Xie Qi reminded Qin Xiangyang, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Qin Xiangyang took a deep breath. "Of course I know. In fact, I also know what I will face if I stay."

"However, I have a plan, would you like to hear it from me?"

Xie Qi looked up, signaling Qin Xiangyang to speak.

“You are in the palace and have access to His Majesty. You can pretend to surrender to His Majesty.”

"The Second Prince is weak. If things go too smoothly, given His Majesty's suspicious nature, he probably won't admit it."

"With your help, the Second Prince successfully rescued His Majesty. I'm sure His Majesty won't make things difficult for your subordinates and their families."

Xie Qi raised an eyebrow slightly, "But we've been loyal to the princess just the way we are. Why would His Majesty believe that we would betray her?"

"That's when my usefulness comes in."

“You can say whatever you want. I resent that you spend every day by the princess’s side and that I make things difficult for you, while the princess is indecisive and protects me.”

"You are disappointed in the princess and believe that she is incapable of being a good emperor, so you are plotting to rebel."

"His Majesty has never believed that a woman like the princess could hold such a high position. If you say this, His Majesty will believe you."

Xie Qi looked up and then seriously examined Qin Xiangyang.

"Qin Xiangyang, your plan is excellent, but are you really not afraid of dying?"

Qin Xiangyang lowered his head and smiled helplessly, "How could anyone be unafraid of death?"

"These past few days, I've seen the princess looking worried, and I suspect that she's concerned that many people will be affected after she fakes her death."

"If you two are safe and sound, then surely many more people who are loyal to the princess will also be safe and sound."

Qin Xiangyang stood up and bowed to Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu, "This matter cannot be known to the princess, so I can only ask you for help."

Yuan Chengyu shook his head. "No, if we help you, the princess will definitely be angry with us when she finds out."

Xie Qi remained silent and did not speak.

Qin Xiangyang replied, "What does it matter if I die for the princess's grand plan?"

Qin Xiangyang: "Besides, perhaps His Majesty has just come to power and doesn't have time to settle scores with me?"

Yuan Chengyu frowned. "Is that even possible?"

Yuan Chengyu looked at Xie Qi, waiting for Xie Qi's reply.

Xie Qi opened his mouth, but Qin Xiangyang winked at him.

Xie Qi hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded.

Yuan Chengyu asked, "So we'll just listen to him?"

Qin Xiangyang's plan was entirely beneficial to them.

After their conversation, the group parted ways at the teahouse.

Xie Qi had only taken two steps when Qin Xiangyang caught up with him again.

Qin Xiangyang bowed deeply to Xie Qi.

Xie Qi took a step back: "What are you doing?"

"I know that I may not be able to stay by the princess's side in the future. I hope that you will take good care of me in the future."

"The princess has a rather mild temper, but she is very protective of her own people."

"The princess doesn't like sweets or spicy food, but she'll eat a little bit of everything in front of outsiders."

"The princess loves to drink, but if she drinks too much, she will get a headache. Remember to prepare a bowl of hangover soup for her after she drinks."

“Young Master Xie is a smart and meticulous person. Sometimes, it’s better not to confront the princess head-on. If you show a little weakness, the princess will be more willing to listen.”

Qin Xiangyang said a lot, and the more Xie Qi listened, the more strange his expression became.

Xie Qi and Pei Zhi spent most of their time together on official business.

Even if they had any other time, they would spend it on the tatami mat.

Xie Qi really didn't understand the princess as well as Qin Xiangyang did.

Xie Qi retorted, "Instead of spending your time telling me these things, why don't you strive to live and see the princess? Wouldn't that be better?"

Qin Xiangyang knew that he would have a hard time surviving, but he still followed Xie Qi's words and said, "Thank you for your kind words, Young Master. I will do my best to live."

Qin Xiangyang took out a letter from his sleeve. "I'll leave this to Young Master Xie for safekeeping. If I survive, please return it to me."

Xie Qi glanced at the envelope, which bore the words "To the Princess" in large characters, and ultimately accepted it.

Qin Xiangyang bowed to Xie Qi again, saying, "Thank you."

"See you later."

Yuan Chengyu and Xie Qi were both people around Pei Zhi. It was very simple for Yuan Chengyu to want to torture Emperor Pei and go see him.

Pei Zhi was busy and couldn't visit Emperor Pei every day.

After Yuan Chengyu went to Emperor Pei's bedchamber, he drove the people out and then took away the instruments of torture.

Emperor Pei trembled uncontrollably upon seeing these things.

Yuan Chengyu bowed and knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty, I am guilty and beg for your punishment."

Even Emperor Pei was bewildered by Yuan Chengyu's actions.

What are you doing?

Yuan Chengyu crawled on his knees to Emperor Pei's front. "Your Majesty, I was out of my mind before. I thought that by following the princess, I could achieve great things."

Yuan Chengyu said with pity, "But I have just realized that, in the end, the princess is just a woman, and she is not capable of great things."

Emperor Pei became somewhat suspicious. "What happened?"

Yuan Chengyu told Emperor Pei his prepared explanation.

"Xie Qi and I have devoted ourselves to serving the princess, but because the prince consort dislikes us, he has repeatedly made things difficult for us."

"But the princess said that the prince consort was her husband and her pillar of support. How could the princess remain on the throne if things continued like this?"

Upon hearing this, Emperor Pei felt somewhat relieved. "I have said it before: Chang Le is a woman. She may succeed with her courage and determination, but she cannot last long."

Yuan Chengyu shook his head helplessly, "His Majesty's Blood Droplets and secret guards are all in the princess's hands, and I dare not make any rash moves at the moment."

"I will pretend to use torture in a moment, and Your Majesty will shout a few times so that I can complete my mission."

This plan could exempt Emperor Pei from punishment, so Emperor Pei was naturally happy to cooperate.

Yuan Chengyu and Xie Qi took turns coming over each day, and they both said how incompetent the princess was.

They expressed their deep regret for falling for the princess's seductive trap, and now they have come to their senses.

In order to atone for their sins, they were willing to cooperate with the Second Prince to rescue Emperor Pei.

Although Emperor Pei still harbored suspicions about Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu, he also wanted to see what they were really up to.

Emperor Pei didn't care whether Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu had truly come to their senses or were just putting on an act, as long as he could be rescued.

Yuan Chengyu and Xie Qi were important ministers to Pei Zhi. Once these two turned against him, everything else proceeded very smoothly.

Xie Qi secretly went to the Second Prince's residence and made contact with him.

They repeated their story to the Second Prince.

The second prince immediately believed Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu.

The second prince simply couldn't understand what the point of these two people deceiving him was.

The Second Prince believed that Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu must have realized that he was the one who could achieve great things, which was why they came to him to pledge their allegiance.