Xie Zhou arrived at Lizheng Hall.

Uncle Di Chang was already waiting here.

He was clearly frightened by the rumors circulating in the inner palace.

Whether it was Empress Dong rolling around or the Crown Princess making the Empress unable to take care of herself, both were earth-shattering events.

It's probably similar to a conflict between the emperor and the crown prince, or a conflict between civil and military officials.

The Crown Princess has only just arrived at the East Palace and she's already going all out. I wonder what Sheng An will do today.

Di Chang remained relatively calm.

He was in his forties, a man of profound character and imposing presence, a key minister of the state, and bore a striking resemblance to the Crown Prince.

So he was also a handsome man. He had a long face, a robust build, and wore a purple python robe, protecting the Crown Prince from being devoured by the Duke of Rong.

Xie Zhou respected his maternal uncle very much, and his uncle always stood behind him. However, his uncle was later brought trouble by the Pei family. Even if it wasn't too tragic, the Di family would likely face difficulties after his death. Xie Zhou was sorry to his uncle.

Di Chang always respected the Crown Prince, even when no one was around.

First talk about the relationship between ruler and subject, then about nephew and uncle.

Only if Di Chang gives his nephew enough face can he stand tall and be a proper crown prince.

Even if Di Chang achieves merit elsewhere, he can use this to pave the way for the Crown Prince and help him ascend to a high position.

Xie Zhou was deeply moved. Although he had been an emperor and was ruthless, he couldn't bring himself to be ruthless towards his uncle.

Xie Zhou invited his uncle to sit down, and a servant offered him tea.

It was very quiet here, and the faint fragrance wafted from the incense burner, creating a pleasant atmosphere. The uncle and nephew got along very comfortably.

Di Chang felt that his nephew had changed a bit, but he was still his nephew. Nothing else mattered, and there was no need for him to investigate further.

Just like he has spies in the palace, they only know the general outline, not much more, and that would be a capital offense.

Knowing the general outline prevents you from being blind and allows you to protect yourself when necessary.

Di Changxian asked first, "Qing'e Palace, how is she? I heard she's not in good health?"

Xie Zhou frowned, a hint of coldness in his eyes: "Life at the Pei residence wasn't good."

Di Chang blurted out, "What's going on with the Pei family?"

Xie Zhou was about to say something when he said, "Please ask your uncle to gather more people to keep a close watch on the Pei residence and investigate thoroughly."

Di Chang's eyes widened. Was there something wrong with the Pei family?

The problem isn't with Qing'e Palace? This was Di Chang's subconscious judgment.

There were only uncle and nephew present. Xie Zhou and his uncle said directly, "Isn't it too much of a coincidence that Miss Chang saved me three years ago?"

This is something I didn't understand in my past life. Now I suspect it was intentional on the part of the Pei family, but there are still things I don't understand.

Di Chang thought for a moment before remembering the girl who had saved the Crown Prince, but what did she have to do with the Pei family?

Xie Zhou said coldly, "I have spent three months with Miss Chang. Although I have never met her mother, I have met Madam Qian at the Pei residence. Qing'e does not look like Madam Qian."

Di Chang opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

His mind raced, and his eyes widened suddenly!

There aren't that many coincidences in the world.

Di Chang understood perfectly well, but still found it hard to believe: "Your Highness saw it clearly?"

The Pei family dares to set up this trap?

Xie Zhou sneered: "Now that Qing'e is acting like this, the Pei family will definitely take action. So, Uncle, keep a close eye on them as much as you can. Even if you are discovered, they can't do anything. Also keep an eye on Changhe County. I need to know what happened sixteen years ago."

Di Chang said, "So early?"

However, although the Pei family is not doing well, the old lady of the Pei family is formidable. Sixteen years ago, the Jianchang Marquis's mansion was more powerful than it is now, before the Crown Princess was born. Doing something is not difficult.

Changhe County is near Zichan Mountain, a sacred site of the Chan sect, where incense offerings flourish.

Three years ago, the Empress Dowager passed away. The Crown Prince went to Zichan Mountain and got into trouble, but was eventually rescued by Chang Ziyu.

Xie Zhou gritted his teeth: "The Pei family has reached out to me. They're telling me to drag this out for three months."

Although decades have passed, Xie Zhou still remembers that the injury wasn't that serious at the time. It was said that making a big fuss did indeed hurt the Dong family, but it wasn't good for him.

Chang Ziyu later truly considered herself a recipient of his life-saving grace, but the two only ever spent their time together in the mountains, enjoying romantic moments under the moon and flowers.

Xie Zhou's eyes were almost red!

I was just too young and blinded by my own ignorance.

(Can't tell if it's a person or a dog, looks at people through a thick filter)

Di Chang sensed the seriousness of the situation, but could he do it?

However, Pei Huanzhao is currently in the Imperial Guard. Although he is mediocre in both civil and military affairs and is just boastful, he is the elder brother of the Crown Princess and is being prepared to be given a deputy commander, a fourth-rank official.

Previously, if the Pei family had focused on doing one thing or bribing one or two people, they probably could have achieved it.

Xie Zhou could still recall the situation in the mountains: "Although Miss Chang saved me, she did not return to the Chang family. Instead, she stayed in a low hill not far from the village. There happened to be a courtyard there with many flowers in front and behind. Isn't that strange? For three months, her family did not worry about her. The way they got along was even stranger than the Pei family's attitude towards Qing'e."

Di Chang knew about that.

At that time, the Empress Dowager passed away, and Dong was eager to cause trouble. Di Chang dealt with her while feeling that nothing bad would happen in the small village.

Little did I know it was hidden quite well.

Xie Zhou said, "Miss Chang is said to be a village girl, but she grew up in the county town and was taught by women. The Pei family has a farm in Changhe County, so it's quite convenient for them to go there."

Zichan Mountain is 800 li from Sheng'an. If you use an express courier, it will take a day; if you use a regular horse, it will take two days. It's not that far.

Not too far, not too close, easy to control; that's why Xie Zhou was willing to hide there back then.

Di Chang understood perfectly well, but then asked, "Why would the Pei family exchange their eldest daughter for a village girl?"

Xie Zhou looked at his uncle; he didn't know either, so he needed to investigate.

Di Chang understood, but then asked, "There must be quite a few people keeping an eye on the Pei residence these days, right?"

What if people find out?

Even if Qing'e is innocent, she probably won't be able to sit still.

Fortunately, although the Chang family were farmers, they were still considered innocent.

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