The others were relieved to hear that Pei Zhi had not been wronged.

"Once we return from the north city, you will come and live with me at my residence."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengci immediately replied, "Do you remember the courtyard where we first met?"

"That's the courtyard where you used to live."

Pei Zhi nodded. "No wonder."

"I walked into the courtyard by myself without any explanation. I was very familiar with everything in the courtyard."

"So, this really is the place I used to live."

Pei Zhi had her suspicions at the time, but she couldn't figure them out.

If she really is a young lady from the Pei family, why didn't anyone look for her when she got lost?

It turns out that it wasn't that no one went looking for her; they all thought she was dead.

Pei Minxue also said, "Your courtyard is still well preserved, waiting for you to come back and live there."

Xiao Chengci naturally hoped that Pei Zhi would return to Beicheng.

"Zhizhi," Shang Huai suddenly said, "I am now your fiancé."

"Because of my position and responsibilities, I probably won't be able to leave Beicheng for too long in my life."

"After we get married, I'm afraid you'll have to make do and stay with me in the North City."

Pei Zhi had already learned a great deal about Shang Huai's affairs on his way from the capital.

They knew that Shang Huai was of noble birth, but they also knew that Shang Huai had been fighting on the battlefield since he was a child.

Because of the prestige left by their fathers, enemy generals on the border dared not offend them.

What they feared was the reputation of the merchants.

If Shang Huai leaves Beicheng, the Zhenyuan Army will lose its backbone.

Perhaps, those enemy troops will gather and attack.

Xiao Chengci said, "Zhizhi, even if you've forgotten, it doesn't matter what vows we made to each other before."

"Kemin is, after all, your only family in this world."

Whether you and Shang Huai will get married in the future is another matter, but right now, shouldn't you go back to Beijing with Minxue?

Pei Zhi understood this principle.

Pei Zhi had forgotten what had happened before, but she understood one thing.

She and Shang Huai were not actually married. It would be against the rules for her to live in Shang Huai's mansion before the marriage.

Shang Huai immediately became anxious.

Shang Huai knew perfectly well what Xiao Chengci was planning.

First, trick Pei Zhi into returning to the capital.

If Pei Zhi goes back, Shang Huai will have to think twice; he probably won't be able to handle the title of her fiancé.

"I also have a place to stay in the capital."

“If Zhizhi wants to go back with Brother Minxue, I am willing to go back with her.”

"After we get married, we'll go back to Beicheng together."

Shang Huai said sincerely, "However, Zhizhi, don't worry."

“Even if you return to Beicheng with me, I will still make time every year to accompany you back to the capital to visit Brother Minxue.”

Shang Huai kept calling Pei Minxue "brother," which gave Pei Minxue goosebumps.

The main reason is... since Pei Zhi's death, when has Shang Huai ever shown him such respect?

Pei Minxue worked for Xiao Chengci, and Shang Huai considered him to be Xiao Chengci's lackey.

Shang Huai could use indirect criticism to insult Xiao Chengci, so naturally he didn't have much respect for Pei Minxue either.

Before Pei Zhi could speak, Xiao Chengci interjected, "Shang Huai, you are the Zhenyuan General."

"The Zhenbei Army is stationed in the northern city. It wouldn't be good for you, as the general, to leave the army."

"What if the enemy attacks at this time?"

Xiao Chengci's eyes held a hidden threat: "Are you going to risk so many people in Beicheng?"

"The Zhenbei Army's fame is not due to the title of a general."

"It's because of the fighting spirit of the Zhenbei Army when they go into battle."

Shang Huai continued, "Besides, I'm just going to the capital for a short stay; I'm not going to die."

Xiao Chengci slammed his hand on the table. “You are a soldier. You are not allowed to leave your post without orders. Otherwise, you will be punished for disobedience.”

Xiao Chengci said coldly, "Shang Huai, do you want your entire family to be executed?"

"Alright, but I wonder if the Empress Dowager will be included in the execution of nine generations of her family."

Shang Huai questioned, "And what about you? Aren't you included in these nine clans?"

Pei Minxue was surprised that Pei Zhidu had returned.

Such a joyous occasion shouldn't be celebrated together in harmony and happiness?

Why do these two keep arguing again?

Pei Minxue looked at Pei Zhi opposite him, and Pei Zhi blinked her eyes, looking at Pei Minxue innocently.

Pei Zhi also didn't understand why the two of them, who were perfectly fine, were arguing.

Pei Minxue whispered, "Little sister, are you hungry?"

Pei Zhi nodded slightly. She hurried into the city because she wanted to find an inn to rest and get something to eat.

They were so frightened by the exorbitant room rates that they decided to leave the city.

As a result, they encountered a family reunion.

When Pei Minxue asked, Pei Zhi's stomach had already been growling with hunger.

Pei Minxue pointed in a direction, signaling Pei Zhi to follow.

Pei Minxue stood up first, and Pei Zhi also stood up.

"where are you going?"

Pei Zhi's hands were grabbed by Shang Huai and Xiao Chengci, one on each side.

Pei Zhi asked in confusion, "You can still see me?"

Pei Zhi thought the two of them were arguing so loudly that they forgot themselves.

Pei Zhi pushed their hands away and refused to listen to their explanations.

"I'm going to have something to eat with my brother first. Don't follow me. Let me have some peace and quiet."

After finishing her sentence, Pei Zhi left without any hesitation.

Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai watched Pei Zhi's retreating figure and moved their feet, wanting to follow her.

Pei Zhi seemed to have eyes in the back of her head; she turned around and gave him a fierce look.

The two of them immediately stopped and stood there, watching Pei Zhi's figure disappear from their sight.

Shang Huai and Xiao Chengci exchanged a glance. They seemed to want to say something, but in the end, they simply sat down quietly.

Xiao Chengci spoke up first, "We can't do this."

Shang Huai snorted, "You think I want to argue with you?"

Xiao Chengci didn't want to hear those words.

Shang Huai's tone made it sound like he was picking a fight.

"Shang Huai, don't forget, if it weren't for me, you don't know when you would have seen Pei Zhi again."

Hearing that Xiao Chengci dared to pat himself on the back, Shang Huai was naturally even more unwilling.

"And don't forget, if it weren't for you, Pei Zhi and I might have gotten married long ago."

"Can you please stop bringing up things that didn't happen?" Xiao Chengci felt like vomiting when Shang Huai mentioned this.

It's been years, and Shang Huai has come and gone, but he only ever brings this up once.

"Listen to me."

"Oh ho." Shang Huai chuckled. "When Zhizhi was here, why didn't she address me as 'I, the Emperor' all the time?"

"Now that she's gone, you're the only one who can't wait to use your imperial status to pressure me?"

Xiao Chengci was so angry at Shang Huai that he almost laughed.

“You…” Xiao Chengci pointed at Shang Huai, “You should thank yourself for being born into a good family.”

"If you weren't my cousin, you would have been reincarnated countless times by now."