From Xiao Chengci's actions, Pei Zhi could easily tell that he had been guarding outside ever since she entered the house.

Pei Zhi asked incredulously, "What are you doing standing guard outside the door?"

Pei Zhi didn't understand; she was resting in the room.

This is the Zhenbei General's Mansion. Could it be that Xiao Chengci is afraid that she is in any danger?

Pei Zhi was not moved by Xiao Chengci's behavior; in fact, she was somewhat frightened.

Is the emperor so idle that he's practically living like this? Is he going to have her guard his door?

Xiao Chengci chuckled: "I took a walk around."

"I feel a bit bored, so I'll stay outside the door. It's more reassuring and comfortable that way."

Pei Zhi could not possibly understand Xiao Chengci's feelings.

Xiao Chengci was not without things to do.

Even in the northern part of the city, Xiao Chengci had a lot of official duties.

However, Xiao Chengci didn't want to go anywhere.

After closing the door to Zhizhi's room, Xiao Chengci went to the kitchen.

Let's see what dishes are prepared tonight, and whether there are any that Zhizhi likes.

Then she went to urge the person who was tailoring Zhizhi's clothes to hurry up.

Pei Zhi left the Qin residence and jumped into the lake alone.

The clothes I was wearing were all bought casually from a clothing store; they weren't particularly good, but they weren't too bad either.

Pei Zhi is the kind of person who can live a life of wealth and luxury.

Even a life of compromise can be bearable.

However, to a few people, it was naturally heartbreaking.

After Xiao Chengci had made a round about Pei Zhi's matter, he went to the study.

Xiao Chengci thought that since Zhizhi was resting, he should find something to do.

He couldn't concentrate on reading books.

The report was long and disorganized, and Xiao Chengci couldn't understand what the higher-ups were reporting even after reading it for a long time.

Finally, Xiao Chengci got up and went to Pei Zhi's room.

Xiao Chengci didn't even have a chair brought out so as not to wake Pei Zhi.

Xiao Chengci leaned against the pillar, standing quietly outside the house.

Just thinking about Pei Zhi sleeping peacefully inside, even just standing there seems like an interesting thing.

How long did I sleep?

Not long after.

Xiao Chengci asked, "Minxue and Shang Huai should be finishing their shifts soon. Shall we take a walk and then prepare for dinner?"

Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly; she had just eaten lunch not long before her afternoon nap.

I woke up to find it was time for lunch.

And yet, Xiao Chengci still said that she had only been asleep for a short while?

"I'd like to eat some fruit."

Pei Zhi made a request, and Xiao Chengci naturally complied with it.

"I'll have someone prepare it."

Soon, the servants brought up a plate of sliced ​​fruit.

It seems like all the fruits available this season are laid out on the table, a dozen or so plates, completely full.

Pei Zhi's original intention was not to eat fruit.

I just wanted Xiao Chengci to sit down so that someone who had been standing all afternoon could rest for a while.

"There aren't enough fruits here. In Beijing, there's a wide variety of fruits available, even those that aren't in season."

Pei Zhi took a bite of the plum: "Really?"

Xiao Chengci said, "Of course, if you don't want to return to the capital, then forget it."

"Beicheng is actually not bad. If you like it here, you can stay here."

Although Xiao Chengci argued with Shang Huai, Pei Zhi should be in the capital, or at least in the northern part of the city.

However, in front of Pei Zhi, Xiao Chengci naturally prioritized Pei Zhi's own choices in everything.

Pei Zhi can stay wherever she wants.

Pei Zhi chuckled and said, "Didn't you say today that you would pass the throne to me?"

"If I don't return to the capital, how will you give me the throne?"

Xiao Chengci was taken aback for a moment, then realized, "You mean, you're going back to the capital?"

Xiao Chengci looked incredulous; clearly, he hadn't expected such a good thing to happen to him.

"otherwise?"

Pei Zhi naturally had to return to the capital.

Pei Zhi also wanted to meet his brother's children and wife.

Moreover, Pei Zhi also wanted to stand in front of Qin Mian and ask him if he was surprised or not that she was still alive.

However, Pei Zhi had not considered whether to stay in the capital permanently or just temporarily.

All of this will have to wait until she returns to Beijing before we can make any plans.

If she's happy living there, she'll stay.

Unhappy with her living situation, she'd rather go out and see more of the world.

It doesn't necessarily have to be in the north of the city; it can be anywhere on the map.

Pei Zhi and Xiao Chengci chatted briefly before Pei Minxue and Shang Huai returned one after the other.

Both of them had smiles on their faces.

It certainly wasn't related to official business; nothing good happened.

They were happy simply because they thought they would see Pei Zhi as soon as they returned.

That evening, the four of them sat at a table again.

This time, everyone got along very well.

Aside from Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai, they would occasionally serve food to Pei Zhi.

Pei Minxue chatted with Pei Zhi about things in the city.

"When the government issued a notice, all the vendors adjusted their prices, but some vendors ignored it."

Pei Zhi asked, "Then what are you going to do?"

Pei Minxue snorted softly, then patted Shang Huai on the shoulder.

"Just tell him to bring his men and throw them in jail."

Shang Huai explained gently, "We just made an exception for a few cases."

"Lock them up for a few days, scare them, and incidentally, intimidate the people around them as well."

Seeing that the government was serious this time, the other vendors dared not try any more tricks.

Making money is important, but they don't want to end up in jail.

They were all ordinary people; how could they dare to truly go against the government? It's just that some people knew how to take shortcuts.

"The rules we came up with were to have several chefs compete in a cold dish contest."

"Cold dishes are easy to prepare and can be made in large quantities."

"In this way, all the people in the city can have a taste."

"Let the people choose their favorite cold dishes and continue the competition."

"However, when it comes to the hot dishes later on, we can only randomly select some ordinary people to taste."

With so many people in the city, it would be too difficult to ensure that everyone could have a hot meal.

"but."

Pei Minxue changed the subject: "After the final ceremony, you can ask all the chefs to cook one of their signature dishes."

"Then distribute them so that all the people can have a taste."

After listening, Xiao Chengci nodded, "That's good."

Pei Minxue glanced at Pei Zhi and continued, "It is estimated that a major competition will be held, lasting about ten days."

"Then I'll give the order now: we'll set off back to the capital in half a month?"

Xiao Chengci didn't speak, but looked at Pei Zhi.

Pei Minxue also knew that the decision-making power in this matter rested with Pei Zhi.

Pei Minxue asked with a smile, "Zhizhi, what do you think?"

Pei Zhi pondered for a moment. Half a month was enough time for her to explore Beicheng thoroughly, and Pei Zhi had no objections.

"Can."

With a simple "okay," Pei Minxue and Xiao Chengci were both relieved.

Pei Minxue's wife and children were all in the capital, so he naturally hoped that Pei Zhi would return to the capital.

The only person whose expression changed drastically was Shang Huai.