When Pei Zhi left the palace, it was already completely dark outside, and the moon was high in the sky.

Pei Zhi refused the carriage and walked alone on the street.

The palace servants lit lanterns for Pei Zhi, illuminating her path.

Pei Zhi turned around and glanced at the people serving her.

Once she implements this plan, everyone she has assigned to it will die.

It wasn't just them who died; many, many people who were loyal to her also died.

Pei Zhi didn't consider herself a soft-hearted person; she could be ruthless and merciless towards her enemies.

But these people are all loyal to her. Is she really going to abandon them?

If she really does that, even if she holds a high position in the future, how many people around her will truly be loyal to her?

And so, Pei Zhi walked back to the princess's residence, her mind heavy with worry.

Although Pei Zhi was in the palace handling state affairs every day, no matter how late it was, she would always return to the princess's residence to rest.

No matter how late Pei Zhi returned home each day, Qin Xiangyang would keep the lamps lit in the mansion, waiting for Pei Zhi to come back.

When Pei Zhi entered the room, she heard Qin Xiangyang using an abacus.

"Didn't I tell you not to wait for me?"

Pei Zhi became increasingly busy with court affairs, and returned home later and later each day.

Pei Zhi had already told Qin Xiangyang to rest early and not to wait for her.

Qin Xiangyang replied, "That's perfect. There were some accounts I didn't figure out today, and I didn't pay attention to the time."

Pei Zhi knew that this was just Qin Xiangyang's excuse.

Qin Xiangyang noticed that Pei Zhi's complexion wasn't good. "Princess, I left some calming soup for you in the kitchen. Shall I have someone bring it over?"

Pei Zhi shook her head and refused, "No need, I ate a lot for dinner, I can't eat anything now."

"Then shall I help the princess wash up and go to bed?"

"No rush." ​​Pei Zhi beckoned, so Qin Xiangyang sat down next to her.

After thinking about it, Pei Zhi decided to tell Qin Xiangyang her plan.

"I plan to fake my death and leave. Pack your things in advance and come with me when the time comes."

"Did the princess fake her death to gain the trust of His Majesty and the Second Prince?"

Pei Zhi nodded, "If the Imperial Seal isn't brought out, the court officials will never be able to change their tune."

Even if Pei Zhi possessed the power of the emperor, the ministers would never shout "Long live the emperor!"

Without the imperial seal, Pei Zhi would never be able to issue any decrees.

Qin Xiangyang understood the princess's meaning. "At that time, the princess can fake her death alone. I will stay in the princess's residence and wait for her to return."

Pei Zhi frowned: "What's wrong with you?"

“You are different from Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu; you are my consort.”

"Xie Qi has the Xie family. At most, Father Emperor will make Xie Qi suffer a little in the short term, but he won't take Xie Qi's life."

“Yuan Chengyu has his father’s merits, and all the military officials in the court will say a few words in his defense. In the short term, his life is not in danger.”

"But you are different."

Pei Zhi gripped Qin Xiangyang's hand tightly. "The Qin family is just a royal merchant family. Nothing will happen to the Qin family for the time being, but Father Emperor will not show you any mercy."

No one could plead for Qin Xiangyang.

If Pei Zhi fakes his death, Emperor Pei will definitely take his anger out on Qin Xiangyang.

Qin Xiangyang replied, "If the princess fakes her death, and I die with her, will Your Majesty truly believe it?"

Qin Xiangyang gazed tenderly at the princess. "Princess, this plan of yours can only succeed, it cannot fail. I cannot drag you down."

Pei Zhi still refused: "No."

"No matter what, you must come with me."

Pei Zhi recounted the solution she had come up with on her way back.

"Most of the people in the second brother's group are spies that I sent there."

"When the time comes, if Father really wants to settle scores with the palace staff, I will have Alan use some tricks to find some death row inmates to fool them. There shouldn't be much of a problem."

“But you are different. You are my consort. Many people know you. This trick of switching the sky and changing the sun won’t work.”

If Qin Xiangyang stays, he will surely die.

Qin Xiangyang sighed, then shook his head helplessly, "Fine, I can't argue with the princess. I'll respect her plans."

Pei Zhi felt a little relieved when she heard Qin Xiangyang agree.

That night, after Pei Zhi fell asleep, Qin Xiangyang opened his eyes and gazed tenderly at Pei Zhi beside him.

He knew that he was just a businessman and couldn't be of much help to Pei Zhi's grand plan.

But Qin Xiangyang also understood that when it came to the crucial moment, he couldn't hold Pei Zhi back.

Pei Zhi was so busy with her plans that she was constantly on the go.

Qin Xiangyang sent a letter inviting Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu to a gathering.

Yuan Chengyu has been extremely busy these past few days.

Yuan Chengyu was in charge of planting spies, and he had too many things to arrange every day.

Fearing their plan would be exposed, Yuan Chengyu was so busy that he couldn't sleep until midnight every day, and Xie Qi wasn't much better off.

After accepting Qin Xiangyang's invitation, the two of them turned down many other things and finally made it over.

Qin Xiangyang had been waiting there for a long time.

Yuan Chengyu had dark circles under his eyes and was very displeased with Qin Xiangyang's beaming face.

They worked themselves to the bone, while Qin Xiangyang did nothing and could rightfully stay by Pei Zhi's side.

Qin Xiangyang poured a cup of strong tea for each of them, saying, "I've invited you here today because I have an important matter I need your help with."

Xie Qi picked up his teacup and took a big gulp of tea, his mind immediately clearing up considerably. "Go on," he said.

"The princess's grand plan..."

Yuan Chengyu quickly gestured for Qin Xiangyang to be quiet, "Be careful, the walls may be listening."

Qin Xiangyang smiled before saying, "The teahouse belongs to my family. It's guarded inside and out by people from the Princess's residence, so no one will be able to get in."

Yuan Chengyu shrugged. "Sorry, things have been a bit tense lately."

"I understand, I understand."

Qin Xiangyang got down to business, "I know a little about the princess's grand plan, and she hopes that I will go with her."

Yuan Chengyu replied, "Don't worry, I'll take care of the Qin family after you leave."

Qin Xiangyang shook his head: "That's not what I meant."

Xie Qi tapped the table. "We've been busy lately. If you have something to say, feel free to speak your mind."

Qin Xiangyang didn't stand on ceremony: "I hope that when the time comes, you can help me stay."

“The princess faked her death. If I were to die with her, His Majesty might have some doubts.”

"If I stay, at least His Majesty will trust me a little more."

After hearing this, Yuan Chengyu was stunned for a long time. He thought he was just hallucinating because he hadn't been sleeping well these past few days.

"Do you know what you'll face if you stay?"

Yuan Chengyu already knew that the princess was going to take Qin Xiangyang with her.

Yuan Chengyu felt heartbroken for a long time, believing that the princess valued Qin Xiangyang.

He told Xie Qi that he wanted to stay, but the princess only said she would think about it; she didn't say anything about insisting on taking them with her.

As a result, Qin Xiangyang did not appreciate the princess's good intentions.

This is something they can only envy.