After that sentence, everyone fell silent.
Pei Minxue hadn't expected Shang Huai to say it so directly.
Before coming, Pei Minxue had some guesses with Xiao Chengci.
But rebellion is a serious matter, and even Xiao Chengci wouldn't dare to slander Shang Huai without evidence.
Even in front of Crown Prince Xiao Chengci, Shang Huai spoke frankly.
Clearly, this idea had been in Shang Huai's mind for some time.
Xiao Chengci's expression was cold. "Shang Huai, do you know what you're saying?"
"A man's word is his bond; once I've said it, there's no going back."
Having said everything on his mind, Shang Huai actually calmed down.
"Shang Huai, if you think you can do whatever you want just because your aunt is the Empress..."
Xiao Chengci also tried to remind Shang Huai: "Then let me tell you, you've miscalculated."
"Your Highness, you need to understand that you are now on my territory."
Shang Huai was equally unwilling to back down, "Don't treat me like a fool. What is your purpose in coming here?"
"Does the imperial court really think I don't know that they're using a fake sixth princess to test me?"
Xiao Chengci came here simply to confirm whether he truly had this intention.
Shang Huai has hidden away his grandparents and father.
Unless he is dead, Xiao Chengci will not be able to find them.
"I won't hide it from you, the moment I saw Pei Zhi's body, I already had thoughts of rebellion."
Pei Minxue couldn't help but interject, "I'm Pei Zhi's older brother, and I'll say this: Zhizhi's death was truly due to illness."
Pei Minxue was also unwilling to involve Pei Zhi.
If Shang Huai wants to rebel, then let him rebel.
Don't use the banner of avenging Zhizhi.
In this way, not only will the deceased Zhizhi not find peace, but their Duke's Mansion will also be exposed to gossip.
Suppressing his anger, Xiao Chengci said, "I'm telling you again, Zhizhi's death has nothing to do with Father Emperor."
"It was Zhizhi who caught a cold, so I summoned all the imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to treat her."
Xiao Chengci emphasized, "Even so, we still couldn't save her."
Shang Huai asked, "Xiao Chengci, are you really sure that Zhizhi's illness has nothing to do with you?"
Xiao Chengci said loudly, "Of course."
“Alright then.” Shang Huai countered, “After Zhizhi publicly agreed to marry me, she fell ill.”
"Do you dare say that her illness really has nothing to do with you?"
"Is she sick because she's so worried that you confronted her and couldn't sleep at night?"
Xiao Chengci hesitated because he was also unsure.
No matter how bold Pei Zhi is, she is still a young girl.
Whether Pei Zhi was worried about incurring the Crown Prince's wrath and thus suffering from anxiety, no one could know.
Pei Minxue noticed Xiao Chengci's doubtful expression and worried that Xiao Chengci would be misled by Shang Huai.
Pei Minxue chimed in, "Zhizhi doesn't seem to have that kind of personality."
If Pei Zhi were that timid, she wouldn't dare to be so audacious as to fake her death.
Let these two men tear each other apart here.
"Brother Minxue," Shang Huai looked at Pei Minxue with a half-smile, "have you been a dog for too long, forgotten what it feels like to stand up?"
At first, Shang Huai gave Pei Minxue some face because he was Pei Zhi's brother.
But Pei Minxue kept speaking up for Xiao Chengci, so Shang Huai couldn't bear it anymore.
"Even if she's a sister we found halfway through, she's still related by blood, right?"
Shang Huai pointed at Xiao Chengci, "Just because he's the Crown Prince and his father is the Emperor, does that mean Pei Zhi deserves to die?"
Pei Minxue really wanted to cover his head and shout that Pei Zhi's death had nothing to do with anyone.
Pei Zhi wanted to die! She wanted to run away, so stop arguing.
Seeing that Pei Minxue's face had turned ashen, Shang Huai stopped arguing with him.
“Cousin, since you’re my cousin, I’ll speak frankly.”
Shang Huai sat in the chair and said, "Since you're so bold as to come to my territory, you should be prepared to never leave."
Pei Minxue's expression changed slightly. "Shang Huai, this is the Crown Prince. Have you considered the consequences if something happens to him on your territory?"
This is no joke.
At that time, not to mention the Zhenbei Army, the entire north, even a dog would probably be beheaded by Emperor Xiao.
"If my cousin doesn't come, my plan might have to wait a few more years."
Shang Huai bowed to Xiao Chengci, "Since my cousin has come to my doorstep, isn't this a stroke of luck?"
Xiao Chengci calmly asked, "Have you considered what the Xiongnu will do if you attack the imperial court?"
"What if the Xiongnu launch a surprise attack on you from the rear? Are you going to drag the entire Great Xiao into war because of personal grudges?"
"My cousin probably doesn't know that I've made an agreement with the Xiongnu."
Although Shang Huai wanted to rebel, he was not a brainless general.
"The Xiongnu prince has made a pact with me. If war breaks out, he is willing to come to my army alone as a hostage."
"Within two years, the Xiongnu must not lead their troops to attack the northern city, otherwise he will surely die suddenly."
Pei Minxue pressed further, "And the price?"
The Xiongnu people couldn't possibly be so kind as to make such a big concession for no reason.
"Once the matter is accomplished, trade between the two cities will commence."
This was a solution that Shang Huai had carefully considered and felt was worthwhile.
The two cities can trade with each other and exchange local specialties, which is a good thing.
Pei Minxue countered, "Have you considered what you would do if the Xiongnu attacked two years from now?"
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