Chapter 68 "He said you're going to personally lead the army..."

The sedan chair moved slowly along the bluestone road, the sound of the wheels rolling over the fallen flowers was delicate yet clear.

Ling Zhenli leaned against the window, her gaze unfocused as she watched the lights flickering outside. The conversation she had just had with Xiao Chongheng at Zuixianlou was still stirring up waves in her heart.

She remembered the last question she had asked him: "I killed your father and brother, don't you want to take revenge on me?"

Xiao Chongheng smiled then, but the smile appeared somewhat desolate in the candlelight.

“Ah Li, even if you didn’t do it, Pei Shang’er would have sent someone else to kill them. I would rather they die at your hands. I also killed your parents. That way, we’ll be even.”

These words were like a thorn, piercing the softest part of Ling Zhenli's heart.

She had to admit that Xiao Chongheng was right.

In the vortex of power, no one can remain unscathed. In the past, she resented Xiao Chongheng for killing her parents, but in fact, even if Xiao Chongheng hadn't killed them, someone else would have. She should be grateful that it was Xiao Chongheng who came, at least she was spared because of it.

All love, hate, and grudges will eventually turn into bargaining chips for profit.

Just as she was lost in thought, a warm hand covered the back of her hand.

Pei Xuanlin, who had been sitting opposite her, had somehow moved to sit next to her and whispered, "Ah Li, we'll be at the Prime Minister's residence soon."

Ling Zhenli snapped out of her reverie and looked at Pei Xuanlin with a puzzled expression: "The Prime Minister's residence? Why are you suddenly going to the Prime Minister's residence?"

Pei Xuanlin smiled and smoothed the slight frown between her brows with his fingertips: "My father-in-law sent someone to tell me that he has important matters to discuss with me. He was originally going to go to the palace, but we are outside. Anyway, we will pass by the Prime Minister's residence on our way back, so I think we can just go there directly."

“So that’s how it is.” Ling Zhenli regained her composure. “What important matter couldn’t wait until tomorrow to be discussed… Father really is something else.”

Pei Xuanlin smiled slightly and said, "It's alright."

A large number of servants were already waiting in front of the Prime Minister's residence.

Xue Wenmian and Cui Yuerong personally stood at the steps to welcome the emperor and empress. Upon seeing the emperor and empress arrive, they quickly stepped forward to pay their respects.

"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty."

Pei Xuanlin offered a helping hand: "Father-in-law, there's no need for such formalities."

Ling Zhenli stood to the side, without saying a word or making any comment.

Upon entering the main hall, Pei Xuanlin and Xue Wenmian went straight to the study.

Ling Zhenli was talking to Cui Yuerong when Xue Haoting, who appeared out of nowhere, blocked her way.

Ling Zhenli looked at Xue Haoting with some surprise: "Why didn't you go out to greet the emperor?"

Xue Haoting, with a complicated expression, led her to a side hall: "I've been waiting for you here. I have something to tell you."

After saying that, the two of them looked at Cui Yuerong, who had no choice but to nod in agreement.

The candlelight flickered in the side hall, casting long shadows of the two people on the wall.

Xue Haoting cut to the chase: "Xiao Chongheng publicly humiliated me today. How do you plan to punish him?"

Ling Zhenli was taken aback, not expecting him to ask this directly.

She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, "I will not punish him."

"You're actually siding with him?"

Xue Haoting's voice suddenly rose, "He threw wine in my face in public, and you say you won't punish him?"

"Can you please stop worrying about me?" Ling Zhenli rolled her eyes. "Xiao Chongheng is His Majesty's cousin, and you are the Empress's brother. If this gets investigated, it won't look good for His Majesty or me."

She sighed and continued, "Right now, so many eyes are on the Xue family in the court, and they're just looking for a pretext to punish us. If I were to punish Xiao Chongheng for your sake..."

Xue Haoting sneered: "So you expect me to swallow this insult?"

Ling Zhenli looked directly into his eyes: "It is for the sake of the overall situation. His Majesty has just quelled the rumors about his background. Now that the court situation has just stabilized, it is really not advisable to cause any more trouble."

Xue Haoting remained silent for a long time.

"Is it because you still have feelings for Xiao Chongheng?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?" Ling Zhenli interrupted sharply. "Don't say such things again. I am the Empress now, and my heart belongs only to His Majesty. The reason I protect Xiao Chongheng is not because of old feelings, but for the stability of the court."

Xue Haoting looked at Ling Zhenli and suddenly felt that she had become a little unfamiliar.

Ling Zhenli, who used to be willful and reckless, has now learned to weigh the pros and cons and understand the importance of the bigger picture.

Is this true, or just an excuse to protect Xiao Chongheng?

However, since Ling Zhenli had already spoken, Xue Haoting could only sigh and say, "Alright, I understand. Let's pretend this never happened."

"Alright, let's get back to the main topic. What's so urgent that His Majesty needs to come to the Prime Minister's residence in person to discuss it?" Ling Zhenli frowned. "If word gets out, people will inevitably say that the Xue family is arrogant because of his favor with the emperor."

Xue Haoting waved his hand: "Except for this time, when has Father ever not entered the palace to report in a proper manner? This time there is a real reason. My uncle wrote that he hopes His Majesty will personally lead the expedition against the Turks to intimidate the people."

Ling Zhenli got angry as soon as she heard this: "Isn't this ridiculous? I've already said I don't want His Majesty to leave me. Is Uncle just ignoring what I said?!"

Sure enough, she was still the same willful, capricious, and domineering woman.

