Pei Zhi was just chatting casually, but ended up deciding on her destination.

When Pei Zhi paid the bill, he also paid the bills for the two military officers as a way of expressing his gratitude.

Pei Zhi mounted his horse and headed north.

The people sent by Xiao Chengci were always a step too late.

Pei Zhi changed her clothes and dressed more casually.

Every day, countless people come and go through the city gates.

The guards first discovered that after Pei Zhi climbed ashore, she found a farmhouse and changed her clothes.

After inquiring about Pei Zhi's whereabouts, they hurriedly headed towards the city gate.

The guards at the city gate had no recollection of whether such a woman had ever left the city.

With no other option, they had to start searching outside the city again.

They searched everywhere, and thankfully, there weren't many women riding horses out of the city at that time.

The guards searched the area and found the two military officers who had been chatting with Pei Zhi.

When the soldiers realized that the person questioning them was a guard from the capital, they dared not hide anything.

They recounted their conversation with the passing woman in detail.

Following the directions given by the military officers, some of the guards returned to the capital to meet the emperor.

Another group of people followed this road.

In the palace, Xiao Chengci's face darkened after hearing the report from the secret guards.

He just didn't expect that, after several cycles of reincarnation, Pei Zhi would ultimately choose to go to the North.

Does that mean Shang Huai will run into Pei Zhi again?

Xiao Chengci hesitated for a moment, wondering whether he should send someone to intercept them.

Pei Zhi was very intelligent. If she sensed something was wrong, she would immediately turn around and go somewhere else.

If we lose them, the world is too big for us.

Even if Xiao Chengci were a monarch, he worried that it might take several years to find Pei Zhi.

Given Pei Zhi's personality, it's possible that by the time we find her, she might already be married.

"Send people directly north and wait for her to arrive."

Xiao Chengci was an emperor; he couldn't just leave whenever he wanted.

Moreover, it's a trip to the north, which will take at least three or four months.

If there were no capable people in the court, it would naturally not work.

But Xiao Chengci insisted on going to the north to see Pei Zhi no matter what.

It's just a shame that Pei Zhi doesn't remember anything now.

Originally, this should have been the best opportunity to take advantage of the situation.

Pei Zhi has now gone north, and Xiao Chengci cannot get there in time.

Xiao Chengci had a premonition that Shang Huai would definitely get his hands on this good opportunity.

Looking back a few years ago, Pei Zhi publicly announced that she wanted to marry Shang Huai.

Thinking about this, Xiao Chengci's mood became somewhat turbulent.

The culprit who caused all this is still in prison.

Xiao Chengci could only feel resentment; if it weren't for the Qin family, he would have regretted it.

He would then meet Pei Zhi in the capital, and then gradually guide Pei Zhi to get to know him.

This time, he will definitely be completely obedient to Pei Zhi.

He would give Pei Zhi whatever she wanted.

Thinking about it, Xiao Chengci felt his blood surging.

Xiao Chengci doesn't want to kill those people from the Qin family yet.

Killing them would only give them too much pleasure.

Xiao Chengci wanted to wait for Pei Zhi to return to the capital so that Pei Zhi could personally deal with them; that would be the best course of action.

The most important thing right now is to quickly make arrangements in the capital and then go north to meet Pei Zhi.

I just hope that by then, it won't be too late.

When Xiao Chengci ascended the throne, it was perfectly legitimate.

Xiao Chengci was made crown prince at a young age, and over the years, all the ministers have been completely convinced of His Majesty's authority in official matters.

The only thing that matters is the affairs of the harem.

Since His Majesty ascended the throne, the harem has remained empty.

The court officials also suggested that His Majesty should establish an empress.

The earlier the talent show is held, the better for future generations to flourish.

But for some reason, His Majesty kept making excuses.

Nowadays, there isn't even a concubine in the harem, let alone an empress.

This matter was a difficult one for the ministers.

Your Majesty has no children. In the future, to whom will the throne be passed?

If His Majesty were to suddenly fall ill, to whom would this vast country be entrusted?

At that time, the world will probably be in chaos.

After the morning court session ended again, in the imperial study, several ministers, as usual, advised the emperor to hurry up and select candidates for the imperial concubine selection.

Everyone was saying that His Majesty was not young anymore.

In ordinary families, His Majesty's age would have countless children.

Your Majesty is the Emperor, and should prioritize the well-being of the nation.

This time, Xiao Chengci did not object, but instead sighed deeply.

"You are all cabinet ministers, so I will not hide anything from you."

"I have been in love with a woman for many years."

Several ministers believed that His Majesty wanted to talk about his past relationship with Vice Minister Pei's younger sister.

The ministers reminded him, "Your Majesty, the person is gone, but the living must still look forward."

"I have a woman I admire, but she is in the north."

"I have been busy with state affairs, but I have never forgotten her."

Xiao Chengci felt somewhat ashamed. "I want to go find her, but I'm afraid she won't want to come back with me."

"What are you saying, Your Majesty?"

"Your Majesty, you are the Son of Heaven. Under this world, you can get anything you want, no matter what it is."

"What does Your Majesty have to worry about regarding a mere woman?"

Several cabinet ministers took turns speaking.

They're even more anxious than if their own son were getting married.

If His Majesty could marry and have children, the ministers would finally feel relieved.

It can't be said that I have failed the late emperor's trust.

Several cabinet ministers could be considered Xiao Chengci's mentors.

When Xiao Chengci was the crown prince, the late emperor intended to cultivate power for him.

It's no exaggeration to say that these cabinet ministers practically watched Xiao Chengci grow up.

"I will immediately write the decree on behalf of His Majesty, summoning this woman to the capital."

"That's right, that's right. As soon as they arrive, we'll send them straight to the palace."

"Your Majesty is still young and in good health. Having two children in three years is no problem."

Several cabinet ministers seemed to have already seen His Majesty's offspring beckoning to them.

"I'm not afraid to tell you this... but actually, she doesn't know me at all."

"Moreover, I don't know where she is; I only know that she is in the north."

Xiao Chengci feigned the air of a young man in love, saying, "I want to go to the north myself and ask her if she is willing to come back with me."

The cabinet ministers looked at each other.

Obviously, no one expected that His Majesty would propose to personally visit the North.

The minister tactfully advised, "Your Majesty, is it really necessary to go to such lengths?"

"Why don't we just send someone to the area to find the woman and then send her back to the capital?"

"Why make His Majesty travel through mountains and rivers, facing numerous dangers?"

Xiao Chengci sighed, "You are right, it was my oversight."

"Then let's forget about it and not bother her. Perhaps it's just that we're not meant to be."

Xiao Chengci leaned back in his chair, somewhat dejected. "Actually, I've always been quite good on my own."

Upon hearing this, the ministers became anxious.