"Young Master Pei."

Jiang Yao's address seemed to be a reminder of the difference in status between Yun Mo and Pei Zhi. Upon hearing this, Pei Zhi forced a smile and said, "Father is talking to the Marquis. I heard that you were also at the Dingyuan Marquis's residence, so I came to see you."

"Thank you, I'm doing very well now."

Yunmo was still closer to Pei Zhi in his heart, so seeing Pei Zhi's somewhat helpless expression, he softened his tone first, "Princess, I can't give you a lesson today. This young master Pei is my friend, and I would like to take her for a stroll around the capital."

Hearing this, Jiang Yao nodded as if she understood, "Master, don't worry, Yao Yao will just play in the manor. Can I bring Yao Yao a string of candied hawthorns?"

Seeing the little girl's longing look, Yunmo couldn't help but chuckle.

"Alright, bring it to the princess tomorrow."

"Thank you, Master."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yao skipped and hopped to her own courtyard, while Yun Mo gestured to Pei Zhi, "Sister Zhi, let's go for a walk."

The two remained silent for a while on the way, so they found a teahouse and chatted over tea.

"It's only been a few months, Amo, you've changed a lot."

Pei Zhi was genuinely happy for Yun Mo, so Yun Mo could clearly hear the sincerity in her words.

"I am currently staying in the capital, giving lessons to the princess every day, and receiving a monthly stipend from the Emperor. This kind of life is quite good, easy and comfortable."

Yunmo shrugged. "Let's not talk about me, what about you?"

“Speak now…” Pei Zhi took a sip of tea, then hesitated to say what she was about to say.

"Yes, I don't stutter when I speak anymore."

Yunmo's calmness startled Pei Zhi: "Seeing that you are doing well in Dayu, I am relieved."

"As for me, I can't see the road ahead clearly either."

When she mentioned herself, Pei Zhiming's eyes seemed to be covered with a layer of dust.

"Sister Azhi, I remember you once said that your biggest dream was to develop a medicine that could cure all poisons." Yunmo hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "Do you remember?"

“I remember you told me back then that you wanted to build the most ingenious mechanism in the world.” Pei Zhi paused. “The mechanism in Minghua Water Pavilion was known as the best in the world, and now you have solved it. Your long-cherished wish has been fulfilled in another way.”

"And I..."

Pei Zhi quickly emptied the teacup in front of her. "Later, I became the young master of the Pei family. Now, the aristocratic families are at odds with Dayu. Sometimes I can't figure out where the future lies."

"I hope to lead the Pei family to even greater heights."

"In what way?" Yunmo suddenly asked, leaving Pei Zhi speechless for a moment.

"The Qin family was defeated in Ju County, and the Sun and Gong families were defeated in Gai County. In almost every region of Dayu, there are tunnels dug by powerful families, which have taken away countless resources from Dayu. Are these... just acts?"

Yunmo forced a weak smile. "I'm not speaking for Dayu. I'm just an ordinary person detached from the world. I just want to ask Sister Azhi, are the aristocratic families really the aristocratic families you think they are?"

"I can't control the other families, but I can at least guarantee the Pei family's..."

"Can you guarantee that the Pei family wasn't involved in any of these things?"

Faced with Yunmo's further questioning, Pei Zhi's lips moved, but the affirmation that was on the tip of her tongue could not be uttered.

“Sister Azhi, I’m not forcing you or anything…” If it were Qin Zheng or Sun Cai who came this time, Yunmo wouldn’t have come out to see them at all. “I just want to remind you that you must protect yourself no matter what.”

"And... I'm waiting for the day you create a miraculous medicine that will shake the world."

Yunmo had been gone for a long time, so long that the tea in front of Pei Zhi had gone cold.

Pei Zhi remained seated, seemingly lost in thought.

What Mo'er said...

......

The following day, Gu Qingyan hosted a banquet in the palace to welcome Pei Jian and Pei Zhi back.

"Patriarch Pei, Young Master Pei, it's been a long time."

Gu Qingyan had a faint smile on his face, and the officials of Dayu sitting around him were neither humble nor arrogant. For a moment, Pei Jian and Pei Zhi were a little flustered.

"Your Majesty, I have come all the way from Longyou to deliver some New Year's gifts to Dayu. I would also like to thank Dayu for sending those precious medicinal herbs to the Pei family."

Pei Jian, being an old fox, quickly realized what was happening, while Pei Zhi behind him looked somewhat stunned.

After several rounds of drinks, the gifts from those years were brought out.

Faced with the New Year's gifts from the four great families, Gu Qingyan's expression remained unchanged throughout. "I will have to trouble Patriarch Pei to convey my gratitude to them on my behalf. Thank you very much."

"That's natural."

"Why haven't I seen the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager today?" Pei Jian was extremely dissatisfied with Gu Qingyan's reaction, but he still smiled and asked with a smile as he looked at the empty chair next to Gu Qingyan.

"Father and Mother went on an outing to the outskirts of the capital today, so they cannot come."

"The Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager are indeed a loving couple."

By the end, Pei Jian was at a loss for words, and Gu Qingyan's responses to his words were lukewarm. Pei Jian eventually fell silent, sipping his wine. Just then, Pei Zhi's voice rang out:

"I wonder if the Emperor of Yu could be so kind as to allow me to meet Young Master Qin, Young Master Sun, and the two young ladies."

Gu Qingyan glanced at Pei Zhi, "You two young ladies can see me, but you two young masters cannot."

Thinking of what the Pei family had been doing behind the scenes, Gu Qingyan's expression grew even colder.

"In that case, tomorrow Yingzhi, you should bring Young Master Pei to the palace to visit the two young ladies."

And so, the banquet ended in an eerie atmosphere. Pei Jian held back until he returned to his room, and only after confirming that the people guarding outside were his men did he begin to lose his temper.

"This Emperor Yu doesn't take us seriously at all. The retired emperor and the empress dowager would rather go out for a trip than attend today's banquet."

Pei Jian's chest heaved with anger, while Pei Zhi stood silently to the side with her head down.

"Zhi'er, when you go to see them tomorrow, remember to explain the current situation to them clearly."

“Father, explaining things to them will only cause them more trouble.” Pei Zhi raised her head. “They’re locked up in the palace and can’t go out even for a moment. What can they do?”

"What do you know!"

“Gu Qingfeng was able to find a way to escape Qingcheng under those circumstances. They are the legitimate daughters of aristocratic families, and they bear the trust of their families to prosper. This is their responsibility.”

Pei Zhi was stunned by Pei Jian's words and couldn't believe her ears for a moment.

"Zhi'er, I was too excited just now, I'm sorry."

"fine."