It was all an act just now.

"Look, you just said you wanted to consider the bigger picture. You know His Majesty's mother is Turkic. To prevent the Turks from using this as an excuse to take advantage of you, your uncle hopes His Majesty will personally lead the expedition. And His Majesty will definitely agree. Just bear with it. With so many men around, are you worried about not having anyone to sleep with at night?"

Hearing Xue Haoting's sarcastic words, Ling Zhenli felt a pang of sadness. She had been prepared to be loving and affectionate with Pei Xuanlin forever, but it was always one problem after another.

"Can Pei Xuanlin be compared to you?"

"In your eyes, I'm no different from other men, am I?" That's all Xue Haoting cared about.

This question stumped Ling Zhenli. She quickly thought of a compromise answer.

"If you have more, even if romantic love isn't there, family love will."

"Oh, right, I'm still your brother." Xue Haoting laughed as he finished speaking.

He laughed, and Ling Zhenli laughed along. But after a couple of laughs, Xue Haoting's face turned cold, and he asked her what she was laughing at, and if it was so funny.

"What's wrong with laughing? Can't people laugh anymore..."

"After His Majesty leaves, it will be inevitable that Father will have to make decisions on all matters, big and small, in the capital. If His Majesty returns in triumph and wants to punish the Xue family..." Xue Haoting's implication was clear.

"How could His Majesty punish the Xue family? He loves me so much."

Ling Zhenli was confident that Pei Xuanlin loved her so much that he would even give up the world for her.

"Men are good at pretending. Who knows if he's only being nice to you because he's playing the long game? Don't take it too seriously, or you'll get yourself into trouble," Xue Haoting sighed.

Ling Zhenli understands the principles, but feelings are something that can't be easily grasped.

"Okay, okay, I know, I'll be careful."

"And that Xiao Chongheng, he's despicable. Stay away from him. He's already married two wives, which means he's long forgotten about you. If you still believe his nonsense, you'll be truly stupid."

Xue Haoting's words were as sharp as ever, but Ling Zhenli understood that it was normal for him to be angry after Xiao Chongheng had just splashed a cup of water on him in public. She decided not to take it to heart.

"Okay, okay, fine, fine. Xiao Chongheng is no good. I won't talk to him anymore."

"It should have been done a long time ago."

They're getting too big for their britches! They're all smiles and smugness.

Ling Zhenli said impatiently, "Alright, I already knew he was a jerk. I'm not blind, you don't need to keep reminding me how bad he is."

No sooner had the words been spoken than the door to the side hall opened.

Ling Zhenli and Xue Haoting looked towards the door together.

Pei Xuanlin entered the hall with a solemn expression. The darkness of the night obscured his emotions, making it impossible to discern his true feelings or what he had overheard outside.

Ling Zhenli, who was furious just a moment ago, was now terrified.

She stood up shakily, trying to appear calm, and forced a not-too-stiff smile, tentatively taking a few steps forward towards Pei Xuanlin.

“Sanlang…you and my father are talking so fast…my brother and I were just discussing the matter of the Duke of Yan today. I told my brother that the Duke of Yan has already approached me to apologize, so…”

As she spoke, seeing that Pei Xuanlin's expression was not good and he had not made a statement for a long time, Ling Zhenli suddenly had nothing to say. She did not want to continue making up stories. She just stared at him and her face darkened.

Did he hear everything?

"Ah Li".

Just as Ling Zhenli was filled with doubt, Pei Xuanlin calmly extended his hand to her, saying, "It's time to return to the palace."

Ling Zhenli was still skeptical, but slowly placed her hand in his palm. Only when she felt the warmth of his fingertips did her heart gradually calm down.

Perhaps he knows nothing at all.

"Alright, let's go back to the palace."

...

On the way back to the palace, Ling Zhenli leaned on Pei Xuanlin's shoulder and asked softly, "What did Father say to you?"

Pei Xuanlin stroked her long hair, his tone calm: "I thought your brother would tell you."

"Yes, my brother told me. He said you're going to lead the army in person... Is it true?"

Although Pei Xuanlin knew what answer Ling Zhenli wanted to hear, he couldn't bear to deceive her and told her the truth.

"Yes, he said it's true."

Seeing Ling Zhenli's low spirits, Pei Xuanlin couldn't help but comfort her, "Soon, soon, I'll be back soon."

How fast can a war really be?

Ling Zhenli looked at Pei Xuanlin with teary eyes. She couldn't bear the repeated separations, so she tightly grasped Pei Xuanlin's hand, her voice almost pleading, "Please take me with you, please take me with you. Don't blame me for being immature, I just don't want to be separated from you..."

Pei Xuanlin felt extremely distressed. How could he blame her for being immature? He could only blame himself for being powerless to help.

"Don't cry, it's all my fault. I remember you used to say you were happy that your relationship with your mother had improved a lot. How about this, while I'm gone, I'll have your mother come to the palace to keep you company often. I'll come back as soon as possible, I promise."

"..."

What's the point of saying all that? We still have to leave.

Seeing that her crying and fussing were ineffective, Ling Zhenli stopped sobbing, but remained sullen.

To cheer her up, Pei Xuanlin said directly, "I will issue an imperial decree tomorrow, and you will rule as regent during my absence."

“Those people won’t listen to me anyway.” Ling Zhenli turned her head away.

"They have no choice."

Pei Xuanlin patted her hand, his gaze still gentle, but unlike before, it held a hint of determination. Seeing this, Ling Zhenli nodded as if possessed.

Perhaps she really will be able to rule as regent.