Joking aside, half a month seems to have passed in the blink of an eye.

Pei Zhi has also made great progress in the past two weeks.

First of all, Pei Zhi was able to stand up on her own, although she was using crutches. At least she was able to stand up and take a few steps with the help of crutches.

Pei Zhi no longer needs anyone's help; she can change her clothes by herself without needing to call anyone.

Shang Huai also breathed a sigh of relief. He had always been worried that with him gone and Xiao Chengci too busy, Pei Zhi might not like him being close to her.

Before Shang Huai left, he prepared many gifts for Pei Zhi.

It was placed in a large box, and Shang Huai instructed Pei Zhi to open it every two weeks.

Shang Huai prepared six months' worth of gifts at once, so that he could return to Beijing after six months.

Shang Huai prepared all this simply because he was afraid that Pei Zhi would forget him.

That's why they resorted to these little tricks.

On the night before she left, Pei Zhi and Shang Huai had a frank conversation.

Actually, this isn't a good time.

Pei Zhi originally planned to wait until she was fully able to stand up.

But seeing that Shang Huai hadn't left yet, and that he came every day with red eyes, Pei Zhi suddenly felt a little reluctant to part with him.

In the early morning, Shang Huai held Pei Zhi in his arms, unwilling to let go.

Shang Huai didn't close his eyes all night, staring at Pei Zhi's sleeping face, knowing that after today, he wouldn't see her for a long time.

Shang Huai returned to Beicheng alone and quietly; it's not like he's not coming back.

Shang Huai didn't need anyone to see him off, especially Pei Zhi.

Shang Huai was worried that Pei Zhi would personally see him off, and with Pei Zhi behind him, Shang Huai didn't think he had the composure to walk away.

Shang Huai didn't make things difficult for himself. He had already packed his things and rode his horse out of the city, heading north.

After Shang Huai left, Pei Zhi didn't feel particularly uncomfortable.

Xiao Chengci seemed to have sensed something, so he canceled all court affairs and came to accompany Pei Zhi after court, staying with her for several days in a row.

In the end, Pei Zhi watched as Xiao Chengci ran between two places, finding it too tiring.

Therefore, Pei Zhi followed Xiao Chengci into the palace.

Pei Zhi originally planned to stay in the palace for a few days to change the environment and pass the time.

The palace was still under renovation, and Xiao Chengci generously gave up half of his bed.

Xiao Chengci was busy with many things, so he specially invited some opera singers and magicians to the palace to help Pei Zhi pass the time.

The imperial concubines also came to join in the fun, and over time, Pei Zhi became familiar with them.

There was no conflict of interest between the two, and the imperial concubines were bored and lonely in the deep palace.

We got together, played mahjong every day, and chatted about gossip. The days passed by fairly quickly.

By late autumn, Pei Zhi was able to walk on her own.

However, her pace was still a bit slow; she really had to act like a lady and couldn't run at all.

It has been four months since Shang Huai left.

Time seems to fly by.

Pei Zhi originally planned to stay in the palace for a few days before leaving.

But Xiao Chengci always used excuses to brush it off, and then the next day he could find something interesting to keep Pei Zhi there for a few days.

Time flew by, and Pei Zhi only then realized that she had been living in the palace for four months.

Pei Zhi hasn't mentioned leaving the palace recently; these past few days, she's been overseeing construction.

In the inner palace, her bedchamber was under renovation, and Pei Zhi offered many suggestions.

Pei Zhi went to play cards with a few imperial concubines as usual. As soon as she sat down, the imperial concubines became very secretive.

Pei Zhi was completely baffled. After asking around, she learned that the Empress Dowager was nearing her end.

This time, it's for real.

Several imperial concubines spoke in a serious manner, saying that the Empress Dowager was dying in the royal villa and that the court had already prepared her coffin.

Only Pei Zhi, an insider, knew that the Empress Dowager had already gone to the North City.

However, Pei Zhi didn't know whether the Empress Dowager's impending death was true or not.

If it's true, who spread the rumor?

If it's fake, then who's planning to put on a good show?

After leaving the court, Xiao Chengci arrived at the Hall of Mental Cultivation with a dark expression.

The court officials simply brought up the old issue again, asking when Xiao Chengci planned to establish an empress.

Even without an empress, shouldn't we have a child?

His Majesty is not young anymore; he should think of the nation's future.

The ministers also gave up the idea of ​​sending women to the palace; all they wanted was to see His Majesty's offspring.

When several ministers spoke of this during the morning court session, they wept bitterly, talking about the foundation of the nation and its future.

It seemed that if Xiao Chengci didn't produce a child soon, he would become a sinner who would destroy the country.

"Perhaps His Majesty should go and ask Zhizhi what she thinks?"

Xiao Chengci countered, "Ask what?"

Ask her if she's willing to have my child.

Pei Minxue nodded: "There is a lot of pressure in the court, and His Majesty has never had an heir, which is also a problem."

Xiao Chengci had no children, and even if he delayed, he would still have to face the situation.

"no."

Xiao Chengci refused without even thinking.

"Even if she were willing now, I don't want her to have children."

Having a child is too dangerous.

If, to put it bluntly, something happens to Pei Zhi, what use would he have a child?

Spend the rest of your life raising your child?

Xiao Chengci wasn't that stupid; he wouldn't do such an unprofitable deal.

Pei Minxue thought for a moment: "Does Your Majesty mean that you're going to find someone else to be reborn with?"

Xiao Chengci's expression grew even more unpleasant: "Whom shall I choose to give birth to next?"

"Tell me, who should I go to for my next life?"

This question stumped Pei Minxue.

"There are so many women in the world, and there must be quite a few who can give birth."

Pei Minxue pondered, "Your Majesty, why don't you remove the mother and keep the child?"

Xiao Chengci stared at Pei Minxue, scrutinizing him closely, fearing that Pei Minxue had been turned by Shang Huai.

Otherwise, why would Pei Minxue give him such a depraved suggestion?

After a long pause, Xiao Chengci realized that Pei Minxue wasn't joking: "Are you serious?"

Pei Minxue quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Your Majesty's issue of having an heir is a matter of great importance to the court. How could I dare to joke about it?"

Without a second thought, Xiao Chengci grabbed a memorial and threw it at Pei Minxue.

The memorial hit Pei Minxue's shoulder, but it didn't hurt much.

"How can I face Pei Zhi then?"

Xiao Chengci was furious: "You are Pei Zhi's elder brother, how dare you make such a suggestion to me?"

"How dare you face Pei Zhi?"

Pei Minxue really didn't understand why His Majesty was so angry.

Pei Minxue replied matter-of-factly, "If Pei Zhi doesn't want to give birth, then what's wrong with Your Majesty finding someone else to have the child?"

Does Pei Minxue not love his younger sister Pei Zhi? Of course he does.

However, Pei Minxue's thinking remained old-fashioned.

Let alone Xiao Chengci being an emperor, even if Xiao Chengci were just an ordinary man.

Pei Zhi was unwilling to have children, so Pei Minxue would suggest that she take a concubine and let another woman give birth.

We can't afford to have no descendants, can we? That's a serious matter.