Emperor Pei did not appoint the second prince as crown prince for a long time, nor did he allow the second prince to interfere in state affairs.

At least back then, Chang Le had an imperial decree from her father allowing her to rule from behind the curtain.

When it came to him, all matters were handled by the cabinet ministers, leaving him completely uninvolved.

Comparing the two, the Second Prince inevitably began to have some reservations.

Xie Qi calmly pushed the teacup in front of him: "Your Highness can mention it to His Majesty, perhaps His Majesty has forgotten."

The second prince was very distressed: "I would like to bring it up, but every time I open my mouth, Father says he has a headache and wants to sleep."

Yuan Chengyu feigned innocence, "Could it be that His Majesty thinks that Your Highness..."

Yuan Chengyu stopped talking at the right moment.

Xie Qi rebuked Yuan Chengyu: "What nonsense are you spouting in front of His Highness?"

The second prince suddenly said, "No, he wasn't talking nonsense."

“A few days ago, I saw Consort De take the seventh prince to see the Emperor, and then she came out with a big smile on her face.”

The second prince said worriedly, "Speaking of which, the seventh prince is over ten years old this year, isn't he? What if Father Emperor chooses a younger son as his heir?"

"Then all that I've done has just benefited someone else, hasn't it?"

Yuan Chengyu pressed further, "Is that really true?"

Yuan Chengyu continued to stab him in the back: "Could it be that His Majesty has already secretly issued an edict behind His Highness's back, which is why His Highness is not allowed to get involved in state affairs?"

Emperor Pei could not possibly issue an edict to Yuan Chengyu behind Xie Qi's back.

The people serving in Emperor Pei's bedchamber were all their eyes and ears.

Even if Emperor Pei ordered everyone to leave, there were people outside constantly monitoring everything inside the bedchamber.

Since Emperor Pei was "rescued" by the Second Prince, he has not taken out the Imperial Seal even once.

The second prince's face also turned somewhat pale: "No way?"

If Father really does this, how can we face him?

Thanks to him, who was not afraid of death and went through all the trouble to rescue his father, the throne should rightfully be handed over to him.

Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu exchanged a glance, and Yuan Chengyu gestured for Xie Qi to speak.

"Your Highness, what I mean is, you can't just sit here and wait any longer."

Yuan Chengyu nodded in agreement, "Yes, Your Highness should take the initiative..."

The second prince looked bewildered: "Attack? What can I do?"

Xie Qi lowered his voice and whispered to the Second Prince.

Upon hearing this, the second prince immediately shook his head frantically.

"No, no, absolutely not! He is my father, the Son of Heaven. How can I force him?"

Yuan Chengyu sighed inwardly. How could the Second Prince, who was so timid, possibly succeed?

The second prince dared not, because from childhood, in his heart, his father was the heaven.

With a single word from the Emperor, one can decide a person's life or death.

In the Second Prince's heart, his father, the Emperor, was the most dignified and powerful person.

Xie Qi suggested that the Second Prince force Emperor Pei to issue an edict.

If Emperor Pei does not comply, the Second Prince may use some form of torture.

"Your Highness, you can no longer back down now."

"If Your Highness takes another step forward, you will be able to ascend to the throne."

Xie Qi kept rambling on, "Could it be that Your Highness risked your life to save His Majesty so that His Majesty would make someone else the Crown Prince?"

“Of course not.” The second prince looked bewildered. “But… he is my father, I can’t bring myself to do it.”

Xie Qi shook his head. "Since the Second Prince is unwilling, then forget it. Let's pretend we didn't say anything today."

Yuan Chengyu glanced at Xie Qi with a hint of doubt, not understanding why Xie Qi had stopped.

After leaving the Second Prince's residence, Xie Qi dusted off his clothes.

Yuan Chengyu teased, "What, you think it's dirty?"

As soon as the door opened, the concubine's sister immediately took Xie Qi's arm.

With the Second Prince still watching, Xie Qi naturally couldn't refuse.

Outsiders might not be able to tell, but Yuan Chengyu knew that Xie Qi was trying his best to endure.

Xie Qi said with a dark face, "Stop making sarcastic remarks."

Yuan Chengyu laughed and said, "When the princess returns, I will tell her that you almost sold yourself for her."

Xie Qi couldn't hold back and kicked Yuan Chengyu.

Yuan Chengyu stopped joking. "Speaking of which, why did you stop just now?"

“Things haven’t reached that point yet. Even if we talk until we’re hoarse, the Second Prince won’t dare to do it. We’ll have to resort to other methods.”

Although the second prince wasn't very bright, even a cornered dog will jump over the wall.

"Let the Second Prince see with his own eyes His Majesty's decree to appoint someone else as Crown Prince. I'm sure the Second Prince will have no reason not to act."

Yuan Chengyu pretended to be serious and said, "If a fake imperial edict is discovered, you'll lose your head."

Xie Qi glanced down at Yuan Chengyu and said, "If you're sick, go take more medicine."

What crime would it be to forge an imperial edict among all the things they did?

Yuan Chengyu suddenly said, "Let's hurry up, I miss the princess."

Xie Qi didn't speak, but just looked up at the moon hanging high in the sky.

"The princess is with Qin Xiangyang, and Qin Xiangyang is willing to give up his life for the princess. Presumably, the two of them must be very much in love now."

Yuan Chengyu's words were so sour they were practically bubbling with sarcasm.

"Weren't you and I also risking our lives for the princess?"

Yuan Chengyu nodded in agreement: "You're right."

"It's just that I'm envious because Qin Xiangyang is with the princess every day."

Xie Qi didn't answer Yuan Chengyu's question because he was also quite envious.

Now that the princess is free from the troubles of court affairs, she must be spending her days with Qin Xiangyang, living a carefree and happy life.

Xie Qi and Yuan Chengyu were right; Pei Zhi is indeed quite happy now.

Qin Xiangyang's injuries had almost healed, so Pei Zhi secretly went with him to a manor outside the capital.

This was purchased by Pei Zhi before; the estate is full of her people.

Pei Zhi bought this estate because she was attracted by the fact that it had a hot spring.

Pei Zhi didn't need to worry about matters of state. Apart from replying to some letters every day, Pei Zhi had nothing else to do.

Qin Xiangyang reached out and massaged Pei Zhi's shoulders and neck.

"Princess, how's the pressure?"

Pei Zhi responded, "That's fine, this pressure is good."

Qin Xiangyang said, "Princess, you must be tired every day. I will massage you every day from now on."

"Sure, as long as you don't mind the trouble."

"Serving the princess and relieving her fatigue is not a trouble for me; it should be a joy."

Pei Zhi turned to Qin Xiangyang and asked, "Have you been reading or learning anything lately?"

"How come you're so eloquent?"

Qin Xiangyang: "Some things I said just as I looked at the princess, I couldn't help but say them. There's no need for me to learn them."

"I reckon the people in the palace won't last more than three days. You should have someone pack up and prepare to return to the capital."

With Emperor Pei dead, Pei Zhi will have to go back no matter what.

Qin Xiangyang hesitated for a moment, "So fast?"

Qin Xiangyang truly couldn't bear to give up his current life. If he could, he really wished he could live like this every day.