi.

He simply urged his wife at home to stop being so picky and to settle down with Xie Qi as soon as possible.

Xie Qi is not young anymore. If this drags on any longer, the children of his peers will already be pedantic and preoccupied with literary terms.

Originally, Xie's mother was overwhelmed by the choices and couldn't make up her mind. But when her husband urged her, she quickly decided on a date for the sake of her grandchildren.

Xie Qi said with dissatisfaction, "Since Father knew, why did he still..."

Grand Secretary Xie retorted, "The princess is already married, what are you doing delaying her?"

"I don't care about these things."

"Outrageous!" Elder Xie roared. "The Xie family has been a prestigious family for centuries, and we cannot let it be ruined in your hands."

"Don't think I don't know about your schemes with the princess."

"If the princess were to one day hold a high position, what would you do then?"

Xie Qi didn't understand his father's meaning. "Naturally, it should be as it is now."

Xie Qi hurriedly said, "Father, you don't need to worry about the issue of offspring. I can adopt a few from among the children in the family to raise."

Grand Secretary Xie shook his head. "Xie Qi, you are still too young."

"You must have heard the saying, 'The empress dowager must not interfere in politics.'"

Xie Qi wanted to ask, what connection does he have with the harem?

But once Pei Zhi ascends the throne, wouldn't he become part of Pei Zhi's harem?

"I observe that the princess is capable of distinguishing between public and private matters. You think you can serve the princess in court during the day and at night as well? I'm afraid that won't work."

"Why not?" Xie Qi asked, puzzled. "I have no ill intentions. Do you think the princess wouldn't believe me?"

Grand Secretary Xie scoffed, "Xie Qi, you've gone mad."

"The Xie family has gone to great lengths to support His Majesty. Has His Majesty harbored any suspicions towards the Xie family all these years?"

Grand Secretary Xie reminded Xie Qi, "If His Majesty didn't have any doubts, you wouldn't still be unmarried."

Listen to your father's advice.

"The best choice is to marry and have children, and live a simple life as a subject and ruler with the princess."

Xie Qi was personally raised by Grand Secretary Xie, who was very satisfied with this son.

In the future, the Xie family will be handed over to Xie Qi.

If Xie Qi completely trusts the princess, it won't be a good thing for the Xie family.

"The princess wouldn't treat me like this." Xie Qi didn't believe he had misjudged her.

The princess would never be the kind of person who discards someone after they've served their purpose.

As long as he remains loyal and devoted to the princess, she will not abandon him.

"So, regarding the selection of the Minister of Revenue today, did the Princess adopt your suggestion?"

Xie Qi's expression stiffened. "The princess already has a suitable candidate..."

Grand Secretary Xie waved his hand, indicating that Xie Qi need not say anything more.

“In the future, as ruler and subject, you will have more and more disagreements in the court.”

"If things continue like this, do you really think you can maintain a relationship with the princess that is not that of a subject and ruler?"

Grand Secretary Xie advised, "Treat the princess as a monarch as soon as possible, and you will suffer much less in the future."

Xie Qi understood his father's meaning, but he was unwilling to accept it.

He was unwilling to return to a purely platonic relationship; he wanted to share the princess's burdens during the day and to be intimate with her at night.

He wanted to be by the princess's side day and night.